Signs of the Times - February 2014 - (Page 18)

T e c h nology Upd at e Bitcoin "wallet," i.e., a web-based program that you can use to hold - and accomplish - virtual bitcoin transactions. There, also, you can establish your 34- to 36-character Bitcoin Address, and log in. You can also use a bitcoin exchange site - www.Intersango.com, for example. Where do you store bitcoins? Store your bitcoins in your virtual wallet, which you can access on a desktop, laptop or smartphone. Access the wallet to buy goods or services from anyone willing to accept bitcoins. Record-keeping is via a networked, Bitcoin block-chain system that allows you to verify the validity of each transaction. A digital-signature system provides controls for bitcoins sent from your Bitcoin addresses. Why use bitcoins? The Bitcoin website lists such benefits as no bank holidays, national borders or imposed limits. It says the Bitcoin system allows users to control their money. The site also lauds low fees, less risk (in transaction processes), security, control and transparency. Bitcoin transactions are also neutral, meaning, at this time, no corporation or nation has a horse in the race. Disadvantages include limited acceptance, volatility and ongoing development. The website also says the system is not anonymous and doesn't offer the same privacy level as cash. What (and where) can you buy or sell with bitcoins? Amazon, CVS, Target, Victoria's Secret, Zappos, Whole Foods, Overstock.com and a growing list of other retailers say they presently accept bitcoins. Proponents claim the list will grow exponentially over the next year. You need a Bitcoin mobile app to spend bitcoins in person. Some brick-andmortar stores present a virtualmoney QR graphic, to scan with your smartphone. This provides an access page that accepts your Bitcoin address and, subsequently, allows you to send the required number of bitcoins to the store. Should your signshop accept bitcoins? Not now, but maybe later. Currently, the bitcoin price can unpredictably rise or fall within minutes. If you do accept them, I suggest you convert them to dollars ASAP (see www.coinbase.com). n Welcome to the 21st Century Y Add a photo gallery Potential web customers want to see product images, and few effects impress them more than photos of signage you've produced and installed. On-site photos are better than in-shop ones. The best are those that show your shop's installed signage, or signage in the on-site installation process. You also get the added benefit of buyers recognizing local businesses as your satisfied customers. You are the expert in local sign ordinances, design, fabrication and installation, so show it off by telling your story in pictures. Add a "buy local" logo As I've previously mentioned, statistics say most consumers favor local businesses. This is especially true of small-business owners who are shopping for signs. By placing a "Buy Local" logo prominently on your homepage, you remind area visitors that you're a neighbor. Even better, join your city's local business group and display its Buy Local logo. These logos remind visitors to think local, which increases your chances of getting web-sourced business that may otherwise go elsewhere. Add a "get quote" form Online sign buyers may prefer to engage you on your website instead of calling or visiting your shop, so add a website form that allows a customer to enter their contact information and project description. Such a form will catch leads you might otherwise miss. Allow them to upload a sample file as part of the quote form. As a bonus, ensure that your site looks good on mobile devices and tablets, because buyers are increasingly making buying decisions via smartphones and tablets; such shoppers have little tolerance for sites not optimized for their device. Leveraging the convenience of the Internet with the reality of today's buying behavior will help keep your business growing. By Dean Derhak Dean Derhak is a product director at SAi with 17 years' experience in RIP software, management, marketing, sales and engineering technologies. Here, Dean gives some easy, but effective, tips to make your website win more of today's customers. Reach Dean at deand@ThinkSAi.com ellow-page ads and walk-in traffic were once enough to keep a local sign business prosperous, but today's smartphone and tablet-equipped consumers tend to shop online. If your website is inadequate, you lose business every time someone goes online to purchase signage. To prevent such losses, consider the following improvements that work for many successful signshops. 18 SIGNS OF THE TIMES February 2014 http://www.Overstock.com http://www.Intersango.com http://www.coinbase.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - February 2014

Signs of the Times - February 2014
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Welcome to the 21st Century
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review: Cyrious online
Technology Review: Sign and Printmakers Guild
Sign Museum News
New Products
Walls of Fame
A Designer’s View of Health-care Signage
Health-care Signage: Care Required
Health-care Signage Trends
Estimating Software
Dynamic Digital Signage Made Simple, Part 2
Industry News
Advertising index
Editorially speaking

Signs of the Times - February 2014