Corporate Cranium Mentor Articles

Three Reasons Website Maintenance is Critical

By Suzie Meier - Red Technologies Inc. | July 25, 2019

If you are a valued client of Red Technologies, or just a fan of our blog (and who isn’t?!), you’ve heard us regularly recommend updating your website.  But what does this really mean?  And why, after spending so much effort creating a cool website, would you need to turn around and update it every month?

Your website is often the first impression clients will receive, so it’s crucial to make it a good one. Here are three big reasons why maintaining your website monthly will earn you a big return on your investment:

  1. Security. If your website is hacked, it will cause issues for both your business and your clients. Not only is there the possibility of vital information being stolen, but also the threat of a loss of trust from your clients and online community. Sites are often hacked due to weaknesses from an out-of-date framework or plugin. Ensure you are using a reputable platform that is updated regularly and provides security features. Our web developers utilize WordPress, as it is secure, easy to use, updated often, and well supported by the web development industry. In addition to the threat of hacking, popular search engines are constantly updating their algorithms to provide the best search results. By updating your website and addressing the upgrades, you are maintaining (even increasing) your site’s ranking.
  2. Content. Update your website content often to increase SEO, and convert site visitors into users. Customers are looking at the material you are producing to form opinions and gain confidence in your brand. It is vital that your site is adding value to their experience by offering a variety of messages and highlighting any services. By effectively communicating to your target market and providing useful content, you are demonstrating that your company is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and worth their business.
  3. Design. You may offer a secure website with incredible content, but if it is hard to read, not mobile friendly or difficult to navigate, it’s unlikely you will increase traffic or sales. A poorly designed website is a turn-off to potential clients, and may cause them to leave your site before even giving you a chance to feature your business. Maintaining your site regularly offers a chance to customize your site design around the needs of your clients and provide a better user experience.

If your online marketing goals include gaining trust, increasing web traffic and conversion rates, building your brand, and providing a positive customer experience, it is imperative you update your website monthly.

Red Technologies is devoted to creating and maintaining strong websites for our clients. If you do not currently update your site regularly and want to start, or have additional questions, please email info@redtechnologiesinc.com.

Check us out and catch up on our blog today!

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Real Estate – Ask the Experts!

By BruceMcAlpin / November 1, 2018

Why does it seem like some people are always making money on their real estate transactions while you or others like you are not? It’s our goal to help readers better grasp what type of market conditions, locations, timing, property types and improvements are needed or necessary to make the highest and best returns for you, the seller! As…

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Piercing the Corporate Veil

By Stacey Edwards Jones - Jones Law Office / November 1, 2018

Many small business owners, including farmers, organize and operate their businesses through separate legal entities such as limited liability companies or corporations. Business owners incorporate for a variety of reasons including management, liability protection benefits and self-employment tax savings. But business owners must exercise caution to demonstrate that they, as business owners, and the entity do…

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What to Look For in the Next Contract That You Sign

By Bob Halagan, Halagan Law Firm, LTD. / August 6, 2018

Ok, so you are about to sign a contract with a new customer and they send you a ten-page contract to sign before you can start work; what do you look for in that contract?  While it’s a good idea to have complex contracts reviewed by an experienced attorney, there are some basics you can…

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Growing Profitability for Your Business Through Employee Engagement

By Sharon Berglund | Bergland HR Consulting / August 6, 2018

If you own or manage a business it is no secret that there is a war for talent. With McDonalds paying upwards of $15 per hour for entry-level high school students it is a major challenge to recruit high quality employees. High employee engagement is the solution. While serving in my former role as the…

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How Google Chrome’s Browser Changes Will Impact Your Website

By Suzie Meier - Red Technologies Inc. / August 6, 2018

You may have heard rumblings about the upcoming Google Chrome 68 changes.  For months, Google has been warning users that all websites will need to have SSL Certification for their Chrome browser, or be forever doomed, “NOT SECURE”.  This update, slated for July 2018, has been in the works for years in an effort to…

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Where Will Your Retirement Money Come From?

By Mark Hegstrom, Waterfront Financial Group / August 6, 2018

Tip: Retiring Older. One survey found 22% of baby boomers have found it difficult to pay mortgages or rent and have postponed plans to retire. Source: Insured Retirement Institute, 2018 For many people, retirement income may come from a variety of sources. Here’s a quick review of the six main sources: Social Security Social Security is the government-administered…

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The Key to Business Success & Financial Independence is…Leverage

By Kelli Hoskins, Master Business Coach / August 6, 2018

One of the biggest keys to business success is…leverage.  John D. Rockefeller famously said “I would rather earn 1% off 100 people’s efforts than 100% of my own efforts.”  As one of the founders of Standard Oil and the richest man of his time, John D. Rockefeller had successfully mastered the game of business through…

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Study: Employees Are Financially Stressed and What it Means to your Business

By Mark Hegstrom, Waterfront Financial Group / April 24, 2018

I read in the paper today (Star Tribune, 1/1/2018: “Helping workers solve money angst”) some amazing figures.  According to the surveys that were cited, there are a considerable number – a third – of employees who feel uncertainty about money.  These folks think we will be going into a recession this coming year. This is…

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Preparing Your Business for a Separation Between Partners

By Bob Halagan, Halagan Law Firm, LTD. / April 18, 2018

One of the most difficult challenges a business owner can face is when things go wrong with another partner/owner and a separation becomes necessary. Here is a checklist of the preliminary things I would look for as either your attorney or as a mediator/business counselor looking to structure your transition.

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Why Retirement Readiness is Not Just a Catch-Phrase

By Mark Hegstrom, Waterfront Financial Group / August 1, 2017

Many employees are confused about retirement and are unprepared to retire on time.  According to the National Institute on Retirement Security (March 2015), 45% of working-age households do not have a retirement account of any kind (e.g. IRA or 401(k)), and the average working-household has virtually no retirement savings – only $2,500 average – when…

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Looking to Grow Your Business? EOS Can Help

By Gayle Noakes - Gayle Noakes Supervisor Success / August 1, 2017

Are roadblocks getting in the way of your business goals? Are there underlying issues to solve before you can move forward as an organization and experience the growth you know is possible? I’d like to tell you about a way to remove those roadblocks and move forward with your business. I’m talking about the Entrepreneurial Operating…

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Changes to Minnesota Estate Tax for 2017 and Beyond

By Roben Hunter, Hunter Advisors, PLLC / August 1, 2017

The Minnesota State legislature has changed the estate tax exemption for 2017 and beyond.  The old law states that Minnesota estates that were valued at over $1.8 million dollars had to file an estate state tax return in Minnesota, with the potential payments to the State at an estate tax rate of 16%.  Under the…

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Managing Relationships in a Time of Discord

By Bob Halagan, Halagan Law Firm, LTD. / August 1, 2017

There is so much noise in the air these days about all the things that separate people, the things that make us different and isolate us from one another. Everyone seems focused on their individual concerns without a commitment to the greater good. Managing employees, shareholders and business relationships can be daunting in this environment. …

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9 Essential Steps to Identity Theft Protections

By Gary Sorenson, Insurance Brokers of Minnesota / May 1, 2017

I just wanted to share this blog post from “The Hartford Steam Boiler” with you on how to protect against identity theft as it’s a HUGE issue! Your personal information is everywhere. No one can guarantee you will never be a victim of identity theft, but you can reduce your risk. By managing your personal information wisely,…

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Budget for Profit

By Kelli Hoskins, Master Business Coach / April 29, 2017

Here’s why paying yourself profit is as important and easy as paying the rent…  As small business owners, most of us are familiar with the term “Budget.”  According to wiki, a budget is ‘a list of all planned expenses and revenues’ that ‘enables the actual financial operation of the business to be measured against the…

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What Factors Should You Consider in Starting a Business with a Partner?

By Bob Halagan, Halagan Law Firm, LTD. / April 29, 2017

One of the bravest and most difficult decisions a person can make is decide to go into business for him- or herself.  The second bravest and most difficult may be the decision to go into business with a partner.   Taking on a partner in many ways is like getting married, so it’s important to know…

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Be on Your Guard for Slips and Falls all Winter Long

By Gary Sorenson, Insurance Brokers of Minnesota / April 24, 2017

People in Minnesota don’t have the luxury of staying inside when the temperature drops below zero or there’s a foot of fresh-fallen snow on the ground. It’s easy to get develop a routine – bundle up in your parka, boots, hat, gloves and scarf before heading out the door. This routine may protect you from…

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Better Late Than Never

By Roben Hunter, Hunter Advisors, PLLC / January 1, 2017

Governor Mark Dayton recently signed tax legislation that retroactively conforms most state corporate and personal income tax provisions to the federal changes that have been enacted since December 31, 2014. Two provisions that did not change to the federal provisions, however, were bonus depreciation and IRC Section 179 depreciation.   There will continue to be differences…

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How to Safely Navigate Icy Roads

By Gary Sorenson, Insurance Brokers of Minnesota / January 1, 2017

With winter weather in full swing you might encounter some snow packed and icy roads during winter season here in Minnesota. Let’s take a look at how you can keep yourself, your family and your vehicle safe when the roads become hazardous due to extreme weather. Preparation is key The first step in making sure…

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Healthcare Costs in Retirement

By Mark Hegstrom, Waterfront Financial Group / October 1, 2016

American workers are split about 50/50 when asked if they are confident they will have enough money to pay for medical expenses in retirement. In a 2015 survey, 42% of all workers reported they were “not too” or “not at all” confident they would have enough money to pay for their medical expenses in retirement.…

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