According to a report released by Experian Marketing Services, 52% of consumers access email via their smartphones. That means email needs to continue to be more mobile. No more will the “having trouble reading this email” link appease readers. Readers will demand that email is legible natively on their mobile devices.

Another technology that could evolve into the email space is QR codes. The use of QR codes has increased 214% since the beginning of 2011. I think we‟ll see it become more commonplace in 2012.”

Tyler Garns, Infusionsoft, Director of Marketing

Tyler is a recognized thought leader on Internet marketing and speaks to audiences on lead generation, email marketing, and sales and marketing automation. He has presented at MarketingProfs BtoB Forum, The Small Biz Technology Five-City Tour, Inbound Marketing Summit and more.

MailerMailer

Their existing website was dark – a new and fresh website for Artisan Wines reflects their business all round – the vineyards, the wines, their new restaurant and meeting rooms, the market. It includes an updated customised content management system that allows Artisan to instantly place wine on special or add a new wine. They are also able to quickly enter events, news, awards and testimonials from clients that appear on every page.

www.artisanwines.co.nz

“I think people should create shorter, more focused mailings.

This is more of a recommendation than a prediction. People should also be more careful about who they are sending to.

Rather than sending one thing to their entire list, I suggest that they segment their list and create their mailing according to each group‟s interests. More work, yes, but also more effective.”

LisaMarie Dias, LisaMarie Designs

LisaMarie helps business owners create an effective online marketing presence. Specializing in e-newsletter start-up and introductions to social media, she also offers online webinars and live presentations on how to use e-newsletters and social media to grow a business.

I foresee many users going back to their email inboxes to read about and stay informed on what they truly care about. Because of this trend, it‟s extremely important to keep email marketing messages relevant, targeted, and personalized when appropriate.

Overall, I think that email marketing will continue to be very strong in 2012 and can be used most effectively when teamed up with social media channels and mobile marketing.”

Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers

Andrew is a graduate of Brown University, and originally from Boston but currently living in Chicago. Money Crashers is a community where people can share ideas, help each other, and grow financially together.

“More online businesses will begin to mistakenly over rely on social media… and neglect the relationship building power of email marketing. Those that know how to use email marketing in a sophisticated manner will continue to reap the benefits, while those that don‟t will miss out.”

Adam Dudley
LocationLibrated.com
Adam is a co-founder of the Location Liberated blog, and co-creator of the Getting Free Manifesto, The Free Spirit’s Guide to Long-term Travel, Location Liberated University, and the Free Spirits Club and Forum.

MailerMailer

“My prediction is, as more and more spam fills people’s email boxes response rates will drop …even for in-house email lists. Therefore, marketers will look for a less cluttered medium of contact that produces a better response and ROI.

John Schulte, Small Business Consultant and Direct Marketing Strategies

John is a 30-year veteran of advertising, marketing, publicity, promotions, and sales. He is an internationally recognised expert in the areas of mail order, direct mail, cataloging, and overall direct marketing.

MailerMailer

We have worked with Artisan Wines for some years on their old website and email campaigns – but it need an update, both in the front and behind the scenes. Now it has a fresh, clean, green look with information about  their wines,  restaurant, menus and function rooms. And Artisan Wines are now able to manage this information from behind the scenes with ease.

Research was conducted around search engine optimisation and this information was used through-out the website, and reflected in the content. We helped Artisan Wines write the content for the all-important home page using this research.

Icons have been added for their social media marketing – Facebook and Twitter.

An updated look for an ever-expanding New Zealand boutique winery.

www.artisanwines.co.nz

But their website badly needed a new look and new content to match.

A joint project with Sue Reidy of  Sue Reidy Communications – Strategy / Copywriting / Editing  - www.suereidy.co.nz

It is always a pleasure to work with Sue and she does such a great job, don’t you think?

www.theestatechurchbay.com

“I thank you both for your thoroughly professional application and timely focus on our desired website revision.

The much enhanced and expanded site is now live and I am delighted with its look and content.
Your joint expertise has been well leveraged and I look forward to reporting to you later in the year on the undoubted increase in client yields. Thanks again for a job very well done.”

Located in the heart of Auckland’s central business district, Ray White Commercial has an experienced and dedicated team focused on commercial property sales and leasing.

This is a new website for this team that focused on the simplicity of their message, using a clean, very professional look. A very different perspective from most real estate websites – focusing on the service and the team, rather than the properties.

www.rwcauckland.com

Your web form should be placed ‘above the fold’ of your website. If the web form is hidden or hard to get to, you website visitors will not be compelled to fill it out. The web form should also contain as few fields as possible. Typically, ‘first name’, ‘last name’ and ‘email address’ are sufficient. I would just use ‘email address’ if possible! When a visitor sees a web form with fields like ‘home address’, ‘phone number’ or ‘mother’s maiden name’ they start to get suspicious. Keep it simple and relevant to your purposes – only ask for what you truly need.

You should also be sure to explain that you will honour their privacy. If you are clear about what will happen when they complete the form, they will be more willing to give their information. It’s all about trust.

So it is time to get a web form on your website. You can use a web form for event registration, newsletter sign-ups, contests, surveys, polls, refer-a-friend programs, comments or anything else that will help you gather information. And web forms shouldn’t be confined to your home page.