anoadmin - Old City Web Services

Social Media: Why Photos & Videos?

July 5, 2016 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Using Photos on Social Media for your Business

Example of using images as a post for Facebook

Over the years Social Media has shifted to Visual Social Media. This means photos have increased in popularity for social media. This shift happened because our society is drawn to visual content. Photos help your customers relate to your business post and they tell a story. Users are more likely to engage and follow businesses that post more photos or videos. For example, photos on Facebook tend to generate 53% more likes on a post than without photos. What does this mean for you business's social media? It means using images on social networking platforms gets those clients engaged!

Overall, photos help break up content overload. Showing your clients rather than telling is what will get you customers interested in your social network. Pictures are worth a thousand words. For example, if you want to introduce a new product, take a picture of it and share it on your social media. Did you hire a new team member or redecorate your office space? Share it! Showing will leave a bigger impact on them as well as others that are following your clients posts will see your new product, team member, etc. All in all, images make connections and social media is all about networking.

You don't have to be an expert. Don't be afraid - get creative with your visual content use your smart phone, camera, or clip art online.

Here are some ideas to consider using.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]

Example of using an image of Facebook.

Add words to a picture by either providing a contest for your customers, a daily tip or just add a quote.
Draw a cartoon then take a picture of it.
Make a graph.
Make a video of either the daily life at the office or how you make a certain product.
Use a GIF (animations) you found.
Take a picture of your product and have customers give their opinion. EX: Does this shirt look better in blue or in red? or What should our daily special be today?
Example of using an image on Twitter

Need to see some more examples? Check out our Facebook and Twitter for more examples of using photos and videos in post.

If your business doesn't have any quality images or time to take images, we can help. Contact us today to set up a photo shoot for your business.

Picking the Right Platform for Your Business

June 22, 2016 by anoadmin

With so many social media platforms out there how do decide on which one is best for your business. The guide below should help with some of the confusion you might have as a business owner. Let’s take a look at all the different platforms and how they interact with people.

Facebook- Is an open environment where you have the freedom to share and connect. You can upload images, message friends, write post, create events, and share other people’s post. Having a business on Facebook you receive a business profile where you can make a post, create events and post things about your business. You also have an “About” section and some nice tools to view how well you are doing on Facebook with your customers. Facebook is for making engaging post so your customers will get involved by liking, commenting or sharing.

Twitter- Is an environment where you can make quick short status post. Twitter only allows you to write something that is 140 characters, able to add hashtags and pictures. You can also “retweet” or like someone’s tweet. Instead of friends, like Facebook, you have followers who are able to see all your tweets.

Instagram- This platform you can only upload images, comment or like others images. On Instagram you can only use the app version, it does not allow you to use it on a desktop. This platform you have followers, like Twitter.

Pinterest- Allows users to visually share, and discover new interests by posting (known as 'pinning') images or videos to their own or others' boards and browsing what other users have pinned. This site is very popular with women.

LinkedIn- Is a network you can connect with other professionals. You create a personal profile and list all the place you have worked and connect with other people in varies professions. It’s kind of like a big resume connector. This platform’s focus is on the person and their professional experience rather than your business.

If you are still struggling with understanding or even with setting up a Social Media for your business, we are here to help. Get in contact today to get started!

Old City Web Services Launches New Website!

June 15, 2016 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT !

We are very excited to show off our new website here at Old City Web Services! Everything has been updated from images for the website, the "About" section to our portfolio. Not only is it responsive on any device, but it's also easier to navigate through our site. So go explore our new site, and click on everything! See what Old City Web Services can do for your business!

We recognize we have to update our website, Is it time to update yours?
Contact Us Today to Get Started!

5 Mistakes Not to Make in WordPress

January 27, 2016 by anoadmin

Building a website isn't as easy as it looks. There are a lot of things that go into the background of a website, in addition to the design and layout and basic functions. Often, there are things that are overlooked if you don't go with an expert to build your website for you.

Making Life Difficult for Mobile Users: Having a website created today that isn’t mobile friendly is a surefire way to lose site visitors, along with Google Rank. It may sound easy enough, but it isn’t. Our expertise at Old City Web Services can have your current or new site functioning for mobile users quickly and seamlessly.

Not Using Google Analytics: You can’t possibly know how to drive content to your site or how your web site is performing without having stat tracking set up on your website. Google Analytics is an easy way to track and simple reports can be generated that will help you strategize website updates and changes. We can help you install Analytics and understand your reports. Call us today to get you started!

Ignoring WordPress Updates: Having an out of date version of WordPress can leave your website vulnerable. Updating your WordPress version isn’t a complicated task, but running a backup before you update can be. We can set you up on a plan to run updates and keep everything running smoothly on your site in the background on a quarterly basis. Contact us today to find out how to get started!

Not having a Contact Form: A contact form is easy to set up, and easy for visitors to use. Although you may have your email address on your site handy, that assumes that the visitor has an email client set up on their device to use it. It’s much more user-friendly to have a form that will send the email right to you after they fill it out. This also gives you a record of entries so you can look them up if you lose an email.

Ignoring SEO Settings: You won’t want to ignore the SEO settings for posts and pages. It is not enough to just install a plugin for SEO and then do nothing. You should still proactively update your meta settings among other things.

All of these are things that we can help with on your current site or help you avoid by creating your site for you. Contact us today to help you maximize your website’s potential.

Thoughtful Marketing

January 27, 2016 by anoadmin

There are so many options that you can be presented with as a small business owner in order to grow your customer base. Many of them can include things that are expensive or complicated or time consuming. It can be difficult to see the benefit when something is any of those things. Today, putting aside all of the regular advice we offer to you on a weekly basis regarding your business' digital footprint, we are going to make it simple.

There are three very valuable tools when it comes to Marketing your small business. Those are Recruitment, Retention, and Referrals. And to gain those three very important things, all you need is to do one simple thing: Be Appreciative.

Here is a list of ways that you can say "thank you" to past, current, or today's new customer, helping you recruit, retain, and gain referrals.

Send a personalized handwritten "Thank You" note. Sending a handwritten note shows that you care enough to take the time to craft a simple note of appreciation.
Ask what they need and what you can help them with. By asking them this simple question, it shows you care about them and offers them an opportunity to reflect on the value you have to offer.
Go to lunch. Establish a personal connection that will bring them back to you and have them referring others your way.
Share tips and ideas. Don't build your business off of putting anyone else down. Your work speaks for itself. Share your tips and ideas and don't be afraid to share others in your competitive market. Showing you are confident and strong enough as a business to make room for others will gain you trust and build your reputation as honest.
Follow up after your business is complete. Check on how they are doing. Offer them advice and suggestions. Show you care about them as a client more than pennies in your pocket.

Practical Social Media Tips

January 27, 2016 by anoadmin

Social Media can be both fun and good for business. It is a place to be a little more casual, and to let your clients - current and potential - learn a little more about you. There are things you need to know before you get started on social media though, to make sure that you make the most of the time you are spending on it, and to make the most of your customers' time.

Spend time on your profile – Don’t just open a social media account and go. Everything your business does is sending a message to your current and potential clients. Make sure your logo and branding are consistent, your message is consistent, and that you put thought into thoroughly setting up the details of each social media account.

Be useful - You want your account to speak to people. By investing yourself in new, significant content and linking to both your content and the content of other businesses in your niche that will be relevant to followers, you can expand your social media reach and establish a reputation.

Be restrained – Don’t post anything and everything that you see or hear about. If you post too often, you will become background noise instead of a relevant voice. Consider what you post and how often you post.

Add visuals – Photography and graphics attract attention, draw interest, and increase likelihood of your content being shared. Creating great visual content to go with your postings will do well for helping your social media presence as you establish yourself.

Interact/respond – If people are commenting and sharing your content, respond to them. Answer questions. Thank them for sharing your content. The more you establish yourself as a friendly, non-competitive member of the social media community, you will be treated and responded to as such and the relationships you build as a result will benefit everyone.

SEO Trends for 2016

January 21, 2016 by anoadmin

Last week, we discussed the importance of Conversion Rate Optimization. This is one of the top trends for 2016 as businesses seek to optimize their website for search engines. In addition, there are many other trends that will continue through 2016 and it will be important for you to keep on top of them for your business growth.

Local SEO: You can dominate your local market by taking advantage of local search optimization. Google’s search algorithm is able to detect when search queries and information are local to the user. Since Google favors local results, it is essential to include local SEO on your website in order to be visible to your audience. Your small business can increase its ranking and visibility by using Google Places and Yelp, which have become key components of local SEO.

Updates to Google Algorithms: You never know what Google will decide when it comes to its search algorithm. Already, they have cracked down on scraper sites and emphasized how important quality content is versus the quantity of content. It is immeasurably important to focus not on how many visitors your site has but making sure that you are providing useful information to those who find your site.

Interactive Content: 2016 is likely to see an increasing number of marketers and businesses embracing Interactive content to drive traffic, engage visitors, generate leads and boost conversion. From surveys to infographics, interactive content may be something you want to consider adding to your site in 2016 to help your rank.

If all of this is foreign to you and you need expert assistance in keeping up with SEO trends, we offer that. Contact us today to make use of our SEO expertise!

Optimize Your Website for Conversions

January 19, 2016 by anoadmin

Whether you have a website that needs updating or you are creating a new website, the best place to start is with asking yourself what the ultimate objective is. The answer probably falls somewhere along the lines of that you want it to look good and get results.

Conversion optimization is all about the action a site visitor takes on your website that will add value to your business. Conversion is anything from signing up for your newsletter, purchasing an item, booking a service, or clicking to call you. Optimization of conversions requires analysis of your website to maximize the leads your website brings in.

There are multiple ways you can maximize your website for conversions: High Quality Photography: One of the most basic things with big impact on your website is photography. Whether you are selling a product, a hotel room, or just want to show that your business is professional – nothing will draw viewers in and keep them clicking on your services like well presented photography. Mobile Optimization: Make it easy for viewers to your website to call you, make a purchase, reserve a room or a meal, or to find where you are located so they can walk in. This means making your site work for everyone no matter what device they are using to find your website. Mobile friendliness is absolutely imperative today, and will increase your conversions, improving your bottom line.

Call-to-Action Buttons: Give site visitors something to act on. A call-to-action button grabs attention and directs the site viewer to what they want to do on your site. These will help streamline user experience and increase your website's clicks and conversions for your targeted goals.

New Year, New Look: Update Your Website

January 5, 2016 by anoadmin

is a new year - a great time to start fresh for your business. One way to start the year off on the right foot for your business is to give your website a fresh new look, and make sure that your website is optimized to keep up with today's web design and development trends.

So many current and potential customers to your business will be finding you on the internet if they haven't already. It is absolutely imperative in 2016 to keep up with internet trends, and having a website that shows you put care and time into all aspects of marketing your business.

Mobile Friendly - in early 2015, Google started penalizing websites that aren't mobile friendly in their rankings. If you didn't make the change then, it is a good idea to do it now. It's never too late to make the changes necessary to keep potential customers finding your business as they search the internet for their needs. Contact us today so we can make your current website mobile friendly!

Design Trends - keeping up with design trends doesn't mean you have to be trendy and change every year. What it does mean is keeping the look of your business up-to-date and eye-catching for the internet. Having a web design with large, professional photography and going easy on the text content while still getting your message across is important. Contact us today so we can help guide you through the process of a new design that will showcase your business and keep your website up-to-date.

Content Management System - If you haven't built your website yet or moved your current website into a content management system, now is the time. 2016 is the time to streamline and simplify where you can, and your website is a great place to start. In a content management system like WordPress, editing and adding to your website is fast and easy. The investment is worth it. Contact us today to build your site in WordPress to get your business off on the right foot in 2016!

Using Photos on Social Media for your Business

Here are some ideas to consider using.

Social Media Trends & Businesses