The true measure of success for any site isn’t the number of visits. It’s the number of conversions, i.e. how many prospective customers are navigating through the content to take the desired action. So the first step in evaluating your site is deciding exactly what you want it to do for you – develop leads, generate online orders, etc.

Once you’ve determined what qualifies as a conversion, how do you then optimize your conversion rate? Through Search Engine Marketing (SEM), a form of Internet marketing that promotes websites by increasing their visibility to search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. The two main components of SEM are Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC).

SEO is considered the more “organic” of the two as it uses the content of the site itself while considering what people are searching for to improve search engine rankings. To maintain their SEO positioning, sites must consistently be evaluated and refined as search engines continue to update their algorithms for measurement, and competitors are always looking for ways to improve their rankings.

PPC is a more forced or “inorganic” tool in which ads are placed on search engine result pages next to or above the SEO results. These advertisers then pay their host only when their ad is clicked. Search engines typically auction keyword phrases that are relevant to the target customer for sponsored links, usually at a fixed price per click.

Which begs the question: to continually get more from your website, which is more important, content or keywords? The answer: Yes. It’s important to strike a balance between using a variety of keywords that direct the right people to your site, and providing content that is interesting and engaging enough to convert them once they’re there.

The web analysts at TDK Technologies are ready to help you optimize your conversion rate by collecting, analyzing and reporting Internet data to determine who is using your site and why. These results can then be applied to recommendations for improving your site, along with SEM campaigns designed to get the desired people and the desired results. Since 2001, our “business-first” approach to technology has gained us a strong reputation for delivering the solutions you need in a language you understand.

Rather than hunkering down and waiting out the recession, forward thinking executives are looking for ways to increase corporate productivity with the remaining staff and preparing the company to explode out of the recession as the economy begins to move forward.

IT investment in process improvement and employee productivity is a lower cost approach than adding full time resources.  Some of the questions that need to be asked to determine corporate investment include:

• Are your systems integrated and working together?
• Are other functional areas (CRM/Marketing, etc.) within the company integrated with other systems?
• Are your e-marketing efforts (website) maximized with an effective SEO program?

A case in point: operational system integration.  A consumer products company, that produces novelty sports collectibles for beloved family and friends as gifts, used technology that was separate, not integrated and required many manual steps to function properly.   This manually driven system of receiving, processing, and billing orders flowed through a variety of disparate systems from retailers to corporate to the order processor to production and back through corporate finance.  Moving this manual system to an automated system of order processing was the imperative need. 

Our recommendation involved developing a unique solution that reduced labor cost, improved order accuracy, improved order turnaround, and provided a reduction in spoilage.  The result directly impacted our client financially.  They were able to reduce the cost per unit, improve their margins and utilize an IT solution that can process a dramatically increased number of orders rather than act as the limiting factor.

For their investment in this solution our client was able to:

• Generate over $30,000 in direct cost savings in just the first year
• Reduce order errors by 95%
• Reduce cycle time from 12 days to 10 days
• Reduce cost per unit by 20%

Implementation of similar technical solutions enables companies to expand and grow during these difficult economic times.  How?

• Maximize their current workforce to realize productivity gains
• Identify only necessary full-time resource additions
• Define new uses for technology to create additional products and services that generate new revenue streams

If you would like a no-cost assessment of how technology can prepare your firm for growth, give us a call: 314-878-1005 x 133 and speak with Derek Heckemeyer, or email: Done

For most professionals in IT, networking can seem very foreign indeed.  Life for us is about the code.  It is about this new tool.  It is about the .NET, Java or the servers used.  But networking is critical for both your professional growth and your business' success, and it requires a plan.  The plan should answer a few simple questions.

• Who do you want to network with?
• Where do they meet? What organizations?
• What do I know or need to know about those I want to network with?
• What do I have in common?
• How can I help? And how can they help me?

The biggest hurdle is inertia.  "I just can't get started" or "I am under a tight project deadline" always seems to get in the way of meeting new people and learning about their specialty or professional world.   Each of us seems to find it difficult to get out of our comfort zone.  Networking can be very simple.  And, once you start you begin to appreciate its value and you will never look back.

So how can you get started?  It is a three step process.  First, it takes a little homework.  You need to answer the questions above.  You need a plan.  You need to focus your efforts so that you stay productive with your time.  Second, you need to "dive in."  You need to get involved and attend the organization meetings or events and get to know them through conversation but more importantly through organizational projects and volunteering.  And third, you need to keep those relationships alive and encourage those relationships to help you as you can help them broaden your network of associates and friends.

Homework for many is the easy part.  Ask friends, associates in the office, or others what organizations would be good for your involvement.  Research those organizations online by familiarizing yourself with its mission, membership, and programs to see if it is a good fit and would attract the people you would want to know and enjoy.  The real test is to ask yourself "Do these people share a common interest or belief of mine with which I am comfortable?"  If yes, attend a gathering and test the waters.  You just might meet a new friend.

Attending is the tougher part.  Getting out of your comfort zone to meet a total stranger is not easy for many people.  If that person is you, bring a friend.  You will become so at ease.  Your friend can help you get into and out of many conversations and add a level of security to the outing.  Simply employ a three step process to a great first impression:

1. Learn who will be attending the event
   • Participant list, brochure, names of committee, educated guess
2. Begin casual conversations to identify the people you want to connect with
3. Introduce yourself
   • Without describing anything about your work
   • Listen
   • Don't talk and look elsewhere - be engaged and sincere

Being genuine is attractive to others and will help them be genuine with you.  Being genuine is always the basis for a good networking relationship.  Get the person to talk about themselves.  Ask simple straightforward questions and find out what you have in common and then focus on the common point of reference.  It will be the conversation starter at your next meeting.  What is the worst thing that could happen - you met someone new.

Finally, keep the new relationship alive and healthy.  You must feed your network with your time by staying in touch periodically, assisting your network with requests they may have - people resources, quality business partners, and more.  The key to having a good network is to focus only on the amount you can handle.  Don't have too many in your network or it will be shallow and ineffective over time. Or don't have it too narrow or you will have deep resources but not broad enough to encourage success.

In total, networking is a fun and rewarding activity professionals from all industries and backgrounds should pursue.  You might be surprised.  You may gain a new friend or hear someone say, "I think I found someone who can help you..."  Done

From TDK you just get the facts regarding your IT.  We will not have a "killer ap" that we need to sell you.  We don't have a software "template" that addresses most of the functionality you need and then develop the rest.  We design applications that meet all of your specific IT needs and are easily integrated with other systems you may have in place.

How can we do this?  The right people. We are technology professionals with a keen sense for business.  By reviewing your needs, clearly defining the scope, and having familiarity with many business systems, we can quickly develop a solution for you.  No - no snap-ons, bolt-ons, or glue-ons.  Nope, not one.

We have developed Ordering systems, Web portals, middleware and more for companies in the financial, online retail, specialized steel, pharmaceutical, wholesale/distribution, healthcare, food products, and technology industries.  Although we have experience within many industries, we can address many of the business problems in other industries such as retail and others, who are concerned with security, e-commerce solutions, SEO and more.

In the end, TDK Technologies Management has walked in your shoes, whether you are a business owner or a CIO.  We understand what resources are needed to get projects done.  We evaluate the resources available internally and externally to deliver the right people or technology - whether augmenting your current staff or developing the entire IT application that will assist you in achieving your business results.  To learn more about our Management Team, click Our Management Team for their profiles and accomplishments. Done

IT consulting is a stable employment option.  For J2EE or .NET developers, project managers, business analysts or testers with strong skill sets and confidence in those skills, client needs are consistent.  When times are tough, companies look to technology to improve efficiencies and strengthen their position in the marketplace; hiring consultants to implement these improvements gives clients the ability to get things done without the long-term commitment to hiring full-time staff.

And when the assignment ends? Unfortunately, the days of spending thirty years working for one company and retiring with a gold watch seem to be behind us. If you're going to roll out of a client (or be laid off by your employer), do you want to go at it alone, or have a sales team with relationships in place, ready to market you to a variety of clients? With TDK's emphasis on Technology and Management Services, we're talking to our clients every day about projects utilizing these skill sets, strengthening our remarket capabilities for our consultants.

TDK was founded in turbulent times, in the months leading up to (and following) 9/11/2001. The challenge of building our brand during such a trying time gave us a unique opportunity to gain perspective on what clients need and how we can best serve them. We know how to deliver in difficult economies, providing solid technology value to our clients and challenging work to our consultants. TDK employs this same approach, whether the market is being driven by the bulls or the bears.

If you are interested in seeing what kind of options exist in IT consulting, check out TDK's opportunities. Done