What Do You Update First – WordPress Or Plugins?

Time To Update Your WordPress

Working on your website can be fun and exciting. When it comes to updating the platform and plugins, that fun can immediately turn into a nightmare. While professionals in web design and development deal with website updates all the time, new users may not and it can be nerve-racking.

We have seen many websites transition through updates flawlessly while some updates can seriously break your website if you are not careful. One of the biggest questions we see is – Do you update the WordPress core or the plugins first?

The good news is WordPress has one of the easiest updating systems available — and is the most used platform of choice. The core coding is designed to be backward compatible in most senses and can make transitioning to your update easy.

Update Core First

When you have some updates to do, always update the core first, then update your plugins and themes right after.

After an update, you should always check that the site is working as expected. If there are any issues, you can contact the support staff of the plugin or theme you are using. Contacting support when your core is not yet updated is fruitless because good developers always test on the latest version of WordPress, and will mostly ask you to get your site up to the latest version as well to help in troubleshooting.

So there you have it, an answer to a question that gets asked often around here.

We understand not everyone is tech-savvy, which is why we are here to help. Laced Media offers website maintenance services to help your website run smoothly, and securely. 

Small Business: Are Local Marketing Companies Better Than Large Agencies?

Small Business: Are Local Marketing Companies Better Than Large Agencies?

When small business owners search the web to find a digital marketing company, the options are endless. It can be overwhelming for someone who is seeking advice, looking for a digital marketing plan, but not sure who to pick and trust. Here are some great tips on what to ask a Digital Marketing Company and what might be the best options for your business.

Already Have a Website - Ask For a Free SEO Audit

Many companies have software that can run a general overview of your online visibility. This report should include:

  • Current ranking of keywords
  • Keyword potential (the keywords you can show for)
  • Estimate organic traffic
  • Overall user experience (UX)
  • Technical SEO issues
  • Page loading test
  • Mobile-friendly test
  • Competitor Analysis
local online marketing company, online marketing

Local Marketing Companies Offer Individual Attention

Big marketing agencies may have tons of tools and employees at their disposal, but are they able to give you the attention you need? In my experience, client to employee ratio is so high, that many clients fall through the cracks. Choosing a smaller or local marketing agency can give you the individual attention for your business to show growth and progress.

A Digital Marketing Company should be able to do an SEO Audit for free. If not, they might not have the software and not be up to date on the current technology. After an SEO Audit, an in-depth analysis of your business marketing is done called a Digital Marketing Strategy Plan. This plan acts as a guide on how to improve your current digital marketing position. These are normally not free and can give you some great tips on how to improve your marketing efforts.

Choose Local Over Corporate Agencies

 

Corporate digital marketing agencies and big online digital marketing companies may have tempting offers — but how do you figure they can offer a service for so cheap? What kind of return on investment can you expect with a large marketing agency?  I can tell you first hand, you get what you pay for. 

Cheap SEO Plans

Some large companies can offer cheap SEO services because they automate processes or do the very basics. Others may employ people who aren’t qualified but are just there to read the numbers. The big problem is they act more like a “puppy mill” by using templated processes and way too many accounts to maintain. This typically means not enough time dedicated to your account for actual growth, which may not be the best strategy for your business. This can be a huge waste of your money and time with very little ROI (return on investment). 

Your Personal Marketer

Local Digital Marketing Companies can offer a strategy that tailors to your business. Since they are local, they have the advantage of knowing your target audience and geological target better than big corporations.

A Strategy That Works

Most local digital marketing agencies are small enough that you can get the attention needed to have a successful campaign. Typically local agencies will have the same type of software available to larger agencies and will have fewer clients. This actually works in your benefit since most local companies wont overextend and are selective in their clients workload, giving your business more attention and a better strategy plan.

What To Ask A Digital Marketer

What Extent of Information & Training

Not everyone knows how to do SEO or knows what digital marketing includes. That’s why you’re searching Google. Many agencies will tell you what needs to be done but the better agencies will tell you why. Knowledge is power and a powerful campaign comes from educated businesses. A marketing agency that is able and willing to educate you or your team about how things work is truly looking to improve your campaign. Now, they won’t share all their secrets. Providing some education will help make better decisions on the business end provided they understand the schematics of the data. 

How Much Does SEO Cost

Like any equipment needed to run your business, digital marketing is an investment. Keep in mind that cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better. Ask about the budget required to implement the campaigns and if there is a contract. Most companies will charge a setup fee or initial fee to get the campaign going. Typical SEO setup fees vary from $500 to $3000 per website. SEO and Adwords usually have a high setup fee compared to social media account setups as they require a lot more work. While some companies will try to sell you every service they have, you may not have the budget nor the need for every service. Ask about different levels of aggressiveness for their suggested campaign.

marketing report. Local SEO services

How Will They Measure The Success of The Campaign

When talking with a prospective agency they should be able to support their recommendations with data. Ask about metrics and analytics that support their strategy and how often you’ll receive reports on these growths. Listen to their answers. It will soon tell you if they can provide the measurements you want to see that are relative to your business or just another “cookie-cutter campaign” that isn’t tailored to your marketing goals. Conversations with a prospective agency should be well explained in detail, not vague or leaving you confused. A great digital marketer will take the time to explain a suggested strategy, duration, how it can provide a return with data to back it up.

Speak With A Digital Marketing Expert

An SEO Specialist can provide maintenance to your website’s visibility, increase traffic, and gain more customers with measurable data!  Laced Media has professional SEO experts to get your business thriving. Schedule a free consultation call today.

digital marketing for small business, is digital marketing worth it

Common Concerns & Questions about Small Business Websites

small business websites, website for local business

Common Concerns and Questions About Small Business Websites

It’s natural to have questions and concerns about setting up a website. Cost is a huge factor. Beyond an up-front fee to design the website, the ongoing costs can be minimal. Considering the long-term benefits, a website will pay for itself. The cost to design a good website should be well worth it the money.

Why Do I Need a Website if I Don’t Sell Online?

Many questions I see often relate to a business not seeing the need for a website or that it wouldn’t sell goods online. The simple answer to this is a business website can provide so many more benefits. Establishing trust, strengthening your brand awareness, offering better customer relations, and getting the word out to the world you exist.

Website With No Content

Another common concern is that you don’t have any content or you don’t have time to blog. Yes, content is important, especially for SEO. Though more activity and fresh unique content can generate more traffic, any web presence is probably better than none. Once you have a basic website, you can always add to it, as your business and resources grow.

How Much Does Web Design Cost For a Small Business?

A Web Designer can easily help with getting a practical and functional website for your small business. Depending on the needs of your business on average, a Web Design can cost from $1200 and up for a basic design and launch. Some more complicated and customized web designs can excel well over 5 or 10 grand.

Not sure what you need or how much to spend on a website? We can help, contact us today.

Do I Really Need a Website?

Yes, you do. Many small business owners report they simply lack the time, skills and money to build a website. While some businesses say they don’t need one. The fact is, you need a website if you plan to have a successful business in the future.

Your company’s website can be an effective marketing tool that can also be cost-efficient. Let’s take a look at the benefits.

Available 24/7 

The best part about a website is they are always available and ready to serve your customers. Whether its relaying information, collecting leads or sell a product. It will be there when you are closed.

Creates Exposure

People search for services and products before they get to the “buying stage”. If you don’t have a website, you essentially don’t exist because you won’t show up in their search. Statistics show a website can increase your business’s revenue by 25% just by exposing your services and products to more people. That’s a huge chunk of customers you’re ignoring.

Want to dip into that 25% of customers you’re missing out on? Let’s build your first website!

Builds Trust

Building trust with new clients can be difficult. Having a website can verify your business and give reassurance that you are who you say you are. 64% of customers will not use a business if they can’t research them first online.

Get Found on Google

In addition to getting a website, it’s best to incorporate SEO. Search Engine Optimization sets your website up to be found on Google. People who search for relevant keywords, services you offer, or products you sell are more likely to find you with SEO.

Sell your Products & Services

If you sell a product, share it with the world. There are unlimited opportunities to increase your revenue from an online store.  79% of U.S. consumers shop online on their phones according to Pew Research. That’s 8 out of 10 people who can’t see your products.

Services are fairly the same, the only difference is the viewer hasn’t given you the money yet. Though many consumers will research services in their area 3 times before making a decision, don’t be taken out of the running because you don’t have a website.

Convenient for your Customer

You may want your customers to call you. The facts is that 67% of consumers prefer email or text to talking on the phone. Having a website can funnel customers to communicate with you whenever it’s convenient for them.

Why is SEO Important in Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa, CA to some may be on the smaller size for a city, but it’s actually fairly large in competition.

When researching a cities competitive nature, a few things go into the equation:

  • Population
  • Competition
  • Consumer Behavior

Population 

With a large Population, the reach is much larger.  Imagine talking to an audience of over 100k people, without a microphone. The first few rows might be able to hear but anything beyond that probably won’t. Having a website without SEO in a larger city is like not having that microphone. You’ll reach some but will fall short after a certain point. Get SEO on your website to expand that reach.

Competition

Competition plays a factor since other businesses may offer the same services. Competition helps drive consumers to do research about products or services before purchasing and discover you online.

Don’t get stuck behind. We offer SEO Packages that can fit your business’s needs. Get SEO and back in the competition.

Consumer Behavior

Lastly, Consumer Behavior can be a large reason to get SEO. Statistics show consumers do research 3 times before they make a final purchase. This means a company can be searched for multiple times in order to close a sale. Where do people search? Google. What influences Google Search Ranking? SEO.

The Facts About Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa has a population of 175k people with 56% white, 30% Hispanic, and the rest make of Asian, Black, and mixed. This is your local reach in Santa Rosa. Building a marketing strategy that caters to these demographics is ideal since these are your potential customers. Demographic research is a huge part in Local SEO for Businesses in Santa Rosa. Find out how well you rank in your local market with a SEO Audit. It’s Free.

Page Speed, Waiting to Load

Waiting For A Website To Load

Have you ever sat staring at your phone waiting for a website to load? Clicking the refresh button in frustration. It’s not your WIFI, its the website. On average, a user will look at their phone a total of 5 hours a day! The way people use their phones now have seriously changed within the past 10 years and is the vessel of obtaining information.

So Why Does Having a Fast Website Matter?

Users tend to be impatient in a world of instant gratification. Web pages that take longer than 6 seconds to load are prone to loss their audience. 1 to 3 seconds could lose 30%, 3 to 5 seconds may lose 95%. If your website is taking longer than 6 seconds, you’ve more likely lost a potential customer.

70% of phone connections will be at 3G or slower thru 2020 (information provided by thinkwithgoogle.com)

Website Speed Test

Check your website for Desktop and Mobile PageSpeed: Google PageSpeed Tool

If your website is producing some low numbers, you may consider a website redesign. Laced Media offers many types of packages that are affordable and specific to your business goal.

Website Speed Test

Users tend to be impatient in a world of instant gratification. Web pages that take longer than 6 seconds to load are prone to loss their audience. 1 to 3 seconds could lose 30%, 3 to 5 seconds may lose 95%. If your website is taking longer than 6 seconds, you’ve more likely lost a potential customer.

70% of phone connections will be at 3G or slower thru 2020 (information provided by thinkwithgoogle.com)