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.…
DetailsThe perks of entrepreneurship are many, but so are the challenges. A good business idea is a starting point, but it takes time, energy, and investment to turn that idea into a successful, sustainable business. The good news is that you will find plenty of help available, from both the Alberta government and other small…
DetailsThere is so much advice on how to write a great social media post that it can be easy to get overwhelmed, especially if you’re just getting started. I’ve had the benefit of hands-on experience while running our ED social accounts for years, and working with our web design team. That experience has allowed me…
DetailsWebsite security is critical for any business that wants to protect the personal data of its customers, and make a positive impression online. Cybercrime is a real risk for every type of business, whether you sell products/services online or your website is more focused on content, social media, and informational resources for your customers. The…
DetailsCreating 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…
DetailsOne of the easiest mistakes to make in any industry is to assume that you, the expert, experience a product or service in the same way as the end user. Web design is certainly no exception. As a tech-savvy business owner from Calgary (or beyond!) with an interest in marketing, your online skills are quite…
DetailsWhen building a website, it’s a great idea to take inspiration from the most successful, user-friendly websites you can find, which is what I do often when helping clients put together their new sites. But it’s also smart to spend some time looking at what doesn’t work, and there are no shortage of examples. The…
DetailsCyber-crime is an unfortunate reality of our connected, tech-centric world, and phishing attacks are one of the most common methods for stealing personal information. A phishing attack often begins with an email, website, or social media message that seems to come from a reliable source, like a financial institution or retailer. Phishing attacks may target…
DetailsOne of the keys to success with online marketing is understanding analytics. If you know how to make sense of the data, analytics will reveal major insights about your marketing over time. Making sense of the numbers is a big part of my job at Emphasize Design. I am the one who makes sure you…
DetailsIt used to be that a few “black hat” website marketing techniques could pretty much guarantee a spot on the first page of a Google search. But these sorts of attempts to “cheat the system” have been made detrimental – and even damaging – through a series of algorithm updates. Over the past five years…
DetailsGoogle’s Penguin algorithm has been a big story in the SEO world since it was first unleashed in 2012, and the latest update contains good news for websites that have been punished by Penguin in the past. The primary goal of Penguin is to root out and punish sites that use spammy link-building practices, either…
DetailsOne of the things I enjoy most about website design is that nearly every aspect of a website can be tested and quantified. If you want to know why something is working – or why it’s not – the answers are always lurking in the data. Usability testing is one of the best tools we…
DetailsEven 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…
DetailsA 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…
DetailsNo 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…
DetailsHamburger 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…
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