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Premade or Custom: Are Website Templates a Good Idea?

Author: Mario Diaz

Premade or Custom: Are Website Templates a Good Idea?

Posted on by Mario Diaz

When you’re trying to start an online business or develop and improve your online presence with a renovated website, you have a few options. You can hire a professional or you can “DIY” your website with premade website templates.

While website design templates are a tempting choice, are they really the best? Sure, you can do it on your own and get your website looking somewhat the way that you want, but at what cost?

We don’t think templates are a good idea for a business that wants to thrive. We’re here to explain why.

They’re Generic

One of the biggest problems with website templates is that they all have a similar look. While that look might be visually appealing, you’ll look the same as all of the other websites (including the ones in your niche).

You do have some control over the appearance of your site. And if you’re tech-savvy, you may be able to create something that’s somewhat unique. But a website that’s built from scratch will always be customized to you and your business.

They’re Bloated With Plugins

The “easy to use” drag and drop software that most DIY website templates use is convenient. But that doesn’t mean that it’s good for your website.

The plugins that make this option available can bloat your website, making it less efficient and more difficult to navigate. Plugins are full of information that your website doesn’t need, so the lack of efficiency isn’t worth it.

Ease of use is important. But when it comes to the customer experience, the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to easy DIY website building.

They Make Your Site More Vulnerable

When you have a custom website developed for you, developers know how to build the website with security in mind. Cybersecurity is everything when it comes to your business.

While DIY website platforms and templates have a lot of security due to frequent updates and an abundance of developers, they’re still vulnerable to hackers. If you’re not knowledgeable about installing updates and patches, you may find yourself facing security issues.

When you’re working with a professional website creator, they know how to manage these security problems when they come up.

They Don’t Scale Well

You want your business to grow and thrive, right?

With a DIY website, you’re limited as far as scaling goes. Unless you have significant know-how, you’ll find yourself struggling to maintain the website as your business grows and changes and your needs also change.

A website developer can make the required changes to the site with ease. And they know what changes you need depending on your situation, even when you’re unsure.

Website Templates: Are They Really the Best?

Many business owners opt to use website templates instead of hiring professional web designers, but this isn’t the best option. If you want a website that’s unique, scalable, and secure, it’s best to go with the professionals. A good online presence is crucial in 2021; don’t risk it.

If you want to use a professional web design company for your business’s website, we’re here to help you out. Get in touch to arrange a meeting so we can get started with your project.

Don’t Get Hacked! 5 WordPress Security Best Practices for 2021

Posted on by Mario Diaz

Did you know that there are over 75 million WordPress sites that are up and running? It’s true: the popular content management platform and site builder extends over much of the internet. Because of the number of users, many WordPress sites are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. That’s a risk that some people and companies cannot afford to take. But how can you secure your website? Continue reading to learn about the five best WordPress security practices in 2021.

By implementing these key strategies, you can trust that your WordPress site is safe.

1. Choose a Good Host

This may seem like a no-brainer, but selecting a trustworthy host is crucial. The host is the service that stores a website. It is also what makes a website accessible to users.

Not all host providers are created equal. Some suffer from frequent cyber attacks, while others often have downed servers. Sometimes, site speeds can be an issue too.

Take your time to research secure WordPress hosting providers. In this case, cheaper isn’t always better. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg, but be sure your provider is reputable.

2. Two-Factor WordPress Security

Two-factor security is available on many platforms and devices. This method typically means adding both an email and a phone number to an account to keep it secure. It can also refer to adding security questions or codes.

This adds security because it makes it harder to gain access to your WordPress website. Rather than only having to bypass one login, cybercriminals must face two. Two-factor authentication can even be challenging enough to deter hackers.

3. Update and Backup Regularly

Many people forget the importance of updating and backing up websites. This leaves them and their sites vulnerable. But how can something so simple be so beneficial?

Well, older websites are often targets for attacks. Not to mention, regular updates help protect sites from security threats. Having an up-to-date backup of a site is useful in case something happens to the live website.

Consider a WordPress Security and Update service to take care of these tasks for you.

4. Enable Safe Plugins

When using WordPress, it is paramount that users remember the platform is open-source. This means it is publicly accessible. Anyone can edit and share the design, which is where the problem lies.

Some bad outcomes can affect plugins. Any developer can upload a plugin, so some may contain viruses. It’s also possible to find and exploit weaknesses within plugins, so keep them updated!

5. Keep Passwords Safe

It might seem obvious, but it’s still important nonetheless. Passwords exist to keep your accounts safe. So, keep your passwords strong and secure!

Don’t choose a password that is common or easy to guess. Instead, choose a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Passphrases, or strings of words, are a safe choice too.

Always Stay Vigilant

Even after you implement these WordPress security practices, you should continue to stay on top of it. Continue watching for the best ways to keep your site free of any WordPress security issues.

For more information, check out our blog. We offer more ways to keep your WordPress site secure, as well as other tech and marketing resources.

9 Benefits of Email Marketing for Small Businesses

Posted on by Mario Diaz

Everyone has access to the internet these days, whether it’s through a smartphone or a smart tv. As such, they also have access to their email accounts. It’s a no-brainer that you should incorporate emails into your advertising strategies. But you’re probably asking how to use email marketing without your clients seeing it as spam. Here are nine benefits of email marketing that should convince you it’s worth the effort.

Build Credibility

Routine email marketing helps you build credibility with your audience, and people love doing business with people they know and like. You can use the platform to share helpful and informative content, as well as keep your audience in the loop with any changes to your business.

Take the opportunity to personalize your emails for that little extra that sets you apart from everyone else.

Reach Target Audience

With email, you can reach your target audience wherever they are at whatever time. Take advantage of this to empower your promotional marketing, letting readers know of any future sales, contests, and surveys to fill out.

Stay in Their Peripheral

One of the most important aspects of marketing is staying in your audience’s line of sight. The second they stop seeing your ads, they’ll forget it for another.

Email marketing ensures you’re always in their inbox, giving them important information related to your business.

Low-Cost Marketing

For small businesses, spending what you can without breaking the bank is key for their growth. One of the benefits of email marketing is how low-cost it can be.

Printing physical flyers, attending events, and hiring help cost much more than designing and sending out emails.

Collect Feedback

Most email marketing services allow you to collect feedback from your customers, such as if they read your email and actually clicked on the links.

You can also send customer satisfaction surveys to get customer feedback on a campaign, product, or even how your business should operate differently.

Generate Traffic

Another email marketing tip is to put hyperlinks to your products, contact links, and other important pages on your website. If you’re going to advertise your business, you might as well also generate traffic to your website.

Communication Channel

An overlooked benefit of email marketing is the fact that they serve as a communication channel with your audience.

Looking at the stats, over 290 billion emails are sent and received every day around the world. Most of those emails are opened on mobile devices.

Immediate Results

As a small business, immediate results are key to your growth. With email, you get the results you’re looking for right away, and they’re easy to track.

It’s Easy

The best thing about an email marketing strategy is that it’s easy to get started. Marketing platforms will walk you every step of the way, and you can build workflows to email subscribers automatically.

Benefits of Email Marketing

You’re probably excited to begin now that you know the benefits of email marketing.

Still not sure where to get started on your email marketing strategy, though? Reach out to us for help on your next project.

Local SEO vs Organic SEO: What’s the Difference?

Posted on by Mario Diaz

Did you know that 18% of local searches on Google resulted in a sale on the same day? As a business, you can’t afford to ignore the power of local SEO. Keep reading below to learn the benefits of local SEO and how it differs from any other SEO you’ve been doing so far. We’ll also give you some tips on how to start improving your search ranking.

What Is Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

In simple terms, local SEO is an emphasis on what people are looking for in your local community or city. Most businesses are more concerned with their competition down the block versus on the other side of the country.

This type of SEO focuses on localized keywords like “new bicycles in Scranton.” With the ability to reach over 90% of the people on the internet, Google is key to your success. Part of a local SEO strategy is to optimize your Google My Business page.

Online reviews are important for getting new customers. When working on local SEO you want to ensure it’s as easy as possible for people to leave reviews on your website, across social media, and on sites like Yelp or Angie’s List.

And, finally, good local search engine optimization includes rich content on your website that is targeted to local customers.

How Is Local SEO Different Than Organic SEO?

Many of our clients are familiar with organic or traditional SEO. They just don’t know the difference between organic and local SEO services. As you probably read above, there are similarities between local and organic SEO.

The difference between these types of SEO is that organic focuses more on increasing your overall search ranking.

Local SEO is more concerned with reaching current or potential customers in your area. This means you’ll need to do both types of SEO to stay competitive, especially as more commerce is being done online.

Tips on Getting a Better Website Ranking

Are you a small business wondering what you can do to improve your organic and local SEO? Here are five tips for creating an effective SEO strategy:

  • Post quality content that is targeted for your audience
  • Optimize your Google My Business account, review sites, and keep local audiences in mind
  • Try to use longer keywords (long-tail) or phrases
  • Don’t neglect the metadata on your website
  • Websites need to be mobile-friendly because that’s how most people are accessing content

When working on your SEO, you want to make sure to use a healthy mix of both organic and local strategies. They help you in different areas but often complement each other in the long run.

Need Help With Your SEO?

Search engine optimization is an effective way to boost your online ranking and connect with more customers. After reading this article you should have a better understanding of the differences between organic and local SEO.

Are you struggling with finalizing an SEO strategy? Contact us to learn how we can help you with SEO, WordPress management, marketing, and website design.

Posted in SEO

iOS vs Android: Which Platform Should You Develop For?

Posted on by Mario Diaz

Apply yourself to your app.

There were 38 billion downloads of apps in the second quarter of 2020 alone. App development is a multi-billion dollar industry, and you can reap some of that money with a smart and fun product.

But before you start programming, you need to decide which operating system you want. iOS and Android have their advantages and disadvantages, and you need to break them down.

Look no further. Here is a quick guide to iOS vs Android.

iOS vs Android App Development

iOS and Android have different codes, ecosystems, and update speeds. You can work by yourself or in a team within either system. But the details of both are worth mentioning.

iOS is written in Swift, Apple’s official programming language. Android apps are mostly written in Java. Java commands require more lines of code than Swift commands, with some Android apps requiring 40% more lines than iOS apps.

Apple’s ecosystem is closed, meaning that iOS content is restricted to Apple-regulated devices. You have to use Apple’s features, but they offer many, and those features are highly controlled for quality and stability.

Android is open-source. You can use your own devices, and you can modify those devices to your needs and skills. But open-sourcing Android means there is less security on the platform.

Apple’s regulations mean it takes longer to approve your app for the App Store. Apple may decline your app or its updates. Android apps take only a day or two to get approved, and you can release updates within one day.

Audience

You need to decide what your app’s audience is. Consider the need that your app meets, and who that need affects.

iOS users are consolidated within the United States, Western Europe, and Australia. If your audience is in these regions, iOS is better for you.

Android users are spread all over the world. Android dominates South America, Russia, and Asia in particular. If your audience is in these regions, or if you are looking for a broad global audience, Android is better for you.

iOS users tend to have more money. They tend to be younger, and iOS dominates the 18-to-24-year old market. Apple users tend to be in professional jobs, especially in the enterprise market.

Android users have less money to spend, and they are less willing to spend money on apps. They tend to work in technical jobs, with less advanced educational degrees.

Monetization

Apple users make more in-app purchases than Android users. Shopping apps generate the most revenue, especially in North America and China.

Android supports in-app advertisements very well. Utility apps are the best selling apps on the platform.

Android users do spend less money on apps, but the market share for Android can offset this deficit. To determine your profit margin, consider your audience share and your means of monetization.

Design to Your Desire

Apps are growing in popularity. But the iOS vs Android debate remains fierce. Learn the basics, and decide the right operating system for you.

If you are looking for easy coding, an affluent audience, and monetization through in-app purchases, choose iOS. If you are looking for an open-source system with a large global audience and in-app advertisements, choose Android.

Infuse your app with your unique personality. Enfuse Creative Design offers a wide variety of creative services for your app. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The Big Trends in Web Design to Look Out for in 2021

Posted on by Mario Diaz

More people are online than ever, thanks in large part to the pandemic forcing businesses to close and many employees working from home. This has created a trend among businesses that many experts are predicting is here to stay – a focus on web design.

Web design is so important because it’s the first thing consumers associate with the company and can help you stand apart from the competition. According to Standford’s Web Credibility Research, 75 percent of consumers reported making assumptions of businesses’ credibility based on their web design. 

Keep reading to discover the trends in web design to look out for in 2021 and how you can capitalize on them to get a step ahead of the competition.

1. Backing up the Facts

People want to see the facts, they don’t want to know what you might be able to accomplish, they want to know specifics. Analytics is becoming a critical factor for businesses to develop, as it can give insights into what is working for you and what needs to be changed. 

These facts and figures can also motivate consumers to complete an action, like click the call-to-action. Seeing data being presented to you helps ease doubts and allow the customer to decide based on facts.

The best part about presenting data is the flexibility and creativity that can come along with it. Breaking down data into easy to comprehend visuals can make it even easier to portray your message to the user. 

2. Dark Mode

A welcomed change from the bright, eye-catching colors that have been used in the past, dark mode is becoming one of the most anticipated web design trends of 2021. 

The dark mode gives any website an instant modern update that allows other features to “pop.” Implementing a dark theme can also make it easier for users to read at night without straining their eyes. If you haven’t noticed yet, many popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have already begun rolling out dark mode. 

3. Color Branding

Color branding is another 2021 web design trend that is set to explode in popularity. Companies are beginning to understand the significant benefits that come with an established brand. 

Good branding is what separates companies like Apple and Amazon from the rest of the pack. It’s what gives companies a personality and makes it feel like you can connect with them. Color is an important factor in branding, as studies have shown that colors can invoke certain emotions like excitement, trust, and security.

Since the color blue tends to put people at ease and promotes a sense of trust, it’s the most popular choice among businesses. The next most popular is red as it can increase heart rate and tends to grab attention. 

Looking to Get Ahead of These Trends in Web Design?

Web design is becoming increasingly more important for companies looking to make a name for themselves online. Growing your customer base online can be challenging by yourself – trying to focus on business operations, and growing your online process. It might be worth considering hiring a web design agency to help you increase your visibility online and grow your brand.

If you are looking to get ahead of these trends in web design and give your business the online presence it deserves, contact us today, and we can help you get started.

6 Tips on Using Mobile SEO for Small Businesses

Posted on by Mario Diaz

For small businesses, having an internet presence is critical in this day in age. With the retail industry shifting online amid the pandemic, businesses are left with a choice – adapt or risk losing everything you have worked so hard for. 

Consumers are online more than ever, but more importantly, they are shopping from their mobile devices. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, 96 percent of Americans now own a cell phone. 

Search engine optimization (SEO) can help increase your visibility and connect with mobile users. Keep reading to learn tips on using mobile SEO and how it can help your business get a step ahead of the competition.

1. Use a Responsive Design

Having a mobile-friendly website is great and all, but why not take it a step further and implement a responsive design. Responsiveness takes web design to a whole other level – it is web design reimagined. 

New devices are constantly being brought to the market, and these devices all have different size screens. The innovative, responsive design allows for seamless viewing, no matter the screen size.

A responsive design will automatically adjust and adapt to the screen it is being viewed on.  The layouts are fluid, giving your website the ability to reformat quickly.

2. Focus on User Experience

The user experience is one of the most crucial aspects of your website. It is the experience consumers have with the brand and how they feel about it. 

You know the saying “first impressions are everything,” but with business websites, the statement still holds true. If a visitor has to wait too long or can’t find what they are looking for, they will bounce and go elsewhere. Focusing on the user experience will prioritize the consumer’s wants and needs, making them feel appreciated.

3. Check for Crawl Errors

Google, along wi other search engines, will send out crawlers or spiders to search every page of your website, indexing the information. Sometimes crawl errors happen for various reasons that can be detrimental to business. 

These errors will limit your visibility on the web by limiting your search engine ranking. Check your robots.txt file to make sure there are no errors.

4. Improve Performance

Having a fast loading time for your site is one of the most critical factors of being online. Consumers don’t want to wait any more than they have to in this digital age of instantaneous satisfaction. 

According to research from Kissmetrics, 47% of users expect your website to load in under 2 seconds. Compressing and optimizing images can be an excellent place to start.

5. Be Consistent

Consistency is key while trying to attract new users. The more content you create and post, the more engaged users will be. 

The average half-life of a tweet is around 24 minutes, with some estimates as low as 5. With that being said, if you are not consistently providing content, your posts will not be interacted with as much.

6. Utilize Social Media

Social media is important for any business, no matter the size. It can open up the possibility of connecting with millions of users online. Social media is an integral part of many businesses strategy for SEO, allowing for easy sharing and engagement among users.

Interested in Learning More About Using Mobile SEO?

Search engine optimization is one of the biggest tools for companies to invest in and develop. It can help businesses connect with consumers in a way they never imagined possible. 

If you are a business owner or looking to start a business, contact us today, and we can help you get started using mobile SEO.

Posted in SEO

4 Common Web Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Posted on by Mario Diaz

The web is a huge place where people can find tons of information, and one thing you’re going to want people to do is find their way to your website. But, when you’re looking to use a website, one of the first things you need to think about is the website design.

Designing a website can be full of fun and excitement, but tons of things can go wrong. We want your website to be the best it can be, and that’s why we’re going to share some web design mistakes that are commonly made and ways that you can avoid them.

1. Busy, Busy, Busy

When you’re using various templates to complete your site’s design, it can be easy to use various fonts, images, and more throughout the site. But, if you’re not careful, your site may become busier than you intended it to.

When your site is too busy, it can make it challenging for potential customers to find what they need to find. And not to mention, when a website has various things on its page, it will take longer for the page to load for the customer when they are looking you up online.

The longer it takes to load a page, the higher the risk of the customer leaving the page altogether. Trust us. Sometimes less is more.

2. No Call To Action

The call to action is one of the most essential pieces of your site design. When you’re creating your digital marketing strategy, you and your team should sit down and create a call to action.

When creating the CTA, ask yourself, what do you want the customer to do? What emotions do you want them to feel? Having these answers will help you move the customer to do what you would like them to do when they’ve reached the end of the content you’ve posted.

3. Posting Boring Content

One of the worst things you can do is post the wrong content on your site. When it comes to content, you need to take the time to assess your target audience and decide what type of content they respond the most too.

You can post a couple of types of content in the early stages and collect analytics about what content received the most customer engagement. After that, you can schedule the release of other content based on your findings.

4. Posting Wrong or Outdated Contact Information

Your contact information should always be current because it’s how customers and other potential clients will let you know when they have questions or need to get in touch with you concerning their orders. When your information is not updated, it may lead a customer to think about what else on the site isn’t updated, causing them to question the attention you put into your site.

If you don’t have the time to keep up with your site, hiring a company to assist you with website design is the best way to go.

Web Design Mistakes: Avoid Them You’ll Thank Us Later

We know that some of these web design mistakes may seem silly, but you’d be surprised how many people make these mistakes. Things like not posting the right content or leaving outdated information posted on the site are not a good look.

But, when you start a project with Enfuse Creative Design, you don’t have to worry about any of that. We know what attracts customers to a website and want to help you experience maximum sales and customer engagement.

7 BS Facts About Graphic Designers Everyone Thinks Are True

Posted on by Mario Diaz

Some say graphic design is a dead field. This is understandable, but it’s the wrong perspective.

In 2019, the graphic design industry enjoyed $15 billion in revenue, with an annual growth rate of 3.5%. The projected numbers look shiny too.

We’re here to debunk 7 BS myths about graphic design. Let’s dive in!

1. Graphic Designers Only Make Logos

It’s not true that graphic designers only make logos.

Yes, a logo is definitely an important element for any company’s brand design. A good logo endures the test of time and imprints itself into our minds.

Think Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ swoosh.

Graphic designers understand that a great logo isn’t only about the logo. The logo is the starting off point for a brand kit that will include color schemes and typography. These elements together will embody the company’s brand.

2. Graphic Design, Only Fit for Print

Today’s graphic design includes a lot of web-based art. Like YouTube channel art, Facebook covers website design, blog banners, and much more.

But it also still includes traditional print mediums. like magazine or newspaper layouts, packaging design, and branded merchandise.

Since there is no ‘end’ to the internet, it’s easy to say there is no ‘end’ for graphic designers and their usefulness.

3. Still Images Only

Some people think that graphic design means only using still images. This is not at all true.

Graphic designers today can make striking GIFs and slideshows, giving a brand new, vibrant life.

Research has found that users find this type of graphic design five times more engaging. This is reason enough to invest in professional website design and all the extras.

4. You Need Fancy Tools and Innate Creativity

You can invest in fancy tools, but there is no need. Today’s graphic designer has amazing free tools at their fingertips.

And while there is a level of creativity involved, graphic design is just as much a science. There are formulas that work well. Once you understand them, creativity is easy.

5. Graphic Designers Only Make Things ‘Pretty’

Not quite.

Sometimes yes, creating something aesthetically pleasing is the goal. But as often, designers may try to evoke anger, or shock, in a viewer.

Every element is designed to evoke a response based on the brands’ needs or those of the designer.

6. 100% Original Every Time

Originality is important. But good graphic designers understand the science and build templates to easily create similar assets on an ongoing basis.

This hack helps designers offer impeccable consistency across all brand collateral.

7. Trapped by Trends

Graphic designers may keep an eye on relevant trends, but they aren’t forced to follow them.

Good branding stands the test of time. If designers allow trends to take too much focus, their work may quickly become obsolete.

Using timeless elements for things like logos is often a designer’s best bet.

Graphic Designers for the Win

It takes 50 milliseconds for a website to register a visual appeal. With that being the case, investing in professional graphic design makes sense.

At Enfuse, we do it all, from web design and application development to graphic design and print media to SEO optimization.

Our team of graphic designers and creative professionals are ready to help. Contact us today to discuss taking your project to the next level.

You Haven’t Seen This Web Design List On Buzzfeed

Posted on by Mario Diaz

In a lot of ways, your company’s website is the business card of the 21st Century. It tells potential clients a lot about you, and if your website isn’t as good as it could be, that first impression could be bad. And that is bad for business. Savvy companies hire professional website designers to make sure their website is the best it can be. There are many benefits to getting a website designer. It saves you time and money and gives your company the cachet of a world-class website. With that said what are some of the best reasons for hiring a professional? Let’s take a look at five reasons to hire a modern website design firm. This is a web design list you won’t see on BuzzFeed!

1. Professional Website

Professional web design companies don’t hire amateurs. They only hire talented designers to work on your website. Often large projects are broken up into parts so that more than one designer can work on it.

Having your site done professionally gives your company greater credibility, making your site look just as good as the other large companies out there. A well-designed website is a competitive advantage. Use it!

2. SEO Integration

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is used by professional website designers to get your website high rankings from search engines. For clients to find your site, a search engine has to find it first! SEO will take your site to the next level of rankings and make sure as many people see your site as possible.

3. Saving Time

You need a website, but you’re not a website designer. Doing it on your own means taking time away from running your business to learn web technologies. Unless you want a career in modern web design, leave it for the professionals.

Hiring a professional web design company will give you that time back, and your company’s website will be better for it. It’s a win-win. Put your focus where it’s needed most, into your company!

4. Responsive Design

These days, so many people have phones or tablets that they use to consume the web. This means new challenges for companies to have websites that work on all these platforms. This is called Responsive Design.

When your site is created with Responsive Design in mind, your site will just work on all these different platforms. This is important, as you never know what device a potential client is using to get to your site. Professional website designers always create websites with Responsive Design in mind.

5. Maintenance and Support

Creating and deploying your website isn’t the end. When you hire a professional web design firm, you’re getting maintenance and support for your website’s future. This is important for your website’s continuity.

Not Your Usual Web Design List

This web design list is only the beginning of the countless reasons why it’s important to hire a professional web design company to build your website. Remember, your website is your first impression for your clients. Make it a good impression!

Did you enjoy this article? Then check out our website for more articles about web design and don’t forget to look through our services!