Having a Mobile Friendly Website is No Longer Optional – It’s a MUST

The original iPhone was released on June 29th, 2007. Although the iPhone was far from being the first mobile device, it did change the mobile landscape forever. Prior to the iPhone, using the Internet away from a desktop or laptop was limited to watered-down webpages that rendered as text. But because the iPhone included a full online browsing experience through Safari, it kicked off an explosion in the mobile web.

Mobile’s Evolution Over the Last 9 Years

While the mobile web as we know it today is less than a decade old, it’s already gone through several evolutions. The first was the app gold rush. In addition to the Safari browser, Apple also launched the idea of apps with their device. This led to developers and businesses rushing to create apps. However, it became clear that most people don’t want to use a dedicated app for every business they’re interested in. This is supported by recent research which shows that most people use less than a half dozen apps on a regular basis.

Since it doesn’t make sense for most small to medium businesses to have a dedicated app, there was also a time during the last nine years when the focus was on having a separate mobile website. The reason that the trend has come and gone is there were several major problems. Not only did it create an often frustrating experience for website visitors, but it also required businesses to manage two different websites.

Why Responsive Design is The Best Solution for Mobile

Multiple studies have confirmed that mobile is now the most common way that people of all ages search online and visit websites. So even though it doesn’t make sense for most businesses to have an app or separate mobile version of their website, having an optimized mobile presence is a MUST!

The option that has emerged as the best mobile solution for businesses is responsive website design. With this approach, a website will automatically resize to a screen of any size. That means a site will load quickly, look great and offer full functionality on any mobile device, tablet or standard computer. And unlike the previous approach of having two versions of a website, responsive design is done through one set of code, which makes it very easy to manage.

How do you know if your current website has an optimized responsive design and is fully mobile friendly? The best way is to use Google’s free mobile-friendly test tool.

What If You Don’t Pass the Mobile-Friendly Test?

If you don’t pass Google’s test, it almost guarantees that your site isn’t ranking as well as it should for mobile searches. It also means that visitors who do come to your site via a mobile device are more likely to abandon it due to a less than optimal experience.

Since those issues mean your business is missing out on potential revenue every day, you need to fix them as soon as possible. That’s where Web Strategy Plus can help. With our responsive web design services, we can fully update your site to ensure it’s completely mobile friendly.

To get your site’s mobile problem solved as soon as possible, contact us now for a free consultation and quote!

10 Things Every Small Business Website Needs

If you want a website that not only looks great but is also capable of generating new leads for your business, make sure your site has all of the following ten traits:

An Easy to Remember URL

You don’t want multiple dashes or numbers in your website URL. Instead, it’s important to have a simple address. Since you will say it over the phone and may put it on marketing materials like posters or even billboards, you want something that can be typed in without any issues. Ensuring your address is easy to remember is also why it’s best to stick with .com, .net, or in some cases, .org.

Clear Navigation

When it comes to navigation, simplicity is always best. You want to be sure that regardless of where someone is on your site, they’re only a single click away from your main pages.

A Clear Explanation of You and Your Business

People should know exactly what you and your business are about within a few seconds of finding their way to your site. Failing to include this information can cause visitors to lose trust and hit the back button.

Prominent Contact Information

When it comes to perfect website design for a business, your contact information needs to be readily displayed. Even if you’re hesitant to include a phone number, doing so will help inspire trust among visitors. That’s true even if they never call you.

Real Testimonials

Continuing the theme of ensuring that visitors to your site trust your business, you should have real testimonials that customers have sent you. If possible, include people’s pictures next to their testimonials. Another option is to link to their social media profiles.

Use Quality Pictures and Subheadings

Since online readers like to scan, be sure to break up any big chunks of text on your site by utilizing relevant images and informative subheadings.

Tell Visitors What You Want Them to Do

In order to convert visitors into actual leads, you need to tell them what they should do. So whether that’s submitting a contact form or giving you a call, be sure your site makes that desired action crystal clear.

Regularly Add Content

Whether it’s news updates about your business or informative blog posts, regularly adding new content will help you engage visitors and bring in more search engine traffic.

Take Advantage of Google Webmaster Tools for SEO

The best way to ensure your site is accessible and doesn’t have any SEO issues is to sign up for a free Google Webmaster Tools account. This will provide you with reports, as well as alert you to any issues that need to be addressed.

A Reliable Host

If your site is down, it’s not going to help your business. That’s why it’s vital to carefully research your options before committing to a specific host.

A Professional Web Design Company Can Provide the Perfect Small Business Website

If you want to ensure your website has all ten traits, your best option is to let a professional team create or redesign your website. By working with experienced professionals, you will get a website that’s fully optimized to generate as many targeted leads as possible for your business!

Do you need a better website for your business? Web Strategy Plus offers a free quote or consultation to help you identify the areas of your marketing plan that need improvement. Learn More

7 SEO Facts Business Owners Must Keep In Mind

If you want your website to rank well in Google, it’s important to understand the basic realities of search engine optimization. Although SEO is a very broad subject, its most important components can be distilled into seven key facts:

1. Change is Inevitable

Not only has Google developed a reputation for regularly rolling out major changes to their algorithm, but many other aspects of online marketing also change on a regular basis. Because this type of change is going to happen, it’s important to account for it in any strategies you develop.

2. SEO Isn’t Something to Set and Forget

While there are certain optimization tactics you can do one time and then be done with for the foreseeable future, SEO is an ongoing effort. When businesses fail to commit to SEO, it’s nearly impossible for them to get the results they want.

3. Mobile SEO Matters

Using a responsive design for your website is a good starting point for mobile SEO. However, because local website optimization also plays a role in these rankings, it’s important to address additional issues as well. Geo-targeting, user navigation, and customized experiences are all factors that can play a role in how well a website ranks in mobile search results.

4. Your CMS Can Make or Break Your Rankings

Choosing a new CMS isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. One of the many ways it can affect your site is through rankings. While an optimized CMS can provide a lot of help in terms of rankings, the wrong one can hold you back. And even if a quality CMS is selected, it’s important to transition properly in order to protect any existing rankings.

5. Small Changes Can Have a Big Impact

This reality of SEO is a double-edged sword. Since there are times when trying to rank can be very frustrating, it’s reassuring to know that the rankings your site deserves may just be a small change away. On the other hand, if you’ve managed to establish very good rankings, it can be a little scary to realize that even if it’s something small, making the wrong change to your site can have very serious consequences.

6. SEO Shouldn’t Exist in a Bubble

A big part of getting the most out of search engine optimization for business is understanding that this practice doesn’t exist in a bubble. While it is important to ensure that all of your SEO efforts are in the hands of capable professionals, you also need to take into account how search engine optimization interacts with everything else you’re doing online and offline. By finding the best ways to integrate all of your efforts, you’ll be able to generate the best possible results.

7. Google Doesn’t Owe You Anything

While this last point may sound harsh, the sooner you take it to heart, the sooner you’ll be able to develop a truly effective SEO strategy for your website.

If you want to work with an SEO company that can help you stay on top of this ever-changing landscape, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

10 Signs Your Company Needs a Website Redesign

When do you know that your company needs a website redesign? In many cases, it’s not just because of a single factor. Instead, it’s the result of a combination of factors. And if you’re wondering what factors most often lead to businesses deciding to look for redesign services, that’s exactly what we’re going to cover right now:

Not Responsive

Responsive design refers to a design style that allows a website to automatically resize to any screen. Since so many Internet users are now getting online with their phones and tablets, a responsive design is vital for ensuring they all have a consistent experience.

Difficult to Update

Regardless of what someone may have told you in the past, in 2014, there’s no reason for a site to be difficult to update. If you’re comfortable checking your email and using Microsoft Word, you have all the skills needed to update your site whenever you want. However, if your site is out of date, you’re going to need professional redesign services to bring your site up to date and ensure it’s actually easy to use.

Unnecessary Clutter

Are there multiple buttons, badges, and other elements on your site that don’t serve a real purpose? If so, enlisting website redesign services to remove them will increase your site’s conversion rate by preventing your visitors from being distracted or annoyed.

Slow

When it comes to really compelling reasons to opt for a website redesign, a slow site is a big one. Having a site that takes forever to load means you’re regularly losing visitors. There’s also a good chance you’re not ranking as well as you could in Google with a faster site.

High Bounce Rate

If your analytics show that a significant number of visitors are hitting the back button before visiting a second page, you need the assistance of website redesign services to identify what’s going wrong and how it can be fixed.

Erosion of Traffic

A healthy website is one that sees a steady increase in traffic. If your traffic is moving in the other direction, redesigning it may be exactly what’s need to turn that negative trend around.

Looks Outdated

If it looks like it’s been five or even ten years since your site was updated, redesign services can give it a facelift so visitors won’t ever assume your site’s been abandoned.

Not Working Correctly

Online users don’t have the patience for sites that don’t work correctly. So if there are one or more features on your site that are currently malfunctioning, it’s time to deal with them through a redesign.

Search Engine Issues

Are there multiple error messages when you log into your Google Webmaster Tools account? If so, there’s a good chance a website redesign will be the best way to tackle them.

Links from Old Designers

If there are links on your site from redesign services you’ve enlisted in the past but no longer work with, an overhaul can remove them, as well as address any of the other issues we covered above.

Although deciding that you are going to have your site redesigned is a big decision, as long as you enlist the website redesign services of proven professionals, you’ll find that the process goes smoothly and the end result is exactly the type of website that you want.

Original content source: https://www.webstrategyplus.com/10-signs-company-needs-website-redesign/

5 Web Design Trends to Know About

 

The Internet is a place that’s always changing and evolving. As a business owner, you want to keep your website up to date. Not only is this important for potential customers’ perception of your business, but also to help with marketing. For example, as more searches have shifted to mobile devices, Google has adjusted their algorithm to reward sites that load quickly and work properly on those devices. Businesses that haven’t kept their sites up to date are missing out on a very important marketing channel.

Since the above issue is just one example of why web design trends matter a lot, we want to highlight five of the most notable:

Content-First

There was a time when many design trends revolved around utilizing lots of flashy elements to make sites highly interactive. While it’s still important to have an engaging design, huge platforms like Facebook have set people’s expectations with a modern but understated design. Since content is what people truly care about on social media, as well as when they visit individual websites, it’s important for the design to play a supporting role that makes it easy for content to be consumed on devices of all sizes.

Typography

In the past, it was often quite challenging to support anything other than very basic typography across different devices and operating systems. But thanks to advancements in technologies like CSS and web fonts, it’s now possible to create a consistent experience with custom fonts. By emphasizing typography, a business can establish strong brand recognition online.

Plenty of Color

As you may have noticed from what we’ve covered so far, a lot of the current trends in web design are driven by using fewer elements but making the most of everyone that is used. This can be seen in how color is being used. Instead of the muted palettes that became quite common several years ago, many current designs are using strategic pops of color to grab people’s attention and strengthen brand recognition.

Focus on Conversions

At Web Strategy Plus, we’ve always approached web design and development from the perspective of accomplishing business goals. More people are starting to understand the importance of using design as a conversion tool, which we’re very happy to see.

Storytelling

Given all the content that bombards people whenever they pull out their phone or open their laptop, it’s easy for marketing messages to get lost in the noise. One way that businesses are trying to combat this is using design as a way to weave compelling narratives throughout entire websites.

If going over the trends above reminded you that your business website is in need of an update, be sure to take a look at how we can help you execute a successful website redesign.

Original content source: https://www.webstrategyplus.com/5-web-design-trends-know-2017/

The Power of Social Media Marketing for Your Business

 

With the number of social media users worldwide expected to reach 3.09 billion by 2024, there’s no denying that businesses must take advantage of the power of social media marketing. Social media can be used to increase brand awareness, build relationships with customers, and generate leads. Let’s discuss why it is important for businesses to use social media marketing as part of their digital marketing strategies.

Reach a Wider Audience

Social media gives you access to a broader audience than other digital marketing strategies like email or SEO. It allows you to reach potential customers outside your current customer base and target them based on their interests and behaviors. You can also use targeted ads on these platforms that allow you to tailor your message to specific audiences, allowing you to identify potential customers more quickly and easily than ever before.

Develop Brand Awareness

Social media also gives you the opportunity to develop brand awareness in an engaging way. Through content such as blogs, videos, photos, and infographics, you can create content that resonates with your target audience and helps them remember your brand in a positive light. Furthermore, social media allows you to engage directly with customers through comments and messages—an invaluable opportunity for fostering relationships with existing clients and forming new ones with potential customers.

Generate Leads

Finally, one of the most powerful benefits of using social media is its ability to generate leads for your business. Through tactics such as lead magnets (free downloadable content) or incentive-based campaigns (such as discounts or giveaways), businesses are able to capture contact information from potential customers which can then be used for follow-up purposes such as email newsletters or sales calls. Additionally, using influencers or referral programs can further boost lead-generation efforts by helping businesses reach an even larger audience faster than they would without these tools.

Social media has become an integral part of any digital marketing strategy due to its ability to reach a wide audience at scale while also providing opportunities for building relationships with existing customers and generating leads from new ones. By taking full advantage of all that social media has to offer, companies can ensure that they stay at the top of their game when it comes to digital marketing success—and reap the rewards that come along with it!

Are you ready to get started with your social media marketing strategy? Contact us today for a free consultation!

Main source of article: https://www.webstrategyplus.com/the-power-of-social-media-marketing-for-your-business/

SEO Strategies: How Long Before You See Results?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of any digital marketing strategy. It helps improve the visibility of a website on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, leading to more traffic and potential customers. However, one of the most common questions business owners ask is how long it takes to see the results of SEO efforts.

The answer to this question is not straightforward, as it depends on several factors, including the competition in your industry, the size of your website, and the strength of your SEO strategy. However, some general guidelines can provide insight into how long you can expect to wait for SEO results.

The Competitiveness of Your Industry Matters

According to Forbes, “Generally speaking, websites can see improvement on search engines in 4 to 6 months with SEO, particularly if the site has a low level of competition.” This time frame assumes that the website in question is optimized for search engines and has high-quality content.

However, if the competition in your industry is intense, it may take longer to see results. This is because it takes time for search engines to recognize the changes you’ve made to your website, and it can take even longer for your website to climb the search engine rankings.

SEO Requires Ongoing Effort

It’s important to note that SEO is not a one-time effort. Maintaining and updating your website’s content and technical structure is crucial for ongoing success.

This includes regularly producing high-quality content, updating your website’s technical structure, and using appropriate keywords.

SEO Isn’t Just For Your Blog

Many business owners look to their blogs to integrate less competitive, long-tail keywords into their websites. While this is an excellent strategy that should be part of your SEO plan, your blog is only one section of your website where SEO should be integrated.

Ways to integrate SEO:

• Website Build

Before you even launch your website, you should plan SEO into your layout and content structure. SEO is more than keywords. Your image descriptions, page speed, and more will impact your SEO performance. Learn More.

• Optimize Your Existing Website

If you have an existing website and it’s not generating the traffic you expect, it might be time to consider improving your on-page SEO. On-page SEO integrates keywords your customer might search onto the pages of your website. This helps search engines get the right people to your website. Learn More.

• Local SEO

If your business caters to a local audience, your SEO strategy also needs to include local keywords. Local SEO helps your business integrate into the digital community of your local area, just like your business in the physical world is integrated into the local community. Learn More.

Get Started

The most important thing to do to get SEO results is to get started. It will take a little time to see results from your SEO efforts – 4 to 6 months or longer. But, a consistent and well-executed SEO strategy will provide long-term benefits and help establish your website as a trusted source of information in your industry.

Main source of article: https://www.webstrategyplus.com/seo-strategies-how-long-before-you-see-results/