Highs & Lows of Website Updates

I don't know about you, but we've been seeing an awful lot of updates rolling out on both our website and the clients that we work with lately. We've seen some brand spakin' new options pop up, but also form malfunctions, a disappearing Instagram feed, and a page layout looking wonky.

Have you seen the same thing? Don't worry!

Your trusty website platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify are just at it again, rolling out updates like there's no tomorrow! So let's talk a little bit about what this might mean for you as a small business owner.

First, keep in mind that while these updates might feel a little frustrating at the moment, these platforms are keeping things fresh and fabulous, and it's for your benefit.

WHY ARE THESE WEBSITE UPDATES HAPPENING?

Making Things Cooler: Websites want to stay cool and user-friendly. Updates bring in new features, make things faster, and spruce up the place.

Techie Upgrades: Tech is always on the move, and websites need to keep up. Updates bring in the latest techie tools, making sure your website is rocking the latest trends.

Locking Down Security: Updates are like superhero capes, protecting your website from sneaky attacks.

WHAT MIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Function Drama: Updates can sometimes mess with your plugins, apps, and custom stuff. You might notice things are not in proper working order because they've either removed the feature altogether or updated it.

Learning Rollercoaster: New features? New look? You might feel like you've just gotten one system down and then the rug has gotten pulled out from under you. It can be time-consuming and can feel overwhelming to learn all the new bells and whistles.

Downtime: Updates might mean your site as a whole or a feature on it might not be in tip-top shape for some time, which can feel scary for us small business owners!

So, what can you do to make sure you stay in front of these updates? Monitor your website regularly. Regular check-ups help catch issues before they become big drama. Updates are going to happen, but there's nothing worse than a customer pointing out something not working. Stay one step ahead by looking at your live website to make sure links, apps, and plug-ins all look a-ok.

If you're stuck on where to start, book a Strategy Session with us and we'll take a look together. Want it off your plate altogether? We're happy to chat about a maintenance package so we can keep an eye on things for you!

Here's the bottom line: keep an eye out, embrace the changes, and your website will be the coolest on the block!

Creepy Search Engine Crawlers

So you finally launched or updated business website. You drafted, revised, optimized and did it all again. Yay you! But the work's not over...

Now it is time to get search engines like Google to index your pages so they show up in searches and you get eyes from real life customers on your site. Google can crawl (or "look at" and assess what they're about) a huge number of sites and pages each day, but how do you ensure yours gets noticed? This is a great question for new or refreshed websites. 

These crawlers are less spooky and more helpful, but recent rumors have been heard that Google will be planning to reduce their crawl rate - the frequency at which it reviews and indexes web pages - in order to become more sustainable in the long term and reduce its carbon footprint from computing. While that is an admirable goal, what does that mean for your website?

Well, to make a long story short, you may need to work harder (or maybe just smarter) to make sure you get noticed. The usual on-page SEO features are still your best best. 

The best ways to get get your site noticed by search engines:

1. Valuable content

2. Updated information that is relevant to your audience

3. Helpful, good quality images that include alt text (descriptions of the image that tell a computer or reader what is in the image) 

But one of Google’s goals is to learn which pages are consistently getting refreshed content, and which ones are NOT. The idea being that there is no need for Google to frequently recrawl a webpage that does not frequently get new or refreshed content. For example, your Home page may get new content monthly, but your About page may still be the original blurb about how you started your business 5 years ago. That page is not going to get Google's attention, and even less Google figures out that you don’t update this often and the crawl rate is reduced accordingly.  

So while we will always recommend keeping a close eye on the pages of your site that get the most traffic (typically Home and Services), don’t forget about the other content pages!

Quick and easy ways to update your site:

1. Adding a blog post relevant to your community

2. Adding a testimonial from a new project or client

3. Reviewing and updating descriptions on your offerings

4. Updating that 5 year old About me blurb

5. Adding new images with those alt text included. 

So while the major work on your website may be done, make sure that you're loving on it regularly so that clients can find and love on your small business, because thats what it's all about!

Whether you need help optimizing a brand new site, some updates on an existing site or a chat about some recommendations, we'd love to help! Reach out below so we can get some eyes on your site.

Print & Digital Design Go Together like Peanut Butter & Jelly

We recently designed stickers, business cards, worksheets, and take-home folders for an event we were hosting. We wanted to make sure everyone who came felt special. We wanted to show our appreciation for their time and effort in showing up.

At it's core, it's marketing. But when someone opens up a beautifully designed piece with your story and products, it's like they're getting a personal tour of your brand.

Thank you cards, brochures, postcards, catalogs, business cards, invitations, stickers—they're tangible. People can hold them, flip through them, and feel a connection to your brand.

There's something very cozy and warm about print. Think about that feeling of receiving a holiday card in the mail. It feels personal, and maybe even a bit nostalgic.

But in a world that's all about the latest tech, sometimes print can feel a bad word. So how can it fit into your marketing plan?

First and foremost, always keep your ideal customer in mind. Who are they? What do they value? Will they love a personal note in their package? Will they appreciate a freebie sticker for their water bottle? Will they swoon over the luxe packaging your product comes in? Will they keep your catalog to pour over after the kids go to bed with a glass of wine?

Be mindful of sustainable options. It's reasonable to be thinking right now, "isn't print marketing bad for the environment?" There are plenty of eco-friendly options for your business! Choose recycled paper, soy-based inks, and local printers who share your values about Mother Earth. Can your packaging be reused somehow by your customer?

Use it to complement your digital efforts. Use your print marketing to send your audience to your social media platform, website, digital storefront, or event sign up. Include a QR code so they can sign up to get your latest newsletter! Print and digital efforts go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Use print to laser-target your dream customers, give your brand that personal touch it deserves, and keep customers thinking about you long-term. Ultimately, deepening your audience's connection to you, and trust in you.

Print marketing is your secret weapon. Click the link below to get started on your next fun print project! Or, sign up for a Strategy Session and we can brainstorm how print might fit into your marketing plan!