February Newsletter 2013

Got your own 'app' yet? It seems like everybody wants their own app now – but apps need to be maintained and updated, just like anything online, and they're not cheap to build – right? Not right any more! Introducing App la carte – its an online app buiding service, that works just like website builder, with a free trial period and easy building instructions. Once you've set up your app and added your logo you can launch it, with a special website builder customer discount, at a low entry cost. We've even negotiated a deal on hosting for our customers. Take a look at how easy it is to get your own app.

Social media is still building in popularity and, if you want to use it as a business tool, keeping ahead of the curve is time consuming & difficult to maintain or see results from. We use facebook, twitter & linkedin here at website builder but we monitor and update all of them from one dashboard with a couple of clicks. The platform is called EASY Social Media - and its name speaks volumes about what its like to use. Check it out - its made social media easy, sure, but also effective.  

You may have seen our recent request for beta testers for our intergration with Vend and Unleashed. We still need more people to complete our testing and roll out these integrations. Vend were recently given a demonstation of how to integrate our cart (called Xoren) with vend and were very impressed:

“What a nifty little integration.” they said.

"Aww thanks!" we said.

Similarly - Xero took more notice of our shopping cart recently and added website builder to the first page of their add-ons list. We're always happy to mix it with the big players – we know our product is solid and more cost effective! Kiwi companies have a real edge in the online business arena with Xero, Vend, Unleashed and...website builder. This online edge  NZ has does not look like slowing down one bit.

We like that.  

In this issue of Website Builder News, February 2013

  • App la carte - build your own phone apps
  • EASY Social Media
  • Vend integration - beta testers wanted
  • Unleashed integration - beta testers wanted
  • Product option level pricing
  • Out of stock messaging
  • GST reverse calculations

Training options

  • Training videos 
  • Personalised one-on-one training
  • Free website check-over

Tips and tricks

  • From Pixlr to banner 
  • Web statistics
  • Cool links & system links
  • Free sites for charity

Promote website builder - get free hosting

Websites of the month

Build your own app with App la carte

No longer does it cost thousands, or tens of thousands, to get your own app. Now you can create and manage your own highly functional iPhone & Android app for as little as $1398. This is a special for our clients - offering a $500 discount off the setup with our intro website builder discount code.

What kind of business or club would benefit from using App La Carte? Restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars, nightclubs, social clubs, sports teams, salons, retail stores, events, expos, franchises, attractions, galleries, golf clubs, gyms & fitness, supermarkets, shopping centres, health/beauty, tourism, resorts, charities, gas stations and anyone else who wants to build and create loyalty with its customers.

  • Coupons, loyalty & stamp cards
  • Bookings, ticketing, social integration
  • Instant push notifications
  • Multi-platform; iPhone & Android
  • Menus, catalogues & events
  • Location & contact tools
  • eCommerce integration
  • More features; all with on/off switch

Learn more about our recommended App Developers

It's EASY to be a Social Media butterfly

 About your brand online? And are you listening? It could be costing you sales, and that's a problem. But no longer –let  EASY Social Media do the talking for you in Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, YouTube and Google+. EASY Social Media create a profile for your business or brand across all the social media channels, linked to your EASY Dashboard. They will connect your business to as many people as possible to build awareness for your business, and drive traffic to your website. Sound easy? Take a look.

New features & updates

Vend integration:  beta testers wanted

Vend knows a good thing when they see it. Recently the Vend add-ons team was given a full demo of our integration with Vend and they are more than happy with how our CMS works with theirs. 'What a nifty little integration!" they said. They are now promoting our service to find a few more test pilots so as soon as we complete our beta testing (sure to be a few little bugs to iron out) we will roll it out. There is a lot of clever software developed right here in NZ around business management. Check it out. 

vend support post

Unleashed integration: beta testers wanted

Changes are being sent to customers for beta testing currently - here is the link to help documentation:

Help Link : http://help.cms-tool.net/326161/info/info.html

We still need a couple more test pilots for this integration - so if you are interested please get in touch with me, Tony, directly. 

If you have a feature you want us to add to our shopping cart or CMS, then please use our Trello page to tell us. You can also vote on suggestions from other users there and see what functionality is most wanted. 

Product option level pricing and availability

This update is now operating well with many customers reporting favourably. This feature allows for the control of pricing and stock availability at the product option level. This is particularly important for the apparel industry who like to present colours, sizes and styles on a single page, but do not always have stock available in every combination. 

Find out more about product options

Out of stock messaging

The ability to customise the 'out of stock' message displayed to users is now LIVE. Take a look at this feature - you'll find the help link below.

http://help.cms-tool.net/webapps/i/64314/201491/460977


GST reverse calculations 

We're making a small change here to help with GST calc's. Product pricing can now be configured to be inclusive or exclusive of GST, GST reversing is done based on product price entry format. The changes are don however we are alpha testing and documentation is yet to be completed before we roll this out.

Training options

Videos

Our training videos are currently being updated with our new CMS layout plus we will be adding videos for recently added features. We will let you know as soon as they are made live.

Our original videos are still available to help you setup your website, or shopping cart, or payment options. Please note these videos show the old look and feel CMS and we are slowely upgrading the videos.

https://www.websitebuilder.co.nz/video-tutorials.html

We also have a collection of excellent tutorials on our  FAQ 

Personalised one-on-one training 

If you require personalised training, we can provide this training to you over the phone, or in person at our offices in Grey Lynn, Auckland. Training costs $100 per hour by either method. Minimum time is 30 minutes.

We would encourage all customers to get at least one hour of training at the early stages of building their website, and one more review prior to going live, just to give your website that professional critique, and quick tidy up of the rough bits.

Training topics include:

  • How to use website builder and shopping cart

  • How to design websites

  • How to crop and tidy up photos

  • How to optimise to get your website higher on google and other search engines

  • How to setup a facebook page, or other social media account

  • How to send newsletters

  • How to use any other feature we offer.

Book personalised training here




Free website audit? 

Want us to give your website a quick 'once-over' before you go live, or even if it is live? We offer a free website review and provide feedback on the main areas needing improvement.If needed we will get back to you quickly with a quote on how we can make your website really sing. We work website magic in just 1 hour ($100+GST per hour), so why not let us take a look at your site? 

Discount Tip: If you purchase 6 or more hours, you will only be charged $90 per hour! Saving 10%

Web Design Options

Tips and tricks

Creating a banner using Pixlr

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a banner from an image you have on your camera or computer. This is just one of the little topics covered on our Help website. Take some time and have a look around. Be careful - you might just learn something. 

Pixlr banner creation

Web statistics

Use our Web Stats to monitor your traffic and search engine optimisation success. See which other websites are giving hits to your website, which search engines are working, and which keywords people have used to find you. Web Stats come free with every domain you register and host with us.

More information on web statistics 


Google analytics

Google has the most popular search engine in the world which means they collect very thorough statistics on your websites. You can gain access to this information by using Google's Analytics. Monitor your site traffic and sources, and monitor how changes effect your sites traffic.

Google Analytics provides many educational resources. Whether you're new to analytics or an experienced user you'll find videos and articles to help you get the most out of Google Analytics.

To take full advantage of Googles vast knowledge you need to create an account with Google Analytics and insert a tracking code into your site. For information on using Analytics with your site please read our Analytics help files or refer to the main Google Analytics Site

If you require assistance with Analytics and implementing the code then please contact our staff.

 

Cool links


System links and recent help updates

Trello - CMS and our system development suggestions board

HELP/FAQ - Content Management System online help

Embedding Web Fonts - Resource file on using Google web fonts

CLIP ART - Web graphics and CSS stylesheets ideas for your sites

Free websites for charity

There are two new hosting plans, FREE for very charitable websites serving the greater good and helping those less fortunate, or $150/year for other community groups, church groups and sports teams. Existing customers may retrospectively request these plans.

All charities must comply with our special terms and conditions, primarily that they must not have any paid staff nor income apart from donations. Free websites will include an advert promoting website builder services. The discounted plan option does not include adverts. 

Learn More: - Learn more about free websites here 

Help us promote our Website Builder - earn 20% commission ongoing

Anyone who refers friends to our service, or sets up a 2nd or subsequent website gets a 20% discount off their web hosting fees. Refer 5 friends and you pay nothing for your website hosting. Refer more than 5 friends, and we start paying you. 

Terms - live websites only, based on equivalent hosting plans, payouts subject to minimums.

How to promote:

  • Ask your friends to include your login email address on the form when they signup

  • Create a trial for your friends, using their email address, but put your login email in the referred by area.

  • Contact us to tell us who you have referred (after they have created their trial)

  • Create an affiliate link, refer top right within the CMS, then copy and paste into your page

  • Add a page, on the right under tooltips, see 'website creation affiliate link'

More information about affiliates and reselling here




Websites of the month

Here's a selection of some of our recent DIY Go Lives.  

DIY's

And a few of our recent professionally designed/upgraded sites, or websites that received some professional help.

Posted: Wed 20 Feb 2013

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