Read on to see how I can help you have the website you’ve always dreamed of—a website that will make your business a success!
Build-Your-Own Website Special
Expert Hands-On Training for Only $100*With Sharon Julien, Web Design Instructor
with over 15 years of experience
In just three 2-hour class sessions, you get all the simple, hands-on training you need to create your website right on the spot. You will leave the course with a completed site and full reference guide, so you can update your content on anytime you want.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
* $25 domain/hosting fee is extra. For this offer, you must sign up for your domain and hosting at https://www.3ix.org/sys/cart.php (or transfer current domain and hosting there).
You must bring your own laptop with wireless capabilities to every class.
The material taught in this course is based on these requirements, and you will need to have these things in place by the first class. Otherwise, you may not be able to complete your site.
You will build your website live during class and learn how to:
- Add pages, photos, links
- Make a logo banner
- Create contact forms and mailing list signups
- Do your own updates
Only 4 Seats Available!
Reserve Yours Now!
$100 for 3 Hands-on Classes
Begins May 17, 2012
3 Thursdays, 7-9 pm, Gainesville
New Custom Content Creation and Link Building Services (SEO Gainesville)
Introducing a new SEO service in Gainesville, FL
I’m happy to share that I’ve been testing a new service that’s helping my clients get better rankings in search engines, so they get more traffic to their sites and more business coming in.
One client has all top 10 rankings in Google for 27 out of 30 keyword phrases after less than 6 months! He told me that he had to hire two more people and has been booked 7 days a week now!
I call this new SEO in Gainesville: Custom Content Creation and Link Building.
Both of these things are important, because Google gives your website a boost in its rankings for having fresh content on your site. You also get credit when other sites link to your site.
How it works:
1. I do research to determine what people are searching for to find a site like yours in search engines. Then, I compile a list of keyword phrases we want to get ranked well for. These keywords are geo-targeted to your city and state in order to really hone in on your preferred audience.
2. Twice a month, I create an article for your website based on some of the keywords I found. I optimize the article by putting the targeted keyword phrases in key places throughout the article, and post it on your site either on your existing blog page or on a “hidden” page I make for you (depending on whether you want visitors to see your articles or not).
3. I then submit each article to a bunch of directories that link back to your website, which creates about 40 to 80 links per month for you.
4. Google gets notified every time I post content to your site, and it also finds the new links that point back to your site. Both of these things help to boost your rankings, so people can find you when they search for the services you offer.
5. At the end of the month, I run a ranking report to show you progress. You can begin seeing results in just a few months in most cases, depending on how much competition you have for your targeted keywords.
What it costs:
If you are already using WordPress for your website, the set-up is only $50, then $50 per month.
If you want to add this service to a regular website, it’s $199 to set up a matching WordPress blog site, then only $50 per month.
The Advantages:
- Your site is constantly updated with fresh content, and you never have to think about it.
- Your content is being loaded with targeted keywords that will get you found more easily by people who are looking for what you are offering.
- You are getting free inbound links from other websites, increasing your “link popularity” with Google and boosting your rankings.
- You can track your progress monthly and see how your site is doing on search engines.
- Being ranked higher in Google and other directories can get more customers to your website.
- While I’m working on your site, I automatically update your plug-ins and software to keep it current.
- On occasion, I will give you free perks like submitting your site to over 140+ search engines and directories to refresh your listings.
- I’m constantly looking for new and better ways to help you get more business with your website, and every time I find something that works, you benefit.
How to Get Started:
If you would like to take advantage of this offer, contact me now. You will be billed once a month via email, and you can pay by check or PayPal.
To read more about my Gainesville SEO strategies, see my article: 4 Basic Steps to Search Engine Optimization.
5 Things You Need to Know Before You Hire a Web Designer
By Gainesville Web Designer, Sharon Julien
When it comes to the world wide web, there’s no shortage of of web designers, but which one is right for your needs? Here’s a few things to think about and some questions to ask when finding the right designer for you.
1. How long has the web designer been in business?
While things are changing every day on the web, there’s no replacement for experience. The longer your designer has been working the web, the more knowledge they can bring to bear on your project. Keep in mind that even 5 years is a long time in this business, because there’s always something new! That said, I’ve been a web designer in Gainesville, Florida for over 11 years now and still going strong. Even though I no longer need to code everything by hand (thanks, WordPress!), I constantly use my fluency with HTML to tweak code and customize a site.
2. Do you like their design style?
Most web designers have a unique style all their own. Don’t expect them to do something completely out of their range if you don’t see something similar in their portfolio. It’s like asking a painter to do a sculpture of you, when that’s clearly not their medium. Also, if you don’t like how the designer renders websites in their portfolio, you certainly won’t like what they do for your site. Pick someone whose work you love! It’s worth the money to get it right the first time.
If they don’t have a portfolio—warning! They may be inexperienced. Ask to see at least 5 to 10 sites they have developed.
3. How much time will it take to complete the website?
Make sure your designer can deliver your website when you need it. Depending on the scope of your project, good design can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months or more. I usually give an estimate of 4 to 6 weeks to allow for development time as well as client approvals. The first week is typically all design oriented. I do research, sketches and image gathering. Then, I create the look of the site and submit it for client review. The second week is reserved for making edits to the initial design. The third and fourth week are for programming to put the design into WordPress and install needed plug-ins, as well as for tweaking the code. The fifth and sixth week are for content and final edits. Then the site goes live.
4. What are their rates?
Asking the question, “How much does a website cost?” is like asking, “How much is a red car?” Well, it depends on what you want. Are you looking for an efficient model that will just get you where you need to go? Or do you need a luxury model with all the options?
My rates begin at $850 for a 5 to 10-page site created in WordPress, including your domain and hosting for one year, that allows you to update your own site if you like. You can add a starter Search Engine Optimization package for $225 and moderated content building for $50 per month. I also include stock photography for your images (unless you want specific images, in which case I recommend a stock photo site where you can buy them for $1 to $3 each) and a feedback form for your contact page.
Keep in mind that designers often price their sites according to their level of experience, how complex the programming is, how extensive the site is, and the quality of their design. You get what you pay for! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had clients come to me after spending a few hundred dollars (or even over a thousand) and say that they just weren’t happy with the site they got. Make sure you interview your designer thoroughly before you spend your hard-earned cash—and get your site done right the first time!
5. How do you know they will get you results?
Check their search engine positions. When you’ve narrowed your search down to at least three website design firms you could be curious about using to build your website, look at how their own site ranks on Google. The most effective way to try this is have a look at what keywords they have in the title bar at the top of your browser and then type these into Google. You must do this for a couple of the keyword terms and phrases that you find on one or two pages of their site. If they are on the first page of search results, that’s a good sign! If not, be wary. A web designer that knows how to do successful SEO should have good rankings themselves.
I’m happy to say that I have several top-ten rankings on Google, and I’ve helped my clients do the same. Contact me to get screenshots of actual Google search results for my site and client sites, and see how successful your own site could be.
Looking for a web designer in Gainesville? I also serve Florida and have clients all across the U.S. Get a free quote for your website today.