How much do your services cost?
Prices vary for website design, development, and online marketing, depending on the scale and scope of your project. We'll work with you to understand your needs and budget and come up with a plan that will benefit your business. Whether you need a one-time Facebook consultation or need to create a full e-commerce website from scratch, we're happy to help.
Website Design and Development
What is "mobile responsive" and why is it important?
It's no secret that more and more Internet users are going straight to their mobile devices rather than using a laptop or tablet for searches. Because of this increased mobile traffic, Google is giving priority to websites that are mobile-friendly. A responsive website is easier to navigate and automatically adjusts elements such as image sizes. Test your site's responsiveness by viewing it from your mobile device (compare to this one, ISOC.net, to see the difference if you're not sure). If you have to zoom in and scroll around to see a single page then it's time to update your website, and we can help.
What is a sitemap?
A sitemap is a guide that shows all of the links within a specific website. It can be used by site visitors to find the content or pages they're looking for. It is also beneficial for search engines, which recognize the page names and links, adding to the likelihood that your website will show up higher in search engines. To see a sitemap example, click here and view ours.
What's ADA?
Part of the American Disabilities Act ensures that technology such as websites and e-readers are accessible to people with disabilities. For example, websites are compliant if they can be read by a machine that helps a blind person access the Internet.
What is a CMS?
CMS stands for Content Management System. WordPress is one of the most well-known CMS software programs available. We also offer WebMate, which has additional customizable features. Both systems allow you to create and manage online content.
Can’t I get a WordPress site for free?
Yes, you can use a free Word Press site. Note that the free version lacks the capabilities, customization, e-commerce, upgrades, and other benefits that you'll want to use for a professional website. If you choose to have ISOCNET build your paid version (click here for more details about our Website Development services), you'll have a bounty of options and features to use, all of which make your website stand out amongst the competition.
Will I have input and the final say on the website design?
Yes. We'll have conversations about the direction of your project, as well as offer you visuals in the beginning so that you can decide on aspects such as the color palette, theme, etc. Additional charges could be accrued if continual changes are made, but rest assured that we'll work with you every step of the way to ensure that you're highly satisfied with the website design.
What’s the difference between website design and website development?
Website design includes work such as updating an existing site (images, fonts, colors, links, etc.) or creating pages such as blogs or downloads. Website development is more involved, as it includes aspects such as developing your website goals, incorporating e-commerce elements, and adding interactive tools. We're passionate about discovering your needs and then fulfilling them by building custom sites that are developed specifically for your business and your goals.
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Engagement
What is online engagement and why is it important?
It's not enough to simply have visitors come to your website and browse, then leave. We track online engagement by determining what your website visitors (i.e., potential customers) do when they visit your site and then use that information to make changes that will invite them to stay and become a paying customer. Our goal is to have users engage with your content by clicking through to order your products or services, complete a form, share your content or any other action that will result in more business for you.
What is a conversion?
A conversion can mean different things to different people: it's essentially the moment that your website visitor does what you want them to do. This includes completing a form, signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or any other action that you can measure.
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Search Engines
What is Hummingbird?
Google updates its algorithms to continually make it easier for people to find relevant content online. Hummingbird came into effect in 2013. It takes into consideration user intent, rather than only keywords.
How can my site be found in Google?
A variety of tactics must be used to make it easy for users to find your website when doing a search for your business or your services. Optimizing images, including descriptive and accurate text/content, keeping the site up to date with current information, building links, directing traffic via social media and email, and making it mobile-responsive are some ways to make your website stand out to users and to Google.
How important are keywords?
Keywords are important, but today it's more important than ever to focus on having content that your potential customers are looking for. Although it's a good practice to have keywords included on your site, Google is beginning to recognize user intent over specific phrases in order to make it easier for searchers to truly find the relevant information they're looking for.
Is SEO really "dead?"
SEO isn't dead, although Google is constantly looking for ways to make it more difficult for poor websites to work the system and make it easier for quality sites to come up first in searches. Each algorithm brings new rules to the table and changes the best practices that web creators have been following.
What is a meta description? What is metadata?
A meta description is a short sentence that you can add to the backend of each page on your website. This sentence is what appears in a preview when users do a search and your website comes up. It's important that the meta description is concise (about 160 characters), accurately describes what viewers will find when they click on your link, and also entices them to want to click through.
Metadata is slightly different, in that it is completely behind the scenes, such as images and files with specific names that aid in searches.
How important are local business listings?
These are what come up when you do an Internet search for a local business, such as your neighborhood bakery or dry cleaners. By updating your business's listings on search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing, you make it easier for people in your area to find and contact you for your services or products. The business listing will usually provide a map to your location, a phone number, business hours, company logo, and other important details.
What is a keyword variant?
There was a time when only exact keyword matches were targeted by SEOs but as Internet searches evolve, so do best practices. A keyword variant is a slight variation of the main keyword, and it's important to include the variants for simple reasons, such as the use of different semantics.
Do image names really make a difference to online searches? What about the image size?
Image names are part of your website's metadata, which helps tell search engines what your site is about. They also help your content come up when a user does a Google image search, for example. The image size is important as well; while a visually pleasing website is ideal, it's a good idea to compress images so that your site load time remains as short as possible.
How important is my page load time?
Internet users expect instant results, and one way to accomplish this is by decreasing your page load time with smaller/compressed images. Having a short page load time also helps put your website toward the top of the search lists and keeps your bounce rate from skyrocketing if impatient users click away.
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Analytics
What is Google Analytics and why do I need it?
Google Analytics provides you with almost everything you need in order to understand your online audience and how they're using your websites. Use this resources to learn how many people visit your site, which pages are most/least popular based on sessions and length of time, where the traffic comes from, what devices and operating systems your audience is using, and more. All of this information can inform what changes you can and should make to your website, and even your business.
Why should I set up Google WebMaster Tools?
With Google WebMaster Tools, you can communicate with Google to get support for your website, as well as access resources and courses to help you better understand how to make a successful site. These tools also give you insight into how Google views your website and how you can improve your ranking.
How do I set up Google Analytics?
Setting up a Google Analytics account is easy and it's crucial to understanding how users are engaging with your website. To set it up and start tracking your statistics, create and sign in to your Analytics account. You'll be given a code that you'll add to your website, and from there you'll be able to access deep levels of information that will help you improve your site. Visit Google's Analytics page to get started and learn more, and check out The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Google Analytics from Moz as well.
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Social Media
Which social media platform is right for my business?
With choices like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Google +, FourSquare, SnapChat, and more, there's no denying that social media can be overwhelming. The benefit of there being so many platforms is that there is at least one that is right for your business. We can guide you on which is best, where you should begin if you're new to social media, and teach you how to make the most of it, no matter what your budget is.
Who manages the social media profiles?
While you will retain full administration of your social media accounts, you can easily add an ISOCNET Account Manager to handle the posting, reporting, and more. You can be as hands-on or hands-off as you choose.
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Marketing
What is a competitive analysis?
Knowing your competition's strengths and weaknesses is a tool for your business's success. A competitive analysis will look at the competition's audience (size, demographics), social media presence, and other factors. Having this information can help you replicate what they're doing right and avoid their shown mistakes, as well as understand how much of their customer base should be yours and how to acquire that base.
What is online marketing?
Online marketing is an essential tool that includes practices such as having an effective, Google-friendly website, using an intelligent social media strategy, analyzing your web statistics to make positive changes for your business, communicating via e-newsletters that benefit your list, and more. Used together, these practices can help you dominate the market.
Why do I need to invest in online marketing?
Online marketing is crucial to the ongoing success and long-term health of your business. You need to have a website with basic information about your business offerings, and also need some type of social media presence. Online marketing is all about communicating to your existing customers and branching out so that new ones discover you.
What is a digital brand footprint?
Your digital brand footprint is how search engines, including Google, view your online presence. It includes the state of your website (is it mobile-responsive, for example?), social media (likes, reach, engagement, etc), the accuracy of your local business listings, and more. Having consistent branding and tone will help your business achieve a digital brand footprint that will add to the equation of getting the right customers to your website.
What is the importance of online branding?
Online branding is crucial. Your website and overall web presence may be the first impression that potential customers have when looking for the products and services you provide. An out-of-date website, unprofessional social media posts, or confusing messaging can lead customers to your competition. Avoid that by determining your brand's voice, intentions, goals, and strategy; all of which can be sealed with strong online branding.
Why do I need a Discovery Report?
A Discovery Report includes findings of your site visitors; recommendations for your site branding, structure, wireframes, and marketing; website visitor/search personae findings; and a competitive analysis. It's a resource that you'll find yourself referring back to again and again as you continually navigate the online version of understanding your current and target audience.
What is a persona?
The reason behind developing a visitor/search persona is to build a deeper understanding of your business's target influence audiences and how unique personae search online to fulfill needs related to the services and solutions you provide. Personae findings include examples of site visitors' job titles, roles, markets, and business needs. Understanding your site visitors will inform your online strategy.
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