2014 Year in Preview

So far I’ve accurately predicted the fall of Communism, the invention of the horseless carriage, the integrated circuit and the existence of a race of autonomous robotic organisms among us (called Autobots for short). Above all, I predicted that Al Gore would invent the internet…

So it comes as no surprise that I can use this uncanny ability to do the same for the year that’s about to dawn upon us, and that year, in case you didn’t know, is 2014. Two thousand and fourteen- the year that follows two thousand and thirteen but with a difference, and the difference, in case you didn’t know, is exactly one year.

Of course I can go on like an idiot but I won’t (because I’am no idiot, hopefully that you DO know), so on to the serious before you make a mistake and actually start to laugh…

If you’ve read my previous article ‘2013: Year in Review‘ I noted that I saw an upward trend for websites in general which kicks off my first prediction:

Prediction 1- An increased demand for business websites

Finally website design in Trinidad & Tobago has crossed the valley of no return and found the oasis.  The veil of darkness has been lifted, local businesses now ‘get it’. It’s such a relief and I expect an absolute bumper of a new year. I say that for two reasons:

1. Forward Multimedia has already positioned itself as a premier web design company capable of producing high quality websites
2. The  competition level has remained the same and with no formidable (yet) new entrants

By point (2) I’m not arrogantly waxing superior over my competitors, but I still maintain that I have an edge over all of them. I firmly believe that I can ‘see’ a working site much better and design it accordingly and hopefully this should get me the lion’s share of new business.

Prediction 2- E-Commerce in Trinidad & Tobago takes off

Online shopping is going to be HUGE in 2014 you better believe it my friends, so H.U.G.E I cannot over-emphasize! Around the end of January 2014, I’ll have two Magento stores in full swing using the TT Dollar payment solution from First Atlantic Commerce (FAC) via new local partner FIRST CITIZENS BANK (FCB). Look out for a separate article on this too.

These two stores are Office Are Us and The London Clothing Company. These are established companies definitely not ‘trying a ting’ by any stretch, with the will and resources to make it work.

My objective, in addition to ensuring that both stores are successful in their own right, is to use them as live examples of my mantra ‘E-Commerce done right’ in Trinidad & Tobago to encourage other companies and individuals.

Prediction 3- Facebook advertising will dominate online marketing

This Trini businesses ‘got’ a long time ago, i.e. that Facebook ads work. Me, I click on any ad Trini on the right of my page. It will dominate for the reason that it’s the surest way to get the eyeballs. Whether they convert to loyal and paying customers is a good question. My guess is that less than a third actually do but that won’t stop even you from throwing money at it.

There’s a particular Facebook Page that I direct clients to as a perfect example of a Trini Facebook Page done right. Paid ads are one thing, but the actual page when someone lands is usually the dealbreaker. Apart from the stellar mechanics of working their Facebook page the confidence that this company instills as a result is what brings the customers. I know, it brought me.

Prediction 4- Most new websites won’t work

That includes many of the sites by Forward Multimedia. SCREEEEEEECH!! Stop the darn presses, what? Easy there, and enhance your calm. Yes you read right but let me ‘splain’ that…

It’s a fact, maybe not well known, but some of my clients’ sites don’t work (shhh). That’s because (and I’m whispering here), they fail to work their own websites. After I deliver their website, it usually stays the way it is, exactly as I left it except for growing moss and plenty cobwebs, even though I have a set-it-and-forget-it maintenance plan to take over the responsibility.

So who’s to blame? Well who do you think? Aargh! Believe it or not they are their site’s own worst enemy, and that goes to for many of the other sites out there as well. Therein lies the rub, a paradox so to speak. Businesses are finally ‘getting it’ and getting it, but once they got it they’re not doing anything with it. Get it?

Prediction 5- A minority will still continue to sit on their hands

Trini to de bone, you know who you are. Despite my best efforts, my screaming clarion calls will fall on the deaf ears of a select few. Yes you may have actually gotten it, I’ll give you that, but not enough to make you move.

What can I say, what is it going to take? Is the price to high or the stakes too low? If you find yourself going to the internet to find or research anything that’s important to you, isn’t that enough to tell you how important a website is? Sigh…

I can go on but I’ll leave it there. Cheekiness aside, the overall takeaway is that companies and individuals will be eagerly ordering their new websites and online stores. Sadly the majority of them won’t work the way they should but choosing Forward Multimedia will definitely more than double their chances.

And a gentle poke to let you know that I’m not going to be less busy than last year. I have a very aggressive target for 2014 because I see the market booming. With that said, I won’t compromise quality, you can bet your TT Dollar that every site bearing ‘Site by: Forward Multimedia’ will be fully cooked! So call me early…

[note]

Straight talk just between me and you

Every website I do gets my same attention to detail. If you looking for a business website, get me early because I see e-commerce sites being at the absolute forefront especially when I roll out the first few early in the year.

I also see bigger companies jumping in with both feet and I won’t be able to hold my Magento pricing for long as it’s very cheap compared to my competitors and it’s a lot of work.

Final bottom line– please don’t procrastinate like you did last year.
Final Prediction– I’ll keep my resolution to go to the gym…[/note]