eMarketSouth Central

Recently, we at eMarketSouth had the pleasure of rebuilding the website for the Blue Knights GA VIII chapter, a non-profit fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law enforcement men and women who enjoy riding motorcycles.

I will be the first to boast how happy I was that they liked my design. Typically, Doy is our supreme design guru, but as I have a soft spot for non-profits, I requested the task for myself. The design now had a consistent navigation for each page that made it easy to move throughout the website and clean, official branding.

Previously, the site was, well, rather empty. Part of the problem was that chapter officers did not have the time to create HTML code and update the site as regularly as they had information to be added. So instead, the site occupied space on the Internet but didn’t really further the chapter’s mission or provide accurate and timely information to its members.

In rebuilding the website, we created each page to be dynamic, meaning chapter officers can make updates anytime they want, whether it be 3 pm or 3 am. Now, members can have the latest information and resources to stay connected with the chapter’s activities. Persons interested in becoming a member now have information on applying as well as the activities in which the chapter is involved.

We additionally added a photo gallery to showcase the chapter’s events and a memorial section to recognize members who have passed. We gave the site a contact form that allows any visitor to the site to immediately send an email to the chapter, which could be parties interested in becoming a member or becoming a sponsor or current members who just need to ask a question. Chapter members can even list items to be swapped. We even threw in a few SEO tricks as a bonus.

At eMarketSouth we understand the daunting task of providing services to the community. It gives us such satisfaction to help non-profits further their mission through their websites. Contact us to help you increase your marketing ROI with a dynamic website that keeps your members and prospective donors interested and informed.

Tags: Featured Clients, Non-Profit, eMarketSouth by Lisa Scarbrough
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There is no greater feeling of giving back to the community. But with so many non-profits, how do donors choose who gets their donations?

Guidestar.org complies information on more than 1.7 million non-profits. That’s a lot of competition. But you can edge your way to the top if you are taking advantage of your organization’s website.

Each year, I conduct a workshop through the Georgia Center for Non-Profits on how non-profits should utilize their website to the greatest advantages. Many have used a start-up template site, such as those offered through Yahoo! GeoCities or Go Daddy. The problem is ultimately, you get what you pay for. If your website does not capture your visitors in the first 10 seconds, you have no opportunity to capture their donations. While it may be better to have something than nothing, visitors with a bad first impression are less likely to return again.

As a non-profit, you need to effectively and concisely explain who you are, what you are doing, and how you are benefiting your local community. Don’t welcome visitors with depressing images. Give them something positive to read through, reflect upon, and then donate. Are you allowing visitors to donate through your website? If not, you are really missing out. CoastalPetRescue.org had a visitor from Indiana read a story online about a dog needing $5,000 in orthopedic surgery and left them a $1,000 donation through their website. It really is that simple.

So what are you to do? Lucky for you, we at eMarketSouth have experience with non-profit websites and can offer you solutions to facilitate communicating your mission to the online community. Give us a call today and let us show you how your organization can further its mission with a strong online presence.

Tags: General, Non-Profit, eMarketSouth by Lisa Scarbrough
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Doing good for others should be its own rewards. But when a business gets involved, it can mean even more. Choosing to establish a partnership with a non-profit organization can boost your comporate image and sales. Here are a few examples.

Maximize advertising through sponsorship of community events.
Community events offer large visibility to consumers. Sponsors have opportunities to promote their businesses at a very reduced rate from media advertising. Possibilities include promo materials in event bags, having your logo placed on event T-shirts, and banner and booth displays the day of events. Since media outlets often cover these events, your company may also receive free exposure through them.

Generate traffic from the organizations you sponsor.
Offer to sponsor an organization’s website or email newsletter in exchange for banner ads and links to your company’s website. If the organization maintains a blog, request that they make a post to promote your partnership.

Promote the services and products you can offer directly.
If you have a new service or product to offer, make it available to a non-profit for free or very reduced cost. Allow them to become a testimonial to how your business helps them further their mission in the community.

Show a personal investment by giving your time.
Many organizations function exclusively through volunteers. Encourage all members of your company to spend a few hours a month giving of their time to an organization. Include this information in your promotional materials to prospective clients to show your committment to the community.

eMarketSouth is proud to be web service providers for several Savannah non-profit and community service agencies, including Cathedral of St. John the Baptists’ Council of Catholic Women, Coastal Pet Rescue, Girl Scout Council of Savannah, Liblines, Tybee Beautification and Wilderness Southeast.

Understanding the importance of giving back to the community, eMarketSouth developed its own volunteer initiative in 2004. Team E works to get our clients involved to fulfill local needs of our community. Past events have included supply drives for local children’s organizations, bowl-a-thons to benefit breast cancer awareness and animal welfare, food drives, and beach cleanups at Tybee Island.

So take a few moments today to reflect on how your company can improve the local community. You just might find it improves you as well.

Tags: Featured Clients, Key to Savannah, Non-Profit, Search Engine Optimization, eMarketSouth by Lisa Scarbrough
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