Latest Website Design: Cady Building Maintenance

The new Cady Building Maintenance website live went recently, with a redesign by yours truly. Cady specializes in office cleaning in Minneapolis, St Paul and other Twin Cities areas. Check the site out for yourself by visiting www.cadybuildingmaintenanceinc.com.

If you want a site that looks as nice as the new Cady Building Maintenance, then get in touch with us today by visiting www.WebDrafter.com.

The Jewel Box Website Design by WebDrafter.com

WebDrafter.com is proud to unveil the new The Jewel Box, Inc. website. The Jewel Box is a jewelry and repair store located in Newport, Pa. Find out more information at www.TJBJeweler.com.

Looking to better serve your clients or customers?  Visit www.WebDrafter.com now to request a free web design quote.

Toppers & More Redesign by WebDrafter.com

Happy New Year! We hope 2013 will be even greater than 2012 was, and hope you had a wonderful holiday season.

For our first post of the New Year, we wanted to highlight the redesign we did for Toppers & More, a South St Paul, Minn. store that specializes in truck toppers, caps and other accessories for trucks and SUVs. The company has been in operation since 1949, and they now have a website that is modern and sleek like their products.

Toppers & More new website by WebDrafter.com

Click here to check out the new Toppers & More website. 

Majestic Builders Website Redesign by WebDrafter.com

WebDrafter.com is proud to unveil the new Majestic Builders website. Majestic Builders is a Twin Cities construction company. Find out more information at www.MajesticBuildersMN.com.


Looking to better serve your clients or customers?  Visit www.webdrafter.com now to request a free web design quote.

Titus Contracting LLC Landing Pages Designs by WebDrafter.com

We recently put together two new landing pages for Titus Contracting. Each web design is meant to be simple and to the point, without visitors needing to do a whole lot to get the information they need. You can see them in all their glory by going to www.TitusContractingLLC.com and www.TitusContracting.org. 

Sandcon Website Design

WebDrafter.com announces the redesign of the Sandcon website.

Sandcon offers home remodeling and renovation services, including kitchens, bathrooms, additions and porches.

Visit www.Sandcon.biz for more information!

Want to better serve your clients and customers?  Visit www.webdrafter.com now to request a free estimate for web design.

SeatFixer Website Design

WebDrafter.com announces the redesign of The SeatFixer website.

The SeatFixer offers upholstery services that returns your car or boat to its original pristine condition.

Visit www.TheSeatFixerMN.com for more information!

Want to better serve your clients and customers?  Visit www.webdrafter.com now to request afree estimate for web design.

Google Might Be Changing Its Navigation, Again

I just completed a quick search for the term "search" on Google, and here is what my search results page currently looks like.

As you can see, the search navigation is currently on the left side of the screen, where it has been for some time. However, it appears that Google is testing a new search navigation setup with a small subset of users. Here is what that test looks like for those who are seeing it.

The navigation here is now above the search results, opening up the left side of the page for what Search Engine Land believes could be ad space, or an alternative location for the knowledge graph. My pick? I actually believe Google will try to bring the Google+ experience over to Google's search results page by placing the Google+ sidebar in that empty space. That is, of course, if the new navigation design sticks. Google tests changes like this one all the time, and most don't make the cut.

Keep tuning in here for more Web design and Internet marketing news, courtesy of Harrisburg Web design company WebDrafter.com.

Google Places Becomes Google+ Local

If your business hasn't joined Google+, the search engine giant's social network, the time may be now: The company has merged Google Places with Google+, Search Engine Land recently reported.

What does all this mean? For one, the look of Places listing has changed, and listings (now called Google+ Local) now look like Google+ profiles. Zagat reviews have also been integrated into the new system, but businesses will still be able to manage their listings through the Google Places interface.

Here's what Google had to say about the change:

With the release of Google+ Local, rolling out today, we are bringing the community of Google+ to local business owners around the world. We aim to improve the way people discover new businesses, rediscover places they love, and share them with their friends across the web.

More changes are coming, Google said, including the ability to host hangouts and share photos, videos and posts from Google+ Local pages.

Thoughts on the change? Let us know on the WebDrafter Facebook page, @WebDrafter and on our Google+ page!

How to Invite Facebook Friends to Your Facebook Business Page

When you first create a Facebook page for your business, you're missing the key ingredient to building a good community right off the bat -- people! Luckily, you probably have some some friends and family who take an interest in what you do and would be happy to show their support as you build up your base of users. Using a built-in invite feature in Facebook, you can invite your current friends in a few steps.

1) Sign in to Facebook and click on your page's name under the "Pages" section on the left side of the screen.

2) Click the "Build Audience" menu option at the top of the screen. This will open a drop-down menu. From there, click "Invite Friends."

3) Show all of your friends by clicking the "Recent Interactions" button near the top of the box, and then clicking "Search All Friends."

4) Click the check box next to the friends you'd like to invite to your new Facebook page.

5) Click the "Submit" button when finished. The friends you selected will be invited to like your page.

WebDrafter.com, a PA Web design company, helps companies create better looking websites, improve search engine placements, and build up online communities on networks like Facebook and Twitter. Interested in learning more about how we can help your business? Get in touch today at (866) 421-3723.

5 Reasons Your Search Engine Ranking is a Big Deal

Chances are, if you're here, you found this blog post through a search engine and might already be sold on the importance of search engine rankings and search engine optimization's role in improving them. You may have a partner or supervisor, however, who doesn't quite see the need to spend time and resources on optimizing your website to increase traffic from search engines. We've compiled a list of five facts that your search engine ranking is a big deal.

1) Approximately 42% of search engine users click on the #1 ranked site after a search. The second result gets 8%.

2) 62% of users will click a link on the first page of the search results.

3) 40% of SEO campaigns achieve a return on investment (ROI) of 500%. Compare that to pay-per-click campaigns (PPC) -- only 22% of those campaigns reach that lofty mark.

4) Organic search results convert users into buyers at a rate 25% higher than PPC campaigns.

5) 77% of search engine users will click an organic search result over a paid result.

While pay-per-click advertising is a nice supplement to an advertising and marketing campaign, search engine optimization efforts convert more users and reach a high return-on-investment a lot more quickly. WebDrafter.com, a PA Web design company, also specializes in SEO and SEM. Interested in improving your search placements? Call us today at (866) 421-3723.

Quick Twitter Tips

Just starting out on Twitter? It's a thriving, growing network, and a great channel for reaching out and interacting with past, present, and potential customers, as well as the members of your community. Just creating an account and firing out updates (called "tweets") isn't enough, though. There are right and wrong ways to use the service as a business. Here are two quick tips.

Tweet as a person. Given the choice, most Twitter users would rather connect with a person over a faceless entity. Use the bio section to let users know who's behind the account. If multiple users will be updating the account, consider marking each tweet with a set of initials at the end to let users know a different employee is at the helm.

Example: @Pandora_Radio

Reach out. Many businesses and websites are tempted to use Twitter as a way to broadcast information about themselves as though it's a bullhorn. Resist this temptation. Take part in conversations with your users and those in your community.

Example: @MidtownEats

Keep checking back here for more website and social networking tips, and remember to check out WebDrafter.com for all of your PA Web design needs!

Why Have a Website Redesign?

So, the website you had built for your business is finally starting to show its age.

The look, which was "in" at the time, has gone out of style like the Web design version of bell bottoms. The sidebar is littered with links to sites that no longer exist. Your header has social media icons for networks that no one is using anymore. And your content hasn't been refreshed since the day it was first written. Traffic has dropped, conversions have dropped, and your company's credibility is on thin ice.

If you can relate to even one of these scenarios, or something similar, it's probably time for a redesign.

The basis behind a redesign is always based upon improvement. There is something that can be improved, or many things that can be improved, but that's where the journey always begins. If you break it down even more, you might find it necessary to have your site redesigned for:

• Sales optimization
• Better organization of information
• Rebranding
• Staying current with Web design best practices

Regardless of your motivation, again, you'll always find it is based around the idea that your website can be improved in some way.

Are you looking to improve your current website? Get in touch with PA Web design company WebDrafter.com at (866) 421-3723

Internet Marketing: What to Avoid Doing in Your Campaign

Getting your website to the top of the search engines is a great feeling. However, watching your online presence languish below the top results is frustrating, and can be almost enough to swear you off using the Internet to market your business.

It's understandable, but the rewards of Internet marketing are so great, that you can't avoid them. So, if your efforts are not getting you where you want, your campaign might include strategies that should be stayed away from. Here are 10 mistakes many make when going forward with an online marketing campaign:

1. You decide to go it alone
   Internet marketing might seem easy enough. Do a few things here and there, and instant success, right? Not exactly. There are things you can do yourself, but Internet marketing companies exist because they know proper techniques. Deciding to throw caution to the wind and not obtain some form of professional help can lead you to implement techniques which will hurt you in the long run, and can take a while to fix.
2. You have a website, and that's it
   Yes, the most essential step of Internet marketing is to have a website that looks great and serves readers well. But, if that's all you have, then you're likely to not see the search engines – and potential customers – respond. With so many websites out there, you need to give yourself a competitive advantage and begin marketing online.
3. Your website has no clear call to actions
   You want people to come to your website. But, once they're on it, what should they do? Not directing people to certain pages (notably those where they can request contact from you or buy products) is a mistake that will leave you without an ROI. Your website should contain clear call to actions so your visitors know what to do.
4. You don't know what your competitors are up to
   You need to be aware of your competition, and keep an eye on them. If you're not, you could be losing business without even knowing it. Checking on your competitors to see what they're doing and whether it's working can provide you with ideas for strategies, especially if they're forgetting to promote a popular product or service.
5. You're copying content from other websites
   One of the worst thing any website can have is duplicate content. The three major search engines (especially Google) heavily frown upon plagiarism. If you're swiping text and pictures from other websites, it's time to get in touch with a professional Internet marketing company to begin putting together original content.
6. Your website contains false information
   The Internet loves nothing more than to expose liars and phonies. Your website needs to have true information. If you're promoting products and services with inaccurate information, you're just asking for trouble, and need to rectify this immediately.
7. You don't have a presence on social media
   It's not enough to just promote your services and wares, but you have to engage persons in a conversation about them. Social media engagement has become a big factor in proper Internet marketing and SEO, so if you're not using social media to get your message out there, you're missing out a big customer base.
8. You're not aligning your efforts
   The efforts you make for your online marketing campaign should all align with each other. You have big news on your website? Put it in a blog, then put information out on social media and social bookmarking websites. To obtain optimum results, everything needs to work in coordination.
9. You're not paying attention to search engine trends
   What worked in Internet marketing a year ago, or even a month ago, might not work now. Paying attention to search engine marketing trends for changes to algorithms and techniques can help you to maximize your efforts, and not waste time on practices that no longer generate the same bang.
10. You gave up too quickly
    It's all about patience. While there are things you can do to obtain immediate results, the vast majority of Internet marketing should be centered on establishing your website in a position that will generate good, long-term value, and not just a one-time increase.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know on our Facebook page, on Twitter (@WebDrafter) or by adding us to your circles on Google+.

Online Marketing: Where to Start?

In this highly digital age, it's important each business have an effective, well thought-out online marketing campaign to ensure the maximum possible success from your website.

But, where should your business start when it comes to getting found by consumers? There is a number of great, reputable Internet marketing companies (like WebDrafter.com) out there that can greatly assist your efforts. So, when looking around, here are a few things to think about when considering your Internet marketing campaign:

Blogging

As discussed last week, the benefits of blogging for your business are vast. It's great for SEO, great for sharing materials on social media channels and great for promotional purposes.

Customer Testimonials

Prospective customers/clients want to know what kind and the quality of work you've done for other clients/customers. Gathering testimonials will greatly assist in your online marketing efforts, and getting creative (filming a testimonial vs text) is even better.

Fresh content

Keeping your website frequently updated is another great way to get your business out. Fresh content supremely helps your website get found on the major search engine.

Benefits of Having a Company/Business Blog

Your company has a website, possibly a Facebook page and maybe even a Twitter account. With all these resources, should your company or business be blogging?

The short answer? Yes.

But, with every other resource your company is using, why should you add blogging to your marketing repertoire? There are several great reasons, but here are three of the best:

Blogging is Great for SEO

When it comes to SEO, few things are as important as well-written, fresh content. If your company is having problems coming up with website updates, a blog can fill this void in a great, timely manner.

Blogging is Great for Sharing

We've all been there: trying to figure out what to share on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. If sharing material is becoming tedious because you find yourself running out of things to say, then a blog is a great way to come up with content to share with your audience.

Blogging is Great for Promotion

If you want your company or business to expand, then a blog is a great way to promote products and services.

Does your company blog? Why or why not? Let us know on the WebDrafter.com Facebook page, @WebDrafter, on Google+ or with a comment. 

The Three R's of Vetting So-Called SEO Gurus

The Internet is full of self-proclaimed SEO experts, gurus, specialists, whizzes, etc. And while there are many great SEOs out there, for every one out there who knows their stuff, there are many more who are an SEO in name only and have no real experience, yet they may talk a great game.

But, before you fall for their lines, you should do a bit of homework and see if they know what they're talking about. However, the issue of trying to find out whether an SEO is good or not while knowing little to nothing about the practice can cause a bit of an issue. So, here are some tips as to what to look for when doing the research.

Rankings

The true indicator of any SEO is the results they generate for their clients. If they have a client portfolio, choose a couple and see how their site is optimized, then look for their search engine rankings for those keyword phrases. Where are they ranking? Top 10? Top 30? Top 50? Are you finding them without much effort, or do you have to go back a few pages before you see results?

Reviews

What are their clients – past and present – saying about them? If the SEO did a tremendous job, then there are sure to be positive reviews out there. If not, it's almost a certainty negative reviews will have been posted. Take a look and see what you can find. Reviews can tell you a lot about a company and its business practices.

ROI

The goals of every SEO campaign differ, but one common aim is to give the client a return on investment (ROI). Are clients getting this? Contact a few and get their insight. If many are, then the SEO is doing his or her job. If not, then it's time to look at other candidates.

Agree? Disagree? We want your thoughts. Let us know on our Facebook page, @WebDrafter or on Google+.  

What is a fair price for SEO services?

If you're thinking about SEO, your first thought is probably, "How much is this going to cost?" And it's a great question to ask, but isn't the easiest question to answer.

Unfortunately, there isn't a standard price when it comes to SEO. It depends on your needs, and your price. If you're wondering, "Then what is a fair price for SEO?" it gets a little more tricky.

The reason many agencies don't publish their SEO rates is because there isn't a "one size fits all" approach to SEO. Questions have to be answered before a price can be determined: What are your ultimate goals? How competitive is your industry? How much on-site work needs to be done to get your website where it needs to be? Who is your target demographic? How many services/products do you offer? After these are figured out, a price can be determined.

Let's look at this way: say you're a general contractor in a large metropolitan area. You specialize in roofing and siding. You want to be found for "(area) general contractor," "(area) roofing," "(area) siding," etc. You want to spend $1,200 in a one-year period to make this happen, and you want instant results in the search engine rankings. Due to the (most likely) long history of your competition, and the competitive of those phrases, you might not get very far.

But, let's say you're a general contractor in a small, suburban area and want to target that area for certain keyphrases. You'll probably see results in the rankings before the company in the larger area.

These examples apply to local SEO efforts. Now, if you're looking to launch a campaign on a national/global level using very general, competitive keywords and phrases, you might have to rethink your budget or time frame.

The ultimate answer: It all comes down to the industry, the target area and the budget.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know on Facebook, @webdrafter or on Google+.  

Organic Search Engine Marketing vs. Pay Per Click: Which Is Better for You?

There are two types of search engine marketing campaigns: organic and pay-per-click. Organic (or natural results) is the result of search engine optimization and "traditional" SEM campaigns, while pay-per-click results are advertisements: you place a bid and depending on certain metrics (competition, cost, etc.), your ad will show up and you'll pay every time someone clicks on the listing.

While it's often best to do both together, you might want to opt for one or the other. And while many choose to go with organic SEM, some choose to go exclusively with pay-per-click advertising through outlets like Google AdWords, Microsoft Advertising, Facebook ads, etc. Here are the pros and cons of using just PPC:

Pro: You are only charged for the clicks you get

You won't pay a fee each time your ad shows up (also called "impressions"). You'll only spend when your ad is clicked on.

Con: You can burn through your budget quickly

Depending on the competitiveness of your keyword phrases, you could spend quite a bit to get your ad to show up.

Pro: Location targeting

PPC marketing is the easiest way to target your advertising to certain localities. All it takes is the click of a button.

Con: Fraudulent clicks

Fraudulent clicking is an unethical practice done by competitors and unscrupulous PPC agencies. Since you pay for every click, some may try to kill your budget with repeated clicks in order to get your ad(s) delisted.

Pro: Quick results

Organic SEM efforts can take months to materialize, while PPC efforts are immediate. You'll begin to see traffic almost instantaneously.  

Con: Can be fleeting

Once your budget is spent, your ads will no longer appear. And when that happens, traffic to your site can drop off quickly.