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Reasons To Outsource Your Website Development

Get Better Results Faster With A Partner You Can Trust

You've probably heard of the saying, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

It means that you shouldn't risk everything in one risky situation because there's always a chance it'll be bad. The same principle applies to your business website. You don't want to spend all of your time and money on a website, but you also don't want to have done so little 'maintenance' on it that it's no longer useful.

In other words, there must be a balance between giving your site some TLC and outsourcing the job to a web designer who specializes in maintenance contracts.

The following are seven reasons you should consider outsourcing your website maintenance.

Save Money

The more time and money you spend on your site, the sooner you'll need to contract its maintenance out.

Get An Expert

Outsourcing your maintenance doesn't mean that you won't be able to edit your website at all, but it does mean that you'll save time and won't have to learn how. With an expert on your side, you can add whatever information is needed to keep your business growing while also saving some cash.

Don't Overwork Yourself 

Sometimes, small business owners get carried away with updating their website and their business dwindles as a result. Save yourself the trouble and save your time by outsourcing website maintenance to an expert.

Outsource Your Worries

If you're not familiar with how HTML works or what makes a good website, outsourcing your worry will definitely be worth it. You can ensure that your site is up-to-date and safe from hackers and whatnot, which is definitely worth the price.

Keep Your Focus

Being able to focus on your business instead of worrying about bugs in your website will definitely be worth it. Let the pros handle the tough stuff while you keep working hard and making money.

Keep It Up-To-Date

Websites can change a lot, even over the course of six months (let alone six years). So, outsourcing your website maintenance will ensure that you're always up-to-date and looking your best.

Your business' website is an important asset, and if you actually put some effort into it or work with a company that does, then surely your customers/clients will notice. If you're not experienced (and no matter how smart and creative you are), contracting out the task of maintaining your website might be the best decision for your growing business.

There's no reason to pay for websites that don't do anything but collect dust on your shelf. Outsource your maintenance needs so you can have an expert handle it. Not only are you getting a good deal with web maintenance that professionals will give you, but you're also getting to rest easy knowing that your website is in good hands.

We hope you’ve found this article helpful and informative! Sharp Tack Media is a leading website development company offering top-quality service. If you need assistance with your own website, please contact us for more information or to get started today!

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Use Google Pay For Your Business

Setup & Start Using Google Pay

Today's digital world has made it easier than ever for consumers to make purchases online. And with the growing use of mobile devices, it's likely that this trend will continue, meaning small business owners need to ensure they are doing everything possible to streamline their checkout process and increase conversions.

Google Pay allows you to simplify your customer experience without compromising on security or speed. With this simple integration of payment processing services, you can enable your customers to pay more securely and on their own terms. It is an easy-to-use online service that allows users to store credit card information for future purchases. It enables quick and secure transactions without the need to enter any details twice.

If you have a small business and haven't quite got around to implementing Google Pay as part of your checkout process yet, then now is the time to do so. This article will show you how to get started with Google Pay and also give you some reasons why it can help your business thrive.

Why Should You Use Google Pay For Your Business

To get things started, all you need is a valid Google account and a small website, blog or online store. It's really simple to get started with Google Pay since it works seamlessly with most checkout options you already have in place.

Here are five reasons why your business should be using Google Pay now:

Enhances security for transactions with added verification steps that include emails, SMS messages and cards marked as "safe to shop with"

Keeps things simple for your customer when they are shopping online, which helps to boost conversion rates

Gives you the choice of using Google Pay with multiple payment processors, including Braintree, BlueSnap, Regpack and more

Avoids chargebacks by locking down your website's security so customers know their payment details are being handled securely

Lets customers access what they need quickly and easily with a modern, easy-to-use design that is always available to them

How To Use Google Pay For Your Business

Creating a Google account that is designed to be used with your business is quick and simple. You can start by creating a G Suite account, which provides you with all the tools you need to create an online presence for your business, from custom emails to web storage. Once you're ready to go live, there are two easy ways you can start accepting payments with Google Pay:

Use the Payment Request API for websites, which allows you to integrate secure checkout functionality directly into your website without the need for external plugins.

Utilize the Checkout button in Gmail, which will allow customers to check out on your website when they are replying to an email or making a purchase from your site directly through an email message.

Take Advantage Today!

Google Pay is set to do big things in the world of online payment, so it's important that your small business takes advantage of this option now before everyone else does. The above article will help you get started and show you why using Google Pay is the smart move for your business today.

Now that you know the advantages of using Google Pay for your business, it’s time to get started! If you have any questions or need help setting up this tool on your website, don’t hesitate to reach out. Sharp Tack Media is here to provide all of the expertise and support needed in order to make sure that everything runs smoothly. We can assist with anything from account setup through integration into an e-commerce platform. So what are you waiting for? Let us take care of everything so that your company never has a problem accepting credit cards again!

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Shopping Cart Best Practices

Increase Your Sales With A Smart Shopping Cart

We are often asked by small business owners about the best shopping cart software for their business. We have prepared this Shopping Cart Buying Guide to help you make the best decision when purchasing a shopping cart solution for your online store.

What Is A Shopping Cart?

A shopping cart is an e-commerce application that allows an individual to collect items to be purchased, so they can buy them all at once.

What Is The Purpose Of A Shopping Cart?

The purpose of a shopping cart is for online stores to have an e-commerce solution that allows customers to purchase multiple items within one transaction. This eliminates the double entry of data which helps increase the likelihood that an order  will be placed.

What Kind Of Shopping Carts Are There?

There are two main types of shopping carts for e-commerce stores: 

Hosted Shopping Carts

These have the least amount of work needed on your end because they are hosted on someone else's servers. This kind of shopping cart software typically has limitations on things to track for your store, but are generally very easy to use.

Self-Hosted Shopping Carts

These require you or your employees to upload the files to a server that you own. This means that there are no limitations other than what you set yourself. We recommend this kind of shopping cart for most e-commerce stores because it gives you the freedom to have everything your store needs.

Types Of Shopping Carts

There are several different types of shopping carts that can be used by online merchants. Some of the most popular carts are:

Full Page/Header & Footer Banners

A full page shopping cart is a shopping cart design where images on the site are directly linked to products on your online store. All of the products have links that allow people to purchase them, and there is no need for separate pages for checkout.

Single Product Layouts

A single product layout is shopping cart design where all of the products are listed on one page with each item having its own shortcode or link that directs people to the checkout page.

Mini/Light Box Layouts

A mini (light box) layout is a shopping cart design that has images of the products on your site while linking to a separate page for more information.

Advanced Layouts

An advanced layout is shopping cart design where all of the different types of layouts are combined into one complete shopping cart.

Deliver Best Shopping Cart Experience

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to shopping cart abandonment is that there's no such thing as a "one size fits all" solution. Everyone has different needs and preferences, so listening to your customers and understanding their specific pain points will help you deliver an experience they'll return for again and again. If we're helping you with this issue, let us know how we can be of assistance! It doesn't matter if you need more shoppers on-site or less abandoned carts - our team at Sharp Tack Media are experts in both conversion optimization AND customer retention. What does your store do differently than others? Let us know!

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How To Start Accepting Credit Card Payments Online

The Best Way To Get Paid Online

"What's in this for me?" You're probably asking yourself that question right now. What's in it for you? How would accepting credit card payments online help your small business? The answer is simple: increased revenue, reduced costs, and less time managing finances.

Online payment processing is a very competitive industry. You can expect to have a lot of providers to choose from. There are, however, a few things you should do before choosing one:

Compare the rates and fees offered by different providers. Do they offer what you need? What about customer service or security features?

Check that the payment provider's website is secure and encrypted. If your customers' data is stolen, then this could be harmful for your business.

Check that the payment provider's website is easy to use , and that processes are clear. Your customers will judge you based on how easily they can do business with you. If your site looks complicated, then they might just shop elsewhere.

With the above in mind, let's talk about how we can actually go about accepting credit card payments online:

Option A:  Set Up A Merchant Account On Your Own

You can set up a merchant account on your own. This option has several benefits and drawbacks. The biggest benefit is that you do not need more than one account. Also, if you decide to expand your business, you will already have everything in place. Not to mention the fact that the setup process itself is fairly straightforward.

The biggest drawback is that you will need to be very familiar with how payments work. This means having a good idea of the rates and fees involved, as well as knowing what your customers expect from you whenever they place an order. Another potential issue is that you will most likely be working with fewer payment providers than if you set up shop elsewhere.

Option B: Online Payment Processing Gateway

You can choose to sign up with an online payment processing gateway. You could visit this page for a list of the top providers. Payment gateways have become very popular over the last decade because they make it extremely easy for small businesses to accept credit card payments online. All you need to do is contact a service provider, choose how you would like to receive your money, and start selling.

The biggest advantage of this is that the signup process only takes a few minutes. However, there are some drawbacks as well. The main drawback is that you will need to be familiar with these payment providers' rates and fees. It's also important to check what kinds of merchant accounts they offer.

Option C: Choose To Work With A Company

You could also choose to work with a company that offers all of the above services. This way you can set up your service in no time at all and be ready to start earning money right away. Just like with payment gateways, they provide you with everything you need and handle most of the work for you. This means that all you have to worry about is marketing.

The biggest advantage to this kind of provider is convenience. Most providers do everything in-house, so there's no need to deal with multiple parties who specialize in different kinds of services. The best part is that you can be sure your provider has enough resources to handle all of your customers' needs no matter how large your customer base becomes.

The biggest downside to this option is the cost. While there are cheap providers out there, most companies charge a significant amount for their services. The advantage they have however, is that it's much easier for them to get the equipment and software they need than it is for you.

So what kind of business should I go with? Well, that depends on your needs. If you're just starting out and don't know where you will be selling, then a gateway might be good for you. If you like to plan ahead, partnering up with an all-in-one provider might be best.

The Truth Is, We’ve All Been There

There are times when you want to sell something and no one wants to take your credit card number over the phone or online. We get it; we don’t like giving out our information either! But what if we told you that with a Sharp Tack Media account, not only can your customers pay for their purchase using cash on delivery but also by credit card? That means more convenience for them and easier accounting for you. We know that investing in an e-commerce store can be daunting so call us today and let us help make this happen together!

How To Start Accepting Credit Card Payments Online was originally posted on

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Mistakes To Avoid When Redesigning Your Website

How NOT To Design Your Website (And How To Fix It)

A website redesign can be a good thing, but if you do it wrong, the whole Internet might stop working for visitors. Here are seven things to avoid when planning your redesign.

Forgetting To Keep Key Pages Intact

When you're redesigning your website, make sure that your most important pages stay intact, such as your main services and products pages. If you completely redesign them, you could confuse visitors to the point where they quit trying to use your site or even take another company's services. You should also consider keeping your contact page and an about us page available in a different location than usual (so that visitors can find it without too much trouble) and still easily accessible to the public.

Making Your Site Mobile-Unfriendly

This is a time when you need to make sure your website is mobile-friendly . The statistics for mobile device usage are pretty staggering: as of June, 2013, 59% of smartphone users accessed the Internet only through their devices (rather than laptops or desktops). Also, 70% of tablet owners used them to access the Internet. If your website doesn't have a mobile version , it will be nearly useless for all those users.

Forgetting To Consider Your Search Engine Optimization

As you're designing your website, don't forget about search engine optimization. The company should keep the design current so it still looks good in a few months, but remember to use the same keywords and phrases that attracted visitors in the first place.

Building Something That Is Too Complicated To Use

Planning a website is definitely not easy, but you might be going overboard if your new design includes features that no one has ever heard of before.

Forgetting To Make Your Site Faster

How long does it take for your website to load? If it's too slow, you might lose visitors. Focus on your site's speed as you redesign it, and try some of the tips offered by Google on their developer page , which includes using JavaScript responsibly, making sure images are compressed, minifying files, and more.

Using Too Many Pictures Or Not Enough Pictures

One of the biggest mistakes to make when redesigning your website is to use too many pictures or not enough pictures. When you have too few images, it looks amateurish -- some might even say boring . However, don't go overboard with images either, since they can slow down the loading time of your website.

Using Too Many Ornaments And Other Heavy Distractions

When you're redesigning your website, avoid adding too many ornaments and other heavy distractions to the design; they can take away from what you're trying to communicate , and distract visitors from what is really important.

We consider all your needs and desires, not just what we want you to see or do on your website. Give a specific example from our list that resonates with your audience so they can get an idea for how these mistakes can affect conversion rates. Finally, don’t forget about mobile optimization! If you need help redesigning your website or crafting a marketing plan that will leave both customers and search engines satisfied, give us a call at Sharp Tack Media today! Let's chat!

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How To Create A Professional Website In Under An Hour

Start Building And Improving Your Website Today

You can create a professional website in under an hour. As many of us know, professional websites are not cheap. It comes with a hefty price tag if the site is going to be anything more than just text on a page with one or two pages.

However, there is hope for the small business owners who would like to have a professional looking website but can't afford an expensive price tag.  If you follow these steps closely, then you too will be on your way to creating a professional looking website that might just give your small business just the edge it needs over its competitors.

How to Create a Professional Website in Under an Hour 

Pick Out The Domain Name

Before you can even start making your website, you're going to need somewhere for it to live on the internet; a web address.  This is your domain name and will be the first step in creating a professional website.

Pick Out A Template

Once you've acquired the URL of the site you'd like to have for your business, it's time to find the template. There are many website templates that can be found online that you can use for your e-commerce site. These range in style, but the most popular template seems to be a blog-style layout with multiple pages.  It's important though to make sure that whatever template you pick has all of the features you'll need.  Some of these features may include:

Customize Your Template

Now is the time to pick out the colors you'd like to use on your site.  Don't be afraid to go bold!  If you're not sure what colors would look best with the template that you've chosen, then feel free to ask for help or do some online research to find a color scheme that works well together.

After picking out your colors, it's time to make your site all yours by customizing the layout of the template.  With a little bit of patience, you can easily drag and drop different elements on your template to organize them in the best way possible for your needs.  

Write Out Some Content

Now that you've got a template for your site and you've customized it to make it look the way that you want, it's time to write out some content.  This will be the heart of your website where people can learn more about your products and services.

Build It And They Will Come

Once you've written out your content, then it's time to start building your site! There are different website builders available that make the process of constructing a website much easier.  You'll need to decide on a builder based on your needs.

Promote Your Business

After you've built out a professional looking site, then it's time to let the world know about it!  If done correctly, this could be just what your small business needs to take off and get the attention that it deserves.

When done correctly, a professional website can do wonders for your small business.  With just a little bit of time and hard work, you can have a website up and running that will be beneficial for both your customers and yourself!

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” If that was true, then we would only need one to get your attention and make you want more information about how Sharp Tack Media can create an amazing website for your business in under an hour! We know you don't have time to spend hours on creating a professional looking site from scratch when there are so many other things going on in life. That's why our team of experts at Sharp Tack Media will take care of EVERYTHING - design, programming, hosting - all with just one phone call or email. You'll be able to focus on what really matters while knowing Sharp Tack Media has taken care of everything. Call us today!

How To Create A Professional Website In Under An Hour was first posted on

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The Ins And Outs Of Having A Successful Startup

Getting Ahead In Business And Life

At some point in time, many entrepreneurs have faced challenges when it comes to making their startup successful.

If you're about to start your own company or are currently facing issues with your startup, read more to learn about website tips that may come in handy.

Have The Right Kind Of Traffic

The key to having a successful startup's website is having the right kind of traffic. If you need to, pay for advertisements so that more people will know about your site and your products which, in turn, may lead to sales or enquiries. Make use of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter in order to let potential customers know about your site.

Online Payment Available

The next thing to do is have an online payment system in place to process payments for your products. This is an efficient way to track sales and monitor how well you are doing in terms of financial matters. There are many ecommerce platforms that you can choose from when it comes to having an online payment system in place so be sure to do your research first before deciding on anything.

Choose The Convenient Payment Processor

Choose a payment processor that is convenient for you, costs less and provides great services. One of the most popular among many entrepreneurs is PayPal due to its ease of use and speed in completing transactions which are all factors for having a successful startup's website. However, if people using other online payment systems find your site, you may still let them pay via their preferred method.

Branding

Startup branding is also a big factor when it comes to attracting the right kind of customers. Whether you're selling clothes or mobile phones, having a startup logo that represents your brand and products will be helpful in terms of boosting sales.

Although your logo will appear in your website, social media sites and other marketing materials, you may want to think of a unique design so that it will stand out from the rest. One way of achieving this is by having a "sticker" or small graphic representing your brand which you can add on anything such as laptops, phones and even people's clothing.

In the end, having a successful startup is not just about coming up with new products or services that people may love but also knowing how to promote it efficiently online using the right kind of marketing strategies. SEO, social media and paid advertisements are just some of the many methods that you can use to make sure that your website is more visible among the rest. Although it may be a lot of work, startups will have an easier time finding success with these tips in mind.

Let Us Help You Get Started

The key to starting a successful company is finding the right balance of discipline, creativity, and risk-taking. It also takes an open mind that can adapt quickly to changing circumstances or technologies. Sharp Tack Media has been there for startups since day one with professional web design services at affordable prices. Call us today!

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9 Intriguing Ideas for Small Business Websites

Create a Stunning Website

If you own or run a small business, chances are you've already heard about the importance of having a website. And if you haven't already gotten around to setting up your own site, now is definitely the time. About 75 percent of companies with revenues less than $5 million say that they don't have an online presence—and this can cost them potential business.

As your company grows, you may want to consider adding content beyond simple text and images; things like video, social media feeds, files (such as PDFs) and forms can make your site more interactive for visitors—and more profitable for you. But while building your site is an important first step, it's not the only one. To give your small company the big-time exposure it deserves, you'll need to continue updating and promoting it, while also making sure that your other online assets—such as social media—are in tip-top shape.

Here are nine ways you can keep your small business' website fresh, relevant, and attracting new visitors.

Add A Blog

A blog is an effective way to enhance your website with fresh, relevant content that can answer questions, show off your industry expertise, and increase customer loyalty.

Add Call-To-Action Buttons

Call-to-action buttons are called just that for a reason: they push visitors toward taking action in some way—for example, signing up for your e-newsletter, checking out your products in more detail, or making a purchase.

Add Social Sharing Buttons

These make it easy for site visitors to share pages with friends on their favorite social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter—which can bring you new business when users follow the links they see in their news feeds.

Add Video

Videos can help you showcase your business and explain your products—and they're great for SEO purposes, too (they increase the number of times people link to your site when they mention it in blog posts or social media).

Add QR Codes

QR (or quick response) codes are the small black-and-white blocks that were originally designed for formatting in manufacturing. Today, you can use them to easily share pages of your site on mobile devices—which is a great way to boost traffic on the go.

Add Widgets And Feeds From Other Sites

These add new content to your page without having to actually create it, and can help your site seem fresh, relevant, and active—which will attract repeat visitors.

Add Industry News

This is a great way to show off your blog's strengths (since you'll be able to aggregate content), while also staying current with the latest goings-on in your field—which will keep you and your readers on the cutting edge.

Add Forms And Contact Information

People who visit your site may want to get in touch with you—whether it's about a current order, a new project, or just some general questions—so make sure they can do so easily by including contact buttons, phone numbers/e-mails, and a contact form.

Add Photos And Videos Of Your Products In Action

Videos allow you to demonstrate how your product works, what it looks like out of the box, and why customers should buy it—all without using a single word. And as long as you're not using copyrighted material (or trying to make a buck off of another company's brand), photos and videos of your products in action can be used for marketing purposes, too.

When it comes to providing an optimal experience for your site visitors, you can't just expect your demo or template to “do all the work.”

With these nine ideas, you'll be able to create a website that's both functional and fun for your customers. To get started with any of the following suggestions, just reach out to Sharp Tack Media! We're here to help make sure your business has a clear idea on how they want their site designed and what features it should have. Do you need an online store? A blog? Contact us and we can get started designing the perfect web presence for your small business!

9 Intriguing Ideas for Small Business Websites was originally published on

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Components Of The Perfect Page Title

How To Craft A Page Title That Will Make Visitors Stay

Page titles and meta descriptions are often overlooked but can be very beneficial for your search engine optimization. A page title is the first thing someone sees when they come to a website and is usually what they look at to determine how useful the article will be. The description is basically another advertisement, this time for Google though, as it shows up on searches.

What Is The Perfect Title? 

There are several components that make up a good page title.

Keywords Or Phrases (Used In Moderation)

Knowing what keywords will get you the most traffic is important, but it's also important not to overdo it with repeating words throughout your meta description and page title as it becomes spammy and looks like you're trying too hard.

Avoid Clichés

People might think that they are original, but some phrases have been used so many times that it's really not worth the time to use them again.

Unique

You don't want your website to look like a carbon copy of another site, so be sure to add something unique to your page titles and meta descriptions that haven't been used before.

Grammar and Spelling

This one seems like common sense but you'd be surprised how many people don't follow it. If your page title is misspelled, Google can assume that your website is not trustworthy and may penalize you without warning. Correct grammar is also important, but you can get away with more mistakes in the meta description.

Limit Your Number Of Words

Google prefers a title that is between 50 and 60 characters long, but it's not going to penalize you for going longer. However, if you go much shorter than 50-60 characters, things start getting cut off in the SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages) which ruins your SEO efforts.

No More Than 2 Or 3 Tags

You want to write a page title that fits within the character limit, but you also don't want to make your website look like spam and put off visitors before they even get there.

Don't Use Catch Phrases, Slang, Or Profanity

Google has a filter which stops certain phrases from showing up in their search results. So, while your awesome catch phrase may be awesome and get you a lot of traffic, it will also get filtered and your website won't show up for that keyword.

Make Titles Accurate

Don't write titles like "Huge Sale" when the only thing you're having a sale on is a single item. If you're going to have a sale on a product, then make sure the title says "50% off iPhone Cases" or something similar. That's not only more accurate but also tells people what they can expect from your website if they click through.

No Multiple URLs

Google prefers that you keep all of your inbound links pointing to a single page. If you have multiple versions of the same page, make sure to redirect them or else Google will think that there are two separate websites and your link juice will be split between them.

Be Mobile-Friendly

Site speed is important so people can quickly get what they came for and bounce back to Google. If your website is too slow, people will bounce before it even loads which means they don't get what they are looking for and are never seen again.

The perfect page title combines creativity with the elements that Google needs to list your website in their search results. Without a good page title, you can't hope to rank on the front page for even the most competitive of keywords. By following these steps and using a professional SEO service, your internet marketing campaign will be well on its way to success.

Make Your Visitors Stay

The title of your blog post is the most important element in drawing visitors to stay on your page. It should be catchy, interesting and enticing enough that they will want to know more about what you have for them. You can use a number of keywords or phrases in order to make this happen including action verbs like “how-to”, stats such as “80% off!” or sensationalist statements like "you'll never believe what happened next." We at Sharp Tack Media are experts when it comes to crafting compelling titles that get people's attention so give us a call today if you're looking for help with yours!

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7 Deadly Sins Of A Local Business Website

Avoid Critical Website Mistakes That Kill Your Conversions

So you've got a local business, and you want the world to know about it? You want people to drive miles out of their way to be your best customer. Maybe you even make them feel like they're family. It's all because you "treat them right," and that's what keeps them coming back for more.

You have a local business that does good business in your community, and you want the world to know about it. But how do you get them to take notice? How do you keep them coming back for more when they're so blown away by your commitment to treating your customers right? You make sure you make an impression, and that's what keeps them coming back for more.

So how do you build the perfect website? What are some of the steps to make your business look like a million bucks on the Internet? To keep it simple, let's break it down into seven deadly sins that can easily sink any local business' online image.

Having The Bandwidth To Support It

If you can't load the site, or it takes five minutes to download a simple JPEG, people will assume that your business is just as shoddy. Don't let this be you! Make sure your website is designed with the support of wide bandwidth in mind. If it's not, you'll have to rely on your reputation for people to take the chance your site won't go south at any given moment.

Being Search Engine Inaccessible

If you build a website that no search engine can ever find, then why are you building it? Your local business' online presence needs to be accessible by the major search engines. If you do nothing else but this, it's already a step in the right direction.

Creating A Site That Will Be Outdated In Five Years

Their site is still stuck on that annoying song from last year? Yeah...that doesn't make any sense. Try updating somewhat regularly to keep your website looking hip and relevant.

A Terrible Theme

Seriously, I've seen some of the most God-awful themes in my time working in web design. And when it comes to website themes, please do yourself a favor and avoid anything with animation or video embedding. There are dozens of free themes out there, so try sticking with one of them.

Not Using A Strategic Keyword Strategy

Sure, your business name is great PR. But if you want to really get more customers coming through the door, make sure your website contains some keywords that are more likely to be searched on by would-be clients.

Having A Cluttered Layout

A cluttered layout is difficult to read, annoying, and most people will leave your site without ever looking at it. Make sure you have plenty of negative white space, or "breathing room."

Not Constructing The Site For Your Customers Rather Than Just Yourself

If the first thing that comes to mind when you look at your website is that it reminds you of yourself, then chances are good that people will feel like they're reading an autobiography. You need to visualize what your customers would see when they check out the site, and construct it for them rather than just for yourself.

And there you have it! If you can keep these seven deadly sins in mind when designing your local business' website, chances are good that you'll walk away with a great looking online presence. Remember to build it for your customers and not just yourself, keep it up to date, think of keywords that people might search on when they're in the market for something related to your business, and create a layout with plenty of breathing room.

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Improve Your Business Website Rankings In Google SERPs

How Small Businesses Get Indexed By Google

You've worked hard to build your small business. Now you're wondering how to attract attention, generate more leads and sales for your business, and grow your profits.

If you are searching for easy, affordable online marketing strategies that can help take your small business to the next level, consider search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines are the primary way that most people find websites online. Search engines are used by more than 90% of internet users to find information on products and services, meaning your website needs to be visible in search engine results pages (SERPs) like Google™.

The more visible you are in SERPs, the higher your chances of attracting attention and generating leads and sales for your business.

What Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Search engine optimization, or SEO, simply refers to any marketing tactics that help rank your website higher in SERPs. This means people can find you more easily and refer you to other potential customers.

SEO Basics: How Search Engines Work

Search engines work by spidering across the web and indexing content from websites based on keywords. The best way to improve rankings is to make sure your site is properly optimized for targeted keywords. Good SEO practices can help you attract more customers and generate leads by improving your website's visibility in SERPs.

How Can I Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) For My Small Business?

You can use search engine optimization in many ways that will help you improve the visibility of your business website in SERPs to attract attention and generate leads.

Submit Keywords To Search Engines

Submit keywords to search engines so your site is easier for people to find from popular keywords searches. Having the right keywords will help you rank higher in SERPs, which will help potential customers find you more easily.

Have A Unique Content

Create unique content on your website that clearly describes your products or services. This is another way you can improve the visibility of your site in SERPs by targeting specific keywords related to what people are searching for on search engines.

Get Listed

Expand customer reach and increase sales by getting listed on local directories, forums, blogs, social networks and other popular websites. By bringing more attention to your business and improving the ranking of your website in SERPs, you can attract more customers and generate more leads.

Create Pages and Content With Your Targeted Keywords

These must be original and related to your business, so don't bulk-write content that is of no value to your business. The quality of the content you offer is important for staying out of Google's sandbox, or being at risk of getting banned from search engines.

Interlink Your Site With Related Web Pages

Lastly, you need to interlink your website with other related websites by linking out to related pages on your site and pointing external links at your own website. This helps search engines find your website easier, which will help bring more traffic to your site.

Small businesses need to be online and visible in order to succeed, so you can't afford not to use search engine optimization. Search engines are the primary way people find sites across the web, including small businesses like yours. By following these steps on how to get indexed by Google™, you will have a better chance of attracting more customers and generating more leads and sales for your business.

Get Indexed With Us

To be successful in the digital age, small businesses need to take advantage of all available tools. A key one is SEO or search engine optimization. At Sharp Tack Media we offer a variety of services designed for SMB’s like you that want to get your company found by customers who are searching online. We can help with everything from keyword selection and website design to content creation and social media strategy! Contact us today at if this sounds like something you might need - our team will be happy to chat with you about what we do best!

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Tricks To Increasing Your Website’s Traffic

Get More Visitors With These Killer Tips!

Every day, millions of people around the world go online to search for information. While some sites like Facebook and Twitter are free to use, many require you to pay a monthly fee for content or services.

If you own or manage an organization's website (a business, blog, etc.) it is especially important that your site receives traffic. Traffic is the number of people who visit your site. The more traffic you have, the higher chance your website has reaching people in order to bring in revenue.

Here are five tricks for increasing your website's traffic, that can be done at no or very little cost:

Use Social Media To Spread The Word About Your Website

Social media is an excellent way to promote your website. Social channels like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are free to use and their simple interface lets you post links with one click. When your friends or followers visit these sites, they will see the links at the top of their screens when they scroll through their newsfeed or who pin what boards.

Post Your Website On Relevant Online Communities

There are several online communities where users share links with each other. These sites include Quora, Reddit and Digg. Sometimes you need to register in order to submit a link or an answer, while others are open for anyone to join. By sharing your content on these communities, you ask for people's opinion while simultaneously providing great content for them.

Optimize Your Website For Search Engines

Doing a Google search can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when you use it to find information specific to what you're looking for. To make your life easier, Google has created an algorithm that ranks websites from the most relevant to the least relevant. In less technical terms, this essentially means that Google ranks websites from most relevant to least based on how many links point to a particular site and how trustworthy they consider that website to be.

Include Your Keywords In The Title/URL Of Your Webpage And Throughout Your Content

When you write posts for your blog or articles for your business, you should include the keywords in your title and throughout your content. By doing this, Google will be able to find you easier when people search for certain words or phrases. Keep in mind that readers will mostly see the url of the page (the address bar at the top), not necessarily what is written on it, if they decide to share it.

Build Backlinks To Your Webpage

Backlinks are hyperlinks that point to another website, usually on another webpage. These links tell search engines what other sites consider your site to be most relevant when someone searches for something related to the link's content. The more trustworthy the site is, the more value it provides, meaning you want to get backlinks from sites that are popular and well-established, not brand new websites.

Websites that receive more traffic tend to see an increase in revenue and business, whereas websites that do not bring in less money. By following these five steps, you will improve the reach of your website without having to spend a lot of time or money on it.

Contact Us!

We hope you’ve found these tricks helpful. If not, we want to know! Leave us a comment below and let us know what is most important for your business in terms of increasing website traffic. Sharp Tack Media specializes in getting businesses the results they need by implementing marketing strategies that work with their budget and goals. Our team members are ready to help you today if this is something you want! Give us a call or contact our digital strategists online now.

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Things To Consider Before You Design A Website

How Do I Get My Business Online?

You would like to create your own website. You have some great ideas and you've even drawn up some sketches that will guide the design process. The only problem is, you're not a designer. How do you start? Here are five things to look at before starting to design a website for yourself or someone else!

Give Thought To The Overall Purpose Of Your Site

What do you want to accomplish? What problem are you looking to solve? When a person's mind is occupied with a problem, they will look for answers on Google. If you're providing those answers, it means that your site is going to help people out and be successful.

What Will Be On Your Site?

You have a great idea for a site, but you're going to need more than just great ideas for it to work out. You'll need content! Content can include photos, videos, infographics, blog posts and so much more. In preparation of the content you need to have, learn the difference between a blog and a newsletter. A blog is dynamic content that people can interact with on your site, while a newsletter is static content that you send out to customers or potential customers.

What's Your Brand?

This goes hand in hand with #1. Since you're looking for answers on Google, think about how you want to present yourself on the site. What's your brand feel going to be? How does a person come across you? For example, if you're a flower shop, what would your branding look like? Do you have bold colors or calm colors? Are there lots of flowers shown or not as many? Use these questions as inspiration when creating your brand.

What's Your Audience?

You want to solve a problem, but do you know who is going to be looking for that problem's solution? Think about the demographics of the people you will be targeting and how old they are. Are they mostly male or female? How educated are they? Do they have children or pets? What are their hobbies? These are all questions to consider when targeting your audience.

Is It Responsive?

How will you be viewing the website - on a laptop, tablet or phone? Most sites now are visited across multiple devices, so don't disregard this important question! If you want visitors to have the best possible experience with your site, make sure it is responsive and easy to view across all devices.

It's Up To You

It's ok if this is overwhelming; it can be a lot to take in! Do what you can and don't rush.  There are plenty of online tools you can use to help! If you're still in need of a helping hand, check out Sharp Tack Media. We have a lot of professional developers that can create a website for you in no time at all!

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Align Your Business With The Best Keywords

The Best Keywords Will Help You Find Your Audience

If you want your small business to be successful, you need to make sure it's being found online. One of the best ways to do that is by using keywords that people are searching for. When it comes to search engine optimization, keywords are key. But not all keywords are created equal. If you want your business to be found by more people online, you need to align your site with the best keywords for your niche. In this article, we'll show you how to find the right keywords for your business and align them with your marketing strategy.

Keyword Research

The first step is to do some keyword research. There are a number of different tools and techniques you can use for this, but one of the best is to use Google's Keyword Planner . This tool lets you see how many people are searching for a particular keyword each month. It also shows you how competitive that keyword is, as well as related keywords that you might want to consider.

Another great tool for finding keywords is the Google search bar itself. Simply type in a few potential keywords and see what comes up. This will give you an idea of what people are actually searching for.

Remember, when it comes to keywords, you want to find words or phrases that are relevant to your business and that people are actually searching for. Don't go overboard with long-tail keywords or overly specific phrases. You want to find keywords that are relevant to your business, but that also have a high search volume.

Incorporate Keywords Into Your Marketing Strategy

Once you've determined which keywords you want to target, it's time to start incorporating them into your marketing strategy. As you put together your marketing strategy, make sure to include the keywords you've chosen in different areas of your business . For example, these could be included in:  

The title of each blog post or page on your site

The meta tags of each page

The headline of your email marketing campaigns

The text of your social media posts

Your website's navigation

The idea is to make sure that the keywords are included in as many places as possible. This will help you to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Incorporating keywords into your marketing strategy is important, but it's not the only thing you can do. You can also make sure that your website contains certain elements, such as:

A blog

Unique and useful content

Relevant images

Why Is This Important?

Rank Higher in SERPs

First, incorporating keywords into your marketing will help you to rank higher in SERPs. This means that more people will see your site when they search for relevant terms.

Attract More Visitors

Second, using the right keywords can help you to attract more visitors to your site. Keywords are often used by search engines to decide which results should be prioritized. So, if your keywords are relevant, you're more likely to rank highly in SERPs. This means that you'll get more clicks on your site and become a primary destination for people interested in these subjects.

Helps You Stay Relevant

To make sure your website is as relevant as possible, make sure to create original content that people will find useful. This can include blog posts, articles, videos and infographics. You should also use quality images on your site, because these are often shared online through social media platforms like Pinterest and Tumblr.

Reach Potential Customers

Finally, it's important to remember that you need to vary your keywords. Rather than using the same keywords in every blog post and social media update, try to incorporate a variety of keywords into your language. This will help you to reach more potential customers and rank higher in SERPs.

Remember, when it comes to SEO for your website, there's more than one way to get results. Keywords are an important part of this process, but your website needs to be properly optimized and loaded with relevant content.

Create The Best Keywords With Us

We know it can be a daunting task to align your business with the right keywords, but we have found some pretty awesome tips that will help you get started. Not only do these techniques increase search engine optimization and organic traffic, they also help improve conversion rates by helping customers find exactly what they are looking for at any given time of day or night. Want more information? Give Sharp Tack Media a call today!

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Easy Ways To Launch A New Website

Proven Strategies for Building Your Online Presence

If you're like most small business owners, you don't have time to waste on creating a new website. You need to be focused on your business, not on learning how to use a content management system. But what if there was an easy way to launch a new website for your business? Well, there is - and we're going to show you how it's done. In this article, we'll walk you through the entire process of setting up a new website in minutes, without having to learn any coding or design skills. So whether you're starting from scratch or just looking for an easy way to make some updates to your existing site, keep reading!

Logo Design

First things first, you need a new logo. If your current logo is more than a couple years old, it might be time to refresh or update it. A fresh new logo will make your site feel modern and inspire trust in visitors who are viewing your site for the very first time. To get started, browse our library of free logo templates. We've got dozens of templates to choose from, so you're sure to find one that suits your business.

Website Builder

Next, you'll need a website builder. A website builder is a tool that allows you to create a website without any coding or design skills. It's perfect for small business owners who want a new website but don't want to spend time and effort learning how to create a site from scratch.

Domain Name And Hosting

Once you've chosen a logo and a website builder, you'll need to purchase a domain name and hosting. A domain name is the address of your website (e.g. www.yourbusiness.com) and hosting is the service that stores your website's files on a server. There are a number of different domain name providers and hosting companies, so do your research and find one that best suits your business needs.

Import Your Existing Content

Once you've chosen a domain name and hosting, you need to find a website builder that allows you to import your existing content from another site builder or CMS. The next step is to create your new website using the steps outlined in your chosen website builder's help center. Nowadays, most websites work across devices and browsers. So if you're making a few updates to your existing website, it's important to make sure that your site looks great and performs well on mobile devices and tablets. If you're starting from scratch, we recommend using our responsive templates. These templates are designed to look great on any device, so you don't have to worry about your website falling down on mobile devices.

Go Live!

Once you've finished building your new website, it's time to put it live! Copy and paste the HTML code that appears in your builder into the source code of your existing site (or into an existing page if you're launching a new site). Your website will go live instantly - no updates necessary. Just make sure you don't delete any old pages or posts from your site until after your new page goes live, as you never want to delete content from a live website.

Update Your Email Signature And Social Media Profile Regularly

Finally, be sure to update the link in your email signature and social media profiles. This will make updating your profile even easier down the road! And that's it - you've just launched a new website for your business!

Launch Your Website Now

Your new website is just a phone call away!  We're experts at creating custom websites that communicate your brand and boost sales. Our team will create an affordable, effective solution for you with the help of our designers and web developers who know how to make your site stand out from the competition. If you want more information on how we can design a new website for your business please contact Sharp Tack Media today!

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Turn A Website Into Your Sales Funnel

Website Traffic Is A Sales Funnel

Do you have a website for your small business? If not, you're missing out on a powerful tool to help you sell your products or services. A website can be turned into a sales funnel that directs potential buyers right to your door. It's not difficult to do, and this article will show you how. So grab a cup of coffee and get ready to start selling!

Create A Landing Page

Your landing page should be simple and easy to read. It should not contain distracting elements such as pictures or buttons that say 'click here.' Remember, the only thing that should be on your landing page is what is needed to sell your product or service. include a brief description of what you're selling, a price, and an easy way to contact you.

Include A Sales Funnel

A sales funnel is the process that potential buyers go through to purchase your product or service. It should be easy for them to find information about your product or service, and they should be able to easily contact you. Have a professional sales funnel designed, or create your own. In either case, make sure to include the following elements:

About Page

This page should contain a brief description of what you're selling and who it's for.

Contact Form

Potential buyers need an easy way to get in touch with you. Make this process as easy as possible by providing a professional contact form.

Purchase Now Button

Potential buyers need to know how much your product or service costs and they also need to easily contact you. Make all of this information easy to find with an eye-catching Purchase Now button.

Contact Page

This should contain full contact information for you, including a physical address and phone number.

Testimonials

Include testimonials from happy customers to help potential buyers feel more confident about making a purchase.

Product Or Service Details

This is where you provide in-depth information about your product or service.

FAQs

Potential buyers often have questions about your product or service. Answer these questions on an FAQ page to help them make a decision.

Add Social Media Buttons

Make it easy for potential buyers to follow you on social media by adding social media buttons to your website.

Make It Easy To Navigate

Your website should be easy to navigate so that potential buyers can find the information they need quickly and easily.

The Design

Your website should look professional. It doesn't have to be flashy, but it does need to be easy on the eyes.

Have A Powerful Sales Funnel

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that the web is an excellent place for sales. But did you also know that it's possible to turn your website into one giant funnel? That’s right, by taking advantage of certain design principles and practices, you can make sure all visitors are exposed to things like high-quality images or product videos before they ever get the chance to leave your site. If this sounds interesting, call Sharp Tack Media today. We’d love nothing better than helping take your business from good …to great!

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Fix Your Website’s Vulnerabilities

Keep The Hackers Out

If you're a small business owner, your website is probably one of the most important parts of your day-to-day operations. Whether it's used to sell products or just provide information about your company, you need to ensure that your site is as secure as possible. 

The Web has become a dangerous place. This article will show you how easy it can be to fix these vulnerabilities so that hackers don't get their hands on sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords. When it comes to your website, there are a lot of different threats out there. It's important to be aware of them so that you can defend yourself and your customers against the hackers trying to steal their data. To keep your site and your customers safe, it’s important to know the most common website security threats and how to protect yourself against them.

Most Common Website Security Threats

So, what are some of the most common website security threats?

Malware

Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable computers. It can also be used to gain access to a computer and collect information. Hackers will often send harmful viruses, worms, and other types of malware through email attachments or compromised websites. That means that if you open an email attachment or visit a suspicious website, your computer can become infected with malware. Malware can then spread from your computer to the rest of your network and give hackers access to all of your sensitive data. 

Phishing

Phishing is a type of scam where hackers try to get personal information like passwords and credit card numbers from unsuspecting victims. They do this by sending fake emails or creating fake websites that look like legitimate ones. The goal is to trick the victim into entering their personal information into the fake site. 

Cross-Site Scripting

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability that allows hackers to inject malicious code into websites. This code can then be used to steal information or take control of the victim's computer. XSS is a very serious vulnerability, and it can be difficult to detect. 

SQL Injection

SQL injection is a vulnerability that allows hackers to inject SQL code into websites. This code can then be used to access and steal data from the website's database. Similar to XSS, SQL injection is also difficult to detect. 

Protect Your Website From These Common Threats

So, how can you protect your website from these common security threats?

Have The Latest Security Patches

One of the best ways to protect your website is to make sure that you're using all of the latest security patches. Security patches are updates that are released by software vendors to fix known vulnerabilities. If you're not using the latest security patches, your site is vulnerable to attack.

Secure Web Hosting Provider

A secure web hosting provider will have measures in place to defend against malware, phishing, and other types of attacks. They'll also have staff that are trained in security best practices and will be able to help you protect your website.

Be Vigilant When You're Online

Be aware of the types of attacks that are happening and take precautions when you're dealing with email attachments or websites that you don't know. By being proactive and taking steps to protect your website, you can help keep yourself and your customers safe from these common security threats.

Secure Your Website Now

Hey there, your website is a little bit broken. Or maybe it's not just a little bit - you could be experiencing serious vulnerabilities that are costing you money and compromising the security of your sensitive data! If this sounds like something you need to worry about, don't worry - we can help. Sharp Tack Media specializes in fixing what other companies can't fix with our expert team of developers, designers, and content specialists who work as one unified whole for scalable results. So call us today to get started on saving those vulnerable elements from being exploited by hackers or ruining your search rankings due to poor quality SEO efforts. Remember- none of these issues have to stay neglected any longer! 

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