Tortus August Newsletter

August 14, 2008

In the Tortus Spotlight...

Every once and a while Tortus likes to take a break from Lemmings and history lessons to shine a light on the success of our valued clients. Please join in the fanfare as we shamelessly celebrate the following companies (and not to worry, we promise to discuss another interesting, yet obscure topic next month):

Universal Plastic Adapts to the Changing Times

Currently located in Holyoke, MA, Universal Plastics has been refining and developing thermoformed products since 1965. In 2000, Universal Plastics partnered with Tortus and began to create a web presence to grow their business outside of New England. The current Universal Plastics website allows their target market to review a robust product catalog featuring custom pressure formed items, as well as request a design guide or DVD.

 "A number of our customers are leaving New England," Joe Peters, President of Universal Plastics, explained in a recent BusinessWest article, "and as big manufacturers leave our area for the South or overseas, it's harder for us to supply them because of freight costs ... the movement of companies out of this area has forced us to rely more on smaller customers, many of which find us through the Internet."

Universal Plastics is one of many local companies now operating on a global front thanks to the power of the web. In fact, they're building a brand new 30,000 square foot addition to keep up with their growth - proving that manufacturing is alive and well in Mass.

Time Machine Hobby Sells to the World

Spanning more than 22,000 sq. ft., Time Machine Hobby has become the largest hobby retail location in Connecticut and all of New England. Less than a year after launching an ecommerce website, Tortus was already in the process of re-designing the Time Machine site to match a change in their business model. Tortus easily shifted to accommodate their needs and created a new website which allows them to sell collectibles, toys and limited edition items to buyers from all around the world.

In helping Time Machine to re-evaluate their business model, Tortus identified the need for a General Manager and worked with Time Machine to screen and eventually hire the perfect candidate. With the proper staff in place Time Machine is able to continue providing the quality service their walk-in customers have come to expect, while also lending their energies to their new blog and broadcast email campaign.

"We're thrilled with our new website and believe it will help us sell on the Internet while also promoting the physical store," said Time Machine General Manager Daniel Kline. "Tortus worked with us to develop a site that is unlike anything out there in our industry. It should help us be as big a player in toys and hobbies online as we have been in the real world."

"We build businesses, not just websites" isn't just a catchy byline, it's the core of who we are. In fact, Time Machine is just one example of the many companies we serve everyday. Whether it's a new ecommerce website, search engine optimization or business consulting, Tortus has a solution for your company. Please contact us by email or phone, 413-788-5080 ext. 273, to learn more.

Upcoming Seminars

Internet Security

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Join Tortus as we delve into the practices of modern day Internet security. We'll discuss transactional websites and the security of your site, as well as how to use your website as a tool and not just a capabilities brochure. We'll also analyze what went wrong in some well known web-based security breaches. Bring your questions!

Marketing Your Business Online for the 4th Quarter

Wednesday. September 24th, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Prepare your web strategy for the highly anticipated holiday season. We'll discuss pay-per-click advertising, organic search engine results, promotional email campaigns and more! Did you know that Lawyers are currently paying over $150 per click for a certain search term? Guess what it is!

Both seminars will be held at the offices of Tortus Technologies in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Seating is limited (15 per seminar) and available on a first-come first-serve basis. Email us today to sign up.