Producing Meaningful Work as an Intern

Bill Koehne, owner of Packerland Websites, said he is excited to offer Alexis real and meaningful work as a summer intern. 

“Alexis already has a grasp of website design from her UW-Milwaukee classes, but now she’s putting that knowledge to work,” Koehne said. “She’s learning from our developers and is producing some great designs. Her writing skills and creative background make her a perfect fit for website design.”  

Earning a Certificate in Web Development

Lonzo, of Suamico, is a 2022 Bayport High School graduate who attends the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She plans to graduate in May 2026 with a certificate in Web Development. She also is studying Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies, with a double emphasis in Journalism and Advertising. 

Designing Websites & Pleasing Clients

Alexis said she is unsure of her career path after graduation, but she is leaning more toward web development based on the response she is receiving from clients during her internship.

“I really enjoy getting client feedback, and it makes me happy when the client loves their finished site,” she said.

Contact Us for Website Services

Packerland websites offers a family of website products such as hosting, domain names, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), blogs, and content writing. To learn about website development or internship opportunities with Packerland Websites, contact Koehne at 920-826-5901. 

Recently, members of the Brown County Homebuilders Association were targeted by a phishing scam. Cybercriminals emailed renewal notices with the BCHBA name and logo and attempted to collect membership dues and sensitive information. This scam highlights the need for tighter email security records. As a courtesy to BCHBA members, Packerland Websites partnered with Green Bay Tech Support to check member emails on the BCHBA website directory. We found out that many companies were missing email security records and authentication that left them vulnerable to scams and cyberattacks.

The Vulnerability of Weak Email Security

Cybercriminals target businesses with nonexistent or weak emails security protections, viewing them as easy targets. Plus, cybercriminals target other businesses by impersonating their company in emails, like the BCHBA example. As small business owners responsible for email security, it’s important to have the proper email records, not just for sending emails, but also to safeguard your email communication.

Understanding Email Security

Let me help you understand email security, using as little tech jargon as possible. First, it helps to understand DNS, domain name systems. Think of DNS as the internet’s phonebook. While we remember domain names like Google.com, computers use IP addresses to locate other devices on the Internet. DNS translates these domain names into IP addresses, enabling computers to connect with each other.

Key Email Security Records

SPF records (Sender Policy Framework): SPF is a DNS record that specifies which mail servers are permitted to send email on behalf of your domain. When an email is received, the recipient email servers look to this record to verify if the sending server is authorized – and not spam. 

DKIM records (Domain Keys Identified Mail): DKIM adds a digital signature to each outgoing email linked to your domain. This signature helps recipient email services verify that the email is authentic, trusted, and comes from your domain. DKIM helps prevent email fraud, like phishing.

DMARC records (Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, And Conformance): DMARC is a group of policies that tells email servers what to do with emails that fail SPF and DKIM checks. Not in the SPF record? Reject it. No DKIM signature? Reject it. BOOM!

Email Security Shift for Businesses

Recently, Google and Yahoo enhanced their security regarding bulk email communications. (Read our related article, Ensuring Email Deliverability Amid Tight Anti-Spam Policies.) Businesses that are not DMARC compliant eventually will have their emails rejected from delivery. If your company has not been impacted yet, it will be at some point. 

Safeguard Your Business from Email Scams

Protecting your email from cyberattack and keeping communication flowing can seem overwhelming. Many small businesses struggle to set up DMARC, DKIM, and SPF for themselves. But don’t just ignore email security because it’s too difficult to understand! Instead, contact your IT provider or Green Bay Tech Support. IT providers can fix the issues before your emails stop getting delivered or your business falls victim to scammers. 

Green Bay Tech Support’s Discount

Green Bay Tech Support will offer a 10-15% discount on DMARC implementation services for Brown County Homebuilders Association members. For more information, watch Green Bay Tech Support’s Email Security Video. Contact Dan at Green Bay Tech Support today, 920-770-4125. 

Forty-seven children are abused or neglected per second in the U.S. What a heart-breaking statistic. Manatee Children’s Services of Bradenton, Florida, is working to break the cycle of child abuse. The organization serves over 12,000 children and families every year. Currently, Manatee Children’s Services is running a Welcome to Our House fundraising campaign. MCS wants to raise $450,000 to renovate its 100-year-old building, modernizing the facility and organizing services under one roof. As of April 1, 2024, MCS surpassed the half-way mark, raising $245,000, which is 54 percent of its goal.

Embedding a Thermometer into a Website

Packerland Websites built Manatee Children’s Services website and added a unique feature. To chart the fundraiser’s progress, Packerland Websites embedded the image of a thermometer goal chart on the website Home page. The MCS fundraising thermometer clearly communicates the $245,000 goal at a glance. Donors can see how their gift makes a difference, as the thermometer inches higher. Published with the thermometer are a short description, a Donate Online button, and button that links to a document explaining Welcome to Our House.

Driving More Donations for Nonprofits

Fundraising thermometers have been proven to drive more donations because of their visual impact. Nonprofit organizations use fundraising thermometers to chart donations for a capital campaign, giving day like Giving Tuesday, fundraising event, specific program, or year-end appeal. Packerland Websites customizes the thermometer to match the organizations’ branding and color scheme.

Easily Updating Fundraising Milestones

As donations roll in, the website administrator updates the thermometer periodically. Administrators simply login to the website, click on settings, and change the number in the “dollar amount raised” section. By changing just one number, the updates automatically occur in multiple places on the website: 

• Percentage of goal met
• Paragraph of text describing the amount raised and the goal

Learning How to Update a Thermometer

When launching a website, Packerland Websites offers complimentary training for website administrators and editors. Personnel from Manatee Children’s Services learned how to update their web pages, and they also learned how to update the fundraiser thermometer. Packerland Websites also recorded a video for MCS staff. The video provides a quick reference for anyone learning how to update the fundraising thermometer or reviewing the process.

Publicizing the Urgency for Donations

Once a fundraising thermometer is embedded on their website, organizations can use the visual in other marketing collateral. For example, they can show images of the thermometer on their social media pages, newsletters, printed materials, and fundraising events. By updating the thermometer every few weeks, organizations show their progress and drive urgency for more donations.

Ask us About a Fundraising Thermometer

Manatee Children’s Services provides a much-needed service for children and families south of Tampa, Florida. Although the child advocacy group receives some government funding, it relies heavily on philanthropic donations to carry out its mission. The thermometer goal chart is an effective, visual tool to call attention to the organization’s desire to renovate its facility. Packerland Website supports the work of Manatee Children’s Services and its Welcome to Our House campaign. To request a fundraising thermometer for your nonprofit website, contact us.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms offer a variety of features to help companies meet their goals. CRM solutions enable companies to streamline their processes and stay connected to their customers. Organizations use their CRM to process digital contracts, track leads, manage projects, view customer communications, send email campaigns, and do so much more.

Simplifying Data Management: From Website Forms to CRM

One benefit of CRM technology is the ability to connect a CRM to a custom contact form on a website. The website-to-CRM interaction results in organized lists of names, customer leads, and sign-ups for classes or events. By linking their websites and CRM, organizations have a ready-made system to collect and store registration data for everything from a Paint and Sip class to a golf outing. Data seamlessly transfers from a website to a CRM, making it easy to manage participation lists for training courses, professional development, webinars, fundraisers, social events, and outings.

Tailoring Solutions for Nonprofits & Professional Organizations

Additionally, nonprofit and professional organizations can connect their CRM to a modified, customized E-commerce system. This connection enables them to collect membership dues and member data at the same time.

Transform Your Website-CRM Connection Today

The Packerland Websites team knows that websites are constantly evolving. Today, websites go beyond simply presenting information. Instead, websites are becoming more interactive. Technology has evolved into systems that gather, transfer, and organize information from webpage to CRM. Websites do the bulk of the work, saving time and labor. For more information regarding CRM and website connections, contact us. We are happy to answer your questions and enable a website/CRM connection for your organization.

Packerland Websites owner Bill Koehne was interviewed on the local talk show on WOCO Radio, Oconto. Bill told listeners how to avoid being victimized by scams and cyberattacks. He presented expert advice for consumers, businesses, and nonprofits. By being aware of some of the common strategies used by scammers, people and organizations can protect their identity and the assets from victimization.

Scam Phone Calls & Emails

For example, you might receive a phone call or email from seemingly legitimate agencies or companies. Don’t be too sure! Bill recommended looking closely at the email and sender’s address for signs of a scam. Do you recognize the email address? Spoofers can make emails look like they’re from a legitimate source. If you’re unsure, don’t click anything or reply to the email. Instead, call the organization to confirm you received legitimate correspondence.

Domain Registry Renewal Scams

Another scam involves domain registry. Bill explained that domain names are like a deed on the internet. The domain points to an organization’s email or website address. Businesses call Packerland Website at least once a week asking about Domain Registry expiration notices they received in the mail. The letter appears to be an invoice to pay to renew a website domain.

Yes, domain names need to be renewed regularly or they expire and another entity can purchase the domain name. For example, Bill mentioned that a historical society failed to renew its organization’s domain name. Someone else bought the domain, and now the historical society’s website address leads to a website with scantily-clad women.

Renewing a domain name should be a priority. But instead of paying $200-$300 to a domain registry company, Bill recommended talking with your website provider. Determine who holds the domain name in their account and know when it expires.

Look for Secure Websites & HTTPS Padlock

Packerland Websites just launched a redesigned website for WOCO, and now listeners can tune in and listen online. The WOCO website is secured with an SSL certificate and HTTPS certificate. You can tell by looking in the upper left-hand corner for a padlock and HTTPS letters in the web address. Scammers can copy a website, build it on another server, change a few things, and try to get people to use the copy-cat website. Look for the padlock on the address bar to ensure the website meets today’s security standards.

If you run a business or nonprofit, make sure your website meets these security standards. Otherwise, your audience will visit your competition that offers secure browsing. How many visitors do you want to lose by not having SSL?

Invest in Anti-Virus Software & Clear Your Cache

Bill also recommended installing an anti-virus software program on your computer. Anti-virus software scans your computer for viruses and provides real-time protection. He also recommended clearing cache – your computer’s short-term memory. Your computer is tracking you, unless you open an incognito window to browse the internet. Clearing cache will get rid of the “cookies” that your computer collected as you visited various websites. Clear your browsing history, and your computer will run faster.

Create Complex Passwords

Additionally, Bill recommended creating complex passwords to protect websites against hackers. When Packerland Websites builds websites, the developers hide the login page. A login page can be a gateway to hackers, but it’s hard for hackers to pick the lock when they can’t find the door. The Packerland Websites team also requires double-factor authentication in which a code is sent to an email or phone. Strong passwords include upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t reuse old passwords or create passwords that are easy for others to guess.

Reduce Spam Calls with an Auto Attendant

To reduce spam calls, Bill recommended an auto attendant. An auto attendant is an automated answering service. Callers are directed to use their keypad to dial the extension of the person they want to talk to.  Some of the Packerland Websites developers work remote, and the auto attendant connects callers to the team’s Google phone numbers. With an auto attendant, spam gets filtered out because an auto-dialer spam caller can’t click a number.

Name Multiple Admins for Facebook Pages

Bill also spoke about the importance of having multiple administrators you trust on a personal, business, or nonprofit Facebook page. If an employee sets up a Facebook page, is the only administrator on the account and leaves the organization, access to the Facebook account is locked. Disgruntled employees can remove themselves as administrators and leave the Facebook page in limbo. It can take months to get the Facebook page up again. Companies that rely on Facebook for marketing are in a real bind when this happens.

Think About Your Digital Assets & Plan Ahead

Lastly, Bill encouraged listeners to think about their digital assets, like a website, Facebook page and LinkedIn page. What do you want to happen to these if you pass away? Make a plan and mention this to your estate planning attorney when creating a trust or will. Who do you want to control these digital assets? How will the designee access your accounts?

Thanks to Larry & WOCO Radio, Oconto

Thanks to Larry and WOCO Radio at FM 107.1 for the opportunity for Packerland Websites to share expert insights. Be wary of scams, and protect yourself with the latest cybersecurity. Contact us for more information about any of these topics, website development, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).