What’s the Purpose of your Website?

By Stacey Harris

The first website was published on August 6, 1991 by a 36-year-old physicist in the Swiss Alps. Since then, websites have changed considerably – thanks to major advances in technology and valuable lessons society has learned since that first site.

In the beginning companies wanted a website because the internet was new and exciting. Then it became essential to have a company site because “everyone had one.” Back then, it didn’t matter what your website looked like or whether or not it served a purpose. The main thing was simply to have a website.

Today, the marketing game as it relates to websites continues to evolve. Fancy and colorful websites that are cluttered or hard to navigate aren’t necessarily functional. Just having a website presence isn’t enough. As the internet continues to grow more complex, so do consumers.

That’s why the first question we ask our clients is “what is the purpose of your website?”

This question may seem simple, but it requires a great deal of thought. Do you want to drive visits to a brick and mortar storefront? Will you sell products or services online? Is the website meant to be informational only? It’s necessary to think about your business needs.

Identifying the reason behind your website will help dictate how the site should look along with the functionality. Sites can have multiple purposes. If that’s the case, then those purposes need to be prioritized so that the content and design can follow. Keeping the purpose(s) of your site in mind will help during the building process and will allow your organization to better reach and engage your target audience.

Extending the Brand: Social Media

By Brittney DeRuiter

Five years ago, Facebook was still in its infancy; Twitter was only a year old, and Pinterest hadn’t yet made its debut. Today however, these three social media platforms are leading the way as a means to enhance brands. More than ever, companies are discovering that capitalizing on social media outlets will stretch awareness, create consumer engagement, and serve as self-promotion and networking platforms.

For example, TheBeachCoast.com is a digital, lifestyle magazine that features stories and events occurring in Berrien County Michigan, and Lake, La Porte, Porter, and St. Joseph counties in Indiana. The online magazine strives to cover each county and social media makes this goal more attainable every day, thanks to the engaging and relationship building between TheBeachCoast.com, its readers and advertisers.

Businesses must look to social media as a gateway to networking opportunities. Following another business or individual is simply not enough to help brand awareness. Simply having a Facebook presence is not enough. Activities such as posting regularly, engaging in conversations, and building relationships, are pivotal for growth both online and off.

What’s unique about social media is that it doesn’t take long for you to have an impact on a brand. In fact, it only takes a moment to comment, like, re-pin, and share posts from other individuals who have similar views and goals. TheBeachCoast.com capitalizes on these network opportunities by liking and sharing videos from community events, posting ideas on followers’ questions, and much more. If done right, social media enhances key objectives of brand awareness, consumer engagement, and positive image.

What’s in a name?

By Stacey Harris

Your name – it is perhaps the single most important defining element as to who you are – as a person or a company. It’s how everyone knows who you are and in the case of a company, what you do.

Our agency recently changed its name. Once known as Morse & Company Advertising Communications, our new moniker is Morse + Harris Marketing. This name change came in part because the cast of characters changed. A new partner – a new name.

Even more importantly though - we wanted our name to better reflect what it is we do. More than just a creator of ads, Morse + Harris Marketing is a better representation of the various skills and talents our agents of creativity possess. Our arsenal includes writers, designers, developers, programmers, strategic thinkers, bean counters, public relations practitioners, social media mavens, comedians (well on a good day), and problem solvers (for those bad days). We not only think outside of the box, but also within the limits of our clients’ guidelines and budgets.

It’s been a lot of fun for all of us here at Morse + Harris Marketing to undergo this change and the redefining of our brand. In the end, we know that everything we do, write, say or post will be a direct reflection of our brand. The Morse + Harris team looks forward to continue building relationships and making a marketing difference.