Why Great Website Design Matters

Solutions by Design

Your website is often the first interaction potential customers have with your business. Within seconds, visitors form an opinion about your brand based on what they see and experience online. That's why exceptional website design is no longer a luxury…it's a necessity.

At Solutions by Design, we understand that a website is much more than an online brochure. It's a powerful business tool that can attract visitors, build trust, and convert prospects into loyal customers. Clean layouts, compelling visuals, intuitive navigation, and professional branding create an immediate positive impression.

A well-designed website communicates credibility, attention to detail, and a commitment to customer experience within moments of a visitor arriving on your site. However, beautiful design is only part of the equation. Effective website design focuses on creating a seamless user experience that helps visitors find information quickly and easily.

Clear navigation, logical content organization, and strategically placed calls-to-action guide users through your website and encourage engagement. Whether visitors are looking for products, services, educational content, or contact information, a well-structured website makes the journey effortless. The easier it is for users to interact with your site, the more likely they are to stay longer and take action.

With a significant percentage of web traffic coming from smartphones and tablets, mobile-friendly design is critical. Today's users expect websites to function flawlessly regardless of the device they're using. Responsive website design ensures that content automatically adapts to different screen sizes, providing an optimal experience on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. Not only does this improve user satisfaction, but it also helps boost search engine rankings, as mobile usability remains an important factor in SEO performance.

Visitors expect websites to load quickly. Even a delay of a few seconds can cause users to abandon a site and seek information elsewhere. Fast-loading websites create a smoother user experience and improve visitor retention. Additionally, search engines favor websites that perform efficiently, making speed optimization a key component of a successful digital strategy. From optimized images to streamlined code, every aspect of website performance contributes to overall effectiveness.

Modern design elements, consistent branding, high-quality imagery, and clear messaging reassure visitors that they are engaging with a reputable organization. A polished website demonstrates that your business values quality and is committed to delivering a positive experience.

The most successful websites do more than provide information…they create experiences. Interactive elements, engaging visuals, compelling videos, and thoughtfully crafted content encourage visitors to explore and connect with your brand.

At Solutions by Design, we specialize in creating dynamic digital experiences that combine innovative design, engaging content, and user-focused functionality. Whether you're launching a new website or enhancing an existing one, our team can help you build an online presence that captures attention and delivers results.

As digital experiences continue to evolve, businesses must prioritize website design as a key component of their overall marketing strategy. An effective website attracts visitors, enhances user engagement, strengthens brand credibility, and supports long-term business growth.

Your website is often your most valuable digital asset. Contact Solutions by Design today to make sure your website is working as hard as you are.

 

5 Things You Might Not Know About SEO

Solutions by Design

Your business has a website…but is that enough? If your customers can’t find you online, you’re leaving money and growth on the table. That’s where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in. Most business owners know SEO is important, but what they don’t know can seriously limit its impact.

Here are five things you might not know about SEO and how a marketing partner like Solutions by Design in Fresno, CA can help you turn clicks into customers.

1. SEO Is More Than Just Keywords - Yes, keywords matter but modern SEO goes way beyond stuffing your site with search terms. Google now looks at user experience, page speed, mobile responsiveness, internal linking, and high-quality content. It's a complex, ongoing strategy that involves both creative and technical work. How Solutions by Design Helps: Our SEO Team takes a full-spectrum approach, optimizing your site structure, improving load times, refining your content strategy, and ensuring your site is built to impress.

2. Local SEO Can Make or Break a Small Business - If you're a brick-and-mortar business or serve a specific region, local SEO is critical. Things like your Google Business Profile, local citations, and customer reviews are key to showing up in local searches and on Google Maps. How Solutions by Design Helps: Our SEO Team specializes in local SEO strategies. Whether it's optimizing your listing, encouraging reviews, or building local backlinks, our team knows how to get your name where it matters most.

3. Content Creation Isn’t Optional Anymore - If you’re not publishing content regularly, your SEO is probably falling behind. Blogging, social posts, and videos help you rank for more terms, build trust, and give visitors a reason to stick around. How Solutions by Design Helps: Our SEO and Social Media Teams create strategic content that speaks to your audience and ranks on search engines. From keyword research to polished blogs and social posts, we help you become a go-to source in your industry.

4. You Can Track Real ROI From SEO - SEO isn’t just set it and forget it…it’s measurable. You can track traffic, rankings, clicks, and calls tied directly to organic search efforts. If your current SEO team isn’t showing you results, you might need a new one. How Solutions by Design Helps: Our SEO Team uses data-driven tools and analytics to show you exactly how your SEO is performing. No fluff…just real numbers, clear reporting, and continuous optimization to drive results.

5. SEO Takes Time But It’s Worth It - Unlike ads, SEO doesn’t deliver overnight results but what it does offer is long-term growth, sustainable traffic, and a higher return on investment over time. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see results. How Solutions by Design Helps: Our SEO Team doesn’t do cookie-cutter SEO. They build long-term strategies customized to your business, your market, and your goals so every dollar you invest moves you forward.

Ready to Be Found Online?

Whether you’re just starting your SEO journey or want to upgrade your current strategy, partnering with a team like Solutions by Design in Fresno, CA gives you the advantage of expert support and personal service.

Stop blending into the background and start showing up where your customers are looking. Contact Solutions by Design today and get your business climbing the ranks, one smart move at a time.

 

Unlock Your Website’s True Potential

Solutions by Design

In today’s digital-first world, having a beautiful, functional website is only half the battle. The other, often more challenging, half is getting people to actually visit it. If your website isn’t generating the traffic it deserves, you’re not alone. Many businesses pour time and resources into their websites but struggle to get them in front of the right audience. That’s where a marketing company like Solutions by Design steps in and makes all the difference.

Digital marketing is a complex, ever-changing landscape. From SEO and PPC to social media and content marketing, it takes a well-thought-out strategy to drive real, sustainable traffic to your website. Solutions by Design brings a team of experts who understand how to analyze your current situation, identify opportunities, and create tailored strategies that align with your goals. Our team doesn’t just throw tactics at the wall to see what sticks…we craft intentional campaigns based on data and industry insight.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) That Works: Search engines are often the first place people go when they’re looking for products or services. If your website isn’t optimized for search, you're missing out on valuable organic traffic. The SEO Team at Solutions by Design specializes in strategies that help your website rank higher on Google and other search engines. This includes everything from keyword research and on-page optimization to technical audits and backlink strategies - all designed to boost visibility and bring more qualified leads to your site.

Content That Captivates and Converts: Traffic is only valuable if it leads to conversions. That means your content needs to engage, inform, and persuade. The Website Development Team at Solutions by Design creates content that resonates with your audience. Whether it’s blog posts, landing pages, social media graphics,or email campaigns, we know how to craft compelling messages that not only attract visitors but also guide them through your sales funnel.

Consistency and Timesaving: Marketing isn’t a one-and-done task. It requires ongoing effort and consistent optimization. For most business owners, finding the time and resources to stay on top of digital trends and execute daily marketing tasks is unrealistic. By partnering with Solutions by Design, you can focus on running your business while our team manages everything from content calendars and ad campaigns to website updates and analytics tracking.

One of the greatest advantages of working with Solutions by Design is accountability. We provide transparent reporting, so you always know what’s working, what’s not, and how your investment is performing. Our goal is to show measurable results like increased website traffic and better search rankings so you can clearly see the value we bring.

Your website has the potential to be your business’s most powerful marketing tool…but only if people can find it. Hiring a marketing company like Solutions by Design ensures your website not only looks great but also gets the attention it deserves. With a smart strategy, expert execution, and ongoing support, we help turn your website into a true traffic magnet.

 

Level Up Your Social Media Game In 5 Easy Steps

Solutions by Design

Social media has transformed the way businesses interact with customers, providing a powerful platform to build brand awareness, drive engagement, and increase sales. For many companies, an effective social media strategy is essential to long-term success. However, simply creating profiles on various platforms isn’t enough. To fully harness the potential of social media, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of how these platforms work, how to engage your audience, and how to align your strategy with your business goals.

Step 1. Choose the Right Platforms - One of the first steps in mastering social media for your business is selecting the right platforms. Not all social media networks are created equal, and the platforms you choose should align with your target audience and business objectives. Each platform serves a different purpose.

• Facebook: Great for community building, customer service, and targeted ads. It appeals to a broad audience and supports diverse content types such as videos, text, and images.
• Instagram: Perfect for visually driven businesses like fashion, lifestyle, or food. Instagram is great for high-quality imagery, short-form video content, and influencer marketing.
• LinkedIn: Ideal for B2B businesses, professional networking, and thought leadership. LinkedIn is where you share industry insights, company updates, and business opportunities.
• X/Twitter: Best for real-time updates, news, and concise content. Twitter is also a powerful platform for customer service and direct communication with your audience.
• TikTok: Popular among younger audiences, TikTok is best for short, engaging videos that can quickly go viral. It’s particularly effective for businesses looking to tap into Gen Z and millennial audiences.

Each platform caters to different demographics and content formats, so it’s important to tailor your approach based on your audience and business type.

Step 2. Develop a Content Strategy - A successful social media presence isn’t just about posting frequently, it’s about posting with purpose. To ensure you’re making the most of social media, you need a solid content strategy. Your strategy should include the following:

• Content Types: Social media supports various content formats, from blog posts and infographics to videos and polls. A mix of content types can help you engage different segments of your audience.
• Posting Frequency: Determine how often you should post on each platform. For example, Instagram might benefit from daily posts, while LinkedIn may only require a few updates per week.
• Tone and Style: Your brand’s voice should be consistent across platforms, but it can also adapt slightly to fit the unique culture of each network. LinkedIn might call for a more professional tone, while Instagram allows for a more casual, friendly voice.
• Engagement: Don’t just post and leave it at that…engage with your followers by replying to comments, liking their posts, and participating in conversations. Building relationships with your audience is key to growing your social media presence.

Step 3. Understand Social Media Algorithms - Most social media platforms use algorithms to determine what content gets seen by users. To ensure your posts reach your audience, it’s important to understand how these algorithms work. Generally, social media algorithms prioritize content that receives engagement (likes, comments, shares) and favors posts that keep users on the platform longer, such as video content.

To work with the algorithm, focus on creating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with your audience. Posting consistently and interacting with your followers will help increase visibility, as the platform will recognize that users find your content valuable.

Step 4. Social Media Advertising - Organic reach on social media is limited, and algorithms often favor paid content. Social media advertising allows businesses to reach highly specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer robust advertising tools that can help you promote your products, drive traffic, and generate leads.

Start by setting a budget and determining the goal of your campaign, whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or direct sales. Use tools like Facebook Ads Manager or LinkedIn Campaign Manager to create targeted ads that align with your business goals and monitor the performance of your campaigns to optimize results.

Step 5. Measure Your Success - Tracking the performance of your social media efforts is crucial to understanding what works and what doesn’t. Most platforms provide built-in analytics tools that allow you to track key metrics such as:

• Engagement rates: Likes, shares, comments, and clicks.
• Reach and impressions: How many people saw your posts.
• Follower growth: The increase in your audience size over time.
• Conversions: Sales, sign-ups, or any other actions taken as a result of your posts.

By regularly reviewing these metrics, you can adjust your strategy to better meet your business goals and improve overall performance.

Mastering social media for your business takes time, strategy, and a deep understanding of how each platform works. By choosing the right platforms, developing a solid content strategy, understanding algorithms, leveraging paid advertising, and tracking your success, you can create a social media presence that drives real business results. Whether you're just starting or looking to take your social media game to the next level, focusing on these key elements will help you build a thriving online community and grow your business effectively.

If you need additional help or just want someone else to handle all of your social media needs…give Solutions by Design a call. Everything we do at Solutions by Design is custom designed and developed with your company in mind.

 

 

What Is Search Engine Optimization?

Solutions by Design

A well-structured Search Engine Optimization program serves as the compass guiding businesses through the vastness of the internet, ensuring visibility, credibility, and sustained digital success.

At the core of a compelling SEO program is the ability to boost visibility. When potential customers search for products or services relevant to your business, a robust SEO strategy ensures that your website appears prominently in search engine results. The coveted top positions on search engine results pages become the gateway to attracting organic traffic. A well-optimized website is more likely to capture the attention of users actively seeking information, products, or services related to your industry.

A strong SEO program empowers businesses to outshine competitors in search rankings, ensuring that your brand is front and center when users initiate relevant searches. Being visible establishes your brand as an industry authority and contributes to building a credible online presence.

While attracting a large volume of traffic is a goal, a good SEO program emphasizes the importance of driving targeted traffic. The strategy is designed to connect with users actively searching for the products or services you offer. By optimizing for relevant keywords and understanding user intent, your website becomes a destination for those genuinely interested in what your business provides. Quality traffic increases the likelihood of conversion, turning website visitors into customers or clients.

However, SEO isn't solely about pleasing search engines; it's about creating an optimal experience for users. A website that is well-optimized for search engines tends to be more user-friendly. Faster load times, clear navigation, and relevant content contribute to an enhanced user experience. User satisfaction is not only a ranking factor for search engines but also a critical component in building trust and encouraging repeat visits.

Higher search rankings signal credibility. Users often trust websites that appear at the top of search results, considering them more reliable and authoritative. A good SEO program contributes to the establishment of trust and credibility among your audience.

From boosting visibility and staying ahead of the competition to driving targeted traffic and enhancing user experience, each aspect of SEO contributes to the holistic growth of a business in the online realm. A robust SEO program is an indispensable tool for thriving in the competitive world of online visibility.

If your website is in need of a well-structured Search Engine Optimization Program, give Solutions by Design a call today. Our services are focused on best establishing your website structure and content so that you can meet your customers online at the right time, the right place, and in the right context. With several packages to choose from, we can ensure you’ll find a package that meets your specific needs within your specific budget.

 

Unleash the Power of Search Engine Optimization

Solutions by Design

In today's digital landscape, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any business. With millions of websites vying for attention, search engine optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool to enhance visibility and increase organic traffic. By implementing effective SEO strategies, businesses can rise above the noise and establish a competitive edge.

One of the primary goals of SEO is to improve your website's visibility on search engine result pages, like Google. When users search for keywords or phrases related to your business, you want your website to appear prominently. By optimizing your website's content, structure, and technical elements, you increase its chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

Higher rankings mean more visibility, and more visibility leads to increased organic traffic. Organic traffic refers to the visitors who land on your website through unpaid, natural search results. These users are actively searching for products, services, or information relevant to your business, making them highly valuable prospects. By leveraging Solutions by Design’s SEO techniques, you can attract a steady stream of targeted organic traffic, effectively reaching your desired audience and increasing the likelihood of converting them into customers.

When your website appears at the top of search engine results, it instills a sense of authority and trustworthiness in the eyes of users. Most people perceive top-ranking websites as reliable and reputable sources of information or solutions to their needs. By optimizing your website's content with high-quality and relevant information, search engines recognize your website as an authoritative source within your industry. Additionally, by implementing user-friendly navigation, mobile responsiveness, and fast page load times, you enhance the overall user experience, further reinforcing your credibility and trustworthiness.

A seamless and positive user experience is paramount for any business website. Our SEO techniques help optimize various elements that contribute to a great user experience, including website speed, mobile responsiveness, and easy navigation. These factors not only enhance user satisfaction but also reduce bounce rates and improve dwell time, leading to improved search rankings.

Additionally, SEO by Solutions by Design ensures that your website is structured in a way that search engines can easily crawl and understand its content. By organizing your website's pages, meta tags, headings, and URLs effectively, our team provides search engines with the necessary signals to index and rank your website accurately.

Implementing a robust SEO strategy gives you a significant advantage over your competitors. By optimizing your website and staying up to date with the latest SEO trends, Solutions by Design can help your website outperform your competition.

Furthermore, by conducting thorough keyword research and monitoring industry trends, we can help you identify new opportunities and target niche markets that your competitors might have overlooked. By consistently adapting and refining our SEO approach, we stay ahead of the curve to ensure your business remains visible and relevant.

Search engine optimization is a necessity for any business seeking online success. Contact Solutions by Design today to learn more about the SEO Packages we have to offer. And remember… Everything we do at Solutions by Design is custom designed and developed with your company in mind. Search Engine Optimization is not a “What works for one, works for all” sort of thing and we pride ourselves on No Canned Content…ever.

The Importance of a Responsive Website

Solutions by Design

Your website is often the first point of contact with potential customers. A responsive website creates a positive and professional first impression. Outdated designs, slow loading times, and non-responsive layouts can turn visitors away. Conversely, a modern and user-friendly website conveys your commitment to staying relevant and meeting customer needs. By making a strong initial impact, you increase the chances of visitors staying longer, exploring your offerings, and ultimately converting into customers.

A responsive website prioritizes user experience. Responsive design ensures that your website adapts seamlessly to different devices and screen sizes, providing a consistent and optimal browsing experience for users. This adaptability enhances usability, readability, and navigation, regardless of whether visitors are accessing your website from a desktop computer, smartphone, or tablet. With a user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation, and fast-loading pages, you create a positive experience that keeps visitors engaged. Not only that…when visitors encounter a well-maintained and trustworthy website, they are more likely to perceive your business as credible and reliable, fostering a positive impression and strengthening trust in your business.

Did you know that a responsive website with updated content, design, and technical aspects contributes to improved search engine rankings?

Search engines favor websites that provide a positive user experience, including fast-loading pages, mobile-friendliness, and fresh, relevant content. Regularly updating your website with new content, optimizing meta tags, and implementing SEO best practices can enhance your visibility in search engine results, driving more organic traffic to your site, allowing you to outrank competitors.

At Solutions by Design, our goal is to create excellent responsive websites that are unique and functional. Our custom websites are developed in-house and without the use of templates, therefore it is easy and efficient to complete all the phases on time and within budget. Our system of personal communication and your understanding of the development process help to avoid costly mistakes and ensure your website will be developed in the most efficient way possible.

When combined with our outstanding Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Packages, your website is sure to gain more visibility and set your business apart from your competitors.

SEO: Google’s Core September Update

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of increasing the online visibility of your website in a web search engine’s unpaid results— referred to as “natural”, “organic”, or “earned” results.

SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, video search, academic search, news search, and industry-specific vertical search engines. Search engine optimization is something that is always changing with updates by search engines and should be worked on and monitored.

Google is the king of search engines. “Google has dominated the search engine market, maintaining an 88.47 percent market share as of April 2019.” 3.5 billion Google searches are made every day and the number only seems to be increasing every year. Google releases a few core updates to its algorithm, which impacts the way websites are ranked and how the search engine works.

“What is a Google core update? A Google core update is when Google adjusts its core search ranking algorithm with the goal of returning more relevant and useful search results to the searcher.” According to Google, “Each day, Google usually releases one or more changes designed to improve our search results. Most aren’t noticeable but help us incrementally continue to improve.”

Later today, we are releasing a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. It is called the September 2019 Core Update. Our guidance about such updates remains as we’ve covered before. Please see this blog for more about that: https://t.co/e5ZQUAlt0G

— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) September 24, 2019

With each update Solutions by Design analyzes what impacts this has on each client. Google’s core updates come a few a year, however, the impacts can lead to a decline in rankings, a spike for others, emphasizes backlinks or content, while some updates don’t impact others at all.

What is in this update? 

A Change in Rankings: 

With any update, search results change for each website. The website may see a spike in ranking higher for their keywords, while others see a drop in their ranking positions. Updates also impact click-through rates, which lead to a decline in website traffic.

In 2018 alone, Google made over 3,200 changes to its algorithms. However, core updates affecting search algorithm changes happen only a few times a year, with Google announcing the update and what it means for websites.

This September update affected the health and finance industry more than any other website. “Whenever Google updates its search ranking algorithms it means that your site can do better or worse in the search results.” Understanding when Google does these core updates allows us to understand when something has changed on websites such as traffic and where we can improve upon for better rankings. Always optimizing SEO is essential, especially as Google changes its algorithm.

What Can We Do? 

As an SEO company, Solutions by Design is always tracking changes in SEO and how to get our clients to rank as high as possible organically. If SEO rankings have been impacted, it does not mean that your website has been punished in any way possible by Google. According to Google, “There’s nothing wrong with pages that may perform less well in a core update. They haven’t violated our webmaster guidelines nor been subjected to a manual or algorithmic action. In fact, there’s nothing in a core update that targets specific pages or sites. Instead, the changes are about improving how our systems assess content overall.”

Google reminds us of what is rewarded and the best way to ensure search engine optimization is at its best for all websites. Focusing on content and websites that offer great quality content is what is rewarded in search engines. Here are recommendations on what to ask when creating content for your website, straight from the search engine source itself, Google.

Content and Quality: 

• Does the content provide original information, reporting, research or analysis? 
• Does the headline and/or page title provide a descriptive, helpful summary of the content?
• Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
• Would you expect to see this content in or referenced by a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book?

Presentation and Production Questions: 

• Was the content produced well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?
• Does the content have an excessive amount of ads that distract from or interfere with the main content?
• Does content display well for mobile devices when viewed on them?

Expertise Questions

• Is the website source trustworthy?
• Is this content written by an expert or enthusiast who demonstrably knows the topic well?
• Is the content free from easily-verified factual errors?

Comparative Questions:

• Does the content seem to be serving the genuine interests of visitors to the site or does it seem to exist solely by someone attempting to guess what might rank well in search engines? 

As an SEO company, Solutions by Design is always tracking changes in SEO and how to get our clients to rank as high as possible organically. Real SEO is worked on every month: adding, changing, linking, and enhancing so we get you results that are tough to achieve. Contact us for more information on how to get your website ranking in your communities.

Sources: https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2019/08/core-updates.html

Photo Booth Fun with Montage

Everyone loves a fun photo!

The Montage Photo Booth Widget captures hundreds of patient images all upon the patient approval. You can place them anywhere in your office. The Montage board seamlessly integrates from the Montage board to a website. This can greatly enhance website optimization and grow your social media following. It creates user-generated content and an interactive experience for your patients. 

Patients can also send these photos to themselves and post on their social media platforms. These fun images were captured by the Montage Photo Booth at Waterhouse Animal Hospital.  For more information on Montage or our other products, call our office at (800) 888-4084.

Still smiling after two shots and finding out he has a double ear infection😄 #ourhappyboy #bento

A post shared by Red & Fred (@red_and_fred) on Feb 5, 2018 at 3:37pm PST

We love this! Don't forget to use the photo booth in our office and share your photos with us of you and your furry family member. 🐾

A post shared by Waterhouse Animal Hospital (@waterhouseanimalhospital) on May 9, 2018 at 1:24pm PDT

🐾ffsf

Facebook Testing Improved Local Search Feature To Offer Users Business Suggestions

Our favorite social media network is at it again. Facebook is currently testing a new and improved local search feature that may take away from Foursquare, Yelp, and Google Maps. According to TechCrunch, Facebook has confirmed that users are able to catch recommendations of nearby places. This works by entering something like “nearby vet” or “orthodontist nearby” in the mobile or web search of Facebook. By doing this, users will receive a list of relevant businesses near their location, as well as their Facebook ratings, map, and friends who have liked or visited the place in query.

At the moment Facebook is declining to share any further details on this addition, or how long this testing has been in progress. It is possible that some users are able to utilize this function, while others are slowly gaining access or don’t have it at all.

In regards to how Facebook determines which results to provide to the user, that answer is currently uncertain. It has been noted that the order of which locations are shown first is not determined by the number of reviews, rating, or proximity to your current location.

We will continue to keep you informed on this new Facebook feature as it unfolds. In the meantime, connect with Solutions by Design on social media to stay updated on social media news and more.

Google’s New Mobile Index Split | How It Will Effect Your SEO

Due to the fact that the majority of searches are now conducted on mobile devices, Google has decided to split their index into mobile-specific and desktop-specific versions.

What is the Google index? Every day, Google’s search engine “bots” crawl through websites and index the contents so that results can be presented to searchers. Until now there has been one unified index for both desktop and mobile searches, so no matter what device you were searching from, the results would be basically the same.

Google’s plan is to provide results optimized for mobile users, and they will be updating and focusing on the mobile index to a greater degree than the desktop index. When a search is conducted from a desktop computer, Google will present results from the desktop index. Alternately, when a search is conducted on a mobile device, Google will present results from the mobile index.

Effect on Websites
If a website is responsive, very little will change. The main criteria will be the speed of the website. If the website is slow to load then it will suffer in the rankings compared to faster sites.

• This will be especially important going forward with new websites we build, and the designers and developers will need to be aware of these issues:
• All sites will need to be run through Google’s website speed tester prior to launch. If the site scores lower than 90 out of 100, adjustments will need to be made following Google’s suggestions.
• Images and other design elements will need to be optimized to enhance the speed of the site. These design considerations will need to be made during the initial concept phase to avoid any potential speed issues.
• Scripts and other files necessary to the site will need to be “minified” and placed in the optimal load order. Google has good documentation on this and it should be followed by the developers. In addition, no supporting files should be loaded from external sites wherever possible. This includes jQuery base files and jQuery app files. Wherever possible, font files should be loaded locally.

For SEO clients who already have responsive sites, the same issues above will apply and some modifications will need to be made.

For those clients with separate mobile sites there will be more issues to consider. The main issue will be content. Since most mobile sites contain only an abbreviated portion of the content of the main website, the reduction in content (because Google is now keeping a separate mobile index) will definitely affect the site’s rankings.

To correct this, the same content that exists on the desktop version of the site will need to be present in the mobile version. This ensures that Google will have enough content to index in order to rank the site effectively. Obviously, this presents challenges when it comes to showing interactive content (Choose Your Look, Terms, etc), and a solid development plan will need to be in place to address these challenges.

Also, Google’s focus is moving increasingly toward their AMP (accelerated mobile pages) technology and soon will play a major role in rankings. It is highly recommended that we begin exploring this technology in order to stay in the game.

Effect on SEO Efforts
For existing responsive sites, the main thing to consider is optimizing the site for speed. This will involve a combination of work from the designers and the developers. The designers will need to develop routines for optimizing the images and graphical elements, and the developers will need to concentrate on optimizing the code and supporting files.

For new responsive sites, it will be important to follow the guidelines above during the entire development process.

In terms of additional time needed for SEO purposes, there should be no additional efforts other than a possible change to the monthly reporting. I’m still waiting to see if the SEO reporting software will change to accommodate the index split. But once the site is optimized for speed, monthly on-site SEO efforts should remain the same. For sites with separate mobile versions, a little additional time will be required in order to make sure the desktop and mobile versions are in sync, with attention being paid to the differences needed in order to affect rankings. The additional time needed will have little impact overall.

Conclusion
Unless more changes are revealed by Google, this announced change to Google’s index will have little impact in terms of monthly SEO work required. The primary consideration will be developing responsive sites for optimal speed, developing new techniques and requirements to achieve this, and exploring new technologies such as AMP. The burden will rest on the designers and developers to produce sites that meet Google’s optimization guidelines.

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED OFFER! Save 40% With This Bundle Package

Pokemon Go Social

The Pokemon Go phenomenon has taken off and is now a leading app since its launch on July 6th. Though many may look at Pokemon Go as just a game, others are looking to it as a huge marketing opportunity. In just a week, some businesses have decided to use the game to lure in new customers…so we want our clients to have a heads up on this and do the same!

Get your practice involved in Pokemon Go by learning how to play, and taking advantage of PokeStops and Lures. Doing so will result in creating brand awareness, engagement, and foot traffic to your practice.

What is a PokeStop?

PokeStops attract foot traffic without any effort. Pokestops are located on or near monuments, schools, museums and other historical buildings, and players flock to them like they’re giving away a million dollars every minute. So figuring out whether your practice is a PokeStop is the first thing you should do. If you haven’t already, download the Pokemon Go App (it’s free). Once you have it downloaded, open it up and check the map for a Blue Spinning Tower. If you see one on your screen without having to walk too far away from your practice, lucky you, you have a PokeStop! Now all you need to do is sit back, place Lure after Lure on your PokeStop, and watch all of the prospective new patients flock to your office.

While there are rumors of PokeStops being available for purchase in the future, as of today, there is no way to own or create your own Pokestop. However, if your practice happens to be located next to a PokeStop you need to be taking advantage of it now.

What is a Lure?

Lures increase the rate of Pokemon generation in the area around the PokeStop where they're placed for a half hour. Lures are completely affordable, for about $10 you can purchase enough Lures to have your PokeStop in pink sparkles for 7 hours. So for a little more than a dollar an hour, you can bring crowds of people to your practice when you place a lure.

If you want to take advantage and lure in new patients, Pokemon Go provides you the opportunity to do just that. Jump on the Pokemon Go bandwagon and get your practice name seen by your community when they become a part of the Pokemon Go phenomenon. Also, it’s important to know what to do with these prospective patients when you get them to your office. Set a goal of what you want in return and create a strategy to reach the goal. Confused on what to do with the prospects once you get them to your office? Ask us about our Pokemon Go Party Package!

Rank Before Your Competitors! Tips For Effective Local SEO

The majority of businesses provide goods or services locally, meaning their customer base is confined to a certain geographical area. For example, an orthodontist or a veterinarian provide their services to a city, county, or region where their client base is within easy driving distance.

So for these businesses, all of their SEO efforts should be tuned to providing local results. But what are some of the ways in which a business can effectively target the local market and get the highest possible rankings?

Optimize your “Google My Business” page

Some of our SEO clients prefer that we handle the setup and maintenance of their Google My Business page. This is Google’s portal for local businesses to provide important information such as location, hours, business category, etc. Having an optimized Google My Business page is essential for your local SEO efforts.

But by far, most of our SEO clients control their own Google My Business page. For those of you that do, here are some tips for properly maintaining your page:

• Add a business address that is consistent with local directories as well as your website 
• Select the correct category for your business 
• Add a local business phone number to your listing 
• Add a unique business description, and include links to your other social media pages 
• Add your business hours 
• Upload a high-resolution cover photo and profile image 
• Upload as many photos (and videos) as possible 

Ask your customers for reviews

Having positive reviews builds trust in your business and gives your customers confidence. It also helps a great deal in how your business is ranked locally with your competitors. There’s no such thing as too many positive reviews.

Some SEO clients offer incentives for customers to leave reviews, which can certainly be effective, but there are other ways in which you can encourage your customers. Remember, it is best to capture reviews as soon as possible from your customers because they are more likely to respond favorably to your request rather than six months down the road.

• A simple hand-out or email that lists various review sites, and asks them to choose one or more 
• A place on your website that captures their attention and provides links to the various review sites 
• An occasional posting on social media that asks customers to leave a review, along with links to top review sites 
• Train your staff to routinely ask your customers for reviews 

There are many more tips for local SEO. The important thing to remember is that you put in the time and effort for the best results. If you are interested in improving your local SEO rankings, now is the time to do it. Your competitors are. The longer you wait the harder it will be to catch up to them. Contact Solutions By Design today to get started, call 800-888-4084.

The Ultimate Facebook Secret to Success for Orthodontic Practices

Lately, we’ve been getting a ton of questions from clients confused about social media and how to create effective social media strategies on social networks. This is a huge topic, seriously, we could write pages and pages on it! To make your lives easier, and save our hands from carpal tunnel, we decided to share with you the ultimate Facebook secret to success for orthodontic practices.

Here it is…USE YOUR CURRENT PATIENTS AS BRAND AMBASSADORS ON FACEBOOK FOR YOUR PRACTICE!

How do you do this, you ask? Simple. Engage with your patients when they’re at your practice and encourage them to connect with you online, specifically on Facebook. One way to do this is something a lot of our social media clients currently do; use strategic Facebook contests.

Let’s explore this a little more.

So many practices do contests, but the real question is, are contests being done right? This Summer, Solutions by Design’s social media clients have tons of custom created contests that are efficient for the practices social media marketing strategies. Several of our custom created contests promote patients to post selfies and tag the practice on Facebook, in order to be entered to win a prize from their doctor.

By doing this, we have the patients utilizing the power of social media for the practices brand awareness.  Yes, posting photos of the patients to the Facebook business page is great, but having patients post their own photos and tagging the practice is even better, and the ultimate secret to social media success. By doing something like this, your patients become brand ambassadors for your practice on Facebook.  Ultimately, this connects their closest friends and followers with your practice because they tag your practice on Facebook, and this shows the world of Facebook they do business with you. All while they think they're just entering a contest.This eliminates extra costs of paying to boost Facebook posts, purchase Facebook advertisements, or worrying about HIPAA consent forms.

Also, when your patients tag you in a post, Facebook will notify your practice, and provide you with the option to share the post on your practice's page.

Custom designed contests are just one of the several ways our social media clients use patients as brand ambassadors. Are you interested in learning more about our social media services? Contact our trusted social media department and ask for more details or client reviews.  Remember, there are several companies out there claiming to provide similar services, but they’re based on limited experience and misguided advice; especially when it comes to the area of orthodontic marketing. 

Oh What A Show

The 2016 AAO Annual Session was a success for the Solutions by Design booth! We traveled all the way from California to Orlando, Florida to showcase our wonderful products, services, and offer great promos that so many new and existing clients took advantage of. If you didn't have a chance to stop by our booth, don't worry, we are creating some wonderful post-show promos that will be coming out soon.

Check out this time-lapse video of our booth from the 2016 AAO Annual Session to see if you made the video cut!

Again, thank you for coming to the show! See you all next year in San Diego, California!

How To Select Patient Information And Care & Use Forms

We understand that you’re busy helping your patients and may not always remember everything after your ScreenPlay training course, so we decided to provide you with a quick & easy refresher course on how how to select patient information and care & use forms.

Because this section has been customized for your practice, the information on Policies, Procedures and Care & Use are all specific to the way you practice. Simply click on any of the individual information sets that you desire, or select all. Each can be printed, included in your online presentation or included on a CD with the balance of your presentation.

We hope we’ve helped to refresh your memory on this area of ScreenPlay. If you would like more help navigating ScreenPlay, or have specific areas that are confusing, please contact us and we will gladly review areas of concern with you.

The Secret To Higher Invisalign Rankings

Before Invisalign made a concerted effort to advertise nationally through television and online advertising, orthodontic practice websites usually maintained high rankings in Invisalign searches by simply having one or two pages of Invisalign content. But that’s not the case anymore.

Now that more people are aware of what Invisalign is and how it works, and because more people than ever are searching for information and providers, those websites with minimal Invisalign information are seeing drastic decreases in rankings in the search results. So what’s the solution?

If you conduct a search for “Invisalign in (your city)” you will begin to notice one key difference between those at the top of the rankings and those at the bottom. Clicking on the top websites will present you with far more Invisalign information, including pages with videos, testimonials, and other information. This is a great example of Google’s focus on relevance.

Google has decided, and rightly so, that someone looking for information on Invisalign will want as much information as possible in one location. Given the choice between one page of general information or multiple pages with videos and other resources, which one would you choose?

If you are serious about increasing your Invisalign rankings, now is the time to add more Invisalign content to your website. Your competitors are. The longer you wait the harder it will be to catch up to them. Contact Solutions By Design today to get started, call 800-888-4084.

Look for us at The Forum 2016!

 



 

Look for Solutions By Design this week at The Forum 2016 in Ranco Palos Verdes, CA! Stop by booth #11 to learn more about our latest products such as Checkin4Charity.com, and learn more about our current promotions. We can't wait to see you there!

 

Exciting Changes for SEO in 2016

The SEO industry is constantly changing, and one of the challenges for us is keeping up with this ever-changing landscape and, more importantly, continually adding value to our SEO services.

As we move into a new year, we are planning on implementing some exciting changes for our many SEO clients. First and foremost will be dynamic online reporting. Utilizing our popular ANDI client portal, your SEO reports will be available online for reviewing at any time, along with historical trends and other important information.

If you haven’t used the ANDI portal yet, you will find it powerful and easy. All of our products are at your fingertips, along with the latest news and information from Solutions by Design. Adding the SEO product will make it even more valuable for our clients.

There are even more changes in the works for SEO in 2016. Our commitment is to continually provide leading-edge SEO services, and when combined with our proven social media strategies it makes sense to go with a company that stays current with the changing online marketing landscape.

Shouldn’t your New Year’s resolutions include SEO and Social Media?