Graphics can be an important tool for a small business to use in their email campaigns and on their social media pages, but what if you don't have the budget for a designer? There are lots of options online now for creating your own customized infographics for free.  All of the sites we list offer either a free subscription level or trial. Some also have paid subscriptions you may want to consider, depending on your goals. The site that best suits your needs will depend on what you’re looking for and what sort of skills you have at your disposal, and there is a wide range of options available to suit all of your design needs without impacting your budget.

We talk about common questions: What are Gmail Tabs? What's the big deal? Do they really affect your email marketing performance? What can you do about it?  And more importantly, we talk about answers.

Triggered email sequences are automated campaigns based on an action someone takes on your website. They require up front work, which provides ongoing returns.  The most talked about automations like abandoned shopping carts focus on Business to Consumer websites.

Business to Business sites also benefit greatly from implementing automated campaigns. There are plenty of triggered sequences specifically for business.

As a small business working on developing your web presence, you might find it daunting to figure out where you can find free images that are high quality.  You most likely don’t have access to a photographer, nor is it in your budget to hire one, and you’re probably not an expert in intellectual property laws.  What images do you have permission to use? Can you use those images commercially? Do you have to list the site where you found the images and credit the photographer?

When it comes to finding pictures that you can use on your website, in your email program, or on your blog and social media pages, here are five suggestions for sites that can get you started:

Are you familiar with CAN-SPAM and CASL?  Most countries have guidelines your email marketing must follow.  The US put CAN-SPAM guidelines in place in 2003. Canadian regulations began in 2014 and are being phased in, with the final implementation date coming up this summer.

Here are some basics about email in the US and Canada.