How to tell if your small business website is ready for a redesign and what to include in that project

Fun fact: did you know that 75% of visitors judge a company's credibility based on their website design?

Crazy, right? If that stat doesn't convince you that it's time to take an honest look at your website, then please, go back and read it again. Website design matters big time!!!

Website redesigns can be an overwhelming thought because there are a lot of moving parts and things to consider. So many businesses put it off....and off....and off....until years have passed and their websites are embarrassing and do not function anymore. 

Don't let that be you!

The good news is that not every website redesign project needs to be a huge ordeal and that is especially true if you go into the project understanding the WHY and have a good idea HOW you'l make those changes happen.

In today's article, I'm going to walk you through the considerations around website redesign projects. You'll learn how to tell if your website is overdue for a redesign, how you can do those effectively, and what steps to take and prioritize in your website redesign project.

Let's get started! Read more >>

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9 Tips for the Newbie Freelance Web Designer / Developer

As someone who has made the leap to freelance web design/development fairly recently, I wanted to share 9 tips that I took to heart when I started out that have helped me out enormously. 

There is SO much information out there covering topics of interest to established web designers/developer, but for those who are just getting their feet wet there's a noticeable lack of useful content. 

Freelancing is a totally different ballgame from in-house salaried work, my friends. When you break out on your own and start freelancing, you'll be thrown into a world that is equally wonderful and exhausting. You might have the technical skills covered but that's only a small percentage of what it takes to make a sustainable business for yourself. 

Without further ado, I'd like to share the 9 tips I've found helpful for building a successful business so soon after starting out as a freelance web designer/developer. By no means is this list exhaustive but it does focus on the points that had the greatest impact for me and I believe they can for you too.

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Here's why every small business website should include testimonials (bonus script included!)

Have you ever heard of the saying "Don't just tell them, show them"? This small but powerful piece of advice can be applied to so many areas in life and it is often a guiding principle for small businesses who are looking to grow to the next level. 

Why's this?

Because people are inherently social creatures and we usually want proof that something works or is "worth it" before we make a purchase or sign up for a service. There's something to be said about the sway of social proof.

You probably already know that people are more likely to buy a product or service at the recommendation of others, and this is especially true for small business offerings online. No one wants to be the first one to try something; instead, they'd rather go with something that is tried, true and proven.

People want to do business with companies and individuals they know and trust but how can you enhance that relationship? How can you use this information to strengthen your website and encourage people to make the move from "visitor" to "client"?

Great question! The answer, my friends, is by including testimonials on your website. Read more >>

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Squarespace SEO Series: How to Optimize your Squarespace Settings for SEO

This article is Part Three in a series on Squarespace SEO. I have so many tips to share on the subject that it would have been crazy to put it all in one article! There are many misconceptions about Squarespace SEO which is why I’m going to dedicate a few posts to this topic.

To view all posts in the Squarespace SEO Series, click here.

SEO is an ongoing process and every little bit counts, no matter how inconsequential it might seem at the time. Think of SEO like the building blocks that create a stronger foundation for your website over time. Worth it, am I right?

There are many SEO strategies and approaches (like blogging and connecting your website to Google Search Console) that will have a positive effect on your website's rankings in search results. In today's article, we are going to outline the hands-on ways you can set up your Squarespace website for SEO. These are actionable steps you can take (today!) that will improve your performance in search results and how your website is displayed to visitors on the internet. Let's get right to it!

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