Old City Web Services

Free Tools for Content Writing

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Wait a minute… What is content?

Content is the text, images, video, graphics, as well as every additional element that isn’t part of a design. So, if you have a website, brochure, business card, social media platform, etc., then content writing should be important to you. After all, websites, pamphlets, and other marketing materials tend to have more written content than the other types of content.

We offer content writing services and can help you cross off tasks on your to-do list by creating your social media posts, weekly blogs, marketing emails, or the content for your site. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have questions about our content writing services or the free tools for content writing below! Schedule a free consultation by clicking the button below or call us at 904-867-4112.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Free Tools for Content Writing on A Budget

We understand that small businesses have a long list of expenses. While one year, written content might be at the forefront of your mind, the next year your budget may not permit it. Therefore, we’ve comprised a list of free tools for content writing. This way your content won’t suffer if you can’t hire a professional just yet.

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You really should hire a professional.

The whole idea of marketing materials is to persuade a consumer to do business with your company. So, your content should be persuasive and convey a message. The best way to guarantee this is to hire a firm like Old City Web Services to create your website, social media posts, online blogs, etc.

A content writer ensures your content speaks to your business’ audience. The writer will make sure your content is purposeful, relevant, and structurally sound so that your reader easily flows through the text. You know how your business functions and may just not be able to put it into words.

When we design websites we encourage our clients to hire us for content writing as well. The last thing we want is for our clients to be stressed about misspellings or if their writing sounds good. In fact, sometimes when clients write their own content it delays the launch of their website because they don’t have enough time to write it or they have a difficult time putting the words on paper. Since we want our clients to have a stress-free experience with their new website, we figure it’s easier for us to write their content for them! After all, we’re sure you’d rather be running your business and doing what you love than writing content.

You really should hire a professional.

If you aren’t ready to hire a content writer, the tools above will help you write your best content yet! But when you are ready, we can help you! We use tools like these and others to write and format content for our clients. You can get in touch with us by clicking the button below or calling us at 904-867-4112.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Mission Statement

The mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

The Importance of Email Marketing

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Email marketing is likely the right choice for your company…

But you may be thinking “Am I the right person to execute it?” While email marketing is very effective, it can be difficult to implement if you’re unfamiliar with the process.

Luckily, we’re here to help.

We know everything there is to know about the best email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact and MailChimp. For example, if you don’t utilize these platforms it’s possible your emails will be marked as spam and never reach the sender. Of course, we’re also here to help with the design of the email; you can count on us to create a structure that is mobile responsive, reflective of your brand, and includes at least one prominent call to action.

Let’s Grow Your Business

So, why email marketing?

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to keep the attention of your clients. In fact, an informative message sent to the inbox of your clients will likely lead to better revenue generation than that of other outlets. However, revenue generations aren’t the only perks of email marketing.

Image contains one dollar bills in a pile.
It won’t burn a hole in your pocket because it’s affordable!

Compared to advertising or having a website, email marketing is inexpensive to maintain. This is because it allows companies to reach a large pool of clients with a low cost per message. Particularly for small businesses, this is a way more feasible route than advertising on a billboard, TV, radio, and even through direct mail. Additionally, there will be no word counting or shortening of your message since you don’t have to stick to the parameters of your advertisement contract!

An animated girl sitting in front of a laptop with social media logos on it crying.

(Source: McKinsey)

It’s more effective than social media. Hint: no algorithms.

This headline is self-explanatory but let us break it down for you. Social media is not the end-all-be-all of marketing. Although purchasing ads is a great way to advertise, it’s important to remember that the algorithms are in charge on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and platforms alike. On the other hand, YOU are in charge when you use email marketing.

Did you know: Email is almost 40 times more effective than Facebook and Twitter combined in acquiring new customers.

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(Source: Campaign Monitor)

You’ll reach more clients on their mobile phone.

Let’s face it, we’re all glued to our phones and while this may not be good for our mental health it is great for email marketing. Unlike other methods, email marketing gets your message right in the mailbox of a phone which is in the hand of your client!

Did you know: Mobile opens accounted for 46% of all email opens in 2018. (Source: Litmus.com). [And] 23% of users who open an email on a mobile device open it again later.

Image contains one dollar bills in a pile.

(Source: MarketingSherpa)

It’s a great way to communicate with clients.

Emailing your client is like knocking on their door and saying “Hi, we’re still here and we’re still the great company that you enjoy doing business with.” By emailing them and putting that thought in their head, you are one step closer to a sale! In fact, “91% of U.S. adults like to receive promotional emails from companies they do business with.”

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable homefront service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

Grow Your Business: Get the Message Out

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There are many ways to grow your business but one of the most effective ways is by getting your message out. If you’re having a sale, changing your business hours, or have a new product, how will your customers find out if you don’t inform them? Who else will let them know? Having the line of communication open between you and customers is vital when growing your business. An image of text that reads "How will you get the message out to customers?"

Contrary to popular belief, a complicated marketing strategy or time-consuming plan isn’t necessary to stay in touch with existing or potential customers. In fact, advertisements, emails, site updates, and social media posts are straight-forward cost-effective methods of communication. Better yet, we can ensure the process stays simple by doing the work for you. You provide the content and we’ll get your message out!

Advertising

Just think. If online ads weren’t a fantastic way to convey a message, would renowned brands like Hershey’s and Marriott still do it?

Since many online advertising contracts last for months or even years, they are a popular approach for businesses that want to stay in touch with customers on a long-term basis. Additionally, most ads on OldCity.com allow for a few lines of text as well as images, unlike the standard image-only ads. This allows for ample opportunity for you to share information with your customers.

Read: FAQ About Advertising on OldCity.com

What We Do

  • Design and optimize your advertisement with your message
  • Optimize the placement of your advertisement
  • Send you monthly statistics

Your message will reach:

  • Potential Customers
  • Users browsing that Page

Email Marketing

Sending an email to a customer is like knocking on their door and saying, “Hello, we thought it was important that you know…”

Get your message out in a timely fashion and make a statement by sending the message right to their inbox. Similar to advertising, emails allow you to share a few lines of text along with images without overwhelming customers.  All in all, a friendly email is a positive experience for both the sender and the receiver – especially if it contains critical information. However, if you’re looking to relay a more complicated message like describing a product, a site update is a better option.

Read: 6 Quick Tips About Emails

What We Do

  • Design and optimize your message
  • Manage your campaigns and contacts
  • Send you statistics

Your message will reach:

  • Existing Customers
  • People who have signed up to receive emails

Site Updates

Customers are going to your site to find out more about your business. Get the message out and update it with news.

Site updates are one of the most effective ways to get your message out especially for businesses that already have a strong customer base. Repeat customers and even ideal customers are more likely to travel to your website than to come across an advertisement by chance, signup to receive emails, or follow you on social media.

In reality, your site should be updated with any message you share through a different outlet. Most of the time, an advertisement, email, or social media post is created with the intention of funneling the customer back to the website; in these cases, the business’ website is often linked to the marketing piece.

Read: 5 Seasonal Updates Your Website Needs

What We Do

  • Quickly and efficiently add your message to your website

Your message will reach:

  • Existing Customers
  • Potential Customers
  • Users browsing your site

Social Media

The cool thing about social media? Millions of your potential customers use it every day.

Social media posts are great for sending frequent updates. Sharing blogs via a link, talking about products, and even a simple brand awareness message is great content for social media. However, similar to advertisements and emails, complicated messages aren’t great for this outlet. Long and in-depth posts might get ignored since most people on social media scroll down the page and only stop when they see a post of interest.

Read: Free Social Media Tips

What We Do

  • Optimize an appealing post with your message
  • Add searchable keywords
  • Optional: define the audience for maximum exposure
  • Send you statistics

Your message will reach:

  • Existing Customers
  • Hundreds of Potential Customers

Advertisements, emails, site updates, and social media posts are easy and cost-effective ways to get your message out! It’s never too late to initiate effective communication between you and your customers. Let’s schedule a time to get your message out, call us at 904-867-4112 or fill out the form below.

Click Here to Fill Out Our Form

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable homefront service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

6 Quick Tips About Emails

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Email blasts are an effective way of communicating with customers, but it can be a challenge to get someone's attention when their inbox is being flooded on a daily basis.

Strategic planning can make the difference between someone opening, reading, and responding to your email and someone deleting it.

Whether you send email blasts once in a blue moon or weekly, it's important to have a plan and take the guesswork out of emails. Not sure where to start? Not to worry. We're here to help.

Here are 6 quick tips to make your email marketing more effective.

Draw them in with a catchy subject line

The hardest part of writing an email is writing the subject line. If it doesn't stick out to someone scrolling through their inbox, it will blend in and get overlooked in a heartbeat. So, how do you stand out? Break up the monotony of subject lines by taking chances, being creative and figuring out what entices people to want to know more.

  • Add a list
  • Say something funny
  • Keep it short and sweet
  • Use an emoji

Make sure you use a mobile-friendly template

In a time when people are becoming dependent on their smartphones and tablets for internet use, it's important to make sure the email you're sending is compatible with all devices. If your email is difficult to navigate and not formatted to someone's device, they're more likely to get frustrated and delete it. Email campaign programs such as Constant Contact and MailChimp have ready-to-use mobile-friendly templates.

Keep your content short, sweet, and to the point

The last thing people want when they open up an email is a novel of text. People spend just seconds on each email they open, giving you minimal time to get their attention and get your point across. Keep your information concise and easy to read and only include the necessary details.

Make sure there is a clear call to action

If someone takes the time to open your email, you need to make it easy for them to navigate. An email that doesn't seem to have a purpose will leave readers confused and likely to send it to the trash. So, before you write your email, make sure you have a specific reason for sending it, whether it be to highlight your new blog, promote an upcoming event, or give them a business update.

Keep contact information current

It's important to put your essential contact information in a footer of your email template. But it's even more important to make sure that information is accurate. If you've changed locations, phone numbers, or websites, be sure to update them in your email. This way, your customers don't have to do an internet search to find out how to get in touch with you.

Make sure you're sending at the right time

Timing makes all the difference when it comes to open rates. If you knew that none of your clients read emails at 3 p.m. on a Saturday, you wouldn't send them then, would you? Finding insights into your clients' habits and activity might help you when figuring out the best time to send emails. A big part of getting timing right is about your demographic and audience. When are they most active? Constant Contact has a chart which tells the best time to send based on your industry which can come in handy for scheduling purposes.

Email marketing can be tough to get the hang of, which is why we are here to help. Let our team manage your email blasts from start to finish and successfully reach your audience. Contact us today so we can help you with all your email marketing needs!

How to Block Pesky Emails

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Does it seem like every time you check your email, you have to wade through the sea of bogus or spam emails to get to the legitimate ones? You’re not alone. Spam can not only be annoying but dangerous as well. One wrong click, and you put yourself at risk for a virus.

A good bit of the time, a spam email is coming from a reputable domain. A domain name is the naming system for giving addresses to web servers and web pages. For example, The New York Times domain name is nytimes.com. Hackers can spoof legitimate email accounts by using a server and the right mailing software. Certain servers allow hackers to create messages, and input the "to" and "from" addresses, thus resulting in an email that appears as though it is actually from a legitimate address.

So, what do you do when this happens?

If you get a suspicious-looking email from a friend, family member, or company you normally do business with, you could simply delete that email. Remember, never open anything or click on anything that looks skeptical. It is a good idea to verify with the supposed sender first.

If you start receiving unwanted emails from an email address you do not wish to have contact you, you can block it from your email account. And it’s a lot easier than you might think.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to block those nuisance email accounts once and for all:

  • Log into the website to get Webmail: http://mail.oldcity.com/
    • Webmail is a great resource if you are having an issue with your email. Think of Webmail as your backup plan.
  • Perform maintenance if prompted
  • Click Mailbox Filters (funnel icon) at the top
  • Click Blacklist (X icon)
  • In the text box where it says “Enter each address on a new line:”, add the name of the address in all lowercase with an asterisk and @ symbol before it and click Save. Example: If the name of the spam domain is “brown”, you would enter *@brown.
    • The asterisk before @ tells your email account to block any username at that domain, and these filters apply to all mail coming in, whether or not it’s received through Webmail.

* Reminder: If you have accidentally Blacklisted an email account and wish to undo that action, simply go back to the Mailbox Filters and click Whitelist.*

By following these simple instructions, you can take the stress out of email and be on your way to a simpler, more streamlined email experience. We at Old City Web Services are always here to make our clients' lives easier. That's one reason our team came up with the Help Desk on our website. Here, you can go and watch easy-to-follow tutorials that take the guesswork out of figuring out email services.

10 Ways to Establish Your Business

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Being a new business has its challenges, one of the biggest being establishing yourself in the community. A loyal client base and name recognition are vital to your success. Without the support of those around you, failure comes closer to becoming a reality than a fear. So, how do you make your startup stand out before it sinks?

Take advantage of free listings

This is a no brainer. Putting your company’s name out there as many ways as you can for free should be a top priority. Directory listings and community calendars are great resources for the community and an excellent way to get your name out there. This takes minimal time and effort and helps establish your business among other longstanding companies in the area.

Make sure you know your target market

Take a second to sit down and really think about who your target demographic is. Who are you marketing to and how are you doing so? Are they more likely to be on social media or flipping through the latest newspaper? Spending all the time and money in the world in marketing won't make a difference if your audience never sees it.

Utilize social media

Let’s face it. Everyone is on social media these days, and as a business, it is becoming an essential way to reach consumers. Luckily for you, social media is a free and effective way to interact with customers from all over. Depending on what your business is and the age group of people you are trying to reach, you can choose the best social media platforms to reach them.

Start a blog

Think that you shouldn’t start a blog because you’ll run out of things to talk about? What if you are a very specialized business? Not a problem. A company blog is a useful platform to produce content related to your industry. Relevant content will promote you as trusted resource for your trade. Example: Say you run a gym or are a personal trainer. You don’t have to use your blog just to talk about your services. Use your platform to talk about health advice, innovative exercises, and client transformations, etc.

Implement SEO into your website

Search engine optimization is the action of making your website rank for search keywords and phrases that pertain to your website/business. It is important to have the keywords and phrases viewers are searching for installed properly on your website. If done correctly, more people will view your website which will result in an increase in business. Search engines rank your website based on common search terms, the age of your site information, site links, and the relevance of your content.

Create your Google Business listing

Listing your business on Google will make sure your business appears easily when people are searching for you on Google. You can add pictures, and people can leave reviews which add to your credibility.

Take advantage of customer testimonials

When a customer has a good experience with you, don’t be afraid to ask what they thought of your service. Testimonials are one of the best ways to build credibility with potential clients.

Send out emails

Putting customers on an email list is a great way to reach out to them long after they've left your website or store. This gives you the opportunity to tell them about the variety of services you offer, updates from your company, and news in your industry.

Get involved in the community

How do you expect the community to know who you are if you don’t try to get to know the people in it? The more people see your name associated with the community, the more they will come to know you as a local establishment. Sponsor or participate in community events. Donate or give discounts for first-time clients. Give clients an initiative for referring customers. Give back to the community. Serving others is not only great for your staff but is also a wonderful way to get to know the locals.

Network as much as possible

Getting involved with different organizations within the community is essential. Some of your biggest allies in the business world are fellow business owners. The Chamber of Commerce should be at the top of your list for business networking. The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s mission states they are dedicated to improving the business environment in St. Johns County by focusing on Economic Development, Business Advocacy, Member Education, and Business Promotion. Service organizations such as United Way or Rotary are also excellent ways to get involved in the community.

How We Can Help

Here at Old City Web Services, we are dedicated to helping businesses thrive. Don’t know where to start? We offer many services that can help you out.

We can:

  • Perfect your marketing strategy to reach your target audience
  • Tune up or revamp your website
  • Write content for your company’s blog
  • Assist you with SEO and Google listings
  • Assist with print design and much more.

Go to our website, call us, or schedule a consultation with our team to see how we can help you get settled and succeed today.

Old City Web Services Welcomes Copywriter

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Old City Web Services Welcomes Copywriter

Natalie McElstaff-nataliewee works in copywriting and marketing here at Old City Web Services. Natalie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana Tech University in 2013. Upon graduation, she moved to St. Augustine to work as a copy editor/designer where she strengthened her editing and writing skills. From there, Natalie worked in marketing and development at a retreat center in South Carolina where she learned the ins and outs of social media, continued to write, and learned how to market in a unique environment. While she enjoyed her time in South Carolina, her love for the Nation's Oldest City brought her back to the area. Natalie has a passion for St. Augustine and the surrounding areas that shows in her work.

Natalie joins us with a unique set of skills that make her the perfect addition to our team. Her attention to detail, ability to craft copy, journalistic conversational skills and knack for social media make her a valuable asset. Natalie writes content for clients' websites and blogs, blogs for Old City Web Services and OldCity.com, handles social media for OldCity.com, helps with marketing, and works on day-to-day projects.

We’re excited to have a skilled writer join our team and are happy to offer her services to you. Is your website in need of an upgrade? Have you had it professionally designed but don’t have the right words to make it stand out?

It’s great to have a sharp looking website, but if there is no captivating content to grab someone’s attention, then what good is your website really doing? In order to have an effective website, you need to effectively communicate what your business is about, why consumers should choose you, and how you stand out among competitors.

Reasons to Hire a Copywriter

  1. A high-quality website needs high-quality text to build credibility and consumer trust.
  2. A copywriter incorporates SEO into text so consumers get the most out of online searching.
  3. You can rest assured that your copy will be the most effective it can be.

If you feel your content needs an upgrade, fill out the contact form on our website or give us a call at 904.829.2772 to discuss how we can help you with your content writing needs.

Unique ways to market your business

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Unique ways to market your business

Marketing seems to be a constantly changing puzzle business owners try to solve. In a world where focus is on what’s new, innovative, and different, how can your company stand out from the crowd? We're here to tell you some unique ways to market your business.

We’ve put together a few ideas to make your marketing ventures unique and eye-catching.

  • Business card: gatordoor-businesscardsChanging the shape or texture of your business card can instantly catch the eye of people in the community. Whether it is changing your card from a rectangle to a square or making your card out of a thicker material, a small change can make all the difference between standing out and blending in.
  • If you have a brochure for your business, adding a map to the inside could be a great way to entice a customer to keep the brochure around for future map use (keeping your logo around as well).
  • Rackpearlofthesea-rackcard card for hotels: Many hotels have racks where businesses put cards advertising their services. It is a great way to catch the attention of a customer you might not otherwise reach, the traveler. If you already have a rack card out in the community, upgrading the design is a quick and easy way to improve your company’s brand in the community.
  • Reevaluate ads for print/online publications: Make sure message is conveyed in clear and concise way. Don’t overload your ad with tons of text. Make sure to use quality photos that represent your business. Use a simple, yet visually appealing layout.
  • Reevaluate your social media plan: Are you interacting with consumers? Are people engaged with your social media accounts? Changing what you post, when you post, or how often you’re posting can make a big difference in response rates.
  • Market in ways that are rvcooper-hatindividual to your company: Putting your logo on items associated with your business can make a memorable impact on a consumer. For example, if you have a construction company, you could put your company’s name on a level or tape measurer keychain. If you have a technology company, you could put your logo on a flash drive. Bottle openers are great options if you have an outdoors company or bar.

Whether you are looking to redesign your business cards, reevaluate your social media plan, or completely revamp your marketing strategy, the team at Old City Web Services is here to help. Meet with us, and let's see what we can do to make you stand out from the crowd.

Send Email to Your Mailing List

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There are many services that we offer here at Old City Web Services. One that we'd like to feature for you today is helping you to put together email for a large mailing list. We often get asked what a client's options are for sending to their email lists. For many reasons, using a service like Constant Contact or MailChimp is what we will recommend. Beyond the fact that they are free up to certain numbers of subscribers, and easy to use, here are some other reasons why:

Customized Campaigns: One of the nice things about using a service like Constant Contact or Mail Chimp is that they have templates that you can format your emails in that make them look professional, aesthetically pleasing, and you can style them to match your company branding. In addition, you are able to view reports including how many people (and who) are reading your emails, and if they are clicking on links.

emailPrivacy of Your Email List: When you use one of these services, you can import your subscriber list easily and you don't have to worry about others on the list receiving the email seeing who else is on the list. Replies only go to you and there is no "What if someone hits reply all?" concern. Recipients also have the ability to opt out of receiving your messages (very important to clients), and they can share valuable information right from your customized campaign with friends.

Mobile Friendly: More and more people are looking for the content they receive to be mobile friendly. Many of the templates that you can choose are ones that will help promote your email and look great on mobile devices.

Prevent email blocking: If you are sending emails to a large group, it can trigger warnings on the server and your address can be listed as spam - and then your emails won't get seen at all! Using a service will help prevent this entirely.

Schedule Your Emails: You can easily create emails ahead of time and schedule them to be sent at the times you need them to be.

Join Our Seminar: We would love to help you set up your email lists and get started using one of these programs to help your business grow and to help with your email marketing in the New Year. We will be hosting a seminar to help you with getting set up. Contact us today to sign up: Click to Register for our Email Marketing Seminar Here

 

 

Email Marketing and Landing Pages

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It is December and that means it is time for your small business to get serious about promoting your holiday sales and specials that you have going on. Email makes up over a third of the ways that consumers make holiday buying decisions.

The most important factor in your promotional emails is that they lead somewhere. In your promotional email, you need to send potential customers to a great landing page.

This can mean setting up a new page or editing a current one on your website.

The page should be catered to your sale, prices, promotion, or special that you are trying to convert customers with.

Some tips:

  • Make it mobile - it is safe to assume that many potential customers are on a mobile device when they are opening their email. The page you send them to telling them about your promotion has to be one they can navigate and read on their mobile device.
  • Keep it simple - the page you send them to should be dedicated to just the sales goal you have. Don't make it more complicated by giving them other distractions. A single page with a single goal will result in the highest conversion.
  • The elements - Stick to an attention grabbing headline and one great image.
  • Clickable call to action - give them one button to click that tells them what to do. That's it.

Follow these tips and your holiday sales are bound to increase. Need help creating a great landing page or formulating the perfect email? Contact us and we can help you today!

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Call us: 904-867-4112
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We are Old City Web Services. We make it easy for small businesses to thrive online. Whether you need a professional website, help attracting more customers, or a fresh new look for your brand, we’ve got you covered. With over 20 years of experience, we specialize in simple, affordable solutions that work for businesses like yours. Let us handle the tech so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.

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