How Small Businesses Are Cracking the Online Marketing Code

A strong SEO foundation will almost always lead to good results in the end.

When it comes to online marketing, the purpose and objectives are generally the same as traditional strategies in terms of increasing brand awareness and finding new customers. There are a number of ingredients that go into a successful digital promotion all the way from planning to sales. Perhaps the biggest benefit online marketing has for small businesses is that it … Read More

Small Businesses Need an Online and an Offline Marketing Strategy

Small Businesses Need an Online and an Offline Marketing Strategy

When I had a cold calling job, I spoke to hundreds of business owners, ranging from plumbers to hair stylists. While the majority of entrepreneurs had a handle on their craft, they had no idea how to market their businesses. Most of them were still using ancient tactics, such as advertising on billboards and wishful thinking. They would think to … Read More

How Web Tools Can Be Used to Enhance a Company’s Image

Maintaining a company’s presence on Facebook or other social media website means regularly updating project photos and telling stories, which keep visitors coming back.

It is no secret, both potential and current clients are increasingly using the Internet to assist them in making both large and small purchasing decisions every year. According to a comScore report, the average North American topped the global charts for the most time spent online, averaging 45.3 hours per month. If businesses are worried their product or service is … Read More

Maximizing Pool Sales

Specialized pool/hot tub stores offer a live retail environment where customers can visit and become familiar with staff, not to mention the ability to touch and feel the products.

It is an exciting yet challenging time for pool/hot tub retailers and servicers. Challenged by the rising influence of Internet resellers, it has now become critical for businesses to transform and confront typical strategies of how to survive, succeed, and thrive. In the current retail climate, it is almost unthinkable for a pool/hot tub retailer not to have an Internet … Read More

Creating Customer Loyalty Programs That Work

Creating Customer Loyalty Programs That Work

Service operations and retailers are always looking for ways to retain and gain customer loyalty whereby stopping their clientele from looking elsewhere for their swimming pool and spa/hot tub needs. One way of doing this is to establish a customer loyalty program that helps service operations and retailers develop long-lasting relationships with their customers, which is a key part of … Read More

Change the Way Consumers Think and Encourage Them to Buy More

Change the Way Consumers Think and Encourage Them to Buy More

Typically, when someone thinks of signage they conjure up images in their head of big block letters on the front of a building or a piece of rectangle-shaped plastic with vinyl letters labeled ‘Pool Store.’ However, this is merely only one type of retail signage, and in some cases these signs may not be the most important. Change how the … Read More

Understanding the Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Human Health and Physiology

Understanding the Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Human Health and Physiology

A considerable amount of research has been accumulated over the past 50 years on the effects of aquatic immersion on the human body, much of which began during the period NASA was planning to put an astronaut into space using aquatic immersion as a proxy for weightlessness. These effects were profound and spurred further research on the cardiovascular, pulmonary and … Read More

Trained Operators, Safer Pools

Trained Operators, Safer Pools

Each level of government can make legislation. Each province has a Public Health Act and accompanying regulations, which include protocols for swimming pool operation. Many jurisdictions where these regulations are in place require swimming pools to be operated by someone who is trained appropriately. In some cases, the level of training varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction; however, as each regulation … Read More

4 Tips for Growing a Sustainable Business

4 Tips for Growing a Sustainable Business

The following excerpt is from Wendy Keller’s book Ultimate Guide to Platform Building. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes In the old days, before online rating places like Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable and even RateMyProfessors and HealthGrades, the worst that would happen if a company or service provider dished out poor goods or lousy service is that they’d get a bad reputation. … Read More

Innovations in Hot Tub Water Treatment Brighten the Industry’s Future

Innovations in Hot Tub Water Treatment Brighten the Industry's Future

Throughout history, water has been considered an everlasting commodity. However, much is changing and worldwide water supplies are dwindling due to pollution from overuse and industrialization. Water is a necessity for drinking, cleansing, hydrating, agriculture, food processing, power generation and sewage transport; therefore, the further its replenishment becomes unsustainable, regulations dealing with its use will only increase. As a result, … Read More