A Thousand Words
Pictures speak volumes, grabbing attention and sparking emotions that can seal a sale—so prioritize them on your website and social media. Don’t just slap any image up; use authentic, self-made shots (your phone’s camera is plenty good) or legally sourced stock photos to avoid trouble. Optimize them with keyword-rich names, ALT tags, and captions to boost SEO and draw readers in, then resize for speed. Link them where relevant—thoughtful images work hard to hook customers and elevate your brand.
Tracking Your Progress
No Google Analytics on your old website? Don’t panic—Alexa’s free tool swoops in to save the day. Just enter your URL to uncover your site’s global rank, visitor locations, bounce rate, page views, time spent, search engine performance, referral paths, linking sites, and audience demographics. Bonus: plug in a competitor’s address for the same juicy insights. It’s a quick, no-cost way to decode your traffic and spy on the competition!
Check Your Links
Broken links can tank your website’s credibility—just ask the accountant I met last week, who nearly lost a client over them. They frustrate users and hurt SEO, blocking search engines from indexing your site properly. Regularly check your links (at least quarterly) to keep content fresh and functional—don’t just build and forget. With Starfire Web Development, you get fast support or the power to fix links yourself, ensuring your site always shines and your business stays sharp.
The Art of the #Hashtag
Hashtags aren’t just for #YummyDinner—they’re a must for boosting your business’s social media reach. Pair every post with consistent, searchable tags like #YourBusinessName, #YourProduct, and #YourCity, plus relevant ones like #YourTagLine or #Industry. Skip vague fluff like #MyCarIsAmazing for precise hits like #Camaro. Watch character limits, track which tags spark likes and comments, and lean into winners. Smart hashtagging widens your audience and amps up engagement—fast.
Branding Consistency
Consistency is the backbone of branding—linking what your business offers to how customers feel, see, and remember it, like Starbucks with its steady logo, clear taglines, and upscale vibe. Stick to one font, a timeless logo, and a uniform message across all platforms; don’t shuffle words or confuse your audience. Sell a feeling—luxury, trust, fun—and deliver it everywhere, from your site to your service. Focus on your target customer, keep it sharp, and watch your brand solidify.
Google Analytics
Is your dusty, outdated website—built years ago by a friend, cousin, or even you—still pulling in visitors? Google Analytics reveals all, for free: visitor counts, new vs. returning, time spent, bounce rate, locations, and even age, gender, and interests. Tailor content to who’s landing there, or rethink it if 18-year-old sports fans keep showing up instead of your target 45-year-old pros. Starfire builds Analytics into every site, guiding you to refresh smartly for the right crowd.
Publishing To Search Directories
Running a small business means juggling countless tasks—ordering inventory, managing payroll, and even dashing to Costco for supplies—leaving little time to think about marketing. Yet, getting your business found online is a critical step to success, and that’s where SEO comes in. A key component? Listing your business in search directories like Yahoo, Yelp, and Foursquare. At Starfire, we understand the hassle of navigating and publishing to these platforms, which is why our directory publishing service gets your business listed in over 50 top directories tailored to your industry. Save hours of frustration and let us help you shine online—because you deserve more time for that well-earned beach getaway!
Backlinks
In the ever-evolving world of SEO, Google reigns supreme, constantly rewriting the rules with each algorithm update. Gone are the days when keywords alone could boost your site’s ranking—Google now prioritizes authentic, quality content over manipulative tactics. Today, back links have taken center stage as the key to climbing the search engine ladder. These links, earned through genuine connections and compelling content rather than purchased shortcuts, signal credibility and relevance. Building a strong back link strategy takes patience and persistence, but the reward is worth it: organic traffic driven by users who find real value in what you offer.
Getting Social
Choosing the right social media platforms for your small business can feel daunting, but it’s a decision that demands attention. With Generation Y spending two hours daily on mobile devices and 50% of corporate network devices predicted to be mobile by late 2015, the importance of social media is undeniable—especially as this demographic dominates the workforce. While Facebook’s organic reach has plummeted to as low as 2% for larger pages, Instagram’s engagement has soared, growing over 50% in nine months. Research your options, select platforms that suit your business, and commit to consistent, engaging content to keep your audience hooked.
Building and Edits
With the client’s vision, content, and photos in hand, we’re diving into the website creation process—time for us to get to work while they kick back. As we build, we might reach out for clarifications or additional materials, ensuring every detail aligns with their goals. Once the framework is complete and content loaded, we’ll walk through the site together, refining pages and suggesting enhancements like categorized image galleries and a searchable photo feature. These additions not only boost usability but also encourage visitors to linger, enhancing SEO. The foundation is set—stay tuned for what’s next!
