Business Archives - Lafayette Louisiana Website Design

Stay on Top of Your Insta-game with These New Features

Nearly ten years ago, a new social media platform entered the scene, entirely geared towards the fast-scrolling, low attention span browsing we’ve all become accustomed to. Ten years later, Instagram is beginning to revolutionize the way people shop online. Giving birth to “Social Influencers” and sponsored ad content, Instagram is an increasingly useful tool for businesses. Instagram, which is now owned by Facebook, is now rolling out new features to help eCommerce shops realize their full potential.

Ensure that your business stays current with these new trends and features rolling out to Instagram in 2019.

Instagram Shopping Carts

What was almost certainly inevitable is the leap from browsing to buying. What was once a delicate process of enticing potential buyers and then directing them off of Instagram and into your shopping cart is now becoming a straightforward process. Slowly rolling out with a few accounts, Instagram is beginning to allow users to complete the check out process within the app itself. In-app purchasing has enormous potential to revolutionize the way influencers sell to their customers. Now instead of having to direct customers to their bios or links in the comments, they can instantly sell to their followers right there in the app. Expect the availability of Shopping Carts on Instagram to expand rapidly in the next year.

Shoppable Tags

On Instagram, there are Creators or Influencers whom brands use to push their products through various sponsorships. These Creators have previously been pigeonholed into linking click-through sites in comments and bio descriptions. Now, Instagram is rolling out Shoppable Tags. Creators can now tag a product in a photo or post and have that tag link directly to the website for purchasing information. Pushing viewers directly through to the site will exponentially decrease purchasing time and increase conversion rates from Instagram.

Share Posts in Stories

Finally, the feature everyone has been asking for: You are now able to share posts on Instagram in your Story. No more screenshots! This new feature is perfect for businesses owners with an eCom store. Now you can share users posting about your products directly to your Story. All you have to do is select the “Create a story with the post” option from the dropdown menu within the airplane button. And that’s it! Viewers can now tap on your shared post story and be linked directly back to the original user’s post. Your users get publicity, and you get free referrals!

Polling in Stories

Now creating a user poll is easier than ever. With built-in quiz stickers, you can now add multiple choice options to your stories for instant customer feedback. You will now be able to A/B test your customers in real time and see just what their opinions of your products are. Interactivity is endless with this feature. Imagine you’re a boutique which is going to buy clothes at a trade show. You can now instantly poll your customers and see which styles they would prefer.

Donations

With crowdfunding and cause-based marketing becoming more and more popular, Instagram is adding a way to raise money directly in the app. With Donation stickers for stories, you can create a button that directly links viewers to donate. These donations will go right to the designated nonprofit you have selected. There is also the option of viewing how many donations users have given.

Creator Profile

Instagram is now getting into the business page game with Creator Profiles. These profile pages will give analytics on engagement, demographics, and viewing stats allowing businesses to know exactly how their influencer sponsorships are being utilized. Ultimately, this new feature may be the most important in a long time as it will allow businesses to shop for their best CPC advertising dollars when looking into influencers. It will also enable top influencers to charge more accurately with the statistics to back it up. One of the more useful features for Creators will be the DM (or direct message) filtering, which automatically sorts by relevance. Now you will be able to see who is contacting you for what reason without having to sift through unwanted messages.

Hiding Likes

Perhaps the most controversial and game-changing feature is the ability to now hide the number of likes a picture has gotten. The owner can see the running total, but viewers cannot. Hiding likes is all in an attempt to decrease the competitive nature and give way to a more authentic service. The goal is to diminish viewer judgment of photos based on their amount of likes and more on the content of the post.

Whether these changes will dramatically impact the future of Instagram and online marketing remains to be seen. Some of the new features are in beta testing and only on select accounts with 10k+ followers. In the coming months, we will see them be rolled out more widely or adapted as feedback from Creators rolls in. For all the latest Social Media Marketing and for advice in running your campaigns, contact Lafayette LA Website Design at 337-223-3305.

Things to Know Before Launching a Successfully Monetized Website

Flower shop business owner working service

One of the most exciting steps for any new business owner is when their website finally goes live. Having an effective website can make or break your business. Launching the website is only half the battle, turning it into a successful part of your business is another animal. Perhaps the most crucial part of a new site is having a solid content strategy to build your brand authority. These are some of the most critical steps you can take before launching to monetize your website.

Choosing the right Web Developer and Hosting to give you the freedom to modify your website.

At Lafayette Louisiana Website Design, we pride ourselves on giving our clients the tools to succeed. No one knows your business as well as you do. By building websites using WordPress, it allows clients to easily edit and create webpages and blog posts on their own without having to rely on external help. Of course, having a helping hand when you get stuck on the technical side is always important. It’s so user-friendly that over 30% of the internet uses WordPress as their websites content management system (CMS).

We supply you with the tools and methodologies to make changes to your website, but we also make sure everything is to code and won’t penalize you on Google. Some clients don’t want to bother with the technical details of their website. For those clients, we can create pages for you and even have industry-leading content developers for solving your writer’s block.

What is your company’s purpose?

Defining your purpose is the first step in creating a clear marketing plan that is clearly defined. Your marketing strategy should strengthen your company’s brand, and authentically relates to customers’ needs. Through sharing your experiences and beliefs as a company, you establish a personal connection with your audience that shares similar experiences.

Defining your brand is a critical step in developing your Mission Statement, and will make developing a marketing strategy ten times easier. Your brand builds trust with your viewers and will ultimately drive them to become customers. Conveying your purpose through your Mission Statement is the best way to set your company apart from the competition. How does your business affect the lives of your customers? How are you achieving your company’s purpose? These are all things to consider when writing a Mission Statement.

Affiliate marketing is the easiest way to begin monetizing your site.

Wouldn’t it be great to have your website make money for you without having to sell your actual products or services? Well, that’s the beauty of Affiliate marketing! The most common way to begin affiliate marketing is to write about the services and products that you enjoy. If readers of your blog then purchase the services or products through an affiliate link, you get a commission.

The best part? It doesn’t cost anything to get started! Businesses everywhere want you to write about and recommend their products. It’s a genuine and low effort way for them to advertise. Some companies are willing to pay big money for those endorsements. We spoke about your company’s purpose. Keep in mind the purpose of the company you are affiliating with to align with their brand values.

Affiliate marketing income can be earned without having to work hard to make the sale. All you need is to have a decent following and convince them of why a product is worth buying. As you grow your audience, so will the income you earn on the purchases they make. Just be sure to keep reliable records of your click-throughs and viewer numbers.

Email Marketing is a delicate balancing act, but getting it right can yield great results.

Typically, email marketing is a way for businesses to turn their viewers into frequent returning customers. It’s the perfect way to launch a new product or promote sales to drive more customers to your website. Before email marketing can work for you, you have to build up a subscriber list. There are numerous ways to begin building your list. You could advertise with a newsletter link in the footer of your website, a popup when they first view your blog, promotional giveaways and free giveaways upon signup.

Giving your subscribers useful and relevant information is the best way to build your brand loyalty. You will slowly begin to convert casual readers into loyal followers who trust your expertise.

Startups have to have a growth model if they want to level up to monetizing their site. With these critical factors in mind, you can develop a strategy to earn money through the content you write. Have an end goal in mind. Prepare for your inevitable following by being ready to implement the conversion methods mentioned above. These steps will ultimately lead to success in reaching your long term monetization goals.

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Curating Your Blog and Catering to Google

Creative writing and inspirational ideas

With so many acronyms and buzzwords in online marketing, it’s hard to keep track. Get ready to learn a new one because E-A-T is becoming more and more important in Google’s algorithm. E-A-T stands for expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. These three factors are essential to building your Google Search ranking. It is no longer “if you build it, they will come.” With so much competition online, Google has put more weight on the reliability of the content’s source.

You should be incorporating these tenents into your content strategy if you plan on climbing to the top. Google has emphasized delivering the most relevant content to the search intent, but now is beginning to focus on delivering more accurate content to searchers. With so much misinformation out there, it’s possible for search results to provide inaccurate and potentially harmful information to users searching for health advice. That’s why positioning yourself as a reliable expert in your field will benefit your ranking. E-A-T is how Google plans on enriching the search experience for everyone.

If your website offers psychological, health, or financial advice, E-A-T is essential for you to understand.

One critical criterion Google reviews when looking at a website’s reliability is the credentials of the author of the content. They want to see who wrote the article and it needs to be easy to find. The author of your blog should have a link to their profile using data that tells Google about the author. Make it easy for web crawlers to find the author’s name and information on other websites where they might have other works.

Expertise

Being an expert in your field means that you are incredibly knowledgable in your particular area. Having expertise does not necessarily mean that Google will see you as an expert. You have to prove that through credentials and reputation. Being able to show receipts of your knowledge is what will give you credence and drive traffic to your blog. You not only have to communicate and instruct others based on that knowledge effectively but also know what your audience is precisely searching for and what will help them.

For example, if you’re targetting users who are new to your industry, then your content should not include a lot of technical terms. You should also be incredibly descriptive and instructional, so your new readers can easily understand your content. Consider using visual aids, such as graphics and video, so that your content is easily digested and keeps your audience’s attention. Be prepared to answer further questions that might logically arise after reading your content. A quick link can keep your readers engaged and increase your conversions.

Authority

Expertise is only the beginning. To build domain authority, it takes networking and backlinks to your site from other reputable bloggers. When more people cite you as a source of knowledge, it gives you more authority. Google then views you as having priority over other content providers. Links are fantastic, but mentions can be just as effective. When news outlets or high-quality links mention you in their content, it gives your site more authority.

Shared content is also the sign of a website with increasing authority. When it’s retweeted, followed, and shared authentically, your reach and expertise are recognized as an authority in your industry. The more people search for your particular company, the more the specific keywords you would like to rank for are associated with your company. This will increase your likelihood to rank for those terms.

Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness is the newest trend in Google algorithms. Proving that you’re trustworthy can be difficult. Without it, your rankings will suffer, and you will be heavily penalized by Google. How does Google judge your trustworthiness? Usually by your customer satisfaction. This means your reputation management needs to be on point if you hope to rank highly. When you receive a negative comment online, you should address the situation proactively and hopefully get the feedback removed or managed.

Conversely, receiving positive reviews and comments gives your domain more trustworthiness. Especially when those reviews are on reputable sources from verified customers. Several factors go into your trustworthiness score, including contact information, physical locations, secure domains, clearly defined policies, and conditions, to name a few.

Key factors in maintaining your E-A-T

With specific health-based industries, your E-A-T is essential in ranking on Google. Google doesn’t want to recommend search results that could potentially harm searchers. They have taken the responsibility of providing searchers with accurate information. That’s why following the E-A-T framework will keep your company clean in the eyes of Google and help you rank for quality terms in your industry.

Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint to the top. While you may want to quickly rank, it will take dedication and honesty. The days of overnight rankings are long gone, and keyword stuffing will no longer do the trick. Your website is a living breathing thing, and you need to cultivate it if you want it to grow. Putting in hard work will result in stable, reliable rankings that will ensure your placement.

For more information on blogging and reputation management, contact Lafayette Louisiana Website Design today at 337-223-3305 now.

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Why Planning Out the Intent of Your Text Impacts Your SEO

Ceo Writing Business Emails On Laptop In Office

When writing content for your website, it’s essential to think about plenty of factors. Style, length, keywords, and emotion are key components to consider. However, one often overlooked, and a necessary part of the content writing process is the intent of your copy. Without defining the goal of your content, your website will lack focus and potentially miss the mark when it comes to customer acquisition. What is the main purpose behind your text? What do you want your readers to know? Finding the answer to these questions before you start writing can not only improve the quality of your work but will help you understand what to write and where to begin.

Typically, all content revolves around three primary intents: to inform, to persuade, or to entertain. The informative text is used as an educational tool for your audience. Persuasive copy is used to convince your readers to buy a product or service, or to achieve a particular goal. Entertainment copy is used to evoke emotion out of your viewers. It’s possible for your content to have elements of all three intentions.

What are your long term goals in writing content?

Think about what you would like for your content. What is your motivation behind writing for your business? Consider these long-term goals before you begin writing anything. It’s important not to lose sight of your goals as you continue writing. Blogging is an ongoing process, and it’s easy to lose focus months or even a year after starting to blog.

Let’s take, for example, this blog. At Lafayette Louisiana Website Design, we blog to keep our readers informed and ultimately to drive new traffic and business to our website. We are building trust with our readers. As a source of knowledge, we want our clients to know that we can be trusted and we are up-to-date on all the latest website trends. We hope that with enough trust, we will eventually convert readers into clients.

Why Search Engines are Taking Search Intent Seriously

One of the most significant new ranking factors is the user’s search intent. The intent is if your content is relevant to what they meant to look up, not necessarily what they did look up. It’s important that the user that finds your page is reading what they intended to search. Otherwise, they will not stay around your website very long. You want the right readers for the correct articles with the right intent.

If you’re looking to build your online reputation and links to improve your search ranking, the intent of your copy is essential. To entice other sites to link to your content, it should be informative and entertaining more than persuasive. The shareability of informative or entertainment content is nearly double that of persuasive copy.

Informative Content

Consider what you know the most about your business. Your area of expertise is the perfect source of knowledge to share with your readers. It’s that kind of insider information that will build trust between yourself and your viewers. Even with a wealth of knowledge, it’s essential to do your research before writing an informative text. This research will help you when deciding what to write and give you sources to fall back on should you need help.

Persuasive Content

Often the most challenging copy to write, you need to walk a fine line between selling your services and authentically appealing to your readers. Sometimes your viewers aren’t even in the market to buy the product you are trying to sell. That makes persuasive text especially tricky to write. Many methods produce good results. Focus on using emotion and some information to aid in your goal of selling. Use positive language as well as personalizing your copy to appeal directly to your customers.

Entertaining Content

Typically entertaining content is either funny or sad. Be it a cute story about one of your clients, or a viral video that is making the rounds. It takes practice to write entertaining content effectively. It’s an entirely different writing style to informative or persuasive speech. It’s informal, and it can be challenging for the humor to translate. Use exaggerations and over the top expressions to help lighten your text. Sarcasm and witty humor can also be useful when writing entertaining copy.

Stay Focused!

With these tips in mind, it should be a lot easier to begin writing for a blog or webpage. Focus on your readers intent, your business’s goals, and the style of writing, and you are already ahead of the game. For blog management and content writing, contact Lafayette Louisiana Website Design today! 337 223 3305

Social Media Management’s Increasing Popularity and How It Can Help Your Business Grow

Social Media has taken over the way people interact with one another. It’s gone beyond just a fad for young children and has become the catalyst for reconnecting and staying connected with friends. As the world becomes more social online, so will the demand for companies to be present and available to their customers. It is projected that social media management will increase in the labor force 10% in the next five years.

Social media is a lot to manage. Even with the vast field of platforms out there, new ones are popping up daily. Staying current requires an ever-evolving social media strategy with conversion marketing. Because it is so difficult to measure the success of social media activity, it’s hard to put a price on exactly how much you need to invest in your strategy. Without a precise dollar figure to their efforts, most companies relegate Social Media to an intern or people without expertise in the field. Without the proper marketing experience, these Social Media Managers aren’t equipped with the knowledge to lead a successful marketing campaign.

The best social media accounts provide a professional, branded look that their customers expect and appreciate. It is essential that all the imagery and content is reflective of your company’s identity and message. Social Media can be both an introduction to and a reminder of your services to your customers. There are several key skills that go into perfect Social Media Management. Let’s dive into the most important skills that you need.

Copywriting

Headlines should be the cornerstone of your social media. They grab the reader’s attention, promote, and inform all at the same time. It’s important to adapt the content to each platform. Instagram is typically more relaxed and informal, while LinkedIn’s audience is business related, and should be more professional. Copywriting is important because it represents your company. Generic and plagiarized content is damaging to your brand. It’s important to maintain a similar message throughout all of your social media. Social media is a conversation with your customers; it’s essential that the person having the conversation with them is the best equipt to represent your company.

Media

Some of the most popular Social Media platforms are now entirely visual. With Instagram and Snapchat, it’s imperative to have a solid design background when managing a company’s social media account. The most effective social media utilizes graphics or video to relay their message to their customers. In the world of constant-scrolling, having an impactful image that a viewer stops on is key. Statistics show that posts with a visual component perform on average 50% more than posts without.

News Curating

A small percentage of your Social Media needs to be relevant information that your customers appreciate. We recommend mixing unique original content with shared informative content for an impactful social media account. This requires someone with the knowledge to be able to find relevant information that will stay ahead of industry trends. Your Social Media Manager should be aware of the latest trending topics and news stories so you can capitalize on high-traffic hashtags and keywords. Your Social Media is an extension of your Public Relations. If someone without training is sharing articles, they could potentially damage your brand and worse, alienate your customers.

Customer Service

One of the key components of any Social Media account is the ability to talk to customers and quickly resolve or minimize any negative comments. This skill comes with proper customer service training. It’s possible that your customers will ask your social media questions or give complaints about their service, and your Social Media Manager needs to be prepared to best answer each scenario. If properly managed, your reviews and comments on your social media accounts can lead to customers choosing you over your competitors.

Drive Traffic

One of the main benefits of Social Media is to drive traffic to your website. With a solid strategy, you can quickly convert new followers into new customers. Think of Social Media as the beginning of your conversation and your website as the sales manager. The more effectively you can push people from your social media to your website, the easier you will convert sales.

How Social Media Management Can Positively Impact Your Company

Social Media can be the face of your company before your potential customers even reach your website. As such, it’s important to have a competent and reaching social media strategy. Do not leave your company’s first impression in the hands of someone inexperienced with Online Marketing. Contact Lafayette Louisiana Website Design today to develop your company’s Social Media Strategy today! 337-223-3305

The 10 Biggest Website Blunders

People ask me all the time, what should I change on my website? Because of this, I have compiled what I believe to be the ten biggest blunders your website is currently making. 1. Lack of Social Media strategy. You may not realize this but your website and social media should go hand in hand. […]

How a Website Company in Lafayette Keeps Sites Responsibly Responsive

Castille Mortgage Company Website Design

For Lafayette Louisiana Web Developers, and developers around the world, the web is changing. A Website Company in Lafayette needs to be just as innovative as those around the globe when it comes to keeping up with the latest trends. With Google’s new algorithm taking mobile sites into account, it’s now more essential than ever for websites […]

Lafayette Louisiana Websites with Upfront Fair Pricing

No, it’s not a gimmick. We’re talented artists with a passion for helping businesses see their full potential. We work within the parameters of your budget to give you the biggest bang for your buck. We’ll give you all of the options, our recommendations, and in the end we’ll help you receive what you need […]

Why Blogging is Vital to Your Website’s Success

We see this scenario over and over again. Business owners invest in a gorgeous website and expect customers to come flocking to their store. The fact of the matter is, that without a proper marketing strategy, SEO plan, or anything engaging on the site; it’s not setup for success. We like to use the analogy of […]

Happy Mardi Gras from Web Design Lafayette LA!

February means different things for different people. For some it’s hunting for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, for others it’s the end of football season. While all big February events are notable, the biggest thing on the minds of every Louisianian is the heart of carnival season. Whether you’re going to a Mardi Gras ball, watching […]