Totera Web Systems Blog

Celebrating Excellence

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:39:22 GMT

Victor Avhust Earns Master’s Degree in Software Engineering

At Totera, our strength lies in the talent, dedication, and resilience of our team. Today, we have a truly special achievement to celebrate: our Lead Web Developer, Victor Avhust , has officially earned his Master’s Degree in Software Engineering from American University Kyiv .

A Commitment to Continuous Growth

Reaching this academic milestone is no small feat under any circumstances. Earning a graduate degree while managing complex, full-scale development projects, staying at the forefront of emerging technologies, and navigating everyday life requires extraordinary focus and discipline. Victor has balanced all of these demands with steady determination.

For those of us who work with Victor every day, his accomplishment comes as no surprise. He brings a rare mix of deep technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and thoughtful design intuition to every application, site, and system he touches.

Driving the Future of Totera’s Tech

Victor’s advanced studies in software engineering directly inform the high-standard, scalable solutions we build for our clients—from modernizing web frameworks and building mobile applications to integrating cloud architecture that runs efficiently and reliably.

Having him at the helm of our development projects gives us complete confidence as we take on more ambitious custom solutions and expanding tech stacks. His focus isn't just on writing clean code; it’s on creating software that genuinely serves the needs of businesses and their communities.

Looking Ahead

We could not be prouder of Victor for reaching this impressive milestone. We are incredibly lucky to have him heading up our development team, and we can’t wait to see the continued impact of his skills and leadership as we build out exciting new features and products in the year ahead.

Please join us in sending a huge congratulations to Victor on this well-deserved success!

By the Numbers: Why AI Search Is Leaving Traditional Local Websites Behind

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:42:52 GMT

How AI-Optimized Websites Are Driving 320% More Traffic to Local Businesses

By Donna Winter

For years, local business visibility meant one thing: ranking at the top of a search engine results page. If you had a good local SEO strategy, you won the traffic.

But the game is fundamentally changing.

When consumers look for local businesses today, they are increasingly turning to AI-powered search—like ChatGPT or Google’s new AI Overviews. Instead of typing "mechanic," they are asking highly specific questions like, “What's the best mechanic near me that specializes in hybrid vehicles?” By 2028, AI search is projected to overtake traditional search entirely. This means local businesses need to shift their focus from SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) . The goal is no longer just to be on the page; the goal is to be the answer .

The ROI of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)

If you’re wondering whether optimizing your site for AI is worth the investment right now, the data is officially in.

A recent study by our website platform partner, Duda, analyzed over 850,000 websites and 69 million AI crawler visits. They found that local businesses with websites optimized for AI crawlers absolutely dominate their competitors.

AI-crawled sites generated:

320% more human traffic
270% more form submissions
250% more click-to-call events

The takeaway is clear: local businesses that provide clear, structured, and trustworthy information online are the ones AI platforms are recommending to customers.

5 Tweaks to Make Your Website AI-Ready

You don't need to rebuild your business to win at AEO, but you do need the right digital foundation. Our Tada website platform is set up to maximize your AEO presence with five critical features that the study showed caused a massive 400% increase in AI crawl rates:

1. Maintain an Active Blog

AI engines crave fresh, relevant information. The study found that every single blog post on a site is associated with a 7% increase in AI crawler visits. Regularly answering common customer questions on your blog is one of the best ways to feed Answer Engines.

2. Implement Local Schema Markup

AI doesn't just read your website; it scans the underlying code. Adding "Local Schema" to your site's code explicitly hands search engines your key data—like your exact address, service areas, and operating hours—in a language they instantly understand.

3. Sync Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

AI models cross-reference data to ensure they are giving users accurate information. Synchronizing your website with your Google Business Profile ensures that your business name, address, and phone number are perfectly consistent across the web, building the trust required to be recommended by an LLM.

4. Build Dynamic Service & Location Pages

Lumping all your services or service areas onto a single page confuses AI. Dynamically generating structured, dedicated pages for each specific service or location encourages deeper crawling and allows Answer Engines to match you with highly specific user prompts.

5. Expand Your Site Architecture

A one-page website won't cut it in the age of AI. The depth of your website provides context. The study noted that every additional page added to a website improves performance, yielding a 4% increase in crawler visits per page.

Don't Get Left Behind

Small businesses don't compete with the entire internet; they compete with the shop around the corner. If your competitor’s website is built for Answer Engines and yours isn't, AI will send that 320% traffic boost directly to them.

Ready to future-proof your digital presence? As certified web professionals, we specialize in building high-performance AEO-ready websites equipped with the exact technical foundations AI crawlers are looking for.

https://www.totera.com/contact

Donna Winter (she/her) is Project Development and Marketing Coordinator at Totera Web Systems. She admits to a general obsession with marketing trends and all things new and geeky. She has become increasingly involved in IT ever since the world was slated to end in Y2K. In addition to studying marketing, Donna holds a degree in psychology from the University of Washington. Family, books, music, birding, Scrabble, cards, nature and road trips are a few of her favorite things. She can be reached at donna@totera.com

Building an Accessible Web

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:20:08 GMT

Why ADA Compliance is Essential for Your Business

In today's digital world, your website is often the first—and most important—impression of your business. But for many users with disabilities, poorly designed sites can create frustrating, insurmountable barriers.

That's why investing in ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) website compliance isn't just a legal necessity; it’s a fundamental business decision that demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and commitment to your entire customer base.

The True Cost of Inaccessibility

Many businesses view ADA compliance as a checklist to avoid lawsuits, but it’s much more than that. An inaccessible website can negatively impact your business in three major areas:

Lost Customers:

According to a study by AIR.org , the purchasing power of people with disabilities is substantial. By failing to ensure your website is usable by everyone, you are effectively turning away a significant segment of the market. An accessible site ensures all users can browse, shop, and contact you without friction.

Reputational Damage:

Nothing erodes public trust faster than appearing indifferent to the needs of your community. A commitment to accessibility strengthens your brand, shows that you value all patrons, and positions you as a socially responsible leader. The World Economic Forum lists reputational damage as a major factor when considering the nominal expense of ignoring ADA compliance.

Legal Risk :

While we focus on a proactive, customer-first approach, it’s important to acknowledge the legal landscape. Non-compliance can lead to demand letters and lawsuits, which are costly, time-consuming, and can severely damage your brand's reputation. Civil rights lawsuits from individuals, advocacy groups and even the US Dept. of Justice are becoming more common. Our service helps you significantly mitigate this risk.

How Our ADA Compliance Service Helps You Succeed

The Totera ADA & WCAG Compliance service is designed to ensure that information and communication on your website are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, while providing the strongest legal mitigation for accessibility and compliance issues. This service can be applied to any website, even if it was not built by Totera.

We use the world’s most advanced, AI-powered accessibility technology to meet and exceed WCAG 2.1 AA requirements, as mandated by the ADA and other regulatory bodies. This system automatically identifies and remediates accessibility violations in real-time for every user who visits your site.

Key Features of the Service

Real-Time AI Remediation: Artificial intelligence and machine learning automatically analyze and fix non-compliant elements on your site instantly.
AI-Powered Image Recognition: The system automatically generates accurate alternative text (alt-text) for all images on your site, requiring zero effort from your team.
Accessibility & Privacy Statements: The service provides the legally required statements that inform users of your site's accessibility status and how to report any issues.

Available Services

The service offers both Basic and Advanced plans to fit various needs and budgets:

A basic Accessibility Audit , Accessibility Widget, and Accessibility & Privacy Statements.
An advanced suite of 100+ AI-powered accessibility functions , full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, real-time monitoring and reporting, and a Litigation Support Program .
We also offer a White Label and Custom Branding to make the accessibility widget a seamless part of your site's design and style.

The Result

By working with us, you get a website that is easier for everyone to use, performs better in search engines, and protects your business from unnecessary risk.

Ready to make your digital presence welcoming to all customers? You can find more details about our services and request a free estimate for our ADA compliance service here: https://www.totera.com/website-accessibility-compliance .

Let's build a better web together.

Working Smarter: Practical Strategies for Your Business

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 01:32:11 GMT

Beyond the Inbox: Professional Email and Integrated Tools for Your Organization.

Every business owner and manager knows the challenge: staying organized, communicating effectively, and collaborating seamlessly can sometimes feel like a juggling act. From tracking client inquiries to drafting important proposals, there's always a lot on your plate. As a small web design firm, we're constantly fine-tuning our own efficiency and productivity, and we often get asked by our clients for recommendations on how to best handle their email and everyday digital operations, often without spending a fortune.

At Totera, we're big believers in leveraging the right tools to simplify everyday processes.

Today, I want to share some practical insights into how Google Workspace , a suite of integrated applications, has genuinely streamlined our workflows and provide real-world examples of tools you can use to empower your small business.

While many businesses first think of Workspace as a robust Gmail solution, let me show you how its other powerful tools work together as an incredible bonus to help you achieve more, with less effort. Let's explore how you can make Google Workspace a powerful ally in your business journey.

Elevate Your Organization's Communication: Starting with Email

Need a practical email solution? When most people think of Google Workspace , Gmail is often the first thing that comes to mind. And while it's certainly the cornerstone of email communication, its power for small businesses extends far beyond simply sending and receiving messages. Think of it not just as an inbox, but as an integrated communication hub.

Gmail offers clever features to help you cut through the noise. Have you ever started typing an email and Gmail finished your sentence? That's Smart Compose at work, saving you precious seconds. Similarly, Smart Reply suggests quick responses to common queries, helping you clear your inbox faster.

But the real magic happens when Gmail connects with your other Workspace tools. Imagine an email comes in about a new project. With a few clicks, you can turn that email directly into a task in Google Tasks, or even schedule a follow-up meeting in Google Calendar, all without leaving your inbox. This seamless integration means less jumping between applications and more focus on your clients.

Effective email organization is also key. With Gmail's labels and filters , you can set up automated rules to sort incoming messages, prioritize important client communications, or archive newsletters for later reading. And when you need to find that one specific email from months ago, Gmail's powerful search function can pinpoint it in seconds, saving you from endless scrolling. It truly becomes a central point for managing your client relationships and internal communications efficiently.

Google Sheets: Your Go-To for Organized Data Tracking

When it comes to keeping tabs on important business information, a well-structured spreadsheet can be your best friend. Google Sheets offers a remarkably flexible and powerful way to manage data, and it's particularly effective for tasks like tracking website contact submissions. (Full disclosure: I'm a total spreadsheet nerd, and I use Google Sheets for everything from staff and project time-tracking to home projects, so I truly appreciate its versatility!)

Imagine this scenario: inquiries are coming in through your website's contact form. Instead of relying on individual emails that can easily get lost, you can set up a Google Sheet to be your central hub for all these submissions. Each new inquiry can populate a new row, allowing you to quickly see essential details like the contact's name, email, the date of submission, and their area of interest. You can even add columns for "Follow-Up Date" or "Status" (e.g., "New," "Contacted," "Proposal Sent," "Closed") to keep your team aligned.

What makes Google Sheets truly shine is its collaborative nature. If you have a team, even if it's just you and a virtual assistant, everyone can view and update the same sheet in real-time. No more emailing different versions back and forth or wondering if you're looking at the most current information. You can see who made changes and when, and even revert to previous versions if needed. This real-time access ensures everyone is always working with the latest data.

You can also use simple features like conditional formatting to visually highlight important entries – perhaps new submissions that haven't been responded to yet, or overdue follow-ups. While the idea of spreadsheets might seem daunting to some, the beauty of Google Sheets is how approachable it is for these kinds of practical, everyday business needs, turning a potential data mess into an organized, actionable asset.

Google Docs: Collaborative Powerhouse for Proposals and Beyond

Beyond individual tasks, much of a small business's success hinges on effective teamwork, even if your "team" is just you and a freelance designer or a marketing specialist. This is where Google Docs truly shines, transforming the way you create and refine important documents like client proposals.

Think about the traditional way of drafting a proposal: one person writes, then saves it, emails it to someone else for review, who then makes changes, saves it as a new version, and emails it back. It quickly becomes a tangled mess of "final_v2," "final_final," and "this_is_the_real_final_one" documents.

Google Docs eliminates this headache entirely. With Docs, multiple people can work on the exact same document at the exact same time , in real-time. You can see your colleague's cursor moving, watch their edits appear instantly, and even chat right within the document. This feature alone dramatically speeds up the proposal creation process, ensuring everyone is always working on the most current version.

Docs also has tools for streamlined feedback. You can use comments to ask questions or highlight specific sections, and suggestions to propose changes that the document owner can easily accept or reject. The version history feature means you can always look back at previous iterations, see who changed what, and even revert to an earlier version if needed – a true lifesaver for complex projects.

Whether it's a detailed client proposal, an internal process guide, or marketing copy for your website, Google Docs provides a flexible and efficient environment for creating and collaborating on all your written content. It's about working smarter, together.

What truly sets Google Workspace apart is not just the strength of its individual applications like Gmail, Sheets, or Docs, but how effortlessly they work together. This integration creates a streamlined flow that can genuinely transform your daily operations.

I've found this synergy invaluable in my own business. For instance, I have a few truly amazing spreadsheets that I've created in Google Sheets – they're the backbone of how we track everything from project progress to client onboarding. And the beauty is, these aren't isolated files; they connect directly with our other Workspace tools.

In fact, our team uses Google Chat all day, every day. It's become our go-to for quick questions that require immediate answers, and we've even integrated it directly into our project management software. This has virtually eliminated internal emails between our staff, saving even more time and keeping our projects moving forward efficiently.

Let's imagine a common scenario for a small business, mirroring how we often operate: a new client inquiry arrives through your website.

That inquiry lands directly in your Gmail inbox, ready for a quick, professional reply.
Crucially, the details from that inquiry can then be easily added to a central Google Sheet (like one of my "amazing" ones!), where my team and I have a shared, real-time overview of all potential clients.
As we move forward, perhaps we need to draft a custom proposal for this new lead. We start a new document in Google Docs , inviting a colleague or a freelance expert to collaborate with us in real-time, leaving comments and suggestions as you go.
Once the proposal is ready, we might use Google Calendar to schedule a virtual meeting with the client via Google Meet, sending the Docs link directly within the calendar invitation.
And throughout this entire process, all our client communication, proposal drafts, and data tracking sheets are securely stored and easily accessible in Google Drive , your central hub for all your business files.

This seamless movement between tools means less administrative burden and more time focusing on what you do best: serving your clients and growing your business. It's about building efficient workflows that enable your business to operate with greater agility and professionalism.

Empowering Your Business with Integrated Tools

For us, Google Workspace is the core system we rely on, especially for its robust email capabilities that power our internal communications and client interactions.

But it goes beyond just email; the other integrated tools like Google Sheets (yes, those "amazing" ones for tracking everything!) and Google Docs for collaborative proposals transform how we manage our business daily.

Our goal is always to help businesses operate smarter, not harder. By embracing an integrated approach to your digital tools, you can reduce administrative friction, enhance team collaboration, and dedicate more valuable time to serving your clients and pursuing your business goals.

If you're ready to explore how a truly connected and powerful suite of tools could transform your business operations, starting with an excellent email solution, Workspace offers a robust and flexible foundation.

Click here to learn more and get started with Google Workspace.

If you have any questions or are ready to signup email me at frank@totera.com to get an exclusive discount when you try Google Workspace for your business.

Buzzworthy Design

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 23:19:21 GMT

The Wild Bee Company Website by Totera

We believe that every website tells a story. And the website we built for Wild Bee Company? It's a story we love to share. Dive in with us as we showcase the design and functionality that brought the Wild Bee Company's vision to life online.

Totera's Collaborative and Comprehensive Approach

At Totera, we believe that successful web design is more than just creating a visually appealing site; it's about building a strong partnership with our clients and understanding their unique needs. Our work with Wild Bee Company perfectly exemplifies this philosophy.

From the outset, we collaborated closely with Keith, the owner/operator of Wild Bee Company (you can learn more about his dedication here ), to truly capture the essence of his business and his commitment to the environment. This close collaboration was key to developing a website that not only looks fantastic but also effectively communicates Wild Bee Company's values and services.

Our involvement went beyond just web development. Totera also designed Wild Bee Company's logo, ensuring a cohesive brand identity across all platforms. The website itself was a custom design, built and maintained using the Tada Website Editor, allowing for flexibility and ease of updates.

Furthermore, our partnership includes providing ongoing support through monthly marketing efforts. We provide SEO recommendations that focus on strategies to enhance Wild Bee Company's online visibility and reach. This comprehensive approach, from initial design to ongoing maintenance and marketing, demonstrates Totera's commitment to delivering holistic web solutions that drive real results for our clients.

Experience the Buzz

We invite you to explore the Wild Bee Company website for yourself and witness the impactful design and user experience we created: www.wildbeecompany.com

This website serves the needs of Wild Bee Company, a valued client based in Edmonds, WA, and stands as a testament to our ability to craft tailored web solutions that meet specific business goals and connect with local communities.

Inspired by our work? Whether you're a local business in the greater Seattle area or beyond, we'd love to discuss your next web project.

We're incredibly proud of our collaboration with Wild Bee Company and the website we've built together. It represents Totera's dedication to creating buzzworthy designs that deliver tangible results. We look forward to continuing to craft exceptional web experiences for businesses of all sizes.

Totera Customers Help Fight Climate Change

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:41:24 GMT

In this series we are highlighting the ways that Totera customers are helping fight climate change. Totera invests a portion of all electronic payments to help scale emerging carbon removal technologies.

Save a tree. Save the world.

Since December 19, 2021, Totera customers have helped new carbon removal companies make significant progress. Read the stories of these companies you helped fund and the people behind them.

Learn more about Totera's commitment to climate at totera.com/climate

Meet Gael, Nick, and Shiladitya from Mission Zero

CO-FOUNDERS

“There’s tons of things you can do with CO₂. One of the largest opportunity areas, and our commercial thesis, is that you’re going to achieve both the most economic growth and environmental progress by injecting CO₂ into building materials and in synthetic aviation fuels.”

Mission Zero drew inspiration from the way the human body transports CO₂ from our tissues, to our lungs, and out through our breath to build a technology that captures CO₂ from the air.

“It starts with a fan, a really big fan that takes in thousands and thousands of liters of air per second and it moves that air through kind of like a controlled waterfall where the air and the water are brushing past each other and the CO₂ transfers from the air into the liquid.”

Frontier is an advance market commitment (AMC) that aims to accelerate the development of carbon removal technologies by guaranteeing future demand for solutions like the one Mission Zero is building. It’s funded by Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta, McKinsey, and tens of thousands of businesses using Stripe Climate. Climate models project that by 2050 we will need to permanently remove billions of tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere every year.

Learn more about Mission Zero

Learn more about Frontier

Learn more about Stripe Climate

Help Us Help Travertine: Re-engineering chemical production for Carbon Dioxide Removal

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 00:58:03 GMT

Save a tree. Save the world.

Since December 19, 2021, Totera customers have helped new carbon removal companies make significant progress. Read the stories of these companies you helped fund and the people behind them.

Learn more about Totera's commitment to climate at totera.com/climate

Meet Laura from Travertine

CEO

“One of the key motivators of Travertine is taking one of the major waste products that humans make, which is sulfate waste, and trying to turn it back into something valuable to help promote this clean energy transition.”

Travertine built an electrochemical process that permanently converts carbon dioxide into a mineral while simultaneously producing sulfuric acid–the world’s most produced chemical–for use in critical element extraction and fertilizer production.

Frontier is an advance market commitment (AMC) that aims to accelerate the development of carbon removal technologies by guaranteeing future demand for solutions like the one Travertine is building. It’s funded by Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta, McKinsey, and tens of thousands of businesses using Stripe Climate. Climate models project that by 2050 we will need to permanently remove billions of tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere every year.

Learn more about Travertine

Learn more about Frontier

Learn more about Stripe Climate

Climate Hero: Charm Industrial | Putting oil back underground

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 22:59:00 GMT

Save a tree. Save the world.

Since December 19, 2021, Totera customers have helped new carbon removal companies make significant progress. Read the stories of these companies you helped fund and the people behind them.

Learn more about Totera's commitment to climate at totera.com/climate

Meet Shaun from Charm Industrial

Chief Scientist & Co-founder

“Often, when I’m asked to describe the climate challenge to someone, I talk about how we have to get to such an enormous scale in such a short period of time. But I see that more as an engineering challenge than as a daunting challenge.”

Charm Industrial uses plants to capture CO₂ from the atmosphere. The company converts biomass into a stable, carbon-rich liquid and then pumps it deep underground. This removes CO₂ permanently from the atmosphere, out of reach of wildfires, soil erosion, and land use change.

Frontier is an advance market commitment (AMC) that aims to accelerate the development of carbon removal technologies by guaranteeing future demand for solutions like the one Charm Industrial is building. It’s funded by Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta, McKinsey, and tens of thousands of businesses using Stripe Climate. Climate models project that by 2050 we will need to permanently remove billions of tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere every year.

Learn more about Charm Industrial

Learn more about Frontier

Learn more about Stripe Climate

Changes at NameGig

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 00:15:21 GMT

What Totera Clients Need to Know About the Upcoming Changes at NameGig

We have recently become aware of two major changes that will be affecting some Totera clients using NameGig products:

NameGig will be retiring all email plans and migrating users over to Microsoft 365.
If you are using Workspace Email at NameGig, you will receive an email 30 days prior to the migration. There will be a cost difference, and some changes will be required for each email account that is accessed via a desktop or mobile email app. We have compiled a list of alternatives below, and will be able to recommend the best solution based on each of our clients' needs.
Legacy websites will be migrated to new servers.
Totera clients still using CMS Made Simple or Wordpress for their website and/or blog platform will be moved to different servers by NameGig. Depending on the version of CMS Made Simple, this could cause sites to stop functioning. It might be a good time to start thinking of migrating to Tada - our simplified web editor platform. Learn more at www.tadacms.com

We are working through our client list to assess needs and priorities and will be reaching out with solutions. If you would like to discuss your site or email with us in the interim, please, feel free to contact us , otherwise, watch your email for updates on the situation.

On behalf of the entire team at Totera, I want to thank you for being a loyal customer and look forward to providing you with the tools you need to thrive online.

Email Options

There are many email providers out there. Totera has researched and tested the industry leaders and recommend the following three options depending on organizational needs and budget.

Google Workspace

What is Google Workspace?
Google Workspace is a cloud-based productivity suite that helps teams communicate, collaborate and get things done from anywhere and on any device. It's simple to set up, use and manage, so your business can focus on what really matters.

Watch a video or find out more here .

Here are some highlights:
Business email for your domain
Look professional and communicate as you@yourcompany.com. Gmail's simple features help you build your brand while getting more done.

Access from any location or device
Check emails, share files, edit documents, hold video meetings and more, whether you're at work, at home or on the move. You can pick up where you left off from a computer, tablet or phone.

Enterprise-level management tools
Robust admin settings give you total command over users, devices, security and more.

Sign up using our link https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/vNEx and get a 14-day trial, and contact us to get an exclusive discount when you try Google Workspace for your business.

Namecheap

This is an affordable option that will require a bit more setup, but is very similar to the old NameGig system.

More information at www.namecheap.com

Pricing starts at $1.25 per user per month

Microsoft 365

This is NameGig's choice, and if you choose to not change providers, you will be migrated to the basic MS 365 account. Those that prefer Microsoft products like Word, Excel and Outlook can upgrade and get access to online versions of the full Microsoft suite.

More information at https://www.namegig.com/products/microsoft-365

Pricing starts at $5.99 per user per month

Local experts are available to help!

If you have questions about Microsoft 365 or need help with the migration, our friends at Dailey Computer Consulting can help. They have performed many migrations to Office 365 and Google Workspace, and they can help guide you toward the option that best suits your business. They can be reached at 360-643-0072 or support@daileycomputer.com

Website Updates and Hosting Updates

NameGig periodically updates their server software in order to keep up with the latest security and performance standards. The next round of upgrades will also upgrade the server operating system and scripts such as PHP which some software like CMS Made Simple use.

Fortunately we have developed a cloud-based website management platform called Tada that is easy to use and includes hosting, SSL, CMS and many other features all in one.

Why a hosted solution? Since all of our sites are using the same software we are able to roll out security and performance upgrades to all of our customers at once, our clients will never have to upgrade again. No more costly CMS and plug-in upgrades.

View some of the sites currently on the Tada platform

We've already converted dozens of sites from CMS Made Simple to Tada (including our own) and our customers love the simplicity of the editor, and how easy it is to manage the website all on one platform.

"Our previous platform had been tough to navigate, while Totera's website builder is very easy to use. It's allowed us to be more efficient — updates that used to take an hour now take us only 15 minutes to implement. Additionally, more of our staff has been able to update the website than before."

Read this case study about how the staff at Finnriver increased productivity by switching from CMS Made Simple to Tada.

Website Monitoring Service

It's always a good idea to keep a close eye on your website performance, especially during these turbulent times. As browser, database, and programming technology changes, organizations need to closely monitor their website. Fortunately there is an affordable and simple service we offer to test your site 24/7 so you don't have to for just $8/month.

Reliable website monitoring warns you before any significant trouble and saves you money. You won't lose visitors because of expired SSL certificate. You will get notified before expiration so you have time to renew.

Check for security certificate status, uptime, latency and other issues every 60 seconds!

Receive an email or text immediately if your website goes offline.

Our 24/7 Site Monitoring Service provides piece of mine for any site owner that needs to learn about issues with their website before their customers. We use this for all of our mission-critical websites like Totera.com, MyCityScene.com, TadaCMS.com and Takeout-Guide.com to track all of our website vitals in one place.

Learn about website performance issues before your customers.

Works on any platform, if we manage your website or not.

Use promo code MONITOR365 to get 20% off for an entire year!

Totera & NameGig

When we started selling domain names in 2003, we created NameGig.com as a means to gather all of our customer domain and hosting needs in one place. As security requirements have changed, so has how these products are sold.

We will continue to help our clients purchase and configure NameGig products. Our goal is and always has been to provide our clients with the best solution at an affordable price. If you have any questions about the upcoming changes, please don't hesitate to drop us a line and ask. That's what we're here for!

Managing Google My Business Posts

donna@totera.com (Donna Winter) — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 18:20:59 GMT

Posting on Google My Business is an Effective Way to Promote Your Business

A Google My Business listing serves as a powerful, free advertising tool with the potential to drive customers toward an actionable behavior like visiting your website, calling your business, or submitting an inquiry or contact form. Active posting on Google is an effective way to promote your business in interesting new ways.

Google My Business Posts lets you add free information directly to your business listing on Google Search and Maps. You can use the posts to announce upcoming events, highlight new products and services, share interesting news, or advertise special offers.

Google allows you to choose from 4 different post types depending on what your goal is, and multiple posts can be live at the same time.

Type of Google My Business Posts

What's New
Use this type of post to give prospective customers more information about what makes your business so unique. You cannot set a time frame for news posts, and they will automatically expire after 7 days.
Events
Promote your upcoming and current events directly on your Google listing in Search and on Maps. You are able to set the timeframe for your event, which may be a day, a month or even longer.
Offers
Offers should be used for limited-time promotions. Upload a photo or video to support your message and draw attention to it. You’ll have the options to set up your offers for online redemption or with a coupon code for in-store visits. You’ll need to specify the time frame for your offer, which is the time the offer post will be live on Google.
Product
Add an image and description of a new or existing product. Product posts expire after 7 days.

Tips for Google My Business Posts

Use High Quality Pictures and Videos
Great pictures and videos help draw the eyes of users as they scan the results as they reinforce the information being delivered. If coming up with great images or videos is too time consuming or difficult, Google My Business has free tools you can use to assist in creating both online posts and even printable media for use at your business: https://marketingkit.withgoogle.com/
Keep it Short
Although Google allows 1500 characters, the ideal length for any given post falls between 150-300 characters. Users are more likely to read a block of text and it assures that all of the information will be shown in the post preview without needing to click the “Learn more” button.
Optimize Your Call to Action (CTA)
Depending on the post type you select, you’ll have the option to add a clickable call to action button to your post. You want to pick the CTA that best communicates the action you want users to take.
Google My Business is About Business
Google feels strongly that posts on their platform be about your business, not personal beliefs, and that posts be honest, clear, and inoffensive. Polish up your post by checking your spelling, wording, and clarity of message …and now you're ready to submit your post!
Post Consistently
Yay! You've done it! Your first post is live and you're feeling great! But, don't stop--take your new found ability and run with it. Make a weekly reminder to add a post. If you've got an event happening, add a quick image to a What's New post about how the event is going. Have an employee you want to recognize? Put them in the limelight by putting your kudos in a post. It will become routine and is a quick way to keep your Google My Business listing fresh and active.

If you've not claimed your Google My Business listing yet, you can start here: https://www.google.com/intl/en_ph/business/

If you have any questions or would like help with your Google My Business account feel free to reach out: donna@totera.com

Donna Winter (she/her/hers)

Project Development & Marketing Coordinator

Totera Web Systems

Port Townsend worker now in Ukrainian defense training to fight in Russia

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 21:50:34 GMT

Still working remotely while preparing for battle

First published Monday, April 4, 2022

by Audrey Rogers

Join Totera in supporting the people of Ukraine at https://savelife.in.ua/en

Victor Avhust has been working for Port Townsend entrepreneur Frank DePalma of Totera Web Systems since 2014.

He remembers the day he was hired well: Feb. 14, 2014. He remembers clearly because that’s what he sees as the beginning of the war between Ukraine and Russia.

His family is from the Odessa region, an oblast on the northern coast of the Black Sea and a well-populated area of Ukraine. Avhust and his family come from a small town within the oblast and Victor has studied and has friends throughout Ukraine.

In 2014, his parents had moved to Crimea to be closer to the sea. They bought a new apartment and looked forward to family visits.

They didn’t know things would be so different.

Russia invaded the Crimean Peninsula shortly thereafter and took the region prisoner in an illegal annexation.

That historic disaster changed things in Avhust’s eyes and even changed his language.

“I switched to Ukrainian in 2017 — I knew Ukrainian from school and university but in everyday life, I used the Russian language. But after 2014, I’ve changed my mind and it took me three years to think through it and in 2017, I switched to Ukrainian,” Avhust said.

His wife had always spoken Ukrainian and four months before the war broke out in February 2022, the couple decided to move to a more Ukrainian-leaning community to be closer to friends and family.

While most of his family is Russian-speaking and that’s what he grew up with, he has turned from Russian culture completely.

As he sees it, he’s not alone.

“We have some sort of renaissance of [the] Ukrainian language, Ukrainian literature, Ukrainian translations, [there are] lots of newly-published translations and they’re really popular. Not just fiction, but everything, stuff helpful for work too,” Avhust said.

He said that it’s necessary for the country and that “it is necessary for being Ukrainian ’cause 99 percent of the population knows Ukrainian, understands Ukrainian, can speak Ukrainian.”

To him, the “language propaganda” is nonsense. “There’s no tension,” he said.

Joining the Fight

Regardless of where language lies in the war, Avhust is no pacifist (although he admits he used to be). He and his wife are in Uzhorrod, a city in the southwest corner of Ukraine, which he referred to as the safest part of the country. Even still, just 100 kilometers away, missiles strike Lviv. He and so many other Ukrainian men train daily with Territorial Defense Forces to manage the conflict, should it come closer.

He explained that maintaining his remote hours at Totera has been challenging while training with the Army everyday, sometimes up to 10 hours. Avhust described this schedule casually, as if he had taken on a second job or a volunteering gig at the library.

He had applied for territory defense the day after Russia invaded. “We have a law that we have to apply but I wanted to apply,” he said.

“Maybe three or five days [later] I got called from [the] Army.”

A week into the war, he was training.

“I’ve changed my life. I try to work some hours, ’cause not all days are taken by the trainings, but I have to be there every day,” he explained.

In the very early days of war, he spent three days on the Slovak border, helping refugees. His main role was to help his fellow Ukrainians find family or friends outside the country and help them find transportation to their loved ones. He handled travel coordinations while other volunteers fed, clothed, and warmed those who were stuck waiting to cross the border for days.

He remembers speaking with one woman there who was leaving because, with one daughter having been killed in Kharkiv bombings, it was time for her to flee and go to her other daughter in the Czech Republic.

He recalled buses of people that had come from bombed territories, saying, “They were without any stuff, they were without luggage, and people were confused.”

But Avhust never went on long without offering some levity. Along with photos of him in his Army uniform, he sent some of him and his wife in magnificent costumes, of his wife in a gown of brilliant Ukrainian blue, adorned with wings to match as wide as she is tall, a smiling dog greeting him at the border, kids playing while they wait to cross into Slovakia with their families. He said children can be happy even in horrible moments.

Still, he said, “Sometimes it hurts.”

He tried to find a translation for an expression he’s been seeing everywhere. It came essentially to: “Let’s overcome this.”

Focusing on that phrase, Avhust said he and his friends know they need to be strong. Not patient, but strong.

“We need to be realists,” he said, “if your enemy wants to just kill you and kill the whole nation.”

Avhust explains that what’s happening now is directly related to what happened in 2014 but that “now, it’s a full-fledged humanitarian disaster.”

Avhust suspects Russia doesn’t like Ukraine’s freedom. He says it’s a big misunderstanding but that, ultimately, Russia won’t acknowledge that Ukraine is a nation where people live, work, and are happy.

He uses the abductions of Ukrainian mayors by Russian forces as an example.

“People in the towns are standing up for their mayors, so they forced Russians to give them their mayors back and put their flag [back up] . . . the towns stood up for their mayors and wanted them back. They [Russia] can’t imagine that a mayor can really be elected ’cause in Russia, it’s mostly appointed by the president or his men,” Avhust explains. He seemed proud of that, proud that his people fight for one another as Russia tries to break them down.

“But,” he continued, “in some towns, they used automatic weapons against people with no armor.”

Again, he recovered quickly with yet another moment of levity.

“But!” he exclaimed, a burst of rejuvenation obvious in his body language as he changed the subject, “We have some polls here throughout the country and 93 percent of people believe we will win.” His grin held steadfast hope.

His wife chimed in from somewhere in the background; he consulted with her, still smiling, and said, “My wife wanted me to [say] that it’s really, really important to close the sky.”

He insisted NATO shouldn’t be afraid to join the fight, but added, laughing, “I am not a military man. I can’t say what is the best situation but I hope our military guys are in contact with your military guys.”

Join Totera in supporting the people of Ukraine at https://savelife.in.ua/en

Why upgrade to Tada?

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 02:18:58 GMT

Five reasons why it's a great time to upgrade your old CMS Made Simple or Wordpress site to the Tada Web Editor platform.

1) Hosting updates can break old code.

Totera clients still using CMS Made Simple or Wordpress for their website and/or blog platform will be moved to different servers by NameGig. Depending on the version of CMS Made Simple, this could cause sites to stop functioning. It might be a good time to start thinking of migrating to Tada - our simplified web editor platform. Learn more at www.tadacms.com

Hosting companies like GoDaddy and NameGig periodically update their server software in order to keep up with the latest security and performance standards. These upgrades can alter the server operating system resulting in scripts using languages such as PHP and MySQL to stop functioning.

Upcoming server upgrades could break old code. Totera clients still using CMS Made Simple or Wordpress for their website and/or blog platform will be moved to different servers by NameGig. Depending on the version of CMS Made Simple, this could cause sites to stop functioning.

2) Hosted solutions are easier to maintain.

In addition to the all-under-one-roof advantage to using the Tada platform, all Tada sites are running on of the same software at the same time. Rather than installing a version on one server, and a different version on a different software a year later, then having to upgrade to fix security and performance issues as browsers change... A cloud-based solution allows us to roll out upgrades to all of our sites at once. Ensuring that our customers are utilizing the latest tools and techniques for optimal performance across all devices.

Cloud-based or "hosted" solutions like Tada, Box.com, Squarespace and others are different than traditional content management systems. However, most lack the customization, one-on-one training and support that Totera customers expect.

We have developed a cloud-based website management platform called Tada that is easy to use and includes hosting, SSL, CMS and many other features all in one.

Why a hosted solution? Since all of our sites are using the same software we are able to roll out security and performance upgrades to all of our customers at once, our clients never have worry about upgrading their website editor again. No unexpected server upgrades, no more SSL purchases, and no more plugin version tracking.

All of our Tada sites run on the latest software, always.

3) Tada makes website management fun!

It's simple to use. No more changing text and images and then having to publish your changes to see how they look. With Tada, you can make edits for desktop, tablet and mobile devices in real time, and then only publish when you are ready. The drag-and-drop editor allows you to select text blocks, images, tables, social media feeds, buttons and even forms and place them anywhere on the page. Plus time-saving features like one-click uploads, and file-manages will leave your old CMS in the dust.

Our customers enjoy the ease and speed of the Tada platform.

We've already converted dozens of sites from CMS Made Simple to Tada (including our own), and our customers love the simplicity of the editor, and how easy it is to manage the website all on one platform.

View some of the sites currently on the Tada platform

"Our previous platform had been tough to navigate, while Totera Inc.'s website builder is very easy to use. It's allowed us to be more efficient — updates that used to take an hour now take us only 15 minutes to implement. Additionally, more of our staff has been able to update the website than before."

Read this case study about how the staff at Finnriver increased productivity by switching from CMS Made Simple to Tada.

4) All the tools you need, all in one place.

Shared hosting accounts that required you to purchase a separate SSL certificate ( required by Google since 2017 ), manually optimize each page template for mobile, purchase a hosting account, analytics, and database, and then track the version of each system and upgrade regularity to prevent security issues.

Tada makes website management fun!

For one low monthly or annual fee, the Tada platform includes all of these features and more included. What's more, you don't have to manage it or even think about it. All of these systems are managed and upgraded automatically, so you can focus on running your business and let us focus on keeping your website platform up-to-date.

Editing on the Go

Once your site is up and running, you can edit it anytime, anywhere from your mobile device.

Better SEO For YOU

We’ll get your site Google ready with customized SEO. That way, more customers can find you fast.

Responsive Design

Don’t worry about the device. We design sites that work perfectly on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Greatness in Store

Get ready to move more eCommerce. Sell up to 2500 different products in your own online store.

Hosting with the Most

All of our websites are hosted on Amazon AWS, so count on 99.99% monthly uptime.

Keep ‘Em Coming

Free widgets that will help you get more calls, appointments, and customers.

5) Unparalleled communication and support.

Each Tada account comes with site comments, support chat, video tutorials, support center with hundreds of articles, plus training and support from actual live humans at Totera.

With Site Comments , you and your team make comments as you review your site, directly on the site. We will then respond to these comments - and implement changes - all in the same place. Selected team members are notified whenever a comment is made or resolved, so tracking changes is smooth and easy.

Personalized Training & Support

Our success is built on long-term relationships with our customers. We'll be here for you every step of your business lifecycle.

Free One-On-One Training

We will walk you through all of the features and techniques the pros use, so you can take control of your website and your future.

Schedule a one-on-one to learn more about Tada

Training Videos & Help Center

We have a massive knowledge base explaining every feature we've developed. Step-by-step instructions and training videos that you can use at any time and at your own pace.

24/7 ALH Support
Want to connect with an actual live human? We are here here for you via phone, text, email and live chat. You can even collaborate with us from within your site using Site Comments.

Choosing the Right Business Structure

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 17:12:39 GMT

It's time to take that idea and make it a reality - but what defines "real" these days?

Launching a new business is exciting, but there are many details to review before you start transacting. No matter which industry you operate in, whether you’re a sole proprietor working from home, a brick-and-mortar store, a consultant, or a tech startup, your company needs to be licensed and legal to do business in Washington.

But what type of business structure should you choose? There are many different options, each with its own set of do's and don'ts. Much like when you’re developing your business plan, it pays to do some research first, so you can be sure you’re making the right decision for your business. I've started more than a few businesses over the years, and I'd like to share my experience of the process. Before making a decision, I recommend talking with a local professional to learn the latest rules and requirements.

Our friends over at The Business Guides can answer questions about tax implications of each type of business. And a trusted attorney that is familiar with local tax and liability laws can help steer you in the right direction and get you setup correctly.

The time and money you invest in choosing the right business structure can quickly pay for itself with tax savings and legal protection for years to come.

Different Types of Business Structures

Each type of business structure comes with its own regulatory framework. Your decision will impact how much you pay in taxes. It will also dictate what compliance paperwork you’re required to file and how much business and personal liability insurance you need. If you’re planning to seek funding, your legal business structure will also affect how you go about this.

Ultimately, your choice comes down to three distinct factors: record-keeping, liability, and taxation. Because no two situations are the same, there is no clear-cut right or wrong answer. It all depends on the business needs, your individual needs, and those of your partners (if you have them). You should also consider where you see taking the business in the future, for example, if you plan to sell the company at some point or bring in more shareholders when it’s time to grow.

Sole Proprietorship or Partnership

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure. It’s fast, easy, and inexpensive to set up. As the owner, you have complete control over all aspects of the business, but you are also personally responsible for paying taxes and any other elements of financial liability.

A sole proprietorship is a good choice for independent contractors or small businesses that do not have any major liability concerns. If you have significant personal assets and feel they might be at risk, it would probably be better to look at incorporating.

However, if you expect your annual income to be higher than $100,000, and don’t have enough deductions to lower your taxable income, there are advantages to incorporating.

Partnership

A partnership is when two or more people agree to share the business’s profits and/or losses. This structure is similar to a sole proprietorship in that each partner is personally liable. If the company is sued, each partner bears the onus equally (or according to their share of the business). A partnership can also reduce the tax you pay as the amounts are passed through to be paid on each partner’s individual return.

You might choose a partnership if you and one or more others are engaged in providing a product or service and wish to share aspects of business operations and administration.

Corporation

A corporation is a business entity that is created with the sole purpose of conducting business. It is separate from the people who created it and is responsible for meeting its obligations under the law. The corporation is taxed and can be held liable for damages incurred as a result of its activities. Perhaps the most significant advantage of incorporation is the absence of personal liability. As a corporation, you are taxed at a lower rate, and there are many more options available to you, so if you are a high-earning sole proprietor, it’s something to consider.

However, incorporation comes with its drawbacks as well. The cost of incorporation is relatively high, and tax preparation is much more complicated and costly. You will also be required to maintain and file specific paperwork, and you may be taxed twice—once through the corporation and again on your personal income tax. An S-corporation helps you avoid double taxation by allowing losses to be passed on through your tax return, much like a partnership.

A corporation is also advantageous when it comes to estate planning. If you plan to pass your stake in the company along to your children, for example, this is a way to avoid inheritance taxes and probate. When you die, your shares pass on to your beneficiaries automatically without going through the legal process.

Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)

An LLC is a hybrid of a partnership and a corporation. Some business owners prefer this structure because it offers the best of both worlds. Partners are protected from personal liability, and profits and losses can be passed through without incurring additional taxation.

Of course, an LLC has its downsides too. If you’re hoping to attract investors, it’s not impossible, but certainly less likely. Investors generally prefer the protections of a corporation. Plus, you cannot pay yourself a salary as an owner. There is less paperwork to file than with a corporation, but renewal fees can be pretty high.

Most types of companies can be LLCs, with the exception of professional services, like medical offices or legal firms. Choosing an LLC structure over a sole partnership, partnership, or corporation will largely depend on what protections, tax advantages, and other features matter most to you.

Every Business Needs a Physical Address.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, a clothing designer, a financial advisor, or a construction firm, every business needs a physical address. In fact, you can’t register your business at all unless you have an official address.

For some companies, this is an easy task – if you have a location, you have an address. However, if your business is remote, or if you don't want to share your home address publicly, a Virtual Mailbox at The CoLab can provide a professional Port Townsend business mailing address as well as some slick features like mail scanning, and they'll even email or text you when you receive mail.

You can also step it up with their Virtual Office membership designed to provide a professional identity plus all the benefits of membership such as:

Monthly Meeting Room Credits
Discounts on meeting room reservations
Discounts on coworking day passes
24/7 access to your own private Virtual Meeting Room
A professional or company profile in the CoLab Member Directory

Visit www.colabnw.com to learn more about Virtual Memberships

starting at just $10/month.

And while some sole proprietors might feel like it’s okay to use their home address, there are pros and cons to that as well. Nobody likes the idea of salespeople, vendors, process servers, or even potential customers just showing up on their doorstep unannounced.

If you are setting up your company and need to get started quickly, a virtual address is the answer you’ve been looking for.

Some of the benefits of a virtual address include:

Satisfy state and federal requirements
Not a P.O. box – an actual street address
Professional business address in Port Townsend
Receive mail and official documents
Affordable, predictable monthly fee
Professional address to use on your website, business cards, and marketing collateral

Plus, it immediately lends legitimacy to your company. In the eyes of your peers, customers, and the government, you are a thriving and active concern. Plus, if you’re the type that’s always on the go, you can still receive your mail. Incoming mail is scanned and sent to your email, minimizing delays and ensuring you stay on top of critical business correspondence.

There are a lot of things to consider when you’re starting a new company. It pays to do your research and pick a business structure that works for you. And a professional business mailbox from The CoLab can give you the edge you need.

Totera Receives First Clutch Review

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 21:17:18 GMT

Totera Inc. has been helping entrepreneurs by providing the most suitable digital marketing, development, branding, and management services. Totera's efforts have placed our clients in competitive positions in the online marketplace. Our company’s expertise in mastering React Native, which contributed to a massive change in mobile app development , has been important in this process.

React Native is a programming framework that lets you have a native experience for iOS and Android without the necessity of programming a separate application for each of the two separate code bases. It focuses on the efficiency of both mobile operating systems without the dual application expense for our clients.

For more than two decades, our results-driven team has maintained current knowledge and skills providing high-quality and trendy solutions based on our clients’ needs. The Totera team understands the importance of meeting or exceeding our client’s requests and trying to come up with the most cost-effective solutions.

In line with that, we recently received our very first review on Clutch and have a perfect five-star overall rating. Clutch is a B2B ratings and reviews platform located in Washington, D.C., connecting businesses with the agencies or consultants they need to solve their business challenges.

The review was from The Clemente Course in the Humanities , an educational organization. We had previously updated their website platform, and now, they wanted us to rebuild and redevelop their site in-line with the launching of their new media campaign and programs. The project was a success and led to an improved experience for their clients. The project's highlight was a new donor portal that helped the client comply with online donations’ best practices.

There were internal challenges within the organization that Totera navigated professionally, keeping the client happy and the project on track and within scope. As a result, we delivered a high-quality product that met the client’s expectations and needs. Here’s what they have to say about our performance during the project:

“Totera is incredibly professional and responsive. They were unflappable during the initial development phase and ended up giving us a product that met several needs in a graceful and engaging way.”

- Lela Hilton, Executive Director at Course in the Humanities

Totera is also part of Clutch’s sister site, The Manifest. Here, businesses can browse company listings and find the best solutions provider for their projects. Totera Inc. is among the top React Native development companies in the greater Seattle area that offer services globally.

We are continuing to get additional reviews and are grateful to everyone who left reviews on our work. It provides us with insights on what we could improve and maintain in our services. Receiving such feedback and recognition validates our efforts and pushes us to do better.

Do you want to know about our services? Check out our portfolio and see how you can benefit from working with us. We’d love to hear from you!

Tada Browser Upgrade

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Sat, 01 May 2021 01:48:58 GMT

Important changes to the Tada Website Editor platform.

In accordance with Microsoft recommendations, Tada websites will no longer support Internet Explorer (IE) after June 1, 2021.

Visitors using IE who reach our sites will see the following message:

This change coincides with Microsoft’s decision to stop supporting their product. Microsoft released their new browser, Edge, in 2015 and quit supporting Internet Explorer in 2016. The internet and online environment were much less sophisticated then, and open web standards and newer browsers have enabled better, more innovative, and secure online experiences.

Tada users will be better served with this change through faster and more responsive web access now and in the future.

Totera’s success is built upon providing excellent customer service. Since we are unable to get support from Microsoft for IE as we roll out new features, we are unable to provide support to users of legacy products.

- Read this Help Center article for the latest Tada compatibility information -

If you love IE, you can use “IE Mode” within the Microsoft Edge browser. Please visit the Microsoft IE Retirement FAQ page for more details.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

FREE Special Store Offer

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 20:31:08 GMT

A special Tada ecommerce system with takeout and delivery options is now available for a limited time.

We’re excited to introduce the new Special Offer Store, designed to help you and your customers during these difficult times. This free, full-featured shopping cart enables you to add an online store to your web site, at no charge, so you can have an additional channel of revenue.

The Special Offer Store comes with great premium features and is completely free through the end of 2020.

The offer is available for any new store added by May 31, 2020, including upgrade from Demo store.

Fantastic premium features

The Special Offer Store comes with several premium features, many of them specifically aimed at generating revenue right now. These features include:

500 items
No transaction fee
In-store and scheduled order pickup
Gift cards
Discount coupons
Sell on Facebook and Instagram
Square POS
And more

A great opportunity for restaurants, farms, breweries, and other essential businesses wanting to take orders online

This store can help small businesses who have had to shutter their physical business and are looking to reach their customers in a new and creative way. It can also open exciting opportunities for the future.

Bakeries, restaurants & cafes can sell packaged items for pickup that they once sold over the counter.
Beauty salons of all kinds can sell products and kits for home use.
Boutiques and small shops can sell merchandise for delivery and/or pickup.

Share the great news in multiple channels

Once you have set up a Special Offer Store, make sure you share the great news to your customers. Totera is here to help with any of the following examples for spreading the word:

A sign in your storefront window telling people about the new online shop
A newsletter sent to your customers by email.
An SMS or Whatsapp message announcing the new store.
A banner / hero image on the site itself.

To keep the store after December 31, 2020, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the premium plans.

Getting started is easy

For existing Tada customer, the new Special Offer Store is available right now. To add it to your site, click Add Store in the left side panel and choose the "SPECIAL OFFER STORE" . This offer is only open through April 30, 2020, so take advantage of it now.

Don't have a website on Tada yet? Get one now for FREE!

In addition to building fully customized web solutions, Totera offers do-it-yourself websites for free using our Tada Website Builder . You can build a new website and try out all of the features for yourself for FREE! When you are ready to publish, you just choose to pay $24/month or $240/year.

Don't want to do it yourself?

We're here to help. Of course, we'd also be happy to build your website for you--it's what we love to do! With Tada, a professional website is not just good for business, it is cheaper (and faster) than you think.

Using our new Zoom widget

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:14:22 GMT

Our team will continue to develop new ways for you to connect to your customers.

Zoom , the hugely popular video conferencing service, now has its own Tada widget. Add it to your sites and give your customers an easy, quick, and effective way to engage with your business.

With so many people working from home due to the coronavirus, it’s more important than ever for companies to find creative ways of engaging with their customers and conveying their core business values. One way millions of people are doing this is via Zoom, the video conferencing service that’s free, easy to use and accessible on every device.

Zoom is one of the top downloads on both Google Play and the Apple App store. If you aren’t using it yet, now is the perfect time to talk with us about creative ways of engaging with your client base via video conferencing on your website.

You can even monetize online meetings by adding a PayPal widget to make collecting payment easy, and set the Zoom meeting with a password that is sent after payment is received.

Zoom is a great tool for attracting new visitors, creating a database of email addresses for future communications, and solidifying your reputation in their field.

Types of sites that are perfect for Zoom

While physical shops, studios, salons and restaurants are closed, Zoom can help your customers engage with your business. A few examples:

Personal trainers, yoga teachers, etc. can host classes, enabling visitors to pay for single classes or purchase monthly memberships.
Private tutors can offer online lessons in real-time with one student or an entire class.
Restaurants can offer live cooking classes or demonstrations to promote deliveries.
Therapists can hold remote, face-to-face meetings with their clients.
Cosmeticians & hairstylists can offer face-to-face consultations that include personalized tips and more.

A bit more about Zoom

Zoom had a 1,270% increase in downloads over the past month, with numbers increasing every day. Its free plan allows for meetings that are up to 40 minutes long, with up to 100 participants per meeting.

To set up an account, you just need an email address. Download Zoom, set up an account and you can host or join meetings.
Zoom can be used on desktop, android or iOS, making it super accessible to a maximum number of people.
Zoom comes with filters to improve how you look, a selection of backgrounds, allows you record meetings and more.
After every meeting, you can pull the attendance list for follow-up communications and offerings.

To read more about using Zoom, see their website at zoom.us .

For more on how people are using Zoom these days, see articles in the New York Times , Adweek and Forbes .

To see how we integrated the Tada Zoom widget into your newest template, keep scrolling...

Start a FREE Trial today and see everything our web management platform has to offer.

New Template - Personal Trainer (With Zoom Widget)

Our newest Tada webpage template is designed especially for this challenging period, when so many of our clients are working from home, many of them for the first time. The template includes the new Zoom widget , so you can easily set up live video conferencing, and consists of just one page, so it can be designed and published quickly and easily.

A great template for clients working from home

Many of your clients may be looking for creative new ways to reach their customers. For example:

Yoga teachers who used to work at studios and want to teach private classes from home.
Tutors who used to visit students in person and are offering private lessons online.
Artists experiencing a lull in sales who want to offer live classes for budding artists.
Restaurant owners who want to give live cooking classes or demonstrations.

All of these types of clients, and many more, can use this template to communicate with clients. In addition to Zoom, the template also includes a Contact us section, for collecting addresses and messages from interested visitors.

We're here for you.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a life-altering event for everyone and Totera is dedicated to helping our partners and clients everywhere boost their businesses during this challenging time . Times are tough, but we’ll get through this together.

COVID-19 Emergency Web Services for Impacted Businesses

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 18:44:38 GMT

Mar 22 2020

In the wake of social distancing and the economic impact on restaurants, music venues and event promoters, we are offering recommendations and reduced-fee or free services related to the service industry.

The current COVID-19 measures are affecting a lot of our customers, partners and friends in the service industry for the foreseeable future. To help keep us all going, Totera is doing what we can to help those businesses affected.

Our hope is that these measures will help our clients, neighbors and friends come out on the other side of this pandemic with a solvent business and a stronger community.

Good luck and take care of yourselves!

~ Frank

How to Quickly Set Up a Restaurant Website with an Online Ordering System

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 19:46:05 GMT

Times are tough, but we’ll get through this together.

While we are writing this for users of our Tada Website Builder , these best practices can be applied to web design platforms and CMSs writ large such as WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and so on.

Step 1: Understand Your Online Ordering System Options

There are lots of online ordering systems and delivery solutions designed specifically for restaurants, and if you are already locked in with one there’s no reason to ‘reinvent the wheel’ on account of the coronavirus. However, if you are just setting up online ordering for the first time, it is worth understanding at least the big differences in the approaches of these platforms and services.

Online Ordering & Delivery Solutions Like GrubHub & Doordash

We’re all familiar with the big players in the category. Postmates , GrubHub , Doordash , Uber Eats , Just Eat and Takeaway.com , along with more niche players like Slice and Caviar , are collectively used by hundreds of thousands of restaurants around the world to take orders and deliver food to customers.

A couple benefits of these platforms:

They come with a built-in user base for your customers to access right away, which may be particularly useful during coronavirus.
They provide a 3rd-party delivery service so your customers don’t have to manage their own delivery staff.

Though these online ordering and delivery solutions are convenient for both restaurateurs and their customers alike, they do take a portion of revenue from each sale by the restaurant owner. However some of them, such as Uber Eats, have started to waive delivery fees for independent restaurants across the U.S. and Canada due to the ongoing crisis. Similarly, GrubHub announced it is temporarily suspending collection of up to $100 million in commission payments from impacted independent restaurants nationwide.

Standalone Online Ordering & POS Systems Like ChowNow & GloriaFood

Solutions like ChowNow and GloriaFood offer commission-free online ordering systems and some services such as Toast also include the hardware for a POS specifically designed for restaurants. For detailed information on these and other online ordering systems, we recommend this SmallBizTrends article that goes into 10 of these solutions in detail.

These solutions do not include a delivery service, so this may be something you want to discuss with your restaurant customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Existing eCommerce Tools

eCommerce solutions may not be the first thing you think of when trying to set up an online ordering system, but the option is there. For example, Tada is deeply integrated with Ecwid’s eCommerce platform and they provide a great example of a site that has been set up for online ordering over at https://tacoshopsandiego.ecwid.com .

Step 2: Add an Online Ordering System to a Website

Tada customers can essentially take four different routes to integrate an online ordering system into a restaurant website.

Option #1: Add a CTA Button That Links to 3rd-Party Solution

This is the simplest option for adding online ordering to your store. To add a CTA with a deep link to a profile in an app or another 3rd-party online service, simply drag it into the desired place on the site from the Widgets menu and add your link.

Option #2: Drop an HTML Widget

You can also add HTML for a solution’s widget directly into a Tada site if it fits comfortably in the design. Here’s an example from Positano’s Italian restaurant in Westport, Connecticut of an Uber Eats widget that was added in this way.

Option #3: Build a Custom Widget

A more advanced and custom option would be to have Totera create a custom widget using Tada’s unique widget builder. This powerful tool allows you to have beautiful custom widgets for your website that integrates seamlessly with your chosen 3rd-party solution.

Option #4: Use Existing eCommerce Solutions

If you are already working with an existing eCommerce solution, you may be able to leverage it during the COVID-19 pandemic to set up an online ordering system.

Above, is an example of an online store set up to cater to the needs of a restaurant and its guests. As we pointed out, Tada customers can use the same tools to create online ordering systems right now.

Tada ecommerce enables you to:

Customize menu options
Track orders all in one place
Accept payments everywhere

Step 3: Promote the New Delivery or Take-Away Service

Every digital marketer knows the everyday challenges of trying to have your desired message breakthrough, but this is even more challenging when consumers everywhere are flooded with information about a global pandemic. A strong social media presence, a regular drumbeat of content (e.g. blog posts, videos, social posts with updates, etc.) and accurate, current information on a website will be needed to keep customers engaged and primed to fill dining rooms when the crisis subsides.

Here are a few guides and resources we think are helpful for digital agencies and solutions providers that need to help restaurant customers communicate effectively to their guests during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Toast’s How to Manage Your Restaurant During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) blog post series
This COVID-19 Guide from SevenRooms
Eater.com has been doing amazing reporting around the coronavirus and its impact on the restaurant industry

Summing Up

GDPR is Here and Tada’s Got Your Back!

Wed, 22 May 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Online privacy is important to all of us. It’s particularly relevant today, with the implementation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This new privacy law, applicable in the EU and to any business that has customers there, has a direct and immediate effect on how online businesses collect and store data.

Before we get into the details of the GDPR, we want you to know that Tada’s got your back. Everything you need to make your website GDPR-friendly is in the platform, available for every Tada website, and easy to customize and use. We also created an information sheet explaining GDPR compliance for you to share with your team and clients.

What is the GDPR, anyway?

The GDPR is the new EU law regulating how personal data (everything that can help identify a person) can be collected, used and processed. It takes effect on May 25, 2018, and affects everyone in the EU. Even if you are not in the EU, if your sites collect information from visitors in the EU, those sites need to comply with this new law.

What website owners need to do in order to be GDPR compliant

According to the GDPR, websites need to protect site visitors’ privacy. This means website owners need to:

Inform visitors when personal information is collected and stored
Explain how collected data will be used
Be able to delete all data collected from site visitors, upon request

By showing your clients that you’re equipped to meet this new privacy law, you upgrade your level of service and awareness. Site visitors have a safer experience and site owners provide more trustworthy sites.

We've got your back. Here’s how:

Tada is pleased to provide you with the tools you need to make your websites GDPR compliant. Here’s what you’ll find in the platform:

Privacy policy – boost transparency for every site

The GDPR requires all websites to inform users about the type of data the site collects and what it is used for via a privacy policy. Tada provides you with a privacy page template that you can add to every site. All you need to do is activate the policy and then customize it with details specific to the site.

Cookie notification – easy to customize and activate

The cookie notification lets visitors know the site they are visiting collects information in the form of cookies. We recommend linking a site’s cookie notification to its privacy policy.

To activate the Privacy Page and Cookie Notification on a website, go to Settings > Privacy Settings.

Free SSL certification, for safer sites

Totera continues to provide free SSL certification (HTTPS) for every Tada site. This one-click certification ensures that the connection to the site is secure and cannot be intercepted. For more information, see this article about the importance of SSL.

To enable SSL on your site, go to Settings > Site SSL.

Add an opt-in option to contact forms

According to the GDPR, website owners need to inform site visitors when personal information is collected and stored. To comply with this requirement, add a new opt-in field option to any contact form on your site.

“The right to be forgotten”

Users need to have the option to request the deletion of all personal data that’s been collected and stored about them (also known as “the right to be forgotten”).

To support this, Totera has created a dedicated Form Response page where you can manage and delete all information that was submitted via site Contact Forms. This page can be reached via the Site Dashboard or through a site’s Content Library.

Use GDPR to boost your credibility with your clients

Review the following checklist to make sure your sites are adapted to this new law.

Compliance with the GDPR is important from a legal perspective, and it’s also good for business. It shows your clients that you’re on top of relevant issues and care about good business practices.

Share this post with your team to help them understand the GDPR, and how it affects websites.
Download and share the information sheet about GDPR

If you have any questions, please drop us a line. We're here to help!

Google Chrome Pushes the Importance of HTTPS

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:51:18 GMT

Enable Free HTTPS encryption on your Tada website(s)

Over the past two years, Google has thrown out a lot of carrots to convince people to convert their websites to HTTPS, like making encryption a positive SEO ranking factor. And they’ve also incorporated some new warnings, like announcing to website visitors when a website is running over HTTP and has a credit card field it’s insecure. And now they’ve gone a step farther; but Tada has you prepared.

As we discussed way back in a 2016 blog post , Google has been increasing measures to force websites to be more secure. According to a recent blog post on Google’s Chromium Blog by Emily Shecter of the Chrome Security Team:

“In January, we began our quest to improve how Chrome communicates the connection security of HTTP pages. Chrome now marks HTTP pages as “Not secure” if they have password or credit card fields. Beginning in October 2017, Chrome will show the “Not secure” warning in two additional situations: when users enter data on an HTTP page, and on all HTTP pages visited in Incognito mode. ”

This essentially means any website with a contact form, folks. But Google has also made clear, this isn’t the end goal. Further in the post, she states:

“Eventually, we plan to show the “Not secure” warning for all HTTP pages, even outside Incognito mode. We will publish updates as we approach future releases, but don’t wait to get started moving to HTTPS!”

So there it is. Google is determined to make unsecure HTTP websites a thing of the past, and we’re in full agreement. A more secure internet is better for everybody and that’s why Tada is proud to offer HTTPS encryption for FREE on all Tada sites.

Not using Tada yet? Try it FREE

How to Enable HTTPS on Your Tada Website

Once your website is published and configured with a custom domain, navigate to the “Settings” section, and click on “Site SSL”. This will take you to the page where you can generate SSL certificate (enable HTTPS). The process, which includes provisioning the request and configuring the newly generated SSL certificate, is fully automated and will take only about 15 minutes.

For further details visit the dedicated support article on Tada's Support Portal.

Volusion Shopping Cart Software Tips & Tricks

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 20:49:15 GMT

Totera provides total ecommerce services from design, to custom database programming to social media marketing and everything in between - we are with you every step of the way. Totera can provide ongoing maintenance and support to keep your online store optimized, or simply get things started and let you run with it.

As a Volusion Design Firm, Totera has the staff and expertise to get your store done on time and on budget. Here are some common support tips and tricks that we have found helpful when setting up a Volusion ecommerce website.

1) How can I force all of the pages on my site to use https?

The first step is to purchase an SSL certificate. While a certificate from any provider will work on your Volusion site, Volusion makes it easier and cheaper to install a certificate purchased from within your Volusion control panel. Once your certificate is in place, it only secures the pages that have sensitive information. However, Google prefers that all web pages use a secure connection whenever possible ( more on that here ), so here we recommend making your entire site secure using the following steps.

There are two Config Variables you can update if you want your SSL to be active site-wide. These variables are "Full Store URL" and "Home Page URL," which by default are set to "http://www.YourWebAddress.com"

In order to render all of your store's URLs 'secure,' you can update your "Full Store URL" config variable to "http://www.YourWebAddress.com" I have outlined instructions on how to do so below:

1. Settings>Config Variables>Search
2. Type "URL" in the name field, click search
3. Change Full Store URL and Home Page URL from 'http' to 'https'
4. Save

The final step is to add an http redirect to your site's index file.

You can accomplish this by adding the meta refresh to your store's /default.htm file. You can find this in your store's admin area by navigating to Design > File Editor > and clicking on "/default.htm." The meta tag you add here should be as follows:

<META http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL= https://www.YourWebAddress.com/Default.asp"> ;

This will redirect all visitors to the secured version of your site, unless they specifically navigate to your site by typing in " https://www.YourWebAddress.com/Default.asp"; which is highly unlikely.

NOTE: Volusion does not typically recommend changing these values as it is not necessary, and doing so can render your site inaccessible should your SSL ever expire.

2) How do I enter my existing shopping cart shipping configuration settings for my USPS, Fedex and UPS account info?

Other shopping carts ask for an XML Access Key, User Id, and Password. However, Volusion works differently. When transferring from another website shopping cart software, it can difficult to know where to input this information.

Before you start enabling live rates, you’ll need to register with your chosen carrier(s). The only carriers that may not require registration at this time are Royal Mail and Australia Post.

To get started navigate to the shipping section and click Add Carrier next to Live Rates and select a carrier. You’ll see additional steps you need to follow in order to get accurate live rates.

Note that the procedure you need to follow is different for each carrier. For example, the steps below are used for ups.

Register with UPS
Open a UPS account
Register for UPS Online Tools® <---- If you already have a UPS account go directly to this step.

Once you finish this process your store will be configured for ups and you will need to add your UPS shipping methods.

3) I have PayPal express, but where in PayPal do I go to get the required API credentials?

You'll need to create an API username for PayPal that's different from your shopping cart's username. You can access PayPal via API only if you have a PayPal Premier / Business / Website Payments Pro account.

Follow these steps:

1.) Log in to your PayPal Business account.
2.) Click the My Account tab.
3.) Click the Profile tab. If you haven't already done so, you need to verify your account before requesting API credentials.
4.) Click Request API credentials under Account information.
5.) Click Set up PayPal API credentials and permissions under Option 1.
6.) Click Request API Credentials.
7.) Click Request API signature.
8.) Click Agree and Submit.
9.) Copy and paste the API username, password, and signature into your shopping cart's configuration or administration screen.
10.) Complete the process by following your shopping cart's final steps.

That's it! Your ecommerce website can now accept PayPal.

Six things to look for when hiring a web designer

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 00:03:25 GMT

Your website is one of the most important investments that your company or organization will ever make. Establishing an ongoing relationship with an experienced web developer will help ensure that you get the most out of your investment.

But what should you look for when hiring a web services firm?

1) Appropriate company size

When searching for an IT team that is the best fit for your needs, ask yourself, “What size should my IT team be?” Does your website you have mission-critical systems that require a team at the ready 24/7/365, or will a one-person shop be a better fit?

A web services firm that is too large for you may not provide the level of personalized service that you need. Are they flexible enough to change as your needs change?

A firm that is too small might not be able to manage your project effectively. While forming a relationship with a single person can be beneficial, you have to keep in mind what that individual will be doing in 2 years? Will they still be available when their work needs to be updated?

2) Customer Service Protocol

At Totera our priority is for our clients to have a positive, even fun experience. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure your web services provider is able to meet your support needs. Do they respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner? When someone calls the Totera support line, several members of our team automatically receive text messages and emails. We have protocols in place to ensure that the right person responds in a timely manner.

3) Project Management Systems

Does the web services provider have a good process for managing projects. Some projects last several months and have many revisions. Make sure your web services provider has proven methods for tracking progress, storing important files, passwords and data, for keeping the project moving in a positive direction. Someone has to manage the project.

4) Dependability

Make sure you hire someone you can trust because the more you are able to share with them, the better the results. Treat your web services provider like a business partner. Are you planning on selling the business? Are you going to be introducing a new product or service? Your web services provider can make sure your website supports your next move.

5) Curiosity

Your web services provider should have a thirst for knowledge so they can recommend ways to keep your website relevant in the ever-changing internet landscape.

At Totera we are constantly thinking of ways to apply new technology to help our clients.

For example: As of May 2015, more Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers, and smartphone usage is up 394%, and tablet usage is up 1,721% which combine to account for 60% of digital media time spent. (Comscore, April 2015). Do you know if a mobile site, responsive site or app be the best solution for a given project? These questions are at the forefront of our minds, so our customers can focus on running their business.

6) Skill Set:

It takes a unique set of skills to build and maintain effective websites. The value of each of these skills will depend on the nature of your business and purpose of your website.

Design : There is no substitute for a custom website that is designed from the ground up with your business goals in mind. A skilled web designer is essential for creating a visually captivating website that engages your target audience.

Development : While aesthetics are important, the functionality of your website is critical. A good web developer can ensure that the information is delivered in a clear and concise way. Depending on the nature of your business, your web developer can build powerful tools to automate your business processes and provide valuable service to your customers right from your website 24/7/365.

Marketing : How will your website support your overall marketing plan? Make sure your website captures visitor behavior. Even if you hate numbers, I guarantee you will find the information useful and interesting. Use visitor behavior to hone your marketing efforts, expand or contract different sections of the website, and create more engaging content.

Website Management and Maintenance : You know your business and your industry, so being able to make updates yourself is important. In most cases, you are the best person on the team to keep your website content fresh, engaging and relevant. Equally as important is having your site periodically reviewed by a web professional who is well versed in the latest search engine algorithms, mobile optimization standards and emerging technologies.

A final thought
Define success of the project and share that with your web services team. Remember it takes work on your part to ensure that the project is successful. Be prepared, establish clear goals, and be honest about your own expertise and limitations.

New Google Requirements and Your Website

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Securing your website protects you and your customers

In April 2015, Google implemented their mobile friendly search engine requirements and now they're working on making the web more secure by favoring websites using HTTPS protocol .

Mobile Friendly: If you still need to make your site mobile friendly, please, let us know. This is not a change you can ignore. With mobile web browsing now exceeding desktop browsing, Google feels it's important to only index and display websites in mobile search results that meet their mobile friendly requirements. Totera offers 2 options to meet Google's requirements and are happy to review your site at no charge and provide recommendations and estimates.

Security: In December, in an attempt to keep web users secure, Google has decided to give indexing and search engine result preference to sites using HTTPS protocol. This means adding SSL/TLS technology to your web pages and changing your website URLs and dependencies to HTTPS.

We are happy to give you free estimates for implementing HTTPS security on your site. To help with the cost, Totera has teamed up with www.NameGig.com to provide discounted SSL certificates for our customers, and we will install the certificate on your NameGig-hosted site for free.

Contact us for your free estimate.

Google Favors Mobile-Friendly Websites

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

It's time to make sure your site meets Google mobile requirements.

In April 2015, Google implemented their mobile friendly search engine requirements .

If you still need to make your site mobile friendly, please, let us know. This is not a change you can ignore. With mobile web browsing now exceeding desktop browsing, Google feels it's important to only index and display websites in mobile search results that meet their mobile friendly requirements.

Put your site to the test. If you want to know how your website stacks up you can use Google's own mobile-ready checker: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/

Did you know?

Smartphone usage is up 394%, and tablet usage is up 1,721% which combine to account for 60% of digital media time spent. (Comscore, April 2015)
More Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers. (Google, May 2015)

We've got you covered . Totera offers 2 options to meet Google's requirements and are happy to review your site at no charge and provide recommendations and estimates. All of our mobile services include custom mobile design, content integration, custom coding using new Google’s AMP mobile HTML protocol .

What B2B Companies Should Look for When Outsourcing Web Development Services

admin@totera.com (Frank DePalma) — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Have you thought about expanding your reach and servicing more of your clients’ needs? Establishing a relationship with an experienced IT firm might be the smartest business move you make this year. Here are five things to look for when searching for your new IT team:

Customer Support
Communication Skills
Appropriate Staffing
References
Transparency

1) Customer support
Make sure the IT team has the best interest of your customer in mind with every decision. If your customers are used to getting quick phone response from you, but you get a slow email response from your provider, it could make your customer lose confidence in your ability.

First you need to decide how your relationship with your customer and IT provider will work:

Will they be contacting the customer on your behalf? Or will you be the only point of contact.
Sign a non-compete agreement and work out the details of how any future sales will go. For example if your customer contacts the IT company directly to perform services, we provide 25% commission for 12 months.

2) Communication skills
We are in the communications business. Choose an IT team that can help you understand the technology that you are providing to your clients.

Are they able to clearly explain the technology? Is it scalable? Secure?
Are they able to provide valuable suggestions for new technology.
Are they able to explain the technology without sounding conceited or making the client feel stupid?

3) Appropriate company size
When searching for an IT team that is the best fit for your needs, ask yourself, “What size should my IT team be?” Will you need backup staff with 24/7/365 support, or will a one-person shop be enough?

An IT firm that is too large for you may not provide the level of customer service that you need. Imagine your customer calling because they need a change and your IT service provider not getting back to you for three days. That reflects poorly on your business.
A firm that is too small might not be able to manage your project effectively. While forming a relationship with a single programmer can be beneficial, you have to keep in mind what that individual will be doing in 2 years? Will they take a job with a larger firm? Will they still be available when their work needs to be updated?

Decide what staffing your IT team should have:

Will you need a dedicated project manager to keep the project on schedule?
Is it easy to get in touch with the CEO if your project manager is not responsive?
Will you need a backup programmer, or project manager to keep you covered when IT staff are on vacation or sick?
Can they grow with your team to keep pace with you and your client as your success grows?

Dependability
We all are human and humans make mistakes – will they make it right? Don’t be afraid to ask, “So what happens if this thing fails?” When I was just starting out, I remember the first time a customer asked me, so what happens to our website if you die?” I wasn’t prepared for that, but I have since put a contingency plan in place to make sure the world keeps turning long after I am gone.

Project management
Does the IT team have a good process for managing projects. Some projects last several months and have many revisions. Make sure your IT team has proven methods for tracking progress, storing important files, passwords and data, for keeping the project moving in a positive direction. Someone has to manage the project.

4) Check references
Of course you wont get references from them from unsatisfied customers and, even if you do, people aren’t likely to dis their web provider, so be sure to ask specific questions:

How long have you been working together?
What is your strongest attribute? Let this answer come and keep digging until you get to the positive compared to the negative attributes.
What kind of work have you done?

4) The truth will set you free.
Maintain transparency with your customers. My company has provided web programming services for a variety of design firms. Although direct contact between the programmer and the customer isn’t always imperative, good communication is. If there are too many steps in the communication process, then there are more likely to be errors. I recommend introducing everyone involved at the beginning of the project via phone, email or chat. Then appoint one point of contact on each team. It’s okay that your customers know that you are not the geeks behind the website. The reason they work with you is because of your style, skill, or whatever reason makes it a good fit. They will most likely be relieved to not have another company they have to deal with and that you will be there to make sure their brand and message are consistent across all marketing channels. So, build on your existing relationship and create more work.

This article first appeared in the August issue of Media Inc .

Totera Web Systems Blog

Celebrating Excellence

Victor Avhust Earns Master’s Degree in Software Engineering

A Commitment to Continuous Growth

Driving the Future of Totera’s Tech

Looking Ahead

By the Numbers: Why AI Search Is Leaving Traditional Local Websites Behind

How AI-Optimized Websites Are Driving 320% More Traffic to Local Businesses

But the game is fundamentally changing.

The ROI of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)

5 Tweaks to Make Your Website AI-Ready

Don't Get Left Behind

Building an Accessible Web

Why ADA Compliance is Essential for Your Business

The True Cost of Inaccessibility

Lost Customers:

Reputational Damage:

Legal Risk :

How Our ADA Compliance Service Helps You Succeed

Key Features of the Service

Available Services

The Result

Let's build a better web together.

Working Smarter: Practical Strategies for Your Business

Beyond the Inbox: Professional Email and Integrated Tools for Your Organization.

Elevate Your Organization's Communication: Starting with Email

Google Sheets: Your Go-To for Organized Data Tracking

Google Docs: Collaborative Powerhouse for Proposals and Beyond

Empowering Your Business with Integrated Tools

Buzzworthy Design

The Wild Bee Company Website by Totera

Totera's Collaborative and Comprehensive Approach

Experience the Buzz

Totera Customers Help Fight Climate Change

Save a tree. Save the world.

Meet Gael, Nick, and Shiladitya from Mission Zero

“There’s tons of things you can do with CO₂. One of the largest opportunity areas, and our commercial thesis, is that you’re going to achieve both the most economic growth and environmental progress by injecting CO₂ into building materials and in synthetic aviation fuels.”

Help Us Help Travertine: Re-engineering chemical production for Carbon Dioxide Removal

Save a tree. Save the world.

Meet Laura from Travertine

“One of the key motivators of Travertine is taking one of the major waste products that humans make, which is sulfate waste, and trying to turn it back into something valuable to help promote this clean energy transition.”

Climate Hero: Charm Industrial | Putting oil back underground

Save a tree. Save the world.

Meet Shaun from Charm Industrial

“Often, when I’m asked to describe the climate challenge to someone, I talk about how we have to get to such an enormous scale in such a short period of time. But I see that more as an engineering challenge than as a daunting challenge.”

Changes at NameGig

What Totera Clients Need to Know About the Upcoming Changes at NameGig

Email Options

Google Workspace

Namecheap

Microsoft 365

Local experts are available to help!

Website Updates and Hosting Updates

Website Monitoring Service

Totera & NameGig

Managing Google My Business Posts

Posting on Google My Business is an Effective Way to Promote Your Business

Type of Google My Business Posts

Tips for Google My Business Posts

Donna Winter (she/her/hers)

Project Development & Marketing Coordinator

Totera Web Systems

Port Townsend worker now in Ukrainian defense training to fight in Russia

Still working remotely while preparing for battle ﻿

Join Totera in supporting the people of Ukraine at https://savelife.in.ua/en

They didn’t know things would be so different.

Joining the Fight

Still, he said, “Sometimes it hurts.”

Join Totera in supporting the people of Ukraine at https://savelife.in.ua/en

Why upgrade to Tada?

Five reasons why it's a great time to upgrade your old CMS Made Simple or Wordpress site to the Tada Web Editor platform.

1) Hosting updates can break old code.

2) Hosted solutions are easier to maintain.

3) Tada makes website management fun!

4) All the tools you need, all in one place.

Editing on the Go

Better SEO For YOU

Responsive Design

Greatness in Store

Hosting with the Most

Still working remotely while preparing for battle