CMS - The Way Forward

Tired of not having the freedom and flexibility in your own website, let me introduce you to CMS!

Our content management systems are specifically designed to allow flexibility to meet your exact requirements, whilst at the same time keeping stability and security paramount.
There are many reasons for using a web content management system (CMS).

A content management system allows the end user (you and your staff) to update content on your website without technical skills or extensive know how. It is widely accepted that a web site is often the first exposure a potential customer gets to your company, so it is crucial to have the right up to date content presented in keeping with your branding. It is also a common complaint that web site content is out of date and a costly chore to maintain. Using a content management website ensures that you can keep your web content up to date and keep your customers informed with your news as it happens.

Once logged in to the administration area on your site, you have complete control over content such as images, text, links, files and multimedia. This may include adding new pages, administering site members, and sending e-mail newsletters.

The overall style of your CMS site is pre-defined by SDM Productions International specifically for you, with a custom web site design. This means that if you add new pages or content, it will have the right 'look and feel' by default. We call this the 'template' design, and may create a style guide for you, however we make only custom website designs.

We do this by researching your company's needs and tailor making a web design solution rather than creating generic templates which you choose from. This makes updates to your website simple in terms of style, allowing your company to concentrate on the content rather than getting bogged down by design. You will also be able to have greater input into the design if you choose, with advanced editing features and the ability to add HTML into the CMS.

Seems like magic

The ability to add pages and content to your own website with pre-defined professional styling does seem like magic. It makes it possible for people who cannot write code and HTML to be able to create their own website pages whenever they choose.

However, our system cannot create graphics for you, it cannot write your content for you and it does require time to add content to a website - we call that data entry or 'website population'. On the whole, SDM Productions Intl Ltd. offer ongoing services to our web content management customers, helping with graphic design and website population. Using CMS does make this process far quicker for us than hand building pages.

Web 2.0 Applications

In addition to our CMS websites a wide range of applications can be built into your site. Whether you are looking to introduce user generated content or create a rich user experience, SDM Productions Intl utilizes cutting edge applications and tools to allow you to quickly build community based environments and much more. Contact us to find out what we can do for you.

For further information on CMS websites or a personal quote contact us here http://www.sdmproductionsuk.co.uk/quote.html

R = Recovery (not recession)

Ok, so its bad out there. Times are tough, there's no doubting that. However, don't you feel like the media are talking us all into a downward spiral? All we hear are bad news stories. There are some good business news stories out there but the simple fact is that good news does not sell newspapers.

Businesses that can ride out the storm will be well positioned when the market recovers. Here are a few on my idea's to help you ride the road to recovery and beat the recession.

Recovery Checklist
Are you in a good position to recover? Ask yourself these questions:

1) When did you last review your marketing material or your website?
2) Does your logo look like its past its sell by date?
3) Is your brand or message that your business portrays strong professional and consistent?
4) Do your customers realise all the services and products you offer?
5) Are you communicating frequently with your customers?

At SDM Productions International we offer a host of services that can support you and your business with your recovery checklist. Visit http://www.sdmproductionsuk.co.uk/

7 Ways To Market Your Business Through This Recession

This year's going to be a tough one for most businesses. I'm not saying that to just jump on the dreaded "R" word bandwagon, or try to hype up the doom and gloom unnecessarily.

Those who continue to market their business through the recession are going to find things easier than those who don't. People haven't stopped buying altogether, they've just slowed down, cut back and are thinking much harder about whether to spend money, and if so who to spend it with.

1) Sit down and really think about how you're going to position your business to survive this.
2) Evaluate how effectively your marketing is supporting that message at the moment.
3) Explore as many ways as you can of getting your message out there.
4) Create a plan that you'll commit to for the next six months.
5) Stop wasting money on marketing that won't support your goals.
6) Get on the phone and talk to your customers, about how you can help them at the moment.
7) Invest in a marketing planning session.

By following some or all of these steps you will have a higher chance of surviving the recession.

Snow At The Office..........

As I thought the snow continued throughout the night and caused another mayhem morning for the SDM staff, but we all eventually made it to work.

The photo to the left is the view of the SDM Corporation head office from our window, we might not get to see this view for another year so here's a little reminder!!

What a day at the office!!

The Snow certainly did cause some disruption today at the SDM Head Office - our poor Zoe had a bit of a slide down the hill and had a bump at the bottom, but help was on hand, and all the SDM Staff got Zoe's car out the ditch. But some how backed it back into the fence after!!

Ricky was stranded in Brighton after 7 inches of snow and got his nice Mercedes wedged on the drive at home and couldn't move anywhere - a nice working day at home for the Rickster. Still it was great to see some snow after a few years wait. I'm sure all will be back to normal tomorrow - "or will it".

Is your Brand Failing your Business?

Is your brand losing you business? trust me, the quality of your branding can mean the difference between success and failure. No matter what size your business is, branding is essential to differentiate yourself from the competition. It's your personality, and it needn't cost the earth. How you're perceived will depend on the effort you put into your marketing communication.

Your Logo is central to your brand. Compare your logo with your competitors, If its not better or at least as compelling, then you need some logo surgery - SDM Productions can give your logo a complete face lift or you maybe starting out in business and need a brand new identity. At SDM Productions we take care and pride to ensure the logo we design for you fits the purpose to you and you're business. We'll ask you lots of questions to help us understand what you're about and what you're trying to achieve. From this we'll come up with some idea's.

For a logo re-design or for a fresh new look starting at only £49 + VAT visit http://www.sdmproductionsuk.co.uk/ or call 0871 666 1928.

Well Done SDM

A massive well done to all my team members at SDM for a brilliant performance in January, may this continue into February.

Thanks all

Stuart