Change is an integral aspect of life – everything about our world is constantly changing.  The more we accept change, greet it and flow with it rather than push against it, the more likely we are to live without stress.

Each of us has a “change” threshold – how much change in our lives we can endure before reaching the breaking point. That threshold will be dependent on how healthy we are, our attitudes, whether or not the change is expected or not and whether the change is perceived as positive or negative.

Stress usually occurs when change takes us significantly out of our comfort zones. This often occurs when the change impacts our basic needs such as an income, home, food and health. It may also take place when there are unwanted changes to our social status, personal relationships or spheres of influence. Chronic stress can lead to serious health issues, so it is important to relieve stress whenever you can.

Here are some suggestions for dealing with changes in your life:

1. Slow down. Take deep breaths. Don’t react until you hear all the facts and investigate the impact of what is happening. Get perspective before over-reacting.  If you have the opportunity to postpone a decision, wait until you are not so emotionally attached to the outcome.
2. Talk it out and weigh your options. Develop a support network. Talk with others who have been in a similar situation. You are not alone and you always have a choice.
3. Develop a relaxation/meditation practice.  Meditation has been proven to relieve stress and strengthen the immune system.
4. Engage in things you enjoy and that make you laugh. Watch funny movies, spend time with your family or go on a vacation if you can.
5. Take care of your physical health. Consume less caffeine, eat healthy food and get regular exercise.
6. Develop an action plan. Having a plan in place will help you get up each morning and maintain a positive outlook.
7. Focus on what you can control. Worrying incessantly about things you have no control over is not only unproductive, it can send you into a serious depression or worse.

Learning to cope with change in a healthy way will prevent or alleviate stress and you will be happier and healthier in the long run.

Small business owners typically lack the funds for a significant marketing budget. New business owners sometimes delay the development of a website, choosing instead to use a free Facebook business page as their “website.”  I, and most marketing professionals, strongly disagree with this approach.  A business website is important for reflecting the brand and character of your business.  Social media should then be used to enhance and expand your on-line business presence by directing potential customers to your website.

Your brand matters.  Where a Facebook page regulates the amount and type of information you can display and standardizes the look and feel of each page, a website gives you the freedom to focus on you, the business owner – to express your passion for what you do, offer detailed product and service descriptions and share testimonials from delighted customers.  After all, YOU are the primary differentiator between your business and your competition.

A well-designed website firmly establishes your business brand.  It gives you the opportunity to tell the world about your business and your services and to help you stand out from the crowd. 

Credibility counts.  Over 80% of shoppers conduct research on-line before making a significant ­­purchase.  Chances are that many of your customers have Googled you ahead of time. If you only have a Facebook page and your competition has a beautiful content-rich website AND an active Facebook presence, which business has more credibility?  Your website tells the world that your business is legitimate and that you are serious about what you do.

Content is still key.  Search engines continue to focus on content for high rankings. If you want your business to be effectively ranked in search engines, develop a website that contains up-to-date content and is rich with keywords appropriate for your business. Focus on quality and your site will be golden.

Facebook puts significant restrictions on both content and advertisement posting, and could shut down your page at any time. With a website, you have virtually unlimited freedom for creativity and content development.

The power of search. When people want to find something on the web, they “Google” it first, they don’t normally “Facebook” it.  If you are not showing up in a Google search, you are losing business. Your Facebook page may or may not show up in a Google search. How many customers are you losing because you either have no website or it is poorly designed and/or outdated?
As a small business owner, your goal should be to have a well-crafted, content-rich website that effectively reflects your brand and highlights what makes you the best at what you do.  A website gives you control of the content and how it is presented.  Use Facebook and other social media options to funnel visitors to your website where you can wow them with the benefits only your business has to offer.

An effective website will pay for itself many times over by attracting new clients or customers.  Whether you hire someone to set it up for you or you create it yourself using one of the many website building programs, a website is well worth the investment of time and money.