Get Support

Author:

  • SEO In the World of Artificial Intelligence

    SEO In the World of Artificial Intelligence

    Getting An Audience via Search Engine Optimized Content

    There’s a new sheriff in town. Its name is “Search Generative Experience.” For a while now, Google has been moving from being the world’s biggest index of web pages do being the destination unto itself. Its summaries got more extensive. For while there was the lauded, “position zero” in the search results when a website’s definition became Google’s definition and that position rewarded the connected website.

    The Impact of Google’s AI Advancements on SEO and Organic Traffic

    Google’s advancements in artificial intelligence have fundamentally reshaped the landscape of SEO and organic traffic. With the advent of ChatGPT, people have been going to this new Oracle of information and turning to Google less often. For anyone who thinks Google is a permanent fixture of the Internet, flashback to 1999. Back then, Alta Vista, Yahoo, Infoseek, Webcrawler and other search engines were people’s goto engines. Google showed up with a clean interface and changed the game. Zoom ahead to two years ago. ChatGPT with its simple interface started answering people’s questions. Google had been that index card catalogue in library foyer. ChatGPT was Einstein sitting two desks over ready answer anything. Problem is: this Einstein fakes their answers when they’re not sure.

    What was Google to do? It had to get on the AI train. The integration of AI technologies into Google’s search engine, previously known as the Search Generative Experience (SGE), represents a significant shift in how search engines drive traffic to itself and deliver results to the end user. The big problem with that approach: Google used to reward websites with lots of traffic if their content was great. Now, Google may mine that information as source material for Google visitors, satisfy their answers and never refer them through to the source websites.

    Revolutionizing Search Results AI has enabled Google to better understand user intent and provide more relevant search results. Through natural language processing and machine learning, Google can now interpret complex queries and deliver precise answers, making search results more intuitive and user-centric.

    Enhanced User Experience With AI, Google can offer a more personalized search experience. By analyzing user behavior and preferences, AI can tailor search results to meet individual needs, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction. Features like AI-driven snippets, voice search, and predictive text have become standard, enhancing the overall user experience.

    Improved Content Relevance AI algorithms prioritize high-quality, relevant content. This means that SEO strategies must focus on creating content that is not only keyword-optimized but also informative, valuable, and aligned with user intent. Google’s AI can detect and penalize low-quality or manipulative SEO practices, promoting a more authentic and trustworthy search environment.

    Impact on Organic Traffic The shift towards AI-driven search has also affected organic traffic. Websites that leverage AI to understand and meet user needs can achieve higher rankings and more visibility. However, the increased competition for top spots in search results means that businesses must continuously adapt their SEO strategies to align with AI advancements.

    SEO Best Practices in the AI Era To succeed in this AI-dominated landscape, SEO practices must evolve. Here are some key strategies:

    • Focus on User Intent: Create content that addresses the specific questions and needs of your target audience.
    • Enhance E-A-T: Emphasize Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness in your content to align with Google’s quality guidelines.
    • Leverage Structured Data: Use schema markup to help Google understand your content and provide rich snippets.
    • Optimize for Voice Search: Tailor your content for voice search queries, which are often more conversational and question-based.
    • Monitor and Adapt: Stay informed about AI advancements and regularly update your SEO strategies to maintain competitiveness.

    How To Survive The 800lb. Google Gorilla

    Google is the dominant player in search and it will likely remain so even as search engines fade in favour of instantly synthesized knowledge from AI. With so much hinging on SEO, how can website owners prevail? Evolve and adapt.

    Double Down on Google My Business

    Google Business (formerly Google My Business) is an increasingly powerful tool in driving visitors to your business and to share what your business does. We’ve been helping people set up their businesses on Google. If you need help, Getting into Google Business, let us know.

    Get Listed

    In a similar vein, list your website everywhere you can. Some SEO experts may say that directory listings is a played out tactic, but here’s why it’s more relevant now than ever before: Google and other search engines may ignore it, but people who find the directory may follow the links.

    Youtube

    The #1 search engine is Google. The #2 is Youtube. Publishing on Youtube isn’t all that hard. Keep your camera steady. Make sure your audio is good. After that, simplicity can lend to authenticity and help you build a rapport with your audience. Publishing videos on Youtube is terrific exposure. Videos are not entirely future proof– that is, Google could start making best-of reels that pull in your content with little reward– but in the meantime, build an audience and inform your customers.

    Emphasize Alliances and Backlinking

    The Internet grew in leaps and bounds in the years before Google. Look for synergies with other websites. For example, if a business in a town links to the town’s website, maybe the town could produce a list of local businesses and have each other’s authority lend prominence. Web321 recently built a website like this for the Brentwood Bay 5:05 Club to highlight local businesses. It takes very little effort to link to complimentary businesses and organizations. It circumvents Google’s power over your website’s prominence.

    The Cavalry

    This is total speculation: Google may have to stop using SGE. The content comes from the fair use provision that allows them to scoop content and use it for their own profit and gain. What if SGE means they’re going to cease being a search engine and start being a source of information. It breaks the value proposition between Google and website publishers. Some businesses are alive solely through their Google traffic. They may band together with others who have been massively detrimented. If that turns into legal action or legislation it could force Google to change how it does business.

    Google’s integration of AI technologies will transform SEO and the way organic traffic is driven. By understanding and adapting to these changes, businesses can better position themselves to succeed in the evolving digital landscape.

     

    The Basics

    A primer on SEO.

    What is On-Page SEO?

    On-Page SEO (also known as technical SEO, on-page, on-site, or internal SEO) involves optimizing various elements of a web page to improve its rankings and enhance the user experience. Unlike off-site SEO, which focuses on external factors like backlinks, on-page SEO targets factors within your own website that you can control.

    Every piece of content on your site should be optimized for search engines. SEO is the process that business owners and webmasters use to ensure their content is easily found, categorized, and ranked by search engines. This includes practices that help your site rank higher in organic search results—those not paid for by advertisers (e.g., Google Ads). Well-optimized content is more likely to appear in search results when users are searching for information on that topic.

    Consider your content as the backbone of your website—it’s a crucial component of SEO. Effective on-page SEO encompasses several key factors:

    1. Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Ensure your title tags and meta descriptions are compelling and include relevant keywords. They play a significant role in attracting clicks from search engine results pages (SERPs).
    2. Header Tags: Use header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure your content. This makes it easier for search engines to understand the hierarchy and main points of your page.
    3. Content Quality and Relevance: High-quality, relevant content is essential. Google’s recent updates emphasize the importance of E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) in content.
    4. Keyword Optimization: Use keywords naturally within your content. Avoid keyword stuffing, as it can negatively impact your rankings.
    5. Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your site to help search engines understand the structure and content of your site.
    6. Image Optimization: Use descriptive file names and alt text for images. This helps search engines understand the content of your images and improves accessibility.
    7. Mobile-Friendliness: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly. Google’s mobile-first indexing means that the mobile version of your site is considered the primary version.
    8. Page Speed: Optimize your site’s loading speed. Fast-loading pages provide a better user experience and are favored by search engines.
    9. User Experience (UX): Focus on providing a positive user experience. This includes easy navigation, a clean layout, and engaging content.
    10. URL Structure: Use clean, descriptive URLs that include keywords and reflect the page’s content.
    11. Machine Readable Content: Make sure you provide good meta data to search engines. An XML Sitemap is a key piece of this. List your content. You should also omit content your don’t to see indexed or highlighted. We built a Sitemap tuner to accompany Yoast SEO.

    By focusing on these on-page SEO factors, you can improve your site’s visibility and performance in search engine results. Staying updated with the latest changes from Google, such as the emphasis on E-A-T and mobile-first indexing, ensures your SEO strategy remains effective and relevant.

    On-Page SEO Factors & Best Practices: Optimizing Your Website Content for SEO

    Keyword Research: The Foundation of On-Page SEO

    All on-page SEO optimization begins with keyword research. Understanding the keywords your target market uses to search for your business online is crucial. Without this knowledge, you can’t effectively optimize your pages. Start by identifying the right keywords for each page on your site. Each page should target a unique set of keywords and variations. For example, if you’re a digital marketing agency, you might have separate pages for different services, each targeting different keywords.

    Implementing On-Page SEO Best Practices

    Once you’ve identified the target keywords for each page, you can start implementing on-page SEO best practices to enhance your website’s performance.

    Content Optimization

    1. Amount of Content: Aim for at least 1,000 words per page, more if targeting highly competitive keywords. Ensure your content is unique, valuable, comprehensive, and superior to existing content on the same topic.
    2. User-Friendly Content: Organize your content to be visually appealing, easy to read, and navigate. This improves user engagement and retention.
    3. Avoid Duplicate Content: Ensure all content is original and not duplicated from other sites or pages on your own site. Duplicate content can harm your SEO efforts.
    4. Add Multimedia: Incorporate videos, images, GIFs, or MP3 recordings to create a more immersive experience. Engaging multimedia can keep users on your page longer, which is beneficial for SEO.
    5. Include Social Sharing Icons: Make it easy for users to share your content by including social media sharing icons. This can increase the reach and visibility of your content.

    Keyword Optimization

    1. Keyword Placement in the First 100 Words: Place your main keyword within the first 100 words of your content. Search engines give more weight to early keywords, helping them determine if your content matches a searcher’s intent. For example, if your main keyword is “on-page SEO,” include it early in your text to establish relevance and credibility.
    2. Optimized Headings: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags strategically. The H1 tag should include your main keyword, H2 tags should feature variations of the main keyword, and H3 tags can break down detailed sections further. Proper use of headings helps both search engines and users understand the structure and main points of your page.
    3. Distribute Keywords Naturally: Sprinkle your main keyword and its variations throughout the page. Ensure the keywords are integrated naturally into the content, avoiding keyword stuffing. Use bold text or other formatting options to highlight important keywords where appropriate.
    4. Keyword-Optimized Title & Description: Incorporate your main keyword(s) into the page title and meta description. These should be compelling and “click-worthy” to attract clicks from search engine results pages (SERPs). Titles should be no longer than 60 characters, and descriptions should be under 160 characters. Research your competitors’ meta titles and descriptions for inspiration.
    5. Keyword Density: Maintain a keyword density of 2-4%, depending on the length of your content. This means the keyword should appear 2-4 times for every 100 words. Avoid overusing keywords, as this can be seen as spammy by search engines.

    Additional On-Page SEO Factors

    1. Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Ensure your title tags and meta descriptions are well-crafted and include relevant keywords. These elements play a crucial role in attracting clicks from SERPs.
    2. Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your site. This helps search engines understand your site’s structure and can improve the rankings of linked pages.
    3. Image Optimization: Use descriptive file names and alt text for images. This improves image search rankings and accessibility.
    4. Mobile-Friendliness: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, the mobile version of your site is the primary version considered by search engines.
    5. Page Speed: Optimize your site’s loading speed. Fast-loading pages provide a better user experience and are favored by search engines.
    6. User Experience (UX): Focus on providing a positive user experience. Easy navigation, a clean layout, and engaging content are key components of good UX.
    7. URL Structure: Use clean, descriptive URLs that reflect the page’s content and include relevant keywords.

    By following these on-page SEO factors and best practices, you can improve your site’s visibility and performance in search engine results. Staying updated with the latest changes from Google, such as the emphasis on E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and mobile-first indexing, ensures your SEO strategy remains effective and relevant.

    On-Page SEO Factors: Image Optimization

    Optimize Image File Size: Ensure images are optimized for web use by reducing their file size to around 100KB before uploading them to your site. For images already uploaded, you can use WordPress plugins like Smush or ShortPixel to compress and optimize them without losing quality. This improves page loading speed and overall user experience.

    Add Alt Text to Images: Add descriptive alt text for every image on your page. Alt text not only helps with on-page SEO by providing search engines with information about the image content but also improves accessibility by offering a description if the image fails to load. Make sure the alt text is relevant and includes keywords where appropriate.

    Optimize the Image Title: The image title can often be the same as the alt text. An optimized image title helps search engines understand the content of the image and can contribute to better image search rankings.

    Optimize the Image File Name: Rename image files to be descriptive and keyword-rich before uploading them. Avoid generic names like DSC890.jpg. Instead, use filenames that reflect the content and keywords, such as “victoria-bc-seo-agency-reception.jpg.” This practice helps search engines index your images more effectively and can improve their visibility in image search results.

    By following these best practices for image optimization, you can enhance your website’s SEO, improve page load times, and provide a better user experience.

    On-Page SEO Factors: Linking

    Internal Linking

    Internal links point to other pages within your own website. They are often referred to as in-text links and are crucial for several reasons:

    • Enhance Navigation: Internal links help users navigate your site, finding more relevant content and improving their overall experience.
    • Distribute Page Authority: Linking to other pages on your site distributes page authority (link juice) across your site, helping to “power up” other product or service pages.
    • Improve SEO: Search engines use internal links to understand the structure and relevance of your content. Keyword-optimized anchor text (the clickable text) helps Google understand the context of the linked page.

    To optimize internal linking:

    • Use keyword-rich anchor text that accurately describes the linked content.
    • Link to relevant pages that provide additional value to the reader.
    • Ensure your links are natural and useful, not forced or overused.

    External Linking

    External links point from your page to a different website. These links can:

    • Provide Additional Information: Directing readers to high-quality, relevant external resources can enhance their understanding of a topic.
    • Boost Credibility: Linking to reputable sources can increase your content’s trustworthiness.
    • Help SEO: External links can signal to search engines that your content is well-researched and valuable.

    To optimize external linking:

    • Link to high-authority, non-competing websites that provide valuable information to your readers.
    • Open external links in a new window to keep users on your site while they explore additional resources.

    On-Page SEO Factors: URL Optimization

    Use HTTPS

    Ensure your website uses the secure HTTPS protocol. HTTPS is important for both security and SEO. Most browsers show an insecure warning for sites not using HTTPS, which can deter users and negatively impact your search rankings.

    Create Descriptive URLs

    • Keep URLs Short and Keyword-Rich: The URL should be concise and include relevant keywords that describe the content of the page.
    • Reflect the Page Content: The URL should accurately reflect the page’s content and be similar to or shorter than the page’s H1 heading.
    • Avoid Changing Old URLs: Generally, it’s not beneficial to change URLs of older posts solely for SEO improvements. Focus on optimizing URLs for new content.

    By following these best practices for linking and URL optimization, you can improve your website’s SEO, enhance user experience, and ensure better visibility and credibility in search engine results.

  • Stripe vs Square vs Paypal

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”.sticky-headers {|| position: sticky;|| top: 0;|| background-color: ; /* Or any background color you prefer */|| z-index: 100; /* Ensures the headers stay on top of other content */|| display: flex;|| justify-content: space-between;|| padding: 10px 0;|| border-bottom: 1px solid ; /* Optional: adds a border for visual separation */||}” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Here’s a quick rundown of these three major ecommerce providers and how they compare to each other. In my 25+ years of ecommerce rollouts, I have dealt with Stripe, Square and Paypal implementations as well as deployments with other providers like Authorize.net, Beanstream (WorldPay), Moneris and others. I really think the three in this article can satisfy most use cases.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” module_class=”sticky-headers” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ positioning=”none” position_origin_f=”top_center” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Stripe” admin_label=”Stripe Heading” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Square” admin_label=”Square Heading” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Paypal” admin_label=”Paypal Heading” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
    • Primarily focused on online payments
    • Offers more robust developer tools and customization options
    • Better suited for large-scale e-commerce and software platforms
    • Stronger international presence and multi-currency support
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
    • Originated as a point-of-sale (POS) solution for in-person transactions
    • Offers a more comprehensive ecosystem for small businesses (POS, inventory, payroll)
    • User-friendly interface, easier setup for non-technical users
    • Stronger in-person payment solutions, including hardware
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Comparing to Stripe and Square:

    • Fees: Generally higher than both Stripe and Square for standard transactions
    • Implementation: More widely recognized by consumers, but less developer-friendly than Stripe
    • Reputation: Stronger consumer trust, but more frequent complaints about account issues compared to Stripe and Square
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fees” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Fees:

    • Standard online transaction fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
    • International cards: Additional 1% fee
    • ACH transfers: 0.8% (capped at $5)
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fees” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Fees:

    • Standard in-person transaction fee: 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction
    • Online transaction fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
    • Keyed-in transactions: 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fees” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Fees:

    • Standard online transaction fee: 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction
    • In-person transactions (with PayPal Here): 2.7% per swipe
    • International transactions: Additional 1.5% fee
    • Micropayments (under $10): 5% + $0.05 per transaction
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” module_class=”sticky-headers” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ positioning=”none” position_origin_f=”top_center” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Stripe” admin_label=”Stripe Heading” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Square” admin_label=”Square Heading” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Paypal” admin_label=”Paypal Heading” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”3rd Text” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Implementation by third-party providers:

    • Widely supported by e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce)
    • Extensive APIs and libraries for custom integrations
    • Popular among SaaS and subscription-based businesses

    (Editor’s note: we really like implemented Stripe for clients)

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”3rd Text” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Implementation by third-party providers:

    • Integrated with many POS systems and small business software
    • Offers ready-made solutions for various industries (retail, restaurants)
    • Less common for custom software integrations compared to Stripe
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”3rd Text” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Implementation by third-party providers:

    • Widely supported by e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento)
    • Offers various integration options, including standard buttons and custom checkout
    • Popular among small to medium-sized businesses and individual sellers
    • Less extensive API offerings compared to Stripe, but more than Square
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1920px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Public Text” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Public sentiment and reputation:

    • Generally well-regarded for developer-friendly tools and documentation
    • Praised for reliability and scalability
    • Some criticism for complex pricing structure and account stability issues
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Public Text” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Public sentiment and reputation:

    • Appreciated for ease of use and all-in-one small business solutions
    • Positive reputation for in-person payment processing
    • Some concerns about customer support responsiveness
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Public Text” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Public sentiment and reputation:

    • Known for its widespread consumer adoption and trust
    • Appreciated for its buyer and seller protection policies
    • Criticized for account freezes and holds, especially for high-volume sellers
    • Mixed reviews on customer support quality
    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
  • Five Tips For AI In Content Creation

    Five Tips For AI In Content Creation

    Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing various sectors, with content creation at the forefront of this transformation. AI tools like OpenAI and Claude AI are empowering writers, marketers, and business owners to enhance their content quality and production efficiency. AI tools offer significant time savings, alleviate writer’s block (and coder’s block– basically any blocker), and provide a plethora of creative content solutions, making AI an indispensable asset in the digital content domain.

    Tip#1 : Pay to Play

    Opt for a paid version of OpenAI services, such as the more advanced tiers of GPT models. It offers several advantages over using the free version of a given service. These benefits often justify the investment, especially for businesses, developers, and content creators who require more from their AI tools than the basic functionalities. Here are some of the key merits of choosing a paid subscription:

    1. Increased Request Limits: Free versions typically have strict usage limits to manage server loads and operational costs. By subscribing to a paid plan, users gain access to higher request limits or even unlimited usage, depending on the plan. This is particularly beneficial for heavy users who rely on AI for extensive projects or commercial applications.
    2. Priority Access and Faster Response Times: Paid subscriptions often come with the advantage of priority access to the AI servers. During peak times, when server demand is high, paid users can experience faster response times, which is crucial for time-sensitive projects and workflows.
    3. Advanced Features and Customization: Paid plans may offer access to more advanced features, models, and customization options not available in the free version. This could include more sophisticated natural language processing capabilities, finer control over the model’s responses, and access to specialized models tailored for specific industries or applications.
    4. Higher Quality Outputs: With access to more advanced features and models, the quality of the AI-generated content can be significantly higher in paid versions. This includes better context understanding, more nuanced and coherent responses, and a broader knowledge base for generating content.
    5. Commercial Use Rights: Free versions of AI services are often restricted to personal or non-commercial use. Paid subscriptions typically grant the rights to use the AI for commercial purposes, which is essential for businesses looking to integrate AI into their products, services, or content monetization strategies.
    6. Enhanced Security and Privacy: Paid plans may offer enhanced security features, including data encryption, secure API access, and privacy guarantees that ensure your data and interactions with the AI remain confidential. This is particularly important for businesses dealing with sensitive information.
    7. Dedicated Support and SLAs: Subscribing to a paid plan usually comes with better support options, such as dedicated customer service, technical support, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee a certain level of uptime and responsiveness. This support can be invaluable in resolving issues quickly and ensuring smooth operation.
    8. Access to Latest Updates and Features: Paid subscribers often get early access to the latest updates, new features, and improvements before they are rolled out to free users. This can provide a competitive edge by allowing users to leverage the latest AI advancements.
    9. Scalability: For businesses and developers looking to scale their applications or services, paid plans offer more scalable solutions. This includes the ability to handle larger volumes of requests, more concurrent users, and the flexibility to adjust resources as needs grow.

    The free version of OpenAI’s services offers a great starting point for individuals and businesses to explore AI’s potential, a paid subscription unlocks a higher level of service and capabilities essential for more demanding or commercial uses.

    Tip#2 : Make Prompts Clear and Specific

    Artificial intelligence, particularly in content generation, operates within the framework of its programming and the data it has been trained on. It lacks the human capacity for intuition and contextual reasoning, which means it cannot “read between the lines” or grasp the subtleties of an under-specified prompt. When the instructions are not explicit, AI has to make guesses based on the patterns it has learned, often leading to outputs that might be tangentially related but not precisely what was intended.

    Let’s examine the examples provided to illustrate this point further:

    1. Vague Prompt: “Write about dogs.”
      This instruction is a classic example of a vague prompt. The term “dogs” encompasses an incredibly broad spectrum of potential topics, including but not limited to dog breeds, dog care, dog training, the role of dogs in society, and even the history of dogs. Without specific guidance, AI might select any aspect of “dogs” based on the most commonly associated themes in its training data, which might not align with the user’s intention.
    2. Specific Prompt: “Write an informative article about the benefits of canine dental charting, focusing on the benefits, uses, and best practices.”
      In contrast, this prompt provides a clear and concise directive. It narrows down the vast topic of dogs to a specific aspect—canine dental charting. It further specifies the angle of the article: to explore the benefits, uses, and best practices. This level of detail significantly reduces the AI’s need to guess, directing its output towards a well-defined goal. The AI can leverage its database to pull relevant information on canine dental health, charting techniques, the importance of dental care in dogs, and best practices in the field, resulting in a focused and informative article.

    To craft effective prompts for AI, consider the following strategies:

    • Be Specific: Narrow down your topic to a specific aspect or angle. The more focused your prompt, the less room there is for ambiguity.
    • Provide Context: If your content requires a particular context or background, include that in your prompt. Context helps AI understand the framework within which to generate content.
    • State the Objective: Clearly articulate what you want the AI to achieve with the content. Whether it’s to inform, persuade, entertain, or educate, your objective guides the AI’s tone and approach.
    • Include Key Details: If certain facts, figures, or themes are crucial to your content, mention them in your prompt. This ensures that the AI incorporates these elements into the output.

    By adhering to these principles, content creators can significantly enhance the relevance, coherence, and overall quality of AI-generated content, making the most of the technology’s capabilities while mitigating its limitations.

    Tip #3: AI is Already Eccentric

    AI has picked up some eccentricities and there are ways to capitalize on them:

    • AI can have bad days. It may be the case that the capabilities of GPT have been intact for a while and what was lacking was processing power. Recent tests have shown the output quality improves with the additional process power dedicated to generating an answer. The reverse is true: if the service provider is overly taxed, it could cheap out the solutions. I have seen long high quality answers one day, then big fails the next day. In one case, ChatGPT said it couldn’t answer because of copyright issues. I put the same question to ClaudeAI: it gave what I needed. I turned back to ChatGPT, supplied the Claude answer and noted that Claude was able to do what ChatGPT refused. ChatGPT responded by creating a full response for what it said previously couldn’t do because of copyright.
    • Butter them up. ChatGPT performs better if you preface a request with a “I need your expert advice” or “There’s $50 in it for you, if you can get this right.” I did once take that too far and said there was $1000 in it if they did the task. They refused and said I could use the $1000 to hire a dev on Fiverr– then provided advice for how to use Fiverr.
    • People Pleaser. If ChatGPT gives you junk, you can call it out. It will be quick to apologize and try to come up with new output to please their human masters. For now, at least, until the tables are turned.

     

    Tip #4: Things To Remember About The AI Content Ecosystem

    Understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI content generators is crucial for creating impactful content. AI can analyze vast datasets, identify patterns, and generate coherent narratives. However, it lacks the intrinsic human ability to grasp complex nuances and emotional subtleties. Here, we’ll explore strategies to bridge this gap, ensuring that AI-generated content resonates with human readers on a deeper level.

    1. Craft Precise and Detailed Prompts

    Clear and specific prompts are the foundation of effective AI-generated content. Vague instructions can lead to irrelevant or generic content, as AI lacks human intuition. We’ll discuss techniques for constructing concise prompts that align closely with your content goals, including the importance of upfront research and integrating specific details to guide the AI.

    2. Leverage Open-Ended Questions

    Open-ended questions stimulate AI to produce more explorative and nuanced content. Instead of seeking binary responses, posing broad questions encourages AI to delve into a topic, offering insights and perspectives that might not be immediately apparent. This section will cover examples and strategies for formulating questions that maximize AI’s creative potential.

    3. Implement Structured Approaches

    AI thrives on structure and algorithms. Adopting formulaic strategies, such as the Purpose-Method-Result (PMR) approach, can significantly enhance the coherence and focus of AI-generated content. This segment will offer insights into various structured frameworks that content creators can use to streamline their AI-assisted writing process.

    4. The Significance of Examples

    Providing AI with examples can significantly improve content relevancy and style alignment. By analyzing provided samples, AI can better understand the desired tone, structure, and thematic elements. This chapter will delve into effective ways of using examples to guide AI towards producing content that meets specific creative standards.

    5. The Art of Iteration

    Iteration is a fundamental aspect of working with AI. Initial outputs may not always meet expectations, necessitating a process of refinement and feedback. This section will emphasize the importance of patience and persistence in evolving AI-generated content, highlighting techniques for iterative improvement.

    6. AI and SEO: A Strategic Alliance

    SEO remains a critical consideration in digital content creation. AI can play a pivotal role in crafting SEO-optimized content, provided it’s guided correctly. This part will explore strategies for integrating SEO objectives into AI prompts, ensuring content is not only engaging but also ranks well in search engine results.

    Tip #5 Follow Good Advice

    Here are some Youtube channels that cover AI and might be what you’re looking for:

    • Matt Wolfe – Matt Wolfe covers a wide range of topics related to artificial intelligence, including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. He is known for his clear and concise explanations, as well as his ability to make complex topics accessible to a broad audience. He has a site with a database of AI tools: Future Tools.
    • Lex Fridman – Lex Fridman is a podcast host and researcher who frequently interviews leading experts in artificial intelligence. His channel is a great resource for staying up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.
    • Wes Roth – Wes Roth brings you the cutting edge of the digital age. “AI News by Wes Roth” is your premier destination for the latest in artificial intelligence, where innovation meets imagination. More than just news; it’s a window to the future, where the wonders of tomorrow are the headlines of today.
    • Machine Learning Mastery – Machine Learning Mastery is a website and YouTube channel that provides tutorials and resources for learning about machine learning. Their channel is a great resource for people who want to learn more about the technical aspects of AI.

    Best Practices

    As AI becomes increasingly integrated into content creation, ethical considerations and best practices come to the fore. Issues such as transparency, originality, and the potential for misinformation must be addressed. This section will provide a framework for ethical AI use in content creation, ensuring integrity and authenticity in every piece of content.

    Future-Proof Your Content Strategy with AI

    The landscape of AI-assisted content creation is continuously evolving. Staying abreast of the latest developments, understanding emerging AI capabilities, and adapting strategies accordingly are essential for maintaining a competitive edge.

    There’s a lot to consider about the practical aspects of creating content with AI but also the creative collaboration between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. By mastering these techniques and approaches, content creators can unlock the full potential of AI tools like OpenAI and Claude AI, leading to content that is engaging, impactful, and forward-thinking.

     

  • Understanding CSS Media Queries

    Understanding CSS Media Queries

    CSS media queries are a powerful tool that allow you to apply different styles based on the characteristics of the device or viewport. They enable you to create responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes, resolutions, and device types (desktop, tablet, mobile, etc.).

    Syntax

    The basic syntax for a media query is as follows:

    css

    @media [media-type] ([media-feature-rule]) {
    /* CSS rules go here */
    }
    • @media is the at-rule that starts a media query.
    • media-type (optional) specifies the type of media the styles should apply to, such as screen, print, or all (default).
    • media-feature-rule defines the conditions or rules that must be met for the styles to apply. Common rules include min-width, max-width, orientation, and others.

    Common Use Cases

    1. Responsive Web Design

    Media queries are essential for creating responsive websites that adapt to different screen sizes. Here’s an example of how to apply different styles based on the viewport width (see more on breakpoints below):

    css

    /* Styles for screens smaller than 600px (mobile devices) */
    @media screen and (max-width: 599px) {
    body {
    font-size: 14px;
    }
    .container {
    width: 100%;
    }
    }    /* Styles for screens between 600px and 900px (tablets) */
    @media screen and (min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 899px) {
    body {
    font-size: 16px;
    }
    .container {
    width: 80%;
    }
    }/* Styles for screens 900px and wider (desktops) */
    @media screen and (min-width: 900px) {
    body {
    font-size: 18px;
    }
    .container {
    width: 60%;
    }
    }

    1. Printing Styles

    Media queries can be used to apply specific styles when a page is printed to paper:

    css

    /* Styles for printing */
    @media print {
    body {
    font-size: 12pt;
    color: black;
    background-color: white;
    }
    .no-print {
    display: none;
    }
    }
    1. Orientation-specific Styles

    You can target styles based on the device’s orientation (portrait or landscape) using the orientation media feature:

    css

    /* Styles for portrait orientation */
    @media (orientation: portrait) {
    .container {
    flex-direction: column;
    }
    }    /* Styles for landscape orientation */
    @media (orientation: landscape) {
    .container {
    flex-direction: row;
    }
    }

    Common CSS Breakpoints

    When creating responsive designs with media queries, it’s essential to consider the screen sizes of popular devices and web browsers. By targeting specific breakpoints, you can ensure that your website or application displays correctly across a wide range of devices.

    Desktop Browsers

    For desktop browsers, the most common breakpoints are:

    • 1920px: This breakpoint targets large desktop screens and high-resolution displays. It’s a good practice to start with a wide layout and scale down for smaller screens.
    • 1366px: This breakpoint covers most modern desktop and laptop displays with a resolution of 1366×768 pixels or higher.
    • 1024px: This breakpoint is suitable for older desktops and laptops with smaller screen resolutions.

    css

    /* Styles for large desktop screens */
    @media screen and (min-width: 1920px) {
    /* CSS rules */
    }    /* Styles for modern desktops and laptops */
    @media screen and (max-width: 1919px) and (min-width: 1367px) {
    /* CSS rules */
    }/* Styles for older desktops and laptops */
    @media screen and (max-width: 1366px) and (min-width: 1025px) {
    /* CSS rules */
    }

    Tablets and Mobile Devices

    For tablets and mobile devices, the most common breakpoints are:

    • 768px: This breakpoint targets most tablets in landscape orientation and some smaller desktop screens.
    • 600px: This breakpoint is a common choice for targeting smaller tablets and larger mobile devices in landscape orientation.
    • 480px: This breakpoint is suitable for most smartphones in landscape orientation.
    • 320px: This breakpoint covers most smartphones in portrait orientation, including older and lower-resolution devices.

    css

    /* Styles for tablets in landscape orientation */
    @media screen and (max-width: 1024px) and (min-width: 769px) {
    /* CSS rules */
    }    /* Styles for smaller tablets and larger mobile devices in landscape */
    @media screen and (max-width: 768px) and (min-width: 601px) {
    /* CSS rules */
    }/* Styles for smartphones in landscape orientation */
    @media screen and (max-width: 600px) and (min-width: 481px) {
    /* CSS rules */
    }

    /* Styles for smartphones in portrait orientation */
    @media screen and (max-width: 480px) {
    /* CSS rules */
    }

    It’s important to note that these breakpoints are general guidelines and may vary depending on your specific project requirements, target audience, and device usage patterns. It’s always a good practice to test your website or application on actual devices and make adjustments as needed.

    Additionally, consider using responsive design techniques like fluid grids, flexible images, and media queries to create a seamless experience across different devices and screen sizes.

    Best Practices

    • Use relative units like em, rem, or vw/vh for better responsiveness.
    • Start with mobile-first or desktop-first approach based on your target audience.
    • Combine media queries with CSS techniques like flexbox and grid for efficient layouts.
    • Prefer min-width over max-width for better future-proofing.
    • Test your media queries on various devices and screen sizes.

    CSS media queries are a powerful tool that enable you to create responsive and adaptive designs. By understanding their syntax and use cases, you can create websites and applications that provide an optimal user experience across a wide range of devices and screen sizes.

    blank

  • Spring into 2024: 30 Great Backlink Sources

    Spring into 2024: 30 Great Backlink Sources

    Creating backlinks, which are links from one website to another, is a fundamental aspect of search engine optimization (SEO). They act as a “vote of confidence” from one site to another, indicating to search engines that the content is valuable, credible, and useful. However, the quality, relevance, and manner in which these backlinks are acquired significantly influence their effectiveness.

    Google My Business – Extremely important for local SEO and getting found on Google maps/search. Allows you to manage your business info and listings.

    Apple Maps – Similar to Google My Business but for Apple platforms. Manages listings on Apple Maps.

    Bing Places – Manages listings on Bing maps/search. Important for Bing presence. As Bing is on the rise again, it’s important to pay attention to Bing and where it’s going.

    Best 5 – Canadian business directory with focus on reviews and rankings. Good for reputation and search visibility. The system is built for Canadian websites and breaks down listings by categories and communities.

    Reviews On My Website – Leverages positive reviews and high ratings from leading online review sites, boosting your website’s visibility and search ranking. Their system ensures a steady flow of fresh reviews, and engaging customers longer.

    Upcity – Upcity connects businesses to service providers they can trust with an index of more than 50,000 listed providers.

    Factual – Collects and syndicates business listing data. Listing here can improve visibility.

    n49 – Canadian local search directory. Drives traffic and citations.

    Cylex, Websites.ca, Brownbook – General Canadian business directories good for backlinks and citations.

    Opendi, GoldBook.ca – Additional Canadian business directories.

    CanadaOne, ProfileCanada, 2FindLocal – More Canadian directories to increase visibility.

    Fyple, OurBis – Fyple focuses on UK/Ireland but drives citations. OurBis is Canadian.

    Lacartes.com, MisterWhat, TheBlurb, FoundLocally, CanadianPlanet, Tupalo, Find-Open, iBegin, Cybo – More general directories and citation sources to increase reach.

    Think Local Victoria – Looking for local shoppers? Pay for a membership and add your site to the Think Local.

    Crunch Base – Crunchbase is a prospecting platform that helps dealmakers in sales, marketing, finance, recruiting, and executive leadership roles to find and engage with qualified accounts.

    VIATEC – Industry association for tech companies in Victoria, BC. Good for networking, events, talent recruitment if you are a tech business.

    You’re Missing Links!

    We didn’t include some backlink sources, including some that people often go to. In a few cases, we didn’t want to repeat what other lists mention. In other cases, we left off backlink sources that haven’t been playing fair with their customers and site visitors. If they’re not on this list, we can’t recommend them.

    Why Are Backlinks Important?

    Why are people using reputable sites for backlinking?

    1. Boosts Search Engine Rankings: Quality backlinks from reputable sites signal to search engines like Google that your website is also reputable and offers valuable content, which can improve your site’s search engine rankings.
    2. Increases Website Traffic: By securing backlinks on well-trafficked sites, you can drive more direct traffic to your website. Users interested in related content may follow these backlinks to your site, increasing your organic traffic.
    3. Improves Website Authority: Backlinks from authoritative and relevant sites can enhance your site’s authority in your niche or industry. High domain authority websites passing on link equity can significantly boost your site’s perceived expertise and trustworthiness.
    4. Enhances Brand Visibility and Recognition: Featuring your website on prominent sites through backlinks can increase your brand’s visibility and recognition within your industry, making your site more known to potential visitors or customers.
    5. Supports Networking and Relationships: Engaging with other website owners to create backlink opportunities can foster professional relationships and networking within your industry, which can be beneficial for future collaborations or endorsements.
    6. Encourages Content Improvement and Innovation: The need to create link-worthy content encourages website owners to produce high-quality, innovative, and valuable content, which not only attracts backlinks but also enhances the user experience.
    7. Long-Term Advantages: Unlike paid advertising, the benefits of backlinks can be long-lasting. Once a backlink is established, it can continue to drive traffic and improve SEO for as long as the linking page is active.

    Can’t Buy Me Love: Should You Pay For Backlinks?

    Evaluating the decision to invest in paid listings on directory sites requires careful consideration. Many of these platforms offer both free and premium options, with the latter often promising enhanced visibility, express speed of listing inclusion, guaranteed page views, or other perks. In some cases, a site might charge a membership fee in exchange for additional benefits. It’s crucial to weigh these options against your specific marketing goals, target audience, and the overall potential for increased exposure.

    In many instances, opting for the free listing can be just as effective, especially if it includes the essential citation and a link back to your website. The key is to ensure your business is discoverable to your intended audience without necessarily paying for premium placements.

    It’s important to be cautious about the practice of reciprocal linking, where a directory site might require you to link back to them in exchange for a listing. This tactic can dilute your site’s link quality and may not align with best SEO practices. Focus on directories that add real value to your online presence and avoid those that merely seek to exchange links for the sake of boosting their own link profile.

    —

    Not all backlinks are created equal. Backlinks from reputable, relevant sites within your niche are far more valuable than those from low-quality, spammy, or irrelevant sites. Moreover, search engines like Google have become adept at identifying and penalizing manipulative backlink strategies, such as buying backlinks or participating in link farms. The focus should always be on acquiring backlinks in an ethical and sustainable manner, prioritizing quality and relevance over quantity.

     

  • Getting More from Your CRM: Integrating GlueUp with WordPress

    Getting More from Your CRM: Integrating GlueUp with WordPress

    Customer relationship management (CRM) systems like GlueUp are invaluable for managing contacts, deals, and business relationships. However, the data in these systems often remains locked away, unseen by your wider customer base. Integrating your CRM with your WordPress website unlocks the potential of this data.

    The GlueUp CRM

    GlueUp CRM is a powerful user-friendly customer relationship management (CRM) platform built for small and medium-sized businesses. It is an all-in-one software that combines contact management, deal tracking, and integrated email to help organizations optimize their sales pipelines. GlueUp’s key goal is to streamline business relationships and drive productivity by aggregating all information related to accounts, contacts, deals, appointments, and tasks in one centralized location. Robust automation features also eliminate repetitive administrative tasks.

    Everything in GlueUp is customizable—from modules to fields—to fit the unique needs of each business. The software delivers actionable insights through real-time reports to inform better decision-making.

    Behind the Scenes of GlueUp

    GlueUp was founded in 2014 by a team of experienced software engineers and business leaders. The co-founders have a proven track record of creating CRM technologies and top-notch products for small and medium enterprises.

    GlueUp has been self-funded and grown steadily. While headquartered in the United States, the company has staff located worldwide to provide personalized 24/7 customer support. GlueUp serves thousands of customers across many industries around the globe. However, they still pride themselves on catering to the individual needs of small and medium businesses looking for a customized CRM solution to manage relationships and boost sales. The company culture remains centered around evolving the product based on real customer feedback.

    With an easy-to-use interface, flexible customization, and excellent customer service, GlueUp CRM equips growing businesses with a complete relationship management solution tailored to how they operate.

    The Benefits of GlueUp CRM

    GlueUp offers a customizable cloud-based CRM platform for small to medium sized businesses. Key features include:

    • Contact Management: Organize all your prospects and customers in one searchable database.
    • Deal Tracking: Track your sales pipeline by attaching deals to contacts and tagging with custom fields.
    • Email Integration: Sync email conversations to deal and contact records.
    • Custom Fields & Modules: Tailor GlueUp to your unique business needs.

    By centralizing your business data in GlueUp, you gain visibility into deals and relationships that might otherwise fall through the cracks.

    Showcasing Listings on WordPress Sites

    While GlueUp excels as a CRM, its dashboard remains hidden behind a login screen. By showcasing listings on a public-facing WordPress site, you put this data to work attracting new business.

    Potential uses include:

    • Business Directories: Display key details on each business contact.
    • Service Listings: Showcase details on the types of deals you broker.
    • Staff Profiles: Introduce your sales team alongside their contact info.

    Updates made in GlueUp automatically flow through to these listings.

    The Power of Integration

    Manually transferring CRM data to your website creates extra work. At Web321, we eliminate this hassle by building custom integrations between GlueUp and WordPress.

    Our plugin connects with the GlueUp API to import your contacts into custom post types and associate the CRM data to WordPress posts via Advanced Custom Fields. From there, flexible templates allow you to display this information to website visitors any way you choose. We have built our system to take various formats of data and populate ACF fields: post fields, checkboxes, image galleries and other elements. Given how many options there are, we’re offering to do the integration set-up for clients who want to connect GlueUp to WordPress.

    Updating details in your CRM dashboard updates the website. This automation not only saves time but ensures accuracy between the two systems.

    Get More from Your Data

    Unlock the potential of your GlueUp CRM by showcasing data to the world through WordPress integration. Web321 specializes in building these bridges to connect CRMs to WordPress sites.

    Contact us today to discuss an integration for your GlueUp and WordPress implementation. We can help you showcase your listings, deals, contacts and more – all while saving time through automation.

  • Empowering Legal Advocacy Through Digital Solutions

    Empowering Legal Advocacy Through Digital Solutions

    In an era where digital presence is crucial, Web321 stands at the forefront of offering custom web solutions tailored for groups embarking on legal advocacy, particularly those initiating or involved in class-action lawsuits. Our expertise caters to the unique needs of such groups, ensuring confidentiality, member recruitment, and effective communication—all pivotal elements in the intricate dance of legal challenges against formidable opponents.

    The Challenge: Advocacy groups, driven by a commitment to justice and community well-being, often face the daunting task of rallying support without compromising privacy or incurring prohibitive costs. The essence of their struggle lies in the need to disseminate critical information, recruit allies, and keep stakeholders informed, all while navigating the delicate balance between public engagement and personal privacy.

    Our Solution: Web321 offers a holistic suite of web services designed to amplify the voices of legal advocacy groups while safeguarding their core values and operational constraints. Here’s how we can help:

    • Custom Domain and Hosting: We provide a secure and relevant digital base with a custom domain name and reliable web hosting, ensuring your cause stands out with professionalism and credibility.
    • Tailored Website Design: Drawing from your vision and objectives, we will craft a website that not only describes your mission but also serves as a dynamic platform for updates, using a streamlined blog format to keep information current and accessible.
    • Engagement and Privacy Tools: Our solutions include options for password-protected posts or members-only access, ensuring sensitive information remains confidential while fostering a trusted community environment. We offer a download manager to give members access to documents that can be kept out of public view, but available to qualified users.
    • Interactive Features: With features like sign-up forms, we streamline the process of joining your cause, directing new members to you and your team efficiently and securely.
    • Integrated Communication: Leveraging tools like Mailchimp, make updates and engagement easy, keeping your community informed and connected through automated emails that direct attention back to your website.

    Cost-Effective Strategies: Understanding the financial constraints often faced by advocacy groups, Web321 is committed to delivering cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or functionality. We provide transparent, upfront quotes tailored to your specific needs and budget, ensuring you can focus on your cause without financial strain.

    Confidentiality and Consultation: Your privacy and the confidentiality of your mission are paramount. We offer discreet consultation services to discuss your needs in detail, ensuring every aspect of your digital strategy aligns with your goals and privacy requirements.

    Web321 is more than a web services provider; we are your partner. We can guide your group to publish clear information related to your quest for justice and advocacy. Our digital solutions empower your group to connect with your in your legal journey, ensuring your message speaks loudly and clearly, rallying the support and recognition your cause deserves. Let us be the digital backbone to your advocacy, where every click brings you closer to your goals.

    Click here to get started!

  • What’s the Deal With Quality Content?

    What’s the Deal With Quality Content?

    What makes content high-quality? When it comes to content marketing, quality goes beyond surface metrics like word count or citations.

    True quality lies in how well content achieves its purpose and connects with readers. Does it align with marketing goals? Resonate with the target audience? Offer value and incite action?

    The highest quality lies at the intersection of relevance, insight, and engagement. Relevance to audience needs and marketing objectives. Insight that educates, empowers and entertains. Engagement strong enough to drive desired outcomes, whether that’s clicks, shares, or sales.

    Achieving this blend is an art and a science. The right qualitative and quantitative analysis can assess alignment to goals and resonance with audiences. This informs a feedback loop for continuous improvement towards ever greater quality and impact over time.

    The destination is clear, if not always easy: Content that appeals, enlightens and motivates in just the right ways for just the right people. This is content worth creating. This is content that drives outcomes. And it’s the true mark of marketing success.

    1. Engagement and Value: High-quality content tends to engage its audience effectively, leading to higher click-through rates, social media shares, and conversions. Content that achieves its marketing objectives, whether that’s generating traffic, engagement, or conversions, can be considered high quality​
    2. Relevance and Cultural Context: Good content is relevant to its target audience, and great content often includes a level of cultural relevance. This involves understanding and reflecting the ideas, convictions, beliefs, and implicit theories of the world that drive your audience’s decision-making processes​
    3. Expertise and Authoritativeness: High-quality content often showcases expertise and authoritativeness. This includes content created by or with the insights of subject matter experts, which adds depth and trustworthiness. This aspect is particularly important for content aimed at improving SEO rankings due to Google’s emphasis on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust)​
    4. Uniqueness and Originality: Quality content should offer something unique or add a new perspective to existing discussions. This could mean creating content that addresses the specific challenges your community faces or offers unique expertise or data not available elsewhere​
    5. Appropriate Length and Keyword Use: The length of the content should be determined by the content itself, addressing the topic adequately without being overly repetitive or sparse. Additionally, while keywords are important for SEO, they should be integrated naturally into the content, reflecting the language and questions of your audience​
    6. Avoiding Low-Quality Traits: According to Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines, low-quality pages are those that fail to achieve their purpose well due to reasons such as inadequate levels of Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T), poor quality of the main content, an unsatisfying amount of content, or exaggerated and misleading titles​

    High-quality content is a blend of being engaging, valuable, relevant, unique, authoritative, and well-optimized for search engines, whereas low-quality content often lacks these attributes and fails to meet the needs or expectations of its audience.

    Here are some key approaches and tools you can use:

    Approaches to Measure Content Quality

    1. Audience Engagement Metrics:
      • Pageviews and Unique Visitors: Measures the popularity and reach of your content.
      • Time on Page: Indicates how engaging your content is. Longer time suggests more engaging content.
      • Bounce Rate: A high bounce rate may indicate that the content is not meeting users’ expectations.
      • Comments and Shares: Reflects the level of audience engagement and interest in your content.
    2. SEO Performance Metrics:
      • Keyword Rankings: Track how your content ranks for targeted keywords in search engine results.
      • Organic Traffic: Measures the number of visitors coming to your content from search engines.
      • Backlinks: The number and quality of backlinks can indicate the credibility and authority of your content.
    3. Conversion Metrics:
      • Conversion Rate: Measures how often your content leads to a desired action, like a sale or a subscription.
      • Lead Generation: Assesses how effective your content is at generating leads.
    4. Content Quality Analysis:
      • Readability: Ensures content is easily understandable by the target audience.
      • Relevance and Accuracy: Content should be factually correct and relevant to the audience’s interests and needs.
      • Consistency: Maintains a consistent voice, style, and quality across all content pieces.
    5. User Feedback:
      • Surveys and Polls: Direct feedback from your audience about their content experience.
      • Social Listening: Monitoring social media for mentions and sentiment about your brand and content.

    Tools to Measure Content Quality

    1. Analytics Tools:
      • Google Analytics: For tracking website traffic, user behavior, and engagement metrics.
      • Google Search Console: Similar to Google Analytics. It does a great job of assessing what works and what doesn’t work. It looks at content from the viewpoint of your sitemap and your traffic.
      • SEMrush or Ahrefs: For SEO tracking and backlink analysis.
    2. Content Management Systems (CMS):
      • Integrated analytics features in platforms like WordPress or HubSpot to track content performance. WordPress manages content and can monitor trends. Hubspot is a great customer relationship tool to monitor how people interact with site content.
    3. Social Media Analytics:
      • Platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, or native analytics in social media platforms for engagement metrics.
    4. Readability Tools:
      • Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor for grammar, readability, and style checks.
    5. Survey and Feedback Tools:
      • Platforms like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms for gathering direct user feedback. Using Google Forms offers some nice and easy integration like Google Drive.
    6. Heatmap Tools:
      • Tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg to visualize user interaction with your content.

    Best Practices

    • Regular Auditing: Regularly review and update your content to maintain its relevance and quality. Use your tools. Tune your content to meet with the nexus of what your audience is look for; what your expertise is; and what your competition is trying to rank for.
    • Balancing Metrics: Combine different metrics for a more comprehensive view of content quality.
    • Audience-Centric Approach: Always prioritize your audience’s needs and preferences when evaluating content.

    The most effective approach depends on your specific content goals, audience, and industry. It’s important to continuously refine your strategy based on the data and feedback you collect.

    Create content that speaks to your audience starts with an understanding of what they want and how they prefer to receive information. This means getting to the heart of the topics and perspectives they find most valuable, while also identifying the mediums and platforms where they are most engaged. With this knowledge in hand, you can craft content anchored around meaningful ideas delivered in a style and format tailored for your readers.

    The writing itself must connect with readers in a transparent, conversational way, using language and examples familiar to them. The design should be crisp and uncluttered, allowing the substance to shine through. When you combine these elements – genuine value and relevance for the intended audience, conveyed clearly in their preferred voice and channels – the result is content that ticks all the boxes by offering something meaningful in a pleasing, accessible way. The deeper the understanding of your readers, the greater the impact possible.

  • Efficient WordPress Website Migration with Duplicator Pro: Best Practices

    Migrating WordPress websites can be a complex task, but with the right tools and strategies, it becomes a breeze. At our company, we use Duplicator Pro for WordPress migrations, and with 10 to 20 migrations per week, we’ve honed our approach to perfection. Let’s walk you through our proven steps for a smooth WordPress website migration using Duplicator Pro.

    1. Pre-Migration Cleanup: Before initiating the migration process, it’s essential to clean up your website to ensure a hassle-free transfer. Here’s what we recommend:
      • Utilize a plugin like WP Optimize to eliminate transients and unnecessary data.
      • Delete trashed posts and user profiles to declutter your database.
      • Remove undesired images that are no longer needed.
      • Deactivate and delete inactive plugins and themes that won’t be used in the new environment.
    2. Ensure Similar Environments: To avoid compatibility issues during migration, it’s crucial to align the source and destination environments. Here’s what you should do:
      • Make PHP versions compatible, even if it means temporarily downgrading for the migration.
      • Ensure that the destination server has the necessary extensions activated, including ZipArchive and MBString, which are required by Duplicator Pro.
      • Adjust PHP.ini settings to allocate sufficient memory (512K or higher) and set high execution maximums to prevent timeouts during extraction.
      • After the migration, remember to restore any PHP settings you may have changed.
    3. Handling Large Websites (Part 1): If your website is exceptionally large, consider the following steps:
      • Compress the wp-contents directory separately and store it offline.
      • Exclude the wp-contents directory from the export profile to reduce the migration size.
    4. Handling Large Websites (Part 2): For extremely large websites, switch to the alternative format, .DAF, and attempt the migration again.
    5. Installation with Security:Protect your website during installation to thwart potential threats:
      • Add an installation password and use it to complete the installation securely.
      • Alternatively, rename the installer.php file to something unique to prevent automated attacks on new sites.
    6. Exclude Your License: If you don’t intend to share your Duplicator Pro license, take care to exclude it from the migration or delete it after installation. This prevents unintended transfers of sensitive files.
    7. Correct URL Configuration: Ensure that your website’s URL is set correctly during the Duplicator Pro installation. Mistakes here can lead to time-consuming cleanup tasks later. Double-check the installer.php file’s URL, as it becomes the domain and schema for the new installation.

    By following these steps and best practices, you can efficiently migrate WordPress websites using Duplicator Pro. Our experience has shown that meticulous planning and attention to detail can save you time and ensure a seamless transition to your new hosting environment.

  • Retire From Web Design But Still Earn Money

    Retire From Web Design But Still Earn Money

    People come and go from web design. Some people take off to another country. Some people change careers. Some people just need to hang up their web design hats. Regardless of the reason to exit the field, it happens and it happens often.

    Are you a web designer considering closing up your agency? Don’t say farewell to your hard-earned clients just yet! Continuity of care is a crucial aspect of any professional relationship, including the one between a web designer and their clients. When a web designer decides to leave the profession, it can be a challenging situation for both parties involved. There is an opportunity to handle this transition in a way that ensures the clients’ needs are still met while allowing the web designer to explore new opportunities.

    When a web designer decides to leave the profession, it is essential to inform clients as soon as possible. This allows them to prepare for the transition and make necessary arrangements. By being honest and upfront about the decision, clients will appreciate the respect and professionalism demonstrated. At Web321, we’ve had something similar. I started Shawn DeWolfe Consulting in 2016, but after a few years I’ve seen that the best model to satisfy clients is the Web321 Managed Web Support. Since we opened our doors on the Web321 venture in 2020, we have been slowly moving clients and projects under the Web321 umbrella. We have tried to be as transparent as possible. When people are in the dark, they get spooked. When they get spooked, they run for it. We’ve all seen horror movies. We know that usually disaster follows. A smooth transition is ideal.

    A departing web designer should take the initiative to recommend a new service take over their clients’ web design needs. This could be a trusted colleague or another reputable web design agency. By providing a recommendation, the departing web designer ensures that their clients are in capable hands and can continue to receive the quality service they expect. Once that trust is earned, a client will often heed a recommendation.

    In addition to recommending a new service, the departing web designer can also offer to help the transition process. This may include providing documentation, sharing credentials, updating domain registration records to name the incoming agency; sharing design files, or offering guidance to the new service provider. By actively participating in the handover, the departing web designer demonstrates their commitment to their clients’ well being and their dedication to ensuring a smooth process. That sort of goodwill is very important, not to mention: it’s the stand-up thing to do.

    The door doesn’t have to be 100% open or closed. A departing web designer can explore opportunities to collaborate with an existing service provider. By opening up a relationship with the new service provider, the departing web designer can continue to support their clients indirectly and potentially benefit from any referrals or collaborations in the future.

    A departing web designer should consider leveraging their existing client base to transition into a new opportunity. With their expertise in web design, they can explore related fields such as user experience (UX) design, digital marketing, or a business consultancy. By leveraging their existing client relationships, the departing web designer can continue to reap the rewards of their expertise while venturing into new opportunities.

    This is where we come in: through Web321’s affiliate program, a web designer can exit their agency but maintain continuity of care and generate recurring income. The continuity of care is a big one: some communities have a long memory and how a professional closes down their practice can have impacts for years to come. By managing the hand-off, an agency can stay golden and move on.

    Why Web321?

    Web321 is not just another web hosting and design platform: we manage websites. We take the work of website and email management off of the plate of a small business and handle that for them. Tech can be an exhausting and confusing topic for employees to tackle. We take care of that for them.

    1. Seamless Transition: The transition can be seamless. Our user-friendly platform ensures a smooth migration process, so you can retain your clients’ trust and satisfaction.
    2. Exceptional Services: With Web321, your clients will enjoy excellent web hosting, unmatched site performance, and access to a wide range of plugins, themes and tools. Their websites will thrive, and so will your reputation.
    3. Affiliate Income: Every time your referred clients sign up for Web321, you earn a generous and ongoing affiliate commission. It’s a win-win situation – your clients get top-quality service, and you continue to earn from your referrals.

    Why Choose the Web321 Affiliate Program?

    • Steady Recurring Income: Say goodbye to the uncertainty of project-based revenue. With Web321, you’ll enjoy recurring commissions as long as your clients remain on our platform.
    • No Extra Work: Once you’ve referred your clients to Web321 and made sure we have the credentials needed to keep the hosting and registrations going, the only job thereafter is to watch the commissions roll in. No need to manage their websites or handle technical issues – we’ve got it covered.
    • Reliable Support: Our dedicated support team is here to assist your clients, ensuring they have the best experience possible. Happy clients mean more referrals and more income for you.
    • Transparency: Our affiliate program is transparent, ensuring you have real-time access to your earnings and performance metrics.

    Join the Web321 Affiliate Network Today!

    Don’t miss out on the opportunity to turn your client relationships into a recurring revenue stream. Partner with Web321, and let us help you maximize your income potential while providing your clients with the best web hosting and design services available.

    Closing your web design agency doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your clients or your income. Embrace the future with Web321, where affiliate income possibilities are limitless. Sign up today!

     

We’ll take good care of your website.

Sign Up
blank

Contact Us

1-844-4-WEB-321
[email protected]

Socials

More

Quick Links

  • WordPress Webmaster Services
  • WordPress Support
  • WordPress Solutions
blank blank
Copyright © 2025 – Web321 | All Right Reserved