Skip to main content

4 Reasons Why You Should Outsource Your IT Support Team

Having an IT department can be crucial for any business that wants to succeed in the modern digital world. Studies have shown that 60% of businesses that do not have IT staff close down within 6 months of experiencing unprecedented data loss. An IT team can provide the necessary support to solve any hardware and software issues to keep business operations running smoothly. Here are some reasons why you should consider outsourcing your IT support team.

Reduce overhead costs

Setting up a business in the digital age has its own challenges. For starters, business owners will have to invest in IT infrastructure like email servers, network connections, as well as hardware, and other equipment. However, it doesn’t end there. Once everything has been set-up, it has to be maintained. Depending on the size of the company, it can be managed by one IT specialist, or an entire IT department.

Instead of hiring a big IT team, you can outsource your technical support requirements. This can drastically reduce labor costs, as well as operational expenses since you don’t need to rent or lease a bigger office space.

Get support outside of normal working hours

Most IT staff work during the standard nine-hour shift. However, not all IT-related issues happen within that timeframe. There could be network disruptions or email concerns that need troubleshooting outside work hours, which would require additional pay for your

Get the help you need when you need it, by partnering with an IT solutions company that offers 24/7 technical assistance. Rest easy knowing that your business is supported by a highly knowledgeable staff at anytime of the day.

Make use of latest technology for uninterrupted business flow

If you’re not a tech company, chances are, you’ll have difficulty staying on top of all the latest technology. By outsourcing your IT needs to a team that has years of industry expertise, you’ll be assured that your business uses the latest technologies to allow your business to continue thriving.

Remain focused on core business objectives

Businesses today are highly dependent on technology to keep their businesses up and running. And with how fast the world moves right now, employees are struggling to accomplish their tasks within the limited hours they have in a day. Technical issues could lose your business valuable time, and divide your employee’s attention between their business function and the IT-related concerns. Outsource your support team so you and your employees can concentrate on what you are skilled at, trained for, and paid to do.

Setting up your own IT department can cost a lot of money and use up more resources. By outsourcing IT support services, your company can free up more time and focus on the business.

Here at iManila, we have a fully equipped team of highly qualified technical support specialists to assist you with all your IT concerns. Starting at just Php7,500 a month, be reassured that your business operations will continue to run smoothly.

In the Loop: 5 Facebook Business Updates You Need to Know

What started out as a small social networking site connecting  university students in the US, has become one of the biggest social networking sites in the world. Today, Facebook has over 2.23 billion monthly active users. In the last few years, businesses have been taking advantage of this by advertising, promoting, and selling their products through Facebook Business Pages. More and more businesses are also migrating their marketing efforts online, as digital marketing is more cost-effective and produces data-driven results. But as with everything else in the World Wide Web, Facebook’s rules are also fast-changing. In order to get the maximum result for your business, you need to catch up with Facebook’s newest and latest updates.

Here are 5 Facebook updates you need to know to help you grow your business online:

  1.    Prioritize Video Content

Video content is the best way to reach a wider audience and increase your page and post engagements. Videos combine auditory and visual senses that’s why it captivates your audience even more. Studies have shown that 90% of the audience remembers the message when it is shown through a video format as compared to when they have only read it. Facebook has also updated the metrics of video content so you can have more detailed audience data. Facebook gives you the data of audience viewers, and it divides the followers and the non-followers. This feature can help you target your audience better, and see the potential audience you have yet to tap.

  1.    Augmented Reality is the future of Ads

Many brands have been taking advantage of the rise of Augmented Reality (AR). This is especially helpful for the beauty and fashion industry, as Facebook now allows them to do AR ads. A perfect example for this is Sephora, which launched their “try – on” feature to  help consumers find the perfect shade suitable for their skin. Using Augmented Reality can hel p improve the user-experience of your audience, and                                        can further help with converting your potential customers into actual users.

  1.    “Keyword Snoozing”

Another Facebook update to watch out is “Keyword Snoozing” feature. Keyword Snoozing will allow users to avoid seeing certain topics on their timeline by “snoozing” the keywords. While this is helpful for avoiding spoilers of your favorite TV show, this might have a negative impact on your business. It’s best that you learn how to adjust your content to these types of updates.

  1.    Cross-posting on IG and IG stories

Tired of switching from one app to another? Facebook has now made it easier for a page admin to cross-post Facebook posts to an Instagram account. This feature is only available to single-image posts. You should also keep in mind that Facebook and Instagram have different principles and style when it comes to content.

  1.    Global Targeting

Facebook is expanding their global reach. If you are targeting multiple countries with your ad, Facebook can now translate your ad text into the local language of the specific country you are targeting.

Facebook is a great tool to market and improve the sales of your business. If you are looking into diving into the digital realm, iManila can help your business grow through fresh ideas and strategic marketing plans.

You may call us at (02) 490-0000 or email us at info@imanila.ph for inquiries.`

How Much Does a Mobile App Really Cost?

Out of the total 7.6 billion people in the world, over 67% or 5.1 billion people have a mobile device. These devices have changed the way we interact, communicate, and perform daily tasks – some are apparent, while others are less so.

Today, more users are connecting to the Internet via their mobile phone than any other device. Out of the total global connections on all mobile devices, 57% of them are done through a smartphone. According to We Are Social, each smartphone has an average of 80 apps installed. Users are also 13 times more likely to use a native app versus their mobile web browser to access certain brands.

There are 3.8 million apps available on the Google Play Store, and over 2 million apps on Apple’s App Store. In  2017, there were over 175 million mobile apps downloaded worldwide.

In a world that has become increasingly dependent on mobile technology, more businesses are considering developing a mobile application. While apps offer convenience and ease to its users, it doesn’t come cheap. Even the most basic apps can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

So, how much does it cost to develop a mobile app? Here are some factors that can determine the cost of an app:

Who are the intended users?

Before investing in an app, get to know your target customers. What devices are they using? You can keep costs down by developing an app on only one platform – Android or iOS – if majority of your target users are only using a particular operating system. Developing apps for both platforms will entail more time and almost double the expense.

What is the main objective of the app?

Keep your app simple and focused. Once you get your app idea, chances are, you’re going to want to keep adding special (and sometimes unnecessary) functionalities, which could increase costs.

Want to build an app that keeps track of loyalty points? Check!

Has a catalog of rewards? Check!

Will allow you to order food? Wait, what?

Can turn your house lights on and off? Umm, just stop.

Some of the most popular apps today usually only focus on one main objective. If you want to have a successful app, start with your core focus and build additional features only when the need arises. Great apps generally only do one thing, but they do it well.

Does the app require big data collection, storage, and integration?

Mobile apps cannot store big chunks of information. The global average app size (not including games) is 23MB for iOS devices, and only 6MB for Android devices. Most apps need a separate database to house information that cannot be stored in the mobile app itself.

These include:

  • List of Inventory for eCommerce or Booking Apps
  • Shipment Database for Tracking Apps
  • Account Information for Loyalty/Rewards/Banking/Social Apps

If you don’t have an existing database to connect to the app, you will also need to invest in a separate web system to store and process heavy data, which can also drive costs up.

How often does the app need to be updated?

Given how quick mobile companies upgrade their products and OS, new versions of apps must also be created to keep them relevant and compatible with devices. It’s good to consider this factor prior to developing an app given that each update will require additional testing and debugging.

To summarize, an app is a big investment, but it can also provide profitable returns to your business if you analyze your requirements properly. It is also good to account for how much you’re willing to spend on marketing your app to get the desired results from your investment. Developing an app is the first step, but getting your intended users to download and use the app is another story.

There’s a lot to think about, plan, and do when creating an app, but that’s why we’re here. Here at iManila, we aim to improve the lives of people through technology, and one way to do that is to make it easier for our clients to turn their ideas in reality.

If you’ve got an app idea ready for developing, give us a call at (02) 490 0000 or contact us by clicking here.

 

Website Must-Haves: How to Reach your Full Potential Online

You can’t deny that modern technology has affected the way companies do business. Today, most successful businesses have grasped the importance of having an online presence. While a website is good place to start, it is not enough, and you definitely shouldn’t stop there.

To help you out, here are some factors that you should be keeping an eye on to make sure that your business will thrive in the digital age.

Site Security

Imagine that your website is your house. Now, you don’t want intruders easily accessing and coming into your house, right? So you put up a gate and filter what comes in and out of your house. That is precisely what an SSL Certificate does. SSL or Security Sockets Layer is the standard security technology that functions to establish an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. The link ensures that all the data or sensitive information that have been submitted or collected through the web server and the browser will remain private, confidential, and secure. You have to keep in mind that security builds credibility among your website visitors, thus, making your business look more legitimate and trustworthy. It is best that you secure your website by purchasing an SSL certificate from an authorized provider.

Better Google Ranking through Paid Ads

Aside from frequently uploading relevant content on your website, another factor that Google uses to help your website rank is PAID ADS. Search Engine Marketing (SEM) plays a vital role to reach a wider audience, drive more traffic to your website, and can potentially generate leads. The catch is making sure that your ads are relevant to your target audience. Google’s algorithm pushes your ads to users who are more likely to engage with it. Meaning, your ad should target a specific need of your audience so they will really click on it. Make sure you use the right keywords so you also reach the right audience.

Digital User Experience

Is your website user-friendly? Does it take less than a second to load? If yes, then great job on providing users with a good digital experience! Forbes defines ‘digital user experience’ as something that encompasses all aspects of person’s interaction with your website, including behavior, actions taken, perceptions, and satisfaction. However, if you are experiencing high bounce rate because your site is taking too long to load, then there might be a problem with your web host. On average, a user will leave your site if it takes more than 10-20 seconds to load. A good hosting provider will help you beat that time and successfully retain your audience.

Going digital has opened so many opportunities for businesses to reach their full potential. It’s important that you invest in the right marketing tools and strategies to keep your online presence afloat.  Now it’s all up to you. Will you just wait in vain while your competitors surpass you, or will you take the leap and go digital today?

Partner with a reliable digital marketing agency to cater to all your digital requirements. Here at iManila, we provide services that will help your business succeed in the digital world. We offer Web and App Development, Digital Marketing, Hosting Services, and 24/7 Technical Support. For inquiries, visit our Contact Us page or get in touch with our team at (02) 490 0000 or (+63) 917 845 6005.

 

Why You Should Invest in a Business Website

One thing that most traditional businesses are struggling with nowadays is the transition to the digital age. While most business owners agree that digital has changed the way the world works, they don’t quite know where to start.

Most consumers today prefer purchasing products and booking services online. For them, it is an avenue to conduct research and learn more about the brand’s product or service offering before committing to an action. In effect, this forces a lot of businesses to migrate some of their marketing efforts online. However, due the lack of knowledge on how digital efforts work, some businesses end up throwing money away, not optimizing their budget, resulting in an expense.

For businesses willing to dip their feet into the digital realm, a website is a good place to start. Having a website can help establish your brand online, and allow consumers to find your products and services 24/7. Here are more reasons why you should invest in a website for your business:

Easier Accessibility for Customers

Having a website can allow your business to be accessible by anyone, anywhere. With the wide reach of online data and Internet, there is no doubt that most people’s day-to-day lives are affected by online activities. This is where a website will be more advantageous compared to other traditional marketing efforts. The rise of business websites paved the way for online marketing as a means of reaching out to a wider range of potential customers. With the right design and effective content strategy, your business can stand out amongst your online competitors and give you more satisfied customers.

A Website Widens Business Reach

Having a business website doesn’t just let your brand be accessible to your target audience, but also widens your reach for other potential customers and partners. The algorithm of search engines, nowadays, enables your website to be seen easily online.. However, it takes time to fully experience the traffic results that you are expecting. Unlike any other marketing investments, your site is a constant asset that needs to adapt to the changing digital world. Design, User Experience, and Performance are some of the factors that can bring out the potential of your website. So make sure you are investing in the right tools and assets that will help your business website reach out to more people. Whether you are a start-up,or an established player in your industry, your website can stand out as long as you take advantage of the features that your website has.

Data-driven

Unlike traditional marketing, having a website and running digital marketing campaigns provide measurable results. This allows you to set-up your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), track results, and optimize your marketing efforts further. As for websites, utilizing data as the center of its performance makes it a reliable marketing asset to keep track of potential customers. Different web analytics provide accurate data about users who have visited your website, or data about web pages that are under performing. It is a great avenue for your brand to determine your marketing direction in the following years, as this can provide deeper insights and realizations about your business.

Strengthens Business’ Credibility and Identity

The overall aesthetics of your website should reflect how you see your brand and how you want your customers to see your brand. By fully utilizing this, your business is able to establish brand identity to your potential customers. It’s also very crucial for businesses to not just focus on the design of the website, but also the content of the site. By producing relevant and engaging content, you’re building your reputation and strengthening your credibility as a trusted resource in your industry.

All these factors can help your business stand out amongst competitors and establish your brand presence online. If you’re looking for a reliable website provider for your business, contact us today. iManila has worked with numerous businesses — from top corporations to small businesses and startups — for more than 22 years.

Let us help you transition to the digital age. Contact us at (02) 490-0000 or leave us a message at https://imanila.ph/lets-talk/

 

Why is Good Web Design Still Important?

A good web design will never go out of trend. It will just keep on evolving the way other principles do. It is not about having beautiful graphics and good color palate on your website. What best describe design is that it is the sum total of look and feel plus function. And until this year, the design still matters the way it did a couple of years back.

Form + Function

The structure, the graphics, and the layout are a part form or doing design. What you see in the face value of the website are part of the form. And usually, these are the elements that usually give the first impression about the website.

Elements of the “form” aspect of the website are made with a purpose, and usually, the purpose is for the convenience of the users. That means all graphics, pictures, the content, the layout of the content and the structure should all appeal to the online audience.

Function, on the other hand, is how the elements of form operate. It is when the form operates according to its predetermined function that one can truly have a good design.

Why it matters?

Good design will always matter for websites. Users benefit from it. They can easily get to the information they’re looking for on your website. When they appreciate the aesthetics and find the functionalities helpful, they will most likely revisit your website. Sustaining a good user base of your website will increase your web traffic and in return, will benefit your website’s visibility and rank on search engines. In short, good web design is a vital and essential factor in your website’s SEO.

Good web design is also an indication of professionalism and trustworthiness. And for anyone, be it businesses, professionals or brands, that is very important.

***

iManila is a trusted provider of both web solutions and digital marketing services that surely covers small and medium businesses online marketing needs. Our lines are open 24/7 and our sales executives are available Mondays to Fridays to assist you with your web, IT, and digital marketing queries.

Emails: info@imanila.ph / sales@imanila.ph / salessupport@imanila.ph

Telephone numbers: (02) 490-0000, 01, 03 or at (02) 959-4807

Mobile number: (+63) 917-8476005

A Guide to Consumer Experience Online

 

In the yesteryears, it took quite a while before a shopper makes a decision on which brand to buy along the aisles of grocery stores or supermarkets. But as years go by, technology gifted men with exciting innovations. Handsets became powerful than ever before. From just sending voice calls across the globe to efficiently communicate, handsets became wireless and less chunky yet powerful.  It started sending short messages, then became integrated with applications such as radio and camera. It also became an all-in-one device that stores different type of media. And when the processors and new wireless technologies came in to play. A simple mobile phone became smarter that it began doing the sophisticated capabilities of a personal computer. It became faster and more efficient that people became more reliant on this technology wherever they go.

And at the birth of the web 2.0, it only takes some apps like the social networking sites, a mobile browser, and data connection to shift the entire user experience into what we call “digital precipice”. And as of today, the current global population spent an average of 135 minutes (2.25 hours) online.  That means that when the average sleeping hours of the global population is 387 minutes (6.45 hours), the global population is spending an average of 14.45% of their time online when they are awake.

Human Attention Span Getting Smaller than ever

Though the 2.25 hours seems a huge time span to capture their attention, it is important to note that it is the summation of all their online activities throughout the day. They spend it in between work and school breaks, traveling time, and idle times at home. That only means that when they are online, they are multi-tasking, making their attention span shorter than ever.

In a study made by Microsoft two years back, it was revealed the average human attention span is at eight-seconds, making it shorter than the attention span of the goldfishes at nine (9). And to be able to successfully send messages and ideas online, it should be useful and interesting enough that it can capture people’s attention in eight seconds or less.

And surprisingly, the new realities of the audiences and consumers right now are their experiences online within that eight (8) seconds margin. New statistics from Google revealed that you only have six (6) to eight (8) seconds to get online audiences’ attention. And whether we like it or not, the realities of user experience all happens within an average moment of 7 seconds – and that is what Google calls micro-moments.

What are micro-moments?

Micro-moments are the collective activities and experiences of people online. It is the usual things we look at or search for online. And usually, these moments are so short, menial, unnoticeable, but are collectively an indication of our total online experience.

When we search for something, yet we couldn’t find it in a snap of a finger, we tend to shift search terms, or applications used, even the people we talk to just to get what we want to know.  This is a perfect example of micro-moments.


iManila-Click-here-to-know-more-CTA

New Consumer Reality

Micro-moments are the new consumer reality these days. Consumer relies on their smartphones to make pre-purchase validations. before making actual purchase both online and offline. This is what has transformed purchase patterns of consumers over a decade.

In between those micro-moments online, within those quick tapping of their phones, and impatient waiting for seconds, a business has to be there with them – a brand has to be in there showing them the things they need to get quickly. This reality among consumers is slowly becoming the reality for brands and businesses.

Do you need to adapt to this new reality?

Technology brings life new experiences. And these experiences are either bad or good. If people feel good about these experiences using new technologies, it will remain as good memories and it will last for months or even a year. The same goes with bad experiences – they become bad memories.

And in relations to businesses and brands, the economy of mobile and consumer experience requires businesses to be on their toes always, especially in terms of improving their customer’s experience towards their brand, be it tangible products or services.

Why? Because consumer experience these days are easily shared with other people online. Good experiences spread like a heart-warming story, or like a Good-Samaritan story, people will love. Bad experiences, on the other hand, spread like a wild-fire that turn everything in its path into ashes. In short, customer experiences shared online about your brand can either make or break your business.

These experiences are the online consumer micro-moments that brands and businesses should be very particular about. These moments sandwiched in seven (7) seconds has gained powers to change the course on how businesses should reconfigure the way they used to do their businesses.

So, do you need to adapt to this new reality online? The answer is a clear YES!

***

And if you are ready to take on this new challenge, let iManila help you make consumer-based strategies to enhance your business’s marketing. Learn more about our digital marketing services by clicking the link below.

iManila-Talk-To-Us-CTA

2017 Web Design Trends

 

It is a fact that everything about technology constantly changes and web design has no excuse. Like any other technological advancement, web design has also become unique and more experimental over the years. Now that we are less than three months away from 2018, your 2005 blog forum-ish website must move forward as well.

Actually, this year is a bit overwhelming because we have so many web design trends to choose from. But, worry not! Because we have here some of the top web design trends that can help you improve your website’s look and feel for the better.

 

  • Flat design is out, geometric design is in
    geometry 2Let’s bid goodbye to those flat designs that have somewhat becoming unvarying. Today, make way for sharp, edgy, geometric designs and patterns for your website. The utilization of various shapes such as squares, hexagons, and rhombuses are all around the web these days. This approach gives certain class and branding that makes a website look distinctive from another.

 

  • Animation, animation, animation

    59e6f7c201c53732634986

    This is the now. Yes, motion graphics, GIFS, VRs, and videos are still the name of the game. People like to see moving objects online since it’s more interactive. And your website shall give what the people want to see. It’s a lot more complicated than flat images but the experience that it can offer is definitely one of a kind.

iManila-Click-here-to-know-more-CTA

  • Uncomplicated menus for better navigation
    Processed with VSCO with kp8 preset
    I guess this trend is the one that will become timeless. Who would like to see complicated menu bars, right? Your web visitors have their reasons on going to your website. It’s either to just check out your products or services or to contact you directly to get some answers. So, why complicate things if you can provide them the information they need from you through simple and uncomplicated navigation? Let your website be straightforward. Then you will get clear-cut leads, too.

 

  • Diverse typefaces
    font
    In 2016, minimalist design is everywhere. That’s why you can see thin, simple, and minimalist typeface in all places. But, not for this year. Now, web designers are opting to use different typefaces to give flavor to a specific website. This approach jives to the geometrical patterns.

 

For some, web design is just a form of creating aesthetically pleasing websites.  But, it’s definitely more than that. The design of a website must provide specific function; a function that can give overall user experience to each web visitor, a function that can help you build a solid and successful online presence. And that is the role of the given web design trends mentioned above – to make sensible and functional web designs.

iManila-Talk-To-Us-CTA

***

If you are bound to give your website a revamp this year, better contact the best team that can do it for you. The ones who know how to make exceptional websites suited for your needs. Just dial (02) 490-000 or simply tick this link to get in touch with iManila – the best web and digital marketing service provider in the Philippines.

 

Reference: http://bit.ly/2ysKu8y

 

Is WordPress Still Secure?

 

It is not a secret to anyone that 26% of the world’s website population is powered by WordPress, and 60% of the entire global count runs on WordPress CMS. This has clearly revealed that WordPress has a wider reach over the net. It is a big global community that is continuously growing – an unstoppable force the powers more than ¼ of the entire internet. However, with this large user-base, it is also undeniable that it attracts the attention of the hackers – making WordPress websites prone to hacking incidents.

Now the question that website owners ask is, is WordPress still secure?

The answer is YES.

Surely most people will disagree but WordPress is still secured – diligence is the key for this.

What Constitute WordPress?

There are three elements of WordPress namely: the core code which makes up the WordPress install, the themes which determine how sites look and how it will function, and plugins which are small applications that extend WordPress in interesting ways.

What Causes Hacking Incidents?

Via WordPress.org, themes and plugins are made available from many other sources, that at some point, may even come from unscrupulous hackers who get their hands on commercial themes and embedded malware in them. The worse thing in this scheme is that these themes and plugins are given away online to people willing to get them for free. And that is where the threat lies. Because of the enormous size of the WordPress installed base and the complexity of its ecosystem, vulnerabilities could be just lying in a corner waiting for malicious activities to find them.

Why do We say It is Secured?

The core is maintained by a large group of volunteers who are incredibly good at their craft. These are coders and developers who secured the community by updating the system’s codes, themes and even plugins from vulnerabilities every now and then.

Like with app stores, WordPress sources take some measurable care in what is listed for users to use. Though there may have been unscrupulous themes on the internet, it is still safer to get from the main community. Themes on WordPress.org go through a testing process and plugins go through an initial vetting before they’re first allowed to be posted.

iManila-Talk-To-Us-CTA

Is WordPress Still Trustworthy?

According to ZDNet.com, WordPress is still trustworthy. However, if you would really like to make the most out of your site and keep is secured, there are still caveats that go with using WordPress.

  • If you are not keen or well versed with web maintenance, you might want to have it hosted via WordPress.com.
  • If you opt for freedom in customizing your website but couldn’t do web maintenance, you can hire someone who can maintain the website professionally, and who will update it regularly from themes to plugins.
  • As much as possible, refrain from downloading commercial plugins or themes from sketchy source especially those which you can get for free.
  • If you customized your WordPress with WordPress.org, you also need to make sure that you are hosting your website securely with a trusted hosting server.

***

Despite the issues about the security of WordPress, it is still undeniable that it is probably one of the best platforms for website available. Again, all it takes to secure your WordPress is diligence or trusting service providers who specialize in creating WordPress-based websites.

iManila is a trusted provider of both web solutions and digital marketing services that surely covers small and medium businesses online marketing needs. Our lines are open 24/7 and our sales executives are available Mondays to Fridays to assist you with your web, IT, and digital marketing queries.

Emails: info@imanila.ph / sales@imanila.ph / salessupport@imanila.ph

Telephone numbers: (02) 490-0000, 01, 03 or at (02) 959-4807

Mobile number: (+63) 917-8476005

By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use