From the Hart: N2D announces novel publication

N2D Media Group is pleased to announce that Cathleen Hagan, writing as C. S. Gordon, has published her first literary fiction novel in ebook format through Smashwords: The Hart & Horn.

When the paths of a slacker, a modern-day troubadour and a 40-something divorcee converge, each wonders if the other might lead to their happily ever after. But they aren’t in a fairytale; they’re in the real world of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula facing loss, difficult relationships and the realization that happy endings are a lot like unicorns.

The Hart & Horn is available for purchase for only $2.99 in formats suitable for a variety of ebook readers, including Kindle, Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, as well as .pdf.

Hello?

It would be an understatement to say that there's been a lot of emphasis on connecting with customers and clients via social media. But has it been at the expense of the obvious?

The latest analysis from SMB DigitalScape indicates six out of 10 SMB websites in the U.S. are missing either a local or toll-free telephone number on the home page to contact the business. (Home page is defined as the first page of the website. Some websites have phone numbers on later pages.)

Other empirical data from SMB DigitalScape include:

   --74.7 percent of SMB websites lack an email link on their home page for consumers to contact the business.
    --65.7 percent of SMB websites lack a form-fill option to enable consumers to request information.
    --93.3 percent of SMB websites are not mobile compatible and will not render successfully on mobile devices or smartphones.

I visit a lot of websites, and there's nothing more frustrating than having to hunt around for one of the most basic pieces of information: a phone number. True or not, it always makes me feel like the company or organization doesn't want to talk to me, or doesn't have the resources available to take a phone call. Not exactly the impression you want to give your customers/clients.

p.s. Another peeve? Websites that don't decode acronyms on their site, like SMB (small-to-medium business).