Smartz Blog

Internet Explorer 6 is Dated

As you might have heard, Microsoft is ceasing support for Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) as of July 13, 2010, when it stops support for Windows XP SP2.  This isn’t bad news. This nine year-old browser is showing its wear and doesn’t cut it with today’s web standards. The higher-performing and more design-savvy websites of today […]


How Mind Mapping Helps Smart Solutions’ Clients

For awhile now, our team has utilized Mind Mapping, from the tools from a great client, Mindjet.  Mind Mapping has assisted in organizing client’s site architecture while easily and quickly highlighting areas of weaknesses for content structure.    Recently, KM World Magazine interviewed Smart Solutions and posted an article, titled Enriching Web Sites and Engage Customers […]


Choosing the Right Business Name – from an Internet Marketing Perspective

What’s in a name?  Frankly, a LOT.  Any marketing and branding agency can go through the important details of naming a new business or one that is renaming from a brand perspective.  It’s fascinating how business naming research is performed, tested and consumer analysis is created – in fact I totally respect it.  However (and […]


Facebook Land Grab – A Guide to Your Facebook Username

Okay, it’s not exactly a land grab but, hear me out. Local business is gaining ground on the Internet everyday through sites that provide ways for local businesses to get worldwide recognition online. Today, let’s focus on what a local business can do on Facebook. You can “grab” http://www.facebook.com/businessname as a unique pointer to your […]


Bend Blogging Panel – SmartGroup Recap Notes

Thanks to those who attended this past week’s September SmartGroup on Blogging.  It was an energetic discussion and our panelist did an excellent job on speaking to the do’s and don’ts of both business and personal blogging.  Below are the presentations from Andre Jensen and Meg Thompson as well as the notes from Jake Ortman […]


Linkbuilding Techniques for SEO – June SmartGroup Recap

Thank you to all that joined for this month’s discussion on link building! This is such an important topic as links are the currency of the Internet. Links are like the business referral you get from a networking event and add value to your site from a spider’s perspective and traffic/awareness from a human visitor. […]


Social Media for Small Business – May SmartGroup Recap

It’s been a social media frenzy this week here in Bend, Oregon!  Thank you to all that were able to join for this SmartGroup on practical tips for getting started in social media if you are a small business. Here is the presentation, and recap notes for those not able to attend.  We’ll see you […]


Twitter Background Design Concepts

So, you’re a business and have taken the leap to setup Twitter account, congratulations! One element that often gets overlooked when using Twitter for business is creating a custom background image that speaks to your business objectives.  (See our Smart Solutions Twitter Background…heck, follow us as well!)  If you have questions on the information below […]


Tips For Launching a New Website While Keeping SEO In Mind

We have potential clients call frequently with the intent of retooling their web site. The redesign is brought on typically by a multitude of reasons: “The design is old.”; “We have a new brand.” ; “We want to get found by more prospects.” Businesses and organizations that come with a goal of creating a successful […]


The Importance of Listening…Online

When it comes to communication, listening often gets pushed aside. Sometimes we’re too busy planning our next statement versus listening to what others really need. Some of the greatest tools (and a great way to start a social campaign) is to listen to the conversations around you. From a business angle, getting feedback from customers […]