Why I love my ConnectMe QR Code

QR Codes have been around for quite some time. But nothing as awesome as the ConnectMe QR Code. This barcode actually takes you to my public dashboard which features several ways to contact me, icons and links to my social media sites, and an icon for my main website. Also a nice sized QR Code that I can save to my computer, then add and promote anywhere and everywhere. I can also click a button and print custom business cards and other items with my code on them, and then have them shipped to my door. This technology as a whole immediately helps me; because instead of sending folks a list of all of my links, I can send them to one place and they can choose what they want to see and in what order. Here is a screenshot of what you would see if you went to http://connectmeqr.com/gary on your laptop or desktop.

In addition to this, I get to keep my same QR Code forever. If I change my website, I simple go into the built in CMS, Content Management System and change the URLs my code points to. Maybe I want to only push my Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts. No problemo. I sign in, click on "Edit mCard" and choose only to display those icons. I can also add a custom banner that displays when someone goes to my CMQR site. And the features that are coming in phase 2 are AH-MAZING! I will keep you updated.

Another great feature is the built in mobile website, and the incredible App for iPhone and Droid. I believe it is currently rated #2 in the world for QR Code Readers / Scanners. How much is it costing companies to create a mobile website for their business? A minimum of $1000 and up from there. Now that cost problem is solved with CMQR. Here is a photo of the G Social Media ConnectMe QR mobile site pulling up on the Blackberry. The iPhone and Droid Apps are even more robust!

One more thing. Like any great company, the url extensions they offer are starting with 1 letter or number. This means I have also got the connectmeqr.com/g secured as well and I would recommend getting your custom url asap. ConnectMe QR is a technology company based in Asheville North Carolina.

All websites are not created equal

In addition to building social media packages, I also do website consultation. 90% of the companies out there are lacking in their website presences in one way or another. This can be a small easy fix, other times a major overhaul, and sometimes even a demolition and re-build. What are you willing to do to make sure your company is represented professionally and sociably online?

Sometimes I get calls and the folks say "I got this website for free..." and I immediately tell them they did not get a website. A college kid may have practiced on you for his freshman final project, but that is simply not good enough. When I can build a Blogger Blog that looks better than your main website presence online; you do not have a website.

Then folks tell me "I need a website!" I say "ok, what type of website are you looking for?" "Something nice and pretty" is the top answer I receive. I smile and say "what is your budget? Are you ready to spend $500, $5000 or $500,000? What do you think you want the website to look like and what do you want the website to accomplish?" For the most part, you get what you pay for. Yes, there are people that will do it cheaper, but not better. And there are people that could do it better, but not cheap. Get it?!

Here are a few prices for websites that I keep in mind:

$500 for a down payment (if this is what you want to pay for a website, you do not believe in the Internet yet)

$1000 - $3000 for a premium theme Wordpress website + simple custom logo, buttons, banners.

$5000 + for a Drupal website

Depending on what your business is pulling in, you may want to allocate a certain percentage toward web design and updates. For example, if your business is grossing $1 million dollars per year, maybe you should put .033% toward it over 3 years, so you can get a nice $100,000 website that will keep you ahead of the curve. Grossing several million dollars yearly with room to play hard? What about a custom $250,000 - $500,000 website that will stun the world and give you every feature imaginable? CALL ME!!! Lol, I do not build $100k or $500k websites, but I have some reputable friends that do :)

Just having a website does not mean much anymore. Make your website one of the top priorities for your business. Put something into it, get it out online with SEO and social media, and watch it work wonders for you. Get your return on investment and then put aside more money to update monthly or yearly with the latest and greatest. Do it right!

Social Media - the proof is in the pudding

Being a social media consultant has it's good and bad times. When a company calls me in and asks me to evaluate their current online media, I have to keep several things in mind. First, are they looking to get rich overnight with sm? If I sense this at all, I am quick to bring people back to reality and let them now that this is a growth process. Next, are they looking to save their business which is 90 days away from shutting down? Social media may help, but seeing last minute results right before your doors close will only leave you with a "could've, should've, would've" attitude and that is not healthy for anyone. Yes, you should act now, not later.

Then I have to find out who was "supposedly" doing their social media, or better yet, who was experimenting on them. Sometimes it is a family member that works for the business and other times it is an employee who thinks they are going to show off their technology skills by creating a Twitter account, Facebook business page, or blog. Oh, it could also be a friend trying to help, or a bad referral based off of a "friendship" deal. The owner of a business is usually temporarily satisfied by these efforts with their contentment built off of misinformation. I know when this happens, it is just a matter of time before business is lost, eyes are opened, people get fired, friendships are gone; and they finally come to me asking for help. I come in, educate, sometimes tear down the rickety social media they have built, and I begin building again; but this time with good constructive materials... the skills and knowledge I bring to the table. We are now ready to win!

The end result? A comprehensive, successful social media package that works day and night for businesses anywhere. A consistent, targeted, effective online campaign that is quickly proven within 90 days of starting. Like I said "The proof is in the Pudding."

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Oh, and I do love good pudding too :)