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web design newry Archives - Ryco Marketing Belfast

Aug 11
0

How Google’s Rank Brain Update can DAMAGE your CTR and What You Can Do About It

By | Blog

The latest RankBrain update uses data and human research to help improve user experience. It does this by interpreting the real intentions behind a user’s search term.

What do we mean by ‘real intentions’?

Google found that most users clicked on pages containing variations of their key term.

For example:

When searching for “women’s jeans”, users clicked on sites containing other related key terms. The most common of which include ‘skinny jeans’, ‘high waist jeans’ and ‘boyfriend jeans’ etc.

Google made the wise decision to rank these pages higher than others. After all, why show a list of web pages that are of no interest to the user? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to display results that receive the most clicks for those specific key terms?

However, this method of thinking also works in reverse.

If your site has a high CTR and low bounce rates, your ranking position is likely to improve. On the other hand, sites with low CTR’s and high bounce rates will travel further down the ranks.

How to Improve CTR

 

48239-O5KKU7An easy way to make sure the RankBrain update takes note of your site (in a good way) is to focus on improving your CTR rate.

First step? Improve your meta data.

Your meta title must grab people’s attention and make them want to click on your organic listing. E-Commerce stores can improve quality signal by using modifiers at the beginning of their meta titles. Some common options for online retailers include Shop, See, Buy and Best Value etc.

Your meta description should be just as intriguing as your title. Include terms that will entice your audience and arouse interest. You can do this by implementing value propositions that are just too good to resist. These include FREE Shipping, 50% Off and Local Produce etc.


How to Reduce Bounce Rate

 

If users are always clicking away from your site, RankBrain will take notice. Since your site has quite a high bounce rate, it will not rank as well as competitors with lower bounce rates.

So, what can you do to reduce your bounce rate? And how can you keep visitors on your site long enough to convert?

Bounce rates usually depend on the usability of your site. When a visitor reverts back it’s usually because they were not satisfied with their experience. Perhaps the page took too long to load, or there was no free delivery available. Whatever the reason, you’ve lost a valuable potential customer due to poor UX Design.

Improving your UX design is the best way to keep customers on your site long enough to convert.

Do you need to redesign your site?

 

site migration newry and belfastYour website may have been the coolest site on the web back in 2006, but a redesign is probably long overdue. Sites as young as three years old often require a complete make-over to keep up with trends and advances in the industry.

But how can you tell if your site needs a redesign or just a few minor tweaks?

Take a closer look at the fluctuating patterns of your bounce rate. A tell-tale sign your site is lacking usability and needs to be redesigned, is if the bounce rate has been increasing over time. If this is the case, you need to breathe some life back into your website. This will bring your website back into the modern era, making it more appealing to this generation of tech-savvy customers.

 

If you want to avoid the harsh effects of RankBrain on your site’s SEO and CTR, give us a call today and we can come up with a creative and effective strategy that will keep you on the top of search engine ranking pages, no matter what Google has in store for updates in the future!

 

Our team of digital marketing experts and web design Belfast and web design Newry teams can help with any digital marketing, adwords, video production, social media, SEO Belfast, Magento or web design questions you may have.

Newry : 028 3026 1861 | Belfast : 028 9099 8106

 

 

May 20
0
User Experience Design Specialists Northern Ireland

How to Write Explosive Meta Title Tags for SEO

By | Blog

Meta tags bring your website into Google’s line of vision. Without them, your site may as well be camping out at the North Pole because NOBODY is ever going to find it.

So, what are meta tags and do you really need them?

In short, meta tags are pieces of text used to summarise the content on a page. They use HTML elements and are necessary because search engines scan them to find out more about your web page.

What is a Title Tag?

Title tags are the most efficient way that search engines, such as Google and Bing, can tell exactly what certain pages on your site are all about. The title tag is added within your site’s HTML. Some content management systems, such as WordPress, make this process incredibly simple for users by implementing SEO plug-ins such as Yoast.

Internet users will almost always view your title tag as an important element to decipher whether they wish to click on your site or not. Title tags act as an essential factor towards on-page SEO. If you are trying to rank for a certain keyword, a common tactic is to put the keyword towards the beginning of the title tag. This will improve your chances of ranking better for specific keyword search queries.

Remember that your title tag MUST be readable. By this, we mean that it can’t be full of keywords that when strung together, read like gibberish.

Write clear, precise and well-written title tags.

How do I write a Title Tag?

Here are a few simple tips that will help you to write better and more effective title tags:

– Google gives each title tag a maximum word count. Anything over this will disappear off the page. For this reason, it is advised to create title tags between 50 to 60 characters.

– Keep your brand name towards the end of the title tag. You want viewers to see the most important words first (which will be the relevant keywords). Put these first and work your way from the most important to the least important as a general rule of thumb.

– Title tags must be relevant to the content on the page.

– Avoid duplicated title tags like the plague. Each title tag MUST be unique.

– The worst written title tags are those which have been stuffed with keywords. Google will penalise you for it and send your site plummeting down to the abyss.

Our team of digital marketing experts and web design Belfast and web design Newry teams can help with any digital marketing, adwords, video production, social media, SEO Belfast, Magento or web design questions you may have.

May 18
0
website upgrade

7 Signs Your Website Needs Upgraded

By | Blog

If eyes are windows to the soul, your website is the window to your brand. So ask yourself, what is your company’s site saying to potential customers? Is it time for a website upgrade?

Has your website seen better days?

Have you been keeping it up-to-date or have you let it slide back to the stone-age?

If you are experiencing low conversion rates and slow traffic, your website may need a few tweaks (or a complete makeover). Here are 7 signs that show it might be time to upgrade your website:

1. Your website is over 3 years’ old

Three years might not sound like a long time, but in the digital universe, three years may as well be 300. Since web development is constantly progressing, you need to make sure your site is moving right along with it. New opportunities are always arising to make your site better, faster and leaner. By upgrading your website and making it more user-friendly, visitors will be more likely to stay on site long enough to convert.

2. Your website includes zero links to your brand’s social media sites

Businesses utilise social media channels to spread word about their services and products. It’s an easy way to create interest and reach a broader audience. 80% of online consumers are more likely to purchase from a business they follow on Facebook or Twitter. Linking your website to your social channels will help your customers to better relate to your business, increasing their trust in your brands credibility.

3. Your website’s content hasn’t been updated in lightyears

If your website contains the same content every time a customer visits your site, you risk losing their interest. Out-of-date content will also have a negative impact on your SEO efforts. If your website does not allow you to update content, it may be time to upgrade or switch to a different platform. Content management platforms such as WordPress and Magento, allow users to edit content as often as they please. Platforms such as these, are easy-to-use and enable you to keep tabs on how optimised your web pages are.

4. Your website is non-responsive

Mobile devices will generate 68% of all internet traffic by 2017. Therefore, your website MUST be mobile friendly. If your site is not mobile friendly, you will need a website upgrade or risk losing up to 27% of potential traffic.

5. Your website’s UX Design is Poor

A user friendly website is guaranteed to perform much better than one lacking usability. For example, a website that makes it difficult for customers to navigate is likely to lose customers rather than gain any new ones. A website upgrade will allow you to look closely at the design, layout and usability of your site. Take some time and learn more about your customers. Once you know what your customers want from your site, you can give it to them via the web upgrade process. For example, would customers be happier with a site map? Maybe you should incorporate one into your website. Is your site difficult to navigate? Make it easier for them, etc.

6. No Clear Call to Action’s

As soon as a potential customer visits your site, it’s up to you to grab their attention straight away. Show off all your brand has to offer and don’t be shy. If your website doesn’t include any call to actions, you miss out on potential sales, email sign-ups and written testimonials etc.

7. Slow Loading Web Pages

The faster your website loads, the better. Internet users are impatient and over 50% of them expects your website to load within just 2 seconds! If your site takes too long to load on the screen, visitors will click the little red “x” before they have a chance to be impressed by your brand.

If you feel like it’s time for a website upgrade, give RYCO a call today:

Newry : 028 3026 1861

Belfast : 028 9099 8106

Our team of digital marketing experts and web design Belfast and web design Newry teams can help with any digital marketing Belfast, adwords PPC Belfast, video production Belfast, social media Belfast, SEO Belfast, Magento or web design questions you may have.

Mar 22
0

Are You Ready for Google’s Mobile-Friendly Algorithm this May?

By | Blog | No Comments

If your website isn’t mobile-friendly by now, you’re in for a whirlwind of changes to your site’s performance on Google SERPs this May. Google has announced that it will be boosting it’s mobile-friendly algorithm with a slow but gradual update. The update will not impact you if your site is currently mobile-friendly. However, if you have yet to go responsive then this new update will hit your SERP rankings like a digital atomic bomb.

 

Google’s original mobile-friendly algorithm was released last year (21st April 2015) and has since had a dramatic impact on mobile search results. It wasn’t long before it became known as “Mobilegeddon” and had e-commerce owners running for the hills. This sudden change to Google’s algorithm meant that mobile responsive sites were being prioritised in search results whilst non mobile-friendly sites faded into the background.

 

This new mobile-friendly algorithm update is not thought to be quite as dramatic as Mobilegeddon, but that doesn’t mean it won’t make an impact. The update will involve the current factors of the Mobilegeddon update to have even more drive and effect than they ever have before.

 

Google announced that the update will take place at the start of May 2016. Its main mission is to increase the overall effects of the original mobile-friendly ranking signals. It will be a gradual rollout at first, targeting non-mobile sites and pulling responsive ones towards the top of SERPs. Professionals in the industry remain unsure as to whether or not this update will take weeks or even months before we begin to see any noticeable results.

 

Since the mobile-friendly algorithm works on a page-by-page signal basis, it is likely that it will take Google time to complete the assessments. Whilst this new update won’t be as dramatic as the Mobilegeddon last year, it will still have a considerable effect on non-mobile friendly sites.

 

Worried that your site will be affected by Google’s recent mobile updates?

 

Get in contact with RYCO, today to discuss your options:

Newry  028 3026 1861

Belfast 028 9099 8106

Our team of digital marketing experts and web design Belfast and web design Newry teams can help with any digital marketing, adwords, video production, social media, SEO Belfast, Magento, PPC Agency Belfast or web design questions you may have.

Jan 18
0
digital marketing agency belfast

Defining the Perfect Landing Page

By | Blog | No Comments

First impressions count. This is true with people and it is true with landing pages. A landing page exists with the intention to maximise conversions, aka SALES.

A high quality landing page will perform each of the following:

 

– Display the core values of the brand.

– Learn more about the site visitor and deliver relevant subsequent marketing communications.

– Succeed in the aim to obtain registration which will lead to a sale.

– Ensure that visitors questions are answered.

– Provide traditional contact details such as a phone number. A landing page should display alternative contact options.

– Provide and allow visitors to ‘take action’. This can be in the form of signing up for an account or engaging with a special offer etc.

 

A good landing page will give its visitors a reason to CONVERT.

 

Visitors to a landing page have derived from various origins. These include sources such as an online ad, an email campaign, an affiliate site or a search engine. This means that prior expectations are established. Therefore, it is critical that your landing page delivers on the referral source’s promise.  For example, if a visitor clicks on an ad offering “50% off Designer Jeans”, your landing page must reinforce this promise.

A landing page must fully integrate with the associated referral sources. Both the landing page and the outside source need to project the same message, otherwise your website will be seen as a waste of time.

 

The 3 types of Landing Pages:

 

1. Integrated: This type of landing page is integrated into the structure of the site. It remains similar and consistent with the sites original templates, architecture and navigation.

 

2. Bespoke: This variation has been specifically designed for the campaign. It holds a unique web design or appearance and feel to it in comparison to the original site.

 

3. Tabbed: This is a micro-site, a “tabbed landing page” created to provide additional information.

 

Landing Page Success Checklist (Get your pen ready!)

 

– Usability

– Accessibility

– Persuasion

– Brand Trust

 

Now we’re going to get our fingernails dirty and dig into the real goldmine of landing page creation! To achieve landing page success, ensure that the following features are used:

 

Compelling Headlines

Headlines are the first thing that people see on a landing page, so make yours stand out. It must define the goal of the page and showcase a strong message that tells a visitor what to expect from the page.

The supporting headline should engage readers. Keep it short and persuasive. People tend to scan a webpage so make sure that your headlines are appealing. You don’t want to bore your viewers, you want to entice them and arouse curiosity for your products or services.

 

Images and Videos

Images can be even more compelling than words. They offer a visual representation of your offers and gives people a clearer understanding of your company. Embedding videos and images into a landing page can reflect positively on viewers.

Visuals help potential customers to better visualise themselves with the associated product. Use clear images and high quality video for ultimate effect.

 

Gripping Content

Content must grab viewers’ attention. Ensure that your landing page includes impeccable grammar. Any mistakes will make your brand seem unprofessional and amateur. Focus your content on showing why your offer will assist the buyer. Your copy needs to speak and answer your visitor’s queries.

Content should be split up to make it easy to read. Consider using bullet points to help with this and detailed feature descriptions. Detailed content will help potential customers to make a more confident decision.

 

Immediate Call-To-Action’s

Use keywords that you know your potential customers will be likely to use. This will ensure that your landing page is visible online. Next, you need to use immediate call-to-action words such as “Download Now”, “Buy Now” and “NEW” etc.

Conversion buttons need to stand out and should be placed directly beneath a call-to-action. The call-to-action itself can also act as the conversion button. The button should be big, bold and “attention grabbing”. Many online retailers use bright colours to provoke a desired reaction in customers.

 

Social Proof

Nobody likes to be the first ever buyer of a product or service. We prefer to know that our money is going into something that is reliable, trustworthy and useful. So, how can your landing page assure visitors that your offers have been well-received?

Use social signals such as customer reviews, testimonials, customer count, trust seals and awards. This will show that other shoppers have bought and engaged with your offerings. People are likely to convert if they have proof that others have done so before them. So make sure that your landing page displays relevant social proof.

 

Need help designing a landing page that converts?

Our team of digital marketing experts and web design Belfast and web design Newry teams can help with any digital marketing adwords video production social media SEO Belfast Magento PPC Agency Belfast or web design questions you may have.

Contact us today: 028 9099 8106

 

 

 

 

Oct 01
0
SEO Website Traffic Belfast Northern Ireland

5 Signs it’s time to Redesign your Website

By | Blog | No Comments

 

Redesigning your website is necessary to keep up with ever-changing technologies. Your website is your best marketing tool, acting as a public persona to reflect your brands vision and concept. As a vital partner in the growth and success of your business, your website needs to remain relevant and effective to increase traffic, conversions and profit. A neglected website won’t do your business any favours and instead will work against the growth of your company.

Redesign isn’t all about appearances either, it also concerns itself with the functionality and performance of your website. As your business’ primary sales agent, it is essential that your eCommerce site is kept up to speed with web design trends, social media interactions, search engine algorithms and new technology.

So, how can you tell if it’s time to redesign your website?

 

1. Your Site is NOT Responsive

You can reach a wider audience by adapting your website to operate across all devices such as mobile, tablet and desktop. A responsive website still isn’t enough though. It must be user friendly and perform at optimum level. Your web design should not hinder user’s experience, no matter what device they are using. If your site is difficult to navigate, potential customers will inevitably turn away from your page and look elsewhere. Aim to adapt a website that is both responsive and user friendly.

 

2. Your site has an Outdated Appearance

Like a book, many people judge a website by its cover. The cover in this case, refers to your websites appearance. A website made in 2005 for instance, will be considered extremely out of sync in these modern times. People want crisp, clean and fresh content on an ongoing basis, so if your website is outdated it will damage your business more than you might think. A site with old graphics and content will not grab anybody’s attention. A clean site design and regular updates is essential to keep your website at the top of the search engine leader board. An outdated website will not be able to compete with competitors with a better design.

 

3. You’re in Need of an Upgraded CMS

If you find that it is difficult to update your website, it is most likely due to the fact that you are using an outdated and poor performing Content Management System (CMS). A redesign will be needed to ensure a top quality CMS and a contemporary and technologically advanced finish. Hiring a web developer is the easiest solution because they will be able to install a professional CMS and redesign your entire website if you feel it is necessary. An updated and fully functional CMS is important to reduce the chances of hackers or unwanted third parties from entering your site.

 

4. Your Business is headed in a New Direction

Taking your business in a new direction or undergoing re-branding will inevitably require a thorough website redesign. Your website needs to reflect these new changes and incorporate aspects such as a new logo, new colours, fresh and updated content. Basically, your website should confirm this change and showcase it in a way that is relevant and effective. You may need changes made to simple aspects of your site such as font, layout or colour scheme. Bigger changes can also be made and implemented to reflect your business’ re-branding process.

 

5. You’re Competitors Website Outperforms Yours

If you feel that your competitor’s website looks and performs better than your own, it may be time to redesign. Signs that competitors sites are doing significantly better than yours includes faster loading times, higher quality content, more useful features and sharper images etc. Search engines such as Google will rank a well-performing site higher than one in need of a serious refurbishment. If your competitors are outranking you on search engine results pages, it is probably due to the fact that they have correctly incorporated SEO best practices. You can keep up with your competitors by implementing SEO as a part of the redesign process.

Our multi-award winning marketeers and developers are also waiting to help with any digital marketing, adwords,  social media, SEO Belfast or Magento ecommerce web design questions you may have. We also provide training for third party SEO software tools such as MOZ to ensure you can clearly monitor progress and ensure your campaign is of the highest quality.

Jul 16
0
Branding Ecommerce Analysis Conversion rate Optimisation Belfast Northern Ireland

Ecommerce – Gateway To Global Trade Domination

By | Blog

Doing business online is now accepted as a means of business growth potential on a global scale. Many entrepreneurs are now recognising the value of virtual stores and are convinced that this is where business of the future will be conducted.

The potential is unlimited and with cost effective and credible ecommerce applications, businesses are being taken to an area where they can best flourish. With an enormous catchment of buyers and sellers online you need an ecommerce platform to grow your business and reach out to your potential market. Every conceivable product and service is now available to buy or sell online and ecommerce is the in word and concept. A well designed and built website will help launch your enterprise on a sound platform, and an effective marketing strategy and campaign will assist online growth. To sustain this growth you will have to consider search engine optimisation campaigns which creates awareness of your business and products online. Initially it is essential to ensure that your website build includes integrated SEO modules to give you an immediate boost in the search engine rankings and to put your business on the world map.

Parochial or regional targeting is not a sole option for growing businesses online. You need to open your business to as wide a market as possible in other words the global markets. If you manage to secure sales of 3% for example in a regional area, you can increase this a hundred fold at least by opening up to a more densely populated global market. To achieve this standard of online trading success your ecommerce web design must be fit for purpose, so ensure you have a solution that is professionally designed, coded and marketed before attempting to engage world markets. Language is no longer a barrier to international trading as your ecommerce website can be presented in any language you choose. Security of payment is a highly rated priority for customers so this must be a prime consideration when having all the required features integrated technically in your ecommerce application. Merchant accounts should work smoothly with secure transaction tools and shopping cart reliability. If you have all these integrated facilities and a highly visible website then your ecommerce solution will prove a valuable gateway to global trade domination.

Our multi-award digital agency Belfast and winning marketeers/developers are also waiting to help with any digital marketing, adwords, web design belfast,  social media, SEO Belfast or Magento ecommerce web design questions you may have. We also provide training for third party SEO software tools such as MOZ to ensure you can clearly monitor progress and ensure your campaign is of the highest quality.