With 50% of the nation's small businesses closing up shop in their first year, it can be hard to stay optimistic about small business logevity. What are the secrets to staying in business and locking down success? Let's take a look. 

There’s no question that mobile and tablet devices have become a staple in everyday living. Now more than ever, it's important your website is optimized for mobile devices. Mobile-friendly design and optimization can drive more traffic to your business, boost customer engagement, and help you stay ahead of your competition.

Demandforce has done our part by bringing you a brand NEW optimized Business Profile. Our new single page design allows anyone searching online, whether it is from their Android phone, iPad mini, or desktop computer, to have a consistent and easy experience interacting with your business.

We certainly hope this isn't the first time you've visited our blog here on Generation Demandforce. If it is the first time you're stopping by, welcome! Today's video is perfect for you. Get an overview on everything our blog has to offer your small business. Let us know what you think in the comments.

This post was written by Jenny Urbano, our online services specialist. 

Social media and more specifically, Facebook, is an ever evolving medium.Some folks hit the ground running from tweeting, liking and posting on these sites from day one. Others have opted to embrace social media at a much steadier pace, and that's where this customer spotlight blog comes in.

I spoke with Lisa, over at P. Michael Hine’s office who handles the office’s Facebook page. Their posts are always engaging, whether it is sharing articles about ancient dentistry, to funny comics, they keep you interested and guessing. “Dr. Hine’s father in law started the business 30 years ago, Lisa explains, “and since that time Dentistry has really changed. It first started as word of mouth, you have the same families who saw you since forever, and there is still a lot of loyalty.”

This post was written by Ali Carbonel, our online services specialist. 

Do you ever need to edit your images, but aren't interested in buying expensive editing software? Ever wish you could do more with your pictures than what your basic image editing software on your computer provides? Well, look no further because Pixlr editor is readily available for you.

Pixlr editor is a cloud-based online image editing software that provides an excellent alternative to advanced editing software like Adobe Photoshop. The best part about the program being cloud-based is that you can access the program from any computer and you never have to download anything. It can be used on desktop computers, smartphones or tablets using their apps, Pixlr Express and Pixlr-o-matic. Best of all, it’s completely free to use!

This post was written by Megan Webb-Morgan, our business blogger friend from Business.com. This article is Part II of a two part series by their team. Read Part I here. 

Descriptions and Reviews

Your service and product pages represent the key element that will make your SEO strategy succeed or fail. They contain a lot of content – pictures, copy, and more – that search engines find valuable. However, you need to make sure that that content is unique and will stand out in search results.

For example, if you sell a product that can be found on other websites, don’t just post the manufacturer’s description – rewrite it in your own words. The original description can be found all over the web, so search engines will rank it lowly. However, if your new description is unique, the search engines will rank it much higher, and drive more traffic to your pages.

This post was written by Megan Webb-Morgan, our business blogger friend from Business.com. This article is Part I of a two part series by their team. 

In order for your web page to generate traffic, you need to make sure that it will be ranked well by search engines. The more you participate in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices, the higher your website will rank in the search engines – meaning more people will visit your site and potentially make a purchase.

SEO best practices for business owners include using strategic keywords, high-quality product descriptions, and unique new content on your website. Read on to find out how to use these tactics for better SEO and more traffic.

Keyword Usage

There are several mistakes that inexperienced website owners make when using keywords. They may use the wrong keywords, use keywords that are too broad, and they may stuff the keywords in every available space on the page. While this strategy may have worked in 1999, in 2013 you need to be more strategic.

As you know, April is Earth Month and that means the world to our partner, Aveda and us. We are helping to promote a fundraising event in order to bring awareness to the environmental issues of clean water and to help raise money for two very special organizations, The Clean Water Fund and The League to Save Lake Tahoe. The 3rd Annual Trashion Show is poised to be bigger, better, and creative beyond imagination, as local salons showcase their creative use of trash and artistic vision for hair and make up.

The Trashion Show is an opportunity for salons to get their hands dirty for Earth Month and create a “trashion” look made from trash and other eco-friendly and recycled materials, complete with runway hair, makeup and styling. Each salon can enter one model to showcase their look on stage. A panel of judges will vote for Best Hair and Makeup, Best “Trashion” Outfit and Best Overall Look at the end of the night.

Roughly 8.5 in every 10 online users can be reached through online video marketing, a number that is rapidly growing each year. Marketers with their fingers on the pulse of the mobile arena know that mobile video strategies are increasingly necessary. What are trends showing? We outline them, as well as 6 integral avenues to set you on the right path in the mobile video realm.

This post was written by Shine-Ning Ni, our Customer Training Specialist.

“We were very fortunate to have started our first location at San Francisco’s Union Square,” Andrew recalls. “At the time, it was the largest salon on the West Coast.” But as any successful business owner knows, it’s not always about the location. “You have to be really passionate about what you’re doing. For me, it’s always been about the hair.”

25 years and 4 additional locations later, DiPietro Todd Salon now spans across the San Francisco Bay Area, servicing Mill Valley, Walnut Creek, Palo Alto, and San Francisco proper. “We don’t do the whole factory/assembly line situation here,” Andrew adds. “We really try to provide a warm and social environment to make customers feel very welcome.”

Stylistically, the DiPietro Todd Salons strive to be ultra-modern. “We do the latest and greatest and cater to all age groups from all different walks of life,” Andrew says. They have a weekend academy for their stylists, as well as a comprehensive training program that happens every Monday.

Spring has a way of making everything fresh again – including opportunities for small businesses. In that spirit, Intuit is committing to help 15 small business owners get what they need this season with our Small Business Growing Strong campaign.

Between April 2nd and May 12th, 2013, you can submit your small business wish (worth up to $5,000) online for a chance to win based on the number of votes your wish receives, your wish’s feasibility, and the transformational impact it would have on your business. The first wish will be granted May 6th, and we’ll announce one winner a day after that. As an added bonus, the 5 wishes with the most votes will win Intuit products.

Intuit has already awarded more than $1.2 million to hard-working entrepreneurs and small business owners who are making their dreams a reality and positively impacting their communities in the process. Last winter, Intuit’s Love Our Local Business program offered another chance for small business owners to submit their wishes through our Small Business Big Wishes campaign, and we were blown away by the stories our winners had to share.

 Opportunities for mobile-friendly sites are growing larger every day. As of 2012, mobile traffic alone makes up 10% of all Internet use the world over, and more users are expected to access the Internet through their mobile phones than their desktops by the end of 2013. Yet with that level of upward mobility, recent studies show that only 10% of websites have optimized for mobile devices. How can you make sure that your business doesn't lose out on this mobile opportunity? 

This blog post was written by Jenny Urbano, our online services specialist.

Think your business's Google+ page is better than the rest? Are you posting statuses while  “+1ing” all day? Then prove it to us in our next Demandforce contest and you could be selecting to win some great prizes! It’s really easy- simply post a link to your Google+ Business page to the Google+ Showcase thread in the Demandforce community, and explain why you should be chosen as our winner.

Do you know what a "Kudo" is? You might just be using something similar everyday. This week, your Community Managers, Becca and Sam, give you an in depth explanation on this awesome community feature. Take a second to watch below, and then feel free to get Kudo happy in Generation Demandforce.

Email marketing has come a long way since the early days of dial-up. As more businesses join the game, more emails are piling up in personal inboxes, all vying for higher attention. At the same time, customers are getting smarter; with a  couple simple clicks, they can send that email blast that your marketing team spent days crafting straight to email hell - the virtual trashcan. Marketers, follow this flowchart to see if you're avoiding this awful fate. 

This post was written by Stacy Williams-Coca, our Corporate Trainer. 

Confession.  My life revolves around my cell phone.  Without it I may as well vanish in an icloud of thin air.  I consult its maps feature when driving to new places, I scour its Internet when looking for new restaurants, and I’ve replaced my best friend of 11 years with someone way cooler, Siri!  Do I feel guilty about any of this?  No way.  As a matter of fact, I feel empowered because my cell phone has turned me into a modern day Inspector Gadget.

Apparently I’m not the only one who feels this way.  According to a 2012 consumer survey by Pew Research Center, 85% of American adults have a cell phone, 45% of whom have a smart phone.  They give Americans a competitive edge in the consumer market and make their lives a whole lot easier.  A 2011 study by the same group revealed 33% of cell owners used their phone specifically for product reviews or pricing information online while inside a physical store.

The biggest advantage we, cell phone-carrying fiends have goes beyond consumer spending and into the world of time management.  Here’s another confession,  I’m organizationally challenged.  Without my cell phone, I’d still be writing meeting notes and appointment times on my hand. Now I can track ALL my daily activities in my phone.  If it’s not logged in my cell, it doesn’t exist.  Period.  

The day has  arrived to make the tough decision on the winners of our February Facebook Showcase winners. It wasn't easy, but we want to thank you for all of your amazing, rockstar submissions. 

Please help me congratulate our winners.

Grand Prize Winner: DeLand Animal Hospital

• This page really impressed us with their posts, activity and overall engagement. They have earned a huge amount of fans, and regularly post great content.

Runner Up Winners:

Shiloh Chiropractc

• Shiloh Chiro has a great cover photo that includes the staff, and a relative holiday theme. Their use of contests, fundraisers and PSAs create amazing interaction on the page.

North Hills Automotive

• The content on this page really made it stand out. Videos, fun facts and great photos drove some awesome interaction on the page.

Samm's Heating and Air Conditioning

• We were really impressed by the dedication and activity of this page. We had never imagined a heating and A/C business creating such an engaging Facebook page. And we loved their mascot, Pebbles!

Lakebrink Dental

• We loved the posts by Lakebrink Dental, along with the amazing fan interaction. They really show dedication with their page, and it made us laugh. Big plus!

Jordan Thomas Salon and Spa

• We absolutely loved the cover photo for this page. It's simple, yet artistic. They use pop culture to drive engagement, but also post original content.

During the months of March and April, we are asking you to send in your story. In a brief video, tell us about a memorable experience you’ve had with Demandforce. So break out your iPhone or video camera and start filming!We’ll publish these videos to our website and social media. Send us your video for a chance to win one of many prizes!

This blog post was adapted from an amazing email we received from our customer, Wendy Haskins of The Posh Paw, a unique healthy pet food store and grooming center in Lakewood, Washington.  

What happened today made Demandforce invaluable to me!  This afternoon I was in our grooming room when I let my beloved Bruno out back to potty.  The area behind our store is fully fenced and a great place to take dogs to potty.  A few minutes went by and I realized Bruno had not come right back in which was his usual habit.  When I went to find him he was gone and a gate was open! When he didn't appear immediately, as most spoiled chihuahuas do, I went on the hunt for him. He was no where to be found.  Of course I panicked he is my baby and our store mascot! 

Suddenly, I had a brilliant thought. I used Demandforce to contact my database and let them know to be on the lookout for my Bru Bru. Lakewood happens to host one of the largest dog parks in the state so we went to the dog park to see if any one had seen my little man. Thanks to Demandforce we didn't have to stay long.  The buzz from Demandforce was already at work for me and people at the dog park were already talking about the text and email.  About an hour later a woman flew into the parking lot, almost through the window!  She sprang from the car and ran in with much excitement to tell us she had gotten our text and that she had seen Bruno   She let us know she had seen him about an hour ago in a new black Jeep with a young couple going door to door to see if they could find who he belonged to.  Oh My Gosh!  My first sign he might be safe.  

We all know that Google is a very important player in the online presence of all businesses. Google + Local (formerly known as Google Places) is the epicenter for your business information on the world’s largest and most popular search engine.

Google + is their response to other social media platforms and works similar to Facebook with the ability to add photo albums and custom posts. Google recently released a feature which allows local businesses to combine both of these pages into one master page where consumers can view both their native reviews and their custom content. Merging these pages together is a great way to get ahead of your competition and increase your presence on the web. Below you can find the step by step instructions for getting started.

In life, your most successful relationships are often with the people closest to you. Why should it be any different in the business landscape?

Traditionally, many businesses have gotten into the habit of using a mass-marketing approach, with precision focus on driving conversations. Now, with a wealth of available communication tools providing service and adding value, companies are seeing the importance of building long-term and sustainable relationships with their customers.  

New technology to store appointments on your customers’ iPhone.

It’s hard to keep up on the newest technology out there when cool new tools, apps, and gadgets are being built every day. With Demandforce, you don’t have to. We update our product with the newest innovations, like Passbook, so you always have the technology you need to stay connected to your customers.  

So what’s Passbook? Passbook gives iPhone users a new way to organize things like movie tickets, gift cards, coupons, boarding passes and more. Instead of rummaging through your email, wallet or purse for printable coupons and tickets, you can locate it all in one place right one your iPhone.

Every year, half of all working Americans admit to suffering from back pain symptoms. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons for missed work. Who do most people turn to when they need help treating the pain? Chiropractors. 

Time to tune in to the second episode of our Community Manager Corner! Becca and Sam walk you through the features available on your Generation Demandforce profile page. Learn where to find your recent posts, kudos, and photo albums.

Ever wonder when the perfect time to post on Facebook is? According to a recent report, it looks like determining the best day of the week to share content for engagement depends greatly on your industry! Check out the infographic below from LinchpinSEO and use it as a reference point then next time you find yourself wondering when your fans are online. 

This post was written by Afroz Pathan, our Online Services Specialist.

Our eyes allow us to experience the wonderful sights surrounding us and they need to be treated with the utmost care. Burke Optometry understands this very well and knows that vision care is not just about eye care but about patient care. Established recently in August 2012, it is a young practice but experience is overflowing.  Drs. Geraime and Jerome Burke have over 40 years of medical experience between them. Their dream of opening their own practice finally arrived last year and it has been an amazing journey Demandforce is proud to be a part of. I recently spoke with the wonderful staff and got to know the essence of Burke Optometry and what makes them thrive and excel in today’s ever-changing medical world.

What is the most unique aspect of your business and your clients, what makes it what it is?
We take care of our patients like family. We want their experience to be pleasant and comfortable. In order to do this there is a combination of factors – the doctors stay current with education related to all aspects of vision & ocular health, and share their knowledge as they talk with their patients. The office staffs are all very caring personalities, the office is designed to feel more open and comfortable and we have the best technology available - all of this makes the patient’s comfortable to be in our office and confident knowing we are taking good care of them.

In this day and age, people around the world are connecting to each other in a few clicks and networking is achieved in a matter of seconds. As you may already know, the Demandforce "Network" helps you attract consumers who are already purchasing from non-competing neighborhood businesses.

Every e-mail confirmation reminder that is sent out is an opportunity to connect your business to others around you. Every time a customer or patient clicks on the green confirm button, we are actively displaying business cards of non-competing businesses around the area to promote business for Demandforce customers.