Blog posts

Using Responsive Design the Right Way

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:51:00 GMT

The growing popularity of tablets and smartphones has brought responsive web design into greater focus. While layout, images and media queries are an important aspect of responsive web design, the metric you need to focus on is functionality.

CRO and SEO – Best of Both Worlds

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:45:07 GMT

With websites gaining a strong footing as a means of lead generation, a question that springs up in the mind of an online marketer or website developer is - Do I go for Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) or Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? What exactly is the difference between the two?

Mobile Search – Businesses Must Have a Mobile Friendly Strategy to Reach Customers

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Mobile devices to outnumber humans! Cisco’s latest VNI Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update makes the startling projection that by the end of 2013, the number of mobile-connected devices will exceed the number of people on Earth, and by 2017 there will be nearly 1.4 mobile devices per person...

Clark Quinn Law Firm Launches New Website

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT

Clark Quinn is a well-established, Central Indiana law firm that can trace its roots back all the way to 1945. With such a strong heritage in Indianapolis, it is important to Clark Quinn that they stay relevant and current in today’s competitive market...

Flat or Skeuomorphic Web Design?

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Is the world flat? Or is it skeuomorphic? The web and mobile application world is buzzing with heated discussions on this topic. The debate has been rekindled by the release of the much awaited Microsoft Windows 8 UI. Adding fuel to the fire was the taking over of Apple Human Interface Design by Jonathan Ive...

BitWise Launches New Web Site For Kelley Electric

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Kelley Electric, a division of the Townsend Company, is a well-established contracting company, providing services in the industrial, commercial, cotton gin, motor testing equipment and control panel businesses...

Riding the Google Wave: Mobile PPC Advertising and AdWords Enhanced Campaigns

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Google has taken up the challenge of online advertising in today’s multi-device world through a major update to its AdWords technology. If you didn’t already know, AdWords is Google’s highly popular and powerful online advertising tool that contributes a major share to its revenues. With this latest update, PPC account managers can now...

BitWise CEO to Speak at Revenue North Indianapolis Business Growth Conference on March 21

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Ron Brumbarger, BitWise CEO will be speaking at the 2013 Revenue North Indianapolis Business Growth Conference to be held March 21st at the Indianapolis Wyndham West. He will be tackling the topic, CRM When "R" Doesn't Matter...

Web Page Design Basics - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Is a picture truly worth a thousand words? YES, especially where websites are concerned. We’ve been talking about a whole lot of advanced topics in 2013, The Importance of Web Analytics, Responsive Web Design, ASP.NET Development. In today's blog, let us get back to web design basics and talk about the use of images on websites...

BitWise Launches New Web Site for Comintelli

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Bitwise Solutions is proud to be working with Comintelli, an information organizational website that develops, markets and sells the award-winning application Knowledge XChanger™...

Five Basic Factors that Help You Measure Website ROI

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

When creating your website, you are hoping to catch your prospect’s eye, and land a few leads and, of course, sales. So how do you measure your website’s ROI? There is not one simple and obvious way to measure ROI. We recommend, at a minimum, measure five key factors and you will get a clear picture on whether your website is serving its purpose...

Revenue North Indianapolis Business Growth Conference

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Join BitWise at the 2013 Revenue North Indianapolis Business Growth Summit! On March 21st, over 80 Indiana experts will be presenting 96 breakout sessions in sales, marketing, customer retention, access to capital and much more...

HousEvolve Partners with BitWise to Launch New Kentico CMS Website

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Bitwise is excited to start our work with HousEvolve; a start-up, online solution for homeowners with project needs. When a homeowner has a new project they want to get started on in their home, where do they start? HousEvolve hopes to solve this dilemma by offering a one-stop solution to shopping through contractors, receiving bids and deciding on who is right for your home project...

Web Design & Winning the Browser Compatibility War

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Rivalry in the browser market space emerged way back in the 90’s when Microsoft and Netscape respectively came up with the Internet Explorer and the Navigator. Back then, it surely was a low key affair with software players secretly trying to add innovative dimensions to their respective browsing products. Come 2012 and the war is out in the open with the most innovative players calling the shots...

Why Commodity Web Hosting is a Bad Idea

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Every business today needs a presence on the web. And if you are engaged in ecommerce or use your website to connect with potential customers, you need a site that is accessible and responsive. Getting your site up and running requires a web hosting service. In today's market, there are plenty of web servers and commodity web hosting agents to choose from- but this may not be the best option. Here are a few reasons why commodity hosting is a bad idea...

Why Use ASP.NET for Website and Web App Development

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

ASP.NET is a server side framework used for web development. Backed by Microsoft, ASP.NET is a well-recognized framework that is used by 20%+ of all the websites worldwide. If you consider the extremely fluid nature of the website and web app development industry, and the stiff competition offered by java and open source languages like PHP and Python, this is a good market share indeed.

BitWise Launches New Web Design for IDS Blast!

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Over the past few years, Bitwise Solutions has been proud to work with Forecast Sales (FCS), a manufacturer of parts and supplies for the abrasive blasting industry. We are now set to work with FCS’ sister company, IDS Blast.

How Web Analytics Plays a Role in Business Strategy

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Using web analytics provides a much more user friendly web experience and should play a key role in your online business strategy. Your customers take precedence, with design and strategies tailored to suit their preferences.
To do that, businesses need the proper tools to gather online intelligence to make decisions to improve the user experience.

BitWise Launches New Indiana Healthcare Toolbox Website!

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:00:00 GMT

BitWise Solutions has partnered with three fantastic organizations (About Special Kids, Indiana Rural Health Association & Covering Kids and Families of Indiana) to develop a resource based website that is a tool to promote safety and good health for children and families in our state.

Mobile - Website vs. Application

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Does your business need an app or a mobile website? What is the difference? Our online web strategy consultants can help you target your audience!

BitWise Launches New Web Design for First Financial Bank

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:00:00 GMT

BitWise Solutions has partnered with First Financial Bank to design and develop the First Financial Bank Website as an offering to their loyal customer base. This redesign includes an updated, state-of-the-art content management system (CMS) which gives the bank’s administrators access to readily update their site with current information and products for customers.

The Growing Impact of Mobile Web

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:06:31 GMT

The impact of mobile device users points to a decline in desktop searches. Our mobile web development services assist in targeting your audience.

Donate Life Indiana Website Design & Development

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:26:07 GMT

As a long time client of BitWise, Donate Life Indiana came to us to completely redesign their site with the expressed intent to drive people to register as an organ donor. This website is more than just a public facing website that drives registrations - with a backend web application...

BitWise Solutions to Partner with Longtime Dow Executive for Competitive Intelligence Consulting

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:45:08 GMT

Indianapolis, Indiana based BitWise Solutions, Inc. has formed a partnership with Bob Fowler of RL Fowler Consulting LLC to provide strategic business consulting around the implementation of competitive intelligence programs. A seasoned, former executive of Dow AgroSciences in Indianapolis...

Blooper Reel - Quotes Over the Years

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:14:54 GMT

It all started with a client kick-off where our designer at the time said, “So…we’re all in agreeance then?” And they responded, “yes.” And, with a slight smile on my face I thought, “Agreeance isn’t a word, but...

The Power of Facebook...Duh!

Wed, 30 May 2012 19:10:37 GMT

We all know that Facebook has tremendous pull when it comes to getting your aunt to “like” that cute picture of your kid, but can it really make a difference when it comes to more noble causes? Well if the recent success of a client...

Reasons to Hire a Company with Kentico Certified Developers

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:02:29 GMT

For anyone considering a new content management system it is helpful to know what to look for when hiring a firm to deploy your website on a content management system – here are a few reasons you should consider hiring a company with Kentico Certified Developers for your website development needs...

Managing Expectations

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:41:25 GMT

With the age of technology and social media, the Internet’s visibility has soared to all new heights. The web is no longer an option for most people, it is a necessity--- and much of that can be attributable to sites like Facebook...

The Internet is Amazing - Don't Let Opportunity Cost Get the Better of You

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:34:12 GMT

I got to thinking the other day about the Internet and how really cool the digital information revolution is. When you take a step back and look at how many incredible things we have at our fingertips, it really is quite astonishing. Take Skype for instance. I can talk with people on the other...

News: BitWise Adds 2 Kentico Certified Developers

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:54:08 GMT

Recently two of our developers became Kentico Certified Developers which makes BitWise one of the top 4 Kentico developers in the United States and one of the top 10 Kentico developers in the world!

The Beauty of Blending Online & Offline Marketing

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:47:51 GMT

I had a meeting with a print marketing company yesterday and our conversation got me thinking about the advantages of coupling online and offline marketing mediums. There is so much power to be harnessed by...

Get Me on the First Page of Google

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:05:00 GMT

“So how do I get on the first page of Google?” We often get asked questions like this. Everyone knows how important it is to be on Google’s first page for their keywords; some want to know the quick fix to get them there. Although it would be awesome...

This is Where the Cowboy Rides Away: Part 2

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:15:17 GMT

I just finished giving a presentation last week to a group in Columbus, OH in tandem with Ice Miller, a long time friend and client of ours. This presentation got me thinking about a few things and so I wanted to follow up a little on a blog post I wrote last year regarding “cowboys” in our industry. We’ve come to call them cowboys because...

SEO @ 40,000 Ft - With the New Guy "Flying" the Plane

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:12:48 GMT

When you start at a new company, there is always a new vocabulary you must learn, filled with acronyms and abbreviations that all the veterans of the biz take for granted. The first day, the first sales meeting, I was sitting there, nervous and smiling, trying to make a good first impression...

Websites for Startup Companies - What You Need to Know

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:15:09 GMT

Ah, where to start? We get frequent inquiries from startup companies interested in BitWise developing their website solution. So, here are a few things to think about if you’re a startup looking to build a website or you have a Web focus...

Good Communication Practices are Essential to Successful Web Development

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:28:17 GMT

Having been a web developer at BitWise Solutions for a long time, there is something I’ve learned along the way that makes successful website development or application development engagements. It seems that pretty much any relationship functions better when there is clear, open, and regular communication – and web development engagements

Pinterest - What Does the Latest Craze Mean for Your Website

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:37:47 GMT

If your experience of Pinterest is anything like mine, it probably involves waking up at 1 AM to little giggles and “awws” coming from downstairs only to discover your wife is clinging to the mouse and sampling every little goodie Pinterest has to offer like a relapsed

Sharpen Your Online Survival Skills at Web Camp

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:33:07 GMT

Developing and executing a web marketing program requires sharpening and honing your strategies to ensure optimal effectiveness. Although there won't be tents and campfires, Web Camp 2012 will give you the opportunity to sharpen your online marketing survival skills.

The Cobbler's Kids Finally Got New Kicks!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:55:00 GMT

This is the first blog post on our long overdue, redesigned website built out on the robust Kentico content management system that we launched last week. This was a classic case of the cobbler’s children syndrome – we were too busy working on our client’s projects

Indianapolis Firm to Provide Volunteer Communications Support for 2012 Super Bowl XLVI

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:56:04 GMT

As the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee prepares to host the big game in Indianapolis next February, weather preparedness is a key area of focus. On The Grid Communications, a communications management and volunteer scheduling software offered by Indianapolis based, BitWise Solutions, Inc., will provide key technology as part of the overall volunteer management

Photography and Website Design

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:46:03 GMT

There is an important element of website design that many people overlook; and doing it right can make a world of difference in the overall quality and appearance of the site - photography. It’s often hard for clients to come by good photography for their website – images that reflect the brand and meet the website goals.

UPDATED: Google Analytics’ Small Change Means Big Consequences

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

About three weeks ago, Google ~~Analytics~~ made some changes to their analytics package

4 Tips for Audacious Goal Setting

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:39:00 GMT

It’s that time of year again. Didn’t we just finish doing this? We're in Q4

Make Your Website a Kick Butt Sales Tool

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:43:00 GMT

With the pressure in today’s market to increase revenue

10 Things You Should Know About Writing Content

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:41:34 GMT

Let's face it, we've all struggled at some point with writing content, whether it's for a website, blog, article, whitepaper, case study, etc. We find that website development projects often get tripped up in the "content writing" stage when the client needs to draft all the content that goes on the beautiful web pages we just designed and built out. More often than not, when deadlines are blown, the culprit is developing content. It can be a daunting, boring, and down-right hard task! Not only do you have to write content, but you have to have enough to be compelling but not too much that readers get lost, have the right keywords in it to boost SEO but not too many otherwise Google will dock you for keyword overloading...needless to say, there are a lot of things to think about.

Real Estate Tips for Your Website

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:11:05 GMT

Any realtor will tell you that selling your home is about marketing and presentation – to the right people. You want the prospective buyer to like your home’s curb appeal enough to come inside and look around more. Once inside, you want to have your home looking its very best. This would include cleaning, de-cluttering, organizing, and creating a comfortable “feel”. You’ll want to clear out unnecessary items from walk-ways and from the middle of rooms, make the house easy to get around and not have to step over, or around toys, foot stools, etc9

Making $3 Million Super Bowl Ads Worth the Cost

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:07:16 GMT

Most businesses will not be advertising during the Super Bowl, probably for the most part because of the $3 million per 30 second spot, and that doesn't even include the cost to put together the spot! Yet, businesses still pay to have their presence at the most watched TV program in the United States because where else can you get the undivided attention of 111 million viewers? But afterall, we're talking about 30 seconds, half a minute, 1/17,870,400th of Justin Bieber's lifetime...this is a short amount of time to make an impact on your audience! So how can advertisers, whether you're one of the few advertising during the Super Bowl or not, stretch 30 seconds of facetime to significantly increase your impact? The answer is found in leveraging mobile technologies.

Social Media Conversions: Fact or Phantom?

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:05:11 GMT

When it comes to social media use in the B2B marketing space, there are so many opinions out there it can make your head spin trying to make sense of it all. We created an interesting case study recently for a client who is a local Indianapolis Ford dealership, a B2C customer. They have incorporated website design, Pay-Per-Click, SEO, social media, and on-site enhancements into their overall web strategy. The interesting thing that we noticed was that, when it comes to conversions, PPC and SEO proved to have outstanding results (schedule test drives, apply for credit, etc.), where social media did nothing for website conversions.

What is My ROI in Intelligence Systems?

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:02:19 GMT

I often hear the question, "What is my return on investment?" when discussing competitive intelligence systems that search and connect people with what they want to know. Of course, this is a nearly impossible question to answer because it depends in large part on what your true investment is. There are some interesting articles that touch on aspects of this question in the SCIP Journal of Competitive Intelligence. Also there are some excellent white papers and case studies on the subject.

4 Things to Look for in a CMS

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:54:49 GMT

There are many options out there to control and edit the content on your website but there are a few things that you should keep in mind when looking for a content management system. Whether you are looking at an off-the-shelf product or a custom CMS, make sure the solution has at least these four things.

A "Nu" Way to Captcha

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:49:30 GMT

Have you ever filled out a form on a website with a “Captcha” that is near impossible to read even when you refresh it? I can think of several distinct times within the past few weeks where I have not been able to discern what was in the Captcha and had to try multiple times. This can be very frustrating from a users perspective and doesn’t make for a very good experience for visitors to your website. Websites today should be all about usability and making things as easy as possible for your users to find and access. Captcha can often pose a major hindrance to “usability” and affect the performance of your website.

Doing More with Less in a Struggling Economy

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:45:12 GMT

With all of the economic and political upheaval the past few months it is no doubt that all of this disruption is putting strains on the business and financial markets. This economic environment in which we live – a barely averted first ever default on US debt and news that the Federal debt has reached 100% of GDP; multiple European countries hinging on total economic collapse; a nearly stalled economic growth, putting us on the brink of a double-dip recession – is, for the most part, unchartered waters.

Mobile App Development - 3 More Things to Consider

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:24:11 GMT

In an earlier blog post, “3 Things to Think About When Building a Mobile App”, I discussed three important things to think about to help you determine whether a mobile app makes sense. And, I would now like to add three more things to consider when looking at investing in the development of a mobile application...

Website Success: Making Your Website Standout

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:42:53 GMT

As economic recovery slowly begins to take root, business leaders are increasingly looking to the power of web technology to accelerate growth and provide a much-needed lift under the deflated wings of a struggling economy. With the incredible disruption that has taken place within the markets as a result of the financial crisis, the needs, wants and purchasing patterns of buyers have changed. That, coupled with an increasing shift to online and mobile mediums, has made it imperative that your web site cut through the clutter and deliver the right message at the right time.

The New World of Market Intelligence

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:35:42 GMT

In the last year, businesses across North America have had increasing interest in competitive intelligence. This is perhaps no surprise. Across industries, intelligence is playing a greater role due to the complexity of doing business and also the rate of change we all face. What people don’t realize is that it always has played a great role for companies. In many cases it has been less visible, and the stakes have not been as high, as today.

5 Reasons Custom Solutions are Better Than Off-the-Shelf Products

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:33:03 GMT

When it comes to software applications there are really about two options. You can either buy an off-the-shelf product that might kinda-sorta fulfill your business requirements or you can have a custom application built that is designed specifically around your business. Although there are some really good off-the-shelf products out there, without customization they typically can’t hold a candle to a custom solution and here are six distinct advantages that you will gain from a custom developed application.

How Will New Website Domain Guidelines Affect Your Business?

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:30:16 GMT

Under new guidelines laid out by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the non-profit group that administers Internet suffixes such as .com, .net, .biz, etc., any person or business can get their own personalized domain suffix. Now, instead of having to register with a suffix like .com or .net a financial institution could register a domain ending in “.bank” or any other myriad of options. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for online branding and website domain registration. The limiting factor seems to be price as the initial application fee is $185,000 and $25,000 per year to maintain just one domain suffix.

2 Success Factors for Any Web Development Engagement

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:07:55 GMT

As a web development company we encounter projects that go very smoothly and projects that lag and falter. This is just the “nature of the beast” within website and application development. But I wanted to highlight a recent project that was a case of a very smooth project and examine a couple of characteristics of the project that made it successful.

Why do we call them Strategy Consultants?

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:04:11 GMT

Most professional services firms give their sales people a more traditional title such as, “Business Development Manager” or something similar, but such is not the case here at BitWise. Our people with primary sales responsibilities hold the title of “Strategy Consultant” and it’s not because we’re trying to cover up or gloss over the fact that they “sell” our products and services, as some might think.

Market Intelligence: How do you measure? What are your competitors doing? Clients? Vendors?

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:01:12 GMT

Having insight into the happenings in the market place (i.e. having your head UP) is crucial in today's fast-moving business climate. Too many companies keep their heads down, looking only at their local markets for competitive insight - or intelligence. The world of competitive intelligence has become quite sophisticated, yet perfectly legal and relatively easy for a company to undertake. Implementing a competitive intelligence program is not something reserved for just the Fortune 500 companies. For small to medium sized businesses with limited budgets, getting an intelligence program up and running is actually not as hard (or illegal) as some might think and the importance of such is paramount.

5 Cautions When Using Facebook for Business

Thu, 12 May 2011 18:57:40 GMT

In our line of business, we often encounter companies looking to use Facebook for business purposes, and inevitably there are many cases where they are doing a very poor job of utilizing the social media site.
Here are five things to think about when implementing a Facebook campaign for your business.

The Best Measurement and Analytics Software Available

Thu, 05 May 2011 18:54:10 GMT

In the magical world of analytics, there are a few players that stand out, not the least among these being Google Analytics which, for being a free utility, can be a very productive resource. But there is another player that stands above the rest, especially with the latest release of their analytics product which we are very excited about.

What to Consider When Building a Mobile Website

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:49:29 GMT

With the share of smartphones in the United States expected to overtake feature phones this year and having already overtaken PC sales, it is no doubt that smartphones are having a larger and larger impact on how we communicate, browse the internet, find information, play games, and be more productive. With such a rapidly growing segment, it is essential as a business to make sure your website is capable of displaying properly on these devices. This is vastly different from building a mobile app and should be considered by virtually every organization if it hasn’t already.

5 Marketing Tips to Boost Online Conversions

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:46:06 GMT

Being a website development company often puts us at the mercy of the old “cobbler’s children” syndrome when it comes to our own website. With all of our development resources devoted to helping our clients solve their business challenges, it can be difficult to snag some of those resources for our own website. I will admit that our current website is not the best example of our design and development capabilities (Ouch! That’s a hard pill to swallow!) so it is definitely time to rethink our web strategy and practice what we preach!

Pinky and the Brain Do Web Development

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:42:39 GMT

If you’re a cartoon aficionado, then there is a good chance that you may be familiar with a Warner Brothers’ cartoon called, “Pinky and the Brain”. The recurring theme of each episode is that two laboratory mice, Pinky the dimwitted one, and Brain, the evil genius, attempt to do “the same thing we do every night; try to take over the world!” Well, the funny thing is that it is fairly common for people to come to BitWise/me with an idea where they plan to utilize the Web to “take over (or more likely change) the world.”

Time = Money: Some Simple Math

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:40:18 GMT

As we watch our semper nova government come to the brink of a catastrophic shutdown, those of us outside the beltway can merely watch and pray that sanity will prevail, budgets will be controlled, spending within our means reigned in and politics put aside. The past Congress, instead of dealing with multi-trillion-dollar structural deficit and a record debt of $14 trillion dollars, left the problem for someone else to deal with. It seems, now more than ever, that the old adage that time is money has been forgotten.

Marketing With QR Codes – 6 Business Cases

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:35:20 GMT

One of the latest web marketing technologies to hit the United States is QR Codes. These aren’t new to other parts of the globe as they have been around for a few years, but they are gaining popularity here in the States as of late. So what is a QR Code? It stands for Quick Response and essentially allows you to access content online through your smartphone immediately by simply snapping a photo of the QR code with a code reader application.

3 Reasons the In-Person Meeting is so Important

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:12:50 GMT

I recently returned to work full time after maternity leave and I found myself in a terrible situation: my nanny who had committed to a fulltime position had to withdraw. Without a viable solution for childcare 2 weeks prior to returning to work full time, I had to scramble to find the right person, with the right schedule, and whom I would trust taking care of my son.

"Free" Organic Search Results

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:59:25 GMT

Is organic traffic from Google free? Well, it depends. How did you get to the top on Google? There’s a good chance you had to pay for some help in getting there! While Google may provide 50+ million results for a search term, I know I’m not going to look past the first few, let alone 50 million—and research shows I’m not alone. Over 90% of all clicks happen on the first page of Google.

4 Things to Think About When Doing A/B Testing on Your Website

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:55:20 GMT

Have you ever heard of the website Which Test Won? The website presents a unique concept that pits two versions of various web content against each other and allows people to vote on which one they think performed better. Examples of tests could include two versions of an HTML email with one or two items changed slightly from version A to version B to see which one has a better click through rate, or another example could be like the social opt-in box below with only a slight difference.

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Web Developer

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:48:24 GMT

As with any vendor selection process, there are certain things that you should pay special attention to and finding the right web development partner is no different. In fact, there are some unique aspects of the web development process that make it imperative to take these five things to look at when choosing a web development partner:

3 Things to Think About When Building a Mobile App

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:16:47 GMT

Being a web development company located in Indianapolis, we naturally receive a number of requests, whether it be from current clients or new prospects, about developing a mobile app for them. As we do with every engagement, we immediately ask, “why?” Yes, mobile apps seem...

Preparing Your Website for Social Media Invasion

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:50:28 GMT

Since social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Linked In and others have now gained recognition from the business community as legit marketing and communication channels, just like with any other new web technology, we’ve examined its usefulness through a strategic, business lens. We continually counsel our clients to ensure that, if they embark on a social media strategy, they have clear, definitive goals and methods for tracking and measurement in place, just like with anything else.

This is Where the Cowboy Rides Away

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:15:56 GMT

Angie’s List has made a nice business of helping you be confident that you’re hiring a reputable firm to work on your house. You can certainly find a couple of guys who will put a new roof on your house quickly and for less money than most typical contractor firms. But think about this for a minute...

Are You Giving Your Team XBOXs or Heirlooms?

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:46:05 GMT

As we grow close to the holiday season, everyone seems to be attracted to everything that glitters. Christmas ads start playing as soon as the beginning of November to start tempting you with shiny baubles and nifty gadgets, like the new XBOX. But, many times these fancy new things steal the spotlight from, say things of more lasting and sentimental value like a family heirloom. Likewise, there are many glittery things businesses can do on the internet, but they’re not always the most profitable or lasting investment.

Thoughtful Organization – Crucial for Your Website

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:42:53 GMT

I’m going to steal a line from the real estate industry because it is applicable to websites – “location, location, location. In retail, location is everything; a high visibility, high traffic location can make all the difference. Well, in search engines higher page rankings (location) will get more visibility and traffic than lower page rankings. Similarly, a page rank in the top 3 spots is going to generate much more traffic for the applicable keywords than a 12 spot. Remember, since It is not about what you call “it,” it’s about what your customer calls “it.” For example, IDS Blast (currently in redesign) sells abrasive blasting equipment.

Advantages of SharePoint: Introduction

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:38:56 GMT

In the article Using SharePoint Server to Improve Efficiency we mentioned that SharePoint gives us the opportunity to work faster and increase our effectiveness. This technology has a lot of advantages. We will discuss these advantages in this article, while in the following articles we will describe some aspects of work in SharePoint.

Is Your Website an Asset or a Spend?

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:19:44 GMT

There’s a new term around BitWise that we’ve begun using when talking with people and it’s becoming a big hit. The term “Web assets” has resonated greatly with clients and prospects we’ve been talking with over the past couple of months.

Using SharePoint Server to Improve Efficiency

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:14:08 GMT

Effective work of enterprise depends on the rapid exchange of information and in every organization a great majority of resources are wasted. Companies should not focus so much on overtime work but on creating efficiencies within their company to improve the amount of productive time vs. wasted time.

Does having your own website really matter?

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:38:40 GMT

By deductive reasoning, if you are reading this article you are already an Internet user. Likely, at one time or another, you have thought about having your own custom developed website solution, especially if you are a business or organization needing to interact with and meet your clients online.

11 Reasons to Create Your Own Website

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:35:55 GMT

Today from the mean of prestige and advertising, websites have grown into a real instrument of effective business conduct. Websites have become an interoperable tool for partners and clients. There are millions of websites engaged in entertainment, news and communication. Blogs, social networks, and media-sharing portals have become an integral part of an individual’s online experience.

You Get What You Pay For

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:32:59 GMT

Entrepreneur Magazine recently wrote an article titled The Cost of Quality which talks about the costs associated with designing, building, launching and managing your website. It’s a very interesting article that emphasizes the fact that in order to be successful online, you cannot entrust your online presence to a cheap design template or the “dude next door” working out of his parent’s garage. Of course it will cost you some money to get a website that drives your business goals and objectives, but it’s all about expectations and understanding what a quality website or application will take in effort and dollars spent to design, develop, and deliver.

Print is Better Than the Web. Seriously?

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:28:26 GMT

I was in a meeting last week and someone made a comment that a website is not that big of a deal and really not much different than a yellow-page ad in the phone book. I nearly leapt out of my chair! Online marketing and yellow-page marketing are worlds apart!

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: The Foundation for Educational Choice

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:56:47 GMT

Not only do we enjoy guiding our clients in expanding and developing their web strategy and presence, we also like to recognize the work that they do as well.

Leave the "P" Word at the Door, Please...

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:46:41 GMT

The term Project Management has come a long way since the days of Henry Gantt, who is considered the forefather of modern project management. In his time it was fair to say that all projects had an end, one was geared with a task and upon its completion the contract was fulfilled. Now it is fair to say that over the hundred plus years the concept of what business is has changed quite drastically. With modern technology leading the way, business has become more of an evolving relationship instead of the original one-and-done contractual-type work.

ATTN: CEO – You Might Be On a One-Way Track to Failure

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:03:29 GMT

Would you invest $100k in an asset and forget about it? Amazing to me is the fact that many CEOs would invest $100,000, maybe $250,000, in a web site plus an equivalent amount on staff salaries, with no plans to measure ROI, growth, effectiveness, etc., over time. What other corporate asset would warrant such reckless use of the precious resources of money and time?

After the New Car Smell Fades

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:16:31 GMT

As with many businesses, the product itself seems to get all the attention; the new car smell is intoxicating and exciting. In the website and application development business, the actual website or application projects get the spotlight but, not unlike a new vehicle, they still require maintenance and updates. Most of the time though, support and maintenance services get overshadowed by the fun projects, but this service plays an essential role in keeping client's websites and applications operational and working the way they need them to.

BitWise vs. Big Ugly

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:31:31 GMT

For anyone who is familiar with Indianapolis, you know about Bub's Burgers in downtown Carmel, Indiana. Home of the Big Ugly burger that weighs 1 lb after it's been cooked is a challenge that many Hoosiers have attempted. It comes on a huge bun with all the trimmings and if you eat all of it, and I mean every last crumb, you get to have your picture on the wall.

BitWise Acquires North American HQ of Dutch Company

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:24:53 GMT

Indianapolis, Indiana based Web development firm, BitWise Solutions, Inc. has announced that it has acquired the North American operations of the Dutch communications software company, ASK Community Systems. ASK is an intelligent communication platform enabling its clients to combine all means of communication (telecommunications, text messaging, Internet, etc.) to facilitate immediate interaction with the right people at the right time.

BitWise is Moving!

Thu, 20 May 2010 15:21:01 GMT

After tireless effort in the “office space” hunt and countless hours of changing address, notifying clients and vendors, packing up boxes, and reviewing construction plans...we are FINALLY MOVING!!

Choosing a Web Development company: Do they deliver or make empty promises?

Fri, 07 May 2010 15:14:40 GMT

It’s a little harder to stand out in the crowd these days, right? Of course, there are many tools and ways to help stand out: SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Email Marketing Campaigns, Blogging, Social Media Strategies (Twitter, Facebook, etc). These are all great tools, but if not effectively used and communicated to a ‘listening’ audience, mean very little, if nothing at all.

Client Celebrates 100 Years!

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:56:23 GMT

Yesterday a longtime client of ours, Ice Miller, celebrated its 100 year anniversary. This is a huge accomplishment, not just for a legal firm, but for any company! Ice Miller, based in Indianapolis with offices around the country, was founded on a commitment to provide personal service and valued legal counsel to its clients and after 100 years, that hasn't changed.

The Real-World Definition of "Confluence"

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:47:29 GMT

Confluence – a word usually used to describe the intersection of two rivers is also a great word to describe the intersection of multiple agendas. Two weeks ago, my son, Hudson (12) and I spent a week in The Netherlands on business, vacation and education. BitWise is developing a relationship with a Dutch firm from Rotterdam which is the main reason we were in the Netherlands. Often times, a business case is what allows us to take these kinds of trips where vacation and education can come along (the business stream).

Business and Web Consulting

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:50:35 GMT

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with BitWise Solutions, we are an Indianapolis based Web development firm specializing in complex Web solutions, specifically Websites and software applications that are meant to run on the Web. What Ron has been blogging about the past few weeks sparked me to want to add a little about the strategy that is necessary for a good Website solution.

Developing a Web Strategy - Part 3

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:48:25 GMT

To those of you who have been following this recent series on developing a Web strategy, I hope you have gained some valuable information to help you in formulating a strategy for your next Web development project. This post will conclude our series on developing a Web strategy, but I hope that by no means you cease to continue following our blog. We will be doing more series like this in the future and I think there will always be some good nuggets of value for you to obtain from the professionals here at BitWise Solutions.

Website Developer Wins Top 10 Honors

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:25:11 GMT

At BitWise, we pride ourselves in being the premier web development firm in Indiana. We don't build all of our Websites with a Content Management System, but only when the client's needs require one.

Developing a Web Strategy - Part 2

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:22:47 GMT

In case you weren't able to read last week’s blog post, I’m writing a series of blog posts on how developing a Web strategy and this week I’ll be discussing several additional things you should know about crafting strategy for your next Web development project.

Developing a Web Strategy

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:01:24 GMT

Web strategy was the buzz in the late 1990’s through 2001 as everyone was seeking to carve out their own little niche of the market by implementing fresh, disruptive and innovative ideas. Fast forward to today: Because markets are so competitive, Web strategy is a crucial part of any Web development project; competition is significantly broader as geographic boundaries have been lifted. The Web is considered fully main stream as a business conduit today, thus the importance of Web strategy.

It's 2010 People! Has Your Website Joined the Rest of Us?

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:53:19 GMT

The internet. The shininess has worn off. The dot-com era took its toll, and now this media has developed into a pretty stable business model – and business owners, marketers, and IT professionals alike need to pay attention to how its contributing to their business objectives.

The Undisputed Phase 2

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:02:52 GMT

Does the following sound like a familiar situation? You are at a planning meeting for the next Web development project your company is working on. As is often the case with Website or Web application development, this project is very large, very complex and is taking longer than your team expected. Because the project is stressful, your team starts to compromise, starts to make excuses why it is taking so long, or why it is so hard. At the same rate, throughout the project, many new features and functions have been added to the scope of the project. It seems this development project is taking forever!

Giving is Better Than Getting!

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:59:32 GMT

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year in part because I love to give to others. I have been at BitWise Solutions for three years and each year this company has adopted a family in need with the United Christmas Service. It is truly a joy to collect items, go shopping, and wrap the presents for the family. But the greatest joy comes when you deliver the gifts, to see the smiles and overwhelming gratitude of the family is sooooo tremendous!

Human Hosted Websites

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:44:59 GMT

A relatively new friend of mine, a smart guy named David, whom I met through Sigma Chi fraternity connections, recently asked me what I thought of human hosted sites, such as http://www.burdford.com, http://www.phaneuf.net/ and http://www.csnh.com/.

Web Analytics – Is Your Website Generating Revenue?

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:35:06 GMT

In 2009, it’s obvious you must have a web presence regardless of industry. The main thing to consider with having a Website is simple: does it accomplish your business goals and objectivesor does it just exist out in cyber-space?

The Future of the Web – What Does It Mean For Your Business?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:27:57 GMT

With Internet usage up by almost 133% in North America since the dawn of the new millennium and almost three quarters of all Americans using the internet on a regular basis it is no doubt that the Web has come to be a mainstay of how we conduct life and business. With the way Websites and Internet based applications have exploded over the last decade and a half, the world has not seen advancement in the wealth and ease of access to information like ever before. There also seems to be nothing that indicates that the Internet will digress from its current growth patterns. Its impact on businesses will continue to be greater than anything we have seen, certainly since, if not surpassing the Industrial Revolution.

External Linking Strategies: Google Thinks It's Big. Do You?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:25:40 GMT

I attended the MBO 2009 conference yesterday hosted by Jim Brown and the search engine marketing gurus, EverEffect. There were some really great speakers and topics tailored around the integration of marketing and technology and with over 200 people in attendance, it was a great event all around!

Open letter to job seekers:

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:20:50 GMT

I have had the great opportunity over the years to meet with so many people who are, unfortunately, seeking employment. I don’t intend to sound self-centered nor full of hubris with such a comment, but it is truly a highlight of my day when I meet with these individuals. I seek to never turn down requests for such a meeting because I would hope that if the situation were reversed, others would eagerly and willingly spend 15 minutes with me. Call it casting bread upon the water.

Would you pick up a dime? A silver dollar?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:15:33 GMT

I heard an awesome speaker on Tuesday – Clayton Christensen of Harvard Business School (see: www.claytonchristensen.com). Clayton is the author of several books (Disrupting Class, Innovator’s Dilemma, etc.). Clayton described a very interesting lens through which we can look at and address business problems. He challenged us to consider just how small, startup type companies can ultimately eat the lunch of more established and “up market” firms.

3 Lessons for a Successful Web Development Project

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:54:59 GMT

Far too often I am asked to give an estimate on what is perceived to be a very large Web development project without any prior discovery having taken place. The common question I hear (and I have heard it often over the past 15+ years) is: “…not that we’ll hold you to the estimate and I know we need to define what we’re doing, but approximately what do you think this will cost and how long will it take…”

BitWise Employee is One of Indy's Best & Brightest

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:05:33 GMT

BitWise Solutions is proud to announce that one of our top employees, Nicole Nonte, is a finalist in this years Indy’s Best and Brightest Awards. View all finalists at http://www.indysbestandbrightest.com/.

Just Say No to RFP's!

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:02:11 GMT

Why we fear RFPs
One of the most dreaded acronyms in the web development industry (or any industry for that matter) is “Request For Proposal (RFP).” We all cringe when we hear this term, especially when it comes from a new business opportunity. I’ve been at a few firms now and all pledge that “We won’t respond to RFPs any longer.” Unfortunately, sometimes we still can’t afford not to.

What Did You Learn at Your High School Job?

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:59:57 GMT

Ron Brumbarger, President and CEO of Indianapolis Web site development company, BitWise Solutions, asks some interesting questions of Josh Cunningham and his father Brady. Josh is the founding President of BitWise Fellows, a BitWise Solutions subsidiary comprised of high school students. Josh is beginning his college career at Purdue University this fall and shares in the interview some of the challenges he faced while President of the Fellows as well as some of the things he learned along the way as well.

The Blogging Greats Converge!

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:58:25 GMT

This weekend is the Blog Indiana Conference and with great speakers like Chris Brogan, Jason Falls, Brad Ward, and local celebrity Chris Baggott the conference is bound to be a good one.

Video Interview with Melissa Harding at the Indiana Business Rally

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:55:01 GMT

YouTube video

Positive News from the Indiana Business Rally!

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:44:18 GMT

We had a very successful Indy Business Rally event on Wednesday morning. With nearly 200 attendees the event accomplished just what it was intended to accomplish, people networking with other businesses and spreading positive news in our economy. People stayed around so long that we had to ask them to leave 45 minutes after the event was over so that the McAlister’s crew could get ready for lunch! As this event was all about getting back to business, people certainly were looking to make new business contacts.

Managing Your Web Site

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:01:11 GMT

If you are the key person in your organization in charge of managing your corporate Web site and you have difficulty managing your Web site…you are not alone! Amidst the many other responsibilities we marketers face, one of our primary responsibilities should be the management of our Web site and often times, this proves not to be the case. Many companies either leave their Web site in the hands of their IT folks or it gets left to the wayside until someone decides it’s time for a “redesign.”

My First Month at BitWise

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:47:15 GMT

Woah! Thirty days flew by. It seems like yesterday I was getting familiar with my “office space” and the Keurig coffee maker. At the same rate, however, I sit here in my slightly modified “office space” with a cup of instantly-made coffee, and I feel like a grizzled, BitWise veteran.

Celebrating Our Independence

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:39:01 GMT

As I look forward to the upcoming commemoration of our independence on the 4th of July I begin to ponder and think about what qualities our founding fathers exhibited that laid the foundation for independence. The qualities that come to mind are not trivial; they are the kind that inspire passion and drive people to action: courage, creativity, perseverance, never-back-down-attitude, innovativeness, and pride, but not pride in their own abilities and circumstances, rather pride in something much greater than themselves.

Web Designing

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:34:57 GMT

Web designing is about much more than making a pretty page. The design of your Web site helps create your visitors’ first impression about your company, your message and even your quality. Web designers must take three main concepts into consideration when creating your Web site concept:

Web Content Writing

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:29:57 GMT

There is nothing as intimidating for most of us as staring at a blank piece of paper (or Word document) and knowing that it needs to be filled with luscious prose painting a compelling picture of who you are and why your potential customers should work with you.

Teaching Web Design

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:25:00 GMT

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development provides a grant that gives teachers in Indiana a very unique summer experience through the Future Workforce Connections Intern Program, and I am lucky enough to have been one of the teachers selected.

Life-long Experiential Learning…

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:45:11 GMT

May 30th – a special day all around for me. Annual significant vacation and my anniversary! Every year at this time, we are deliberate about experiencing God’s creation – first hand. Cindy and I educate our two boys (Tanner - 13 and Hudson – 11) at home. We seize nearly every opportunity to “teach” them every step of the way.

The Internet in 3D, Web 3.0

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:14:27 GMT

The number system we have become familiar with for the different versions of the web is interesting. We’ve all heard of, and probably use, Web 2.0 sites like Facebook and Twitter. Now the term Web 3.0 has been popping up in the news. There is even a Web 3.0 conference coming up in May (3). What exactly is Web 3.0, or the Semantic web, as it is commonly called?

Web Camp 2.0!

Thu, 14 May 2009 15:07:30 GMT

About two years ago we started a day long event called Web Camp as a way to educate marketing professionals and others in charge of managing their corporate Web site about the various aspects of developing a Web site.

How Do You Stack Up?

Thu, 07 May 2009 18:48:50 GMT

In the age of technology, your Web presence is as important to current and potential customers as is your office space and front-line staff. How do you measure up to the other companies in your industry who are competing for the same dollars and clients you are? What can you learn from them? What will set you apart? How will you use this information to strategically improve your Web face?

Passing The Torch

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:46:29 GMT

The month of April has been quite busy for the Fellows team with new client opportunities, several open projects, and the hiring of the next Fellows president. Having been the Fellows president for the last two years and learned so much, it can be difficult finding someone as a suitable replacement. In a lot of ways, being the first president of the Fellows, I have taken a lot of pride and ownership in the businesshaving been a part of the groundwork in the beginning.

More Than Just Web Sites

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:43:53 GMT

BitWise is more than just the projects we work on and the sites we launch. We are a team of individuals who bring a wealth of personal experience and interests with us every day. Our passions are varied and far-reaching and make us better citizens, employees and friends. When I was interviewing for the PM opening with BitWise about 18 months ago, I had a set of criteria I felt needed to be met by my new employer and position. Among the professional opportunities I needed, I sought to work with a group of people who realized the world extended beyond Web design and development and existed outside 8am-5pm.

Our Doors Are Always Open!

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:38:12 GMT

Over the years BitWise has developed a reputation for the many close working relationships we have with clients. Specifically, I've had the chance to work in many different fashions with our clients. While the majority of my work is done behind the scenes and without a lot of interaction with the client there are times when you will see me or other Web developers on staff at BitWise wheeling their desk and computer through the office to have a hands-on meeting with a client.

Avoiding Pitfalls of the Design Process

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:35:35 GMT

Someone shared this video with me a few weeks ago and I thought it would make an interesting blog post relating to the Web design process and how projects can fall of the rails.

Now is the Time to Invest...

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:32:14 GMT

The “economic tsunami” – or the “perfect storm”, as it has been called, is far from breaking news today. The news of massive layoffs, bailouts, stimulus spending, deficits, cuts, etc., dominate the top 10 news items every day. Americans are most definitely not alone in these tumultuous times.

Set Up Your Project for Success

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:27:48 GMT

“Prior proper planning…”, my dad would always say. It has never been so true as with highly visible, premium Web site and Web application projects. As the project manager at BitWise, I have the pleasure of seeing new projects that come in, working with each client throughout the project and launching a solution that does exactly what the client needs it to do.

4 Reasons for Non-Profits to Use MOSS

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:09:52 GMT

Since its release in 2007, BitWise has been among the few Indianapolis based Web development companies to utilize Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS). Over a dozen of our clients have taken advantage of Microsoft’s not-for-profit institutional pricing and chosen to develop their new, robust Web sites on the MOSS platform.

No Way...New Technologies for 2009!?!?

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:06:56 GMT

Two months into 2009, nine years after everyone thought our rapidly advancing, technologically dependent society would come crashing down and we would be back to horses and buggies and using words like, “Maw” and “Paw”, no one is surprised that the technology realm continues to advance. There is no doubt that we are becoming more and more dependent on technologies, especially mobile ones – worldwide Smartphone sales topped 32 million units in the first quarter of 2008 alone according to Gartner Research!

Welcome to the BitWise Blog!

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:04:05 GMT

This is the first post to our new corporate blog! In upcoming posts, you’ll hear from the staff of one of the Midwest’s most experienced Web-services firms. For 16 years, we have been helping our clients create opportunities and solve business problems using the Web. It is our goal that you will experience the character and fabric of our firm from the posts of our two-dozen professionals.