WordPress.com or WordPress.org – which version is right for me?

By Ben Temple2 Comments
A number of our members have recently asked us the question, should I use WordPress.com or WordPress.org? If you are thinking of migrating your existing website to an easy to use platform that gives you flexibility and total control, WordPress is a good choice. It's important to know which version of the open source software to use from the outset, so we've complied some information in order to get started with your own blog or website. What should you consider when deciding to transfer your website to WordPress? What's the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com? What are the differences in: Costs - upfront & ongoing Software pros and cons Maintenance and development Making a decision on which version: WordPress.com or WordPress.org is best you you What is WordPress.org? WordPress is the open source software that is responsible for around 16% of live websites today. It powers millions of websites around the world, including The Marketing Compass website. WordPress.org is the activity hub of the WordPress community. The core software is...
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Ecommerce Sites Making Sure Yours is The Best not the Worst

By Ben TempleNo Comments
Ecommerce websites are specifically designed to create a venue from which to sell your business or personal products. If you are selling tangible products or downloadable services from your website, you will at some point require an ecommerce website. How do you determine what is and is not a good Ecommerce website? What are some of the things that you'll need to ensure that your own sites give your visitors a good experience? Think about the best and the absolute worst of the sales websites that you have ever seen or tried to buy from. Needless to say, the best was probably attractive and easy to find exactly what you wanted. The worst were those which were not attractive aesthetically and were very difficult to navigate. Great Ecommerce websites are going to be those which makes the buyer feel at home nearly immediately. The website will offer a great look, clean concise and easy to use. The first thing that you see when...
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How to get training funding from your local council or governing body to help you with your marketing

By Ben Temple1 Comment
There's a wide range of training funding available from various sources to help your business grow, particularly from local councils. You may be eligible for full or partial funding, depending on what you'd like to study and your circumstances. To help you find the right funding we've put together a list of potential grants and useful links. All of the below training funding will entitle you to join The Marketing Compass and train with us over the year ahead. Government Growth Accelerator scheme If you're looking to increase your sales and improve your marketing, this scheme will be perfect for you. The package allows you to have 7 days personal marketing coaching, 6 half day workshops and a grant of up to £2000 to spend on further marketing training. If you are interested, email info@marketingcompass.co.uk Essex County Council - Skills for Economic Growth Skills for Economic Growth is an Essex County Council programme that provides training funding grants of up to £2,000 to help businesses...
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How to get more clients

By Ben TempleNo Comments
How to get more clients is a question that we are often asked. Here is a seven step process: 1. Who are your ideal clients? You should be able to answer this question instantly. Within your marketing plan, write descriptions of your chosen market segments (groups of people with shared needs). It's all too easy to try to sell to everyone you come into contact with. Smart businesses decide who they wish to serve and they channel their time, money and resources into communicating with target market segments. 2. Use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system in order to keep track of dormant, current and prospective clients. The busier you get, the more complex this process becomes. 3. Use a customer education approach as this will bring people to you. Provide useful, helpful, interesting and up-to-date information and package it in helpful ways. 4. Increase your promotional mix. Most businesses don't use enough promotional techniques. The Marketing Compass has researched several hundred promotional options...
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Is your website mobile friendly?

By Ben Temple1 Comment
Web enabled mobile phones are great aren't they? You can use them to check directions, weather, emails and websites on the go. According to the BBC, over 45% of mobile phone users regularly use the internet on the move. So the big question is: Is your website mobile friendly? * 1.2 billion mobile webs users worldwide - many of these only use the mobile web * 8.49% of global website visits in 2011 * Smartphones are only a fraction of web enabled phones * Mobile searches quadrupled in last 12 months alone * $3.3 billion spent worldwide on mobile advertising in 2011 - Estimated to increase to $20.6 billion worldwide  a year by 2015 * 300,000 mobile apps developed in the last three years - with over 10.9 billion downloads in that period * M-Commerce (mobile commerce) expected to reach $119 billion worldwide per year by 2015 * 71% of 16 - 24 year olds use mobiles to access the internet as their main device * 24 - 36 years...
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How to get more likes on Facebook and more followers on Twitter

By Ben TempleNo Comments
We often get asked by our members how to get more likes on facebook & how to grow their social media following and how to use their pages effectively to grow their business online and get more sales enquiries. Here are a few simple principles to kick start your campaigns... 1) Ask your friends! Invite contacts on social networks and in person. 2) Include a 'like' / 'follow' link in your email signature, on your website and on your printed marketing material. 3) Offer an incentive. You could send new 'likes' a gift, this could be a guide that shares some of your professional knowledge...this often leads to solid sales leads! 4) Leave comments on relevant company's Facebook / Twitter pages with your incentive. It's amazing how many companies don't engage with their fans, it's an opportunity glaring you in the face! Once you start to get more fans and followers, make sure you engage with them. Post regular updates that are inspiring, connective, educative and...
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Member Spotlight – Dylis Guyan

Member Spotlight – Dylis Guyan

By Ben TempleNo Comments
Dylis is a Sales and Sales Management Consultant, Sales Coach and Professional Speaker. Cut her in two and she has sales and sales management running through her like a stick of rock. It is what she has done for the past 25 years. She has increased sales performance by 400% for many of her clients She works with Companies, Sales People and the Professional Self-Employed, helping them to increase sales revenue by: * Overcoming the effect the downturn in the economy is having on your  thinking and actions. * Discovering how to overcome your biggest business obstacles. * Improving your conversion rates from contact to sale * Increasing average sale values * Discover how to mine for the gold in your existing customer base * Get referrals and reduce time spent cold calling * Identify what your customers really want. It is no longer just features and benefits. * Differentiate yourself from the competition by having a strong value proposition * Shorten your sales cycle by using a sales process...
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Member Spotlight – Bruce Bradley

By Ben TempleNo Comments
Aspen Graphics is a highly experienced Graphic Design and Print Management company based in High Wycombe. The company, established in 1997, is run by two directors whose combined experience in the printing industry exceeds 80 years. The knowledgeable and friendly service covers both graphic design and printing and is simple, uncomplicated and reliable. Their logos, stationery, leaflets, brochures and mailers are designed and printed to give the maximum impact, in the most cost effective way. In-depth advice and guidance and quick turnaround times, ease each client through every stage of the work. Aspen Graphics supply many companies as well as national and international brands. For all their clients, Aspen Graphics is their preferred supplier of choice. Visit Bruce's profile here: www.marketingcompass.co.uk/members/bruce-bradley/profile/ Visit Aspen Graphics website here: www.aspen.org.uk ...
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Member Spotlight – Margi Ross

By Ben Temple1 Comment
Margi has been working to give a language and conceptual framework to the Feminine since 1986. The major part of this new information is set out in her book ‘The Conscious Feminine. The Next Step in the Development of the Feminine’. Margi has worked as a therapist and taught in groups for over 30 years. Here's Margi's profile: www.marketingcompass.co.uk/members/margi-ross/profile/ and here is her website: www.consciousfeminine.org  ...
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Member Spotlight – Phil Hawthorn

By Ben TempleNo Comments
Phil Hawthorn - One Step Ahead. Phil was originally a scientist, then in sales, marketing and business management in various medical companies. He moved on from pharmaceuticals to set up One Step Ahead – management and team training – in 1996. He was halfway through his OU MBA at the time. He is involved with Peter Cook, author of Sex Leadership and Rock n Roll, in both writing “The Innovation Cookbook” and delivering keynote conference performances. He is writing a book himself – teaching men how to cook – and is now linking teamwork, leadership and cooking. The stories and insights from those involved in the daily pantomime of food service provide a lot of thought provocation. Here's Phil's website: www.canmencook.co.uk and here's Phil profile: www.marketingcompass.co.uk/members/phil-hawthorn/profile/...
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