With all the uncertainty in the current job market, many people have decided it’s time to start that small business that they’ve always dreamed of. The benefits are clear. More freedom, the ability to work from home and job security. Here at FDI Creative, we are web design experts. We can help you create a profitable e-commerce or informational website fast and for less than you might think! FDI Creative is a leading Houston Web Design Company. We have been in business since 1996 and have created hundreds of websites for businesses of all sizes. Contact FDI today at 281-710-7396.

I was recently contacted by a client of ours. Apparently someone had deleted his Outlook user account and years of emails and contacts were lost in the blink of an eye. This isn’t the first time I have heard a story like this. Unfortunately it happens all the time. For people using POP3 mail and Outlook, you might be surprised to learn that unless you are running specific Outlook backups, your email and contacts could be lost and impossible to recover. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure that this doesn’t happen to you.

1. Include your Outlook file in your nightly computer backups.
The method to do this differs depending on which version of Outlook you are using and your backup software. Your Outlook Data File is saved to a hidden folder in Windows. By turning on “Show Hidden Files” on your computer, you can navigate to this file and include the file location in your automated backups. Alternately, you can copy the Outlook data file to a CD or external drive for a one-time backups.

2. Leave a copy of messages on the server.
Open up your email account in Outlook and navigate to More Settings/Advanced page. At the bottom of this page there is a setting for leaving your messages on the server. This can be helpful for recovering recent emails and viewing your email via multiple sources. (I.E. POP3 phones or at home). Depending on the disk space your hosting provider allows for email accounts, you will want to specify the number of days the server should hold email. If you do not, you may reach your allotted space and stop accepting new inbound messages.

3.  Don’t rely on your hosting company for email backups.
If you are using Outlook and do not have your account set to “Leave a copy of messages on server”, then your email is permanently deleted from the server at the moment Outlook downloads the message. At this point the only copy of your email and contact list, is a single file on your computer. It is inevitable that the file will get lost or damaged if your computer experiences any trouble. BACK IT UP!

Thanks,
Bill Fahy
President FDI Creative Services, Inc.

If you are in need of help with setting up an automated backup system for your email or would like someone to see if you are at risk. Call the professionals at FDI Creative. We are a Houston based web design and marketing company serving clients worldwide. Email us or call (281) 710-7396.

The developers at FDI Creative Services, Inc. are experts in building custom designed WordPress blogs. We have built dozens of WordPress sites for our clients and can seamlessly integrate them into existing websites. If you are using an “off the shelf ” WordPress theme, contact FDI and we can design a custom look for your blog. In addition FDI can add WordPress add-ons that will increase the functionality of your blog. We can also connect your blog to your Facebook, Linked-In and Twitter pages so that your posts are distributed automatically. So, if you’re interested in starting a new blog, or enhancing and existing one, contact the blog experts at FDI Creative today. Happy Blogging!

2010 is already shaping up to be a great year, with the launch of our latest website. www.Houston-Refinance.com is positioned to be a leading resource for people looking to find a new mortgage or refinance an existing mortgage. The website is a directory of businesses that do business in the Houston market. In celebrating the launch of the new website, www.Houston-Refinance.com is offering free listings in it’s directory for mortgage, realtor or fincial service professionals. Also, through the month of January, Houston-Refinance.com will allow companies to submit a free banner ad to the website. To submit your company to the directory, visit the following link: http://www.houston-refinance.com/submit-site/

If your company is interested in adding a banner ad to the website for free, call BIll Fahy at FDI Creative at (281) 710-7396.

PCI Training institute is a leading job training center in Houston, TX. The new website  design contains an advanced content management system, along with multiple admin levels and client managment features.  PCI chose FDI Creative Services to build  their site based on our extensive experience and creative flair. It’s just one more example of why FDI is a leader in Houston Website Design.

FDI Creative Services, Inc. helps another Houston based company reach it’s goals with the launch of yet another great looking website. Fandori.com is a Houston based manufacturer and distributor of fine womens apparel. The website uses state of the art user login and management functionality. In addition, customers can check out via credit cards, paypal or Google checkout. The look of the website was enhanced by the use of professional photography, models and eye catching graphics. Fandori also offers customers a 90 day – money back guarantee with free shipping both ways. Visit the website at www.fandori.com

Fall Special: FREE Web Hosting for a YEAR!
FDI Creative Services, Inc. is offering our best web design and hosting deal ever. Contact us to start your website project before November 1st 2009, and receive our Business Class Web Hosting for 1 full year, absolutely free. Our Business Class Hosting includes everything you need to support your website including unlimited email accounts, control panel access, 24/7 support and more.

Call us now at (281) 710-7396 to take advantage of this great offer.
FDI Creative is a Houston Web Design Company, serving Texas and beyond!
** Offer good for new customers only. Offer ends November 1st, 2009.

Thank you for all the positive feedback regarding the launch of our new website. Our goal with the new website was to showcase the latest web design techniques and to act as a showcase piece to be emulated in our clients websites. The new website incorporates design techniques such as non-repeating and scrolling page backgrounds, an embedded flash movie, a homepage contact form and client login areas. We have plans to add additional web components very soon. Visit our website regularly to see the latest advancements and new specials that we will be adding on a regular basis.

Recently FDI was contacted by the marketing manager at Miva Merchant. Miva Merchant is a leading E-Commerce framework developer and is our first choice, when developing complex shopping cart websites. The particular project that came to their attention, was a website we just completed (www.benchsolution.com). It’s a combination retail and distributor level E-Commerce application. CLick the link below to view the article on the Miva Merchant website.

http://blog.mivamerchant.com/271/store-spotlight-benchsolution-com/

FDI continues to support local small business people by hosting our monthly networking mixer at Amerigo’s in The Woodlands TX. We would like to thank all the folks that made it out and especially our partners in business who helped make the event possible.

• Rodney Morgan – Quick Mortgage, LLC
  www.quickmp.com
  rodney@quickmp.com
  832.372.7456
• Randy Plachy
  www.farmersagent.com/rplachy
  plachyins@pdq.net
  281.367.5322
• Tonya Adams
  www.americantitlemc.com
  tventurella@atctx.com
  870.918.3009
• Candy Lynn George
  www.alliedwarranty.com
  candy@alliedwarranty.com
  832.495.6963

In addition to the complimentary food, cocktails and door prizes at the event, Rodney Morgan from Quick Mortgage, has offered to sponsor local Realtors websites! Quick Mortgage is providing FREE website design, hosting and email through FDI Creative Services, for Houston area Realtors for those that wish to grow their businesses.

Our next small business mixer is scheduled for Thursday June 11th. If you’d like to attend, Please RSVP by calling Bill Fahy at FDI Creative Services at 281-710-7396.