A simple checklist for ecommerce startups as they prepare to launch.

Recently, a client asked: "How much of coding needs a genius and how much of it can a monkey do?” This is a pertinent question, and I believe I can shed a little light on it.

When you quote a project, you square away its main objectives and project goals. But what about the details? Digging deeper in that initial phase can improve final product and client relationships.

Considering the shift from “computer” to “computing”.

You know the phrase, “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life?” I’d like to propose a variation... “do what you love, focus on it, get really good at it, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Hiring should be natural. The right person comes around and seems like the perfect fit. It just so happens you have a position open for them and the prospect is poised for long term growth within the company. Let’s face it, it’s never that easy.

The vast amount of information available on the Internet and the increasing tech-savvy of today’s business owners is fostering a new understanding of web design, application development, social media, and more. But with all the information out there, make sure you separate the facts from the buzzwords.

As an agency executive, marketer or business decision maker, you’re constantly considering your mobile marketing strategy and how much time and attention you’re devoting to mobile products and initiatives. The debate is no longer “should we” create a mobile site or optimize for mobile users, it’s now “how should we?”

Even with convincing arguments from marketing directors, you have to wonder why CFOs and CEOs are sitting and waiting for more financial proof before they carve out a line for social media in their budgets, as if ROI (a very specific financial measurement) is the only metric to quantify the value of social media spend. What about brand saturation, engagement, loyalty and reputation with consumers?

I recently met a newcomer to Philadelphia at a Chamber of Commerce orientation who is positioning himself as a sales trainer that can help clients leverage social media brand strategies to increase referrals and sales. Not only is he providing an updated twist on the generic "sales coach" profession by consulting clients on a developing marketing tool that folks seem to struggle with, he realizes the importance of making sure a captive audience understands his value proposition.

Customers want to interact, control and share their purchasing. Some big brands are responding, using consumer interaction and feedback as the crux of their campaigns. Here are some non-traditional campaign strategies that are quickly becoming commonplace in the digital world.

3 ways that setting up a corporate blog can get website traffic and increase customer engagement.