Digital Matters

In our last episode, we discussed how to get inspired and how to use those ideas to design your website using 4 basic elements- Logos/illustrations/images, colors, layout and fonts. Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence. Today we will select on of the above elements, Image. In this episode we will show you the importance of using images on your website.

DigiNopsis:

“Articles with images get 94% more views.”

When last have you been on a website? Notice the time you spent. What captures your attention apart from the text? Yes the pictures and illustration. By using a few pictures and/or short videos, you can quickly convey the message to your viewers.

Here are three tips for using images and video on your website:

They say pictures are worth a thousand words so instead of writing everything, show it to drive a better imaginary. Show it with pictures or videos on your website. If possible, your product shot demonstration. This mean getting real persons briefly using the product or service. Use these pictures and videos to create an impact.

If you need to snap a few shots of a product or make a video, you already have a tool you can use — your smartphone. Just adjust the lighting, be aware of the background you’re using, and snap away. When you’re done, you can edit them using an online editor, or an application like Adobe Photoshop or other photo editing software.

With stock images, you can save yourself time and get high-quality images at a fraction of the cost of a professional photographer. There are several sites that you can get high quality stock photos from Sites like Pixabay, Unsplash and others could give you the photos you need for your website.

Depending on your hosting plan, there should be an option to have high quality stock photos that you can use on your website. However, if you want to be unique, you can use your own pictures taken. If you’re selling products online, it might be worth the investment to have professional photos taken of

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 1.

Reference:

Microsoft 356 Look like a world-class business, even if you operate out of your garage, with professional email and Office apps that help you save time and be more productive.

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business on the Web

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠⁠ Full Website Solution⁠

In our last episode, we discussed 5 important pages that your website should have to tell your complete story. However, after creating those 5 pages, how do we improve the overall look to drive further interest? Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence. Today we share suggestions on how to get that inspiration. In this episode we will show you how to get inspired and how to use those ideas to design your website using 4 basic elements- Logos/illustrations/images, colors, layout and fonts. These will definately do a good job of creating a remarkable impression...

DigiNopsis:

Think about how you want to incorporate your company logo into your website’s design. Maybe you want to match the color of your logo on your site, or make the logo “stand out” against a contrasting background.

For brand harmony, it’s important to choose the right color palette for your website. Do you own a photographic, graphic design or interior design company? Maybe vibrant colors like hot pink and tangerine speak to your brand. If you’re in the professional services industry, more subtle hues such as charcoal and blue might be more appropriate. Think about the feelings that the colors evoke for you and match them with how you want your customers to feel when they visit your website.

The way visitors read the contents on your website does affect their overall impression and how they interpret the message. Think about the fonts that might best represent your business — from bold, linear styles to more delicate, feminine fonts. Use italics where needed etc.

Consider the amount of “whitespace” (space between elements) in your design. A lot of whitespaces can denote clarity or simplicity, while having very little of it can make your site look active or intense. Other elements, like background colors, gradients, and the “texture” of your overall design can contribute to your online impression.

or easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 1.

Reference:

Microsoft 356 Look like a world-class business, even if you operate out of your garage, with professional email and Office apps that help you save time and be more productive.

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business on the Web

Subscribe: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja⁠⁠

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠⁠ Full Website Solution⁠

In our last step, we selected a website designer or we decided to build our website.  Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence. Now we are on step 4 "Creating Remarkable Content". Last episode we discussed what to put on your website to attract the attention of your visitors. In this episode of Step 4 we will highlight 5 basic pages that a website should have.

DigiNopsis: 

There are 5 core pages on a basic website and you’re going to tell all your story on those pages: As your business idea expand and as you attract more followers you might want to add more layers to your website but for now we’ll go basic.

Your pages are: and I will name them in order. I say order based on the general setup of most websites.

Home Page; (Briefly introduce as section to your webpage: Signup, Primary Contact, Testimonial, Product/Service, and always have a call-to-action)

About Us

Products/Services

Testimonials

and Contact Us

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 1.

Reference:

Microsoft 356 Look like a world-class business, even if you operate out of your garage, with professional email and Office apps that help you save time and be more productive.

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business on the Web

Subscribe: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja⁠⁠

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠⁠ Full Website Solution⁠

Our last step, we selected a website designer or we decided to build our website.  Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence. Now are on the step 4 "Creating Remarkable Content". In step 4, we will discuss what to put on your website to attract the attention of your visitors.  

DigiNopsis:

Example: "I started helping my dad when he was working on his car in the garage then when I bought my car, I was my own mechanic. Then everyone in my neighbor took their car to me and I decided to open a garage then, I started to sell auto parts. And so on… Now I have several branches island wide with 100 staff. Now we are committed to help you along that journey and with Ossie Autostore behind the drivers seat, we’re here to drive the performance of your vehicle."

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 1.

Reference:

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business on the Web

Subscribe: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja⁠

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠ Full Website Solution⁠

What would Choose, WEALTH or WISDOM?

To kick things off on our next step (Step 4), I decided to break the ice as I do every month to share true life experiences. As a writer, I always capture moments when there are lessons to learn. Most of my memorable interactions came from my daily commute. This time again while on my way to Queens on an 'A' train coming from Brooklyn, I spoke with a friend of mine. I asked him: "If you were to choose between being the wealthiest man alive or being the wisest, which would it be?

See you in our next Journey- Step 4 "Creating Remarkable Content" as we learn how to create a digital foot print in cyberspace.

Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence.

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity- How to get Your Business on the Web

Subscribe: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja⁠

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠ Full Website Solution⁠

We are still on the third step in establishing our digital footprint on cyberspace. Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence.This month we are focusing on choosing your web designer. Last week we discussed talking with your Web Designer before building your website. We will now put all in perspective and will be puting the pieces together to have a better understanding of what to expect after the site is built. Let’s continue…..

DigiNopsis- 

Points to consider:

Designing cost

$500 - $10,000- or more initial design fee

$80 - $200/year*- Avg. Hosting cost 

$80 - $200/year -Skill Level for Building Required (DIY)

Beginner Intermediate Advanced- 

Your Time Required Moderate More- depending on complexity of site

Minimal to no time, depending on service Customer Support Tutorials, help guides; phone, chat support with some products Support websites*

After service- Varies, maintenance fee for periodic updates 

Technical knowledge required - Customer support

Mobile Website version-  Free and normally included in the service (must be communicated to web Designer prior to work)

Next week will move to our next step- Creating Remarkable Content.

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 5.

Reference:

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity How to get Your Business Online

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠ Full Website Solution⁠

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9798732721904

Amazon Audible: https://www.audible.com/.../From-Hair-to.../B096259RVR

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/.../from-hair-to.../id1569967358

We are still on the third step in establishing our digital footprint on cyberspace. Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence.This month we are focusing on choosing your web designer. Last week we discussed the cast in the initial step of creating your website and selecting your designer. Let’s continue…..

DigiNopsis:

Average cost the Web Designer/Developer may charge 

$500- $1000 (basic 5 page)

$1000-more (5+ pages ecommerce/interactive website with complex functuality)

Platforms:

Web Builder Templates

WordPress Plans

Hosting Servers (CPanel)

Timeframe:

10-14 business day (average 1-5 page basic website)

Months (More complex ecommerce or interactive website 5+pages)

Next week will will talk more about support, maintainance & payments options with your website with your designer.

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 5.

Reference:

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity How to get Your Business Online

Subscribe: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja⁠

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠ Ful Website Solution⁠

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9798732721904

Amazon Audible: https://www.audible.com/.../From-Hair-to.../B096259RVR

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/.../from-hair-to.../id1569967358

We are on the third step in establishing our digital footprint on cyberspace. Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence.This month we are focusing on choosing your web designer. Last week we discussed relating topics in my book ‘From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business online’ as we highlights the steps Marilyn took to hire her web designer. Let’s continue…..

DigiNopsis:

The costs involved depend on the goals and needs of the business as well as on the plan which you choose to build your website. Let’s start with the domain name. Domain names might cost as low as $0.99, which is an initial promotional offer and usually renew for as low as $17.99 per year. As I have explained in the steps, domain name TLD (Top Level Domains) carry various prices depending on the domain name provider. Generally .coms are $17.99 USD per year. Other TLD’s such as .net, .info, .biz and .org and may be more expensive.

Web Hosting Plans

Web hosting plans range from $2.99-$49.99 per month and could be more. The variation depends on the packages that are offered. Bandwidth, Virus protection, Storage, Security and software, determine the cost of your web hosting plan.

Website Builders

Website builders vary from $4.99-$14.99 per month and also depend on the features and benefits required. Bloggers who use their websites for non-business purpose generally choose the lowest plan while others who use their website for business pay more to have their website optimized to gain traffic.

Ecommerce Websites

An ecommerce website enables financial transactions. The hosting plan for an ecommerce site could range between $9.99 and $49.99 per month. This variation depends on the number of products you will be displaying on your website and it offers various dimensions of the products offered (Pictures).

Next week will will talk more about discussing price, time and features of your website with your designer.

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 5.

Reference:

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity How to get Your Business Online

Subscribe: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja⁠

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠ Ful Website Solution⁠

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9798732721904

Amazon Audible: https://www.audible.com/.../From-Hair-to.../B096259RVR

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/.../from-hair-to.../id1569967358

Meet Marilyn, she has strategically transformed her small hairdressing business into a Super Salon and a money making machine. Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence. By setting up a website, she is able to stream-line her business and advertise to a larger audience thus growing her business exponentially- Learn her step by step process…

In my book “From Hair to Eternity, How to get Your Business Online” I introduced Marilyn, a hairdresser from Brooklyn New York who used her wits to create an ecommerce store. In this informative book, I shared the important steps Marilyn took to realize her dream. This month we are focusing on choosing your designer for the next step to get your business on the internet thus creating a digital footprint for thousands or possible millions to see. Not only see but to take action.

DigiNosis:

These are the steps Marilyn took leading up to hiring a Web Designer:

Please note that the Copywriter may also be a Web Designer 

Next week will will talk more about discussing price to set up of your website and the avrage cost your Designer/Developer may charge.

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 5.

Reference:

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity How to get Your Business Online

Subscribe: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja⁠

Domain name search transfer and registration :⁠ Ful Website Solution⁠

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9798732721904

Amazon Audible: https://www.audible.com/.../From-Hair-to.../B096259RVR

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/.../from-hair-to.../id1569967358

Now that we have decided the type of website to create, we will now choose who will be building the site. Should I hire someone to do it or do I create it myself? Every Wednesday @12PM we will discuss important information about your web presence. 

DigiNosis:

Whatever decision you take, you’ll want to consider these 3 C’s:

· Cost

· Customization

· Complexity

Time, and ongoing maintenance is also a factor to consider. It is suggested to prioritize

your most important considerations, then weigh the options against your needs.

Let me quickly go through the different website options:

Site Builders

These are normally affordable options that allows you to choose prebuilt templates. You drag and drop these templates to fit onto spaces inside your backend. If you are creative professional with designing skills, this will be a breeze and again, it is easy on the pocket.

WordPress Platforms

If like the idea of building and updating your own website without learning HTML, but want more flexibility than a site builder, then WordPress is the way to go. You can choose from free or premium which mean paid WordPress themes (designs for the overall style of your website). There are numerous plugins that are dynamic and can boost your site’s functionality. Our web hosting business offers WordPress Managed platforms for any website idea. This is slightly different from the ordinary plans as managed WordPress plan handles bundle hosting, security and support into one plan to make it easier to set up and maintain a WordPress website.

Bespoke Website Designer

Hiring a professional designer could be a great option if you don’t want to build it yourself. Unless you’ve got a designer friend who might charge you a small sum, this is the most expensive route to get online. But it can be a great investment when you consider the time and effort it will require for you to build a custom website. In our next episode, we will discuss more on working with your designer to transform your ideas into your desired digital footprint. In the meantime, you can download my book, on Amazon. The link is in the podcast script. 

For easy reference to my podcast check out my book on Amazon "From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business Online" Chapter 1.

Reference:

Amazon Kindle & Audio Book: From Hair to Eternity- How to Get Your Business on the Web

Subscribe: https://tinyurl.com/SmartBizja

Domain name search transfer and registration : Ful Website Solution