Here are six reasons why it’s worth having a professionally designed website that caters to your specific needs:

1.     Inspire trust

Your website is the face of your business. It helps your visitors decide whether to continue browsing your site or close the tab and move on. With a professionally designed website, you can easily instill trust in your visitors.

You want your visitors to browse your site and get to know who you are. Having a website that is professionally design provides something special for them to cherish – trust. As a result, they are more likely to work with you (someone they can rely on) or purchase your product or service using their credit or debit cards without hesitation.

2.     A more professional overall look of your website

An unattractive website can negatively affect even the most streamlined businesses. Your site is the most visual part of your company, so it’s important that you maintain a high level of professionalism and organization in your website design. Also, be mindful that your website plays a significant role in your advertising efforts. A website with a masterful design appeals to more to visitors and attract more paying customers.

3.     Higher search engine rankings

In this day and age, a poorly coded website can decrease your site’s ranking in search engine results. It’s important that your site is optimized for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to stand out among your competitors and make it easier for people to find your website online. A professionally designed website usually includes the latest technologies and features to help maximize search engine rankings. Thus, boosting your online presence.

4.     More time on your hands

Don’t spend your precious time learning to code your website. Leave that to the experts. A professional website design will give you more time for the things that matter the most. Spend your time working on growing your company or take a trip to the Tropical Islands, not trying to find that bug that crashes your site every time it loads. Besides, hiring a professional makes it easier to receive high-quality design services.

5.     Stand out from your competitors

Average websites just aren’t good enough anymore. In any industry, you’ll find that most websites look the same (or almost). Yes, they convey their message, the design is okay, but they don’t show why they are different from each other. With a professionally designed website, you can combine your selling points into a unique visual message, which can help overshadow your rivals.

6.     Achieve a consistent brand identity

Look at the bigger picture. Instead of using five different visual languages across different contexts, why not just develop a consistent brand identity that will leave a more memorable impression in the minds of your visitors? Everything from your website, logo and business cards to your social media profiles come together to form your brand.  A professional can help you find and implement the perfect combination of colors, shades, logos and the like, to help people immediately recognize your brand.

Verdict

A professionally designed website is an asset to any business. A site that is designed based on your requirements give you control over the direction you want your business to take in the online world.  If done properly, it can help build trust within your visitors, increase your online visibility, save time, and help you develop a consistent brand identity; hence building a more profitable business.

Although it is possible to create a website using pre-designed templates, the work that this takes is generally not cost effective for a business owner trying to have a stronger presence on the internet. Leave web design up to professionals and in the end you will save both valuable time and money.

Another aspect of a successful website is link building. Link building is the art of creating links that both point out from your website to other reputable sources and point in from sources to your website. The more links you have from websites with high page ranks, the better your website will do in search engine results.

It doesn’t help your website if there are a lot of links that point to your website from sites that are low ranking, in fact, this can hurt your search engine results. You want to have good links from reputable sources point to your information. This adds you to the web of search results in a positive way.

Link building is an art because it is not something you can just pay for and be successful. In fact, if Google knows that your links are paid links, you will be penalized and not show up in searches at all. Google wants websites to have strong, organic links to and from their website that point to other reputable sites providing similar information or services.

Deep links are another important aspect of developing a strong website. The content you have on your website matters, and being able to connect separate articles on your website using deep links is vital to the success of your website.

The more your content is engaging, original and stays on topic, the higher you will begin to show up on Google searches. Most website owners choose a keyword phrase or two, and then use this phrase often as they are writing content for their site. The more this keyword phrase is used, the more Google understands that it is important.

High quality content matters, and you can’t just rewrite the keyword phrase of your choice over and over without the content making sense. This is considered keyword stuffing, and Google’s algorithm continually changes to pick up on these nuances on your site. The best way to get onto the first page in Google searches is to have relevant content that changes frequently and follows search engine optimization techniques.

We work with business owners to develop a unique website design, and we can discuss your SEO and link building needs. To be competitive in today’s business world, it’s crucial to have a successful website that shows up in search engines. Through good content, a unique design and professional link building, your website can successfully generate new business for your company.

Content Makes the Difference

Search Engine Optimization might be a tech term you are not familiar with but it can mean the difference between your company thriving or crashing. Search Engine Optimization or SEO is the key to making sure potential customers see your page. Specific wording which will attract search engines must be strategically placed throughout the content on your website. There is an art to this, just as there is an art to smooth web design. And the artists who can make this happen for your page are the content developers at Xplode Marketing.

Hiring the Right People

If you were not an electrician you would not attempt to rewire your home. You would leave it to the professionals. The same applies to content development for your website. The content developers at Xplode Marketing are skilled in creating all types of SEO rich content. Landing pages, blog posts, informative articles, product descriptions and killer calls to action are just a few of the services which our content developers can provide for.

The Perfect Match

When you utilize the web design services of Xplode Marketing along with the content development services what you get is the whole package. The graphics, the infrastructure, the design and the content which can make your site a huge asset to your company. You want an attractive, engaging site easily located and ranked by top search engines, and that is what we can provide.

No Awkward Stuffing

The downfall of SEO content is that many service providers will simply stuff awkwardly composed content with wording in an effort to attract search engines. The problem with this is that potential customers can spot this from a mile away. You want the content to serve a twofold purpose. You want SEO rich content which is also entertaining and relevant to your customer base. You want a site which customers and clients actually enjoy visiting; a place where they can learn something new about your company or services or anything related to your services. Professional, high quality content developers can do this.

Local is No Problem

If your content needs to have a definite local slant to it, our content developers can accomplish this for you as well. Local marketing is very important to small business owners. Small business owners cater to a very specific client base and we understand that. Our highly trained team can help create custom made content which will appeal straight to your target audience.

There are a lot of do-it-yourself options for website creation and design. While these might be sufficient for some, they’re likely to fall short of the mark for businesses who intend to keep the competition on their toes. Because your website is the first impression your company will make on many consumers, you want to ensure it includes some of the web design best practices.

Best Practices for Web Design

1. A Website Must be Responsive. Above all, you want a website that loads quickly and allows the consumer to begin reading, browsing or shopping. A cluttered website that’s overloaded with video and large images will move slowly, especially for those accessing your site from a mobile device or older computer.
2. A Compelling Layout. The layout of your website should be interesting and creative, but not complicated. Use color and arrangement to appeal to the viewer’s eyes. A welcoming website layout will make them want to come back.
3. Just the Right Use of Image and Multi-Media. Video marketing is one of the most popular forms of internet marketing at the moment. Short, informational videos can be effective on your website, but don’t overdo it. Use images and video where they fit naturally.
4. Organized and User-Friendly. You don’t want viewers to have to go on a wild goose chase to find your products and services. Create an organized website layout that’s easy for viewers to use whether they’re on their home computer or mobile device.
5. Error-Free Navigation. When linking to other pages on your website, double-check that the links lead to the proper location. Errors in the navigation of your website will negatively impact your credibility and cause you to lose sales.
6. Keep it Fresh. Frequent visitors to your website will appreciate new content and images from time to time. Add these in a natural way, whether with the changing seasons or in conjunction with a new product introduction. If you have a blog on your website, add to it two to three times weekly.
7. Make it Mobile. Have your designer create a mobile version of your website so users on-the-go can access, enjoy and promote it.
8. Call to Actions. This is by far the most important element of any website. Be sure to guide your visitors into calling you, filling a contact form or purchasing your service or product.

Getting it Right

If you’re the slightest bit uncomfortable about your website’s design…if there’s any small doubt in your mind about its effectiveness, trust your gut and make a change. Work with a professional web designer to get it right. You only have a few seconds to make someone want to explore your site and convert into a real lead or sale or lead them to hit the “Back” button. A professional web designer will work with you to understand your business goals and, together, you’ll design a website that becomes an effective part of growing your business.

A company’s business brand is critical to long-term success and growth. The brand identifies what your business stands for and elicits an emotional connection between your company and its consumers. A strong brand is enough to get people to drive out of their way to buy your running shoes when another company is located closer by. Connectivity to your business brand will result in loyal customers becoming some of your business’s best advertisements possible.

Logos that fit well with a business’s brand only serve to strengthen it. Consider well-known logos, such as Apple’s apple, the swoosh mark that everyone associates with Nike or the golden arches that symbolize…well, we probably don’t even need to say. You already know. How does your logo measure up in terms of increasing brand awareness? It it’s not leading to the results you hoped for, it might be time to re-examine your logo.

Important Considerations in Logo Development

• Font and Color. The font and color of your company’s logo are prime factors for how well it’s received by the public. There are four top colors used for logo design, blue, red, black and yellow. Likewise, fonts in the Serif family, Modern and Script versions are amongst some of the most popular used.
• What’s Your Message? How do you want your audience to perceive your company? As progressive, traditional, nerdy, fun? Your logo conveys a message. Ensuring that it’s sending the intended message is vital to your business’s success.
• Who’s Your Audience? Demographics are involved in the foundation of every successful marketing campaign. Your logo’s message will work to its full potential when you know who your intended audience is and isn’t. Knowing this will help you select the font and color you use, as well as any other aspect of your logo. If your target audience is teenage girls, a pink logo might be perfect. But you won’t use that same color to target an audience of 35 – 54 year old men.
• Consider the Context. Where will your logo be seen the most? On a store shelf, the internet, on the side of a box or cup? This is an important consideration to make because you want your logo to look as good across the top of a 3-inch square box as it looks across the front of an 8-inch wide catalog or 20-foot billboard.
• The Role of Graphics. The swoosh and the golden arches are logo graphics that immediately identify the company to the viewers. Not everyone uses a graphic. If you do, the rule of thumb is to keep it simple.

Logo as Part of Your Company’s Identification

To the consumer, your business’s logo is part of the company’s personality. A logo that looks aesthetically pleasing isn’t enough in today’s market. Like your business brand, your company’s logo must elicit connection between you and the consumer, and it must evoke feelings. People who see the Nike swoosh mark think of athletic performance. Those that see the Forbes symbol think of intelligence and power. What do consumers think of when they see your company’s logo? For maximum effectiveness, you want to ensure that what they see is exactly what you want them to perceive.

When you’re determining which types of internet marketing you want to employ, there are two important questions to ask yourself: Where is my company now? Where do I want my company to go? The answers to these questions will help direct the path you take with your online marketing campaigns, allowing you to get the biggest bang for your marketing bucks. To help you make the best possible selections, read on to learn more about the various internet marketing channels available and the criteria that should be used to drive your selection process.

Internet Marketing Options: What Are Some of the Options?

• Email Marketing. Brand-building emails, email newsletters, customer conversion-focused emails and more sent to an ever-growing email list that consumers can easily sign up for in your store, or on your website and blog.
• Display Ads. Interactive advertisements, video advertisements, banners and more, often placed on third-party blogs or website to drive traffic to your business and create brand awareness.
• SEO. Link-building, keyword search and on-page optimization, which helps to increase your company’s rank in search engine results.
• Affiliate Marketing. Many companies, such as Amazon and eBay, have affiliate marketing programs that allow small businesses and solopreneurs to earn residual income by linking back to these bigger companies. Is that a program your large business could offer and benefit from?
• Pay Per Click. Google, Yahoo! and many others have PPC advertising opportunities to help increase traffic and visibility on a pay-per-click basis.
• Online Public Relations. Internet-based public relations agencies, such as PR Web or PR Newswire, can be an effective marketing method for increasing presence and traffic, or building your brand.
• Social Media Marketing. Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, FourSquare and myriad other social media venues that help drive traffic to your website and increase your business’s visibility.

Consider These Factors

• Your Business Goals. At the top of the list are your business’s goals. Brand awareness, traffic increases, sales or public awareness are all goals that might be behind a marketing campaign.
• Marketing Budget. After defining your goals, budget is the next factor to come into play. The above internet marketing options provide something for every budget, from pennies to millions.
• Pool of Available Talent. The talent you have available on your staff is instrumental for pulling off a successful internet marketing campaign. Do you have writers, social media marketing whizzes?

Get the Most for Your Marketing Dollars

You wouldn’t throw money away on ineffective marketing strategies, but that’s what companies are doing when they use methods that are ineffective for their business or goals. It’s important to revisit the marketing strategies your company uses from time to time to ensure they’re still producing the results needed. As your business changes and as consumers continue to evolve, the internet marketing techniques you use will have to progress, too.

“It’s the company logo.”

“The company’s motto is their brand.”

“The colors and design make the brand.”

“The brand is the type of product they sell.”

None of these responses are exactly wrong, but they’re missing some of the key components that define brand. Your company’s brand is so important that it has the power to attract more consumers or drive them away. Knowing your brand, or developing the best one possible, can be a game-changer in terms of business success.

What a Business Brand Is

• A Unique Name. A business’s name says a lot about a company and is the first telltale sign for consumers, letting them know who and what your company stands for.
• An Image in the Consumer’s Mind. Business brand helps form an image in the consumer’s mind. It tells them your company is casual and welcoming, elite and successful, or for the dreamers and doers.
• A Consistent Theme. Across the board, even when introducing new products and services, your business brand promotes a consistent theme similar to the image it helps form in peoples’ minds.
• A Presence. Brand creates a presence in the consumer’s life. It becomes the coffee that people can’t start their day without, or the shoes they can’t win a race without wearing.

What Does Your Business Brand Do?

• Clearly Delivers Your Company’s Message. Your message and motto are two different things. The message your brand delivers tells consumers who you are and helps them form an emotional connection.
• Establishes Credibility. Brand consistency lets consumers know that you’re going to continue delivering the same quality of products, services and customer satisfaction they value.
• Connects with Consumers on an Emotional Level. Above all else, how the consumer connects with you emotionally will drive them back to your business time and again, or send them away.
• Motivates People to Buy. Because consumers identify with your brand, they’re motivated to buy from your company over someone else’s, even if they have to go out of their way to do so.
• Converts Consumers to Customers. All of the above converts a curious consumer into a loyal customer who will happily sing the praises of your business.

Are You Sending the Right Message?

From small, local businesses to global conglomerates, companies have increased their success with their business brand. Today’s consumer is looking for meaningful connection. An attractive logo or catchy saying might grab the attention of a consumer, but it’s the business brand that will keep that consumer coming back, turning them into a loyal customer who goes on to promote the business simply because they identify with and benefit from it so much.

Your company’s brand is how consumers perceive you. More than a logo, more than a catchy phrase or attractive color combination, it’s a feeling that consumers have when they frequent your business, use your products or employ your services. As a business in growth mode, it’s important that you know what messages your brand is conveying and if they’re beneficial to your success.

This is a technical term that design specialists use to indicate a web site that responds correctly when displayed on mobile devices. The viewer is not required to scroll through long lists and menus before finding the actual information being sought, and he gets the exact same experience as if he was using a PC. Responsive web design removes the need for a second website for mobile devices, and instead provides a consistent content to a variety of screen resolutions and device types. I wrote a similar article about last month.

When the consumer can access your website as easily on their smartphone, it allows them greater access to your business. People are not always near a computer, but most people with smartphones carry them all the time. This simply means that you never lose out on a lead.

Other benefits include:

Consistency

Responsive web design sites are fluid. The website content moves freely across all screen resolutions ensuring that all visitors experience the same thing regardless of the devices they use.

Convenience

Nowadays, people are always on the go. For email or social media marketers, this poses a challenge since they do not know the right time to reach the customers. However, responsive web design accommodates your customers at their convenience.

Cost Benefits

One website costs less than two, and the savings can be substantial for small businesses. Websites designed only for a mobile device doesn’t offer the advanced navigational techniques, but more significantly they also require the user to maintain two separate web addresses. This can actually force them to leave your business and go to a competitor that has a single responsive website.

SEO Benefits

Responsive web design enhances your search engine optimization efforts by having all your visitors directed to a single site no matter which device they are using.

Flexibility

Finally, as the number of your customers who using mobile devices to access the internet grows, responsive web design will help to accommodate them. Always remember, if you do not integrate responsive web design in your online marketing strategy, you will lose out on a significant chunk of potential customers.

But many entrepreneurs are actually intimidated by the whole spectrum of online marketing. The following are some internet marketing basics to give you a head start:

An Excellent Website

Your website represents your business in the cyber sphere, which is why web design is of immense importance. Poorly designed websites can seriously hinder your efforts of reaching your target audience and meeting business goals, resulting in a loss of leads and revenue. If you already have a website but it’s not generating any leads. then you should consider improving the current design. Incorporate clear call to action, and up-to-date content.

Search Engine Optimization

SEO simply means getting your brand to the top of search engine results. The top spot on Google or Yahoo! is what every business is searching for, and so optimization should be a top priority. Contrary to what most people think, SEO doesn’t require technical expertise, but rather knowledge of keywords and quality link-building. You should spend some time familiarizing yourself with Google updates like Penguin and Panda to learn about the most effective techniques of getting your website to the top. Or if you’re like most business owners or managers, you’ll hire a team like Xplode Marketing to do it. 🙂

Social Media Marketing

Having a well-designed and well-optimized website is not enough. You need to leave your mark on the social network as well. If your business isn’t on any social networking websites, then, forget about finding new leads. Remember that your target audience hanging out on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, and Digg, and so an effective social media presence is necessary. Social media produces almost double the marketing leads of trade shows and telemarketing. This is amazing stuff. So if you are not already there, start planning your social media marketing strategy today.

Videos and Infographics

Finally, do not forget infographics and videos when executing your online marketing strategy. YouTube receives more than one billion monthly visitors, and people mostly prefer viewing inforgraphics or videos over textual content. The best part is that these multimedia presentations do not cost a fortune and we at Xplode Marketing have a company that specializes in just that.. A simple yet entertaining video of your business can create a buzz that will resound for many weeks to come! Check it out by going to Media Whale

Responsive web design enables your website to fit on every device imaginable. The implications are obvious: everyone has the same browsing experience, regardless of the screen size of their device.

Before moving on, it is important here to clarify that responsive web design isn’t synonymous with mobile design. Responsive sites can be viewed from any laptop, desktop or computer with resolutions of 1920 x 1080, 800 x 600, and 1024 x 768 pixels, while a mobile site is really only designed for a mobile device like a smartphone. Most designers consider shrinking visuals a greater challenge than expanding ones. But the world is changing and designers and developers need to adapt. That’s why you’ll find from this point on we include responsive web design in all of our projects.

Check out www.plusreservations.com or www.fittyads.com as two examples.

So, what are the major benefits of responsive web design?

Greater Conversion Rates

With a website built with a responsive design, users will have a smoother browsing experience. There will be no redirection, and the use of CSS across devices and unified design will result in a consistent feel. This will have a positive impact on your conversion rates.

Flexibility

Being that, responsive design doesn’t need too many redirects or different websites, updates are easy to develop because you can use only one across the board. Moreover, since the layout remains the same regardless of the size, this helps in building brand loyalty.

Better SEO

A responsive design always helps in boosting search engine optimization. This helps make your website more visible to more people across the internet. In addition, link building becomes simpler and advertising campaigns and redirects all point to a common location. Most importantly, a single responsive website design makes analytics easier.

To sum up, even though the world of web design and internet marketing is highly innovative, responsive web design won’t fade away in the near future. In fact, as the sizes of computers and mobile devices shrink every day, their need becomes all more vital. Although making a website responsive takes time and effort, both developers and users benefit in the long-term. Feel free to give us a call or email us if you have any other questions.