July 2024 Round Up
This month is a big celebration for us! We’re turning nine, which means we’ve been helping businesses thrive online for nearly a decade. But even more exciting, we’ve got a treasure trove of fresh content to help your business thrive online, too. Whether you’re wondering if you even need a website (spoiler: you probably do!) or you’re ready to tackle SEO and conquer Google rankings, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also delve into the world of online paid advertising, helping you choose the perfect platform and assess the power of Google Ads for your small business. Plus, we’ve got some insightful pieces to guide you through the ever-changing digital landscape, like navigating the world of web hosting and understanding the ongoing nature of SEO.
11 Things to Consider When Choosing a Web Company
When you’re looking for a web design company, it’s important to choose wisely. By keeping these 11 factors in mind, you can make sure that you get a website that works well and helps your business succeed.
Remember – Not all web companies are created equal!
- Communication is key! ️ A great designer will understand your needs and translate them into a website that works for you.
- Expertise is the foundation! A reputable company should be highly skilled in design, user-friendliness, and functionality, instilling confidence in their ability to deliver a top-notch website.
- Specialisation pays off! Look for a designer who focuses on your industry for the best results.
- Here for the long haul? Choose a company with a proven track record and ongoing support.
- Honesty is the best policy! Transparency in pricing and capabilities is essential.
- Support you can rely on! Ongoing maintenance and quick response times are crucial.
- Reviews are your friends! Check online reviews to see what past clients say.
- SEO savvy? Your website should be built to rank well in search engines.
- Conversions are king! A great designer will optimise your site to turn visitors into customers.
- If conversions are king, UX is Queen! User experience is key – easy navigation, engaging content, and clear calls to action.
- Mobile-friendliness is a must-have! Your website needs to look great and function flawlessly on all devices.
You can find out more in one of our latest articles, Who Offers the Best Web Design in Plymouth?
Want Your Business to be the Talk of the Town?
Why do some companies seem to be everywhere you look? That’s the power of brand awareness! It’s all about getting your brand recognised by the people who matter most – your potential customers.
Here’s why brand awareness is a game-changer:
- Standing out from the crowd: In today’s noisy world, brand awareness helps you cut through the clutter and get noticed.
- Building trust and familiarity: People are more likely to choose brands they recognise and trust.
- Boosting all your marketing efforts: A strong brand makes your SEO, social media, and other advertising more effective!
What are the key ingredients to making yourself a known brand?
Don’t limit yourself! Don’t think that just because you aren’t a worldwide multinational brand, there isn’t any point in pushing your products or services! Be present on social media platforms, search engines, email marketing, and even in-person events if they’re relevant to your sector.
Tell people about you! What’s your ‘unique selling point’? Why should people care about what you do? Tell your potential customers the things they want to know!
Consistency is key. Keep on top of your social media and other marketing efforts to make sure there is a steady stream of information that is easy to understand, using clear and consistent language.
Build your brand identity! From your logo and website to your van! Make sure everything creates a cohesive and memorable brand image that matches up.
Stop Guessing! Find the Perfect Ad Platform for Your Business
There’s a perfect advertising platform for every business, you just need to know where to look!
Advertising platforms are online spaces where businesses pay to show ads. These platforms can be found on social media, search engines, websites, or apps.
Here’s a breakdown of some popular options:
Google Ads: Get seen by people actively searching for what you offer. This is perfect for plumbers, electricians, or any service-based business!
Meta Ads (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp): Reach a massive audience across all of Meta’s platforms. Great for reaching a broad audience or targeting specific interests.
LinkedIn Ads: Laser focus on B2B connections. Target professionals by industry, job title, and more!
The key takeaway?
The best platform depends on YOUR business goals!
For example, a local Plumber could use Meta and Google advertising to reach interested users from a specific geographic area.
Use Your Google Business Profile to Rank Higher on Google!
Your Google Business Profile is an excellent source of information for your customers and is a great place to start if you’re dipping your toes into the world of SEO.
Here are some of our top tips to take your Google Business Profile to the next level:
Update your profile with all the essential information about your business, e.g. name, address, phone number, and opening hours (Pssst – make sure these match your website!)
Write a concise and interesting business description explaining why customers should choose you.
Upload high-quality pictures that showcase your products, services, and your business location.
Use the Posts feature to share updates, promotions, events, and other important info about your business.
Keep an eye on your reviews and respond to both the negative and positive ones. This can help you manage your online reputation and have some sneaky SEO benefits (we’ve discussed these in previous posts).
Do I Really Need a Website?
If you’re thinking about getting a website for your trades or other small business, you will probably be worrying about a lot of things – will my website rank on Google? Will it be secure? What sort of website do I need? Will I get the leads I need? Who will write up the information for my site? Will it look good, and work on phones & will it be fast? You will probably have other questions too!
To get you started, read our easy-to-follow guide to what makes a good website for a trades or other small business. You’ll find info on:
- Good Domain Names for Google
- Optimal Security
- Website Builders
- Content for your Website
- SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
- Effective Design
- Website Speed
Do Google Ads Actually Work for Small Businesses?
Yes! But they have to be done right. There are five different ‘types’ of Google ads, so choosing the correct type for your business will be the key to success! Let’s break them down.
The five main types of Google Ads campaigns:
Google Search Ads: Perfect for potential customers actively searching for your products or services.
Google Display Ads Ideal for building brand awareness and reaching people interested in what you offer. These ads reach users looking at websites or products related to yours.
Google App Ads: Promote your mobile app across Google’s network.
Google Shopping Ads: Showcase your products directly in Google Shopping. Great for e-commerce!
Google Video Ads: Tell your brand story visually through YouTube and other video platforms. Similar to Google Display Ads, these ads are shown to people looking at similar offerings to yours.
Feel like you need some more guidance? Contact Us
“I Have a Cheap Hosting Setup. Can I Keep Using That on My New Site?”
We often get this question from new clients, and it’s understandable. Everyone wants to keep costs down! But hosting is a tricky one because it has such a large bearing on how your website performs. Here are some factors to check when it comes to hosting and to see if your current hosting is really the way to go.
The Hidden Costs of Cheap Hosting👻: (You may be paying in other ways!)
While the upfront price tag might be tempting, hidden costs associated with cheap web hosting can hurt your business.
Slow Loading Speeds 🐌: Cheap providers often cram too many websites onto a single server, resulting in sluggish load times. This frustrates visitors and hurts your SEO ranking on Google. Remember, speed is king!
Security Risks 🦹: Cutting corners on security is a recipe for disaster. Cheap providers might lack the resources to properly protect your website from hackers and malware.
Subpar Support ↙️: You’ll need reliable customer service when things go wrong (and they inevitably do!). But with cheap hosting, you may struggle to get the answers you need.
Invest in Your Website’s Success. Here’s what you should expect from your hosting…
Blazing-Fast Speeds🏎️: Your website will load lightning-fast, keeping visitors happy and you on Googles good side!
Ironclad Security ⚔️: Ensure robust security measures are a priority, so that your website stays safe from online threats.
Exceptional Support ☎️: Look for well-reviewed, top-notch customer service teams that are always available to assist you with technical issues.
Want to find out more? Contact Us
“Is SEO A One-Time Thing?”
We get this question a lot! SEO is not a one-time thing; it’s a process and an investment (that pays off!), and consistency is the key to long-term success.
Why you need to keep up to date with your SEO…
Fresh Content is King👑 : Search engines crave websites that consistently offer high-quality, relevant content for users. Up-to-date information keeps visitors engaged and improves user experience. This “freshness” factor is a significant ranking signal for Google and other search engines.
Building Trust & Authority👔 : Regularly adding valuable content positions you as a thought leader in your industry. This builds trust with your audience and establishes your website as a credible source.
Staying Competitive & Visible👁️ : Ongoing SEO optimisation ensures your website stays competitive in search rankings.
The Competition Never Sleeps💤 : Remember, your competitors are likely working on their SEO too. They could outrank you and nick the top spot if you become complacent!
SEO is a journey, not a destination✌️🏄 . By continuously optimising your website, you can attract organic traffic, build brand authority, and achieve long-term success. Let’s discuss how we can help you develop a winning SEO strategy! Contact Us
Updates from us
This Month Marks Our 9th Birthday!
To celebrate, we closed the office for the day on Tuesday the 9th (the first time it has been closed on a weekday in 9 years!) for a company update in the morning, accompanied by some breakfast treats. We went through our company performance and plans for future expansion. It’s a fascinating time to be at WDSEO! We then spent the afternoon out for some fantastic food and drink and finished the day off with a spot of pottery painting. An all-around great day out to celebrate our birthday!
All of this wouldn’t be possible without our great clients, and for that reason, we would like to say a massive thank you for your continued support.
We Completed the Midnight Walk
Some members of the WDSEO team hit the Plymouth streets (and rain!) to complete the Midnight Walk for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. A massive well done to everyone involved; it was an excellent event. We had loads of fun and really enjoyed the walk (even if it was a bit wet!).
We are still accepting donations so if you would like to support St Luke’s Hospice, it would be much appreciated as it’s going to an excellent cause just follow the link -> Just Giving
Ready To Take the Next Steps?
Do you need a new website? We’re here to help! Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch Website Design and SEO Services in the UK.
We specialise in creating websites and ensuring they rank high in search engines (like Google) so that more people can find them. We exclusively offer SEO services for sites we have developed.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in our SEO-optimised Websites and SEO Services, head to our Online Shop for Websites for Small Businesses and Tradesmen. Alternatively, if you have unique functionality and/or styling requirements, Book a Call with us for a Bespoke Website Design.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to explore our Knowledge Hub, where you’ll find FAQs and useful resources, such as Blogs, Videos, and even eBooks on choosing the right website design company and SEO agency for your Trades or Small Business.
You can also reach us by calling 01752 291865, messaging us on WhatsApp on 07457 404241, completing our contact form, or starting a Live Chat now!