envisionit media is once again happy to announce the launch of another website, www.AlvaAmco.com! In 2010, Alva came to us to not only update the last website we designed for them, but with a list of several other business objectives. As a leading over the counter (OTC) Pharmacal company located in Niles, IL, Alva Amco has a unique challenge of wanting to sell their OTC products online without upsetting their distribution channels of offline retailers. Launched last week was a robust ecommerce site, Alva-Direct.com that integrates into AlvaAmco.com without  taking any attention from the retailers that sell their products.

Along with this challenge, below is a list of Alva Amco’s business objectives that EIM accomplished:

• Improved website optimization, allowing for Alva to be found online for non-branded keyword searches, and increasing online market share
• Custom reporting that allows for Alva to make better marketing and product decisions
• Improved site speed using the latest technology and resources like Google Webmaster Tools, which allows for a better visitor experience as well as improved search rankings
• Implemented online customer surveys tool that allows site visitors to provide feedback on their favorite products to obtain a coupon;  also allows Alva to organically grow their database
• Improved CMS capabilities, allowing Alva to make changes to their site on the fly, even to add a complete new product line. This means they won’t have to engage their agency for moderate web edits… but that’s okay, we still have lots to do
• Last but not least, we provided them a much-needed updated look and feel,  with unique brand pages that reflect the target audience of each product.

Congrats to the wonderful Alva team, who we’ve known and worked with for years. We’re poppin’ a champagne bottle to many more!

Check out the site now: www.AlvaAmco.com

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Creating and maintaining beautiful, functional landscapes is why James Martin Associates is among the most highly regarded landscaping companies in Illinois. When the 33-year-old landscaping firm wanted to overhaul their website so it reflected the quality work they create, they turned to us to make it happen.

The JMA website was an interesting project for our team, because, like a landscape improvement project, the site required an immense amount of customization to meet JMA’s needs. They wanted to put the focus on their completed projects, so we needed an effective way to show off their work. We created extensive landscaping portfolios, each of which feature a number of shots for each individual job, and can be viewed as a full-screen slide show.

We love how the site turned out and are honored that JMA chose us to build their website. Plus, we always know who to call when we’re snowed in!

An analogy appetizer, if you will:

content : website :: protein : dinner

We love logos and layouts. We love drop-down menus and Ruby on Rails. But we not only love content, we rely on it.

When chefs conceptualize meals, they start with protein. Not plating, not sauces—protein. Beef, chicken, pork, fish, or tofu should come first. Sometimes, it isn’t necessarily the most interesting element of a dish, but it’s what fills you up. Content is the same way.

That’s why smart content strategy is essential to a successful website. What is your website supposed to communicate about your brand and your business? How will people find your website? Why would someone care about what you have to say? And why would a person come back for more information? Those are all content-related questions you need to answer before a website is born. Or sautéed, or pan-fried, or what have you.

Once the initial questions are answered, developing your content strategy is really quite simple—if you’re a person who could simultaneously make a consommé and knit a fair-isle sweater at age five. Sure, you just balance the messaging, structure, upkeep, current content, channels, process, and name the people who are going to oversee it all, and you’re good to go. Right?

Yeah. This is where people like us come in. We help you figure out the best way to plan, create, maintain, update, and govern your content—and then we design, code, and generally make a website better than the other guy’s.

We can’t, however, cook you dinner. There are limitations to the magic.

The envisionit media brand is now alive and well on the mobile web. If you haven’t seen it yet, get out your fancy phone and take a look (the new mobile site is currently limited to iPhone and Droid visitors only.) The site features a mobile-optimized version of this here blog, a teaser-style version of our portfolio, and the basic nuts and bolts about who we are and what we do. So, go check it out–and let us know what you think!

My father has a real knack for taking photos of people while they’re eating. And then he posts those photos on his Wall. I don’t object to dad-friendly social networking, nor do I care too strongly about the less-than-flattering photos. But, generally, I like to keep these photos safely away from the eyes of my colleagues and exes.

With the passing of another 4th of July, another family event, another unfortunate photoshoot at Famous Dave’s, we at envisionit thought it would be a great time to point you towards our friends at Chattertree.

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envisionit media has extended a warm, summertime welcome to one of the newest clients to our interactive agency, the ROOF at theWit in Chicago. The new relationship may require more than a few “user experience” visits on our part. Or, we hope so, anyway.

Sitting atop theWit, ROOF is Chicago’s unparalleled stargazing destination. A glamorous, 7,000 square foot, year-round indoor/outdoor lounge, ROOF offers stunning city views, roaring fire pits, handcrafted cocktails, live music, and–get this: a suspended, glass-enclosed table for eight that literally dangles 27 floors above the city. Rounding out this perfect experience is acclaimed chef Todd Stein’s menu of Italian-inspired small plates—American cuisine he created during his time as Executive Chef at MK restaurant.

We at envisionit media are raising our glasses high–very high–for the work ahead on this one. Welcome to our team, ROOF!

The newly revamped website for Weichert, Realtors® – Frankel & Giles is making it easier than ever for people in Chicago’s South Loop to get the real estate support they need.

envisionit media helped Frankel & Giles create a website that would strengthen its already well established reputation as Chicago’s South Loop real estate experts. We worked in new tools and fresh content that give customers real-world information they can use, whether they’re looking to buy, sell, or rent. In addition, the site’s improved property-listings search enables people to hone in on exactly what they’re looking for.

Check it all out at www.frankelgiles.com.

Mmmmm….. I’m hungry from just writing that title, let alone from the last few months of being involved with the Joes.net refresh. That’s right, the classic Lettuce Entertain You restaurant has been given a bit of a virtual facelift. Joe’s is known not only for bringing the legendary Miami Beach stone crab to Chicago and Vegas or for their incredible seafood, steaks, desserts, and sides, but also for impeccable and approachable service, a lively atmosphere, and creative drink mixology. A few months back, Joe’s came to us concerned that their black and white website didn’t reflect any of these qualities. So it was time to pump just the right amount of color, energy, and Miami tradition into their site, combined with a level of class worthy of the culinary icon. All that, while also giving them a clean, easy-to-use content management system so they can keep current with their ever-changing menus, specials, and news. So without further ado, we present the new Joe’s  Seafood, Prime Steak, & Stone Crab.

And, psst! Attention Chicagoans: Joe’s has extended the 2010 Restaurant “Week” to a full month! So, you can still take advantage of their special multi-course lunch and dinner menus through the end of March. Check out the Restaurant Week menus here.

For so long, online marketing success was measured by number of clicks.  That measurement of success, however, has shifted over the past 3 years from clicks to conversion rate optimization to increase conversions. A conversion occurs when a user visits your site and takes the desired action.  This action can include making a purchase, submitting a form, subscribing to a service, etc. The rate of these conversions is the percentage of your overall traffic that does what you want them to do, which can be significantly increased when optimized.

Conversion rate optimization is the key to achieving significant ROI in online marketing campaigns.  Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

Contact us to learn how to get more out of your online campaigns.

AspireUp, a local marketing consultancy dedicated to helping companies and their brands grow exponentially, launched a refreshed website with envisionit media last week. The new site features a new design look and updated content, positioning AspireUp as a marketing leader for both local and global clients. Client testimonials have also been added for further credibility and content texture.

AspireUp’s typical client projects include marketing planning, branding, new product launches, corporate training and many others. To learn more about AspireUp and their services, visit them at www.aspireup.com!