With the introduction of the iPhone and iPad, there has been a rapid proliferation of smart phones and tablets in recent years. As of October 2011, according to comScore research, seven percent of all web traffic in the USA was from these handheld devices. Many predict handheld browsing will dominate within the next few years.

So what makes a mobile-friendly site, and does your site need to be “mobilized?” Read the rest of this entry »

If a site isn't in Google, does it exist?

If you think SEO is just about hidden code, keywords, and link campaigns, think again. We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating:

The “secret” to SEO is good, compelling text content. As a site owner, that’s what you should focus on, and let professionals like us help with the rest. So what are the most important SEO Factors?

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It’s become a marketing mantra–you MUST have your business on Facebook, or Twitter, or LinkedIn, or…

With hundreds of millions of daily visitors, it makes perfect sense to have a presence for this growing social media audience. But it’s not like the movie Field of Dreams where you build it and they will come. Successful social media requires a major time commitment, creativity, and focusing on your audience.

After all, it’s SOCIAL media, not ads media. Social media has exploded because it’s, well, social! It’s a place to find friends and family, share interests, and networking. No one will follow your social media site if it’s content is nothing but shameless ads for your products or services.

Before you start a social media campaign, carefully consider the following:
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The secret to search engine optimization can be summed up in three words:

Good, compelling content.

Were we to add one more word, we’d say “good, compelling text content.” What SEO factors should be considered for your site? Read the rest of this entry »

There’s no hard and fast rule as to how often to redesign a website. As web designers, we have to resist the urge to suggest “you should redesign it NOW!”

While there’s no set schedule for a redesign, here are some factors you should consider in deciding when it is time to redesign your web site. Read the rest of this entry »

Content Manage Systems (CMS) are wonderful for making simple edits to a web site. They are neither a replacement for a web designer, nor a graphic design tool to create complex images, animations, or advanced web functions. Special features require special skills.

Computers and CMS software are not creative—they are tools where the results depend on the person using them. So what should you realistically expect from a CMS? Read the rest of this entry »

When designing web sites or printed pieces, clients sometimes ask us to make the logo bigger. Here’s why you shouldn’t worry about making your logo bigger.

People do not buy based on a logo. Have you hired an accountant, an electrician, or bought from an office supply company because of their logo? No. You hire and work with businesses because of the service, knowledge, price, and the other benefits that they provide to you. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the best things about a web site is the ability to update it economically and often. Search engines favor sites that are updated frequently, and updates give visitors a reason to come back.

But are you delivering web updates in the most cost-efficient way to your webmaster? If not, you’re creating more work for yourself, and increasing the costs! Read the rest of this entry »

Remember what Mom said when you were a kid and you wanted to do something all your friends were doing? “If everyone was jumping off a bridge, would you?” Wanting your site to look or work the same as another site should come with that same warning because most websites fail to grab visitors’ attention.

So how do you know what websites you shouldn’t imitate? We’ve made a list of seven styles of sites you should never follow.
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Odds are you’ve received more than one offer from some SEO company that noticed you’re not No. 1 on search engines, and they can help you. If you’re tempted to respond to their offer, think again. Here are three things to consider if you don’t immediately delete their email.

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