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This is a headshot of Sanj Rajput.

REM Web Solutions "The Art of Building a Strong Brand Identity" Row of brand marks: Pepsi, Apple, Amazon, Starbucks, Nike

 

Marketing has become a buzzword synonymous with the concept of selling products or services. But the truth is, successful marketing is much more than convincing someone to buy something – it’s a combination of art and credibility. 

 

While you may not assume business and art culture to be within the same wheelhouse, you’d be surprised by the parallels between the two. Where they converge is on the cusp of brand identity. 

 

Let us explain:  

 

Marketing and art are about connecting with people; it’s about assessing their needs and desires, inspiring them to look at visions from different perspectives – and perhaps most importantly, it’s about creating expectations and delivering on promises.  

 

This is where your brand comes in. 

 

Building a successful brand that not only resonates with an audience but offers a unique product or service that is immediately recognizable is the goal. You want to stand out the same way a commercial jingle jumps into your brain the second you hear it!  

 

“Like a good neighbour….” 

 

“We are farmers…” 

 

“The best part of waking up…” 

 

You get the point. 

 

Brand identity is how customers view a specific company, and it determines purchasing trends and customer loyalty. If you have a solid brand identity developed by implementing consistent marketing, your business could inspire new sales and a greater sense of customer dedication. Understanding the steps and strategies you can use to develop your brand's identity can help you decide which tips and tricks benefit your team the most. 

 


In this post, your friends at REM Web Solutions are going to tell you everything you need to know to build a strong brand identity for your business


 

 

1. Let’s Start with the Foundation 

The foundation of anything is understanding what it is and why it's important.  

 

Brand identity encompasses the stylistic elements of a brand, such as the colour, logo, and overall personality that distinguish your business in consumer's minds. A company's brand identity is what endears it to its customers and aims to create a certain level of brand recognition through visual, auditory, oral, or tactile associations. 

 

Creating a brand that reaches people is a very personal task, even though you’re trying to reach a large audience. To do this, you need to understand the audience you’re trying to appeal to and assess how you plan to keep said audience in the long term. That brings us to our second step: 

 

 

2. Distinguish Yourself Visually 

Visual elements play a big part in distinguishing your brand identity and are generally the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a brand.  

 

If you think of popular players like Pepsi, Amazon, and Apple – their logo likely pops straight into your mind with little to no effort.  

 

You need to develop a distinct visual identity that aligns with your brand as well as your audience. This can include developing a unique logo, establishing a colour scheme, choosing typography – whatever is necessary to create something that sets you apart from your competitors and makes you easy to pick out of a crowd.  

 

 

3. Establishing a Unique Voice 

A brand voice is the personality that comes through your communications. A voice isn’t quite like being in character, more so, it’s the type of tone you want your audience to connect with. Whether it’s upbeat or informative, having a unique voice is what’s going to set you apart from your competitors.  

 

Developing this voice comes with establishing how you want to sound and how you want people to respond, so be sure to spend some meaningful time thinking about it and implementing it.  

 

A part of developing an authentic voice for your business is coming up with a slogan or tagline. You want to sum up your business's purpose in a sentence that communicates your core message and values. It can be snappy, witty, or even clever. You can use it in your branding and social media posting.  

 

 

4. Engage Authentically  

Part of having a good brand is being authentic. People can tell when you’re not being true to yourself, and this also goes for your brand.  

 

If your audience can tell you don’t believe in your messaging, they won’t either. It’s one thing to have a good product or service; it’s another to believe in it and sell it to others.  

 

Your audience should feel that whatever you're selling is something they would recommend to family and friends, so highlighting the things that make your product personal to the customer experience will help them engage with your brand more authentically and vice versa.  

 

73% of customers will buy from a brand that they know and trust, so being authentic is essential to maintaining an optimized customer base, while 81% of consumers say brand trust is a deciding factor when making purchases. 

 

 

5. Be Prepared to Adapt  

It's important to keep in mind that while it's important to develop a brand identity, you can't allow it to remain completely static.  

 

You have to be prepared to adapt to meet the needs and expectations of your audience and fill the gaps that come up along the way. You need to stay on top of market trends, keep informed about industry developments, and adapt your brand identity as needed. Every logo eventually needs a facelift, even if it's just an adjustment of sizing or colour.  

 

This doesn't need to be a scary concept either; successful brands embrace the opportunity to innovate and incorporate new technologies or strategies that align with your values. This ongoing evolution makes sure that your brand continues to be relevant and resonates with your audience for the long term. 

 

 

6. Measuring Your Brand's Success 

It's essential to improve and keep track of the success of your brand identity, which requires you to evaluate how well it goes over with your target audience and aligns with your business's objective.  

 

There are a few metrics you can reference, such as brand awareness, recognition, recall, loyalty, and equity, to assess how successful your brand is performing.  

 

You can also seek out feedback from your customers, partners, employees, and industry leaders to see where your brand's strengths and weaknesses lie. 

 

 

7. Safeguarding Brand Identity 

You need to safeguard your brand identity from possible risks and threats that could go on to damage your brand image, values, and, most importantly – your reputation. Once your reputation is damaged, especially in the age of the internet, it can be very difficult to regain it.  

 

Before you face a PR nightmare, you have to avoid threats such as trademark infringement, counterfeiting, social media mishaps, negative reviews, legal disputes, and issues of an ethical nature.  

 

Therefore, you need to have a clear branding policy along with guidelines that specifically detail how your brand identity needs to be utilized and protected, along with a crisis management plan that outlines how you or your team should respond to any brand-related problems. 

 

 

8. Remaining Consistent 

While you need to adapt your brand as needed, you also need to have a certain level of consistency – especially in business, to establish credibility. That means your messaging should always match your core values, and so should everything else, from products, services, and customer service.  

 

Suppose you want your business to be known for selling high-quality leather boots. In that case, you need to be sure that your branding reflects this and that you can deliver on your promises. If you’re not able to deliver on promises, you lose out on that consistency and subsequent credibility.  

 

You now have the roadmap to make your brand identity unique that won't only resonate with your audience but also increase your business growth. By having a good understanding of your audience, defining your brand values, and creating a story that reaches others, you're going to have the key elements to creating a thriving brand and business. Remember that a strong brand identity is the foundation for success; it fosters loyalty and can propel you and your team to greater heights. 

 


However, if you want a little help to develop your brand identity further, you can trust your friends at REM Web Solutions. Our business is marketing and making sure our clientele is successful, which is why our dedicated team of professionals creates content like this with you in mind. If you want to expand your business to new levels of success, you can check out our website and see the services we have available for you.  

 

If you’re curious about some of the awesome businesses we’ve worked with, see our portfolio here


 

 

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This is a headshot of Sanj Rajput.

Woman on laptop in office setting.

 

With nearly 80 million websites out there powered by hundreds of different Content Management Systems (CMS), choosing the right CMS can seem like finding a needle in a haystack.  

 

You might be drawn to the bells and whistles and sleek designs of some systems, but remember, what glitters isn't always gold, especially if it doesn't meet your needs. 

 

Take WordPress, for example. It's the big fish in the pond, holding an impressive 44% of the global market share as of November 2022.

 

HubSpot and other platforms also offer compelling options, each with its unique appeal.

 

But while those major platforms often steal the spotlight, they’re not the only show in town.  

 

The right choice of CMS balances its features and cost with your business's unique online challenges and opportunities. This article aims to steer you clear of common traps and highlight the must-consider factors in your quest for the ideal CMS.  

 

At REM Web Solutions Inc., we thrive on helping our customers grow their businesses in tangible and impactful ways. If you need support with your digital marketing efforts or website design and development, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our skilled team is always here to support you in navigating the digital landscape!

 

 

What Exactly is a CMS? 

Think of a Content Management System as the behind-the-scenes wizard for your website. It's the tool that makes adding new articles, updating your product catalog, or refreshing your homepage content not just doable but downright easy.  

 

Instead of wrestling with code, a CMS makes the digital side of your operations smoother, so you can focus more on what matters — your content and your audience. 

 

 

Website Builder vs. CMS: What’s the Difference? 

When you first step into the world of websites, you'll likely come upon two main roads: the website builder path and the CMS route.  

 

Both avenues aim to demystify the web development journey, yet their itineraries differ. 

Imagine website builders as move-in-ready apartments. They're straightforward, offering everything you need to set up shop online quickly. With a variety of templates at your fingertips, launching a site can be as easy as pick, customize, and go.  

 

But just like a pre-furnished apartment, you'll have to work within the confines of what's already there. Your ability to rearrange or renovate is limited by the platform's offerings. 

 

CMS platforms are more like building your own place from the ground up. They lay down the groundwork, giving you the freedom to tailor every nook and cranny of your site with themes, plugins, and if you're up for it, custom coding. This open-ended approach is a beacon for those crafting more intricate websites or planning for future expansion.  

 

With a CMS, your website can evolve as your needs and ambitions grow. 

 

 

Is a CMS Right for You? 

Wondering if a CMS is the right pick for your digital playground? Let's break it down with a few quick questions to mull over: 

 

  • Is your website's content always on the move, needing regular updates? 

  • Are there a bunch of hands on deck, with multiple authors looking to contribute? 

  • Do you crave the freedom to shuffle, expand, and fine-tune your content's architecture as your project evolves? 

 

If you're silently shouting "Yes!" to any (or all) of these, then a CMS is the choice for you. It'll keep your website dynamic, collaborative, and adaptable, without diving into a coding rabbit hole every time you want to make a change. 

 

But there’s a catch: although a CMS will provide flexibility, it's worth noting that they can come with a steeper learning curve.  

 

Opting for a user-friendly CMS like WebWiz@rd gives you the power to manage your content effectively without getting bogged down in complexity. 

 

 

What to Consider in Choosing a Content Management System 

Picking the right Content Management System (CMS) is a big deal. It’s like laying down the groundwork for your digital home.  

 

Rushing to a decision based on a quick internet search won't cut it. To sift through the myriad of CMS options, you'll need to roll up your sleeves for some serious digging and hands-on trials.  

 

Although the "perfect" CMS is a myth, with each project demanding a tailored approach, there are a few non-negotiable features that you should keep on your radar: 

 

1. User-Friendliness 

This is non-negotiable. The best CMS should feel like a friendly guide through the world of web content management and not a gatekeeper.  

 

It should be intuitive enough for anyone to use, regardless of their tech skills. Forget about needing to call in favours from tech-savvy friends (although we do love hearing from you) or waiting days for simple updates.  

 

Systems like REM's WebWiz@rd show how it's done, putting the power of immediate content updates in your hands. 

 

2. Content Organization 

With tools for categorizing, tagging, and managing metadata, a great CMS turns a chaotic heap of content into a streamlined content library. The goal is to make sure your content is not just stored but also easy to find and navigate for both you and your visitors. A well-organized CMS is key to a user-friendly website. 

 

3. SEO Optimization 

If you don't show up in Google, you're virtually invisible. Any modern CMS should come equipped with SEO tools that help your content shine in the vast expanse of the internet. This means everything from image optimization to search-friendly URLs. 

 

 

CMS Pitfalls to Avoid 

Choosing a CMS is more art than science. It's not about how many boxes you can tick but finding a platform that resonates with your project's unique needs. It's about securing a foundation that offers the right mix of usability, organization, and visibility.  

 

The perfect CMS is out there, waiting for you.  

 

But finding it requires a strategic approach, valuing these key features to ensure your website thrives in the digital landscape. 

 

To help you choose a CMS, here are some red flags you need to watch out for: 

 

  • Overwhelming Complexity: Not all CMS platforms are cut from the same cloth. Some promise simplicity but deliver a labyrinth of features that feel more like a puzzle than a tool. This is why taking a CMS for a test drive is crucial. Play around with its features, build a test page, and see if it feels like a partner rather than a puzzle. This firsthand experience can reveal a lot about whether a CMS will be a breeze or a burden. 

  • The Price Tag Behind "Free": Freebies can be tempting, but in the world of CMS, they often come with strings attached. As your website gains traction or your storage needs grow, those free platforms might start to introduce fees. These hidden costs can sneak up on you, straining your budget unexpectedly. Looking for platforms that offer clear, upfront pricing can save you from future headaches. 

  • Support That's Hard to Come By: Imagine hitting a roadblock with your CMS—maybe a glitch or a how-to question—and having nowhere to turn. A CMS backed by strong support and detailed guides can be a lifeline. Before settling on a CMS, peek into its support ecosystem. Is there a hotline for urgent issues? Are there forums or documentation? How quickly do they respond to queries? The strength of support can make or break your CMS experience. 

 

It sounds cliche, but in essence, the quest for the perfect CMS is all about balance. Balance between ease of use and feature complexity, between cost and value, and between independence and support.  

 

 

Empowering Your Choice 

Choosing the right CMS means finding that sweet spot where ease of use meets the needs of your team and budget.  

 

The CMS you choose influences everything from how smoothly your site runs to how easily it can grow with your business.  

 

Yes, the options are vast, and yes, it’s a lot to think about. But finding the right fit is a game-changer. It makes your life easier, allowing you to focus on running your business, and not getting bogged down by backend hassles. 

 

At REM Web Solutions, we get how vital a CMS is to your website's success. That's why we've developed WebWiz@rd CMS. It's our answer to the call for a platform that's both user-friendly and powerful, designed to meet your specific needs without the constant need for tech support. Whether you're launching a brand-new site or taking an existing one to the next level, our team is on hand to make sure WebWiz@rd CMS fits your vision like a glove. 

 

Want to see how WebWiz@rd CMS can change the way you do business online? Reach out to us at REM Web Solutions. We’ll show you how WebWiz@rd can empower you to manage, create, and update content more efficiently, freeing you up to excel at what you do best. 

 

 

 

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This is a headshot of Sanj Rajput.

Laptop with page speed icon on the screen.

 

Imagine you're driving to your favourite coffee shop on a quiet Sunday morning. The roads are clear and you're looking forward to that first sip of coffee.  

 

But just as you round the corner, you hit an unexpected traffic jam. Cars are crawling. Your quick trip becomes a slow grind, and your anticipation turns to frustration.  

 

This is exactly how customers feel when they’re staring at a slow-loading website.  

 

Just as you hate to have your drive slowed down by traffic, your customers don't want their online journey interrupted by slow page load times. 

 

Page speed can make or break the user experience. A fast-loading site not only makes visitors happy, but also boosts your standings in search engine results. This opens the door to more engagement, higher conversion rates, and, ultimately, more successful customer interactions. 

In this article, we’re taking a quick look at page speed and its profound impact on both user experience (UX) and search engine optimization (SEO). We'll explore why page speed is a pivotal aspect of your website's success, how it influences the perception and behaviour of your visitors, and its significance in the eyes of search engines like Google.  

 

 

So, What Exactly Is Page Speed? 

Page speed isn't just about how fast your homepage loads. It's an umbrella term for various metrics used to measure how quickly and efficiently your website becomes usable for visitors. Tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights offer scores and actionable advice to improve these metrics.  

 

Let's break down what these metrics mean for you and your customers. 

 

First Impressions Count: First Contentful Paint (FCP) 

First Contentful Paint (FCP) measures the time it takes for something, anything, from your page to appear on the screen.  

 

Whether it's a line of text or an image, FCP marks the moment your site starts to ‘come alive’ for the visitor. FCP matters because this first impression can really affect how they perceive your site as a whole. 

 

Engaging Experiences: Time to Interactive (TTI) 

Time to Interactive (TTI) gauges when your website is fully ready to interact with. It means that when visitors click a button or scroll down the page, they get a swift, seamless response.  

This metric is key to a frustration-free user experience, making sure your site is fully visible and usable. 

 

Beyond Loading: LCP, CLS, and More 

In addition to FCP and TTI, tools like PageSpeed Insights also consider the following: 

 

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) highlights when the main content of your page is viewable. 

  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) ensures that your site feels stable. No more shifting buttons or images as it loads.  

  • Speed Index and First Input Delay (FID) offer a broader look at how quickly your site becomes useful and responsive to your visitors. 

 

What Page Speed Metrics Mean to You 

While it’s good to know what these terms mean, as a business owner, you don’t need to know them like the back of your hand (unless you’re in the business of building fast websites).  

 

Google's PageSpeed Insights simplifies these metrics by providing a simple benchmark based on these exact factors. It translates technical jargon into practical advice, helping you pinpoint where your site needs love and how you can make it faster. 

 


 

 

Why Page Speed Matters to Your Business 

When it comes to your customers, every second counts. Especially for mobile users, who often find themselves tethered to the whims of cellular networks, speed is a necessity.  

 

Let's dive into how page speed is not just about keeping the wheels of your website turning but also about enriching the user experience (UX), retaining attention, and ultimately, driving conversions. 

 

 

These numbers paint a clear picture: faster pages keep users engaged, while slower ones might as well be turning the lights off on your visitors. 

 

Speed as an SEO Booster 

With mobile page speed as a confirmed Google ranking factor, faster sites lead to better visibility and more organic traffic.  

 

The data backs this up, showing that the average page loading speed for a first page Google result is 1.65 seconds.  

 

Data Usage and Page Speed (Let’s Be Considerate) 

Mobile users, especially those watching their data usage, find that slow-loading pages waste their time and cost them money in the form of data drain. 

 

Optimizing your site's elements, like images and scripts, not only speeds up loading times but also helps in conserving precious data for your users. It’s the considerate thing to do. And, as mentioned above, it’s a win-win.  

 


 

 

Signs It's Time to Consult a Professional for Your Website Speed 

So you’ve run your site through PageSpeed Insights and want to make some improvements. There’s a lot you can do to improve page loading speed, and some of it is well within reach of a tech-savvy business owner — like optimizing images  —  especially with an easy content management system.   

 

But even with the best roll-up-your-sleeves-and-DIY spirit, there comes a time when the complexities of web optimization call for professional intervention.  

 

Here are the unmistakable signs that it's time to bring in an expert to turbocharge your website's speed: 

 

1. Consistently Poor Page Speed Scores 

If you've been using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights your scores are stubbornly low despite your best optimization efforts, this is a clear signal. Professionals have the experience and tools to delve deeper into the issues that automated tools might not fully address. 

 

2. Rising Bounce Rates and Dwindling Conversion Rates 

Analytics can tell stories that raw data alone cannot. If you're noticing a trend of visitors bouncing from your site quicker than usual or a decrease in conversions, and you suspect page speed is a culprit, it's time for a professional diagnosis. Experts can pinpoint the exact hurdles your site faces and craft tailored solutions. 

 

3. Stumped by Technical Challenges 

When the intricacies of web optimization feel out of reach — be it complex coding puzzles, server configurations, or the efficient delivery of resources — it's wise to turn to someone who speaks the language fluently.  

 

A professional can navigate these technical waters with ease, identifying and remedying issues that might not be obvious to the untrained eye. 

 

4. Outdated Website 

The web moves at breakneck speed, even if your particular website doesn’t. If your site hasn't seen a facelift or backend overhaul in years, a professional can ensure it meets the latest web standards for speed, security, and user experience. 

 

5. Performance Drops Post-Update 

It’s pretty common for websites to experience slowdowns after new features, plugins, or hefty content additions are introduced. If your site's performance has taken a hit after such updates, professionals can help integrate these new elements more seamlessly, preserving functionality without compromising on speed. 

 

6. Subpar Mobile Performance 

With mobile browsing now the norm, a site that lags on smartphones and tablets is a site that's falling behind. If your website isn't as nimble and responsive on mobile devices as it is on desktops, you want to address this gap ASAP. Specialists in mobile optimization can ensure your site delivers a swift, engaging experience across all devices. 

 


 

 

How Web Design and SEO Professionals Can Move Your Site Forward 

When it comes to optimizing your page speed, web design and SEO professionals bring a wealth of expertise to the table. They’ll transform your site from just another URL to a powerhouse of user engagement and search engine visibility.

 

Here’s how: 

 

Comprehensive Site Audit 

A detailed audit by professionals can uncover hidden issues affecting your site's speed and overall performance. This process identifies bottlenecks and provides a roadmap for improvement, ensuring no stone is left unturned. 

 

Technical Optimization 

There are a number of technical details that can make or break a site's speed. From streamlining code to configuring servers for peak efficiency, technical optimizations can improve load times dramatically.  

 

Content and Media Optimization 

Visuals draw attention, but they can also slow down your site if not properly optimized. Professionals ensure that images, videos, and multimedia content are compressed, striking the perfect balance between quality and speed. 

 

Content Delivery Network (CDN) 

A CDN can significantly boost your site’s speed across different geographical locations. Professionals can help you select and implement the CDN that best fits your site’s needs, ensuring content is delivered quickly to users around the world. 

 

Plugins and Widgets 

An overloaded website can crawl at a slow pace. Experts can audit your plugins and widgets, removing those that are unnecessary and optimizing the rest. This speeds up your site and improves website security

 

SEO and Mobile Optimization 

In today’s mobile-first world, your site must perform flawlessly on all devices. Professionals not only optimize your site’s speed for improved SEO rankings but also ensure it’s responsive and mobile-friendly, catering to the vast majority of internet users. 

 

Ongoing Support and Maintenance 

Keeping your site in top shape requires regular maintenance. Professionals offer ongoing support, making timely updates and adjustments to adapt to new technologies and standards. 

 

At REM Web Solutions Inc., we thrive on helping our customers grow their businesses in tangible and impactful ways. If you need support with your digital marketing efforts or website design and development, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our skilled team is always here to support you in navigating the digital landscape!      

 

 

 

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This is a headshot of Sanj Rajput.

Web designer surrounded by website elements.

 

Have you ever walked into a place and instantly felt like you belonged? That's the magic we're aiming for in web design.  

 

But it's easier said than done. How do you create a digital space that not only attracts visitors, but makes them feel right at home?  

 

This goes beyond the nuts and bolts of building a website and into the world user-centered Design (UCD) – a philosophy that puts real people at the heart of every pixel and line of code. 

 

Today, we’re taking a look at the importance of user-centered Design, including a couple of real-world examples that shed light on the power (and pitfalls) of this process, from Reddit's balancing act between tradition and innovation to Ravelry's eye-opening redesign journey. 

 

At REM Web Solutions Inc., we thrive on helping our customers grow their businesses in tangible and impactful ways. If you need support with your digital marketing efforts or website design and development, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our skilled team is always here to support you in navigating the digital landscape!    

 

 

What's User-Centered Design All About? 

At its heart, User-Centered Design is all about making a website that really works for the people using it. It's about asking, "What do they need? What makes things easier for them?" and then following through on that through thoughtful web design. 

 

Some of the key principles of user-centered web design include: 

 

  • Accessibility: We're talking about a website everyone can use, including those with disabilities. Here in Ontario, this includes complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or AODA. Learn more about AODA-compliant web design

  • Ease of Use: Your site should be easy to use and navigate, with a layout that makes sense. Learn more about usability best practices

  • User Feedback: When users speak, we listen. Their feedback is gold when it comes to fine-tuning designs to meet their needs. It’s important to consider user feedback during the design process and have a means of collecting feedback post-launch. 

  • Practicality: A site needs to be more than just pretty! It has to be practical too. It’s a balancing act between cool looks and being user-friendly. 

  • Speed: Nobody likes waiting. Fast load times and smooth performance are must-haves. 

  • Responsive Design: Whether they’re on a phone, tablet, or desktop, your site should look great and work well. Learn more about responsive web design

  • Security and Privacy: Keeping user data safe and private is non-negotiable. 

 


 

The Business Case for User-Centered Design 

Your business’s website is often the first and most lasting impression you make. A user-friendly website is like a friendly, helpful salesperson – it makes a great impression.  

 

When your site is easy to navigate and accessible to all, it says a lot about your brand. It shows you care, and that builds trust and credibility in the market. 

 

No one likes to be frustrated or confused online. If your website is engaging and useful, visitors are less likely to hit the back button.  

 

Plus, they're more likely to convert, whether it's buying something, signing up for a newsletter, or just sticking around to learn more. A user-centered design can turn casual browsers into buyers. 

 

Think of user-centered design as a smart investment. Getting it right from the start means you spend less time and money fixing problems later. Plus, a great user experience is something people talk about. Happy users become your brand ambassadors, spreading the word for free. 

 

So, in a nutshell, user-centered website design isn’t just about a good-looking site. It's about creating an experience that resonates with your users, strengthening your brand, and ultimately contributing to your business’s success.  

 

It's an approach that pays off in customer satisfaction, loyalty, and yes, even in the numbers. 

 


 

The Power of Listening to Users (and the Pitfalls of Ignoring Them) 

To bring these principles to light, let’s look at the process and outcome of two major website redesigns – one that painstakingly followed user feeback, and one that flopped for failing to do the same. 

 

 

Reddit's 2018 Redesign - Balancing Tradition and Innovation 

Reddit, known for its distinct (if not dated) look, faced a real dilemma in 2018. It was at the time a platform beloved for its simplicity and "retro" charm, teeming with users who were loyal to its familiar, early-internet vibe. This was a community deeply attached to the Reddit they knew – a cascade of blue links and Verdana font, a real throwback to Web 2.0.  

 

Reddit’s redesign journey was not about throwing out the retro look entirely, but improving usability with a mind towards business growth while respecting its unique (and more than a tad contrarian) culture. Here’s how the principles of user-centered Design played a part: 

 

  • Listening to the Audience: When whispers of change stirred unease, Reddit took note. The initial resistance was a clear message: "Don't fix what isn't broken." This wasn’t just about a look, but also about identity and functionality. 

  • Testing and Feedback: Enter the alpha version, tested by a small group in early 2018. The subreddit r/redesign became a hub for this exchange, highlighting the UCD principle of incorporating user feedback. 

  • Options Over Overhauls: Recognizing the diverse preferences of its 330 million monthly users, Reddit offered not one but three design options. This is UCD at its best – accommodating different user needs without alienating any group. 

    • Card View: A modern, image-centric layout for those craving a visual experience. 

    • Classic View: A nod to the traditional Reddit, updated but familiar, respecting the nostalgia of long-time users. 

    • Compact View: For the power users and moderators, functionality took precedence over aesthetics, allowing rapid content navigation. 

 

The Outcome 

Surprisingly, the revamp did not trigger a user exodus or a massive outcry. Why? Because Reddit’s approach exemplified key UCD principles: 

 

  • Respect for User Preferences: By offering multiple viewing options, Reddit acknowledged and respected the diverse preferences of its user base. 

  • Balancing Form and Function: The redesign was not just a cosmetic upgrade but a thoughtful enhancement of user experience. 

  • Inclusive and Adaptive Design: Each view catered to different user needs, from casual browsers to hardcore moderators, ensuring no one felt left out. 

 

Reddit's redesign journey teaches us that change, even for a very picky user base, can be successful when it's user-centered. It's about evolving while keeping the essence intact, listening to users, and providing options that cater to a broad spectrum of preferences.  

 

 

Ravelry's 2020 Redesign - A Lesson in User Experience 

Ravelry, a cozy corner of the internet for fiber arts enthusiasts, suddenly changed its look on June 16, 2020. Users essentially woke up to a brand-new interface unannounced.  

 

What followed was a storm of reactions ‒ some loved it, but others... not so much. 

 

Soon after the redesign, a troubling trend emerged. More than a handful of users started reporting serious issues: eyestrain, migraines, even seizures. The community’s response was overwhelming, filling threads with thousands of comments ranging from praise to distress. 

 

The situation even caught the eye of experts. A medical sociologist suggested that the issue might be a case of mass suggestion. Digital accessibility specialist David Gibson didn't find Ravelry's site unusually bad in terms of accessibility. Yet, the Epilepsy Foundation of America highlighted that certain visual patterns can indeed trigger seizures, mentioning Ravelry as a potential risk. 

 

In response to the uproar, Ravelry eventually made a decision to reintroduce the old design while they went back to the drawing board. This move, while met with gratitude by many, also unearthed new bugs. And many users felt that the change had come too late, after days of having their concerns ignored or minimized. 

 

Silvia Maggi, a designer specializing in accessibility, wrote an excellent piece documenting the Ravelry situation that goes into greater depth than we do here. There, she highlights a critical oversight in the redesign process: the lack of early user testing and feedback, particularly from those with visual or migraine sensitivities. Her article is well worth reading if you are interested in learning more. 

 

The Outcome 

Ravelry's redesign journey offers key insights: 

 

  • Importance of Early User Involvement: Engaging users from the start can identify potential issues before they escalate. 

  • Inclusivity in Design: A design that doesn't account for all users, especially in a community known for its inclusivity, can lead to significant backlash. 

  • Flexibility and Responsiveness: Being able to adapt and respond to user feedback is crucial. Sometimes, stepping back is the best way to move forward. 

  • Understanding the Impact: A design isn't just about aesthetics, but more importantly about useability and accessibility. A great design can do both, but the latter must come first. 

 

user-centered design isn’t about creating something new and shiny ‒ it’s about ensuring a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all users. This case study underscores the need for comprehensive user testing and the importance of listening to and valuing community feedback. 

 


 

User-Centered Design: Creating Website People Love 

As we've journeyed through the principles of user-centered Design, the power of empathy, inclusivity, and responsiveness in web design shines through.  

 

Whether it's Reddit's respectful balance of tradition and innovation or Ravelry's lesson in user involvement, these stories highlight the importance of remembering the human behind every click and scroll. 

 

At REM Web Solutions Inc., we’re not just web designers ‒ we're storytellers, problem solvers, and your partners in this digital transformation. Our expertise lies in weaving your vision into a user-centered design that resonates with your audience, ensuring every interaction with your website is an experience to remember. 

 

So, if you're ready to take your online presence to a level where design meets purpose, and aesthetics blend with user comfort, let's talk. Reach out to us, and together, let's create a website that's not just seen but loved. 

 

 

 

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computer monitor and laptop in a minimalist environment

 

Minimalism is a design and lifestyle philosophy characterized by simplicity, minimal elements, and a focus on essential elements to achieve a desired effect or purpose. In the context of web design, this involves the deliberate reduction of unnecessary elements, resulting in a clean, uncluttered, and often aesthetically pleasing outcome.

 

In today’s blog post, we will explore minimalist design in the digital age, highlighting how it aligns with users' preferences for streamlined, efficient, and visually appealing online experiences. We will look at key principles, benefits and challenges associated with minimalist web design.

 

In so many areas of life and work, less truly is more.

 

At REM Web Solutions, we thrive on helping our customers grow their businesses in tangible and impactful ways. If you need support with your digital marketing efforts or website design and development, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our skilled team is always here to support you in navigating the digital landscape. 

 

Let’s get started.

 

The Principles of Minimalist Web Design

 

Simplified User Interface (UI)

  • Reducing clutter: Minimalist web design focuses on removing unnecessary elements, reducing visual noise, and simplifying the user interface to create a cleaner and more user-friendly experience.
  • Streamlined navigation menus: Minimalist websites often feature straightforward and intuitive navigation menus, ensuring that users can easily find and access the content they're looking for.

 

Clean and Balanced Layouts

  • Effective use of white space: Minimalist design relies on ample white space (negative space) to create a sense of openness and clarity. This spacing between elements enhances readability and visual appeal.
  • Minimalist colour schemes: Minimalist websites typically use a limited colour palette, often featuring neutral colours, to maintain a clean and cohesive appearance while drawing attention to key elements.

 

Typography and Minimalism

  • Font choices for minimalist design: Minimalist web designers carefully select fonts that are simple, elegant, and easy to read. Typography plays a crucial role in conveying the website's message and maintaining consistency.
  • Readability and legibility: Minimalist typography prioritizes readability, ensuring that text is clear and accessible to users across different devices and screen sizes.

 

Mobile-Friendly Minimalism

  • Responsive design: Minimalist web design extends to mobile devices through responsive design techniques. This means that the website adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes and orientations, upholding its minimalist principles.
  • Minimalist design for small screens: On smaller screens, the minimalist approach becomes even more critical. Minimalist design ensures that the website remains user-friendly and visually appealing on smartphones and tablets by focusing on essential content and a simplified layout.

 


 

Benefits of Minimalist Web Design

 

Improved User Experience (UX)

  • Clarity and focus: Minimalist websites present content in a clear and uncluttered manner, making it easier for users to find what they need and navigate the site with minimal distractions.
  • Reduced cognitive load: By eliminating unnecessary elements and simplifying the user interface, minimalist design reduces cognitive overload, allowing users to process information more effectively.
  • Enhanced engagement: Users tend to stay longer on websites that offer a pleasant and intuitive experience, increasing the likelihood of interaction and conversion.

 

Faster Loading Times

  • Reduced page weight: Minimalist design typically leads to lighter web pages with fewer assets (images, scripts, etc.), resulting in quicker loading times.
  • Improved performance: Faster loading pages contribute to a smoother and more efficient user experience, reducing bounce rates and improving overall website performance.

 

Better SEO Performance

  • Improved mobile-friendliness: Minimalist design often includes responsive layouts, which are favoured by search engines like Google, as they provide a consistent experience across devices.
  • Favourable user signals: A clean and user-friendly design can lead to higher user engagement, longer session durations, and lower bounce rates, all of which can positively impact SEO rankings.
  • Optimized for speed: Minimalist websites, with their emphasis on performance and fast loading times, are more likely to receive a higher SEO ranking, as speed is a key ranking factor.

 

Enhanced Mobile Compatibility

  • Responsive design: Minimalist web design frequently incorporates responsive techniques, ensuring that the website looks and functions well on a variety of mobile devices.
  • Improved user satisfaction: With the growing number of mobile users, a minimalist and mobile-friendly design ensures that your website reaches and engages a broader audience, increasing user satisfaction and potential conversions.

 


 

Tips for Implementing Minimalism in Web Design

 

Start With a Clear Purpose and Goals

  • Define objectives: Begin by identifying the specific goals and purpose of your website. Understand what you want to achieve, whether it's providing information, selling products, or offering a service.
  • Prioritize user-centered design: Keep your target audience in mind and align your design choices with their needs and preferences. Knowing your audience helps you create a more focused and effective design.

 

Focus On Essential Content and Features

  • Organize content hierarchy: Prioritize and organize content based on its importance and relevance. Highlight key information and features that directly support your website's goals.
  • Simplify navigation: Offer a clear and straightforward navigation structure that allows users to access essential content and features with minimal effort.

 

Use Whitespace Strategically

  • Enhance readability: Whitespace (negative space) helps separate content elements, improving readability and visual clarity. Ensure adequate spacing between text, images, and interactive elements.
  • Visual balance: Whitespace can also create a sense of balance and harmony in your design, drawing attention to critical elements and maintaining an uncluttered appearance.

 

Select a Limited Colour Palette

  • Consistency: Choose a limited colour paletteof complementary colours that align with your brand identity and message. Consistency in colour usage creates a cohesive and visually appealing design.
  • Highlight accents: Use colour sparingly to draw attention to specific elements, such as call-to-action buttons or important information, while keeping the overall design clean and understated.

 

Optimize For Performance and Speed

  • Minimize assets: Compress and optimize images and other media files to reduce page load times. Avoid excessive use of large files that can slow down your website.
  • Clean code: Ensure your website's code is well-structured and efficient. Eliminate unnecessary scripts and code bloat to improve overall performance.
  • Responsive design: Implement responsive design principles to ensure your minimalist website looks and functions well on various devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

 


 

At REM Web Solutions, we thrive on helping our customers grow their businesses in tangible and impactful ways. If you need support with your digital marketing efforts or website design and development, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our skilled team is always here to support you in navigating the digital landscape.

 

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Illustration of woman next to a browser screen with an orange button

 

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.

 


 

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.

 


 

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.

 

 


 

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.

 


 

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.

 

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Woman using a laptop with a piggy bank and coins next to her

 

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.

 


 

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.

 

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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.

 

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Designer creating wireframes and planning a website design

 

In our fast-paced digital world, web design and usability play a crucial role in creating extraordinary user experiences. A beautifully designed website goes beyond grabbing attention; it captivates visitors, guides them seamlessly, and leaves a lasting impact.

 

Whether it's a personal blog, online store, or business website, embracing the best practices of web design and usability is essential for creating amazing user experiences.

 

Web design combines style and functionality to craft an interface that is visually appealing and intuitive. While usability focuses on making the website user-friendly and easy to navigate, ensuring users can find what they need effortlessly. By finding a balance of both of these elements you can create a well-structured website that enhances user experience and encourages return visits and positive word-of-mouth of your brand.

 

Follow these best practices to see the benefits for yourself; such as higher conversion rates, a stronger brand image, and the achievement of your website's goals!

 

Fundamental Principles and Guidelines for Effective Web Design

When it comes to creating exceptional web design, there are fundamental principles and guidelines that serve as the backbone of a successful website. Follow these steps to get started:

 

1.Define Your Purpose

First and foremost, purpose and clarity are paramount. Clearly defining the purpose of your website and communicating it effectively to users is crucial for engaging their attention and guiding their actions.

 

2.Think About Your Audience

A user-centric approach is equally important, as understanding your target audience's needs and preferences allows you to design with their goals and expectations in mind.

 

3.Keep it Simple

Embracing simplicity and minimalism in your design not only enhances the visual appeal but also ensures that users can navigate your website effortlessly, without feeling overwhelmed.

 

To create exceptional web design, remember to define your purpose clearly, understand your audience, and embrace simplicity throughout your website.

 

The Importance of Cohesive Design in Branding

Consistency is a very important aspect of a successful brand. A visually appealing and cohesive design is essential for capturing and retaining users' interest, establishing credibility, and showcasing professionalism. It instills trust and confidence in your brand or content, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

 

Consistency in branding elements throughout the website, such as colour palette, typography, logo, and visual style, is crucial for creating a cohesive and memorable user experience. It fosters trust, professionalism, and brand recognition, enabling users to easily recognize and connect with your brand.

 

Your website's design acts as a powerful tool in conveying your brand's essence, establishing a distinct identity, and shaping users' perceptions and engagement.

 

Colour and Typography in Web Design

The choices you make regarding colour and typography in web design can have a significant impact on the overall user experience.

 

Colours evoke emotions and set the tone for your website. Selecting a colour scheme that aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your target audience is crucial. Consider the psychology of colours and how they can influence user perception and behaviour.

 

Typography, on the other hand, affects readability and the visual appeal of your content. Choose fonts that are legible and appropriate for your brand image.

 

Carefully choosing colours and typography in web design can greatly influence the user experience, evoking emotions, setting the tone, and enhancing readability and visual appeal.

 

User-Centric Web Design

While the overall look and appearance of your website are important, you also need to think about how your audience will navigate through your website. By prioritizing the needs and preferences of your users, you can create an experience that resonates with them and guides them seamlessly through your website.

 

Intuitive Navigation

Intuitive navigation ensures that users can find what they're looking for quickly and effortlessly, reducing frustration and increasing engagement. A well-structured and organized website enhances usability, encouraging visitors to explore further and delve into your valuable content.

 

To achieve this, it's essential to employ user-centric design approaches. Understanding user behaviour and preferences is key to tailoring your design effectively. Techniques such as conducting usability testing allow you to observe and gather feedback from users interacting with your website.

 

This valuable process helps identify pain points, uncover usability issues, and make informed design decisions based on real user insights. By understanding how users interact with your website, you can make adjustments to create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.

 

Incorporating a Visual Hierarchy

The effective use of visual hierarchy is essential for guiding users through your website. By strategically arranging content elements using size, colour, contrast, and positioning, you can create a visual hierarchy that leads users through the page and highlights important information. This helps users easily navigate your website, find the content they're seeking, and engage with your website more effectively.

 

Call-to-Action Elements

The proper placement and design of call-to-action (CTA) elements play a significant role in guiding users toward desired actions. CTAs should stand out visually, using compelling copy and design to encourage users to take the desired action, whether it's making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or exploring further. By strategically placing and designing CTAs, you can drive conversions and achieve your website's goals.

 

By implementing user-centric design approaches, intuitive navigation, visual hierarchy, and effective CTAs, you can create a seamless and engaging website that prioritizes user needs, allowing visitors to effortlessly navigate, find information, and engage with your content effectively.

 

How to Improve the Usability of Your Website

Now that we’ve thought about how the user will navigate through our website, it’s important to further explore ways to improve usability on a larger scale. Improving website usability is a crucial aspect of creating exceptional user experiences. To enhance usability, it's essential to focus on a couple of key areas.

 

1.Basic Usability

First and foremost, ensure that your website content is clear, concise, and easily digestible. Users appreciate straightforward information that is presented in a way that is easy to understand. Avoid jargon and excessive technical language, and use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break down content into scannable chunks.

 

Additionally, pay close attention to the usability of your forms. Make sure they are easy to use and require minimal effort from users. Simplify form fields and only ask for essential information, reducing friction and increasing the likelihood of form completion.

 

Implement helpful error handling by providing clear error messages and suggestions for correction. This way, users can easily identify and resolve any issues they encounter.

 

2.Responsive Design and Mobile Optimization

With the prevalence of smartphones and tablets, it's crucial to ensure that your website provides an optimal experience across all devices and screen sizes.

 

Responsive design allows your site to adapt seamlessly, delivering a consistent and user-friendly experience regardless of the device being used.

 

Mobile optimization goes beyond responsiveness and involves optimizing loading speed, simplifying navigation, and prioritizing essential content for smaller screens.

 

Now that we've covered the fundamentals of usability and responsive design, let's dive into a helpful checklist to get you started reviewing your website.

 

Web Design Usability Checklist

  • Optimize page load speed to ensure a seamless user experience.
  • Implement responsive design for consistent usability across different devices.
  • Compress images, minify code, and use caching techniques to improve performance.
  • Embrace inclusive design and follow accessibility guidelines for a website that accommodates all users.
  • Provide alternative text for images and prioritize proper heading structures.
  • Simplify navigation and prioritize essential content for mobile optimization.
  • Create an efficient and user-friendly form by reducing fields and providing clear error handling.
  • Use clear and concise content to enhance readability and understanding.
  • Break down content using headings, subheadings, and bullet points for easy scanning.
  • Prioritize user-centric design and consider the needs and preferences of your target audience.

 

By implementing key strategies such as clear content presentation, user-friendly forms, responsive design, and mobile optimization, you can greatly enhance the usability of your website and provide exceptional user experiences for a wide range of users.

 

Having implemented all the necessary steps thus far, you are now prepared to effectively connect with your target audience and align your brand with their needs. Let's delve into the strategies for optimizing your site and successfully reaching your intended audience.

 

SEO and Web Design Synergy

The relationship between SEO and web design goes hand in hand when it comes to creating an exceptional online presence. Web design elements play a significant role in optimizing your website for search engines, ensuring that your valuable content reaches your target audience effectively.

 

By optimizing web design elements such as responsiveness, mobile-friendliness, loading speed, and strategic use of heading tags and keywords, you can improve your website's visibility and accessibility to search engines.

 

Effective use of heading tags, meta descriptions, and relevant keywords within your web design elements can enhance your website's visibility in search engine results. By incorporating these elements strategically and naturally, you provide search engines with valuable information about your content, making it easier for them to index and rank your website appropriately.

 

Synergizing SEO and web design best practices, you create a website that not only looks visually appealing but is also optimized for search engines. This ensures that your valuable content reaches your target audience effectively, driving organic traffic to your website.

 

Web Design Trends and Maintaining Usability

Staying informed about current web design trends and best practices is essential for creating exceptional user experiences. While new trends offer innovative ways to engage users, it is crucial to prioritize usability. By striking a balance between incorporating trends and ensuring usability, you can create a visually appealing and intuitive user experience.

 

Evaluating trends through the lens of usability allows you to enhance aesthetics and functionality. Combining current trends with timeless usability principles enables the creation of a visually stunning and user-friendly website that provides an exceptional experience for visitors.

 

At REM, we understand the significance of following best practices in web design. By incorporating purposeful and user-centric design, we create websites that capture attention and seamlessly guide users, resulting in increased satisfaction.

 

Our expertise in intuitive navigation helps us build well-structured websites that reduce frustration and improve engagement. We prioritize visual hierarchy, carefully arrange content elements, and maintain a cohesive design that aligns with brand identity and fosters positive brand perception.

 

Our team stays updated with the latest design trends while prioritizing usability, enabling us to create visually stunning and user-friendly websites. Through these practices, we have helped numerous clients achieve their website goals, increase conversion rates, and elevate their online presence.

 

Partner with REM to explore the world of effective web design, where aesthetics and functionality converge, and together, we can create exceptional user experiences that drive success!

 

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Purple and teal illustration of computer screen with web elements around it

 

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.

 


 

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.

 


 

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.

 

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