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August 9th, 2010 at 10:03 am

I have a real short blog post today.  Enjoy!

  • Are you a "skimmer"?
  • I wrote this on my iPad..
  • What do successful people have in common?
  • FREE unlimited Website Forge training classes

 

Are you a "skimmer"?
 
My wife says I am. Though I try not to admit it... I do catch myself reading an entire email in one glance. That certainly leaves plenty opportunity for me to miss important information.
 
It's definitely embarrassing when reply to a customer and theyhave to email me a second time saying "thanks for your fast reply but you didn't address my other two questions..."
 
I think my best suggestion is to wait until you have a full minute to give a proper reply. In our world of iPhones, iPads, Androids, and windows mobile phones....   We feel compelled to reply immediately to show commitment to our customers. That's great -- just try not to do it at the expense of a valuable reply.
 
I know those out there reading, know me personally, can cite at least one time where have made this mistake.... Believe me when I say I know I am just as guilty as anyone. I'm always making an effort to slow down.
 
I wrote this on my iPad in the car...
 
Yes right now I'm writing in the passenger seat on the way to visit family. Is the iPad just a large version of the iPod touch? YES! It is. In fact I was disappointed when I first tested Andy's iPad (VP of our core development team).
 
Then I tossed it in the car. Then I started replying to email real fast. Then realized I had not charged the iPad for the last 4 days and it still had plenty of battery. Then realized I could remotely connect to my desktop from anywhere. And on and on...
 
Bottom line, it's more convenient, more durable, cooler, and more efficient than a full sized laptop. I was not, and am not, an official "Mac fan" -- I AM a believer in my iPhone and iPad. I use them every day.
 
NOTE!! The hidden benefit is how an iPad can keep my kids occupied for hours at a time when you need a break!

 

 

What do successful people have in common?
 
Google it!  I did -- I'll save you the time.  The one thing you'll find in every single article or book is --  TENACITY!
 
 
That's right.  It's not brain power.  It's not education.  It's not money.
 
In fact many successful people are too dumb to realize they failed.  So they kept trying. 
 
"Successful people are too dumb to realize they failed"
 
- Successful people wake up every day ready to fight.
- Successful people don't make excuses when things don't go their way.
- Successful people often find very creative ways to solve a problem.
- Successful people may "fail" over and over again.  But don't see it as failure.
- Successful people eventually achieve what they want because they keep trying!
 
Don't buy the expensive books.  Google "what makes a person successful.." you'll see the same over and over.
 
FREE Unlimited Website Forge Training Classes!
 
I keep saying it and saying it.  I'll say it again.  Website Forge customers get FREE UNLIMITED LIVE TRAINING.  Take advantage and go to www.support.websiteforge.com and sign up today!
 
Shane Merem
web site design and e-commerce
 
Note: I almost always sit down and write my blogs in one shot.  So it's very possible I don't catch every single typo.  I'd rather get more valuable information out there than stress over typos.  So don't beat me up too much over it :)
 
 
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August 5th, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Second consecutive day of tech tips!  Hope you like them.

 

  • Record and broadcast your computer desktop instantly (and FREE)
  • My favorite remote support tool - BEAMYOURSCREEN
  • How fast is your Website Forge web site (secret hack to know for sure)
  • Updated Website Forge Training Class Schedule


Record and broadcast your computer desktop instantly (and FREE)

 

One of the most popular ways to provide a demonstration on the web is through some sort of "screencast" or streaming video. 

 

Software programs range from $49 to over $1000 to provide those tools.

 

Low and behold, one of our customers send me a www.screentoaster.com video link to demonstrate a problem with his web site. 

 

I was amazed... ScreenToaster is FREE.

 

Any computer that supports Java can instantly record and publish videos of their desktop. (most browsers do support java)

 

Our support staff have been using Screen Toaster to help our customers.   Our customers have been using Screen Toaster to demonstrate their products.  We like it.

 

 

Check it out -- www.screentoaster.com -- I used Screen Toaster for the videos in this blog.  Check them out.

 

My favorite remote support tool - BEAMYOURSCREEN

 

Many of you have attended our remote Website Forge training classes

 

Our instructors get on the phone with several people and broadcast their desktop while demonstrating Website Forge.

 

We use www.beamyourscreen.com

 

BeamYourScreen works on PC's, Mac's and even Linux machines.  The best part is their rates are cost effective.

 

Here is a quick video showing how to setup a meeting.

 

 

How fast is your Website Forge web site?

 

It is a little known fact that the majority of the time it takes to load your web site depends on your browser. 

 

First your browser requests the page, next the browser downloads the documents and images, finally your browser has to piece it all together as it was meant to be viewed.

 

In this video I'll show you a secret hack that will let you see the REAL SPEED your Website Forge web site!

 

 

Updated Website Forge Training Class Schedule

 

DONT FORGET -- you can attend as many training classes as you wish!  Learn basic AND advanced features so you can better maintain your web site!  Even learn how to blog like me!

 

The updated schedule is at http://support.websiteforge.com/113.html

 

FEEL FREE to comment with questions or ideas.  Let me know what else I can blog about!

 

Shane Merem - Website Forge - www.websiteforge.com

Web Site Design and E-Commerce

 

PREVIOUS BLOG TOPICS

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August 4th, 2010 at 9:36 am

I wanted to share some of my favorite TECH TIPS and gadgets.   Here is a list of things I want to cover:

 

  • Why my wife LOVES Google Calendar
  • Using Skype Phone with the SAME phone number
  • Scanning Documents with your iPhone or Droid
  • Updated Website Forge Training Schedule - FREE TRAINING
  • Instant Mirror Web Site (funny)

Why my wife LOVES Google Calendar

 

First, I have a personal guideline -- If I have to use technolgy to enter data in more than one place for the same purpose, I don't use it.

 

Thats why I have always struggled to use a calendar application.  If I enter the appointment on my computer I need to be sitting at my computer for the reminder.

 

If I enter the appointment on my phone -- I may not be able to hear the reminder or may be on my desk phone while it goes off.

 

Finally I tried Google Calendar.  Google Calendar is easy to use.  Most impressive is the ability to sync with many applications.  I sync it with my iPhone, my iPad, my wife's Droid phone, and portions of my calendar with my team.

 

It is often said you should not separate your business and personal appointments so not to neglect one or the other.  With this in mind, my wife can look at my calendar and enter important social events or doctor appointments for me from her phone.  These appointments show up on my calendar instantly.  She can also see when I am available for lunch!

 

I LOVE IT.  It's practical and easy.  Contact me with any questions on how to use Google Calendar to make your life scheule easier.

 

Here is an article on how to share your Google Calendar with other devices. http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/07/sharing-calendars-with-google-calendar-ical-and-the-iphone.ars

 

 

Using Skype Phone with the SAME phone number

 

I am one of the first to test new telephone products and often the last to fully trust the reliability of phone products.  Products like Vonage and Skype have made tremendous progress recently.

 

I signed up for a Skype account a couple years ago when a client told me his entire company used it for direct calls around the office.

 

Since our entire team already used a chat application -- it was easy to move to Skype for the benefit of voice and video chat.

 

I signed up for a phone number so I could make calls just like a regular phone.  I found myself using this phone often because it was better than any speakerphone I have owned.  The phone number is cheap to own.

 

The only caveat was this Skype Phone number was different than my normal line.  If people called me back using caller ID -- They would have to leave a message at my desk.

 

A week ago, Kevin Brown at www.garrettauto.com told me he could change the caller id of his Skype Phone to look just like his cell phone.

 

That is perfect.  I can sit at my desk and call anyone I wish.  If they call me back -- the will ring to my cell phone!  Now I won't miss any important return calls and eliminate any confusion.

 

The Skype Phone quality is very good and suggest you give it a try.

 

Contact me with any questions.

 

 

Scanning Documents with your iPhone or Android Phone

 

"Give me that receipt before you lose it..." -- The first words out of my wife's mouth when I return from the store..

 

I thought to myself "Scanning documents with my iPhone has to be more trouble than it's worth...."

 

I found the Jot Not Scanner Pro!

 

it's not!  It's very easy.  I have scanned everything from legal documents to receipts.  I can scan and file a receipt before I leave the store.  It's that easy and convenient.

 

I can scan and email a document in less than 30 seconds with the JotNot Scanner Pro.  Check it out. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jotnot-scanner-pro/id307868751?mt=8

 

 

Please don't hesitate to post comments or questions.  I'm happy to give advice and referrals on any topic I can.

 

Updated Website Forge Training Class Schedule

 

DONT FORGET -- you can attend as many training classes as you wish!  Learn basic AND advanced features so you can better maintain your web site!  Even learn how to blog like me!

 

The updated schedule is at http://support.websiteforge.com/113.html

 

Instant Mirror Web Site

 

Check out this web site that provides an INSTANT MIRROR....

 

 

Shane Merem - www.websiteforge.com

Web Design and E-commerce web sites

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June 23rd, 2010 at 5:20 pm

Notice to all WebsiteForge Clients using FedEx realtime shipping methods.             
Please be advised of the following important update from FedEx.  FedEx will be unable to provide shipping quotes on Saturday, July 3rd starting at 9:00pm CT until Sunday, July 4th 1:00am CT.

 

Please CLICK HERE to view more details.

 

Thanks,

Kevin Ledezma

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May 17th, 2010 at 1:51 pm

Hello Website Forge Community!

 

As most of you might have noticed -- we performed a huge hardware and file system upgrade over the weekend.

 

The most noticable difference will be the speed of your web site.  The front end server hardware is significantly faster.

 

Also this upgrade should resolve the recent intermittent issues that a few of you experienced the last couple of weeks.

 

The upgrade went rather smooth with very few service interruptions.  And any issues were resolved VERY quickly.

 

We value you as a customer and hope you enjoy the new hardware!

 

P.S. Just let us know if you have any questions or run into any glitches -- we will handle them asap!

 

Shane Merem

support@websiteforge.com

www.websiteforge.com

E-commerce web site design

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May 3rd, 2010 at 10:56 am

Hey Website Forge community!  I haven't posted in a while. I have lots of good stuff to share.

 

Meanwhile I wanted to send you a quick update of support videos Eric Huffman, on our support team, did.

 

Check them out and give us your feedback:

 

 

Content Management
Member's Area Navigation                                                               
Site Menu                                                                             
Module List                                                                          
Frame Background Image                                                               
Media Player Video                                                           
Media Player Flash                                                            
Manage Content Areas                                                     
Miscellaneous Subjects
Logging Into the Member's Area                                     
Preview Site                                                                        
Creating Email Accounts in the Member's Area          
Email Password                                                                 
Setting Up Email in Outlook or Outlook Express          
Setting Up Email in Windows Live Mail                         
E-Mail User Info                                                                  
WebMail Login                                                                    
Email Account Options                                                      
Publish Site                                                                         

Start Hosting Fees                                                              

http://support.websiteforge.com/154.html

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March 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 am

One of our hard working customers was featured on KILLER STARTUPS recently. 

 

ShopBakersNook's owners work relentlessly to provide an excellent web site and customer experience.  Couple that with the Website Forge technology and marketing team and you have the "Perfect Storm".

 

Without driven business owners --this would not be a reality! 

 

Check out this video:

 

 

Shane Merem

www.websiteforge.com

e-commerce website design

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March 2nd, 2010 at 9:30 am

Ok.  This has to be the MOST EXCITING UPGRADE to your Website Forge site in quite some time!!

 

We recently added a new feature called "VISITOR TRACKING" to your web site!  This feature includes:

  • Real time list of anyone on your web site!
  • What browser your visitors are using..
  • The IP address of your visitor
  • How much time your visitors spent on your web site
  • How much time your visitors spent on each individual page
  • The FULL history of each and every page visited and how long
  • The CURRENT search used on your web site
  • And more....

You have to check out this video to see the Visitor Tracking feature in action:

 

 

Login to your Website Forge Member's Area right now!  Check out who is visiting YOUR site!

 

Shane Merem

www.websiteforge.com

e-commerce website design

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March 1st, 2010 at 10:59 am

Hello everyone.  Shane Merem here with a long overdue BLOG post.

 

Website Forge E-commerce websites have always provided excellent custom options and product view controls.

 

Recently we added a new level of product option.  We call it an "Inventory Grid".

 

Here is a short video that gives a very brief overview.  The KEY BENEFIT to this upgrade is to allow individual SKU or product number inventory tracking to custom options.

 

 

Example:

 

You sell a pair of Levi 404 jeans in 10 sizes and 3 colors.  Thats 30 different individual SKU's (product numbers) you might sell from one product listed on your web site. 

 

When a customer purchase a "Size Waist 32" in "White Washed" color.  That SPECIFIC item SKU is identified and your inventory QOH (Quantity on Hand) will be reduced by 1. 

 

This is true for any of the color/size combinations.

 

Contact support@websitefoge.com or use our LIVE CHAT at www.websiteforge.com to learn more if you are interested in using this new feature!

 

Shane Merem

www.websiteforge.com

e-commerce website

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March 1st, 2010 at 10:52 am

When managing a database of thousands of products -- how do your customer's know?

 

First it's your duty to keep in touch with your customers without becoming a nag (Yes, I sad nag).

 

If you nag your customers -- they will stop listening.  If you ignore your customers -- they will stop buying.

 

So take advantage of our "New Product Notification" in Website Forge.

 

Here is a quick video overview:

 

 

Contact LIVE SUPPORT or email support@websiteforge.com with questions!

 

Shane Merem

www.websiteforge.com

e-commerce website design

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