Monday, December 12, 2011

The Importance of Content Marketing


It isn't a surprise that content is a very important and popular aspect of marketing for any business industry and size. Businesses know that creating high quality content takes time and research, and like other things, cutting corners isn't an option.

Bing wrote a very eye-opening article about content and content distribution:.

“As the author of the content, you don’t have much to worry about. Your deal is to write and then be seen across a range of websites. The websites, however, have some cause for concern, as the engines are unlikely to simply rank the same article highly over and over, just because that article appears on a different domain.”
The trend I see growing in content marketing is the same thing that happens in many industries, a few bad apples ruin it for everyone. Prime example is Google’s recent Panda updates which really put a spear through many content farms that used to syndicate content or accept sub-par quality articles simply for the sake of ranking.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Web Design Inspiration: Single Page Sites

Web Design is not an easy thing to implement. There are several issues to contend with before the design can be agreed upon by all: Creative Department, Developers, SEO specialists and Client alike. Websites are typically several pages, and in some cases involve thousands of pages of products and/or content. Which makes these next websites all the more impressive. They don't so much qualify as websites, but rather landing pages, but all the same: the fact that they get their message across in one page is impressive. Take a look at the best of the best of 2011.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Blog Design Aesthetics and Mistakes to Avoid



This article is targeted mostly at those who blog and get paid to do it or make money from their advertisements or through subscriptions, but when it comes to blog design, there are commonalities between unpaid and paid bloggers. There are also several common mistakes that need to be corrected or avoided in order to make your blog a successful one. For a design company, these should be no brainers, but for the general population, these are good tips! So listen up bloggers! There are some major pitfalls that you should be aware of.

1. Overwhelming Advertising
We all want to make money. But blasting your readers with ads all over your website is the easiest way to lose readers and turn off potential readers. Do NOT let ads take over your content - people do not visit blogs to look at the ads. They visit blogs to read what you've got to say. If you're only offering ads: don't expect a return reader. IF you must use advertising to support yourself or your blog, choose tastefully placed ads that are easy to see, but easy to ignore if the reader chooses to do so. Ads themselves are not the turn offs - it's that your site has ceased to be a blog and become a advertising page. Thankfully our Chicago Marketing Company blog doesn't have a ton of ads since it's through blogspot, but if you're designing your own blog website - don't put a ton of ads on it.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

SEO Friendly Web Design: How to Get it!

These days, it is almost always a prerequisite to have a website on the internet. But how does that website get found? Search Engine Optimization is the answer to those problems. Incorporating aspects of on-page optimization and external link building and content generation techniques can mean the difference between an unused website and a real marketing tools that benefits your business. Of course, color, layout and graphics should be taken into account with regards to your target market, but it should always coincide with SEO-Friendly Web Design techniques into account.

What is SEO Friendly Website Design
When one thinks of web design, once usually doesn't think about the issues that happen behind the scenes such as proper tagging of headings and image alt text. Design is an important aspect of aesthetics and conversions, but can also lay a strong foundation for specific search engine optimization techniques. There are two important factors that go into pre-planning for a website design.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Why Should Web Designers Blog?


So you want to blog about Chicago web design, eh? You’ll have to take a number and wait in line because, frankly, there are thousands of blogs about design out there. Starting a successful design blog is like learning to walk: You will most likely fail a number of times, you’ll need a lot of patience, and you can’t do it on your own. This article will give you a few pieces of advice to help your blog be as successful as possible in an extremely saturated market.

There are probably a lot of reasons that so many web designers have decided to start blogging. Here are only a few reasons, but feel free to comment and add your own!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tips to Designing your Small Business Website

Chicago Web Design

Most legitimate companies, small or large, have some sort of web presence these days. Typically, most consumers won't even know a business exists without it! Since much of our time is spent online, in search engines, and, apparently, on Facebook, it is becoming more and more a necessity to have a website for your small business. Venturing into this realm of internet and web design mysteries can be a little scary at first, but with the following 10 Tips, and an awesome web design firm, you'll have a shiny new website in a matter of weeks!


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

4 Ways to 'Hook' Your Web Visitors

Advertising Agency :: Chicago Web Design

Issue: I'm a website visitor and just got to your website. I'm a product of the MTV generation and have an incredibly short attention span. I'm here so...what do you have for me?

Answer: You have about 7 seconds to "hook" me; to get me interested; to get me to act and move to a unique result of statistical visitors.

It worked for you right? If you read this blog, you have landed either directly on this page, or clicked through from a different page on the blog.

Now what? Well, you really should subscribe to my RSS feed, or call me with questions! Too fast? Well let's start slowly. What gives visitors the most useful information to establish credibility in the advertising agency behind this blog, and how can we continue to work to earn trust and business. It is important that your website provides a way to give that ad agency another chance, right? If you like someone and on your first "coffee date", are you not trying to line up a new opportunity to see this person? It's the same with the visitors of your website.


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Small Business Web Design: 7 Handy Tips!

http://www.integraphix.com/blog/article/7-small-business-web-design-tips-chicago

Most legitimate companies, small or large, have some sort of web presence these days. Typically, most consumers won't even know a business exists without it! Since much of our time is spent online, in search engines, and, apparently, on Facebook, it is becoming more and more a necessity to have a website for your small business. Venturing into this realm of internet and web design mysteries can be a little scary at first, but with the following 10 Tips, and anawesome web design firm, you'll have a shiny new website in a matter of weeks!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Libertyville Web Designers: Best Reasons to have a Website!


Libertyville Web Design




You are a business owner. You've probably been hearing a lot lately about businesses getting a broader range of clientele through the internet. How are they doing this? They've hired a Web Design Firm to help them develop and create the best website for their business. That's where hiring a Libertyville Web Design Company comes in handy. Having a website for your small business can be extremely rewarding as, statistically, 70% of people search online (and locally) for services and products. If you don't have a website for your business, you're missing out on great opportunities!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Graphics in Web Design: Helpful Tips

Graphic Design elements in Chicago Web Design can sometimes be complex. Not only do you need to design for comfort and function, it has to be easily navigated no matter how illustrated or off the wall your graphics are. Use these tips for effective alternative web design using graphics.