When I embark on a content development project for a new website, first I ask a lot of questions about the type of business, what they do for their clients, the type of tone they would like to use to portray themselves, what their brand identity is, and what sort of materials they may have…
We’ve all gone “down the online rabbit hole” more than a few times. While scanning articles online, trying to get some mundane task or another done, we’ll think, “Hey, maybe I’ll just check Twitter real quick.” Or, “Let’s see what’s in the news.” “How is ***insert sports team name here*** doing in the standings, anyway?”…
I have used the Nielson Norman Group’s (NNG) publications for many years to help guide me in online content creation and web design. As user experience experts since the ‘90s, the folks that pretty much invented the well-known methods we use today for measuring effective websites, their opinion weighs a lot. NNG has long touted…
Getting started with a new website feels like a big job, even for us! At Emphasize Design, each member of our team focuses on a different aspect of website design and marketing. We keep the process efficient by taking it step by step, and making sure all of the necessary building blocks are in place.…
Creating interesting, original content is one of the most important steps you can take to make your brand shine online, and it’s something that anyone can learn to do with a bit of practice. Okay, maybe a lot of practice, but I promise it’s worth the effort. The content that fills your website is your…
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…
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,…
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…
I always use a few tried-and-true tips for presenting words well on the page with the reader top of mind. Sometimes it’s a fun, breezy blog post designed to get readers talking (and sharing!) about your Calgary business, or smart, no-frills instructions on how to use a product or feature. Regardless, organization might not be…
In the year 2016, your business obviously needs a website to reach its maximum potential. But does your website need a blog? To answer your question, let’s be obvious again. Right now, you’re reading our blog at Emphasize Design. Maybe you found us by search, or maybe you’ve visited before, but either way you’re here and you’re…
Social media is open to anyone with access to a browsing device and an Internet connection, which is great news… most of the time. Without such an interesting and vibrant cast of characters, social media wouldn’t provide the same kind of value and entertainment, but the downside is that, on occasion, you’re likely to run…
For a long time, marketing-related content has primarily been written from the third-person perspective, usually with a dash of second-person mixed in. That’s been changing lately, and I couldn’t be happier. The first-person perspective is more personal, and I feel as though I’m speaking one-on-one with a reader rather than addressing a group. It adds…
Writing is one of those tasks that looks much easier from a distance. There are blogs everywhere, so that means there are bloggers everywhere, too. Nearly every business has a website, and most of those sites are packed with content. How hard could content development be, when everyone is doing it? The answer to that…
Your digital content should be one of your most powerful marketing tools, but it only works if you know the basics of writing for an online audience. The first thing to realize is that Web readers aren’t looking for a literary masterpiece when they visit your site. In general, they’re looking for information first and…
The process of an effective website design shares many similarities with the process of building a physical structure. Building a home, for example, starts with a foundation, which supports the load-bearing walls. Beams and load-bearing walls on the first floor support the second floor, which supports the roof, and openings for doors allow the home’s…