How Micro-Interactions Can Boost Engagement on Your Website

Micro-interactions—those tiny animations or responses that occur when users interact with your website—play a crucial role in making website experiences more engaging and enjoyable. They're also a powerful way to boost brand perception. This month, we're explaining more about them and sharing key guidelines so you can use them the right way. Read article...


The Bare-Minimum Monthly Maintenance

It’s tempting to think of your website as a static asset, but in reality, they need regular care to keep them going. This quarter we’re giving our take on what you should be doing monthly to get the longest life out of your site. Read article...


Make Your Website Perform Better with A/B Testing

Have you ever wondered if you are getting the most out of your website? Even if you are in touch with the specific goals your site is serving, you may be missing out on your site’s maximum impact if you’re not treating your website like the dynamic tool it can be. Learn how A/B testing can take your performance game to the next level. Read article...


The Components of Site Health That Really Matter

Maintaining your site's health can seem overwhelming. In this article, we share the key elements to stay on top of. Read article...


Get Better User Insights with Google Tag Manager

Google Tag Manager offers valuable insight into user behavior. Find details on how to leverage this important tool and level up your web presence here. Read article...


10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a CMS

If you're building a new website or redesigning an old one, one of the most important decisions you'll need to make is which content management system (CMS) to use. Discover the 10 questions you should ask when selecting yours. Read article...


Easy partner: Slow down to prevent website tech debt

Sometimes short-term fixes catch up with us and create long-term problems. In the website world, that’s called tech debt. Read our latest article to detect tech debt, prevent it, and why investing time and budget into best practices pays off in the long run. Read article...


10 common technical SEO issues to watch out for

Ranking high on search engines ought to be a key piece of your website strategy. Strong SEO is more than having the right keywords – pages must be coded right so search engines index and crawl your site. Check out our list of the 10 most common technical SEO issues to watch out for. Read article...


Big mobile web design mistakes (and how to avoid them)

More than half of all website visits come from mobile devices. Yet in 2023, we still see clunky or pop-up covered mobile sites. Don’t let this happen to you! We share the biggest mistakes for mobile and how to avoid them to make your site look amazing on any smartphone. Read article...


How to improve website email deliverability

Emails sent from websites don’t always make it to their destination – and it’s a surprisingly-common problem. Learn why this happens and how to make sure your emails get delivered to your visitors’ inboxes every time. Read article...


5 questions to ask before installing a plugin

If you manage a website, you’ve heard of plugins. While plugins can be useful, they’re often created by third-party developers who did not create your website. Before installing a plugin, consider five questions to know if it’s the best choice for your website. Read article...


AJAX is everywhere. What is it?

If you’ve ever succumbed to the infinite scroll, you’ve used AJAX. Learn all there is to know about AJAX to sound like the smartest person in the room. Read article...


Clamp Down on Form Spam with Google reCAPTCHA

Forms are our friends. Email spam is not. The best way to sort human from bot is with Google reCAPTCHA. Read on for the what, why, and how of reCAPTCHA. Read article...


Tips for Better Site Reliability

A reliable website loads fast, functions as intended, and operates free from bugs and hacks. Peace of mind about website reliability starts with regular maintenance – and we’re guessing that’s pressure you could do without. Kick back and relax, because today we’re serving up our favorite tips for better site reliability. Read article...


8 Content + Features Questions to Prep for a Website Build

Someone smarter than us said “Today’s preparation determines tomorrow’s achievement.” We agree. Before you begin a full website build, gather your team to discuss vital questions and share the answers with potential website partners. Part One of this series looked at "10 General and Strategy Questions to Prepare for a Full Website Build." Today, check out Part Two. Then, get ready for greatness. Read article...


Ask these questions before starting a full site build: Part One

When starting a full site build, who you choose for a web design partner matters. You want to be prepared for the vendor selection process to get quality proposals that speak to your organization’s needs. Check out 10 General + Strategy questions to prepare your team (and vendor) for a full site build. Read article...


Make your website work for you with custom post types

Websites should work for you to create a great UX and back-end experience. This starts with a solid website structure. For WordPress sites, custom post types help organize your content so your website empowers – not impedes – your pursuit of excellence. Learn more about custom post types. Read article...


Explain APIs at your next meeting

Could you explain to someone else what an API is and how developers utilize them? Keep reading to talk the nerd talk at your next dinner party or client meeting. Read article...


Jamstack Is Really Cool – If You’re Ready For It

It’s a great day when we peep a cool new tool that helps us simplify website development, improve site performance, lower costs and increase scalability. Jamstack is the whole package – but are you ready for it? Read article...


Why We’re Pumped About the Gravity Forms Plugin

Website forms aren’t going anywhere – so why not make them easy and, dare we say, pretty? From form building to user workflow and email integration, we share why Gravity Forms is the WordPress form builder plugin of our dreams. Read article...


How to Avoid Cost Overruns in a Website Rebuild

Real talk — when it comes to a website rebuild, budget overruns happen. But they don’t have to (or don’t have to be sooo painful). Check out three ways you can avoid or minimize cost overruns and set your next project up for success. Read article...


9 Questions to Ask in the Design Phase

Conversations about design don’t have to be hard. Check out these key design topics and questions to be well-equipped in the design phase of your website rebuild. Read article...


Three Ways to Test Your Website Before Launch

Your website is ready to launch! Or is it? One of the most crucial steps of launching a website is to test its functionality. Launch a website that visitors can rely on with these three tests. Read article...


How to Make a Killer Quote Form

If you’re looking for an easy way to be more marketing savvy, look no further than a quote form. Quote forms don’t have to be torturous for your users. Learn how to make a killer quote form that converts. Read article...


Why We Say Websites Are For People

It’s our mantra: Websites are for people. But what does it mean? We dive into the philosophy behind it all and what it means for you and your website. Read article...


How to Update WordPress Without Breaking Your Website

Websites are dynamic, living creatures, and sometimes they need a tune-up. These updates are necessary, but can sometimes break things (especially if you’ve done a lot of customization). This month we’re giving away four best practices to minimize the risk. Read article...


Why You Should Use Git for Your Next Website Project

Git is one of those words you’ve probably seen thrown around, but that might still seem mysterious. This month we are laying out the very basics of what it is and why we believe in it. Read article...


Walker McBain on why UX design matters for your website

If you’re ready to level-up the impact of your website, then it’s time to invest in user experience. This month, we sat down with Chicago-based UX designer Walker McBain to chat about what UX really is and why it’s so important. Read article...


When You Should Use Custom Fields

Custom fields are a back-end website feature that speed up content management and keep your site looking its best. But they can take time to set up. So when should you use them? Here are our 2¢. Read article...


Why You Should Wrangle Your WordPress Plugins

As time goes on, websites can start to feel sluggish and become prone to bugs. It’s a common story. This month we’re looking at how out-of-control plugins contribute to this — and how to reign things back in. Read article...


When to Use a Staging Website

If you have ever found yourself with a broken site after an update or upgrade, this article is for you. This month, we’re talking about the best way to safely update or upgrade your website: a staging site. Read article...


How Not to Have a Website Project That Drags On

Have you ever been a part of a project that just keeps growing? Website projects are infamous for this all-too-common problem, called “scope creep.” The good news is you don’t have to succumb to it — and we’ll show you how. Read article...


“AMP” Up Your Website: Pages that Load Fast

What if we told you there was a way to deliver faster pages that also convert better and lowers your bounce rates? There is. And it’s called AMP. Read article...


Making Image Sizing Easier with Object-Fit CSS

“What size does that image need to be again?” If you upload images to your website and ever find yourself asking this question, you’ll want to know about Object-Fit. Pack up your school lunch box, because it’s time to learn some new tech! Read article...


How To Attract Top Talent On Your Website

Finding the right employees is tough. This month, we’re sharing a big way you can hone your messaging to attract the right people—and clarify your mission in the process. Don’t miss it. Read article...


Building a Landing Page That Converts: Seven Must-haves

Picture this: you’ve got a great product or service, along with a shiny new lead-generation plan. Now it’s time to build the landing page(s) that will drive sales. How do you put together content that will actually perform? Read article...


Manage Multiple Websites with WordPress Multisite

Get ready to learn the what, why, and who of WordPress Multisite—which may be the very best way to handle oversight of more than one website. Read article...


Four Workflow Tips For a Growing Website

Your website is growing. You’ve even gotten some non-marketing people to contribute content. Great! Now, how do you manage everything without going crazy? Read article...


Our Take On Site Load Time

What do you do when your site gets a failing grade from Google PageSpeed Insights, or is just plain slow? This month we’re unpacking our principles and recommendations for speed optimization. Read article...


Using Alt Text for a People-Friendly Website

We believe websites are for people. Learn about one of the small (but important!) ways you can make your website more accessible to everyone. Read article...


Three Rules for Lead-Capture Forms

There are three essential guidelines to follow when it comes to making an effective lead capture form. Make sure yours don’t miss the mark. Read article...


Choosing Your Website Partner

Three crucial principles for selecting a great website partner. Don’t miss these! Read article...


How to Compare Website Build Costs

The cost of a new website can vary greatly from firm to firm. How can you effectively compare different options? This month, we’re talking about the biggest factors that contribute to price, so you can make the right decision. Read article...


Five Content Upgrade Ideas

Content upgrades are a lead-capture tool that have been shown to convert more often than traditional magnets. We’re giving you five ideas to implement these right away. Read article...


Thomas Kepka on Why Communication Is Essential in a Changing Company

We recently sat down with Thomas Kepka, Marketing Director at U.S. Engineering Company, and learned all about the importance of communicating well both inside and outside your company. Read article...


Easily Track Your Digital Campaigns with UTM Codes

If you’re running any kind of digital marketing campaign, you’ve got to know which channels and efforts are effective and worth continued investment. This month we’re talking about a simple, fast way to do just that. Read article...


Capture Leads With Your Experts’ CVs

This month, we’ve got a short article with a creative way to capture leads on your website. Don’t miss out. Read article...


Why Custom Sites Are Better Than Templates

We believe in making custom websites, and we’ve got three big reasons why. Read article...


Hosting, DNS, and Domains in Plain English

Managing a website can be confusing with all the different technologies involved. We aim to clear things up by defining and picking apart three fundamental pieces. Read article...


Make Your Content Stand Out on Social Media

Learn how to make your social media posts look and perform even better by including metadata tags. Read article...


Three Things We’ve Learned About SSL Certificates

These are the big things we’ve learned about making websites work over HTTPS. If you don’t have an SSL certificate yet, or if you’re just wondering what all the fuss is about, this article is for you. Read article...


How To Set Up an Automated Campaign for Lead Generation

If you’re new to creating and delivering content as a way to add value to your customers, this article is for you. We go over the three main technical components of an automated system for delivering content and capturing leads. Read article...


Tanya Pierce Talks About Storytelling and Connecting Authentically with Clients

This month, we chatted with Tanya Pierce, VP of Business Development at Northern Technologies. She shared her approach to developing authentic connections with clients, and how to help internal teams do the same. Read article...


Five Reasons To Hire A Technical Partner

With so many do-it-yourself website platforms available, why should you think about bringing in outside help? We’re making the case for a dedicated, expert partner to help with website management. Read article...


When Should We Overhaul Our Website?

This month, we’re sharing the three big questions to ask when you’re debating between incremental changes to your website and a complete overhaul. Read article...


Interview with SEO / Conversion expert Josiah Casey

We talked with Josiah Casey about website conversions, common SEO misconceptions, and more. Don't miss this one! Read article...


Why Can’t Our Website Do That? All About Feature Upgrades.

Ever see another website and wonder how to make yours work that way? Here’s a quick list of things to consider when thinking about adding new features to your site. Read article...


Houzz, Organic Search, and Referrals – Interview with Architect Matt Lero

We sat down with Matt Lero from RDM Architecture to discuss their business growth through content marketing and industry-specific social media. Read article...


Five Interactive Elements to Boost Website Engagement

A short list of ideas for interactive ways to display your content. This is a chance to elevate your brand and encourage visitors to stay. Read article...


Reinforce Your Brand with a UI Inventory

Increase confidence in your #brand through design consistency. Here’s a systematic approach to getting the design details of your site right. Read article...


Align Your Team’s Website Lingo

How do you talk about your website internally? Do you speak the same language? We clarify a few terms that will help your team get on the same page. Read article...


HTML Primer: How to Format Your Content

Formatting an article or blog post on your website can be tedious and frustrating—even with a CMS. But some basic HTML knowledge will go a long way in wrangling your content. Read article...


Content Planning: Four First Steps

How do you know your audience is interested in your blog, your emails, your videos, etc? Check out our guide for creating relevant content. Read article...


Stand Out With Targeted Proposal Pages

We go into the details of targeted proposal pages and how they can get your firm the exposure it deserves. Read article...


Kara Wallace of Mortenson Talks About Creating Value for Customers

We spoke with Kara Wallace about her work in developing new marketing/sales systems, challenges she's encountered, and the progress she's made. Read article...

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