We need to find a restaurant that needs a new web site at a HUGE discount!

We have a new service offering for restaurants.  We are almost ready to roll this new service out and we would like to find a restaurant partner who needs a new or updated web presence and would be willing to help us identify any imperfections. We want this to be a WIN-WIN-WIN situation.

WIN for the restaurant - they get a new web presence including timely features and marketing with the ability to reach more patrons, all at a significant discount

WIN for MMJ Technology - we get a real world client to assist us in identifying any imperfections in our new offering

WIN for any patron or potential patron of the restaurant - they get an simple and highly efficient way to connect to the restaurant.

What restaurant do you know that needs a new website? Tell them to contact us, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with their name so we can contact them.

Hurry - we are only looking for ONE partner.

You can contact us here:

MMJ Technology
Jonathan Mast
By phone @ 616-457-0300
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On Facebook (click here)

or simply leave us a comment here . . .

 

Facebook has changed their business fan pages and how users interact with them. This is an important change although it is not the most important Facebook change for you to be aware of. 

First, a simple explanation as it relates to your organization's Facebook page, instead of becoming a "Fan" of a page visitors now "Like" a page.  In theory, this will cause more people to follow your organization on Facebook as people are more comfortable "Liking" something versus becoming a "Fan."  

Second, and most importantly, Facebook is now allowing users to "Like" content on the web - including your website. "So what?" you may ask. This is HUGE for your business! Now, when people visit your website, they can "Like" any page on your website. When a users "Likes" your content all of their Facebook friends are notified and your website is exposed to an expanded audience.

You need to do two things - and you need to do them quickly.

1 - Add "Facebook Like" capability to your website. When you do, site visitors can "Like" your pages and content. You can get the code to do this by clicking here or by adding the Wibiya toolbar to your website (recommended).

2 - Review your website content and make sure it is remarkable - worth sharing with others.  This means it is time to stop talking about your organization. Focus on the benefits your site visitors get from interacting with your organization. Remember - it is all about your customers and prospects; it is not about you.

This new feature from Facebook will be one of the most engaging changes to happen this year. Do yourself a favor and do not miss the boat. Get started today!

Need some assistance?  Call us at 616.457.0300 or email us.

This past weekend I tried to create an account on Meijer.com.  Meijer is a leading regional retailer and grocer and my family shops there almost every week, sometimes more. I was trying to view their weekly sale flyer and print up a shopping list when I decided to create an account. No biggie - right?  Well, for some reason Meijer's web server did not like my address.  After six failed attempts to enter an address that would be accepted, my seventh iteration was finally accepted.

Since I work in the web design and development industry and have a long background in sales and marketing I was a bit irritated that I had to try so diligently to get a simple account setup on their website. The process of setting up an account should be one I consider to be worth while - not frustrating.  My solution? I went to Meijer's Facebook page and posted a comment about my experience trying to create an account at Meijer.com (click here to see that post). I am not exactly sure what I expected - after all, I had managed to create my account - yet I would want to know if my website was "having issues."

On the next business day a representative from Meijer contacted me via Facebook, thanked me for my feedback (which was not totally positive) and asked a few relevant questions to determine what had caused my experience. I responded and just a bit later, the same representative from Meijer followed up with me and explained what happened on their end. I was pleased and felt "cared for" by a company that I regularly visit.

I should note that Meijer did not give me anything for free, that was not necessary. They did not make excuses, that would have been a mistake. They simply used Facebook as a way to engage in a conversation with me (and many others along the way). Kudos Meijer!

On their website, Meijer states:

We are a company that is committed to you; we care about you and your family by providing positive solutions to your everyday problems.

They lived up to that commitment.

Your company or organization can do the same. Start today!

Facebook is scaling back on the word "Fan" and ramping up usage of "Like" on brand pages. According to a confidential e-mail sent to ad agencies, the social media site will change the "Become A Fan" button to read "Like" within the next few weeks.

People are more comfortable saying they "like" something rather than claiming they are a "fan."  This change on Facebook could mean a large increase in traffic to your Facebook page. How are you going to capture that traffic and turn them into possible customers?

If you have not done so already, it is time to Pimp Your Facebook Page (click for step by step directions). Seriously, now is the time to make your Facebook page shine - do it today!

We would be happy to help you too . . . contact us and we will amaze you.

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Call us 616-457-0300

Imagine walking into your favorite local grocery store, sliding your iPad into the shopping cart and having a map of the store appear showing you the most efficient route to take through the store to shop for your items. Not likely you say?  Just wait . . . and likely not much more than 24 months.

The iPad, as with many of Apple's past innovations is going to change the way we live life.

Let's take a glimpse into the future . . .

Through out the week, you use your iPad to make a list of the things you needed from the grocery store. You used to keep a notepad on the refrigerator.  Today it is much simpler to simply add them to your iGroceryCart app on your iPad.  As you sleep tonight, your iPad will communicate with your refrigerator, your pantry and your kitchen cabinets to determine what items you used this week. Yes, your pantry and kitchen cabinets keep track of what you put in them and take out of them (thanks to the new printable RFID tags that are used as labels on everything you buy).

Today, while at work, you decide that fettucine alfredo sounds delightful for dinner.  You check your iPantry app and see that you have everything you need - if you want to make things from scratch.  Cooking from scratch is great, although tonight your daughter has piano lessons after work and you are not going to have time to cook dinner from scratch tonight; you need some Alfredo sauce. You simply tap on the ingredient list and your iPad Pantry app connects to your iRecipe app and automatically adds Alfredo sauce (pre-made) to your iGroceryCart app. Tonight on the way to piano lessons you plan to swing by the grocery store. Five minutes and you will be ready for a quick and tasty dinner when you get home.

After work you pull in the parking lot of your favorite grocery store.  As you walk into the store your iPad, which is in your handbag, automatically receives the stores specials. You grab a shopping cart and put your iPad into the cart's iPad cradle.  Almost immediately, your shopping list from your iGroceryCart app is compared to the store layout and specials. Your iPad asks if you want just Alfredo sauce or if you want to shop for everything on your list. Being in a bit of a rush you choose to just grab the Alfredo sauce and some pasta and run. Your iPad lights up with an optimized shopping route through the store and you are on your way.

Your iPad directs you down the aisles like a seasoned logistics expert and as you approach the pasta and sauce section your iPad notifies you that the store has a new premium house brand of Alfredo sauce - and it is on sale.  You stop the cart in front of the Alfredo sauces just inches away from the new premium house brand and select it, thank you for the recommendation, and place it in your cart. The grocery cart, which is equipped with a RFID reader automatically records your selection as you place it in the cart.  Your iPad directs you to the pasta and, based upon your goal to lose weight (which you entered into you iGoals app last week) recommends a low carb pasta and provides recommendations from other consumers with a picture of the package to make it easier for you to find on the shelf, although your iPad tells you how far you are from the exact spot on the shelf where the pasta is located.

You grab the low carb pasta, place it in the cart and your iPad records your selection via RFID and directs you on the best route to the cashier's area.  Your iPad notifies you of various specials and store promotions that correspond to your shopping list as you go through the store although it manages to avoid being an interruption.

As you approach the cashiers area, your iPad prompts you to find out if you want to use self service checkout.  You choose to do so and your iPad directs you to the lane with the shortest line (your iPad determines which line would be best by comparing the items in the carts of each person in line and estimating how long it will take them to check out and bag their items.) Self checkout is easier than it used to be. You walk your cart up to the self serve checkout and push the cart through two upright panels. The self service checkout automatically reads the RFID tags on each of the items in your cart and your iPad prompts you for your payment preference. You chose to use your debit card, as a credit purchase (a default from the last time you were shopping at the grocery store) and your iPad and the checkout scanner complete your purchase and payment without any additional interaction on your part.

You walk out to your car, your groceries already bagged as you placed them in the bags conveniently when you were shopping. From entry to exit you were in the store for 5 minutes and 32 seconds. You get to your vehicle, toss the bags in your back seat and pick up your daughter early.

Back to the present . . . What do you think?

Why does your business/organization need to be on Facebook?  Here are five compelling reasons:

1. Because your clients and prospects are on Facebook

2: Facebook is another way of spotlighting your services and its many uses

Imagine having a place to showcase your newest products or services? One of our clients runs a sign and vehicle lettering company.  He takes pictures of each new sign or lettering job and posts the picture to his Facebook Fan Page.  Simple, quick and effective.

We regularly post screen shots from new websites that we do, another client posts pictures of the plants they sell. Pictures sell!

3: Facebook provides your clients a controlled place to communicate with and about you

Imagine finding out if you have an image problem directly - instead of through the "grape vine."  Good comments and feedback is always appreciated, yet the negative comments and feedback are often the most valuable.  Facebook provides you and your customers with a controlled environment to discuss these.  Facebook also provides your organization with a platform to show others how effectively you respond when you manage to "shoot yourself squarely in the foot."

4: Facebook gives you an easy way of tracking your engagement with your fans

All this communication is great - although the real value comes in tracking the conversations and the activity.  Facebook provides you with tracking, and it is free. Once your account is setup you will get regular emails from Facebook (generally weekly or monthly) detailing an array of relevant information about your Facebook presence. You can use this to help your organization more effectively communicate and engage with your prospects and customers.

5: Google gives Facebook traffic and content high ranking value

Although your organization's website should be the hub of your marketing efforts, your Facebook presence can provide your website with a significant boost in credibility. More credibility with Google means better search engine ranking and more traffic to your site.

Are you convinced yet? If not, re-read #1 then go to Facebook and get started.

If you have any questions or concerns contact me directly via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on the phone at 616-457-0300.

 

My newphew can do it for me and I'll save money.

The infamous words of many a small business owner and a few brides. Do you know someone who trusted their nephew and lived to regret it?

• 10 years ago they trusted their nephew to design the business cards and brochure for their business.  Nephew was good at using computers.  Nephew said he knew what to do and would work for pizza.

• 5 years ago they trusted their nephew to design the website for their business.  Nephew was good at using computers, no one complained about the brochure or the business cards - not counting your significant other. Nephew would work for pizza.

• Today they trust their nephew to design and manage their social media marketing.  Nephew knows more about Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube. Nephew still works for pizza.

Unfortunately trusting your nephew to manage one of the key aspects of your organizations growth is, at a minimum, short sighted.

Who do you know who is "trusting" their nephew to grow their business? Your website and social media marketing are some of the most important marketing investments you will make this year. Invest wisely, choose a professional organization such as MMJ Technology to assist you in expanding your business.

And lest I forget - if you are a bride, remember that your nephew (or uncle for that matter) probably is not a great choice as your photographer either. Would you trust something that important to this guy?

Leave a comment and tell us a "nephew horror story."

As a new month begins it is time to look at last months Google Analytic ratings.  At MMJ Technology we have the privilege of doing this for our own site and for many of our client's sites too.  One account snagged our attention today.  The end result was 89.95% more visits to their website! Now for the rest of the story . . .

Beginning the first week of last month (March) we helped this account kick off a new social media marketing campaign involving:

• a new blog
• an updated Facebook Fan page
• increased their interaction with their potential customers via Facebook and Twitter

I won't bore you with the details of the plan. OK, I'd like to bore you and brag a bit; I can't.  We need permission from the client to divulge their results and they are a bit timid about tooting there own horn.  No worries though - I can show you the proof of the increase and I'll make myself available to talk to you about the details. Here is a screen shot (blacked out at the client's request).  Click on the picture for a larger version.

We can do the same thing for your organization. Would you like 89% more visitors by the end of April?  Contact me and I'll tell you how we did it and how we can help you do the same thing.

Call me at 616-457-0300 or send me an email. What could it hurt?  Just think . . . MORE TRAFFIC in 31 days!!