Why flash looks great, but should be used with care (or not at all)

I just ran across this article "Don't Use Flash this way, or how to ruin your site with flash". Not only do I agree with all of her points, but I'll caution in a few other areas too.

If you design your site in Flash, you're forever at the mercy of the designer. You MUST have the source file to ever make edits and that will need to be done by someone who knows Flash, owns the version it was created in, etc. I currently have this nightmare with a client and I'm really hoping they don't have to completely rebuild their site.

Search engines can't find you - unless the person who designs it really knows what they're doing. However, in my experience, most Flash designers are artists and not web people or they wouldn't do an entire site in Flash anyway.

Also, the use of Flash usually doubles the cost of your site - it looks good, but does it look THAT good?

FREE listing on Google Maps - why wouldn't you do it?

I was in a seminar recently and I mentioned that you could have a free listing on google with a map to your location. Everyone was dying to know how! It's really simple, just follow these steps and, best of all, it's free!

First, you own your listing, they're just waiting for you to update it. So, go to the Google Local Business Center and register your business. Verification is required. Use the telephone verification method, if it is available. (Google will show you a PIN on the PC, then they'll call your number, and you enter the PIN. Takes 20 seconds). This is by far the easiest method. It's free, and you do not have to buy Google Ads. AND it will overwrite whatever Google Maps is currently showing. If it's a new business, you'll see the changes right away. If you're making changes they just ask you to verify again

On the "more info" page, at the bottom is a link that says "Business Owners: Add/Edit Your Business" and a link to the LBC above. Most people don't know this link is here, probably because it is often below the fold on the page. Google really should make this link more prominent.

They have recently added statistics so you can see how many people click on your information as well as coupons! I think this is a great option - you can put a coupon on your map listing for free! What a great idea if you have any sort of retail establishment (imagine a pizza coupon!).

-From our June Newsletter - be sure to sign up if you want this emailed to you!

STOP IT!

We were in an all day coaching session on Friday and they talked about this clip. It's wonderful and great for all of us with little brain gremlins!



As for the coaching, it's fantastic - we are using "Action Coach" and Susan Roberts is our coach - we meet with "Profit Club" every two weeks to talk about goals, numbers, marketing strategies, time management...it's good stuff!