Improving Website Design with the Imagify Plugin

imagify plugin for seo

You already know how important it is to have good images on your website. But the images you use must pass several optimization requirements and not just be pretty. Imagify exists to help you do just that.

Imagify is one of the popular website design trends in 2022. Imagify can make your images more responsive for faster loading time, boost them for better rankings, and give them a touch of quality with its various tools.

What Is Imagify for Website Design and SEO?

Imagify is a WordPress plugin that helps you to speed up your website by optimizing images. It uses modern hardware and software to provide fast image processing, and it can also compress your images on the fly and reduce their file size. Now I’ll show you how Imagify can benefit your website design.

How Imagify Benefits Your Website Design

If you’re doubtful of Imagify’s capabilities, then here are some ways in which Imagify can help improve your website design that will change your mind.

Optimize Images To Improve Site Speed and Web Vitals

The Imagify plugin allows you to optimize your images so that they load faster and have less impact on the core web vitals of your site.

How does it do this? By eliminating unnecessary data from the file (such as comments or metadata), optimizing file size through a lossless compression algorithm, and converting them to a smaller file format (such as JPG or PNG).

Imagify gives you complete control over how each image is optimized so that you only change what you need to change without affecting anything else on the page.

It can be beneficial if you want to convert all of your images but still want some of them to be in their original format (maybe because they’re larger than their smaller counterparts).

The plugin also supports batch optimization, so optimizing multiple images isn’t a hassle.

Compress & Resize Image While Retaining Its Quality

Resizing an image is crucial for website speed optimization as it helps reduce page load time. The Imagify plugin automatically resizes an image to the specified dimensions without losing quality.

The Imagify plugin compresses your images without losing any quality or detail. That way, visitors will not notice the difference between compressed and uncompressed images when they visit your website.

However, if you want to adjust the file size or dimensions, you can manually enter them in the settings panel.

WebP Images

 

Imagify lets you convert images on your website into WebP format. You may have wondered: “Why would I need to convert my images into a new format?” Well, the answer is simple. Google has stated that it will begin penalizing websites that aren’t optimized for mobile devices.

WebP is an image format that allows faster loading times and smaller file sizes than other formats like PNG and JPEG. By using WebP instead of PNG or JPEG when possible, you can improve your site’s loading speed and layout and make it more mobile-friendly.

Use Imagify For Free

You can use the Imagify plugin for free and get access to its significant features. For example, with free Imagify, you can optimize up to 20Mb(i.e., 200 images) of images per month for free. And with their WebP conversion tool, you can convert even more images for free.

If you want access to all of Imagify’s features and to optimize an unlimited number of images, you can check out Imagify’s pricing options and select a plan that best suits your needs.

Final Notes

Whether you are a web designer who wants to create a website for yourself or an entrepreneur looking for a landing page that will attract customers, the Imagify widget can be your best friend. Contact Get Global Marketing in Bend, Oregon for more information on website design and SEO.

Website Design Trends for 2022

website design trends 2022

With the world of web design continuously changing, it’s hard to keep up with what works and what doesn’t. If you’re wondering where the newest website design trends will lead us in 2022, this article has some ideas for you.

Considering how essential the internet is in everyone’s daily lives, it’s important that your website stands out from the rest. With features such as custom layouts and mobile-friendly designs becoming more and more popular, it’s clear that owners need to figure out which website design trends will be hot in 2022.

This article provides a handy guide on what you can expect in terms of web design trends in 2022.

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

It’s no secret that the world of digital content is growing exponentially. In fact, the online market is predicted to reach $1 trillion by 2022. What’s more, the average web page has twice as much content compared to just five years ago.

With so much information in the digital world, it can be hard for people to navigate and find what they’re looking for. One way to ensure your website stands out from the rest is with a custom layout design.

Custom layouts allow you to create a unique website layout on your site without sacrificing its functionality or usability. What’s more, you can create a list of features that are most important to your audience and place them at the top of your site in bold numbers or in green text to make sure they stand out.

Additionally, websites need to be mobile-friendly if they want their content to make an impact on potential customers while they’re on the go. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re limiting how many people can visit your site and potentially cutting out thousands of potential leads due to poor search engine optimization (SEO).

What Are Some Website Design Trends Heading Into 2022?

With 2022 fast approaching, you can bank on their being new innovations across the internet. With each passing year, websites become increasingly complex, offering experiences that weren’t even possible just a few years prior.

A Cinematic Experience

Cinematic websites are all the rage right now, as they serve to immerse the user in the page’s content. These websites effectively present a video that takes up the entire screen, thereby grabbing the attention of the viewer and holding onto it.

With it becoming increasingly difficult to hold the average consumer’s attention, cinematic websites are an excellent solution. As a result, you stand to increase leads and sales.

Realistic Chatbots

Until recently, chatbots weren’t very personable. In fact, many users would avoid them at all costs, as they just weren’t approachable. But businesses now use advanced AI chatbots that emulate real human beings.

They can answer questions, make suggestions, and so much more. In fact, many people mistake them for being actual sales representatives. With chatbots, you can cut costs by not having to hire a dedicated customer service representative.

Chatbots can even drive leads to sales, thereby helping your business’s bottom line. And at the end of the day, that’s what website trends are all about.

Customization Is the Key to Success

The web design trends that will be popular in 2022 are all about customization. With websites becoming more personalized and more interactive, it’s clear that people are looking for something more than just a website with information on it.

Customers want to feel like they’re getting something unique from their website, and that’s what customization provides. It’s a chance for your website to better suit the needs of your customers. It also gives your website a sense of personality so that it can stand out from the crowd.

Mobile-Friendly Designs

As we mentioned earlier, custom layouts are becoming more and more popular. This means that website owners need to start considering whether or not their websites will be mobile-friendly.
People are spending less time on their computers and instead opting for their mobile devices to browse the internet. If your website is not mobile-friendly, you risk losing many potential customers.

Dark Mode

More consumers are getting wise to the potentially harmful effects of looking at a bright screen all day. That’s why you see major companies like Google and YouTube offering dark mode options. This feature eliminates the traditional white backgrounds in favor of an eye-pleasing black.

Indeed, black backgrounds and themes are easier on the eyes. But this has a two-fold effect. It’s true that dark mode is better for the eyes. But because consumers are more likely to spend time on a website that’s comfortable to view, you’re more likely to generate sales.

Adding a dark mode feature is an investment that’s well worth it. You’re giving your visitors another reason to stick around, and that’s always good for business.

A Minimalist Approach

When the internet was still in its infancy, it was commonplace to use graphics and icons that featured lots of details and colors. But fast-forward twenty-some years later, and preferences have changed. Today, the modern internet user prefers flat designs and colors.

It makes it easier to tell things apart on a website, and it provides a more welcoming experience. If your website looks like an early Geocities page with colors and patterns everywhere, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Switching to a minimalist design will help boost your visitor experience and catch you up to modern times. You’ll be ready for 2022 and beyond.

Larger Buttons

Even on smartphones with big screens, website buttons aren’t exactly friendly to your thumbs. This becomes even more of a problem if you have big hands. An easy workaround for this is to give your customers larger buttons.

Most people aren’t going to spend much time on a website that doesn’t respond to their inputs. And smaller buttons tend to result in this problem. But with larger buttons, it becomes a non-issue. Users with hands of all sizes can comfortably and confidently tap away when you give them bigger buttons.

With digital marketing only becoming more competitive every year, it is important to stay up-to-date with website trends. If you have not updated your website recently, it is probably time. Contact Get Global Marketing in Bend, Portland, and Redmond, Oregon to improve your website design for 2022.

Benefits of Divi Builder for Website Design

divi builder

One of the most common requests I receive for website design is a website that the client can edit themselves. Clients have even asked me to re-build their entire website from a previous company using page builder software just so they could have a site where they can edit. In the long-run, the ability to edit content yourself can save hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars.

In recent years, a plethora of tools have come around that help immensely to build a WordPress website. WordPress is a content management system (CMS) where you can host your website. Divi Builder is a theme builder meant to be used with WordPress. Using Divi Builder, I have been able to fulfill the needs of my clients who want to edit their websites themselves.

What is Divi Builder?

Divi Builder is a tool built and distributed by Elegant Themes. It is more specifically a plugin that works with any WordPress theme. It’s based on the Divi theme, also released by Elegant Themes. Its primary use is for modifying your WordPress website’s theme and design without having to change the theme itself. It’s incredibly useful, and allows for a lot of customization.

The Major Benefits of Divi Builder

Divi Builder is a popular tool for good reason. There are a number of benefits to using the plugin, and many of them are reason enough to download the plugin on their own. Thankfully, Divi Builder comes with all of them.

A Drag and Drop Page Builder

If you’re using WordPress, chances are you found a theme that you’re happy with. However, not all features of the theme’s design will always suit your needs. That’s just the nature of building websites. Thankfully, Divi Builder is around to help you change the designs without the need to code.

Install Divi Builder and get to work! It allows you to change your theme’s design without sacrificing any of its functionality. If something is coded into your existing theme files, you can change the design surrounding it with Divi Builder without the fear of losing all of the hard work you already put in.

Divi Builder lets you insert, remove, and edit content blocks on your website using a drag and drop approach. The possibilities are limitless, and allow for fluid changes on the go. The Divi Builder plugin uses Divi Builder Modules, which are content blocks.

No Coding Required

A large hurdle in building websites for new designers or hobbyists is the need to understand coding. Divi Builder helps to eliminate that. In addition to having content blocks ready to go, the coding behind altering them is built in as setting. If Divi Builder is missing an element that your website absolutely has to have, then you can add it on your own.

Divi Builder comes with a Code Module. This module allows you to add third party plugins and custom content for anything that isn’t covered by Divi Builder itself. It even allows users to add in custom CSS if they’d like.

Access to the Divi Library

If you’re building several websites at any given time, chances are something that works for one will work for another. Divi Builder has this in mind, and makes transferring design elements from one website to another with the Divi Library. Elements can be saved to the library and then duplicated across a website with a single button. It also lets you create global items. When a global item is changed in one place on your website, the changes for it take place site wide! This makes managing your time easy.

Undo or Redo at Will

Making changes to a website can be a timely endeavor. You have to make the changes, update the site, and hope that they reflect that you’re looking for. With Divi Builder, making changes has been made easier. When you make a change using Divi Builder it can simply be undone with a single button. Then, if you need to, you can redo the change as well! There’s a history function in Divi Builder not found elsewhere, which makes editing a website feel like editing a document.

Updates and Communication

Elegant Themes does an excellent job at updating and communicating with their community of users. They proactively release updates when changes are needed, and if the change is big you can be sure that you’ll hear from them. When it comes to staying ahead of the game online, that can make a big difference.

In addition to having excellent communication skills as a company, Elegant Themes also does an excellent job fostering a supportive community for Divi Builder. Any help needed with Divi Builder is available 24/7 through forums and chat. Additionally, there are many community members who build plugins for the program that take the product to the next level.

Divi Builder is Affordable

Divi Builder is very affordable, as it’s free for any Elegant Themes Developer subscribers! For no cost you receive one of the most powerful WordPress design tools available. It’s always being updated to make your life easier. It really doesn’t get much better than that.
Are There Any Disadvantages?

Just like any other program, Divi Builder does have some disadvantages to it.

  • Options Overload: Divi Builder may have too many options. While that might not seem like such a bad thing, it can become overwhelming. Much like doom scrolling on Netflix, you may find yourself endlessly looking at the options rather than choosing one.
  • Shortcodes: Divi relies heavily on Shortcodes, which some see as a major disadvantage for Divi Builder. If you ever stop using it, it tends to make transferring any content difficult. When you choose Divi, you should be prepared to use it for quite some time.
  • Slow: Divi Builder can be slow. I always make sure that the client has a good host if I am using Divi Builder. I offer my own VPS hosting through InMotion Hosting to provide fast and reliable hosting if the client does not have hosting already.

Breaking it Down

Overall, Divi Builder is likely the best option for anyone building websites using WordPress who wants to edit the site themselves. Ask your website designer about Divi Builder when you are moving forward with development. We are website designers in Bend, Portland, and Redmond, Oregon. Contact Get Global Marketing today.

Tips to Increase Your Website’s Speed

As a website designer, you want your professional sites to run as fast as possible. When pages are slow, people tend to click out of them right away- ruining the amount of traffic you get! Plus, Google will lower your SEO ranking. Instead of that happening, you want to optimize your site.

If you want some tips on how to increase your website’s speed, make sure to continue reading. Everything you need to know is in this article. Let’s begin!

Guide to Increase Your Website’s Speed

Check Your Website’s Page Speed

First of all, you’ll need to check your page’s speed. Always do this before making any permanent changes to the site. Google PageSpeed Insights is free and easy to use. Plus, the tool allows you to check the speeds for both mobile and PC sites.

Once you have your score for a basepoint, it’s easier to know if you’re making the right changes. After trying any of the below tips, make sure to run another test. That way, you know you’re taking your site’s speed in the right direction.

Screenshot your site’s speed score and move on to these tips!

Reduce HTTP Requests

Did you know that most of the loading time is spent downloading graphics and scripts for the page? These downloads are also known as HTTP requests. The more images, scripts, and sheets the page needs to load, the more requests are made.

You can reduce the amount of requests made to lower the loading time greatly. If you’re not sure how many requests your site is making, you can use the Google Chrome Developer Tool- it will clearly show you how many HTTP requests are coming from your websites.

To reduce the requests, combine your visual files. This process is very simple- if you’re running more than one CSS or JavaScript file, combine them into a single file. It’s even easier if you’re using a template site such as WordPress- the platform gives you options to combine your files through various plugins.

If your site is very busy looking, you can also make some graphic design changes to the layout. Simple pages keep visitors’ attention better, leading to more conversions.

Optimize Your Visuals

Your photos and videos are usually the biggest contenders for slowing down your site. Once you’ve combined the HTTP requests, you’ll want to reduce the file sizes of your media assets. You can do this by ensuring that all of your images are sized correctly. Extremely large images slow down a site drastically.

Additionally, make sure your site is using JPG image files. JPGs are compressed images, so they look nice, while not taking up a lot of file space. Other file types are typically too large and cause your website to slow down. However, you can consider using a PNG if you need transparency in the image.

Next, make sure to compress your video and photo files before uploading them to the website. You can do this through many website development programs. Compress the files to reduce their size by using the “save for web” option in Photoshop. Other programs should have similar menu options.

Use a Page Speed Up Plugin

You’ll want to cache your website. Caching is the process of storing the site’s files, which makes it load much faster for your visitors. It lowers loading times and helps the site run much more smoothly. There are a few ways to do this, but many website designers choose to use plugins.

There are plenty of plugins out there that can help your website run faster. If you’re using WordPress, you can test out the WP Rocket plugin. Plugins like these help with website optimization by assisting with page caching.

However, it’s always important that you test a plugin on your website before making it go live. Some plugins might cause your images to break and not appear at all on your website.

Use Browser Caching

Browser caching allows you to improve the speed of your website by storing information, so the page doesn’t have to reload every time a visitor stops by. It works in much the same way as the WP Rocket plugin.

With browser caching, your page is cached and preloaded- greatly enhancing the speeds of your site. Overall, it’s great for enhancing the speed of your website.

Use Better Web Hosting

Did you know that your web hosting package can also affect your loading times? If your site is generating a lot of traffic, you’ll want to invest in high-quality web hosting. A better host should be able to handle all of the traffic better.

While it’s cheaper to use shared hosting, the speed of your website will suffer greatly. It’s better to pay for the better service- you’ll be more likely to make back your money this way.

Remove Plugins that You Don’t Use

The plugins that lurk on your site without being used actually slow down your site too. If they’re outdated, they can even be a security threat, since hackers can use them to gain access to your code. Plus, they also aren’t going to be compatible with your current website.

You’ll want to disable any of the plugins you don’t have a use for. Sometimes, it can be too easy to get carried away with adding plugins to a site. Don’t worry, most website developers are guilty of this at some point!

Every few months, sit down and take a look at your plugins. Are there some you don’t use or don’t even remember adding? You can deactivate them! You may want to delete them too, if you’re sure you won’t have a use for them in the future.

Final Thoughts

When a new visitor comes to your website, you want to make sure that they have a positive user experience. That means, you need to present them with an easy to navigate website that has fast loading times. The faster you make your site, the better!

Luckily, you won’t need to start over. If you use the above tips, you can build a quick webpage from what you already have available.

How-to Zoom-In Images on Divi Builder Without a Plugin

How-to Zoom-In on Divi Builder without a Plugin

Divi theme is easy to use but offers few customizations without purchasing additional plugins or coding. Image zoom-in is not available with the basic Divi builder. You can find the code for zoom-in and instructions on customization in this video.

Code from the video:

CSS:

.et-zoom-in.et_pb_image:hover img,
.et-zoom-in .et_pb_image_wrap:hover img,
.et-zoom-in a:hover img {
transform: scale(1.1);
transition: all 1.5s 0s ease;
cursor: pointer;
}

.et-zoom-in,
.et-zoom-in a {
overflow: hidden;
}

.et-zoom-in.et_pb_image img,
.et-zoom-in .et_pb_image_wrap img,
.et-zoom-in a img {
transition: all 1s 0s ease;
}

CSS Class:

et-zoom-in

Do I Need an Ecommerce Website for My Boutique?

website design for boutique

For years, you have relied on your boutique’s brick-and-mortar storefront to sell your products. The boutique has all your items perfectly placed. You even have a scented candle, welcoming customers as they walk through your door. You designed your store perfectly for a relaxing shopping experience. However, lately customers are asking about other purchasing options.

“We are only in town for the weekend. Can we purchase from your store online?”
“My schedule is super busy and I try to support local but hardly have time to get out. Do you have a website I can order from?”
“I’m nervous about shopping in stores with COVID-19 but I love your products! Where can I buy them online?”

You apologize and tell them “my products are only available in store”. You never receive a sale from them again. You quickly realize how much revenue you are missing without selling your products online.
As the owner of a website design and marketing company, I know that change is essential in every industry. If you refuse to change, you’ll fall behind as your competitors jump ahead. Now, more than any time in history, building an e-commerce website for local boutiques is essential to the survival of the store. Learn why you need an ecommerce website for your boutique.

 

The Ecommerce Website Trend

COVID-19 is Keeping Customers Out of Stores

COVID-19 has forced all of us to make unforeseen changes to our lifestyles. We are forced to live more causcious and secluded lives. Some of those changes will quickly go back when we have a vaccine. People will travel, visit family, go to concerts again. Others changes, such as a new reliance on technology are here to stay. You need an e-commerce website for this adjustment toward online shopping. The positive impact of COVID-19 is on e-commerce. However, it is estimated 100,000 brick-and-mortar stores will close by 2025 due to the change in spending patterns. Build an e-commerce website so you do not become part of the statistic.

Additionally, if you own a boutique, you should have a website where you can sell your products online so you will always have a gateway to revenue during COVID-19. If the government forces businesses to close their doors again, you’ll have a gateway for sales.

Customers Want to Support Local, But They Also Love the Ease of Amazon

Amazon has changed retail forever. Online shoppers can buy food, technology, books, even a tiny home, all with the click of a button. Additionally, with a Prime membership, shoppers will receive their items within two days of purchase.

If you own a boutique, this is a high standard to meet. Customers want to support local. Most people know that supporting the local economy is essential to building a thriving city. However, shoppers are also gotten accustomed to quick and convenient. An online store provides the convenience of shopping online and the desire of supporting local.

Take Your Business Internationally

Have you ever dreamed of opening a boutique in Paris? With an e-commerce website, you can!

An online store will allow you to be open for business worldwide. You will eliminate the expensive start-up costs and risks of opening a brick-and-mortar storefront. The average cost of opening a boutique is $100,000. This includes product, storefront, registers, insurance, payroll, worker’s compensation, licensing, etc. Hiring a website designer to build an e-commerce website ranges from $5,000 to millions according to the amount of products. Speak with an ecommerce website designer to get an estimate.

Using e-commerce, you can sell your products across the world for a fraction of the cost of a brick-and-mortar store. An e-commerce website will expand your customer base from thousands to trillions.

E-commerce has revolutionized retail. The sales of e-commerce are expected to increase from 1.5 trillion in 2014 to 4.5 trillion in 2021. One of the biggest movements impacting retail sales is COVID-19. With an e-commerce website, you have the opportunity to increase revenue, even when they cannot walk through your door.

The spike in online sales has been a challenge for thousands of retailers. Before you have to close your doors, speak with a website designer about an e-commerce website. Providing an online purchasing option is essential to meet consumer demands.

How-To Post a Blog on Gutenberg

Confused on how to post a blog article? You are not alone!

I am frequently asked by clients for training on how to post blogs to their website. Unless websites have the Classic Editor plugin added to their website, the post are probably utilizing the Gutenberg page builder. This blog article is an overview of how to add blog posts with the Gutenberg page builder whether it’s completely new to you or you just need a refresher course. 

  1. On the left side of dashboard says “Post”- “Add New”. Select “Add New”
how to post a blog

2. Insert Title at the Top where it says “Add Title”

how to post a blog
3. Push the + symbol under title to add the desired block. The block will be content, a video, or an image most likely for you. Paragraph is inserted by default.
posting a blog

4. After you are done entering written content, press enter. This gives you an option for another block.

5. If you are entering a YouTube video, find the video under YouTube, press share and use the URL under the share link. 

There are many other content blocks you can add with Gutenberg but paragraph and video are the most used. 

6. You should always have a Featured Image for your blog! The Featured Image is what shows on the blog feed. You can find the Featured Image on the right side of the post. You will see “Document” at the top, under the Preview and Publish buttons. Press “Document”. Scroll down and you will see an option for “Featured Image”. The Featured Image will be at the top of your post.

7. Set categories and tags for your posts. You will also find this under “Document”. Make sure to uncheck “Uncategorized” under “Categories”.

8. You can customize what the post will look like on social media and Google. Scroll down to the SEO Yoast settings. Here you can change the title and description. The photo will be the featured image.

seo yoast

9. Post the blog by pushing the Publish button at the top.

New Business Website Design

New Business Website Design

I have a soft spot for new businesses. Whether you have been a business owner for twenty years, five years, or six months, we have all been the newbie business owner.

We all experience the struggle.

It is the worry, doubt, regret, however underlying passion where we know that we cannot do anything else except be our own boss doing exactly what we love.

As a digital marketer, I know that building an online presence is essential for any type of business – realtors, tourist companies, and CPAs alike. The difference between having a stellar digital marketing platform can easily double your revenue.

Needless to say, new businesses are cash poor. I have seen numerous attempt DIY Wix or Squarespace websites which end up as disasters. You need a professional WordPress website design at stage one of your business.

To give the newbie business owners a chance to get ahead, I have developed a plan exclusively for new businesses without websites.

My goal is to build an affordable search engine optimized website with the essential information that you need to introduce your business to the public.

See our new business website design package options below:

Standard

For the new business owner who needs to display basic services.

$2,000/one time
5 Pages
WordPress Platform
Custom Colors
Custom Fonts
Buttons
Photo Gallery Option
Social Media Links
Video Integration
Search Engine Optimization - ALT tags, Meta Data, H1 and H2 tags
Google Map
Responsive Design
Optimized Google Business Page
Optimized Facebook Page
Optimized Instagram Page
20 Online Directory Listings
Email Template for Google Reviews
Chatbox
Newsletter Subscription

Premier

For the new business owner who wants to take an aggressive approach to marketing.

$5,000/one time
9-12 Pages
WordPress Platform
Custom Colors
Custom Fonts
Buttons
Photo Gallery
Social Media Links
Video Integration
Search Engine Optimization - ALT tags, Meta Data, H1 and H2 tags
Google Map
Responsive Design
Optimized Google Business Page
Optimized Facebook Page
Optimized Instagram Page
20 Online Directory Listings
Email Template for Google Reviews
Chatbox
Newsletter Subscription

The Number One Question I am Asked for Website Design

website designer

During the onboarding process of a new website, every client has concerns. However, when we are discussing website design options, I almost always receive the same question:

Will I be able to make edits to the website?

The answer is yes!

In 2016, Ben Pines created a WordPress plugin called Elementor. This design program has put a new competitive edge with Wix and Squarespace. The reason that more people are attracted to Wix and Squarespace is the page builder features. Elementor provides similar functionalities with the SEO benefits of a WordPress platform and advanced customization that other platforms do not provide.

I am using Elementor to build business websites for customers who want to adjust text or photos after the website is launched. However, you should always use a designer for new pages and reformatting.

Please email me with other questions!