We would like to wish our clients a very enjoyable Christmas and prosperous New Year 2017!

TIP: Is your website mobile friendly?

Mobile web usage has now overtaken desktop usage.

Mobile is critical to your business and will continue to be so.

Is your website mobile friendly? Take the test here: https://search.google.com/search-console/mobile-friendly

Read more about the importance from Google, here: https://developers.google.com/webmasters/mobile-sites/.

NEWS: South West Expo - Ashton Court Mansion

Successful day exhibiting at the South West Expo 01/12 and meeting Apprentice finalist Richard Woods

EVENT: South West Expo - Thursday 1st December 2016

We are exhibiting at this year's The South West Expo on Thursday 1^st December 2016 (10am -3pm) @ Ashton Court Mansion – Bristol, with over 900+ regional businesses.

This unique event is FREE TO ATTEND (with free parking) it is ideal for anyone thinking about starting a business or expanding their current business. With over 80+ Exhibitors, 5 Keynotes Speakers, 3 Workshops, Clinics, Funding Available, Networking and much more can you afford to miss out?

WHY YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO MISS THIS EVENT: 

• Over 80 exhibitors
• Network with over 900+ regional businesses
• Be inspired by our 5 Keynote Speakers (UK's Leading Business Keynotes)
• Be informed by our 7 unique industry leading Workshops 
• Meet new contacts at our 3 speed networking sessions
• Meet prospects or clients in our dedicated WORKZONE with free Wi-Fi
• Benefit from the Slow Networking Opportunities
• A Delegate Goody Bag upon arrival with over £100 of business promotional offers.

Register your place today and meet new buyers, acquire new leads, generate new business, maximise your time.

Please visit http://www.southwestexpo.co.uk to find a complete Exhibitor list and the latest conference details and for information to help plan your show schedule and reserve your place.

NEWS: Creating a shop in Instagram

Instagram has announced today that it will make it easier for consumers to find and purchase products within Instagram. 

  

• Your post could have a 'tap to view' icon and showcase up to five shoppable products.

• Tapping on a product shows the consumer product information without having to leave the Instagram app to search.

• Tags will show the product's price, description and additional photos.

•  There will also be a 'Shop Now' button to show users where to buy it online.

 

 

It is now being trialed with 20 retailers in the US, so watch this space!

ARTICLE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3895002/Now-shop-selfie-Instagram-tests-new-shoppable-photos-lets-users-buy-click.html

SERVICE: Our App service - short key features video

Take a look at a short video of our fictitious pub Mobile App and some of the features it offers ... http://www.force4computing.co.uk/f4appvideos/F4PubAppDemoVideo.mp4.  Extended video with commentary available by clicking: http://force4computing.co.uk/apps.html#featuresvideo

SERVICE: Mobile Apps

We have now updated our website with our new Mobile App service : http://www.force4computing.co.uk/apps.html. 

Create realtime functionality for your business, an added marketing tool to run alongside your website!....

✅Push Messaging
✅Booking Requests
✅Booking Reminders
✅Loyalty Scheme
✅Recommend a Friend Scheme
✅All Your Business information
✅Sat Nav Directions Straight to Your Door
✅Special Offers
✅Galleries
✅Geo-fencing
✅Reputation Management
✅Multi-site Customisation
✅Advanced Analytics
✅App Management Interface

Please watch the videos and let us know what you think!

TIP: Setting up your Facebook Business page

This information is very useful when setting up your Facebook business page, it contains the dimensions needed for your images to render correctly ...

http://www.jonloomer.com/2016/09/15/facebook-image-dimensions-2016/?utm_source=socialmediaexaminer.com&utm_medium=socialmediaexaminer.com&utm_campaign=socialmediaexaminer.com

SERVICE: Responsive EMail Marketing:

✔️Renders well on smartphones

✔️Tested on numerous email platforms

✔Content is checked for any spam keywords and altered if necessary for successful delivery

✔️Sent on your behalf from your email address

✔️Database management of your customer contact lists

our EMail emulator, just some of the platforms we check

✔️Email campaign delivery statistics available afterwards

EXCITING UPDATE: Mobile Apps

F4's new marketing stationery has just arrived to show potential customers the benefits of a bespoke smartphone app. Get in touch with the office to find out more...

RECENT PROJECT: Watkins & Tasker Vets

Watkins & Tasker Vets have been a client of ours for many years, in fact this is the third version of their website that we have produced for them.  This brand new design has evolved via discussions with key players at the practice and as a result they’re happy that it accurately reflects their brand and image.  Do take a look: http://www.watkins-tasker-vets.co.uk

The new site is fully responsive – displays differently according to the type of device that is viewing it – which provides the site visitor with a better experience (especially on a mobile phone), and also receives a slight Google search engine advantage too!

Good photography is so important.  It’s difficult to make a site look great with poor photos, and the fact that almost every photo was taken onsite of partners, vets, nurses, admin staff and of course pets… means the site comes across as genuine and personal.

The site has several feeds, so the latest Twitter, Facebook and Instagram content appears embedded in the website.  Owners can register their pet’s details, order repeat prescriptions or access online diagnosis via the website.  Go take a look!!!

If you know of anyone who wants to meet with an approachable, pro-active web company to discuss their requirements… go on… mention us!  Thanks.

EVENT: "Last of the Summer Swine"

Join us with a charity fundraising evening - with live music, hog roast, bar, raffle, games etc. Just £10 a ticket, with proceeds going to a local learning charity - "Lifeskills" in Bristol : http://www.lifeskills-bristol.org.uk/ Lifeskills (details also on attached poster). Please get in touch with us to purchase a ticket, all welcome.

SERVICE: Did you know that we offer cost effective Email Marketing?

For some examples of recent newsletters, please see: http://www.watkins-tasker-vets.co.uk/…/WTV_Newsletter_July1… and http://www.crystalwm.com/newsle…/CWM_Summer16Newsletter.html

We're very experienced in carrying out Email Campaigns for our clients and know the pitfalls that are out there! 

✳ A low cost marketing option - far lower than a 2nd class stamp!
✳ Emails are sent from YOUR email address on YOUR behalf
✳ We are able to personalise emails with customer name etc
✳ The email will render correctly on each device, on all email platforms.
✳ We send email campaigns at precise times for maximum impact.
✳ We ensure a low spam score to help with successful delivery.
✳ Our database will manage your mailing lists and we'll provide you with a post-campaign statistics report so you'll know exactly how your mailing performed.
✳ Ideal for promoting your page and sharing on Social networks

NEW SERVICE: Mobile App Design & Creation

We've created a small website and demo app for the same fictitious business "F4 Pub".  Download it and see what extensive benefits it has to offer.  

Available (for free and no obligation) by scanning the QR code to the left, or Google Play for android:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.force4computing.f4pub  and iTunes for Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/f4-pub/id1131281127.   

The associated website is: http://www.f4pubdemo.co.uk. Please let us know what you think!

Once your app is created by Force4 and available for download on both Google Play store and ITunes, your business will have access to an intuitive online control panel to help manage the following:

Great App Features:

✔ Direct marketing with unlimited FREE Push messaging.

✔ Accept appointment/booking requests (with ability to integrate with your in house software).

✔ Geofencing (with optional iBeacon technology) to trigger communications based on your customers location.

✔ Customer referrals / incentives with personalised redeemable reward codes

Customers can scan loyalty QR codes to receive vouchers direct to their phone.

✔ The App is perfect for multi-outlet/location businesses (each can manage their own marketing).

✔ Easily updatable Gallery of images.

✔ Present clear information on Opening hours, location, directions, events, news, etc.

✔ Customers are encouraged to Share the App (with one click) via Social Media, with rewards for the sender and the recipient!

✔ Quickly generate positive online Reviews. The App can detect when a customer exits your business and requests that they leave a review for their experience (available with the iBeacon technology).

✔ Simple App Management - the Business is provided with their own online management console and to view Statistics on the use of the App. 

FACTS

Mobile Apps now account for more than half (52%) of all time spent on digital media.

Smartphone users spent 89% of their mobile media time using mobile apps.

The average time people spend on their apps has increased by 21% over the last year.

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