BZA, a northern New Jersey web design firm, has been working with manufacturing companies for many years in helping them plan, design, implement and market their manufacturing company web presence.

Here are a few features and key elements that can contribute to the success of a manufacturer’s website.

The Catalog – If you are a custom shop then it is important for you to communicate the scope of what you offer so visitors feel confident in your abilities. If you offer off the shelf industrial products then providing pictures, specifications and downloadable PDF drawings. Many manufacturers have been able to eliminate the expense of printing a catalog.

Distributors – If you sell through distributors, depending upon how many you have, you might want to utilize a Dealer Locator feature that allows your visitors to enter their location to find the closest dealer. These web application have integrated Google Maps and can display the product types or names carried by the distributor.

Selling Direct – Many manufactures are concerned about selling direct if they already sell through distributors. If you do sell direct; how can you offer different prices to different customers? With today’s e-commerce systems you can set-up various price groups that are assigned to a percentage off list price. Through the administrative area of the software you assign each customer to a price group. Your customers will have a unique user name and password that will give them access to their pricing.

Getting the News out – Incorporating a blog into your website will allow you to announce new products, highlight trade show events, and much more. Blogs are search engine friendly, so each blog article that you post will be like a small billboard for your company.

Downloadable PDF’s – Drawings, specification sheets, etc are ideal to have available for downloading on your website. It saves time and trees. Also PDF’s are indexed on Google. So each PDF you upload is like having an additional indexed web page in Google. The more the merrier.

BZA has been helping New Jersey Manufacturers for over 15 years. We invite you to check out our web design portfolio or give us a call at 973-890-0880 so we can discuss your specific needs.

Tonight I am going to be talking about the benefits of blogging for your business.  Here is my handout.

1. You can update your Blog/Website yourself
2. Your blog becomes your central repository for all articles, news items, announcements and events. It’s database driven, so it’s searchable.
3. “Search-friendliness” is built into the blog.
4. Blogs are easy ways to add depth to your web site; Each blog post is indexed as a page in search engines. (just Google NJAWBO Blogging Event)
5. Your blog post title can automatically be displayed as a tweet in your Twitter account.
6. It’s easy to integrate multi-media in posts – Slideshows from Flickr; YouTube Video.
7. Your blog can be linked from your Linkedin account.
8. Drive traffic to your website/blog by including the link on a Facebook update.
9. Your blog demonstrates your expertise- good for attracting press.
10. With a blog you’ll be cool, hip, and you can now call yourself a blogger.

Resources:

• Wordpress.org   Free open source software for integrating a blog into a web site or building a standalone blog. Self hosted (company.com/company_blog); you’ll need your webmaster to accomplish this.
• Wordpress.com  Free open source hosted blogging solution not on your domain (company.wordpress.com).
• Blogger.com  Free Google hosted blogging solution not on your domain.
• Montclair Adult School; www.adultschool.org Registration begins Feb 1, 2010;  Web Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs & Small Business March 23, 2010;  Planning an Effective Web Presence for Entrepreneurs & Small Business; 2 sessions March 2, 2010 and March 9, 2010

BZA was chosen to be a participant in the American Express OPEN Externship program. Amex assigned a team of talented professionals to develop a Mobile Marketing – Market Entry Strategy for BZA.  This week the team came out to BZA’s office from their NYC headquarters to present their findings.  The comprehensive report and presentation included an executive summary, recommendations, mobile market overview, competitive landscape, market opportunities, market entry strategy, and pricing strategy. Soon you’ll see new Mobile Marketing offerings from BZA.

Are they kidding? Yesterday I was at the Wachovia drive-in and could not help but notice the big sign that said “Drive-in for Bank Customers Only”. With the banks crying the blues you think that some bank marketing genius would suggest a sign that says “Welcome non-bank customers. We are happy to serve you”. I must say the Wachovia teller was extremely pleasant and even asked me if I needed anything else after she finished my transaction. I did not even have to wait online. Why not extend an invitation to new potential customers so that they may experience your fine customer service? I just don’t get it.