The 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…
There 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…
One 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…
It 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…
Google’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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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)…
Online marketing works best as an integrated system, where each component helps the rest to function at peak efficiency. As with any type of complex system, however, it can be difficult to see those connections when you’re still getting familiar with the concepts involved. That’s perfectly normal, and I’ve got just the thing to help.…
One of the things I do at Emphasize is to keep track of the latest trends in search engine optimization (SEO) and what any changes mean for our clients. Along with great content, streamlined sites and an excellent user experience, something that has become more and more important over the last couple years is what…
There are lots of ways to choose to market your business online, but your website is the most integral part of your success. It’s the place where all of your online marketing tactics converge in one place, from your social media involvement to search engine optimization efforts. It’s also the first place most customers turn when…
What makes a good sales pitch? It’s a more complicated question than it seems, because there’s no one way to do it right. The pitch that works for you might fall flat in the hands of someone else. There are, however, quite a few ways to get it wrong. That’s the downside. The upside is…