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Industry News

2025 Sherwin-Williams Indianapolis Pro Show at the Dallara Indy Car Factory in Speedway, Indiana

Published: 9 March 2025
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Categories: Industry News

In March 2025, AdverGroup was again invited by our client and partner Sherwin-Williams to attend their Indianapolis Pro Show at the Dallara Indy Car Factory in Speedway, Indiana.

This annual event provides the opportunity for Sherwin-Williams Pro painters and contractors, to meet with Sherwin-Williams representatives and vendors to learn more about new and exciting products, resources, services and management tools provided by Sherwin-Williams and their preferred partners.

The event included lunch and raffle prizes, which included supplies, tools, gift certificates, and even a free new website provided by AdverGroup Web Design!

AdverGroup is a staple at these Sherwin-Williams events because we specialize in developing search engine optimized contractor and service company websites that are highly visible to search engines. Furthermore, we help our clients understand how to update their websites to help them stay relevant to search engine result pages.

AdverGroup would like to thank Sherwin-Williams for always including us in their event that provide such valuable tools and information for their painters and painting companyies who purchase their quality products.

We look forward to seeing you again next year! Until then, we look forward to working with our pros by providing professional quality paints and helping them streamline and grow their business!

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Improve User Experience Using Apps, Components, Plugins, and Widgets

Published: 12 February 2025
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Categories: Industry News, Web Design Tutorials

Apps, Components, Plugins, and Widgets can extend the functionality of your website.  These tools are designed to add new features, enhance user experience, and improve overall website performance. With the vast number of options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to include on your site. In this article, we will explore the differences between apps, widgets, plugins, modules, and components and how they can benefit your website.

As a professional website developer, we take a different approach to managing our clients.  We never pretend to be like “the great and powerful Oz” behind the curtain creating magical websites from scratch.  As a matter of fact, we often tell our clients exactly how we achieve the objectives that they hire us to accomplish.   We take this approach because we realize that clients who embrace their administrative control panels (no matter what platform) are more likely to be successful.  This is why we take the time to train our clients how to navigate and use various sections of their website admin section, including how to update articles, pages, posts, apps, widgets, plugins, components and modules.

Before you learn how to update these add-ons. You must first understand the difference.  1st you must understand that their are various website platforms, examples being WordPress, Shopify, and Joomla. Each of these platforms calls their added functions something different.

Shopify uses the following terminology: Shopify content pages are referred to as pages, with a separate blog section where content is referred to as posts.. Shopify add-ons are referred to as apps or applications.

WordPress uses the following terminology: WordPress content pages are referred to as pages, with a separate blog section where content is referred to as posts. WordPress add-ons are referred to as plugins, which can be placed in sections or areas of your website using widgets or page sections.

Joomla uses the following terminology: Joomla content pages are referred to as articles, now constructed in a manner that can be organized and displayed in a blog format. Joomla add-ons are referred to as components and/or modules (with functionality built in). Modules can then be placed in sections or areas of your website using modules.

Widgets are small pieces of code that can be added to any website platform.

AdverGroup Web Design has been developing websites for over 20 years.  We do more than build boiler plate websites, we also maintain the ability to design and develop custom apps, widgets, plugins, components, and modules to achieve special functionality on just about every website platform (including but not limited to WordPress, Shopify and Joomla). That being said we also understand the benefit of hitting the easy button.   This article not only provides a brief introduction into understanding the difference between Apps, Widgets, Plugins, Components, and Modules.  This article also shares some valuable resources on how to achieve some of this “special functionality” using plug and play solutions from trusted 3rd party developers.

It is important to know that there are 3rd party developers that produce these add-ons which provide extended functionality to specific platforms.  Some of these 3rd party developers code their solutions specific to WordPress, Shopify or Joomla.  While some may also take the time to make sure their solution is coded to work for all of the aforementioned platforms.

In that regard, here is a valuable tidbit relative to plugins, modules and widgets. Did you know that plugins are like add-ons for your website, giving it extra functionality and features? These can include things like contact forms, social media integration, video players, music players or even e-commerce capabilities. Modules, on the other hand, are blocks of content that can be added to specific areas of a page. Widgets are similar to modules, but they typically appear in the sidebar or footer of a webpage.

elfsight widgets 300x2502xA good example of special functionality offered by widgets is a trusted 3rd Party Developer of which we frequently use on websites that we develop for clients. The name of that developer is ElfSight Widgets. Elfsight widgets has over 60 widgets that you can deploy on your website without having to perform any custom coding.   Elfsight Widgets can help you transform your website into a dynamic powerhouse. They have everything you need to engage your audience, boost sales, and grow your business. With our suite of over 75+ customizable widgets, you can do it all:

  • Showcase reviews from Google, Yelp, Amazon, and more to build trust.
  • Integrate social feeds from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter for dynamic content.
  • Engage users with tools like WhatsApp Chat, AI Chatbots, and Interactive Polls.
  • Boost conversions with Countdown Timers, Pricing Tables, and Spinning Wheels.
  • Enhance functionality with tools like Appointment Booking, Event Calendars, and Product Calculators.

From embedding vibrant photo galleries to creating interactive menus, our tools are designed to make your website stand out while delivering a seamless user experience.

Ready to transform your website?  Explore All Widgets Now!

Let’s build something amazing together! Save your time and money with ready-to-use solutions and grow your business faster!

By empowering our clients with this knowledge, we not only foster a sense of collaboration and partnership with them, but we also set them up for success in managing their own online presence.

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20 Year Anniversary | AdverGroup Web Design, Creative Media & Digital Marketing

Published: 10 January 2025
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Categories: Industry News

In the year 2025, AdverGroup Web Design and Creative Media proudly celebrates 20 years in business! 

Since 2005, we’ve had the honor of creating countless websites, video commercials and creative media projects for clients across a wide range of industries.  From start-up companies and small local businesses, to large corporations and manufacturing facilities, we have been blessed with the opportunity to observe how our knowledge and creativity have helped so many businesses grow and succeed. 

Looking back over the past 2 decades, we are deeply grateful to our clients for entrusting us with the success of their websites and digital marketing..

Over the years, technology has rapidly evolved, and so have we. From building basic HTML and Flash animated websites, to configuring complex e-commerce platforms and conquering search engines, every step along the way has brought us to the place we stand today!

AdverGroup Web Design develops website using nearly every platform. Including but not limited to WordPress, Shopify, Joomla and More! We also specialize in E-Commerce websites. We have built and manage some of the most successful online stores. Our clients have been able to capitalize on their online store’s success by utilizing our website maintenance plans, SEO services and social media marketing.

Our team is made up of experienced web developers, graphic designers, video producers and digital marketers who are dedicated to staying ahead of the curve. We understand that a strong online presence is crucial for businesses in today’s digital age, which is why we continuously adapt and expand our services to provide the best solutions for our clients.

One of our key strengths at AdverGroup is our ability to customize websites according to each client’s unique needs and goals.  If you are seeking a professional website design and development company, contact AdverGroup today!

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“Should I pay this bill?” Annual Domain Listing Invoice Phishing Scam?

Published: 21 December 2024
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Categories: Industry News

Beware of Domain Listings Phishing Scam

Annual Domain Listing Invoice Phishing Scam?

“Should I pay this bill?”….Wait, that is not a bill.  It is marketing materials.

Do not be fooled. There are “Domain Listing Services” that send you what appears to be an annual bill. This deceptive invoice makes recipients believe this is service that they already utilize.

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.

What is a Domain Listing Service?

A domain listing service is  essentially a directory that lists registered domain names. These companies claim to offer exposure and visibility for your website by listing it in their directory, potentially driving more traffic to your site. However, the effectiveness of these services is often questionable and there are better ways to increase your online presence.

What is Phishing

Phishing is a scam (online and offline (by mail)) where fraudsters send fake or deceptive messages to trick people into sharing personal information, in effort to steal money, access sensitive data, or install malware on the victim’s device’s or website hosting package.

Why You Should Be Cautious

One major red flag when receiving these types of marketing materials is the use of language that may confuse or mislead you into thinking it’s an official invoice for an “annual” service you have already agreed to or need for your website. Many companies use clever tactics like using bold and urgent font or even including personal information such as your domain name to make it seem legitimate. Don’t be fooled – these are simply marketing ploys.

DOMAIN LISTING PHISHING SCAM SAMPLE

Back to the letter, annual invoice which you may have received,  I do view this approach as deceptive. Where as they send new domain and website owners what appears to be an annual bill or invoice using the U.S. Post Office for services domain listing related services.   What makes this somewhat deceptive, is that they are targeting new domain owners that are not really hip to the lingo. These new website owners are often naïve and lack experience in understanding common terms and services related to owning a website.  We must often educate new website owners as to what a domain registrar is, or why website hosting is required.  Most clients quickly grasp these details as we coach them through the process of developing their website.

Being that we develop. websites for many new businesses, we earn the trust of our clients who often consult with us regarding any web services that they get relative to internet services. Over the 20 years we have been in service we have observed that these new domain purchasers are often targeted by self proclaimed SEO experts, fake Google representatives and domain listing companies.

 Tips for Protecting Yourself for Falling for Domain Listing Scams and Phishing Attempts

Educate Yourself!

The two most important things to know is who is your domain registrar and who is your hosting company.  Typically, your domain registrar is the company where you purchased your website’s domain name (i.e. GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and your hosting company is the one that provides server space for your website to be accessible online.

First and foremost, always make sure to keep a record of your login information for both your domain registrar and hosting company. This includes usernames, passwords, and any other necessary information. Also, it’s important to regularly log in to these accounts to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made.

Be aware of phishing attempts – emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate companies but are actually trying to get access to your account information. These can often look convincing and may ask you for personal or sensitive information. Never provide information to anyone over the phone that you did not call, having first verified that you are of course calling the correct number for that business.

Protecting Your Website and Digital Assets 

If you are not well versed in the world of website development and managing digital assets, be sure to find a local web designer or website development company that you can trust to consult you accordingly.  This does not mean let them take control of your assets and hold you hostage. Find a local consultant that you can trust to provide the only the services that you need, on an as needed basis.  This may include hosting services, or even delegating access of your GoDaddy account to  assist with updating DNS Zones, authenticating emails, etc.    This web designer or website development company should also be able to help coach you in the areas of managing your digital assets and growing your website to gain relevancy in search engines.

It is important to have a strong online presence in today’s digital world, and a knowledgeable consultant can guide you in the right direction. Having local support for your website development and digital assets can make all the difference in creating a successful online presence. A local web designer or website development company will have a better understanding of your target market and can create a personalized strategy that fits your unique needs.

By finding a trustworthy consultant to assist with these tasks on an as needed basis, you can avoid being taken advantage of by companies looking to hold your assets hostage.

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What is Organic Social Traffic? Learn How Social Media Clicks Help Website Relevancy SEO Ranking.

Published: 22 April 2024
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Categories: Industry News

Organic Social Traffic Search Engine Optimization for Website Design

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.

Organic social traffic can be a powerful tool for businesses looking to increase their online presence and reach new audiences. By creating engaging and relevant content on social media, businesses can attract more organic traffic to their websites. Additionally, this type of traffic often has a higher conversion rate than other sources because these visitors have shown interest in the brand or product before arriving at the website .

Organic Traffic Can Help Your Website Relevancy and Ranking in Search Engines

One way to increase organic social traffic is by regularly posting high-quality content on social media platforms. This can include blog posts, images, videos, and other types of content that are relevant to your target audience. By consistently providing valuable and interesting content, businesses can build a loyal following on social media and drive more traffic to their website.

Using hashtags strategically can also help increase organic social traffic. Hashtags allow users to discover your content through specific keywords or topics. By using relevant hashtags in your posts, you can reach a wider audience outside of  your followers and potentially attract new visitors to your website.

In addition to social media, search engines also play a crucial role in driving traffic to websites. One factor that search engines use to determine the relevancy and ranking of a website is the amount of quality backlinks it has. Backlinks are links from other websites that lead back to your site. They act as votes of confidence for your website’s content and can improve its credibility and authority in the eyes of search engines.

To increase backlinks, businesses can reach out to relevant websites and ask for guest blogging opportunities or collaborate on content creation. This not only helps build relationships with other businesses but also provides an opportunity for more exposure and potential backlinks.

Furthermore, regularly creating valuable and informative blog posts help produce content to share on social media.   It is hard to implement a good and effective social media strategy without quality content existing on your website (home-base).

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World of Concrete 2024

Published: 5 February 2024
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Categories: Contractor, Industry News

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. 

History of the World of Concrete | Trade Show for Contractors and Construction Companies

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.

This trade show was not just about showcasing products and services; it also offers a wide range of educational seminars and demonstrations. These sessions cover topics such as industry trends, best practices for construction management, safety protocols, and new product innovations. Attending these sessions can provide valuable knowledge and resources that can ultimately benefit your business.

You can view the complete list of exhibitors who were present along with a complete list of educational session that were provided  at the 2024 World of Concrete Show here!

Website Design, Development and Video Production for Contractors and Construction Companies

Our team from AdverGroup recently attended in the 2024 World of Concrete Trade Show. As a digital marketing agency specializing in website development for contractors and product manufacturers in the construction industry, we recognize the significance of keeping pace with evolving trends and advancements across all the sectors we cater to. Attending trade shows and conventions like the World of Concrete grants us invaluable insights into each specific industry, enabling us to enhance our service to clients.

If you own a construction company, or are a manufacturer of construction equipment or construction related products, Contact AdverGroup to learn how we can help you.

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2023 Sherwin-Williams Chicago Fiesta Latina | Website Design for Painting Contractors

Published: 9 October 2023
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Categories: Web Design Portfolio

In 2023, as Sherwin-Williams Latin American Resource Group held their 2nd annual Fiesta Latina. Sherwin-Williams is a paint manufacturer who cares about the painting contractors that they supply paint to.  In efforts to provide more resources to Latin American painting contractor Sherwin-Williams formed their Latin American Resource Group. This group helps painting contractors and companies realize other resources for their business to help them become successful.

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Below you can view the gallery of images captured by AdverGroup Web Design at the event which took place in 2023 for Sherwin-Williams. 

AdverGroup Web Design was proud to serve as the event’s exclusive website design company.  Our purpose at the event was to offer information and advice relative to website development and search engine optimization (SEO) for painting contractors in the Chicago area. AdverGroup provided “3 FREE CONTRACTOR WEBSITES” which were raffled off on each of the 3 days of this awesome event. We look forward to assisting these 3 winners in “turning their business!” Other vendors provided demonstrations on commercial painting equipment, while other vendors offered solutions relative to accounting, insurance, loans for business and mortgages for real estate.

Please take a moment to view the video that we produced for Sherwin Williams in 2022.

Fiesta Latin Sherwin-Williams Exclusive Website Design for Painters and Painting Contractors in Chicago

Sherwin-Williams Latin Resource group helps painting contractors and companies realize other resources for their business to help them become successful.One example is how Sherwin-Williams brought AdverGroup Web Design onboard. By introducing many of their painting contractors to AdverGroup, Sherwin-Williams is helping their contractors achieve more new business, when they have a professional painting contractor website that is search engine optimized.

If you are a painting contractor in the Chicago area who needs a professional website, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can help you produce a professional contractor website, and assist you in developing an effective search engine optimization strategy that will help you conquer search engines.

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How to Become More Relevant & Reputable on Google and other Search Engines

Published: 21 August 2023
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Categories: Industry News

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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.

#1  What is a users true meaning of the words they entered in a query? 

In order to provide you with relevant search results, a search engine first needs to understand what you’re looking for – the intention behind your query. To accomplish this, Google creates language models that aim to decipher how the few words you type into the search box align with the most valuable content available. This process involves various steps, starting from simple tasks like identifying and correcting spelling errors, and extending to our advanced synonym system. This system enables Google to find relevant documents even if they don’t contain the exact words you used. In short, Google recognizes the connection between the words and matches you with the appropriate content. The development of this system took years to develop and has significantly enhanced search results in more than 30% of queries across different languages.

#2  Is any of the content on your website relevant to users query?

Google analyzes content to determine its relevance to a search. The presence of keywords in the content is a basic signal of relevance. For example, keywords appearing on a webpage or in headings and body text indicate potential relevance. Additionally, they consider other factors and use aggregated interaction data to assess relevance. By transforming this data into signals, Google’s machine-learned systems better estimate relevance. While they look for quantifiable signals, their algorithms do not analyze subjective concepts like viewpoint or political leaning. Ultimately, their objective is to help people find relevant information and connect with useful sites.

#3  What is the quality of your content and quality of your websites reputation?  

The quality of content is a crucial consideration to Google. Once relevant content is identified, their systems prioritize the most helpful ones. To achieve this, they analyze signals that indicate expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. For instance, one of the factors Google uses is determining if other reputable websites link to or reference the content. This is often a positive indicator of its reliability. When we considering “reputation”, we are not talking about if you are a good or bad service provider.   If you are a new website, you are the new kid on the block. Therefore, you have less of a reputation when compared to another local service provider. As Google considers the age of your websites root URL, and age of specific pages. Google is constantly enhancing their systems’ ability to assess information quality by incorporating aggregated feedback from their Search quality evaluation process. Given the ever-changing landscape of web content and information, they are continuously measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of their systems. As their goal is to strike the right balance between information relevance and authoritativeness, in order to maintain A search engine users trust in the search results you receive.

#4 Usability of web pages, does your websites design meet Google Guidelines for performance and speed?

Google also takes into consideration the usability of your website and its content. When other factors are relatively equal, content that is more accessible to users tends to perform better. For instance, Google examines page experience aspects, such as mobile-friendliness, to ensure that users on mobile devices can easily access the content. Similarly, they assess page loading speed of your websites content, and does your website meet Google guidelines for search optimized websites.

#5 Context of a user query and user settings are checked against a users query, this includes geographic location.

Google uses various information, like your location, search history, and settings, to provide the most relevant and useful search results. They consider your country and location to deliver tailored content. For example, searching “football” in the United States will certainly shows results about American football and perhaps your local football team, while in London or South America, it focuses on soccer. Your search settings, like language preference and SafeSearch, also impact the results. Google takes into account your account activity to personalize results, such as recommending events based on your interests. These systems don’t infer sensitive characteristics like race or religion. You have control over your search activity and can manage your data at myaccount.google.com. Customize content preferences and SafeSearch settings to suit your needs.

Becoming Relevant and standing out to Google search engineThe answer to becoming relevant and reputable on Search Engines is….

If you are interested in ranking in search engines, understanding the nuts and bolts of “relevancy” and “reputation” is important.  It is also important to ensure that your expectations are realistic.  Do not think that there is one single thing you can do, to become the most relevant and reputable result that Google should provide.   Building a reputation and ranking requires a wide-range of consistent activities across multiple platforms. It can take weeks or even months to begin seeing meaningful results.

Criteria for becoming more relevant is outlined and explained on Google’s Blog in an article titled “How Search Works“.

However, the solution is truly multi-faceted and requires establishing a lasting online presence, creating content that is interesting and relevant, optimizing your website structure, establishing relationships with other sites through back-linking, citation building, social media campaigns and more – all these are ways to increase your visibility and reputation. The key is to make sure that you are consistent, patient and strategic with your efforts. With the right combination of activities, you can become a reputable resource for users searching on Google or other search engines!

If you’re looking for help with building your online reputation management strategy, AdverGroup has experienced marketers ready to assist you in creating an effective campaign. Our team can help you develop a comprehensive plan to maximize your presence in the digital world and ensure that you are getting the most out of your efforts. We understand how important it is to maintain a positive online reputation, so we will work with you to create an approach that aligns with your goals and objectives. Contact us today for more information about our online reputation management services.

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Your Competition is Growing! Use These Tools to Combat the Enemy.

Published: 20 July 2023
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Categories: Industry News

Contractor competition is growing

Right now, other contractors in your service area are actively working to take your customers, dominate local search results, and expand into neighborhoods you once considered yours. That competitor may be a former employee who started their own company, a younger contractor aggressively marketing online, or a new business entering your market with a modern website and strong SEO strategy.

In today’s environment, competition in the contracting and construction industry is no longer limited to who does the best work—it’s about who is found first. Homeowners and commercial clients searching for contractors, remodelers, painters, electricians, plumbers, or other construction services are choosing from the companies they see online. If your contracting business is not visible, optimized, and clearly positioned, you are losing jobs before the phone ever rings.

Competition is no longer coming—it is already here.

Speaking from the perspective of a web design and advertising agency operating in a suburb of Chicago, we have seen firsthand how competition has intensified across service-based industries—especially construction, home services, and skilled trades.

👉 If you are unsure how your contractor website compares to your competitors, request a professional website review today.

Why Competition Among Contractors Is Increasing

There are many reasons why competition across the construction and contracting industries is growing faster than ever. While each trade has its own nuances, the underlying trends are consistent nationwide. Understanding these forces can help you identify vulnerabilities in your business and develop a strategy to stay competitive.

Top 5 Reasons Contractor Competition Is Growing

5) Population growth in your service area
As suburbs expand and new developments are built, more contractors move in to serve the growing demand.

4) Contracting and construction are in high demand
From remodeling and repairs to new construction and maintenance, contractor services are always needed, making the industry attractive to new businesses.

3) Lower barriers to entry
Many contractors rely on subcontractors or minimal startup infrastructure, making it easier than ever to launch a new contracting business.

2) Customers are actively seeking new contractors
Homeowners and businesses increasingly compare online reviews, websites, and messaging—often choosing companies that appear more professional, responsive, and trustworthy.

1) Ease of technology and online marketing
It has never been easier to start a business, build a website, run ads, and appear in Google search results—even without extensive industry experience.

The Reality Contractors Must Accept

The key takeaway is simple: these trends are not temporary. Competition will continue to increase. Contractors who rely solely on referrals, word of mouth, or outdated websites will gradually lose visibility and market share.

To survive and grow, contractors must identify weaknesses in their marketing, branding, and online presence—and actively work to correct them.

👉 Want to see how your contractor website stacks up? Schedule a consultation with our team.

How Contractors Can Stay Ahead of the Competition

  • Deliver an exceptional customer experience from first contact to project completion.
  • Specialize in specific services or niches where differentiation is easier.
  • Invest consistently in digital marketing and local SEO.
  • Use transparent pricing and clearly communicate your process.
  • Leverage SEO, content marketing, and Google Business Profile optimization.
  • Monitor competitor websites, ads, and online reviews.
  • Actively collect and showcase customer reviews and testimonials.
  • Use analytics to understand where leads come from and what converts.
  • Define and communicate clear company values.
  • Ensure your website loads quickly, looks professional, and converts visitors into calls.
  • Regularly review your marketing to determine what is working and what is not.

Why Contractors Should Not Try to Do This Alone

While understanding these strategies is important, it is unrealistic to manage everything yourself while running a contracting or construction business. Competing effectively today requires technical SEO, professional website design, conversion-focused content, and ongoing optimization.

Working with an experienced website design and marketing partner allows you to focus on running jobs while professionals ensure your business is found, trusted, and chosen online.

In closing, AdverGroup is a local website designer based in Oak Brook, IL, just outside of Chicago. We have helped hundreds of contractors and construction companies build high-performing websites and content strategies that generate leads and outperform competitors.

If your contracting business is ready to improve visibility, increase leads, and stay ahead of growing competition, contact AdverGroup today to learn how we can help.

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Time to Embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Content Creation, Stock Images and Product Photography

Published: 14 May 2023
Written by manager
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Categories: Industry News

Images Generated by AI Artificial IntelligenceThis 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.

Yes, Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently become a hot topic and is making headline news across the world.   Governments across the planet are holding hearings, discussing if AI is a threat and how to regulate the activity of Artificial Intelligence. In fact, here in the United States  California Representative Ted Lieu used AI to write a bill to regulate AI. Another Senator used AI to author and also deliver his opening statements in hearings on the subject. In that regard, I feel it necessary to state that this article was entirely written by a human. 

As AI is now being deployed on a wide scale, world leaders publicize their struggle to understand AI and determine how to regulate this new technology. In the meantime, businesses big and small (of every kind), are already using AI as a tool to move forward.

Artificial Intelligence Content Creation: Image Creation used for Stock Images and Product Photography

In effort to stay on topic with the subject of this article, let us delve into how Artificial Intelligence is now changing the creative industry, specifically the creation of stock images, product photography and the creation of art, in general.

As a creative agency, we have always maintained the ability to capture custom product photography and food photography for clients over the years. We also maintain subscriptions and accounts with various stock image resources so that we could help promote our clients products and services. We now maintain subscriptions and accounts with various Artificial Intelligence services.

Enough about how AI could be useful.  It is time you see for yourself. Here is a gallery of images that we used Artificial Intelligence to create product images or images for service based companies such as painting contractors or window installation companies.   I also included a gallery of celebrities, so that you can see how it manages creating images of people.

Samples of Food Photography Created by Artificial Intelligence

Samples of Contractor Images Created by Artificial Intelligence

Samples of Celebrity  Images Created by Artificial Intelligence

AI Content Creation: Authoring SEO Content

a robot typing search engine optimized content

Artificial intelligence and it’s many uses are advancing at a rapid rate.  AI has moved far beyond students using artificial intelligence to write essays and navigate through the educational landscape. AI is now being deployed by many individuals, companies and creative agencies to produce text content for their advertisements, job openings, website content and more. Some are broadcasting their use of the tool while other are not.

I personally do not like using artificial intelligence to write search engine optimized content. In my experience I do not see that AI can fully grasp a content writing strategy entirely.  AI is just a tool that can help, but when optimizing content for the search engines, a human touch is still highly recommended.

AI tools are becoming increasingly popular for creating content because it saves time and money. From creating text for advertisements to writing website copy, you can quickly have your content written with AI technology.

Recommended Artificial Intelligence Creative Tools

4 advergroup an image of a robot painting a picture to exhibit ar 1299d1bc 77e1 472f b9f3 6ffd6f22c050While the two front runners in the research and develop of Artificial Intelligence appear to be Microsoft and Google, there are numerous companies developing tools that are based in AI. Below are links and short descriptions on specific application you can use to produce AI Text content or to generate images produced by AI.

IMAGE CREATION BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Jasper

TEXT CREATION BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ChatGPT      

The History and Evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence is not new to Big Tech giants such as Google and Microsoft who have been researching and slowly implementing artificial intelligence for over 10 years . While they have made recent headlines in the AI race, both have actually been at it this AI arms race for over a decade. This article provides hyperlinks to all of the press releases from both Microsoft and Google.  I find it interesting to read these press releases as you are able to get the news straight from the source.

Microsoft Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft first took stock in the race in 2016 when they announced their plans to “expand artificial intelligence (AI) efforts with creation of new Microsoft AI and Research Group“. Shortly after they then partnered with OpenAI. in 2018.  On January 23, 2023 Microsoft announced that “Microsoft and OpenAI extend (their) partnership” in a this Microsoft Press Release. Microsoft goes on to provide more history on their interest in the game, stating “Since 2016, Microsoft has committed to building Azure into an AI supercomputer for the world, serving as the foundation of our vision to democratize AI as a platform”.

Google Artificial Intelligence

Google has been active in the game of Artificial Intelligence since 2011 with Google Brain.  Fact is that AI is the evolution of “Machine Learning”. “Generative modeling” began as simple completion of sentences when entering text into the Google Search Engine. Machine learning took leaps and bounds beyond simply finishing typed text in a Google search, in 2022 during the COVID  pandemic Google Machine learning actually helped to save lives.  A Google blog from 2022 explains how Machine Learning was used for Mechanical Ventilation Control.

More recently, Google pushed the envelope once again when they announced “Google DeepMind April 20, 2023”. Read the press release “Google DeepMind: Bringing together two world-class AI teams.”   The merger is reminiscent of how Google evolves by swallowing up smaller specialty companies to expand the Alphabet Company’s position in the tech industry. Previous examples include how Google purchased Urchin Software all the way back in 2005 to create Google Analytics. Another bigger example you may be familiar with is when Google absorbed Youtube in 2006.

Google DeepMind is a combination of two AI teams that have been working on separate projects for over 12 years. DeepMind’s team was focusing on Artificial General Intelligence while Google’s team has worked extensively with Machine Learning. Together it is believed the result from the merger will bring about breakthroughs in building smarter, more sophisticated AI systems.

What about Copyrights on Content Generated by Artificial Intelligence as it relates to Commercial use for images?

Like every licensed based service, you must read the terms and conditions specific to the service you are using. An Example of Copyrights for MidJourney: Paying members have commercial rights to all images they have made, even trial images, and may use them commercially even if they no longer have an active subscription. Trial users may only use images non-commercially and must credit Midjourney.

However, when you ask Jasper…”What are copyright laws on AI produced content?”, the AI generated response is such:

“Copyright laws on AI produced content can be complex and vary by jurisdiction. In general, the creator or owner of the AI program that produced the content may have copyright ownership over the content. However, if the content was created using pre-existing materials or data, there may be additional considerations around ownership or attribution. It’s important to consult with legal counsel to better understand the specific laws and regulations in your jurisdiction related to AI produced content and copyright.”

What is Big Tech Doing to Contain or Restrain Artificial Intelligence?

The 2023 Press Release which boasts Microsoft and OpenAI follows a 2022 release of “Microsoft’s framework for building AI systems responsibly“.  This framework published by Microsoft’s Chief Responsible AI Officer Natasha Crampton documents their commitment to move the technology forward, while also admitting that (they) “expect to encounter challenges that require us (them) to pause, reflect, and adjust.

Interesting enough, on May 25, 2023 Google’s Deep Mind announced their “early warning system for novel AI risks” stating that “New research proposes a framework for evaluating general-purpose models against novel threats To pioneer responsibly at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence (AI) research, we must identify new capabilities and novel risks in our AI systems as early as possible.”

In closing , stop worrying and wondering if AI will hurt you or your business. It is time to embrace this tool and learn how to use it to make your tasks easier. In the right hands AI can be used to promote your product or services effectively!

Artificial Intelligence is real and is being implemented everyday by your competition. It is time to embrace Artificial Intelligence, and use it as a tool to help you compete in todays modern world.

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GOOGLE PRESS RELEASES
February  17, 2022
MICROSOFT PRESS RELEASES
September 29, 2016 | Microsoft News Center
Jun 21, 2022 | Natasha Crampton – Chief Responsible AI Officer
Jan 23, 2023 | Microsoft Corporate Blogs
ARTICLE RESOURCES
The New York Times | March 29, 2005
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Press Release October 9, 2006  
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