Beyond Indigo The Latest News from Beyond Indigo

Template vs. Custom Design Part 1

April 22, 2008 – 12:33 pm
When people come to Beyond Indigo to discuss websites the topic of template versus custom design always arises. Although custom and template design websites have been in existence for years, there is still some confusion in the marketplace regarding the difference between the two types of website construction. To muddy the waters even further, a few companies have been using the buzz word – semi-customizable. What is each approach and which one is appropriate for your company? My next two articles discuss the difference between the template and custom website design.The template approach gives a business a place on the Internet versus no presence. It is more focused on the business rather than the client being served. It has less customization or choices. Customization means, in this case, there are many choices concerning how the website will look with graphics, number of pages, where features are located on the website, ...

Posted in Understanding Websites | No Comments »

Funeral Home Website Helps Little Boy Say Goodbye

April 21, 2008 – 11:01 am
Has your website ever touched a heart? Imagine this...A young man dies of a terminal illness and your funeral home is chosen to assist the family. The man's ex-wife decides against letting their 8-year-old son attend the funeral - fearing it would be too traumatic for the boy. You try to offer guidance and share your years of experience - explaining how important closure would be to the child. But there's nothing you can do - it is the mother's decision. You do your job, which also includes placing his memorial video online with his guest book...something you sometimes wonder if anyone even notices or appreciates. The day after the funeral, you check the daily posts on your website...only to find a very heartfelt goodbye written by the man's son. This little guy had found his dad's guest book online at school, viewed the memorial tribute video, wrote a beautiful message and ...

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Ignoring a Death

April 15, 2008 – 10:55 am
Dear Kelly: I received a note from one of my families. This is not the first time I have talked to a family and heard this complaint. Do you have any insight into this situation? The family wrote:  “We have a strange question, especially when there should be more important things on our minds' (and there are), but it is something that has upset me and my family quite a bit.  While we received many beautiful letters and cards of sympathy when my mother died, there were many people that we are close to that either haven't sent a card or even called to acknowledge her death.  For example, my husband’s parents, who were very friendly with my parents (we spent holidays, birthdays, functions with the grandchildren together), did not call or send a card to my father until one month later.  The few times I had talked to my mother-in-law after my ...

Posted in Grief Support, Funeral Homes | No Comments »

Some Basic Web Understanding

April 8, 2008 – 1:12 pm
Dear Kelly – Some Basic Web Understanding Dear Kelly: Can you tell me what some of the basic words mean that are used to discuss the web? I’m thinking of words such as server, domain names, data transfer. Why do I need to know these terms?  Dear Reader: These are thoughtful questions. Understanding the web terminology can help you be an educated consumer when searching for a vendor to build your web presence.  I will use some analogies to help explain these terms.  Server: In basic terms, a server is like a piece of land. Your website is equivalent to your home in this example. A home needs a piece of land to rest on or it would float in space. A website needs a home to rest on or it too would float in space.  The website lives on the server just as a house rests on a piece of land. ...

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Interactive Tools for Veterinary Websites: Part III: My Pet Page

March 25, 2008 – 4:10 pm
Have you ever heard of MySpace(www.myspace.com)? This relatively new concept of creating 'mini' webpages for ourselves, our businesses and our virtual connections has become very popular. Recent generations are accustomed to having everything at their fingertips, including the opportunity to showcase their interests, friends and of coarse, themselves. If you think about it, who wouldn’t want a webpage devoted entirely to you! Beyond Indigo recognized this 'personal webpage' trend and decided to expand on it. Recent research has shown that the pet industry is a $4.1+ billion industry (LIFE Magazine, 2007). Beyond Indigo found that individuals were and are viewing their furry/feathery friends as members of the family. They have 'humanized' their pets and therefore are looking for opportunities to showcase their pets in the same way. A Beyond Indigo My Pet Page provides a place for pet owners to humanize their pet through a personalized webpage devoted just to their pet. ...

Posted in Beyond Indigo Tools, Animal Clinics | No Comments »

Green - The New Hip Color

March 19, 2008 – 11:28 am
St. Patrick's Day, the arrival of Spring, Easter...are you thinking green thoughts today? The drab brown and gray of winter will soon give way to green. But "green" has come to mean more than just a color. Kelly Baltzell, president of Beyond Indigo, has written a great article in this month's edition of the YB News. Here are a few of her tips that not only help our environment...but can save your business a few "greenbacks" too! 1. Change your light bulbs - try the new Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, which use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer! 2. Turn off power when not in use. Most of our electronics have beem designed to be waiting and ready for you when you need them. This constant state of readiness takes power. The slang term for this is a "vampire feed." ...

Posted in Funeral Homes | No Comments »

Interactive Tools for Veterinary Websites: Part II: Post a Paw

March 17, 2008 – 1:06 pm
Having an ever-changing website is just as important as having an up-to-date website. Internet users are not only looking for current events and news, they are looking for things to do! Beyond Indigo is the industry leader in Interactive Veterinary Website Design, catering specifically to this type of clientele. Post a Paw is an interactive website tool that allows pet owners and veterinary clinics to post icons with personalized notes. This tool is a wonderful way for veterinarians to connect with their clients and also for clients to build online relationships amongst themselves. This type of tool supports online community building that allows veterinary website to reach a greater number of individuals in an interactive and innovative way. Here are some great ways that veterinarians are using Post a Paw on their websites: Posting a Thank you note to clients for coming in for a check-up, shots or other services. Posting a Happy Birthday ...

Posted in Beyond Indigo Tools, Animal Clinics | No Comments »

Promoting Your Website = New Revenue Opportunities

March 14, 2008 – 2:52 pm
Here's some ways to promote  your  website and use your computer to help increase your revenues!  Consider these possibilities: *Offer advertising space on your website.  You've no doubt been asked to advertise YOUR funeral home on restaurant placemats and church bulletins,  right?  So why not ask area florists, hotels, or restaurant/catering services to place an ad on your website?  Offer monthly or annual rates.   Beyond Indigo can help you create ads that link to their websites. *Consider affiliating with web-based companies that offer commission  on  any sales originating from your website.  www.mourningflowers.com  and  http://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp/associates/join are a couple of great companies.  Or you perhaps you'd like to start your own online  shop - offering products unique to your funeral home.  Beyond Indigo can  create  an E-store for you! *Thinking of introducing something new such as pet loss products or  maybe  monuments to increase revenue? Consider promoting a Veterans  discount  package to a large clientele base.  Or perhaps you would like ...

Posted in Funeral Homes | No Comments »

Interactive Tools for Veterinary Websites: Part I

March 11, 2008 – 12:04 pm
There has been a recent shift in how individuals are browsing the internet. People are no long searching for broad, flat informational topics. They want specific, interactive areas that have something for them 'to-do.' Example: Internet browsers used to search for information on 'Dogs.' Now they want information on how they can post a webpage for their Miniature Pinscher. Due to this shift in internet/website browsing, Beyond Indigo has created an ever-growing list of Interactive Online Tools that veterinarians can tie into their websites. Here is a list of these tools: Post a Paw- Post a note through a unique icon. My Pet- Post a webpage for a pet, including guestbook area. Stories- Post funny, endearing or interesting stories about a pet. Crazy Pictures- Post, rate and share pet pictures. Online Video- Upload and play pet video for sharing or medical purposes. Adoptions- Local shelters register and adopt pets out through veterinary websites. Dear Mom/Dad Boarding E-Cards- Send ...

Posted in Beyond Indigo Tools, Animal Clinics | No Comments »

Another Animal Clinic Website Launched

March 5, 2008 – 10:39 am
Beyond Indigo launched a website for another veterinary clinic this week. Located in Algonquin and South Elgin, Illinois, The Animal Care Clinic prides itself on being a complete fully accredited animal hospital with both modern equipment and a caring, compassionate staff. In addition to Beyond Indigo's standard tools for veterinary sites, The Animal Care Clinic website also takes advantage of our news tool allowing them to add, edit and delete their own latest news items and press releases.

Posted in Animal Clinics, Web Site Launches, News | No Comments »