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Monday, June 14, 2021

How to Build a Website: 2 Methods, 9 Easy Steps, & 35 Amazing Tips

Studies show that 76% of consumers research a business online before visiting in person. That means having a website is as necessary for companies today as having a phone number.

Maybe you’re starting a new business venture or developing your personal brand. Or, maybe you’re looking to update your company’s outdated website. Whatever the case, creating a new website can feel overwhelming, particularly without technical expertise or a budget for web developers.

We’ve put together a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to creating a website. Best of all, you won’t need a coder, web designer, or big budget to create one — you’ll just need to follow the steps below.

In general, you’ll carry out these steps before launching your site. But before you get started, you’ll need to choose a platform.

We’ll walk you through the two options you have: a website builder or a content management system (CMS).

Start Building Your Website By Choosing a Platform

The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want to create a website using a website builder or a CMS.

Let’s take a look at the definitions of each below.

Website Builder	Content Management System (CMS)
A website builder is a solution that offers domain names, SSL certificates, and templates in one package, typically at a monthly or yearly subscription fee.	A content management system is a platform where you place your website’s content and media files. Domain names, SSL certificates, and hosting is typically purchased separately.

Both website builders and CMS platforms provide the out-of-the-box features, pre-designed templates, and extensions required to create a custom site without coding, but they offer different experiences for creating and managing a website. Below, we cover some of the differences you should consider before making a choice.

Website Builders vs. Content Management Systems

Website Builders	CMS Platforms
Domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificate included In-house templates and themes included (typically less variety) Monthly subscription with free trials available Limited customization Less powerful in functionalities and features Great option for beginners	Domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificate must be purchased separately In-house and third-party templates and themes available (typically more variety) Free CMS platforms available Highly customizable down to the website code More powerful in functionalities and features Great option for sites with growth potential

Website builders provide everything you need to launch a site. You get website building tools, hosting, domain registration, SSL certification, templates, and support in one place, often for a low monthly rate.

This ease of use and pricing appeals to many site owners; however, free website builders, as well as the more expensive alternatives, tend to be limited in flexibility. For example, you can’t add your own custom code, or drag and drop elements anywhere on your posts and pages.

If you want more control over the functionality and appearance of your site, use a CMS. A CMS will provide the content management features, advanced functionality, and customization options required to build larger, more complex sites.

If you decide that a CMS is the best option for your business, consider the software, ease of use, customizability, security, and pricing of different platforms to narrow down your selection.

Let's look at some examples of both website builders and CMS platforms you could potentially use.

Website builder examples	cms systems examples
Wix WordPress.com Squarespace Weebly Site123 GoDaddy Webflow	CMS Hub WordPress.org Adobe Experience Manager Magento Joomla Drupal Sitecore

Here are some resources comparing some CMS systems with popular website builders:

Below, we’ll walk you through the steps to build a website using both a website builder and a CMS.

How to Build a Website with a Website Builder

Have you decided that you’d like to use a website builder? Excellent! This is the easiest way to start for most beginners.

You won’t need to know how to code, and everything you need is typically included in one convenient package — so if you don’t want to go through the hassle of finding a hosting service, domain name, and SSL certificate, this is the option for you. Let’s go through the process of creating your site using a website builder.

1. Choose a website builder.

First up, choose a website builder that fits your needs and budget. You’ll need to consider the following:

Cost: Your budget will be by far the most important factor when choosing a website builder. Most require a paid subscription to include premium features such as domain names and increased storage.
Features: Website builders typically offer different features depending on their target market. Shopify, for example, is specifically designed for ecommerce websites, while WordPress.com is primarily known for blogging.
Extensions: Check out the extensions and add-ons library for each website builder you’re considering. If they don’t offer something you need for your site, skip that builder.
Themes and Templates: Some website builders provide more themes and templates, while others provide less variety but more well-designed choices. Check out the template library so you can see what your site could potentially look like once it’s finished.
Ease-of-use: All website builders are designed to be easy to use: simply sign up on the platform and start building. But some are more intuitive than others. Play around with different builders to find out which one you prefer.
Support: Is the website builder’s support team known for its responsiveness? Do some research beforehand to ensure the premium subscription will also get you premium support.

No matter what, you’ll want to start with a free trial — that way, you can give the platform a test run before committing. While most website builders come with a free subscription tier, it doesn’t offer a free domain name or the features you need to build a strong website. Our recommendation is to opt for a paid subscription once you’ve decided on a platform.

Below, we break down some of the most popular website builders you could choose.

Website Builder	Plans	Good Fit For:
WordPress.com	$4 to $8/month	Blogs
Wix	$14 to $39/month	General Websites
Weebly	$6 to $26/month	General Websites
Shopify	$29 to $299/month	Ecommerce Stores
Squarespace	$12 to $40/month	Creative Websites

Here are a few more resources to help you choose a website builder:

And here are some posts listing alternatives:

2. Sign up for a subscription plan that meets your budgets and needs.

As we mentioned above, you won’t want to go for a free plan because those typically don’t include enough features to launch a professional website. You’ll want to upgrade, but you’ll need to take a close look at the features included in each tier to choose the right subscription for you.

Consider the following questions before choosing a subscription plan:

How much storage will you need?
Do you want ads to be removed from your site?
Will you be setting up an online store?
Will you want a professional email with your domain name?
Will you want to customize the site using CSS and HTML?
How much support do you expect you’ll need?

Here’s an example of a feature comparison chart from Weebly’s pricing page:

Weebly page builder plan comparison Most website builders have a pricing page that lays out the differences between plans in an easy-to-scan list. The best part is that you can start with the simplest subscription, then upgrade as you require more features and functionalities.

3. Choose a short and catchy domain name.

Some website builders offer a free subdomain for your site, but you'll want to upgrade to a paid subscription to get a custom domain.

A custom domain name is one of the easiest ways to appear more professional and legitimate as a company. Imagine you were looking for a freelance writer. Are you more likely to hire me if my website address is carolineforsey.weebly.com or carolineforsey.com? An extension like "weebly.com" can confuse visitors and dilute your brand identity. Worst case scenario: a visitor might assume you can’t afford a premium hosting service or custom domain, and draw conclusions that your business is not fully established.

The good news is that after you upgrade, your premium website builder subscription will include a domain name for free, at least for the first year. You’ll be able to choose it as you’re setting up the site, or do it later.

When choosing a domain name, pick something short and descriptive. The .com top-level domain will work for most websites, but if you’re planning on launching an organization, you can also consider the .org domain.

Domain names are a surprisingly complicated art — you must choose something memorable that doesn’t yet exist. As you make your choice, avoid the following:

Including dashes
Using numbers
Using a trademarked name

Before signing up on your website builder platform, consider looking up available domain names using a service such as GoDaddy. That way, you can make sure the domain you want is available before you pay for a subscription on the website builder platform.

Here are some more resources for picking the perfect domain name.

4. Pick a premade website template.

During your setup process, the website builder will take you to a template library, where you can choose a premade layout to set up your site.

Squarespace lists its templates publicly so you can get a taste of the websites you can set up using its services.

Squarespace website builder template library

Image Source

Most website builders will create a different template depending on the type of business or brand you run. For instance, you can choose a template that’s specifically made for:

Freelancers
Bloggers
Local Businesses
Creatives
Resume Websites

Every template should have essential features such as a built-in responsive setting and drag-and-drop page editor. Your website builder should also allow you to import demo data, so that you only have to replace the images and text and not tinker with anything else during the setup process.

5. Customize the template.

You don’t want your site to look like anyone else’s, so you’ll need to customize the template to your liking.

On most platforms, you'll be able to change the color palette, replace the images, insert social media icons, add personalized forms and menus, and change the size, colors, and fonts of buttons.

Have fun, and don’t forget to use your brand colors. This will be the best part of building your website: making it look like you want it to.

6. Add pages to the site.

Next, it’s time to add pages to your site. You’ll need to create, at a minimum:

A home page
An about page
A contact us page
A services page, if you’re offering any
A product page, if you’re selling any
A blog page

You’ll also want to create specific service pages. For instance, if you’re selling “Digital Marketing Services,” you’ll want to create pages titled “Social Media Marketing Packages” and “Search Engine Marketing Services” under the digital marketing services umbrella.

Our top suggestion would be to put the topic of your page — or your target keyword — in the title of these new pages. Instead of having a page titled “Services,” you would title it “Digital Marketing Services.” You’ll want to do the same thing for your home page. You don’t want it to be titled “Home.” Instead, title it “Freelance Digital Marketing Specialist - Your Name.”

Your title shows up in the search results, so it plays an important role in telling visitors what you do.

Website page title example in search results

Here are more resources on creating great page titles:

7. Write optimized content.

This is arguably the most important step. Now that you have your pages set up, what will you put on them?

It’s time to write optimized content to put on all of the pages you’ve created. Get content ideas from your competitors, and don’t forget to aim for at least 800 words per page. Remember, however, that you can always come back later to write more content. So if you have to write short pages at first, it’s totally fine. Set a date for when you’ll return and add more copy.

Write your content in an editor such as Google Docs and use a grammar checker such as Grammarly to ensure your copy is error-free. When you upload images, be sure to compress them beforehand with a tool such as Toolur or TinyJPG.

These steps will ensure your content helps you rank on Google and other search engines. Check out the following articles on how to write optimized content:

8. Fill in general settings.

Before pushing your site live, you’ll want to fill in general settings. It’s the same list you would run through if you were setting up your site on a CMS platform.

Here’s what you’ll want to adjust:

Make sure you include a site title and tagline in the “Settings” of your website builder. Go through, and check out the URLs — are those optimized for search?

Any website builder you're using to build your site should make it easy to optimize these elements on every post and page. With Wix, for example, you can add image alt-text, meta descriptions, headings, and custom URLs right in your content editor.

Editing page elements in Wix's drag-and-drop editor Image Source

9. Install extensions and apps.

Last but not least, install add-ons that will increase your website’s functionality. Each website builder typically has a library of extensions and add-ons that you can choose from. For instance, in the Shopify app store, you can install an Instagram slider that shows an Instagram feed in each product page.

Take a look at the add-ons you have access to on the following popular website builders:

Squarespace Extensions
Weebly App Center
Wix App Market
Shopify App Store
WordPress Plugins (Available for both WordPress.com and WordPress.org websites)

Once your pages, content, and plugins are in place, it’s time to push your site live. The website builder will typically have a button you can click to launch your site into the web. After, simply watch your organic traffic grow. And remember: if your website builder doesn’t work for you, you’ll always be able to switch over to a CMS.

How to Build a Website with a CMS

Have you chosen to go with a content management system instead?

The process of building a website with a CMS is a little different than setting up a site with a website builder — mainly because you’ll have to buy a domain name and web hosting on your own. But the process is just as simple, and the powerful customization options make the extra steps worth it.

Below, we cover the process of building your website using a CMS from start to finish.

1. Choose a CMS.

The best CMS system for your business will align with your site's needs and goals.

WordPress, for example, is a popular open-source CMS that provides thousands of themes, plugins, and modules for customizing your site. In exchange for this flexibility, you will have to spend more time and money downloading, installing, and maintaining the extensions.

On the other hand, WordPress alternatives like the CMS Hub provide more built-in functionality, app integrations, and security features so you can focus on creating web content and attracting leads.

Below, we break down some of the most popular website builders you could choose.

CMS	Plans	Good Fit For
CMS Hub	$270/month or $900/month	Growing Businesses
WordPress.org	Free	General Websites
Adobe Experience Manager	Custom Pricing	Enterprise Businesses
Joomla	Free	General Websites (Recommended for Advanced Users)
Drupal	Free	General Websites (Recommended for Advanced Users)

It’s worth noting that while WordPress.org, Joomla, and Drupal are free, you’ll have to pay for domain names, SSL certificates, hosting, and premium themes and templates, adding to your set-up costs. You might also need the help of a developer if you opt for Joomla and Drupal.

It’ll be hard to choose, but you can narrow it down with a few questions. For instance, do you need a platform that allows you to add your own custom code or one that supports multiple languages? Would you like a proprietary CMS to help share the responsibility of protecting and maintaining your site, or would you prefer an open-source CMS? You might also narrow your list by comparing the selection of templates and add-ons offered by each system.

Here are some resources to get you started:

Here are some comparison and alternatives posts:

Once you’ve chosen the best CMS platform for your needs, continue to step two.

2. Select a hosting plan.

Web hosting is a service that enables individuals or businesses to run a website on the Internet. The service provider, known as a web host, will store your website files on a secure server that it keeps up and running, and then deliver and display that web content to visitors who type in your URL in their browser.

Website builders include hosting in their packages. Content management systems, however, don’t work this way. You'll have to find your own hosting provider, which will take time and lots of research. There are hundreds of web hosts on the market. Each one might offer different types of hosting, including shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated hosting. Let's briefly look at the differences below.

Shared Hosting: In shared hosting, your website shares the same server and resources with other websites. It’s the most popular type of hosting, particularly among new site owners, because it's the cheapest option.
VPS Hosting: If you go for a Virtual Private Server hosting solution, your site will sit on the same server as other websites; however, it will isolate server resources for your site specifically. That means your site will be able to handle higher volumes of regular traffic. It’s a pricier alternative to shared hosting.
Dedicated Server: With a dedicated server, your site will sit on a server whose resources and space is reserved for your site only. If you'd rather not share a server with any other website, you can upgrade to dedicated server hosting.

Virtually every web host offers shared hosting. However, because your website has to share the same server with many other websites, it can't support high volumes of traffic and is most vulnerable to hackers and other security threats.

Once you've decided what type of hosting you need, you can pick a provider. DreamHost, HostGator, and Bluehost are among the most popular third-party providers and offer free domain registration for the first year. That will simplify the next step in building a website.

Here are resources about hosting you’ll want to check out:

And some comparisons to help you choose the best one:

3. Get a domain name from a domain name provider.

No matter what type of CMS you chose to build your site, you'll likely have to purchase a domain name.

Purchasing a domain name is typically inexpensive — even for those who sign up for a hosting plan that does not include free domain registration for a year. There are two different approaches you can take.

You can visit a domain site, purchase and register a domain name there, and then connect it to your hosting account. Both Godaddy.com and Namecheap.com are cheap, secure, and effective options for buying a domain name, with added benefits such as SSL security and Office 365 inboxes.

Or you can complete the entire domain name search and registration process on your hosting provider’s site. For example, after signing up for a Bluehost plan, you’ll be taken to this page to sign up with a domain name.

Bluehost signup page WordPress website

Here’s where it gets tricky. You’ll need to choose a domain name as similar as possible to the name of your company, but with over billions of websites out there today, your company's name might already be taken.

If your ideal domain name is already taken, consider using a different extension. Use one of the three most common extensions if you can: .com, .net, or .org. However, if it makes sense for your business, you might want to check out an alternate extension like .us or .shop.

As we covered in the previous section, avoid using dashes, numbers, or trademarked words. Play around with it. Once you’ve chosen and paid for a domain name, you’ll usually also get personal email accounts attached, so make sure you’re happy to use your domain name as your main online identity.

Below you’ll find some resources about choosing and buying a custom domain:

Best Domain Registrars to Consider This Year
How to Choose a Domain Name
Everything You Need to Know About Custom Domains
The Simple Guide to Transferring a Domain to Another Registrar (Good read if you’ve already purchased a domain name)

4. Choose a theme for your site.

Now, for the fun part.

Themes allow you to easily change the look and feel of your site without having to code HTML and CSS from scratch. Themes are made up of templates, modules, images, and global content that control your site's overall design.

On whatever content management system you chose, take the time to browse through the selection of themes available. Many will come with a directory of free themes, where you can use filters or the search bar to find themes related to your industry, with a specific layout, and more.

Tip: It’s important your theme is responsive, so your site will look the same on all devices.

Other considerations will be specific to your business and site. You might be looking for a static header or a slideshow header, for example. Or you may need a theme that comes with a front-end builder. Below are some questions you can answer to find the right theme for your site:

Do you need a variety of layouts or just one?
Are you looking for a theme with built-in social media widgets or any other functionality?
Would you like to install a demo site or start from scratch?
Do you want to purchase a theme that includes its own theme builder?

Ultimately, no one knows your business better than you. Take the time to consider which theme would best represent your brand and most likely appeal to your ideal demographic.

You’ll have a wealth of choices right in your CMS. Take a look, for instance, at the theme marketplace in CMS Hub:

Theme library inside CMS Hub

You'll want to stay away from hard-to-read fonts or flashy backgrounds that could distract a consumer from understanding your core message. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong if you choose something clean with straight lines and a limited amount of text.

If you can't find a free theme that meets your exact specifications, try looking for premium themes in third-party marketplaces.

Below are some resources to get started if you’ve opted for the WordPress CMS:

Once you've selected and installed a theme on your site, move on to the next step.

5. Customize your theme and templates.

Once you’ve chosen a theme, take the time to customize it and its individual templates. Your site’s design and functionality is your chance to persuade an audience to take a closer look. It’s imperative your design makes sense to your ideal consumer and works to enhance your product’s success rather than hinder it.

That's why you should think of your theme and templates as a starting point, rather than the final look. Depending on the website platform you've used to build your site, you'll have different degrees of control over your site's appearance.

On more flexible platforms like CMS Hub, you'll be able to edit your theme's global settings to make sitewide changes. That means you can make changes to your font and other elements in one place and they'll be implemented across all pages on your site.

HubSpot CMS Hub theme editor Image Source

Here’s a great resource if you’re using WordPress:

How to Customize a WordPress Theme [+Themes for New Websites]

6. Add pages to your site.

It’s important to plan exactly which pages you’ll need to include in your site. While it varies business to business, you’ll need at least a homepage, an “About Us” page, a “Services/Product” page, and a “Contact Us” page.

You should also add a blog homepage. There are serious benefits to business blogging.

While every CMS is different, it’s typically easy to add and remove pages on whichever platform you use. Let's take a closer look at the process on WordPress, for example.

Start by logging into your WordPress dashboard.
On the left side of the screen, click Pages > Add New.
You can add text, insert images, embed videos, and make any other changes you like.
When you're ready, click Publish.

Image Source

Once you've decided what pages you need on your site, make sure to add them to the navigation bar. You can rearrange page topics any way you want, or combine them.

You can visit other company websites within your industry to get ideas for how to organize your navigation bar, or which pages to include and exclude if you're unsure.

7. Write content.

You guessed it: It’s time to write the content you’ll put on your site.

Write rough drafts for pages like your “About Us” page and landing page. Talk with coworkers and stakeholders — what message do you want to put out there? What tone do you want to set? Should you make jokes and be funny, or aim to be more inspirational?

If your online audience stumbled across your site, what questions would they have first?

Imagine your website is your only chance to have a full conversation with a potential customer.

The home page is the preliminary introduction: “Hey, we do XYZ.” Your “About Us” page digs deeper: “We are XYZ.” And your products or services pages are your big push to the finish line: “You want to work with us? Great, here’s how you’ll benefit.”

During this stage, it’s imperative you do your keyword research.

For instance, if you’re selling eyeglasses, and you notice “retro eyeglasses” is a more popular search term than “vintage eyeglasses,” you might use this research to steer the direction of the content on your site.

If you’re stuck, check out competitor’s websites to gauge what other companies in your industry are doing.

We’ve compiled a few more resources to help you get started:

8. Fill in general settings.

Once you’ve filled in your pages with optimized content, it’s time to fill in the general settings. By adding or adjusting the SEO elements, you can increase your search visibility.

It’s the same as if you were building your site on a website builder. On your pages, you should include:

Each of these elements are essential to your on-page SEO. They not only help to tell Google about your website and how you provide value to visitors and customers — they also help optimize your site for human eyes as well as search engine bots.

9. Install add-ons.

Lastly, take a look at your site and figure out what you’re missing. Ideally, your platform will offer all the add-ons you need to extend the functionality of your site.

It's important to note these add-ons might be called apps, extensions, modules, integrations, or plugins, depending on the platform you use.

If you're running an ecommerce site on HubSpot, for example, you might use HubSpot's Shopify extension. Or, maybe you want to ensure your WordPress website is secure, to protect client data. In that case, you might download the Wordfence Security plugin for firewall protection against attacks, malware, and other threats.

If you're lacking out-of-the-box features for security, SEO, image compression, and social media, check if your platform offers an app or integration to add that functionality to your site. It's much easier to do all this work in one place rather than having to log on to several disconnected platforms.

How to Make a Website with HubSpot

Let’s take a look at how to make a website with CMS Hub. If you’re already using HubSpot’s CRM, it probably makes the most sense to build a website within HubSpot to integrate all your sales and marketing needs in one place.

CMS Hub offers a variety of plugins and extensions, themed templates, and sophisticated tools for SEO analysis.

If you want to build a website with CMS Hub, it’s easy and intuitive. Don’t forget to get a domain name and hosting before starting to build your site. Here’s how:

1. Create a homepage.

Within your HubSpot portal, click “Marketing” on the dashboard at the top of your screen. Navigate down to “Website,” then click “Website Pages.”

After that, click the orange “Create” button and choose “Website Page” from the drop-down.

Creating a page inside CMS Hub

2. Select a theme.

Now, you’ll be taken to this “Choose a theme” page. Scroll through your options, search page templates, or check out the Marketplace. When you’ve found a template you like, select it.

Choosing a theme inside CMS Hub

3. Edit the modules.

This is your page. You can scroll over text boxes, images, or other modules to edit them. In the below picture, I scrolled over the “Practice Yoga” Banner Text, and when I click it, it allows me to edit that text.

Editing modules inside CMS Hub You can also click the “Contents” tool on the left side of your screen and edit from there. For instance, I selected one “Rich Text” option, which directed me to the “Vinyasa” paragraph on the page.

Editing module in CMS Hub using a second option You can then add text, images, sections, forms, and more when you edit it in “Expanded” view.

4. Create other pages on your website.

When you’re happy with your landing page and want to move on, go back to your dashboard and click “Marketing” at the top of your screen, and then “Website Pages” again.

Here, you’ll click the orange “Create” button and name your page, just like your home page. Then, you’ll be taken through a similar process of choosing a template and adding content. If you want a more in-depth tutorial, check out a quick tour of website pages.

5. Incorporate social media accounts.

If you want to incorporate your social media accounts, go to “Marketing,” then “Social” on your dashboard. You can monitor all your social media accounts and also publish tweets, Facebook statuses and comments, Instagram pictures, and other content straight from your HubSpot dashboard.

6. View analytics.

If you want to check out your site analytics, go to “Reports” and then “Analytics Tools”. You’ll need to install the tracking code, which is easy to do within the HubSpot platform by clicking the orange “Install the tracking code” button. If you’re still unsure, check out how to install the HubSpot tracking code.

Drop-down menu in CMS Hub leading to the analytics dashboard

7. Add a blog to your site.

If you want to write blog posts, go to “Marketing” > “Website” > “Blog” on your dashboard to create, publish, and monitor your website’s blog posts.

Drop-down menu in CMS Hub leading toward the "Blog" option

8. Install add-ons.

Last, it’s time to install an app from the HubSpot marketplace to extend the functionality of your website. Here’s how.

In your HubSpot account, click the Marketplace icon in the main navigation bar.
Under Manage, select Connected apps.
Click Visit App Marketplace.
Use the filters in the left sidebar to browse for an app.
Click on an app to see more information.
On the right, you can review the details of the app. Under Requirements, check whether or not the app is compatible with your HubSpot subscription, and see if there are any app-side subscription requirements.
When you're ready, click the Install app button in the top right corner of the screen.

Once you’ve completed these steps, just click "Publish" and your site is ready for use.

This is a fairly broad and general overview to get you started building a website with CMS Hub, but there are plenty of more in-depth features and tools you might want to explore with a HubSpot specialist, or by checking out some courses on academy.hubspot.com.

Once you're done building a website via CMS Hub, it's important to check that you're not missing any crucial elements or going live with any glaring errors. Once you've gone through this list above and feel like you're close to a website launch, check out your website launch checklist for a detailed list of things to check before you go live.

Build a Website: FAQs

Below, we cover some frequently asked questions about building a website.

How much does it cost to build a website?

The cost of building a small business website can range from $500 to $2,500, but the price can be higher if you’re working with a developer. You should also take into account recurring costs such as hosting, domain name registration, and SSL certification.

Here’s a resource to help you gauge costs:

We Break Down the Costs of Building & Managing a Website

How hard is it to build a website?

Building a website isn’t hard at all, especially if you opt for a website builder that packages everything for you. In general, you won’t need to touch a single line of code.

How do you create a website for free?

You can create a website for free by signing up for a free subscription on a website builder platform such as Wix or Weebly. However, you’ll have a branded subdomain from the provider (e.g. yourname.weebly.com). You’ll also have the branding on your website, and free websites are often limited in design, features, and functionalities. We recommend avoiding it unless you’re a hobbyist or only wanting to practice before launching your site.

How do you build a website from scratch?

You can build a website from scratch using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and sometimes, PHP. You compile these files and then upload them to your web host’s file manager. (You’ll still need to purchase a hosting service and register a domain.)

How much does it cost to hire someone to build a website?

Thumbtack reports that a freelance web designer costs from $640 to $1,000. Upwork reports a $15 to $30/hour range for hiring a web developer on their platform. This is on the low end and accurate pricing for building a small website. For hiring a web developer for a custom or long-term project, you can expect to pay in the $8,000 to $25,000 range.

Here are some more resources:

How long does it take to build a website?

A website takes, on average, three to six months to build if your brand is small or just getting started. If you’re creating a custom or complicated project, you can expect your website to take a year or longer before it is up and running.

Build Your Website: Tips

Ready to build your own site? Let’s take a look at tips you can use to guide the creation of your site.

Choose a one-page design if you want to launch your site more quickly.
Include a high-contrast button on the top right of your navigation bar telling visitors to contact you.
Use Lorem Ipsum text to preview what the written content will look like as you adjust the layout. That way, you don’t have to write all the content right away.
Buy an SSL certificate if your CMS doesn’t include one already.
Make good use of white space to keep your site as simple and easy-to-read as possible.
Set your domain and hosting subscriptions on auto-renew to avoid service interruption.
Create Terms of Use and Privacy Policy documents if your site gathers user data.
Double-check that your website is responsive by accessing it from your mobile device. Most CMS systems and website builders will automatically make your site responsive, but you always want to double-check.
Resize your browser window to test what the elements look like at different browser sizes.
Access your site from different browsers (Safari, Chrome, Opera, Microsoft Edge) to see how the elements render depending on the browser.
Learn basic HTML and CSS so you can more easily customize your site later.
Include high-contrast buttons throughout the page that allow visitors to get in contact with you.
Stick to five navigation bar items at most.
Ensure your navigation bar shows up in all pages.
Create submenus for your navigation items to effectively group your subtopics.
Create an XML sitemap for search engine crawlers to find and index your site.
Submit your website to Google Search Console once you’ve launched it. That way, Google can crawl it much more quickly.
Use an analytics tool such as Google Analytics to see who’s accessing your site and from where.
Link internally from page to page so that search engines understand how the pages are related to each other.
Use keyword-rich anchor text when linking to internal pages.
Link to other strong sites in your niche to signal relevancy to Google.
Add your business or personal brand to social media sites and link back to your website.
Research other sites in your niche and get content ideas from them.
Compress all images to under 250KB. The smaller, the better.
Publish and maintain a blog — we’re serious about that. Try to post once a month.
Aim for a minimum of 800 words per page and per blog post.
Use a grammar-checker such as Grammarly to ensure your copy is error-free.
Avoid duplicate and boilerplate content — even one paragraph can be enough to hurt the credibility of your page.
Recheck your site architecture to make sure that your page hierarchy makes sense.
Create a backup of your site whenever you make major changes.
Seek guest posting opportunities and link back to your site in your author bio.
Join industry organizations and link back to your site from your member profile.
Avoid duplicating pages to use the same layout. If you do, double-check that your slug doesn’t read .com/original-page-copy. This happens more often than you think. If it happens, change your slug. Here’s how to change your slug in WordPress, in case you’re using that CMS.
Keep your page URLs short and user-friendly. If the title of a blog post is “50 Ways to Conquer Your Fear of Heights and Fly Worry-Free,” don’t have a URL that reads example.com/20XX-03-25/blog/50-ways-to-conquer-your-fear-of-heights-and-fly-worry-free. Consider instead: example.com/conquer-fear-of-heights.
Add breadcrumbs to your website to clarify your site structure. Here’s how to add breadcrumbs in WordPress.

Build a Website to Grow Your Online Reach

Building a website is a must-do for anyone who wants to be online. Without it, you won’t be found at all, and it can help you look more professional and established. Using this guide, you’ll be sure to publish a site that helps your business or your personal brand grow better.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in May 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

How to Build a Website: 2 Methods, 9 Easy Steps, & 35 Amazing Tips was originally posted by Local Sign Company Irvine, Ca. https://goo.gl/4NmUQV https://goo.gl/bQ1zHR http://www.pearltrees.com/anaheimsigns

Why People Visit YouTube & How to Engage Them [New Data]

YouTube is the second largest website globally with over 2 billion global users.

Still, despite its huge audience, it can be challenging to gain engagement on your videos.

Ultimately, to gain views, likes, shares, and even subscribers, your content will have to engage at least part of YouTube's huge audience while fulfilling their needs.

But, if you're just starting on YouTube, or struggling to grow your strategy, you might not know what the platform's audience wants just yet.

To help marketers learn more about YouTube's huge user pool, and their interests, I asked nearly 300 consumers: "Why do you most commonly visit YouTube?"

Here's what they said.

Why Do People Visit YouTube?

Before we dive into what people picked as the most common reason they visit YouTube, it's worth mention one thing you won't see on the list below: product discovery.

Just a measly 3% of respondents visit YouTube primarily to "learn about products."

A chart explainingg that most people visit youtube to be entertained

Data Source

However, you shouldn't panic just yet. Keep in mind that we just polled a small group of general consumers about their most common reason for visiting YouTube. Had we asked them for their top three reasons, polled a larger group, or polled a specific demographic, the results could have been different.

It's also worth noting that many demographics search out product videos when they're researching a prospective purchase.

In fact, in a 2020 recent survey, 94% of people said they watch explainer videos to learn about products. While many YouTube users might not go to the YouTube platform just for product videos all the time, they probably still watch them when they're relevant to their buyer's journey.

However, knowing what YouTube audiences are looking for on YouTube will help you make a video related to your brand or product that still mixes in elements that can engage them and fulfill their viewing needs.

So, why do people visit YouTube? Let's dive into the three most popular motives.

1. To watch videos that entertain me.

When we asked consumers why they visited the world's second-largest platform, a whopping 65% of them said they did so for pure entertainment.

This stat might be terrifying for marketers, especially if you sell a product that might not be considered super flashy or attention-grabbing.

But, the stat above shouldn't have you panicking just yet. Keep in mind that this is just one small survey. Had we asked people of certain age groups or industries this specific question, the results could have swayed in another direction.

However, it is very important to keep in mind that people on YouTube want to be entertained or at least intrigued by the content they're watching. So, whether you're planning to launch YouTube video ads or standard videos, you'll want to add a touch of entertainment, action, or interesting information to them.

Here's a great video, created by Headspace and LOL Network, that features actor Kevin Hart struggling to meditate and using the Headspace app to help him relax while jogging.

Even if you can't work with a big-name celebrity, this video is still a great example of content that tells an entertaining story about how a product solves common problems. While Hart's fame might pull people in, watching him worry about relatable, everyday things as he jogs could be relatable and funny to audiences.

2. To learn how to do something.

We've all had a moment in life where we couldn't figure out how to do something and scoured the internet for a video that could help. That's why it's not surprising that 13% of respondents primarily visit YouTube to "learn how to do something."

As a marketer, you can leverage the YouTube audience's need for advice and guidance with videos on how to do things related to your brand, industry, or even your product.

On top of zoning in on the how-to format, you could also mix in entertaining elements, such as an influencer or entertaining video host, to fulfill a viewer's need for interesting content

Here's an example of a how-to video from B Simone Beauty, a cosmetics brand named after its founder B Simone. In the video, Simone, also known for her work as a stand-up comedian, offers a step-by-step tutorial on how to give yourself a glamorous makeover.

While the video highlights B Simone Beauty products, it focuses on makeup tutorial tips. Not only does this help audience members who have purchased cosmetics from the brand, but it also gives prospects helpful tips. By watching this video, you not only see what using B Simone products is like in real life, but you also learn how knowledgeable Simone is about makeup. Both of these elements could enable viewers to trust the company and product quality.

3. To learn about something, such as a hobby, interest, or industry.

While some people use YouTube to find step-by-step guides on how to do something, some just watch videos to soak up as much valuable information as possible. In our poll, 13% of respondents said they visit YouTube to "Learn about something related to a hobby, interest, or industry."

As a marketer, you can also leverage this YouTube user need in your videos or in-stream ads. Here are just a few ways to weave valuable information into your next video.

Leading the video with a surprising or interesting stat.
Featuring expert tips or insight-filled interviews from your company leaders or industry experts.
Recording an explainer video with fun graphics, charts, and interesting information about a topic related to your industry or brand.

Here's an example of a video HubSpot posted that discusses how TikTok's audience has begun to mature by discussing stats and facts about the platform.

Although HubSpot isn't a TikTok tool, it has a large marketing audience that the company is engaging with this video that educates viewers on a highly trendy topic.

By creating informative or educational videos related to your industry, you enable the viewers with similar interests to learn something new while also developing trust for your company. So, even if you aren't explicitly mentioning your product, viewers could remember your brand and your expertise next time they're shopping in your immediate space. Similarly, if someone does do product research and comes across your YouTube channel, they might trust that a brand with solid knowledge around an industry will create high-quality products.

Catering to YouTube's Giant Audience

Ultimately, it's unlikely that every single YouTube viewer will love your content or search out the types of videos you make. However, since the audience is so broad, there's at least a large segment of it that could engage with your marketing strategy. As you develop or fine-tune your tactics, keep these tips in mind:

Know your audience: Learn the ins and outs of who uses the platform, identify the best demographics or targets to go after, and look at what types of videos they engage with most.
Mix education with entertainment: While many people visit the platform for entertainment or escape from their daily lives, others crave valuable or helpful information. So, try to create content that intrigues viewers, while also giving valuable information related to your brand or industry.
Don't limit yourself to product videos: While you can certainly post a few demos, interesting customer stories, and mention your product in a few videos, keep in mind that YouTube visitors might not be looking for commercial-like content. Try to add variation with explainers, expert interviews, or other interesting, but on-brand, video formats.

Need more help with developing or expanding your YouTube strategy? We've got you covered.

Check out this data on why people click out of YouTube videos, this Ultimate Guide to YouTube Marketing, or download the free resource below.

Why People Visit YouTube & How to Engage Them [New Data] was originally posted by Local Sign Company Irvine, Ca. https://goo.gl/4NmUQV https://goo.gl/bQ1zHR http://www.pearltrees.com/anaheimsigns

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Minority-Owned Business [+ Expert Tips]

COVID-19 presented more challenges than one for businesses, and the pandemic took an even more tremendous toll on minority business owners.

With minority business owners experiencing a cash crunch, not many could secure loans to keep their doors open.

In 2020, 400,000 small businesses decided to permanently close due to the effects of the pandemic — many of which were in underserved communities. Whether you're in the idea phase or already established, this guide will help you get your minority-owned business off the ground.

Before you dive into this guide, check out this blog on how to start a business if you're still in the idea phase.

When you finish reading this piece, you'll have everything you need (and more) to thrive as a minority business owner — from how to get certified as a minority-owned business, to funding options and growth resources.

Get Certified as a Minority-Owned Business

After you've nailed down your business idea, plan, and registered your company, it's time to get certified as a minority-owned business. This certification isn't required, but it will help inform consumers and potential partners about your company's leadership.

You may also need this certification may also if you want to apply for government-funded minority business grants and loans, or other programs.

Illinois, Ohio, California, and New York have local agencies to get certified as a minority-owned business on a state level. There are various ways to get certified from local state and business agencies, so it might be best to consult them directly based on where your business is registered.

Here are a few other high-level agencies to consider getting a minority-owned business certification from:

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): Headquartered in New York, NMSDC manages 22 regional affiliate councils around the U.S. NMSDC offers minority-owned business certifications and business development programs. The council has a network of more than 1,750 corporate members and has matched more than 12,000 minority-owned businesses with these member corporations. The certification process includes an online application, fee, interview, and site visit upon approval.
The Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development program: The federal government committed to awarding five percent of all federal contracting dollars to small disadvantaged businesses with an 8(a) designation each year. This is an SBA-specific minority-owned business certification needed if your company plans to compete better for federal government contracts.

These same organizations and agencies may offer women-owned and LGBTQ-owned business certifications, as well.

Apply for Minority Business Grants

Minority founders often start bootstrapped, launch crowdfunding campaigns, or even try and raise initial funding through family and friends.

You can take various routes to fund your startup, but if you're on your own when it comes to financing, seeking grant funding is a great start. Grants.gov distributes more than 1,000 small business grants for an open search, and this is where all federal government agencies post their grant opportunities.

Here are a few business grant opportunities for minority founders:

The Coalition to Back Black Businesses Fund: This initiative was created to aid small Black businesses struggling through the pandemic. The coalition is awarding 300 grants amounting to $5,000 each.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): This agency runs the Rural Business Development Grant Program for businesses operating in rural areas, with a population under 50,000 residents. The program offers grants to minority small businesses ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
Rebuild the Block (RTB): As part of its Small Business Relief Fund, RTB award 15 grants monthly to Black business owners affected by the pandemic. There isn't a specific monetary value on each grant, and freelancers and other creatives are encouraged to apply.
First Nations Development Institute (FNDI): Deadlines and opportunities vary, but this nonprofit provides financial and technical support to Native American organizations. FNDI has provided 2,150 grants totaling $43 million to Native projects across 40 stages and regions.
The National Black MBA Association: Since 2017, the association has been hosting the Scale-Up Pitch Competition, which awards grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 to Black business owners. Someone from the company must be a member of the association to apply for this opportunity.
Asian Women Giving Circle (AWGC): This grant is exclusive for Asian American women-owned businesses. AWGC awarded 11 grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 each in 2020, and this year, the maximum grant amount is $15,000.
SoGal Foundation: This rolling program awards $5,000 and $10,000 to Black women founders and Black nonbinary entrepreneurs.
FedEx: Each year, FedEx hosts a nationwide Small Business Grant Contest, and while it's not exclusively for minority small businesses, many of the past winners have been minority founders. Winners receive grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, plus funds for FedEx printing services.

If you're looking for more opportunities, Please Assist Me Co-founder and CEO Stephanie Cummings suggests subscribing to newsletters distributed by 1863 Ventures and Backstage Capital.

Each organization sends out a monthly newsletter loaded with updated grant and funding opportunities specifically for minority founders.

Apply for Minority Business Loans

Another financing option could be applying for loans. Historically, minority founders have struggled to secure business loans due to credit inequality and discrimination, but there are still reasonable loan options out there.

Here are a few business loan opportunities for minority founders:

Accompany Capital: Looking to support immigrants, refugees, and women entrepreneurs specifically, Accompany Capital offers microloans of $500 to $50,000 with repayment terms ranging from six months to three years.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): SBA manages a few loan opportunities, including its Microloan Program and Community Advantage Loan Program. Open to all small businesses, the Microloan Program offers loans up to $50,000 with loans averaging $13,000 each. For the Community Advantage Loan Program, SBA encourages community lenders, mainly nonprofit financial entities, to make loans up to $250,000 to minorities, women, veterans, and other underserved founders.
Business Consortium Fund: Offered to NMSDC certified businesses, the fund offers loans and lines of credit ranging from $250,000 to $750,000 with repayments terms of up to five years.
USDA: As part of its Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program, USDA offers up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to local banks and direct lenders operating in rural areas with a population under 50,000 residents. Minority businesses can also directly apply for a USDA loan, ranging from $200,000 to $5 million with a maximum cap of $10 million.

Tap into Additional Minority Programs and Resources

Even if you may think you have it all figured out, a little extra guidance wouldn’t hurt.

Here are ten accelerators, startup programs, and other resources for minority founders:

The Visible Hands fellowship runs a 14-week virtual program to provide company-building services and investments up to $200,000 to underrepresented entrepreneurs. The inaugural cohort will welcome more than 30 fellows.
Dedicated to diversity in tech, Black Founders provides programs and hosts events for Black tech entrepreneurs.
Operation HOPE runs an eight-week entrepreneurial training program designed to help entrepreneurs in low-income communities.
SBA's Business Development program helps minority business owners better qualify for SBA loans. Your company must be registered as a small business with SBA to participate.
The Minority Business Development Agency, an agency within the U.S.Department of Commerce, was created to provide greater access to capital and resources to minority founders. The agency manages business centers across the nation and hosts business development programs.
1863 Ventures–a business development organization working to promote people of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQ people, veterans, and physically disabled business owners–runs two accelerator programs. Its Pipeline program is for pre-growth stage companies, and its Acceler8 program is for growth to scale stage businesses.
Y Combinator's Startup Library includes a wealth of resources spanning 15 years.
The National Minority Business Council provides minority business owners with educational opportunities, entrepreneurial boot camps, seminars, business assistance, and more. Membership is encouraged.
The U.S. Minority Chamber of Congress is a nonprofit advocating for small business rights. The organization has chapters across the U.S. that host networking events and offer local entrepreneurial resources.
Founder Institute put together the Black American Startup Resource List filled with 742 resources for idea-stage entrepreneurs. If you're looking for accelerators, investors, or even events, this list is a great place to start.

Indulge in Motivational Tips from Other Minority Founders

Starting a business from scratch is hard, but doing so as a minority may pose more challenges.

Many disparities get in the way for minority business owners, but hopefully, these opportunities and resources will ease some hassles. While starting a minority-owned business may be the same as starting any other company, there are a few extra things you can do — like getting certified — to tap into some unique opportunities made just for minorities.

I reached out to some minority business owners who have done the hard work and are still striving to grow their ventures. Here are some tips if you're feeling discouraged:

"Understand that starting a busy is hard, and it's 10X harder for minority founders. If you are committed to your dream, work hard, dig in and let your work speak for itself." — Stephanie Cummings, co-founder and CEO of Please Assist Me.
"Just do it — one of my favorite slogans. As minorities, we often don't see similar faces on the cover of Forbes or elsewhere. This is slowly changing. But that doesn't mean you can't do it. What matters at the end of the day is if your business is actually helping others." — Nhon Ma, co-founder and CEO of Numerade.
"Don't get too attached to ideas. Spend your time getting attached to your values, and know what you stand for as a person — your values will be your guiding light, not the ideas." — Ronnie Kwesi Coleman, co-founder and CEO of Meaningful Gigs.
"Leverage your networks to build brand awareness organically, but don't forget who helped you get there once you get some momentum." — Leela Bhatia-Newman and Mariana Magala, co-founders of DistrictlyLocal.

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Minority-Owned Business [+ Expert Tips] was originally posted by Local Sign Company Irvine, Ca. https://goo.gl/4NmUQV https://goo.gl/bQ1zHR http://www.pearltrees.com/anaheimsigns

Friday, June 11, 2021

The 4 Go-To Social Media Video Platforms & How to Engage Their Audiences [New Data]

Last week, HubSpot's 2021 State of Marketing Report reveals that video is the top content marketing strategy used by brands while social media is ranked as the top marketing channel.

With data like that above -- and all the growing social media video platforms out there -- it's become obvious that social media marketing and video content go hand in hand.

While creating great social media videos for your company can be an incredibly effective marketing tactic, each social media content strategy shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach. To ensure that your videos are seen and spread quality brand awareness, you'll need to ensure you're making the right videos for the right audiences on the right platforms.

With new video publishing options appearing on social platforms regularly, determining where your content will live is part of the content marketing battle.

To help you figure out where to publish your video content -- and which types of videos to post -- we surveyed 300+ consumers to find out where they most commonly watch videos on social media.

Below, we'll reveal the results and a few expert tips for building the best social media video-sharing strategy for 2021 -- including one from an expert at Wistia.

Where are Consumers Watching Social Media Videos?

In recent years, Gen-Z-targeting platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been on the rise. But if you think that everyone's primarily watching video on these platforms, you might be surprised by what our poll found.

When I asked consumers "On which social media platform do you most commonly watch videos?", 35% of respondents said YouTube.

Youtube, Facebook, and TikTok are the go-to social media video platforms for consumers

Data Source

While it's not surprising that YouTube or Facebook, some of the world's biggest online platforms, are the preferred video viewing sites, only 8% of respondents said they primarily watch videos on Instagram -- one of the pioneers of Stories and live video.

Another surprising find was that 20% of respondents -- or 1 in 5 people -- primarily use TikTok (the youngest social network on the list) for video viewing. While this doesn't necessarily mean you need to shift your whole strategy to TikTok, it does show that the platform could continue to have a promising future for content marketers.

If this data has you worried that you're publishing videos on the wrong platforms, take a breath. Remember that this is just one informal consumer survey. Had we polled a specific age group, people from a specific industry, or consumers from different regions, the results might have swayed to other platforms -- like LinkedIn or Twitter.

However, even though this is just one small survey, it does remind us that a mix of older and newer platforms, like YouTube and TikTok, are the go-to video platforms for vast audiences.

Now that we've gotten an idea of where consumers are primarily watching social media videos, we'll walk you through a few tips for sharing the best videos for different social media audiences.

Tips for Sharing Social Media Videos

1. For most platforms, zone in on snackable content.

The world is becoming more fast-paced every day. While many people are watching social media videos in their spare time, some are watching them between meetings, while in line at the store, or on public transit. Even if people do have time to watch hours of video, there's so much out there that they'll want to scroll to more content almost immediately after their video starts.

That's why one social media video strategy to focus on in 2021 is mastering the art of "snackable" or super short-form content.

"Using snackable videos on social can actually drive more engagement than static images," says Meisha Bochicchio, Content Marketing Manager at Wistia. "A recent study found that 60% of marketers saw more clicks with video posts compared with static images."

When it comes to creating effective snackable content, Bochicchio says, "First things first, keep in mind that most social media platforms will automatically start playing video content as viewers scroll. So, make sure your videos are autoplay-friendly. Keep them short and put your key messaging in the first few seconds. For example, take a look at this video from Wistia announcing their State of Video Report."

"Remember that most people won’t hear your audio, so make sure your videos are also silent-friendly,"Bochicchio advises. "Consider text overlays, or upload captions directly on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

In the video example below, Wistia marks the launch of their series "Show Business" with a captioned video that allows viewers to get key information without any sound.

Don't just advertise on a show. Make a show! Welcome to Show Business: a one-of-a-kind series featuring industry leaders and brand-building experts. #MakeAShow 👉 https://t.co/MRNBK6fu1f pic.twitter.com/QF2XR86gxl
— Wistia (@wistia) April 27, 2021

To learn more about this strategy, check out this post on snackable content, or this post that highlights the latest short-form video trends.

2. Test different video formats, too.

While snackable content is a great tactic to harness in 2021, you can still publish longer videos, as long as they're engaging and valuable to your audience.

For example, while people might not want to watch a two-hour commercial, they could watch a longer live video Q&A, an interview with a thought leader, or a video that tells a longer, but entertaining story.

Here's a great example of a TV-episode-length, Clio-winning video created by Pepsi:

While you can certainly test longer-form video, you can also test out other formats, such as live streams, interactive videos, and shopping videos on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

As new video formats emerge, it can be helpful to determine if they might work for your brand and design a test around them.

Be sure you identify and track the right success metrics. For example, if you're testing a longer video, look at its views and dropoff rate to see how long viewers stay tuned. Meanwhile, if you try a more interactive approach like a live stream or Q&A you can also take note of comments, engagements, and shares on the content while you're live.

3. Meet your video audiences where they are.

As with any social media strategy, some content will perform better on some social media platforms rather than others. While snackable, consumer-facing content might perform well with YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok's large consumer audiences, a B2B marketing video or a Q&A with a corporate thought leader might perform better on a professional-facing network like LinkedIn.

Luckily, to create a great marketing strategy, you don't (and shouldn't have to) place your videos on every single social media platform. However, you should research the demographics of each major network, identify which audiences might engage most with your content, and start publishing videos where it makes the most sense for your brand and goals.

Then, continue to keep an eye on platforms you've ruled out in case they continue to evolve and provide your brand more audience opportunities in the future.

4. Don't always lean on repurposed content.

When I was a startup marketer, I loved to repurpose content whenever it was possible. And, back then, when social media platforms were less evolved, this strategy would work.

Today, it can still be beneficial for brands to repurpose some video content for different platforms when they have similar audiences and features. This can also be a great way to test whether your content strategy for one platform will work with one audience.

However, because knowing your social media audience is more important than ever, you might want to consider having a slightly different video strategy for your most important video platforms. While there will be times where you can easily repurpose content to save time or bandwidth, some platforms like TikTok and Instagram are evolving with algorithms that could deprioritize your content if it has a watermark from another network.

5. Embrace influencers -- and customers.

Even if you've done all of your research and churn out videos daily, it can still be incredibly hard to post a viral piece of content that grows your audience.

Luckily, there are experts on every social media platform who know how to create videos. And, some of them will even create videos for you -- and then share them with their audiences.

That's why one great growth strategy can involve reaching out to influencers or thought leaders with expertise in your industry and either featuring them in your videos or getting them to endorse your brand in their content.

If you can't afford to have an influencer help boost your video strategy, you can also look towards happy consumers. With this strategy, you can encourage customers to share a video about their experience with your brand on social media, or you can create a video filled with multiple pieces of user-generated content from happy customers.

Because today's consumers crave authenticity from brands, user-generated content not only can provide you with free video content but can also spread brand awareness to prospects or people researching you on social media.

Navigating Social Media Content

More than ever, social media and content marketing are always evolving. As a marketer, it's important to stay up to date with the latest trends and data to better inform your strategies -- whether you're investing in video or other tactics.

To learn more about the latest marketing trends, download our free 2021 State of Marketing Report below.

The 4 Go-To Social Media Video Platforms & How to Engage Their Audiences [New Data] was originally posted by Local Sign Company Irvine, Ca. https://goo.gl/4NmUQV https://goo.gl/bQ1zHR http://www.pearltrees.com/anaheimsigns

Your Brief Guide to Using Goal Seek in Excel

Successful marketers make informed decisions quickly using a combination of gut instincts and data analysis. They know the end goal, and figure out what it takes to get there.

One way to fill in those gaps is by using Goal Seek in Excel. The function is helpful when you know your desired result, but you're not sure how to reach it.

Maybe you want to improve your conversion rate to get more qualified leads but don't know how many people you need to attract. Or let's say your marketing team is aiming for an audacious revenue goal and you want to know how many customers you have to bring in with an upcoming campaign. If you're running a promotion, you likely need to figure out what discount to apply so you don't wind up with a loss.

Goal Seek is the answer. Understanding how to apply it to your marketing or sales efforts can inform your strategy by letting you calculate the numbers required to achieve your goals.

This post will explain how to use Goal Seek so you can start planning for your next campaign or making projections for the upcoming quarter.

What is Goal Seek in Excel?

Goal Seek is a powerful Excel function for conducting a what-if analysis. Also known as a sensitivity analysis, it helps you understand what can happen when you change one or more variables. Essentially, it's a way to conduct a reverse calculation within an Excel spreadsheet.

Imagine you're creating a marketing strategy for the next six months. You can use the Goal Seek Excel function to figure out the following unknowns.

What percentage of month-over-month growth do you need to double your reach by the end of the year?
How much can you spend on freelance design work without exceeding your outsourcing budget?
How much revenue do you need to bring in to break even on (and profit from) your upcoming email marketing campaign?

Finding answers to these questions can prevent unexpected outcomes and missed goals. Instead of wondering "what-if" when building a strategy, you can cut out uncertainty and give yourself a roadmap for success.

Before you finalize any plans, let's walk through the steps to conduct an analysis.

How To Use Goal Seek In Excel

Setting up a Goal Seek calculation is simple once your data is organized.

In the following example, I want to evaluate the percentage of customers coming in through various marketing channels. The goal is to bring in 50% of customers through marketing efforts by the end of the year.

I first populate the table using the average month-over-month (MoM) growth to see the projections for June to December. I know I have an email campaign planned for the beginning of December, and I want to see how many customers I'd have to bring in to reach my 50% goal.

Step 1: Select the cell with the output you want to change (i.e., % of customers from marketing).

Step 2: Under the Data tab, select What-If Analysis, then Goal Seek.

How to use goal seek Image source

Step 3: A pop-up window will appear. Make sure the cell from Step 1 appears in Set cell.

Step 4: Write your desired value in To value.

Step 5: In the By changing cell box, select the cell you want to change to reach your desired outcome.

How to calculate using goal seek Image source

Step 6: Click OK to see the Goal Seek calculation. The new number will appear in the cell from Step 5, not in the pop-up box.

a status in goal seek Image source

Step 7: If all looks good and you want to keep the calculation, click OK again.

Using Goal Seek, I can tell that if my MoM growth stays the same, I need to attract at least 16 customers through my December email campaign. Yes, this is a simple example. But you can expand it to much more complicated efforts, like projecting sales needed to meet revenue goals or calculating how much net income you'll earn from a campaign.

Goal Seek Analysis In Excel

Let's look at another example of Goal Seek analysis. I want to bring in 130 new customers, but I don't know how many visits I'll need to reach my goal. Before doing the Goal Seek analysis, I organize my data to find the average MoM visit-to-customer percentage.

Step 1: Select the cell with the output you want to change (In this case, the customer goal).

Step 2: Under the Data tab, select What-If Analysis, then Goal Seek.

Step 3: In the pop-up window, make sure the cell from Step 1 appears in Set cell.

analysis in goal seek Image source

Step 4: Type the number you want to hit into To value (My goal is 130 customers).

How to change a cell box Image source

Step 5: Select the cell you want to change in the By changing cell box (Mine is for Projected Visits).

Step 6: Click OK to see the Goal Seek analysis. (Now, I know that in order to get 130 customers, I need to attract 5055 visits).

An example of goal seek status Image source

Once you fill in the missing variable using Goal Seek, you can figure out other variables. For instance, I found that with 5055 visits, I would need 910 leads to reach my desired number of customers. Having these numbers can also help me judge if the marketing and sales efforts for the month are on track to meet the goal.

Goal Seek Function In Excel

In business, uncertainty can spell the downfall of even the most thoughtful strategy. But you can take control of the variables that seem out of your control with the Goal Seek function.

Being proactive and judging the business impact of a marketing campaign or new sales effort can not only gain you respect within your company, but it can help you meet, and even exceed your goals. You'll be ready when the unexpected happens. And you'll know how to make informed decisions or tweak the strategy with your new what-if analysis skills.

Your Brief Guide to Using Goal Seek in Excel was originally posted by Local Sign Company Irvine, Ca. https://goo.gl/4NmUQV https://goo.gl/bQ1zHR http://www.pearltrees.com/anaheimsigns

Thursday, June 10, 2021

How to Effectively Disavow Links & Protect Organic Ranking

If you're confused about when, why, and how to disavow links — you aren't alone.

We all know that backlinks are critical to your SEO success, but the quality of those backlinks can make all the difference in that success.

This post will help you understand when and how to submit a Google disavow file, which is important for protecting your domain.

Let's dive in — but first, what is the disavow tool?

What is the disavow tool?

The disavow tool gives you the opportunity to ask Google to ignore low-quality backlinks to your website.

When you submit a disavow file to Google, you are asking them to ignore certain links that are pointing to your domain. There is no obligation for them to respect your request, but if they do, those links won't be used in determining your ranking in search results.

It's important to understand, however, that disavowing backlinks doesn't remove them from your backlink profile.

Do you actually need to use the disavow tool?

Google has made it clear that they only want you to use the disavow tool if you need to.

They recommend using it if you have a manual spam penalty, or if you knowingly took part in link-building practices that might be harming you.

In 2019, Google Senior Webmaster Trends Analyst John Mueller talked about the disavow tool during Google Webmaster Central office hours.

He says, "I think for most websites out there, pretty much the really largest majority of websites, you don't need to use the disavow tool. That's why we have the disavow tool so separate from search console so that you don't get tempted to using the disavow tool because it looks like this normal part of search console that everyone should be using."

Mueller says, "[The disavow tool] is really something that you only really need to use in really extreme cases."

To decide if you might benefit from filing a disavow, you'll need to analyze your backlink profile, which you can learn more about below. But if you knowingly participated in what would be considered unethical backlink practices, chances are a disavow would be helpful.

What is considered a 'bad' backlink?

Before we tell you how to do a disavow, it's important to understand what makes a backlink a bad one.

Google considers any link created to manipulate PageRank or a website's ranking to be a bad link. They want you to work on creating great content that gets linked to naturally!

If you've purposely taken part in any kind of link-building campaign, then chances are you might have bad backlinks.

This could include:

Purchased backlinks
Link schemes
Product for backlinks
Link exchanges
Footer links

You might look at your backlinks in various tools and see lots of spammy-looking backlinks and think you need to get rid of them — but you don't need to worry about those.

Google will understand spammy links to some extent and ignore them.

As an example, here are some backlinks from a website pulled from Ahrefs. These are all spam, and none of them have DR ratings:

Ahref's DR rating on spam backlinks

I wouldn't bother disavowing these since these are probably backlinks that a lot of websites have, and Google is smart enough to know we didn't create them to manipulate our backlink profile.

When should you create a disavow file?

Google has stated that most websites will not need to disavow links, and only in certain circumstances should it be used.

Below are some examples of when a disavow might be recommended or needed.

1. Manual Action: Unnatural Links To Your Site

This is the one occasion where you will absolutely want to file a disavow. If your website has been hit with a manual penalty due to link building practices, then disavowing links is a must to have that penalty removed.

If your website is connected with Search Console — and it should be — you will be notified if there is a manual action on your website.

At this point, you would begin analyzing the backlinks you have in Search Console and trying to find the links that may be seen as violating Google's guidelines.

If you find offending backlinks, the first step would be to contact the website owner where the backlink is and ask them to remove it. If that doesn't work, then you can try using a disavow file.

Once you have removed or disavowed the links, you can select the "Request Review" button in your Manual actions report to ask them to remove the action.

Google's Request Review button to remove a backlink

2. Link Schemes

If you knowingly participated in link schemes, then you may benefit from adding them to your disavow file. These are links you - or someone you may have hired - paid for. These may be private blog network (PBN) links or even guest posts on websites of no relevance to your niche.

3. Directories

A long time ago, adding profiles to every directory that existed with a link to your website with your “money keyword” as the anchor text was all the rage. Maybe you are guilty of this, or the SEO you hired is - but these are backlinks that should be removed. If you can manually remove them that would be best, but adding them to the disavow is recommended if you cannot remove the link.

4. Comments

Another old tactic was to spam comments on other blogs and add keyword rich anchor text in the comments box or even for the name field.

If you have any backlinks from comments, directories or editorial links with anchor text like "buy red widgets" or "best tennis shoes" it would be recommended to add them to your disavow file if you cannot get the link removed or changed. Normally for these types of links it would be expected to be your first name or brand name.

Finding all of Your Backlinks

To create the most accurate analysis, you will need to retrieve as much backlink data as you can and understand how to analyze that data.

You can use a variety of tools to review your backlinks, and you can choose to download them all to a spreadsheet to manually review them or do an analysis right from within the tool.

Here are a few options of tools to use for finding backlinks:

1. Google Search Console.

In Google Search Console you can go to the links area and click the export external links button and then the more sample links option to get a full list of the backlinks to your website.

2. Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz, or your preferred tool.

Export your list of backlinks and merge it with your Google Search Console file or analyze your data in the software.

3. A Link Audit Tool.

There are a few tools that can really minimize your time in auditing your backlinks like LinkResearchTools.

Semrush also has a backlink audit tool that shows all of your backlinks and gives them a toxicity score based on a variety of factors. You can work right from your dashboard to assess the links and determine if they truly are toxic or not.

If they are, you can then add them to a disavow right from the tool. When you are done reviewing them all you can then download the formatted disavow .txt file and submit it to the tool.

While this is a useful tool, it does not have all of your backlinks in its database! You should still do a manual review using other tools as well.

the disavow list on semrush

Creating A Disavow File

Once you are done assessing your links you can create the disavow.txt file that will be uploaded to Google Search Console.

Creating A Disavow.txt File

Below are some guidelines from Google on how to create your file.

The file name must end in .txt
File size can be no larger than 2MB and 100,000 lines
Each URL should be on its own line
If you want to disavow a whole domain you should start the line with domain:
If you want to disavow a URL you can just enter the URL

Below is a sample portion of a disavow file that I recently created as an example.

By adding a # before text you can add comments, these lines will be ignored by Google.

a disavow.txt example file

If you would like to test your disavow file before uploading it you can use the Disavow File Testing Tool which was created by Fili Wiese, a former Google Engineer.

Uploading a Disavow File

Once you have completed your disavow file it can be uploaded to the Disavow Tool in Google Search Console.

Below are a few easy steps to uploading your disavow.

Login to Google Search Console
Go to https://search.google.com/search-console/disavow-links
Select the property you would like to add a disavow file to
Click the upload disavow list button and find your .txt file to add

Google Search Console's disavow link tool

If you had uploaded a previous disavow.txt file, your new one will override that one. If your file has any issues, you will see error messages and be prompted to upload a corrected version.

While there is no guarantee that submitting a disavow file will help, there have been reports of success when using it.

It will take some time for Google to process the information you uploaded, so you will have to have a bit of patience.

There is no way to really know if the disavow.txt file is doing what you want it to do, but keeping an eye on your rank, organic traffic and impressions could be a good indicator.

How to Effectively Disavow Links & Protect Organic Ranking was originally posted by Local Sign Company Irvine, Ca. https://goo.gl/4NmUQV https://goo.gl/bQ1zHR http://www.pearltrees.com/anaheimsigns

Monday, June 14, 2021

How to Build a Website: 2 Methods, 9 Easy Steps, & 35 Amazing Tips

Start Building Your Website By Choosing a Platform

Website Builders vs. Content Management Systems

How to Build a Website with a Website Builder

1. Choose a website builder.

2. Sign up for a subscription plan that meets your budgets and needs.

3. Choose a short and catchy domain name.

4. Pick a premade website template.

5. Customize the template.

6. Add pages to the site.

7. Write optimized content.

8. Fill in general settings.

9. Install extensions and apps.

How to Build a Website with a CMS

1. Choose a CMS.

2. Select a hosting plan.

3. Get a domain name from a domain name provider.

4. Choose a theme for your site.

5. Customize your theme and templates.

6. Add pages to your site.

7. Write content.

8. Fill in general settings.

9. Install add-ons.

How to Make a Website with HubSpot

1. Create a homepage.

2. Select a theme.

3. Edit the modules.

4. Create other pages on your website.

5. Incorporate social media accounts.

6. View analytics.

7. Add a blog to your site.

8. Install add-ons.

Build a Website: FAQs

How much does it cost to build a website?

How hard is it to build a website?

How do you create a website for free?

How do you build a website from scratch?

How much does it cost to hire someone to build a website?

How long does it take to build a website?

Build Your Website: Tips

Build a Website to Grow Your Online Reach

Why People Visit YouTube & How to Engage Them [New Data]

Why Do People Visit YouTube?

1. To watch videos that entertain me.

2. To learn how to do something.

3. To learn about something, such as a hobby, interest, or industry.

Other Answers

Catering to YouTube's Giant Audience

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Minority-Owned Business [+ Expert Tips]

Get Certified as a Minority-Owned Business

Apply for Minority Business Grants

Apply for Minority Business Loans

Tap into Additional Minority Programs and Resources

Indulge in Motivational Tips from Other Minority Founders

Friday, June 11, 2021

The 4 Go-To Social Media Video Platforms & How to Engage Their Audiences [New Data]

Where are Consumers Watching Social Media Videos?

Tips for Sharing Social Media Videos

1. For most platforms, zone in on snackable content.

2. Test different video formats, too.

3. Meet your video audiences where they are.

4. Don't always lean on repurposed content.

5. Embrace influencers -- and customers.

Navigating Social Media Content

Your Brief Guide to Using Goal Seek in Excel

What is Goal Seek in Excel?

How To Use Goal Seek In Excel

Goal Seek Analysis In Excel

Goal Seek Function In Excel

Thursday, June 10, 2021

How to Effectively Disavow Links & Protect Organic Ranking

What is the disavow tool?

Do you actually need to use the disavow tool?

What is considered a 'bad' backlink?

When should you create a disavow file?

1. Manual Action: Unnatural Links To Your Site

2. Link Schemes

3. Directories

4. Comments