V&L Crafts supplies individual shark’s teeth and shark’s teeth jewelry to gift shops, aquariums and museums all over the world.   Over 20 years ago they started as a home-based business, collecting shark teeth from the beaches of the Florida Suncoast to make into necklaces and earrings, which were then sold to local shops and restaurants. As demand grew, they discovered diving for teeth was more productive than simply walking the beach. When demand again outpaced their own collecting methods they increased yield by developing an industry in Morocco, where fossil shark teeth are by-products of the local phosphate industry.

As they grew and began cultivating customers all over the world, V&L Crafts needed a better way to connect with their customers. Their previous website did not allow visitors to purchase directly from the website, and products were displayed in PDF’s for download which is not great for search engines or user experience.  The goal of this project was to develop a shopping cart solution that would allow retail and wholesale purchases from the website, with a primary focus on the wholesale audience.  Wholesalers can be assigned to specific categories based on their buying level, which will allow the shopping cart to automatically calculate discounts based on their level.

Users “check out” their order on the website and an invoice produced and emailed. The UPS Real-Time Shipping module was installed to calculate shipping.  A “Wish List” module was also installed so customers can store their favorite items to make re-ordering more convenient.

V&L Crafts is an international business with over 4,000 square-feet of warehouse/office space in Nokomis, FL.  In addition to shark tooth jewelry they sell a variety of fossilized shark tooth gifts, from educational sets and key chains to loose individual or bagged shark tooth fossils.  With the launch of their new website they can now serve their customers in a more efficient and professional manner, no matter which timezone their customer resides.

Note: All teeth are fossils; no sharks are harmed to create their products.

For more information on V&L Crafts please visit their website:
www.vlcrafts.com

The post Webtivity Launches New Ecommerce Website for V&L Crafts appeared first on from the Webtivity Blog.

Fawley Bryant architect firm approached Webtivity to investigate having a website developed that would provide the foundation necessary to show the talent that is indicative of the Fawley Bryant name.  Fawley Bryant also wanted the capability to update the website internally, so the DotNetNuke platform was recommended for the project.

Created with the user experience firmly in mind, the website has been redesigned using the latest technology so the site is compatible with today’s browsers.  The site includes extensive project information and stunning photography to provide a more detailed overview through a search of Service Categories or by the Market Sectors of Commercial, Community, Education, Government, Hospitality, Medical, Residential, and Sports and Recreation.

Fawley Bryant provides a comprehensive strategy to architecture and project development. The strategy, called THINK, provides Strategic Consulting Project Development, Planning, Architecture, Interior Design and Sustainability services. THINK maximizes the potential of any real estate asset. Fawley Bryant serves clients along the southwest coast of Florida, from offices in Sarasota and Bradenton.

For more information on Fawley Bryant please visit their website:
www.fawley-bryant.com

The post Webtivity Launches New Website for Fawley Bryant appeared first on from the Webtivity Blog.

When Silver Resorts first approached Webtivity back in 2006 they had a non-existent search engine presence and a website that did not reflect the beautiful accommodations they have to offer.  After developing a website which incorporated attractive photos of the island and the Silver Resorts experience, Webtivity launched a Search Engine Optimization campaign to help attract international travelers to the website.  When the new website was first launched they were averaging around 50 unique visitors to their website each day.  With all the efforts we’ve invested in their online marketing over the years they now routinely average over 350 unique visitors to their website each and every day.

Because technology and web standards have progressed significantly since their first redesign, Silver Resorts again approached Webtivity to redesign and redevelop their website to take advantage of the latest and greatest available.  Silver Resorts again invested in having incredible photography taken so the Webtivity Team could exemplify the island lifestyle throughout.  Website visitors have the ability to book online and connect to Silver Resorts through social media, sign up for their newsletter, or join the Island Time Vacation Club to earn reward points for repeating vacationers.  The website was also designed to be responsive for mobile devices so smartphone users who arrive at the website have an enjoyable experience.

For more information please visit:
www.silverresorts.com

The post Webtivity Launches New Website for Silver Resorts appeared first on from the Webtivity Blog.

Not that it makes me the prognosticator of prognosticators, but I called it:

Important Notice to our Microsoft Tag Customers   

To our valued Microsoft Tag Customer,
This August 19, 2013 notice is to inform you that the Microsoft Tag service will terminate in two years, on August 19, 2015.  We are providing this two year termination notice in accordance with our Terms of Use for the Microsoft Tag Service located at this link: http://tag.microsoft.com/tag-terms-of-use.aspx See Section 2 – Availability of Service; Changes to the Agreement & Service, paragraph 2.1.

Through August 19, 2015, you will be able to continue to log into your existing Microsoft Tag service account, use existing Microsoft Tag codes, generate new Microsoft Tags, and run reports as usual.

To help you prepare for the termination of the Microsoft Tag service on August 19, 2015, Scanbuy has been selected to support Microsoft Tag technology on the ScanLife platform beginning no later than September 18th, 2013, and to offer transition and migration services to Microsoft TAG customers who choose to migrate to the ScanLife platform.  This transition path will help you to continue running your campaigns using Microsoft Tags on the ScanLife platform.  

Scanbuy is the largest provider of QR codes and runs ScanLife, a cloud-based mobile engagement platform for creating personalized, uniquely tailored experiences for consumers to digitally engage with brands in their everyday surroundings through smartphones.

If you wish to learn more about the ScanLife platform you may contact Adam Gold, VP of Sales at adam.gold@scanbuy.com or call 212-278-0178 x 400.

We thank you for allowing us to serve you as our Microsoft Tag customer.  If you have questions that Microsoft can assist you with please contact taginfo@microsoft.com.

Respectfully,
Eric Engstrom,                     
General Manager, Microsoft

Given Microsoft’s product launch track records (now where did I put my Zune?) it didn’t take a genius to know that Microsoft Tag probably wouldn’t be around for long. Unfortunately when you’re up against an open source solution (QR codes) that has a higher adoption rate you’re starting an uphill climb.  QR codes haven’t reached consumer mainstream conscience in the U.S. just yet, but part of that is the fault of marketers and business owners who slap QR codes on things and don’t provide any value to those who take the time to scan them.  Taking someone to the Home page of your non-mobile-friendly website after they just scanned your QR isn’t going to earn you any brownie points, and it’s going to train consumers to ignore QR’s.

How long do you think before Microsoft gives Windows 8 the axe?  It couldn’t be a moment too soon….

The post Microsoft Tag Calls It Quits appeared first on from the Webtivity Blog.

The 2nd annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Small Business Development Expo is just around the corner!  Webtivity will be participating as a sponsor and exhibitor, and Troy Newport will be offering a series of three workshops as part of the keynote speaker sessions.  The series offered by Webtivity will uncover the many options consumers have when developing a website and the pros and cons of each.  The series will also address the many ways businesses can promote themselves online and the effectiveness of different channels.

Tickets to attend the expo are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

WHEN:
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE:
CrossPointe Fellowship Hall
8605 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach
map it

For more information about the Expo please call:
AMI Chamber of Commerce
www.amichamber.org
Debbie Wing
941-778-1541

The post Anna Maria Chamber Small Business Development Expo appeared first on from the Webtivity Blog.

Webtivity will be showcasing our products and services as a vendor at the 2013 Manatee Association of Realtors Tech Tune Up.   We will be offering a number of special offers to Realtors who stop by our booth at the event, including website design, Search Engine Optimization and social media services. 

The annual conference and technology showcase is designed to help Realtors stay on top of the latest advances in technology and how to leverage technology for success.  There will be guest speakers presenting on a variety of topics at all levels of techie-ness.

If you’re a Realtor and you want to have a successful online presence, come out to the Tech Tune Up and see us!

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
9:00am – 3:00pm

LOCATION:
Polo Grill Ballroom
10670 Boardwalk Loop
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(map it)

For more information on the Tech Tune Up event, please contact:
Manatee Association of REALTORS, Inc.
10920 Technology Terrace
Bradenton, Florida 34211
(941) 747-1818
www.manateerealtors.org

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