Avatar News January 30, 2009

Written By:
Brydie Meek
Edited By:
Steph Kendall
Published By:
Avatar Ltd

Clean and Update Your Website

The Avatar team has enjoyed a relaxing Christmas break and we're excited to offer up an extensive range of Web services and solutions yet again this year including Web design, CMS projects, programming, search engine optimisation services and shopping cart software. Stay tuned to our Avatar newsletter throughout 2009, as we'll keep you up to speed with any Web tips and information.

This month read up on our tips to update your site for the New Year and take a look at this month's site of interest. Finally, if you're struggling with the back to work doldrums this January, our interesting array of tidbits will surely cheer you up.

Stay tuned for next month when we look into research findings from a report on Web generated leads and enquiries and how best to respond to them.

Update Your Site for the New Year

Now is the time to take a good look through your Web site (yes, every page!) and see what needs to be updated for 2009. It sends a bad message about your business to customers and clients if you have information displayed that is not current or relevant.

Avoid being caught red-faced and read the following tips to find out where some outdated details may be lurking on your site:

1. Pricing Information

A new year can sometimes mean a change in prices for businesses. Check through all your pricing details and make sure the information is up to date and accurate.

2.  Public Holidays and Events

If your site outlines public holidays and events, then now is the perfect time to replace old details with dates for 2009. You can find details for New Zealand public holidays here.

3.  Product and Service Details

A review of all your products or services on offer will be time well spent. If you no longer stock a certain item, or provide an advertised service, avoid customer disappointment and remove it from your Web site immediately. If you'd like some help with these updates, drop us a line.

4. 'About Us' Information

If your site contains information or photos about your staff then now is the time to make sure everyone is present and accounted for. Take out employees who have moved on and provide details and smiling mug shots of all your current personnel.

Contact Avatar HQ with details about your New Year Web updates and we'll be happy to help you out.

Tidbits

Interesting accommodation. Take a look at some of these unusual hotels around the world to inspire your next overseas getaway. If your average run of the mill hotel just isn't going to cut it, then perhaps a cave, an igloo or even a prison is more your scene?

Calling all independent travellers. Another travel-related tidbit. This one will have you dreaming up adventures to far-flung destinations from your office desk.

Summer sounds. If you feel like chilling out to some great tunes over the warmer months, our friends at NZS.com have outlined what's happening in the New Zealand music scene this summer.

Limousine cruising. A sneak peek inside some extraordinary limousine interiors may have you measuring up your current wheels for some vehicular design improvements.

Fountain fun. Feeling hot and bothered this summer? Imagine yourself under this amazing Japanese water fountain complete with a matching melody.

Searching for answers. These days many of us rely on Google for our search queries. This site shows us some helpful alternatives for searching topics such as music, videos, cooking and recipes.  

This Month's Site of Interest

Management & Business Education Management & Business Education  (Web design and promotion)

MBE (Management & Business Education) is a professional organisational development, human resource and training provider to businesses across New Zealand. Their new site, designed and optimised by Avatar, has a contemporary look to suit its professional target audience.

The site features:

  • Modern Web design
  • Clear calls to actions
  • Optimised content to assist search engine rankings
  • A content management system for easy site editing
  • A blog featuring business tips and advice