Teresa

Today’s online ecosystem is overflowing with casual and serious writers. Are you ready to invest a few hours of every week writing articles that promote your products or services? Do you have the first couple articles already written? If the answer is yes to both of these questions then you are definitely ready for a WordPress website with full blogging.

For some of us this writing isn’t an easy task. If you don’t have the meddle to keep it up for the long run then don’t do it. Instead be a contributing author elsewhere and build a static website that puts your products and services in the best light.

• Research your industry to see what others are doing.
• Be honest about your writing skills.
• Be sure you have the time and energy to invest in the writing.
• Make a list of topics and see how much content you really have.
• Test your content on some current clients.

The most successful blogs in my experience have had a dedicated content writer on staff. In fact, the ideal marketing team has a dedicated person for social media, a dedicated person for writing content, a web developer who is savvy in Search Engine Optimization techniques. This is more than the typical sole proprietor can handle so consider these points carefully as you develop your marketing plan.

In very rare cases, an owner wears the hat of content manager and provides regular updates to the website. With a little bit of tutoring this client can be self sufficient. My favorite success story for WordPress websites and the non-blogger is the restauranteur who is empowered to update their own menu and post special events and seasonal offerings. Please don’t post a pdf! It just doesn’t add to your online find-ability.

Your website still needs a periodic tune up much like we do on our cars. Mileage may vary but most importantly any WordPress website requires regular updates for security. It is also important to keep up to date with Search Engine Optimization because there are always updates to standards, directories, and the search engines. Even if you have a static billboard website or a DIY site, it is a good idea to have an occasional find-ability review by an expert.

• Is your website usable on mobile devices?
• Does it load fast enough?
• Have you checked your directory listings?
• Have you updated WordPress and all plugins?
• Are you measuring your website traffic?
• Do you need rich snippets?
• Are you checking in a filter bubble?

There is so much more to website than the content. Even the hosting you choose can make a difference in the success of your website.

Color is a powerful tool in your website design and in your branding. The website should follow the branding colors closely and set the appropriate tone for your products and/or services. That being said, there are important design guidelines using color online because of readability across a full range of displays. Consider contrast and accessibility for your viewers when picking colors.

• Blue: Promotes calmness and serenity and is often associated with security and trust.
• Orange: Cheerful and confident, often associated with enthusiasm but can also suggest caution. UX studies consider the combination of blue and orange as more memorable than other combinations.
• Yellow: Another cheerful color but use it carefully when it comes to text. Some shades actually cause eye strain.
• Green: Obviously a nature color suggesting growth it suggests health, serenity and tranquility. Let’s not forget that it is also associated to money so it can also suggest wealth.
• Red: A strong color that is powerful in small doses. For some it means stop, for others it means good luck. Always consider your audience when it comes to color.
• Brown: A friendly and earthy color best used in combination with a stronger color.
• Purple: Often associated with royalty, it suggests wealth and success, sometimes creativity.
• Turquoise: A sophisticated color associated with healing.

Most importantly, let the content of your website shine above the colors. Today’s minimalist trends with black or shades of white backgrounds make much more effective visuals across the variety of displays being used to view your site.