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DIY Web design doesn’t cut it. Here’s why.

Marianna Muscat - Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Website design companies

The use of a DIY web builder results in countless mistakes that will cost you time and money in the long run. Designing a website requires experience and knowledge that will convert potential customers into sales. A flawed website makes the user experience unpleasant, resulting in your potential customers being driven away from your page and on to your competitors, which is not the objective of a functional website. DIY web designs should only be used as a temporary platform while you wait. Website design companies have years of experience in web design and can assist you with all aspects of the web conversion architecture development and management process. Ensuring your website needs are fulfilled with expertise. 

A website is your first impression 

Website design companies for small businesses can assist you with the look and layout of your website. Helping to increase your brand’s awareness and sales by representing your brand 24/7, your website is the business card of the digital age. A website that takes a long time to load and does not function simply and intuitively are just two mistakes that can happen when you use DIY web designs. The layout, images, and buttons of your website can generate more sales if done correctly by a professional. 

DIY builders result in design mistakes

The difference between a functional website and a good website is significant. A website consisting of elements such as optimization, responsiveness, and consistency make it a website that is functional and reputable.

Interior and Exterior functionality 

The optimization and coding on the back-end are just as important as your content on the front end. A DIY builder prevents you from identifying messy and confusing back-end coding, which causes your website to slow down and causes chaos on the users’ screens. The mistake of using a DIY builder causes your site not to be optimized on both ends, driving users away from your site, directing users to your competitors. 

Not compatible with Mobile devices 

Responsive website design companies can assist you with the compatibility of your website across mobile devices. The functionality of your website on cellphones and tablets is crucial. More than half the web traffic worldwide is composed of mobile users. When you use a DIY builder to design your website, your website will consist of poor image optimization and your website not recognizing whether or not the user is on a cellphone or desktop site. DIY builders also forget to include a click to call compatibility and search functionality. DIY builders require you to go through hours of trial and error for a site that is not fully functional.

Start receiving targeted traffic from the moment your new website goes live. For a website that will deliver and exceed your expectations, contact our team of friendly professionals at WSI New Media Marketing today. 

5 Cost-effective content marketing ideas for a small business

Marianna Muscat - Monday, January 11, 2021
Content marketing

If you are running a small business on a tight budget with little to spend on marketing, take a look at these 5 budget-friendly content marketing ideas to turn your small business into an empire. 

1. Repurposing old content

Repurposing old content or Historical optimization as it is also known, is a great way to breathe new life into your ‘old’ content. Freshen up and update old content from a few years back or even from last month. Make sure it is updated for SEO with link building and keywords so that it’s able to generate more traffic and conversions than it already does. You can even take it a step further and recycle your old content in new creations. Take a blog post and turn it into a video or take a series of blog posts and turn them into an ebook.

2. Be a savvy social networker

SMM (Social Media Marketing) does not always have to include paid platforms or PPC (pay-per-click) advertising if your budget is tight. Share your content across a variety of social media networks by posting text, status updates, and videos without forking out a dime. UGC (user-generated content) is another extremely valuable tool to keep your content authentic and to create a sense of community around your brand. Best of all, it’s totally free.

3. Lists 

People love lists and they are among the most shared content on the internet. Lists are a great way to engage your audience with useful and straightforward information and it’s generally easy content to compile. Use a variety of formats to keep it interesting and create lists that are relevant and helpful to your specific audience. 

4. Blog posts and articles 

 Great content needs to be relevant to your target audience and optimized for SEO. If you are unsure what your customers want to read about – ask them. Update your content regularly so your audience can always have something new and interesting to read and share. 

5. Infographics

Infographics are not only powerful marketing tools, but are also a feast for the eyes and usually easy for audiences to understand. If you are up for it, create your own infographics using free vector kits that provide you with all the elements you need to make colorful and informative infographics. Remember to include your business name and website somewhere on the infographic so that if it gets shared, people will revert back to your website when they want more information. For more information on website design get in touch with WSI New Media Marketing in Greensboro, NC, today.  

What is an inbound ready website?

Marianna Muscat - Monday, January 4, 2021
inbound ready website

To understand what an inbound ready website is, you will first need to know what inbound marketing is. Inbound marketing is a type of marketing that puts the human element back into marketing. It educates and engages with potential buyers instead of just selling to them. Outbound marketing, on the other hand, interrupts your potential buyers with brochures, television and radio advertisements, print ads, cold calls, and email blasts. Inbound marketing does not do any of this. 

Inbound marketing does not fight for potential customers, rather it attracts customers through informative and engaging content. It addresses problems and concerns of potential clients, answers those concerns, and builds trust and credibility in the brand. Inbound marketing includes email marketing, but it’s targeted at true opt-in contacts and not just blasted at an audience who may not even want to hear from you. Inbound marketing is about nurturing your leads and audiences by offering them something valuable, like perhaps a jam-packed and informative newsletter. 

Inbound website design

An inbound ready website uses a modern website design called UX/UI design. These initialisms stand for User Experience Design and User Interface Design. Both need to be in place to totally optimize your user’s experience and for your site to be fully functional as an inbound website. 

Your inbound ready website needs to make good use of whitespace. Less is more, and you don’t want your pages crammed to the brim with content and visuals. A clean and simple website with lots of whitespace will be easy to view and navigate.

Lastly, an old and outdated website can reflect poorly on your brand and destroy your reputation. Audiences will not want to linger on a website that has nothing to offer them. Make sure yourAbout us’ page tells a great story and is up to date. Outsource a writer to do this for you to liven it up and make it interesting to read. Be sure to add fresh Search Engine Optimized content to your site regularly. Make your content great so that users check in regularly to see what’s new. Don’t forget to include CTA’s (calls-to-action) strategically throughout your pages to motivate your audience to take action.

Whether you are totally new to the world of digital marketing and need a complete revamp or simply want to improve your current digital marketing strategy, our digital marketing agency in Greensboro, NC, can help. We also offer web design, content creation, and copywriting services. 

The Affect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on SEO Trends

Ken Bowden - Monday, May 18, 2020
seo

The global reach of the COVID-19 pandemic is making an impact on every aspect of the digital marketing world, and SEO trends are not exempt from the changes brought on by COVID-19. Digital marketers have seen a shift in SEO trends. These are some of the current SEO trends that could influence digital marketing until the COVID-19 pandemic dies down.

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Using SEO to sustain your presence during COVID-19

Ken Bowden - Tuesday, May 5, 2020
seo

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing the emergence of what digital marketing experts are calling the “infodemic”, but with proper SEO practices and a sincere desire to provide your audience with relevant, trustworthy information, your business can remain pertinent to consumers.

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How to Adjust Email Marketing During COVID-19

Ken Bowden - Monday, April 6, 2020
email marketing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses across the globe are shifting gears when it comes to email marketing, using this platform to communicate a variety of important messages. If you are unsure of the kind of information you should include in your email marketing efforts, take a look at our guide.

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Web Architecture: Why It’s Important to Your Small Business

Ken Bowden - Wednesday, September 30, 2015

 

Web Architecture: Why It’s Important to Your Small Business

It’s easy for anyone to just throw a website online these days. The problem is that the ease that comes with drag and drop systems or simplistic designs doesn’t necessarily mean your website will be functional, informational, or even aesthetically appealing to the eye of the user. There’s a lot more to consider than you may have initially expected.

What is Web Architecture?

Much like an architect would design the layout of a home or commercial building, a web consultant spends a great deal of time designing the layout for a business website. Why is this important? In many cases – especially in today’s Internet shopping climate – the first contact a person may have with your business is online.  Furthermore, a great number of those online contacts will come from people searching the web on a mobile device.  Site navigation and placement of relevant content and information then becomes key in quickly engaging potential customers, in response to their queries.  This also means your website needs to look professional, be responsive to different viewing devices, be optimized to generate leads or convert visitors to buyers, and generally be user-friendly.

What to Consider When Designing Your Website

Brand awareness is key when building a website. Just as important though, is your visitor’s need for quick access, relevant information, a way to engage and a great user experience.  We take a number of important features into consideration when designing websites. These include but are not limited to:

  • The way your design will be used to promote your brand;
  • Whether or not your website is an ecommerce site, in total or in part;
  • How can we leverage mobile responsive to give the user the best experience;
  • Placement of CTA’s (Calls to action elements) to get the best user response;
  • Incorporation of the appropriate tools so your website will be indexed by the search engines (search engine optimization), including the proper utilization of keywords, meta tags, and tools that will help to naturally increase your site’s search engine rankings;
  • The type of engaging content that will be included on your site’s information pages, product pages, and even on your blog.

 

What Does It Really Mean in the End?

The better your overall website architecture, the more likely you are to see increased exposure on the web at a faster rate, starting the moment your website is launched. You’ll have more email sign-ups, lower bounce rates, more returning visitors, increased engagement, more social interaction, and – we certainly hope – a higher conversation rate when it comes to turning visitors into happy customers.

Want to learn more about web architecture? Call WSI New Media Marketing today at 855-856-4980. We’re here to help you make the most of your web presence.

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