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A recent ruling by U.S. federal judge Ahmit Mehta declaring that Google has unlawfully maintained a monopoly over online search and advertising has sent shockwaves through the digital sphere. The ruling will likely transform the search landscape and ultimately affect the strategies and tools you use to reach your customers through Google Ads.

In other words, this ruling could be a big deal for your business. And with a second antitrust trial already underway, the time to adapt is now.

At REM Web Solutions, we are committed to helping you navigate these complex changes so your marketing efforts remain effective and responsive in the evolving regulatory environment. Join us as we explain what the FTC’s antitrust ruling means for your business and how you can prepare for the upcoming shifts in digital marketing.

Overview of the FTC Ruling on Google’s Monopoly

On August 5, 2024, a definitive judgment from the FTC brought to light concerns about Google’s dominance in online search environments and how it solidified its market leadership.

For one, Google has effectively restricted competition through high-stakes, exclusive contracts with leading device manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung. These arrangements not only secure Google’s position as the default search engine but also raise barriers that make it nearly impossible for other search engines.

One of the most striking revelations from the case was the economic magnitude of these agreements. In 2021 alone, Google paid a staggering $26 billion to Apple to ensure its status as the primary search engine on Apple devices. This sidelined other market players, controlling user experience across billions of devices globally.

The court concluded that Google's practice of making its search engine the default on many devices stifles competition and limits user choice. The judge stated that these tactics unfairly tilt the playing field in Google's direction and violate important antitrust laws.

While it’s yet to be seen what remedy the court will impose – in other words, the actions it will take to help level the playing field – the ruling is expected to initiate a series of changes aimed at dismantling Google’s market dominance.

The tech and advertising industries are closely watching this decision, as it could force companies to change their advertising and SEO strategies. At REM Web Solutions, we're ready to help you navigate these changes and make sure your digital marketing strategies stay effective.

Implications for Google and Advertisers

As the case moves forward and potential remedies are explored, Google may need to make some big changes to the way it operates. This could include:

1. End of Exclusive Agreements: Should the court decide to prohibit Google from entering exclusive default search engine agreements with device manufacturers, the company would need to alter its core business practices significantly. This change could create an even playing field in the search engine landscape, providing an opening for competitors like Bing Ads, Yahoo Ads, and more.
2. Introduction of Choice Screens: Similar to the European Union's Digital Markets Act, Google could be required to implement choice screens that prompt users to select their preferred search engines upon setting up a new device. This move would likely diminish Google's dominance as the default and empower consumers with more options, impacting how advertisers target their audiences.

These potential changes could have a major impact on businesses that rely heavily on Google Ads.

If Google no longer dominates the search advertising space, advertisers will have more options to choose from. This means they'll need to rethink how they spread their budgets and adjust their strategies.

With more people potentially using different search engines, businesses will have more incentive to branch out and try other search advertising options. This could also mean focusing more on SEO, not just for Google, but for its competitors, too.

With Google potentially losing its default spot, businesses need to rethink their advertising game plan. Businesses should invest in cross-platform analytics and targeting tools to understand and reach their audience effectively across a broader spectrum of search engines.

Adaptability is an asset for your business and essential to maintaining market visibility. REM Web Solutions can help you expand your reach across different platforms, keeping you ahead of the curve.

Google’s Second Antitrust Trial Puts Ads in the Spotlight

While businesses and advertisers are still grappling with the implications of the first ruling, a second antitrust trial targeting Google's stronghold on search advertising is already in motion.
The first trial zeroed in on how Google dominates the search experience, making it harder for users to explore other options. While this doesn't directly impact Google Ads, any changes to how Google Search works will inevitably affect its advertising platform.

However, this second trial could have even bigger consequences for businesses using Google Ads, as it focuses directly on Google's influence in the online advertising world.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is essentially arguing that Google has strong-armed publishers and advertisers into using its products, forcing websites to come up with workarounds.

Google's ad business has faced criticism because it operates on multiple sides of the market – buying, selling, and ad exchange – giving them a ton of insider information and potential control over the market. The DOJ quoted a Google ad executive who compared their situation to a major bank owning the stock exchange.

The results of this trial could change the way Google runs its ad products. If the DOJ gets its way, Google may have to sell at least part of its Google Ad Manager (GAM) suite. GAM is a platform where brands can create and manage their ads, track their campaigns, and publishers can sell ad space.

This is different from Google's main platform – Google Ads – which is primarily used by businesses to advertise their products or services across search, websites, YouTube, and other partner sites.

Even so, the outcome of this trial could still affect how businesses advertise online.

Learning from Past Antitrust Cases and Looking Ahead

The FTC’s recent ruling against Google is not without precedent. The tech industry has seen its fair share of antitrust cases, the most notable being United States vs. Microsoft during the late 1990s.

In that case, Microsoft faced allegations like those now leveled at Google, mainly concerning monopolistic practices linked to its Internet Explorer browser. The outcome, which initially ordered a breakup of Microsoft but ultimately settled on less severe restrictions, reshaped the software market and opened doors for new competition.

Though the company remained intact, the litigation encouraged the rise of new players and innovations that might not have been possible under Microsoft’s previous market dominance. For Google, the current scenario could lead to similar market fairness, providing a new opportunity for competition and innovation within digital advertising.

Based on historical precedents, we can anticipate a range of outcomes. Some might lead to Google adjusting how it does business, while others could force Google to restructure its operations significantly.

Google is likely to appeal against the decision; the digital advertising sector must brace for a period of uncertainty. The appeal process could take years, which may affect how this remedy will be enforced. Businesses must stay informed and be prepared to adjust their digital marketing strategies in response to any changes. This involves not only keeping an eye on legal developments but also continuously assessing and changing marketing tactics to align with current market standards.

For companies using digital marketing, the importance of a proactive approach cannot be understated. As digital advertising across search engine platforms takes a turn, businesses and marketers need to use every tool to their advantage to maintain visibility. Now that we are aware of this potential change, we can combine our past marketing insights with new methods to implement cutting-edge market analysis, allowing our clients to capitalize on these shifts.

The FTC's antitrust ruling against Google marks a potential turning point for digital advertising. As we anticipate extensive changes – from the possible end of Google's exclusive agreements to the introduction of choice screens – adopting strategies is crucial for success.

During this transformative period, REM Web Solutions is here to help you make sure your marketing strategy stays on track. Contact us today to optimize and protect your digital advertising strategies.

When it comes to leveraging AI, many people feel it’s a means of forgoing human effort and doing things the “easy way.” While it is certainly true that AI has greatly improved efficiency, there’s a method of using it without losing the “soul” of your work – or your customers.

Facts are facts: people generally don’t love the idea that the work they’re paying for is being spit out by an AI. If that’s what they wanted, they could do that themselves. So, if a 2000+ comprehensive blog or webpage build crosses your desk, you need to write all that material from scratch, right?

Yes – of course. But there’s a way to use AI to make this task easier, all without losing the intrinsic soul and personality of your work.

After all, 83.2% of content marketers plan to use AI content generation tools to assist their content marketing efforts in 2024 – which is all well and good, but it’s important to remember we’re using the term TOOL here, not replacement.

Luckily, REM Web Solutions’ writers are hard at work (not written by AI – HI, HELLO, human writer here) and have all the tips for leveraging AI without losing the human spirit.

Research, Research, Research

A big part of writing comprehensive work is doing the research required to make sure your content reads as informative and authoritative. Research for large written pieces takes a long time, and sometimes, we investigate subjects that sometimes don’t have easily accessible information.

Sometimes, using Google Gemini or ChatGPT can be essential in shortening the length of time it takes to research various complex subjects. The more time you save, the more time you can spend personalizing the piece of work.

However, it is important to know that AI tools can be wrong, so it’s also worth it to double-check and verify the facts before you implement them into your work.

You can also ask most AI tools, “Are you sure?” and have it double check itself. But human eyes are often more discerning, so it’s best to do a quick search to verify that the AI has its facts straight.

Rearranging, Bulleting Points, Creating Lists

As writers, all of us tend to have a unique approach to how we produce content. Some of us write everything from start to finish, some of us compile notes and build what we sometimes call a “skeleton” (a basic build out that you flesh out later), and some of us literally just write the punch line and work around it.

If you’re anything like the writer of this blog, then you like to mix it up – but mixing it up can sometimes make my documents a little messy. This is where I’ll have the AI help.

Yes, I did just break the fourth wall.

If you have notes you’ve taken during client meetings or large paragraphs that appear hard to read, you can drop that information into the AI tool and ask it to break it down for you. Whether that’s into bullet points or breaking up your unique text into a more readable format, the AI tool can take menial tasks off your plate. You can even take a fully written article and ask it to add headers for you.

This way, you’re not having the AI write the content for you, but rather help you out with the structuring so your piece is neat, tidy, and nice to look at. This way, you can keep the unique tone of your work without sounding like a generic AI. And trust us – writers can tell the difference.

Offering Suggestions During Periods of Burnout

Sometimes, you can end up working on large projects (we’re talking 10,000 words or more sometimes) and find yourself facing a lot of burnout. No one is endlessly creative all the time, and sometimes, you need a second pair of eyes to offer you suggestions – or, in this case, an AI tool.

Here’s how I would personally do it:

1. Begin working on a large project on, let’s say, a high-end dog grooming business. I’m writing 10 pages of content, 1000 words each. I got stuck on page five because I’m burnt out. Let’s say the page I’m working on is all about… dog shampoo.
2. I have the information about the product from the client, but I can’t quite seem to get the page started because I’m experiencing burnout. I open a general AI tool and ask it something like: what are the benefits of dog shampoo?
3. The AI searches the web and spits out general information on potential benefits of dog shampoo. I compare this to the notes the client gave me – and eureka! I realize that a big selling point of the product is that it uses hypoallergenic ingredients.
4. I return to the AI and ask it the benefits of the shampoo's hypoallergenic ingredients. It provides me with a bullet list that I can use as a jumping off point for the page.
5. Bip, bam, boom, I write the webpage with the help of AI. Everyone is happy.

Backing away from the fourth wall again.

Proofreading and Spell Checking

Listen, most programs you use for writing are intelligent enough to detect potential errors in your work. Plus, most of us have add-ons such as Grammarly or the like to make sure our work is in top shape. However, sometimes things can be missed. Sometimes, programs don’t pick up on tiny errors, and other times, the free version of Grammarly is WRONG.

Luckily, at REM Web Solutions, we have an amazing team of writers who all work together to double check each other's work and make sure everything is hunky dory.

But, sometimes, you don’t have a talented group of writers to look things over, and Grammarly has given you trust issues.

So, if you need someone, or rather, something, to look your work over, drop it into the AI and ask it to check for spelling or potential errors. You can even ask it to highlight areas it thinks need correction.

I personally haven’t done this more than a couple of times, but when I have, most of what I found is that occasionally I mistype a word and it isn’t caught because the word I mistyped isn’t technically wrong – it just wasn’t the word I was trying to write.

Having AI as a second pair of digital eyes can help you avoid potential mistakes that you missed. While you may be a talented editor, everyone experiences a little writing blindness after staring at a piece/screen for too long. AI can help with that.

Don’ts of Using AI

OK, we’ve given you some examples of how you can use AI without losing your souls (or customers). But now we need to offer examples of things you SHOULDN’T do when using AI.

Don’t Let AI Write Your Content for You

It is super tempting to have AI just write a piece or even just a section of a piece for you. And listen, asking AI to write an intro for you may not be the worst thing in the world, but you should use it more as a suggestion if you’re stuck rather than an opportunity to just copy and paste content.

NEVER copy and post content from the AI. You’re going to look very silly if you accidentally copy and paste a quip from ChatGPT into your content.

Again, the average person may not be able to tell the difference, but writers and marketers who have been in the industry for a long time, many of us can tell the difference.

Not to mention there are additional tools to check for the prevalence of AI content – although, to be clear, these can also be unreliable, especially the free versions.

You can let AI offer you writing suggestions if you’re stuck and need help on a piece of content, but having it write the content is a no-no.

Don’t Rely Too Heavily on AI

It’s OK to use AI, even daily, to help you with small tasks. But you shouldn’t rely too heavily on it. The more you rely on AI, the more likely you’re going to lose the human element in your work. The personality (and not so subtle Deadpool puns) could get lost in translation, and your work could start to sound soulless and drab.

Instead, it’s important to focus on writing content that is specially tailored to your business, including the persona or tone you want your content to have. For REM, we want you to know we have a team of writers who really enjoy creating content for you, so we try to make content fun and engaging.

By doing that, it not only makes our content unique, it makes you, the customer, more likely to stick around and enjoy the post.

So, we’re not telling you NOT to use AI, but use it smartly. After all, even Google’s own John Mueller recommends using AI to find inspiration to try new things on your writing projects.

Hopefully, our poorly written jokes and expert advice help to keep the soul in your work! 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a prominent tool in recent years and has revolutionized several industries, most notably the world of writing. A KPMG survey showed that 1 in 5 Canadians use generative AI for school or work.

Platforms like ChatGPT or Google Gemini offer innovative new tools and possibilities that have transformed the way many writers approach their craft. Whether it's to brainstorm ideas, help structure an article, or simply aid in writer’s block, we all know that these advancements are both helpful and possibly harmful at the same time.

AI is still relatively new to most of us, so it's natural that there are some challenges and limitations to be aware of. Like any new product, it takes a lot of trial and error to evolve properly. To use AI-generated content effectively, it's important to understand its limitations.

Here, we explore the possible benefits, downsides, and consequences we may face when dabbling with AI-driven tools.

The Good Side of Generative AI

In our own adventures with generative AI tools, we've stumbled upon some pretty nifty applications that have genuinely made our lives easier and our work more efficient. We’ll call this the ‘Good’ side of generative AI.

1. Brainstorming and Creativity

When it comes to writing, brainstorming can take up quite a bit of time. And in today's fast-paced world, writers are often under pressure to produce content quickly. When you're on a tight deadline, generative AI tools can be a lifesaver for brainstorming.

Simply asking AI a question can lead to a multitude of creative ideas in a couple of seconds. One of the beneficial aspects of AI is that it doesn’t hesitate to come up with a new perspective or a different angle on a familiar topic.

While it is important to properly research these ideas on your own time, AI can help you think outside the box.

When it comes to creativity, most writers have experienced writer’s block. Some days, we aren’t fully energized or have trouble focusing–that’s just a regular human occurrence. This is another place when AI can step in to assist you.

Occasionally, we struggle to find the right word or phrase, AI can help clear those mental roadblocks. By utilizing AI to your advantage, you can maintain a creative flow and stay on top of your work.

2. Bridging Gaps in Writing

Ever struggled to find the perfect metaphor or analogy to explain a complex idea? AI can help bridge the gaps.

Sometimes, information is best understood through creative language. AI can help you craft those perfect phrases that make your writing more accessible and engaging.

AI can also be a powerful learning tool. When faced with complex topics, AI can quickly break down information into simple terms, saving you valuable research time and helping you understand the material before you write about it.

Just remember to always double-check the information yourself. AI is a great starting point, but it's not a substitute for thorough research.

3. Effectiveness in Writing

The writing process involves many steps – brainstorming, choosing a topic, outlining, drafting, and revising. Each step can be time-consuming. AI tools can help streamline this process, not by replacing your creativity, but by assisting with tasks like:

• Quickly generating topic ideas
• Helping structure your notes into an outline

AI isn't here to replace writers. But it can help us be more productive by streamlining certain time-consuming tasks and freeing us up to focus on creativity.

The Bad Side of Generative AI

While AI-generated content offers plenty of useful tools, it also comes with its fair share of challenges.

1. Lack of Nuance or Originality

Many people who have used AI notice that the quality of content isn’t up to standard. AI content tends to lack the personality and nuanced perspectives that a human can provide. Dry, formulaic writing that relies on cliches can come off as robotic, leaving readers feeling uninspired. And that's the last thing you want when you're trying to inspire action (which we, as marketers, most often are.)

One thing the human brain does really, really well is pick up on patterns. Generative AI tools tend to rely on common, cliché statements and sentence structures that readers can notice. The more people use AI, the better they get at knowing whether a piece of writing is written by a human.

When content feels inauthentic, readers are less inclined to take the information seriously. They might even dismiss it (and you) entirely.

2. Editing Limitations

Another facet where AI disappoints is proofreading and editing.

AI doesn't understand language the way we do. It breaks words down into tiny pieces called tokens. Because AI processes words in fragments, it often fails to when it comes proofreading for correct punctuation or grammar.

It might suggest changes that seem right on the surface, but actually create awkward or nonsensical sentences. AI is great at catching typos and simple grammar mistakes, but it struggles with more nuanced errors that require a deeper understanding of context and tone.

AI shines at the early stages of writing, helping to brainstorm and organize ideas. However, its limitations become apparent during the editing process. This is where human writers excel, bringing their expertise and creativity to create truly polished writing.

3. Negative Perceptions

Like any new technology, there are always going to be people who are skeptical or against change. Many feel that AI-written content is lazy, or disingenuous. Others criticize writers for not sticking to tradition or looking for a cop-out of the time and effort the writing process involves.

As mentioned earlier, readers quickly notice when content feels repetitive or unoriginal. People crave originality and authenticity, and when that's missing, it fosters distrust. For writers and brands alike, this loss of trust can be difficult to regain.

The Downright Ugly Side of Generative AI

No technology is perfect, but when it comes to generative AI, those imperfections can have serious consequences.

AI Hallucinations

One of the biggest problems with generative AI writing tools is what's come to be known as "hallucinations."

AI hallucinations refer to the tendency of generative AI tools like ChatGPT to confidently present false information as true. This can range from minor errors to completely fabricated information. And it’s frighteningly common occurrence.

AI hallucinations happen because, deep down, AI is just guessing. It generates outputs by finding patterns in the data it's learned from and inferring the correct answer. It doesn't really know anything, and sometimes, it sees patterns that aren't really there.

It’s a bit like writing an open-book test. You don't automatically ace the test just because you have the textbook open. It’s one thing to have access to facts and another thing to think critically, analyze information, and draw meaningful conclusions to solve problems.

Generative AI is like a student who’s memorized the textbook yet doesn’t understand it at all. It might have the correct answers somewhere in its training data, but it doesn't necessarily know how to always apply that information correctly.

Sometimes, the answers are spot-on. Other times, they're way off base.

The other problem lies with the quality of the training data. Sure, tools like ChatGPT are trained on reputable sources like peer-reviewed academic journals, well-cited books, and blogs written by industry experts. But it’s also trained on forum posts, social media comments, and satirical publications like The Onion. And it’s not all that good at knowing the difference.

The scary thing about AI hallucinations isn't just that they're wrong. It's that the AI presents these false statements with the same unwavering conviction as it does accurate information.

While many people have found humour in some of AI’s mistakes, it rightfully raises questions as to just when and how AI-generated information is safe to use.

Consequences of AI Hallucinations

While some of the ridiculous responses AI comes up with can be funny, it can also result in serious consequences.

When using generative AI for industries such as healthcare, law, and security, people may receive inaccurate information that can put the viewer at risk. AI can spread misinformation leading to false public perception, causing panic, stress, and harmful consequences.

Even when AI-generated content avoids larger mistakes, subtle misinformation can create distrust among users and readers. If the information AI provides is used to create content for thousands, if not millions of users to view on social media, it can mislead many and cause significant issues within the community.

It is now a question of whether AI technology will evolve to tackle misinformation, or if this will be a lasting problem in the generative AI space.

For now, do your own fact-checking before relying on AI-generated information. Once you have solid facts, AI can be a great tool for helping you structure and present them effectively.

Does the Bad Outweigh the Good?

While AI-driven content has both benefits and disadvantages, it doesn’t mean that AI should be banned from your writing toolkit. Rather, you should treat it more as a helpful tool and less of a necessity.

The valuable assets AI has to offer, such as brainstorming, bridging writing gaps, and enhancing efficiency, highlight that this innovative technology can evolve into something greater. However, the disadvantages, including uninspiring content quality, misinformation, and AI hallucinations, are all valid critiques that push the question of how AI can become smarter and more useful in the future.

Just like any technology, there is room for improvement. While it is a powerful tool, the most valuable part of any form of writing is the critical thinking done by a human.

Voice search once promised to be the next big thing — a whole digital revolution with Alexa, Siri, and Cortana leading the charge.  

The reality? It hasn't quite taken the world by storm. Not yet, anyhow.  

But that doesn't mean that voice search optimization is a dead end. Far from it. In fact, it's a path rich with potential. 

This post aims to unpack the current landscape of voice search and what that means for SEO. Then, we'll show you how to make your website play nice with voice search, all while keeping your overall SEO strategy solid. 

The State of Voice Search Today 

Voice search isn't just a tech fad, but it isn’t a daily necessity, either. It’s somewhere in between. 

The world of voice search is, indeed, huge. It’s not just on the smart speakers in our homes and phones in our pockets, but also the tech in our cars, cameras, and thousands of other smart devices.  

Right now, over 60% of Americans over 18 use voice assistants and more than a third have smart speakers at home.  

As of 2022, about half of U.S. consumers say they use voice search every day. This trend, however, hasn't been steady. A 35% decline in voice search usage between 2018 and 2021 suggests that although adoption is widespread, day-to-day use is not.  

And while many people use voice search on the daily, they’re not necessarily using it the same way they use traditional text-based search. Most of the action for voice search seems to be in the simpler joys: things like keeping the kids entertained, uncovering new tunes, or catching up on podcasts. Not doing business. 

But don't be fooled. The potential for voice search in commerce is only set to grow.  

As voice tech becomes an even bigger part of our lives, its influence on shopping and finding services is sure to grow, creating ripe opportunities for businesses to tune in. And optimizing your website to be more voice-search-friendly also tends to boost its visibility across the board.  

As we dive into how to finesse your website for voice search, remember this: what's good for voice is good for your digital footprint at large.  

How Voice Search Works 

Voice search technology combines sound, data, and AI. At its core is Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), which converts spoken language into text that computers can grasp. This magic starts the moment you decide to talk to your device instead of typing. 

Here's how it all comes together: 

1. Once activated (often via phrases like, “Hey Google” or “Hey Siri”) your device ‘listens’ intently, tuning out everything but your voice. 

2. Next, your words are digitized, transforming from sound waves into a digital format that's ripe for analysis. 

3. Then, your spoken words are dissected and understood. The device checks its external data sources (like Google Search) to pull up information that aligns with your query. 

4. Thanks to machine learning, every voice search refines the system's ‘brain.’ It learns from patterns, digs through language databases, and gets better at guessing what you're really asking for. 

5. Finally, the device serves up an answer that hits the mark, whether you're after a quick fact, a local restaurant, or the day's headlines. 

When it comes to steps 3 through 5, each different voice assistant — Google Assistant, Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa — plays by its own rules, using specific algorithms and data sources to fetch answers. 

• Google Assistant taps into Google's extensive search database and Google Maps for those "near me" questions. 

• Apple's Siri relies on Apple Maps and Yelp to dish out suggestions. 

• Amazon's Alexa uses Microsoft Bing for its searches. 

This means your approach to voice search optimization needs to be versatile. For businesses, it's about shining on the right platforms, like sprucing up your Google Business Profile for Google Assistant fans or buffing up your Yelp reviews for Siri users. 

Voice Search vs. Text Search 

Voice search and text search might aim to conquer the same mountain — fetching the most relevant and useful information from the internet's vast terrain — but they take different routes.  

These paths diverge thanks to the quirks of human behavior and tech preferences. 

1. The Device and Search Engine Landscape 

A user's choice of device significantly impacts the voice search experience.  

With mobile devices accounting for over 60% of internet searches, and about 20% of these being voice searches, it's clear we're witnessing a shift.  

The rise of smart speakers has turbocharged this movement, with a notable spike in ownership around 2017, primarily driven by Amazon's Alexa.  

While Google remains the king for typed searches, voice searches often swing towards Bing, thanks to smart speaker preferences. And as smart speakers become more common and Amazon continues to lead the pack, Bing's role in voice search is becoming more and more important. 

2. Different Search Intentions 

There's a clear preference for using voice for specific types of queries, especially local ones, like finding the nearest pizza joint. Voice search relies heavily on local SEO.  

On the flip side, more private or sensitive searches still predominantly lean towards typing. It seems not everything is ready to be spoken aloud, with concerns over privacy likely steering this trend. 

3. Query Structure 

The most noticeable divide between voice and text searches is how questions are asked.  

Voice searches often take on a more conversational tone, mimicking natural speech. Because, well, they are natural speech.  

For businesses, this calls for a strategic pivot towards long-tail keywords and content that directly answers spoken queries.  

As search engines get better at picking up on user intent, tailoring your content to these conversational questions can significantly boost your SEO efforts, connecting you directly with users on the hunt for immediate solutions. 

Voice Search Optimization: Tips to Elevate Your Digital Presence 

As voice search becomes more commonplace, tailoring your website to the nuances of spoken requests is a smart move to boost online visibility.  

Here are a few actionable tips to get your site voice-search ready without pivoting your entire SEO strategy: 

1. Prioritize Speed and Mobile Compatibility 

Voice assistants and users alike have zero tolerance for websites that drag their feet. A speedy, mobile-optimized website is a must-have. This enhances user experience and meets the fast-paced demands of voice search technologies. 

2. Embrace Conversational Content 

Since voice searches mirror natural speech, your website's content should, too. Craft your titles and body content to reflect how real conversations flow.  

Questions and direct answers should form the backbone of your content, aiming for a natural, engaging tone that aligns with voice search queries. 

3. Leverage Long-Tail Keywords 

Long-tail keywords are less crowded and more specific, perfectly aligned with voice searches. Ditch the generic in favor of niche, question-based keywords that voice search users are likely to utter.  

Dive deep with your keyword research to fish out these specific phrases that resonate with your audience’s real-world queries. 

4. Strengthen Your Local SEO 

Voice searches are often local, with users seeking information on the go. Ensure your business shines in local search by keeping your listings accurate on Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Bing Places. These directories are goldmines for voice assistants sourcing local information. 

5. Implement Speakable Schema Markup 

Google’s Speakable schema helps earmark content that’s well-suited for speech conversion. Though still evolving (aka, still in beta), Speakable schema markup can help set your site apart in voice search results. 

6. Acknowledge Bing 

Google may be the giant, but Bing plays a vital role in powering voice searches, especially through Alexa and Cortana.  

While Google-centric optimizations generally translate well to Bing, keeping an eye on each search engine's quirks can give you an extra leg up. 

7. Utilize FAQ Pages 

FAQ pages are gold for voice search optimization. They naturally cater to the question-and-answer format prevalent in voice searches. Compile and answer queries collected from customer interactions and online searches in a well-structured FAQ page.  

Enhancing these with FAQ Schema Markup can further elevate your chances of securing a prime spot in search results. 

Your Path to Voice Search Success 

Don't be intimidated by the intricacies of voice search optimization. Reach out to us to see how our SEO services can help your website thrive in a voice-activated world.  

Together, we can create a digital strategy that responds to the needs of today's search engines and anticipates tomorrow's trends. Let's transform the challenge of voice search into your strategic edge. 

Your website is your business’s digital storefront. But what if you came into work one day and found that this beautiful storefront has been burglarized, vandalized, and slathered in offensive graffiti? 

It would be a real punch in the gut. An expensive punch, at that. 

Maybe it's a data leak so big that it spills customer details across the dark web, causing nightmares of identity theft, legal battles, and a reputation in ruins.  

Or let's say you've toiled for months to climb the search engine ladder, only to wake up one day to find yourself essentially invisible. Malicious code has infected your site, poisoning your SEO and dragging your reputation through the mud.  

Or, during a peak day like Black Friday, your website crumbles under the relentless weight of a DDoS attack.  

These aren’t made-up stories. Incidents like the above happen each and every day. For example, in the past year alone: 

• 23andMe faced a data breach where 20 million records were compromised due to credential stuffing attacks, leaking genetic data profiles. 

• MGM Resorts experienced a cyberattack that shut down many of its internal networks, impacting services across its global casinos and hotels. 

• Duolingo saw data pertaining to 2.6 million users leaked, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and social media information (Duo the Owl was cleared of involvement in this nefarious scheme). 

From sites knocked offline to the horror of data breaches, the web is a veritable battleground. And cybersecurity is the shield for your online presence against this arsenal of threats. 

For small business owners, cybersecurity is a major concern. There is a sense of fear when it comes to safety and security, of course, but also for lost dollars and damaged reputations.  

Yet, within this daunting challenge lies a silver lining: the chance to shine by leading the cybersecurity charge, reassuring every customer and partner of your unwavering commitment to your customers. 

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the role of cybersecurity in web development and how choosing the right web developer protects your digital presence from the get-go. 

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!      

Understanding Cybersecurity in Web Development 

Cybersecurity touches every part of your digital presence, from the code behind your website to the networks and devices that store your data, and the company policies that dictate how you use them.  

In short, cybersecurity is a serious matter. 

Yet, shockingly, over half of small businesses operate without any cyber defenses, even though 43% of cyber assaults target small businesses specifically. This absence of cybersecurity measures is a chasm with potentially catastrophic outcomes.  

In fact, up to 60% of small businesses that are hit by a cyberattack go out of business within six months.  

Often, the exposure or theft of sensitive info is only the beginning. What follows a cyberattack can be a costly cleanup, potential fines for data protection failures, and compensating the victims.  

But perhaps the most corrosive consequence of a cyberattack is the erosion of trust between a business and its customers. A single slip in security can drastically dent your reputation, turning customer trust into doubt and deterring future business. 

Legal hurdles add to the ordeal. Small businesses could face lawsuits and hefty penalties for lax security practices, not to mention the operational gridlock from downtime. This subsequently slices through revenue, especially for online-dependent entities.  

Plus, losing intellectual property to breaches can weaken your competitive position, diluting the innovations that set your business apart. 

It's natural to feel overwhelmed or anxious in the high-stakes world of cybersecurity. Yet, within this complexity lies potential — the potential to turn cybersecurity into a competitive advantage over. And it all starts with a secure website. 

Cyber Threats You Should Know (Because Knowledge is Power) 

We started off this post by likening your website to a storefront. Now, picture that storefront as part of a bustling marketplace — busy, vibrant, and full of potential, yet at times a bit chaotic.  

And like many real-world marketplaces, in this digital bazaar, there are a few shadowy figures lurking in corners, eyeing your assets, ready to pounce on any slip-up.  

From malware schemes to sneaky vulnerabilities, the range of cyber risks is wide and the stakes are high. The bigger threats include: 

• Malware: Malware is malicious software aimed at stealing, damaging, or hijacking your digital space. For small business sites, malware could steal data, take control of certain website functions, or spy on users’ computer activity without permission. Often, the culprit is something as innocent-looking as an outdated plugin or an old content management system, which rolls out the red carpet for cybercriminals. 

• Ransomware: Imagine your data locked away in a digital vault, and the key is in the hands of extortionists. That's ransomware for you, a cyber shakedown that hits small businesses hard, blocking access to crucial data and shutting down operations. Ransomware is especially prevalent in sectors like healthcare, but can happen to anyone. 

• DDoS Attacks: A DDoS attack drowns your site under a tsunami of bogus traffic, and because it’s not all that difficult to pull off, it’s not just reserved for the big players. Small businesses face disproportionate fallout, especially if your site crashes at an important time (like during a big sale, or when you just launched a new product or feature.) 

• Weak Passwords: A flimsy password is akin to leaving your front door unlocked in a bad neighbourhood. Using the same password for your website and other things is a recipe for disaster, since if the password leaks once, bad actors will also have access to your site. 

• Patch Problems: An unpatched system is a neon sign for cyber predators, signaling an easy mark. The patch management struggle is real for small businesses, leaving vital systems open to attack, from ransomware onslaughts to data breaches. 

• Insiders: Not all dangers come from shadowy outsiders. Insider threats, whether malicious or just clumsy (we all know one), can unleash havoc, leaking data, or granting unauthorized access. 

Too many small businesses are cyber-defenseless, prime targets for digital predators. The aftermath is a financial drain, operational chaos, and a tarnished reputation. 

Merging Cybersecurity with Web Development 

Cybersecurity and web development go hand-in-hand. They're two sides of the same coin, working together to create safer, more resilient online spaces.  

From the early drafts to the final touches of code, making cybersecurity a priority is the key to transforming your website from a potential target to a digital fortress. 

When it comes to designing and developing your secure website, we put cybersecurity first. Here’s how we do it: 

• Building with Security in Mind: Integrating cybersecurity from the get-go means coding with vigilance and encrypting data to shield against threats. This multi-layered strategy ensures that every aspect of your website, both front and back, stands guarded against unauthorized access, laying down a comprehensive defense that spans the entire digital spectrum. 

• Security by Design: At the core of this approach is Security by Design, a philosophy that focuses on reducing vulnerabilities and building a strong defense from the outset. We take time to understand what needs protection, identify potential threats, and work to prevent them in the first place. By crafting a security architecture that preempts risks, minimizes exposure to attacks, and enforces strict access controls, your website becomes a digital fortress. 

• Custom Tools for Custom Safety: Our commitment to security shines through our proprietary Content Management System (CMS), WebWiz@rd. Steering clear of third-party platforms that might hide vulnerabilities, we lay the groundwork for your website on territory we know and trust. Our philosophy of Taking Ownership extends to our CMS, demonstrating our commitment to protecting your digital world. 

• Hosting with Assurance: Our involvement doesn’t end with development. We also take pride in hosting the websites we craft. This stewardship ensures a secure habitat for your site, safeguarded against the digital predators waiting in the shadows. It’s not just about building with excellence but also about maintaining a bastion for your online presence. 

With so many threats out there, protecting user data and online assets can be daunting. However, this is an excellent opportunity to take your brand to the next level, assuring your customers and partners that their security is our top priority. 

We want you to be confident that your online space reflects your business's ethos and stands as a bulwark protecting all who gather within. By merging cybersecurity and web development, we will make your digital transformation both successful and secure. 

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!      

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

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

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

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

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

Why Are Product Descriptions Important?

They Increase Your Revenue

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

They build connection and trust

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

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

They enhance the user experience

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

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

They help build trust

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

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

They help build brand credibility

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

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

They help your online business stand out from the competition

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

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

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

They boost search engine visibility (SEO)

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

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

How To Write Powerful Product Descriptions

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

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

SEO Strategies for Ecommerce Product Descriptions

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

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

The Takeaway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Google Business Profile Insights – How Does It Work?

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

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

Accessing your Google Business Profile Insights is simple.

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

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

Understanding Local Presence in Google Search Results

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

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

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

Enhance Your Local Presence in Google Search Results

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

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

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

Optimizing NAP Consistency for Better Local SEO Performance

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

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

Local Marketing and Customer Engagement

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

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

Engaging with Local Customers and Managing Customer Reviews

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

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

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

Leveraging Online Business Directories

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

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

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

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

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

Have you ever 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.

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.

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

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

Digital Marketing Explained

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

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

Digital Marketing V.S. Traditional Marketing

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

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

Importance of Digital Marketing

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

Digital Marketing Channels

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

Email Marketing

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

Social Media

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

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

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

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

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

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

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

Content Marketing

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

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

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

Affiliate Marketing

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

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

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

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