Is a Blog Site Right For You?

Is your website design friendly for customer interaction? Does your business depend on hearing from potential buyers?

Blog websites have become more popular as they allow the audience to be part of the conversation. Here are some of the other reasons many choose to use a blog website:

• Easy to update. Blog websites are powered by Content Management Systems (CMS), software packages that do most of the legwork. All the person updating has to do is log in, write their post and hit “submit.” No knowledge of HTML or other website language is needed.
• Easy to design. Many CMS’ come with templates pre-installed, so with a simple click of the mouse, your websites colors, background and other attributes are picked.
• Little costs are involved. WordPress is arguably the most popular CMS used. A major boon to WordPress is that there is no charge for using the software. Google’s Blogger is also free to use.

Whatever your web site design needs might be, contact 21thirteen design at 648.808.0391 to set up a consultation. Or visit www.21thirteen.com to request a free quote. We look forward to helping you attain better customer service.

21thirteen design Portfolio Spotlight: Lucky Bob

21thirteen design is proud to spotlight the following website design:

Left: Lucky Bob's old website. Right: Lucky Bob's new website, designed by 21thirteen design.

www.LuckyShow.net

Lucky Bob is a prop comic that performs at birthdays, festivals, corporate functions and other events. His website didn’t reflect his talents, so we did an overhaul, including a new navigation system and Flash intro.

21thirteen design has offices in NYC, Boston, Philadelphia and Northern NJ. Contact us at 646.808.0391 or visit www.21thirteen.com for a FREE QUOTE!

21thirteen design named one of Top U.S. Web Design Firms for 2011

Article on International Business Times says NYC-based firm gives clients “a competitive advantage in the World Wide Web’s marketplace”

Contact: Perry Yeldham

Tel: 646.808.0391

E-Mail: info@21thirteen.com

New York City-based web design company 21thirteen design was named this week as a Top U.S. Web Design Firm in an article on the International Business Times, the leading provider of business news from the U.S. and abroad.

“We are extremely honored and humbled to be named as a Top U.S. Web Design Firm,” said CEO Perry Yeldham. “This recognition demonstrates our expertise and capabilities in the Internet marketplace.”

Yeldham started 21thirteen design in 1994, expanding the company to branch offices in Boston, Philadelphia and northern New Jersey by offering unique website design and Internet business solutions.

The recognition came because of the company’s “2113 FASTFLOW” website presentation system, which was designed to appeal to all categories of website viewers, as well as its beautiful and innovative website designs.

“We pride ourselves on being unique when it comes to designing our clients’ websites, and this honor from the International Business Times proves we’ve met our aim,” Yeldham said. “21thirteen design will continue to grow and expand our knowledge, and we will continue to be one of the Top U.S. Web Design Firms.”

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Press release written by www.WebDrafter.com on behalf of 21thirteen design. Contact Perry Yeldham of 21thirteen design at info@2113web.com for more information.

Social Media Marketing Is More Than Just Posting Links

Many businesses use their social media marketing (SMM) efforts to post links to products and discuss new ventures. They forget one important detail, as Robert Ball noted in a recent Huffington Post blog:

Small and large businesses alike frequently fail to comprehend how social media can be used to hear the subtle, vital nuances of the market or worse yet, the not-so-subtle screams. They get caught up in amassing huge numbers of Facebook likes, Twitter followers, and high generosity scores. They forget to actually listen to what is being said.

Businesses new to the social media realm lack the understanding to know that social media is essentially built on interaction. You want to your Twitter followers and Facebook fans to interact with you. In return, they want you to interact with them.

Ball says it best: “Just go where people are talking.” You want people to discuss you and your products. But, if you’re going to just observe and not participate in the discourse, then your social media marketing efforts aren’t being properly conducted. It’s kind of like being at a party and people are discussing you, but you choose to stand against the wall and view your surroundings.

It takes a lot of time and effort to execute a great SMM plan. It includes strategic business consultation, planning, marketing and brand strategies, and editing text. This time and effort is ultimately worth it in the end, as SMM gives you a better foothold for market research, word-of-mouth advertising and customer development.

You might not have the time and effort resources needed to properly handle all SMM strategies. Contact 21thirteen design today for a free social media marketing consultation. With offices in NYC, Boston, Philadelphia and Northern New Jersey, we can employ the media, messages and messengers tailored to your company and its needs.

What Is SEO and Why Does It Matter?

In today's world of running a business, there is much to be considered. There are not only the considerations like, "What type(s) of product or services is the public looking for?" but "What is the best way to market the product?" Then, once the product is determined, one must ask, "How can one have a successful online business?" and "How can our business-either the brick and mortar location or the website be found?"

Ironically, these latter questions have the same answer-the use of SEO. SEO or search engine optimization is best defined as, "The process of making one's website more accessible and visible to search engines via natural or unpaid (aka- organic or algorithmic) search results rather than through SEM (search engine marketing) which is paid inclusion". Or, simply put, designing your website to be search engine friendly so that your site will be at the top of the list when someone does a web search for your particular service, product or company. This is done by employing methods such as:

1. Deciding on a list of keywords that represent your site or product. Consider synonyms, phrases, and even mis-spellings that apply to your product or service.
2. Use the Google Adwords Tool to help you determine what words rank the highest.
3. Create the content for your site using the word list you have developed. However, be sure that while you include the words as part of the text that they don't overshadow your content. A good ratio is that keywords should make up no more than 5-8% of the overall content.
4. Once you have developed your site's content, take some time to test the effectiveness of your SEO work by checking with tools such as Google Website Optimizer.

When SEO is done properly, the number of visitors to your website will grow and your sales will increase exponentially. The use of SEO is not something to be afraid of, and with a bit of practice nearly anyone can do it, although to have an effective search engine optimized website it is best to read a few books on the topic, talk to someone with a lot of experience or contact a business that specializes in designing SEO friendly websites.

Despite the fact that SEO is one of the most vital aspects of having an effective business website, there are still people who insist on creating websites that have no value to an online search. However, this mindset is much like deciding to bake a cake but refusing to turn on the oven. If you want to have an effective online business then making use of the tools proven to work is a must! Do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Either way, taking the time to grow your business through the use of search engine optimization is one the best things you can do if you want to see your customer base increase and your sales reach new heights.

21thirteen Design offers website design and SEO and SEM services. Contact us today at www.21Thirteen.com. 

Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of 21thirteen Design. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

21thirteen design Portfolio Spotlight: Bentzen Financial

21thirteen design is proud to spotlight the following website design:

Left: Bentzen Financial's old website. Right: Bentzen Financial's new website designed by 21thirteen design.

www.BentzenFinancial.com

Bentzen Financial wanted a website design that accurately reflected the business’ motto of “Fair Pricing, Honest Answers, No Pressure.”

With a complete overhaul, including a total layout and color scheme redesign, we think we met the challenge and gave this Tennessee-based business the look it deserves.  

21thirteen design has offices in NYC, Boston, Philadelphia and Northern NJ. Contact us at 646.808.0391 or visit www.21thirteen.com for a FREE QUOTE!

21thirteen design Portfolio Spotlight: The Closet Builder

21thirteen design is proud to spotlight the following website design:

Left: The Closet Builder's old website. Right: The Closet Builder's redesigned website by 21thirteen design.

www.TheClosetBuilder.com

The Closet Builder designs sleek closets, sliding doors and room dividers for clients in NJ and NYC, so it needed a website design just as sleek as its products.

With a stylish navigation panel and color scheme, we made The Closet Builder’s Web presence as stylish as any of the Manhattan or North Jersey customers it serves.

21thirteen design has offices in NYC, Boston, Philadelphia and Northern NJ. Contact us at 646.808.0391 or visit www.21thirteen.com for a FREE QUOTE!