WordPress — the go-to platform for websites big and small!

“WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS), and according to data, it currently powers 42.4% of websites on the internet. This makes it the most popular choice among web developers and users.” — by Kathy Haan for Forbes Advisor (Top Website Statistics For 2023)

Whether you’re a blogger or a small business owner, WordPress is a versatile platform that can be adapted to a wide range of needs. Its ease of use, extensive ecosystem, and active community make it a popular choice that allows users to build and manage websites easily. Here are 10 key points about WordPress:

Simply Effective Web Design WordPress

  1. Open Source: WordPress is built on an open-source model. This means that its source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance.
    .
  2. User-Friendly Interface: One of the main strengths of WordPress is its user-friendly interface editor for content creation.
    .
  3. Themes: WordPress uses themes to control the visual appearance of a website. Users can choose from a wide range of free and premium themes, and they can also customize these themes to suit their specific needs.
    .
  4. Plugins: WordPress has a vast ecosystem of plugins that extend its functionality. These plugins can be used to add features such as contact forms, SEO optimization, e-commerce capabilities, and more.
    .
  5. Content Management: WordPress started as a blogging platform, but it has evolved into a versatile CMS that can be used for various types of websites, including blogs, business sites, portfolios, and e-commerce stores.
    .
  6. Community and Support: Due to its popularity, WordPress has a large and active community. This community support is valuable for troubleshooting issues and learning how to make the most of the platform.
    .
  7. Updates and Security: WordPress is regularly updated to address security issues and introduce new features. However, it’s essential for users to keep their installations, themes, and plugins up to date to maintain security.
    .
  8. Customization: WordPress allows for extensive customization, both in terms of appearance and functionality. Developers can create custom themes and plugins to tailor the website to specific requirements.
    .
  9. Responsive Design: Many WordPress themes are designed to be responsive, meaning they adapt to different screen sizes. This is crucial for providing a good user experience on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
    .
  10. Multilingual Support: WordPress has built-in support for multiple languages, allowing users to create websites in different languages or offer multilingual content.
Ready to get connected?

Let’s discuss plans to build your WordPress website today. Get in touch at 403-247-7047.

Time to fall back

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday November 5, 2023 at 2:00 am. At this time, we “fall back” one hour!

Set your clocks back before you go to bed and enjoy an extra hour of sleep Saturday night!

Website Statistics, Trends & Insights (2023 Update)

“Google searches for ‘small business website’ have gone up by 30%. Over the past five years, the number of Google searches for “small business website” skyrocketed to an all-time high. The number of searches has gone up by 30% over the past three years alone, indicating an increased interest from small business owners to build a website for their own brands.” — Fit Small Business

Websites serve as a virtual storefront for businesses in the online world. They are a critical component of a company’s online presence and can play a crucial role in connecting you with customers, establishing your branding, and shaping the perception of the business.

Businesses can use their websites to provide detailed information about their products or services including specifications, features, pricing, and any other relevant details that customers might be interested in. To learn more about 47 Essential Website Statistics for Small Businesses, courtesy of Fit Small Business, click the link below.

https://fitsmallbusiness.com/website-statistics/

 

10 Reasons Video Content is Valuable for Social Media

Video has become an immensely valuable marketing tool for social media. Here are several reasons why:

1. Engagement: Videos are more engaging than text or images. They capture attention quickly and can convey a lot of information in a short amount of time. This can lead to higher user engagement.

2. Storytelling: Video allows for powerful storytelling. It’s a medium that can evoke emotions, tell a brand’s story, and create a more personal connection with the audience.

3. Visual Appeal: People are naturally drawn to visual content. Videos provide a dynamic and visually appealing way to showcase products, services, or ideas.

4. Sharing Potential: Videos are more likely to be shared by users, which can exponentially increase the reach of your content. Shares contribute to the organic growth of your brand or message.

5. Social Media Algorithms: Many social media platforms prioritize video content in their algorithms. This means that your video content is more likely to be seen by a larger audience compared to text or image posts.

6. SEO Benefits: Videos can improve your search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines often prioritize video content, and having videos embedded on your website or shared on social media can positively impact your online visibility.

7. Educational Content: Video is an effective medium for delivering educational content. Whether it’s a tutorial, how-to video, or explainer, videos make it easier to demonstrate concepts.

8. Diverse Content: Video allows for a wide range of content types, including interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, product demonstrations, and more. This diversity helps to keep your content strategy fresh and interesting.

9. Mobile Compatibility: With the increasing use of smartphones, people are consuming content on the go. Videos are easily consumable on mobile devices, making them a convenient and accessible form of content.

10. Metrics and Analytics: Most social media platforms provide detailed analytics for video content. You can track metrics such as views, engagement, watch time, and more, allowing you to assess the performance of your videos and make data-driven decisions.

As you can see, incorporating video into your social media marketing strategy can enhance your brand’s visibility, engagement, and overall effectiveness in reaching and connecting with your target audience.

Check out this excellent infographic outlining Video Content You Can Create for Social Media

Looking for a web design company you can work with?

Here at Simply Effective we’ve been creating awesome websites since 2003, serving our local community and beyond with affordable prices and full-service design options.

We specialize in customizing WordPress Content Management Systems and also offer social media management and multimedia production. Our clients are a diverse bunch, ranging from small start-ups to medium-sized businesses of all types.

Thanks to the magic of the internet, we can work with clients from all over the world, as long as you have an internet connection and an email address. Our mission is to create professional-looking websites and media that meets your development, design, and marketing goals, no matter what your budget is.

We’re all about collaboration and we’ll work with you to make sure we understand your unique business and customer needs while welcoming your input throughout the development and design process.

Whether you need a simple few-page site, a comprehensive multi-page site, social media set-up, or even someone to manage your platforms and write post content, we’ve got you covered! Our goal is to provide effective, functioning media that you’re proud to direct your clients to.

And don’t worry, you don’t need an unlimited budget to work with us. We’ve got service packages to fit every need.

Give us a call at 403257-7047 to get started on your next project today!

Looking to Elevate Your Website Design?

Are you ready to transform your website into a sleek and efficient online platform? Fantastic! Let’s get started and set you on the path to a modern, user-friendly website.

First and foremost, let’s emphasize the power of simplicity. The key to a successful website lies in keeping it clean and minimalistic. Too much clutter can overwhelm your visitors and divert their attention away from your valuable content.

Now, let’s talk about colour schemes. Choosing the right colours that harmonize with each other is essential. If you’re unsure where to begin, don’t worry! Numerous online color scheme generators are at your disposal, ready to assist you in finding the perfect palette.

In today’s mobile-centric world, ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly is paramount. With an increasing number of users accessing the web via their smartphones, your site must not only look great but also function seamlessly on smaller screens.

Last but certainly not least, prioritize user experience. Your website should be intuitive and provide real value to your visitors. Make sure your content is thoughtfully organized and easily accessible. Additionally, consider incorporating interactive elements to keep your audience engaged and interested.

There you have it—some invaluable tips to take your web design to new heights. When you’re ready to embark on this journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 403-257-7047. We’re here to help you create a website that truly shines. Happy designing!

Web Design Colour Trends in 2023

Colour has a deep and often subconscious effect on our behavior. How you use colour in your business can affect the success or failure of your business. Learn more about the importance of colour in web design and the impact colour may have on your business.

Red – Often considered exciting, attention-grabbing, warm, and connected to love, anger, life, and comfort.
Yellow – Seen as adventurous, evoking happiness, enthusiasm, youth, and travel.
Green – Of course, this color is connected to money, but it’s also known for its connection to balance, health, sustainability, and knowledge.
Blue – The color of honesty, high quality, competence, trust, reliability, and integrity.
Pink – This color evokes love, compassion, romance, gentleness, and sophistication.
Purple – Creativity, royalty, mystery, respect, and playfulness are often connected to purple (and violet).
Brown – Brown is the color of the outdoors and can be seen as friendly, organic, natural, friendly, and rugged.
Black – This color is all about sophistication, intelligence, seriousness, and expense.
White – The antithesis of black is known for its order, innocence, purity, cleanliness, neutrality, and space.
Grey – When you need to communicate timelessness, neutrality, refinement, of the moment, or practicality, you might want to use grey.

More details https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/web-design-colour-trends-2023-enhancing-user-experience-visual