Today, we’re hitting the pause button for a minute to highlight a few of our favorite clients from the beginning of 2024, and show you the behind the scenes look into their projects. 

Because we customize all of our projects to our clients exact needs and current state of growth within their business, websites can easily range from one page to upwards of 20. Today, we are highlighting a microsite (one-page site), a mid-range site, and a larger site with an SEO strategy in place. 

Black Diamond Industrial 

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The Background 

Specializing in business development and project management, Black Diamond Industrial offers comprehensive solutions to industrial, manufacturing, and oil and gas clients.

Although this dynamic duo came to us with many years of industry experience, this was a new business venture, and they needed an online presence to establish their name in the game. 

A microsite was the perfect fit for them because it gives everything they need for their business today, with the ability to easily build out a larger site in the future. 

The Inspiration  

Black Diamond Industrial embodies the fierce bravery of the bison and the strength of the pressure-formed black diamond. Together, these symbols capture the essence of who we are – a company dedicated to unwavering determination, quality, and resilience.

Using these symbols as inspiration, we created a dark-mode site that would resonate with their target audience in the industrial space. 

The Strategy

Because decisions are made in the boardroom, and also with your workboots on, it was important to show the work that this team does in the office, and out in the field. 

Professional photography was key to capture Sean and Jonathan in both of these scenarios to create the overall look and feel that we wanted for their site. We also knew that having a gallery of professional headshots and action shots would be helpful to have in hand as they launched their company into the world. 

The Outcome

“Very professional and did an amazing job building our website. Exceeded our expectations on all levels. Great communication and creative ideas!”

– Jonathan Honeyman, Vice President/COO

Leap Advisory

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The Background  

Leap Advisory provides full-service financial solutions for small and midsize businesses, leveraging the latest technology, while improving accuracy and efficiency so their clients can focus on achieving their business goals with confidence and peace of mind.

The Strategy 

When you do good work, people find out about it. Leap grew fairly quickly, adding new members to their team, continuing to serve more and more clients across multiple industries. As their business was picking up steam, they knew their online presence needed to as well. 

They needed more than a microsite, but not quite a full-blown site, so the happy place was right in the middle. We wanted to feature their team and experience, but keep the focus on their services. 

The Solution 

We created a 3-page site that was perfect for their needs. We believe in building everything you need, and nothing you don’t. The homepage highlighted their team, experience and core values. Their services page took a deeper dive into what they offer and the benefits for small to midsize businesses, and the Contact page included a custom form, ways to connect, and a login to the client portal. 

Professional photography was very important to establish authenticity and professionalism. When clients know what you look like, they are more likely to connect with you over another provider with all stock photography. 

Even though we were several months out on our waitlist at the time this client started, because they were so organized, prepared and engaged, we were actually able to work them into our production calendar and launched their site in record time. It always feels like a personal victory to us when we can honor a client’s level of engagement with results. 

The Outcome

“The Hashty Techie LLC team made the process of creating a new website extremely seamless and such a positive experience. Their processes were very organized, and their work is exceptional.

Thank you so much for all the hard work to get us here!  I can’t wait to share the site with the world. You guys have been a joy to work with!”

Jody Volfson, Office Administrator

Worksaver

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The Background 

From concept to execution, Worksaver specializes in designing lean production support equipment for Manufacturing, Material Handling, Aviation Ground Support, and MRO. They design and build unique material handling solutions to meet the exact needs of their clients. 

With nearly 30 years in the industry, Worksaver is established, but their existing site was outdated and cumbersome. While they design and distribute products to customers all over the United States, they had no digital presence to support that, and no strategy to bring new clients in the door. 

The Strategy 

We first performed an SEO Discovery to evaluate the state of the online marketplace and see what opportunities were there. 

We also knew that high-quality photography and videography would be crucial to show clients who they are and what they can do. Thankfully, a Worksaver team member was very skilled in this department, and was able to help support this strategy with photos and videos of real people and custom projects. 

The Solution 

In order to show the full range of what they can do, this site was going to be fairly robust. Site organization and flow was very important, so that we could deliver pages that were optimized for SEO, but also easy to navigate on mobile devices. 

We wanted to keep the integrity of the brand, and carry on with their existing colors, but give the new site a much cleaner and more modern look. 

The Outcome

“Hashty Techie LLC Design has done an outstanding job developing our new website.

They learned our needs and delivered a functional, visually appealing site. They provided valuable guidance, were easy to work with, and we’ve received many compliments on the new site.

After launch, they have continued to provide SEO services while clearly laying out what various metrics mean.

We highly recommend Hashty Techie LLC for web development needs!”

Heather Cole, Owner 

We hope you are feeling inspired and this gave you a few ideas for your own website design project. If you have any questions, we’re here to help. 

Hashty Techie LLC Design is a digital advertising agency in Tulsa that helps businesses with web design and SEO. Contact us today to start your project.

In this case, stock photos are a powerful ally that elevates your web design with high-quality visuals. 

But here’s the catch: Not all stock photos are created equal! Yes, you will have no trouble finding them as they are all over the internet. The trick is to select and use the stock photos that work for your website and target audience.

To help you unlock their full potential, we have outlined the best practices for using stock photos in this guide. With these tips, you can easily create stunning websites that leave an impact! Read on to learn more. 

1. Choose High-Quality and Relevant Pictures

Stock photo websites are filled with attractive pictures. In fact, most people claim that they are spoiled for choices when browsing these databases. However, don’t be tempted to use an irrelevant picture for your web design just because of the aesthetic. Instead, focus on all aspects of the picture to ensure it fits your brand.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does the picture resonate with your unique brand voice and the message you are trying to convey? 
• Will your target audience be able to connect with the visuals? Do the photographs align with their specific demographic, geographical location, and interest?
• Do they complement your web layout? Consider the color scheme of the selected picture and compare them with your brand’s existing visual identity so they don’t overwhelm each other. 
• Is the picture high-resolution? Audiences are always wary of blurry and pixelated pictures, so choose pictures that boast good quality.

Carefully evaluating the picture will help you find relevant visuals and improve the user experience. 

Key Tip: Use the search filters on each stock photo website to narrow down your results. The search filters are based on several factors, including size, orientation, color, presence of human faces, and illustrations.

2. Check the Usage Rights

The last thing any marketer wants is for their web design to run into copyright infringement. Unfortunately, many notable websites have experienced similar situations for using content without the required permission. 

To avoid legal trouble, confirm the pictures you use are available for commercial projects. Each stock photo website you select for web design has varying guidelines. Familiarize yourself with the legal terminology to prevent conflicts.

For example, each stock photo has a license attached. The primary type includes:

• Royalty free: With a royalty-free license, you can use the pictures with freedom in any way you want and as many times as required after paying a one-time fee.
• Rights Managed: This type of license provides you with permission for one-time use of the picture. Details of the use are also specified, such as the duration of the usage, medium of use, and even geographical locations. 

Another factor to consider is the ‘attribution.’ Stock photos are legally owned by their creators, and every website has different requirements for crediting their work. 

Read the terms and conditions of each stock photo website carefully to ensure the stock picture you select and use complies with the legal rules. 

Key Tip: Never make the mistake of downloading a picture right from a Google Image Search. Most of these photographs are simply a result of your query from different websites. And using them without permission can be illegal. 

3. Make Edits to Stock Pictures

While many people are unaware of this, it is perfectly okay to customize a stock photo. With permission, of course! 

Most stock photo websites allow users to modify their pictures, making them unique and aligned with their brand. Some edits you can try include:

• Add overlays to your brand color scheme.
• Add text to the pictures.
• Crop and resize.
• Integrate your own custom images within the stock pictures.
• Add filters.
• Change the background. 

Many agencies also offer online photo editors on their websites so you can directly make the edits. Just make sure to understand the guidelines carefully to avoid legal issues.

Key Tip: Most stock photo websites are pretty lenient with the modification permissions. But remember, You cannot alter stock photos to represent a bad disease, political ad, gambling, and defamation.

4. Don’t Forget SEO

Yes, Image SEO is as important as textual optimization. Similar to how you practice the best strategies for keyword ranking, make sure to follow the same for stock pictures. 

Start by checking the file size of your pictures. Heavy image files and uncompressed pictures can drastically slow down the speed of a website. Studies also show approximately 40% of visitors will leave a page that doesn’t load within 3 seconds.

Visit the PageSpeed Insights tool to check the loading speed of your webpage. If the tool detects a slow load time, resize your pictures and compress them to reduce file size. 

Another element to check is the format of the picture. Generally, digital pictures are categorized as JPG, PNG, and GIF. The JPG supports many colors without weighing down the website. On the other hand, PNG is heavier but ideal for pictures with transparency. You can also use GIFs for raster and animated pictures.

To enhance the visibility of pictures on search engines, you can:

• Change the file name from the default one set by stock photo agencies to relevant phrases. 
• Add alt text to the pictures. These show up when an image fails to load for any reason. They also help visually impaired visitors using screen readers understand the context of your picture. 
• Include captions (visible beneath the images) to enhance user engagement and experience. 
• Add each visual file to the website’s sitemap. 

Most of the above SEO techniques require work on the back end of your files and can easily be neglected. However, implementing them can greatly impact your website’s preference in the eyes of both – Google and human users. 

Key Tip: If you use WordPress, several plugins and tools are available to streamline the image SEO process. This includes Yoast SEO, WP Smush, and ShortPixel. 

5. Avoid Cliche, Generic, and Overused Photos

Stock photo websites are updated regularly and always have something new for the users. But despite the numerous creative options, we often find websites with outdated or generic photos. 

• Extra cheerful employees. 
• A fictional hacker with a masked face.
• Activities in an unnatural setting. 

And many more examples of pictures that simply scream ‘unrealistic’ are available online. Ignore these stereotypical pictures and select the ones that appear more genuine.

Here are some tips to help you make the selection:

• Look for pictures that are equipped with modern elements. For example, a picture of a classic handset will not be suitable for your website about the latest gadgets. 
• Look for the emotions in people. Is it over-posed? Are the pictures candid? 
• Look for diversity in the pictures. After all, we live in a beautiful, inclusive world, and displaying images of different races, ethnicity, and gender enhances support for the people around us. 
• Look for photos that accurately represent the work that you do, and the standard you uphold (cleanliness, safety, protective gear, technology, product results etc.) 

Making a careful selection will not only boost the design of your website but will ensure you get a fruitful return on your investment as well. 

Key Tip: Stock photos are accessible to everyone and often end up simultaneously on competing websites. Use tools like TinEYE for a reverse image search to find similar pictures online.

Conclusion

Now that you have all the details about selecting stock photos for your web design, it’s time to start the work. Follow the best practices for using stock photos to make the most out of these creative assets. 

When you partner with a web design and SEO agency, ask if you will have access to their stock photo library once you begin your project. Many agencies will already have a monthly subscription that you can use to select photos you like without incurring additional cost on your own. 

For assistance, feel free to contact our web design and development agency in Tulsa. Our expert team will implement proven design strategies to bring your digital vision to life.

If you are new to website design and development, and have never been part of a project like this before, then you’re in the right place! We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

The first thing to remember is this project doesn’t have to feel like a mountain. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but the important thing is to select a partner who is an expert in building websites, and can get the job done right, with the least amount of information and input from you. After all, you have a job to do and a business to run, and we get that.

Here’s a few of the questions we’ve received over the past decade of working in this industry. We’ve provided our insight, so you can begin your project feeling more confident and knowledgeable about what the process should look like.

How long does it take to design a website?

Good news. Less time than you might think. Depending on the number of pages and the complexity of your project, a site can be completed in as few as 4 weeks. Even larger projects should take no longer than 12 weeks to complete. We hate to hear that clients have experienced prior website builds that have dragged on for 6 months up to a year. There’s no need for that, and we pride ourselves on operating with maximum efficiency so you can have a site that you love and then move on with your life.

How much content do I need?

This very much depends on a few things:

• How many pages are on your site
• How many services you provide
• How long your company has been in business
• How many members are on your team
• If you are interested in SEO optimization or an ongoing SEO campaign
• To learn more about each of these items, read on.

How many pages do I need?

This also depends on many of the same variables as the question above, and it’s a good time to introduce the concept of a microsite to you here.

What is a microsite? Simply put, a microsite is a one-page website. Most people think they need to have a multi-page website, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes a beautiful, well-developed microsite is all you need. We have outlined a comprehensive list of how to know if you need a microsite or a multi-page site in this blog series. Part 1 will answer these questions as well as give you some direction in making this decision, and in Part 2 we’ll share five different examples of microsites including the strategy behind each one and how they were designed.

• Microsite Design & Strategy: Part 1
• Microsite Design & Strategy: Part 2

How do I choose website colors and design styles?

Your website should be a reflection of your brand and the look and feel of your business. Here are few things to consider:

• Do you have an existing logo, and brand colors, or is this something that needs to be created?
• What colors would you like to include? What colors would you like to stay away from?
• Which design characteristics best represent your brand?
• Modern
• Professional
• Playful
• Colorful
• Classic
• Edgy
• Luxurious
• Casual
• Serious

How many revisions do I get?

Typically, we include up to three rounds of revisions per page. Because of our process and how much effort is put into the pre-production phase with content development and design mapping, most clients only need one to two rounds of revisions before approval.

Do I need professional photos?

Professional, high-quality photography & videography is a non-negotiable part of becoming an authority in today’s digital marketplace. Your iPhone is good, but it ain’t that good, and if you want to be taken seriously, you need top-notch images. That’s why the majority of our sites come with one hour of photography included.

If you must use stock photography, or images from your phone, then we have access to an unlimited library of images for use, and we can provide guidelines on how to best take photos with your phone, or select stock images to use on your site. Professional photos of your team, business, and services provide an immediate feeling of authenticity and credibility, and consumers place a lot of value in that when they are making a purchasing decision.

Does my site need to be SEO optimized?

First, let’s talk briefly about what SEO is. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and that means your site has keywords and other critical information Google uses to determine where your site should come up as a search result when someone is looking for your product or service. If you are looking to grow your business online, and want to bring in more leads, especially more qualified leads, then SEO is a great opportunity for you to explore. Even if you don’t know if you are ready for an SEO campaign, sometimes doing the research upfront can be a helpful strategy.

Whether you are intending to move directly into an SEO campaign or just want to understand what the opportunities are, we recommend beginning the website development process with an SEO Discovery. This is a one-time service that includes keyword and competitor research so you can see all the opportunities available to you online prior to building your site. This is an important step because it may indicate that the architecture of your site (number of pages, how much content you need etc.) needs to change to meet your SEO goals. To learn more about an SEO Discovery, and find out if it’s right for you, check out the blog below.

Do I need a blog on my site?

Blogs can be very helpful for SEO purposes. However, we recommend that you create a new blog at least once a month, and even better if you can create one weekly or every other week. Our rule of thumb is – if you haven’t had the space to create new content in a few months, you should archive your blog until you can commit to creating content on a consistent basis. Or, you can hire a pro to help.

What does the launch process look like?

Easy! After final approval, all we need is access to your domain, and we’re ready to roll! Typically, site launches take between 24 – 48 hours at most. In the following 24 – 48 hours, we ask you to test the links, contact forms, etc. to make sure everything is working perfectly, so we can make adjustments quickly, if needed.

What happens after it goes live?

All websites must be hosted somewhere, and they also must be secure. In addition, you will want someone to be regularly updating the software and making any content updates as needed. Every business and website is unique, so we have multiple website care plans available so that you choose one that has everything you need, and nothing you don’t. To learn more about website care plans, check out the blog below.

If you have questions about what your site should look like, and how many pages you need, we are here to help.

Hashty Techie LLC Design is a digital advertising agency in Tulsa that helps businesses with web design and SEO. Contact us today to start your project.

We know you don’t have a grocery store, but for the purpose of this blog, and explaining technical things in a not-so-technical manner, let’s imagine that you do. Now let’s get into it.

What is a Digital Growth Assessment?

Let’s use an analogy here: If you have a grocery store, why would people choose to shop at your store over the other stores in the neighborhood? A Digital Growth Assessment is like using market research to develop a strategy to make your store or business more attractive to shoppers. And here’s how we determine your digital growth potential.

Implementing Digital Growth Strategies

Once we’ve completed your Digital Growth Assessment, we use a powerful combination of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Google Ads to implement these strategies. Think of SEO and Google Ads as prime shelf space in our digital grocery store. They put your products (or services) right in front of customers who are actively searching for them – these are the shoppers with shopping lists in hand, ready to buy.

SEO and Google Ads are superior strategies for businesses looking to attract high-intent customers. Here’s why:

1. Intent-Based Marketing: When people use search engines, they’re actively looking for solutions. This means they’re much closer to making a purchase decision. It’s like having your apples front and center when someone walks in specifically looking for fresh fruit.
2. Timing is Everything: SEO and Google Ads allow you to capture customers at the exact moment they need your products or services. If someone searches for “emergency plumbing services,” your business can appear instantly, ready to solve their problem.
3. Cost-Effective: Unlike broader advertising methods, you’re only reaching people who are already interested in what you offer. This typically leads to higher conversion rates and a better return on investment.
4. Measurable Results: Both SEO and Google Ads provide detailed analytics, allowing us to track performance and continuously refine our strategies for better results.

Our targeted approach is about positioning your business in front of the right customers at the right time. Using the insights from the Digital Growth Assessment, we can identify which digital “aisles” your ideal customers are browsing, and make sure your products are prominently displayed there.

Now, let’s break down the components of a Digital Growth Assessment:

Keyword and Competitor Research

Think of keywords as items in your store. People search for these items online, like “red apples” or “fresh bread.” Research helps you know which items (keywords) are popular and what other stores (competitors) offer as well.

In your grocery store, you want to sell the most popular items so that more people come to your store. Keyword research is like finding out which items are in high demand. Knowing this helps you stock your shelves with the right items that customers want to buy.

Competitor research is like checking out the other grocery stores in your neighborhood. This helps you understand what your competition is doing well and where you can improve.

Revenue/Traffic Forecasting

Keyword research is like estimating how many customers might buy certain products. If you know that “organic apples” is a popular search term, you can predict how many people might visit your store looking for organic apples. This helps you estimate potential foot traffic (website visitors) and sales (revenue).

For instance, if 1000 people search for “organic apples” monthly in your area, and you typically convert 10% of shoppers to buyers, you could estimate about 100 sales of organic apples per month. This forecasting helps you plan inventory, staffing, and even your store layout to maximize potential revenue.

Website Architecture and Keyword Mapping

Think of this as organizing your store. You want to put popular items (keywords) in easy-to-find places (website pages/sections) so customers can quickly see what you offer. It’s like placing fresh fruits in a section labeled “Fruits” right when you walk in the store.

In SEO, website architecture is about organizing your website so that it’s easy for people to find what they’re looking for. Keyword mapping is about figuring out which words or phrases people use when they search online for things related to your website, and then deciding which keywords match each section of your website.

Content Gap Analysis

A content gap analysis helps you see what you’re missing on your website compared to your competitors. It’s like realizing that you need to stock chocolate because people love it, they are looking for it, and you don’t have it.

In the digital world, when you identify content gaps and add missing information or articles to your website, you make it more helpful for people searching on the internet. This means more people will visit your website, just like more shoppers will come to your grocery store when they know they can find what they need.

Website Audit

This is like checking to see if your store is clean, well-lit, and easy to walk around. It ensures your store (website) is working smoothly and has no hidden problems, like a broken shelf or flickering light, that might annoy shoppers.

A technical website audit checks for things like broken links, slow loading times, and mobile-friendliness. It also ensures that your website is secure and performs well, keeping visitors happy and encouraging them to stay on your site longer.

In Summary

In the online business world, think of your website as your digital storefront and a Digital Growth Assessment as the key to understanding your store’s potential.

Just as a grocery store owner seeks to stock their shelves with the most popular items and outshine their competitors, a business owner must optimize their website to attract more online visitors and customers. A Digital Growth Assessment is your roadmap to success in this digital marketplace.

The Digital Growth Assessment provides the blueprint for a targeted campaign. It tells us which keywords to focus on, what content to create, how to structure your website, and where to place your Google Ads for maximum impact. It’s like having a detailed map of your store, showing exactly where to place each product for the best sales results.

If you want to thrive online, invest in a Digital Growth Assessment. It’s the blueprint that will help you attract more visitors, outperform your digital competitors, and create a welcoming and efficient online experience for your customers.

Don’t let your website gather dust in the online marketplace. Schedule A Consultation with our team to get started with a Digital Growth Assessment and watch your online business flourish. Your success is just a click away!

If you have a car, a home, a dog, or any other living, breathing thing (remember your kids?), someone has to take care of it. 

Your website works the same way. 

Although we would love to think of a website like a crock-pot, unfortunately you can’t set it and forget. Your website is the face of your business, and it must be kept up by someone. And that someone might be you, or you might want to not deal with it at all. 

That’s where we come in. 

Here’s the basics of what every website needs: 

• Hosting
• Security
• Software Updates
• Daily Backups
• Uptime Monitoring
• Technical Support 

If your site is more complex and active, here are a few other things to consider:  

• Regular content updates
• Regular photo updates 
• Insight into your website traffic and analytics
• Performance + speed optimization
• SEO optimization 

Can I just pay for hosting yearly? 

The answer used to be yes. It was a simpler time. Hosting was a one-time yearly renewal, and that was about it. We operated this way for many years, and our clients who have been with us for a long time will remember it. 

What changed? 

You might recall that whole 2020 Covid situation, or if you’re anything like us, you don’t want to remember it. But the reality is, a lot of things have changed since then. The world shifted. Everything had to be online. Restaurants and businesses that had no online presence before suddenly had to. Traffic increased. And with increased traffic came increased security risks. 

And then every year since the dawn of technology, things we expect to change still do. But now it’s with more rapid speed than ever before. We began to see an increased need for frequent software updates and technical site support. Our clients experienced more frequent issues with formatting and optimization, especially on mobile devices, and that had to be fixed. 

Our clients also became busier, and that’s a good thing. But, they needed a team to go to, that could make website updates and changes very quickly. 

To serve our clients better, we had to do something different. 

And that’s how care plans were born. We noticed that our SEO clients weren’t having these same issues because we were already providing service to their sites on a monthly basis. 

Now, we perform these updates and services every month regardless of a website being in an active SEO campaign or not, and our clients are happy campers. 

They can focus on their business, and we can take care of their website. Everyone wins. 

Care Plan Packages 

And what it all means…

Basic Care Plan 

What every website needs to stay up and running: 

• Hosting
  In order for your website to be online, it has to be hosted somewhere. We manage the technical aspects of this so you don’t have to.
• Security
  Safety is always first. With our complete security suite and ongoing scans, we’ll keep your site protected from hacks, attacks and malware.
• Software Updates
  To function well and maintain proper formatting, the software must be updated regularly. This is especially important for mobile devices, which we know is crucial in today’s world. 
• Daily Backups
  Your website is backed up every day, so that in the event that something goes wrong, we can restore it quickly, and nothing will be lost.
• Uptime Monitoring
  If your website does go down, our support team is alerted immediately and can address the issue or restore a backup.
• Support Help
  We have an expert support team dedicated to monitoring every website on a care plan. If you have an issue, we’re here to help.

Pro Care Plan 

Everything from the Basic Plan and more: 

• 1 Hour of Content Updates
  Pricing updates, team member changes, photo and video updates, new blogs, calendar additions etc. – all just an email away.
• Monthly Reporting
  How many people came to your website? How long did they stay? What did they look at? All this and more is sent to you on a monthly basis so you know what happened on your site and when. 

Ultimate Care Plan 

Everything from the Pro Plan and more: 

• Performance Optimization
  For sites with a lot of traffic, pages, video, photos, etc. you might need a boost in speed to improve the user experience.
• Website Training
  If you want to make updates or manage certain parts of the website yourself, we can put together training videos just for you.

What Our Clients Have To Say 

“We love what you all have done with our website! Thank you so much for taking all of our ideas and bringing them to life! You guys made that almost too easy and we love it!”

“When you are slightly stunted in all things tech, you question yourself, panic that you dropped the ball, wonder if you’re being scammed, think through 127 different scenarios…and then you remember that you don’t have to panic or know the answer, because you know smart people, and you just ask the expert.”

“Thank you so much for handling all things website and Google for me. You’ve done such a wonderful job with everything and I am truly appreciative and grateful. I am so thankful for all that you have done!”

One Final Thought 

Running a business is tough. We know because we are doing it too. It’s a lot of work, and we would love to help lighten the load. 

If you need website support or have questions about how we can help, give us a call, and let’s get started.

Request Consultation

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO) plays a crucial role in boosting a website’s visibility and driving organic traffic. However, within the realm of SEO, there are two distinct approaches: organic SEO and paid SEO. You might ask, what are the differences between these two strategies? The good news is, you are asking the right questions. 

In this article, we will clarify the disparity between SEO and PPC (pay-per-click) and how we help guide our clients in deciding which approach is best for their business, plus we’ll shed light on the effectiveness of Google Ads and the value of investing in organic SEO.

Organic SEO vs. Paid SEO

Organic SEO refers to the process of optimizing a website’s content, structure, and overall online presence to improve its visibility in organic search engine results pages (SERPs), without investing directly in Google ads. This approach involves techniques such as keyword research, on-page optimization, backlink building, content creation, and technical optimizations. The goal is to establish a strong online presence and continue to rank higher in search engine results  over time.

On the other hand, paid SEO, also known as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, involves placing paid ads within search engine results or on other websites. You would then bid on specific keywords and pay a fee whenever the ad is clicked. Paid SEO offers immediate visibility and can target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, or search queries. It relies on ad platforms such as Google Ads to manage and optimize campaigns.

Which Approach is Best?

Understanding the variables listed below will help you determine which approach is best for your business.

• Knowing your primary goals is essential. If the aim is to establish long-term organic growth, organic SEO is the ideal choice. However, if the focus is on immediate visibility and quick results, paid SEO can deliver faster outcomes.
• Budget considerations play a significant role. Organic SEO requires a consistent investment of time and resources, but the financial investment is primarily focused on content creation and optimization efforts. Paid SEO, on the other hand, involves direct financial investments for ad placements and click costs, and can be paused or discontinued at any time. 
• Understanding your target audience and their behavior is crucial. Organic SEO enables you to reach potential clients who are actively searching for specific products or services, while paid SEO allows for targeting based on demographics and interests.

Google Ads and Effective Campaigns

Google Ads is a powerful advertising platform that offers a range of options for businesses to display their ads across Google’s vast network, including search results, websites, and mobile apps. Here’s a breakdown of how Google Ads works:

• Keywords: Advertisers select relevant keywords related to their products or services. When users search for those keywords, the ads appear in the search results.
• Ad Rank: Google uses an algorithm to determine the ad’s position in the search results. Ad Rank considers various factors, including bid amount, ad relevance, landing page quality, and the expected impact of ad extensions.
• Ad Extensions: Google Ads allows the inclusion of additional information in ads, such as phone numbers, site links, and location information. Ad extensions enhance visibility and provide more context to potential customers.
• Ad Performance Tracking: Google Ads provides detailed metrics and analytics to track the performance of campaigns. Advertisers can monitor impressions, clicks, conversions, and other key metrics to optimize their campaigns effectively.

The Value of Paying for Organic SEO

While paid SEO offers instant visibility and immediate results, organic SEO is a direct investment in your website that will increase your website’s traffic value and authority in the long run, resulting in customers considering your business to be a trusted resource as opposed to other competitors. 

Paid SEO (PPC) is an a la carte service and does not increase your website’s traffic value or authority, but can be an effective short-term solution, or as an add-on boost to organic SEO efforts. 

• Long-term Results: Organic SEO builds a solid foundation for sustainable growth. By optimizing the website’s structure, content, and technical aspects, businesses can improve their online presence and rankings over time. This long-term approach provides lasting results that continue to generate organic traffic without ongoing ad expenses.
• Credibility and Trust: Organic search results are perceived as more trustworthy by users. Higher organic rankings signal to users that a website is reliable and authoritative, instilling confidence and increasing the likelihood of click-throughs and conversions.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While organic SEO requires an investment of time and resources, it can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to continuous paid advertising expenses. Once a website achieves higher organic rankings, it can generate ongoing organic traffic without direct ad costs.
• Greater Click-through Rates: Research shows that users tend to click on organic search results more frequently than paid ads. By focusing on organic SEO, businesses can increase their chances of attracting highly targeted, engaged visitors to their website.

Understanding the difference between organic SEO and paid SEO is crucial for businesses seeking to improve their online visibility. While paid SEO offers immediate results, organic SEO provides long-term sustainability, credibility, and cost-effectiveness. By considering your goals, budget, timeframe, and target audience, you will be able to make an informed decision on which approach is best suited for your specific business needs. Integrating both strategies harmoniously can lead to a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that maximizes the benefits of both organic and paid SEO.

Resources:

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/holistic-search-strategy-seo-ppc/243687/?itm_source=site-search&itm_medium=site-search&itm_campaign=site-search

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/tabid/6307/bid/1514/paid-search-vs-organic-search.aspx

https://ahrefs.com/blog/seo-vs-ppc/

To learn more about microsite design, please read part one of this blog. 

Today, we’ll be diving into a few of our recent projects, and talking more about the design and strategy behind it. 

5 Featured Microsites

Tulsa International Airport – Nonstop Flights 

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The Strategy 

Tulsa International Airport was running a specific marketing campaign to promote the 30+ direct flights out of Tulsa. To measure landing page views and other metrics that would demonstrate campaign success, a microsite with a unique domain and look and feel was the way to go. 

The Design 

We wanted this to be fun and colorful to inspire travel and adventure. It also needed to be dominated by high quality photos, and light on verbiage. We knew that most people would be arriving on this microsite from their phones, so it was crucial for this site to be optimized for mobile, and therefore reducing the overall scroll depth was a priority. 

Because the exciting part about travel is the beauty and intrigue of the location itself, high-quality photos were the top priority. Next up on the list was showing the flight time and flight carriers, so that people knew quickly how long it would take to get there, and if the route was available through their preferred carriers. 

Pregler Oil 

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The Strategy 

As a family-owned firm, we wanted potential customers to feel like they could get to know and trust them easily. Taking professional photos of the team was a key component. From a content perspective, we wanted to be informative and answer questions, so an FAQ section was important to include. As a primary call to action, we created a form that was quick and easy for clients to fill out and get more information. 

The Design 

The client wanted the look and feel to be modern, clean, and mostly black and white with accents of gold. Each section was built to be easy to navigate, and deliver an overall sense of professionalism and calm. 

Bria’s Italian Ice 

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The Strategy 

This site was pure joy to create. And there was definitely some product testing and research that just had to be done. Spoiler alert – the Italian Ice is DELICIOUS. If you are a Tulsa native, we’d recommend getting over to Bria’s Italian Ice immediately. We built this site prior to the opening date so that they had a place to send potential customers to for more information. 

The Design 

We wanted to bring in the colors of Italy, while keeping the overall vibe light, fun, and kid-friendly. The Italian Ice is free of major allergens and artificial flavors/colors etc, and that was important to feature. The storefront has a play space, patio, and drive-through that needed to be highlighted as well. From an operational perspective, the request to book a party needed to be easy to use, and work well as they plan to use this as the primary point of booking, so the form design and function was very important here. 

Industry Men’s Grooming 

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The Strategy 

We built the first site for this client several years ago, and it was time for a refresh. They had recently moved into a larger, more modern space that is centrally located, and they wanted to highlight that as well as a few of their premium services and offerings. 

The Design 

At Industry, their client base is all men, so the site needed to feel masculine, rugged, and easy to navigate. We kept it modern with a black and white color scheme. They offer cold beers and beverages in a relaxing environment, making it the perfect place for a lunch break appointment. You can select your stylist, and book online with the push of a button. A beer and a haircut – what’s not to love? 

Hope-Driven Coaching 

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The Strategy 

This project was unique because it was a smaller site that was part of a larger site. But because it was a separate initiative, it needed to have a unique look and feel, while still looking like it belonged to the larger brand. 

The Design 

The main site (Hope Rising) was primarily black, white, and yellow, so we kept the design in a similar color scheme, but added in a slate blue to match the logo of the Hope Coaching initiative. For this site, content was definitely king. The science and statistics needed to be front and center, so the overall layout and section design was tailored to the content to make it easy to read, and not feel overwhelming to the reader. 

Still wondering if you need a microsite, or a full site? Here’s a helpful list you can use to help you decide. If you want to talk to a professional who can help guide you through the process, we would love to work with you, and learn more about your business. 

A microsite could be a good fit for you if:

• Your business is new, with only a few basic products or services.
• The primary call to action can be understood and completed easily. For example, you want customers to call, email, text, or complete a form.
• You don’t have a large team. Maybe it’s just you, and you don’t need a big “Who We Are” page.
• You want to do SEO for a singular product or service or run Google Ads.
• You have a specific ad campaign you want to track.
• You have a specific initiative or offering that is part of a larger company but needs its own landing page, and look and feel.
• You are pressed for time.
• Your budget is limited.

A full site would be a better fit for you if:

• Your company has been around for a few years or more.
• You have recently expanded your products or services.
• You have a larger team.
• What you do needs to be explained in greater detail.
• You need specific pages to guide the customer experience: Pricing, Testimonials, Blog, Our Process, Calendar of Events etc.
• You want to do SEO for multiple products and/or services.
• You don’t have a tight deadline and just want things done right.
• Your budget is flexible.

Read on.

What is a microsite?

Simply put, a microsite is a one-page website. Most people think they need to have a multi-page website, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes a beautiful, well-developed microsite is all you need.

Does a microsite stand-alone or is it part of a larger site?

The answer to both questions is yes. Depending on your needs, a microsite can be a stand-alone site, or it can be a separate landing page that’s part of a parent company or a larger site.

We have designed several microsites that stand alone and work beautifully. In one case, it was a separate landing page that was used as part of a specific ad campaign. And then in another case, we designed a microsite to live on the larger parent company site but with its own branding and look and feel because it was a separate initiative.

It depends on your business and your goals. Microsites are entirely customizable to fit your needs. The important part is having a web development team that can support you in this effort.

In Part 2 of this blog, you’ll see examples of all these different types of microsites that we’ve mentioned. Additionally, we’ll explore the strategy behind the design.

How do I know if I need a microsite or a full site?

A microsite could be a good fit for you if:

A full site would be a better fit for you if:

Ok, I want a microsite. How do I make it amazing?

Custom Design & Development

The most important part about a microsite is that it has to be well-designed with the user in mind. It’s all about creating a “flow,” so it feels natural for the user to move through the site with ease, finding the information they are looking for quickly.

Intentional Content

Microsites can have the same or similar content to a multi-page site, so it’s essential to ensure the design is based on the amount of content needed.

Be intentional and thoughtful about the amount and layout of your content.

For example, you might want collapsible or expandable sections so that users aren’t confronted with too much information at once. You might want to include product features or highlights to be on a carousel or rotate horizontally so that it doesn’t become too vertically cumbersome and create too long of a scroll depth.

Professional Photography / Videography

Professional photography/videography is one of the most crucial parts of a well-done microsite. One page can be just as impressive and hold as much power as a multi-page site IF it contains visuals that are show-stoppers, instead of “eh, I took that casually on an older iPhone four years ago.” That approach will not fly on a microsite.

We strongly encourage professional imagery on a site of any size, even if it needs to be stock photography, while you wait to develop professional images of your own.

A Clear Call To Action

To optimize your microsite for conversion, you must ensure your website is designed for lead generation. This means having a clear call-to-action (CTA) on every page and making it easy for visitors to fill out forms and submit their contact information. Your call to action should be in multiple places on the microsite and brief and easy to understand.

Notice we didn’t say 47 calls to action; we said one. Maybe two, but that’s pushing it. Make a decision about how and when you want to be contacted and what you want the customer to do, and guide them through that process.

• Come See Us
• Call Now
• Subscribe Here
• Shop Now
• View Products
• Request A Quote
• Text Us

Optimized For Mobile Devices

This is a non-negotiable part of microsite design and development. The majority of website users today are on their phones. If your site is not optimized for mobile, it will create immediate frustration, and the user will probably never give your site another chance.

Ensure your website developer creates a design that will work well and function beautifully whether the user is on their desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile.

To Sum It All Up

Microsites can be an excellent option if you follow the guidelines above. If you are looking for a microsite developer and want to learn more, we would be happy to help.

In Part 2 of this blog series, we will dive into several recent microsites we’ve designed for our clients, presenting the design and the strategy behind it so you can see a few examples and decide if a microsite is right for you.

Stay tuned for more.

Do you find yourself spending hours trying to fix technical glitches instead of focusing on growing your business? If so, it’s time to consider calling in the pros. In this blog post, we’ll explore when and why you should seek professional website support and maintenance services to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime. From security updates and backups to custom coding and design changes, we’ve got you covered. 

So sit back, relax, and let us help take the stress out of managing your online presence. 

Here’s how to know when it’s time to call the pros.

When you don’t have time to deal with it 

The reality of it is – you need to focus on running your business. It’s highly likely that anything pertaining to your website is going to get pushed to the back burner because you simply don’t have time to focus on it. 

In that case, it may be worth considering hiring a web developer to help manage and maintain your website. A professional can give you peace of mind that your website is running smoothly and is kept up-to-date with the latest trends, features, and security measures. 

When “all the technical things” are not your cup of tea

If you don’t know the difference between your domain name and hosting, and you get anxiety every time an email comes to your inbox that you think is spam but you aren’t sure, it’s ok. You are not alone. 

There are plenty of people who feel the same way about “all the technical things.” Fortunately, you can easily get help without having to become an expert yourself.

While you can certainly find WordPress tutorials and articles on how to do certain tasks online, the best thing to do is get help from a professional who specializes in these areas. That’s why we’re here – to be an online expert so you don’t have to be. 

When your site keeps going down or getting hacked

Security is one of the non-negotiable parts of website maintenance. The online world is a wild place. Your website is vulnerable and will get hacked if it’s not protected. 

 If your website goes down, you’ll need to take immediate action. Part of the service we provide to our care plan clients is identifying the source of the issue. Is it a security issue? Or maybe a coding issue? Once we have identified the source of the problem, then we can start working on a solution. We may even need to restore your site from a recent backup if there has been an attack. 

Regardless of what the issue is – it won’t be your problem to deal with. 

We will take the appropriate steps to help ensure that your website remains secure and stays up and running at all times.

When you need consistent website updates

If you depend heavily on your website to run your business, then it’s probably a good idea to have someone else who is responsible for all the updates and can do it quickly. It might be content, pricing, menu changes, calendar/event updates, photo changes, or anything else.  

It’s important to have someone who is accountable for making sure the website runs properly and is regularly updated with fresh content. That’s why we have care plan options that include 1 to 2 hours of content updates, so you can get all the help you need, and we’re just one email away. 

When you are starting SEO efforts

A healthy website is essential for successful SEO because it helps ensure that search engine algorithms can properly crawl and index your pages. This allows your content to be found more easily and appear higher in the search results. A healthy website also provides a better user experience which can contribute to an increase in organic traffic. 

Lastly, having a well-structured website with optimized page titles and meta tags will help improve click-through rates from the SERPs, which is essential for improving rankings over time.

When you don’t really know what you need

This might be the first time you have ever had a website, or been through a website build, so it’s totally ok to not know what you need. That’s why we are here to help.  

Every business is different, so the best way to know what you need is to talk to an expert. A website specialist can assess your site and give you a better understanding of the services and support that would suit your website best.

However, there’s a few basics that every website must have: 

• Hosting
• Security
• Software Updates
• Daily Backups
• Uptime Monitoring
• Support Help 

If your site is more complex and active, here are a few other things to consider:  

• Regular content updates
• Insight into your website traffic and analytics
• Performance + speed optimization
• SEO optimization 

Let’s Sum It All Up 

Website maintenance is essential to keeping your website running smoothly and securely. It doesn’t matter whether your site is big or small, regular updates are vital to guard against malicious attacks and other security threats. By having a professional team on hand to handle any technical issues that may arise, you can rest assured that your website will be kept up-to-date with the latest security measures. 

Support is also key for ensuring optimal performance of your site. This includes ensuring all plugins and software are running properly. Without regular maintenance, your website may experience frequent crashes or slow loading times which could lead to frustrated customers and lost sales opportunities. 

Finally, while the do-it-yourself approach may seem appealing at first glance, it’s important to consider the time and effort involved in making changes to your site’s design or functionality. In many cases, hiring an experienced web developer can save time in the long run as they’ll be able to quickly identify potential problems and handle them accordingly. Plus, you won’t have to worry about dealing with complicated coding yourself! 

If you are unsure of what services you need, it is best to consult with a website specialist who can assess your needs, provide advice and take over the responsibilities for you. 

Give us a call. We’re here to help!

But Tulsa has a special place in our hearts because it’s home. Several members of our team were born and raised here. And that’s why it’s personal to us to be a web design agency with what it takes to create sites that help local businesses grow.

As a web development company that’s part of the local landscape, we also know what matters to the community and how local consumers think and make purchasing decisions. From an SEO perspective, we understand industry-based competition and can help you make decisions to grow your business by developing a robust and impressive online presence.

If you are considering partnering with an agency to build a website, here are a few things to consider. Along with the list of website deliverables, an agency should also provide strategy, substance, and support.

Strategy

• Every business is unique, and the industry, market, and situation all matter and contribute to the overall strategy of designing a website. We learn everything we can about your business to develop a sound, informed web development strategy. You want to end up with a website that suits your needs perfectly not only from the day it goes live but also for the future. Your site should be well-positioned to adapt to evolving circumstances as time goes on. For example, you might have a product or service that isn’t available yet, but you know it will be soon, and you want to account for that change during the initial development process.

Substance

• We say it all the time, but it’s the truth. Your website should solve problems for you and answer questions for your customers. You have an opportunity with your website to position yourself as a subject matter expert, and this helps you stand out from the competition. Well-developed content is the key to more engagement and conversions, and it helps sites draw organic traffic from search engines, links, and other sources. If you are considering SEO, a blog or insights page can tremendously increase your site’s opportunity to rank well for key search terms. High-quality visuals (photography/videography) also play a big part in supporting your content and overall engagement goals.

Support

• We’ve been in business for more than a decade now, and we’re here to stay. If you are considering a new website development project, the big question is – what happens to your site after it’s launched? Who is taking care of it? Part of our model as a company is not just to create a beautiful website and then move on down the road but to help offer support to our clients after we go live. There are 2 different pathways for this, depending on your needs:

A Website Care Plan

• Your website represents your company online, so it needs to look the part. Our diligent, experienced designers ensure that every site we produce is polished, attractive, modern, and impressive. The aura of professionalism that results helps your company build a strong, positive brand over time. It instills confidence in website visitors, making them more likely to send messages, pick up the phone, or complete a purchase online.

SEO

• If you want to grow your business online, SEO is a great way to do it. Once you have the foundation built with a fantastic website, you are primed to begin bringing leads to it. If you are already doing SEO, but you aren’t happy with your results, then you’ll be a great candidate for our audit and optimization services. This is where we can look deeper and see why you haven’t made the progress you wanted to. If you have never done SEO and don’t know much about it or understand how it works, then SEO Foundations is the perfect place to start. This is a one-time service with keyword discovery and competitive analysis that can help you discover the opportunities for your specific industry and decide if SEO is the right fit for you.

When It Comes to the Web, Hashty Techie LLC Does It All

Our goal as a leading Tulsa web design agency is to elevate your brand and help set you apart from your competition.

Depending on your business and unique needs, there might be some advanced technical needs you have or integrations you want to add on. Still, as a baseline, every website should be professional, functional, responsive, fast, and cost-effective.

Professional Appearance

• Your website is often your client’s first interaction with you, and you want to impress them right off the bat. The aura of professionalism helps your company build a strong, positive brand over time. It instills confidence in website visitors, making them more likely to send messages, pick up the phone, or complete a purchase online.

Function and Ease Of Use

• You also want to anticipate their needs and serve them up to them immediately. For example, if you are a plumber or a repair specialist, the number for them to call should be the first thing they see. If you are experience-based, then the calendar for booking should be readily available.

Responsive / Mobile-Friendly Design

• This is a non-negotiable in today’s market. Most users navigate your website on their phone, and your website must be mobile-friendly. We build websites to convert beautifully from desktop to laptop to tablet to mobile.

Speed & Performance

• A slow website will frustrate users and cause your to sink lower in the search engine results than it should. For sites with a lot of traffic, pages, video, photos, etc., you might even need a boost in speed to improve the user experience.

Cost-Effective

• It’s all about the return on investment, right? We get feedback from our clients all the time that their website or SEO efforts have paid for themselves ten times over. We know this has the power to change the trajectory of your business, and that’s what we live for.

We’re proud of our reputation for designing websites that give businesses in Tulsa and beyond the boost they need to reach the next level. To learn about how our Tulsa web design services can help your business succeed and grow, give us a call or schedule a consultation today.