Getting your website to rank on Google is a problem that business owners from all industries, not just glazing, face. One free way you can appear front and center when someone searches for your business name is by listing your business, so it comes up on Google Search and Google Maps. If you operate locally, listing your business on Google is particularly important.

Trustworthiness, or the lack of, is a perception issue that nearly all tradesmen and contractors face in the eyes of the public. Customers want the reassurance that their contractor is going to show up when they say they will, charge a fair price, and get the job done to a high standard. One way you can provide reassurance is through the information you provide on your website.

Don't be deceived by the thousands of articles online declaring the business card 'dead'. The humble business card still has plenty of life in it yet!

For many glaziers, business cards are a necessity but are often rushed or treated as an afterthought. Business cards say a lot about you and your business so it's crucial you put some thought into them. There are a few key, simple elements to keep in mind that make up a great, memorable business card.

We need to talk about data security — specifically, how to keep your glazing business' information safe and why cloud-based storage is the way to do that.

For some small glazing businesses, "the cloud" is like the boogeyman. They've always stored their data internally, either on individual computers or an on-site server and because they know the location of those items, they feel they are secure. But how diligent are those businesses with cybersecurity? 

Smart-Builder will be returning to GlassBuild in September in Atlanta, Georgia. We are excited to be showcasing Smart-Toolbox, our job management and ERP software, as well as Smart-Glass, a powerful glass drawing tool for both installers and fabricators.

Marketing automation means you waste less time doing repetitive marketing tasks, whilst doing a better job at converting prospective customers into actual customers. Automation can be applied to emails, social media, and actions on your website, making all of these things work harder and smarter for your business.

We've discussed the importance of technology in glazing before, but today we're going to look at three specific areas that are important to customers: how they find you, how you quote them, and how they pay you.

You may have heard reports recently about a large scale, ongoing, ransomware attack known as WannaCry (or WannaCrypt). It has affected over 230,000 in 150 countries, and has affected large companies like Telefónica in Spain and the National Health Service in the UK. It is a timely reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and staying vigilant in your security efforts.

 Thinking of redesigning your glazing website? Here are 10 things to take into consideration before you get started.

Keeping an eye on your competitors is an important part of your marketing efforts for your glazing business and crucial to ensuring you're a viable option for prospective customers. Figure out who your real competitors are and monitor their online presence, how they're targeting prospective audience, and where your strengths lie.