Brooke Desmond
No matter what industry you’re in, you’ll always have another business to compete against. Creating a genuine connection with your audience will play a key role in converting them to customers, but how you go about building this relationship will allow your business to be the “winner” in your space. Here are four ways you can stand out from your competition. Highlight Your Differentiator Your business is unique in some form or fashion, and your key differentiator highlights this uniqueness. Every business has one, but not all of them showcase them properly (or even know how to define this). If you’re not sure what exactly makes you different, follow this process: Take a good look at any gaps in your competitors’ business model and define how you fill these gaps differently. On the flip side, see which of your competitors fill the gaps correctly, and use their model as a […]
Read MoreWe believe all businesses should audit their website every five years for a new look. We thought we needed to practice what we preached and revamped the GreenMellen website. In all honesty, this project started in 2018…and we didn’t launch until 2020. With client work being our top priority, this became a side project that we chipped away at little by little over two years. It didn’t help that this website was one of the more complicated sites we’ve worked on and involved a TON of custom design work. But, after seeing the final result come to life, we know it was all worth it! Some new pieces and features we added to our website include: A more thorough look behind some of the work we’ve created Details on the industries we serve and a featured case study for each industry More detailed bios of our team members (including links […]
Read MoreCongratulations! You approved your staging site, and we’ve scheduled the launch date! Now that we’re days away from making this new website visible to the public, here are a few things you can expect to happen on launch day and what you need to do between now and then. What Happens on Launch Day Launching a website is not as simple as flipping a light switch; we dedicated at least half a business day to make sure everything is executed correctly. From redirecting pages on your current website to making sure search engines can see your website, we take the time needed to ensure your website looks and acts exactly as it should. Luckily, if you hired a web agency or developer to take care of your website on your behalf, there’s not a lot you need to worry about or do on the launch date. They will let you […]
Read MoreContent marketing has proven to be one of the most important aspects of a website, yet it is undermined as an afterthought by many businesses. Today, digital content is more than the words you read; it ranges from images and infographics to videos and whitepapers and just about everything in between. Because of its broad definition, there is a chance your website is making mistakes impacting your success, but luckily, many of these mistakes can be fixed. Here’s a list of the common content marketing mistakes you’re making on your website and how to fix them. Designing Your Website Before Content This “chicken or the egg” situation often comes across, especially when our clients are providing the content. When we create custom websites, we always make sure that design and content are being worked on simultaneously to ensure they both enhance the final product. That being said, we need a […]
Read MoreWhen you complete a big project like launching a new website, you may feel like it’s time to pop the champagne and say, “yay, that’s one thing off our list that we will never need to revisit.” Truth is, your website will never be finished, no matter how robust it is. While this may sound daunting, there are good reasons why a website is a never-ending project and will put you ahead of your competition. Take a look at the top reasons why your website will never be complete. User Expectations Change Over Time Think about what a good website looked like 10 years ago versus how websites look today. Consumers’ expectations have changed drastically since then, as they expect to browse websites that load fast, are easy to navigate around, and can have the same user experience across any device. People don’t want to waste time when coming to […]
Read MoreCollecting qualitative, useful feedback from your customers is a meaningful way to gain insight into improving your products, services or business. While there are many channels you can use to start this conversation with your audience, email is probably the most successful. By simply sending the right feedback email to your customers, you’ll be able to learn how your business is excelling, where you’re missing the mark, and build a deeper relationship with your customers. Here’s how you can make this happen: Start with a Simple Design No one wants to take the time to read an email that’s cluttered with unnecessary elements. Studies have proven that simplicity in emails increases conversion rates by 200%! These feedback emails should really only have three elements: Your logo (no other imagery) so users can quickly identify who they are receiving an email from A brief message Clear call-to-action to submit feedback A […]
Read MoreBusinesses like Nike, Apple and Coca-Cola have worked tirelessly to become the most iconic brands in the world. They have successfully connected with their audience and maintain an effective reputation through their brand, but what makes them legendary is how they make people “feel” when they think about their brand. Effective branding is not simple, and it’s much more than just people recognizing your logo; it’s about creating a feeling that resonates. To create a brand that leaves a lasting impression, here are the must-haves as a part of your branding strategy. A Defined Vision and Mission A mission and vision statement are slightly different, but both deliver the same thing: a promise. A mission statement tells people why your organization exists and what your overall goal is, whereas a vision statement provides a crucial compass for future branding decisions. The promise your brand holds will help you to figure […]
Read MoreIt’s completely normal for website traffic to experience ups and downs throughout a calendar year. However, if your website was experiencing consistent traffic and suddenly sees low traffic, there could be a bigger concern. Here are some common (and uncommon) reasons your website is now experiencing low traffic and how you can fix the problem. Analyze Your Traffic Drop A good first place to start is to examine your traffic drop and note any trends. Take a look at the curve of your traffic over a few months. Ask yourself: Did this decline happen suddenly or over time? Are there any other metrics negatively impacted during this same timeline? Could the cause of this dip be seasonal/linked to a specific time of year? These questions should give you an excellent place to start for your investigation, but make sure you investigate your Analytics or whatever website tool you use is […]
Read MoreWe aren’t even halfway through 2020 yet, but the need for a steady Internet connection and digital presence has clearly become more than a luxury; they’ve become a necessity for your business. This also rings true for having a high-quality website for modern customers to learn more about your products or services, and for those who don’t meet this new expectation, they will sink instead of swim. Here are the top reasons why having a strong website in 2020 is an absolute must for your business. People Are Spending More Time Online It’s been a best practice in business for a long time: meet your customers where they are. Most target audiences tend to flock to the Internet, and this trend is only going to accelerate as time goes on. This means creating a strong website for your business will offer a place where your users can shop and explore […]
Read MoreAs a web design and digital marketing agency, we’ve seen our share of poorly designed websites. When a business chooses to go the “quick and easy” route for their web design, they are putting their business’s success in jeopardy. Strong website design will not only boost your digital presence, but it will also generate more sales, leads, and impressions. Here are the top ways poor website design can negatively impact your business. Low Visibility on Search Engines Users usually turn to search engines like Google to start their search for businesses like yours. If your website is not listed within the first search engine results page (SERP), you have a 25% chance of being seen if someone decides to go to the second SERP or beyond. With that said, relevant content, SEO best practices and, of course, strong website design will improve your website’s visibility. Lack of Credibility Websites serve […]
Read MoreToday, a website serves as the digital storefront into your business and develops the first impression with your audience. High-quality, custom websites showcase your services/products, tell your brand’s story, and give people easy steps to taking the next step with you. The price of a website varies based on the features, size, and type, but a custom website can run toward the expensive side. If you are currently experiencing sticker shock from a website proposal, here are some things to consider to determine the value of a custom website. Functionality A website can fit any budget, but not every website at all price tags will function the same way. For example, an eCommerce website will act differently than a static blog website, and the more complex a website is, the more likely it will cost more. Keep in mind, a more robust, expensive website will more likely lead to more […]
Read MoreWhen we build custom WordPress websites for our clients, we always dedicate at least a week minimum to go through user testing and quality assurance with them. During this step of our process, they are reviewing the “staging website,” which is essentially a non-published, working version of their new site. Since this is usually a unique experience for our clients, we wanted to dedicate a post to help understand what to expect when reviewing a staging site. How Does the Staging Site Work A staging site is basically a working version of your website for live testing and review. All of the buttons, links, animations, and responsive design will function exactly how it would when it’s live, and we send these to make sure everything works as it should before launch. Before we send a staging site to a client, we always undergo an internal review as a team to […]
Read MoreIt’s strange to say that many businesses are officially “getting used to” working from home during the COVID-19 crisis, but it has become the new normal. Many people are still trying to adjust to this new norm, and if you are one of these people, this is the post for you. Here are the best practices to exercise when working from home. Tips for Working With Clients If you’re meeting “face-to-face” with your clients via video conferencing, it’s important to put these policies in place for yourself and your team: Mute yourself when you’re not talking. No one likes to hear dogs barking, microwaves beeping, or your spouse’s conference call in the background. Keep all the distractions to a minimum. Turn off notification sounds when teleconferencing. Text messages, phone calls, and app notifications also bring distractions to the table, so make sure they are silenced. Be aware of your background. […]
Read MoreEvery industry has been impacted in some way because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it’s altering business hours, working remotely, or pivoting your focus into unchartered waters, everyone has had to become agile quickly. Another area that has probably taken a turn is your digital marketing plan, and while we would not suggest putting all efforts on pause, there are ways to alter your strategy to stay relevant and see success. Here are our biggest tips for altering your digital marketing strategy during the COVID-19 crisis. Change Your Tone While we’re not saying you need to change your brand’s voice and personality entirely, it’s essential to set yourself up for sounding optimistic and hopeful. This situation hasn’t been easy for everyone, and the last thing someone needs is to know your business’s opinion on the crisis or have to use an “IH8COVID19” coupon code to take advantage of a limited-time […]
Read MoreLast week, many businesses had to make the hard decision to shift their daily operations from their offices to their homes. While remote working has become increasingly popular in recent years, many business professionals across the globe are experiencing the nuances of remote working for the first time due to the COVID-19 crisis. At GreenMellen, we’ve been practicing remote working for over five years and have learned a few lessons on how we can make sure our workdays are just as productive as our in-office days. Here are our top tips for remote working to boost your productivity. Keep a Routine Humans are creatures of habit, and keeping a routine during your workday will not only manage your productivity, but it will also set you up for success. Time blocking is a great way to practice this; by blocking your calendar with work sessions, meetings and breaks, it will allow […]
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