Communication

Web sites are all about sharing information with your target audience. Black Cap Design has created this Communication category to organize our blog posts referencing various aspects of online web communication.

Newsletters: Playing It Safe
Newsletters: Playing It Safe avatar

 in Communication / Marketing by

A frequently requested service at Black Cap Design is website integration with a newsletter campaign, often through MailChimp or MailerLite.  In simple terms, this involves adding a newsletter sign-up form to a website.  The form automates the process of subscribing an interested visitor to the website owner’s newsletter mailing list. It’s a great way for business owners to keep in touch with their client base by sharing information or offering deals or promotions. What many people don’t realize is that […]

Tackling the Wall of Text Problem
Tackling the Wall of Text Problem avatar

 in Blogging / Communication / Content and Format / Search Engine Optimization (SEO) by

In my last post (“The Importance of Content“), I referred to the problem of “too much text”.  Personally and professionally, I love to read – but even for me, when I encounter a website that consists of a wall of text, my gut reaction is “ugh, too much information”. As I pointed out in the previous post, too little information can be a problem for search engines, but too much information can be a problem for humans.   When it comes to […]

The Importance of Content
The Importance of Content avatar

 in Communication / Content and Format / Search Engine Optimization (SEO) by

I had an interesting conversation with a client recently. He had hired a company specializing in SEO to try increasing traffic to his website.  One of the recommendations was to remove all of the written content from his Home page and replace it with images.  I explained that while this might add visual appeal, it would certainly result in reduced traffic.  He decided to give it a try and had me remove the content. My prediction was correct and the […]

Web Accessibility for Everyone: AODA and WCAG
Web Accessibility for Everyone: AODA and WCAG avatar

 in Accessibility / Communication / Design & Development / Search Engine Optimization (SEO)  tagged AODA / assistive devices / SEO / WCAG / web accessibility by

WCAG  – short for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – is a set of international standards aimed at making the Web more accessible to everyone. The AODA  is shorthand for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. As of January 1, 2014, the AODA requires not-for-profit organizations and private businesses with 50+ employees to comply with the WCAG when launching a new website or undertaking major revisions to an existing website. (Reference: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/info_sheets/info_comm/website.aspx) It’s not just Ontario that is pushing for […]

Call to Action
Call to Action avatar

 in Communication / Design & Development / Marketing  tagged Black Cap Design / blog / call to action / email encryption by

Blog posts and web pages need to include some way for your visitors to connect with you directly.  This “call to action” motivates people to take the next step, which may include sending you an email, signing up for an event or placing an order. Call to action buttons can work effectively for a wide range of website functions.  For example, your site could include buttons that say, “Buy Now” or “Donate”, or “Join”, or “Volunteer” or “Call”, or “Sign […]

4 Reasons to Start a Business Blog
4 Reasons to Start a Business Blog avatar

 in Blogging / Communication / Search Engine Optimization (SEO) / Website Management / WordPress Development  tagged blog / blogging / CMS / Search Engine Optimization / SEO / social media / target audience / web content / WordPress by

If you’re like most business owners, your goals likely include improving the SEO of your website, positioning yourself as a leader in your field, marketing your products and services, and gaining new customers or clients.  Adding and maintaining a blog on your business website can help you achieve all four of these objectives and save you money in the process. 1. Improve your Organic SEO If your website displays on the first few pages of an online search, you will […]

Need a Website But Don’t Want to Break the Bank?
Need a Website But Don’t Want to Break the Bank? avatar

 in Communication / Cost / Design & Development  tagged static website / target audience by

We have recently been taking calls from people interested in establishing a presence on the Internet for their business, club or organization, without the financial resources for a full blown website with all the bells and whistles. These calls are typically accompanied by the questions: Can it be done? Is it a good idea? How much will it cost? Can it be done? Absolutely. The web is an incredibly flexible platform. Think of it like Lego™. A website can be […]

Get Your Website Working for You
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 in Communication / Content and Format / Design & Development / Website Management / WordPress Development  tagged blog / web design / web development / website / WordPress by

I had a conversation with a new client recently.  His employees have been encouraging him to “get a website and join the 21st Century“.   He said “I guess they’re right, but we’re already really busy and I’m not sure we can take on more business right now“. It’s true – having a website can generate more business – but it can also work for you by reducing your workload. This particular client receives a ton of calls from prospective customers […]

Yes Indeed – Your WordPress Website Just Updated Itself!
Yes Indeed – Your WordPress Website Just Updated Itself! avatar

 in Communication / Website Management / Website Security / WordPress Development  tagged CMS / WordPress by

I wrote briefly about this back in October (WordPress Security: Fact or Fiction?) but it’s definitely worth mentioning again: WordPress now has the ability to update itself!  Not only that, your WordPress site sends you a friendly email message telling you about it! How cool is that?  If your site is powered by WordPress version 3.7 or newer it has the ability to conduct minor security updates independently. Lately, I’ve been receiving messages from clients asking me questions like “Is […]

Why Contact Forms are a Good Idea
Why Contact Forms are a Good Idea avatar

 in Communication / Website Management / Website Security  tagged web forms / web security / website / website design by

I am surprised how often I wind up on a website requiring me to download and print a simple form – then fill it out and fax or mail it back – just to send a bit of information. Don’t get me wrong – I think PDF documents are great, and I use them all the time.  But Web forms provide a simple, effective and immediate mechanism for getting information from visitors to a website administrator or owner.  Web forms […]

Blogging for Fun
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 in Blogging / Communication / Content and Format / WordPress Development  tagged blog / blogging / WordPress / writing. by

Blogging can be a great hobby.  A growing number of bloggers are taking to the Internet to share their interests by writing on a wide range of topics.  The WordPress CMS blogging software is flexible and easy to use so we recommend it for anyone interested in starting a personal blog. To learn more about WordPress blogs, visit our post “Blogging Software“. People who start a blog are usually the folks who enjoy writing, educating, helping or just connecting with […]

Blogging Software
Blogging Software avatar

 in Blogging / Communication / Design & Development / Website Management / WordPress Development  tagged blog / Blogger / blogging / CMS / Content Management System / dashboard / web developer / weblog / website / WordPress by

The word ‘blog’ is short for ‘weblog’.  A blog is actually a website with a standard structure that allows you, the blogger, the ability to regularly record and share information, opinions, images, videos and links with a world wide audience.  If you want to blog, you will need to make a few decisions. Do I want a basic blog or do I want a website that has a blog as one of the pages? If you already have a website, […]

Managing Your Online Presence with a Personal Website
Managing Your Online Presence with a Personal Website avatar

 in Blogging / Communication / Marketing  tagged blog / career blog / career management / career portfolio / Google ranking / SEO / social media / WordPress by

Develop your online brand with a personal website or blog built by Black Cap Design! Website Designer and Developer Pat Kenney will create a customized site and Project Manager Carrie Wakeford will help you develop content to showcase your skills and experience. In addition to being a Web Project Manager, Carrie offers her skills as a seasoned Career Management Consultant and Résumé Writer.  It all starts with the results of a Google search.  Have you Googled yourself lately? Are you […]

Blog vs Newsletter – Top 10 Advantages
Blog vs Newsletter – Top 10 Advantages avatar

 in Blogging / Communication / Marketing / Search Engine Optimization (SEO) / WordPress Development  tagged Black Cap Design / blog / blog post / constant contact / e-newsletters / keywords / MailChimp / newsletter templates / pull marketing / push marketing / RSS / Search Engine Optimization / SEO / social media / target audience / web log / WordPress by

In this corner, we have “Blog” the young up-and-coming contender, prepared to challenge for the title.  And in the other corner we have “Newsletter” the experienced fighter and current crowd favorite.   The result: a technical draw.  Research shows that no one needs to throw in the towel just yet.  Both Blog and Newsletter have their strengths, and when they work together they have the ability to captivate the entire audience. Ok, enough of the boxing references. Most people are familiar […]