I’m giving a talk on setting up your business on the web
Start the new year with a new website or landing page for your business or new venture.
If you’ve started a new business or thinking about it then now is a really good time to get the wheels in motion, equally if your current web site needs a revamp or you need advice on how to get more from the web then speak to AgilityWeb.
If you’re not ready for a website yet then now may also be a good time to secure your domain name and get landing page up so you can start registering interest and get recognized by search engines.
AgilityWeb specialises in html5, Drupal and WordPress websites that are mobile enabled and track your visitors for you.
I can provide technical advice and office productivity support including domain names, hosting and basic IT support.
I’ve worked across all sectors and advised for sole traders, small businesses and enterprises alike.
I can help with content and copy writing as well as provide custom graphics or work with existing partners.
AgilityWeb provide discounts for those trading in Lambeth and Croydon or those on the NEA scheme.
Get in contact today
The importance of SEO
I’m often asked about the importance of SEO so I thought I’d compile a few thoughts from the last year.
Moz.com summarizes it perfectly.
“SEO is the practice of improving and promoting a web site in order to increase the number of visitors the site receives from search engines. There are many aspects to SEO, from the words on your page to the way other sites link to you on the web. Sometimes SEO is simply a matter of making sure your site is structured in a way that search engines understand.
Search Engine Optimization isn’t just about “engines.” It’s about making your site better for people too.”
(From http://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo)
However SEO isn’t simply a technical exercise to get more people to your website; it must work in conjunction with the content you have and if the two work hand in hand then you will see results over time. The bottom line is that whilst a website that is optimized for search engines may start to attract more traffic there has to be something meaningful when a visitor gets there otherwise the point is lost.
Clear navigation, concisely written copy, non-ambiguous content as promised and a site that works are all equally, if not more important.
A site that people return to or recommend is worth a lot more than a site visited once and forgotten.
Start the year by spring cleaning your dead or erroneous content and give something back to your visitors!
Here are a few links to help optimize your content.
http://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo
http://www.thewonderforest.com/2013/06/seo-basics-for-bloggers-10-tips-for.html
http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2013/10/22/blog-seo-tips#.
http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/10/02/50-one-sentence-seo-tips-for-bloggers/
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/6-ways-to-optimize-your-blog-for-search-engines/
Website Revamped
I’ve finally revamped the company website – http://agilityweb.co.uk.
Website management, design and consultancy in South London.
New Home – Hideaway Workspace
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”][vc_column_text]I have relocated back down in Streatham, where I was born and bred.
The Hideaway Workspace is a newly opened co-working space; right in the heart of the Streatham BID and is set to be a pivotal part of the regeneration happening in South London.
Setting up shop here is a logical move for me and keen to see the area blossom.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1010,1008,1006,1007″ layout=”4″ gallery_style=”1″ load_in_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Content used to be king. Guess what, it still is!
One of the most common questions when discussing work with a potential new client is ‘what about SEO?’ or ‘I really need to be at the top of the ratings, but nothing I seem to do its working, what can I do?’.
Both very relevant questions but seem to dissipate when copy is not written, images are poor and responsibility for regular updates or a blog is undecided.
The bottom line, in my opinion is that strength, accuracy and relevance of the information on your site is paramount.
Sites can, and should be optimized to be picked up by search engines and the content should be easily share-able if relevant and there are techniques, methods and applications to help you enhance your presence once launched – as successful sites require active management to make the most of their opportunity.
Fundamentally though, there has to be something worth seeing once a user arrives!
- Does it do what is says on the tin? If searching for something specific, your user may have limited time or have shortlisted you amongst several others. What they want to see is the information they were expecting simply laid out or easy to find, before looking at their next link in line.
- Is it accurate and up to date? This should a given but often the website is the last to be given an overall if only part of an overall business activity. In my experience, a common cause for this is over-ambition or an under-estimated provision for resource when planning the site. Far better to have 3 key pages that work than 12 with half finished content or that image still waiting to be done.
- Is the page self -sufficient? This may be the only chance you have and unless relevant, the user may never delve further into your site, so it needs to not only have the information but clear and easy instructions on what to do next or how to contact you.
- Is it regular and consistent? A lot of advice revolves regular updates, having a blog and showing a personable side to the business. This is all well and good but only if it’s right for you, conveys the right tone (as opposed to something manufactured to tick to a box) and informs in some way. Your time must be set aside to contribute to this , it doesn’t just magically appear. If you are going to have regular update then decide on the frequency and stick to it. The more established you get the more important this becomes.
Without the above then you can drive as many people to your site as you like but you need to deliver once there. It is this that will develop return visitors, transform these into clients and spread the word about what you do as a business rather than some keywords which may or may not pertain