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                    BRINGING YOUR WEB AMBITIONS TO LIFE

SIMPLY EFFECTIVE WEB DESIGN

Simply Effective Web Design

Have you updated your WordPress dashboard lately?

I have a sneaking suspicion I know what you’re going to say! Either:

  • you didn’t know you had a Dashboard…what is it anyway?
    (FYI – it’s the back end of your site, the behind-the-scenes part that isn’t visible to the public; the place your WordPress functions such as plugins, themes, spam, comments and the core itself reside)
  • you check it every once in a while, when it crosses your mind, so consequently you never really know if and when updates are available
  • you noticed the updates in your Dashboard, but are never sure if it’s safe to go ahead and update so you don’t bother because you don’t want to risk your site being offline
  • when you’re busy running your business, logging into the back end of your site to check for updates is the last thing on your mind

If any of the above apply to you, you may want to continue reading!

For the record, it’s super important to use the latest version of WordPress and keep your Dashboard updated. When you don’t update your WordPress site you are risking your website security and missing out on all the most recent improvements the open source developers have added. With each new WordPress release, new features are added, performance is improved, bugs are fixed, and existing features are enhanced to stay up to date with industry standards.

WordPress comes with a built-in update notification system and whenever there is a new update, it highlights the number of available updates when you log into your WordPress Dashboard. I know, I hear you, constant monitoring and staying up to date can be tedious and time consuming.

If you’d rather spend your time running your business and attracting new clients rather than spending your time on site maintenance, we can help! We’ll update your Dashboard for you on a consistent basis to ensure your website is running on the latest version of WordPress so that you can benefit from all the latest features, fixes and improvements that WordPress has to offer.

For more information give us a shout at 403-257-7047 today.

Ready to launch your WordPress site?

In today’s digital age, having a website is essential for any business looking to establish an online presence. However, creating a website that captures the attention of your visitors and encourages them to return requires a lot of effort and research. Her at Simply Effective we offer full-service web design and consultation specializing in WordPress installation/customization.

Building a website that engages and retains visitors requires a well-thought-out strategy. The website must be fast and functional as visitors are likely to leave your site if it takes too long to load or if they have difficulty navigating it. Therefore, optimizing your website’s speed and ensuring it’s easy to navigate will go a long way in keeping visitors on your site for longer.

Customizing your website to your brand and audience can help you stand out from competitors and create a unique user experience. High-quality images and videos can also make your site more visually appealing and help break up text.

But all these elements are useless without valuable content. By providing informative and useful content, visitors are more likely to view your site as a valuable resource and continue to return. Contact Simply Effective to learn more about how we can help you create a website that stands out from the competition.

Call 403-257-7047 and we’ll get you started today!

Top 10 WordPress Tips and Tricks

“…WordPress powers more than 43% of the internet. The platform’s community support, flexible & adaptable nature, and choice of multiple themes & plugins make it one of the leading choices for business owners & bloggers across the world.” — SiteProNews

This week’s article details the Top 10 Powerful WordPress Tips and Tricks for Better Performance:

1. Go With a Fast WordPress Web Hosting
2. Use/Install an SEO Plugin
3. Measure Your Site’s Success With Google Analytics
4. Make the Best Use of Customizations
5. Be Careful While Picking Up Your WordPress Theme
6. Optimize Your Website Images
7. Outsource WordPress Maintenance Services
8. Obtain an SSL Certificate
9. Set Up an Easy Site Navigation
10. Devise a Comprehensive Linking Strategy

If you’re ready to develop your WordPress site, we’re here to discuss to all these points with you. We offer full-service web design and consultation specializing in WordPress installation/ customization. Call Simply Effective at 403-257-7047  and we’ll get you started today!

Have web designer questions?

Great, we love questions!

First and foremost a web designer should have a good understanding of your business, who your target audience is and what you, as a client, are looking for in a website. Ultimately your website should have a purpose and be a way to make a connection with your customers.

Here are some of the common things we hear from clients…and while by no means an exhaustive list, key questions everyone should ask their web designer before committing to a contract:

  1. What services do you offer?
  2. Can you show me some websites your company has previously designed?
  3. How long do you expect it to take to design my website?
  4. What do you need from me to get started?
  5. Will I be able to see my website as you’re creating it?
  6. How much input will I have during the design process?
  7. Will you be providing any content?
  8. Can you help me get images for my website?
  9. What happens if I don’t like the initial design and how many revisions am I allowed to make?
  10. Will my website provide a consistent look with my already established brand?
  11. What type of content management system do you use and will I be able to make edits to the website after it’s finished?
  12. Will my website be compatible with smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices?
  13. Can you integrate social media into my web design?
  14. Will any SEO be integrated within my web design?
  15. How much do you charge and what is included in the price?
  16. What are your payment terms?
  17. Can I contact you for future updates, ongoing maintenance and support after my site goes live and what is the cost and billing procedure?
  18. Do you offer maintenance training?
  19. Do you offer or can you help me with hosting and domain name registration?
  20. Will I own my website once it’s completed?

I know, I know, so many things to consider that it can seem overwhelming. The thing is though, that it’s critical you do the footwork before embarking on a big website project so that you are assured you’ll get what you want and what you pay for.

We have many years of experience creating professional, functional websites for our clients—and we’d love to do the same for you. If you’d like to discuss your web design project in detail, get in touch at 403-257-7047.

 

 

Tips for using Stock Images Effectively

“It may take some time to search for the image your target audience instantly relates to – but in the end, the extra effort you put in will be worthwhile.” — Amos Struck, in Featured Marketing Writing/Content

Sometimes it’s tempting to use any image, or the first one you find on a stock site just to have one, but it’s critical to choose your images with purpose. Human beings are visual creatures and high resolution images — meaning crisp, clear, and relevant — can bring your products and services to life and boost your website visitor’s overall user experience. Beautiful images enhance web copy and will resonate and stick with visitors much longer.

A look back at a still relevant article about How to Use Stock Photos in Marketing (Dos & Don’ts) for some great insight about choosing and using stock images.

https://bit.ly/3kkAq7i

 

 

Do websites still matter in 2023?

In today’s digital landscape, having  a website is still a crucial component of any business’s marketing strategy in 2023. It serves as a gateway for potential customers to connect with your company, offering easy access and engagement with your company online, and improves branding.

How often should a website be updated or replaced?

The frequency at which a website should be updated or replaced depends on its specific needs. Minor updates may be required on a daily basis, however, there is no fixed time-frame for the lifespan of a website design. That said, you can bet if your website is over three years old, it’s highly likely that upgrades are due.

Stay proactive and ensure your website stays fresh and relevant to maximize its impact. Remember, staying current is key to delivering an effective online presence.

An interesting stat about how many websites are on the internet 2023…

While the exact number of websites keeps changing every second, there are well over 1 billion sites on the world wide web (1,115,422,029 according to Netcraft’s April 2023 Web Server Survey compared to 1,160,964,134 in April 2022) — May 8, 2023

If you haven’t updated your website for a number of years, it’s probably time for a little refresh. If you have questions or need general information contact Simply Effective at 403-257-7047.

 

A look back at 5 Ways Drone Videography can Boost your Ad Campaigns

Most small businesses are always looking for effective marketing ideas. While there is no magic bullet, the goal of marketing is to connect your business’ products and services to the right customers using unique and creative marketing strategies. This article describes 5 interesting ways you can incorporate drone videography into your ad campaign:

  1. Be Unique 
  2. Put Forth a Dynamic Brand Image
  3. Get a Bird’s-Eye View
  4. Quick Video Editing
  5. Drones as a Platform

Read on for the details https://bit.ly/3plRC0Y

Article courtesy of SiteProNews

Celebrate Canada’s 156th birthday in Calgary with a bang!

Enjoy dazzling fireworks, lively festivals, and exciting Canada Day rooftop and barbecue parties. For an extra dose of fun, why not embark on a day trip to nearby towns and cities to join in their festive celebrations? It’s the perfect way to embrace special get-togethers and make lasting memories this Canada Day weekend.

Whatever you do, don’t let the weekend pass you by … get outside, indulge in joyful experiences, have a little fun!

Long weekend suggestions in and around Calgary https://allevents.in/calgary/canada-day#

Have a great long weekend!

 

Enhance Your Website & Social Media

Thinking of using some multimedia to give your blog or social network a boost?

Multimedia can be used to enrich your website and social media platforms. We’ve created everything from video, voice-over and music beds, to commercials and can help you determine what will and won’t work.

What is Multimedia anyway?

Multimedia – multi – meaning more than one, and media – meaning form of communication.

Multimedia fall into one of five main categories and use varied techniques for digital formatting. Generally, the five elements of multimedia are:

  • Text – word content on the screen and still the fundamental media used to express specific information
  • Graphics – static/still images including photographs, illustrations, drawings, icons or any other non-text element
  • Animation – animated images or figures on the screen or transitions throughout a media presentation
  • Audio sound – music, recorded narration, dialogue or sound effects
  • Video – video footage embedded into the media or a link to the video is made available

You can inform and captivate your visitors with high quality text, images, audio sound, animations and video footage. Multimedia applications can include any one or more combinations of these media content.

Have a project in mind? Questions? Call 403-257-7047. We’d be happy to work with you to bring your project to fruition.

Ready to incorporate social media into your online presence?

In today’s digital age, social media is definitely  a crucial tool for engaging with your target audience. It provides a platform to connect, communicate, and build relationships with your customers. Navigating the world of social media, however, can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure where to start.

That’s where we come in. Simply Effective Web Design specializes in helping small businesses leverage the power of social media. We have the expertise and experience to assist you in developing a winning social media strategy tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Whether you’re a beginner or have some social media presence already, we can provide the guidance you need to make the most of your online platforms. We’ll help you identify the right social media channels for your business, create engaging content, and develop a consistent brand voice across all platforms.

Our approach is simple yet effective. We believe in understanding your business inside out, identifying your target audience, and crafting a social media strategy that aligns with your objectives. From setting up your social media profiles to managing campaigns and analyzing results, we’ll be by your side, ensuring your social media efforts drive real results for your business.

Don’t let the complexities of social media hold you back from reaching your customers and growing your business. Let us take the guesswork out of social media marketing. Get in touch with us at 403-889-0883, and together, we’ll transform your online presence.