SEO 101: Optimize your blog to draw readers

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Melanie

Is your blog and website content optimized to draw readers? Many websites include blogs, but are these blogs effective? Not so much. Most aren’t optimized for online searches because bloggers don’t realize that search engine optimization (SEO) makes a difference. They may not even know what SEO “is.” When your livelihood is affected by the effectiveness of your website and blog, it’s time to take SEO seriously.

An optimized blog
You can write blog posts or invite guest bloggers onto your site. But if the post doesn’t draw “hits” by readers through online searches, then why bother? If you want your blog to draw only a few, then your SEO isn’t an issue. However, if you want your blog to be easily searchable and widely read, then SEO matters a great deal. The point is to build your readership in a big way. Make it easy for readers to find your blog!

SEO draws readers
All websites and blogs should draw readers. Take author sites, for instance. Often I see blog posts that, from a literary standpoint, are well written. But from an optimization angle, they fail.

Most blogs posts would work well in a print publication, because they are written that way. But blogs are not “print” publications. Blogs must be optimized toward Internet traffic and online readers.

SEO 101
Because blogging and website content requires SEO, blog posts without SEO are largely invisble. If online readers search for a specific genre, editing services or advice and can’t easily find your blog or website, what’s the point?
Content writing is a blend of art form and technical application: 1.) Information and 2.) Searchable content. A good SEO content writer knows how to maximize exposure and draw readers (traffic). The key is fresh, compelling, SEO-friendly content — compelling to online traffic AND your readership. That’s SEO in a nutshell.

SEO for your blog
I’m Melanie Saxton, online editor at Hyperlinks Media. I’m a certified English teacher with a background is in magazine writing, book editing and online content writing. I view blog posts through the lens of an SEO content writer. I am trained in the art of SEO and my job is to draw readers to your blog and website. I want to make you visible online.

Need SEO guidance to draw readers?
We can help! Consult with us for ways to optimize your blog and overall online presence. Our editorial team supplies SEO and content guidance to a wide range of clients. From authors to bridal directories to medical professionals to mineral sourcing companies to automobile transport companies, and many more — we believe in your product and services. Our only goal is to elevate you visibility and draw readers. Your website matters. Your blog matters.

Get your blog noticed!
We have clients who rank at the top because they utilize our expertise. Many hire us to write their blog posts, send online newsletters (e-blasts) and research articles. Better yet, they hire us to custom build their websites, add interactive components, and optimize their web pages.

Contact us for a quote for your SEO content and editorial needs. melanie@hyperlinksmedia.com is just a click away. Our editorial and writing tutorials are fabulous. Or call 281-693-5372 for a quote.

 

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Video Production and Green Screen Technology

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Melanie

Over the last 14 years Hyperlinks Media has been building custom websites that stand out and draw traffic. Our latest services — video production and green screen technology — add that extra allure, enticing customers to visit again and again. We want your website to work hard for you!

What better way to interest customers than to offer them an interactive experience?

Your website commercial can draw customers!

Trust us to put together your website commercial! Yes, YOU can appear on your own website or we can hire a professional actor to read your script and perform for your target audience!

This exciting, affordable service elevates the effectiveness of your site! Check out our spokesmodel Ambir Horton as she describes our service. Ambir is also our Hyperlinks Media website administrator and Google AdWords Specialist.

We are pleased to offer this latest service and please feel free to check out the video and all our services.

 

 

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Using Appropriate Language

Posted on January 20, 2012 by reuel@hyperlinkswebsites.com

How you say something gives meaning to what you say. While this may seem obvious, the language within a website is so important in guiding the visitor’s experience. Using the appropriate tone in your language sets the tone for the site overall.

Many times people write their own content for their website. While this is certainly an affordable option, it usually does not prove to be effective. Hiring a professional writer to develop your content gives you an advantage against your competitors. A writer knows how to utilize language in order to best express the mood of your company. The incorrect use of language, whether it is a simple grammar error or inappropriate tone, will turn a visitor off and decrease consumer confidence in your company. Using appropriate language will give the consumer the ideal experience and impression you desire.

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Web Design Challenges

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Peter Chung

The challenges that comes with the territory of building a website, are constant obstacles that I face on a daily basis. As a web designer, I always thrive on the challenges that comes with web development, it forces me to push myself to be a better designer, to build a better product. With each website I build, I strive to build it better than the last; a more responsive inclination towards design, cleaner and more efficient codes, and an end product that has the quality to be compared to much bigger agencies and more experienced designers.

One of the many challenges to expect, is functionality. A design can be absolutely beautiful and phenomenal, however, if it can not function on the web, it is considered to be completely useless. The expectation is that a website has to be built to represent the client (business, product or person), the aesthetic must be well though out and must look good. While also being easy to navigate to find information quickly or to be able to find a way to contact the owners of the website with no obstacle at all. The interface and the user experience has to go hand in hand to create a successful website.

Another challenge is to raise the bar. A client expects their money to be well spent; they’ve worked hard to earn it and a web designer is expected to earn that money as well. Like a business, a designer must become better all the time, creating a product that not only the client is happy with but a product that is of the highest quality.

One other challenge is a client’s expectations. This challenge is a double edge sword. Automatically, as a web designer, you must understand that the client expects a website that represents them in the highest quality of design and a website that will work. There is no way around this, the fact of the matter is that as a working web professional, you are expected to create a great product. However, there are instances where client’s expectations are beyond our control. We can’t control the brightness of other computers, we can’t control the size of their monitors, we can’t control the behavior of users when they are on the site. As a web designer, our goal is to think and plan preemptively, designing and developing a website so that it can be consistent in how it looks and functions when it is viewed universally. We plan for everything that we can control from our end, customizing and tweaking the design and codes, so that it will always work. We research and figure out what a target audience’s main focus would be when they go on the site, but also accommodate the design for the general audience too.

As a web designer, I strive to build the best product for my clients and expect myself to have the answers or solutions to your problems or goals. There are always going to be challenges and our company will help you overcome it.

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Differences Between Website Design and Art

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Amy Liggett

It’s true that website design and art do go together. You have to be creative, understanding of which colors go well together, know about textures, and more. When I graduated with a graphic design degree, I was required to have an art minor because art plays into website design. However, design and art are not the same thing.

Art is open and free. It allows the artist to do whatever they want, whether the end product “makes sense” to other people or not. Artists can work outside of the box, whereas designers of specific things, such as websites, brochures, flyers, etc. have a “box” that they must conform to. I would argue that each of these types of designs is a form of art, but they are much more restricted.

Website designers must consider logo, navigation, and content placement. We must consider current trends, what can and cannot be coded well once the design is finished, and simply how wide the website should be. These things change over time, and we must consider that. If a website designer had stopped designing sometime in the ’90s and suddenly started designing websites again, they would have a lot to catch up on. If an artist from the ’90s stopped and then suddenly started creating new art again now though, they wouldn’t have as much, if anything, to catch up on (depending on the type of art they were going for, anyway).

Website designers must also consider user expectations, which is part of what I mentioned above. Moving the logo so that it’s only at the bottom, having the navigation be inconsistent or in different pictures around the website… these things may be more artistic when done well, but no matter what, it’s not good for a website. Consistency is key, even if it’s not the most unique thing to do. You can still be artistic in a website design, but you must make sure to be consistent and easily understood at the same time. Unfortunately, some people try to be a bit too artistic and unique in their website design, which ends up confusing users. Takes these websites for example: (Click the pictures to view them)

Example1Example2

Looking at the home page of each of those websites, do you have any idea what they’re for? They’re being a bit too “artsy” for a website in that it doesn’t tell you what the website purpose is or how to easily move to different pages. They’re both definitely unique, but they aren’t helpful. A designer’s job is to effectively and easily communicate information to others in a way that’s pleasing to they eye. These website designs are not effective and communicate nothing.

Another difference between artists and designers is that design can be taught while art is a natural talent, most of the time. Personally, I’m not an artist. Many people assume I am because I can design things, but I learned to design things. Obviously, I can still be creative and make well-designed websites, brochures, business cards, and more, but that doesn’t mean I can draw well. Some designers are artists though, and as long as they don’t go too overboard with the unique artistry on a website design then that works just fine.

Overall, design and art are related, but they aren’t the same thing. Art is more personal and full of emotion, while designs have a specific purpose for communication.

 

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What to Expect from the Web in 2012

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Peter Chung

We know that the web is always changing, that’s nothing new, it’s a fact. However, how the changes would effect you is the most important question that needs to be answered. Here are some new changes to expect:

More computers are meeting web standards. What I mean by that, is that more internet users are using more modern browsers. The problem that the older browsers have, is that it gives you limitations. It sets boundaries to the entire User Experience; we can all agree that SEO and conversions are important, but if the site can not keep up with the UX that the average internet user expects on the web, the average length of stay on your site will lessen dramatically as time goes on, as other websites are adapting and yours is not. As more users are upgrading their computers and their browsers, websites that catered to the old versions will be left on the wayside.

More people are viewing the web in new mediums. Mobile web surfing has been on the rise for years, but with the massive amount of people adopting the use of tablets in the past year, responsive website designs are now more important than ever. Navigating has to not only look great on a regular computer, but it has to be easily used by a touch screen. Everything on the site has to work correctly across all systems, making sure that your identity and message remain paramount.

Social media has reinvigorated offline social interaction. More people are using social media & technology to keep them up to date with things that are happening locally. Consumers are reviewing products on the spot, right in the store, instead of sitting at home and hoping the product is shipped correctly. Doctors are able to pull up a patient’s information and speak with their other physicians right by the bed side, pharmacist are reading prescriptions more accurately while they can pull up a video chat on their tablet to speak to the doctor, car salesmen can not take advantage of you while you have Twitter users answering your questions about a car right on your smart phone; technology empowers the consumer to be more knowledgeable, while also helping professionals work more efficiently.

In a world where communication is at your fingertips, as a business, everything you say and do can effect your reputation. Brand your identity the way you want it to, create content that can attract new followers and/or customers. Keep up with the ever changing web, so you can present your company in the best way possible.

Of course, we all know that the web is an ever changing environment, with new trends, the new styles, new technology, an impossible amount of options to direct the focus of your sites; it can get overwhelming. But that’s what we’re here for. Keeping up with the web industry is solely our responsibility, to give you the options and give you the proper advice, to further advance your product towards success.

 

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Website Colors: The Look and Functionality

Posted on January 6, 2012 by reuel@hyperlinkswebsites.com

Deciding what colors your website should include can be a lengthy and challenging process. Or at least it should be. Much more important than making the site look “pretty”, colors give your website a definitive personality, an impression which in turn reflects your business. The design of a site is not just about making the site look good, but making it functional. A website’s colors should aid its functionality.

Many people have a problem selecting colors for their site, which sometimes leads to a color overload. Instead of making a conscious decision of what colors best reflect their business, one resorts to choosing several “favorite” colors. The result is a site that looks busy and unprofessional. Take a look at the websites of the most successful businesses today. The colors used in their sites reflect the company brand, without overpowering the site.

Notice the neutral background colors, which provide a non-invasive background for the site's content. The accent color red captures the viewer's attention.

Well-designed websites utilize a couple colors that compliment each other, usually shades of one base color, and one accent color. The base color of a website needs to be somewhat neutral, such as a white, grey or black.  Shades of other colors can work as well, as long as they are not overwhelming. The accent color will give your site the desired personality. Remember to select an appropriate color for the desired impression of your business. The accent color draws the viewer’s attention to important parts of the page, navigation and the site’s call-to-action.

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