by admin | Jan 1, 2023 | Uncategorized
We’ve all heard the advice that every business these days needs a website; if nothing else but as a digital business card that tells people how to contact you. But if all your website does is tell people what you do and how they can contact you, you’re missing out.
Your website can (and should be) your online sales office. It can do much more than simply tell people who you are, it can start potential clients on the journey to becoming a customer. It can also turn people off-in the same way a rude sales assistant may put off a customer, a badly designed website may make people assume what you do isn’t high quality, either.
In this article, we’ll guide you through what you need to do to make your website do some of the hard work for you and start winning you clients. While we’re going to be using examples for homebuilders in this article, the principles apply to any business.
3 Tips to Ensure Your Website Works for You (Not Against You)
1. Make Sure Everything is Up-to-Date
Don’t skip over this point! You may think you keep everything up-to-date on your website, but do you really? Does it take you a week or two to make changes?There’s a difference between making updating your website a priority when something changes and getting around to it in the next week or so.
Remember that your website is a sales office that’s open 24/7-that’s powerful, but that also means you can’t afford to put off simple updates. When you sell a lot in anew community, make sure you update your website as soon as possible or you may end up with disappointed potential customers.
Similarly, if the pricing of something changes, get it updated ASAP. Whether someone’s looking to buy a home or a coffee table, they’ll have a budget in mind that may not be flexible. If they ask about a home that has increased in price and they can’t afford it, they’re at best going to feel annoyed and embarrassed at worst.
2. Be User-Friendly
The user experience (UX) your website offers will directly impact how a website visitor thinks about your company. If your user interface (UI) is clunky and outdated or they can’t find the information they’re looking for, they’ll think your business operates the same way. Remember, first impressions matter, and that goes online as well as off.
If you’re not sure how your website is performing when it comes to UX or UI, or you are aware it doesn’t match the outstanding customer experience your company offers, we can help. We’re experts in UX and UI design and can ensure your website gives users the seamless experience they’re looking for. (Click here to find out more.)
3. Be Upfront with the Information You Provide
Try to provide as much information as you can on your website that will help a potential customer decide whether or not they’re interested in buying from you. This is not about telling them everything all in one go (which can be overwhelming), but thinking strategically about the questions and answers your clients typically have before they buy from you.
If you are constantly getting emails about the same things, it may be information worth making available on your site. What you don’t want to do is make people feel like you’re only withholding information to get them to contact you. For example, withholding a price for properties you’re selling and asking people to reach out to find out.
If you don’t want to put a single guide price, put a range. Suggesting that a property of their desired type either starts at $350,000 or ranges from $350,000-$450,000 will give people the information they need to decide whether or not they are in a position to buy. Adding information like this also shows you have nothing to hide, which will make you more trustworthy.
There are a lot of factors that go into ensuring your website is the ideal 24/7 online sales office, but if you get these 3 right, you’ll find your website creates more leads and helps potential customers trust you well before they ever make contact with you.If you need a little extra help getting your website to that point, we’d be glad to help.
by admin | Jan 1, 2023 | Uncategorized
If you’ve read a business article, watched a video made by a creative, or spoken to anyone with a business in the last few years, you’ll know about the importance of branding. The online world means there is more competition than ever, and branding is no longer just something for large corporations to think about; it’s relevant for everyone.
But what is branding when it comes to an individual or small business? Let’s find out.
What is personal branding?
Branding is a wide umbrella under which falls things like color schemes, web design, logos, language, personality, and values. To most, branding is something reserved for a product, company, or association. We think of the famous golden arches of McDonald’s and the white Apple logo with its sleek, minimalistic product and website design.
But if you’re a service provider or a creative, you need branding, too! Creating a personal brand strengthens your business by making it clear that you’re the go-to person in your realm. Your brand as a musician, content creator, or small business owner declares who you are and what customers can expect from you.
4 Reasons Why Personal Branding Can Help Your Business
- It builds consistency which cultivates trust. When a client knows exactly what to expect from your business, they’re more likely to trust you with their custom again and again. Your branding ensures they know what to expect from you – whether that’s motivational speeches or high-quality modern furniture design.
- It helps you stand out from your competitors in a saturated market. Since so much of any business’s presence is represented online these days, you need to stand out from the competition – which is often global. Imagine you are trying to choose between two interior designers; would you contact the one whose website is just a portfolio and you don’t know anything about them other than their name, or the designer who is always friendly and available to answer questions on social media? Almost certainly the latter.
- It shows your authenticity. A person or company that consistently projects the same aesthetic and values comes across as more genuine and legitimate. This ties in with the first point as it works to develop a trusting network of clients and peers. Your personal brand can be more honest and open than a company’s brand, meaning you may share personal stories as a way to connect with your customers.
- It leads to better networking and more business generation. Business is inherently competitive, but by establishing a clear personal brand, you can make yourself seen in a way unique to you. Many of your peers may be as educated and experienced as you, but if you’re the person putting yourself out there as an authority in your industry, people will be drawn to you over them.
How do you create a personal brand?
Creating a personal brand shouldn’t be much different than creating one for your business – and indeed, most of the time they may be the same. Your business may be named after you or you may simply represent it. Regardless, your personal brand gives people a face and an anchor point. It’s much easier to know, like, and trust someone than it is a faceless brand.
Ultimately, creating a personal brand is all about demonstrating who you are and why you’re the best person for the job. Prospective clients want to know who you are, so it’s always a good idea to be authentic and honest about what you stand for.
Is it time to give your brand a refresh?
It’s the start of a brand new year, so now is a great time to consider rebranding or updating your current brand. If you need a little help in the branding department, Pixel Parfait has got you covered! We can assist you with branding creation, social media management, blogging, and email marketing, so why not schedule a free consultation today?
by admin | Dec 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
Thinking about how to plan your 2023 marketing strategy? The good news is thinking about your marketing now will set you up for success in the coming year, but we know it can be time-consuming and overwhelming for many small businesses. Today, we’re going to share some of our top tips and best practices so you can go into 2023 feeling confident about your marketing plan.
How to Plan Your 2023 Marketing Strategy
1. Plan in advance
We know, that’s what you’re trying to do now, but we mean you need to be specific.It’s all too common to create an overarching plan in the early months of the year, only to never look at it again or just use it as a vague guide.
Make sure you get specific about your plans. If you’re going to run a huge BlackFriday sale, start putting concrete plans in place 1-6 months beforehand. Even small sales should be planned a month ahead so you’ve got time to create assets, streamline processes, and get your audience excited about it.
2. Have a clear brand
Your marketing has to stand on the foundation of your brand, and we’re not just talking about the colors of your logo here. Your fonts, colors, tone of voice, and more need to be aligned and consistent in all your marketing efforts. (Learn more about what branding you need here.)
If your branding isn’t cohesive, prospective customers will get the impression that you don’t know what you’re doing, or you may even end up turning off your ideal customer. Review your branding now and consider if you need to do a brand overhaul before 2023 starts in earnest. (If you need help defining your branding, we can help.)
3. Set SMART goals
Set goals for your marketing and make them SMART-that’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When you’re setting goals for the year ahead, for the quarter, or for a single campaign, make sure your goals meet these criteria. For example, instead of “increase sales”, your goal should look more like,“increase sales by 10% in Q1 and Q2 of 2023.
4. Set a budget
Do you set a clear budget for marketing campaigns and advertising? It’s all too easy for small businesses to tweak their budget up or down depending on how the business’s finances are doing, but to determine if a marketing campaign is really working, you need to be consistent. Stick to your budget unless you have a really good reason not to (such as you realize you set the budget too low or an ad is working well and you want to try scaling it up).
5. Delegate
Whether you’re the only team member or you’ve got a team of 100, there’s no reason any one person should be doing all the work. If you’re doing all the marketing, make sure you’re not becoming overwhelmed and starting to drop some of the balls you’re juggling. Outsourcing is a great way to get small jobs done without the expense of a full-time hire.
January is a great time to reassess where you are so you can move forward with confidence. Whether your brand needs some work, your website needs an overhaul, or you need some support with your marketing, Pixel Parfait is here to help. To find out more or to contact us for a free consultation, click here.
by admin | Nov 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
It’s that time of year when we reflect on all the things we’re thankful for and this year(like every year!) we’re incredibly thankful for our marketing partners. We’re fortunate to have cultivated a group of marketing partners that are great to work with and value the same best practices and ethics we do. So, what are the things we value most? Let’s gush a little more.
5 Things We Value in Our Marketing Partners
1) Staying on Top of Their Industry & Technology
We love businesses that don’t accept “good enough,” but instead strive to stay at the forefront of their industry and aren’t afraid to experiment with new ideas to lead the pack. They don’t let the necessities slip; they keep their website and social media profiles up-to-date and are running their own race, not simply trying to keep up with their competition.
2) They Value Social Media Management
We adore businesses that understand the value of social media management and the power consistency and connection on social media platforms can have for their businesses. Our marketing partners understand that social media management isn’t just about freeing up their time but putting their social media presence in the hands of experts. (Find out more about how social media management can add value to your business here.)
3) They Value Their Website
Our marketing partners understand that their website isn’t just an online placeholder or business card; they understand that their website is their online home and can be a powerful tool for capturing new leads and connecting with clients. They keep their website up-to-date and ensure it always accurately represents their company so clients feel confident when they work with them.
(If you haven’t recently reviewed your website, make sure you’re not making any of these 5 scary mistakes!)
4) They Value Good Branding
We value businesses that understand the power of good branding and in using their branding across all channels. They have a defined color palette and 3 or so chosen fonts and they use them everywhere. They understand that being instantly recognizable to customers breeds trust and so they won’t settle for an off-brand image, color, or font on any medium. They review their branding regularly to check that it’s still aligned with their goals and the customers they want to serve.
(What branding do you really need? Find out here.)
5) They Share Our Values
Our marketing partners share our values and ethics, which makes us the perfect match for working with one another. They understand that without integrity, they won’t develop a long-standing and faithful customer base, and without honesty, there will always be a level of disconnect between them and their clients.They value humility and don’t blow their own horn without numerous successes that show why they’re one of the top businesses in their industry. Our marketing partners are people-first businesses, valuing their employees, partners, and customers, and truly care about their well-being.
(Want to learn more about us? Click here.)
Our marketing partners make it a pleasure to get up every day and come to work for these reasons and for that, we’d like to say thank you! We truly value you and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. If you are not yet one of our marketing partners and are worried you don’t yet meet these values, don’t be! That’s exactly what we’re here for. You can find out more about us and schedule a free consultation here.
by admin | Oct 1, 2022 | Graphics, Web, Web Design
In an era in which everyone heads to Google before making any decision, your website is absolutely critical to the success of your business. Your website is often the first touchpoint for a potential customer and those first few seconds they spend on your website will dictate whether they stick around or hit the back button and move on.
In other words, having a well-designed and well-maintained website is not just something that’s good to have, it’s something you need. A website serves to establish your unique selling point, your brand voice, and the value you have to offer your customer, regardless of the type of work you do.
If you’re wondering if your website is doing everything it should be, you’re in the right place. Read on as we look at five avoidable mistakes you might be making.
5 Common (Yet Preventable!) Web Design Errors
- Not conveying your value above the fold: The first sight a visitor sees when they load up your website is incredibly important, and it’s your first opportunity to tell them that they’re exactly where they need to be. Your website should tell them exactly what they can expect from you the moment it loads, they shouldn’t have to scroll down or click through to another page. Give them a short, snappy statement about what you can do for them with attractive, on-brand graphics.
- Not having a clear CTA: Do visitors know what action you want them to take when they land on your site? You should make it extremely easy for visitors to get in touch, and have one clear action you want them to take. Do you want them to buy, schedule a call, or sign up? Make it clear and put a button in your header so they can do it as soon as they decide they’re ready to contact or buy from you.
- Not branding fonts: As a business owner, you have a lot on your mind, and typeface might not seem like it should be at the top of your list. But lots of different fonts will make you look unorganized and undecided, and visitors are far less likely to stick around if your site features too much information crammed into one page because they need information that’s easy to scan. Make sure all text is legible (not too small!) and stick to a maximum of three fonts.
- Too many popups (especially too early): When it comes to website browsing, very few things are as irritating as being bombarded with invitations to join a mailing list, accept cookies, receive a discount on your first order, and answer a few marketing questions. One pop-up is enough when someone loads onto your site – ideally, you should have a delay on any popups so they only show up after a visitor has shown interest in your site, such as being there for 10 seconds or more.
- Not making your website mobile-friendly: With more people using their phones as their primary devices than ever before, your site must be accessible on mobile. Google favors businesses with mobile-friendly websites on search engine results pages which ranks them better than websites that aren’t mobile-responsive. In other words, a mobile-friendly website will provide visitors with a better experience and help you show up higher in the search results!
Of course, there are plenty of other mistakes people make in terms of web design, and if you’re still unsure how to manage your company’s website, we’re here to help. We can help you with your branding (yes, you need it! Find out why here), website design, copywriting, and everything else that goes into making your online presence one that attracts your ideal customer. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with our talented design team, click here.
