Even by the usual standards, 2016 has been a busy, eventful year, for Alberta and for our team at Emphasize Design. While reflecting about all that has happened in the world of web design and online marketing, I find that it’s vital to always keep one eye on the future. And I’d like to help…
A steady supply of fresh, original content is critical to online marketing success, and a big part of your web design strategy for your Calgary business. Content is a huge part of SEO, as Google prioritizes websites that offer timely, relevant information connected to the user’s search query. It’s also one of the best ways…
No matter your industry, what you sell, or who you sell it to, your relationships with customers are critical to your success. Maintaining those relationships efficiently is just as important, which is one of the key reasons I recommend using a customer relationship management (CRM) platform. The right CRM will provide you with the tools…
Hamburger menus are a common sight in modern web design, and work as a great illustrator of the differences between mobile and desktop web design elements. Navigation is a huge part of successful web design, and tools like hamburger menus can be very useful (or not), depending on the situation. I’ll explain more about the…
Videoconferencing is a very convenient tool, and one we use frequently at Emphasize Design. It’s an easy way to connect with clients, talk strategy, and enjoy the benefits of a face-to-face meeting without the inconvenience of travel. If you’re new to videoconferencing, there’s great value in learning a bit about the etiquette and protocol involved…
Working in the marketing world allows me to connect every day with people who share my passion for growing small businesses, forging new relationships, and contributing to the local community. My goal is always to provide clients with the same level of care, quality, and consistency that I tap into when promoting my own business.…
The homepage of your website is your first big chance with your customer. It’s where people who know nothing about you will usually land on your site, so you need to make a positive impression…and fast. Getting attention is about a lot more than pretty colours and an eye-catching logo. Those things matter, of course,…
Online marketing is filled with enough acronyms, terms, and tools to make your head spin, but don’t worry. I’m here to help. As Emphasize’s first point of contact, it’s my job to explain exactly how what we do will make sure your customers best learn about your business. Your content and website design attract visitors…
Creating effective content requires an understanding of your audience’s expectations, which makes it one of the major pillars of online marketing. How to make your words matter is also a frequent topic of conversation with our clients. We always design our websites around the content it provides, and these few basic tips and tricks will…
Your favourite websites are finished products. The content, design features, and navigation on each page (should) fit together neatly, and your experience visiting a positive one. that doesn’t happen by accident. It’s easy to forget that every website starts out as a blank canvas, which is filled in step by step. As it turns out,…
Web design is a creative process, and no two websites are exactly the same. There are, however, quite a few website design features that will fit nearly every business website, whether you’re located in Calgary or Kathmandu. Key items like images, videos, menus, and even pop ups work for many types of websites, but the trick is…
Inbound marketing works best when your content and advertising are tailored to your target market, but how do you determine who wants to buy your stuff? It’s a more complicated question than it may seem at first glance, but don’t let that discourage you. The answers are out there, if you know where and how…
Content marketing is all the rage these days. No matter who you are and where you like to shop, you can likely find a blog or social page sharing content connected to your favourite business. In fact, you might even be enjoying it right this minute! I’m a big believer in the benefits that content…
We at Emphasize create websites we want people to be proud of, and setting it all up takes a lot of thought, time and effort. The very worst thing you can do after revealing your new website to the world is to “set it and forget it”, so to speak. When it’s done, it still…
Search engine results have long been major measure of traffic to websites, even going back to the days before the venerable Google existed. According to Hubspot, 44 percent of online shoppers begin their shopping using a search engine, and the United States alone accounts for 12 billion searches per month. If you’ve been waiting to add search engine optimization (SEO)…
Creating a memorable logo for your Calgary business is a very important task, but it should also be a fun one. It’s a chance to show off the personality of your business, tell your story, and most importantly make an impression on the people who see it. Your logo will feature prominently on your social…