Blog

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Consultation Anxiety

Need to get your business online.  No problem.  The real test to see if you need to get your business online is the budget.  Just like anything else success depends on the budget.  ROI can be measured in many different ways other than monetary.  Some customers may think if you built it they will come.  Well the old saying is Rome wasn’t built over night is sort of the case here.  Advertising and marketing is a process that requires a budget not matter if it’s a small or large budget.  Once you build the website the real work begins with sending eyeballs to check out your product or service. Don’t be afraid of consultations, your in control of your money so don’t let consultations intimidate you.  Consultations also help you as the customer understand the process and the people who are working with your brand.

Needless to say, taking the first step forward is important.  Spending the money on something that you plan for is much better than spending on something you did not.  The message here is get the right information then execute your plan.  We prefer you go with our company but if you don’t remember whoever you choose make sure they are concern about your ROI.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]McNealy Studios has started “Big Bird Digital” a McNealy Studios Co. (Digital Technology).   The move represents a milestone for the company and it’s customers.  In the effort to provide in-house services to our clients and a more complete service this is a great accomplishment.  For inquiries please contact 1-800-988-7089.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

 

 

 

 

 

 

212Bike Brand Design – Logo Design (Industry:Retail – Bike Shop) Minimalist Design (designed with Illustrator)  Vector – Ready for printing – print version is a cut-out to reflect garment colors).

We decided on a simple approach with red and yellow as the logo main color.  Next we added grey, black, and white to the overall color scheme to help bring the entire 212Bikes color palate together.  We started with the logo first then moved to the client website build which encompasses the entire color palate.    Our copy write team is currently working on word play for 212Bikes: (212Bikes – Go forward [sample]).

So much emphasis at times can be drawn by large chains.  Design is the catalyst to bridging the gap for competing eye balls in the restaurant industry.  No more than ever you see great design at the local level in cities like Tampa, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfied Beach, and beyond.  Food & Design work well together which brings a natural and authentic feel to good spaces in the city.  (photo by Coppertail Brewing Co. – Tampa, FL)

Consequently, Google is making some big changes to the way they display secure and unsecured websites in the Google Chrome browser. Beginning with the Chrome 68 release date this month, Google Chrome will mark all HTTP sites as “Not Secure.”

What does this mean for your small business website? The Google SSL changes 2018 can have a huge impact on your website — and your business.

SSL certificates establish a secure link between your website and your customer by using encryption. Encryption is the technical process that allows data to be transmitted securely over computer networks. It essentially masks data so that unauthorized sources are unable to read or intercept it. (That makes SSL for e-commerce websites especially important.)

2. To authenticate the identity of your website to visiting web browsers, and authenticate your identity or business to the visiting user

An SSL certificate serves as an electronic ID card, kind of like your driver’s license or passport.

It establishes an online entity’s credentials when doing business on the Web. A certificate authority (the entity that provides SSL certification) will need to validate your certificate by authenticating your domain and business or individual identity. Once your SSL certificate is installed on your server, customers can view your authenticated information by clicking on the padlock symbol in the browser.

They’ll be able to see:

• The certificate holder’s name
• The certificate’s serial number and expiration date
• A copy of the certificate holder’s public key
• The digital signature of the certificate-issuing authority

All of this helps build trust in your website — kind of like how doctors, lawyers, and other professionals hang framed copies of licenses, degrees and other credentials on their office walls.

Why Is SSL important?

Having an SSL certificate is vital for small business owners — both for yourself and for your customers.

Here’s why:

Without the data encryption created by the SSL, sensitive information like customers’ credit card numbers, usernames and passwords can be compromised. This puts both your customers and your business at risk. Your customers can lose money or suffer from identity theft. For your business, the consequences can be just as dire: One data breach could lead to a lawsuit that could easily bankrupt a small business.

With news of cyber attacks making headlines almost every day, online customers are more wary than ever of Internet fraud, identity theft and “phishing” schemes. Installing the proper security and validation for your site via SSL certificate is essential to gaining your customers’ and prospects’ trust. It lets potential customers know your site is a secure place where they can feel confident sharing sensitive information, buying products or services, and completing secure transactions.

When you have an SSL certificate installed on your server, your site will display three instantly recognizable symbols that let customers know your site is secure:

• A padlock symbol that appears in their web browser when your site is opened
• The “https” prefix in front of your URL address in the browser (S is for Secure)
• A seal of authority, such as the 4HoreMedia.com Site Seal, that appears on your website

What Google SSL changes 2018 will do

Google really wants to make the Internet secure, and the new Google HTTPS requirements are part of a process that began last October. That’s when Google Chrome began marking websites with any type of text input field as “Not Secure” if they don’t have an SSL certificate. This includes sites where users input text for filling out forms, making a purchase, subscribing to an email newsletter, or even typing search terms into a search bar. What’s more, the “Not Secure” identification shows up even if a website visitor doesn’t use the text input field.

Google’s goal was to push more websites to begin using SSL, and it appears to have worked: Search Engine Land reports that more than 68% of Chrome traffic on Android and Windows is protected with SSL, as is nearly 80% of Chrome traffic on both Chrome OS and Mac.

The Google SSL changes 2018 will go even further. Google will move from showing websites with an SSL certificate as a positive to showing websites without SSL certificates as “Not Secure” in the Chrome browser. Since it won’t matter if you have no text input fields, this change will affect even the most basic websites.

Ultimately, Google wants to move to a world where secure websites are the norm. With that in mind, Google announced that going forward, “We’ll step towards removing Chrome’s positive security indicators so that the default unmarked state is secure.” Chrome will roll this out over time, beginning with removing the “Secure” wording in September 2018, when Chrome 69 rolls out.

Here’s how this will look in September:

Image Source)

In October, when Google releases Chrome 70, the change will be even more drastic. The green lock icon for secure websites will disappear from the browser. However, websites that don’t have an SSL certificate will be marked with “Not Secure” in the browser. If a user starts to enter data in a textfield, a red warning icon will appear, and the words “Not Secure” will turn red, too.

Here’s an example of what that will look like:

(Image Source)

I know seeing a warning like that would definitely scare me away from a website!

Why the new Google SSL requirements matter to your business

Google is giving small business owners some time to adjust to the new Google SSL requirements.

However, October will come before you know it, and here’s why this change will matter: Having an SSL certificate enhances trust in your website. Internet-savvy users already know this. However, some of your customers and prospective customers may not be aware of the difference between websites with SSL certificates and those without. They may not know to look for the green lock icon or the word “Secure” in the browser bar.

A big red warning icon, on the other hand, is a whole different matter. Especially if you own an e-commerce business, I don’t have to tell you that October is the beginning of the holiday shopping season. SSL for e-commerce will be more important than ever this fall. Do you want your customers to be scared away from your website — or do you want them to feel secure buying from you?

What to do about Google SSL changes 2018

So what do you need to do? If your business website already has an SSL certificate, there’s nothing to worry about, and nothing you need to do. Your website is secure.

But what if your business website is not yet secured with an SSL certificate?

If you’re already a 4HorseMedia.com customer, we’ve got you covered.

4HorseMedia.com believes that helping small businesses starts with knowledge — and the more you know about how to create a business website that builds trust, the better. That’s why we’ve taken steps to make the transition to https a snap. Here’s what to do:

• If you’re a 4HorseMedia.com customer and have an SSL certificate that hasn’t been set up yet, you can either call in and get your SSL certificate configured, or do it yourself in a few simple steps. (Watch for an email from 4HorseMedia.com with more information about what to do next, or call us at 561-206-4571.
• If you’re a 4HorseMedia.com customer without an SSL certificate, for a limited time we are offering the option to purchase an SSL certificate at a discounted rate of 30% off. Visit or call us at 561-206-4571 to learn more.

Not a 4HorseMedia.com customer yet? Learn more about our options and what to look for when you buy an SSL certificate.

 

Website design isn’t something you should take lightly. It doesn’t matter how small or large your business is, every company in Deerfield needs a professional website. This is an investment you must make. One of the biggest problems in internet marketing today is that small business owners don’t realize the importance of having a quality, professionally-built website. The functionality and appearance of your site can make or break you.

Here are 8 reasons why it’s worth having a professional design your website:

1. You get a site that is compatible with all of the latest mobile technologies.
Not every so-called “web design” firm or provider has the knowledge or skill set required to create a website that not only runs smoothly on computers, but on tablets and smart phones as well. A site should also be built for adaptability with new and upcoming devices. With a professional designer, your entire website will be future-proof as new ways to browse the internet emerge.

2. You can expect a better looking design.
The quality of the design itself depends on the level of professionalism of the provider. If you try to just a cheap, pre-made template, your site will look cheap. This is because most pre-made templates are basic with little to no options for improvement. A professionally design looks great AND offers flexibility and customization.

3. You will get a custom design.
Professional designers know how to make an impressive website that reflects your company’s specific needs and personality. You’ll get a website designed just for you. The template won’t ever be shared with any other company.

4. Fast-loading web pages.
With any website, there are going to be some plug-ins and third party tools used for one reason or another. If someone inexperienced tries to build your site, they might not integrate the plug-ins correctly. The way a site is coded affects the performance and speed as well. If a site runs slowly or suffers in performance, no visitors will want to stick around.

5. It will save you a lot of hassle.
You get what you pay for, and if you pay a cheap price for a website, don’t be surprised if there are problems with it. You’ll still end up paying more money anyway by having a professional designer fix the mistakes. The entire site may even need to be redone. If you hire the right provider to begin with, you can expect to have a hassle-free experience.

6. A quality website will help reinforce your brand.
The way for any business to achieve success on the internet is to establish a brand. In order to do this, you must have a great looking, custom website. It will give your customers the right message about the type of business you run and why they should trust you.

7. Increased visibility in search engine results.
It’s no secret that search engines – especially Google – LOVE unique content. A professional web design team will be able to create a search engine friendly website for you. They will be able to apply all of the essential elements that will help get your site indexed and ranked.

8. Any potential downtime will be minimized.
Poorly built websites have bugs and maintenance problems. What is something goes wrong with one of the plug-ins? What if there are any cross compatibility issues? Having a reliable web designer will prevent problems from occurring. Even if they do, a professional will be able to identify the problem and fix it quickly.

These are just some of the many reasons why you should only consider working with a professional, experienced web design team in Deerfield Beach, FL.