# Web Design Company & SEO Marketing Agency in NYC & Long Island > A website design & digital marketing agency with over 10 years experience in building results-driven custom web-based solutions. Website: https://www.maxburst.com Language: en (UTF-8) Charset: UTF-8 Generated: 2025-06-25T13:05:59+00:00 --- # Detailed Content ## Posts ### ChatGPT Shopping: A New Era of Conversational Commerce - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/chatgpt-shopping-a-new-era-of-conversational-commerce/ - **Published:** 2025-05-07 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** AI, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** AI-First Search, Content Marketing, e-commerce, Featured Article, web design, web development **Excerpt:** OpenAI’s rollout of new shopping features within ChatGPT marks a pivotal moment in the ecommerce landscape. These enhancements focus on personalized recommendations, intuitive user experiences, and global accessibility, all delivered through a conversational interface designed to simplify and elevate product discovery. For businesses, this is not just a new tool, it’s a shift in how consumers will engage with brands, make purchasing decisions, and navigate the buying journey. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, few changes are as visible or as commercially disruptive as the evolution of online shopping. OpenAI’s rollout of new shopping features within ChatGPT marks a pivotal moment in the ecommerce landscape. These enhancements focus on personalized recommendations, intuitive user experiences, and global accessibility, all delivered through a conversational interface designed to simplify and elevate product discovery. For businesses, this is not just a new tool, it’s a shift in how consumers will engage with brands, make purchasing decisions, and navigate the buying journey. --- ### Building Future-Ready Websites: How MAXBURST Navigates the AI-First Era - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/building-future-ready-websites-how-maxburst-navigates-the-ai-first-era/ - **Published:** 2025-03-13 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** AI-First Search, digital agency, digital marketing, website design, website design trends **Excerpt:** In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, MAXBURST leads the way in crafting AI-ready websites that excel in both human engagement and AI system compatibility. Our Integrated Intelligent Experience Optimization (IXO) Team synergizes digital marketing strategists, user-centric designers, and IXO-certified developers to create platforms that resonate with users and are optimized for AI interactions. By embracing advanced schema markup and entity mapping, we ensure that AI systems comprehend and prioritize your content effectively. This holistic approach not only enhances user experience but also positions your brand at the forefront of the AI-first search era. --- ### The Importance of Brand Building in Web Design - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-importance-of-brand-building-in-web-design/ - **Published:** 2025-01-15 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Branding, Company Identity, Design, Development, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, web design, web development **Excerpt:** In today’s digital age, your brand is more than a logo—it’s the emotional and visual connection your audience forms with your business. At the heart of successful branding is your website, the first impression for many potential customers. With 94% of first impressions based on web design, your site must flawlessly align with your brand’s identity and values. Learn how effective web design can shape trust, foster loyalty, and create lasting connections with your audience. --- ### How Much Does SEO Cost in 2024? A C-Suite Guide to Smart Investment - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-much-does-seo-cost-a-c-suite-guide-to-smart-investment/ - **Published:** 2024-10-30 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Google, KPI, ROI, SEO, White-Hat SEO Campaign Investment Strategies: Balancing Budget, Quality, and Results for Business Growth As a business owner or executive, you likely understand the importance of having a strong online presence. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical component of any digital marketing strategy, helping your website rank higher in search results and drive more qualified traffic. But how much should you expect to invest in SEO to see meaningful results? What factors influence SEO costs? And how can you ensure you're getting value for your investment? These are crucial questions that this comprehensive guide aims to address. As search engines like Google continuously refine their algorithms, SEO strategies must adapt to keep pace. This constant change, coupled with the technical nature of SEO work, makes it difficult for many businesses to handle in-house, leading them to consider partnering with SEO professionals or agencies. The rise of AI in SEO is reshaping the industry, potentially affecting pricing structures. While AI tools may streamline certain tasks and reduce costs in areas like content creation and data analysis, the need for human expertise in strategy, interpretation, and ethical implementation may actually increase the value—and cost—of high-quality SEO company services. Whether you're a small local business owner looking to improve your local search rankings, a growing e-commerce company aiming to expand your online market share, or a large enterprise seeking to dominate your industry's search results, understanding SEO costs is vital for making informed decisions about your digital marketing budget. The truth is, that SEO costs can vary widely depending on your business size, goals, and competitive landscape. This SEO pricing guide will break down the factors that influence your spend on SEO, typical cost ranges, and what you can expect to get for your investment at different budget levels. Key Takeaways SEO Pricing Varies Widely: Costs range from $500-$20,000+ per month, depending on business size, industry competitiveness, location of the SEO agency, and project scope. Multiple Pricing Models Exist: Common models include monthly retainers, project-based pricing, hourly rates, and performance-based pricing, each with pros and cons. ROI Measurement is Crucial: Track KPIs like organic traffic growth, conversion rates, and keyword rankings to justify SEO investment and guide strategy. Hidden Costs Can Add Up: Be prepared for additional expenses in content production, web development, and SEO tools beyond basic service fees. Choose Providers Carefully: Look for transparency, proven track records, and alignment with your business goals when selecting an SEO consultant or SEO company. Factors That Influence SEO Package Costs When it comes to SEO pricing, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The cost of SEO services can vary dramatically from one business to another, even within the same industry. This variability stems from the complex and multifaceted nature of SEO itself. Are you looking at local SEO packages or planning an international SEO campaign? How much you should expect to pay for SEO will be based on how much these different factors come into play. Search engine algorithms consider hundreds of factors when ranking websites, and... --- ### Digital Marketing for E-commerce: Strategies to Drive Sales and Revenue - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/digital-marketing-for-e-commerce-strategies-to-drive-sales-and-revenue/ - **Published:** 2024-09-27 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** digital agency, digital marketing, e-commerce, eCommerce, email marketing, Shopify, social media marketing, web design, web development **Excerpt:** In today’s fast-paced and competitive e-commerce landscape, standing out and consistently driving revenue requires more than just traditional marketing efforts. E-commerce businesses need to embrace creative and dynamic strategies to capture and retain customer interest. Success in this space hinges on understanding your customers and offering tailored, relevant experiences that meet their unique needs. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through personalization. By leveraging data analytics, businesses can gain valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and purchase history. This allows for personalized product recommendations, customized email campaigns, and tailored landing pages, all of which create a more engaging shopping journey for each individual. In this article, we’ll explore several actionable digital marketing strategies that can revitalize your e-commerce efforts. From enhancing customer experiences to improving conversion rates, these approaches will help propel your business to new heights and ensure sustained growth in a competitive market. --- ### Web Design Reimagined: The Impact of AI-Savvy Agencies - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/web-design-reimagined-the-impact-of-ai-savvy-agencies/ - **Published:** 2024-09-16 - **Modified:** 2024-09-16 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Digital Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Prototyping, User Engagement Harnessing AI for Web Design: the Benefits of Partnering With an AI-Savvy Agency Partnering with an AI-savvy agency revolutionizes web design by making workflows smoother through automation, leading to faster project completions and increased efficiency. According to a report from McKinsey & Company, businesses that integrate AI into their operations can see productivity gains of up to 20%. AI-driven tools reduce the need for manual labor, enabling quicker delivery of projects and the ability to manage multiple tasks at once. Machine learning algorithms bring personalization to the forefront, tailoring user experiences to boost engagement and conversion rates. For instance, a study from Accenture found that 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that provide personalized offers and recommendations. Data-driven insights help continuously optimize website performance and user satisfaction. AI-powered analytics offer real-time feedback, making it easier to iteratively improve and make informed decisions. According to Forbes, companies utilizing AI for data analysis see a 5-10% increase in revenue. Moreover, partnerships with AI-focused agencies enhance security and scalability, giving businesses a competitive edge. A Deloitte survey revealed that organizations using AI for cybersecurity can identify threats faster and more accurately. Key Takeaways AI-driven automation streamlines workflows, reducing design time and cutting down on manual labor costs. This is not just theoretical; numerous case studies have shown that AI can significantly speed up the design process. Machine learning algorithms personalize user experiences, which enhances engagement and conversion rates. For example, companies like Netflix and Amazon use machine learning to recommend content and products, keeping users more engaged. Real-time analytics provide data-driven insights that help in continuously improving website performance. According to reports from major tech firms, leveraging real-time analytics can lead to more effective decision-making. AI-powered chatbots offer efficient customer support, boosting user satisfaction. Many businesses, from banks to e-commerce sites, have successfully deployed chatbots to handle customer inquiries, leading to quicker response times and higher satisfaction rates. Predictive analytics allow for targeted marketing and swift adaptations to changes in user behavior. Historical data supports this; companies that use predictive analytics tend to outperform those that don't in terms of customer retention and sales growth. Efficiency in Design Processes AI-savvy agencies enhance web design efficiency through workflow automation, significantly cutting down on time spent on repetitive tasks. Leveraging rapid prototyping capabilities, these agencies can quickly generate and refine layouts, resulting in faster design iterations and better user experiences. These data-driven approaches enable the creation of tailored website designs that effectively meet the specific needs of their audiences. Streamlined Workflow Automation Automation tools have truly transformed design processes by taking on repetitive tasks, which speeds up project delivery and boosts overall productivity. In web design, AI-driven automation fine-tunes workflows, helping agencies streamline their operations for maximum efficiency. Agencies that are well-versed in AI use automation to optimize their workflows, freeing designers to focus on the creative elements of their projects. This not only lightens the manual workload but also improves the accuracy and consistency of design outputs. By weaving AI into their design processes, these agencies ensure smooth collaboration and communication among team members, leading to more effective... --- ### What Is User Intent and Why Is It Important for SEO? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/what-is-user-intent-and-why-is-it-important-for-seo/ - **Published:** 2024-08-01 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** commercial, informational, navigational, transactional, User Intent Decoding Search Behavior: Unlock SEO Success by Mastering User Intent User intent is the underlying goal users have when they search online, and it plays a crucial role in SEO, web design, and all other digital marketing strategies. By recognizing search intent – whether it's informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial – we can tailor our content, web design, and marketing efforts to meet these specific needs. This alignment not only boosts our search engine rankings but also enhances user satisfaction and increases conversion rates across our digital platforms. Data shows that over 80% of searches are informational, so effective keyword research, content structure, and user-centric web design are critical. Ignoring user intent leads to high bounce rates, poor engagement, and ineffective campaigns. To harness the full power of SEO and create impactful digital marketing strategies, understanding how to optimize web design and content for different types of user intent is essential. Key Takeaways User intent represents the goal or purpose behind a user's search query. Understanding user intent helps create content that meets specific user needs and expectations. Aligning content with user intent improves search engine rankings and visibility. Tailoring SEO strategies to user intent enhances user engagement and conversion rates. Prioritizing user intent in content strategies boosts organic traffic and overall website performance. Understanding User Intent Understanding user intent is pivotal for crafting SEO strategies that align with the specific needs and expectations of our target audience. By recognizing the search intent behind a query, we can tailor our content to meet the user's goals effectively. User intent, whether it's informational intent or transactional intent, guides us in creating relevant and valuable content. Informational intent typically involves users seeking knowledge, while transactional intent indicates a desire to make a purchase or complete a transaction. Our SEO strategy must be data-driven and focused on dissecting these user intents accurately. For instance, when users exhibit informational intent, they look for in-depth articles, guides, or tutorials. Conversely, transactional intent requires us to optimize product pages, landing pages, and calls to action to facilitate conversions. Analyzing search behavior and language choices is essential for identifying user intent. Tools like Google Analytics and Search Console can help us pinpoint trends and refine our content strategy. By aligning our SEO efforts with user intent, we improve our visibility in search results, drive organic traffic, and increase conversion rates. Ultimately, understanding user intent allows us to deliver a superior user experience, meeting our audience's exact needs. Types of User Intent Let's break down the four main types of user intent that drive search behavior: Informational queries Navigational queries Transactional queries Commercial investigation queries By analyzing these categories, we can better align our content strategy with what users are actually searching for. This targeted approach can boost our SEO efforts, enhancing visibility and conversion rates. Informational Search Queries Informational search queries, accounting for over 80% of online searches, highlight the critical need to create content that answers users' specific questions and provides detailed information. When we analyze search intent, it's evident that informational search plays a pivotal role in how users engage... --- ### Revolutionizing Web Design: Emerging trends that you need to know - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/revolutionizing-web-design-emerging-trends-that-you-need-to-know/ - **Published:** 2024-04-11 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Robert Hornberg **Categories:** Design, Development, Digital Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** digital agency, digital marketing, web design, web development, web performance, web trends, Website Redesign **Excerpt:** The constantly evolving field of website design has introduced numerous trends that impact consumers’ online experiences. These 20 notable website design trends have captured the attention of both designers and users alike. From scrolling effects and dynamic cursors to chatbots and virtual reality, these trends aim to enhance user engagement, improve functionality, and create visually appealing and immersive experiences. --- ### Social Media Advertising - The Ultimate Guide for Boosting Your Business - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/social-media-advertising-the-ultimate-guide-for-boosting-your-business/ - **Published:** 2024-01-11 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Robert Hornberg **Categories:** Design, Development, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** digital agency, digital marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, social media marketing, web development **Excerpt:** Going viral on social media these days is less random than you think. Of course, there’s always that exception, but it’s quite challenging for your content to blow up without outside help. It might seem upsetting that you need to spend time on your content to gain traction. Unfortunately, social media advertising is essential to reach your target audience immediately. Social media advertising offers unparalleled reach, targeting capabilities, cost-effectiveness, measurable results, engagement opportunities, remarketing options, and adaptability. By leveraging these advantages, businesses can effectively boost their online presence, connect with their target audience, and achieve their marketing goals. --- ### Optimizing Page Loading Speed for 2024: Strategies for Fast-Loading Websites - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/optimizing-page-loading-speed-for-2024-strategies-for-fast-loading-websites/ - **Published:** 2023-12-06 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Robert Hornberg **Categories:** Development, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** digital agency, GTmetrix, increase page speed, minify javascript, optimize images, page speed insights, tips to improve website speed, web design, web development, web performance, web performance optimization, web performance tuning, Website Redesign, website speed optimization **Excerpt:** Improve your website's page loading speed in 2023 with these comprehensive strategies for website speed optimization. Increase average time on page, reduce bounce rate, and convert more visitors into customers. Learn how to conduct a site audit, prioritize potential issues, and implement techniques such as minifying JavaScript and optimizing images. Boost your web performance and create fast-loading web pages to improve user experience and search engine rankings. Introduction We’ve published our comprehensive guide on optimizing page loading speed for 2024! In today's fast-paced digital landscape, having a fast-loading website is crucial for providing an exceptional user experience and boosting your search engine rankings. In this article, we will delve into the world of website speed optimization and provide you with detailed strategies to increase your website's performance. From conducting a thorough site audit to implementing various techniques, we will cover everything you need to know to create fast-loading web pages that convert visitors into lifelong customers. Table of Contents What is Google Recommended Page Load Time? Understanding Average Page Load Time The Importance of Google Page Experience Conducting a Site Audit to Prioritize Potential Issues Techniques to Optimize Web Performance Minifying JavaScript and CSS Optimizing Images Limiting the Number of HTTP Requests Utilizing Browser HTTP Caching Removing Unnecessary Render-Blocking JavaScript Using PageSpeed Insights for Analysis and Optimization The Role of Web Performance Testing and Monitoring Frequently Asked Questions What is Page Speed? How Does Web Performance Optimization Impact a Website's Performance? How Can I Improve Average Time on Page and Reduce Bounce Rate? How Do I Convert More Visitors into Customers Through Website Speed Optimization? What Tools Can I Use to Monitor and Analyze My Website's Performance? What is Google Recommended Page Load Time? Google has not published specific guidelines for recommended page load times, but industry experts agree that a page load time of 2 seconds or less is considered good. Back in 2010, Maile Ohye, the then Developer Programs Tech Lead at Google, stated that Google aimed for a page load time of under half a second for eCommerce websites. While the average time for a mobile web page to become interactive in 2022 was around 18.5 seconds, it's important to note that this average includes both fast-loading and slow-loading pages. Understanding Average Page Load Time Calculating the average page load time can be influenced by factors such as the page's size and complexity, the speed of the server hosting your website, and the user's internet connection speed. The ideal page load time is generally considered to be below 2 seconds, with even faster loading times preferred for mobile devices. The Importance of Google Page Experience Google Page Experience is a set of user-centric metrics that measures the overall experience of interacting with a web page. It takes into account factors such as page load speed, interactivity, visual stability, and mobile-friendliness. To ensure your website provides an exceptional user experience, it's essential to consider these factors when optimizing your page loading speed. Conducting a Site Audit to Prioritize Potential Issues Before diving into the optimization process, it's crucial to conduct a comprehensive site audit. This will help identify potential issues that may be slowing down your website. By assessing factors such as file sizes, server response times, and code structure, you can prioritize the areas that require immediate attention. Techniques to Optimize Web Performance Minifying JavaScript and CSS One effective way to improve your website's... --- ### AI in Digital Marketing: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming the Industry - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/ai-in-digital-marketing-how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-the-industry/ - **Published:** 2023-11-15 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Robert Hornberg **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Artificial Intelligence, digital marketing, mobile first responsive design, web design, web development **Excerpt:** AI is reshaping the digital marketing industry by offering data-driven insights, personalization, automation, and optimization. It’s evident that AI is here to stay, and marketers who leverage its capabilities will be better equipped to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. However, it’s crucial for marketers to navigate the ethical considerations and challenges posed by AI while staying at the forefront of innovation in this dynamic industry. The future of AI in digital marketing is bright, and businesses that embrace these transformative technologies will be well-positioned for success in the digital age. --- ### Mobile App Development: Best Practices for User Experience and Optimization - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/mobile-app-development-best-practices-for-user-experience-and-optimization/ - **Published:** 2023-11-01 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Development, Design, Digital Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** app development, mobile first, mobile first responsive design, mobile first strategy google **Excerpt:** Creating a successful mobile app goes beyond coding and design. Instead, the goal is delivering a great user experience and optimizing for performance, security, and privacy. By following best practices in user-centered design, efficient development, and maintaining a strong focus on security and privacy, you can develop a mobile app that attracts users and keeps them coming back for more. Remember that continuous improvement and staying up-to-date with industry trends are critical to long-term success in the competitive world of mobile app development. Finally, you can unlock your app’s potential with the help of a leading mobile app development company to transform your concept into a stunning, user-friendly product. --- ### Mastering Email Design: 10 Strategies for Boosting Conversions and Engagement - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/mastering-email-design-10-strategies-for-boosting-conversions-and-engagement/ - **Published:** 2023-09-20 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Content Marketing, Branding, Digital Marketing, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, digital agency, digital marketing, email design, email marketing, web design **Excerpt:** In today's dynamic digital landscape, where consumer preferences evolve rapidly and attention spans dwindle, businesses seek innovative ways to engage their target audience and drive conversions. In this regard, email marketing has emerged as a dependable strategy, proven to be a potent tool for not only reaching customers but also compelling them to make purchasing decisions. However, the effectiveness of this strategy goes hand in hand with the need for consistent and strategic design optimization, a task best handled by professionals, to ensure alignment with branding and business goals. --- ### Should you use AI design builder for your business website? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/should-you-use-ai-design-builder-for-your-business-website/ - **Published:** 2023-08-25 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Web Development, Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Development, Web Design **Tags:** design trends, digital agency, successful web design, website design trends **Excerpt:** Using an AI design-builder for your business website depends on several factors, including your budget, the complexity of your requirements, and your overall design goals. AI web design builders can be a cost-effective and efficient solution for creating simple websites, especially if you have limited design skills or working on a small budget. The technology can help you create a website quickly and easily, with pre-built templates and designs you can customize to your needs. They can also help you optimize your website for search engines and user experience, which can be critical for driving traffic and conversions. However, relying on AI technology may not fit your needs if you require a more complex website with advanced functionality, agency-based strategy and project management, and unique design requirements. Unfortunately, AI design builders are bound by their pre-built templates and the absence of customization options. As a result, it may not be suitable for businesses with unique design needs and complex development requirements. --- ### Maximizing Your Local PPC Impact with Scalable Landing Pages - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/maximizing-your-local-ppc-impact-with-scalable-landing-pages/ - **Published:** 2023-06-08 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Content Marketing, Design, Development, Digital Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** digital agency, hyper-local, landing pages, local search marketing, ppc, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web trends **Excerpt:** Creating effective landing pages is essential for any successful pay-per-click (PPC) campaign. In today’s competitive online marketplace, businesses need to focus on creating hyper-local landing pages that deliver relevant, personalized experiences for their target audience. Let’s explore why using landing pages over your website is crucial for PPC success and provide a step-by-step guide to building hyper-local PPC landing pages at scale. --- ### Google's Core Web Vitals Metrics for Measuring User Experience - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/googles-core-web-vitals-metrics-for-measuring-user-experience/ - **Published:** 2023-04-04 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Web Development, Design, Development, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** digital agency, google algorithm change mobile, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web development, Website Security **Excerpt:** Why Are Core Web Vitals Important? CWV are considered to be essential indicators of the overall quality of a website and are used by Google to evaluate the performance of web pages and to determine their ranking in search results. Google announced three metrics for web performance that have come to be called Core Web Vitals (CWV). The announcement was still part of the search engine giant’s goal to provide the best web experience for users. These metrics are: First Input Delay (FID), Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), and Largest Contentful Paint (LCP). --- ### How Do You Dominate Local Search? Here's Surefire Ways How To Do It - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-do-you-dominate-local-search-heres-surefire-ways-how-to-do-it/ - **Published:** 2023-03-01 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Digital Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** digital agency, Google Analytics, local search marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, website design **Excerpt:** If you have yet to focus on your local search, then you are not fully optimizing your digital marketing campaign. The 2021 research by Milestone underscored the critical role that local search plays in businesses’ overall online marketing strategy. The study sought to answer the most pressing questions on which channel funnels more website traffic. --- ### Impact of Visuals vs Copy in Your Marketing Campaign - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/impact-of-visuals-vs-copy-in-your-marketing-campaign/ - **Published:** 2023-01-18 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Content Marketing, Branding, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media **Tags:** Branding, digital agency, image optimization, Search Engine Optimization, story-telling, website design trends, XML Sitemap **Excerpt:** The success of any social media marketing plan depends on engaging content that is equally strong in terms of both visuals and words. Have you ever pondered, with the end objective of inspiring profitable customer action, which one improves your content quality the most? Let's dive deeper into the debate between visual and written content to see which marketing tool is more effective at revealing consumer preferences. --- ### Critical Upgrades to Breathe New Life into Your Dying Website - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/critical-upgrades-to-breathe-new-life-into-your-dying-website/ - **Published:** 2022-12-15 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Web Development, Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** digital agency, Search Engine Optimization, web design, web development, Website Redesign **Excerpt:** Ask the average person whether they think that a business must have a website, and they will give you a puzzled look. But, of course, it’s unimaginable to believe that a small company can thrive in a digital environment. Yet about 3 in 10 small businesses still have no websites. But many businesses with digital addresses depend on their in-house employees to manage their websites. In this article, we will explore the critical upgrades necessary to breathe new life into your organization's dying website. --- ### Why Should You Include Media Buying in Your Marketing Strategy Now - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/why-should-you-include-media-buying-in-your-marketing-strategy-now/ - **Published:** 2022-11-16 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Digital Marketing, Branding, Content Marketing, Social Media, Web Design **Tags:** Media Buying, social media marketing, website design **Excerpt:** Media buying should be a significant part of your advertising strategy since it can magnify your investment and maximize the impact of your campaign. Even if you have no deep understanding of how advertising works, you still have an idea that primetime spots command premium prices. --- ### The POS that isn't a POS - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-pos-that-isnt-a-pos/ - **Published:** 2022-09-30 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Web Development, Branding, Company Identity, Development, Digital Marketing **Tags:** digital agency, e-commerce, Shopify, successful web design **Excerpt:** Shopify’s POS Go is a handheld point-of-sale system that fully integrates hardware, software, and payments into a single device which is designed to streamline operations for retailers in a way that will bridge the gap between standard brick-and-mortar stores and full-time e-commerce operations. --- ### Top Rookie Mistakes of Media Buying That Are Totally Avoidable - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/top-rookie-mistakes-of-media-buying-that-are-totally-avoidable/ - **Published:** 2022-09-21 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Digital Marketing, Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Design, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media, Web Design **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, digital agency, Media Buying, Search Engine Marketing, social media marketing **Excerpt:** Media buying is a crucial component of the advertising process. It entails running ads on multiple channels to achieve maximum reach with your target audience for the minimum cost. Media buying involves securing radio, TV, billboards, and print placements. But it's not limited to traditional media since it also includes digital platforms like websites, apps, streaming services, and social media. Specialists exist in the intricate world of media buying, and their primary responsibility is to reach the lowest cost per action by putting context on the ad. A simple explanation would be Starbucks buying a spot for a magazine next to an article about coffee's health benefits. --- ### Digital Marketing and the Current Economic Environment - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/digital-marketing-and-the-current-economic-environment/ - **Published:** 2022-09-06 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media **Tags:** digital agency, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web development **Excerpt:** To put it simply, America’s economy wouldn’t function without its small business sector. Even though they may be relatively modest in size, tiny enterprises pack a powerful punch. They are responsible for 44 percent of the United States’ GDP. As the economic environment changes, below are some website/ marketing and general business items that may be helpful in today’s landscape. --- ### How to Create a Unique and Unforgettable Brand Identity - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-create-a-unique-and-unforgettable-brand-identity/ - **Published:** 2022-07-18 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Design, Digital Marketing, Web Design **Excerpt:** The brand is often mistaken to be synonymous with the company logo. But while you admittedly could not associate the logo with the company, focusing on the design to the exclusion of everything else is like skipping leg day. The result is a flawed campaign that will likely blow up in your face. Even brand experts could not have imagined how much social media changed the marketing landscape. With the market constantly in flux, it’s never easier to start a business today. But the casualty rate is also brutal. --- ### Strengthening Local SEO: Data-driven Guides for Local Search Marketing - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/strengthening-local-seo-data-driven-guides-for-local-search-marketing/ - **Published:** 2022-06-15 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** local search marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, web design, web development, WordPress **Excerpt:** Optimizing the appropriate marketing strategies is vital to your business' success. As the digital marketing process develops with time, so does how we do marketing, one of which includes search engine optimization (SEO). It is the way of getting your business to appear on the top and first page of the search results. To better know SEO, it's vital to learn more about how local search marketing is an integral part of it. Optimizing the appropriate marketing strategies is vital to your business' success. As the digital marketing process develops with time, so does how we do marketing, one of which includes search engine optimization (SEO). It is the way of getting your business to appear on the top and first page of the search results. To better know SEO, it's vital to learn more about how local search marketing is an integral part of it. --- ### Media Buying: The Timeless Recipe for a Successful Business Campaign - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/media-buying-the-timeless-recipe-for-a-successful-business-campaign/ - **Published:** 2022-05-16 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Digital Marketing, Branding, Company Identity, Design, Development, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, Media Buying, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web development **Excerpt:** The concept of media buying is relatively new for some, but it is a part of a unique advertising ecosystem that constantly evolves. If you are wondering, media buying is a comprehensive campaign tool that can go beyond trends. Traditional media or new media, it doesn't matter. Understanding how this tool can change your business position in an accelerated phase is essential. The concept of media buying is relatively new for some, but it is a part of a unique advertising ecosystem that constantly evolves. If you are wondering, media buying is a comprehensive campaign tool that can go beyond trends. Traditional media or new media, it doesn't matter. Understanding how this tool can change your business position in an accelerated phase is essential. Media advertising is at the heart of the purchase process. Media buyers or representatives understand that the success of a business campaign is not only about building a narrative. More importantly, the movement should reach the right audience at the perfect time, place, and frequency. Your campaign is one of the most pivotal parts of reaching the growth stage through high sales turnover. It also helps your website increase publicity through increased engagement and click rates. If that's your current motivation, you are in the right place to learn. Media buying is one goal of your web design and development: establishing a good impression on prospective customers. It may baffle you, but all your marketing platforms and activities are but one thread within them. Hence, giving equal importance to all web facets is a must for consistency. To help you explore underexplored media buying as the essence of communicating your campaign to customers, here is some valuable information you must know. --- ### 5 Ecommerce Website Updates You Need to Make Right Away - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/5-ecommerce-website-updates-you-need-to-make-right-away/ - **Published:** 2022-04-07 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Web Design, Design, Development, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media, Web Development **Tags:** design trends, mobile first, PageSpeed, successful web design, web design, web development, WordPress **Excerpt:** As the e-commerce industry becomes more competitive, so should your digital efforts. It can be easy to get lost in all the new technologies and trends coming out, so start by focusing on the most important things to get done. For 2022, make sure you implement the five updates discussed above; as these will help you draw in more customers, maximize online visibility, and increase your competitive edge. --- ### The Value of Content Before Website Design - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-value-of-content-before-website-design/ - **Published:** 2022-03-14 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Content Marketing, Company Identity, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, Conversion Funnel, design trends, digital agency, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, web design, web development **Excerpt:** If you have been in the marketing game for a while now, you know that content is king. With so much competition in today's online space, having high-quality and valuable content can set your website apart from others. However, if you are new and still starting, you first need to think about how you should build your site. When creating a website, you can either write the content first before designing it or do the opposite. Strictly speaking, there is no hard rule as to what the right approach is. However, many experts recommend starting with content for various reasons. --- ### The Rise of Design Thinking as A Problem-Solving Strategy - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-rise-of-design-thinking-as-a-problem-solving-strategy/ - **Published:** 2022-02-09 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Branding, Company Identity, Design, Development, Web Design, Web Development **Excerpt:** Design thinking applies an iterative process to understand the user, challenge beliefs, and look for fresh solutions to problems to identify options and solutions that might not be readily obvious. Design thinking is more of a solution-based strategy to solving problems. It is a mode of thinking and working as well as an assortment of practical methods. Design thinking applies an iterative process to understand the user, challenge beliefs, and look for fresh solutions to problems to identify options and solutions that might not be readily obvious. Design thinking is more of a solution-based strategy to solving problems. It is a mode of thinking and working as well as an assortment of practical methods. Design thinking focuses on understanding the demographic for whom the products or services are designed. It enables designers to observe and develop an understanding and empathy for their target users. Design thinking revolves around three critical questions — questioning the problem, questioning norms and assumptions, and questioning the implications. Design thinking is a real-world approach to dealing with yet unknown issues. It looks from a human-centric angle. It adopts a hands-on approach to prototyping and testing. Design thinking also involves continuing experimentation and trying out new concepts and ideas. The Phases of Design Thinking There are many variants of the process of design thinking. But all its forms are very similar. Every variation of the design thinking process embodies the same principles. This article will focus on the 5-phase model laid down by the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, the vanguard of applying and teaching Design Thinking. The 5 phases according to this school are the following: --- ### Website Design Learnability: Best Tips and Practices for 2022 - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/website-design-learnability-best-tips-and-practices-for-2022/ - **Published:** 2022-01-13 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Web Design, Branding, Design, Development, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, design trends, responsive web design, successful web design, web design, web development, website design trends, Website Redesign **Excerpt:** Why is learnability important in web design? A website with a user-friendly interface will encourage more people to visit it. Whether the objective of your website is for SEO, commercial, or informational purpose, a learnable web design can help you accomplish your goal much faster. Another reason why learnability is essential is it reduces the need for customers or users to contact you for support whenever they access your website. Think of all the inconvenience that you and your clients would have to go through simply because they can't navigate your website. Learnability is also essential for retention. Many people have used websites, whether they are tech-savvy or not. An interface that is difficult to use will drive away potential clients who are not patient enough to take more time to understand the design on your website. One crucial thing to consider when you talk about web design is learnability. There is a misconception that designing a website that enables users to navigate can be tricky as it limits the designs you can do. However, it is the total opposite. Web design learnability opens many opportunities to express your creativity and versatility. You only have to have a deeper understanding of web design learnability. What is web design learnability? Learnability means how easy a person can use or learn to use a specific product, in this case, a website. It is a key feature in web design because it determines how website visitors can easily navigate through a particular website. Why is learnability important in web design? A website with a user-friendly interface will encourage more people to visit it. Whether the objective of your website is for SEO, commercial, or informational purpose, a learnable web design can help you accomplish your goal much faster. Another reason why learnability is essential is it reduces the need for customers or users to contact you for support whenever they access your website. Think of all the inconvenience that you and your clients would have to go through simply because they can't navigate your website. Learnability is also essential for retention. Many people have used websites, whether they are tech-savvy or not. An interface that is difficult to use will drive away potential clients who are not patient enough to take more time to understand the design on your website. --- ### Most Valuable Digital Marketing Lessons from Netflix’s Squid Game - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/most-valuable-digital-marketing-lessons-from-netflixs-squid-game/ - **Published:** 2021-12-08 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Digital Marketing, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, digital agency, story-telling, web design, web development **Excerpt:** You have certainly heard or read online about Netflix’s Korean series Squid Game, regardless of whether you love to spend your evenings watching TV episodes on streaming or not. Nevertheless, it is among the most popular series in 2021, and, maybe unexpectedly, it provides important business-related information. So, whether you are an avid fan of the show or a digital marketer, the top 10 critical digital marketing lessons you can find in this successful Korean game series are listed below. Marketing professionals may utilize any marketing strategies that use electronic gadgets to send promotional content and track its impact throughout the client journey. Digital marketing, in essence, refers to marketing initiatives that appear on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. It can come in many different forms, such as online video, display advertisement, social media postings, and ads. Digital marketing is frequently contrasted with conventional marketing methods, including magazine advertisements, direct mail, and billboards. Surprisingly, television is sometimes grouped with conventional marketing. You have certainly heard or read online about Netflix's Korean series Squid Game, regardless of whether you love to spend your evenings watching TV episodes on streaming or not. Nevertheless, it is among the most popular series in 2021, and, maybe unexpectedly, it provides important business-related information. The Netflix show focuses on situations in which poor individuals are encouraged to participate in children's gameplay with dreadful risks if they fail. Compared to the other major Netflix programs, Squid Game received almost little promotion in the United States before its premiere, but it nonetheless managed to be one of the most talks of the town story of the year. The story was already written around 2009, with the writer attempting to have it chosen up for years, but nobody ever wanted to make such a violent and unrealistic storyline. But, like any digital marketing business that has undergone an overall website checkup for its success, the show's popularity is largely a result of great luck and excellent timing. So, whether you are an avid fan of the show or a digital marketer, the top 10 critical digital marketing lessons you can find in this successful Korean game series are listed below. --- ### Design and Data: A Guide to Making Your Web Image and Video Accessible to Users - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/design-and-data-a-guide-to-making-your-web-image-and-video-accessible-to-users/ - **Published:** 2021-11-09 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Web Development, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Design, Development, Web Design **Tags:** ADA Compliant, Content Marketing, web design, web development **Excerpt:** Every site owner wants as many visitors as possible. Few, however, take the proper efforts to ensure that their webpage is accessible to all users. As a result, there are plenty of people who rely on websites to be available. While users have always struggled for fair access to public accommodations, the struggle is no longer limited to the physical world. Digital firms are equally accountable for ensuring that everybody, regardless of limitation or constraint, has easy access to their websites. Every site owner wants as many visitors as possible. Few, however, take the proper efforts to ensure that their webpage is accessible to all users. As a result, there are plenty of people who rely on websites to be available. While users have always struggled for fair access to public accommodations, the struggle is no longer limited to the physical world. Digital firms are equally accountable for ensuring that everybody, regardless of limitation or constraint, has easy access to their websites. Accessibility isn't difficult to implement, fortunately. First, you must identify the fundamental issues that can make a website difficult or impossible to use for some visitors. You can avoid such mistakes and make your site more welcoming to all users once you have that knowledge. Web accessibility is indeed a broad topic; there are several reasons why you can't afford to overlook, as well as the basic steps you can take to make your website more accessible. Why Website Accessibility Matters? As more expensive and high-profile cases are filed against bigger websites, they will all finally get the signal and comply with the Web Accessibility Initiative. As a result, every website will be expected to provide the same level of information to everyone. Users will not accept you if your website is inaccessible. It may result in fewer visitors and financial loss. However, it might also be harmful to your SEO efforts. However, having your webpage available to users helps: Search bots "read" the content of your photographs for indexing and ranking purposes. You expand the number of people who will be able to utilize your website. Making a website more visible to everyone is what accessible web design is all about. How To Make Images on A Website Accessible? Let's begin with your photos. But, first, you'll need to know how to build it into your code to make them online access. Don't be concerned. It's simple to add a few lines of HTML to your website to help all of your visitors comprehend what they can't see. You can also accomplish this with your site builder. Consider the following examples to see when and how to make your images visible: Decorative Photographs - Graphics with no other purpose than giving texture or color to your site don't require a description. Non-descript graphics - are the same way; this type of graphic shows beside each benefit listed on First's homepage. Descriptive Image - This guarantees that content supplied in a purely graphic form, such as a computer graphic, is available to anyone who, for whatever reason, is unable to physically see the image. Select A Content Management System That Has Accessibility Features Many content management systems are available to assist you in developing your website. WordPress and Drupal are two popular examples, although there are plenty of other possibilities. Once you've decided on a CMS that meets your requirements, make sure you pick an accessible theme or design. Notes on usability and tips for producing accessible content and --... --- ### When Considering a Website Redesign, Here Are Five Questions That Companies Should Ask Themselves - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/when-considering-a-website-redesign-here-are-five-questions-that-companies-should-ask-themselves/ - **Published:** 2021-10-26 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Web Design, Branding, Company Identity, Design, Development, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, responsive web design, web design, web development, web trends, Website Redesign **Excerpt:** In today's "new normal," a great corporate website has become an essential marketing tool for staying established and successful among target audiences and competitors. In a time when conventional/traditional business tactics are restricted, having a strong online digital presence and an in-house digital marketing plan are critical for maintaining profitability and growth. In today's "new normal," a great corporate website has become an essential marketing tool for staying established and successful among target audiences and competitors. In a time when conventional/traditional business tactics are restricted, having a strong online digital presence and an in-house digital marketing plan are critical for maintaining profitability and growth. Investing in a website redesign is a big step, but if done well, it may pay off big time. It's critical to regularly evaluate your company's digital presence to ensure that your brand is represented, expressed, and portrayed in an engaging and intuitive way that meets the needs of your target audience. In conclusion, while contemplating a redesign, there are numerous variables to consider. Before opting to proceed further with one, consider the following key questions: Is Your Current Website Reflecting Your Brand Positioning Correctly? Many businesses that used to rely on trade shows and in-person sales are fast losing brand awareness. Furthermore, many businesses continue to use outdated websites that no longer match their brand strategy or customer needs. Implementing a website redesign project plan is a simple and quick strategy to raise brand awareness and reach out to your target audience. In order to build brand trust and loyalty, it's critical to imprint your company's brand identity on your digital presence. Through thoughtful messaging, design, and content, your website should effectively communicate your company's brand guidelines, tone, and voice. For a successful website project, it's crucial to tell your brand's story in a way that's both interesting and memorable. Users should be able to use your company's website as a source of reference and validation, and if your present website does not effectively reflect your current brand positioning and values, you should consider redesigning it. Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Search Engine Optimization? A strong Search Engine Optimization foundation and plan will result in a higher rating on the search engine results page for your website. More qualified prospects will visit your website as a result of enhanced brand and search visibility, and your company's network will grow as a result. Lead generation, brand visibility, and higher organic traffic are just a few of the advantages of redesigning your website for SEO. Implementing a search engine optimization plan that evaluates the Google search console and which keywords are optimal for SEO and SERP exposure is critical in order to maximize brand awareness and search ranks. To put it another way, in order to rank, your website's content should contain appropriate title tags and follow all Google best practices. When rebuilding a website or determining whether your website is already SEO friendly, consider the following SEO considerations: Does your material have a Google keyword ranking? Do you keep track of your ranks at the moment? How long has it been since you performed an SEO audit? Have you properly configured your 301 and 302 redirects? Have you properly configured internal links? Does your existing SEO work follow Google's and other search engines' best practices?... --- ### When Should You Rethink Using Time-Sensitive Images on Your Website? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/when-should-you-rethink-using-time-sensitive-images-on-your-website/ - **Published:** 2021-10-20 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Web Design, Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Design, Social Media, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, digital agency, image optimization, social media marketing, web development, website design trends **Excerpt:** Information is a valuable commodity, and in this day and age, it comes in different forms of website content. People seek them with virtually every decision they make, from choosing which products to purchase to determine which companies to hire. For this reason, the internet is filled with all types of content, that it has become very easy to disappear into obscurity. So, if you want your pages to stand out, using unique and updated content like time-sensitive images can be very helpful. However, as most digital marketers and website managers know, content creation is a time-consuming process.  Therefore, you have to carefully weigh the benefits of investing your marketing resources in something that will last for a few days to a few months only. There are times when they are not worth it, but before we get to this, let us take a closer look at what time-sensitive images are. Information is a valuable commodity, and in this day and age, it comes in different forms of website content. People seek them with virtually every decision they make, from choosing which products to purchase to determine which companies to hire. For this reason, the internet is filled with all types of content, that it has become very easy to disappear into obscurity. So, if you want your pages to stand out, using unique and updated content like time-sensitive images can be very helpful. However, as most digital marketers and website managers know, content creation is a time-consuming process.  Therefore, you have to carefully weigh the benefits of investing your marketing resources in something that will last for a few days to a few months only. There are times when they are not worth it, but before we get to this, let us take a closer look at what time-sensitive images are. Time-Sensitive vs. Evergreen Content A website’s content can be classified into two broad categories in terms of longevity: evergreen content and time-sensitive content. Evergreen content provides information that will be useful for many years. As it offers long-term value, other webmasters are more likely to link to it, which means that it has a higher chance of getting a high search engine ranking. Another good thing about evergreen content is that you can easily repurpose it. For instance, if you have a long-form article, you can convert it into an infographic, which many people find useful. You can also convert it into video format. In other words, when properly executed, you can get much in return for your evergreen content. Some of the most effective forms of evergreen content are listicles, product reviews, and how-to videos or articles. While these formats do not automatically make your content perpetually fresh, they do make evergreen content creation easier for you. They can answer questions that your target audience often asks, offer helpful advice, or explain complex topics. Time-sensitive content, on the other hand, has a much shorter life span. It typically remains relevant for a few months or a few days. Some may even be useful for up to 24 hours only. With a shelf life this short, you must be more mindful when it comes to using it. Nevertheless, this type of content comes with its own set of advantages. It shows that you are on top of the latest developments in your industry and that you are willing to clue your target audience in. It also offers very specific information that people would find very interesting. These will lead to more clicks and give you more opportunities to generate leads, at least for a given time frame. Another way that using time-sensitive images can be beneficial is that fewer businesses do it. The competition is less intense than evergreen content, which means it will be easier for you to rank highly and be more visible to search engines. Both types of content are important and must be included in... --- ### Are Website Pop-ups Still Relevant in 2021? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/are-website-pop-ups-still-relevant-in-2021/ - **Published:** 2021-10-12 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, SEO, successful web design, web design, web development **Excerpt:** Since they were first created in 1997, website pop-ups have garnered strong mixed emotions from their users. Some users find them annoying and disruptive, while others find them effective tools in separating web content from ads. However, pop-ups can be used effectively to garner more readers and audiences when used properly. This article will outline some of the ways you can utilize them to your benefit. Since they were first created in 1997, website pop-ups have garnered strong mixed emotions from their users. Some users find them annoying and disruptive, while others find them effective tools in separating web content from ads. However, pop-ups can be used effectively to garner more readers and audiences when used properly. This article will outline some of the ways you can utilize them to your benefit. What are Pop-ups? A website pop-up is a graphical user interface (GUI) window that appears on top of a window that a user is viewing on a computer screen. Pop-ups are created as an online advertisement designed to generate leads and give second chances to users about to leave your site. There are three main types of pop-ups based on how they will appear on the screen. New Page Pop-up This type of pop-up will appear in a new tab or window. While many websites have used these pop-ups, they are not as popular now since most browsers already have automatic pop-up blockers. In addition, new page pop-ups are no longer used since those that were not blocked usually get covered behind the main window, which the user will get to see only after closing it. Full Page Pop-up Full page pop-ups appear as a whole page that covers the main window. This type of pop-up prevents users from reading the main content unless they engage with the actions suggested by the pop-up. In-Browser Pop-up This type of pop-up is small in size and will fill only a small portion of the main window. In-browser pop-ups may appear as floaters on the sides of the main window and do not prevent users from reading contents or navigating the main window. Whether you find web pop-ups disruptive or not, they are effective tools in making your site’s visitors take action by visiting your landing page, entering their email addresses, or taking advantage of your promotions. Here are some of the reasons why pop-ups work. Welcome Distractions Humans naturally want their attention diverted even for just a little bit, especially if they have been focused on a particular content for a while. Thus, pop-ups may be a refreshing distraction if timed properly. Attention Grabbers Pop-ups can grab your visitors’ attention and place them where you want them. By using pop-ups, you are separating your website’s contents from your call-to-action buttons. Provide Added Value You can use pop-ups to offer additional value to your users. With the proper timing, you can have pop-ups appear to get contact information from users interested in your content so they can have access to similar content in the future. Pop-ups will allow you to generate leads while giving your visitors additional content that they find valuable. When Pop-ups Fail and How You Can Solve Them Each of the three types of pop-ups has its advantages and disadvantages. However, when marketers abuse pop-ups, website visitors may choose to abandon your site completely to avoid engaging with pop-ups. Surveys have shown that about... --- ### When Long Scrolling in Web Design Works - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/when-long-scrolling-in-web-design-works/ - **Published:** 2021-09-24 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Development, Content Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, Search Engine Marketing **Excerpt:** We’ve heard about the importance of “above the fold” in web design. However, you should also know there are certain websites that show much content below the fold and it seems to work for them. A long-scrolling or “infinite” website is one that appears to be bottomless. When a user scrolls below the fold on a landing page, more content becomes visible. Realize that long scrolling isn’t for everyone. To help you determine if it’s right for your type of business, consider the kind of website you want built and its intended purpose. In some cases, long scrolling can provide a great user experience (UX). A memorable UX encourages visitors to keep coming back. Some websites encourage scrolling below the fold and find users happily stay engaged on the page longer. We’ve heard about the importance of “above the fold” in web design. However, you should also know there are certain websites that show much content below the fold and it seems to work for them. A long-scrolling or “infinite” website is one that appears to be bottomless. When a user scrolls below the fold on a landing page, more content becomes visible. Realize that long scrolling isn’t for everyone. To help you determine if it’s right for your type of business, consider the kind of website you want built and its intended purpose. In some cases, long scrolling can provide a great user experience (UX). A memorable UX encourages visitors to keep coming back. Long Scrolling Complements Mobile-First Strategies The mobile-first mindset is about prioritizing mobile user-friendliness in website design. Long scrolling helps because when accessing a website on a mobile device, often it’s much easier to scroll on a small screen than it is to push buttons on it. If users experience problems, they’ll abandon the website, but not the search. Internal Pages for Storytelling Are Reduced with Long Scrolling When telling stories, a smoother page transition is capable with long scrolling. By contrast, having to pause to click “Continue” to finish reading a story takes away from the UX. The wait can be long because of lags in shifting from one page to the next. This is mainly because of the delay from advertisement links taking time to load before the website displays the main content. Long Scrolling Helps Showcase Bold Website Designs and Exciting Interactive Coding Tricks Web designers now have more flexibility than ever before. CSS, JavaScript, and JQuery AJAX coding advancements make it possible for them to create the boldest, most beautiful, responsive website designs. They can add interest by incorporating hover techniques, and scroll-based animations. This helps combat scrolling monotony by keeping the user engaged at certain points. Experienced website designers have the tools and creativity to show off their skills. Content is Easier to View, Read, and Digest when Long Scrolling is Applied All users, especially mobile ones, like to grasp what a website is about in a few seconds or they’ll lose interest. Scattered images, crowded text, and too many navigational bars can make a website look unfocused. However, long scrolling organizes and eliminates excessive navigation for easier readability. For example, take social media websites such as Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. They use long scrolling to display visuals that captivate. The technique streamlines and organizes the content and it keeps users engaged. Long Scrolling May Lead to Higher Conversions Various studies have compared conversion rates based on page length. Many have found that long pages rule over shorter ones. It’s good for websites to display content that answers questions about its offerings so users can make an informed decision. Although there are no guarantees with long scrolling or traditional website design when it comes... --- ### What are XML Sitemaps and how do they Boost SEO? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/what-are-xml-sitemaps-and-how-do-they-boost-seo/ - **Published:** 2021-09-20 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Web Development, Content Marketing, Design, Development, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, web design, web development, XML Sitemap **Excerpt:** In today's digitally-dominated world, the Extensible Markup Language, also known as XML, plays a critical role in web development. It is useful for storing and transmitting data over the Internet, thus useful for managing your company’s information flow. You might have heard about XML sitemaps in passing, but according to numerous SEO specialists, many clients are still unfamiliar with what they are. Knowing how to create and maintain an XML sitemap is an important but often overlooked SEO strategy. An XML sitemap can be a powerful instrument, but, like any power tool, it should be used correctly and strategically to maximize the benefits. Check this guide out to learn more about XML sitemaps and how they can help boost your SEO efforts. In today's digitally-dominated world, the Extensible Markup Language, also known as XML, plays a critical role in web development. It is useful for storing and transmitting data over the Internet, thus useful for managing your company’s information flow. You might have heard about XML sitemaps in passing, but according to numerous SEO specialists, many clients are still unfamiliar with what they are. Knowing how to create and maintain an XML sitemap is an important but often overlooked SEO strategy. An XML sitemap can be a powerful instrument, but, like any power tool, it should be used correctly and strategically to maximize the benefits. Check this guide out to learn more about XML sitemaps and how they can help boost your SEO efforts. What Are Sitemaps? Sitemaps are important tools used in website development. They are files containing a list of all the URLs on your website, acting as a map to let search engines know about your material and how to find it. Think of it as a basic directory or guide that contains information about your web pages and their respective content. Search engines will crawl a sitemap to discover and identify all material relevant to a given search query. The pages inside the directory are organized in a systematic hierarchical sequence, with the most relevant pages at the top and the least relevant ones placed lower down the list. How do Sitemaps Help Websites? A well-constructed sitemap can make your site more user-friendly and make it easier for visitors to check out different pages. It helps optimize your website effectively and make it more consistent since it allows users to see all the parts of the website and connections at one glance. You can compare a sitemap to a skeleton that has to be built upon. For a long time now, sitemaps have been a critical part of web design and development since they help provide users with more accurate search results based on their queries. With increasing competition in the online place, site optimization is key to standing out in the market. Naturally, visitors are less likely to increase in your website if your pages do not appear on their search engine results page (SERP), so you have to take the extra step to make this happen. Even if your website is performing relatively well, creating and submitting a sitemap is still one of the best website optimization practices to guarantee that all of your web pages are crawled by the bots and indexed in the SERPs as swiftly and accurately as possible. It helps maintain a healthy and positive bounce rate, which refers to the percentage of visitors that come to the site, then exit rather than seeing additional pages on the same site. Types of Sitemaps The two main types of sitemaps are known as XML and HTML. The primary difference between the two is that XML sitemaps are more web-focused while HTML sitemaps are more user-focused. XML sitemaps are essentially just text files that... --- ### How to Create Cost-Effective High-Quality Link Building - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-create-cost-effective-high-quality-link-building/ - **Published:** 2021-08-27 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Content Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, Link Building, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web development **Excerpt:** Link building is defined as the process of encouraging other websites to add links to their content that will direct visitors to your website. Link building is essential for business owners and digital marketers to drive more traffic and increase site authority. Google and other search engines are always updating their algorithms to determine the ranks of websites for specific keyword queries. Having links is still among the top factors used by search engines to determine your website's rank. It is because links allow search engines to discover and assess the contents of your website. Having a lot of links to your website is similar to having likes or votes and may serve as testimonials to the quality of your link. It is therefore important for website owners to invest in cost-effective, high-quality link building. What is Link Building? Link building is defined as the process of encouraging other websites to add links to their content that will direct visitors to your website. Link building is essential for business owners and digital marketers to drive more traffic and increase site authority. Why Do You Need Link Building? Google and other search engines are always updating their algorithms to determine the ranks of websites for specific keyword queries. Google, for example, has more than 200 ranking factors for deciding how to arrange relevant, indexed results every time users enter keywords in the query bar. While most ranking factors change over time, backlinks remain an important factor when ranking a website. Backlinks establish a website as having quality content and resources that are worthy of citation. Therefore, websites with many backlinks will tend to get higher rankings in search engine results pages or SERPs.   The Three Kinds of Links in the Internet If you are working on an SEO campaign for your website, having backlinks will help you significantly since these links will increase your site's credibility and authority. Links inform search engines that your site has quality content that other websites cite. However, it is important to focus on the types of links that will help you rank higher when building links. Links are classified into three main types, namely: Natural Links. Google defines natural links as links that the content creator did not create. If your website has relevant and useful content, other websites that belong to the same industry may cite your content to prove a point or offer an additional resource. Having a lot of natural backlinks citing your content is an effective way to get noticed by Google and other search engines. Outreach Links. Another strategy in link building is to ask influencers to create links on their websites to direct traffic back to your website. These are known as outreach links. Creating outreach links is not easy since you need to convince other websites to accept the credibility of your content. Likewise, other websites may give your website backlinks for a fee. Nevertheless, outreach links are useful to get backlinks for a newly launched website. Self-Created Links. Self-created links are defined as non-editorial links from unmoderated blog comments or guest posts. Self-created links create an illusion of good content by creating self-serving links back to your website. However, Google and other search engines are already familiar with this "Black Hat" tactic and may penalize websites with many self-created links.   How to Create Cost-Effective High-Quality Links It... --- ### How Your Brand Can 10X Sales and Reputation By Practicing Inclusivity - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-your-brand-can-10x-sales-and-reputation-by-practicing-inclusivity/ - **Published:** 2021-08-17 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Content Marketing, Branding, Company Identity, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media **Tags:** Content Marketing, reputation management, web design, web development **Excerpt:** No matter how big your business is, having a good reputation is always something you should keep in mind. By applying essential elements to your website, you can expect to attract more organic customers that are the backbone of your company responsible for significantly boosting your sales. While web design might sound intimidating, achieving a compelling website that can boost your sales and business reputation has never been easier by opting for professional web development services from talented agencies. If you are underestimating the value of a web design, below are some significant reasons robust web designs are worth investing in. No matter how big your business is, having a good reputation is always something you should keep in mind. By applying essential elements to your website, you can expect to attract more organic customers that are the backbone of your company responsible for significantly boosting your sales. While web design might sound intimidating, achieving a compelling website that can boost your sales and business reputation has never been easier by opting for professional web development services from talented agencies. If you are underestimating the value of a strong website, below are some significant reasons a robust digital presence is worth investing in. Reason #1: Your web design affects your customers Whether it's the customer's first time visiting your website or not, the first thing they would notice is the website design. First impressions last, and this is applicable even in your business. Whether a person is quick to judge or not, you should be prepared to handle such situations as a business owner. Times are changing, and there is always something to improve on if you look at the bigger picture. Suppose you want to have a positive impact on the masses. To do that, you must invest in having an effective web design as outmoded and unappealing designs might cost you your potential customers. People will always opt for a service that is both user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. For example, web design services from a talented agency would help you effectively build your name so you can keep organic leads on your website. An effective web design needs to be user-friendly. Any business owner who aims to boost sales and build a successful business should know that web design is more than meets the eye. Reason #2: Your web design represents you Your website says a lot about your name and business. Web designs are fully customizable. You might want to invest in a web design company equipped with highly skilled people to do the job of making your vision turn into reality through visuals. The overall design of your site will set the theme of the business because the fundamental elements on the site will show customers what your brand is all about. A good web design is equivalent to a friendly face gladly welcoming your customers to your digital space. By putting effort into investing in an appealing website, your customers can be more comfortable choosing your products and services among your competitors. Furthermore, by having a user-friendly interface, you could appear to be more inviting and welcoming to your website's visitors, whether they are regular customers or new potential customers. Reason #3: Your web design could put you on top of your competitors If you were to ask the opinion of an individual if they would instead choose to stay and explore a well-designed website or explore a website with low-quality elements, nobody would want to waste their time engaging in the latter choice. And for instance, you have close competitors in... --- ### Can Your Business Be Found by Alexa? Why You Should Take Advantage of Voice Activation. - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/can-your-business-be-found-by-alexa-why-you-should-take-advantage-of-voice-activation/ - **Published:** 2021-08-05 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Web Development, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Voice Recognition, web development **Excerpt:** Voice activation has changed the way users navigate the Internet. When Google first introduced the voice search function in 2011, many thought of it as more of a “bonus” feature instead of something they would regularly use. However, thanks to advancements in speech recognition technology, users have grown more reliant with the feature, especially with their increasingly digital lifestyles. Among the many innovations that have dominated the tech world today, voice activation is undoubtedly one to watch out for. Since the introduction of voice-activated assistants like Alexa, speech recognition technologies have grown more prominent, providing users more ease and convenience in doing daily activities. This 2021, you can expect that the trend is not going anywhere. Forecasts predict that the voice recognition market will reach $26.8 billion by 2025, so knowing how to take advantage of the technology will be key to staying ahead of the competition. Check out the information below to learn more about what growth opportunities you can capitalize on and how you can ensure your business can be found by Alexa. Digital marketing has come a long way. Now, given how much it has evolved and how things have changed since the pandemic, it is no longer an option but a necessity to integrate technology into your business. With that said, you have to stay updated with the latest trends to ensure you use the right tools and techniques to reach your customers. Among the many innovations that have dominated the tech world today, voice activation is undoubtedly one to watch out for. Since the introduction of voice-activated assistants like Alexa, speech recognition technologies have grown more prominent, providing users more ease and convenience in doing daily activities. This 2021, you can expect that the trend is not going anywhere. Forecasts predict that the voice recognition market will reach $26.8 billion by 2025, so knowing how to take advantage of the technology will be key to staying ahead of the competition. Check out the information below to learn more about what growth opportunities you can capitalize on and how you can ensure your business can be found by Alexa. Opportunities with Voice Activation Voice activation has changed the way users navigate the Internet. When Google first introduced the voice search function in 2011, many thought of it as more of a “bonus” feature instead of something they would regularly use. However, thanks to advancements in speech recognition technology, users have grown more reliant with the feature, especially with their increasingly digital lifestyles. Whether it be to perform tasks at home, make a call without using your phone, or making searches while driving, voice-activated solutions have now made their way into millions of people’s lives. According to Google, 27% of the global population uses voice search on mobile, so imagine the size of the market you can capture by taking advantage of voice activation. To add to this, the pandemic accelerated the trend for using voice-controlled devices at home. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, voice technology was already growing at a steady pace and predicted to make it big in the market. However, since then, it grew more quickly than expected as more people sought ways to stay entertained and informed from their homes. According to an industry report from Speechmatics, some of the biggest use cases for voice technologies will include web conferencing transcription, customer analytics, subtitling, chat app messaging transcription, research transcription, and media monitoring. While some businesses feel like the pandemic did not necessarily have a huge effect on using voice technology in business automation, others found that these have helped address major gaps. Given all this, it is no doubt that the future of voice activation and recognition is bright and promising. As more people work and study from home, voice technologies are certainly part of the new normal. Thus, capitalizing on them will be important to ensure that you stay competitive in the market. Ultimately, you want to make sure that when people make voice searches, Alexa can find your business. Voice Recognition Trends to Watch Out... --- ### 5 Ways Your B2B Business Can Benefit from Marketing on Instagram - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/5-ways-your-b2b-business-can-benefit-from-marketing-on-instagram/ - **Published:** 2021-07-26 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Stephanie Brown **Categories:** Social Media, Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Excerpt:** In one survey, 100% of participants said - yes, Instagram is absolutely an effective platform for B2B businesses, and it can bring significant results when it comes to generating leads and raising brand awareness. In the same research, almost 20% of participants also said that 50% of their website traffic comes through Instagram. Are you hesitating to create an Instagram profile for your brand? You may have read contradicting advice and now you feel even more confused. Should you do it? Instagram is indeed very popular among B2C businesses, but what about B2B companies? Will you be able to find your target audience on this platform? How will Instagram even fit in your marketing strategy? Say no more - we get you. We felt the same way, but we decided to give it a chance. And it turns out - Instagram for businesses has quite a few benefits. In this article, we’ll explain those benefits and help you decide whether or not you should start an Instagram business account. How Instagram Helps Your Business Thrive In one survey, 100% of participants said - yes, Instagram is absolutely an effective platform for B2B businesses, and it can bring significant results when it comes to generating leads and raising brand awareness. In the same research, almost 20% of participants also said that 50% of their website traffic comes through Instagram. Here’s what they believe are the 5 best benefits of using this platform for B2B marketing. 1. There Are So Many Active Users Over 70% of daily active users on Instagram are under the age of 35, which undoubtedly covers a good percentage of your target group. And not only do these users have an Instagram account, but they also actively use the app to discover new brands, products, and people to follow. If you stand out with unique and engaging content, chances are they’ll soon discover you, too. 2. It Has Powerful Business Features Personal profiles on Instagram don’t have a range of powerful features that business profiles can access. First, there are Insights that help you find out what kind of content has the most success among your audience. You can also track various other metrics via this simple but important feature. Other significant options include sponsored posts, contact information on your profile, Instagram shopping, call to action buttons, and more. 3. You Can Make Your Business Relatable As you can post different types of content on Instagram, it gives you an opportunity to create educational, promotional, and entertaining content. By using Stories to tell people about your brand’s mission, sharing relatable memes, and humanizing your brand, you can successfully establish trust among your followers and help them decide to work with you. 4. It Increases Your Brand Visibility Instagram allows you to reach broad audiences quickly by maximizing Stories, hashtags, influencer marketing, giveaways, and more. That’s an excellent way to raise brand awareness and increase your online visibility - it’ll bring more people to your profile, likely turn them into followers, and finally, potential clients or customers. That’ll translate to increased revenue, as well. 5. You Can Check Your Competition Want to know how your competitors are doing? It’s easy to “spy” on your competitors on Instagram and find out when they post and what kind of content resonates with the audience... --- ### What is User-Generated Content (UGC), and How Does it Build Your Community? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/what-is-user-generated-content-ugc-and-how-does-it-build-your-community/ - **Published:** 2021-07-12 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Content Marketing, Company Identity, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, social media marketing **Excerpt:** It is important for business owners to catch the attention of their potential customers. Content marketing is an effective way of attracting the attention of your target market, especially if your content is something that they would find relevant. However, most consumers stay away from reading lengthy content. Likewise, having professionally created content can be expensive, especially if your company is starting. If you have an e-commerce business, the key to your success is to market your products to a wide audience. Having a celebrity endorser will do wonders in your marketing campaign; however, hiring a celebrity may be too expensive, especially if your business is starting. Fortunately, there is a cheaper alternative to marketing your products by making use of user-generated content. What is User-Generated Content? It is important for business owners to catch the attention of their potential customers. Content marketing is an effective way of attracting the attention of your target market, especially if your content is something that they would find relevant. However, most consumers stay away from reading lengthy content. Likewise, having professionally created content can be expensive, especially if your company is starting. User-generated content, or UGC as its name implies, is the collective term used to classify contents uploaded to the internet by users for other users. UGCs are unbiased content created by ordinary people with or without being paid by the brands that the content is about. What are The Common Types of User-Generated Content?  All contents that ordinary users create will belong to user-generated content. However, you may classify them under three main categories: text, pictures, and videos. In addition, user-generated content may include, but is not limited to, the following forms: Social Media Content. Social media platforms have given people an immediate way to communicate and share content with their families and friends. Users will create content to get “likes” and even earn money. Social media platforms provide ways for people to belong to a group with shared interests. People are also posting thousands of photos and videos of themselves interacting with a brand, such as a product, an event, or a destination. If your business is in line with the tourism industry, you can use user-generated content to promote the places you are marketing. A recent study by ValuePenguin revealed that sixty (60) per cent of customers use social media to find their next vacation destination. The study also showed that eighty-one (81) per cent of millennial respondents find their next travel destination based on pictures and videos shared by authentic people on social media instead of those from tourism websites. Reviews and Testimonials. Customer reviews and testimonials that are posted on the internet are also examples of user-generated content. This type of UGC will help people know about your brand better before making a purchase. If you have an e-commerce business, it is best to ask customers to review or testimonial their purchases from your website. However, it is best not to edit or filter their responses since a review section filled with positive reviews may seem unauthentic. Blogs. A blog is a website maintained by an individual or a group. Blogs are written in a conversational style so that other people with similar interests may find the contents an easy read. Blogs may feature a review about a product or a tutorial on how to use a brand. Blogs that are syndicated reach... --- ### Why Your Company Should be Good Will and Purpose-Driven - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/why-your-company-should-be-good-will-and-purpose-driven/ - **Published:** 2021-06-30 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, digital agency, reputation management, Search Engine Marketing, social media marketing, web design, web development, web trends **Excerpt:** What is a Purpose-Driven Website? Purpose and mission are a company’s reasons for existing. All of its business decisions and strategies are guided by these core principles. In today’s digital business landscape, it is important for a purpose-driven brand to showcase this mission on its website. This allows it to reach a broader audience and gain more support, putting it in a better position to do good. Consumers today have a higher level of expectation when it comes to choosing a brand. It is no longer enough for a company to offer premium-quality products or reliable services. For any business to thrive in the current environment, it must stand for something more than profit. Specifically, it must have a purpose-driven mission that is bigger than itself. Based on a recent study, 70% of consumers want to know first what a certain brand is doing to help answer pressing social and environmental issues before supporting it. The survey also says that 46% of the same respondents are more likely to buy from companies with perceptible social responsibility efforts. However, people are skeptical about corporate motivations whenever they hear news of companies donating to a cause or supporting community projects. Only 9% believe that the efforts are authentic, while 67% are only somewhat convinced. If you own or manage a company with a desire to help communities or preserve the environment, how can you assure your target audience that your intentions are authentic? The best way is to distill all your philanthropic sentiments into a clear, purpose-driven mission and integrate it into your web design. What is a Purpose-Driven Website? Purpose and mission are a company’s reasons for existing. All of its business decisions and strategies are guided by these core principles. In today’s digital business landscape, it is important for a purpose-driven brand to showcase this mission on its website. This allows it to reach a broader audience and gain more support, putting it in a better position to do good. But what constitutes a purpose-driven website? A purpose-driven site strikes a healthy balance between function and aesthetics. The user’s journey on any webpage is not just an afterthought but a priority. It takes into account the path that the visitors take from the time they land to the time that they make a purchase, subscribe to a newsletter, or take any other gainful action. Every element should be designed to guide the user through an intentional path and a meaningful experience. Why Businesses Should Focus on Having a Purpose-Driven Mission Having a clear mission that is visible and, more importantly, believable to your target audience comes with a long list of benefits. Below are some of the most impactful. It Helps Boost Sales While profit is not the main driving force behind the existence of your company, you would still need it to survive. In order for you to continue making a difference, you have to think about your bottom line. In this regard, leading the charge as a purpose-driven brand gives you an upper hand from your competitors. Today’s consumers are drawn to businesses with bigger concerns other than profit. Supporting a purpose-driven company makes them feel like they are doing their part in making a positive impact. It Inspires Brand Loyalty Consumer behavior has been evolving in recent years. In particular, people are becoming more aware of sustainability and how it can impact all aspects... --- ### Three Stages of the Media Buying Process - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/three-stages-of-the-media-buying-process/ - **Published:** 2021-05-19 - **Modified:** 2024-09-15 - **Author:** MAXBURST, Inc. **Categories:** Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media **Tags:** Content Marketing, social media marketing, website design **Excerpt:** The term media buying is an unfamiliar word for most people. This article aims to shed light on the phenomenon. It will discuss relevant topics, from what media buying is to how it works and many other valuable bits of information. Mastering the Art of Media Buying: A Data-Driven Approach to Maximizing Campaign Impact Media buying has evolved into a complex interplay of strategy, technology, and creativity. At the heart of this evolution lies the crucial roles of web design and digital marketing. These elements don't just complement media buying; they're integral to its success. A well-designed website serves as the cornerstone of digital advertising efforts, providing a seamless user experience that converts clicks into customers. Meanwhile, digital marketing strategies inform and enhance media buying decisions, ensuring that ad placements are not just seen, but resonate with the target audience. As we dive into the three strategic stages of media buying, we'll explore how web design and digital marketing intertwine with traditional practices to create campaigns that are not only visually compelling but also data-driven and results-oriented. When diving into media buying, we break it down into three strategic stages, each grounded in empirical evidence and best practices. First up is Pre-Launch Planning. Here, we zero in on our target audience and select the most effective media channels based on historical data and market research to maximize our impact. According to a study by Nielsen, understanding audience behavior and preferences can significantly boost campaign effectiveness. Next is Campaign Execution. This stage involves negotiating favorable media deals and meticulously scheduling our ad placements to ensure robust audience engagement. Evidence shows that well-timed ads can increase awareness and drive conversions. For instance, research by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) highlights the importance of timing and placement in achieving optimal engagement. Finally, we have Post-Campaign Analysis. This crucial stage involves analyzing engagement metrics and evaluating the effectiveness of our ad placements. Scientific methods, such as A/B testing and regression analysis, help us understand what worked and what didn't. According to a report by McKinsey, data-driven post-campaign analysis can lead to more refined and successful future strategies. A structured approach at each stage, supported by empirical data and historical evidence, helps us achieve both cost-efficiency and maximum reach. Curious about the finer details? Let's explore how these stages unfold and drive successful campaigns. Key Takeaways Three Stages of the Media Buying Process Pre-Launch Planning: This is the groundwork. You start by identifying your target audience and setting clear campaign objectives. Then, you choose your media channels based on historical data and proven evidence. It's like laying out a map before a road trip. Budget Allocation: Now it's time to get strategic with your funds. Evaluate which media channels give you the most bang for your buck. Focus on high-impact areas and niche segments where your audience is most engaged. Think of it as investing in the right stocks. Campaign Execution: This is where the rubber meets the road. Negotiate media deals to get the best rates and placements. Make sure your ads run at optimal times and in contexts that resonate with your audience. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. Scheduling Ad Placements: Aligning your ad timing with when your audience is most active and engaged can make or break your campaign. It's like knowing the best time to... --- ### The Power of Using Storytelling in Web Design - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-power-of-using-storytelling-in-web-design/ - **Published:** 2021-03-22 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** Sherilyn Lauren **Categories:** Content Marketing, Branding, Company Identity, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, SEO, story-telling, web design, website design **Excerpt:** There is a need to put a story behind a brand. A lot of businesses are now incorporating storytelling into their branding strategies to increase brand awareness. However, several businesses still do not know how to develop a unique story for their brand. Here are some of the important factors to know in developing a brand story. Crafting Digital Experiences That Captivate: How Narrative Techniques Boost Engagement and Conversion We believe that storytelling can revolutionize web design and digital marketing, transforming them into immersive and engaging experiences that captivate users and build strong emotional connections. Studies have shown that storytelling activates multiple parts of the brain, making it a powerful tool for memory and engagement in the digital realm (source: National Center for Biotechnology Information). In web design, we can use visual elements like images, animations, and colors to craft a compelling narrative that guides users through our website in a way that feels natural and intuitive. This storytelling approach extends to digital marketing strategies, where content marketing and social media campaigns can weave brand stories that resonate with target audiences. Engaging content strategies and interactive design elements are key to keeping visitors interested and emotionally invested in both web design and digital marketing efforts. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that interactive websites and marketing campaigns significantly enhance user engagement and satisfaction. Effective storytelling also improves brand recall, boosts engagement across digital platforms, and increases conversion rates in marketing funnels. When we measure the impact through metrics like time on page, click-through rates, and social media engagement, the benefits of storytelling in web design and digital marketing become clear. According to data from HubSpot, websites and marketing campaigns that tell a story see a 50% increase in user engagement. So stick with us as we dive into how to harness this powerful tool effectively across your web design and digital marketing strategies! Key Takeaways Visual storytelling significantly boosts user engagement, brand recall, and conversion rates by crafting an immersive and memorable web experience. According to a study by the Nielsen Norman Group, users are more likely to remember information presented in a narrative format. Emotional connections forged through visual narratives can heighten audience loyalty and deepen user engagement. Research from the Journal of Marketing suggests that emotionally engaging content is more likely to be shared and remembered. Incorporating interactive story elements such as animations and clickable hotspots personalizes user experiences and encourages interaction. A report by Adobe indicates that interactive content can lead to a 70% higher user engagement rate. Maintaining consistent, high-quality visuals and a smooth content flow helps guide users effortlessly through the website's narrative, enhancing their overall experience. Studies show that coherent and appealing design improves user satisfaction and retention. Visual storytelling techniques also aid in improving learning, retention, and overall brand perception. According to educational research published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, visual aids can significantly enhance memory and understanding. Understanding Storytelling in Web Design To truly understand the power of storytelling in web design, we need to look at how visual elements, content, videos, and design come together to create a compelling narrative for visitors. When these components are effectively woven together, they can transform a simple webpage into an immersive experience that deeply resonates with users. Visual elements like images, graphics, and colors are crucial in storytelling within... --- ### How to Make Sure Your Website is ADA Compliant in 2021 - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-make-sure-your-website-is-ada-compliant-in-2021/ - **Published:** 2021-01-08 - **Modified:** 2021-03-10 - **Author:** Andrew Ruditser **Categories:** Web Design, Design, Development, Web Development **Tags:** ADA Compliant, web design, web development, Website Redesign **Excerpt:** With so many people experiencing some form of disability and needing special devices to browse the Internet, it’s crucial that you do everything you can to make your website as accessible as possible and ensure that it’s ADA compliant. As much as one billion people around the world experience some type of disability. Twenty percent of those have disabilities that can be classified as significant. These people might require an assistive technology device to use a computer and browse the Internet. Assistive technology devices range from speakers and screen readers to large-print keyboards and desktop video magnifiers. With so many people experiencing some form of disability and needing special devices to browse the Internet, it’s crucial that you do everything you can to make your website as accessible as possible and ensure that it’s ADA compliant. What does it mean to be ADA compliant? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits any type of discrimination against people who have disabilities, as well as guarantees that they will have the same opportunities to participate in daily life as those without disabilities. This includes participating in various government services and programs, enjoying employment opportunities, and buying goods and services. The ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. When it comes to ADA compliance, it’s important to note that the ADA Standards for Accessible Design only discuss standards for commercial facilities and public accommodation. However, they don’t include any guidelines on web design practices. This has forced webmasters and businesses with an online presence to rely on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) created by the Web Accessibility and Word Wide Web Consortium. According to the WCAG, all websites should be: Perceivable - It’s crucial that website visitors are able to perceive your website and all its aspects regardless of their particular disability. Operable - All the components that make up your website’s navigation and user interface need to be operable. Understandable - Visitors should understand all elements of your website with ease. Robust - Your website needs to support a variety of assistive technologies. The importance of making sure your website is ADA compliant There are a number of reasons why it’s important to ensure your website is ADA compliant. By complying with ADA guidelines, you: Protect your business against lawsuits - We’ve seen plenty of website accessibility lawsuits in recent years. ADA compliance is crucial for protecting your business from legal liability. Create a more inclusive user experience - Ensuring ADA compliance creates a more inclusive user experience and helps to make your website accessible to everyone. Improve search engine rankings - By adhering to WCAG guidelines, such as using descriptive headings and alt text for all website images, you’ll also be following SEO best practices and improving your chances of ranking higher in search engine results. Improve brand reputation - Focusing on accessibility and making sure your website can be used by everyone can also do wonders for your brand reputation and help you earn valuable press coverage. Levels of ADA/WCAG compliance As we’ve already mentioned, most webmasters rely on WCAG to ensure maximum ADA compliance. At the moment, WCAG outlines three levels of compliance for websites. These... --- ### How to Keep Your SEO Rankings After a Website Redesign - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-keep-your-seo-rankings-after-a-website-redesign-2/ - **Published:** 2020-11-18 - **Modified:** 2021-03-10 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, Website Redesign **Excerpt:** The purpose of website redesign is clear: keep your business right in the line of sight of your target audience to maximize your chances of converting them into paying customers. It is meant to help grow your brand. But if not implemented well, it will do more harm than good. How exactly? By rendering all of your previous SEO efforts ineffective and useless. You have invested a lot of time, effort, and marketing dollars to gain your current ranking. You must not lose it in the redesigning process. Some companies make the tragic mistake of thinking that one does not affect the other. But in reality, there are specific steps you have to take to ensure that you do not sacrifice your SEO ranking as you transition from the old website to the new. In today’s digital business landscape, your website is your primary tool to stay competitive. And just as every tool needs occasional sharpening to stay effective, so does your website. Customer expectations evolve over time, and you must learn to change with its ebbs and flows. Hence, the need to redesign your website every two to three years. The purpose of website redesign is clear: keep your business right in the line of sight of your target audience to maximize your chances of converting them into paying customers. It is meant to help grow your brand. But if not implemented well, it will do more harm than good. How exactly? By rendering all of your previous SEO efforts ineffective and useless. You have invested a lot of time, effort, and marketing dollars to gain your current ranking. You must not lose it in the redesigning process. Some companies make the tragic mistake of thinking that one does not affect the other. But in reality, there are specific steps you have to take to ensure that you do not sacrifice your SEO ranking as you transition from the old website to the new. Perform an Audit of Your Current Site’s SEO Before making any changes to your current website, it is important to take stock of what you have. This will help you decide what is working and what is not. Analyze Your Current Keywords Find out what keywords or phrases your website is ranking well in. You can use rank checker tools such as Ahrefs and SEMRush.  Similarly, you should also check which pages are generating the most organic traffic due to these keywords. Make sure that these pages are included in your new website and that you preserve them as much as possible. This includes migrating the images, videos, metadata, and file names exactly as they are. To keep track of all the components, it would help if you create a spreadsheet where you can put all the relevant data. You can use this for reference and comparison during, and after the redesign, so you don’t lose all your important assets. Understand Your Website Architecture There is a good chance that your URL structure will change slightly when you redesign your website. This is fine as long as the change is incremental, and you inform the search engines of all the changes. This means that once you work out the internal links of your redesigned website, you must submit your updated XML sitemap and make sure that your 301 redirects, navigation links, and page structure are consistent with it. This will help display your new site structure seamlessly and ensure improved user experience. Site architecture not only refers to how your pages are set up. It also includes navigation and internal linking, as changes in your URL can leave broken internal links in your pages. They have a lot to do with user experience and are, therefore, essential to your website’s SEO ranking, so you must include this in your... --- ### Understanding Conversion Funnel in Google Analytics - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/understanding-conversion-funnel-in-google-analytics-2/ - **Published:** 2020-11-03 - **Modified:** 2021-03-10 - **Author:** Andrew Ruditser **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media **Tags:** Content Marketing, Conversion Funnel, Google Analytics, Search Engine Optimization **Excerpt:** The Conversion Funnels in Google Analytics is a useful tool to help your business calibrate your marketing campaigns, create a better experience for your customers, and address the bottlenecks on your website. By identifying the problem as early as possible, you can immediately optimize the channel and improve its performance. Make sure that you identify the funnels and goals in the earliest stages of your implementation process. You may come across some blogs where goal funnels or conversion funnels are used interchangeably. Sometimes, they call it a sales funnel. Regardless of the term, they are invaluable to the success of your business. It tracks the customer journey from lead generation, signup, purchase, and making sure they buy again. It is particularly critical when you are trying to measure non-transactional endeavors. With e-commerce businesses, it is more straightforward to gauge the website’s success as it can be measured by profits and losses. For example, in a typical e-commerce website, the potential customer will look at the products on the menu, click on the item of interest, add to cart, and then make the purchase. For some websites, they require a registration process, which is another step in the conversion funnel. With these sets of metrics, you can gain an insight into the customer journey and calibrate your marketing efforts to boost the conversion rate. It saves you a lot of time and you get the most out of your investment. In contrast, using the shotgun approach would get you nowhere. If you have no clear plan at the outset, you have no choice but pray that one of your shotgun shells will hit something. Macro and Micro Funnels There are two main ways you can set your conversion funnels in Google Analytics. One is the macro approach, and the other is the micro approach. When you say macro, you are referring to the broader and generalized cross-channel goals to gain an understanding of your customers, how aware they are of your brand, how receptive they are about what you are offering, and how you can massage your message to reach out to them and trigger a response. With the micro strategy, you become more deliberate in your goals to create specific and localized funnels on-site. So, you want to track how your customers are using your website, what links they are clicking, how long they stay on the landing page, how much time they are spending on your website, or if they are going back. Goal Setting Before anything else, you need to lay down your goals. The goal is the fundamental element in your conversion funnel strategy. Setting the wrong goals can send you off the beaten track, and lose your way in the process. Calibrating your goals to meet your objectives will allow you to measure the effectiveness of your digital marketing campaign properly. For example, if you have an e-commerce site, the overriding goal is for a customer to make a purchase. If you are a developer of online games, you want users to download your title. If you are a news aggregate site, success can be measured by how many people you reach with your articles. Source: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1012040?hl=en To determine your goals, you need to answer the following questions: Is my marketing campaign driving leads and sales to my business? How long are users spending time on my website? What is the bounce rate?... --- ### How to Use LinkedIn Polls as Part of Your Marketing Strategy - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-use-linkedin-polls-as-part-of-your-marketing-strategy/ - **Published:** 2020-08-06 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** admin **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, social media marketing There was a time in 2014 when LinkedIn removed the polls feature, but that didn't last long, and they reintroduced them this year. It is time to look at how they can be best utilized in your digital marketing plan. You can create polls on profile pages, within user groups, and on individual pages, even inside an event. With 675 million users targeted at professionals and market peers, LinkedIn is a very influential platform. Understanding how to use all of its features to your benefit is very valuable. The page hosting a poll cannot vote, but page admins do have the option of voting on behalf of the page. Anyone who votes can see the percentage breakdown once they have cast their vote. If you are the poll creator or a page or group administrator, however, you can see a more detailed look at who has voted for what. The creator or viewers can see how many people have responded to the poll while it's active and once it's come to a close. Polls offer a unique combination of customer engagement and market research.  This can be a powerful tool for gathering information from connections you have built and gain insight on a variety of topics, including buying habits, interests, hobbies, trend opinions, and much more. The polls feature interface is straightforward to use and set up. The multiple-choice format allows for quick and easy creation, distribution, and data analysis, all in one simple process. There are lots of ways you can take advantage of polls on LinkedIn to boost the efficacy of your marketing strategy on the LinkedIn platform. Here is a look at how to use them and some of the best ways to utilize this feature. Getting Started First things first, let's take a quick look at how to get a poll set up and the entire process. The first step is to click the Start a Post option in the Create a Post window. There will be a (+) option that will drop down to give your access to the Create a Poll option. The next step is to set up the question and poll answers so make sure that your questions and answer choices resonate with your poll’s topic. You will see a disclaimer that says that LinkedIn does not allow for polls requisition political opinions, medical information, or other sensitive data. The final step in creation is selecting the poll duration. You can choose from 1 day up to 2 weeks. What you choose for a duration will depend on your goals and potentially the nature of the question. Some poll purposes and questions will be more well suited to a shorter or longer polling time. Choose accordingly. Once you have selected the duration, the creation process for the poll is complete and all you need to do is click Done. Your poll is now ready, but the poll is separate from the poll post. The post is how the poll is presented and... --- ### Web Design and the Rising Demand During Covid-19 - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/web-design-and-the-rising-demand-during-covid-19/ - **Published:** 2020-06-18 - **Modified:** 2020-06-26 - **Author:** Andrew Ruditser **Categories:** Design, Development, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** design trends, digital agency, web design, web development, website design, Website Redesign **Excerpt:** Nobody knows how long this pandemic will last, and businesses will likely need to adjust to a new reality built around isolation and distancing in the near and foreseeable future. People are relying on e-commerce shops for many of their supplies and goods while storefronts remain closed. These new circumstances are leading to a higher demand for web designers, especially those who specialize in e-commerce facilitation. The world has been hit in a devastating way by the Covid-19 pandemic. All areas of life have been affected. For the most part, businesses are experiencing a time of struggle right now, but one area that has seen a bit of a boost is web traffic and e-commerce. Your website may be experiencing a surge in traffic, and you need to know how to capitalize on this and make web design work for you. Web design, in general, is seeing a substantial increase in demand during this time as the population is mostly stuck at home. Many people are seeing this as the perfect time to tackle a new website or redesign an existing web presence. People with existing businesses are also seeing this as a time to pursue e-commerce, and new shops are opening up regularly as a way to gain revenue during this trying period. Covid-19 has bumped up internet use by a massive 70%, and this really cannot be ignored. Nobody knows how long this pandemic will last, and businesses will likely need to adjust to a new reality built around isolation and distancing in the near and foreseeable future. People are relying on e-commerce shops for many of their supplies and goods while storefronts remain closed. These new circumstances are leading to a higher demand for web designers, especially those who specialize in e-commerce facilitation. E-commerce Web Design Online shopping is becoming a new norm. Ordering groceries and supplies are one thing, but now people are looking for online services and technologies for everything. Communication options and networking capabilities offered for schools and businesses such as Zoom meetings have taken off since the lockdowns have in place. All of this increased demand means an increased need for web designers with a vast array of skills at their disposal. Designers with coding skills and cybersecurity experience will be in very high demand. Customer interfaces and relationship management is incredibly valuable, and online shopping portals rely tremendously on cybersecurity and customer service help. It is crucial for businesses to understand the factors that are responsible for this rising growth in demand for goods and services online, and determine the relationship to what is demanded from talented top web design agencies. People stock up in times of crisis. This preparation can lead to supply shortages even when supply lines are running smoothly. It is just simply very difficult to keep up the population all trying to stock up at once. Hoarding and overstocking can become a severe issue, but despite people's fears of supply shortages, consumption rates have also increased quite a bit. Even in times of crisis, if it’s there, it’ll be used. As a whole, people do not typically deal well with having and not consuming. Being stuck at home and having to accomplish increasingly more in life from home is going to be a game-changer for everything and everyone. UI/UX Web Design This new boost is not only localized to e-commerce web designers. UI/UX design... --- ### Getting Your Business Ready for the Covid-19 Recovery - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/getting-your-business-ready-for-the-covid-19-recovery/ - **Published:** 2020-05-11 - **Modified:** 2020-05-11 - **Author:** Andrew Ruditser **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, social media marketing, web design, web development **Excerpt:** Weeks ago, when the Covid-19 pandemic was just taking shape, we started reaching out to Maxburst clients to help them prepare for the inevitable changes to the economy and their business strategy. Although the struggles continue, lately we’ve been having different kinds of conversations: namely, those centered around preparing for the inevitable recovery. Weeks ago, when the Covid-19 pandemic was just taking shape, we started reaching out to Maxburst clients to help them prepare for the inevitable changes to the economy and their business strategy. Although the struggles continue, lately we’ve been having different kinds of conversations: namely, those centered around preparing for the inevitable recovery. Whether that turnaround will be weeks or months in the future, we can be certain it’s coming. One thing we’ve learned from being in business for so long – including the aftermaths of 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis – is that conditions can change quickly. It’s always darkest before dawn, and good news is usually closer than you think. So, while we certainly don’t want to minimize the heartache and disruption associated with the breakout of Coronavirus in New York and beyond, we also want to do the right thing and get clients and readers thinking about what is yet to come. In that spirit, let’s look at some of the steps you can take to prepare yourself for the economic recovery that is sure to come after Covid-19 recedes from daily business life… Think of New Ways to Help Customers and Clients While most business owners, executives, and marketing managers will be focused on their own business growth and retention strategies for the near future, we invite you to think one step further. Ask yourself what your best customers are going to be looking for when life returns to a new normal. The answers you might come up with are virtually endless. Some customers may need flexible financing. Others might want short-term contracts, new equipment, or help adding staff members quickly. There could be new apps or tools for automation or supply chain management that will have great value for them. To really make the most of this exercise you might even want to ask some of the people you work with. Get their take on what exactly you can do now (or in the future) to help them hit the ground running. By brainstorming the issue this way, you can accomplish a couple of things. The first is to become an invaluable partner to the men and women who count on your business  The second thing is that you can get a leg up on your competitors who will be scrambling to get out new marketing promotions and messaging when it matters the most. Start Planning Your Campaigns Now Time can be a funny thing. Right now, there are tens of thousands of normally busy and productive people who have the flexibility to imagine new campaigns, promotions, and ideas. Not only are business owners and executives working from home, but many of us in the creative industry have more availability than we have had in years. Experience has taught us that all of this will change on a dime when the economy comes roaring back to life. In the same way that businesses come rushing to us for online ads, ecommerce enhancements, etc. just... --- ### 7 Online Marketing Strategies for a Sick Economy - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/7-online-marketing-strategies-for-a-sick-economy/ - **Published:** 2020-03-24 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Andrew Ruditser **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, Web Development **Excerpt:** For business owners and executives, the coronavirus pandemic carries double the amount of worry and stress. If you fall into this group, you already know why. Like all of us, you’re probably worried about the health and safety of yourself and your loved ones, but you also have the added burden of trying to figure out how to keep your company running in the midst a set of unique challenges that seem to change day by day. For business owners and executives, the coronavirus pandemic carries double the amount of worry and stress. If you fall into this group, you already know why. Like all of us, you’re probably worried about the health and safety of yourself and your loved ones, but you also have the added burden of trying to figure out how to keep your company running in the midst a set of unique challenges that seem to change day by day. So, even though sorting out your website and online marketing strategy might not have been an initial concern, it’s something you’ve probably been thinking about over the last few days. In this short guide, we want to give you some simple ideas you can use to keep your business running as smoothly as possible in the weeks and months to come. Let’s look at seven online marketing strategies you can use to maintain a healthy company in a coronavirus-affected economic climate… #1 Sell What Your Customers Want This isn’t exactly groundbreaking advice, of course, but it’s worth beginning with the obvious: most experts predict that the coronavirus pandemic is going to be accompanied by a temporary economic slowdown. When you add the two together, you get lots of uncertainty. That means buying patterns are going to change a lot of industries. Figure out what it is your customers or clients are likely to want from you in the short-term and then adjust your website to emphasize those products or services. Whether it’s lower-cost solutions or those with shorter contract commitments, this is the time to show your target market you can help them save money and stay flexible. #2 Make Ecommerce a Bigger Part of Your Sales Strategy When facing uncertain or rapidly changing conditions, it’s not always easy to figure out which way to move. However, doubling down on ecommerce is probably a no-brainer for many small and medium-sized businesses with products to sell. Experts are warning people to stay out of stores and away from crowds as much as possible. At the same time, there are no current indications that mail service or shipping deliveries will be affected. So, you can use your online store to provide buyers with exactly what they need without the time or risk associated with a trip out to your location. #3 Take Meetings and Events Online There is never a good time for a health crisis or economic slowdown, but we are fortunate in 2020 to have the technological tools we need to be able to get together with customers and colleagues without being in the same room. While there isn’t anything quite like a face-to-face encounter, you and your team can use tools like Skype, GoToMeeting, and online webinar software to stay in touch. Making the most of these solutions means more than just buying licenses, though. Invest a small amount of time and familiarizing yourself with their features, and use good webcams, microphones, and lighting. The differences these small touches make will help... --- ### Hiring a Freelancer vs an Agency for Your Web Design Needs - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/hiring-a-freelancer-vs-an-agency-for-your-web-design-needs/ - **Published:** 2020-03-11 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** web design, web development **Excerpt:** The Snapchat platform is a viable competitor to the other social juggernauts. One key point to remember is that Snapchat has a huge youth following and user base, so when looking to the future of social media business strategies this has to be considered. 78% of internet users between the ages of 18 and 24 use Snapchat and in 2018 was the preferred social media platform of 45% of teen users. With over 200 million active daily users and 54% of Snapchat users logging in every day, this has become a very important audience for businesses to navigate tapping into. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can be using Snapchat to benefit your business. The main difference between hiring a freelancer versus a web design company is your project goal. Web design trends and best practices are always growing at an incredible pace. According to the Bureau of Labour and Statistics, Employment of web developers are projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030. Much faster than the average for other professions. With increased growth in e-commerce sectors and the expansion of mobile accessibility, web design is an abundant field with countless specialist possibilities. A quality website can be the key to success for a small business or even an established company. Web presence is a crucial piece of marketing success in today's world. The value of an effective website has been shown consistently for many years. There are many tools to boost viewer engagement, and many decisions to make along the way towards building a successful website. There are so many options when it comes to website design. Finding what you need can be a challenge. Building a website can be an enormous undertaking and a large investment of time and money. Choosing how to go about creating a website can be an incredibly important decision for any business. Consider these pros and cons when choosing what’s right for your company. Calculating Your Web Design Goals It is important to understand your needs and what a web designer can offer. The term web design can be used to cover many aspects of creating a web presence. There are many facets of a website. Visual design of your web pages might be all you need, but there is much more that could be needed that a seasoned web design professional can offer you. Think along the lines of web pages, social media specialization, accessibility optimization, comprehensive user testing, web application creation, and much more. When hiring a professional you’ll have the option of choosing between a freelance web designer or a web design company. Read on below to see which is best for your company. Freelance Web Design Depending on your needs, a freelancer could fit what your goals are. Generally speaking, working with any freelance worker will run accountability risks. Hiring the right freelancer can be hit or miss. There are certainly benefits when choosing to work with a freelancer, but can the potential advantages be worth the risk? How does this potential stack up to a seasoned web design company? Freelancer Advantages Cost efficiency: Available budget and service pricing is one of the key reasons a company may consider hiring a freelancer. Working for themselves, a freelancer can set their own prices. If your company is just starting and you simply need a small website with few features, a freelancer could be an inexpensive avenue to finding what your website needs. Templates for quick turnaround and cost efficiency: Most companies will build a custom website. While this can be very advantageous, it also has the potential to require a larger investment and to take longer to complete. Freelancers often offer building... --- ### 9 Effective Ways to Use Snapchat for Business - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/9-effective-ways-to-use-snapchat-for-business/ - **Published:** 2020-01-18 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Company Identity, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, social media marketing **Excerpt:** The Snapchat platform is a viable competitor to the other social juggernauts. One key point to remember is that Snapchat has a huge youth following and user base, so when looking to the future of social media business strategies this has to be considered. 78% of internet users between the ages of 18 and 24 use Snapchat and in 2018 was the preferred social media platform of 45% of teen users. With over 200 million active daily users and 54% of Snapchat users logging in every day, this has become a very important audience for businesses to navigate tapping into. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can be using Snapchat to benefit your business. Social media has become a dominating force when it comes to business strategy and marketing plans. 50% of shoppers have made purchases on the recommendation of social media content. This combined with the sheer number of active social media users and the amount of time that people average spending engaging with social media content, it is clear to see that social media is one of the most important areas that a business can focus their attention on today. Sometimes business engagement and social media marketing on different platforms can seem like a no brainer. It is basically impossible to ignore the impact that Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram can have on your business. But there are other social networks and platforms that can also be offering your business a lot of benefits if you choose to include them in your social media plan. Enter Snapchat. This platform isn’t new, but it is now a viable competitor to the other social juggernauts. One key point to remember is that Snapchat has a huge youth following and user base, so when looking to the future of social media business strategies this has to be considered. 78% of internet users between the ages of 18 and 24 use Snapchat and in 2018 was the preferred social media platform of 45% of teen users. With over 200 million active daily users and 54% of Snapchat users logging in every day, this has become a very important audience for businesses to navigate tapping into. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can be using Snapchat to benefit your business. 1. Deliver Live Content Access Live media marketing is an interesting new tool for advertising and offers a unique type of engagement with your audience. Giving your viewers access to live events can capitalize on the ability of social media to break down walls between them and your brand. You can show one of a kind live experiences like product debuts or special events. This authentic look at important events is like a special look at the inner world of your brand and builds an intimate and more personal customer relationship. 2. Utilize Snapchat Insights For Access To Valuable Marketing Data In all marketing, but especial social media interactions, understanding your audience is everything. Your audience is everyone interested in your brand and anyone who might value or benefit from what you offer. Determining the qualities that your audience share in common is of vital importance to tailoring your content and delivering the most valuable social experiences. This information can be used to craft content that builds interaction, boosts interest, captures attention and encourages further action with your brand. Every tool that can help you learn more about your audience and deliver a comprehensive understanding of what they are looking for can help you know who to target and how best to do so. Snapchat has a built in analytic tool called Snapchat Insights which can show you your viewer count organized by... --- ### 4 Core Elements to Help Your Brand’s SEO Strategy Succeed - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/4-core-elements-to-help-your-brands-seo-strategy-succeed/ - **Published:** 2019-12-13 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Content Marketing, SEO, web design **Excerpt:** To excel in organic search results, brands must be armed with a toolbox of strong SEO tactics and strategies. Before you can take your SEO to the next level, you must identify where you are currently and what to do next. Here at MAXBURST we understand the importance of being on top of search results so together, let’s examine four core elements you can use to build a more competitive SEO strategy for your brand.   In today’s competitive online landscape, SEO is more essential than ever. Nearly 35% of U.S. Consumers in 2018 initiated their online purchases using Google or an alternative search tool — more than three times the amount that began at retailers’ apps or sites, and second only to searches starting at Amazon. To excel in organic search results, brands must be armed with a toolbox of strong SEO tactics and strategies. Before you can take your SEO to the next level, you must identify where you are currently and what to do next. Here at MAXBURST we understand the importance of being on top of search results so together, let’s examine four core elements you can use to build a more competitive SEO strategy for your brand. 1. Crawlability: Establish your SEO groundwork To show up in search results, your site must be discovered by search engines. In other words, if you’re beginning from scratch or have never utilized SEO, your first mission is ensuring your site is visible to search engine crawlers. One frequent issue here is simple to remedy: your site’s robots.txt file. Retailers and brands often disregard this tiny file, but attaching instructions to it lets crawlers know which pages you wish to have indexed and which you don’t. You’ll also want to display your site structure to crawlers for enhanced indexing. This will likely require you to update and expand your sitemap or design one from the ground up. The optimal sitemap for SEO crawlability comprises all of your website’s product pages, subcategories, and categories. If you’re curious how long it will take to map or update your site’s seemingly infinite number of product pages, services like Spotibo can build a sitemap you can link to in your robots.txt file. After you revise robots.txt, submit it to Google, Bing or other search engines so they can re-crawl your website as rapidly as possible. If your website incorporates dated plug-in technology like Flash or Silverlight to display content, you may encounter a greater crawlability problem. Silverlight and Flash content isn't visible to search engine crawlers so it won't show up in the SERPs. To make that content viewable, it will be necessary to convert it to a format that can be indexed, such as JavaScript, or HTML5. The conversion procedure can take several months, and you may require new software and coding expertise to accomplish it. Once the conversion is finished, you can map the content, update your robots.txt file, and send it to Google. 2. Content optimization: leverage your present assets When your robots.txt, sitemap, and crawlability troubles are resolved, the next SEO core element to implement is content optimization. This demands making better use of your present assets to boost your rank for specific keywords. You can use Google Keyword Planner to create a list of target keywords centered on volume and ROI. Then use the list to improve your meta tags and content, beginning with your top-level pages and making your way through your... --- ### How to Design a Beautiful Website That Drives Conversions - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-design-a-beautiful-website-that-drives-conversions/ - **Published:** 2019-11-25 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, web design, web development **Excerpt:** Smart marketers know that an intelligent web design can make a huge difference in conversion rates. Digital first impressions can make or break your credibility as a business. We’ve got some design tips to help you make the best impression on your website’s visitors. Smart marketers know that an intelligent web design can make a huge difference in conversion rates. Digital first impressions can make or break your credibility as a business. We’ve got some design tips to help you make the best impression on your website’s visitors. Load Time Everyone knows that a lengthy load time can increase website bounces and reduce conversions. However, according to MachMetrics, a site speed monitoring service, you start losing visitors after just 3 seconds, the ideal load time. Consumers’ shortening attention spans are unwilling to wait for long load times when Google is just a click away – potentially leading them to competitors’ speedier websites. If you want to boost conversions, you need to find ways to make your website load faster. Compressing images is an easy way to do this. In addition to paying attention to file types, the images on your website could probably suffice to be a bit smaller on-screen, too – in fact, a smaller image is sure to be more mobile-friendly. Removing unnecessary animations, videos that play automatically, and rotating banners may also make a website run more smoothly. In 2018, 52.2% of all website traffic was through mobile, so always be sure to check on your website’s mobile functionality after assessing the desktop version of your site. Hick’s Law Hick’s Law, or the Hick-Hyman Law, describes the time it takes for an individual to make a decision based upon the number of choices he or she is given. Increasing the number of choices corresponds to longer decision time. The famous Jam Experiment of 2000 illustrates this point perfectly. One day at a grocery store, shoppers were presented with a display of 24 varieties of jam and a $1 coupon. On a different day, the store displayed a table of only 6 varieties of jam. Although the table of 24 jams attracted more attention, the store received more purchases when the table only displayed 6 varieties. According to Barry Schwartz, this “decision paralysis” or “analysis paralysis” can affect the smallest things from what to have for breakfast to more important things like picking a career. How does this relate to web design? Presenting too many options at once to website visitors can be overwhelming, leading to stalled decision-making. This can ultimately lead to consumers abandoning a website and not purchasing anything at all. The customers who do convert may take a long time, which can slow your business’ progress and negatively affect marketing strategy. Simplifying options is critical in order to get the most online conversions. Hick’s Law is one of the reasons why businesses like Buffer typically have 3-4 package options, rather than options tailored to every consumer’s exact need. If you have many items such as sales packages you at least want available for viewing, it might be helpful to link to a different page containing less popular selections, according to UX Designer Paul Boag. Following Hick’s Law can help your visitors feel at home on your website, and not... --- ### Common Facebook Marketing Problems & How to Fix Them - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/common-facebook-marketing-problemsand-how-to-fix-them/ - **Published:** 2019-10-09 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, social media marketing **Excerpt:** Facebook is one of the largest, most robust social media marketing platforms for businesses. Advertising and building audience engagement can be a cinch for some and a nightmare for others. Fortunately, social media managers tend to make the same mistakes, and there is usually a relatively simple solution. Here are some of the most common Facebook marketing problems and how to fix them. Facebook is one of the largest, most robust social media marketing platforms for businesses. Advertising and building audience engagement can be a cinch for some and a nightmare for others. Fortunately, social media managers tend to make the same mistakes, and there is usually a relatively simple solution. Here are some of the most common Facebook marketing problems and how to fix them. Never Creating Marketing Goals Before we dive too deep into Facebook marketing, it’s important to ask yourself what your goals are. You might ask yourself the following questions to start: Do I want to get follows and likes for vanity purposes? Is building audience engagement my top priority? Is social media a listening or customer service tool for my brand? Do I expect social media to build awareness about my brand or is it merely a tool to convert sales? It’s also okay to have no major goals at all. Many businesses simply use Facebook as a placeholder to show that they are modern, and to avoid the potential for social identity theft. After you’ve determined what you want to achieve on Facebook, write your goals down. Get specific. They might look something like: By August, I want to have 100 new likes on my Facebook page. By the end of the month, I want to increase engagement by 20%. I want to make at least three sales from Facebook ads. Take a look at your goals from time to time. Make sure you’re on the right track and if not, assess what you can change about your social strategy. Also remember that sometimes the strategy is not the issue; sometimes the goal is too lofty. Be realistic as you set your goals and ensure that they are measurable. Never Creating a Content and Marketing Strategy It’s all too common for businesses to post what essentially boils down to bland advertisements in a quest to just push something out there. Not only is the lack of strategy obvious to other social media managers, it’s apparent to audiences too. It’s vital that businesses come up with a content and marketing strategy that outlines tone, audience, content, and consistency. Some quick tips on content: You Need to Know Your Audience Your target audience can affect the content you present on your Facebook page. If a company sells life insurance to the elderly, for example, it may not make sense for them to post memes about growing up in the 90's. If you want to create advertisements on Facebook, it’s absolutely necessary to know your audience. Details such as age, gender, location, and interests can all contribute to a more targeted marketing campaign and can even save you money by narrowing your audience down to the people who would be most interested in what you have to offer. Feature Rich Images & Video If you don’t already have a portfolio of attractive images and/or video, plan to start one. Hire a photographer or videographer if necessary. Use royalty-free images if... --- ### How to Quickly Generate Content Ideas for Your Blog or YouTube - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-quickly-generate-content-ideas-for-your-blog-or-youtube/ - **Published:** 2019-09-17 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Excerpt:** When coming up with fresh content ideas, you should first figure out how many pieces of content you ideally need over the course of a month. Sit down and brainstorm for a few hours and drum up as many topics as you can.   If you run a blog or a YouTube channel, odds are that there has been a period of time when you were at a loss on what to create content about. Times like these can make it difficult to keep up with a demanding posting schedule, but content creation doesn’t have to be a chore. When coming up with fresh content ideas, you should first figure out how many pieces of content you ideally need over the course of a month. Sit down and brainstorm for a few hours and drum up as many topics as you can. Still having trouble? These tricks to quickly generate creative content ideas for your blog or YouTube will make this process much easier! Read on to learn more so you never have to worry about that nagging creative block again. 1.) Consider the Content You Already Create To start, think about the content you’re producing now and how it resonates with your audience. Do they enjoy your posts or videos? If so, consider creating similar content in the future. If not, you may want to go in another direction. If you run a food blog about local restaurants and have access to a tool like Google Analytics, for example, it’s easy to tell which posts are performing well. Perhaps your blog posts about how to make fancy Italian dishes from scratch aren’t doing well, but your articles about local upscale Italian restaurants get a ton of hits. Based on that data, it might be more worth your time – and your readers’ time – if you focused on creating more content surrounding Italian restaurants, for example. YouTube also offers similar analytics features to content creators so they can identify which videos are performing best. Create a list of the top five to ten subjects you write about and see which ones perform best. Write those down. Think about what content your audience wants to consume and eliminate any subjects that don’t work well for content creation or audience demands. Then mind map each broad topic to come up with specific subject matter. More on that below! 2.) Mind Mapping Once you have your list of top-performing subjects, spend some time brainstorming on each one, focusing on why, what, where, when, and how. If you run a YouTube channel, for example, and find that your most popular videos are beauty-related, you might think of the following content ideas: Why: Why do I Need to Wash my Kabuki Brush so Often? What: Top 5 Eyeshadow Primers to Prevent Eyeshadow Creases Where: Best Places to Shop Online for Makeup Deals When: The Best and Worst Times to Dye Your Hair How: How to Contour Your Face Like a Pro If you go through this exercise and are still having some trouble, it may be helpful to take things a step further… 3.) Take Advantage of Keyword Tools These marketing tools will be incredibly helpful to you in sourcing content for your blog or YouTube and... --- ### 9 Simple Ways to Enhance Your Retargeting Ad Campaigns - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/9-simple-ways-to-enhance-your-retargeting-ad-campaigns/ - **Published:** 2019-09-06 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Remarketing Campaign, web design **Excerpt:** As marketers here at Maxburst, we would love to exist in a world in which most online visitors turn into customers, but the fact is the buying process is exceedingly complex. As a matter of fact, only two percent of your online traffic will convert into customers upon initial visit.   Retargeting is a powerful form of digital advertising in which audiences are targeted with specific ads based upon their online behavior. In short, retargeting campaigns convert “would-be shoppers” into bona fide paying customers for your business. As marketers here at Maxburst, we would love to exist in a world in which most online visitors turn into customers, but the fact is the buying process is exceedingly complex. As a matter of fact, only two percent of your online traffic will convert into customers upon initial visit. Regardless of whether you’re just beginning or a skilled expert, these nine simple retargeting strategies will help elevate your campaigns to new heights. 1. Content is still king The goal of retargeting is to accelerate conversions, but you need to offer users something of significance to expedite that process. The wonderful thing about retargeting with content is that it gives you an opportunity to connect with and offer value to prospects who aren’t yet prepared to purchase. For an individual who is only mildly interested in your product, a timely eBook or whitepaper could subtly push them towards a purchase. Supposing you have a substantial set of content already developed for other purposes, this strategy shouldn't cut into your budget. To determine which parts of content to incorporate into your campaign, establish what your top performers are predicated on behavior data. How you interpret that is up to you - time on page or views/downloads can be excellent places to begin. If you have the capability, sort your content by multi-touch revenue created; if an asset has demonstrated consistently to promote conversions, it’s ideal for retargeting ads. Afterward, segment your content, so that people are receiving the right piece of content at the right time. 2. Audience segmentation If your retargeting campaigns are not meeting your expectations, there’s a good chance that you need to enhance your segmentation. The greatest error a marketer can make in retargeting is to presume that all visitors are similar and present each visitor with the same ads. By being careless and not segmenting your visitors into groups, your results will be inferior and many of your impressions will simply be squandered extraneous spend. For example, it's not logical to target an individual who has viewed a page about soap and show them a banner ad for dog food. The key to effective retargeting is user segmentation. When you segment audiences, you will be able to recognize and understand the various behaviors and intentions of the users on your website. This is essential as it allows you to vigorously target users with applicable ad messages, ensuring the retargeting experience is customized. Setting up segments by URL inside your retargeting software is simple as soon as your pixels are created. There is no correct method to segment your users. It's determined by what kind of business you’re operating, what part of the funnel the visitor is in, and what your objectives are. 3. Recognizing the buyer cycle Recognizing the... --- ### 5 Unique Ways to Build Better Customer Loyalty - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/5-unique-ways-to-build-better-customer-loyalty/ - **Published:** 2019-07-26 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Branding, Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, digital agency, Search Engine Marketing, web design   In a time with this many consumer options and immense competition, developing customer loyalty is critical to your success as a small business owner. Small businesses who fail to secure fervent and passionate customers will struggle to survive. The online world is full of tips and tricks on how you can identify, win and maintain that treasure trove of clientele; so, why write another blog post? Because it's time to approach customer loyalty from a fresh and unique perspective. Below we detail five small businesses that developed thriving businesses, devoted fans, and loyal customers while thinking outside of the box. Principle 1: Learn to Say No Small business ownership often requires that you have to say yes. On the other hand, when it comes to building devoted clientele, a strong “no” is frequently more effective than a handful of lukewarm or hollow “yeses” can ever be. Florisan Wedding and Event Design's Lynn Jawitz is a well-known florist in New York City. By virtue of her background in law, Lynn is aware of the potential consequences of certain client demands. Towering floral arrangements that spill off the table are widely requested, but in Lynn’s opinion, they pose a significant hazard – a responsibility Lynn won't accept. She is willing to say no, and take a financial hit, when it comes to adhering to her principles, ensuring the welfare of her customers and safeguarding her business. Instead of forfeiting customers because of this refusal, Lynn has found that clients are appreciative of her honesty and ever more cautious of vendors willing to sell by any means necessary. Observes Lynn, “I'm proud of the work that I have accomplished, and my clients know that with my years of experience behind me, they will get the straight truth from me, acceptable in popular culture or not.” Principle 2: Offer Something for Nothing What do you do when developing trust for your primary project is a challenging and tedious endeavor? If you’re a team member of Crew, a global collective of hand-selected, high-caliber freelance designers, and developers you break with convention entirely. The founding partners of Crew realized that online trust can be hard earned, particularly in a digital landscape where second-rate freelance websites are progressively widespread and unfavorable experiences rage out of control. To combat the less than stellar perception, they opted to wager their entire business on altering that reputation in both standard and unorthodox ways. Luke Chesser, head of Design and Development at Crew explained, “We’ve used the traditional ways of building trust—a high-quality product, solid social proof, good design, customer reviews, a strong brand, and success stories, but to be really successful we’ve had to find additional ways to build that trust a lot more quickly.” Initiating a number of first-rate side projects in tandem with Crew and making them accessible at no cost offers a novel take on the ‘try before you buy’ way of thinking. Potential clients can see for themselves the quality of work, dedication to around... --- ### 5 Simple Steps to Creating the Perfect Sales Funnel - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/5-simple-steps-to-creating-the-perfect-sales-funnel/ - **Published:** 2019-06-17 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Content Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web development   Whether you run a brick and mortar business or sell online, having a sales funnel in some capacity is essential to your success. Bringing prospects into your funnel on a regular basis that you can then market and promote your products/services to over a period of time is critical for any business. Failing to incorporate a system that is continually being optimized and tested to maximize value from each customer severely limits your business's ability to increase its revenues and may very well result in leaving the majority of its potential earnings on the table. In other words, integrating a sales funnel into your marketing plan isn't just an option, it's a necessity. Before we dive into the steps necessary to create a successful sales funnel, it's important to define what a sales funnel is. In short, a sales funnel is defined as a series of steps intended to lead visitors towards a buying decision. The steps are constructed of marketing assets that aid you in selling, like landing pages and emails. Sales funnels have been around for ages, because even in a world without the internet, businesses still had to find dependable ways to entice buyers. However, as time has passed, they’ve just become simpler to construct and operate. Now, with the abundance of tools available online, small businesses — such as yours — can measure and optimize the buying process — or greatly reduce the sales cycle. This is exciting news for you as a small business owner - you now have a robust marketing tool (used by large organizations like Amazon, Google, Twitter, Sephora, and Visa, for instance) at your disposal. You just need to learn how to use it. Below you'll discover a simple 5 step system to create a high converting sales funnel that will serve your business well for years to come. Step 1 - Formulate a Strategy Every successful funnel has the ultimate objective. When constructing your sales funnel, this is a crucial decision: identify your end goal. Contrary to what many people believe, it doesn’t have to be a sale. Perhaps you operate a law firm, and you want potential clients to ‘book a call’ or ‘schedule a consult.’ Or maybe you run a service business like an insurance agency, and you want prospects’ emails. Regardless of what the goal is, determine it. Then highlight it. Your end goal is critical to this process. Consider this intriguing quote by Scott Adams: “Focus on creating systems, not goals. Goals are for ‘losers’ because you are literally failing 24/7 until the moment you reach the goal...Systems, on the other hand, are strategically designed to output a consistent result — achieving an objective in a predictable and repeatable way.” Yes, your end goal is paramount in creating the system, but you’re not pursuing that goal by itself. You’re concentrating on designing a system. Your ultimate objective will direct you in designing a high-converting sales funnel since every step you execute moving forward will push... --- ### MAXBURST is a 2019 New York City Excellence Award Winner - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/a-2019-new-york-city-excellence-award-winner/ - **Published:** 2019-06-03 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Branding, Web Design **Tags:** digital agency, UpCity   The results are in! MAXBURST has been awarded a 2019 New York City Excellence Award by UpCity. Out of 667 marketing service providers in New York, we were selected as one of the top 20 based on our UpCity Rating, which measures digital recommendability by reviews, search score, domain authority and more. By having our services listed on UpCity and featured as one of the top 20 agencies in New York, we’re able to cut through the noise, standout and create trust with prospective buyers. It’s an honor for us to be represented on the City Excellence Award List. The infographic below goes more into detail on what makes a great agency in New York and stats that highlight New York as a marketing hub in North America. UpCity helps businesses find marketing providers they can trust. The UpCity Marketplace creates and empowers successful relationships between businesses and marketing service providers. We provide transparency and insights to dramatically improve the marketing partner selection and purchase experience. Over 225,000 businesses visit UpCity each month seeking marketing services from over 33,000 providers in over 600 cities in North America. UpCity helps partners in the marketplace grow their business and build their digital recommendability. Heidi Sullivan SVP, Product & Marketing www.UpCity.com --- ### Why A Good Website Is Your Sales Team’s Best Friend - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/why-a-good-website-is-your-sales-teams-best-friend/ - **Published:** 2019-05-24 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Content Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web development Does your website and sales team work together? Or, is your online presence more like an online brochure that seems like a distraction – or worse, a competitor – for the men and women who bring you new accounts? It’s unfortunate, but a lot of small and medium-sized businesses don’t have anything approaching a cohesive strategy when it comes to blending online and off-line campaigns. Often, their websites are completely disconnected from other live sales efforts. They either haven’t considered the ways they could benefit from using modern online tools to boost sales, or have put off these upgrades because they think they don’t need them. That’s unfortunate, because a good website should be your sales team’s best friend. It should not only provide them with new avenues to reach clients, but also support them when they’re working in person, over the phone, or in the field. While some companies are fighting this trend in following behind the curve, others are embracing the idea of using traditional sales strategies and human contact with digital age convenience. Want to take a guess at which group is coming out ahead? Let’s look at a few of the reasons successful sales producers will always come to love a website that has been created with their needs in mind… A Strong Website Can Generate Leads All the Time As we noted in a recent post, your business website should be designed and marketed with the goal of delivering sales opportunities to your phone, office, or inbox on a daily basis. In many business scenarios, that means having interested prospects call and or submit their information online so a live member of your sales team can follow up. No matter how effective your group is, they can’t be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, as any experienced sales professional can tell you, prospective clients and customers sometimes decide to research solutions after business hours and during holidays or weekends. In other words, your website can be helping them to close more deals even when they can’t be at their desks. A Website Can Help to Pre-Sell New Clients or Customers Wouldn’t it be nice if the leads that did come into your company were fired up and ready to set appointments? Imagine receiving inbound phone calls from buyers who knew exactly which products or services they wanted and knew what to expect realistically in terms of a price and delivery time. With the right content – including downloadable reports, video reviews, buying guides, and other pieces of information – you can use your website to “pre-sell” prospects on what you have to offer. Then, your sales team can work on generating custom quotes and making sure that every buyer finds the perfect solution. Your Business Website Needs to be Paired with a CRM System In addition to generating more leads and helping your salespeople to close and faster, your website can also help them keep tabs on buyer relationships. That’s because... --- ### 7 Visual, Mobile, and Web Content Trends for 2019 - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/7-visual-mobile-and-web-content-trends-for-2019/ - **Published:** 2019-04-25 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Company Identity, Branding, Content Marketing **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, Mobile Responsive, web design, website design trends **Excerpt:** Many websites today are hardly recognizable when you compare them with the websites of ten, or even five, years ago. We see lots of video and other visuals, more mobile-friendly user experiences, some longer content, more experts finding their online niches, and heavily customer-centered stories to improve content marketing. Read on for seven key trends that we at Maxburst see in 2019.  Many websites today are hardly recognizable when you compare them with the websites of ten, or even five, years ago. We see lots of video and other visuals, more mobile-friendly user experiences, some longer content, more experts finding their online niches, and heavily customer-centered stories to improve content marketing. Read on for seven key trends that we at Maxburst see in 2019.  Visual Trends Designs are ever evolving on the web, and various industries have their own trends and preferences. Here are just a few. Cinemagraphs We often come across business owners who are frustrated with the appeal of their websites. They want a site that holds visitors’ attention, keeps visitors on their webpages longer, and displays the branded creativity of the company. As subtle animations within still photos, cinema graphs accomplish these goals. According to Tripwire Magazine, cinemagraphs were introduced in New York by fashion photographer Jamie Beck and motion graphics designer Kevin Burg. Brands like Coca Cola and Tiffany & Co. use them in advertising. As competition for ad and page views increases, we anticipate that the creative use of cinemagraphs and other innovative graphics will also grow. 3D Imaging Web designers use 3D to show depth, as well as the inside of objects. This allows viewers to examine cross-sections and the inner workings of products and devices. 3D is used in medicine, scientific visualization, mapping, marketing, and other scenarios in which alternate points of view are very important. Interested readers can see a wide variety of examples here. As medicine, science, and technology continue to thrive, we anticipate that 3D will also become more ubiquitous. New Designs We have seen many visual changes in the past few years. For example, animations and other videos bring more and more webpages to life. Geometric shapes and patterns enhance the aesthetics of a wide variety of webpages. Bold colors make a statement and are becoming popular across industries. We have also been noticing typography changes. These design preferences will continue to evolve in 2018 as industry landscapes change. Mobile Trends According to Comscore, the use of mobile devices has doubled over the past three years. As mobile device screen sizes have expanded, and data speed and availability has improved, people reach for their ever-handy smartphones and tablets.  The increasing use of mobile devices also effects web design. Here are a few of the changes we’re seeing: Responsive Web Design Responsive websites utilize code that adapts to the platform you use. People who view webpages on their desktop will have a different layout and user experience from mobile website visitors. Responsive web design is a continuing trend as more and more users browse with their smartphones and tablets. Google favors mobile-friendly websites, and company representatives say that the search engine may demote pages that “frustrate mobile visitors.” For example, sites featuring video not playable on mobile devices may notice a drop in Google search ranking. Designs Favoring Mobile We use a variety of design tactics that work well across devices and... --- ### MAXBURST Allures GoodFirms Attention For Its Spectacular SEO Services - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/maxburst-allures-goodfirms-attention-for-its-spectacular-seo-services/ - **Published:** 2019-03-12 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** admin **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Awards, GoodFirms, SEO, web design   SEO services offered by MAXBURST catches GoodFirms’ attention and is soon expected to be recognized among the top search engine optimization agencies globally at GoodFirms along with its web development services. The firm also gets recognized for its efforts in web designing at New York. About MAXBURST This design, development and marketing company - MAXBURST was founded in Long Island in 2007 and today has its offices in New York City. Not only do they build the sites but also they help in its maintenance, security and consulting. The developers at the firm deploy the latest technology to give birth to the ideas of their clients. Keen to provide a personal experience to clients, their goal is to provide an apt platform to them so that they get valuable online presence to display their worth. This has helped them in building meaningful relations with customers in the long run. Their focus on creativity that can compel the end users has led them to deliver products which are user-friendly and customer-centric. They always keep their eyes on achieving clients’ business goals. Such factors have led giants like Couristan, Transervice Logistics, GarageTek, and Accommodations Plus International to end up to their client list. GoodFirms’ Assessment Process GoodFirms evaluates the services provided by MAXBURST with its one of its kind research process. This process considers three core parameters namely Quality, Reliability and Ability. The quality factor considers the essence of services provided by the firm and the feedback from the clients. The reliability factor includes the performance of the team to deliver the products as pre-decided. The Ability factor includes the experience of the team and how efficiently they deliver. Such subcomponents decide the point range of a company and the listed companies get ranked on the basis of these points. Such a kind of process gives a value to the GoodFirms’ platform where the service seekers can find service providers from the pool of all good. GoodFirms evaluates the services offered by MAXBURST SEO Services MAXBURST is one of the top-notch digital marketers globally. Solutions offered by it are creative and result oriented. MAXBURST helps its clients to win the trust of the audience on the search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bling by using SEO strategies with the keywords and terms they search for. Their SEO process includes market research, keyword research and analysis, full SEO implementation and link building. This is followed by linking the web pages to social media so as to generate required social links. Their belief in themselves has proven to be good enough bestowing success to the new companies in the market and increasing the ones already establishes. Hence, researchers at GoodFirms soon expect it among the best SEO Companies’ ranking on the platform. Web Designing MAXBURST provides high-end web designing solutions to its clients all over the globe. It even serves the industry with its amazing print and web media designs. The products they deliver are known to exceed the clients’ expectations. With the... --- ### 9 Original Branding Ideas To Leverage In 2019 and Beyond - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/9-original-branding-ideas-to-leverage-in-2019-and-beyond/ - **Published:** 2019-02-12 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Branding, Content Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Branding, Content Marketing, web design **Excerpt:** Each task seems no less essential than the next, and in the blink of an eye, you find yourself swamped with things that need to be done yesterday. In the midst of all of the chaos, it’s easy to believe that branding your business is something you can put on the back burner. After all, with all of those overlooked bills piling up on your desk, you barely have the time to concentrate on branding your business. While juggling a multitude of tasks, you totally overlook the most critical element of establishing a thriving business. By neglecting to build a brand and creating awareness around that brand, you’re unwittingly depriving your business of the highest pinnacle of success it can reach. You’re nurturing a business that could acquire a stronger position in the market — if it had the support of a registered and notable brand. Here at MAXBURST, our mission is to develop brands that resonate in the in the hearts and minds of individuals. Brands that people fall in love with. That’s why we’re here today to share with you a list of 9 unique branding ideas that will elevate your branding efforts in 2019 and beyond. Each task seems no less essential than the next, and in the blink of an eye, you find yourself swamped with things that need to be done yesterday. In the midst of all of the chaos, it’s easy to believe that branding your business is something you can put on the back burner. After all, with all of those overlooked bills piling up on your desk, you barely have the time to concentrate on branding your business. While juggling a multitude of tasks, you totally overlook the most critical element of establishing a thriving business. By neglecting to build a brand and creating awareness around that brand, you’re unwittingly depriving your business of the highest pinnacle of success it can reach. You’re nurturing a business that could acquire a stronger position in the market — if it had the support of a registered and notable brand. Here at MAXBURST, our mission is to develop brands that resonate in the in the hearts and minds of individuals. Brands that people fall in love with. That’s why we’re here today to share with you a list of 9 unique branding ideas that will elevate your branding efforts in 2019 and beyond. 1. Identify Your Archetype Conceived by popular psychologist Carl Jung, the idea of archetypes means shaping your brand on notable characters from well-known folklore, fables, and novels. Throughout the years, many distinguished brands across the globe have utilized this branding tactic to ensure their brand resonates with their target market. For example, Harley-Davidson is the outlaw, while Nike is the hero. Each archetype will automatically attract a particular type of customer, and identifying what your specific strengths and weaknesses are can help you determine how to more effectively market to that group. A majority of businesses will have characteristics of several archetypes, but determining your principal archetype — the one that most pertains to your core values and brand philosophy — can help you better recognize how and why you make the choices you do. 2. Develop Interactive Content If you want to see your engagement and conversions soar, consider Interactive Content Marketing (ICM). According to the Demand Metric report, interactive content converts buyers 70% of the time in contrast to only 36% for passive content. Shifting from a passive to an interactive content model dramatically enhances the probability of brand trust, purchase intent, and a lasting relationship. In addition to implementing traditional marketing techniques, augment your content by incorporating ICM focused contests, quizzes and games. Most users want content that’s directly linked to their interests as well, so marketers can integrate polls in content such as blog posts to identify what their next post should be focused on. Also, remember to notify your fans on social media and through email every time you post. 3. Create Brand Videos Video is an essential marketing medium. In fact, studies show websites utilizing videos retain site visitors for 88% longer than sites who don’t include video content. Additionally, studies indicate 57% of customers... --- ### 10 Lessons From A Successful Decade In Web Design - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/10-lessons-from-a-successful-decade-in-web-design/ - **Published:** 2019-01-22 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** successful web design, web development, website design **Excerpt:** Experience is the greatest teacher. That's true in just about any human endeavor, even the world of web design where things are constantly changing, shifting, and evolving. To us, this isn’t just a nice sentiment or a generalization. After years of client work, we are better now than we’ve ever been. The big wins and hard knocks we’ve picked up on the path to becoming recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing firms by Fortune magazine have taught us some lessons we couldn’t have picked up otherwise. Experience is the greatest teacher. That's true in just about any human endeavor, even the world of web design where things are constantly changing, shifting, and evolving. To us, this isn’t just a nice sentiment or a generalization. After years of client work, we are better now than we’ve ever been. The big wins and hard knocks we’ve picked up on the path to becoming recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing firms by Fortune magazine have taught us some lessons we couldn’t have picked up otherwise. Those little bits of wisdom are priceless to the Maxburst team, of course, but they have a lot of value to you as a business owner or marketer, too. So today we want to share 10 of the most important lessons we’ve picked up in more than a decade as a leading New York Web design and online marketing firm… #1 Everything Starts With Industry Knowledge One thing new clients tend to notice about us is that we ask a lot of questions. That’s not by accident. We figured out a long time ago that everything in the world of web design and online marketing – from the layout you put on your home page to the keywords you choose to target on Google – needs to flow from an understanding of what your business is and who your customers are. If you don’t have the right information or fail to share with your creative team, you're never going to reach your full sales and marketing potential. #2 Great Web Design Has Two Parts A lot of clients think great web design is one that looks good on a screen. However, making the most of aesthetics is only half the challenge. To come up with truly great web design you need the right look and a highly-usable layout that feels intuitive for visitors. Otherwise, you just have a piece of art that isn’t going to help you sell your products or services. #3 You Can’t Lead by Copying Your Competitors It isn’t unusual for a client to come to us wanting to essentially duplicate something a competitor has done. We always try to dissuade them from that instinct. While it’s not a bad idea to use a competitor’s website or marketing campaign as an inspiration or starting point, you can’t really stand out in a crowded digital world by doing the same thing as everyone else. If you want to be a leader, you have to set the tone rather than following it. #4 You Really Can go Too Far Outside the Box This might seem like it contradicts the last point, but the idea is to keep everything in balance. While you certainly want your website to stand out, you don’t want to come across as strange. Every once in a while we see a layout or navigation structure that so unusual it turns buyers off. If people have a hard time using or understanding your website, you can’t be surprised when it... --- ### The Importance of Deliberate Website Navigation Design (and How to Improve It) - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-importance-of-deliberate-website-navigation-design-and-how-to-improve-it/ - **Published:** 2018-12-11 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Danny Wong **Categories:** Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** web development, web trends, website design, website design trends By Danny Wong An underappreciated aspect of your website is its navigation. It draws attention to key pages that should give audiences a deeper understanding behind your brand values and the advantages of your product suite or service offering. For website owners, well-designed navigation reduces bounce rates, increases visitor engagement and indirectly boosts conversions. That’s because customers who are able to easily navigate your website will be equipped with the information they need to make a positive purchasing decision. Poor website navigation, on the other hand, creates user frustration. When visitors find it difficult to locate the information they are looking for and must click several links and scan several pages, they are more likely to abandon your website and seek out your competition. To help you better organize your website’s content and navigation to improve user engagement and conversions, follow these best practices: Create an experience that caters to your specific customer Most visitors that land on your website arrive there with enough context regarding your product or service offering. Use this to your advantage by creating a website navigation that’s simple yet descriptive. Home About Us Services (with a drop-down menu) Portfolio Blog Contact Request a Quote As a web design company and SEO agency, we know that prospective clients want to know more about our design philosophy and marketing approach, which we’ve included in the About Us section. Under Services, we’ve listed our various areas of expertise so potential partners can learn more about what we can do for their business. Within Portfolio, interested customers can see some of the work we’ve produced for other clients. We also link to our Blog because we know that some of our visitors want to learn more about what constitutes good web design. Our Contact page provides an open line of communication for prospective customers, media inquiries or general questions. Our Request a Quote link serves to drive targeted leads who are committed to solving their design or SEO problems. And, of course, we’ve included Home in our navigation so that customers can easily start at the beginning in case they entered our website on a different landing page. Bury lower priority pages Website owners should also be selective about the pages they link to in their navigation. Many websites have dozens -- sometimes hundreds or even thousands -- of web pages to choose from. However, you’ll want to use only top-level pages that include content aimed at developing rapport and improving your relationship with customers. Place links to less-actionable pages such as your privacy policy or your website’s terms & conditions in the footer. This allows you to keep user attention focused on the links that are more pertinent to their experience on your site. Although it may be tempting to include just one more item in your navigation, remember that sometimes ‘less is more.’ A navigation bar with fewer items makes users more likely to visit most of those pages. Conversely, one with too many links can feel... --- ### Is Your Website Ready for 2019? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/is-your-website-ready-for-2019/ - **Published:** 2018-11-20 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** web design, web development, website design trends, Website Redesign Here at Maxburst, we have something of a love/hate relationship with bad websites. On the one hand, when a business owner or executive comes to us with a web presence that is outdated or poorly-designed, it’s a good thing because we know we can help them to see some really amazing improvements. But on the other hand, we are well aware that there are a lot of people out there who don’t realize just how they are being held back by a bad website… or what it could actually be costing them. This notion hit home in the past few months as we found ourselves looking for a few new vendors to help out with our growing company. It’s been wonderful watching our clients succeed and send us referrals as their favorite New York Web Design team but expanding means looking for help from lawyers, accountants, financial planners, and numerous other professionals. When we started checking out potential vendors we did exactly what you would – gathered some suggestions and did a bit of research on the Internet. Unfortunately, some of the candidates who were pointed out to us had websites that were really underwhelming. You could say we are biased, but seeing a supposedly-successful professional firm with a poor digital presence made us wonder about other aspects of their practices that might be neglected. Ultimately, several were scrapped from our list before we even made our initial contacts. There were simply too many good choices to spend time on possible vendors who didn’t present themselves in a credible and professional way. The experience got us thinking about a new way to communicate the need for effective web design. Far too often, we speak with business owners and managers who don’t really understand why they need to keep the digital-facing parts of their companies current. So in today’s post, we want to highlight some of the “hidden” costs you incur when you use a bad website to tell the world about what you do. As we move towards a new year, and an even more competitive digital business world, let’s look at just some of the ways an underwhelming web presence hurts you… An Outdated Website Hurts Your Credibility There is a big difference between a bad company and a bad website. That can be a problem for marketers and customers alike. We were fairly certain some of the vendors we checked out were credible, professional, and trustworthy. But, their marketing and branding certainly didn’t reflect that fact. Instead, they looked like businesses that were on their way to bankruptcy, or companies that had stopped promoting themselves years ago. It’s somewhat ironic that many of the owners and executives running financially-successful professional practices don’t see any need to update their web presence. They aren’t feeling the pinch, so they assume what they have must be fine. In reality, though, potential clients (even those who have been referred) can’t know all about the history or background of the practice. All they... --- ### 6 Ways You Can Implement Social Media to Enhance Your Brand - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/6-ways-you-can-implement-social-media-to-enhance-your-brand/ - **Published:** 2018-11-01 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Company Identity, Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, social media marketing Social media continues to become part of everyday life more so than ever before. It’s not surprising to notice that some grandparents even have their own Facebook profile. What this essentially means is that the possibilities, in terms of the target demographics, the possibilities are seemingly endless. The social media marketing landscape continues to change as fast as social media itself. To successfully design a brand’s presence online, you, of course, need captivating ideas. However, just as important is the ability to adapt. If you’re not allowing your brand to be dynamic, you’ll be missing out on exposing your brand to users of both emerging social networks as well as even the outdated ones. With that in mind, it’s critical to understand the landscape of social media as it is currently, especially if you’d like to see your online marketing efforts become fruitful. 1) E-Commerce and Social Media With the exponential growth of social media use, the most logical move to make would be to integrate social media and e-commerce. As obvious as that may seem, surprisingly it has only been implemented as of recently and despite being a great monetary asset, the idea hasn’t been universally adopted just yet. Nonetheless, people are now, for the most part, used to the idea of shopping and ultimately making a purchase through the use of smartphones and tablets. Implementing an e-commerce component to your social media presence can promote sales and engagement as well. Twitter, having added a “buy” button, is a great place to start. Selling a branded t-shirt through Twitter is a pretty simple way to begin integrating e-commerce on social media platforms. Soon enough, other social networks will follow suit and begin integrating e-commerce as well. 2) The Importance of Adjusting to Trends With content and information so readily available, it is essential as a web marketer to be able to adjust their campaigns to cater to the newest trends. That’s not only up to the marketers, but their bosses as well. Superiors must offer them the freedom to incorporate agile marketing into their campaigns to remain relevant among your competition. Agile marketing basically means that you have the ability to adapt your marketing approach to sudden changes or fleeting topics and trends on social media. Although this may seem rather obvious, it should also be pretty obvious that your consumers will appreciate the effort and are even more likely to engage with a brand that is keeping up to date. 3) Content Over Everything Online marketing may as well be referred to as content marketing. Content is king and there is absolutely no denying that. While it’s always been an integral part of any online marketing campaign, its value continues to grow exponentially. The content you should aspire to create is the kind that will inspire other users to share it on their social media profiles. Whether that be a YouTube video, a Tumblr post, a tweet, a photo, an infographic or any of the other various types of content,... --- ### What Gutenberg Means for Your WordPress Business Website - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/what-gutenberg-means-for-your-wordpress-business-website/ - **Published:** 2018-09-12 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Web Design, Development, Web Development **Tags:** Gutenberg, web design, web development, WordPress You might’ve missed the news, if you didn’t pay much attention to the world of web design and online marketing over the summer, but there are some big changes coming to WordPress. Specifically, the world’s most popular content management system is getting a new publishing interface. That means what you’ll see when you decide to post an article is going to be different than the traditional WordPress menus that have been with us for many years. We suspect this might catch a lot of business owners and marketers by surprise, so let’s take a look at a few things you’ll need to know so you can get up to speed… Getting to Know the New WordPress Interface Appropriately named after Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the printing press just over five centuries ago and made it easier than ever for authors to share their work with the world, the new WordPress interface is more user-friendly. It was designed to be more intuitive, relying on more visuals and push-button tools than HTML coding. That’s probably going to be a welcome change for millions of users. In a general sense, the Gutenberg platform looks more like a modern word processing or publishing app, with text and visual tools that are easier to understand. That should significantly reduce the learning curve for new or infrequent users, while at the same time making it easier to integrate new features and functions going forward. If you want to see Gutenberg for yourself, you can install it now. However, the current release is still in testing mode meaning you could encounter unexpected bugs or errors. The full version will be rolled out soon and is expected to be integrated into WordPress as a regular feature. So, you might want to hold off. It’s also worth pointing out that we certainly don’t advise you to install this (these or any other) piece of software onto your WordPress website without the right guidance and backups in place. Otherwise, you could end up erasing content and losing features without warning. With that important disclaimer out of the way, let’s get to what you really want to know: how will Gutenberg affect WordPress, your website, and your online marketing strategy? Gutenberg Encourages Content Creation and Publishing Because Gutenberg will make it easier to write and publish material directly into WordPress, it’s going to encourage content creators to work more (and more frequently). Not only is the interface clean and easy to use, but it has features that make it possible to eliminate distractions and even works seamlessly with mobile devices. Those are big benefits in and of themselves, but we suspect one thing that will really appeal to marketers is the chance to spend less time formatting and preparing their work to be published on the web. For a lot of people, developing good content is one thing, but preparing it to go online is another chore that takes way too long. It’s always nice to use a tool that is... --- ### How to Set up a Proper Remarketing Campaign for Success - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-to-set-up-a-proper-remarketing-campaign-for-success/ - **Published:** 2018-07-23 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Remarketing Campaign Remarketing is a powerful way to help turn visits to your site into sales. But it's more than just bombarding previous visitors with ads. Learn how to set up a remarketing campaign that works with this guide. Remarketing is the name of the game online. It's the reason you look at a product once and it seems to be everywhere else you look. Google ads, sidebars, email offers - they're all related to remarketing campaigns. How do they work? How do you set them up? Are they effective? We're answering those questions in the article below. What is a Remarketing Campaign How many times do you click through a link to check out a product, don't end up buying it, and click away? If you're anything like the average web user, the answer is a lot. Let's say you did this with a certain brand of a stethoscope. After you close out of the manufacturer's site, you start seeing sidebar, Facebook or other ads from that exact manufacturer. It feels like they're following you around the web. How do they do that? With remarketing. They are, so to speak, following you. Advertisers who use remarketing put a small undetectable code on their site. When someone clicks into that site, the code places an anonymous (they don't know who you are) tracker with your server address. That's called a cookie. Based on their remarketing campaign settings, they can use that cookie to show you their products via ads. The hope is that you'll think, "Oh yeah! I meant to buy that!" and re-engage. They can get as specific as showing you the exact product you'd placed in your cart or who's page you visited. Some even offer a small discount to get your click and get you back on their website. Is it Effective? In the long run, yes! Remarketing is a huge way to get people from the mouth of your funnel through to a conversion. Only 2% of shoppers buy something from your site on their first click. That means up to 98% of your online sales come from remarketing. Of course, you want that initial number to be higher and you can do that by working on your bounce rate. But you can't change the fact that consumers like to shop around before they buy. One way to make sure users buy on your site? Have customer reviews linked through Google on your product pages. Customers won't necessarily trust reviews on your site, but they trust Google. Ask your web developer to help you install the Google reviews plug-in. How to Set up Your Campaign Now that you know what remarketing is and the effect it can have, you can start looking at your own goals. Do you want more one-time clients? Or do you want to build a following that'll buy for their lifetime? Read about possible remarketing campaign goals below. Remarketing Campaign Goals In general, the goal of all remarketing campaigns is to sell products. However, there are... --- ### 10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Social Media Specialist - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/10-reasons-why-your-business-needs-a-social-media-specialist/ - **Published:** 2018-06-13 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** social media marketing   If you're on the fence about the importance of social media for your business success, it's time to hop over to the bright side. There are countless statistics demonstrating the effect that a savvy social media strategy can have on a business's bottom line. For example, did you know that 71% of consumers report that they'd recommend a company to others if they have a positive social media experience with them? Imagine how you could grow your customer base. To truly benefit from all social media can offer for your business, consider bringing on a team member responsible for this area of operation. A skilled and experienced social media specialist can implement the right strategies to get you the return on investment you're after. Not quite sold on the idea of hiring a social media manager? Read on for 10 reasons why your business needs a social media specialist. 1. Social Media Affects the Entire Business Social media isn't just for posting exciting updates about your product offerings or for gathering customer feedback. You should be taking advantage of social media for those capabilities and so much more. You may initially think that only your public relations and marketing teams can benefit from social media. That is no longer the case. The ideal social media presence can help your business thrive in virtually all departments, from human resources to customer service. Think about how your social media image can impact current and possible future employees, current customers, and potential new customers. A social media marketing specialist can work to ensure your entire business benefits from the many advantages social media can offer. 2. The Right Social Media Management Strategy Entails a Full Workload Many businesses assign social media responsibilities to employees who already have full-time roles. This is a mistake. Social media touches so many aspects of your business, so managing it right creates enough work that requires one dedicated person. Social media never stops. People are being exposed to your brand via different platforms 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. To properly manage your social media accounts, you need someone who can dedicate a significant amount of time to work. The social media space is fast-paced. Posting fresh content on your social media channels on a regular basis is important, and consistency across your message is also vital. A social media manager can create and execute a content plan and manage a posting schedule. Social media works like search engines now, and you want to be ready with the right message at the right time. 3. A Social Media Specialist Knows the Latest Trends Having a dedicated social media specialist means having a team member who has intimate knowledge and insight into the social media space. This includes staying up-to-date on the latest trends and statistics. Because social media is such a vibrant and busy space, the trends tend to change quickly. What works one month may not work the next. Part... --- ### As of July 2018, Google is Locking Up Your Firm’s Website and Throwing Away the Key - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/google-is-locking-up-your-firms-website-and-throwing-away-the-key/ - **Published:** 2018-06-01 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Development, Search Engine Marketing, Web Development **Tags:** Gogole, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, web development Earlier this year Google announced a significant change in how they will rank websites for mobile searches. As of July 2018, Google will now consider the “site speed” or loading time of your mobile site as part of its ranking algorithm. This aptly titled “Speed Update” will lower the rankings of certain sites under certain conditions within the mobile search results pages. Google maintains the update will only affect pages that “deliver the slowest experience to users” and will only affect a “small percentage of queries” in total. However, considering that Google processes some 3.5 billion search queries per day, that “small percentage” can amount to millions of affected websites. You don’t want your firm’s website to be one of those affected. While the speed update isn’t as significant as previous Google algorithm updates, you should be aware of the potential ramifications and prep your website ahead of time if you value your Google ranking. Why Page Speed and Why Now? The search industry leader has increasingly prioritized page speed or page loading times in recent years. Google has used page speed as a ranking factor for desktop searches as far back as April of 2010. In February 2016, Google began highlighting AMP pages (Accelerated Mobile Page technology aimed at speeding up mobile page rendering and content delivery) within their mobile search result pages. Even more recently, they’ve made the switch to the Mobile First Index shifting overall search results towards favoring the mobile version of the website over the desktop version. This ongoing series of mobile-focused changes to the Google search algorithm is crucial to all websites considering most users today search the web via mobile devices. Mobile searches first surpassed desktop searches in 2015 and have continued trending upwards. While Google has not provided official numbers recently, there are numerous third-party reports highlighting the continued rise of mobile. For example, StatCounter reports that mobile traffic in the United States now accounts for 54 percent of overall web traffic. Google aims to deliver the most relevant and user-friendly results to their users and taking page speed into consideration is one more step in that direction. Will the Page Speed Update Affect My Firm’s Website? So, what are we to make of all this? If this update isn’t necessarily a significant” change, should you still be worried? Short answer: yes. As previously mentioned, Google processes somewhere in the vicinity of 3.5 billion search queries per day. Even if a small percentage of those queries fall under the conditions set forth in this update, it may lead to millions of sites being affected. If your website is one of those affected, even a slight drop in rankings can be catastrophic. BrightEdge, a leading SEO marketing platform developer, reported that mobile versus desktop search queries produce different rankings almost 80 percent of the time. In other words, you need to pay attention to where your website is ranking in both mobile and desktop searches. The above chart lays out the click-thru percentage of each mobile search result based on position. The... --- ### Website Design and Development 101: A Primer on Page Load Time - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/a-primer-on-page-load-time/ - **Published:** 2018-04-21 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Danny Wong **Categories:** Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** image optimization, PageSpeed By Danny Wong In an increasingly on-demand world, audiences everywhere expect information to be delivered fast and efficiently. Their encounter with your website should be no different. Our team has audited hundreds of websites in recent years and noticed an overwhelming majority of them have one common problem: painfully slow page load times which are crippling their businesses. What is page load time? Page load time is a measurement which quantifies the amount of time it takes for the contents of a page to display to users. The clock starts as soon as a visitor enters the page and ends when all items on the page are fully loaded on their browser. However, some websites have faster page load times while others have slower ones. To test your website’s current performance, use tools such as Google’s PageSpeed Insights or Pingdom Website Speed Test. Upon completion of the tests, record the calculated speed and optimization scores along with any recommendations provided to reference later. The downsides of slow web pages Within seconds, the modern consumer can research information on any topic that interests them. As a website manager, the hope is that their search leads them to your website where they’ll also stick around. It’s easy to assume that their only expectation, in this instance, would be accurate and thorough answers to all of their questions. Indeed, that helps. But what’s also very important is how quickly they can access the information you’ve provided. A 2017 survey from Akamai analyzed 10 billion user visits across the websites on its content delivery network and confirmed that the average consumer has a low tolerance for long wait times. Three data points from the study include: “A two-second delay in web page load time increase bounce rates by 103%.” “53% of mobile site visitors will leave a page that takes longer than three seconds to load.” “A 100-millisecond delay in website load time can hurt conversion rates by 7%.” Furthermore, research conducted by Aberdeen Group and Gomez.com in 2008 provided similar findings. For each additional second of delay in page load time, websites experience a 11% decrease in page views and a 16% decrease in customer satisfaction. It’s clear then that slow web pages create frustration among visitors, which causes them to prematurely abandon your website. Often, those disgruntled users turn to a competitor’s website and become reluctant to return. Long-term this leads to a decline in web traffic and sales. Slow page load times hurt your SEO too. According to Google, desktop and mobile page speed are official factors that impact website rankings in its search results. Fortunately, there are creative and technical solutions that can help your web pages load faster so you can recover those lost visits and conversions. How to improve page performance To produce web pages that load within a few seconds, digital marketing software provider Moz recommends website owners do eight things: Use Gzip for CSS, HTML and JavaScript file compression. Optimize and minify your CSS, JavaScript and... --- ### Maxburst Named a Web Design & Development Leader by Clutch - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/maxburst-named-a-web-design-development-leader-by-clutch/ - **Published:** 2018-04-11 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Web Design, Web Development Clutch recently released a report unveiling 204 companies that provide the best creative, design, and development services in New York. We are happy to announce that based on in-depth client feedback, Maxburst was recognized in 4 different research categories including being listed as a top web design company. About Clutch Clutch is a B2B research, ratings and reviews platform that is HQ in Washington, D.C. Each year, they have a press release identifying the top performing agencies and development companies in each city based on a unique rating methodology. Over 7,000 companies on Clutch are evaluated and ranked based on their market presence, work quality, services offered and client feedback. Clutch displays research using a Leader’s Matrix, a 2x2 matrix where service providers are mapped based on their areas of focus and their proven ability to deliver. In 2018, Maxburst was recognized for having the top web designers, Drupal developers, WordPress developers and PHP developers in New York. Take a look below! Our Reviews Clutch analyst work with B2B service provides to conduct validated client interviews in order to maximize the experience for both vendors and buyers. Since our 2014 debut on Clutch, Maxburst has had 7 client reviews on the ratings platform. The feedback received has been amazing, with our clients commending Maxburst for our superior technical skills and our ability to take feedback and grow from it. Below are excerpts of some of our reviews found on our profile: “I wouldn’t hesitate recommending them to anyone of my colleagues looking to do such a project. MAXBURST was and continues to be an absolute pleasure to work with…I strongly recommend them.” – Marketing Director, Transervice Corp. “They've come through with their promises and project plan. Our expectations were set from the beginning, and scope changes (from our side as the client) were handled well.” – CEO, MASS Communications “The work MAXBURST has done is impeccable. They just really did a great job. IT was very convenient and very easy to use.” – Founder, Subsidiary of Phantom Fiber Corp. Thank You We would like to thank our amazing clients that took the time to review us on Clutch. Being recognized as a top IT company would not be possible without their feedback. We offer a wide range of design and development services and strive to provide each client with a personal experience. Our main goal is to build meaningful relationships with our clients when working with them on their projects. I think you’ll see that dedication if you browse our reviews on Clutch. If you’re interested in our top-rated services, make sure to contact us and check out our Clutch profile. --- ### Why Do Some Web Design Agencies Outsource Their Work? - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/why-do-some-web-design-agencies-outsource-their-work/ - **Published:** 2018-04-05 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Danny Wong **Categories:** Web Design, Web Development By Danny Wong Before you decide to hire a new web design agency or agree to renew an existing engagement with your current agency partner, ask them if you haven’t already: “Will you outsource any of the work?” Wait for their answer and follow up with a simple, “Why?” An honest “yes” shouldn’t automatically disqualify the vendor the same way a plain “no” doesn’t guarantee they will be the best fit team for the project. Take this opportunity to probe their reasoning for why they’ve chosen or decided against outsourcing any of the work for your engagement. At MAXBURST, for instance, we cover an overwhelming majority of our engagements exclusively in-house. That’s because we’ve worked hard to build a highly trained staff of over 30 people who are experts in their field. We take this approach because we’re firm believers that the best work is often done by a team of hand-selected staff who’ve worked together on numerous projects already. However, there are some instances in which we partner with other technical specialists to produce limited deliverables. We’re clear with clients about where our strengths lie, and we’re transparent about the areas where we need to collaborate with reputable and skilled vendors to fully meet customer needs and accommodate their timeline. Of course, different web design agencies take their own approach to fulfilling client projects, which we’ll dissect below. Strictly in-house: A carefully curated A-team Typically, the best web design agencies handle most of their work in-house. Smart agency owners know their biggest asset -- and their largest competitive advantage -- is their creative talent. So, rather than manage a network of freelancers, top-tier agencies recruit the best designers to work with them full-time. This allows the agency to carefully curate a creative team that’s capable of completing projects that exceed client expectations. Naturally, that explains why agencies prefer to retain designers. But why would this benefit customers? Although clients themselves could feasibly wrangle together a bunch of designers to work on a project and other agencies could do the same with a handful of part-time creatives, what gives dedicated in-house teams their advantage is their streamlined communications, established systems and interpersonal relationships. In-house staff members that have worked together on dozens, if not hundreds, of client engagements have established a strong working rapport and utilize processes that enable them to effectively and efficiently output high-quality client deliverables. In an article for Harvard Business Review, business professors Robert S. Huckman and Bradley Staats shared a revealing story. “A few years ago one of us met an orthopedic surgeon with a reputation as the Henry Ford of knee replacements. Most surgeons take one to two hours to replace a knee, but this doctor routinely completes the procedure in 20 minutes. In a typical year, he performs more than 550 knee replacements — 2.5 times as many as the second-most-productive surgeon at his hospital — and has better outcomes and fewer complications than many colleagues.” Huckman and Staats attribute some of his... --- ### 10 SEO Tactics You Can Use Right Now - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/10-seo-tactics-you-can-use-right-now/ - **Published:** 2018-02-19 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Search Engine Marketing, Website Security   Getting found on the web can be daunting, so we’ve compiled 10 tips and tricks you can start implementing immediately to optimize your website for search engines. 1) Get Mobile Friendly 50% of all mobile searches are conducted in the hope of finding local results, and 61% of those searches result in a purchase, according to SearchEngineWatch.com. Mobile friendly, responsive sites tend to achieve a higher rank in Google search results, especially while searching on a mobile device. For many businesses, a mobile-friendly web presence is quicker, easier, and more affordable than you might think. To start, remember to optimize layouts, logos, and other graphics on your site for mobile devices and remove unnecessary clutter on your site. In addition to your mobile-friendly website, mobile apps are also a great way to be found. 2) Create Keyword-Rich Content When customers search for what you offer, they use keywords and phrases. For example, if they need an accountant, they might type “tax preparation Smithtown” into a search engine. Businesses want to rank as high as possible for the most common keywords and phrases their customers use in a search. Natural-sounding, keyword-rich content is very important. This means no keyword stuffing, as search engines do not respond favorably. Domains are the number one factor Google uses to determine relevance in search, according to the University of Massachusetts Boston. Many businesses have multiple domains that reflect the various brands or types of products their customers seek. Keywords also belong in HTML tags such as webpage titles, meta descriptions, headings, and subheadings. Even if you don’t know HTML, content management platforms such as WordPress often have a visual interface you can use to edit this information more easily. 3) Establish and Update Local SEO Local SEO helps you get found in your hometown or region. For businesses with multiple locations, it’s important to consider local SEO for each. Businesses can increase their local SEO by listing themselves on Google My Business, Google Plus, Google Maps, yellow pages and review sites such as Yelp, and professional associations/directories. If you use Google Virtual Tour, you’ll be more likely to rank higher on Google, according to this article on Forbes. Also, be sure to include city, county, and town names in titles and descriptions, and create unique content for each location. Try to avoid cutting and pasting the same content for each location’s webpage. 4) Know Your Audience Becoming as familiar as possible with your customers and other audiences is a key marketing and SEO strategy for any business. Remember that customers search the web to solve problems or address pressing concerns. They won’t always search for your product or brand directly; they want a solution. Get on top of your competitors by finding one or more niches in your industry. Demographics, interest preferences, and direct customer feedback help businesses to find topics and niches. Niches are especially helpful in competitive industries. If your industry is very competitive, you’ll tend to rank higher for a niche... --- ### Google Warns Publishers to Upgrade to HTTPS - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/google-warns-publishers-upgrade-https/ - **Published:** 2018-02-09 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Web Development **Tags:** Search Engine Marketing, Website Security   Google has announced a deadline of July 2018 to upgrade to "https". Chrome will begin warning users if a site is unsecured. How does this affect your site? Well, over 50% of Internet browsers worldwide are Chrome, meaning this change may have a significant impact on websites without an SSL certificate. A warning will affect how secure visitors to your site will feel and cause some visitors to leave a site. This will negatively impact a sites bounce rate, advertising impressions, affiliate clicks and eCommerce sales. How Will Chrome Warn Visitors Of Unsecured Pages? According to Google's security blog. The warning will be shown in Chrome’s address bar, indicating that a website is “Not secure.” All http websites will show this warning. Google’s announcement was firm in pushing their "A secure web is here to stay" initiative. [caption id="attachment_2994" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Image from: https://security.googleblog.com/2018/02/a-secure-web-is-here-to-stay.html[/caption]   “Chrome’s new interface will help users understand that all HTTP sites are not secure, and continue to move the web towards a secure HTTPS web by default.” - https://security.googleblog.com Will Chrome Show Warnings On Mixed Content Pages? Google's announcement did not explicitly address whether mixed secure/unsecure web pages will trigger the warning. But it may be safe to assume that these kinds of pages that display a mix of secure and insecure content will trigger a warning. According to Google, Chrome's Lighthouse web page auditing tool can identify what web page elements are triggering a mixed content warning: " Mixed content audits are now available to help developers migrate their sites to HTTPS in the * latest Node CLI * version of Lighthouse, an automated tool for improving web pages. The new audit in Lighthouse helps developers find which resources a site loads using HTTP, and which of those are ready to be upgraded to HTTPS simply by changing the subresource reference to the HTTPS version." [caption id="attachment_2996" align="aligncenter" width="914"] Image from: https://www.w3schools.com/browsers/default.asp[/caption]   Perhaps the most valid reason for waiting has been technical issues. When upgrading to HTTPS there can be mixed content issues. A secured web page with links to assets (such as JavaScript or CSS) while using an unsecured URL, may or may not generate warnings. Your web design and development firm should be able to assist with this change These are issues that a site publisher needs to consider against possibly losing traffic and revenue. For those who have been sitting on the fence, there is now a date set, July 2018. All websites providing professional services and selling products should upgrade to HTTPS. This is no longer a consideration limited to eCommerce sites. The warnings will cause site visitors to begin reacting negatively to warnings on sites that have not upgraded, which will affect advertising impressions, lead generation, and potential sales. July 2018 is the deadline for when warnings will begin to show to Chrome users. Contact an experienced web development firm to help your company through the process. Reference Articles: https://security.googleblog.com/2018/02/a-secure-web-is-here-to-stay.html https://www.w3schools.com/browsers/default.asp --- ### Developing a Proper Social Media Marketing Strategy for Your Business - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/developing-a-proper-social-media-marketing-strategy-for-your-business/ - **Published:** 2017-12-21 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, reputation management, Search Engine Marketing, SEO, social media marketing Unlock the Power of Social Media: Your Blueprint for Digital Marketing Mastery Creating an effective social media marketing strategy can significantly boost your online presence and engagement. Research shows that businesses with clear, measurable goals aligned with their vision are more successful in their marketing efforts. It's crucial to start by understanding your audience's demographics and behavior, which can inform the design of tailored campaigns. Analyzing competitors can also reveal opportunities and best practices that you can incorporate. Crafting a content strategy that includes engaging visuals and consistent messaging is essential. Studies have shown that visual content is more likely to be shared and remembered by audiences. Equally important is continuously monitoring key metrics like engagement and conversion rates. This allows you to adjust your tactics for maximum impact. Ready to elevate your social media game? Let's dive deeper into how to apply these insights effectively. Setting Business Goals Let's kick things off by setting clear objectives that align with our broader business vision. By establishing specific, measurable goals, we can keep an eye on our success metrics and ensure our social media efforts are heading in the right direction. This strategic alignment not only gives us a clear path but also lets us tweak and optimize our tactics based on data-driven insights. Historically, businesses that set clear, measurable goals tend to see more success. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, companies with specific goals are ten times more likely to achieve them compared to those with vague intentions. By leveraging data and analytics, we can make informed decisions that drive growth and ensure we're meeting our targets. Define Clear Objectives Setting clear and strategic objectives is crucial for any successful social media marketing strategy. Without specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) goals, our efforts could easily become scattered and ineffective. These objectives not only align our social media marketing goals with our broader business goals but also provide a focused roadmap to success. By defining clear goals, we can optimize our social media strategies and measure our progress accurately. Here's how we can set effective objectives: Increase Brand Awareness: Our goal might be to boost our brand's visibility by increasing followers, shares, and mentions. This helps us reach a wider audience and establish our presence in the market. According to a study by Sprout Social, brands with higher social media engagement tend to have better brand recall and loyalty. Drive Website Traffic: We aim to increase the number of visitors to our website through social media, enhancing our chances of converting visitors into customers. Research from HubSpot shows that social media is a significant driver of website traffic, which can lead to higher conversion rates. Enhance Customer Engagement: Encouraging more likes, comments, and interactions on our posts can foster a stronger connection with our audience and build a loyal community. According to a report by Gallup, businesses that engage with customers on social media see a 20% to 40% increase in revenue per customer. Generate Leads and Sales: Ultimately, our social media efforts should contribute to our bottom line by driving sales and acquiring... --- ### 7 Advantages of Social Media Marketing for Your Business - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/7-advantages-of-social-media-marketing-for-your-business/ - **Published:** 2017-12-07 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media **Tags:** Content Marketing, Facebook, social media marketing, Twitter Beyond Posting: Strategic Social Media Marketing Social media marketing offers us seven key advantages to grow our business, all backed by solid evidence and success stories. First, it increases brand awareness by connecting us with billions of users. According to Statista, as of 2021, over 4.48 billion people use social media worldwide. Second, it enhances our credibility through active engagement and positive interactions. Studies have shown that consumers are more likely to trust brands that are active on social media. Third, we can boost content marketing by creating shareable posts and targeted ads. Take the example of Wendy's, whose witty posts and interactions have garnered millions of shares and retweets. Fourth, improved customer engagement allows us to build real-time relationships. A Salesforce report highlighted that 70% of customers expect brands to engage with them in real-time. Fifth, it's a cost-effective advertising solution with precise audience targeting. Facebook Ads, for instance, lets us reach specific demographics for a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising. Sixth, we gain better audience insights to tailor our strategies. Tools like Facebook Insights and Twitter Analytics help us understand our audience's preferences. Lastly, we drive higher web traffic by sharing engaging content and linking to our website. According to HubSpot, companies with an active blog generate 55% more website visitors. Let's uncover how these benefits can transform our business. Increased Brand Awareness By leveraging social media marketing, we can significantly boost our brand's visibility and connect with a global audience of over 4.26 billion people. This immense reach is transformative for businesses aiming to innovate and expand their influence. Social media platforms give us a unique chance to showcase our brand to a diverse and expansive audience, making it easier than ever to engage with potential customers worldwide. Consistent posting is crucial for maintaining a strong social media presence. By regularly sharing content, we keep our brand at the forefront of our audience's minds. However, it's not just about frequency; the quality of our posts is equally important. High-quality, engaging content encourages followers to interact with our brand, share our posts, and even become loyal customers. This engagement directly enhances our content marketing efforts, allowing us to repurpose and amplify our existing content to reach an even broader audience. Engaging with followers is another key strategy. When we respond to comments, share user-generated content, and participate in conversations, we build a community around our brand. This interaction not only fosters loyalty but also enhances our brand's visibility. Each interaction serves as a touchpoint that can lead to increased brand awareness and customer trust. Our social media presence is more than just a digital footprint; it's a dynamic platform for growth and innovation. By using these powerful tools, we can enhance our content marketing, maintain consistent posting, and actively engage with our followers. In doing so, we elevate our brand visibility, connecting with a global audience in a meaningful and impactful way. Let's embrace social media marketing to propel our brand to new heights. Enhanced Credibility Having a strong social media presence can significantly enhance our credibility and build trust with consumers. When we actively engage with our followers, we're not just pushing our products or services; we're creating a community. This sense of connection makes our brand look more reliable and trustworthy, which is... --- ### How to Break Through the Fear of Getting Online Reviews - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/getting-online-reviews/ - **Published:** 2017-11-21 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, online reviews, reputation management, Search Engine Marketing, SEO The Synergy of Web Design, Digital Marketing, and Online Reviews Online reviews have become a crucial component of business success. However, many businesses shy away from actively seeking and managing reviews due to fear of criticism. What if we told you that overcoming this fear could be the key to unlocking unprecedented growth? With the right web design and digital marketing strategies, you can not only embrace online reviews but also turn them into powerful tools for business enhancement. Effective review management starts with a well-designed website. A user-friendly interface that seamlessly integrates review systems can significantly increase the likelihood of customers leaving feedback. This is where professional web development services come into play, creating intuitive platforms that encourage customer engagement. Digital marketing strategies amplify the impact of positive reviews and help mitigate the effect of negative ones. From social media campaigns showcasing glowing testimonials to targeted email marketing that solicits feedback, these tactics work in tandem with your web presence to build a robust online reputation. Embracing the Power of Feedback By leveraging web design and digital marketing services, businesses can: Streamline the review collection process Showcase positive feedback prominently on their website Implement SEO strategies that highlight favorable reviews in search results Use social proof to build trust and credibility Let's explore how you can overcome the fear of online reviews and harness their potential through strategic web design and digital marketing approaches. By the end of this article, you'll be ready to boost your online presence and transform criticism into a catalyst for growth. Transform Criticism into Growth: Embrace Online Reviews to Elevate Your Business We all naturally shy away from criticism, but overcoming the fear of online reviews is crucial for business growth. First, let's pinpoint the root of our fear—whether it's the dread of negative feedback or the anxiety of public scrutiny. Then, shift our perspective: view negative feedback as a chance to improve. Start by requesting reviews from your loyal customers to build confidence. Make it a routine to ask for feedback and streamline the process with custom links or automated systems. Online reviews are a powerful tool for business growth. By effectively managing and responding to reviews, businesses can enhance their brand reputation and customer engagement. Embracing reviews helps us grow and continuously enhance our services. Ready to boost your online presence and learn more? Let's dive in. Identify Your Fear Let's start by understanding what exactly triggers our fear of online reviews. Is it the fear of negative feedback or the sting of rejection? Studies show that humans are naturally averse to criticism due to our innate desire for social acceptance and approval. By embracing constructive criticism, supported by research indicating that feedback can lead to significant personal and professional growth, we can turn these fears into opportunities for improvement.   Understand Your Triggers Understanding our triggers is the first step in overcoming the fear of soliciting online reviews. By identifying what specifically sparks our fear of asking for customer feedback, we can address those underlying concerns head-on. Research shows that fear of negative feedback or rejection... --- ### Tips for Creating Productive Web Development Teams - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/tips-for-creating-productive-teams/ - **Published:** 2017-10-12 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Brian Winum **Categories:** Development, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, Search Engine Marketing Strong companies contain unbreakable circles made of productive team members. It’s a fact that productive web development teams generate more service hours with less stress. However, some think that successful team members are born that way. In reality, managers can help almost anyone learn to be more productive in a specific amount of time. What’s more, the techniques used to build super-efficient teams helps members grow in their personal lives too. Learn Each Team Member’s Circadian Rhythm Over a 24-hour period, we all experience circadian rhythms. These are behavioral, mental and physical changes that are affected by light and darkness. Determine when each team member’s circadian rhythm for being alert is at a high level and they’ll do their best work. Schedule High Productivity Projects during Peak Alertness Times Although it varies by individual, studies show that for many, top peak hours of alertness are mid-morning, before noon, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. and before 6 p.m. Night workers may have different circadian rhythms. Have teams log off Chat and email for an hour or two during peak alert times. Schedule Routine Tasks during Low Output Times Typical low output hours are at 6 a.m., noon, at 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., after 6 p.m., and in the late evening. Those times are perfect for filing, returning phone calls, reading for research purposes, and of course, reading emails and logging onto Chat. Encourage Team Members to Get Enough Sleep Research shows that sleep deprivation affects our internal balance during waking hours. Without it, we may feel fatigued, have memory loss, be grumpy and lack coordination. Sleep gives our brains a chance to rest and get ready to think of fresh ideas later on. When team members get enough rest, it affects their personal lives too. They’ll have more “awake” time to spend with their families after their work day. Help Employees Keep a Positive Attitude Nothing’s wrong with setting goals and streamlining operations. Today, it’s important to know what your employees consider useful perks to stay productive. Some ideas are flexible work schedules, bonus pay, an onsite daycare, or even a gym. Team members are more positive when they support and respect one another. They take individual responsibility, forgive, inspire, and realize the importance of their work. Consider an annual retreat or workshop to raise morale and encourage building trust among team members. Embrace Creativity and Recognize Individual Talent Good employees are a large or small company’s greatest asset. Don’t forget to tell individual team members what your company values most about them. Next, make sure they have the right tools to complete their assignments. Limit Interruptions during Peak Alertness Working Hours Think about having teams discuss the data they need from each other during low output hours. This prepares them to be the most productive during peak alertness times. Use the Handover Method For team members in different time zones, use the handover method. After a worker completes his part of a project during specific peak alertness hours... --- ### Gain Credibility with the Magic of White Papers - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/gain-credibility-with-the-magic-of-white-papers/ - **Published:** 2017-09-28 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, Search Engine Marketing White papers help speed up the process of building trust between businesses and prospects. Every day, you create value by selling the products and services your customers need and want. You could say you’re a problem solver. As such, the more people that know how your business can help them, the better. Start building credibility with white papers. In general, a white paper explains how a business helped solve another business's problem. Add these documents to your marketing mix. You’ll get more exposure and earn trustworthiness, which could lead to increased sales. White Papers Help Clarify What Your Business Offers Studies show that most people value their time when they search for vendors. They need to know what your business offers after a few seconds of visiting your website. Otherwise, they’ll move on to the competition. Use white papers as tools to educate prospects. Show them what projects your business has completed and what it continues to do for its customers. Proves Your Company’s Customization Skills White papers show real-life examples of how a business fixed a unique problem for a customer. They highlight the ability to adapt and tailor solutions. Prospects admire businesses that are flexible and experienced in handling problems. Helps to Build Confident Customer Relationships Credibility fosters consumer confidence. White papers are low-key sales tools designed to build the kind of integrity that businesses earn from their customers. Instead of a hard sales pitch, the white paper’s soft lead takes the prospect on a journey to learn more. For example, you could link the white paper to a video version to illustrate how you solved the problem. Another idea is to add a link to a video or photo of a customer where the customer gives an update on the results spoken of in the white paper. A link to a demo of how a product works is a good soft call-to-action (CTA) too. Tips on Creating Effective White Papers 1. Determine the purpose for your white paper. Decide where you want the reader to go afterwards. Remember the white paper is a trust-building tool. Take prospects on a path to get to know your business. It will encourage them to make a wise purchasing decision to buy your products and services. 2. Introduce the white paper. Be brief. Write a line or two about a problem a customer faced and then give an overview of the solution your business provided. Keep in mind time is a factor for your audience. The short summary should help your readers determine if it’s something they want to continue to read. 3. In the body of the white paper, give some background about the problem. If you want, state something the customer had tried that didn’t work before they asked you for help. Finally, give more details about your implemented solution that solved the customer’s problem. 4. Wrap up the white paper with a recap to ensure that the reader understood the purpose of the document. Add a soft CTA... --- ### How Startups Can Avoid Making Common Marketing Errors - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/how-startups-can-avoid-making-common-marketing-errors/ - **Published:** 2017-08-18 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, digital agency, Search Engine Marketing, web design, web development Like a falling domino, one certain type of marketing error can eventually flatten a company. When running a website, startups often blur the duties of marketing teams and web developers. The most noticeable side effect is a reduced bottom-line and revenue. It's vital to understand how the roles of the developer and marketer differ. When new businesses realize this, they're more apt to give marketers the tools they need to do their jobs. Website management and marketing is a team effort. The result is higher profits, better productivity, and happier employees. What a Website Does for Your Company Your website is on of the most significant marketing investments that your company will make. Anyone can view your website and find out about what you sell and how to buy your goods and services. It’s extremely important for all businesses looking to grow their market. Web Developers Have a Specific Role to Play Web Developers handle your website’s functionality and features. Among other things, they apply code so your website’s buttons work when clicked. Developers also ensure that items end up where they’re expected, but it’s marketing’s duty to upload the graphics and content. Fast-moving startups that make developers responsible for everything is like a bike peddling backwards. Moving in that direction can take your company out of a competitive state. In Marketing, Timing is Everything Marketing’s responsibilities include uploading images, editing, and posting articles on the company’s website. They focus on branding, SEO, SEM and more. Sales event notices, online campaigns, and informative blog posts are time-sensitive examples of website additions. It’s disadvantageous for marketing to make a formal request to developers to deploy code. For example, an online marketing campaign can’t wait months to launch. By then, it may be irrelevant to your audience. The Answer that Solves Marketing’s Content Publishing Problem Content Management System (CMS) software offers an easy-to-use solution for marketers. With it, they're able to publish website content fast without the help of a web developer! The 3.9 billion dollar web content management industry is expected to grow to 8.25 billion dollars by 2021. According to a recent report, WordPress has almost 60 percent of the market share of CMS. Other key players are Joomla, and Drupal. A complementing tool for hosting CMS software is Pantheon. Its container-based setup is easy to use and efficient for marketers. The Common (and Unfortunate) Life of a Startup’s Website and When Things Go Bad Phase 1: You’ve designed your website using flat HTML/CSS or XHTML/CSS code. It’s fine to have your web developers take care of limited website content only in this very early stage. Phase 2: Your business grows. You hire one or more marketers and you teach them “the developers way” to update your website. Phase 3: Marketing complains because it is unable to update the website. They request a simpler method and CMS software. No one listens. Phase 4: As your company matures, the marketing team becomes more frustrated. Departmental productivity slows down, but no one... --- ### The Main Function of Your Homepage - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-main-function-of-your-sites-homepage/ - **Published:** 2017-08-01 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** web design, web development Give visitors a chance to open the homepage “door” of your website. It’s likely you’ve come across some websites that use a homepage to tell their entire story. You might even have thought the businesses that use a homepage as a landing page were smart to save money. In some cases, such as news feed sites and some photo gallery promoting companies, it may be appropriate. The truth is, most one-page websites don’t thrive as much as those that use a homepage in a more effective way. A long-term winning strategy is to use your homepage as a door that leads the way to the great content on your website. Pave the Way to a Clutter-Free Website A single homepage showing many offers confuses visitors. What’s more, there's a higher risk of displaying images with malfunctioning links. Aim for an uncluttered homepage and plan on having several landing pages with a single focus. Set the Stage for Landing Page Tracking Having one offer per page, not all on the homepage, makes it easier to track bounce rates. Use statistics to show exactly how long a visitor stays on a landing page. Otherwise, you'll have to guess at which particular offer stirred more interest. After reviewing and understanding the statistics, optimize the pages that have show high abandonment.   Simplify A/B Testing Congested, non-focused homepages miss the opportunity to conduct insightful A/B testing. A/B, also known as “split-testing” increases conversion rates. A/B testing is comparing the results of two pages that are the almost the same except for one element. For example, it's common to test the effectiveness of a call-to-action (CTA) button or a landing page heading. It's important to measure only one element per test. You'd send the original version to one group and the variation to another group at the same time. Foster Relationship-Building for First Time Visitors Forming business relationships is important to many companies and consumers. Organizations and individuals want to know if a new vendor is trustworthy.  If you’re a business-to-business (B2B) company, for instance, business-owners want to know you’ll deliver as promised before buying a large quantity of goods and services. They might think that a website with just a homepage, just based on its sheer thinness in content, isn’t as legitimate as one with several pages. Business-to-consumer (B2C) companies know that many consumers are savvy buyers too. Individuals also use caution when selecting an online vendor. They know that a one-pager can disappear from search engines much faster than a website with multiple pages. The deliberate intention of your homepage as an introduction to your website may help yield a personal value: trust. Earning it could greatly speed up the realization of your website’s goals. Things You Should Do Now It’s not too late to make changes to positively impact your website. First, have it reevaluated by a professional. If you’re getting a new website created, you’re in a great position to make your homepage work for you in the best way possible straight... --- ### The Main Benefits of SSL Encryption for Web Development - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/the-main-benefits-of-ssl-encryption-for-web-development/ - **Published:** 2017-06-08 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Web Development **Tags:** Search Engine Marketing, ssl, web development, Website Security SSL is a safer alternative to non-secured HTTP. Trustworthy Internet Movement surveyed more than 139,000 of the most popular websites. It determined that 57 percent were safe in their Secure Socket Layer (SSL) management efforts in May 2017. Businesses as a whole seem to be moving in the right direction. If you haven’t given it much thought, now is the perfect time to make the switch to SSL. The sooner you do, the faster you too can gain from its many benefits. SSL Secures Server-to-Server Data Transfers Here’s generally how SSL works. SSL encrypts and decrypts data packets between servers. The data may include identifiable information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and browsing history. The latest SSL protocol is Transport Layer Security (TLS). It’s considered to be SSL’s successor. HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, whereas HTTP is Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Websites with active SSL certificates show “https://” along with a green padlock icon in the address bar. SSL Encryption is Better than HTTP Alone Copycat websites that use plain HTTP often go undetected. Even a non-fraudulent website using the old HTTP is at the mercy of hackers who can then redirect a visitor’s filled-out form submission data. Contrastingly, if a trustworthy website uses encrypted data—HTTPS managed by SSL—it renders these Man in the Middle (MITM) attacks useless. SSL Benchmarks Your Website For a small and medium-sized business (SMB) competing on a local level with larger businesses in the same industry, a SSL certificate is a must-have marketing asset. It conveys to website visitors that you take their security seriously, maybe even more than a larger scale competitor does. SSL Certificates Benefit SEO Results Google rewards websites with SSL certificates by ranking HTTPS pages higher in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). In fact, it considers HTTP without SSL untrustworthy. Use HTTPS to rank and it might lead to more conversions. HTTPS also preserves referral traffic information. Know where your traffic comes from to create better campaigns. Laser focus your marketing dollars to get the most ROI. It Builds Consumer Trust Counterfeit websites are still around and growing. The villains behind these websites use phishing techniques like sending out spam emails with fake links for the unsuspecting to click. SSL certificates verify website authenticity. It proves that you’re the real deal and acts as an immediate trust builder for your prospects and existing customers. Create a Security Strategy that Includes SSL SSL certificates for HTTPS are necessary; however, it’s recommended to take a compound-security approach. For example, SSL certificates won’t stop information from being manipulated if someone has already compromised your website. Check that your security software is working and always keep it up to date. Be aware that hackers can possess fake SSL certificates. Visitors should click on the green padlock to determine who really owns a website. Obtain your SSL certificate to squash questions about your own website’s authenticity. Encryption in transit and encryption at rest are two different things. SSL protects encryption in transit but... --- ### Simple Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Website’s Ranking - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/simple-steps-you-can-take-to-improve-your-websites-ranking/ - **Published:** 2017-04-24 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design **Tags:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Website Redesign Look closely and you’ll find when it comes to ranking high in SERPs, quality makes all the difference. It's still true that the first page in the search engine results pages (SERPs) gets the most traffic and the most clicks. Many times, if searchers don’t find what they need fast, instead of looking through dozens of pages, they’ll input new keywords and search again. The good news is that ranking high is doable. Take a proactive approach to getting your business to place in a top SERP position. Leaving it to chance is like putting money on the table and then walking away. Frequently Update Your Website with Relevant Content Relevant content, updated often, tells your audience you’re serious. From a ranking standpoint, search engines notice the frequent activity. This increases your brand awareness and placement as an authoritative presence. Display original, high quality content as often as you can. Long-form blog posts and articles outrank shorter pieces. A 600- to 2,000-word range is optimal to keep visitors engaged on your website longer. Google pays attention and may improve your SERP ranking. Two more benefits to keeping fresh quality content on your website are (1) current and potential customers appreciate the information, and (2) they may share it with others. Improve Keyword Relevancy Select a primary keyword that describes your niche industry. Be careful not to overstuff. Opt for organic, natural-sounding keywords and phrases. These tend to rank higher than forced keywords. Find Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords. LSI keywords are words and phrases that have the same meaning. Gather ideas by conducting an internet search on your primary keyword or phrase. Take note of the results shown in the drop-down list. Use the ones that are pertinent to your particular type of business. Remove Intrusive Interstitials Interstitials are pop-up ads that cover up at least a portion of readable content on a page. These ads may also all of a sudden show when a visitor scrolls. Some ads take up the entire area above the fold leaving the original content the searcher was looking for below the fold. Most, but not all interstitials are intrusive. The exceptions are login dialogs, age verification queries, and other private pop-ups. If an interstitial appears in mobile search results, Google penalizes that website by giving it a lower rank. The bottom line: It’s best to skip the shortcuts and optimize your website the correct way. Complete Metadata Information Fill out the Title, Description, and Keyword metadata fields for each webpage. The Title metadata appears in the browser window. The Description metadata describes a particular webpage so visitors understand what it’s about. The Keyword metadata is crucial for the webpage to appear in SERPs. Try to limit your total amount of keyword phrases to eight. More than that may look spammy and search engines might not index your website. Organize, Categorize, and Promote Important Pages Structure your site in a logical way. Define and highlight your most significant pages. Identify the pages that generate... --- ### 6 Reasons Why 2017 Should Be the Year You Redesign Your Website - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/6-reasons-why-2017-should-be-the-year-you-redesign-your-website/ - **Published:** 2017-03-09 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Steph Mojica **Categories:** Web Design, Design, Development, Search Engine Marketing, Web Development **Tags:** Content Marketing, google mobile first responsive, Mobile Responsive, Website Redesign, Website Security Many people make New Year’s resolutions. These resolutions sometimes include eating healthier foods, exercising more frequently, or dedicating more time to volunteer work. Sometimes, resolutions can be more unique such as learning a new skill. Whatever your resolution may be, these goals always have a common denominator: to improve one’s life. From a business point of view, one of these goals may be to improve your website. Maybe you don’t need a total redesign but instead need minor changes to greatly improve your website’s success. This article will examine some of the factors that affect your web success so you can reach your 2017 goals. 1. Visual Appeal The importance of a first impression should not be undermined. Websites are vital for businesses to connect with prospective clients, customers, and investors. You must consider your website’s visual appeal and how it represents your business. You must need creative, visual components while maintaining functionality. Make sure your website looks up to date and has a great visual design because if you don’t, visitors will view your business more negatively overall. 2. Mobile-Friendliness A website’s compatibility with different devices is a key component to achieve overall success. Statistics have demonstrated that users are accessing sites on their mobile devices more so than on desktop computers. If you’re website is not compatible to mobile devices, your brand will miss out on huge opportunities to reach your target audience. Not only should your site be compatible with devices, but it’s important to optimize your site for mobile devices to offer a great user experience. It’s important to understand the impact that compatibility has on search rankings as well. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, your search rankings on various engines will be compromised. Professional designers today consider mobile-friendliness a crucial component, not just an optional one. 3. Content Another key aspect of websites is the content on your website. It should be easy for users to navigate your website and find the content they need. This content should also be relevant to the industry and maintained on a regular basis. People don’t care about the past, they care about the present. Since businesses only have between two and four seconds to engage their users, it’s important to make targeted, current content that is easy to find. Like mobile-friendliness, content is another aspect that affects search engine rankings. Search engines rank sites based on how much content is presented on the sites. If you only have a little bit of content, search engines will rank you lower due to poor quality. Optimized and relevant content that is optimized for search engines is beneficial to users and businesses alike. While users can be rewarded with a great user experience, businesses can get more traffic. If the content is high-quality, the content will most likely be shared on social media which is another bonus. 4. Effectiveness Measuring the effectiveness of your website is another crucial component in website design. You must measure how well your site is working... --- ### Tips on How to Define the Main Purpose of Your Website - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/tips-on-defining-the-main-purpose-of-your-website/ - **Published:** 2017-02-28 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Design, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** digital agency, web development, website design Research makes a purposeful website, and a website with a goal becomes a useful tool for its visitors. Your website is your primary online presence, the “Internet face” of your business. It’s the trusted website where anyone can go to learn about your offerings. To better serve your prospects and customers, your website must have a purpose and you must have a plan. This simplifies the entire website design and development process. Best of all, your company may reach its website’s goals much faster. Identify Your Target Audience Start with your business plan. It names your general your target market and lists your intended marketing strategies. Review your mission statement and consider the reasons why you started your business. Buy in to the perspective that your website is not for you rather it’s to serve your customers. See it as a tool that helps your company reach its objectives identified in your business plan. Review Website Statistics Statistics play a huge role in defining or even redefining the main purpose for your website. View your current website’s analytical reports. Look at pages visited and abandonment rates. Learn about your website's visitors such as their geographical location, gender, age, and occupation. These people have showed interest in finding more about products and services like yours. Research Customer's Technical Capability Some Internet users enjoy using a sophisticated website. Others prefer a simpler one that requires little technical expertise. The equipment they use also plays a role in how they access your website. For instance, some may use a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. Screen sizes and resolutions differ based on what they use to view your website. Take time to find out the main preference of your target audience. Benchmark Your Business’s Website Look at your top three competitor’s websites and identify commonalities. Many consumers who shop for products and services in your industry expect to see certain things. For example, if you own an auto repair shop, website visitors must know your hours of operation. They need to be able to contact you, set up an appointment, and get an estimate for automobile repair work. Benchmarking, that is, comparing standards, works for any industry. Use it to your advantage. Have what’s expected, but then offer something more or better. Think like an End-User Consider why a customer would stop by your website. Determine how you can help them accomplish what they need to when they visit. When in doubt of knowing what they want, send them a questionnaire. Ask what they like most and least about your website. Seek their advice on what you can do to improve their user experience. Listen and make adjustments. Feedback is ongoing, so realize that your website is a work in progress. After it’s "live," request comments from new visitors and existing customers on a regular basis. Make it your perpetual goal to always display meaningful content. To summarize, identify your website’s main purpose by reviewing your business plan’s mission statement and target market... --- ### A Little Animation Goes a Long Way - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/little-animation-goes-long-way/ - **Published:** 2017-02-14 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Design, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** animation, digital agency, image optimization, mobile first, mobile first responsive design, website design Code animation with the goal of streamlining your website and maximizing profits. Adding animation to a webpage is like breathing oxygen into a still-life painting. Beware though; too many movable graphics on your website can get in the way when visitors try to find what they need. Image optimization is very important during the design phase. Since it combats user abandonment, it’s always a good idea to be selective about the type of animation you use. Think of lively graphics and related imaging as enhancements. These are features that get the main purpose of your website across to its viewers. Animation used in this way won't overwhelm visitors. Instead, they’ll have a pleasant experience, find what they’re looking for and then visit again. Pop-up Notifications Communicate with your visitors without being intrusive by using pop-up notifications. Pop-ups enable you to ask a visitor if it’s okay to know their general location or request feedback. Users click “yes” or “no” and then can continue looking at your website. If pop-ups are used in moderation, they tend not to disturb visitors. Keep that tip in mind when considering your entire animation collection of elements you’ve chosen for your website. Loading Style Graphics Progress bars and spinners are examples of loading style graphics. They’re helpful because in general, some heavy scripted pages take longer than one minute to load. Unfortunately, even when using loading style graphics, if content takes too long to appear, it may force visitors to go elsewhere. Reduce this type of undesired outcome by using animation to tell a short story until the next page loads. Visitors may be more patient if they’re watching a narrative unfold alongside a spinner or progress bar. Make the visual effects worth their wait. Parallax Animation Scrolling This form of scrolling is where the front and back sections of a webpage move at different speeds. The style works well on one-page websites. If you decide to use the parallax scrolling animation method, avoid using any other major animation that could compete with it on that page. This way, visitors can better determine the intended focus of your website. Showcase Slideshows and Galleries A slideshow or gallery is an excellent animation choice for retail websites and other websites with lots of images to display. To further streamline your webpage, consider keeping third-party advertisements motionless. Make your slideshow or gallery the center of attention. Review JavaScript Usage Many of today's websites use JavaScript due to its proven performance. Hamburger navigational menus, sliders and other JavaScript-based special effects add excitement to a website. The main drawback of the language is that too much of it slows down response times. When this occurs, visitors stray. This is especially true of mobile users who need fast answers while in transit. Always aim for just enough animation to entice without overdoing it. The longer visitors stay on your website without getting discouraged, the more likely they’ll buy. The Right Amount of Animation You can remove the uncertainty and time-consuming challenge... --- ### Google's Mobile First Policy May Benefit Your Business - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/googles-mobile-first-policy-may-benefit-business/ - **Published:** 2017-01-26 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** Colleen Loos **Categories:** Search Engine Marketing, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** google algorithm change mobile, google mobile first responsive, mobile first, mobile first responsive design, mobile first strategy google Google’s shift to mobile first is about trying to keep its users who search the internet happy. Google is in the process of testing its new mobile first indexing policy that will soon be in place. It matters because all businesses that have an online presence are subject to the effects of Google Search algorithms. These algorithms are steps, a calculated, complex sequence of actions that Google programs to return the most relevant search results. Realize what the new mobile first policy means for your business and learn how you can improve your website’s chances of ranking high. Desktop Searches Were King Everyone has heard of the popular two-word phrase “Google it.” The internet search giant remembers that for decades people have used a desktop or laptop computer to search the internet. Until now, Google’s algorithms ranked desktop searches higher than mobile devices. Following a Trend: Mobile Device Usage Grows From 2008 to 2016, there’s been a steady growth of mobile phone usage while desktop has been stagnant. By the end of 2015, recent data showed that 51 percent of people in the U.S. regularly used mobile phones. Google recognized the shift in mobile device usage and is acting upon this trend. Google’s Solution to a Modern Searcher’s Problem Today, many websites have desktop and mobile versions, but the latter displays less content. This is simply due to the architecture of these websites of which Google has no control. Google can, however, give a higher ranking to the ones that are mobile-friendly. It’s trying to solve a problem for its users. When someone searches for content on a mobile device and it’s not there, yet the searcher knows that it’s available via a desktop computer, it could lead to a frustrating experience for the user. The worst-case scenario for a business is that the user moves on to find another website that is more mobile-friendly. Opt for Responsive Design Responsive design could mean the difference between whether or not your business has a high enough ranking in the search results. Responsive is the best option because it gives your website agility. It allows people to view it the same way on different devices such as a tablet, laptop, desktop, or mobile device, whichever they choose. If for some reason, you don’t want to go “responsive,” consider asking a professional website designer about using structured data markup so that Google can better understand your website’s data. When finished, the designer may check it for visibility by testing it with Googlebot. Be Prepared for More Changes Some worry that too much focus is on mobile and not enough on other search devices. To address this, make sure that your website’s back-end architecture can handle all channels.  Keep in mind that Google’s ranking system will change again at some point in time. Mobile First Represents Opportunity The switch to mobile first may open up an underutilized opportunity for your business to increase sales. Consider mobile advertising platforms, such as social media, video, local... --- ### Turn Your Website into a Year-Round Marketing Powerhouse - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/turn-website-year-round-marketing-powerhouse/ - **Published:** 2016-12-20 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Company Identity, Web Design, Web Development Use a few simple “secrets” to get your website discovered on the big World Wide Web. You know you’ve created something special. You’ve already developed great products and services, yet, running a successful business doesn’t stop there. Now you have to let as many people as possible know how they can buy what you’re selling. One of the most effective methods of telling others about your company is through your professional website. That's because more and more consumers conduct online searches to compare items before they make a purchasing decision. The bottom line: a well-developed website affects your internet search ranking in a favorable way. Help People Find Your Brand Online Existing customers and prospects view a company’s website as its “official” reliable brand presence. It’s true they want businesses to participate in social media. However, they’re fully aware that businesses exclusively control every aspect of their websites including design and content. Improve your company’s ranking by making sure the right keywords are on your homepage and throughout your website. Inform, Communicate, and Train Add an informative blog to your website. In addition to other topics, publish posts that introduce your offerings. You can also write articles to train and expand on your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. For example, if you realize that some questions need a longer answer, write a blog post about it. Add visual appeal to your content by incorporating an infographic or photo. Remember that the correct keywords help others find your posts and images on your website as well. Videos are another excellent way to show consumers what your company does. Consider embedding one on your homepage or different page to entice visitors to stay a while. Remember to track the results of your website marketing campaigns and methods to determine which ones are most effective. Take Advantage of Lead Generation Marketing Opportunities A website allows you to show many advertising promotions for maximum lead generation. For instance, on several web pages, place a simple form that asks for your visitors’ name and email address so you can send a weekly newsletter. This works in two ways: 1) You stay in touch with prospects not yet ready to buy, and 2) Existing customers remain informed—you stay fresh in their minds. Next, go beyond just offering the traditional newsletter. Place a variety of campaign-driven lead generation forms on your website. If you offer free estimates, create a short, easy to fill out form and add it to your website. Mention any promotions you have going on and add a little form for those too. Boost Your Company’s Credibility Think of positive feedback as one of your unique secret marketing weapons. It gives your company automatic credibility. Be sure to post testimonials on a separate web page or throughout your website.  On a trust factor, you’ll be positioned to jump ahead of any website in the same industry that doesn’t feature testimonials. Allow Time for Brand Building A multi-functional website that's designed for success involves planning and... --- ### MAXBURST Named Leading NYC Web Designer - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/maxburst-named-leading-nyc-web-designer/ - **Published:** 2016-11-18 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Design, Web Design In 2007, when MAXBURST, Inc., was formed, web design was in its infancy. A lot has changed since then, including a massive move to mobile, a proliferation of devices, and an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Through all of these changes MAXBURST has continued to deliver exceptional results to its customers, staying ahead of the curve and on top of new developments. Recently, our efforts were recognized in a big way. We have been named a Top Web Designer in New York City by Clutch, a B2B market research firm based in Washington, D.C. As Clutch analyst Alexa Rosenstein said: “New York City has set an extremely high bar for quality and expertise, and these agencies are standouts in their field.” Clutch uses a proprietary research methodology to evaluate digital agencies around the globe based on a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors. The analysis includes one-on-one interviews with agency clients to attain objective, transparent insights about the agencies’ work. We’re very gratified that our clients came through for us, giving us a rating of 4.8 (out of 5.0). As one client, a transportation solutions firm, said: “The entire MAXBURST team was great. These guys are at the top of their industry and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone that is serious about building a new website for their business.” Another client, a business solution company, said: “The work MAXBURST has done is impeccable. They just really did a great job. It was very convenient and very easy to use.” Learn more about what our clients had to say and about the services we offer on our Clutch profile. --- ### Web Design Trends: How to Choose the Right Ones for Your Business - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/web-design-trends-choose-right-ones-for-your-business/ - **Published:** 2016-11-11 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Design, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** design trends, web trends, website design, website design trends Choose the web design trends that best fit your goals for your website. You’ve heard that it’s best to be on the cutting edge of user interface website design trends. In truth, that’s not always a good thing. It depends on your type of business and the audience you’re trying to reach. Before you use some of the latest website design techniques, take time to determine which ones make the most sense for your business. If you do, you’ll likely avoid sacrificing profits and website usability for the sake of the most recent style of the day. Hidden Navigation The hamburger menu consists of three stacked lines that cover the navigation text on a website. This is nothing new to Google; it’s been using the hamburger menu on its Chrome browser for a while. For websites, this trend is growing and web designers are extremely creative in how they’re using this type of hidden navigation technique. One drawback is that users must make an extra click to read the text behind the menu. Hidden navigation menus also tend to reduce browser visibility. Nonetheless, sometimes they’re the best solution for removing clutter. For example, they’re great for businesses that want to display images more than text. It helps streamline navigation for large websites with many landing pages as well. Infinite Scrolling One-page infinite scrolling websites are growing in popularity. It’s successful because it keeps the user engaged on a single page as long as possible. This illusion works by having more content appear as the user scrolls down the page. Users get the impression of never-ending content. This trend is suitable for websites that have information coming in from feeds. The infinite scrolling method works well for mobile navigation too. It may not be as effective for e-commerce websites though. According to a Neilson Group study, users may abandon the website if they become inpatient as they scroll and try to find a specific product or content. Parallax Scrolling Some websites use parallax scrolling to enable the foreground and background of a webpage to move at two different speeds. A test conducted by the Journal of Usability Studies (JUS) showed that 41 out of 43 users found a parallax scrolling website more fun and appealing than a non-parallax one. It's worth noting that during the test, the remaining two of the 43 participants experienced motion sickness using the parallax website. If this scrolling method is applied, it’s a good idea to measure feedback on a frequent basis and address any issues with user interactions. Material Design Google has published material design introductory guidelines to combine the standards of good design and creative movement for all platforms from desktop to mobile. Earlier, the standard flat design was developed to help websites streamline focus. Now, material design is considered the next generation of flat design. It’s used to liven up websites and transform them into something unique for today’s audience. It uses vibrant colors and enhances text to be more readable. Since Google... --- ### Is It Time For A Website Redesign? The 5 Questions To Ask Before Getting Started - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/time-website-redesign-5-questions-ask-getting-started/ - **Published:** 2016-09-26 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Design, Web Design, Web Development **Tags:** Mobile Responsive, Search Engine Marketing, Website Redesign Is It Time For A Website Redesign? The 5 Questions To Ask Before Getting Started Today, market trends are shifting in favor of online selling and services finding more than ever. The reality is, it is more necessary for a business to have a website than it is to have a physical storefront. Unfortunately, this new battlefront is already very competitive. A few years ago, simply having a website meant that you could scoop all the online business your competitors were missing out on. Today, almost every other business has a website. So for you to beat the competition, you have to take a second look at your website and evaluate if it is really giving you the edge that you need to succeed. And in order to do that, you have to ask yourself these five questions: Does my site load quickly and simple to navigate? Thanks to the advancements in technology and fast internet connections, internet users are used to getting the information they need from the web instantly. As such, if your website is hosted by a slow server or has been designed using old techniques that make it slow to load, you will lose customers even before they have a chance to view your site. The moment your site takes a second too long to load, they will look to other sites that offer users a better experience. Likewise, if your website is overly confusing to navigate and the information is hard to find then that is yet another reason for the user to navigate away to one of your competitors. Does my website look high-end? Web presentation is extremely important for today’s sophisticated user. Once users have opened your site, they want to see something that will please their eyes and invite them to see more. Remember that the typical person views tons of websites every day so if yours doesn’t pull them in, they might be tempted to find what they are looking for elsewhere. A good design outlook means having an attractive layout, good order, proper color coordination, appropriate fonts, attractive images/videos/animations that are clear, and above all - simplicity. Is my website responsive to mobile devices? When websites first became a must-have resource for businesses, computers were the only avenue to view them. Fast forward to 2016 and more and more people are accessing the internet via their mobile phones than through computers. This is why it is important to have a website that is mobile responsive. It must be accessible through any device, be it a phone, a tablet or a computer. If your website is not responsive, the majority of people who are now using handheld devices to browse will not be able to access your site effectively forcing them to look elsewhere. This locks you out of a huge chunk of the market. In addition, search engines like Google have already set initiatives to optimize the user experience and favor sites that are truly mobile responsive. Businesses must adopt... --- ### Local Search Engine Marketing May Help Your Company Reach Its Geographical Area Sales Goals - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/local-search-engine-marketing-may-help-company-reach-geographical-area-sales-goals/ - **Published:** 2016-08-11 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing Local Search Engine Marketing May Help Your Company Reach Its Geographical Area Sales Goals A comprehensive local search engine marketing plan is a powerful strategy. A BIA/Kelsey study found that almost 97 percent of consumers now search online for products and services located in their area. They use a mix of search engines, comparison type websites, online directories and other sources. Out of those options, 90 percent preferred using online search engines to find nearby businesses. That’s good news for your company. Gain new local customers by benefiting from this ongoing trend. Rank High in SERPs to Attract Local Customers Who Are Ready to Buy A high rank in search engine results pages (SERPs) is the goal of every business that advertises online. To gain the most exposure, go with a mix of search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and pay-per-click advertising. With planned online marketing, your advertisement, local directory listing, or article link appears on or near the same page as other businesses that rank the highest. In that sense, local SEM works like a magnet to pull in the right customers into your shop. Get Listed in the Updated Mobile-Friendly Local Google+ Pages It’s not by chance that in recent years, “mobile friendliness” has become Google’s focus for local search. The 2014 Local Search Association Conference reported that 78 percent of those surveyed used their mobile phone to search for a local business and then bought something. In 2015, Google followed the movement towards mobile shopping. It updated its Google+ pages to reflect how shoppers want to buy today. The pages now include extra local search terms and easier site navigation. The simpler format helps consumers find more local businesses in the search results. Because of the changes in Google+ pages, your business directly benefits from local search now more than ever before. Select Relevant Keywords to Bring in the Best Customers in Your Area The effectiveness of any local search marketing campaign can be traced to its keywords. For many, choosing appropriate keywords is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a time commitment to conduct research and plan it right. There’s a way to stay productive and within budget. Consider calling on asearch engine marketing specialist. You’ll get someone who’s experienced in conducting local keyword research and keyword management. A professional knows how to pick and place keywords in the best way that helps your business reach its marketing campaign’s goals. Create Effective Pay-Per-Click Advertisements Encourage Action Local search product and text advertisements work best with a Call-to-Action (CTA) phrase. For example, “Buy Now,” “Free Shipping,” “Discount with Coupon,” and other similar short sentences help motivate local buyers to click on your advertisement. You’ll get increased exposure, higher click-through rates which pave the way to bigger earnings. A Comprehensive Approach to Local Search Engine Marketing Works Best There’s so much more to local search engine marketing. Website audits, press releases, social sharing, and content marketing are all integral parts of a unified local... --- ### How Professional SEO Services Benefits Your Bottom Line - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/professional-seo-services-benefits-bottom-line/ - **Published:** 2016-04-29 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing How Professional SEO Services Benefits Your Bottom Line When you call on SEO experts to play the game of Search Engine Optimization, your company wins. Without assistance, it takes time for a company to implement SEO techniques the right way. The massive time investment starts with going through the initial learning curve. Since search engine practices frequently update, the ongoing success of SEO methods already put in place depends on continued learning. This is challenging for any sized company be it small, medium, or large. To fund a dedicated staff just to keep up with the current changes and unexpected bottlenecks that occur isn’t usually practical. If it cuts too deep into your budget, loss of profits may result. These undesired situations are also unnecessary. One of the best ways to stay competitive in this fast-evolving technological age is to utilize the services of a professional SEO company. The benefits are many when you compare them with the quantifiable risks of implementing SEO on your own Creates an Easier Website Navigational Experience An easy-to-navigate site is one that visitors like to frequent. SEO specialists are trained to assess your entire website’s structural design. This includes accessing the position of your website’s navigational links and more. All of this helps to determine the “user-friendliness” of your website. Well-planned SEO helps improve navigation. When your website is easy to navigate, it’s more efficient for search engine crawling. Uses Keywords that Build Brand Awareness Gaining trust and having better brand awareness are two things that which companies strive to achieve. A professional SEO service is like a silent partner that helps you increase your company’s brand awareness. This awareness may help encourage trust. This is primarily accomplished with targeted keyword association with your brand because it builds awareness of your company to your prospects. It’s a strategy that helps keep your brand in the mind of consumers who want to buy from you now and later. Makes Websites Rank Higher than Before Search engine algorithms determine the importance of a webpage for ranking purposes. An SEO service expert realizes this and takes into account several things. For example, a specialist considers your industry, your company’s goals, and other unique details. The appropriate keywords, snippets (meta tags), metadata, search tags, inbound links and other elements are important too. These tell the search engines about your website and its pages and determines relevancy. What you thought caused your website to rank higher or what made it rank high in the past may not be relevant today. Experts in SEO know what to look for, what to use, and what to avoid. Yields a Faster Return on Investment Quick results for SEO are more common than for some other forms of marketing. Take telemarketing, direct mail campaigns, and television advertising, for example. In addition to having to make a larger financial investment, those alternatives could take months before you realize a return on your investment (ROI). An experienced SEO service knows what works fast. It has... --- ### How to Maximize Your Website’s Marketing Potential - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/maximize-websites-marketing-potential/ - **Published:** 2016-04-13 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Content Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Web Design How to Maximize Your Website’s Marketing Potential Websites designed with the “WEB” platform in mind increase in marketing potential and profits. Compared to social networks, your website is your ultimate marketing tool and brand presence. It’s the one place that people still rely on for accurate information. Increase your website’s ability to draw in your target audience. Review some important things that are often overlooked by businesses of all sizes, both new and seasoned. Choose Custom Design over Templates Website templates are overflowing on the Internet. While it’s true templates make it easy anyone to get online, websites that use them tend to look alike. This is bad for your business because your goal is to get noticed so that your prospects remember you. Opt for a custom designed website and stand out from the cookie-cutter masses. Remove Outdated Advertising Elements and Limit Advertisements If you use affiliate advertisements on your website, remove the ones with rotating banners. They’re obsolete because over the past few years, many people have found them to be annoying. Limit the amount of advertisements on your website too. This puts the focus more on your business and that’s what you want your prospects to remember. Keep Important Data “Above the Fold” In 2015, the Neislon Norman Group published an article about its findings on how users perceive text in the upper area of a webpage. It showed 84 percent of users rate what appears above the fold. It affected whether they continued to scroll down to read the remaining content. Here’s what you can do: Make the upper part of your website compelling so visitors will want scroll down “below the fold.” This applies unless the content is for an iPad where users “sweep” to the next page. Remember too that lengthy content should have subheadings to break up article. It’s more effective than placing a “Next” or “Continue” button for them to view more content. Add a Search Box to Reduce User Abandonment In some ways, using a search box is quicker than clicking a navigational button. If the results return one or more relevant options, the user might spend more time on your website. Search boxes help buyers ready to buy find what they need faster. Make sure you have this important element on your website. Include Informative Videos According to its statistics, YouTube reaches more people aged 18 to 49 than U.S. cable companies. Take advantage of this market. Place instructional videos on your website. This helps your customers and prospects better understand your offerings. Besides bringing in some extra profits, YouTube videos give your business more exposure. The long-lasting, happy side-effect is an increase in your website’s marketing potential. Create a Meaningful Content Blog Power up your website’s marketing potential by adding a blog page. It’s a great way to address your customer’s questions a more in-depth way. Put tutorials and other meaningful quality content there. If you post videos, add written instructional content too. This gives your website visitors the... --- ### Why it’s Important to Have a Strong Brand Identity - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/important-strong-brand-identity/ - **Published:** 2016-03-12 - **Modified:** 2025-05-28 - **Author:** MAXBURST Web Design **Categories:** Company Identity, Design Why it’s Important to Have a Strong Brand Identity A well-designed brand identity rolls your company forward, increasing momentum in recognition. There aren’t any missing parts in a sturdily-built brand identity. Like a unified puzzle, all of the pieces fit firmly into place. Fonts, color schemes, your tagline, and logo are vital components of your brand identity. Common mediums for displaying your brand identity are business cards, stationery, website, and marketing materials. Solid, well-organized branding lays a foundation for long-term business success. Consistency Strengthens Industry Position Strong brand identities visually communicate reliability and trust. By contrast, weak, inconsistent branding leads to confusion and distrust. Be on the winning side. Make sure your branding is consistent and extends to all your marketing materials. It helps your customers and prospects identify your company regardless of its campaign. Soon, they’ll associate your brand identity with stability and dependability. Makes Business More Profitable Science Direct published a research paper about the impact of “brand identity.” The paper stated that having a brand identity could lead to “great financial rewards.” This is especially true when the perceived brand image and a company’s goals for its brand identity match or closely align. When this happens, the company’s brand identity policies become more streamlined. The result is positive monetary outcomes in less time. The bottom line: Brand identities designed using guidelines and then tested, measured, and improved, lead to economic gains. Conveys Company Personality Brand personality is a perception within the mind of the consumer. Because of this, you’ll want to convey your company’s personality in a certain way. Accomplish this by defining the heart or mission of your business. It may show ruggedness, sincerity, sophistication, or excitement, for example. Know how you want your customers to feel about your brand. Get assistance by turning to an experienced professional. Be ready to describe your company’s core values and desired perception. Increases Brand Equity Brand equity is the extra value a company receives from being a recognizable brand. High brand equity is always a positive thing. For instance, if a consumer recognizes your brand by its logo and then shortly afterward buys a product or service from your company, you’ve increased your brand equity. Your brand equity continues to grow if a consumer refers someone to your company and that referral makes a purchase. We know that when consumers select one brand over another, it’s because of the superior quality of the products, services, and the customer experience. However, it’s the identifiable branding of elements such as your logo and other things that make your company easy to recall in a consumer’s mind. When they’re ready to buy, they think of your company first. Great branding keeps your company in the forefront of their minds and this boost your brand equity. When companies ignore the process of branding, they lose out on sales. The emotional connection between their audience and their company gets lost. In the minds of many consumers, generic brands are inferior and referred to as... --- ## Pages ### Chicago Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/chicago-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2023-12-06 - **Modified:** 2023-12-06 - **Author:** admin We are an experienced and talented Chicago Web Design Company and digital Agency, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology, and marketing meet. A compelling digital experience and website are at the heart of online branding success. Request a Quote --- ### Miami Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/miami-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2023-09-29 - **Modified:** 2023-12-06 - **Author:** admin We are an experienced and talented Miami Web Design Company and digital Agency, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology, and marketing meet. A compelling digital experience and website are at the heart of online branding success. Request a Quote --- ### WooCommerce Custom Ecommerce - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/custom-ecommerce-with-woocommerce/ - **Published:** 2022-10-01 - **Modified:** 2022-11-30 - **Author:** admin Think about using WordPress' extensive functionality to host your ecommerce site. You may immediately update your current WordPress website and start selling any goods thanks to the WooCommerce plug-in. To give retailers and their consumers the best ecommerce experience, Maxburst takes advantage of WooCommerce's flexible structure. --- ### Shopify Web Design & Development - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/shopify-web-design-agency/ - **Published:** 2022-10-01 - **Modified:** 2024-09-13 - **Author:** admin Shopify has revolutionized online retail, emerging as the dominant e-commerce platform for businesses across the spectrum. Maxburst, a leading Shopify web design and development agency, specializes in crafting powerful online stores using this versatile system trusted by millions of successful brands globally. The Shopify ecosystem levels the playing field, allowing both emerging entrepreneurs and established companies to showcase their products, optimize operations, and boost profitability in the fiercely competitive digital marketplace. --- ### Ecommerce Web Design Services - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/ecommerce-web-design/ - **Published:** 2022-08-19 - **Modified:** 2024-09-13 - **Author:** admin MAXBURST, a leading New York-based web development agency since 2007, specializes in cutting-edge eCommerce website design services for small and medium businesses. Our expert team excels in crafting custom online stores using both Shopify and WooCommerce platforms, delivering tailored eCommerce solutions that drive sales and enhance user experience. From responsive design to seamless payment integration, MAXBURST's comprehensive eCommerce web development services leverage the latest technologies to create powerful, scalable online retail environments that set your business apart in the digital marketplace. --- ### Stop War In Ukraine - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/stop-war-in-ukraine/ - **Published:** 2022-05-03 - **Modified:** 2023-03-03 - **Author:** admin On Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, Russian troops declared war on Ukraine and began a full scale attack on almost all regions. They are not only firing missiles on military bases, but on civilian homes and buildings as well. Hundreds of Ukrainians have been killed or injured. Ukrainian armed forces are fighting back, and many citizens are joining local territory defense forces. Right now, Ukraine stands alone in this war. --- ### Industries We Serve - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/industries-we-serve/ - **Published:** 2021-12-01 - **Modified:** 2022-03-01 - **Author:** admin --- ### New Rochelle Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/new-rochelle-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2021-09-23 - **Modified:** 2021-09-23 - **Author:** admin We are a seasoned New Rochelle Web Design Company and Digital Agency based in New York, we operate in that exciting space of web design, branding, development, and online marketing meet. Request a Quote --- ### Queens Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/queens-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2021-02-22 - **Modified:** 2022-01-19 - **Author:** admin We are a seasoned Queens NY Web Design Company and Digital Agency based in Midtown East Manhattan, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology and marketing meet. Request a Quote --- ### NYC Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/nyc-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2021-02-22 - **Modified:** 2022-01-19 - **Author:** admin We are a seasoned NYC Web Design Company and Digital Agency based in Midtown East Manhattan, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology and marketing meet. A website is at the heart of online branding. Request a Quote --- ### New York Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/new-york-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2021-02-22 - **Modified:** 2022-01-19 - **Author:** admin We are a seasoned New York Web Design Company and Digital Agency based in Midtown East Manhattan, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology and marketing meet. Request a Quote --- ### New Brunswick Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/new-brunswick-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2021-02-22 - **Modified:** 2021-09-23 - **Author:** admin We are an experienced and talented New Brunswick Web Design Company & Digital Agency, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology, and marketing meet. A website is at the heart of online branding. Request a Quote --- ### Manhattan Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/manhattan-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2021-02-22 - **Modified:** 2022-01-19 - **Author:** admin We are a seasoned New York City Web Design Company and Digital Agency based in Midtown East Manhattan, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology and marketing meet. Request a Quote --- ### Long Island Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/long-island-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2021-02-22 - **Modified:** 2023-03-03 - **Author:** admin We are an experienced and talented Long Island Web Design Company & Digital Agency based in Farmingdale, we operate in that exciting space where design, branding, technology, and marketing meet. Request a Quote --- ### Thank You - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/thank-you/ - **Published:** 2020-12-22 - **Modified:** 2021-02-22 - **Author:** admin Thank You! We look forward to finding out how we can help with your website needs! Hang tight, a representative will be reaching out shortly. --- ### Contact Us - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/contact/ - **Published:** 2020-10-29 - **Modified:** 2023-03-06 - **Author:** admin Say hello to us! Find out more about how we can work together on your next web project. We have two convenient office locations in New York City and in Long Island, NY. We appreciate your interest in MAXBURST and can easily be reached by phone, e-mail, or through our online form. --- ### Request a Quote - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/request-a-quote/ - **Published:** 2020-10-26 - **Modified:** 2023-03-06 - **Author:** admin Need a quote on a website redesign or a new project? Give us a bit of detail on your web project and let us help! --- ### Frequently Asked Questions - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/faqs/ - **Published:** 2020-10-09 - **Modified:** 2022-03-01 - **Author:** admin Below you'll find answers to commonly raised questions. If you're a new or existing customer, feed your curisosity. Keep asking questions, because with every answer you find, more questions will arise! --- ### Terms and Conditions - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/terms-and-conditions-assumptions-agreement/ - **Published:** 2020-10-09 - **Modified:** 2024-04-04 - **Author:** admin --- ### Privacy Policy - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/privacy-policy/ - **Published:** 2020-10-09 - **Modified:** 2024-04-04 - **Author:** admin --- ### Local SEO Services - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/local-search/ - **Published:** 2020-10-02 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** admin Local SEO Campaigns Local SEO services are essential for businesses looking to attract customers in their immediate vicinity. Our specialized team develops targeted local marketing strategies tailored to specific geographic areas and regions. By leveraging local business directories, location-based search engines, and region-specific keywords, we create custom-designed campaigns that resonate with your ideal local audience. Our comprehensive local search engine marketing (SEM) approach is crafted to enhance your online visibility, making it easier for nearby consumers to discover and engage with your business. From optimizing Google My Business listings to managing location-specific content, our local SEO services ensure that your company stands out in local search results, driving foot traffic and boosting your local online presence. --- ### Sitemap - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/sitemap/ - **Published:** 2020-09-03 - **Modified:** 2020-09-03 - **Author:** admin [wp_sitemap_page] --- ### Iconpaper - Resources - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/resources-iconpaper/ - **Published:** 2019-10-14 - **Modified:** 2023-02-13 - **Author:** admin Iconpaper - Free icons, wallpapers, themes, resources and more. Iconpaper is a website that collects the best icons, walls, and mods created by the Mac / iPhone community. It’s a great hub for all you customization nerds out there. --- ### Web Design for Accountants - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/web-design-for-accountants/ - **Published:** 2019-09-16 - **Modified:** 2021-02-22 - **Author:** admin Without a solid presence on the web, you lose out on potential clients and revenue. A strong site can help you enhance your business by drawing new clients and showing them that you are reputable before they even enter your firm. Request a Quote --- ### Home - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/ - **Published:** 2018-08-02 - **Modified:** 2025-02-12 - **Author:** admin --- ### Thank You - Contact Us - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/thank-you-contact-us/ - **Published:** 2018-06-21 - **Modified:** 2021-03-02 - **Author:** admin Thank You! We look forward to finding out how we can help with your website needs! Hang tight, a representative will be reaching out shortly. --- ### Thank You - Request A Quote - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/thank-you-request-a-quote/ - **Published:** 2018-06-19 - **Modified:** 2021-03-02 - **Author:** admin Thank You! We look forward to finding out how we can help with your website needs! Hang tight, a representative will be reaching out shortly. --- ### Media Buying Agency - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/media-buying/ - **Published:** 2018-06-07 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** admin Media Planning and Buying MAXBURST media buying agency service campaigns deliver comprehensive paid media solutions across international, national, regional, and local markets. Our strategic approach creates a tailored advertising roadmap, optimizing your traditional media mix across all channels for maximum impact. Our competitive edge lies in our fee-free structure and substantial buying power, allowing us to secure exceptional placement rates for our clients. This cost-effective approach ensures your advertising budget stretches further, maximizing your return on investment. --- ### Company Branding Identity - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/company-identity/ - **Published:** 2018-06-07 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** admin Build a Brand Identity MAXBURST recognizes that effective company branding directly impacts your bottom line. A strong, positive brand identity for your company and products enhances sales and strengthens your entire marketing communications plan. Strategic brand equity goes beyond creating a memorable logo; it projects an image that resonates with your target audience, building trust and differentiating your products and services in the marketplace. By investing in professional brand management, businesses can craft a strong brand promise that aligns with their goals and drives product or service sales to both potential customers and their loyal customer base. --- ### Social Media Marketing Agency - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/social-media/ - **Published:** 2018-06-07 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** admin Social Media Management Why do you need a social media marketing agency like MAXBURST? Consumers increasingly turn to social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for peer recommendations and brand information. A single post or share can drive potential customers to your social profiles, making these channels critical touchpoints in the customer journey. To maximize your online presence, it's essential for your digital marketing agency to align your social media persona with your established brand identity. This cohesive approach ensures that users encounter a consistent brand experience across all platforms, whether through targeted ads, organic search, or viral content. --- ### Web Development Services - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/web-development-services/ - **Published:** 2018-06-06 - **Modified:** 2024-09-13 - **Author:** admin Custom Web Development Solutions MAXBURST leverages industry-leading web development technologies, balancing proven reliability with cutting-edge innovation to deliver optimal solutions. Our expert web developers assess your unique requirements and guide you through the diverse array of options, ensuring your custom website or web application is built on the most suitable and efficient technological foundation for your business needs. --- ### Search Engine Marketing Agency - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/search-engine-marketing/ - **Published:** 2018-06-04 - **Modified:** 2024-09-14 - **Author:** admin Paid Search & Digital Marketing Services Elevate your online presence by working with a full-service digital marketing and search engine marketing agency and securing top search engine positions for high-value keywords, driving qualified organic traffic to your digital doorstep. Imagine showcasing your brand on a platform with built-in trust and a vast user base. Could this be the game-changer your business needs? --- ### Custom Web Design Services - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2018-05-23 - **Modified:** 2024-09-13 - **Author:** admin Website Design & Development Solutions Finding the right professional web designer to help develop a captivating online presence is essential for your brand's website. At MAXBURST, our website design experts specialize in responsive web design and development services that can breathe new life into every aspect of your website. --- ### Blog - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/blog/ - **Published:** 2018-05-08 - **Modified:** 2021-03-24 - **Author:** admin --- ### About Us - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/maxburst-web-design/ - **Published:** 2018-05-08 - **Modified:** 2024-09-12 - **Author:** admin --- ### Services - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/services/ - **Published:** 2018-05-08 - **Modified:** 2025-06-24 - **Author:** admin --- ### Brooklyn Web Design Company - **URL:** https://www.maxburst.com/brooklyn-web-design-company/ - **Published:** 2017-08-29 - **Modified:** 2022-01-19 - **Author:** admin We are a seasoned Brooklyn Web Design Company and Digital Agency based in Midtown East Manhattan, we operate in that exciting space of web design, branding, development, and online marketing meet. Request a Quote --- --- # Navigation - [Main Documentation Index](https://www.maxburst.com/llms.txt): Return to the main documentation overview