rachelklinecreativenew

5 Ways to Improve Your Website - Without Spending a Dime

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 20:13:39 GMT

Your website could probably use a little love... And these upgrades are totally free!

As a web designer, I meet with lots of business owners who are in different places with their marketing needs and budgets. But one thing most have in common - their website is not up to date. Whether they lack a person to make their site updates or it's simply a "back burner" priority that's been forgotten about, a lot of business owners are struggling to keep their sites current, and reflective of the latest industry trends. Some of my clients are in the design industry and they feel like their website is an example of the cobbler whose kid's had no shoes! They'll tell me, "I have a ton of new projects and work I'd like to show off but I haven't had time to get the photos on my website... and I'm not sure where to start!" If this is YOU, you're not alone, and you'll want to keep reading.

1. Photos

One of the easiest ways to keep your site looking current is to do a simple photo swap.

Start by swapping some pictures on your home page so it reflects your current offerings or style.
If you have an ecommerce site, you'll need to do this seasonally to swap holiday photos or specials and replace them with new ones!
Make sure your "About" page pictures are current and update any team sections to reflect your current staff.
If you have a Gallery or Portfolio page, swap old projects for new ones or add your newest to the top spots.

- Don't reinvent the wheel. If you've been posting your work to social media, repurpose that content or use Canva to resize things.

- If you don't have your own brand photos, take advantage of Canva stock images or find free (or inexpensive) professional images from Pexels or Shutterstock.

2. Contact Information

If you want people to find you - make sure your info is up to date.

Check your contact page and make sure your address, email and phone number are up to date.
Make sure your social media links are up to date too.
Make sure your business hours are up to date.
Make sure any scheduling or booking links are up to date.
Make sure your Google listing is up to date and matches what's on your website. For improved SEO, consider adding the Google Search Console app to your site so that the information syncs automatically. While you're in your Google business listing, add a few photos and be sure to reply to any reviews - positive or negative. Google tools are FREE and this is a great way to add another level of credibility to your site and your business.

3. Content

Not only should your photos be current - your verbiage needs to match.

Give your site a read through and make sure the information is still accurate and reflective of what you offer.
Pay attention to numbers and dates. If your site boasts you've been in business for 10 years but now it's been 15, update your copy. That's a big difference and if you've been copying and pasting the same bio, it's probably not accurate.
Were you really into something like coffee or pickleball that you referenced to sound cool in 2022 but now you're into tea and yoga? Make sure your copy makes sense for your current stage of life and the clientele you want to attract. It's okay to change things up!
Have your products or services changed? Now's the time to make sure they align with any other marketing materials you've been using.
Prices should be updated as well. No one wants to reach out expecting one thing, just to be told, "Oh, sorry, that's old information."

4. Alt Tags

Give your site a little SEO boost.

Alt text (alternative text) is essential for making your website accessible to all users, including those who rely on screen readers. It also helps improve your SEO by allowing search engines to understand your images. Adding descriptive, concise alt text ensures that visually impaired users and search engines alike can interpret and engage with your content.

Alt Text Checklist:

Describe the image clearly – What is happening in the image?
Be concise – Keep it short but informative.
Use keywords naturally – Help with SEO without keyword stuffing.
Avoid using "image of" or "picture of" – Screen readers already indicate it's an image.
Make sure all essential images have alt text – Especially product images, infographics, and key visuals.
Leave decorative images empty – If an image is purely decorative, set alt="" so screen readers skip it.

5. Improve Your Website's Navigation

A well-structured website keeps visitors engaged and helps them find what they need quickly. Simplifying your navigation improves user experience, reduces frustration, and increases conversions. Here are a few ways to improve your site’s navigation:

Keep Your Menu Simple & Intuitive – Stick to essential pages and use clear, straightforward labels (e.g., “Shop,” “About Us,” “Contact”). Avoid cluttering your menu with too many options. I like to say no more than 8 main menu tabs across the top because it becomes too visually cluttered. If your logo is centered, 3 or 4 items on either side looks great.
Use a Sticky or Fixed Navigation Bar – A menu that stays visible as users scroll makes it easier for them to navigate without constantly scrolling back to the top.
Organize Pages with Logical Categories – Group similar pages under dropdown menus or sections to make browsing effortless.
Include a Search Bar – A search function helps visitors find specific content quickly, especially if you have a blog, product listings, or multiple service pages.
Highlight Key Information – Ensure important details like contact info, pricing, and FAQs are easily accessible from the main menu.
Use Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumb navigation (e.g., Home > Products > Grass-Fed Beef) helps users understand where they are and easily backtrack if needed. If you use Shopify or any other ecommerce platform, this is usually a toggle on-off option within your product pages, cart, and checkout. Make sure it is enabled.
Ensure Mobile-Friendly Navigation – Test your menu on phones and tablets to ensure links are easy to tap and dropdowns work smoothly.
Fix Broken Links & Update Old Pages – Regularly audit your site to remove outdated pages and ensure all links lead to the correct places.

By improving your website’s look and feel, you create a seamless experience that keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to take action. Since it often takes multiple interactions before someone decides to buy or reach out, a well-structured site helps build familiarity and trust. And while your website plays a key role, social media is another powerful tool to keep potential customers connected and engaged—but that’s a topic for another day! For more information about websites and best practices, contact me today - I am currently booking spring projects and I'd love to work with you.

4 Reasons You Need a New Website

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:42:24 GMT

See how a new website can give your business the boost it needs!

If you've been wondering if your website is "good enough" or how you could improve things, you're not alone. In this day and age, everyone is online and a website that felt new a year or two ago can begin to feel dated quickly without proper upkeep. If you've failed to add new photos, update plugins or keep your services and prices current, your site can feel clunky or out of style, but it doesn't have to! Keep reading to see if your website is a good candidate for a redesign, or simply needs a little "tlc."

You May Need a New Website If...

Your Website is Not Responsive
If your website is not responsive, it won't load properly on mobile. This means when someone pulls up your site on their iPhone or mobile device, they have to "pinch" to zoom in or out in order to see the site properly. Sites without responsive design need more than new photos or style updates - they need a new theme or a complete redesign. If you check your analytics, you'll notice the majority of users are accessing your site via mobile, so this needs to be a top priority! Many new sites offer a "mobile first" experience meaning the template or theme is actually designed to perform BEST on a phone. Regardless of your industry, we can help you find the right design to highlight your products or services.
Your Website is REALLY Difficult to Update
If you can't update your site, is it serving you well? Sometimes a site looks okay on the outside, but if the backend is a total mess, it can be more of a hassle than a help to your business. If you need to update prices, pictures and information regularly, a nightmare website can cost you time and money. This is one of the reasons we offer an hour long training for all of the custom sites & Shopify sites we design. We want our clients to learn exactly how to manage things and feel confident in making basic updates or changes.
You Want to Add New Features that Your Site Does Not Offer
Ready to add an online membership to your site or make the switch from a DIY ecommerce site to a professional Shopify site? Some website platforms are limited in what they can offer your business so if you're ready to upgrade, it may be a good time to consider a redesign or take the plunge to a better online shopping experience.
Your Website Needs a Serious Facelift
While many cosmetic changes can be applied to the site you currently have, there are times when it's more cost effective to start fresh. A new theme or a new design platform can often provide better SEO, faster page speed and a more user-friendly experience. If your site has been neglected and it's past the point of making some easy updates to bring it up to date, let's talk about your options! My team would be happy to work with you when it comes to your web design, branding or photography needs.

Whether you feel like you have your work cut out for you, or you're ready to start contacting web designers, I hope this checklist is helpful to you. Your website is a chance to make a great first impression with potential clients or customers, so be sure it's fast, user-friendly and up to date. If you need help with any of those things, give us a call today!

-Rachel

Coming Soon: Products + Resources for Every Boss Babe

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:59:13 GMT

You heard it here first - we're launching an exclusive product collection! Get a sneak peek into our process and our inspiration.

One of my favorite things about designing websites is the ability to connect with my clients and share ideas. I love learning about their "why" and making even boring businesses sparkle online. While we work with clients across a wide range of industries, we seem to have a sweet spot for helping female owned businesses and "mompreneurs." We love connecting over busy schedules and juggling kids while simultaneously growing our businesses and taking care of ourselves. I've gotten some of the best practical fashion tips from my mompreneur clients and I've also shared some tips of my own for managing kids + work as a female founder who's been doing the juggle for almost 8 years now.

I've bonded with women over our favorite podcasts, a love for monthly planners or classic BIC pens. And I've shopped at new stores or checked out a local eatery because of a personal recommendation or suggestion. Through these conversations, I've learned that regardless of industry or company size, women in business have a lot in common: the need for quality resources, a sense of community and a strong cup of coffee!

With that in mind, my creative partner, Susan, and I began to brainstorm simple ways to make our favorite products + resources available to any boss babe. Inspired by one of my favorite podcasters and biz experts, Jenna Kutcher, we decided to create a curated collection of items that would be practical in your business journey - and beautiful too. Products and resources to spark creativity and offer daily encouragement for female founders everywhere.

In our limited collection you'll find digital resources to help you grow your biz, custom LightRoom presets, and a handful of physical products to gift yourself or your biz-bestie! These items include collabs with local jewelry company Revolution Lancaster who helped us design our very own Hope necklace and bracelet, as well as Fontana Candle Co who we worked with to create our own custom candle. Running a business isn't easy, and sometimes it takes a visual reminder like a quote on your favorite coffee mug or the words engraved on a necklace, to remind you of your WHY. It's our goal that whether you work from home or a busy downtown office, you'll find encouragement and inspiration in these carefully created items we've been working on - designed with you in mind!

Are you getting excited yet? Because I know we are. If you'd like to be first to know about our collection release date and upcoming collabs, click here to sign up!

Here's a sneak peek from our first meeting with Revolution Lancaster! We had so much fun looking at jewelry chains, clasps and pendant options! We can't wait to share our finished design.

Want to be first to know about our collection release date and gain access to free resources and launch week giveaways? Sign up today!

3 Ways to Stay Consistent on Social Media

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 20:08:28 GMT

High fives for simple ways to stay on top of your social media content!

Staying consistent on social media is hard. It's the number one reason people come to me for social media strategy and management, because without a plan, it's impossible to keep up - and I get it. It takes a lot of work to craft each piece of content, schedule it, and engage with it. Over the years, Facebook and Instagram have changed, but they way to stay consistent has not. There are simple strategies to plan ahead so you never run out of content or ideas. Keep reading to learn more or contact me today for a free 20 minute consultation. I'd love to learn more about your business and your unique challenges.

#1. Choose an app to plan and schedule your content
I have worked with clients that have tried creating their own "planners" with Excel or notes or a Word doc, but these DIY methods NEVER work. They are fine for organizing your ideas, but the easiest way to streamline your content is to choose an app that allows you to visually see what your posts will look like, and get them scheduled in advance. For Instagram, I recommend Planoly because it's simple to learn and allows you see exactly what your feed will look like. You can schedule posts, stories and Pinterest content too. You can share IG content directly to FB with Planoly, and you can customize your caption to eliminate all the hashtags or reword things so they make sense from one platform to another. What matters when it comes to consistency, is that you create a plan you can stick to.

Figure out how many posts or days you want to share per week, and make it a goal to schedule a post for each of those days. I work on a month at a time, but you can plan the amount of content that works for you. Start by making sure you've got posts scheduled for important days and then fill in from there. Need help coming up with ideas? Create an idea pattern that works for your business - it might be something like fun quote, about the business, new product, meet the team, sale or promotion, featured item/collab. The great thing about an idea pattern is that you can change what things look like visually, but if you stick to your idea pattern, you'll be sharing the important things consistently.

#2. Create a photo bank to pull from when you need visuals
This is key to making your planning go smoothly. If you don't have a bank of photos or videos to pull from, what are you going to share? Whether you're starting a new company or you're the third generation to run the family business, investing in professional images is always a good idea. You can also use websites like Pexels or Unsplash to create your own galleries. These images are royalty free and you can use them for your social media marketing purposes. Organize your photos by topic or service and when you are planning your content it will be easy to grab an image to go with your caption. Another great reason to invest in professional images - people love to see the faces behind the brands and businesses they support. It's a simple way to connect with your audience and gain trust. And people buy from brands they trust!

#ProTip

Go a step further and create a mockup of what your feed will look like with Canva! Easily drag and drop your images to make your visual planning easier. Want your own custom Instagram mood board? Contact us today. We can create one for you a la carte - no contracts or social media package required.

#3. Keep an ongoing list of quotes, links, questions and articles to use or share
Another way to stay consistent is to always have an idea on hand. If you know that Tuesdays are a day you share a quote, have a list of quotes ready to go so you can quickly c raft your post. If your business has a blog that's another easy place to grab content and if you know when the posts will come out, you can leave a placeholder in your content calendar knowing every Friday (for example) you'll share the latest blog post. It's also great to keep a list of inspiration articles or fun links you can share when you don't have anything exciting to talk about. You can also ask your audience a question. Questions are a great way to boost engagement and you can literally save a list of potential questions that would resonate with "your people!" Cross the off as you go. You can Google these or search for ice-breaker questions to help you get started. The key to consistency is to be prepared!

Have some good ideas to help you with your next social media planning sesh? I hope so! Keeping lists and growing a photo bank is SO important for staying on top of things. Don't worry if you don't have these things in place. Content creation takes time and planning, but now you have the tools to get started. #1. Choose your app, #2. Create a photo gallery and organize your pics in folders by topic/service/product/events - this will be different for every business, and #3. Create a list of quotes, links, questions and articles. It isn't rocket science, but it takes practice. Let me know how you do next month and feel free to reach out with any of your questions.

-Rach

Is Shopify Right for Your Online Business?

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 09:27:59 GMT

Pros & Cons of Shopify Ecommerce

When it comes to your ecommerce business, choosing the right online selling platform is key. We love using Shopify for ecommerce clients who need a site that's fast, reliable and easy to customize, but we also recognize its limitations and know it's not the perfect fit for everyone. Some businesses need more customization options or want to keep monthly costs to a minimum. We get that every online biz has different needs, so today I'm breaking down some of the pros and cons of Shopify. If you're in the beginning stages of getting your store online, take note! And if you still have questions, don't hesitate to reach out for a free web design consultation.

Store Design

Shopify has tons of options when it comes to your store design. With Shopify, you can begin adding your products on the backend, and apply any theme to your site on the front end. Shopify has its own theme store which offers a huge selection of free or paid themes, or you can purchase a theme from a place like Out of the Sandbox. Shopify themes are designed to load super fast, and comply with the latest Google standards. Shopify 2.0 themes are even faster, and the update has made page templates easier to customize. Did I mention that Shopify themes are GORGEOUS??

Regardless of how robust a theme you choose, every theme offers a fully customizable home page that will beautifully display your products or categories and featured items. Shopify stores are designed to feature what you have to sell - so if products, workshops or memberships are not your main focus, then Shopify might not be the best option for you. If you are looking to increase product sales and roll out new collections on a regular basis, Shopify is definitely a great way to showcase what you have to offer!

Customization

While every theme has different options, the Shopify drag and drop editor will only allow you to drag and drop what is included with your theme. Each part of a Shopify site is called a "section" and you can arrange your sections however you like. After you set your brand fonts, colors and accent colors, some themes offer additional customization, while others are limited. As a designer, this is the frustrating part for me... While every predesigned section is beautiful, Shopify themes take away your ability to fully customize each section without using custom code.

On the flip side, if you want to customize your store to add digital downloads, memberships, password protected pages, or emails - Shopify can do it all. The Shopify app store offers apps for any of your store needs, from creating opt-ins or pop ups and sending coupons, to offering memberships, subscriptions and visual features like galleries or testimonial sliders. You can also purchase a theme with built in features like a more customizable contact form, testimonials, videos on product pages and so much more! While apps for all of these features make for a powerful storefront, it can also add cost. Many apps have free trials, but after the free trial you may be paying $2.99 for one app or $12.99 for another.

Costs

As I mentioned, costs can add up with additional Shopify apps and features. The standard store price is $29.99 per month for your store alone. You'll also need to purchase your theme upfront which can run you anywhere from $180-$400. For many business owners, the flexibility and streamlined design is worth the price.

Usability

If you're willing to spend a few hours clicking around, you can easily learn how to navigate the drag and drop editor. Swap out featured products or collections in a few clicks and rewrite headings to match in minutes. Changes are saved automatically and applied to your live site. If I had to rate Shopify on a scale of 1-10 for usability, I'd give it an 8 which is high in my book! While there's certainly a learning curve, the platform is user friendly and makes it easy to update your home page.

Product Management

Just like it's easy to update things on the front end, managing the backend of your storefront - your products, subscriptions, downloads and collections is made simple with Shopify. We'll even help you set up your collections and add your first product per category so you can see exactly how things work! We want you to feel confident in handling all aspects of your store and our design packages include a 60 minute consult where you'll learn how to do just that.

If you're looking to launch a professional, easy to manage storefront that looks beautiful and is trusted by users across the globe, Shopify is a smart choice. Hopefully these tips will help you decide if a product centered site is right for you, or if going the custom route to feature content rich pages is a better option. To learn more, contact us today! We're taking on client for 2022 and would love to bring your ideas to life.

3 Things To Do After Your Website Launch

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 02:35:47 GMT

Your site is live... but you're not done yet!

Congrats on your new website! Getting to this point is a major accomplishment and I'm sure you spent countless hours on your site content, photos, and getting all the details together - so before you launch it and forget about it, be sure your website is set up for success. Today I'm sharing the three items you need to take care of ASAP if you have a new website (or if you never set these things up for your existing site)! Keep reading to learn about the importance of Google Analytics, Google My Business and Google Search Console for your business.

Create a Google Analytics Account and Install Your Tracking Code
Don't worry, none of these steps are super complicated - you just need to follow the directions. Start by visiting Google Analy tics and follow the steps to create a new account if you don't already have one. From here, you'll need to add your website information and answer a few questions about your business. When you finish the set up, Google will provide you with a tracking code to embed on your website. Some web design platforms have a Google Analytics "tab" or section in the editing options that will only require you to paste in your tracking ID. It will look something like this: "UA-181326596-1". If your website doesn't have an option to add your Google Analytics tracking ID, you'll need to embed the Global Site Tag (or gtag.js) into the header section of your website. Simply copy and paste it. No one will see the code, it is only visible to Google.

Why do you need Google Analytics? This allows you to see exactly who is using your website and how they're interacting with your content. With Analytics, you can run reports to learn about your user demographics, traffic referral sources and which pages people are clicking on most. Not only is this helpful for you to see what's working and what you might need to improve on when it comes to your website, you'll be able to get a better idea of what phrases people are searching for, based on which pages they're landing on first. It can take time for Google to begin collecting data, so get your account set up and give it 48 hours to populate.
Set Up a Google Search Console Account and Verify Your Website
The next thing you need to do to help your website get found, is create a Google Search Console account. Google Search Console shows you exactly how your pages are indexed with Google and alerts you to any issues that might effect your search ranking or Google standings. When you add new content or pages to your site you can request your site be "re-indexed" to make sure the Google bots crawl your site and index the new pages. (Pages that are indexed are pages that Google can pull up in search results.) Having your website verified with Google Search Console will be a huge help as you grow your business and your website!
Complete Your Google My Business Listing
Lastly, and most importantly if you have a local business, be sure to claim your Google My Business account. Google My Business is where you'll manage your Google Reviews, your business hours (as listed in Google search results), and things like your Google Maps listing. Google My Business is free and easy to use. Simply follow the instructions to claim or verify your business and edit your information. Google My Business is designed to help customers find your business or organization, and tell your story.

The Google My Business dashboard allows you to share photos and updates (remember Google+) and you can also create promotions that show up when people see your business in their local search results. For my local clients with brick and mortar locations, I recommend posting once a week and always making sure your business hours are up to date. Google will prompt you to edit your hours for holidays etc. Take advantage of this and use the platform to convey business information to your clients and customers.

If all of this sounds way over your head and you're already thinking, "I have no idea how to do this" - don't panic. Take things one step at a time and if you get stuck, we're here to help. As a complimentary service we offer Google Analytics set up for each of our web design clients and if we didn't design your website simply ask about our Website Starter Kit. We know your website took countless hours to design and complete so don't let it sit there "collecting dust" - let's put it to work! Contact us today to get started .

Rachel

Your 10 Minute Website Checklist

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 08:25:37 GMT

Simple (and inexpensive) ways to give your website a facelift!

At every networking or marketing event I attend, I hear the same thing from female business owners – “I just don’t know what my website needs, or if I’m doing things right. Do you think I should be blogging??” The answer to that last question is YES, but I could write a whole post about that!

One of the things I've learned is most challenging to businesswomen is simply keeping up with a website, and knowing what makes your site user friendly. If you don't have the money to hire a professional, you're not alone, and you don't need to freak out. There are a variety of ways to make sure your website is up to date and user friendly, so I recently put together a quick check list for small biz owners. It will only take you 10 minutes, so whether you’re scrolling on your phone or sitting at your desktop computer, pull up your website and get ready to take some notes. My goal is to help solopreneurs and small business owners learn what makes a great website so whether you have a budget for a complete redesign or you’re hoping to DIY, you know how to do it right.

Your 10 Minute Website Checklist

Does your homepage include your logo, a prominent call to action and easy to find contact info? Does your site have a mobile friendly header/footer and a click to call button (or "contact us") feature at the top?

Is your site well organized? Is it easy to find your services or pricing? Rule of thumb – your site navigation should not display more than 8 pages across the top. Your subpages should be organized under the pages people will most likely hover over or tap on to find them.

Does your site show and tell users exactly what you do, or the services you offer? Think about the pictures on your site, the colors and the fonts… What kind of feeling do they convey? Is your look professional, creative, serious, light hearted etc? Be sure to list your services in a simple way so that website users know exactly what you offer (and don't offer).

Is it easy for people to contact you or find you on social media? The most common reason people search for a website is to get your contact info, check prices, or view your portfolio.

Does your site offer useful content or features for people interested in your product or services? For example, a blog, a FAQ page, a “what to expect” page etc. If you're not giving people a reason to stay on your site, I can guarantee they're going elsewhere for the information you could be providing them.

If you are the face of your business, do you have photos on your site to show that? If you've got a meeting with a potential customer or client, you can bet they're stalking your site to learn more about you!

Similarly, if your business has a local storefront, are there photos of your store/boutique/office? Again, if people are planning to meet you or come to your store but they've never been there before, give them a preview so they know what to look for. This is also a great way to show off your beautiful space! If you're the face of your business, invest in personal branding. Photos, marketing materials etc. People want to get to know YOU.

If you've completed this checklist you're off to a great start! Still working on your site? Make sure if you're using a template it has these features or allows you to customize things. Web design can be difficult if you're not a visual person so don't hesitate to ask a friend or colleague to review your site and provide some honest feedback. In fact, have someone in a different industry look at your site and ask them the following questions:

Can you tell what I do or what services my business offers?
Could you contact me easily from my website?
Can you tell who my target audience is based on my fonts/colors/photos?
Does my site feel safe? Would you feel secure providing CC info to make a purchase? (If your site is slow to load, dated or disorganized, this can make users question how safe it is!)

If someone from a different business/industry can answer yes to all of these questions, then your site is user friendly! Now, I hope this hasn’t taken you more than 10 minutes, but if you have a growing list of changes to make that’s okay. Change is good and making small updates to your existing website can go a long way.

How to Design a Homepage that Gets More Clicks

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 18:46:41 GMT

Simple ways to captivate users and turn clicks into customers!

Whether you're designing a new website or you're looking to upgrade what you already have, making some simple changes to your homepage can improve clicks and conversions, turning website visitors into clients and customers. Does your current site get people clicking to your specials or promos? Are people able to easily sign up for classes or events? Is anyone filling out your contact form? If you answered no, keep reading!

Make Sure Your Services or Offerings are Clearly Displayed
It doesn't matter if you sell products or you're a service based business, people should be able to easily click from the content on your homepage to the place they can make a purchase or book your services. I'm not talking about what's in your site menu/navigation - I'm talking about clearly featuring what you offer on your homepage. You can do this with a carousel of hero images with text overlay and a "learn more" or "buy now" button. You can have a "featured products" section to get people's attention or an "our services" section with eye catching images, but the goal is to have a visually pleasing section on your homepage that tells users what you offer and how they can get it.
Add Quality Content to Your Homepage
Give people a reason to stay on your homepage to learn more about you and your business, or follow a call to action to get in touch or make a purchase. Content might look like a blurb about you and your mission, a blog section with snippets from your latest posts, or a gallery of images from your Instagram account. It's also great to share more about your services and explain to people why they should work with you or what that experience looks like. Provide just enough information that users are excited to click on that "learn more" or "keep reading" link!
Make Sure Your Call to Action is Specific
If you want someone to book a class be sure it's obvious where to click and what to do for them to take the next step. If you want someone to schedule a consultation or call you, make it easy for them. It's not just frustrating to land on a site that's confusing to navigate, it can cost you potential clients and customers when it's difficult to get in touch or book your services. Consider adding a "request a quote" or "get in touch" section to your homepage or site footer to make contacting you even more accessible.
Show Off Your Work
Videos are one of the easiest ways to up your views and engagement on social media and it's no different when it comes to your website. If you don't have a featured video, consider adding some photos that showcase your work or speak to your mission and style. Do you have before/after pictures? Add some to your homepage with a "view more" link to your full gallery. These are great ways to get people interested in what you have to offer.

If your homepage is boring or missing a clear call to action, I hope you have a long to-do list after reading this! Your website should work for you -- attracting leads, funneling them to the appropriate page, and converting users to customers. Do you feel like you need a little help to reach your website goals? Then don't hesitate to reach out. We offer custom website design services in Lancaster, Pa and across the United States for small businesses, solopreneurs and creatives. Want to learn more? Join our Facebook group, Bloom Creative. Bloom is a community for women in businesses looking for practical tips and ways to grow their online presence. We'd love to meet you and learn more about what you do!

-Rachel

Our Favorite Apps for Creating Content, Social Media Scheduling and Productivity

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 04:08:09 GMT

Get more done with apps for every part of your creative business!

When I sit down with clients to chat websites or social media, I am always recommending my favorite apps for scheduling content or staying on task, so today I'm sharing them all in one place! Whether you need a photo editing app, a digital to-do list or a way to communicate with your team, keep reading. I love technology so if it's an app that's going to make my life easier, I'm happy to test it out. Not all apps have lived up to my expectations, but these are the ones I'm happy to recommend. (And no, this isn't sponsored but it probably should be!)

Canva
If you are a business owner you NEED to know about Canva. Canva is a website with a pretty sweet mobile app that allows you to design just about anything you'd hire a professional graphic designer for. Marketing materials like business cards, brochures, Power Point presentations, social media posts or ads - there's a template for that! And not just a blank template - Canva has thousands of predesigned templates that are ready to be used, you just need to add your details or logo. The app also features free stock photos and design elements to bring any concept to life. The app is free, or you can upgrade to unlock "pro" features. If you use it a lot, the pricing is super reasonable and gives you access to additional stock photos, animation tools, background remover tools, and all kinds of fun effects to turn 2-D graphics into moving animations and videos. Some of Canva's features I use most often are the pre-sized templates for FB cover images, IG posts or IG story templates, and logo or presentation templates for my clients.
Lightroom Mobile
"How do you get your photos so bright?" I hear this all the time! Secret's out... I use presets with the Lightroom Mobile app. While Lightroom for your desktop computer is only available with an Adobe Creative Cloud membership, the mobile app is FREE. What is a preset? A preset is like a filter. Photographers can save settings like brightness, tint/hue or saturation and sell them as a "preset." So as a Lightroom Mobile user, all you need to do is select the preset of your choice and apply it to your photo. When you apply a pre-set, all of the above settings are preselected so you don't have to manually adjust brightness, colors, saturation etc. Many presets come in packages for achieving a specific style. You can purchase them and add them to your Lightroom app easily. Some of the best places to find presets are Etsy or Creative Market and all of the presets I've purchased have come with instructions for installing the files which is super helpful!
Unfold
This is my favorite app for creating beautiful Instagram stories, reels and anything visual! I love the clean and classic layout and design options and new animation features. The app is free and works seamlessly with Instagram to make sharing your stories and feed posts simple.
Planoly
I've tried a ton of apps for scheduling content and this is hands down my favorite for scheduling Instagram posts. Planoly offers a great visual so you can see what your feed will look like and it makes it easy to save your hashtags into groups so you can reuse them. I do most of my planning on desktop, and use the mobile app to check on things and With the free plan you can upload and plan up to 30 images per month to your feed and for some of my clients this is enough. If you are planning multiple carousel posts per month, upgrading to the "Solo" plan will give you more uploads.
Post Planner
If you're scheduling Facebook content, Post Planner is the best! I have been using this app for about 3 years and it has changed the way I schedule content - making it faster, allowing me to set some posts as "recurring" if I'm promoting a special event or want to re-share evergreen content. Post Planner allows you to create a unique schedule for each of your accounts and add items to a que instead of having to select a date and time for each post. Post Planner allows you to create a content library for each of your accounts which is a major time saver, and you can also search their content library for links, articles and recent events.
Evernote
I've used this app for years and over time it's grown from a notes app to a full feature productivity app. I love that it syncs from my laptop to my phone and in addition to notes you can crate tasks and reminders. If you need something that's simple enough to figure out in a few minutes, but robust enough to handle all your needs, Evernote is a great choice.
DropBox
This might seem like an odd one to have on this list, but if you are a creative that's managing tons of photos or files, DropBox makes it easy. I love the way the desktop app shows all my files in my file explorer (I use a Microsoft Surface Pro) and the mobile app for my iPhone syncs quickly and makes it easy to find images or graphics when I need them.
Slack
We manage a ton of projects at once and to keep track of where we're at with every project my team and I use Slack. Slack is free and is a great tool for catching up, sharing ideas and organizing conversations using hashtags. Slack isn't or task management, but for communication it works well.

If you're ready to get organized or dive into content creation these apps will definitely save you time and help you create beautiful, cohesive graphics and visuals. Improve your photo game with presets and share things easily from one device to another with DropBox and Evernote. Have questions? Don't hesitate to reach out! I'm happy to offer a complimentary social media or website design consultation to each of my clients so contact me today.

-Rachel

5 Things You Need to Have Figured Out Before You Design a New Website

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 23:18:22 GMT

Get these items squared away first and your design process will be much smoother!

Before you decide it's time for a new website, there are a few things you'll want to nail down. It can be helpful to create a mini check-list for yourself as you start thinking about what your site might look like and what it will include. Believe it or not, I've had even the most prepared clients overlook things so today I'm sharing 5 things you can do FIRST to simplify the rest of the design process.

Branding
Whether you're starting a new business or revamping an existing business, you need branding. Branding is what makes your business recognizable to clients and customers. A professional brand guide will include a logo and acceptable variations and uses of your logo, your fonts, colors and tone of voice to be used in your marketing materials. Without these items, a website designer has to come up with these details and they might match your existing marketing collateral, or they might not. Handing out business cards that don't match your brochures or menus, or having a website that looks and feels nothing like your brick and mortar storefront is a big problem. A brand guide is an investment but it is SO worth it. Your web, social media, signage and marketing materials will look cohesive and professional AND your website designer will know exactly what to do with the hex numbers/fonts/colors to keep your look consistent!
Create an Organized List of Your Services, Products or Offerings
You can have a great look, but if you don't have a clear idea of the services, products or offerings you plan to feature on your site, your designer will be at a loss and future website visitors will be confused. If you are a service provider, think of how you can summarize what you do for your clients/customers in the simplest way possible. Categorize your services like you would if you sold products. Think of how things would make sense in a dropdown menu, or what someone needs to know first, before they click to something else for more information. If you sell products, think of how you want to categorize them or release them in collections. You'll want to think like a shopper - what makes sense to you, might not be the average consumer's train of thought - so consider what will make the most sense for someone exploring your site for the first time.
Come Up with Your Pricing or Packages
You don't have to list pricing if you're a service provider, but if you're planning to don't wait to get started on this. The last thing you want to throw together quickly when your designer needs it is your pricing. Similarly, if you are adding products to your Shopify website or want to list packages of any kind, think of exactly what's included and get started on your descriptions and details asap. The more content you have prepared, the faster your site design will go.
Purchase Your Domain Name & Email Address
Your designer will need these items from the start and contact info is typically listed in numerous places on a site so don't wait to get these items checked off your list. If you're purchasing a Google phone number or you want to have various emails listed on your contact page, be sure to communicate this from the beginning when your designer asks for your basic info. (This is all part of a short questionnaire we have our clients work through!)
Think About a Potential Launch Date
Timeline is something I chat about with each of my clients at the beginning of a project, but you'd be surprised how many people forget about a special date or decide they need to launch sooner than they originally noted - and then expect my team to make it happen. If you need to launch by a certain time or you want to coordinate your launch with a sale/giveaway or seasonal promotion, be upfront about it. This will also give you more time to plan how you want to promote or celebrate your launch! Communication is key, so when it doubt, talk it over with your designer.

Whether you're ready to start on a website tomorrow or you're in the beginning phases of building your business, I hope these tips are helpful as you get your business details together. A few other items to consider include:

Photos - will you be doing a brand photography session or using photos you already have? Are they on a USB drive or in a DropBox album you can easily share with your designer? If your content is "all over the place" you'll want to start organizing so you know exactly how many high quality images you have to work with.

Content - in addition to the bio and "About" page info you probably have already, have you given thought to the content you want to feature on your site? A few paragraphs about your mission or vision is always helpful. And if you plan to have a blog I always recommend having 3 posts to start. (Give site users something to read about!)

Does it feel like a lot? Make a list. This is a great starting point for anyone getting ready to meet with a website designer and go over project details. Good luck and feel free to reach out for all your Lancaster, Pa website design needs. I'm happy to offer a free consultation to review your current site and provide suggestions.

-Rachel

Creating a Brand that's Uniquely You

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 06:10:13 GMT

Crafting Your Who, What & How

Branding is the first step of any website design project. Branding is more than a fancy mood board or a logo. Your brand includes the visual guidelines that makeup your aesthetic - the fonts, colors and textures - and the "voice" behind every heading, title and statement on your website or in your messaging.

If your branding is incomplete or inconsistent, it's hard to design a website that makes any sense. When we sit down with a client to perform a brand personality assessment, making sense of your business and what you offer is our goal. Beyond that, we want to know things like, what sets you apart, what do you do differently and what are you most passionate about. We'll help you get clear on your offerings and your style, and you'll know your ideal client by name. In addition, our branding guru, Susan, will work with you to define what we call your brand promises.

Brand promises are a statement of what your business stands for, so they are meant to be short, concise, and personal. What we are aiming to express with our Brand Promises is the answer to WHO we are, WHAT we do, and HOW we help our dream customers.

BRAND PROMISES GUIDE:

- Who you/your business are (I promise you I am this way______)
- What you/your business do (I promise you this is what I'm here for_______)
- How you/your business help (I promise I am meeting a core need for you________)

Note: you don’t have to write a brand promise per each of these, the promises just have to speak to those answers.

This guide is a great starting place for anyone that's just launching a business, or redesigning an existing website. Getting a fresh perspective on your Who, What, and How will help you with everything from your visuals and your look, to your brand voice and your promises - which may have changed over time.

Are you looking for help with branding, logo design or your website? You're in the right place. Give our brand promises guide a start and then contact us for a free consultation. We can't wait to hear more about your Who, What and How.

-Rachel

3 Ways to Make Your Website More User Friendly

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 02:54:23 GMT

Simple features make a BIG difference...

If you're planning to upgrade your website in 2021, here are three ways to make your site more user-friendly. Not sure what that means? Consider some of the sites you spend a lot of time on (aside from social media!) Think about what makes them modern and clean, then ask yourself the following questions:

-What makes the site easy to navigate?
-How quickly does the site load?
-How much content is on an average page?
-How long do you have to scroll to find what you need?

-Does the site take up the whole screen? Or do you have to "pinch" to make the text larger/smaller?

Now that your gears are turning, here are three tips for a better website. And remember, if this whole website thing is Greek to you - contact us for a free web design consultation . We can review your site together and come up with a game plan that works for your needs and your budget.

Simplify Your Site Navigation
1. Keep your menu simple. Your main navigation should show 5-8 items at most. If you have additional pages that's great, but they should be part of your sub navigation or you could add a sandwich style menu at the top left/right to .show all of your site pages, sub pages etc.

Mobile Friendliness is a Must
2. Make sure your site is mobile friendly. This is a major Google ranking factor so if your site requires users to pinch to zoom in or zoom out, you have some work to do! If your site isn't mobile friendly, chances are it's old. Almost every new website builder is responsive nowadays, so if you're site is still pre-responsive design it's definitely time for an upgrade.

Make Your Message Clear & Your Contact Info Easy to Find
3. Provide a clear call to action on your homepage and make sure your contact information is easy to find. In scrolling your homepage, users should know what your business is all about, how you can help them and how to get in touch with you.

If you ran down this checklist and noticed your site needs some work, don't panic. A website is a constant work in progress. Your existing site can be a great starting point, or you might learn through making changes that the template or theme itself is just too dated. Or if your site was built by someone who never taught you how to manage things on the back end, maybe this is your opportunity to start fresh on a more user friendly platform. Whatever you choose to do, we're here to help.

-The RKC Team

Five Reasons You Need a New Website

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:11:36 GMT

A simple checklist for small business owners

Lots of people ask me, "What do you think of my web site? Do you think it needs an update?" My answer is usually yes, it could certainly use some updates. But when it comes to web design, it's not all about looks. (Although that's a BIG part of it!) If you're a business owner that has some doubts about your own website, contact me today for a free website consultation or keep reading to learn about the biggest reasons you should consider a redesign.

1. Your website is not mobile friendly

If your site isn't mobile friendly you may have noticed a drop in your Google search ranking over the past few years. As early as 2015, Google announced they would use mobile friendliness as a factor in their site ranking so this has a direct impact on your SEO.

2. Your website features old photos or content that's out of date and/or no longer consistent with your branding

If you've redesigned your marketing materials or updated your logo, those changes should be reflected on your website as well. Your website is an extension of your business so any big changes to your branding need to be consistent across all platforms (print, in-store and online). In addition, if your site features old photos or content that's no longer relevant, it needs to be updated. If you're in the service industry and your photos show old before and after pictures or products that are no longer available it's important they are swapped for new ones.

3. Your site uses flash and/or has numerous pages that load as PDFs

In 2019 Google Chrome announced they would no longer support flash, so if your site is still using it, chances are people can't even view your site properly. If your site features flash or other dated plugins, chances are you can achieve the same look without them when you upgrade your website. PDF style pages are another major downer when it comes to your SEO. It's fine to offer a freebie or a place for clients to download paperwork and forms, but your website content should be native to your site - not part of a PDF that opens in a new window. This isn't just bad SEO, it will make users feel like your site is from the mid 2000's.

4. Your site looks dated in terms of design, fonts and photo styles

If your site is visibly dated and uses old fonts, photos and features, it's definitely time for an update. Not only will users judge your business by your outdated website, an old site can deter customers from making online purchases or contacting you - some of those old contact forms and checkouts seem sketchy! Your site may be totally safe but if it looks like it's from 2005 people will be wary of providing credit card info or clicking for more information.

5. Your site is slow to load

If your site is slow to load or has issues loading on one browser vs another you definitely need a redesign. There's no excuse for a slow loading site these days so if your website seems to be in slow motion, chances are your web design software is out of date. A slow site will deter people from clicking further to contact you, make purchases or learn more about your business so it's an important issue to address. Google also uses this as a ranking factor so if your site is dated and the slow loading is causing issues for users, your SEO will suffer too.

If you're read this post and found yourself nodding along and saying, "omg, that's my website!" there's no need to panic. You simply need an upgrade. Contact me today for a free consultation to talk about your website needs and goals. Our team would love to give your site a makeover with fresh photos and new content. Our sites are built with cutting edge design software for faster load times and zero down time! To learn more about our website design process, click here.

3 Ways to make Your Website Work for You Pt 2

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:39:55 GMT

Setting up Google Analytics and Tracking Your Site Performance

In Part 1 I talked all about using your website to streamline your processes and systems - like scheduling appointments or bookings, getting your menu and pricing online, adding an employment page and creating customized forms to collect the info you need from potential clients and customers. Today I want to share how your website can help you learn more about your audience and how you can get found more easily online. Lost already? Contact me for a free consultation or keep reading to learn more. (I promise I will make this as simple as possible!)

1. Set Up Google Analytics
If you've spent time creating a great website or hired someone to build it for you, it's important to see how it's working. With Google Analytics you can monitor traffic to your site and all of the specifics. For example, not only can you see how many people are visiting your site and which pages they're spending the most time on -- you can see what kind of device they're using, what demographics they fall into and what their behavior patterns are like (what they click on first, second, third etc). To get set up, click here and simply create your account . Follow all the steps, then, copy and paste the tracking code (gtag.js) into your site header. Once you republish your site, the tag will be active and Google Analytics will start collecting data from your website! If your website builder has a built-in "Google Analytics" tab or feature, it might only ask you for your tracking ID. That's the code that looks like this: UA-76156059-1. After a few days, you'll start seeing data appear when you login to your Google Analytics account.

2. Set Up Google Webmaster Tools (Now Google Search Console)
The next step in getting found online is to essentially register your site with Google. You do this with Google Search Console . Search Console offers tools and reports that allow you to measure your site's Google search traffic and performance, fix issues, and help your site rise in search results. Simply follow the steps to verify your website and in a few days you'll have data to review. You'll need to add a small snippet of code to your site's header or verify with your domain provider. Make sure you have your domain login and password, and access to the back end of your website before you set up your Google analytics or search console accounts. If you don't have access to these things, ask your webmaster or designer if they can set your accounts up for you when they complete your website. (This is a service we offer each of our RKC clients.)

3. Track Your Performance
Once your accounts are set up, designate a time each week or month to sit down and track your progress. Not sure how to make sense of what you're seeing in Google Analytics? Checkout some online tutorials and make it a priority to learn the basics. The more you know about your website performance, the easier it will be to make improvements and adjustments. One of the most important indicators of your site's performance is the traffic flow pattern. You can use this feature to see what pages people are landing on and where they're going next. Are they leaving your site? Are they clicking onto another page within your site? If you want them to land on one page and then go to another, this is a great way to see if your call to actions are working.

Now that your accounts are set up and your website is working for YOU, it's time to sit back and let the data roll in. It can take 4-8 weeks for Google to recognize changes to your website and index new pages. Questions or ideas in the meantime? Contact us today for a website review. We'll chat about your site's positive features and what you can do to improve its performance.

3 Ways to Make Your Website Work for You

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 04:21:57 GMT

Streamline your systems and processes with a well designed website

A website should look great and show off your products or services but it should also be functional -- serving both your potential customers AND your business. Many of the clients I work with are unaware of the benefits a well designed website has to offer, like email integration, online scheduling systems or custom forms to collect data from potential customers or employees. If your website could use an upgrade and you want to learn how to make your site work for you, keep reading, or contact us today for a free consultation.

1. Use Your Website to Capture Customer or Potential Client Data
Whether you're trying to grow your email list or you want to collect information from potential clients, your website can do the work for you! How? You can add newsletter sign up forms to your site's main pages or create a pop up with an email address required to receive a discount code. (Who wouldn't type in their email address for a coupon? It gets me every time!) You can also use your website to collect potential client data. This can save you time emailing back and forth or retyping the same questions over and over again. Simply design a "new" or "potential client" page on your site with a custom questionnaire. When someone inquires about your services, send them the link and ask them to complete the form. Voila, your life just became easier and you'll have all the info you need to set up a call or move forward.

2. Use Your Website to Eliminate Extra Steps
If you're implementing newsletter sign up forms and collecting email addresses from website users, be sure your forms are connected to Mail Chimp or your email service. Most plugins offer integration with Mail Chimp, Constant Contact, Google Sheets, and other major email providers so that when someone fills out a form they're automatically added to a list of your choice -- saving you the extra steps of adding each person manually.

Your website can also help with hiring if you're trying to weed through the competition and find the right person for your team. Simply add your applications and job descriptions to your website. Instead of emailing each individual who inquires, post the application link and let your website work for you. You can develop a custom employee questionnaire so the answers come to you in an email, or upload a PDF for people to download and complete. You can create a custom form for just about anything, so if you find you're regularly asking people for the same information, get the questions online and save yourself countless phone calls or emails.

3. Use Your Website for Online Scheduling, Menus and Pricing
What are the things people call or inquire about most often, that could be posted on your website? There are plugins for nearly everything when it comes to scheduling. From salons to coaching to Airbnbs and rentals, find a plugin that works for your business and let it simplify your booking processes. When it comes to menus you can do the same. Whether you own a restaurant or a spa, people want to know what you have to offer and how much things cost before they order or book your services. When the info is on your website your life is made easier -- you've potentially weeded out any clients/customers who don't like your prices or can't fit into your schedule, and you've also saved yourself time replying to messages or answering phone calls.

Does your website need some help? Are you ready to make your site work for YOU? Contact us today to get started.

How to Plan Your Next Month of Social Content in ONE Hour

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 04:17:27 GMT

"The more content you have, the easier it is to share. And the best content to share is your own."

When I sit down for a strategy session with a new client, there are three things I always hear...

1. How can I be more consistent?

2. I need help coming up with new ideas!

3. Can you help me plan ahead?

If you feel like I'm talking to you, then keep reading. Today I'm sharing my simple strategy for getting consistent, never running out of ideas, and planning ahead like a pro.

First Things First

First things first, lets talk about content. Social media content includes photos, videos and web content (aka links to your website or blog). The more content you have, the easier it is to share. And the best content to share is your own. Think about your original content... Do you enjoy doing live videos? Do you prefer to write a new article each week? Or do you love creating graphics with Canva or Word Swag? These are your "buckets" to pour from when it comes to filling up your content calendar and you can't pour from an empty bucket. So if you just realized you have no visual content, you'll need to work on that. Hire someone to take photos for you or subscribe to a stock photo site so you have content at your fingertips. If you only have pictures and nothing of substance to drive people to your website, you'll need to evaluate your website and create a blog.

Look at the Big Picture

When you sit down to plan your social content for the upcoming month, I recommend using a desk calendar or an online calendar where you can see the entire month. Start by filling in holidays, upcoming events, and important dates. For example, Thanksgiving - plan a holiday related post. Product Launch - plan an announcement post. THEN, work backwards. Do you want to build anticipation for a major event or host a giveaway leading up to your product launch? Plan those posts next. Keep in mind, you can repurpose content across platforms. You don't have to complete your Facebook calendar and then create a new set of posts for Instagram and vice versa. I recommend changing captions so they speak to the appropriate audience (which isn't always the same from one platform to the next), but utilizing the same photo or video is fine.

Plan Your Original Content

After your major events are filled in, plan your original content or blog posts for the month and jot down when they'll go live. In the week following, make sure to plan two additional follow up posts to promote your newest content. I use this system - first post is a link to the blog (on Facebook) or a photo from the blog (on IG), second post is a photo related to the blog with a reminder to checkout your latest post (FB and IG), and the third post is a video or an additional piece of content related to the blog. Each post should point people to the same piece of content so be sure to include a specific call to action.

Plan Additional Content

Now that your calendar is filling up comes the fun part! From here it's just a matter of rounding out your content with tips, information, "Evergreen" content and more. When clients ask me for ideas, I usually ask them what are the three biggest components of their business or brand. For example, you might be a children's boutique so obviously clothes & accessories are number one, but you may also be passionate about supporting moms and lastly you're an adoption advocate. Those are the three things that tell people about your brand and give them an idea of what makes you or your business unique. Those are the three areas I would recommend you pull from when it comes to ideas (and IG hashtags)! Using this multi-faceted approach will keep you from posting too much promotional content and help you tell your brand story. When in doubt about what to post, here are some ideas:

1. A picture or video that features YOU

2. An original blog post that's still relevant even if it was written a year ago (this is what we call "Evergreen" content)

3. A "feel good" post

4. A timely post that uses a trending hashtag (#SiblingsDay / #NationalDogDay etc)

5. An informational post about your products or services

6. A simple tip

7. A promotional post (Flash Sale / New Items are Back in Stock / Checkout Our Latest Features etc)

8. A post about a recent project or event

9. A post about an upcoming project, launch, or event

Plan to Plan

You don't have to plan every post and every caption at one time, but if you can fill in your calendar with what you want to post or talk about each day, your life will be a million times easier! Learn to batch your work so one day you upload all photos, the next you write all captions, another day you add new hashtags and so on. You'll find that after a few months your planning process will get even quicker.

Questions? Contact us today to schedule a social strategy session! We love meeting with clients 1:1 to create a plan that's completely customized to your brand.

Five Things Your About Page Needs to Have

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 04:07:43 GMT

Simple ways to talk about yourself & your business in a way that builds trust and credibility!

One of the things I spend a lot of time going over with my web design clients is their ABOUT page. I feel like it's a page that's often overlooked, but as a website user, I know from my personal experience when I'm considering a product or a brand, I look for what their ABOUT page has to say. I want to know a company's mission, how long they've been in business, what makes them credible... the list goes on.

Whether you want to update your existing website to better tell your story, or you're in the planning phase for your brand or business, here are 5 things every ABOUT page should have.

Your Credentials & Experience
You are not the only person that does whatever your business does. So what are your unique credentials or background experience? Tell your audience what you specialize in. Your About page is a great place for icons and awards if applicable. It's also the place people will go to learn more about YOU so tell them how you got started.
When You Started
Your About page should tell people how long you've been in business. Whether you're a startup that launched 18 months ago, or you've been family owned for 3 generations, this is the place to discuss your company history. If you're an older company, take advantage of your longevity and talk about how you've grown and changed. If you're a new company or you're just launching a side hobby turned business, emphasize the experience and knowledge you have which has led you to the place you're in now.
A Photo of YOU and/or Your Team
If you're the face of your company, put it on your website. If you are a large company with many team members, people want to know who they are hiring or talking to when they call your phone number. A well done About or Team page can make your brand stand out, so invest in professional head shots to make you and your staff look great!
Your WHY or Your Goal
Yes, this is the place for you to tell people what makes your heart beat faster, what inspired you to what you do and why you're passionate about it. This is the place to say "At XYZ, our goal is to etc etc etc..." And really mean it! Are all your products organic? Do you source your products locally? Do you have a passion for empowering women? Or does your business give back to charity? This is where you can talk about ALL of those things!
Your Personality
Last but not least... Your About page should have some personality. It's okay to write how you speak and make your bio sound welcoming. It's okay to share some of your personal favorites or let people know you're a dog friendly establishment, committed to the "adopt, don't shop" movement. It's okay to say what you love about what you do, or what you don't love! Humor is great... If you can make a potential customer laugh or smile without even meeting you... Then you're doing something right! You're building trust and credibility before they've even made a phone call or filled out a contact form. Let your personality shine! Even if you're a big corporate business, you can soften things up with some lifestyle photos of your team working together or an agent closing a deal with some happy clients. A smile goes a long way!

Need help conveying your message or telling your story? Crafting your brand strategy is an intricate process, a journey that the Rachel Kline Creative team can guide you along. We'll work together to find your voice and establish your brand or business online. Contact us today for a free 30 minute consultation.

Why We Love Shopify for Ecommerce

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:26:06 GMT

Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Started or Making the Switch to Shopify for Your Business

In 2020 we started using Shopify for all of our ecommerce clients. We quickly fell in love with the platform and how simple it was to choose a beautiful theme, tailor it to our client's needs, add products and set up shipping and payment options. As a designer that has created custom sites for the past six years, I will admit I was hesitant to use Shopify because I felt like I would be limited... But I was happily surprised with all of the options, themes and customizations available.

If Ecommerce is your business' top priority, Shopify is a professional and affordable solution that allows you to get a site up and running in a relatively short amount of time. You can add custom pages just like you would on any other platform and the blog integration is great. For any of my small shop owners looking for a beautiful new website, keep reading because today we're talking all things Shopify!

1. Shopify Offers Hundreds of Themes with Unique Customization Options So Your Site Will Standout

You can start with the "free" Shopify theme, but if you want your site to look like you spent thousands on a developer and branding specialist, visit the theme store or checkout Out of the Sandbox where you can purchase a custom theme to apply to your site. The process is easy and choosing a theme with the colors and layout you need will save you a ton of time! Themes also offer pre-designed templates for things like your About/Contact/Resources/Blog pages. All you do is add your content and format it to meet your needs.

2. Shopify Makes Adding Products & Creating Collections Simple

I've worked with clients who have Etsy shops and I've built custom Ecommerce sites using Duda and WordPress. My team and I agree that Shopify is THE easiest platform to add your products and photos, set your prices, and begin selling. Not only is it simple to add your items to your shop, Shopify makes it simple to showcase your products and collections on your home page. These sites are designed to load quickly and to CONVERT. I've also enjoyed how easy it is to add variants and options for each product. Need to select colors/sizes/styles? Shopify makes it easy to do all of that! Discounts and sales are also simple to set up and promote.

3. Shopify Offers a Secure Shopping Experience

Not only does Shopify accept almost any payment method making checkout a breeze, Shopify sites are designed for speed and efficiency. The seamless shopping experience makes customers feel safe shopping online with you and when shoppers feel like your site is secure it often translates to larger purchases and repeat clients. These are major perks and the security alone makes Shopify a smart choice for any Ecommerce business. Is setting up your payment methods and shipping rates difficult? (A question I hear a lot) The answer is no! I was amazed at how quick it was to get connected and for my clients to begin getting paid!

Are you ready to learn more about Shopify? We can help! Right now, my team is working with clients to create custom Shopify sites at a special price... It won't last long! Contact us today to learn more.

3 Ways to Rank Higher in Local Search Results

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:14:23 GMT

The basics of local SEO

When it comes to websites, anyone's site can look pretty. And if you work with a good designer, your site can be highly functional. But if your site is lacking content, you might find yourself wondering why you're not showing up in search results or gaining organic traffic. Content that helps you get found by search engines, is part of what we call in the web design world, SEO. SEO stands for search engine optimization.

SEO includes a variety of things that effect how users interact with your site. Does it load quickly? Does it have an SSL certificate installed so that users can browse safely? Does it include valuable and relevant content? Is it mobile friendly? All of these things are ranking factors Google uses to determine how it displays search results, and many have to do with your site design or the template/platform you're using. (I mean, unless you're a web developer, your site speed and mobile-friendliness are typically predetermined by the software/design platform you're building your site with.)

What can you control when it comes to SEO? Your content. Yep, all the content on your site, even your photos, can be optimized to help you show up higher in search results. If you are a small to medium sized business that offers goods or services to local people, SEO is essential for you to get folks in the door or calling to schedule your services! Here are just a few ways to start improving your local SEO today.

1. Incorporate Keyword Phrases in Your Page Titles & Headers

What's a keyword phrase? I like to explain it as simply as possible - a keyword phrase is any phrase people are Googling to find a business or service like yours. For example, "Organic Hair Salon in Lancaster, Pa" or "Hardscaping Company in York, Pa." They are usually only a few words long, but these are the queries Google receives and the Google bots are constantly crawling websites to find the best results.

Try incorporating a keyword phrase like the ones above, into your website page titles (most likely in your SEO settings) and in your site headings or anywhere you see text labeled "H1." H1 is the term used for your largest site headers, usually the biggest fonts, and Google recognizes these headings as important and relies on them to tell users what a page is all about. Use them wisely and add a local search term, like "In Lancaster" or wherever you may be located, to boost your local SEO.

2. Add Alt Tags to Your Photos

Nearly every time you add a photo to your website you have the option to add a caption or an Alt Tag. (Some people call these meta tags) This tag is a description for Google to know what's in the photo and an easy way to add some keywords to your site. I recommend keeping it 5 or less words, and describing the photo or the blog post if it's part of a post or a gallery. Again, utilize local search terms to boost your SEO. Instead of just saying, "Landscaping Project with Flagstone," go for something like "Flagstone Design in Lancaster Pa." The first might be a search term for someone looking for ideas, but the second is a search term someone near you might be Googline to find a local contractor.

3. Spend Time Creating Relevant Content

Your site should have at minimum 500-800 words per page. A sentence or two and a picture is not a full page and it will not help your website. If you're going to design a page for each or your services (which I recommend) or you want to incorporate a portfolio page, an about page etc, make sure you have the content to fill it up and tell your story. Your content should include a variety of local keyword phrases, links to other relevant pages in your site, and a clear call to action.

Now that you know how to improve your site, start brainstorming the types of phrases users are Googling to find businesses and services like yours. Begin crafting 3-5 keyword phrases you can utilize throughout your site, and in your alt tags for your photos. Get into the habit of adding a custom alt tag to every photo you upload, and remember, SEO takes time. If you stay consistent, you're sure to see an improvement but it won't happen overnight. Need help? Contact us today for a website review. We'll take a look at your site together and come up with a game plan to improve your SEO and your site's functionality.

3 Reasons to Make a Vision Board

rachel.highley@gmail.com (Rachel Kline) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:05:47 GMT

Simple tips to help you stay focused on your goals along with step by step instructions for first time vision-boarders!

This week on The Happy Now Podcast, Bethany and I talked about vision boards. We have both seen how helpful a vision board can be in staying focused on our goals, so I wanted to share a few reasons why YOU should put a vision board on your to-do list!

1. Vision Boards Get Your Big Ideas On Paper

This might sound obvious, but have you ever thought of how many great ideas you have, that you've never told anyone about? We have thoughts about our lives, relationships and businesses ALL the time, but rarely do we stop to be intentional and get them all down on paper. A vision board helps you do just that. So you can step back and look at the ideas that have been going around in your head and recognize which are high priority, which are "just for fun" and which you feel most passionate about. Being able to see things on paper is powerful!

2. A Vision Board Will Help You Stay Focused

I highly recommend hanging your vision board somewhere that you'll see it every day. Being able to see your big ideas each morning will help you remember what you're working towards or where you're money is going. Keeping these thoughts in focus will help you stay motivated on your "off" days and adding affirming words or phrases to your vision board can help you stay positive when things get hard. A vision board can also serve as a visual reminder of a specific style or mood you're hoping to achieve. I recently completed a vision board for my dream house and in addition to exterior photos, I included a color palette, accessories, and cozy looking interior shots. My goal is to achieve a certain look and "mood" not a specific floor plan.

3. A Vision Board Sets the Law of Attraction into Motion

Call me crazy but I am a firm believe in the law of attraction. The Law of Attraction is the belief that positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into a person's life." Creating a vision board is often the first step when it comes to expressing our hopes and goals. When we're strong enough to voice them aloud, put them on paper and tell others about them, positive things start happening. This doesn't mean opportunities are just going to fall into your lap, but when you start living intentionally, you're more apt to meet the right people, make better choices and grow both personally and professionally. When you're growing, you're not staying still. Things are happening and naturally opportunities arise.

Whether you're new to vision boards or you needed a quick refresher, I hope you're feeling inspired! If you're planning to create a vision board for the new year, now's a great time. Here's what you'll need.

-1 piece of poster board, cardstock or foam board to be your "base"

-1 glue stick, hot glue gun or craft glue (I prefer glue sticks - less mess!)

-A good pair of scissors!

-Magazines you can cut out of. Think about publications that feature photos, images or captions that speak to your hopes & dreams.

-Push pins, washi tape, ribbon, pom-poms, stickers or other fun crafty accessories to show your style.

Time: Give yourself at least an hour or two. You might need more!

Optional: Music, candles, coffee or wine... anything that helps you feel inspired.

Now that you're all set, enjoy! Share a picture of your vision board and be sure to tag me on the gram - @rachelklinecreative. To listen to the podcast episode, be sure to subscribe to The Happy Now Podcast on iTunes!