Web Savvy Marketers

  • About
  • Services
    • Strategic Planning
    • Marketing Programs
    • Full-Service Web Design and Development
    • Content Marketing
  • Industry
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
    • Tools & Tips
      • Google Tips
      • Internet Scams
      • Motivational
      • Tips for a good website
      • Website Writing Tips
    • Marketing
      • Internet Marketing 101
      • Philanthropy
      • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
      • Social Media
      • Web design/Internet Marketing
    • Web Design
      • E-commerce
      • Website Maintenance
  • Contact Us

Does GDPR apply to you?

May 24, 2018 Carolyn Griswold

Overview of GDPR and how it affects small business owners in the US. With specific links and resources for businesses with e-commerce websites and those running WordPress and WooCommerce.

What is GDPR?

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation

The regulation was created to protect privacy for all individuals within the European Union and European Economic Area.

The regulation requires that personally identifiable information being collected about individuals inside the EU be processed and stored to protect the data privacy.

  1. Information must be stored using pseudonymization or anonymization.
  2. Data is not available publicly without explicit consent.
  3. Consent to use data can be withdrawn by the consumer at any time.
  4. The processor of data must clearly disclose what data is being collected; how it being collected; why it is being processed; how long it is being retained and if it is being shared with third-parties.

Who does this affect?

This applies to any online business that collects and stores personally identifiable information from individuals or entities in the EU.

How this might affect Web Savvy Marketer customers:

  1. If you have an e-commerce store and sell to customers in the EU
  2. If you collect personal data from EU customers for any reason
  3. You can not send unsolicited emails to anyone. You can not purchase lists, or merge lists from different companies into your list.
  4. You can not auto email from abandoned shopping carts, unless the shopper has opted in for email.

Actions steps to take if GDPR affects you

  • Make sure your website has an SSL certificate installed so data collection/storage is encrypted
  • Review and update your website’s privacy policy
  • Remove all automatic opt-ins on your website, get a clear consent prior to collecting data
  • Set up process to delete user information upon their request
  • Set up process to monitor for potential data breaches and notify users if their data has been affected by a breach
  • Review your mailing lists for compliance

For more detailed information please review the following resources:

GDPR Overview
  1. Get a quick overview with this Infographic: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/smedataprotect/index_en.htm
WordPress related information:
  1. https://www.codeinwp.com/blog/complete-wordpress-gdpr-guide/
  2. https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-security-audit-log/
E-commerce websites
  1. Good overall resource in clear language with specific information on what to include in privacy policies and recommendations for data collection. https://www.willows-consulting.com/gdpr-for-ecommerce/#
  2. Woocommerce websites: https://woocommerce.com/2017/12/gdpr-compliance-woocommerce/
  3. Additional Woocommerce resources: https://woocommerce.com/gdpr/



Filed Under: Carolyn's Posts, E-commerce, Email marketing, Featured, Marketing, News, Tools & Tips

Holiday Shopping Suggestions – Supporting Small Business Cyber Shops

November 29, 2011 Carolyn Griswold

The holiday shopping season kicked off with some distasteful Black Friday incidents last week.  Hearing about these unsavory incidents makes me glad I’ve never bothered with  Black Friday,  I’m more of a Cyber Monday kind of gal, and I  support Small Business Saturday. I think it’s important to support your local small businesses including brick and mortar and online stores.

Although the big kick-off shopping weekend is over, I’m sure there’s more shopping to be done.  If you prefer to avoid the mall hubbub and feel like staying home in your jammies and doing some on-line shopping this holiday season, here’s a list of clients who are small business owners that sell or show products online.  They’re all reputable honest people with great products.  The * indicates you may need to call to purchase.

Art

  • ColbathColors.com *
  • CowsByDesign.com

Astrology Calendar & Services

  • AstrologyBooth.com

Books

  • Not My Mother’s Wedding
  • From May Sarton’s Well
  • The Good Financial Advisor
  • Montessori Madness and other Children’s Books
  • Octavian Chronicles
  • Beyond Location, Location, Location…A Systematic, Promotional Approach to Marketing Commercial Real Estate

Food & Beverage

  • Bloody Bold Cocktail Mixers
  • The Spice Mill

Health & Fitness

  • Pedometers from EveryBodyFit.com
  • Massage – MyHandsYourHealth.com*
  • Personal Training – JudithScottFitness *
  • Chair Massage & Wellness Programs – http://totalbalancelifechoice.com *

Jewelry

  • AlisonDesignsJewelry.com
  • Lapistree.com (see the BellaSanté section for online sales)*

Motorcycle & Auto Accessories

  • EzShadow – The easy way to cover your Toll Pass
  • GoodGuysPowerSports – Motorcycle Gear & Accessories
  • Uni-Go Motorcycle Trailers

Travel Services

  • MogoTravelService.com*

Museum Store

  • Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum Store & Holiday Events in Wethersfield (no on-line shopping but Black Friday hours at the Museum Store and many holiday events through December) *

And Finally, Santa Claus

  • SantaVisitsCT.com to schedule a Santa visit to your holiday party. *

Happy Holidays!

Filed Under: Carolyn's Posts, E-commerce

What is a QR code?

April 15, 2011 Carolyn Griswold

QR CodeHave you seen the QR Codes popping up everywhere?  There’s even one on my bank statement.  Do you know what they are?  How to use them or how to get one?

According to Wikepedia and other online sources, QR (Quick Response) Codes were developed for tracking parts in Japanese auto industry. But in recent years the codes have seen widespread use for marketing products and businesses.

How does it work? Smartphone users scan the code and have instant access to your website, contact information or other information. You can create a QR code at a number of online sources and it can contain, a url, phone number, text or SMS. To read it, a smartphone with a bar code reader is required. I downloaded the free app called Quickcode for my Android.  When I scan a code containing a URL, I have several options.  I can go directly to the website, bookmark the website, send the address to someone via email, or post the address to Facebook or Twitter. (Remember to optimize your website design for smartphones if you use QR codes to send folks to your website.)  If the code were a phone number, I could call the number or save to my contacts.  Or the code could be a text message that would be instantly readable.

Here are a couple of websites where you can create your code:

  • http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
  • http://www.beqrious.com/qrcode/create

You can also create a code with a graphic – like the one to the right…

So how might you use this QR codes in your marketing?

  1. Put it on print ads and send folks directly to a product page where they can purchase a specific item
  2. Put it on product packaging and link to installation or operation instructions
  3. Use on your business card, brochure, or advertising and map your store location
  4. Send to a location with a free download or coupon
  5. Send a text message
  6. Phone number
  7. Other ideas?

For more information about how to use QR codes, please see this excellent article http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-qr-codes-can-grow-your-business/.

Filed Under: E-commerce, Tips for a good website, Tools & Tips

Are you shopping on Cyber Monday?

November 29, 2010 Carolyn Griswold

We made it through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and today is Cyber Monday! What are you doing to support the economy? I’m not much of a Black Friday gal — I hate the crowds. But I did shop on Main Street Manchester on Saturday in support of small business–I just wish there were more shops to choose from! But Cyber Monday is where I excel! In fact Cyber shopping any day works for me.

In support of Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday I’ve put together a list of some of my clients who have something to sell this holiday season.  They are all hard-working, small business folks and most are local to me (in the Hartford region), but a few have migrated south (can’t blame them!), so support these small businesses from the convenience of your home or office.

Santa Visits CT
Santa Visits CT
If you’re having a Christmas party in Connecticut, make sure you invite Santa!   I bet you didn’t know I was Santa’s cyber elf!
Alison Designs Jewelry
Alison Designs Jewelry
LOVE her stuff! Great designs, great prices!
Janets Plan-its
Janets Plan-its
Calendars are a classic gift at Christmas and Janet’s Astrology calendar provides valuable insight all year long. Gift certificates for astrology services are also available.
NOLA Tee
NOLA Tee
Make a Wave! Make A Wave shirts encourages you to be socially aware of our planet and all of it’s wonders by promoting a message to preserve it and to help others less fortunate. And they’re fun shirts!
CT Corporate Gifts
CT Corporate Gifts
Need some business gifts? This is the place to shop.
CMW Aviation
CMW Aviation
Shopping for any pilots? You’ll find the best pilot headsets here.
Good Guys Powersports
Good Guys Powersports
The place for motorcycle enthusiasts. A unique assortment of motorcycle accessories — especially for aging bikers.
My Hands Your Health
My Hands Your Health
Is your neck sore after all this cyber shopping? Call Ginny for some therapeutic massage.

Filed Under: E-commerce, Web design/Internet Marketing

Recent Posts

  • Is Sustainability Part of Your Plan?
  • Preferred Utilities
  • Post Pandemic Workplace Design
  • A Review of 2022 as We Look to 2023
  • “Neurodiverse” Doesn’t Equal “Disabled”

Search this site

Call Us

860-432-8756

Our Location

222 Pitkin Street, Suite 125
East Hartford, CT 06108
Phone: 860-432-8756

Services

  • Marketing Services
  • Strategic Planning
  • Internet Marketing
  • Multi-Media Productions
  • Marketing Programs

Talk to Us

Follow us, subscribe to us, email us, or call us at 860-432-8756. We’ll use our Super Savvy Tool Belt to stay in touch however you prefer.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Sign Up for Email Updates
For Email Marketing you can trust.

Copyright © 2023 Web Savvy Marketers, LLC · 222 Pitkin Street, Ste. 125 · East Hartford, CT 06108 · 860-432-8756 · Privacy Policy · Log in