Give Acro Design a call today and let us get you ready for the Holiday Season!

Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days / non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices / foods for infants or the elderly / snack foods / non-electric can opener / cooking tools and fuel / paper plates and plastic utensils
Ice Chest and Ice
Bleach for Sterilization
Tincture of Iodine, or Water Purification Tablets
Soap and Detergent
First Aid Kit
Prescription Medication – two-week supply
Baby Items – diapers, wipes, formula, etc.
Toiletries – includes hygiene items and moisture wipes
Toilet Paper
Telephones – fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Flashlight with Batteries
Radio – battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Spare Batteries
Blankets, Pillows
Clothing – seasonal, rain gear, sturdy shoes
Tools – keep a set with you during the storm
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – in case banks and ATMs are not be available for extended periods
Keys
Important Documents – keep in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag. Includes insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Pet Care Items – proper identification, immunization records and medications / ample supply of food and water / a carrier or cage / muzzle and leash
Fuel for Generators and Cars
Candles
Waterproof Matches / Sterno
Charcoal and Lighter Fluid
Propane Gas (for grills)
Fire Extinguisher
Plastic Sheeting / Tarp
Plastic Garbage Bags
Duct or Masking Tape
Toys, Books, Games

As we talked about in previous blogs, a website is essential for a business, no matter what type of business you have. But the Facebook “like” button should be on that website. This will give your customers the chance to tell all their “friends” about you!

Gas prices have risen so high, many people are being very conservative. They can’t be driving around in their cars to go to places they may find are no longer there or not what they expected. In order to cut down on expenses, Google searches are used to narrow the list of who they will call for service, what restaurant they will dine at or what store carries the book they are looking for. More and more with the tough economy, online shopping and searches have become the norm. If you can’t be found in that search, you are invisible and will lose out on new business.

Spring is a great time to get a refresh on your website. A clean, new look…a professional looking and informative website is a good idea to promote your business with the new season approaching. The iPhone has almost eliminated the use of phone books.

New season, new look, new ideas! Let us help you with that, so you can do the rest of your spring cleaning!

A website, as we have discussed in our previous blogs, is a must have for any business. It is important to keep your site looking fresh, inviting, professional, informative and most important of all…up to date!

Customers want to know why they should do business with you and seeing outdated information on your site may lead them to go on to the next listing, your competitor.

Keeping customers informed about your business via email is fast and affordable. Restaurants send out daily specials, other types of business send out coupons, upcoming events and new product announcements.

Give Acro Design a call and we can talk about how simple, fast and affordable we can make it for you!

The holidays also bring out the “party” in us! Make sure your restaurant has a website and post any special holiday events you may have. If you cater, let customers know. This time of the year, many people prefer not to do the cooking themselves. And don’t forget how many “company” parties are now held at restaurants rather than at the office.

Whatever kind of service or product you have to offer, make sure you give your business a chance to be chosen over your competitors. If you aren’t online, chances are good you will lose the opportunity for more business coming your way.

Some services people need during the holidays….

1. Hair Salons
2. Nail Salons
3. Dry Cleaners
4. Caterers
5. Delivery Service
6. Personal Shoppers
7. Restaurants
8. Specialty Stores
9. Bakeries
10. Limo Service

Those are just a few of the businesses who could profit from having a website especially during the Holidays. So don’t think you are too small or don’t have a service or product that needs a website. EVERY business needs to get the word out about them and have their location and contact info readily available, too!

I honestly still have my doubts about how some people are using it. Do some people really have that many friends? How is that possible? Do I really want that many people knowing all about me and what I am doing in my life, with my life and my inner thoughts? I think not. Those things I want to share with my real friends and family.

For the business part of it, the more the better. Spread the word, drive as many people to your website and Facebook page as you can. Keeping your private account separate from the business is, in my opinion, very important.

I read and hear reports more and more lately about how businesses are checking social networking sites to see what they can find out about job applicants. Some have even chosen against hiring people because of what they found. There are privacy settings to prevent being found to some extent but lets be honest…you have 850 friends you have accepted…850 that can view your page, all you have written and posted and all that has been written to you. Do you honestly think that all those “privacy” settings will stop this stuff from being viewed by those other than who are on you friends list? Whatever you put on the internet is in jeopardy of being spread like wildfire.

You want people to see you as a professional and reputable company. So be careful and choose what you post on both your private and business Facebook pages. Posting not so flattering photos from the weekend party or using language that is a bit “colorful” should be avoided. It WILL come back to haunt you!

Same thing goes for your business website. Professional is how you need to represent you and your company. While Facebook is a great tool, a website should be first and foremost in marketing your company. It validates you. It represents your business in a professional manner. Remember one important thing….not everyone is a Facebook member and in order to view many businesses on Facebook, you need to have an account. If potential customers do not belong to Facebook, you can’t be viewed by them. In today’s economy, you can’t afford to lose business.

It is so hard to keep a business going in today’s economy so we all want to do whatever it takes to compete with those in the same business as we are in. Print ads are very expensive. The price of a website isn’t, or i should say, shouldn’t, be as high as you think. We hear it so often when we speak to people about getting a website. The first thing they say is….we can’t afford one. Many of them have been quoted prices that shock us.

Don’t think that the only way you can afford a website is to do one yourself. First of all, you need a professional looking website. It represents your company. If it looks bad, it makes you look bad. Although we can give you many different types of websites in many different price ranges, if you are just starting your business or have been in business and decided you need to get one, and you are low on funds, all you need to start out with is simple and informative. We custom design every website, no templates, no look-a-likes. You can have a website you will be proud to show people! Give us a call and find out just how little it will take to get your company on the world wide web!

As you can see, both give you the feel of the restaurant, the menu, pricing and contact info. They are unique, customized and affordable.