You should hire a web design firm that has great references, testimonials and great design. A design firm should have a senior experienced artist that is the lead for your project. This does not mean that they had to graduate from an art institute, the SVA or FIT. After all, my 7 year old has great art skills and he doesn’t have a formal electronic art education But seriously, I don’t care how they BECAME a great designer, I just want them to BE a great designer.

Here at SalemGlobal we used to have web design and programming in-house but changed our business model because we found them to be two very separate skill sets. My personal story is that 12 years ago when I started up this company I thought that I could do it all or MANAGE it all. And I was right. I could. HOWEVER, just because I could MANAGE designers doesn’t mean that I could fix or improve what they did or give them advice. Sure I know Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator but I don’t have that artistic touch or eye. Therefore, when looking for someone to DESIGN your website, check out their portfolio and see if their STYLE works for you. Of course, this is all completely separate from how companies price their services. You can get a great designer for less than you would think and sometimes you will pay through the nose for design that really isn’t all that spectacular.

On the marketing side, I personally do not believe that all creative designers and artists have the analytical and strategic marketing sense to help you make money from your website and/or your online strategy. They might know about design and color but not about the audience and consumer behavior. My advice to you is to go with the marketing company that practices what they preach. If they work on the organic side, see what keywords they have positions for. On the PPC (pay per click) side, see what kind of success rate they have (not click throughs or impressions).

As for programming, I don’t worry about such matters. Programming is scientific and there are many programmers out there that do a great job. Just make sure the past sites work, are scalable and don’t overburden your team. Programming should be logical and work. And be careful whether the company you hire is not outsourcing to someone else unless that’s ok with you. Just like the design firm, the programmers should have experience if problems do arise and/or if you want to upgrade.

If you have any questions or would like to know more send me an email, give us a call at 212-993-5828, or check out our site, www.SalemGlobal.com.

Click here to view the embedded video.

SalemGlobal is looking forward to seeing everyone this coming Wednsday for April’s networking breakfast. This month we will be meeting at offices of Shiboleth-Heiman, One Penn Plaza, Suite 2527. This location has a different layout than month’s past, so only those arriving on time will allocated a seat.

SalemGlobal would like to thank our April breakfast sponsor: Shiboleth-Heiman, the largest Israeli Law Firm in New York who are using their sponsorship spotlight to showcase Elem: an organization assisting youth in distress in Israel (www.Elem.org). Oren will be telling us about Elem’s crucial work in Israel during our upcoming breakfast. This is the first time the SalemGlobal Breakfast sponsorship is used to showcase a philanthropic cause. Congratulations Oren! See a video message from Oren and VP of Elem, Amit Marom by clicking here!.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday April 16th for our breakfast (www.breakfastnetworking.com). Please note: the SalemGlobal Networking Breakfasts will be returning to our prior networking format in April, everyone will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the entire group.

To attend breakfast you must RSVP online (www.breakfastnetworking.com) – our location has very strict security measures. If you would like to be a breakfast sponsor for May, sign-up today to get nearly $1000 in promotional value for only $300! The SalemGlobal Breakfast Sponsorships packages include:

• Two minute promotional video distributed to dozens of video sharing websites, there is more to the world than just YouTube!
• Spotlight and a short speaking slot at our monthly breakfast.
• Promotion within our newsletters and blogs.
• Dozens of in-bound links to your website, which is a key internet marketing component and strategy.

SalemGlobal would like to thank your April networking breakfast sponsor, Oren Heiman and the Elem Organization, which helps distressed youth in Israel.

Click here to view the embedded video.

• To design and model effective treatment and rehabilitation services for troubled, neglected, abused and adjudicated youth.
• To accurately and carefully measure outcomes and disseminate information about effective interventions via publications, seminars, conferences and forums to professionals involved with youth and youth-related services in both public and private agencies.

To advance public awareness of the various problems concerning youth at risk and in distress, as well as to advocate and lobby legislation on their behalf.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We can help you sell your services and products. Our next breakfast is on Wednesday March 16th, 2008 @ 8AM! We welcome salespeople, entrepreneurs, individual practitioners and representatives of companies large and small. Breakfast Networking is a business and professional networking event that offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, referrals. Our next breakfast is February 21st at 8AM, keep reading for more info! For security reasons, in order to attend breakfast, you MUST compete the form to the left. Watch highlights from January’s breakfast here! Stay in touch and network with past attendees from Breakfast Networking by connecting in our Social Network, click here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Law Offices of George L. Bischof advises families, individuals, and small businesses on a range of legal matters.

Our principal areas of focus are wills, trusts, and estates; real estate transactions; and elder law. Other representative matters include tax controversies, partnerships, and tax-exempt entities.

Avery Real Etate in New York is all about you!

212.472.2528
mcwollin@aol.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

• On-line roster: http://www.breakfastnetworking.com/networking-roster.php
• Members of the group can check out and sign-up for our social networking group: http://breakfastnetworking.ning.com
• A short video of SalemGlobal CEO Raphi Salem to watch here. 

Sign-up now and join the nearly 30+ RSVP’s we have received in the last week! Please note, there is a NEW format to breakfast, as the size of breakfast has dictated a change. To attend breakfast you must RSVP online (www.breakfastnetworking.com) – our location has very strict security measures. Also, the monthly sponsorship spot is still available, sign-up today to get nearly $1000 in promotional value for only $300! The SalemGlobal Breakfast Sponsorships packages include:

• Two minute promotional video distributed to dozens of video sharing websites, there is more to the world than just YouTube!
• Spotlight and a short speaking slot at our monthly breakfast.
• Promotion within our newsletters and blogs.
• Dozens of in-bound links to your website, which is a key internet marketing component and strategy.

SalemGlobal Internet Website Marketing is trying to build up our:

http://www.Hamantaschen.com

http://www.Purim.com

http://www.Purim.TV

Websites with Hamantaschen recipes.
We would love to see your favorites! Scan, steal and beg for your mothers, grandmothers, recipes for Hamantaschen. Email us or post at our facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8616999397

Thanks and Chag Sameach.