If you’re new to domain names and web hosting, we bet you’re pretty confused. First of all, there are so many companies out there, and each with so many options! And how can you tell what you need and what you don’t?
Don’t panic. Here’s a little guide about buying domain names and web hosting.
Domain Name
Why You Need it: Every website needs a domain name. When you purchase your domain name, you are buying the right to use that URL as your address on the web (www.example.com). As long as you keep your account current, nobody else can… Continue reading
Does your website highlight the most important aspects of your message? Or do your users have to wade through tons of other content to find your main message?
While today’s websites are better updated than those a decade ago, there are many sites out there that don’t update often enough. Maybe they figure their social media updates will be sufficient. (Sad, but sometimes true.) Or maybe they update the site, but only the small things, leaving large images or chunks of information on their homepage, despite the fact that these items have since taken a back seat.
But for you, this will… Continue reading
If you’ve ever asked this question, you aren’t alone. Many of our clients wonder about this as well.
The simple answer is that the search engines like Google will find you on their own. They “spider” the web every day looking for new sites or edits to sites and will most certainly happen upon your pages.
The more complex answer is that there are ways to help the search engines more easily index your site. This will help your site appear higher in search results for words relating to your industry or area of interest.
This is where SEO comes… Continue reading
This morning we are designing for a real estate-related project and reminded of the famous line that it’s all about “location, location, location.” Well, it turns out that in web design, it’s all about “photos, photos, photos.”
What do we mean?
We mean that you can’t use a cellphone pic from your friend’s birthday party as your bio photo.
We mean that, no, your product will NOT look good photographed in your kitchen with the garbage pail in the background.
We mean that, sorry, we can’t use copyrighted images stolen from a google image search.
We mean that if the photo is grainy, dark, low… Continue reading
You already know that your website needs to have impeccable grammar and spelling. But what if you’ve proofed your text and it’s fine?
Do you still need a writer?
You probably think not. But there are instances when even a “well-written” piece is not exactly right. Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but sometimes it’s well worth it to hire a writer. Here are a few situations that are pretty common.
Website owners struggle with how to present their own work.
Hey, it’s hard to describe what you do! You do so much, and it’s all in your head, but even… Continue reading
If you’ve ever built a website before, you probably know the feeling. It sounds something like this: ”If I can just get this website done already….!”
And then you have all kinds of plans…. Once the site is done, you’re going to put the URL on your business cards, you’re going to jumpstart your social media accounts, you’re going to pay for advertising, you’ll start your email marketing, etc….
But the truth is that websites are ever-evolving. Call them blogs, call them live updates, call them news pages, or at the very least accept that they are ”works in progress.” Websites are never truly… Continue reading
We often hear from small business and non-profit clients that they really don’t need a Twitter account. The argument goes something like this: “Well, I already have a facebook page….and I don’t have time for Twitter too….and I don’t ‘get’ Twitter anyway!” If you have any of these excuses, read on, because here’s the deal with Twitter.
They’re Different
First of all, Facebook and Twitter are different media and they serve different purposes. And just because you have one, doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from the other. Here are some of the differences:
On Facebook, if you post more than, say,… Continue reading
Many people want to accept online payment, but don’t understand what exactly is involved. And it can also be quite confusing!
To accept credit cards online, you will need a credit card processor, basically someone who sells you a merchant account. To get a merchant account, you will need to fill out an application and get approved. Then, once you are approved, there may be monthly fees and/or yearly fees. There are always transaction fees. These are the small fees that the processor and the credit card company (Amex, Mastercard, Visa, etc) deduct from your payments as you receive them.… Continue reading
Facebook asks that users be 13, but we all know there are thousands of kids committing “underage social media.” It’s a big question – how young is too young for facebook? One mom we spoke to said her daughter is already 13, but she won’t let her have a facebook account. Why not? She said kids at this age don’t yet have the right judgment about what should go online and what shouldn’t. (Anything you say can and will be used against you.)
At 13, this mom said, girls put all their petty arguments online and it’s just nonsense, it’s… Continue reading
The answer is a resounding YES!
To all those skeptics out there, it really is true that “if you build it, they will come.” Try it. Create an online profile at your favorite social media site, let everyone know about it, post to it often, and watch your numbers of followers grow. As long as you post at least sometimes, and don’t post anything offensive, your numbers should continue to increase. And the best thing about it is that each new person is another ear interested in hearing your message. Not a cold lead – someone really interested.
Getting the… Continue reading
