Customer relations are as complex as ever, because clients have so many platforms to communicate with a business. Sometimes, business owners aren’t eager to communicate. They turn off their phones, ignore emails and messages, and shut down the office for a well-deserved break. Thankfully, websites never take a break. Websites don’t sleep, and they don’t take snow days. Neither do chat bots. A well-designed website with a chat bot is like having an extra employee on the team. This employee works an amazing 24/7/365.

Chatbot generates leads

A chatbot is a marketing tool that acts as a funnel on a website. Packerland Websites added a chatbot to its website in June 2020, and we receive chat messages every week. Actually, some of those messages resulted in website sales. A lot of people prefer to type in a quick message instead of making a phone call or filling out a contact form. As a lead-generation tool, the chatbot is a success for us.

Chatbot options for websites

Our developers manage the chatbot, so they’re on one end of the conversation. We love this communications feature so much that we provide chatbot plugins to clients. For clients who don’t have the time, interest, or personnel to manage a chatbot, we have another chat marketing tool that funnels visitors to a desired action.

Human-powered chat service

We recently started working with Juvo Leads, a company that promises at least 35% more leads from your existing website traffic. Juvo Leads does this through a human-powered chat answering service. They’ve agreed to give our clients discounted rates as well as a free, 30-day trial.

Free 30-day trial

If you’re interested in a free 30-day trial, let us know and we can get it set up for you. The cost after the trial (if you choose to continue) is $28 per qualified lead. (You define what is a qualified lead.) If you like the idea of getting more leads and only paying for the qualified ones, this is a great chance to try it free for 30 days. The 30-day trial gives you time to determine if the human-powered chat service can become a sales funnel for your business.
If interested, just contact the Juvo Leads team for a no-obligation consultation.

Halloween 2021 generated a trick – instead of a treat – for the Packerland Websites team and some of our clients. A cyberattack, originating in Chile, was committed Halloween weekend against a server bank in Chicago. Server banks require complex maintenance, security and IT service. Thus, Packerland Websites utilizes third-party server banks. The cyberattack on Oct. 30 affected some of our most complicated websites.

What a nasty trick

We know our clients rely on their websites functioning 24/7. Disruptions aren’t just inconvenient; they oftentimes affect the organization. Sadly, in today’s world where cyberattacks exist, servers go down and take time to reconnect.

Cyberattack Resolution

The server company and outside experts worked on the weekend to fully restore services. By Sunday morning, the threat was blocked and contained. All of Packerland Websites’ client sites were up and running again. On Sunday and Monday, the Packerland Websites team used its backup records to update the affected websites to the most recent version. (Thanks, team) For clients with Halloween-themed events, like Porters Patch or complex calendar booking systems, like Palette and Pub, up-to-date and functional websites are a must. Thankfully, the cyberattack was resolved promptly.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Besides being Halloween, October 31 is the last day of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Nothing makes a nonprofit or business more aware of cybersecurity than when their website goes down because of a malicious attack.

Maintaining Secure Websites

The Packerland Websites Team has multiple security measures in place, yet as we saw this weekend, servers can be targeted. We rely on skillful and knowledgeable outside server providers that are the best in the industry. The Packerland Websites Team is committed to maintaining secure sites.

Packerland Websites maintains secure websites by:

• Hosting websites on secure, HTTPS platforms
• Backing up the websites on databases with 30-day retention.
• Performing daily security scans

Preventing Scary Cyberattacks

We hope that everyone enjoyed Halloween weekend. As for our clients, please know that the Packerland Websites team works hard every day to protect your website against scary cyberattacks. Thanks for trusting us with the security and integrity of your website. Contact us to learn more about the cybersecurity features we provide.

Read more about cybersecurity

Website Hacking: Update Your Cybersecurity
My Website Got hacked! Who Is Responsible?
Expert Tips: Make Your Website Load Fast, Look Good, Be Secure

Who knew the variety of businesses that needed websites? In addition to landscapers, home builders, municipalities and nonprofit organizations, we’ve developed websites for authors, eyelash extension artists, and exterminators. Recently, our team has developed a number of manufacturer websites for fabricating, processing, and converting companies.

Manufacturer websites complement salesforce

Manufacturing and production companies often rely on their salesforce to find customers. Wouldn’t it be nice for customers to find you, instead? A powerful, effective manufacturer website generates leads that pan out.

1. A manufacturer website is a recruiting tool to grow your workforce. 6 Tips: Recruit Workers Via your Website
2. Additionally, it’s a branding strategy to showcase your products and services. 6 Signs Your Company Needs a New Website
3. Lastly, a manufacturer website works 24/7/365 to reach multiple audiences. Target Audience: Websites that Hit the Bullseye

Manufacturer websites resonate with users

A manufacturer website needs to speak your industry’s language, but not just with technical jargon. Effective websites answer your customer’s questions, address their concerns, and offer solutions to their problems. Visitors to your website read the content and look at the graphics, saying to themselves, “Yes! This company gets it. This is exactly what we’re looking for!”

Manufacturer websites explain ‘Why?’

Instead of simply displaying equipment and explaining capabilities, a manufacturer website needs to show “Why?” Why do you do what you do? Why would people want to work with you? Demonstrate how your corporate culture and company philosophy defines who you are and what you do. Give visitors confidence in your brand with messaging that resonates with them

You and your fabricating, processing, or converting company:

• Will be taken care of
• Can trust us
• Will find us easy to work with
• Will be completely satisfied with our products and services

Time for a new manufacturer website?

Some manufacturers tell us, “We have a website already.” Well, just because you have a website doesn’t mean you’re using it to its highest capabilities. Is your website doing everything it can as a marketing, communications and promotional tool? You wouldn’t keep an old, outdated machine on the production floor, would you? Then why keep a tired-looking, ineffective website around?

Contact Us

One of the best ways to get internet results is to speak to the struggles of clients and prospects. Then, explain why you do what you do and the solutions you provide. Sound easy? The team at Packerland Websites is ready to help. Contact us today for professional content writing and marketing services that get a response.

My dentist is at the stage in life when he works less. He’s easing out of the dental practice, and he hired another dentist to pick up the slack. While waiting for my appointment recently, I overheard one of his patients. She said she wouldn’t see any other dentist. Consequently, she doesn’t know what she will do when our dentist retires completely.

Professional Bios Foster Customer Loyalty

That type of customer loyalty indicates meaningful one-to-one relationships between consumers and service providers. How can a website foster these relationships? One design element is a professional bio. Basically, a professional bio explains who you are, what you do, and who you help. A professional bio highlights career and academic achievements. (Personal interests are optional, depending on your objectives.) Professional bios build a service provider’s brand image. Essentially, they build upon what’s shared on the About page.

Professional Bios for Service Providers

Service providers who work one-on-one with clients can benefit from publishing professional bios on their websites. These types of service providers include:

• Dentists
• Attorneys
• Massage therapists
• Real estate agents
• Insurance agents
• Hair stylists
• Personal coaches

Even website developers have professional bios! All of these professions involve personal interaction. Successful connections lead to customer loyalty. Return customers are the backbone of any business. In contrast, new customers are essential to growth. A well-crafted bio resonates with existing customers and piques the interest of prospects. Three Steps to Writing a Catchy Bio

Professional Bios for Organizational Leaders

In addition to service providers, organizational leaders can benefit from professional bios. Leaders in a for-profit or nonprofit organization build audience trust with bios. One example is the Oconto Falls Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members and nonmembers get to know the directors. Links to the director’s social media profiles and company websites encourage communication.

Achieving Your Website Goals

As you can see, professional bios actually do belong on websites. Professional bios are especially advantageous for service providers working personally with clients and organizational leaders reaching out to members and nonmembers. Packerland Websites will help you decide if professional bios are right for your website. First and foremost, we will consider your goals as they pertain to branding your organization and personnel. Contact us for a consultation today.

Today’s small business owners are swamped. We hear it all the time, “I’m too busy to design a new website.” “Our company is so busy, why would we need a new website? We have all the business we can handle.” I commend all of these hardworking business owners. I know exactly what they’re describing, because I’ve been in their shoes. Initially, I was crazy-busy building homes and currently, I’m crazy-busy building websites.

Benefits of a New Website

So, why is a busy time an especially good time for a new website? Because a website isn’t just a marketing tool to gain leads and sell products and services during the slow periods. A business site is much more than that.

Branding Tool

A company website represents the official voice and brand of the business. The text on a webpage explains who, what, when, when, how, and why you do what you do. The site shows consistent colors, logos, and mottos that clients recognize and trust. The site looks modern, opens quickly, and navigates easily, so the audience has a positive user experience. Visitors see a company that cares about its image, and consequently, cares about its clients, too. Users see a company that understands their challenges and offers them the best solutions.

Communications Portal

A website is a two-way communications tool that works 24/7/365. Today’s consumers search for products and services at all hours. Whether it’s early morning, after hours, holidays, or weekends, your audience can find and contact your organization. A website provides essential communication including:

• Contact form
• One-tap dialing
• Chat bot
• Testimonials
• E-commerce store
• Call to Action
• Content: Home, About, Products/Services, FAQs, Menu

Hiring platform

If you’re busy, you’re probably hiring. Although it’s difficult to find workers in today’s tight job market, digital strategies can help. Job seekers often review a company’s internet presence before applying. Thus, a website becomes a recruiting tool.

• Corporate culture – Showcase the benefits and experiences of being on your team
• Job posting page – List current openings is an easily searchable format
• Link to applications – Encourage job seekers to complete an application with easy-to-use navigation

Investment in the Future

Perhaps your business is booming. Your current site, although out of date, is working just fine. However, that doesn’t mean the website doesn’t need a tune-up. By investing in a new website, you invest in the future of your company. Essentially, you present a fresh look that’s modern, attractive, and user-friendly. Above all, you want to keep the momentum going. You want to stay busy and productive well into the future. It’s possible with the right business strategy that includes a powerful, effective website.

Contact Us

The Packerland Websites team knows time is money. We have people and processes in place to develop websites without overtaxing your staff. Busy organizations don’t look for ways to add more to their plate or stress to their workday. Wouldn’t it be nice to have our team take the lead in developing a new website that’s right for you? Contact us to get started.

So, you just built a great looking, brand-new website, but you can’t view it when you are at work. What’s happening? Well, there was a time we had to ask this question ourselves. If you have an internal server, there may be an extra hoop to jump through in order to view your organization’s website. Hopefully, this article will help you skip the learning curve.

Domain Name & Hosting

Taking a small step back, we discussed some helpful background information in an earlier article, 3 Basic Website Elements You Shouldn’t Overlook. Essentially, you have your domain name, which is like an Internet deed with a pointer to where things are at. Typically, digital information is stored on servers, which are specialty computers that store your information for websites, emails and other stuff. This storage is often called hosting. When something is hosted, the domain tells where it is found and connects everything together. This is called an A record (like the letter A). It is important that the A record is set for yourdomainname.com and the WWW as in WWW.yourdomainname. The Internet recognizes these as two separate domain names, even though as humans, we see them as one.

Internal & External Server

When you have an internal server managing your business and an external server where your website sits, there are two areas that needs pointing. The short cut is having a good IT person go to your internal server and point the website address to the external server on which it is sitting. An easy way to check this is to pull your website up on your smart phone, with the WIFI turned OFF. By using mobile data, you can check on your website without running through your internal server first. If it is still confusing, you are not alone. Even some IT people sometimes get tripped up on this hiccup. It is also important that you have an SSL certificate. You can read about SSL certificates here. An SSL changes HTTP to HTTPS. This change is for security and functionality.

Contact Us for More Information

IT can sometimes be frustrating for the average person. Sometimes, it is even frustrating for the IT person. We hope this article helps you diagnose and overcome this server challenge. Contact us for more information about servers, domain names, and hosting.