Industry News
"Should I pay this bill?" Annual Domain Listing Invoice Phishing Scam?
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
Should I pay this annual invoice?" ....Wait, that is not a bill. It is marketing materials.
There are a number of ambitious "annual domain listing" companies that send marketing materials which appear like invoices for domain related services. DO NOT PAY THIS BILL without clearly reviewing this invoice to determine exactly what they are billing you for. If you take the time to read these letters, it is very clear that they are simply offering you services. These services appear to be related to being listed in their directory. So really, it is not a scam, as they do clearly note that they are proposing "ANNUAL domain listing services" and nothing else. I am sure they may provide great domain listing services on their business directory. However, this is not a required service for your domain or website.
How Much Does a New Website Cost?
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
You are not the only one wondering... "What is the cost to develop a website?" In fact, it happens to be a widely searched question in Google Search (per Google Ad Words). Well as a professional web designer, and owner of a web development company with locations in both Chicago and Las Vegas, I feel I am experienced enough to offer an answer to this question.
The price of building a new website in 2024 certainly varies depending on the desired functionality and objectives of your website design project.
While our company does offer various entry level packages for custom website design and development which range from $1,500.00 to $5,000.00, the average cost for a custom-built website with basic features and around 30 SEO optimized pages is generally around $5,000 to $10,000.00. Of course, this price can increase significantly if you require advanced features such as e-commerce capabilities, search engine optimization or complex design elements. In that regard, some complex e-commerce websites and/or website development projects that include content creation with the intent to conquer organic search engines result pages (SERP's) may range from $10,000 to $50,000.00
What is Organic Social Traffic? Learn How Social Media Clicks Help Website Relevancy SEO Ranking.
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
What is organic social traffic as referred to in Google Analytics?
First, it is important to understand that "Organic Social Traffic" is the measured activity on your website that is sent to your website via social media links (commonly referred to as "social referrals"). In other words, When a visitor lands on your website or landing page by clicking a link shared on a social network, it's considered a social referral.
Organic social media encompasses the no-cost content - posts, photos, videos, memes, Stories, and more - exchanged among users, including businesses and brands, across social networks. Organic traffic refers to the number of visitors to a website who arrive through unpaid, natural search results. In Google Analytics, organic social traffic specifically refers to the visitors who come to your site from social media platforms without clicking on any paid advertisements or promotions. This type of traffic is valuable as it indicates that users are finding your website through genuine interest and engagement with your content on social media.
How to Become More Relevant & Reputable on Google and other Search Engines
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
Lets start this article with this simple preface: Everyone wants their website to be found on the first page of Google Search results. If you are scratching your head wondering why you are not, then this article should help you understand why, and how to become more relevant.
Google and other search engines are in the business of providing quality search engine results to their users. This is why Google, Yahoo and Bing have developed search algorithms to help them determine what results will bring their user the most "relevant" data found on the world wide web. Just to be clear, an algorithm is a set of instructions that are used to complete a task, answer a question or solve a problem. In search engines, algorithms enable the system to quickly and accurately return relevant results based on an inputted query. Google's impressive ability to automatically generate search results is useful when navigating the overwhelming amount of available information. Google's ranking systems are designed to swiftly sift through billions of webpages and content in Google's Search index, ensuring you receive the most relevant and useful results in an instant. Find exactly what you need with just a fraction of a second.
In order to provide you with the most valuable and accurate search results, search algorithms take into account numerous factors and signals. Understanding these factors is the first step in becoming more relevant in Google.
The World of Concrete is an annual convention which brings together professionals from the construction industry. This event provides a platform for businesses to showcase their products, services, and technologies related to the concrete and construction world.
Since 1975, this trade show for contractors has grown in size and popularity, attracting thousands of exhibitors and attendees from around the world. This annual show takes place in Las Vegas, which is a city known for its booming construction industry.
During the World of Concrete Trade Show, attendees had the opportunity to explore over 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, featuring thousands of exhibitors from numerous countries. These exhibitors displayed a wide range of products and services, including concrete saw cutting equipment, concrete mixers, various types of construction software applications and much more.
Your Competition is Growing! Use These Tools to Combat the Enemy.
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
Currently, your competition is plotting to take over your clientele and service area. Maybe it is an old employee that thinks he could provide a better service. Perhaps your competition is a younger version of you that is eager to stake out his new camp and service area in your backyard.
In any case, in this day in age, nobody is happy settling for a salary as a worker bee. Everyone wants to be the boss. Is the American Dream feeding this ambition? Or is simply just human nature? In any case, the dream is the same for all, whether you are an established American citizen, or an immigrants from any foreign country, we all want a piece of the pie! The result is that new companies are popping up every day!
Speaking from the perspective of small web design company and advertising agency operating in a suburb of Chicago, we have observed that this trend is true across many industries including but not limited to: home remodeling companies, painting companies and even web design companies.
Time to Embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Content Creation, Stock Images and Product Photography
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
This articles examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world of content creation including, authoring text and creating images. In addition to sharing some of the tools your competition may be implementing to get ahead of you, this article also provides facts on the history and evolution of Artificial Intelligence. The hope is that his article will help you realize the endless possibilities offered by Artificial Intelligence and what to expect in the future.
Google and Microsoft Reduce Workforces, Both Hint at Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
Is the current economic crisis the real reason for tech industries recent reduction in workforces? Yes, the economy is in bad shape. Interest’s rates are high and inflation is climbing, but it is also evident that the recent leaps and bounds made within the developments of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is making it easier for BIG TECH to part with their employees.
Google Cuts 12.5% of Workforce in 2023
First, to put Google cuts in context: in Q3 2021 Alphabet Inc. reported 150,028 total employee’s. On January 20, 2023 Sundar Pichai CEO of Google and Alphabet released a statement “A difficult decision to set us up for the future”. His statement goes on to convey that “We’ve (Google) decided to reduce our workforce by approximately 12,000 roles” (12.5% of their company). Later in the statement he says that the company is pivoting and recalls Google “to be AI-first years ago led to groundbreaking advances across our businesses and the whole industry.”
Google Announces Plan to Purchase the Thompson Center in Chicago
Written by Karla Guccione, Web Designer
Alphabet Inc. announces their intent on “Bringing Google to Chicago’s Thompson Center.” The company announcement posted on July 27, 2022 under Google’s Company News section, conveyed the company’s plan to purchase the Thompson Center and “support (their) engineering work in Chicago,” in effort to “advance the growth of Google’s partners and customers across the Midwest and nationally”.
While Google, and their parent company “Alphabet Inc.” (both mostly known for their Search Engine Console) are both headquartered in the same Mountain View, California corporate complex, known as the “Googleplex.” The Googleplex has been reported to possesses roughly 2 million square feet of office space, the Thompson Center is not far behind with approximately 1.5 million square feet, spread across 17 floors of office and retail space.
Note to Website Owners: COVID-19 Sends Business Online, Ecommerce and Internet Activity Rise
Written by Local Chicago Area Web Designer
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, the World is seeing a shift in the way business is done. With much of the World’s work-force sidelined, and with retail stores closing across the United States, our economy is evolving and consumers are looking for virtual spaces to wander.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, for those of us who are fortunate enough to remain healthy, some of us have taken advantage of the World being paused, by getting our Spring cleaning accomplished at home. Clearing closets and clutter have been accomplished. However, if you are a business owner and/or website owner, knowing where the World's economy is headed (online), have you reviewed your business plan and website to make sure they are both adequate vehicles that are capable of carrying your business into the future?
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Stealing Images is a Crime, Avoid Copyright Claims Using FREE and/or PAID Royalty-Free Stock Images
Written by Sal Guccione
This article provides some insight into copyright infringement and/or copyright claims, as it relates to the use of images on websites, while also offering ways to avoid copyright claims. This includes providing proactive actions and links to resources for free royalty-free stock images and paid royalty-free stock images.
If you own a website, or are a web designer who has used images without securing licensing then you probably know this can be a real costly endeavor. Copyright infringement is a real and occurs more often than you think. This occurs both on purpose, and inadvertently. In any case, the attorneys who will be contacting you do not care if it was a mistake or not. This is why it is important to use images from a trusted source (not Google Image Search), and/or license your images from a trusted stock image resource.
Before we get into providing solutions to avoiding copyright claims, let us first understand the nuts and bolts of the issue which can be realized by reviewing some frequently asked questions and answers relative to copyright infringement as it relates to "image usage on the internet".
Google Shuts Down Google+, Facebook Wins Social Media Battle
Written by Local Chicago Area Web Designer
In October of 2018 Google announced they would be "Protecting your data, improving our third-party APIs, and sunsetting consumer Google+". Later in December another update would come as Google announced "Expediting changes to Google+". Most recently in December of 2018, deletion dates were provided when Google emphasized that it will shut down Google+, "due to low usage and challenges involved in maintaining a successful product that meets consumers’ expectations." as provided in Google's official statement.
While the number of mobile device users is growing, the number of social media networks is also constantly growing. However, with the recent news of Google sunsetting Google+, the "social media battle field" just got thinner.
How to Fix Google Usability Issues Using Mobile Friendly & Responsive Web Design
Written by Local Chicago Area Web Designer
In 2015 Google notified all website owners of issues on their site relative to mobility issues. If your website was deficient and/or you have received an email that provided a warning stating that “Google systems has tested your site finding a percentage of your website’s pages to have critical mobile usability errors", then this is something you really should resolve.
Is it a valid concern if a website is not optimized for mobile devices? That question depends on the answer to another question. How many mobile device users are their versus desktop users. In May 2015, in the “Google Inside Adwords Blog”, within the article titled "Building for the next moment", Google stated that “Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries including the US and Japan”. Furthermore, www.statista.com authored an article titled "Statistics and Facts on Mobile Internet Usage" which reports that "mobile phone internet user penetration was 52.7 percent in 2015" and suggests the figure will climb to 63.4 percent by 2017.
Matt Cutts is the Most Interesting Man in the World of SEO
Written by Sal Guccione
If you don’t know who Matt Cutts is, then you probably have not been paying much attention to the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). If you own or manage a website and have an interest in growing your web presence, then its time you learn more about Matt Cutts.
When viewing Google’s Management Team Page, provided on their company website. You will not see a photo or even a description of Matt Cutts. I find this funny considering, that when Matt Cutts speaks, his words have a more significant impact on the world of SEO than any other Google staff member.
Perhaps you are more familiar with the "stay thirsty" ad campaign put on by Dos Equis Beer. Whereas their spokesman is a older distinguished gentlemen who is lauded as "the most interesting man in the world". I could not help but to rewrite many of the popular sayings so that they are relevant to the world of SEO and Matt Cutts.
"Search engines base their results upon his guidelines"
"His words are considered golden"
"He is fluent in all search engine algorithms, even those that have not been developed yet"
