In Design
Multi-channel marketing communications - all in one!
Customizing Your Online Ordering Portal
One of my favorite features in the ilinkONE Version 8 software is how users can easily customize the look and feel of their online ordering portal. Primarily, users have quite a bit of flexibility on how they present their “Item Search” page to users.
When people visit a site to place an order, they certainly may know which product they’d like to order. But oftentimes, people simply like to browse. Thus, they may utilize the Product Group and Product Type categories.
In the ilinkONE Version 8 software, users have the option to present the Groups and Types via thumbnails. Thumbnails for each group or type can be displayed directly on the Search page. Users also have options as to how big the thumbnails may be. If you only have a few items, then you certainly may take a look at using the large thumbnail option.
But no matter what you choose, you certainly will want to ensure that the sizes of your thumbnails are consistent.
If you’d like to do this in your own instance of our software, it’s real easy. The main two things you need to do are:
- Modify your Client Rules to display thumbnails for Product Groups and Types (other options include text links and dropdowns)
- Create your thumbnails, and then upload them via the Database Admin pages for Groups and Types
I hope that you find this feature helpful!
Below is the screenshot of one way that thumbnails could spice up the front page of your online ordering portal:
Tags Three Tips for Your Next Direct Mail Piece
Recently I attended a webinar that featured Trish Witkowski from foldfactory.com. In the webinar Trish shared many direct mailer ideas and examples
I wanted to share a few of the tips that I thought you might find helpful as well.
The Money is in the Details
Size, weight and shape are very important to think about when you are creating a mailer. Make sure to check out http://ilnk.me/1e83 for size and pricing options from the USPS. A quick tip that Trish gave was a non-machine able piece automatically increases the cost .20 cents. If cost is a factor for you, following the guidelines is one way to insure that you are not spending any money where it is not necessary.
Be Creative When it Comes to Folds
During the examples section of the webinar, I was very impressed with the many different folding options that were presented. Of course, wafer seals can play a big part in the mailing process and the costs. If you were to fold the mailer on the right side, you have 3 open areas that must be closed with a sticker. Your best bet may be to place the fold on the bottom and then you only have to seal the tip opening with a wafer. However, being creative with your folding can have a positive impact on the success of your piece.
Stand Out
What are some ways that you can make your mailer stand out? One suggestion might be to use variable data pieces. Use the data you have about the recipient to personalize the piece – and try to go beyond Dear [FirstName]. Other options might pop-up cards and light-up cards.
In conclusion, Trish left the audience with this quote: “A person is shown 6,000 media messages a day; they will roughly pay attention to 50 of them and positively remember 4 of them.”
Will your next direct mail piece be remembered?
QR Code Valentines
Perhaps you are stuck looking for a last-minute gift….. Or you want to stand out as unique….. Or, you’re trying to get the attention of someone that is addicted to their mobile phone.
If any of those things are true, we have a little application that may be able to help you:
Send them a QR Code Valentine message by simply visiting http://ilnk.me/QRlove
Adding a bit of color to your QR Codes
Posted by Michelle Jollymore 
on Thursday, December 17, 2009 
at 10:27 AM 
in Design, Marketing, Technology 
The possibilities for QR Codes to help increase the impact and effectiveness of printed materials continues to increase.
Of course, the QR Code is not the one and only solution. For a marketing or educational effort to work, you still must consider the message, the design, and the target audience.
To help you with the design portion, we recently released an enhancement that allows to generate QR Codes in various colors.
For example if you are creating a QR Code for your company, make it the company colors. Or if you are designing a holiday card you can make your QR Code red or green.
Standard black-and-white QR Codes may allow people to respond to your printed pieces – however, adding color to your QR Codes may be necessary to ensure your creative design can truly come to life. A QR Code in the right color(s) can enhance a printed piece and complement it. Designers put a lot of thought into the placement and colors in their designs and this is just one more way the QR Code can truly be incorporated as part of the design.
Check out how you can make your own QR Codes today at QReateAndTrack.com. And while you are there check out some of the other useful tools that we just added like the ability to make QR Codes all different sizes and at 300 DPI high-resolution image.
Be creative, you have a lot of colors to choose from.
New QR Code Screencast Up on YouTube
QReateAndTrack.com’s QR creator application has added some new options for you to play with when creating your next QR Code.
QR Codes now have a simpler look, can be any color you desire, and can be downloaded as 300 DPI high-resolution image, all for free!
Check out the video below to see how or head over to app.qreateandtrack.com to try it out for yourself.
For more information on QR Codes please visit www.QReateAndTrack.com
