Deeg Consulting

Digital Marketing|Websites|Content Strategy

deegconsultingatl

Google Core Web Vitals Checklist

Google Core Web Vitals Checklist

The Google page experience rolls out this month and this means that search engine optimization will center on the page user experience than ever before.

Google has a 90% share of the search engine market worldwide, we need to ensure that ranking well on the Google search results works for your business. This is how you can get ahead and get more people to your website.

89 % of consumers conduct online research before buying a product.

Google processes 167 billion searches per month.

The top listing in Google organic search – 31% of all traffic/ 24% for #2 and 18% for #3

What does the page experience update mean for your business and website?

The Core Web Vitals are a set of user centric metrics Google will use to measure and quantify page experience. The metrics are meant to indicate how users experience a page. Optimizing them will help you to create a better user experience. #siteimprove

Google rewards websites that are user friendly and provide top quality, relevant content throughout all pages with higher rankings. Page experience is already a part of SEO strategy. Things to look for as flags, pages with high bounce rates and start with those pages first.

The five main factors that Google prioritizes for a website page experience are:

Core Web Vitals

Mobile Friendliness

Safe Browsing

HTTPS

Intrusive interstitial content (minimize) – pop ups / pop up ads / banners/ overlays (interstitials)

Content vs Page Experience

Having the right high quality content still is the best way to get good rankings. Page experience is not replacing content but they must work together. If you want well with great content but the page experience is not so great, then you lose. Both have to work together.

What can Deeg Consulting do to help your website improve your core web vitals?

  • Improve page load speed – Fast, very fast or else they leave. 40% of visitors leave a website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load.
  • Review how you use ads and images – Minimize
  • Optimize for mobile
  • Audit and update content
  • Safety, make it safe for visitors
  • Compare your website with competitors – How is the content, and how do you compare?

Overall the DIY route is affordable but you miss all of these important updates if you do not work with a website professional. Can you afford it? Is it worth it?

Questions? Contact me at www.deegconsulting.com

#credit – Site Improve

Deeg Consulting offers a Core Web Vitals Checklist Service, visit our pricing page for more.

The Ultimate Website Checklist

The Ultimate Website Checklist

You have a new website, everything looks great, and then suddenly, one thing stops working, then two, then three. Why? Because you did not ask for or get a review of the ultimate website checklist with your web developer. A full review of what was done to protect your website should be one of the requirements at the end of the website building process, and now it is a part of my service offerings for businesses who may not have had this service for their websites. My top 25 checklist includes a site check on everything from security to site speed to SEO.

My 25 item checklist before launching a website or can be used as a maintenance checklist for completed websites. Either way, these are the items that must be done to ensure your website is easy to find, secure, and ready for visitors from all over the world. Must do and must-have, the best practices before you take off!

Time frame 1 – 2 weeks

How many hours does it take to build a website?

How many hours does it take to build a website?

How Many Hours It Takes To Build A Website

Essential Web Design Considerations for 2021. Why you need one and why you need to hire a professional

Essential Web Design Considerations for 2021
You’ll want to aim for your pages in three seconds or less. That’s because many visitors will abandon your site if it hasn’t loaded within three seconds. But obviously, the lower you can get that number, the better.

Every second matters; if your site doesn’t load in four seconds or less, 25% of those who navigated to your site will have left.

39% of visitors will stop engaging with a website if images won’t load or take too long to load.

It takes only about 50 milliseconds (that’s 0.05 seconds!) for users to form an opinion about your website that determines whether they like your site or not, whether they’ll stay or leave.

If given 15 minutes to consume content, two-thirds of people would instead read something beautifully designed than something plain.

It takes 6 seconds for a user’s eyes to land on the area of a website that most influences their first impression.

Users spend an average of 94 seconds looking at a website’s main image.

Users spend an average of 59 seconds looking at a website’s written content.

38% of visitors will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive.

57% of internet users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed website on mobile. #topdigital

We all have to be budget-conscious when running a business. The time invested in building that business is essential. Hours lost to preparing content, writing blogs, sending emails, and designing your website can never be replaced. The mental effort to grab everything and do it all is tempting, but in the long run, a thankless and often frustrating task for business owners. Build slowly, start with the website first, of course, and then add social media. Social media always seems to be the “easy” one for new business owners. It is the hardest one. It is relentless, frustrating, and the rewards are, at best, these days,  negligible unless you have invested in ads. It takes a small business owner about 35 hours each week to work in a dedicated daily routine on their social media. It seems too much to hire an expert to do it, but it is worth it in the long run. The research content, write blogs (4 to 5 hours), schedule and post your business information, and run ads. It is challenging work and requires creativity, persistence, and optimism.  Social media is branding, marketing, not sales. Be consistent, and it will pay off over the long haul. Once again, in the long haul, there is no magic trick to social media.

If built by a web developer, website builds average between 200 to 2,000 hours, depending on the size and scope of the client request.

 If a business owner is building a website, it will take them about 400 hours or about 20 weeks to build a 6 to an 8-page website with all of the bells and whistles. An e-commerce website would be even more.

That would include:

For the web developer – based on project scope, experience level, and quality expectations

What drives development time: (from #impact)

  • Number of unique page templates
  • Sections per page
  • Content moving
  • Features – Front-End
  • Features – Backend

Quality expectations from a web developer would include (from #impact)

  • Easy maintenance
  • Easy backend navigation – training is usually a part of this for the client.
  • Fast and smooth animations
  • Optimization on all browsers and devices
  • Website page loading instantly
  • Perfect alignment, and spacing of the elements on the website.

Theme Customization

Home – 10 hours plus – 3 to 5 sections, plus a header and footer  (subject to change based on customization). A single section without special features takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Front End features – Sliders/Parallax/ animations and trendy web design add ons.  2 to 8 hours. A custom scroll is 1 to 2 hours.

Back End features – Event calendar (8 hours), Premium themes (8 hours), user roles (4 to 16 hours)

Woo Commerce (8 to 16 hours avg) – Most projects could take up to 20 hours for customization and adding additional features.

Services – 6 hours plus

Blog page – 6 hours plus

Blog post – 4 hours plus

Contact Us – 4 hours plus

Content moving – 15 minutes to 20 minutes per page. / 6 hours per 20 pages

Factors to calculate

Overall – hourly rate, # of unique page templates, # of pages to be moved.

Front End Features – custom responsive menu, sliders, pop-ups, custom scroll and scrolling effects, custom animations, background video, parallax per page, AJAX load more, AXJ filter forms

Backend features – woo-commerce, event calendar, WPML, premium theme, user roles, groups.

It takes time and hard work to develop quality websites for clients. If you have questions or comments or need a quote for a website or digital marketing, feel free to contact me at any time!

 Credit: Impact

Disclaimers

  • This focuses on a WordPress project. (Expect about 10 hours less for Wix or Squarespace)
  • Design, SEO, content creation, social media are factors that add time to the project and cost more. Add 30 hours.
  • These hours assume no scope creep (client requests and content from the client are on time as per the project). Add 25 to 30 hours for scope creep.
  • Estimated hours are internal quality assurance that works and not a first revision (scope creep). I allow three modifications for clients.
  • No cost is involved here, just time and how that may then affect cost.

Why hire Deeg Consulting – What I do for you.

I offer several options for high-quality websites from basic to e-commerce at competitive prices and quick delivery schedules, find my pricing page here. I am available to answer your questions and concerns. Contact me at deeg consulting.

How does having a website impact your business success?

How does having a website impact your business success?

How does having a website impact your business success?  Let’s look at a success story for a small business entrepreneur.

Why do you need a website?

Less than 64% of small businesses have a website. 70-80% of people research a company online before visiting it or making a purchase. 58% of small businesses without websites plan to create one in 2019. 94% of small business websites are mobile-friendly.

81 percent of U.S. small businesses say that a website has helped to grow their business. With a website, you can reach a greater number of potential customers and opportunities. #verisign

79% of entrepreneurs with a business website expect to grow at least 25% in the next three to five years, compared to 64% of those without a site. #topdigital

30% of small businesses with a web presence generate more than 25% of their revenue online. #topdigital

The U.S. is expecting to have 300 million online shoppers by 2023. That’s 91% of the entire country’s population! Statista

2021 Small Business Website Statistics – Reasons for Not Having a Website – #topdigital


35% of small business believe they are too small to have a website

31% of small business use social media instead of having a website

26% of small business believe their customers are not online

25% of small business lack technical knowledge

23% of small business believe it is not relevant to their business or industry

22% of small business lack human and financial resources

21% of small business use a mobile app instead of a website

19% of small business owners never got around to it

11% of small business don’t see value in it

How did this small business change its formula for success

Fiona’s Handcrafted Soaps CA

I was introduced to Fiona Garrett years ago by a mutual friend. She lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I lived in Atlanta. Fast forward two years ago, and our mutual friend shared on Facebook that Vanessa had a thriving business making artisanal soaps which she sold locally through her Facebook page, direct referrals, local markets, and other distributors in Vancouver. Her brand name is Fiona’s Handcrafted Soaps CA. She started making soaps for a personal reason. Her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she needed a milder alternative to the harsh soaps available on the market. Besides being made with natural ingredients, they are almost too beautiful to use. The soaps are visually stunning,  individually handcrafted, they smell delicious and come in the most unusual flavors, like Bourbon, Beer, Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows and Bubble Tea! Each one is a stunning little masterpiece made for your bathroom and pleasure at home. But she did not have a website, but she knew it was the next step for business growth.

Together, we set out to create something that she could use to reach new audiences worldwide.  For more than three months, we worked together creating, changing, and perfecting a Woo Commerce website for Vanessa. She chose WordPress Studio Press Refined Child Theme, and I got to work. Vanessa hired an excellent freelance photographer HyeJun to take the stunning images now on display on the website, and after some hiccups (getting international shipping and credit card payments takes time and patience).   Fiona launched the website earlier this year.

How has her business changed since having the website?

  • The potential to reach almost 4.54 billion people, 59% of the global population who use the internet, and more are getting online. Her business would have been invisible to those people.
  • Adding the website made it easier for customers to find Fiona’s Handcrafted Soaps. Getting more customers is always the number one goal, and she can reach people worldwide. The brand exposure is enormous.
  • Social media is excellent, but having the website gave Fiona flexibility and branding she could not get with social media platforms. Now people worldwide have a chance to see, buy and make purchasing decisions—Fiona established her place in the beauty industry with her website.
  • SEO – Enhanced SEO, including Google My Business and Google Analytics and Rank Math, and ads put her website information out to people who may be searching locally in Canada and internationally for soaps and unique creations. Using specific keywords helps to boost her ranking in search.
  • Smush – Large images load faster for customers and helps to make purchases more manageable. Having a platform to showcase the products makes a big difference.  
  • Payments / Woo Commerce – Put direct, credit card payment flexibility
  • Shipping – She can now ship products worldwide and sell locally as well.
  • Customers can order and connect with her via the website for special requests and more. The website makes it easier for customers to contact her.
  • Family, customers, and friends can now refer potential customers to the website to purchase products, and they can do that any time of the day or night. That is the difference a website makes.
  • Having excellent products and great photography makes web development look great.

Happily, I can report that Fiona has seen about a 60% increase in business with her website. That number speaks for itself. Get a website today.

Thank you Fiona, for your time and hard work getting your website completed! She is ready to take on the world.

Deeg Consulting – What my services can do for you

I offer several options for high-quality websites from basic to e-commerce at competitive prices and quick delivery schedules, find my pricing page here Questions, comments, or information about building a website and more contact me at deeg consulting.

How much does a website cost?

How much does a website cost?

How much does a website cost?

After seven years in the marketing business, like many other small businesses, I have made the same mistakes as others when deciding how much to charge for my services. However, it is essential to realize that you have a talent, a unique skill, and charge accordingly.  With that in mind, many people do not understand what it takes to build a website, a good website, and this provides a good breakdown of what it takes.

From WP Beginner, 2020

A typical custom WordPress theme for business or personal website theme could cost between $1,500 – $5,000.

A custom WordPress theme with additional built-in features or companion plugins can cost anywhere between $6,000 – $10,000.

If you have a complex enterprise level project, then is not uncommon for the prices to go above $30,000.

There are two main areas.

  • Design and functionality – What the visitors see and interact with, like the overall design and functions.
  • Infrastructure – What powers the website, hosting, domain, software

People have chosen to be economical, but I always suggest consulting with a professional.  They may have experience or invaluable advice, which may help to make this easier. Not all of the companies are reputable or credible.

What you pay for in infrastructure

Domain name – Purchase from a domain register like Site Ground or Blue Host (monthly or annual )

Website software/ Content Management System – Free (WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix) / However, a builder is either a monthly or annual fee. A builder is a good option if you are new to website design and need help getting it done.

Hosting – Usually starting at $5 per month.

Total – Usually, the total can be from 80 dollars to more than $200 annual.

Functionality

All CMS platforms like WordPress Squarespace and Wix offer free options and premium options for themes that offer more customizations. If you are on a budget, use a free choice; there are many out there. My favorite themes are from Studio Press (Premium) and Elementor (Free and Premium), and I like to use Beave Builder for some websites. I think that people should have the best websites that they can have to start. Sometimes the companies offer free lifetime sales, sporadic but take advantage of them when you can.

Total – $0 to $100.00

DIY – This would be off the rack, no fuss or frills with no major customizations, and no web developer to make it customized for you. This would be for a one-page blog or a business page. $80 to $500 if you add premium extensions.

Web Developer

It depends on what you what and whom you are working with. Websites can now range from as little as $100 to over 10,000 depending on what you what in a competitive market.

With the lower prices, expect not to get the following, once the website is delivered, you are on your own. 

  • A Wix website
  • No SEO
  • No Social Media
  • No Training (I offer two sessions)
  • No, Follow up maintenance

The average cost today for WordPress (10 to 15 pages)

36% – $2k to 3K

26% – $4K to 5k

20% – under 1,000

8 % – $6K to $7K

10% it depends

 Numbers from #themeisle.com

For a “plain” WordPress website

32% – $1,000 to $1,500

28% – More than $3,500

15% – less than $1,000

13% – $1,500 to $2,000

7% – $3,000 to $3,500

5% – $2,000 to $2,500

Numbers from #themeisle.com

Overall if you are looking for an essential website, at a bare minimum, according to #themeisle, $2,000 is the range.  E-Commerce and advanced functionality would be even more.

My Prices and Packages – Deeg Consulting

So how do I match up with the costs with other developers?

Time

And remember, time, hiring a web designer means that you have the time to work on your business while we get the job done for you. You cannot replace the lost time it will take for you to design your website. It is irreplaceable.

I am pretty competitive, in the middle to lower end of the scale.  I am very generous with my clients, especially with my time.  

My cost for  a basic 5-page website is $1200 for a Wix or Square Space website with additional services in the package.

My cost for a basic one-page website is $800 for WordPress with some additional services.

My cost for a 5 to 10-page website is $1800.00 for WordPress with some additional services.

My cost for an E-Commerce website with WordPress or Shopify is $5,000

I always suggest a consultation even if you do not plan to retain my services. I am always willing to provide assistance and answer any questions to help make your decisions easier. My consultation fee is $50.00 for 60 minutes.

Overall the DIY route is affordable, but you lose essential time focused on your business. Can you afford it? Is it worth it?

Questions? Contact me at www.deegconsulting.com.

Why a child theme for your WordPress websites?

Why a child theme for your WordPress websites?

Why a child theme for your WordPress websites.

What is a “child theme”? Why do you need it?

I have worked with many clients over the last six years, and for me, this is the bridge I do not cross when working with them. I do not work on websites if there is no child theme. Many small web design companies looking to make money quickly, with low-cost WordPress websites, are low-cost for a reason. They use low-quality templates and build websites without child themes. Today, many people are designing websites in WordPress on their own, and they are having a great time doing it. I applaud them for working within a budget and being creative at the same time. The problem?  Many of them have never heard of a child theme before. Why would the website companies tell them about it? It means that without a child theme, they could be back next year building a new website from scratch and shelling out more money. The reason they were designing their websites in the first place was to save money.  

Do you remember the parent /child relationship from coding school? That applies to content management system development as well.

According to WP Beginner

“A child theme in WordPress is a sub-theme that inherits all the functionality, features, and style of its parent theme. Child themes are a safe way to modify a WordPress theme without actually making any changes to the parent theme’s files.”

A parent theme doesn’t need a child theme to work, while the opposite isn’t true. On the other hand, a child theme works as an additional layer on top of the parent theme. It allows your developer to tweak, add, remove an existing WordPress theme without worrying about losing your customizations.”

Or from Codeable

“A child theme is a theme that inherits the functionality and styling of another theme, called the parent theme. Child themes are the recommended way of modifying an existing theme.”

A child theme is a layer on top of your existing WordPress theme that allows you to make modifications. You can change part of its functionality, you can change its style, how it looks, all being sure you’re not ruining your parent theme.

In order words, it is an extension of your current theme, “the parent.”

“Using child themes is the best practice when it comes to adding extra features or style to a WordPress theme. You should never edit directly: WordPress core files.

Plugin files. Theme files, except for starter themes which are a special kind of themes meant for theme developers” Codeable

Benefits

  • Child themes bring you customizations without the fear of losing them

“Let’s say you bought a theme a year ago that you’re still using on your WordPress site. It still looks acceptable to you, but it should need a design refresher because you’d like it to focus on conversions, and currently, it’s simply a leaky pipe.

If you make edits directly in your header.php, function.php files, the next you’ll update your theme with its latest version – and there are lots of important reasons to keep it up-to-date -, you’ll lose all your customizations. All the changes you have done will get overwritten by the newer versions of those duplicate files, and you will lose what you have done. Having a child theme means that you do not lose your customizations.” Codeable

  • Child themes allow customizations without slowing down your site.

Limits

Although they give you the freedom to make changes, you would not have been able to without one; if you want a complete overhaul with more customizations, that means a fully customized website with an experienced web developer.

Why are they important?

Because it makes sense from a budget standpoint that you can have extra functionality, make edits to your theme, not lose customizations you invested in and still stay within a decent budget. Fully customized websites require skilled developers and higher prices based on their skills.

Companies have made the concept of developing websites something easy and within reach for everyone, and we are all lucky to be able to take advantage of that.  Not knowing what it takes to build a good website with a child theme (something they never mention) is an awful lesson that too many of us have learned over the years.

My best advice, you may not have the budget to pay someone to design a website, but pay for a consultation with an expert, someone you can trust. Don’t leave anything to chance; ask lots of questions and start your website journey the right way.

If you have the budget and hire an expert, not the hosting company (they will not dispense any parent/child advice), make sure you ask them, no, tell them that you expect your website to have a child theme. You are investing in your future, and they need to understand that you intend to be an intelligent investor.

If you have questions or comments about this topic, contact me at debragw@deegconsulting.com.

Debra Gibson-Welch of Deeg Consulting

Debra Gibson-Welch of Deeg Consulting

Deeg Consulting Owner - Debra Gibson-Welch
Hair by https://www.facebook.com/thefullmontinaturalites/ Photography by https://lennadavisphotography.com/ Debra Gibson-Welch of Deeg Consulting

Based in Atlanta, GA  Debra Gibson-Welch is an experienced marketing professional with a history of success in web design,  digital marketing, and content creation and strategy. DEEG Consulting offers services to customers in Georgia and across the United States.

Originally from South America,  Debra’s background in customer service started with her retail career in New York City. She has worked with multiple retail companies including Chaps Ralph Lauren, The Limited, Macy’s Inc. in New York City and Atlanta.  Her expansive business career led to travels to different retailers all over the United States and Puerto Rico, including New England, Texas and California.

Her background in customer service and business combined with expertise in diverse subject areas led Debra to launch DEEG Consulting in 2013.  Debra holds a degree in Marketing and International Trade from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a Certification in Web Design from Emory University.

Learn more about the founder of #deegconsulting and how she continues to move forward #debragibsonwelch #digitalmarketing
Click to Tweet

Education and Certifications

Debra Gibson-Welch

Education

Contact Debra

Content

3/15/21 – Fiona’s Handcrafted Soaps

3/15/21 – Fiona’s Handcrafted Soaps

I love all of my clients and I have been privileged to work with some of the best and most talented people in the world. Vanessa Garrett the creator and owner of Fiona’s Handcrafted Soaps are truly in a creative class of her own. Her small-batch artisan soaps are all-natural and delicious and beautiful in appearance. I just can’t use them for a bath, they are just so pretty. I was fortunate enough to help Vanessa move her creative side to design a website for her growing business. It was a pleasure working with her, she knows her business, understands her market and clientele, and works hard to make those amazing creations. Check out her website and support a super female-run small business. The results are sweet indeed.

#website by #deegconsulting.

What’s New – Deeg Consulting 2021

What’s New – Deeg Consulting 2021

There has been much chatter about self-care over the last few years, and the focus is on relaxation and making our lives stress and hassle-free. For a business owner like me personally, self-care is about building a business in its seven years. It has been challenging every year, but thanks to a supportive spouse, I have hung on financially and mentally. I am grateful to be here to write this story today still as an independent business. Covid, for me, had so many silver linings, and one of them was being able to think about ways to maximize and monetize a business from home. I have made some crucial additions in the first half of this year, and I am ready to continue to move forward with some new tools in hand. I added ECommerce to the website to give people more options on payments and review my payment structure this year. I also started a YouTube channel Simple Home Cocktails to showcase one of my hobbies, making some cocktails at home. And after a year of coaching and teaching via Zoom, I am now offering an assortment of Teachable classes. You can sign up here and suggest class options as well.
I look forward to hearing from you; send your feedback and let me know if you like the cocktails! Best wishes to your business year!

Deeg Consulting – Marketing and Communications

Deeg Consulting – Marketing and Communications

Simple Home Cocktails

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChM06X-Mi8XBmNj3Q4NVuTA/videos

Initially, 2021 was off to a slow start for me. Sometimes we need to take some time to rest and start again. In mid-January, my husband reminded me years ago I had a blog, and one of my main focus areas was cocktails. I was one of the early bloggers on the Blogger platform, remember Blogger? We were way ahead of the bloggers of today, and in some ways, we were too early. Many of us missed the explosion of blogs when it finally happened. We were older and bigger responsibilities were taking us away from blogging. During that period, I also developed an early blog on WordPress, and one menu tab was devoted to all of my cocktails recipes from my old blog.

In January, my husband suggested to me that I move some of my cocktail recipes to YouTube and take a look at the advertising options on the channel. After a reluctant start, I quickly started planning my recipes and, with my daughter and husband, started recording in late January. Cocktails and recipes are easy for me. West Indians and Guyanese have an easy affinity with cocktails growing up in the tropics in countries and islands dominated by the sugar trade and rum. Rum drinking, beer, and cocktail drinking are a national pastime

We drink on Saturdays, at cricket games, to celebrate a new home; a splash of rum outside the door and inside the house is mandatory. So my love of cocktails comes naturally. I also wanted to make sure that my cocktails are “simple.” I want to make something quickly; long recipes are tedious and require too many ingredients. So the name of my channel? “Simple Home Cocktails.”

Take a look, subscribe, send suggestions and feedback. Let me know if there is something I can do for you. Enjoy!

Simple Home Cocktails

Google For Business

Google For Business

If you are a small, large or independent business and you do not have a Google My Business page, you need to get one, today, now, hurry. 50 percent of all searches are on mobile. Can they find your business? 91% of young reviewers trust reviews? Without a GMB page, they can’t see your reviews and contact your business.

Framed Glenwood Eyecare and Glasses

https://g.page/framedglenwoodeyecare?gm – Google My Business Page

What is Google My Business?

  • Launched in 2014 by Google
  • Allows businesses to have control over what people find out about a business via Google Search.
  • Free
  • Excellent for local SEO and search
  • Reviews – One of the main reasons to have your page, is to get customer reviews.

Does your business service a specific geographic location? If so, your Google My Business (GMB) listing is crucial to getting in front of your clients. Whether you have a special to promote, a blog you want to get eyes on or simply want more traffic to your business or WordPress site, you should Optimize and post weekly to GMB.
Your GMB listing will show up in Google Searches and Google Map Searches! This is why it shouldn’t be neglected.

What you need

  • GMail email address / Business G Mail is great
  • NAP – Name, Address(Business), Phone Number
  • EMail and Website addresses
  • Other business information – hours or operation, special information based on business type
  • Images for posting and messaging
The Lamp Shoppe Atlanta for Google My Business - Miami Circle, Atlanta GA
The Lamp Shoppe Atlanta – Google My Business www.lampshoppeatlanta.com

How to Set up Google My Business

Google My Business setup is an easy way to bring lots of additional traffic to your website and business.

  • Web Address

    Google My Business

    •Go to https://www.google.com/business/

  • Make sure you are logged in under your Google account (you must have a Google account)

    www.framedglenwood.com

    Log into or open a Google account which will be the companion account for your GMB account

  • Have your NAP ready

    https://essenty.com/lightchangerslifestyle?avs=2.17

    •Be very careful and ensure that you have the following items planned out – Biz Name, Address, etc.

  • Verify your business

    www.peoplesmarketinginsights.com

    Several options are available. It may be instant or may take longer depending on type of business and verification methods.

  • Build your page

    https://g.page/r/CWUqz99fRkROEBA

    Add all of your information, hours etc. Images, images image. 77% of consumers believe photos from customers affect their decision to purchase more than professional photos from brands

Verify and voila! It’s time to get those reviews!

www.williammarkdesigns.com

Reviews – 82% of shoppers will not choose a user with less than 3 stars. They are important and they are here to stay. online reviews are directly linked to consumer trust. 61% read product reviews about the product they would like to buy. People trust the recommendations of other consumers and it provides social proof about your business.

There is a lot more to do, if you would like more information contact me for a Zoom consultation to get assistance to amp up your local SEO.

Learn more about GMB today

Contact

#googlemybusiness How to set up and maximize #localseo with #debragibsonwelch Find out how.
Click to Tweet

PWA’s – Boost Mobile Marketing with Deeg Consulting

PWA’s – Boost Mobile Marketing with Deeg Consulting

I was excited after reading an article in Elegant Themes about PWA’s and immediately started testing and using one of the applications on the market today. WPA’s will be big for small businesses this year.

One of the big trends this year in tech is Progressive Web Apps. They are fantastic for increasing mobile marketing especially with our current challenges during the Covid-19 crisis.

They help to increase Brand Awareness, improve user engagement, deliver exclusive, brand-specific content and functionality. They make your brand more widely available and of course, have a permanent spot on a customer’s phone would be someone we would all like to be.

A PWA is a web-based application that is built with web development languages like HTML or CSS. It’s not a mobile app though it could be considered a type of website. They can function offline and allow users to receive push notifications and install an icon on their home screen. They can function across mobile browsers

They don’t have to be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the app store. The PWA can be installed on a browser or desktop via the browser itself. You can navigate to the site via your browser to get the functionality.

PWA’s can work on desktop or mobile browsers. So if you still want to use a desktop browser or desktop via the browser itself.

Data and storage issues are not issues with the progressive web apps.

One great plus that it is not just about the shopping experience or a one-time experience. PWA’s can be used for interaction beyond shopping, such as content sharing, updates on the latest products, and other incentives (less email or newsletters). This provides tremendous potential beyond just one shopping experience.

It’s on your client’s and customers’ phones 24/7, wherever they go. Users can read your content and even share it at any time.

Brand awareness is improved using PWA’s. You can tweak your application to suit customer needs, send notifications and keep your brand focus consistent with users.

Retention and engagement – Adding the application help you to motivate and engage long time customers and gain new ones.

Examples of current PWAs are

Pinterest

Flipboard

Starbucks

Forbes

BMW

Spotify

Uber

Contact Debra for information and pricing for installation

Credit: Elegant Themes 

Volunteer Work – Free Consultations

Volunteer Work – Free Consultations

Free Consultations for Laid Off Workers in 2020 by Deg Consulting - Websites, Portfolios and Social Media

Assistance for recently laid off workers

Offer – to those who need help after being laid off or still looking for jobs or just starting a new business (one page portfolios and websites). Portfolios, Single Page Websites or Landing pages in Square Space or WordPress. Limited Time offer.Social Media (personal branding advice and advocacy)/ Blogs/ Digital Marketing training.Additional General Help, Introductions, Volunteer Work. Social Media (personal branding advice and advocacy)/ Blogs/ Digital Marketing training – Via Zoom

Share this offer with anyone who made need assistance during this difficult time. #resumes #portfolio
Click to Tweet

Zoom – Training and Consultations

Tuesday May 26th! Zoom Consultations with DEEG Consultations and Training. Make appointments via email debragibsonwelch@gmail.com or my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/deegconsulting/ Price Upon request – 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hour sessions available.

  • Website Design and Development – Gutenberg and Classic Editor
  • Content Curation
  • Digital Marketing
  • Google My Business / Google Analytics/ SEO
  • Content Writing- Blogs, Newsletters, Features
#zoomconsultations #deegconsulting #digitalmarketing
Click to Tweet

How does having a website impact your business success?

How does having a website impact your business success?  Let’s look at a success story for a small business entrepreneur. Why do you need a website? Less than 64% of small businesses have a website. 70-80% of people research a company online before visiting it or making a purchase. 58% of small businesses without websites plan to create one in 2019. 94%…

Continue Reading How does having a website impact your business success?

Education and Certifications

Debra Gibson-Welch

Education and Certifications

CONTACT DEBRA

Want more information and to request special Zoom presentations?

CONTACT DEBRA

Website Design and Development – Project Management

Website Design and Development – Project Management

Web Designer – Project Timeline

My average project timeline is between  3 to 4 months, a bit more depending on the project. I try to meet to client requests but it is better to set a hard time up front. The one word that comes to mind to describe website design  “patience” .  My first encounter with web design was in 2009 using Blogger to launch my first fashion blog, Fashionmomblog . My first formal lesson in coding was 5 years ago when studying for a Web Design certification at Emory University in Atlanta.  That experience helped to expand my experience working with content management systems for websites.  Word Press is my favorite CMS, it’s easy, the websites are beautiful and the are timeless if the right template is chosen.

The Daily Read –  There are many reading options online but my favorites to get additional experience and information about websites are, Elegant Themes – WordPress Experts , Creative Bloq, Search Engine Watch or other Web Design related articles. I save some for reading later. I also review my Twitter feed, I follow anything and all things web design and social media so there is always something new to learn. The sun never sets on the digital and web world.

Clients  –  I need to find and build a client base for Web Design. Prospective clients are very selective about their web designer choices. The financial investment is high (not as high as digital marketing based on some rates ) and the website is representing their brand. I charge a flat fee for my website services. Having a user centered website and a website which functions effectively is important. Getting the right designer who can execute all three is difficult.  Personal referrals, previous work and time ( how long have you been in business, 5 years is the starting sweet spot ) count to help build a web designer’s reputation.  The only way to become a good web designer is through practice and that means you have to build sites to get experience.  Not every client is the right fit, sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not.

The Starting Point –  My Web Design day usually begins with a review of my project and a review of client needs for the project. If I am building a site, we have started with an client meeting and interview, 1 or 2 surveys and a mood board (it helps me to build a story and for them to either change that story or build on it). This is the chapter of project where in depth discussions about what the client really expects and want from a website is dissected and discussed in depth. Landing pages, SEO and more. That is just the beginning of a wonderful relationship!

  • Where are we going ?  – The next steps involve project definition, landing page goals, overall strategy and a second review and analysis of potential competition and threats.
  • Base Camp  –  We develop a site map, discuss SEO integration,  domain name, hosting, pricing during this period. This is the foundation of the final result.  The client is updated as often as possible throughout the entire process.  Content, images and site navigation are also determined during my base camp period.
  • The Word Press Themes  – Even though we are using Word Press it is always prudent to sketch ideas on paper, test mock ups and wire frames ( I like to sketch it just seems easier for the client).  The client will probably go through several theme changes before settling on a final framework.  There are thousands of  Word Press themes to choose from, There are free themes and paid themes. I think all of the themes are great, they work for any type of business or individual.I have learned over the years, to present a client with 3 choices and move on. Less is more.
  • Pricing – There is usually a deposit to get the project underway.  Hosting and other costs can be paid by the client or we include it in the final costs.
  • Creation – Create Pages, add content, add SEO, add social media ( in some cases  I am adding SM pages and content for the client as well ). The client should be reviewing everything throughout the process. Getting content and images from the client often results in project delays which affects the final deadline.
  • Testing – If the final look is approved, great,  but does it work ? Is it responsive ? How does it look on mobile ? How is site hosting working for the client ? How fast is the site loading ? What about that final layout ?  Send a sample to several users for final testing and feedback. This is the most crucial part of the process before going live. The users and their comments.  Make all of the changes recommended and then you are ready to go.

Wrap Up

The pieces of the puzzle fall into place – Final Stage, testing worked well, the client is ready to get new revenue streams. Every Web Designer will tell you that the design process never goes according to plan and they are 100% correct. The timeline is usually under estimated and the client may not like anything you present. That can also mean the end of the project. You walk away having learned how to do better the next time.  You must have a great framework and foundation in place for the design process to be a success. I did not provide many details here but hours are spent making sure that the final result is top notch and everything functions as it should.
Is this what you imagined a web project would be? Any surprises ?

Web Design Project Timeline #website #websitedesign #projectmanagement #wordpress
Click to Tweet

Website Design

Contact Debra for more information

Contact