I also believe that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I have created an infographic (below) that will provide you with a quick, easy to understand, introduction to SEO. If you want a copy of the infographic, simply click the download link.

If you really need the detail, study this infographic first and then search on "SEO" in your favorite search engine and have at it. Talk about a needle in a haystack! The last time I checked there were 480,000,000 matches for the "SEO" search phrase. While you're at it, pay attention to how many Google result pages you actually look at. If you're like most people, you'll probably look at no more than three. That's three out of 48,000,000 result pages, assuming you are using the default Google settings.

As you've probably guessed, an SEO strategy will help any business, but we also know that the budgeting is a very real consideration. So even if an SEO plan is not in the picture now, you can do some things that will help your website's visibility immediately, as well as lay a foundation for the future. The intent of this infographic is to give you enough information to help you make an educated decision.

Download File

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Nick Campbell - The Creative Gap: Becoming Better Than Most from Nick Campbell on Vimeo.

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When a web designer is engrossed in working out all the technicalities of a website, among some of the most frustrating problems they have to overcome is browser incompatibility issues. Every browser is different and can throw a monkey wrench into the whole look and feel of a site. Because there are so many kinds of browsers (we're talking Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.), most designers will only be able to deal with the most recent versions - maybe the last two - of the most popular browsers out there.

Therefore, if things are looking a bit screwy, try downloading a new upgrade to your web browser, and once it's installed, who knows? Your whole life may feel a little better. (Okay, that might be a bit extreme, but at least things may work a little better for your web browsing.)

Just like most other software, most web browsers are constantly adding new features that can improve your browsing experience significantly. As a simple example, check out our copywriting services page. If it looks like the image on the left below, congratulations, you are using a relatively up-to-date browser. If it looks like the image to the right, you may want to consider updating your browser.

Here are some links to download the latest version of your browser:

Firefox — www.firefox.com
Safari — www.apple.com/safari/download/
Internet Explorer — www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/worldwide-sites.aspx

For whatever it is worth, I have listed the browsers in my order of my preference but pick the one you prefer. As long as you keep it updated, you can't go wrong.

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I already have my domain name; do I have to get a new one?
No. Whether you have the domain name or not doesn't matter. Your new website and your domain name (URL) can be linked by your web designer.

Can I use my current website hosting service?
Maybe, maybe not. If your website will be using a content management system (recommended) there are specific requirements that the hosting company must be able to provide, so check with your website designer. Your web designer knows which hosting companies provide the best service, which is invaluable when you want your website to be there every time you or your customers access the site.

I don't exactly hate my current website; it does have some content I like. Can I use them on the new website you create for me?
Of course! Any and all of your content can be used for your new site. You want a new look to your site? No problem. Just let your web designer know what you want to include. It's a good idea to keep your website looking fresh, so take a close look at it to see if there are ways to "spiff" it up a notch.

How do I get started with my new website?
It's always a good idea before beginning any project to plan it, so we would recommend using a website planner. The planner will direct your thinking about several aspects of your website including who your audience will be, the functions of your website, colors you may want to use, other websites you've seen that you like, and other important areas you'll want to address.

How long does it take to build a website?
Well now, that all depends on a lot of things; mostly, how much of it is already done? Do you have the content, the photos, the ideas all in a folder on your desktop just waiting for the perfect web designer to come along? Call me immediately! We can get you up and running in no time at all. What usually takes the most time is the planning, as I mentioned above. Once that's accomplished, plugging in the content is a piece of cake. A complex website certainly can take longer than a simple "brochure" website. Although it's not an accurate estimate, it could take several weeks or several months. We could give you a better idea after we know exactly what your needs are.

Is there a monthly fee after the website is done?
The first 30 days after we "go live" with your site, minor changes are free. Some website designers will charge monthly maintenance fees, however, we only charge for the time it takes to make changes to your site as the need arises. If it appears you'll be needing lots of changes, we can offer maintenance programs at various levels, which can minimize your ongoing maintenance costs.

These are just a few questions we've addressed lately. If you have others you've been thinking about, or want to explore creating a website or giving your current site a new and exciting look, I welcome your questions. Contact me, and we can talk websites.

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Website — Using a copywriter for the text of your website means that the words will be written in a grammatically correct, compelling, professional manner. Not having spelling and punctuation errors on your website means users will reflect on your business as one that cares about their business. Because if you care that your message is delivered clearly and concisely, it translates that you'll care that your business is conducted professionally as well.

Website Development — One of the most difficult parts of website development is what to say about your business, which usually means that you find yourself "stuck" in writer's block land, wording and re-wording to "get it right." A professional copywriter knows how to put it all together for you and can get your website up and running much sooner than if you take the "do-it-yourself" approach.

Search Engine Optimization — A very necessary part of each website is making that site "search engine friendly," and a copywriter knows how to work with your web developer to make this happen. Incorporating keywords in the right places the correct number of times into the copy helps to make your website more agreeable with the search engine crawlers.

As with any service connected with the website industry, we've found that it pays to leave it to the professionals do get the job done right. So the next time you need to write, do it right. Alright?

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