Windows 10 Free Upgrade Ends July 29; What Should You Do? Our Shortlist of Pros and Cons

With the clock running out on Microsoft's "free upgrade" offer July 29th, we compiled a shortlist of pros and cons to help clients or friends still on the Windows 10 fence decide what to do.  Here goes...

WINDOWS 10 PROS

• Improved security features and automatic "patching" going forward to keep the OS more secure; (this is perhaps the most important advantage to Windows 10 in our view)
• More efficient, faster; (it uses fewer system resources than Windows 8.1)
• IMHO it's more user friendly (i.e. it looks/works like Windows 7 rather than 8.1)
• The early "bugs" (which 10 certainly had) have been worked through with interim updates including a big one last November 12, and several more since then
• Microsoft Edge browser: (you shouldn't be using Internet Explorer at this point; it has big security problems, doesn't render many websites properly and is slow!)
• Cortana provides search and voice controls for many functions
• Task View lets you "simulate" having two monitors on one screen  
• Anniversary Update is coming August 2 for Windows 10 with a slug of improvements to the Start screen, Taskbar, Action Center, and new features for Cortana, Edge and more
• Your upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.1 is free until July 29; after that you'll have to buy it; (free is a very good price)
• If you don't like it, you can roll back to your current OS within 31 days 

WINDOWS 10 CONS

• If you're using proprietary (or very old) software it may not be compatible with Windows 10 
• Some people have "lost" (or had difficulty finding) certain files after they upgrade 
• If you're still using Windows XP or Vista, not only will you have to pay for Windows 10, but you have to do a fresh install; (it's not just a simple upgrade from XP or Vista) 

BOTTOM LINE

For most of our clients, we're recommending they take advantage of Microsoft's largess and get the Windows 10 upgrade before the July 29 deadline, but with the caveat that they back up any important files first, just in case. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions; glad to help. 

Personal Service Takes Spotlight in Latest Website Project

In the increasingly impersonal world of phone trees and autoresponders, our latest website project focused on the extraordinary personal service our client provides for her promotional product customers. (Not only does she answer the phone, she brings samples to your office!)

Of course every business claims to provide great customer service and talk (on this subject) is notably cheap. We understood our challenge as web designers was to clearly make this case for our client in a believable way, without having her sound like a braggart. (That would be way out of character; she's actually very humble.)

Our answer: Feature just one well-worded, credible, customer testimonial, from a real person, at a real organization, up front, on the home page. Here's our solution: www.PamKole.com

But beyond credibility, the new website also improved the website's security, enhanced its SEO capacity, while adding a responsive mobile design that works on all kinds of devices. (No small feat given all the different types and sizes of devices out there.)

Here's a link to the launch press release with more on Pam and her Specialty Connection.

P.S. If you haven't yet upgraded to Windows 10, Microsoft's free upgrade offer expires July 29th. If you have any questions about the upgrade and whether or not it's advisable, just send us a note; glad to help.  











  

Interim Website Bridges Present and Future Needs

When Redbud Fitness and Lifestyle Center came to us they needed a new website, fast.  

They'd already begun construction on a fabulous new 35,000 square foot facility and needed to tell that story while promoting business at their current location. The old website wasn't doing either.

After reviewing the (many) new services and programs they'd be providing at the new facility it was clear that they'd need an enterprise class website. Unfortunately, the development time for design, coding, testing, training, integration and implementation of an enterprise site stretches into several months. They needed a new website much sooner than that.

Our solution: We built an interim site (in about two weeks!) to help get them bridge the gap while we're working on the longer-term website. The interim site is now up at www.RedbudFitness.com.

While it doesn't do everything the next site will do, it is a huge improvement over the prior site, with simplified navigation, improved mobile usability, and access to their class scheduling and membership functions. Most importantly, it promotes their current business while building excitement for what's coming soon!

Here's a link to their launch announcement with more info on Redbud Fitness and their new facility.

The Greatest Invention of the Last Two Centuries?

In our estimation, the greatest invention of the last 200 years isn't the computer; (although computers are pretty cool); it's actually indoor plumbing.

So holding plumbers in very high esteem, (as we do) we were pleased with the engagement to design and build an all new website for the plumbing and HVAC experts at All Pro Services.

The project included some custom coding to create a new Service Call Scheduling tool that allows dozens of customer variables to be specified (in advance) to speed response times and further improve All Pro's (already outstanding) service.

The site also supports secure e-commerce allowing visitors to sign up for a Comfort Club Membership online. In fact, not only is the e-commerce engine secure, the whole site is engineered for HTTPS security with 2048 bit encryption throughout.

Have to say, we really enjoyed creating a website to help the All Pro team service and support "the greatest invention of the last two centuries." Keep up the good work guys!

For more on this you can check out their press release here: All Pro Launch Announcement   
   

Another Nail in the Coffin for Adobe Flash Player

Just noted a CNET article confirming our earlier post on the demise of Adobe Flash Player. According to the article, by the end of this year, Google will switch off default support for Flash in their Chrome browser for all websites with only 10 exceptions. (Exceptions include YouTube, Facebook, Yahoo and Amazon, although even these exceptions are subject to review in the future.)

Clearly, Google is trying to wean website developers off of Flash, while promoting HTML5 as the default standard. This has been driven at least in part by the known (and recurring) security and compatibility issues surrounding Flash, especially on mobile devices.

You may recall our earlier post highlighting Apple's decision to stop supporting Flash on their iOS mobile platform; that's why we started switching our client web development work from Flash to HTML5 over four years ago. Now, Google's latest announcement may be the decisive nail in the coffin for Flash.

Here's a link the the full article: Article: Google to Block Flash on Chrome

Exit Strategy: Helping a Client Find the Right Buyer for Her Business

We've had the pleasure of helping many company founders translate their vision into a killer website over the past dozen years. Memorable among these are the mother-daughter team behind Wear to Win, a beautiful line of women's performance sportswear. Made in America, they grew it with a combination of direct sales online and wholesale distribution though dozens of golf pro shops.

But life sometimes intrudes on the best business plan. When her daughter got married, moved and had a baby, mom told us it was time for her to pass the torch.

Based on our M&A experience we offered to take on the role of "matchmaker" to help them find a buyer to "raise their baby".  Structured as an asset sale for the inventory, IP, website, (and more) we think it's a pretty compelling business opportunity. For anyone who's looking for a "turn-key" business with lots of growth potential Wear to Win could be just the ticket.

Check out the article that just ran in one of the local papers: BCR Article on Wear to Win

Questions? Call us.

Next "Website Design and Optimization" Seminar Set for May 12

The next presentation of our "Growing Your Business: Website Design and Optimization" series is slated for May 12, at 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Goshen Chamber of Commerce.

In this presentation we share a systematic, three step process (The Three Legged Stool) that can build a company's brand and grow its revenue by targeting and reaching new customers in the online channel. Whether your objective is improving communication, generating qualified leads or making direct sales, this presentation outlines a proven process tested in real-world businesses of all kinds.

This seminar is a joint presentation of Precept Partners, SCORE Elkhart and the Goshen Chamber. The cost for attending is $30 for Goshen Chamber Members; non-members are $40. Questions? Just shoot me an email: stephen@preceptpartners.com and I'll get back with you.