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Are you ever stuck, staring at the screen, not knowing what to write for your product description? Or maybe you're having trouble figuring out what kind of information would make someone go from just browsing to becoming a loyal customer? You're not the only one.

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but in the world of ecommerce, using the right words strategically can make a big difference in the success of a business. The average person only spends about eight seconds on a website page, so it's really important for a business to be able to write short, clear, and helpful product descriptions that can convince customers to “add to cart”.

 

Strong product descriptions serve as the bridge between your digital storefront and the delivered products, providing customers with essential information about the items they're considering.

 

Product descriptions are powerful sales tools that can captivate, inform, and compel potential buyers. They have a direct impact on conversion rates, influencing customers to make purchasing decisions, while also encouraging customer engagement and loyalty.

 

In this blog post, we will further explore the importance of effective product descriptions in ecommerce, understand how to write compelling copy, as well as understand their significant impact on conversion rates and SEO strategies.

 

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Why Are Product Descriptions Important?

 

They Increase Your Revenue

Product descriptions have a direct impact on increasing sales and revenue for online businesses. When customers visit an ecommerce website, they rely heavily on product descriptions to understand the products they are wanting to buy. A well-written product description goes beyond providing basic information. It creates an immersive experience that engages customers and highlights the unique features, benefits, and value of the product.

 

They build connection and trust

Compelling descriptions can evoke emotions, address customer pain points, and showcase the product's benefits in a way that resonates with the target audience.

 

Detailed and accurate product descriptions instill confidence and trust in customers. Being transparent and clear helps a business gain trust from customers and makes it less likely for them to give up on their purchase because they're unsure.

 

They enhance the user experience

Product descriptions contribute significantly to enhancing the user experience for online shoppers. When a customer visits your online store, they are looking for detailed information about the products but also a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience. Here are some ways product descriptions can accomplish this:

 

• Clear and Concise Information: A well-written product description ensures that users can quickly and easily find the information they need. By presenting key details, such as product specifications, dimensions, materials, and usage instructions, in a clear and concise manner, businesses enable users to make informed decisions without having to search further.
• Addressing Customer Concerns: Product descriptions address potential customer questions and concerns by providing comprehensive information right off the bat, avoiding customer hesitation.
• Engaging and Informative Content: Product descriptions can be used to evoke emotions, create a connection with the user, and help them visualize how the product can enhance their lives.
• Consistency in Brand Voice and Messaging: Well-written product descriptions align with the overall brand voice and messaging, creating a cohesive and consistent user experience. This consistency helps build brand recognition and reinforces the brand's values, making users feel more confident and familiar with the brand.
• Supporting Visual Elements: Paired with the right visuals, product descriptions become strong tools for generating revenue. While images provide a visual representation of the product, descriptions offer a deeper understanding. Effective descriptions complement visual elements by highlighting key features, providing usage examples, or explaining product benefits that may not be obvious from the visuals alone.

 

They help build trust

In the online world of ecommerce, trust plays a crucial role because customers can't physically interact with products before buying them. That's why well-written product descriptions are important for building trust and credibility.

 

When product descriptions are transparent and accurate, they give customers the information they need to make informed decisions. By clearly presenting details like specifications, features, dimensions, and other relevant information, businesses show that they are committed to providing accurate and reliable information.

 

They help build brand credibility

An effective way to establish credibility is by including social proof, such as customer reviews and testimonials, in product descriptions. Positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers validate the claims made in the descriptions and give potential buyers reassurance. When ratings, reviews, and testimonials are included with the product descriptions, it builds trust by showing that others have had positive experiences with the product.

 

Taking the time to write a well-crafted product description is worthwhile. A poorly written or generic description can undermine trust and credibility while well-written, error-free, and engaging descriptions demonstrate attention to detail and a commitment to quality.

 

They help your online business stand out from the competition

Writing effective product descriptions is a valuable way to make your business stand out in the competitive world of online shopping. Since there are many other stores offering similar products, it's crucial to grab the attention of potential customers and leave a lasting impression.

 

Well-written descriptions play a key role in communicating what makes your product special, highlighting its unique qualities compared to competitors. By emphasizing the benefits and advantages your product offers, you can showcase its value. By incorporating storytelling techniques and a distinctive tone of voice that reflects your brand's personality, you can create an emotional connection with customers and set your brand apart.

 

Developing a unique language and writing style further establishes a memorable and recognizable brand identity. By using these strategies, you can differentiate your business, attract customers who resonate with your brand, and provide a remarkable and distinct shopping experience that sets you apart from the competition.

 

They boost search engine visibility (SEO)

Well-written product descriptions go beyond engaging and informing potential customers – they also play a crucial role in boosting search engine visibility and ecommerce SEO. Here's how:

 

• Keyword Optimization: By strategically incorporating relevant keywords and phrases into your product descriptions, you can enhance the SEO value of your pages. Optimizing descriptions with targeted keywords helps search engines understand the relevance of your products and display them in relevant search results.
• Unique and Original Content: Creating distinct and original product descriptions sets you apart from competitors and improves your chances of ranking higher in search results. Unique content demonstrates to search engines that your website provides valuable and credible information.
• Increased Page Relevance: Well-written descriptions improve the relevance of your product pages to specific search queries. Accurately describing the features and benefits of your products helps search engines match your pages to relevant user searches.
• Longer Time on Page and Lower Bounce Rates: Engaging and informative descriptions can keep visitors on your product pages longer, indicating to search engines that your content is valuable. This can potentially improve your website's ranking in search results. 
• Backlink Opportunities: Compelling descriptions can attract backlinks from other websites, further boosting your website's SEO. When other sites link to your product pages, it enhances your website's authority and credibility in the eyes of search engines.

 

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How To Write Powerful Product Descriptions

Writing powerful product descriptions is essential for capturing the attention of potential customers and persuading them to make a purchase. Here are key strategies to consider:

 

• Understand your target audience by researching their needs, preferences, and pain points. Tailor your descriptions to address their unique concerns and desires.
• Highlight key product features and benefits, showcasing how your product solves problems or fulfills specific needs. Emphasize what sets your product apart from competitors.
• Use persuasive language and storytelling techniques to engage your audience emotionally and create a connection. Paint a vivid picture of how your product can positively impact their lives.
• Incorporate relevant SEO keywords throughout your descriptions to improve search engine visibility and attract organic traffic.
• Format and structure your descriptions for readability, using bullet points, subheadings, and short paragraphs. Highlight important information and key features.
• Leverage social proof by including customer reviews and testimonials. Positive ratings and endorsements build trust and credibility.

 

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SEO Strategies for Ecommerce Product Descriptions

To enhance the visibility of your ecommerce product descriptions and attract organic traffic, it's crucial to implement effective SEO strategies. Here are key tactics to optimize your descriptions for search engines:

 

• Improve visibility and click-through rates by optimizing product titles and meta descriptions with descriptive and keyword-rich content.
• Enhance search results and generate rich snippets with additional information by implementing schema markup, which provides structured data.
• Improve website navigation, user experience, and establish credibility by incorporating internal and external linking.
• Track important metrics and identify areas for improvement by utilizing analytics tools to monitor and analyze the performance of your product descriptions.

 

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The Takeaway

We’ve learned that well-written product descriptions are a powerful tool for driving online businesses towards success in the world of ecommerce. A strong product description can be the bridge between a casual browser and a loyal customer. The average individual spends roughly eight seconds on a website page, so it’s vital to a businesses’ success in their ability to convert a customer to write short, succinct and powerful product descriptions.

 

At REM Web Solutions, we understand the value of a well-written piece of brand collateral and encourage our clients to pay special attention to the messaging they share with their customers and audiences. Get in touch with us and let’s explore ways in which you could leverage your content writing to align with your business goals.

 

 

Owning and operating a small business has many fulfilling aspects ­— connecting with your customers in a meaningful way, being able to keep a finger on the pulse of everyday activity and providing a personalized product or service. That being said, if you’re looking to grow and scale your business, taking advantage of digital tools such as Google Business Profile can help you optimize your local SEO presence and appeal to a larger pool of prospective customers.

 

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of small businesses. Google Business Profile allows business owners to utilize Google’s power as the most popular search engine to broaden their local reach.

 

This powerful tool not only allows you to create and manage your business listing but also plays a significant role in improving your local SEO performance.

 

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of Google Business Profile and provide an overview of key terms that will help you optimize your local SEO presence. By understanding these concepts and implementing effective strategies, you can enhance your online visibility, attract local customers, and gain a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.

 

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Let's dive in and explore how Google Business Profile can benefit your small business.

 

Google Business Profile Insights – How Does It Work?

Google Business Profile Insights is a powerful analytics tool provided by Google that offers valuable data and metrics about your business listing's performance on Google Search and Google Maps. It provides you with key insights into how customers are finding your business, interacting with your listing, and engaging with your brand.

 

Why is this a tool worth your time? By analyzing this data, you can gain a deeper understanding of your target audience and make informed decisions to optimize your local SEO presence.

 

Accessing your Google Business Profile Insights is simple.

 

• Log in to your Google Business Profile account and navigate to the "Insights" section. Here, you'll find a wealth of data presented in an easy-to-understand format. The insights are categorized into different sections, including visibility, engagement, and audience.
• In the visibility section, you'll discover how customers discovered your business listing, whether through direct searches, discovery searches, or through Google Maps.
• Engagement insights provide valuable information on how customers interacted with your listing, such as the number of clicks, calls, and website visits.
• The audience section provides demographic information about your audience, including age, gender, and location.

Interpreting the insights data requires a holistic approach. Look for patterns and trends in the data over time. Identify which areas are performing well and which need improvement. For example, if you notice that a significant number of customers are discovering your business through direct searches, it indicates a strong brand presence. On the other hand, if engagement metrics are low, you might need to optimize your listing to encourage more interactions.

 

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Understanding Local Presence in Google Search Results

Local presence refers to the visibility and prominence of a business in local search results on Google. When users search for products or services with local intent, such as "restaurants near me" or "plumbers in [city name]," Google provides the most relevant and geographically appropriate results. Local presence ensures that your business appears in these relevant local search results, increasing the chances of attracting local customers.

 

Google utilizes various factors to determine local relevance and presents results on its search engine results page (SERP) accordingly. Several key factors influence local search rankings. They include:

 

• Google Business Profile Listing: A well-optimized and up-to-date Google Business Profile listing is vital. This includes accurate business information, proper categorization, and a compelling description.
• Relevance: Google assesses the relevance of a business to a particular search query. It considers factors such as matching keywords, category selection, and content relevance across your website, Google Business Profile listing, and online citations.
• Distance: Proximity between the searcher and the business location is a crucial factor. Google considers the physical distance of the business from the searcher's location or the location specified in the search query.
• Prominence: The prominence and reputation of a business play a role in local search rankings. Factors such as the number and quality of customer reviews, online ratings, backlinks, and citations from authoritative sources contribute to prominence.
• Website Quality and SEO: The overall quality, relevance, and optimization of your website also influence local search rankings. Factors like mobile-friendliness, page load speed, structured data markup, and relevant content contribute to a better ranking.

 

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Enhance Your Local Presence in Google Search Results

To enhance your local presence in Google search results, consider implementing the following strategies:

 

• Optimize Google Business Profile: Create a complete and accurate Google Business Profile listing. Ensure that your business information is consistent across all platforms, select relevant categories, and regularly update your listing with photos, posts, and offers.
• Localize Your Website: Optimize your website for local SEO by incorporating location-specific keywords, creating location-based landing pages, and including your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information on every page.
• Online Reviews and Reputation Management: Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile listing. Monitor and respond to reviews promptly, addressing both positive and negative feedback. A positive online reputation enhances your local presence.
• Local Citations and Directory Listings: Ensure consistent NAP information across online directories, industry-specific listings, and citation sources. This helps Google associate your business with specific locations and improves local relevance.
• Content Localization: Create high-quality, locally-focused content on your website and blog. Incorporate local keywords, showcase local events or partnerships, and highlight your involvement in the local community.
• Earn Backlinks: Build relationships with local influencers, bloggers, and community organizations to earn backlinks to your website. Quality backlinks from local sources help establish credibility and enhance local search rankings.

 

Remember that local SEO is an ongoing process, and consistency is key. Regularly monitor your performance, adapt your strategies based on insights and algorithm updates, and continue to provide excellent products or services to your local customers. By focusing on local presence in Google search, you can effectively target and attract customers in your area.

 

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Optimizing NAP Consistency for Better Local SEO Performance

Maintaining consistent NAP information across all online listings is crucial for better local SEO performance. Inconsistent or inaccurate NAP information can confuse search engines and customers, leading to a loss of trust and lower search rankings. To optimize NAP consistency:

 

• Audit Existing Listings: Conduct a thorough audit of your current online listings. Identify any inconsistencies or outdated information that needs to be corrected.
• Standardize Format: Use a standardized format for your business name, address, and phone number across all listings. Avoid using abbreviations, variations, or alternate phone numbers.
• Update Citations and Directories: Ensure that your NAP information is consistent across online directories, review sites, social media platforms, and other citation sources. Update or claim your listings to make necessary corrections.
• Monitor and Correct Inconsistencies: Regularly monitor your listings and correct any inconsistencies or inaccuracies as soon as possible. Utilize automated tools or services that can help identify and manage your online citations.

 

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Local Marketing and Customer Engagement

Local marketing refers to the strategies and tactics businesses use to promote their products or services to a specific local audience. It focuses on targeting customers within a specific geographical area, typically within a certain radius around the business location. Some key local marketing techniques include:

 

• Location-Based Targeting: Utilizing location-based advertising platforms and tools to target customers within a specific area through online ads, social media campaigns, or geotargeted search ads.
• Community Involvement: Engaging with the local community through sponsorships, partnerships, and participation in local events, fundraisers, or charity initiatives. This helps build brand awareness and establishes a positive reputation.
• Local SEO: Optimizing your website and online presence to rank higher in local search results. This includes using location-based keywords, creating location-specific landing pages, and building citations and backlinks from local sources.
• Local Content Marketing: Creating and promoting content that is relevant to the local audience. This can include blog posts, videos, or social media content that highlights local events, news, or customer stories.

 

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Engaging with Local Customers and Managing Customer Reviews

Engaging with local customers and managing customer reviews is crucial for building a strong local reputation and fostering customer loyalty. It has several benefits, including:

 

• Trust and Credibility: Engaging with customers and responding to their inquiries or feedback demonstrates that you value their opinions and are committed to providing excellent service. This builds trust and credibility for your business in the local community.
• Positive Online Reputation: Actively managing customer reviews allows you to address any negative feedback promptly and professionally. By resolving issues and showcasing exceptional customer service, you can enhance your online reputation and attract more customers.
• Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Satisfied customers who have positive experiences are more likely to recommend your business to others. By engaging with them and providing excellent service, you increase the chances of generating positive word-of-mouth referrals.
• Competitive Advantage: Local businesses that actively engage with customers and manage their online reputation stand out from competitors. By leveraging platforms like Google Business Profile for customer engagement, you can gain a competitive edge in the local market.

 

Remember to respond to customer reviews in a timely manner, whether they are positive or negative. Express gratitude for positive reviews and address any concerns or issues raised in negative reviews professionally and constructively. By actively engaging with local customers and managing their reviews, you can foster a positive brand image, build strong relationships, and attract more local customers to your business.

 

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Leveraging Online Business Directories

Online business directories play a significant role in local SEO by providing businesses with additional online visibility and increasing their chances of appearing in local search results. These directories act as online platforms that list businesses in specific categories and locations, making it easier for potential customers to find relevant products or services in their area. Search engines often consider information from these directories when determining local search rankings, making them an essential part of a local SEO strategy.

To effectively list businesses in relevant online directories, consider the following strategies:

 

• Research and Identify Relevant Directories: Start by researching and identifying online directories that are specific to your industry or location. Focus on directories that are popular and trusted by your target audience.
• Optimize Business Information: When listing your business, ensure that you provide accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information. Optimize your business description by including relevant keywords and highlighting unique selling points.
• Choose the Right Categories: Select the most appropriate categories for your business listing within each directory. This helps ensure that your business appears in relevant search results and increases its visibility to potential customers.
• Include High-Quality Visuals: Enhance your listing by including high-quality images that showcase your products, services, or premises. Visuals can attract attention and make your listing more appealing to potential customers.
• Monitor and Update Listings: Regularly monitor your listings in online directories to ensure the - information remains accurate and up to date. Update any changes to your business details promptly to maintain consistency across all directories.

 

Owning and operating a small business requires you to juggle many tasks, often dream big and execute said dreams at the same time. As a business owner, you have plenty to do in your day to day. Leverage digital tools like Google Business Profile to do some of the heavy lifting for you while you focus on providing your customers with the attention and care they deserve.

 

If you’re unsure on where to get started, reach out to our Digital Marketing team at REM Web Solutions and let’s figure out a way to optimize your Google Business Profile page to reach more local prospective customers.

 

 

Have you ever heard the saying “we’re all just familiar strangers, walking each other home?”. In a world consumed by hustle and disconnection, individuals are seeking to find something meaningful and thoughtful amidst the chaos.

 

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, where consumers are constantly flooded with information and advertisements, the art of storytelling has resurfaced as a powerful tool for marketers. Stories have the unique ability to captivate our attention, evoke emotions, and create meaningful connections. Understanding the importance of storytelling in modern marketing is essential for businesses aiming to stand out from the competition and engage their audience on a deeper level.

 

In this blog post, we will explore the key focus areas of connecting with an audience through storytelling. First, we will take a look at the foundations of storytelling, better understanding the role of story-based marketing, identifying effective storytelling strategies and lastly, finding ways to leverage everything you’ve learned about storytelling across various content platforms.

 

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Understanding the Foundations of Storytelling

Narrative storytelling taps into our imagination and the things we go through in life. When marketers use storytelling, they can create an interesting and memorable experience for their audiences.

 

The impact of storytelling in marketing is very powerful. It can grab people's attention, make them feel empathy, and help them feel connected. By telling stories, brands can effectively show their values, mission, and what makes them unique. When they create stories that their target audience can relate to, businesses can stand out in a busy market and make a strong impression.

 

Storytelling makes emotional connections by touching on experiences and feelings that all humans share. When a story reminds us of our own lives or what we've been through, we are more likely to connect with the characters and care about their struggles and successes. Through storytelling, marketers can make us feel a wide range of emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, or hope. This helps them form a deeper bond with their audience.

 

When all is said and done, an engaged audience is a committed one.

 

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The Role of Story-based Marketing

Story-based marketing is a special way of promoting products, services, or brands by using storytelling techniques. It's a strategic approach that focuses on crafting stories that connect with people who are being targeted. The goal is to grab their attention and make them feel a strong emotional bond. Story-based marketing goes beyond traditional advertising because it understands the power of storytelling to engage and influence consumers.

 

This approach recognizes that people are more likely to connect with a brand when they feel a personal connection and an emotional resonance. By using storytelling in marketing campaigns, businesses can create stories that show the value and benefits of their products or services in a way that's relatable and interesting.

 

Many brands have successfully used story-based marketing to get their audience's attention and make a meaningful connection. One example is Airbnb's "Belong Anywhere" campaign. They used storytelling to share personal experiences of hosts and guests, emphasizing the idea of belonging and connection. By showing different stories and the powerful impact of travel, the campaign connected with people on an emotional level, building trust and loyalty.

 

Another example is Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" campaign. They personalized their bottles with popular names and phrases, creating a story of connection and shared experiences. The campaign encouraged people to share their own Coca-Cola moments, turning the simple act of drinking a beverage into a social and memorable experience.

 

These are just a couple of the examples that show how story-based marketing can capture attention, create emotional connections, and engage consumers. The more your brand can appeal to your customers’ emotional side, the more likely you are to build a lasting connection and convert them into lifetime customers.

 

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Effective Storytelling Strategies

 

Understand your target audience

To create impactful storytelling campaigns, it is crucial to identify and understand your target audience. This involves conducting thorough market research, developing buyer personas, and gaining insights into their demographics, preferences, and pain points. By understanding their needs and desires, you can tailor your storytelling to resonate with them on a deeper level.

 

If you haven’t done your marketing research and would like help, contact us at REM Web Solutions and speak to a member of our Digital Marketing Team.

 

Align your brand values with storytelling efforts

Effective storytelling should align with your brand values and core messaging. By infusing your brand's values, mission, and unique selling proposition into your narratives, you create a cohesive and authentic brand story. This alignment establishes a strong connection between your brand and your audience, fostering trust, and increasing brand loyalty.

 

Incorporate storytelling across various marketing platforms

Storytelling should be integrated across multiple marketing platforms to maximize its impact. Whether it's through social media, blog posts, videos, or email campaigns, consistency in storytelling helps reinforce your brand's narrative and ensures a cohesive customer experience. Adapting storytelling techniques to different platforms and formats allows you to reach a wider audience and maintain engagement throughout the customer journey.

 

Build trust through storytelling

Storytelling serves as a powerful tool for building trust and authenticity. By sharing stories that demonstrate your brand's expertise, credibility, and commitment to customer satisfaction, you establish a sense of transparency and reliability. When your audience feels a genuine connection and trust, they are more likely to engage with your brand and become loyal advocates.

 

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Storytelling in Content Marketing

Storytelling can be effectively integrated into various content marketing channels. By incorporating storytelling techniques into blog posts, articles, social media content, videos, visual content, email marketing campaigns, product descriptions, sales pages, landing pages, and microsites, you can create a cohesive and immersive narrative that engages your audience, builds trust, and drives conversions.

 

Build storytelling into blog posts, articles, and social media

Storytelling can greatly enhance the effectiveness of blog posts, articles, and social media content. By weaving narratives into your written content, you can engage your readers, make complex topics more relatable, and create a memorable experience.

 

Start with a compelling hook or anecdote that captures attention and introduces the central theme of your content. Throughout the piece, use storytelling techniques such as character development, conflict, and resolution to keep your audience engaged and convey your message effectively.

 

Infuse storytelling in visual content

Video and visual content provide excellent opportunities to leverage storytelling. Through carefully crafted scripts, visually appealing imagery, and compelling narratives, you can create impactful storytelling experiences.

 

Consider using storytelling techniques such as a strong opening, clear plot development, and emotional arcs to captivate your viewers. Visual storytelling elements, such as illustrations, infographics, or even animated sequences, can add depth and enhance the storytelling experience.

 

Leverage storytelling in email marketing campaigns

Email marketing campaigns offer a personalized and direct channel to connect with your audience. Integrate storytelling into your email content by using engaging subject lines and opening paragraphs that immediately capture attention.

 

Craft your emails as a series of stories or episodes, allowing your subscribers to follow along and anticipate the next installment. Share anecdotes, case studies, or customer success stories to demonstrate the real-world impact of your products or services. Use storytelling to build a narrative that leads your audience through the email campaign and motivates them to take action.

 

Incorporate storytelling elements in product descriptions

Product descriptions and sales pages are often overlooked opportunities for storytelling. Instead of simply listing features and specifications, infuse storytelling elements that highlight the value and benefits of your products or services. Share stories of how your offerings have positively impacted customers' lives or solved specific problems.

 

Paint a vivid picture of the desired outcome and the emotional experience that your product can deliver. By incorporating storytelling, you can engage potential customers on an emotional level and increase the likelihood of conversions.

 

Create storytelling-focused landing pages and microsites

Landing pages and microsites dedicated to specific campaigns or promotions are ideal for immersive storytelling experiences. Design these pages to take your audience on a narrative journey, starting with a captivating introduction that hooks their attention.

 

Use visuals, videos, and interactive elements to create an engaging storytelling environment. Incorporate customer testimonials, success stories, and relatable scenarios to build trust and credibility. Craft a clear and compelling call-to-action that aligns with the story's narrative, encouraging visitors to take the desired next step.

 

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Final Thoughts

Can you remember the last time you’ve come across an ad that has stuck with you? There’s something to be said about writing that strikes a chord, right? It can make an individual feel seen, understood and even turn their day around or offer a fresh perspective.

 

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools when it comes to humanizing the nature of the digital landscape. It allows us to connect, albeit through screens.

 

If you’re not feeling quite confident in your wordsmith abilities, reach out to our Digital Marketing Team at REM Web Solutions and we will ensure to infuse strong storytelling principles into your digital presence.

 

 

Have you ever navigated a website, looking for a way to reach out to a company, clicking on every tab available with no luck? This interaction likely left you feeling frustrated and not confident in the company’s ability to create an easy path of communication.

 

Now you understand why creating effective call-to-action (CTA) buttons is an integral element in your website design and function.

 

Websites are powerful tools that, when well-designed, have the ability to convert casual browsers into loyal customers. But in a digital landscape that is experiencing a landslide of content, how do we do that? How do we attract someone’s attention and empower them to take an action on a website?

 

Simple. We draw them in with the use of a well-designed and easy to access CTA button.

 

Essential for any successful business website, CTA buttons serve as a powerful tool that guide visitors towards desired actions, whether it's making a purchase, subscribing to a newsletter, or signing up for a service.

 

In the world of web design, CTA buttons play a pivotal role in driving conversions and achieving business goals. Their strategic placement, compelling design, and persuasive copy have a direct impact on user engagement and conversion rates. In this blog post, we'll further explore their importance in web design, better understand their significance for conversion optimization, and outline key principles for designing effective CTA buttons.

 

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What are Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons?

CTA buttons are interactive elements on a website that prompt users to take a specific action. They are typically designed as buttons, links, or clickable graphics, and their purpose is to guide visitors towards a desired conversion or engagement goal.

 

CTAs can include actions like "Buy Now," "Sign Up," "Download," "Learn More," or "Contact Us." These buttons serve as clear and direct invitations for users to perform an intended action, ultimately helping businesses achieve their objectives, such as generating leads, making sales, or increasing subscriptions.

 

How important is website design, really? The short answer: very.

Website design plays a crucial role in maximizing the effectiveness of CTA buttons. The way CTAs are designed and integrated into the overall website layout significantly impacts user engagement and conversion rates.

 

Effective website design elements, such as layout, colors, typography, and visual hierarchy, can draw attention to CTAs and create a seamless user experience. Well-designed CTAs that align with the website's branding and visual style enhance user trust and credibility, making users more likely to click on them.

 

At the crossroads of website design and user experience

The effectiveness of call-to-action buttons on a website is closely connected to how easy the website is to use and how enjoyable the user's experience is. Website usability refers to how simple and user-friendly a website is, making sure that users can easily find and interact with the things they want. User experience (UX), on the other hand, is about the overall experience a user has while using a website, including how they feel and how satisfied they are. When it comes to call-to-action buttons, both website usability and UX are important to consider.

 

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How to Design Effective CTA Buttons

 

Consider button placement

When designing CTA buttons for websites, it's important to consider where to place them. Button placement means putting them in spots where people can easily see and use them. By understanding how people look at a webpage and where their attention goes, we can put the buttons in noticeable spots. It's a good idea to place buttons near the top and on the left side of the page because that's where people usually look first. This helps grab their attention.

 

Button placement also helps guide people's eyes to the buttons we want them to click. We should make sure the buttons are easy to find and use, so people don't have to search or scroll too much. It's also important to place buttons where they make sense based on what the webpage is about.

 

Lastly, we need to consider how the buttons will work on different devices, like phones or tablets. We want to ensure they're easy to tap with a thumb and don't cause any problems.

 

Consider colour psychology

Button colour psychology plays a significant role in creating effective CTA buttons in web design. Colours have the power to evoke emotions, influence behaviour, and convey messages.

 

Different colors carry specific associations and meanings that can influence how users perceive and interact with CTAs. For example:

 

• Red: Often associated with urgency, excitement, and importance, making it suitable for encouraging immediate actions like "Buy Now" or "Sign Up."

• Green: Symbolizes growth, freshness, and harmony, commonly used for positive actions like "Go" or "Start."

• Blue: Conveys trust, reliability, and calmness, making it suitable for actions related to trust-building or informative choices.

• Orange: Represents enthusiasm, energy, and creativity, often used for CTAs that promote engagement or encourage exploration.

 

Contrast and Visibility: High contrast between the button colour and the background helps CTAs stand out and increases their visibility. It's essential to select colours that contrast well to ensure that the buttons catch users' attention and are easily distinguishable on the webpage.

 

Brand Consistency: Consider incorporating brand colours into the CTA design to maintain visual consistency. When users associate specific colours with a brand, using those colours in CTAs can strengthen brand recognition and reinforce the trust and familiarity users have with the brand.

 

Cultural Considerations: Keep in mind that colour associations can vary across cultures. It's important to research and understand the cultural meanings and interpretations of colours in your target audience's demographic and adapt your colour choices accordingly to ensure they resonate positively.

 

Consider button shape and size

Button size and shape are critical considerations when designing CTA buttons. Optimizing these elements is essential for ensuring clickable and creating touch-friendly interfaces, particularly on mobile devices. Here are some things to keep in mind:

 

• Clickable: The primary goal of a CTA button is to encourage users to click or tap on it. To achieve this, the button should be large enough and have a size that allows users to easily interact with it. Smaller buttons may lead to accidental clicks or difficulty in accurately targeting the button, resulting in frustration and potential loss of conversions.

• Touch-Friendly Interfaces: With the prevalence of touchscreen devices, it's crucial to consider touch-friendly design for CTA buttons. This requires buttons to be sized appropriately to accommodate touch input. A small or cramped button may lead to accidental taps or difficulty in accurately tapping the button, leading to a poor user experience.

• Responsiveness: CTA buttons should be responsive to different screen sizes and devices. In a responsive web design, the buttons should adapt to various screen resolutions, ensuring that they remain easily clickable and accessible on different devices. This includes considering different orientations (portrait and landscape) and accommodating users with varying screen sizes, from large desktop monitors to smaller smartphone screens.

• Shape: The shape of a CTA button can also impact how clickable and touch-friendliness. Rectangular or square-shaped buttons are commonly used due to their simplicity and familiarity. These shapes provide clear boundaries and make it easier for users to tap accurately. However, other shapes can be explored, such as rounded corners or circular buttons, depending on the design style and overall visual aesthetics.

• Consideration of Accessibility: Button size and shape are particularly crucial for accessibility purposes. Users with motor impairments or visual impairments rely on assistive technologies or alternative input methods, such as screen readers or switch devices. Ensuring that buttons are sufficiently large and distinct helps improve accessibility, making it easier for these users to interact with CTAs and navigate through the website.

 

 

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Testing CTA Buttons for Optimal Performance

 

A/B Testing

A/B testing is a helpful method for making CTA buttons better. Designers create different versions of CTAs with different designs or words to compare how well they work. A/B testing lets them analyze the results and make decisions based on data. It shows which design elements or words users like more and which ones lead to more people taking action. By testing different CTAs, designers can keep making them better and more effective over time.

 

Analyzing the data

To understand how CTAs are performing, it's important to look at click-through rates (CTR) and conversion metrics. CTR measures the percentage of users who click on a CTA compared to the total number of users who see it. It shows how interested and engaged users are with the CTA.

 

Conversion metrics track how many users complete a specific action, like making a purchase or filling out a form, after clicking on a CTA. By keeping a close eye on these metrics, designers can learn how effective their CTAs are and find areas to improve. Analyzing CTR and conversion data helps identify patterns, trends, and any issues that might affect how well CTAs work.

 

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Final Thoughts

After learning more about CTA buttons and their performance abilities, you can better understand why at REM Web Solutions we’re highly passionate about designing and developing websites that are intuitive and cover all key design principles to convert individuals from casual browsers into loyal customers. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a strategically-placed CTA button to form that connection.

 

If you’re interested in having your website audited for CTA performance or would like assistance with designing a website that will draw your customers’ attention, reach out to us and we’d be happy to start that conversation.

 

 

In the age of technology, having a website as a small business is almost essential. Websites help you showcase products, draw in new customers, spread the word about your business and why you do it, share news about upcoming events, and it can help link people to your socials and bring them into your physical store. Websites are often seen as the heart of a company; they link everything together creating one working system or company.

 

However, what most people don’t consider is the hidden costs of website development. How much does it genuinely cost you as a small business to create a website? There are many factors to consider when you think about the cost of a website. What do you need out of your website? Are you making it yourself? Hiring a company? A freelance developer? Are there any additional features outside of the norm that you want to include? And most importantly, how much are you willing to spend? All of these and more can influence how much your website is going to cost.

 

The Most Common Expense and Features

When it comes to web design there are some basic features and expenses you will need to consider, as most if not all websites have them. The most basic of features are the ones people often forget about most. When it comes to beginning to decide what you want for your website and how big your budget is, keep these main features in mind, as they are the most important and unavoidable. Most of these are often included in a basic package price, however they can also sometimes come at an additional cost depending on what you are looking for.

 

Template, Themes, and Design Costs

First, when you are designing a website, you need to consider the actual design itself. Whether you are using a pre-made template from a do-it-yourself web design website or having a custom design made by a company, there are going to be costs. If you are using a pre-made template or theme, it can cost you anywhere from $0-$300, it can cost more though depending on how many pages you want. If you are going with a custom website, then it is up to the individual company and may be included in a package cost. It is all up to personal preferences and the costs may vary depending on what you want, how complicated it is, and what company you go with.

 

This is typically a one-off payment made when you begin the design process. However, it is good to keep in mind that updating your website’s design every few years is a good idea, as it allows you to keep up with on-going trends. This can then come with additional costs. However, because it is simply an update to the existing design the cost will be lower.

 

Ecommerce and Secure Payment Costs

This does not apply to every website, but if you plan on using your website to sell online, then this is an expense you need to consider. When you set up a shop on your website there are additional costs that go into making sure your website is secure and able to process payments. The last thing you want is to have your customer’s credit card information stolen because you didn’t remember to consider secure payment. Including ecommerce is also generally considered an additional cost because not every website uses it, so it may come at an additional fee, however, make sure to check when looking into different companies. Including ecommerce and secure payment features can range greatly depending on who you are going with to manage it, just make sure it is a reputable company.

 

Mobile-responsive Website Costs

With everyone using a variety of different devices these days, including laptops, phones, desktops, and tablets, it is highly recommended to ensure your website is responsive. This means that when you switch between devices the website adapts to the new screen size to ensure it works and continues to look nice. Most web design companies will recommend that you include this feature or automatically include it in their basic package. There is no one set fee or cost for this, it is all up to the individual company as it may require them to do more work.

 

Website Hosting Fees

When you create a website, the website will have what is called a Hosting platform or Hosting server. This server manages your websites files and applications, making it viewable to your customers online. Essentially it ensures that people can see your website and that the website will run correctly. When it comes to hosting platforms, every web design company has a preference of their own. If you are using a pre-made website from a company such as WIX, then they will use their own hosting platform and have control over it. If you go with a custom website from a web design company, then they may use their own or partner with a third party to host your website. However, you need to be careful. If your hosting platform is unsecure, then it can cause security breaches and potentially lead to hacking.

 

Domain Registration Expenses

The number one feature or expense that people forget about, is domain registration. When you choose or create your website’s domain, you will need to register it to ensure no one else is using it and pay a fee. The fee is not very high, but it will need to be renewed annually so you need to include it in your budget.

 

Content Management System Expenses

Content management and creation is one of the major costs with web design, as it is a continuous cost. When it comes to content creation and management, you have two options. You can either write and create all the content yourself or within your company, or you can outsource it to the company creating your website or an additional freelancer. It is all up to you, however, it is recommended to ensure that you are conducting regular management of your content. As in updating it, checking for any errors, removing old content, etc. There are also website content creation and copywrite fees to consider as well.

 

Additional Features and Fees

On top of the most common or unavoidable fees and expense of web design, there are also additional features that you can include depending on what you are looking for. These additional features, however, will also come at an additional cost, that however, is dependent on the company you choose to go with. These features can include:

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Website security and SSL certificates

• Website analytics and tracking expenses

• Integrating social media on your website

• Website loading speed optimization

• User experience (UX) design expenses

There are countless other features as well that you can include, it is simply all up to you and what company you go with offers.

 

DIY V.S. Professional Website Design

Now that you know the basic features you need to keep in mind, and maybe even some extras, you need to consider whether you are going to DIY your website or hire an outside company to do it for you. There are pros and cons to both options, but in the end it all comes down to what you think is best for your company.

 

Affordable Web Design Services

If you are creating your website yourself, you may decide to go with an affordable web design service, such as WIX or Squarespace. These can be great options, as they are often very affordable and easy to use. However, they lack the ability to be individual. Because you are purely working off pre-made templates and features, you lose the ability to create a unique website that stands out from the rest. You also become reliant on a very large company to fix your problems if they arise, which can be a headache.

 

The other problem is the site will be proprietary and you will most likely have to abandon the site if the company ceases operations or if you want to change designers. However, it may be what works best for you.

 

Choosing the Right Website Design Agency

If you decide to go with a custom website, you can go through a freelancer or specialized company, such as REM. Custom websites can be a lot more money and can often take more time as you will need to be in contact with the company, giving feedback and providing them with important information to include. However, they are a lot more customizable. You can have whatever design you want. Include as many or as little features as you want. And if something goes wrong or you need help, they are there to help you, quickly and easily.

 

Most companies generally also allow you to continue updating and managing your content through them for a yearly or monthly fee. This can also make the process easier. Not everyone is versed in how to make a website, nor do they have someone within their company to do it for them. By hiring outside, professional help, you are ensuring that your website will look good, work, and be optimized for the customer experience.

 

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We hope this was helpful for you when considering what you want out of your small business website. For more website and small business content, check out the rest of our blog page.

 

If you are interested in creating a custom website, call us, email us, or come into our office today and we can get you started.

 

 

Marketing has been around for centuries since people began to sell and trades goods with one another. It is a way of getting the word out about what you are selling and for how much. As the times have changed so has the way we market. When the radio was invented people began to use radio ads. When the TV began appearing in every household, TV ads and commercials became a thing. And when the internet became mainstream in the 1990’s the invention of digital marketing came about.

 

Digital marketing is the new way to spread the word. Rather than having to flip through the pages of a newspaper, people can simply open Google or go on Facebook to find ads. It can be a great way to reach a wider audience and cut down on a lot of traditional marketing costs. Digital marketing is bringing us into the future of marketing as more and more is being added to the internet every day. Here is what digital marketing is and the role it plays.

 

Digital Marketing Explained

First and foremost, what is digital marketing? Digital marketing is just as it seems, marketing on a digital platform. This means rather than having print, radio, or TV ads you have virtual ads on the internet. This can be anything from a pop up on another website, a column on the side of a website, an ad at the top of a search page like Google, or an integrated ad on Facebook. As long as it is online, it is digital marketing.

 

Digital marketing isn’t just for young people who are chronically online, it is used by everyone. Since the pandemic, more and more people have shifted to using the internet more, which means they are online at least once a day if not more. People with smartphones are online even more than that.

 

Digital Marketing V.S. Traditional Marketing

Now you may be asking, but what is the difference between digital marketing and traditional marketing? The main difference is that digital marketing reaches a wider audience. Print, radio, and TV ads are all focused on a local audience. With digital marketing you aren’t restricted to certain areas that will support your radio station or newspaper. Digital marketing can reach everyone in the entire world, if they are interested in what you are selling.

 

The next big difference is the fact that most people no longer use traditional media anymore. very few people still buy the paper or read flyers, instead they get them online. Rather than watching cable with ads, people use streaming services like Netflix. And rather than listening to the radio people use Spotify. Digital marketing is now often the only marketing people see or look at.

 

Importance of Digital Marketing

Now that you know what digital marketing is, you may be asking, why do I need it? You may be thinking, I already have a website, why do I still need to advertise online? Well, it is very simple. Without advertising no one will find your company or website, or at least very few people will. Just because you have a website doesn't mean people will find it. Or even if you use traditional ads, digital ads as well can spread the word even more. Digital marketing is just as important today as traditional marketing was 50 years ago. Without marketing you have no sales.

 

Digital Marketing Channels

When you think of digital marketing channels your mind might go to Google ads, or Facebook pop ups. But there is so much more you can do in the world of digital advertising. These are the most common and useful digital marketing channels to help you get started.

 

Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the oldest and best ways to market online. It is so popular as it allows you so many different marketing options in one easy package. You can use it to email your newsletter to subscribers. Reach out to people with ads for your company. Advertise to existing customers by sending out promotions. There are so many ways you can use emails to market to new and old customers. It is also very easy to use as most people have been using email since the 1980’s. It can be a great way to ease into digital marketing or a more cost-effective option for small businesses.

 

Social Media

Social media marketing has begun to become mainstream in the past decade. Now a days when you open Facebook or Instagram you can find ads disguised as posts hidden within your feed. Encouraging you to buy a product because someone you follow uses it. Social media has become such an important part of everyday life for people, so why not take the opportunity to use it for your gain.

 

These days Millennials and Gen Z live on social media. Checking it multiple times a day, posting regularly, and using it to find new products to buy and places to shop. So, it would only make sense to take advantage and begin using it to advertise. There is also way more than just Facebook and Instagram that you can use. It is all up to you though which platform you want to use.

 

Creating a social media page for your company is also a great way to advertise without having to pay for an ad. You simply make the account and post about your company. You can post product photos, promotions, or just what it’s like to hang out in the office. It is all up to you as long as post regularly.

 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization or SEO is a great way to digitally market without having to create ads. SEO for those that do not know, is optimizing your website to appear within search engines, such as Google. This means when someone searches for a product or service you sell, your website will appear close to the top of the page. You can have good SEO by including and repeating keywords that you want the search engine to flag. This can be anything if it relates to your company or product.

 

For example, if you sell water bottles, you can include words and phrases like, “water”, “bottles”, “water bottles”, “easy to carry water bottles”, “hiking water bottles”, etc. Essentially anything you want the search engine to reroute back to your website.

 

This can be a cost-effective way to market online. It doesn’t require you to pay extra to a company to feature your ad on their page, design an ad, or monitor an ad. Instead, you simply include the keywords you wish the search engine to flag for each page.

 

Content Marketing

Content marketing can also be a great way to advertise right from your website. Content marketing includes blogs, newsletters, promotions, a products page, etc. It is essentially advertising through the content on your website. Including a promotional banner on your home page can be a great way to advertise an ongoing deal or new product. A products page allows you to show off what your company sells.

 

Blogs can be a great way to bring attention to stuff your company does, specializes in, focuses on, features, or cares about. It can honestly be about anything if it relates to your company. It can also be a great way to drum up attention for an upcoming event or promotion. For example, if your company makes and sells chocolate, a blog about Easter or one published right before, can be a great way to get more people to buy before the Holiday.

 

Newsletters are very similar to blogs as they allow your customers to learn a little bit more about the company and its products. However, they can often be a better way to spread word about promotions. Having a subscription newsletter that gets emailed to people every month, is an easy way to get people to buy more during promotions or Holidays.

 

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is not a new concept; however, it is just now being done within the digital marketing world. Affiliate marketing is when you pay or get paid to advertise a company. It can also be done in exchange for other things, such as free products, mutual advertising, or company exposer. For example, if you are a bake shop, you could pay a florist to advertise for you during wedding season. They get business and then send the same business your way.

 

If you already partner with another company for products or services, you can also advertise for one another. If you use a company’s packaging, you can include a note or message like “packaged with X company”. It can be a great way to build relationships within the community, while also advertising for your company.

 

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We hope this has been helpful in introducing you to the world of digital marketing. Whether you are a small business, entrepreneur, non-profit, local business, or professionals, digital marketing matters and should be used. For more website content or further information about advertising, check out the rest of our blog page.

 

If you are interested in beginning digital marketing for your company, we here at REM Web Solutions would be happy to help, give us a call, email, or come into the office today.

 

 

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) refers to the practice of optimizing a website to increase traffic, visibility, and brand awareness from local searches. Local searches could include certain geographical keywords or phrases, such as the name of a city or a neighborhood. For example, "best coffee shop in Brooklyn" or "plumbers near me".

 

Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a subset of the broader SEO practices focused on improving a website's visibility in overall search results. Local SEO is particularly crucial for businesses that operate in specific geographical locations or serve customers in a specific area.

 

The search engines can tell when queries and content are local to the user who is making the search. Search engines like Google are sophisticated enough to understand when a user is performing a search with local intent, even if it's not explicitly stated in the search query.

 

For example, if someone searches for "coffee shop," Google will likely show results of coffee shops in the user's area, despite the query not specifying a location. This is because Google infers that the user is probably looking for a coffee shop nearby based on the nature of the search.

 

Furthermore, Google will also scan your website's content to understand if it's relevant to local search queries. So, if your website clearly indicates that you operate in a particular area, Google is more likely to show your website for searches relevant to that area.

 

By optimizing your website for local search, you make it easier for Google to understand where your business is located and what areas you serve. As a result, Google can better match your website with relevant local search queries, increasing your visibility among local customers.

Before we jump into the criteria for optimising your website for local SEO, let’s take a quick look at why local SEO is important for your website.

 

Why is Local SEO Important for Small Business?

Optimization of local SEO can help your small business maximize its marketing efforts, improve your visibility, drive more traffic, and ultimately increase your sales. This makes local SEO a crucial aspect of digital marketing for any business with a physical location or a local service area. Here are some of the key benefits:

 

Increased Visibility

Local SEO helps to boost your visibility in the local area. When your business shows up in local search results, you have more opportunities to reach potential customers and clients who are in the vicinity of your business.

 

Location-Based Searches

The advent of mobile technology has changed the way people search. More people are searching "on the go" using their mobile devices, and Google takes location into account. Even if a location qualifier isn't used in a search query, Google might still serve local results that are relevant.

 

Increased Traffic and Sales

Effective local SEO can help to drive more traffic to both your website and your physical location. People searching locally are typically looking to find an immediate solution, which often translates to an in-store visit. According to Google, 76% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a physical place within 24 hours and 28% of those searches result in a purchase.

 

Beat the Competition

Many small businesses have not yet recognized the importance of local SEO, so it's a chance to get ahead. If your business shows up in Google's local three-pack or in top local search results, you have a competitive edge over your rivals.

 

Google My Business

One of the key tools for managing your local SEO is Google My Business. By optimizing your Google My Business listing, you can improve your chances of showing up in Google's Local Pack, Local Finder, Google Maps, and organic rankings in general.

 

Cost-Effective

Unlike paid advertising, local SEO is organic, making it cost-effective. The only cost is the time and effort it takes to optimize your online presence.

 

Online Reviews

Online reviews are a big part of local SEO. The quantity and quality of your business reviews on Google is one of the most important ranking factors for local SEO.

 

Businesses with numerous high-quality reviews often rank higher in local search results. These reviews also enhance a business's trustworthiness and authority from a user's perspective, improving the click-through rate and indirectly boosting rankings.

 

Additionally, reviews provide fresh user-generated content, often incorporating relevant keywords and local references that enhance local SEO efforts. Specifically, reviews on a business's Google My Business page can help the business appear in the prominent "local pack" of search results.

 

Lastly, positive reviews can boost conversion rates, indirectly benefiting overall SEO by attracting more site visits and potentially generating additional reviews.

 

Now that you know what local SEO is and how it benefits your business, let’s review the criteria for how you should determine if your company needs local SEO.

 

How do I Know if My Business Needs Local SEO?

There are four main criteria you should consider before investing in local SEO for your business:

 

1. Physical Location

Your business has a physical location where it serves customers, or you go to clients in a specified service area. This can include businesses like restaurants, retail stores, law firms, medical practices, and more. Even if you serve a larger area, optimizing for the city where your office is located can help build brand awareness locally.

 

2. You Depend on Local Customers

If a significant portion of your customer base is from a particular locality, city, or region, then local SEO can help increase your visibility among this target audience.

 

3. You Have Local Competition

If you're vying for customers with other similar businesses in your local area, local SEO can help give you a competitive edge and ensure your business shows up in local search results.

 

4. Your Business Serves Multiple Locations

If your business has multiple locations or serves multiple areas, you'll want to optimize for each of those locations to reach as many potential customers as possible.

 

Does your business meet one or more of the above criteria? If so, you should speak to your marketing team to make sure they are optimising for local SEO. If you don’t have someone working on your digital marketing, reach out to our digital marketing team here at REM and we can help!

 

Before we finish, and you speak with us about getting local SEO started for your business, let’s look at how Google (and other search engines) determines if you are local or not?

 

How does a Search Engine Determine if you are Local?

For a search engine to consider a business as local, it examines the information available about your business online, such as:

 

NAP Consistency

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. Search engines like Google use this information to determine where your business is located. It's crucial that your NAP information is consistent across all platforms and listings.

 

Google My Business Listing

Your Google My Business listing is a key factor in your local SEO. This listing provides Google with information about your business, including your address, service area, business category, and more.

 

Local Keywords

If your website content includes location-specific keywords (such as the name of your city or neighborhood), search engines can use these clues to understand where your business is located.

 

Local Links and Citations

Links to your website from other local businesses, or mentions of your business on local websites, can help signal to search engines that your business is part of a specific local community.

 

Customer Reviews

Reviews on Google, Yelp, and other platforms not only provide user-generated content with potential local keywords, but also signal to search engines that your business is operational and serving customers in the location.

 

Social Media Signals

Information and engagement on your social media profiles can also provide search engines with information about your location and the area you serve.

 

Keep in mind that any business with a physical location or that serves a specific geographic area can benefit from local SEO. It's all about making sure you're visible and attractive to your potential customers who are searching for your product or services locally.

 

In Conclusion

Local SEO is a fundamental strategy for any business with a physical location or servicing a particular geographic area. It aims to optimize your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches on Google and other search engines.

 

By optimizing your website and Google My Business listing, incorporating location-specific keywords, securing local links and citations, and fostering a robust collection of online reviews, you can increase your business's visibility, traffic, and sales from customers in your area.

More than just boosting your rankings in search results, local SEO builds your business's credibility and authority, setting you apart in a competitive market. With the significant role of mobile technology, Local SEO has become even more critical, as more people are conducting location-based searches "on the go."

 

While local SEO is cost-effective, it does require a dedicated effort. If your business meets the criteria for needing local SEO and you're ready to reap its benefits, it's advisable to engage with an expert digital marketing team, like the one at REM Web Solutions. With professional help, you can efficiently navigate the nuances of local SEO and unlock its full potential for your business's success.

 

 

One of the most important things for any business is their website. It draws in new customers and gives visitors the basic information they need to do business with your company. However, it is still surprising how many small businesses don’t have a website. There is so much that goes into creating a small business that the website often gets overlooked. Your website can be one of the most important assets to getting your small business off the ground.

 

Ensuring that you have a good looking, easy to navigate, and informative website can give you the leg up you need in the business world. Here at REM, we pride ourselves on creating great websites that will reflect your great business.

 

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Here are our top 12 most important features all small business websites should include:

 

1. An Excellent Domain Name

Before you even begin to design the website itself, you need to come up with a good domain name. This is the first thing any potential customers will see when clicking on your website. So, it is very important that your domain name is good.

 

First, it should be easy to spell. The last thing you need is for someone to give up going to your website because the address is too difficult to spell. Make it something simple and intuitive. If possible, you should try to include some keywords in your domain if they are easy to spell as well.

 

Second, it should reflect your company. Don’t make it something entirely unrelated to your business. Start with your business name if that domain is already taken then try modifying it. For example, your business may be called “Dog Beds” however, “DogBeds.com” may already be taken. So next try “Dog-Beds.com”. Any small change can work, just as long as it is still a reflection of your company.

 

2. Informative “About Us” Page

You should always include an “About Us” page. It may seem redundant at this point as most websites include them, but they do that for good reason. It gives any potential customers vital information about who you are as a business and what you stand for.

 

It should include basic information such as the owner of the business, when and why the business was started, what the company’s motivations are, and your current mission or progression track. This will give your customers a good sense of who you are and can influence them more to buy from you.

 

At REM we believe in creating an About Us page that rewards your visitor for reading it. If someone cares enough about your company to want to learn more about it, you should give them an amazing About Us page.

 

3. Easy to Find Contact Information

Contact information may seem obvious to most people; however, it also needs to be easy find. It can be one thing to include your contact information, but it’s also just as important to make sure it is located on several areas of your website. People have short attention spans and don’t like to spend a lot of time looking for things such as contact information. Placing it in an easy to locate spot can be very useful.

 

The best places to put it are typically at the end of every page or on its own separate page that is clearly labeled. It should also include all your information such as, phone number (with extension if necessary), email address, office hours, link to all social media pages, location with map if possible, and finally a contact form they can fill out with all important information if they are unable to get in contact now.

 

REM has a great guide on “How to Write a Great Contact Us page." This guide will help you create a page that converts visitors into clients. Contact us if you would like a copy!

 

4. Products or Services Page

Including a product and services page allows your customers to get a look at what they will be paying for. This doesn’t have to be big or include all your products, just a good and simple overview so people know what you sell. This can also be a way to include an online buying feature. People like to know what they are buying especially if it means they don’t have to leave their homes to find out. Including it on your website can drive in more customers, even if you don’t sell online.

 

5. Customer Testimonials

Consider including customer testimonials or reviews. When people are visiting your website, it can be comforting to see customer reviews right on the website itself. First, this shows them that people genuinely like your products and will entice them to buy from you. Secondly, it shows potential customers that you’re an open and transparent company that is not afraid to hide what people have to say about you. This will continue to instill confidence in your customers.

 

6. Call to Action

Include a call to action right on your home page. A call to action is a simple way of drawing people in to make a purchase or check you out in person. It doesn’t have to be anything big or flashy, in fact the more sublet the better. This way people don’t know you’re the ones getting them to buy.

 

Putting it on your home page as well is a great idea as it is going to be one of the first things people see. However, feel free to put wherever you want. It should be something like, “come check us out in store today!” or “for more information feel free to give us a call or come visit us in person and we will happily answer any questions.”

 

7. Good Search Engine Optimization

One of the most important parts of having a website is making sure people can find it, because if they can’t then what’s the point in having one? Make sure you have good search engine optimization (SEO), this will ensure people can easily find your website.

 

SEO can include everything from making sure you have the right key words present in your content, properly and appropriately labeled pages, headings and subheadings for your content, and a good domain name. These all affect your SEO and how your website presents in search engines such as Google.

 

The last thing you want is for your website to show up on the third or fourth page when your products are searched. REM has an amazing monthly SEO service as part of our Digital Marketing offerings. Reach out to your REM representative today to get more information about getting your website noticed online.

 

8. Secure Hosting Platform

Making sure your website is up and running constantly can seem like a daunting yet important task. However, it can be very easy if you make sure you have a secure hosting platform. This can often be overlooked as most think any old hosting platform will do.

 

However, it can be the most important part of having a website. The last thing you need if your website to suddenly crash or crash constantly, or even get hacked. So, make sure to invest the time and money into making sure you have a secure hosting platform.

 

All REM clients are hosted on our own secured servers in a local data centre. We keep all of our data on Canadian soil, with redundancies and back-up servers ready-to-go in case of a problem.

 

9. Good Device Scaling

In the current age of the Internet people have become very impatient, especially when it comes to websites. If I am looking at a webpage on my computer but want to switch to looking at it on my phone for ease of transport but it doesn’t work, I am just going to give up and look at a different website. This is true for most other people as well.

 

However, this can be avoided if your website is responsive. This means that your website looks good and functions no matter what type of device or browser people are using. Whether it be a laptop, desktop, phone, tablet, projector, Google, Firefox, or even Bing it should work smoothly on all of them.

 

10. Up to Date Content

Once people are actually on your website, they are going to want to look at your content, blogs, promotions, your home page, upcoming events, etc. All this information needs to be up to date and relevant. What you don’t want is for someone to visit your website in June and you’re still advertising your Christmas promotions from last year. You want to make sure they are seeing your latest deals, reading your latest news, and visiting your website constantly to see what’s new.

 

11. Photos and Videos

Photos and videos may seem obvious as most people tend to be very visual, we like to see what we are buying. However, photos and videos can go beyond just your products and services. Include photos of your company volunteering for charities you support or show the outside of your building so it is easy to find, or even employee photos so people know who they will be dealing with at the company.

 

It can also be nice to include videos of your products being used, or an office tour, or even your employees or the owner talking about the company and its journey. This can all help sell your company and its products.

 

12. Design and Style Easy to Scan

Finally, you should make sure that you not only have a nice good-looking and professional design and style for your website, but also one that is easy to scan. People these days get bored very easily, so they tend to scan websites for the information they need. If they can find it, then they will slow down and keep reading more. If they don’t, they tend to leave and try to find a different website. Include things like headers, highlight important information, bullet points, and all-important information in standout places like a banner or on the home page.

 

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We hope these tips were helpful for you in creating an amazing website for your small business. For more website and small business content check out the rest of our blog page. If you’re interested in a new website, give us a call, email, or come into the office and we can get started.

 

 

Trends and designs are forever changing. Every year, companies that feature designs release new and upcoming trends for the year to help influence potential customers and other designers. This past year and this coming year we have seen a spike in the number of trends being released as there is a more diverse pool to pick from.

 

Everything from Y2K fashion all the way to Scandinavian designs have been trending this past year. These trends have been appearing in interior design, fashion, jewelry, company branding, and even web design. This summer consider integrating some of these new trendy designs to make your website stand out more.

 

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Here is our list of the top summer web design trends for 2023.

 

Top Styles

When it comes to designing a website, you want to have a certain style, almost like fashion or art. It should look nice, represent some of the latest trends, but also reflect you as a business owner and company. With the current state of the internet, everyone has their own personal style and design preferences, making way for a wide variety of popular trends in design. Because of this business owners can now update or design their websites with these upcoming trends in mind, while still staying true to their company.

 

The current design trends vary from minimal and sleek, to colourful and maximalist. You can find almost anything that suits your personal style and remains on trend.

 

Y2K 90’s-00’s

That’s right, the 90’s are back, and they are taking over the world of design. Right now, the Y2K and 90’s styles have come back as Gen Z has created a new space for their popularity. Everything from fashion to web design has been brought back to the turn of the century.

 

Because of this, you can expect to see things such as pixel designs, oversized cursors, pastel colours, big and bold patterns, etc. Almost anything that was popular in the 90’s has been resurrected today and can be seen reflected in every element of design.

 

Vaporwave, Cyber, and Multi Verse

Anyone who grew up in the 80’s will remember the vaporwave and cyber aesthetic. Dark and bold colours like blues and purples. Big graphics that filled a page. And the idea of being part of an online universe. Consider including elements such as those dark colours, glitch effects, over-laid graphics, geometric shapes, chat bots, and even some AI-powered design.

 

Gamification

Gamification may be new for a lot of people; however, it has become quite popular lately. It is the idea of integrating design and software elements of video games. Have your website not only look and feel like a video game but have some features of one too. Such as having goals people can meet on your website with a progress bar they can see. Or other interactable elements that sell the idea of participation and collaboration.

 

Maximalism

Maximalism is obvious, just add as much as you want or can. It typically is associated with brighter colours, bigger shapes, and more harsh lines. Include bright colours, big geometric shapes, bold typography, large photos, and multilayered designs. Adding other interactable elements can also add to the idea of “too much”, which in this case is good.

 

Minimalism

Minimalism on the other hand is a much softer approach. It typically features softer colour palettes, soft shapes, and more movement to its lines. Include soft colours like beige or pastels, organic shapes (perhaps with movement animations), simple typography, smaller fonts, soft shadows, colour gradients, and more simplistic photos. The idea here is to have clean lines and optimize your given space without over filling it.

 

Vintage

Vintage aesthetics have taken over again, however, this time it is not one true vintage style. It is more of a mix from different decades that people feel represent the “vintage aesthetic”. This typically includes muted colours, calligraphy type fonts, layered elements, hand drawn or painted illustrations, and little to no photos or videos. Consider extra elements such as stamps or labels, hand illustrated elements, less animation, style of a vintage ad or newspaper, or even grain overlays like film grain.

 

Illustrations

New styles aren’t just making their way into the latest trends, new illustration styles are also breaking through. People these days are very visual, so when visiting a website, they want more to look at than just words. They want photos and videos and little illustrations they can look at or interact with. Adding illustrations can also give your website more of a fun and friendly appearance, rather than looking overly professional or boring.

 

Custom Typefaces

Custom typefaces are less of an illustration element but can still add that stand out and add a handmade touch. Everyone these days is bored of the typical fonts you can find on the internet and are instead turning to creating their own custom ones.

 

On top of that a big trend for this year is handwriting fonts, a font made to be your exact handwriting. This can add a more realistic feel to your website and make people feel less like they are reading a generic website and more like they are interacting with a person. As well as add more to your overall brand.

 

Just be careful using a cursive font as young visitors may not be able to read the site since cursive writing is no longer taught in schools.

 

3D Illustrations and Animations

3D images and animations have become very popular over the past few years and are beginning to make their way into the world of web design. Including things like hand drawn 3D images can make your website stand out from others. Adding in 3D animations as well can help sell the idea that we are moving into the future and give your customers something to interact with or view while on your website.

 

Clay Morphism

Clay morphism is a more specific example of 3D illustrations. It is a particular type of illustration that is meant to look like clay figures, like Claymation movies. Think of movies like “Coraline”, the way you can tell it is made of all clay. However, instead of trying to make them more realistic, clay morphism embraces the clay look and instead goes for more organic shapes and a cartoon look.

 

Full Page

Full page illustrations are a great way to get people’s attention. For one it is going to be the first thing they see when visiting your website. Secondly, it can often be a great way to sell people about your company or products. Feature a big illustration right on your home page or your logo, top product, company mascot, or simply anything that has to do with your company can be a great way to draw them in.

 

Animations

Animations are another great element to include as they sell the feeling of the website being alive and in motion. Not to mention it can be a great way to throw in something like a “sale” button or a mini demonstration of your product. Animations are overall a great way to get and keep people’s attention.

 

Multi Layered

Multi layered refers to the style of having one or more illustrations or images layered on top of and behind text, typically on your home page. These images can often change or disappear when the user scrolls, making it easier to read the over laid text. These images can also be over laid with graphics, illustrations, or blocks of colour to make text more visible.

 

Branded

Branded illustrations are a new thing we are beginning to see pop up this year. They are often hand drawn images reflecting brands that your company works with, supports, is sponsored by, or simply your company itself. It can be a great way to show off your company or others you associate with, without having a wall of logos. This can be a more creative way of doing this, that way people see it more as art and less as forced branded content.

 

Interactions

On top of things like animations and large hero images that draw in people’s attention, interactions can also be great. Interactions allow you to keep people focused on your website while also allowing them to have fun and customize their experience with it.

 

“Just for fun”

Aside from interactions that have a purpose on your website, like “click here for sales”, there are also “just for fun” interactions. These can be almost anything you want because they are “just for fun” and are meant to simply get your customers to engage with the site and not necessarily do anything else. They can be something simple like clicking an envelope and a bunny pops out for Easter, or something more complicated like clicking on a robot and it “destroys” the home page.

 

Product Displays

Interactable product displays have become very popular for summer 2023 as they allow people to not only see what they can buy, but also interact with it. It can be something simple like having to “flip” through a booklet of your products by clicking on the pages. Or something more complicated. It is all up to you, just don’t make it too difficult for people to figure out.

 

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We hope this blog was helpful in guiding you towards the latest trends for summer 2023. For more website related content, check out the rest of our blog page.

 

 

Having a website for your business is a great way to sell online, create brand awareness, draw in new customers, update existing customers, and develop a platform for your business. However, none of these matters if your website is not optimized to gain the most out of your incoming traffic. If people are unable to find pages on your website or it is simply not showing up on Google because you have bad search engine optimization (SEO), then what is the point in having a website.

 

Well, the good news is that most of the mistakes that people make when it comes to making a website are easily fixable. It is easy to make common mistakes especially if you are an inexperienced web designer. However, they are easy to fix if you know how and where you went wrong.

 

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These are the top 5 most common website mistakes and how to fix them.

 

Outdated Content

The number one most common website mistake people make is having outdated content. Now there is always going to be certain content on your website that will never need to be changed, such as basic information on your home page, the “about us” page, or your contact information. The rest of your website should be getting regular updates.

 

If you sell products online or simply feature a products page, then it should be regularly updated as your products change. If you post promotions on your website, you don’t want someone to visit in April and still see Christmas sales promotions.

 

How to fix it

Making sure your content is up to date is an easy fix. Simply make sure you are having regular reviews of it. Whether it be weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly it should be reviewed regularly on a schedule. Reviewing it once a year or once every six months is not enough. It should be at least bi-monthly and on a consistent schedule.

 

On top of that make sure to talk to every department about the website, what new products, promotions, or information needs to be added. This needs to be done for everything on the website every time you review it, that way you are covering everything and won’t miss anything that needs to be updated.

 

Mobile Responsiveness

With the invention of having the internet in your pocket, less and less people are using their computers to surf the web, instead they have switched over to their phones. Because we can so easily access the internet from our phones now, most of our online searches are conducted from it. So, what happens when a website is unable to load or looks bad or is impossible to use on a phone? People ignore it and move on to the next one.

 

It is extremely common for people to forget to make sure their website is responsive and shows up correctly on most devices. What that means is that it will work and look good no matter what device you use, whether it be a phone, laptop, desktop, or tablet. However, ensuring that people can view your website on their phones will be a major help in generating more traffic and customers.

 

How to fix it

This can be easily fixed. First, you can choose to go with a web design company that includes device adaptability as part of their services. Here at REM, we want everyone to be able to view your website and that is why we include and encourage you to use device adaptability for your website.

 

If that is not within your budget or you wish to do it yourself, you can make a few simple changes. Start by removing any large images like banners that won’t convert to a mobile device. Next make sure you are using a good font that can be read on a phone. Finally, remove any large headers that are too long or too big and will prevent someone on a mobile device from getting to your content quickly. Also remove any large blocks of text, instead break them up.

 

Lack of Contact Information

A surprisingly common mistake is forgetting to include your contact information. Or including it in a hard-to-find spot on your website. If you want people to buy from you then you need to have some way for them to contact, you. For example, let’s say you are a landscaping company that I am interested in hiring. I am scrolling through your website, and I think your work looks good, so I want to get in contact with you to figure out a quote. However, I can’t find your contact information anywhere on your website, so, I give up and go somewhere else. You have now just lost my business because I couldn’t get in contact with you. Ensuring that you have your contact information on your website, and it is up to date and easy to find can make or break whether you get business or not.

 

How to fix it

This is probably the easiest one to fix. All you need to do is figure out your contact information, that would be your company phone number (not your personal one), your company or customer service email address, your office location, and your social media links if you have them. Then find a good location to place them. Anything other than your home page or products page is a bad idea, no one wants to go hunting for information. The best places are at the bottom of your home page or the bottom of your products page. This is where most people will be looking when trying to find it and won’t require them to go out of their way for it.

 

Ineffective Call-to-Actions

A call-to-action is the virtual way to make a sales pitch. If you aren’t face to face with a person selling them your product and getting them to buy it, you need some other way to do that. A call-to-action is the best way to do that directly from your website. However, it is all too common for people to leave them out or not know what they are and therefore not include them. Without a call-to-action people have no push getting them to buy from you other than previous customer reviews, but sometimes that isn’t enough.

 

How to fix it

Including call-to-actions can be quite simple and easy once you know what to do. A call-to-action does not need to be over complicated; it can be something very subtle and simple, but it still needs to be somewhat obvious. For example, you could say “for more information or to get a quote call us today at #” or “if you are interested in more content check out our blog page”. Placing phrases like that or incentives to purchase because you have a “limited time deal” throughout your website in your content is a great way to get more sales. The best places for call-to-actions are your home page, product, or services page, “about us” page, with your contact information, or your blog page.

 

No Blog or Outdated Blog

Since the lifestyle, fashion, and make-up blogging era of the early 2000’s people have been unsure whether they should include a blog on their website or not, after all who even reads blogs? Well, you would be surprised. Think of it this way, I am looking for information on healthy foods and while searching a blog on a pharmacy’s website pops up. So, I click on the link and read the blog because it is from a pharmacist, therefore the information must be good and it’s what I am looking for. Later that night I am talking to a friend about healthy eating and recommend the blog, that’s another person that is now reading it.

 

On top of that, tons of people read blogs for various reasons. Such as students doing research, other blog writers looking for information, other businesses, you (because you are reading this one), and so many others for so many different reasons. Blogs are still very much a useful thing to have on a website and can often bring in new customers you wouldn’t expect.

 

How to fix it

You may not be the best writer in the world and therefore find the idea of including a blog a daunting task. However, it doesn’t have to be. You can get someone else in your company who is good at writing to do it. Or if you are interested in spending the extra money for good quality work, you could hire a freelance writer, professional full-time writer, or if you work with a web design company such as REM, we offer services like blog writing as part of our digital marketing services. Whatever you chose to go with just make sure that the content is professional, and company related. Once you have your blog page established or if you already had one, make sure you have updated content. The last thing you need is to start a blog page but never post or update it.

 

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We hope this information has helped you either avoid these mistakes or correct them. For more websites and small business-related content, check out our other blogs. If you are interested in an update for your website or a new one, we here at REM would be happy to help, so give us a call or email and we can get started.