Tag: Web Design Agency

tips-for-success 

Maximizing Your Agency Partnership: Tips for Success 

Posted on | by Agency Partner Interactive

Are you a small business owner looking to grow your business but struggling to keep up with all your day-to-day operations? It can be overwhelming to try and manage everything on your own, especially with limited resources and expertise. That’s where agency partnerships come in.  

By teaming up with a digital marketing or web design agency, you can tap into their knowledge and resources to help you achieve your business goals. But how can you make sure your partnership is successful and yields the results you’re looking for? In this guide, we’ll share valuable agency partnership strategies to help you establish and maintain a meaningful and productive relationship with your agency partner. Read on to explore the benefits of agency partnerships and unlock the secret to digital marketing success! 

Identify Your Business Needs 

What are the most important factors to consider when identifying the needs of your business? Before looking for an agency partner, it is important to have an understanding of your business objectives. Evaluate the specific goals you want the agency to help you with. This will help you narrow down the type of agency you need and the particular services they should provide.  

Conduct Thorough Research  

Once you have identified your business needs, conduct comprehensive research to find potential agency partners. Look for agencies specializing in the services you need and have experience working with similar businesses. Ask for consultations from colleagues or industry associations and review the agency’s portfolio and client feedback.  

Consider the Agency’s Expertise and Experience  

When partnering with agencies for success, consider their expertise and experience. Find agencies that have a thorough knowledge of your industry and target customers.  

Check their portfolio to see if they have achieved similar goals for other companies they’ve worked with. Ask for case studies or references from previous clients to understand the agency’s experience and approach.  

Set Clear Communication  

Establish clear communication channels between your business and your agency partner from the start. Choose the best communication method based on the project and the needs of both parties. This may include regular phone calls, emails, communication, or video meetings. Ensure you have a project manager dedicated to keeping you up to date on your project’s timeline and progress. 

Establish Measurable Objectives and Performance Standards 

Ensure what you expect from your agency partner and the goals you want to achieve are aligned. This includes deadlines, timelines, and performance benchmarks, or the results you expect your digital marketing agency to deliver. It is essential to be specific and detailed to avoid any misconceptions. Expectations and goals ensure everyone is working towards the same result and are on the same page.  

Provide Regular Feedback  

Regular feedback is essential for improving communication and keeping the task on track. Provide constructive feedback on the work your agency partner delivers and ask for feedback on your end. This can help identify improvement areas and ensure everyone is meeting expectations.  

Encourage a Collaborative Environment  

Businesses can benefit from establishing a collaborative environment. This allows them to maximize the advantages of their agency partners. Ultimately, they can achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively.   

A collaborative approach to strategic planning involves working closely with everyone on the team. This includes relevant agencies and companies. Everyone’s ideas and perspectives must be heard and considered. This approach is essential for achieving effective and sustainable results.  

Mutual Respect and Trust  

Mutual respect and trust are essential to a successful agency and organization partnership. Working together requires an environment of mutual respect and trust for effective communication, cooperation, and collaboration.  

Organizations should recognize and value agencies’ expertise. This will allow them to use their knowledge to help achieve common goals. Trusting the agency’s recommendations and decisions is also essential, since it’s the reason why you’re hiring them.   

Organizations should be open to these recommendations and trust the agency’s decision when making decisions that impact the project or initiative. In return, your digital marketing or web design agency should provide the data and insights as to why they’re making those decisions. 

Key Takeaways &: Agency Collaboration Tips 

Maximizing your agency partnership can effectively achieve your business goals and help you thrive in your industry. Establishing clear communication is essential to making the most of your agency partnership. Setting realistic expectations is also important. Lastly, maintaining a collaborative relationship is key.  

Following the agency partnership strategies outlined in this blog can help ensure a successful and productive partnership with your agency. Remember that by working together, you and your agency can achieve great things and help your business succeed.  

Grow Your Business with Agency Partner Interactive  

Agency Partner Interactive is the best digital marketing agency and web design agency in Texas. We’re able to help our clients achieve and surpass their initial objectives using data-driven internet marketing and web development expertise.  

Our vision is to be the premier partner for providing transformational solutions, resources, and expertise businesses need to realize their full potential. This means we’re more than just a service provider, we become an extension of your team that measures our success by the results we achieve for you. Our experts are dedicated to helping you maximize your agency partnership and achieve scalable growth and digital marketing success.   

We are a professional web development agency specializing in creating customized websites for businesses of all sizes. 

We offer comprehensive web development services and digital marketing solutions, providing guidance and support to help you reach your goals. Whether you want to increase your online visibility, enhance your brand image, or drive more leads and sales, get in touch with us today and learn how we can take your business to the next level together!   

targeted-audience

Buyer Personas vs. Target Audience

Posted on | by devops

Do you currently clearly understand your target audience or buyer personas? If so, how have they helped you better understand your customers? Buyer personas and target audience are two common approaches to identifying and understanding your customers’ behavior. According to HubSpot, 44% of marketers’ biggest challenge is understanding their target audience.   

The buyer persona creates a detailed profile of an individual buyer with their aims, goals, challenges, and preferences. The target audience focuses on the broad characteristics of your ideal target market, such as interests, age, demographics, and behaviors.   

By developing buyer personas, you can better understand your customer’s needs and motivations and create more personalized and effective marketing strategies. However, target audience analysis is still important for understanding broad trends and behaviors that may impact your marketing efforts.   

What Is the Buyer Persona? 

Buyer personas focus more on an ideal customer based on data and insights gathered from research and analysis. They are designed to provide a detailed profile of a typical customer and their behaviors, preferences, motivations, and challenges.  

Improved marketing strategies 

Buyer personas help businesses better understand their customers and create more targeted and effective marketing strategies. Identifying a target market and customizing your products or services to meet their needs and preferences is essential for business success. 

Better customer experience  

Businesses can improve customer experience and build stronger relationships with their buyers. This can be done by creating personalized content and messaging that addresses the buyer persona’s needs and interests.  

Enhanced sales performance  

Buyer personas can help to approach each customer, improving their ability to engage and convert customers.  

What is Target Audience?  

A target audience is a group of people a business aims to reach with its products or services and can be identified based on many factors. Another HubSpot report showed that 70% of businesses identifying the right target audience improved their overall marketing effectiveness. 

These include gender, age, location, income level, interests, and other psychographic characteristics.  

The benefits of identifying a target audience include the following:  

More effective marketing   

Understanding who their customers are helps businesses create better marketing strategies. These campaigns are more focused and have a greater impact. They are customized to the customers’ needs and interests.  

Higher conversion rates   

Businesses can boost their chances of converting leads into customers by customizing their messaging and marketing strategy to the target audience.  

Cost savings  

Targeting a specific audience is beneficial for businesses. It allows them to target their marketing resources and budget to the most profitable segments, which reduces wasted efforts and costs.  

What Are the Differences Between Buyer Personas and Target Audiences?  

The key differences between buyer personas and target audience are:  

Scope  

A target audience is a group of organizations and people a business wants to reach with its products or services. At the same time, a buyer persona is a specific and detailed representation of an ideal customer within that target audience.  

Level of Detail   

Buyer personas are more detailed than general target audiences. They fully understand an ideal customer’s preferences, behaviors, and motivations.  

Application   

Buyer personas are often used for content creation, messaging development, and sales prospecting. 

The target audience is more commonly used for broader marketing strategy and targeting.  

How to Create Buyer Personas    

Here are some easy steps to create a buyer persona:  

Conduct market research   

Collect customer data through interviews, surveys, and social media analytics. Look for patterns in demographic and psychographic information, their buying behavior, and motivations.  

Identify common characteristics   

Search for demographic patterns like gender, age, location, education, and income. Also, look for psychographic ways, including interests, values, and lifestyle.   

Create personas  

Include their name, age, location, job title, hobbies, interests, values, goals, and information about their buying behavior and preferences. 

Refine and test   

Refine your personas based on feedback from your customer and team. Test your personas by creating content and messaging that speaks to each persona and tracking the results. 

How to Identify a Target Audience: 

Businesses can create buyer personas by following these steps. This allows them to identify a target audience that could benefit from their products or services. Here are some steps to find out your target audience. 

  • Clearly define your product or service and identify its unique selling proposition (USP). 
  • Identify the needs that your product or service meets and the problems they solves.
  • Research to identify groups of people who have those needs and problems. Look for psychographic and demographic data, buying behavior, attitudes, and preferences.
  • Analyze the data collected to identify segments and patterns and most likely to benefit from your product or service.
  • Use the collected data to develop detailed buyer personas representing your target audience.
  • Refine your target audience based on feedback from your team and customers. Test your targeting by creating campaigns that speak to your target audience and tracking the results.

Buyer Personas vs. Customer Segmentation 

Buyer personas and customer segmentation are both important marketing tools. Customer segmentation groups customers based on shared characteristics. In contrast, buyer personas provide detailed profiles of ideal customers. These profiles include information about their challenges, goals, and motivations. 

Bottom Line: Buyer Personas vs. Target Audience  

Buyer personas and target audiences play essential roles in marketing. A target audience is people with similar characteristics that a company aims to reach through marketing efforts. On the other hand, a buyer persona is a detailed profile of a company’s ideal customer based on research and data. Buyer persona development involves creating detailed profiles of your ideal customers. 

Research and analysis help to understand customer needs, behaviors, and preferences. Also, you can customize marketing and sales strategies by using this information. 

Boost Your Business Growth with the Best Digital Marketing Agency 

We at Agency Partner Interactive specialize in digital marketing services to help businesses reach their full potential through effective online strategies. One of the key aspects of successful marketing is understanding your audience. We’re here to help you understand the difference between buyer personas and target audiences, and how to use them to form compelling digital marketing campaigns to get more customers and improve sales. 

As the best digital marketing and web design agency, we can help you create buyer personas and target audience profiles customized to your business goals and objectives. Schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help your business succeed! 

search-engine

Could ChatGPT Replace Search Engines?

Posted on | by devops

ChatGPT is a relatively new player in the online world that has quickly hit center stage. With its ability to understand and respond to natural language queries and context to generate human-like responses, ChatGPT could spell disaster for search engines like Google and Yahoo. So what is ChatGPT, and why are people so concerned? This blog post will take a closer look at ChatGPT and its potential impact on search engines.

What is ChatGPT?

Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is an advanced chatbot designed to generate human-like responses to text input. ChatGPT is based on the large language model (LLM) called Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT).
GPT is an autoregressive language model using deep learning to produce human-like text. It can understand human language and assist with various tasks like answering questions, generating text, and providing information. Given an initial prompt, it generates text that continues the prompt.

How Can ChatGPT Replace Search Engines?

The reason why people think ChatGPT may render search engines obsolete is because ChatGPT providers users a single answer to their question, whereas Google offers a list of resources that are intended to answer the question.
When users type a search query into the field, Google provides a list of article links. The responses range from the most to least relevant, but the user must go through the search results to find the answer to their query. ChatGPT does this work for the user, mimicking the data analysis process and delivering a concise and user-friendly response.

ChatGPT Limitations

With ChatGPT doing all the heavy lifting, some speculate why it hasn’t already replaced Google search engines. The primary reason why ChatGPT has not replaced search engines already is that it has many limitations, some of which are:

Requires training

ChatGPT is based on a language model that requires training to perform well. Proper training is expensive, and OpenAI has only trained this model once, meaning it has many errors. Additionally, AI and algorithms are highly susceptible to bias, even if the information is perceived as objective and factual, so there is a danger that ChatGPT will present flawed narratives in response to complex questions without room for the user to draw their own conclusion.

Factual correctness

ChatGPT can easily provide incorrect or misleading information, so it cannot be used for anything requiring factual accuracy. ChatGPT can even invent data when responding to user queries, misleading users that the information is trustworthy based on how it is presented.

Impossible to verify information

People who only use ChatGPT as their source of information receive one reply, whereas Google offers a list of information from multiple sources. ChatGPT doesn’t provide sources to back anything up, so for users to trust the system, they need to understand where the data comes from through accessible links or references.

Plagiarism

Since ChatGPT can only provide information that can already be found on the internet, there is a growing concern about cheating, plagiarism, phishing, and other issues. Its ability to mimic human-written text causes users to copy and paste AI-generated content as their own work, which might be riddled with plagiarism and inaccuracy. With no references or citations to back anything up, this risk increases.

ChatGPT Impact on Search Engines

ChatGPT has an interactive quality, while search engines, like Google, provide passive article links, making a more enjoyable experience for users. While it’s no surprise that ChatGPT is a useful tool for the right applications, it doesn’t seem like search engines are going anywhere for the foreseeable future.
A new approach to the debate of ChatGPT vs search engines could be blending the two to offer improved user experiences. With its advanced natural language processing abilities, ChatGPT can understand and respond to user queries in a human-like way, making search more intuitive and efficient.
Another way ChatGPT can help search engines is by providing more accurate and detailed information responding to user queries, and enhancing search functionality. Rather than replacing search engines, generative AI technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with search engines.

Agency Partner Interactive

As the top digital marketing agency in Dallas, Agency Partner Interactive stays on the cutting edge of technology and innovation. We work to understand your business drivers before leveraging technology and expertise to offer transformational solutions, resources, and tools needed to take your business to the next level. As a full-service digital agency, Agency Partner Interactive specializes in web design, software development, content marketing, SEO, PPC, and more. Our internet marketing experts can help you understand and implement next-gen technologies like AI and machine learning to better serve your business. Get in touch with us today and get your free proposal!

AI-trends

Top 5 AI Trends to Watch Out for in 2023

Posted on | by devops

As we step into 2023, the world of Artificial Intelligence is set to bring about exciting new developments and advancements. From machine learning and natural language processing to computer vision and deep learning, the field of AI is rapidly evolving, and 2023 is shaping up to be a year of significant growth and innovation. 

This blog post will provide a background on some of the most important breakthroughs in AI technology in 2022 and look at some of the most prominent AI trends of 2023. Join us as we explore the future of AI and how it will shape the way we live and work. 

2022 AI Overview 

2022 proved to be a banner year for AI developments. AI usage and production increased in deep learning and machine learning models, steadily tackling highly complex problems. 

Companies like OpenAI released demos of the advanced chatbot, ChatGPT, which has captured the attention of Microsoft, and text-to-image generators, making AI more approachable for public use. In tech, corporations like Dell said AI could become the main engine of innovation for the year as more companies adopt the technology to harness the full potential of data and support teams across their business. 

Top 5 AI Trends in 2023 

With OpenAI set to raise funds at a $29 billion valuation, Apple’s rollout of an AI auto narration tool, and Microsoft developing a model that can simulate anyone’s voice from only a three-second audio clip, the AI sector shows no signs of slowing down. 

As more organizations adopt AI to take advantage of its full potential of data and support teams and consumers, this rapid acceleration gives rise to these predictions for how AI will continue to evolve in 2023. 

Natural language processing 

Natural language processing (NLP) teaches computers to understand text and speech. Recognizing that NLP is one of the few fields in AI not limited to data, more companies will use this technology to improve their products, services, and customer experience.  

According to a report by Market Research Future, the NLP market is predicted to reach $341.7 billion by 2023 with a CAGR of 27.6% due to its speech recognition, chatbots, and research-supporting AI systems. 

The vast amount of information that can be gathered in the unstructured, text-based conversation customers have with call center representatives paves the way for one of the most accessible intelligence sources.  

NLP offers the ability to gain crucial customer insights to improve products and services, while virtual assistants can help staff tackle complex customer issues and improve satisfaction. 

Additionally, smart speakers in homes and mobile devices significantly increased due to the remote and hybrid working revolution, and speech recognition solutions focused on streamlining corporate processes will take center stage in 2023. As internal systems like CRM become increasingly connected to voice assistants, they will become more adapted to address each company’s unique needs. 

Adaptive AI 

Increased personalization and the ability to improve the customer journey go hand in hand with NLP, but with adaptive AI, brands can go beyond language processing to transform client experiences and improve personalization. 

Edge-based AI systems and computer vision-built experiences create frictionless shopping, reducing wait times and hassle for consumers. Retail stores can offer hyper-personalized recommendations and provide seamless customer journeys based on real-time insights gained through video analytics.  

These in-store analytics can give intelligent information based on each customer’s in-store behavior, such as the amount of time they spend in each aisle. Integrating past shopping histories across multiple channels and factoring in the demographic profile will elevate customer experiences making experiential shopping immersive and more enjoyable. 

AI for cybersecurity 

With an increased risk of data breaches and recent cybersecurity attacks, AI has the potential to improve defenses and create new opportunities for criminals. 

Advancements in AI and machine learning will enable IT teams to become more agile in reacting to threats, transitioning out of previous approaches to fixing issues manually. By leveraging the right platforms and solutions, enterprises will be able to keep up with the changing landscape and protect themselves from attacking agents by building an infrastructure that can adapt to changing conditions. 

On the other hand, new AI software can allow threat agents to exploit vulnerabilities quickly and reduce the technical expertise required. There has also been evidence that deep fakes are being used to infiltrate organizations. 

Edge AI 

Edge AI is the implementation of artificial intelligence in edge computing environments. AI computations are done at the edge of networks instead of in a centralized cloud computing facility or offsite data center. Edge AI has the power to transform our daily lives by making standard consumer devices context-aware through deep learning. 

As edge-based AI becomes more affordable and accessible to high-performance GPU compute, it will give rise to a market for smart and responsive devices. Since edge device models are customized to the specific environment, and critical data never exists outside the edge network, sectors like healthcare and finance, where data management faces strict regulation, will benefit. 

Edge AI models use context-based learning and synchronize with the central model at the appropriate times, resulting in lesser bandwidth and energy requirements. These cost-effective and intelligent devices will transform industries like retail, manufacturing, and energy utilities for use in cases like quality inspection and predictive maintenance. Edge-related AI will also be adopted to reduce carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. 

Generative AI 

Generative AI models use data like videos, sounds, photos, or computer code to create new material. OpenAI’s GPT-3 is one of the most popular generative AI models and is capable of producing text almost indistinguishable to human-written text. This technique gained widespread attention due to deep-fake content, but it will be used more regularly in the coming years for a variety of applications. 

Generative AI offers new capabilities that enable brands to streamline and augment content creation processes. AI networks use transfer-style learning or general adversarial networks to create immersive content from different sources. With generative AI, companies can create images, videos, and written content while decreasing turnaround time. Its obvious marketing advantages make it a key component in changing the content creation landscape in 2023 but have the potential to revolutionize the media industry. 

 Final Thoughts on the Latest Trends in AI 

As AI continues to advance at breakneck speed, it’s essential to understand that with any digital revolution, there are advantages and disadvantages. Experts believe AI will be a key part of digital transformation strategies in multiple sectors and influence infrastructure decisions in finance and technology. 

AI has the potential to streamline business processes, enhance customer experiences, and improve cybersecurity, but indiscriminate adoption and misuse of AI can lead to significant consequences for society at large. Understanding the purpose and limitations of AI for your business should be a critical factor in how you choose to implement it. 

Agency Partner Interactive Web Design Agency 

As your premier web design and digital marketing agency, Agency Partner Interactive stays on the cutting edge of technology and innovation. We work to understand your business drivers before leveraging technology and our years of experience to create custom websites, design user interfaces, and create compelling digital marketing solutions to help accelerate your long-term goals. Whether you need a bespoke website for your brand or internet marketing consulting services, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with a strategist for your free proposal today! 

ecommerce-trends

10 Ecommerce Trends You Need to Know in 2023

Posted on | by devops

The internet has transformed the way we shop. In fact, you may already shop online for most of your needs. But as an eCommerce entrepreneur, knowing the latest trends coming down the pipeline is essential to staying competitive and offering excellent customer experiences. Here are 10 eCommerce trends that will have a significant impact on your business by 2023: 

  1. Omnichannel Retailing

Omnichannel is the integration of online and offline channels. It’s about creating a seamless experience for customers, who are increasingly expecting to pick up where they left off across devices and platforms. As omnichannel becomes more critical in eCommerce strategy, the customer experience has become more relevant than ever—and it’s here that you can make your mark on the industry. 

The future of eCommerce will be shaped by how well companies deliver on a streamlined shopping journey that provides convenience, speed, and personalization at every turn—not only when you’re making a purchase but also before it occurs. The key factor in this future? The customer experience. 

  1. Social Commerce

Social commerce is the new customer experience. With 153 million people engaging in social media daily, it’s no surprise that social media has become a lucrative marketing channel for brands. When you consider how many people share their shopping experiences on social media, it’s easy to see why social commerce is quickly becoming an essential part of any eCommerce strategy.

This trend will only grow as more consumers use social platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to discover products they want to buy – sometimes before they ever walk through your doors or visit your website! Social commerce is also becoming increasingly important because consumers are influenced by what other shoppers say about products or services before making purchases themselves. 

  1. Customer Service

Customer service is one of the most important aspects of online retail. It’s not just about providing a good experience; it’s about being able to do so in multiple languages and ensuring you can handle customer inquiries, returns, and other issues quickly and efficiently. 

The more automated your customer service is, the better. You don’t want to spend time manually responding to every single customer inquiry. This type of automation can be implemented through chatbots on your website or social media channels. 

  1. Mobile Shopping

Mobile shopping is on the rise, and it’s here to stay. According to a recent study from Google, more than 55% of people say they frequently browse products on their phones when in-store. If you’re not using mobile technology to sell your product, you’re likely missing out on a major opportunity. 

Mobile shopping can be convenient for customers because it allows them to shop anywhere at any time without waiting in line. It also provides an opportunity for greater personalization: your customers are more likely to spend more money with companies that cater specifically to their needs as individuals. 

  1. Subscription-Based Shopping

Subscription-based shopping is another trend that you should familiarize yourself with, as it’s a growing part of eCommerce. Subscription services are predicted to account for $904.28 billion in sales by 2026. 

With this model, customers pay a monthly fee for ongoing service and get access to products or services without having to pay extra each time they want something new.  

  1. Visual Search

Visual search is a hot topic in eCommerce, with an increasing number of retailers using it to improve their search engine results. It’s easy to see why: visual search allows consumers to find products based on the image they provide, rather than having them type keywords or use other traditional search features. 

In the past year or so, we’ve seen this technology from brands like Amazon and Pinterest, where you can use pictures of items to find similar ones that might fit into your life seamlessly.  

  1. Live Shopping in Augmented Reality

In the past, augmented reality (AR) was primarily used for gaming. But now, live shopping in AR is becoming a reality. 

AR allows consumers to experience products and services in their environment using digital graphics overlaid on top of real-world images captured by a camera. With AR technology, customers can see how your product or service will look in their home before they purchase it. 

  1. Contactless Payment

Contactless payment is the future of payment processing. In fact, contactless payments are growing faster than any other type of financial technology in the market today. 

If you’re not familiar with contactless payments, they allow you to pay using your phone or other NFC-enabled device without having to use cash or credit cards. Contactless payments are easy to use and convenient, making them ideal for today’s mobile-first world where time is money. 

  1. Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS)

BOPIS allows customers to choose between having their products shipped directly to them or picking them up in person from a nearby retail location. This option gives shoppers greater convenience and control over their purchases. They can decide whether they want the product immediately or later. In some cases, BOPIS also allows retailers to offer additional discounts for products picked up at physical locations instead of purchasing online only; this encourages a higher rate of foot traffic into stores while still providing easy access for those who prefer online shopping. 

  1. Curbside Pickup

Curbside pickup involves face-to-face interactions between customers and sales staff but doesn’t require shoppers’ physical presence inside an actual store. It simply requires that they notify the store via app or online that they’ve arrived, and staff members will bring items out to the customer and place it in their vehicle. This option stuck around after COVID-19, and we see it becoming even more popular in the future! 

Agency Partner Interactive  

The COVID-19 pandemic spearheaded the global eCommerce surge out of necessity, and since then, it has continued to evolve to meet the needs of modern consumers. While these eCommerce trends are critical to know for any online business, they’re just the beginning. If you need help developing a compelling, conversion-driven eCommerce marketing strategy, Agency Partner is here to help. Our internet marketing team has worked with brands of all sizes and industries to drive engagement, web traffic, customer loyalty, and revenue. Ready to optimize and future-proof your eCommerce business? Schedule your consultation today! 

web-design-trends

Web Design Trends for 2023

Posted on | by devops

Web design is a constantly evolving medium, and it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends or run the risk of creating an outdated or inaccessible site. In this article, we’ll look at some key trends that will drive web design in 2023. 

Voice User Interfaces 

One of the biggest trends in web design is voice user interfaces. With the rise of smart speakers, it’s becoming clear that this new way of interacting with devices is the future. Voice user interfaces are already being used in many industries, from smart homes to healthcare. Voice UIs have become a vital tool for businesses to interact with their customers—and they’re only going to get more popular in the future! 

Chatbots 

Chatbots are a great way to interact with your users and can be used for everything from customer service to lead generation. They’re also an excellent way to leverage other technologies—like artificial intelligence (AI) or virtual assistants—to enhance the user experience. 

You can use chatbots and AI to create a self-learning system that gets better at answering questions as it learns the type of questions and responses your customers are looking for. This is especially useful if you have multiple chatbots serving different purposes: one could answer general questions while another focuses on specific topics like shipping rates or product availability. 

Chatbot technology allows people who might not usually be able to access these resources an easier way of communicating with businesses online than typing out lengthy emails and waiting for a reply. 

Animation 

Animation has been around for decades, but its popularity is still rising. It can communicate a message, enhance user experience and add visual interest to your site. It can be a great way to reinforce key messages or create an interactive experience that keeps users engaged throughout their visit. 

Animation is also great for providing feedback. When someone interacts with something on your website—navigation buttons, form fields, or even just scrolling through content—having some animation will let them know their action was successful without waiting for an entire page load. This makes users feel more engaged with your site because they see things happening immediately in response to what they’re doing; it creates less friction between them and getting what they want from your page. 

The Decline of Traditional Navigation Menus 

Navigation menus are a ubiquitous feature of websites. They’re also essential to the user experience, helping people navigate a site and quickly find the information they need. 

But as we’ve seen, navigation menus aren’t always ideal. They can be long and unwieldy, making it difficult for users to find what they’re looking for. Even when there is sufficient space for all content on the homepage, users may still need help finding what they’re searching for because navigating through an ocean of different links can quickly become overwhelming. 

White Space 

White space is the empty space between elements on a website. It’s vital for readability and allows your content to breathe, helping you create a visual hierarchy by placing more important elements closer together. 

White space can also be used as a separator between different sections of content, giving visitors an indication that they have moved from one area of your site to another. 

The Future of Website Design 

While these trends are gaining in popularity, it’s important to remember that there is no “secret formula” for creating an impactful website. Great design comes from understanding your users and considering their needs first and foremost. Afterward, you can develop a strategy that generates higher engagement, more leads, conversions, and revenue, while providing an immersive experience for your brand. 

Agency Partner Interactive  

We know your website is a reflection of how your business operates; make the best first impression and schedule a consultation with Agency Partner Interactive today. Our award-winning web design team has helped transform hundreds of websites into the digital age, and we would love to help yours do the same. Our meticulous, data-driven design process ensures we deliver a high-quality, accessible, and impactful website tailored to your audience’s needs and expectations. 

After your web design project is complete, our digital marketing experts provide the support to maintain and optimize your digital presence. We constantly look for innovative solutions to improve and scale your brand’s impact, reach, and success. Give us a call and take the next leap into digital dominance! 

UI-UX-trend

Top 5 UX/UI Trends for 2023

Posted on | by devops

We’ve seen a massive influx of websites and apps that use micro-interactions, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a seamless user experience. Almost every website or app you use today has been designed with one or more of these UX/UI trends. Although many businesses are still trying to get the hang of it all, some trends have already proven their worth — and will only become more critical in the coming years: 

  • Immersive Scrolling 

Immersive scrolling combines two design trends: parallax scrolling and infinite scroll. Parallax scrolling happens when two or more layers scroll at different speeds, creating a 3D effect for your website visitor. 

Infinite scroll adds another dimension to the experience by allowing users to scroll beyond the bottom of a page and load more content as they go. This can be used with parallax scrolling to create an immersive user experience that keeps users engaged with your site. 

  • 3D and Animated Visual Elements 

3D and animated visual elements are becoming more popular because they can create a more captivating experience for your visitors. They can show product features or highlight key information, but the most important thing about 3D and animated visuals is that they’re entertaining for your audience. 

Your website visitors will appreciate the effort you put into making their experience as enjoyable as possible, even if it only lasts for a few seconds, so keep this trend at the top of your mind when designing your 2023 marketing strategy! 

  • Increased Accessibility 

Accessibility is a legal requirement for many websites and is an excellent way to boost customer satisfaction. 

Accessibility is essential for everyone, but it’s especially vital for people with disabilities. That doesn’t mean you need to build an accessible website from scratch. You can start making your site more accessible by following some simple UX design principles: 

  • Empathy: understand the needs of your audience and their concerns when interacting with your brand or website. 
  • User research: this step is an essential part of design and development, but it’s equally important for creating accessible designs. It’s imperative to reach out to a diverse audience, ensuring you are considering individuals with varying cognitive and physical needs. After you understand these concerns, you can resolve their issues with innovative and helpful solutions. 
  • Inclusivity: this aspect is critical for today’s consumers. They want to work with a brand that ensures all audiences feel heard and seen. Individuals with disabilities must be brought into the fold when designing a holistic web and mobile experience. 
  • Navigation: ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is crucial for all audiences, specifically for accessibility purposes. It’s important to give users multiple navigational options. If some users need assistive devices, UI/UX designs need to consider how that impacts their interaction and provide solutions for how users can control how they interact with your site.
  1. Personalization Tools 

Personalization tools are all about making your website more relevant to your customers. It’s a way of creating a more personalized experience for the user by providing them with content tailored specifically to their interests and needs, creating an individualized experience for every visitor. 

Many different personalization methods are available, from simple cookies that track users across multiple devices and sessions to sophisticated AI-powered machine learning algorithms. But no matter which method(s) you choose, it’s important that they give each visitor an individualized experience while also providing value. The goal should always be to ensure that the website is relevant to the user. 

2. Dark and Anti-Light Modes 

Your customers may have experienced eye strain and fatigue from using your website or app. To help them, you can create a “dark mode” option. Dark mode removes bright backgrounds and makes the text on your site easier to read.  

Additionally, if you have visitors with low vision or color blindness, a darker color scheme can offer easier access to your site/app content without straining their eyesight. 

Agency Partner Interactive as Your UI/UX Design Agency 

In summary, UX/UI has become essential to every business’s digital presence in the modern age. It can help you keep up with your competitors, build customer loyalty, attract more audiences, and generate revenue.  

As an award-winning website design and development company, Agency Partner Interactive’s design team can help you create a compelling, inclusive digital presence catered to your audience base. We work to understand your users and build responsive, meaningful, and satisfying experiences for all users. Get your free proposal today! 

marketing-budget

How to Better Manage Your Marketing Budget This Year

Posted on | by devops

The holidays are over, and you’ve had a chance to recover from all the parties and family time. Now that you’re back in the office, it’s time to get serious about how you’re going to manage your marketing budget in 2023. Whether you’re a small business owner or a large corporation, there’s never been more pressure on budgets than now. The good news is there are strategies we can all use to manage our money better so we can focus on the work that matters most: helping our customers and businesses succeed! 

How to Better Manage Your Marketing Budget 

Marketing budgeting is an ongoing process. 

While you may start with a finite amount to spend on marketing for the year, this figure should be revisited as your business needs change and grow. There are two primary factors to consider when determining how much money you’ll need: 

  • How much money do I have available? (your budget)
  • What are my goals? (how much can I afford to spend)

When it comes down to it, understanding what resources are available and having clarity on your goals will allow you to better manage your marketing budget. 

Determine Your Total Marketing Budget 

Before you begin to plan your marketing strategy and budget, it’s important to determine how much money you must spend. While some companies may be flush with cash, others face tighter budget constraints. Regardless of how much money is available for marketing, there are ways to make the most of what you have. 

To determine how much money you can allocate toward marketing: 

Use existing financial information (if available). If your company has already conducted its annual budgets or has other recent budgets in the office, this information can provide insight into where funding might come from in the future.  

Create a List of Platforms You’ll Use for Marketing 

Keeping a list of the platforms you plan to use for marketing is essential. For instance, if you have a Facebook page, then make sure it is on your list. If you plan to run paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram, be sure those are included. In addition to social media platforms, you can also include email newsletters and other digital marketing strategies. 

You may want to create a spreadsheet or other type of document where all these platforms are listed so that when it comes time for budgeting purposes in the future (as well as when evaluating how well each platform is performing), it will be easy for everyone involved in managing your social media presence—or any other digital strategy—to see what needs attention most urgently at any given time. 

Estimate the Cost and Potential ROI for Each Platform 

Understanding how much money you have to spend on different aspects of your strategy is critical. For example, if you don’t know how much it will cost to buy an ad on Facebook or YouTube, you won’t be able to make informed decisions about where best to allocate your budget across these platforms. 

Understand How Your Competitors Are Spending Their Marketing Budget 

Understanding what other companies are doing is key when deciding how much money you want to spend on each marketing platform as part of your overall strategy. You can use tools like SEMrush and SpyFu to learn about the top keywords that competitors use in their ads and landing pages and which platforms they’re advertising on most frequently. This way, when setting up your campaigns across these platforms based on competitor data, you’ll know what works best and why so that you can make data-driven decisions moving forward. 

Evaluate Your Current Strategy to See What’s Already Working 

The next step to setting a solid budget for marketing this year is to look at the results of your previous spending strategy. What does your data tell you about what worked and what didn’t? 

You can find this information by reviewing your social media analytics, email open rates, and website traffic reports.  

  • Did you have high engagement across all channels at one point in time? Check which posts got the most likes or shares on Facebook or replies on Twitter.
  • Do some of your social media followers seem more engaged than others? Look at the number of comments compared with likes or shares on each post.
  • Are people visiting certain pages more often than others? If so, you should figure out why.

Allocate Your Budget 

The best way to figure out how much you should spend on each platform is by determining their value and then dividing that by their total cost. For example, if Facebook ads drive 90% of your sales and only cost $10 per month, it makes sense to spend most of your budget there. However, if you have some channels that are working well but generating fewer leads than others, it may make sense to focus more on those channels so they can perform better. 

  • Figure out how much money you have available for digital marketing campaigns
  • Prioritize the platforms where you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck

Agency Partner Interactive 

While budgeting expenses for the year can be challenging for small businesses to enterprise corporations, knowing where to put your investment is crucial to realizing a full ROI. Agency Partner Interactive is a full-service digital marketing and web development agency that has worked with budgets of all sizes. Our meticulous, results-driven process ensures you’re kept in the loop every step to get the biggest bang for your buck. Your business success becomes ours. Schedule your free consultation and start the new year right with an award-winning digital marketing agency! 

holiday-marketing

How to Get Ready for the Holiday Shopping Rush in Your eCommerce Business

Posted on | by devops

The holidays are here, and you know what that means: shopping! The months leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day are prime times for online sales. With so many people looking to buy presents for their loved ones or take advantage of post-holiday deals, chances are they’ll be looking online before they go into stores. If you’re an eCommerce shop owner, this is your opportunity to take advantage of increased traffic on your site and make some extra revenue. This blog post will help you prepare for the upcoming high-traffic period by outlining how long it takes for orders placed today to ship out tomorrow (and beyond). 

Get a Jump Start on Inventory 

As you’re getting ready to start the holiday shopping rush, there are a few things you should consider. First and foremost, make sure that your inventory is in order. You need to know what you should be ordering, how much of it, and whether or not it’s available in enough quantity or color options. 

If your product is unavailable when customers want it (or worse yet, if they can’t find it), your business could lose revenue. That’s why Agency Partner Interactive recommends taking a proactive approach by getting an accurate count of how many products you need and putting in your order early enough so as not to run out before most people even start their shopping season. 

Make Sure Your Website and all Related Platforms are Tested and Functioning 

This is an excellent time of year for eCommerce businesses, but it can be stressful for you and your team. Make sure your eCommerce website is working properly and that all related platforms are tested and functioning. If you still need to optimize your site for search engines, this is the ideal time to get started! Once you’ve done that, look at improving user experience by making navigation easier to use and ensuring that customers have a good experience while on your website. This will help keep them coming back again and again! 

Be Mobile Ready 

As mobile commerce continues to rise, ensuring your website or app is ready for the holiday rush is essential. You can only fully take advantage of the increased traffic at this time of year if you’re prepared. 

First, check your site’s user experience (UX) on mobile devices. Conduct a usability test with friends and family members who use their smartphones more than any other device; get some expert advice from an experienced UX professional—and make sure you’ve already tested out any new features before making them live! If your website isn’t easy to navigate from a small screen, people won’t be able to find what they want and will likely leave before deciding what gifts to buy. 

Second, ensure that whatever functionality your customers expect from their phones works well when accessed through them. For example: does shopping cart abandonment convert into actual sales? Can people check out quickly without having to stay logged in for hours? Is there enough space between buttons, so people don’t accidentally click on something else instead? These things matter! 

Personalize Your Customer Experience 

Personalization is a vital part of the customer experience. If you need to personalize your customer interactions, you should start doing so today. You can improve the customer experience through email marketing, social media posts, and other channels that allow for different levels of personalization. 

Personalization can be a great way to build customer loyalty. If a customer knows that you care about them as an individual and are willing to tailor your approach based on their needs and desires, they’ll likely feel more compelled than ever before to return in the future. And when they come back, they’ll be more excited about it because they expect to be treated differently each time (and hopefully better). 

Personalizing your approach also has another benefit: increased sales! Customers who feel valued by companies are much more likely to make purchases than those who don’t feel valued or have no connection at all. 

Get Your Marketing Campaign Ready to Go 

You must ensure that you have a social media presence and email marketing before the holiday shopping rush begins. Social media is a great way of reaching out to customers and providing them with information about your business and products while also letting them know about upcoming deals or offers. Email marketing allows you to send out emails reminding your customer base about the discounts or offers available during this time of year and other holiday-themed landing pages. 

Conclusion 

With a bit of preparation and support, you can make this time a win for your business. A little preparation goes a long way toward giving your customers an unforgettable experience that will keep them coming back for more. And when they do come back, it’s crucial not only that their favorite products are in stock but also that they find what they want easily—or at least quickly enough so as not to be frustrated with how long it took to locate it. So, get ready now with these tips and tricks for reducing customer frustration during the holiday shopping season! 

Agency Partner Interactive 

With the holiday shopping rush in full swing, you’ll want to make sure your eCommerce marketing campaign is ready. It’s a great time to use social media and email marketing platforms to reach out to your customers and remind them of your discount or offer. If you need help getting your marketing strategy ready in a pinch, get in touch with an internet marketing expert at Agency Partner today! We’ve had extensive experience with holiday marketing campaigns on a tight deadline, and we can help you grow your business and sales this season and beyond. Schedule your consultation today! 

paid-media-vs-earned-media

Earned Media Vs. Paid Media: Which Is Better for Your Company?

Posted on | by devops

When it comes to marketing your company, there are two types of media that you can use: paid and earned. Paid media is the type that most people think about when they’re thinking about advertising, like TV commercials and radio ads. Earned media refers to any exposure that occurs naturally without you paying for it. Think about all the times you’ve seen a Facebook or Instagram ad or watched a video by an influencer on YouTube—those aren’t paid. Instead, they fall under the category of “earned” because they received free exposure due to something their audience did (like share something). There are pros and cons to both marketing campaigns, but in this post, we’ll discuss why each can help your business grow! 

Paid Media 

Paid media is any form of advertising that you pay for. It includes media outlets like TV, radio, print, and online ads. Paid media can be very effective at reaching a large audience—and depending on your company’s needs and goals, it may be the best choice for your marketing plan. 

Paid media campaigns can also be used to build awareness around a new product launch or event. This approach tends to cost more than simply selling something directly via paid ads alone, but it can also help build brand recognition and sales momentum over time and boost traffic to your website after someone sees one of these ads online. 

Examples of Paid Media 

Paid media is a form of advertising that can be bought using ad words, ad networks, or other forms of advertising. Paid media is usually the most effective way to reach your target audience because it’s highly targeted and precisely placed. You can reach out to exactly the people who are interested in what you offer—and you’ll know before you pay for it that those people will see your ads. 

  • Ad Words: Google AdWords lets advertisers show ads on Google search results page based on search terms that users enter into Google Search and “display” networks (sites not owned by Google). The paid advertisements are marked with an “Ads by…” message at their bottom right corner—you’ll recognize them as they appear on many websites! The effectiveness of these ads depends on selecting good keywords. If there aren’t enough searches for a particular word or phrase, no one will see your ad. This can help smaller businesses find new audiences and larger companies reach more specific targets within their existing customer base. 
  • Display Networks: These include sites like Facebook or Hulu, where users look specifically for entertainment content; when someone clicks on an ad appearing there, it may direct them back onto another site like yours! You might have seen examples of this yourself if you clicked through YouTube videos on another website during browsing sessions. 
  • Social Media Ads: Social media platforms allow businesses direct access to user data such as age group/gender breakdowns based on publicly available information. This gives marketers better insights about potential customers vs. traditional online platforms, which rely solely upon demographic information. 

Benefits of Paid Media 

Paid media is a great way to start your marketing campaign. It allows you to be more targeted, measurable, reliable, and scalable. In addition, paid media can be used to test ad copy and landing pages before putting them into a larger-scale campaign. 

Earned Media 

Earned media results from a company’s actions, products, and services. It can be a positive or negative outcome, depending on what you do. Earned media is free, but it requires time and effort to earn it. 

Examples of Earned Media 

Earned media is a term that refers to the publicity generated by word-of-mouth, social media, and other forms of advertisement that are not paid for. In other words, it’s free. Earned media can be a great way to build brand awareness. 

Earned media includes traditional methods like word-of-mouth advertising and social sharing, as well as newer ones like influencer marketing, which involves getting influencers to promote your products on their platforms (e.g., YouTube). 

Benefits of Earned Media 

Earned media is a powerful tool to boost brand exposure and loyalty and increase sales. Here’s how: 

  • Earned Media Brings You Exposure: Publicity can drive traffic to your website, increasing SEO effectiveness. People who read positive reviews about your company online or hear about you on the radio are more likely to visit your website and make a purchase. 
  • Earned Media Builds Brand Loyalty: The more publicity you receive, the more likely consumers will be loyal customers who spend money with you instead of other companies in your industry. This gives you an advantage over competitors since earned media builds trust between consumers and brands; people are more willing to buy from brands they have heard good things about than those whose products have been advertised heavily but haven’t received positive feedback from customers yet (or ever). 

Earned Media vs Paid Media 

Earned media is better for building trust and credibility, while paid media is better for getting your message to a large audience. To reach your target audience, companies should use both earned and paid media in their marketing campaigns. 

Agency Partner Interactive 

While there are many similarities between earned and paid media, there are also some significant differences to keep in mind for your business. While it is possible to have a successful campaign without these tactics, the internet marketing experts at Agency Partner Interactive recommend using both. If you need help developing your earned and paid media campaigns, contact a digital marketing strategist for a consultation today! 

Youtube-shorts

YouTube Shorts: How Brands Are Using Them 

Posted on | by devops

YouTube is a powerful social media platform for reaching consumers. Whether you’re a large corporation or a small business, YouTube can be an important part of your marketing strategy. However, not everyone has the time or budget to create full-length videos that grab people’s attention and compel them to watch. That’s where YouTube Shorts come in: they allow you to share quick bits of content with your audience in an easy-to-consume format that doesn’t require any additional effort on their part once they’ve clicked through. In this post, we’ll explore what exactly YouTube Shorts are, how they work, and why they matter so much for brands looking to reach their target audience through video content. 

What Is a YouTube Short? 

A YouTube Short is a video that’s typically between 1 and 5 minutes in length, but it can be as short as 15 seconds. These videos are used to promote products or services and can also be used to tell stories, entertain, or educate consumers. You’re not limited in how you use them; they’re just another piece of content you add to your social media marketing strategy that can help build an audience for your brand and grow awareness among consumers. 

Why Are YouTube Shorts Important? 

There are several reasons why using this medium to get your message across is so effective. 

  1. You can get your message across quickly.
  2. YouTube Shorts are perfect for product demos, tutorials, and instructions on how to use a product or service.
  3. They’re also great for demonstrating how to use features of new products or services that have yet to be available.

How to Create YouTube Shorts 

To create a YouTube Short, there are several things to keep in mind. 

  • Use the right equipment: for the best results, use a smartphone or camera that can record in landscape mode. You’ll also want to use a tripod or other stabilizer if you move around while shooting your video. If possible, try to find natural lighting and avoid fluorescent bulbs or bright sunlight when recording indoors—they can wash out footage and make it look dull.
  • Record high-quality audio: this is one thing many creators forget when they start making videos on YouTube—how crucial good audio is! Make sure you have good-quality microphones before going live with any videos; otherwise, people won’t be able to hear what you’re saying!
  • Add titles and descriptions: these will help viewers know what they’re getting into before they click play on your work product (or skip over it entirely). Make sure these descriptions make sense, so no one gets confused by anything contained therein either; it’s worth having an editor review them before posting anything on social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter.

Create Content for Your Viewers 

The content you create for your brand should be engaging, entertaining, and relevant to your audience. When creating short-form content, it’s essential to keep the length of each video within reason. If your video is too short, people might not stick around long enough; if you go over five minutes, then viewers may lose interest as well. Adding links to your website or other social media platforms is also important so that people can learn more about what you’re selling or reading through other resources. 

Integrate Calls to Action into Your YouTube Short 

It’s a good idea to include a call-to-action in your video, too. This can be as simple as asking viewers to subscribe, like, comment on your video or share it with their friends. You can also add a link at the end of your video that takes viewers directly to your website, where you’ve got more information about what you do and why they should care about it. 

You could also make an extra effort by creating an entire landing page dedicated specifically to the content in question. This way, when people watch this piece of content from start to finish, they’ll know exactly what they’re supposed to do next—or better yet: have already done it by the time they reach this point in the video! 

Use YouTube Shorts to Reach Your Audience in a New Way 

YouTube Shorts are the perfect companion to longer videos because they allow you to reach people who may not have time or interest for a longer video. If you’re hoping to engage with your audience on mobile devices, this is an excellent way to do so. It’s also an effective way to share your brand story, whether it’s through humor or emotion—or both! And it’s easy to create, too.  

Conclusion 

YouTube Shorts are an excellent way for brands to reach their audience more intimately. They allow you to break the fourth wall and connect with your consumers personally. But they don’t have to just be used for that; they can also be used as promotional tools or just for fun! Remember: no matter what type of content you choose, keep it entertaining and engaging so that people will want to watch it more than once (and share it with friends). 

Agency Partner as Your Social Media Marketing Agency 

At Agency Partner Interactive, we’re experts in helping companies increase their exposure with their YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok campaigns. Our social media specialists are experts at driving traffic, customer engagement, and ROI. Get your free proposal today! 

Holiday-social-media-marketing

How to Make the Most of Holiday Marketing on Social Media

Posted on | by devops

Social media is a powerful tool to help you grow your business. It can help you reach new audiences, increase brand awareness and boost sales. But if you want to make the most of social media in your holiday marketing campaigns, you need to plan. This article will show you how to take advantage of social media for effective holiday marketing campaigns: 

Start with Last Year 

Before launching your holiday marketing, look at last year’s campaign and see what worked and didn’t. Did you reach the target audience? What was the ROI? Were there any lessons learned that can help guide this year’s strategy? Look back on these questions to determine how successful your social media marketing has been so that you can improve upon it in the future. 

Audience Targeting 

The first step in creating a successful social media holiday campaign is to identify your audience. This may seem like an obvious statement, but you need to know exactly who you are trying to reach when it comes to marketing on social media. Identifying the right audience will help guide you through all other steps of developing your marketing strategy and ensure that all your efforts yielding the intended results. 

Once you have identified who your target audience is, it’s essential to understand their needs and preferences, interests, and demographics. You also want to consider what types of content they consume online so that this can be incorporated into any future campaigns or promotions. 

Choose the Most Effective Social Media Channels 

It’s important to choose the social media channels that will work best for your brand, and it can take time to know where you should focus. When choosing the proper social channels, consider these things: 

  • What is your target demographic? Are they using this platform? If so, how often? Do they respond better to videos or images? Is there a specific type of content that resonates with them on this channel?
  • How much time do you have to upload content? For example, if you only have an hour per week available but want to upload videos every weekday, then Instagram is probably not the best choice (unless those videos are quick and straightforward).
  • What kind of content do users engage with most on each channel? 

Be Creative 

You want your content to stand out and get noticed. Make sure you are using high-quality images, videos, and various formats and colors. This can include square, landscape, and portrait pictures, bright colors or black & white photos. You may also want to use different fonts for your text to grab people’s attention even more. 

Choose a Campaign Hashtag 

Choosing a hashtag is an important part of your holiday marketing campaign. It helps to create a cohesive social media experience and brings together your brand’s followers. 

A good hashtag should be: 

  • Relevant to your brand—This will help it stand out from other hashtags used by other companies, making it easier for consumers to find you online.
  • Easy to remember—The fewer letters or characters in the hashtag, the better! People won’t want to type out something complicated whenever they want their friends or family members to see what they’re up to. 

Run a Campaign 

A social media marketing campaign is the perfect way to get your brand noticed, but it can take a lot of work to come up with a concept that stands out in the crowd. For example, you could run a contest on Facebook and give away some products or services in exchange for “likes” from your fans. Another option is giving special discounts and promotions on certain days of the week or month. You can also offer special rewards for people who post photos or videos using hashtags related to your company, such as #holidayfun or #holidaygiftguide. 

If you’re not sure where to start when planning out your holiday marketing campaign strategy this year, we’ve got some tips on how you can make sure yours gets noticed: 

  • Be clear about what the goal of your campaign is before launching it! Clear goals will help keep everyone focused on achieving them instead of getting sidetracked by other projects.
  • Make sure everything about this project is measurable, meaning that there’s some way for people who participate (or don’t participate) to know whether they were successful at reaching their goal(s). 

Agency Partner Interactive 

With the right tools and strategies, you can make your brand shine year-round. If you feel your marketing could use a little boost, look no further than the digital marketing experts at Agency Partner Interactive. We’ve been helping small and large businesses in all industries achieve exponential growth, and we can help yours do the same! Reach out for your free consultation and proposal today! 

Hire-a-freelaner-vs-web-agency

Benefits of Hiring a Web Design Agency vs a Freelance Web Designer

Posted on | by devops

As a business owner, you’re probably well-versed in the benefits of hiring a web design agency. Or maybe you haven’t yet considered the idea of hiring a freelance web designer. Either way, this article will explore the many benefits of hiring a web design agency and how it can achieve your business goals. 

Multi-Skilled Team 

When you hire a web design agency, you are hiring a team. The web design team utilizes each member’s skills and expertise while creating your website. This means that they can help with more than just designing your website. They can also provide UI/UX, intuitive navigational architecture, branding collateral, and app development.  

If you hire a full-service internet marketing agency like Agency Partner Interactive, we can provide the support to sustain your online presence with SEO, social media marketing, content marketing, and more. 

Faster Response Time 

If you hire a freelance web designer, you may have to wait longer for their responses. They might be working on multiple projects at once and have less time to answer your questions or provide updates on their progress. 

A web design agency will likely have a team of dedicated designers and developers working on your project, along with a project manager or point of contact. This ensures you’ll receive timely updates, stay in constant communication throughout the process, and receive answers to any questions or concerns. 

Better at Answering Questions 

Web design agencies typically have more experience and extensive portfolios than freelance web designers. The valuable experience gained by working with different companies and industries enables web design agencies to answer any questions or concerns you may have. They’ll also be able to leverage the skills they’ve acquired throughout the years to make your web project successful.  

A successful web project starts with a website kickoff meeting. This is where you and the agency review the project’s scope, establish deadlines, review metrics, and lay out all necessary information to ensure no surprises during development and after launch. 

Website design agencies also work with other clients going through a similar process, so they know what issues may arise later in development or after your website launches in terms of customizations and updates. A freelance designer doesn’t necessarily have this level of insight into other projects; therefore, it can be harder for someone working on one project or splitting their time with several to get those answers for you. 

Ongoing Support 

As a business owner, you want your website always to be up and running. Unexpected downtime can lead to lost sales and data breaches. They can also damage your brand’s reputation and break your customer’s trust. 

A web design agency can provide ongoing support 24/7 after your website goes live. They have dedicated staff members who prioritize keeping your website up and functioning at peak performance.  

If you hire a freelancer, they will only work with your website for a short period (usually 6-12 months). After the project is complete, they may not offer support and maintenance services. Hiring a separate agency to manage your site can be costly without guaranteeing they know how everything works — especially if it has been changed or updated since then! 

More Experience 

There are many benefits of hiring a web design agency to handle your website, and one of them is experience. Experience with time comes with time—it takes years to build up the expertise necessary to create quality websites. When you hire an agency, they will have more experience than most freelancers because they’ve had more opportunities to work on projects that require different types of clients, projects, and technologies. 

A web designer’s level of knowledge about their craft is only as good as their experience working in it; if they haven’t been doing it for long, then there’s no way for them to know what works or doesn’t work well when creating sites for your business. 

Access to Better Tools and Resources 

A professional web design agency can access tools and resources that a freelance web designer may lack. Not only will you have access to better software, but also more experienced designers. This is especially beneficial for companies who want their website or app to stand out. 

This means that if you hire a web design agency, they are likely going to be able to provide you with a much better product than if you hired a freelancer who needs an easy gig. 

Greater Professionalism 

A professional web designer will work within your budget and timeframe so that you can maximize your ROI. If there are any unexpected issues with their work, they’ll make sure those problems are resolved quickly so that you get the site up and running as soon as possible. A professional web designer will also be honest about the results you can expect based on your specific needs and business goals.  

They’ll give you an accurate timeline for how long each step in the process might take so that you know when things will happen or what’s behind the scenes. Lastly, a professional understands the importance of trust when working with clients and improving their business.  

Agency Partner as Your Web Design Agency  

Web design is more than just making a beautiful website. Successful websites are built with your users in mind, provide positive user experiences, and can help you reach your goals, whether sales, brand awareness, lead generation, or anything in between. When it comes to award-winning website design services, look no further than Agency Partner Interactive. Our web design experts have completed over 1600 successful projects spanning multiple industries and sizes. Regardless of starting from scratch or needing to revamp an outdated site, we’ve got you covered. Schedule a consultation with Texas’ top web design company today! 

UX-web-design

How Good User Experience Benefits Your Business

Posted on | by devops

If you want to increase sales, improve customer loyalty, and boost your bottom line, user experience should be at the top of your list. The reason is simple: a good user experience can make all these things happen. However, creating great UX is not easy because so many factors are involved, including design, navigation, and content features. If you’re still unsure whether your business can benefit from positive user experiences, read on!  

What Is User Experience and UX Web Design? 

User experience (UX) is everything that happens when a user interacts with a business. 

In the simplest terms, UX web design means designing your site’s web pages, interfaces, and other online elements to support your goals for user engagement. Your objective as a business owner is to create an environment where people can easily find what they’re looking for on your website, get in touch with you if they need more information or services, and ultimately buy from you. 

This sounds like common sense – but many companies have failed miserably at creating this type of experience because they didn’t take time to understand what their customers wanted before building their websites. When it comes down to it, you need an experienced team who knows how exactly these interactions work so that they can integrate them within your website design from day one! 

Benefits of Websites with Good UX 

Studies show that users who are happy with their experiences are more likely to return and less likely to bounce from your site, which can result in higher conversions and lower costs per acquisition. 

Reduced Costs 

If your website is optimized for good user experience, you will likely have fewer support calls and problems with your site. Your business will also save time and money by reducing the need to train or hire support staff. 

As a result of an optimized website, you’ll have less downtime when people can’t access features due to poor coding or other errors. Reduced downtime means more productivity as well as cost savings from not having to pay someone a full-time salary while they’re trying out new software solutions (which may not even solve the issue). 

You’ll also save money by reducing the number of support tickets opened because when users don’t understand how something works or can’t find what they’re looking for on your website, they’ll contact support or leave your site.  

Increased Leads and Conversions 

When you improve the user experience of your website, you increase the number of leads and conversions. Your customers are more likely to buy from a website that provides them with a smooth and seamless experience. 

To improve your conversion rate, your website must be easy to use. This means ensuring it has no unnecessary clutter or elements that can cause bugs or broken links to dissuade your visitors from exploring what you have further.  

Better SEO Performance 

A good user experience can improve your performance in search engine optimization (SEO). It’s one of the biggest reasons why companies are starting to prioritize UX over other aspects of their online marketing efforts. 

To be clear: a good user experience isn’t just about making your website look nice or have smooth animations. It goes much deeper than that—it’s about providing customers with a pleasant experience that makes them want to continue using it and even return for more. It also increases trust between you and your audience, making them more likely to choose you over your competitors now and in the future. 

Stronger Brand Loyalty and More Referrals 

When your website provides a good UX, it’s easier for you to build brand loyalty and get more referrals. 

People with a good experience with your website are more likely to return. They’ll also be more inclined to recommend your website to other people, which is one of the best ways to get new customers (especially when they’re recommending it because their experience was positive). Finally, if someone has a positive experience using your site or interacting with you on social media, they’re more likely to buy from you again. 

User Experience Design Services Provide Great ROIs 

UX design is a process that brings together several different disciplines, including user research, information architecture, interaction design, visual design, and usability testing. This gives users a positive experience when interacting with your product or service. 

An improved user experience means you’re more likely to achieve your goals: increased sales, increased customer loyalty, increased conversion rates, and higher profits in general. 

Agency Partner Interactive Can Help! 

The main benefit of UX is that it’s a cost-effective way to attract and retain loyal customers, improve your brand reputation, and generate revenue. If you’re looking to upgrade your website’s UX, look no further than Agency Partner’s award-winning web design team. Our meticulous web development process delves into the multiple layers of your business to ensure ROI. We deeply understand user experience and bring that to the table every time. Reach out for a proposal today! 

wordpress-vs-squarespace

Squarespace vs WordPress: Which is Better?

Posted on | by devops

You probably already know that WordPress and Squarespace are two of the world’s biggest content management systems (CMS). If you’re looking to create a website without any coding experience required, they’re both great options to consider. But which one is better?  

What is Squarespace?

Squarespace is a website builder that lets you create a website without having prior coding knowledge. It’s a SaaS (Software as a Service) company, which means they provide services online. 

When you sign up for Squarespace, it will create your website based on the templates they have available. They have over 100 different templates to choose from, and more are always added. 

Squarespace is meant to be used by non-tech-savvy people who want to set up their websites quickly and easily online with no coding skills required.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is the most popular CMS (content management system) in the world. It’s free, easy to use, and can be built in minutes. WordPress is also open source, which means it’s constantly being improved by tens of thousands of developers worldwide. 

WordPress powers over two-thirds of internet websites today, and over 28% of all new websites start with WordPress as their platform! 

Squarespace vs WordPress: Similarities Between the Two

While you may be inclined to think that the two platforms are entirely different, there are a few things you might be surprised to find out about both. For example, both offer a free trial. This is great if you want to test out their features before committing to one or the other (and not just because these trials are a good way for Squarespace and WordPress to get new customers). 

Both platforms also offer free domain names when you sign up for their hosting plans—so if you’re planning on starting your website soon and don’t already have one picked out, this should also give you some peace of mind! Both platforms also have 30-day money-back guarantees, which means that if something goes wrong with either platform during this period (for whatever reason), they’ll refund 100% of what was paid so far without question or hassle. Finally, both have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy for beginners to get started immediately without needing extra help from outside sources.

WordPress vs Squarespace: Cost Comparison 

WordPress is more expensive than Squarespace. Both have the option to start your website for free, but if you need the bells and whistles like custom domains and eCommerce, then WordPress will cost more than Squarespace. 

WordPress also has a paid version that’s designed for sites with more traffic or users.

Squarespace vs WordPress: Ease of Use Comparison 

Squarespace is a simple website builder that doesn’t require much technical knowledge to use. However, it also comes with limitations in terms of layout and design. For example, if you want your website to look like an eCommerce store, Squarespace doesn’t offer that type of capability. On the other hand, WordPress has more flexibility when building websites because you can customize them as needed without having to code. You can also find tons of plugins for WordPress, which will allow you to add new features or do something unique with your site without having a programming background.

Squarespace vs WordPress: Feature Comparison 

WordPress and Squarespace are both excellent choices for those looking to host their websites. However, the two platforms differ significantly in terms of customization and user experience. 

WordPress provides more flexibility, so you can create a website that looks exactly how you want it to look. This also means you have more control over your site’s functions because WordPress allows for extensive customization through its thousands of available plugins (free downloads). However, this power comes at the expense of security—your site could be vulnerable if not configured correctly or if no updates are applied regularly.

Which One Should You Choose?

Simply put, if you are looking for a do-it-yourself website builder that offers a simple, drag-and-drop interface for building websites, Squarespace could be your option. On the other hand, opt for WordPress if you’re looking to build a website from scratch using customized themes and plugins that run on the WordPress platform at its core.  

The best platform for you depends on what features you need, how often you customize your site and its end use.  

Squarespace is an all-inclusive solution for those who want to create a website without having to know HTML or CSS codes. It allows users to build beautiful websites with minimal effort by letting them choose from pre-built templates and editing features. The plugins are built into each template, so no additional coding is required! This means that moving your site over to another hosting platform will not impact any of your content (which we will touch more on later). 

WordPress is open-source software that anyone can download and use as they please, but it requires some technical knowledge to establish an online presence. For example, if someone wanted to use WordPress as their CMS but didn’t have access to too many resources (web hosting), they would need help from developers or designers who could assist them with getting started with their project/blogging journey!

Agency Partner Can Help

Whether you’re just starting your first website or need a custom WordPress web design complete with hosting packages, Agency Partner has you covered. Our web development experts offer maintenance, support, and custom solutions tailored to achieving your goals. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation!

Custom_Website_Development_Services

How Custom Website Development Services Can Improve Your Business’s Online Presence

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Expert Tips For How Custom Website Development Services Can Improve Your Business’s Online Presence

Whether you run a small business, an established company, or a startup, having a website is crucial to your success. A well-designed website is an effective way to connect with potential customers and keep them engaged. It’s also the first thing potential clients will see when searching for your business online. This makes it essential to have a professional and seamless site representing your brand. If you’re thinking about hiring someone who can create a frictionless, easy-to-use website for your company, consider an award-winning web design agency, like Agency Partner Interactive, for custom website development services.

Quality Web Design Can Help You Stand Out From the Crowd

A good website design is more than just colors and fonts. Making sure your site is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and visually appealing is key to successful website design. Your website is often the first impression you’re giving potential customers. Make the most of their visit with a website that catches their eye and encourages them to explore your site, not your competitors. You want them to remember your brand positively long after they leave your site because their experience was engaging, thoughtful, and informative.

While many companies choose the cheapest possible option for web design and development solutions, they may cover the bare minimum. You’ll want to associate your company with a site that stands out from the rest.

Elements of Successful Website Development

Cross-Device Compatibility

When you think of cross-device compatibility, you probably envision a website that looks and feels the same on every device. 3.64 is the average number of connected devices customers and employees use daily. While a well-designed website is an asset, adapting it to responsive devices is just as crucial and can make or break your users’ experience. For example, responsive design will allow content to be viewed on any device without zooming in or out of pages. A mobile-first approach means building websites based on how people use their smartphones first and then adapting them for desktop use.

Mobile devices aren’t the only ones requiring attention nowadays; tablets are an increasingly popular way for consumers to browse. Multiple types of phones with different screen sizes also require special consideration when designing and developing a website. The goal here is to optimize your site so that all visitors can access all its features, links, and content regardless of the device they use.

Improved Usability

Improved usability is one of the most valuable benefits of custom website development. Improving the usability of your website can help you increase your conversion rate, customer satisfaction, and retention rate, supporting your marketing or advertising strategies. A well-designed site with a flawless user experience attracts more visitors, who become customers. You’ll be able to expand your target audience, foster an online community, and increase profits.

Increased Engagement

When you bring your website into the modern age with custom development, you’re not only improving the quality of your website but increasing its overall appeal. This increases engagement and makes visitors more likely to stay on your site longer. A higher engagement rate means more potential customers will be likely to convert. It also means more referrals because customers are happy to give their friends, family members, and colleagues information about a company they trust and like doing business with. Finally, it means customer loyalty—customers who become loyal will return again and again for all their needs!

Search Engine Optimization

SEO is improving the visibility of a website or web page in search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other relevant search engines. SEO can be done through on-page and off-page techniques. On-page means changing what you have on your site to improve its search engine rankings. Off-page refers to adjusting things about your business that are not about your website but may help get more visitors from other websites or social media channels.

SEO is vital for online businesses because it helps them get more traffic from search engines. When someone searches for something on Google, they see results relevant to their query at the top of their list. If you want people to find your website easily, then it’s important that other sites link back to yours and that you have the proper keyword implementation so the search engine boosts your site and not your competitors. Search engines display results by the most relevant content that’s helpful to users, so it considers popularity, quality, relevancy, and freshness (i.e., whether new content has been added recently). The more high-quality links associated with your site, the better you rank.

Agency Partner’s award-winning SEO team can help boost your site’s rankings on all relevant search engines, get you at the top of the SERPs (search engine results page), and keep it there. Contact our experts for a free consultation today!

Benefits of Custom Website Development Services

Your website is the first thing customers see when looking for your business online. If you have a poorly designed or outdated website, it can deter potential customers from contacting and doing business with you. Fortunately, a frictionless, beautifully designed website that adapts to every screen is easy with a top web design and development agency, like Agency Partner.  

A well-designed website will help to increase your business’s online presence and improve customer service by providing new ways to communicate with them. It can also help to boost sales by making it easier for people looking for products or services like yours to find what they need.

Agency Partner Interactive Custom Web Development Services 

If you’re ready to take the next leap into business growth and optimization, contact the web design and development experts at Agency Partner. Starting with a website kick-off meeting, we’ll discuss your company goals and objectives, so your web design project will create the most value. After your website is built, we offer web hosting and support while constantly looking for innovative ways to serve your business and boost your online presence. Contact us to get started!

Web_Design_Strategies_for_Law_Firms

5 Web Design Strategies for Law Firms

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Expert Tips For 5 Web Design Strategies for Law Firms

A good law firm website is essential to attracting new clients and a critical part of your marketing strategy. So, what does it take to create the perfect law firm website? We’ve got some tips on how to get started:

Keep Your Homepage Simple and Free from Clutter

Make sure your homepage is clean, concise, and easy to read. Your homepage shouldn’t have too many visual elements or links, as this could confuse visitors and cause them to leave your site. You also don’t want to overwhelm them with a lot of text on the page if it distracts them from reading about the firm’s services.

Your homepage should be easy to navigate so people can quickly find what they’re looking for when they visit your site. Try using clear headings and subheaders, so users know where they are on the website at all times, and make sure any menus are clearly labeled so there are no questions about where you can find specific information on the site.

Have a Visual Hierarchy in Mind

Visual hierarchies are what make your website look organized. Without them, a webpage is just a jumble of text with no clear order or purpose.

With a well-thought-out visual hierarchy, users can see where to look first and what information takes priority over others. It also helps you convey important messages about who you are as an organization by highlighting specific keywords or phrases in the bold, italicized text—the sort of thing that catches the eye and makes people pay attention to what they’re reading. If nothing else, they might be curious enough to click through!

You’ve probably noticed this before when visiting websites: some sites have more than one level of visual hierarchy depending on how much information is available about each subject matter category (elevator pitch versus “about us” page).

Write Web Content That’s Easy to Read

Use Short Paragraphs

A paragraph is the ideal unit of web content, and a good rule of thumb is to keep your paragraphs to around five sentences or less. That way, they’re easy to read quickly and digest thoroughly. If you have a lot of information to convey, consider breaking up your paragraphs with subheadings or bullet points—both are great ways to give readers a quick overview before they dive into the meatier details you provide later in the sentence(s).

Write In Active Voice

When it comes down to it, active voice is just plain easier for readers: They don’t have to do anything but read what you’ve written! Passive voices require more mental effort from your reader because they need to figure out who did what when multiple agents are involved in a sentence (e.g., “The defendant was charged with murder by the prosecution”). By using active voice, you can skip all those pesky words like “by” or “by the prosecution” altogether—and who doesn’t love that?

Prioritize Mobile-Friendliness

In a world where everyone is trying to get their hands on your clients, it’s vital to ensure that your law firm is mobile-friendly.

Mobile-friendliness has been a ranking factor for some time now, so it’s essential for any law firm looking to increase traffic with SEO. If users can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they’ll leave the site—and that’s not good news for you! Mobile-friendly interfaces adaptable to different devices make it easier for users to navigate, which means they spend more time on the site if they find what they need right away.

To check if your website is mobile-friendly, Google has an easy tool called Mobile-Friendly Test Tool 

Make Sure the Site is Easy to Navigate

We all know that having a website is a requirement for law firms today. But even if you’ve already got one, it’s important to make sure that the site reflects your firm’s reputation and brand.  

Here are two effective ways to make sure your web design is easy to navigate:

Clear Navigation

If it takes too long for users to find what they’re looking for, they’ll likely go elsewhere—and fast! So, make sure your navigation is clear, obvious, and organized intuitively so that visitors can move through the site effortlessly.

Site Map (Footer)

As with any other digital product you build or update, consider adding a site map that shows all the pages on your website so users know exactly where everything is located – including contact information if needed – at first glance.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article and learned something new about web design strategies for law firms. We have just scratched the surface of what can be done by focusing on content, visual hierarchy, mobile-friendliness, and navigation, but there are many other aspects to consider when approaching a web design project. The most important takeaway from this post is that you should always make sure your site works on all devices—even those with limited bandwidth or slow connections.

An Award-Winning Web Design Agency

If you are ready to take your law firm website and marketing strategy to the next level, you have come to the right place. The web design experts at Agency Partner Interactive specialize in creating stunning websites that convert visitors into leads and clients. We also provide industry-leading digital marketing services like search engine optimization, social media management, pay-per-click, email marketing, and more. We customize our solutions according to client needs and goals, maximizing investment return. Schedule your free consultation today!

Updating_Your_WordPress_Website

Why Updating Your WordPress Website Plugins and Versions Is Important?

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Expert Tips For Why Updating Your WordPress Website Plugins and Versions Is Important?

Updates for a WordPress website are crucial to keeping your website safe and secure. WordPress has regular updates released by its team of developers, who ensure that their software is doing everything possible to prevent Viruses and Malware from infecting your site. Additionally, as WordPress changes over time, your website may begin to slow down or may not look how you want it to. Updates will help to make sure that you’re running a smooth and fast site. 

Updates to WordPress help improve the user experience and make the platform more secure. Just like the updates for your apps and computers, these can help you discover new features, reduce problems, and maintain a positive user experience. Along with the website updates, plugins that run on your WordPress website are also being tested and updated as often as WordPress itself – possibly even more. 

Keeping your WordPress website up to date isn’t hard, and it’s one of the easiest ways to increase your site’s security. If you don’t update regularly, you leave yourself and your users vulnerable to phishing scams, hacked websites, and more. 

Why Are WordPress Updates So Important? 

Updating your software once a month will give you the latest and greatest to help protect your device from bugs and security risks. When you don’t keep your software up to date, you may run into issues like slow performance, security concerns, and buggy behavior. If the software you’re using is outdated, your website and its features will not be able to support your business in the best way it can. You won’t be able to discover all the benefits you should be getting, so you’ll start to struggle with marketing your site, keeping track of leads, etc. 

WordPress updates are released on a regular basis to provide security, solve problems, or introduce new features. Although these updates help our WordPress websites perform at the highest level possible for that period, developers from all over the world explore and experiment to find new ways to provide even greater security, solve bigger problems and introduce exciting new features. 

With every new update, you will find that WordPress will give you new ways to customize your website, fix bugs a previous version may have caused, or provide protection against hackers. 

Security & Bug Fixes 

Many plugins contain security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, allowing access to your site or database. If hackers have compromised a plugin, they can use it as a gateway into your site and install malware or steal data. You may not even notice this until it’s too late! Developers can quickly fix bugs in their plugins if they are aware of them and have access to the codebase (or at least a copy). Therefore, updating regularly ensures that any issues identified can be fixed quickly without affecting too many sites at once. 

Performance

You might not realize this but over time, technology ‘evolves,’ and plugin authors update their plugins to take advantage of these changes. One of the benefits of these changes are the performance improvements. Plugins are often rewritten to make use of these changes and in general, they tend to be faster. 

Enhanced Functionality

As more websites install a plugin, the WordPress community begins to make suggestions for additional functionality for the plugin. The author then updates the plugin and releases a brand-new version with the additional changes included. When you update your plugins, you will gain access to the new functionality. 

What Are the Most Important Things to Keep Updated?

The WordPress platform, including the core software and plugins, will need to be updated regularly. Plugins are add-ons that provide more functionality for your website. Themes are a website’s design, which is updated via plugins. Some minor updates may make a big difference over time. 

Do You Have a Good Backup?

WordPress updates, in conjunction with a theme update or plugin update, will have conflicts. This is not uncommon, so it’s important that you back up all your files and databases so you can easily restore them once the update is complete.

The Best Way to Keep Your WordPress Site Updated

As a full-service web design and development agency, Agency Partner Interactive can keep your site up to date and so you won’t have to. Our dedicated team can monitor your sites 24/7, ensuring that they operate at peak performance, are updated, and stay bug-free. We offer comprehensive maintenance and support services so you can invest your time in developing other aspects of your business. 

Keeping your WordPress website up to date with the latest software is critical for its performance and security. With the importance of keeping your WordPress site updated and performing to its best ability, you don’t want to miss a software update that could put you at risk for a security breach or interfere with your user’s experience. To learn more about what our hosting packages can do for your website and business, schedule your free consultation today!

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Graphic Design vs Web Design: Which One Is Right for You?

Posted on | by devops
Expert Tips For Graphic Design vs Web Design: Which One Is Right for You?

When it comes to graphic design and web design, there is a lot of overlap. However, there are also some key differences between the two specialties. Let’s explore those differences that can help you decide which type of design is right for your business or career path. 

Keep in mind there is no wrong answer – both graphic and web design can be effective tools for marketing a business. But it’s important to understand the unique strengths of each field so you can make the most informed decision possible.

The TL;DR Digest

The two terms often get mixed up, but one style of design is not inherently like the other. 

While graphic design centers on artistry and creativity, web design zeros in on how each component of a website operates and behaves simultaneously. 

Web design is action-oriented. A user opens a navigational menu, scrolls through the product listings, or maybe watches an informational video on one of the product pages they’ve clicked through to.

Graphic design, however, is stationary. A user can see it or tap it etc., but there is no responsive action in return like with web design. 

Graphic Design Is…

Graphic design combines art and tech to create a cohesive visual message via the 7 basic elements:

  • line
  • shape
  • type
  • texture
  • image
  • space, and
  • color

This can be used in both digital and print.

Web Design Is…

Web design similarly combines art and tech (hence the confusion between the two) to affect the user experience of website planning and creation. This is focused on the 5 basic web design principles:

  • aesthetics
  • interaction
  • content
  • visibility, and
  • usability

Graphic Designers Use…

  • Typography

Text is a visual tool used to help communicate the who and the what of a brand identity. From the serif and typeface to color and hierarchy, typography must cohesively support the tone, grab attention, and establish brand recognition with every dotting of an i and crossing of a t. 

  • Images

Connecting text to images can be a powerful device to express messaging and directives. Consider also how the placement and context of these images can affect the idea or message the image conveys.

  • Layout

Layouts in graphic design means the arrangement of elements to make sure the messaging is clear, accurate, and coherent in its intent.

  • Color

The strategy of color psychology can be a highly influential device for affecting how an observer feels about and interprets the graphic and its message. If a designer is creating a graphic for a wellness and relaxation company, colors associated with serenity and calmness like sage green and cerulean blue will be a much wiser choice than fire-engine red in order to visually support the brand identity, let alone how color also contributes to establishing brand recognition and, yes, brand voice.

…to name just a few of the elements needed to create designs that are used in print and digital media.

Web Designers Use…

  • Content Management Systems or CMS

A content management system is a type of software used for designing, organizing, and modifying website projects. It’s especially helpful for those that are more novice or are not especially skilled and knowledgeable in writing programming code.

  • Programming Languages

For those web designers that prefer to have the ability to truly customize every element of their design, they use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, PHP, and so many other coding languages to help design the visuals for their websites. Generally speaking, each has its own particular design purpose and strength. Knowledge of and experience with these tools is in very high demand for those considering a career in web design.

  • Design Software

Think Photoshop or Sketch. This software is the perfect place for drafting prototypes and guides for how the finished website should look. If not left up to a specific UX designer, they can also help web designers plan and create wireframes for the very structure of the site.

…among many more tools to produce websites that can be viewed on any device.

Check Out a Few of Agency Partner’s Related Posts on Graphic and Web Design

What Does a Graphic Designer Do?

How to Design a Website

Dazzling by Design: The Web Design Process

Top 10 Mistakes in Web Design

A Webbed World: Design vs Development

7 Things to Consider When Choosing a Web Designer

To Wrap It Up

So, what’s the difference between the graphic and web design?

  • Graphic designers focus on creativity – how a design looks and feels. That might use typography, color theory, or illustration to create an eye-catching piece of art.
  • Web designers, on the other hand, are more concerned with how all the parts of a design function together as a system. They need to make sure that everything works well together and that all the elements (text, images, navigation bars, etc.) are easy for users to find and interact with.

If you need some help creating beautiful graphics or designing an effective website, contact our team of experts at Agency Partner to get started on your project today!

 

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8 Killer Tips to Improve Your E-Commerce Mobile Browsing Experience

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Expert Tips For 8 Killer Tips to Improve Your E-Commerce Mobile Browsing Experience

If your e-commerce business isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out on a lot of sales. With 72.9% of people shopping online using a mobile device, it’s essential that your digital storefront is optimized for these mobile devices. Here are Agency Partner’s top 8 tips to help you improve your customers’ mobile browsing experience for maximum sales.

Start with the Search

The product search is where so many conversion journeys truly start, so give it some deep thought. Keep your search bar visible and accessible on every single page leading up to the checkout step. Your search bar also can be used as a navigational tool by incorporating auto-suggestions to guide users through the discovery phase in finding what they want.

Design for Different Devices

We at Agency Partner design and develop for both Apple and Android users, and so should you. Make sure you research the differences between not only phone platforms but also tablet devices; then test your designs for each to optimize every shopper’s experience so that no user ends up feeling left out.

Make Checkout Quick And Simple

Maybe the most important part of a positive e-commerce experience, the checkout process is critical to keep as streamlined as possible. Approximately 35% of digital shoppers in the US decide to not complete their order because of interruptions like having to create an account before even getting to shop the site first. Design your site so it moves at the pace of the user rather than rushing them or causing friction for them.

The checkout process can also be a nerve-wracking one for users unsure about the safety of sharing their personal information. When your user is creating that account (prompted at a more thoughtful stage of the process), show that your company is mindful of security by directly requiring a strong password or offering a variety of payment methods that users commonly trust. Keep the use of those payment methods as native and integrated as possible to also minimize any disruption of the checkout stage.

Offer Multiple Ways for Customers to Reach You

There is any number of reasons your customers may need to contact you, so keep it as easy as possible for them. A clearly displayed ‘Contact Us’ page, a non-intrusive live chat function or chatbot, or an optimized FAQ page can offer a variety of solutions that satisfies the variety of customer preferences. 

Don’t Forget Visual Content

Smaller screens can be an issue for many users. Make it easier on them by focusing the text elements on just what is most important and including more relevant visuals. Where text is necessary, make it skimmable with short sentences and bullet-point lists. If possible, use video to highlight product information. Online shoppers nowadays are overwhelmingly more open to purchase when a product page includes a video about the item, especially for mobile shoppers.

Check How Fast Your Site Loads

Want proof that patience is largely a thing of the past in this digital age? The ideal length of time for an e-commerce site to load in 2 seconds. Yep. 2 seconds. A “long” page load time is one of the biggest causes of a high bounce rate; a whopping 40% of users will abandon your site if it takes them 3 or more seconds to access it. Google offers a tool for testing the speed of your page’s load time.

Use Clear Calls to Action

The modern online shopper prefers being directly told what action to take next. Keep them focused and guided by strategizing your calls to action or CTAs throughout your e-commerce site in terms that are relevant to the mobile experience. Keep them concise, direct, and in the brand voice. Consider the visual elements as well like the contrast of colors, the size and shape of buttons, and the readability of text. 

Note: While a desktop site may (for example) say “Click here”, it wouldn’t make sense for the mobile site to say the same. Don’t forget to update the UX copy to “Tap here” to reflect how the user is accessing your store.

Use Social Media to Your Site’s Advantage

Shoppable posts are fairly commonplace on Instagram and are growing on other social platforms, too. Meet your customers wherever they are with posts tagged with product visuals and info. Then seamlessly lead them back to the product page on your site to make the purchase in as few steps as possible. These actions can be tracked to also give you insight into what social platforms are most effective and how to offer promos to drive mobile conversions more efficiently.

If you’re looking to improve your e-commerce mobile site, we can help! Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to designing sites that are both visually appealing and functionally sound across multiple devices. Let us help you take your e-commerce business to the next level – contact us today!

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What is UI design? What is UX design? UI vs UX: What’s the difference

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Expert Tips For What is UI design? What is UX design? UI vs UX: What’s the difference

As a small business, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends in design for your company app and website. But what’s the difference between UI and UX design? What do these terms even mean? Let’s take a look at the details of each term and how they can benefit your business!  

First things first…

What is UI Design? 

User interface (UI) design is the methods and elements with which designers construct interfaces. It is all about the looks, style, and function of a product’s display. This focus on aesthetics includes the interaction between the user and icons, typography, buttons, colors, and beyond.

Examples:

  • Spotify’s pulldown animation
  • Starbucks’ color scheme usage
  • Domino’s’ order progress tracker
  • Duolingo’s consistent dashboard 

What is UX Design?

User experience (UX) is all about what it’s like for the user when they interact with a product’s interface. The experience design is the method of designing how a product is integrated including respects to usability, branding, and function in a meaningful way.

Examples:

  • Marriott’s booking experience.
  • YouTube’s autoplay features.
  • Target’s password guidance.
  • Grammarly’s onboarding

How Are UI and UX Related?

UI and UX are two symbiotic terms, and UI designers and UX designers are used almost interchangeably for how closely related they are. 

Both UI and UX are highly related design approaches but with very distinct nuances. UI design focuses on the visual and graphic aspects of design and the overall induced feeling. But UI design without consideration for complementary UX design and vice versa, however, will result in nothing but a bad experience for the user. 

All UX designers know that the user’s experience is king and focus on the technical aspects. The ironic part? The most telltale sign of good UX design is that the good UX design goes completely unnoticed by the user. A conducive partnership between the two practices is what wins a user’s trust and engagement.

What’s the Difference Between UI and UX?

Here is where all the nuance we mentioned earlier comes into play.

At the heart of it, UI is a single piece of the user’s process, while UX is anything that affects the user’s process.

UI encompasses all the details that allow a user to engage with a site or app’s interface, while UX is the ultimate experience that user has with said site or app’s interface.

UI is the aesthetic and look, while UX is the feel.

How Does Good UI/UX Benefit Businesses?

The ultimate objective of every business is to make sales and grow the business. Strong UI/UX design can affect a business’ online presence and thus impact the success of the business itself in reaching those objectives. 

  • Engagement

Improve your layout, menus, and navigation to harmoniously encourage ease of engagement with your site or app. A smooth flow of interaction will help support conversion rates which leads to increased revenue.

  • Brand Reputation

Understand what features are important to your users and what they dislike. A UI/UX design experience that matches a user’s expectations and preferences will inherently help establish a positive association with your brand in their mind.

  • Customer Satisfaction

Good UI/UX easily attracts customers and supports their retention, meaning the business stays both competitive and lucrative. A satisfied user leads to a satisfied customer!

Achieving good UI/UX can be tricky – it’s a balance of art and science that takes into account user feedback as well as analytical data. That’s why it’s so important to partner with an experienced web design agency like Agency Partner Interactive who understands the ins and outs of the entire development process for your business’ next design project!

landing-page-design

The Ultimate Guide to Landing Pages

Posted on | by Agency Partner
Expert Tips For The Ultimate Guide to Landing Pages

Every website owner needs landing pages to convert the traffic coming in from ads or call-to-action buttons. Once they are on a landing page, individual users may convert to leads or customers. Therefore, landing pages are an integral part of your business’s digital marketing strategy. This landing page guide will show you how to go about converting traffic to your website into customers. 

What Is a Landing Page? 

A landing page is a web page intended to convert general visitors into leads. Its preparation starts during the website design process with the inclusion of lead forms. Visitors who opt to fill the forms provide contact information, usually email addresses. 

The Purpose of a Landing Page 

A website has many sections, including the “about us” and “home” pages. These other pages have distractions such as competing links, navigation, and other options. So why would you need a special page with a form to fill out? 

With a landing page, you can direct visitors to precisely where you want them to go. In short, the purpose of a landing page is to convert leads into customers. 

Landing Page Best Practices 

Landing page design is a precise craft that involves specific steps and elements known as landing page best practices. Look at each one of them in greater detail below: 

  1. Write a Headline With Clear Benefits

As part of your landing page strategy, you should aim to reduce the bounce rate as much as possible. That means showing visitors the benefit of signing up within the first few seconds. Write a headline with clear benefits since that’s the first thing visitors will see as soon as they “land” on that page. 

  1. Write Captivating Copy

Landing page optimization is concerned with clear, concise content that guides visitors to complete the action. You should write content from a second-person perspective with words such as “you” and “your.” A perfect line should go hand in hand with captivating words to support your call to action. 

  1. Choose an Appropriate Image

Every landing page should have an image that represents the target audience. In addition, it should convey how visitors will feel after receiving the offer. You may select several images and choose the most appropriate one after split testing. 

  1. Place the Lead Form Above the Fold

As part of your landing page optimization best practices, put the lead form in the most accessible location. The visitors shouldn’t have to scan the page to see the form. Instead, they should see the form or a connecting anchor link soon after hitting the page. 

  1. Add a Strong, Standout Call-to-Action

A landing page should have a strong call-to-action (CTA) to encourage conversion. Use color contrasting page elements to make your CTA button stand out. Also, clearly state what you expect visitors to do using an action verb like “get it now,” “download,” “purchase,” or “submit.” 

  1. Request for Specific Information

Every landing page guide you read will advise you to ask for specific information about your lead and nothing more. That will depend on how much the customer knows you, the position in their buyer’s journey, and the level of trust they have for you. If it is a new lead, an email address and a name are enough. 

  1. Make a Relevant Offer

Your landing page is an integral part of your visitor’s journey to purchasing your product or service. Therefore, make an offer in exchange for getting the lead’s personal information. The offer should be compelling enough to extract contact information from a visitor and relevant to the business. 

For example, you may offer “10 Benefits of Laptops in Business” because your ultimate intention is to sell a business laptop to the lead. However, an offer about printers will only direct the lead on a completely different path. 

  1. Remove Navigation Features

The purpose of a landing page is to convert visitors into leads – period. Competing links such as those to other pages within the website can only be a distraction. Ask your web design agency to remove navigation features and other links that could sway visitors to the main objective – converting them into leads and customers. 

  1. Optimize for Search

As part of your landing page optimization best practices, you should include keywords that make it rank highly on search engine results pages (SERPs). That applies to organic and paid search via Google Ads. It is better than relying solely on social media, email, and other digital marketing methods. 

  1. Build a Responsive Page

Every page on your website, including the landing page, should be responsive to different customer viewing experiences. The focus of website design should be to make the entire landing page readable on mobile devices. Consequently, visitors should be able to see the lead form to convert. 

  1. Include a “Thank You” Page

You should have a page where you redirect your customers soon after filling the lead form. It may contain a straightforward “thank you” message or an offer you had promised (like a download). The page’s purpose is to interest your lead beyond the relevant content and thank them for their interest in signing up. 

Landing Page Design Prerequisites 

Landing page design is a combination of creativity, attractive pictures, colors, functionality, and direction. Pay attention to the: 

  • Landing page structure includes headlines, relevant images, lead form, CTA, copy, and description. 
  • Landing page layout, which should have the most important information on top. You should also perform a blink test, use white space, write short paragraphs with bullets, and ensure visual patterns flow to them. 
  • Landing page colors, which should rhyme with the rest of your website color. It should make your brand immediately recognizable. 
  • Landing page images, which should be relevant to the information on the page. It should set the tone of the visitor’s entire experience from beginning to end. 
  • Call-to-action (CTA) directs visitors on what you want them to do. It should have a large button with vibrant, contrasting colors, less than five words, surrounded by white space, and where the reader’s eyes are likely to be. 

Conclusion 

With this landing page guide, you should craft highly converting pages that compel visitors to provide contact information. Of course, it would help if you worked with the right web design agency and content writers to implement suggestions on the checklist above. 

website-designer

7 Things to Consider When Choosing a Web Designer

Posted on | by Agency Partner
Expert Tips For 7 Things to Consider When Choosing a Web Designer 

If you don’t have a website for your business, you are missing out on moneymaking opportunities. Having a website is an essential part of any business. It establishes credibility, markets your products, and leads to conversions. Without it, starting a profitable business can be challenging. 

So now that you know a website is an essential business component, you need to figure out where to get one. There are different ways to get a business website. For example, you could look into partnering with a freelance web designer, find a DIY CMS template, or hire a web design agency. Whatever route you choose to go with, several essential things need consideration before making your decision. 

We will be sharing 7 things to consider before choosing a web designer for your business. 

#1 Figure out your website needs and goals 

First, you should know your website needs and goals. Creating goals will help you understand what you want out of a website.  

To guide you on concepting, consider what industry you are in and how your customers will engage with your website. Whether that is through E-commerce, CRM, form fills, or other functions.  

To get your thought process flowing, you can start by thinking about your sales funnel and how your website would play a part in it. Evaluating your sales funnel will help paint a better picture in your mind of how your website will work. 

From there, you can set goals for the timeline and cost of your site. For example, consider the date of when you want to have your website to be done and how much you are willing to pay for it. Setting these goals will make your search a lot more efficient because it will eliminate who can meet your expectations and who cannot. 

#2 Consider Your Web Designer’s Years of Experience 

The second step in considering a web design agency is how much experience they hold. The number of years you are looking for is based entirely on your preference. If you see a designer has potential and can produce the end product you want, including website maintenance, that designer could be a possible fit. 

It’s also good to research who their previous clients are and the industry they are in. If the designer has experience with clients in the same industry as you, the designer will be more knowledgeable about the customer experience. Having an understanding of the same industry will be beneficial when choosing a designer. 

If they do not have any relevant experience in a similar industry, explain the features that you want on your website and see if the designer could still fulfill those needs. However, their sales pitch to you could hold a lot more weight when they don’t have any proven experience. 

#3 View the website designer’s portfolio

Viewing portfolios is an essential step in choosing a web designer. All creative positions in the design industry have portfolios because they present the designer’s aesthetic, style, and tone in their previous work. The portfolio will show you the websites they designed in the past.

However, design is not the only important part of a portfolio. Testing websites functionality is also an essential part of choosing a web designer. A website’s UX design plays a significant role in the customer experience. Although an excellent web design makes the website eye-catching, it will not make the customer convert if it can’t function properly. 

Also, check to see they could do layouts for mobile. 60% of US website traffic comes from a mobile device, so having a website that can do a mobile design is essential.  

Lastly, look to see if the designers have won any rewards for their previous work. Rewards are a good source of credentials when looking for candidates. 

#4 Take into consideration their average customer size 

While you review their portfolio, consider the size of their clients and how this could impact working with them. If they service relatively small businesses, think about how they would handle working with a larger company. Would they manage all the operations that go into making a website for a large business? If the situation is vice-versa, and the agency primarily works with larger clients, would they give enough attention to a smaller company? These are things to consider that could potentially impact your relationship. 

#5 Learn their agency culture 

After you researched who the agency services and their previous work, look into their company culture, you will be working with this team often, and you want to be sure that you can work together nicely.

You can learn a lot about a company’s culture by looking at their team page. If they have an “our history” page, it can help you learn more about how they got established. A company’s social can also be beneficial to look through. The team should be selling you how their values are incorporated into their work to make clients happy.

Also, research other services the agency offers. Other marketing initiatives can supplement your website after it’s complete, making your brand appear more unified. A brand that is consistent in its marketing appears professional to its audience. 

#6 Read Online Testimonials and Reviews 

Learn what others have to say about the agency by reading testimonials and reviews. Reading what customers have to say will show you how the customer experience is.  

And make sure you are not only reading what is on their website. Check third-party review sites as well. Review sites will show the good, bad, and ugly of previous clients and their experience. In addition, look for specific names used within the review. For example, if a customer mentioned how well someone developed their website, it will give you insight into who you want to work with.   

#7 Ask Questions 

Once you have selected your candidates, remember to ask questions. If you misunderstand anything about the services they provide, ask about it so you can learn more. Make sure that the agency you choose can produce the end product you envisioned.

Take your time in choosing a website designer. Your website is a critical player in your marketing strategy, and if it is not serving its purpose, it could severely impact your business goals.  

Agency Partner lives in the digital world, and we know how the digital landscape changes by the minute. If you have any questions about our web design services, please contact Agency Partner.

web-design-mistakes

Top 10 Mistakes in Web Design

Posted on | by devops
Expert Tips For Top 10 Mistakes in Web Design

Your website is a magnet for judgment when it comes to your prospects and your targeted market. And this judgment isn’t limited to the website functionality itself. It carries over into the user’s tendency to perceive the brand or the company as a whole. All of the stats, all of the elements, contingencies, loading time, content, navigation, and especially the design can be detrimental to the chances of turning your visitors into leads and customers.

In the contemporary world of digital marketing and digital solutions, web design & web design trends are both factors for a brand’s success. A flushed, well-designed, & super-functional website can help the company extend its overall sphere of influence as the first impression is the last impression of website design elements.

The difference between obtaining a lead and losing a lead may be as simple as making minor adjustments that change the way users perceive your website the first time they interact with it. With the best ideas and the best delivery mechanisms, coupled with seamless design trends of 2021, you as a digital marketing agency or a stand-alone digital marketer can help your business or organization soar.

Web design defined.

Web design is a process of iteratively strategizing, conceptualizing, and delivering information and overall business functionality in an aesthetically appealing layout.

Visual components of web design encompass the text content, images, videos, colors, fonts, and different elements and shapes like buttons, forms, icons, the spacing between these elements, and the overall layout itself. Design functionality comprises website speed, navigation, animation, user experience, user interaction, general site’s tech architecture, SEO, cross-browser, cross-platform, cross-device design consistency, and responsiveness.

Why is there so much hype around web design?

It’s no secret that website dynamics coupled with functional designs are the backbone of every business these days. In the post-COVID-19 digital economy, having a well-furnished and well-designed website is the key to success for every business.

A well-designed website can help you grow your business as a flawless design creates a great impression on your potential customers inducing them to take the desired action. Common web design mistakes, however, can quickly derail even your best efforts. And while you hear a lot about what to do when designing your website, do you know what not to do?

To give you an edge, we at Agency Partner Interactive have outlined the ten most common website design mistakes that can cause many businesses’ consequences. As your go-to full-service digital agency, we provide you with the industry-leading insights, dynamics, processes, and information along with trends you need to sail your business swiftly in the world of digital marketing.

Here are the top ten most common slip-ups against users and potential leads that visit your website regarding website design.

  1. Ignoring the design-thinking approach.

One of the most notoriously common web design mistakes that web designers make is that they never realize design-thinking as an approach. Today, websites are all about functional and attractive designs with engaging content. However, designers often assume users’ things instead of carrying out extensive user research to understand user needs.

Understanding the design-thinking approach is the key to designing addictive experiences for users. Not sure what design-thinking is? It is a process that understands and identifies customer needs and motivations. It’s a mindset to empathize with the customers, detail their problems, and build solutions to solve them.

  1. Aesthetic design mistakes.

Another web design mistake that most designers need to avoid is not strategizing the visual hierarchy of content, including CTAs. Well devised user journeys can be efficiently implemented by designing efficient visual hierarchies. This can be achieved by using appealing words, colors, images, and small animations.

  1. Not enabling the right functionality.

Skipping the essential step of brainstorming, site mapping, and wireframing is the basis of several web design mistakes—one of the most prominent ones being the poorly configured menu and navigation layout. An improper navigational structure can drive away your website visitors as it’s a pain to scroll through randomly structured websites.

  1. Not adhering to security first, responsive design approach.

Though website security is more of a technical architecture-dependent aspect, to an extent, it is also related to website design and user journeys. How designers depict the user journeys greatly influences how developers implement the designs. If website security is prioritized right from the design stage, many security loopholes can be avoided. For example, putting the business-critical data behind authentication and payment walls.

  1. Too much content.

You run the risk of not delivering the solution your user is looking for with too little information. With too much information, you may end up building a solution that is hard to understand, consume, or access. In their sheer desperation, designers can overwhelm the visitors with resources and end up delivering a highly cluttered website. This approach continues to be successful because it has been trendy since the early days. And maybe to maintain consistency for its users, they still haven’t changed the website design. But you shouldn’t make the same mistake.

One of the common web design mistakes to avoid is not building scalable designs from the very beginning.

  1. Unclear CTA.

Not having a clear CTA is another common web design mistake. Websites are like marketing and sales funnels or pipelines. Your website visitor traverses within that funnel to go from the prospect stage to the converted client stage. Not giving a clear “call to action” at the appropriate places may lead to not converting many hot prospects.

  1. Unconnected images & graphics.

We all know that images and graphics are a critical part of web design. When done well, images can clearly convey the message to the visitor. Done wrong, they can confuse the reader. Many businesses are still not paying attention to their images and are using low-quality and irrelevant images. Don’t make this mistake, as low-quality images will muck up your website and turn off your visitors, which will hurt your conversions.

  1. Omitting multilingual voice-enabled website designs.

Today it is possible to build websites in multiple languages and even add voice interface-based functionalities. But not many designers and website owners are utilizing these web capabilities. If a business has customers in different countries, then websites can be developed in multiple native languages to appeal to target customers. To boost accessibility, a voice-based interface can be added to the website.

  1. Not embracing the power of analytics.

The design, like content, is a creative work that can be improved iteratively. Using sophisticated analytics tools, your website analytics administrator can give you data on how users navigate your website. Also, analytics testing can help you discover broken links. Based on the analytics input, you can find out the flaws in the user journey.

  1. Page titles with low search engine visibility.

Search is the most important way users discover websites. Search is also one of the most important ways users find their way around individual websites. The humble page title is your primary tool to attract new visitors from search listings and help your existing users locate the specific pages they need.

At Agency Partner Interactive, we provide you with the insights, ideas, designs, and delivery flow you need to take your business further.

We are not your average digital agency. We work to understand your business and leverage technology and marketing solutions to generate revenue and increase profits. From SEO and PPC to WordPress and Magento, our web design, website development, branding, e-commerce, and marketing solutions are custom-tailored to suit your business strategy. Experience the best-in-class web design solutions, digital marketing services, and web designs from Agency Partner.

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “Top 10 Mistakes in Web Design” instead. Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this blog into a video for you. Check it out below!

 

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Web Design Tips for Conferences and Events

Posted on | by devops
Expert Tips For Web Design Tips for Conferences and Events

Whether it is to discuss the new year’s plan, recap last year’s successes, or for pure celebration, conferences and events are being held more and more frequently by companies and organizations.

With the new year right around the corner, we thought it would be a great time to discuss a few web design tips to help you boost event attendance and conversion rates.

Make Important Information Clear And Obvious.

Just like your English teacher taught in grade school, you should make sure that the most important details – when, where, and why are clearly displayed and concise.

Yes, many people may already know where your event or conference will be held, why they should attend, and what time it will be, but many more people do not, and they need to access this information easily.

Remember, the event’s website is not the final product. The event is the final product. The website is simply a means to an end to get people to attend your event.

Give Details About The Event.

This tip may seem obvious, but think about how many times you’ve gone to an event website hoping to learn more about it and ultimately left the site filler like you didn’t get enough details?

By details, I don’t mean when and the where. I mean specific details about the event or conference activities, group activities like games and after-parties, local hotel accommodations, and area travel services.

The website design should provide visitors with tangible details to understand what the conference is about, what they will gain from experience, and what type of activities they can expect.

Remember: Be aware of who the audience is for your specific industry when it comes to guiding voicing and terminology. For example, Dental Website Design companies will likely be speaking to a very different event attendee from that of Construction Website Design Companies. When it comes to crafting the event detail text, let your designers know about those quirks upfront.

Make The Site User-Friendly.

Keep users front of mind when designing your website. This is good advice for any web design, no matter its purpose.

Put yourself in the visitor’s shoes and ask what visitors are looking for when coming to an event website? Think about where they might click, visually how they might flow through the page(s).

Keep interfaces simple, your layout crisp, and a few navigation or option buttons as possible.

Think of it this way, if you keep a visitor journey through your website streamlined, you tighten your sales funnel, make it more direct and much more influential based on what you choose to include or exclude from the design. When you have a clear funnel of action in place, conversion rates are sure to increase.

Use Impactful Visuals

Don’t be afraid to use visual content to help sell the conference to visitors. You can use pictures of your event location, interior and exterior shots, or well-known facilities, to name a few options.

Think about the visual appeal of your event that isn’t necessarily the main subject matter. Whether you use videos, photos, or both, try not to use stock photos.

Real images help to add that authentic feel. If you are having trouble selecting the right imagery, you can also use illustrations in your visual mix. A lot can be communicated through a well-designed graphic.

Make It Mobile

Most websites today are mobile compatible, and if they’re not, they are far behind the times and need to catch up. An intuitive and responsive web design gives prospective attendees a consistent user experience. And it’s also great for search engine optimization (SEO).

Google favors mobile-optimized sites and tends to rank these sights higher in search results. In fact, as we discussed in this earlier post, you can read here, Google now penalizes websites that are not mobile responsive.

We Can Help

Web design for conferences and events is a lot like party planning. You have to keep your guests and attendees in front of mind at all times during the design process.

What will attract their attention? What info do I include? What info do I not include? What color scheme do I use? And ultimately, what will persuade visitors most to decide not only to visit my site but attend the actual event?

All these questions are ones you need to keep in mind, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. There’s much more that goes into designing a website for conferences and events.

Agency Partner specializes in web design for these types of special occasions. While you focus on making sure your guest speakers are booked and arrive on time, let us handle the marketing aspects of your company’s event.

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “Web Design Tips for Conferences and Events” instead. Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this blog into a video for you. Check it out below!

website-conversion

Why Isn’t My Website Converting?

Posted on | by devops
Expert Tips For Why Isn’t My Website Converting?

If you’ve ever been on a date or had a job interview you know the importance of making a good first impression. Think about it, before you left your house for that date or interview you made sure every little detail was in order.

Let’s apply that same logic to your business and more specifically your business’s website. In this post, we’ll cover five reasons why your website isn’t converting.

But before we do. Let’s start with the basics.

What are the conversions?

Simply put a conversion is getting visitors of your website to follow through on the desired, and marketed action you would like them to take. For example, a conversion can be visitors responding to your website’s call to action.

In any case, your success is heavily dependent on the quality of your marketing and how well you appeal to each particular visitor.

Why are conversions important?

Conversions are important because they allow you to gauge the success of your marketing strategy or lack thereof. If your conversion rate is on an uptick that’s a good indicator that you know your audience, your marketing is well targeted, and you’ve identified your difference – what sets you apart from your competitors.

On the other hand, if your website isn’t doing so well in the conversions department that’s a good indicator that your marketing strategy may be ineffective and might need to be reevaluated.

None that we’ve covered the basics of conversions and why they’re important, let’s talk about reasons why your website isn’t converting.

Your website is new.

If your website is fairly new, don’t be alarmed if you don’t have a lot of visitors. It can take time to rank high in search engines and drive traffic to your site. If your website has been around for a while and you’re disappointed in the number of people visiting, try these tips to boost traffic and improve online visibility.

No clear call to action.

Evaluate your site from a visitor’s point of view. What is the desired action you want prospective clients to take? Is the message delivered clearly in your marketing? is there a clearly defined place for visitors to convert?

For example, if my site sells medical equipment and is trying to entice healthcare workers, practitioners, and other people involved in the industry to sign up for my mailing list, I need to give them a clear and easy place to do so. Maybe a pop-up ad.

You are not targeting the right people.

Okay, you’ve optimized your website for search engines. But be sure your keywords accurately represent your brand’s products and services. Make sure your keywords are also in line with how your target audience searches because it’s very possible you’re attracting the wrong people.

You are not speaking to your audience.

It’s crucially important to know who your audience is, and their wants and needs, in order to craft an effectively engaging website. If you fail to use a voice, tone, and keywords that strongly resonate with your target audience, it is unlikely that visitors will convert.

To gain a better understanding of your audience, consider their lives outside of this one engagement or transaction. This method of thinking could help to create engaging copy that speaks to your users more successfully.

You are providing a poor mobile experience.

If your website is not optimized for a fast and responsive mobile experience, you are behind the times.

According to Statista.com mobile devices account for approximately half of the web traffic worldwide. Mobile devices, excluding tablets, generated 50.81% of global website traffic in the third quarter of 2020.

Get a better website now!

If you’re tired of the frustration, and anxiety that comes with a website that doesn’t convert, we’ve got you covered. Agency Partner is a full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in creating and maintaining websites that drive conversions.

Not only do we offer web design services, but we can also help your existing website soar with more conversions through SEO campaigns, content marketing campaigns, and so much more.

As we talked about at the beginning of this article, first impressions are crucial.

Let the professionals at Agency Partner help you make a memorable one with the perfect website and marketing campaign for your business.

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “Why Isn’t My Website Converting?” instead. Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this blog into a video for you. Check it out below!

 

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5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Web Design Firm

Posted on | by devops
Tips From Professional Website Designers

Is your old website looking tired and dated? Or maybe you have a new company or product launching and need a stylish website to draw in the customers? Whatever the situation is, it is essential that you get a website that showcases your company and meets your branding needs. 

If you decide to Hire a Web Design Firm to handle the build, it is vital that you get one that understands your requirements and wants. Here are a list of questions to quiz your Web Design Firm to find out if they are the right fit for you. 

What is Good Design?

Starting with a deceivingly simple question might be the best way to figure out right away how well a web design firm knows their craft. They should be able to explain, in simple terms, how the Best Web Designers efficiently gather content and graphic elements to build a positive user experience. They should also be able to show you mock-ups of what they feel is a good design for your type of website. 

Can I See Your Client Portfolio? 

Knowing the web design agency has produced work for a similar industry or sector will boost both your confidence and trust that their team can deliver a website that encompasses your company’s principles and is strategically aimed at your audience. Plus, you will be able to check how versatile they are in terms of brand conceptualization. So go ahead and ask to see their Work. 

How Comfortable are you with Change?

Web designers and their clients don’t always see eye to eye. One is an expert in design elements; the other understands their audience best. The indisputable fact here is that enterprises, brands, and audiences are always evolving, and so is design.

Therefore, when creating a website for a company or client, a Web Design Agency needs to keep in mind that changes will be necessary either due to artistic differences or brand evolution. Finding designers comfortable with change will make the process so much easier.

How Do Your Web Design Firm Measure Results?

A website can look great, but if it doesn’t achieve its core purpose of meeting the client’s end goal, it can be deemed as a failure. It’s important to clarify with the design team which metrics they report on to ensure website success.

This should include Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Techniques to enhance unique visitors. Additionally, the conversion rates from the page can be a clear indicator as to whether the website design is fulfilling its duty.

Who Will be Working on my Project?

It is vital to establish clear communication with the design team working on your Website Development Project, so getting to know them is a great idea. Make a point of meeting the team and asking them who would be your direct point of contact, then check that you are on the same page. This way, you establish a solid foundation of ownership and accountability from early on.

Want to know more about web design before hiring an agency? Contact Agency Partner Interactive to hire a firm you can depend on.

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Web Design Firm?” instead.

Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this Blog into a video for you. Check it out below!