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| <title>The 10 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses in 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:45:18 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[small business]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=8541</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>From site design to social media and everything in between, managing your web presence is integral in today’s market. There are several reasons why you need a strong online presence: it reinforces your brand, boosts your marketing efforts, and most importantly, helps you connect with your customers. But what if you’ve got a local clientele […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">The 10 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From site design to social media and everything in between, managing your web presence is integral in today’s market. There are several reasons why you need a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/own-your-online-content/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">strong online presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: it reinforces your brand, boosts your marketing efforts, and most importantly, helps you connect with your customers. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what if you’ve got a local clientele or are a brick-and-mortar operation that’s not really interested in doing the whole e-commerce thing? Do you </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">really</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> need a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/6-reasons-why-your-small-business-needs-a-website-now/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">small-business website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The answer is an internet-troll-style, all-caps, gigantic </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">YES: </span><a href="https://www.brightlocal.com/2014/07/15/9-essential-stats-convincing-smbs-invest-local-search/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">97% of consumers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> use the web to search for local businesses</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> If you want your small business to reach its full potential, you need to have an </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/customer-spotlight-resume-assassin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">online presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But</span> <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">where do you start</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? After all, there are thousands of “must-have tools” out there that claim they help with web management. So we’ve put our fingers on the keyboard and nose to the grindstone — gross, right? — to research the best web management software, apps, and tools for your small business. Here’s what we found.</span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>Web Design</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to </span><a href="/blog/wordpress-web-design-trends-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">web design</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you’ve got several options. Of course, you can always hire a professional team from a trusted firm to tackle your web design, but experts don’t come cheap. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective method, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are several programs that are easy to navigate, have beautiful templates, and provide easy click-to-edit functionality to make creating a beautiful website easy — even if you </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">don’t know how to code</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-tips-for-a-well-designed-website-as-told-by-a-dreamhost-designer/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">aren’t a professional designer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Here are some of the best.</span></p> | |
| <h3>1. WordPress</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re at all web savvy, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress is an excellent choice</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. WordPress is a <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/">content management system (CMS)</a> that makes it easy to regularly update your website with fresh blog posts, news stories, and more. WordPress does have a slight learning curve, but it’s relatively easy to tackle and you’ll be pleased with the number of features. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Flexibility. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress is extremely versatile. You can create a blog, a portfolio, <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/">a business website</a>, an online community, an online store, and basically anything else you can think of.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Simplicity. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is WordPress flexible, but it’s also simple to use. With WordPress, you don’t have to know how to code to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">get a responsive website up in minutes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Plus, tools like </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are specifically built to make maintaining your site and keeping it secure really easy.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Popular. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress is one of the most popular web design tools on the market. That means there are </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/guidelines-for-choosing-a-wordpress-theme/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">thousands of pre-designed themes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, useful plugins, and resources to help you build, modify, and update your site with ease.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Cost. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-site-cost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress.org software is free</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, it’s a budget-friendly option that can <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/scaling-your-business-online/">scale with your business as you grow</a> and need more features.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>2. WP Website Builder</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a tool that can help you build beautiful WordPress websites in the easiest way possible. This plugin’s drag-and-drop user interface makes it approachable for all skill levels. Additionally, there are over 200 starter sites to choose from. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Convenience. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder comes in three budget-friendly pricing options and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">includes free hosting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You can get started with DreamHost and WP Website Builder in a matter of minutes. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Quality. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can choose from over 200 premium, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/themes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">industry-specific website themes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This makes it easy to </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035254691-Creating-a-site-using-WP-Website-Builder"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use the drag-and-drop editor</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make customizations. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Real-Time SEO.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The site builder also comes with SEO recommendations in real-time. You’ll be able to see right on your post edit screen where you can make SEO improvements. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Design Blocks.</b><span> You’ll also have access to over 100 design blocks. You can use them to customize your pages and posts as much as you’d like.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Get More with DreamPress</h2><p>DreamPress Plus and Pro users get access to Jetpack Professional (and 200+ premium themes) at no added cost!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/" class="btn btn--brand">Check Out Plans</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21740" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png" alt="" width="200" height="201" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-100x101.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>E-Commerce Software</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/ecommerce-on-wp/">e-commerce capabilities</a>, we’d recommend building your website with WordPress — the flexibility and <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/solutions-to-create-scalable-ecommerce-site/">scalability are ideal for online stores</a>. But remember: WordPress doesn’t come with an e-commerce solution out of the box. You’ll have to add that functionality, either via a plugin or an additional platform, to create a digital shopping cart. </span></p> | |
| <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">3. WooCommerce</span></h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce is a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/most-popular-wordpress-plugins/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">popular WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and one of the best e-commerce solutions on the market. And it’s <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-online-store-in-an-hour/">easy to get started</a>! Basic features to help you manage sales, payment, shipping, and other common tasks come baked in. If you need additional options, however, it’s easy to find </span><a href="https://woocommerce.com/product-category/woocommerce-extensions/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">extensions</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to add functionality.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><b>Budget-Friendly. <span style="font-weight: 400;">Both </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-site-cost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress.org software</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and WooCommerce are completely free, as are some of the extensions (most of the others range from around $50 to $100). Getting your online store up and running doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket.</span></b></li> | |
| <li><b>Scalable. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce makes scaling from small business to larger venture easy. For example, if you need more <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-online-payment-gateways-compared/">payment gateways</a>, simply download and install a relevant extension or plugin.</span></li> | |
| <li><b>Secure. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Security is vital for every website but especially if you’re managing transactions. WordPress’ dedication to security and frequent updates will help protect your site. Additionally, customers using DreamHost’s </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">managed WordPress options</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are protected by a built-in firewall that eliminates the need for additional security plugins. </span></li> | |
| <li><b>Search Engine Optimized. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce itself is light on SEO-related features. It’s built using code </span><a href="https://blog.kissmetrics.com/website-source-code-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimized for SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and there are a few relevant extensions you can add, such as </span><a href="https://woocommerce.com/products/seo-friendly-images/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO Friendly Images</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. However, if you really want to improve your store’s chances of getting to the first page of Google, you can download a </span><a href="https://www.sourcewp.com/best-wordpress-seo-plugins/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress SEO plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Store Deserves WooCommerce Hosting</h2><p>Sell anything, anywhere, anytime on the world's biggest eCommerce platform.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/woocommerce-hosting/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21745" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing.jpg 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">4. Shopify</span></h3> | |
| <p><a href="http://www.shopify.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a subscription-based, e-commerce platform that makes it easy for beginners to build and customize an online store in very little time. It also provides a “guru” service to guide you through the creation and management of your e-commerce site. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Reliability. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify is one of the largest e-commerce solutions on the market. Because it requires a monthly subscription — plans currently start at $29 per month — you can count on Shopify’s rock-solid performance. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Integrations. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s easy for DreamHost customers to </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/216994617-Shopify"><span style="font-weight: 400;">integrate a Shopify store</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with your site. There’s also </span><a href="https://apps.shopify.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">an app store</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> where you can download add-ons that provide functionality such as social media, shipping, and accounting.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> | |
| </span><b>Support. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify provides support through its </span><a href="https://help.shopify.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">comprehensive help center</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, where you can find everything from tutorials to troubleshooting guides. You also get access to 24/7 support via chat, email, or phone. </span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Still wondering whether you should opt for WooCommerce or Shopify when building your e-commerce site? Wonder no more.</span> <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve put together a comprehensive guide</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you parse out which platform might be more suitable for your e-commerce store.</span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>Social Media</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even a small business can have a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">large social media presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The social media management tools below will allow you to expand your web presence all in one integrated interface. Be in several places at once? It’s every small business owner’s dream!</span></p> | |
| <h3>5. HootSuite</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://hootsuite.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HootSuite</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> integrates with Facebook, Facebook Pages, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Google+ Pages, LinkedIn, FourSquare, MySpace, YouTube, and WordPress. It allows you <a href="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/how-to-schedule-posts-in-wordpress/">to schedule posts ahead of time</a>, focusing on peak performance times for each platform. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Convenience. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re sick of switching between your social media profiles just to push out daily updates, then you’re going to love HootSuite. With HootSuite, you can manage all your social platforms from one location.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Collaboration. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many small businesses have several people creating content and posting across channels. If you don’t have a cohesive system, you’re setting yourself up for a social snafu. HootSuite gets everyone on the same page.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Reputation Management. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">HootSuite makes it possible to never miss a mention or complaint that your team needs to address.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>6. Buffer</h3> | |
| <p><a href="http://bufferapp.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> supports up to 25 social accounts, allowing you to post across all your platforms from one interface. Here are some of Buffer’s other top features.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Trends. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffer has integrated analytics and insights, making it easier to tweak your social strategy based on data.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Scheduling. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffer allows you to create a custom schedule for each day. You can do it daily, monthly, or annually — basically whenever it’s convenient.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Insights. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll never have to wonder when you should share your next Instagram pic or Facebook missive. Buffer keeps track of your followers so you know when it’s the optimal time to post.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>7. Everypost</h3> | |
| <p><a href="http://everypost.me/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everypost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> makes it easy to curate content from across the web, schedule your posts, and integrates with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, and tumblr.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Analytics. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can social smarter with the analytics provided by Everypost. The dashboard is sleek and easy to use.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Curation. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everypost helps you curate content directly within the app — no switching around to find shareable content, design content, and post content. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Customization. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can maximize the potential of each post you create. This helps you reach all of your audience members, no matter what platform they are on.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2><strong>Marketing</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not enough to build your website and forget it; you’ve got to be strategic about <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-media-kit-website/">getting your brand out</a> into the world — and in front of the eyes of your potential customers — as much as possible. Even if your business is a brick-and-mortar deal, promoting your website and digital offerings with marketing tools will usher local Googlers into your doors.</span></p> | |
| <h3>8. HubSpot</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">HubSpot offers a free </span><a href="https://www.hubspot.com/products/marketing"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing tool</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/leadin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help keep track of potential customers and assist you with <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-get-website-visitors-fill-out-lead-forms/">lead conversion</a> — that is, converting a casual browser into a committed buyer.</span><b> </b></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Capture. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">HubSpot makes it easy to grab website visitors’ email addresses by helping you create a pop-up invitation or another module. It can even pull and track information from any form submission on your website — no matter what tool or plugin.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Track. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Along with keeping track of visitors’ email addresses and activity on your website (purchases, time spent on page, etc.), you’ll know which other websites your potential customers have visited. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Convert. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Analytics displayed on a simple dashboard will help you know what’s working for your site (and what isn’t) and how to target </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing emails</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to bring your customers back.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Simple. </b>The HubSpot WordPress plugin is simple to use, even for the non-techie, and it plays nicely with other tools such as Shopify.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>9. Google Analytics</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to digital marketing, making data-informed decisions can be the key to success. The biggest name in search and analytics is </span><a href="https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google Analytics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Fortunately, when it comes to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/use-google-analytics-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">integrating Google’s tools with WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you’re in luck. Thanks to the </span><a href="https://developer.wordpress.org/rest-api/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">REST API</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, there are lots of opportunities for using Google’s free tools to increase the impact of your marketing efforts. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Budget-Friendly.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> As we mentioned already, </span><a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s analytics tools</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are free to use. There’s a lot to choose from, too. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Trusted.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> One thing you won’t have to worry about with Google is reliability. When you incorporate these tools into your marketing resources, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-analytics-can-solve-five-biggest-worries-site/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">you know they’ll work</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Value.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Google Analytics offers so many data collection options that it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, it also provides </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/analytics/solutions/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">excellent documentation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and extensive knowledge bases. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Testing.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Boosting your SEO and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-write-product-descriptions/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">getting better rankings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) can be tricky. Google offers lots of testing tools for tasks like improving the </span><a href="https://search.google.com/structured-data/testing-tool"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schema markup</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your website. </span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>10. Yoast SEO</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the easiest and most versatile things you can do to improve your WordPress site’s marketing resources is </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">to use an SEO plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yoast SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a free tool for WordPress, with premium upgrade options. The free version has plenty of features to get you started, however. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Current.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Yoast will notify you when your most important pages haven’t been updated for six months. This is a big help for busy marketers and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/keep-your-blog-fresh-how-to-repurpose-old-posts/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">keeps your content fresh</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for better search results. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Reports.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Yoast enables you to add </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">schema.org</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> data quickly and correctly. This means you’ll have faster indexing and rich search results. This applies to search engines such as Google, but also to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social platforms like Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Readability.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Yoast will automatically scan your content and score it for readability, so you can quickly adjust the length of your sentences or your use of passive voice (if needed). These elements, when done right, can make it so that readers are more likely to stay on your page and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/19-expert-blogging-tips-for-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">actually read your content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2><strong>Want to Keep It Simple?</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Obviously, there are several tools out there to help you effectively manage your online presence. But you don’t have to overwhelm yourself by investing in every option on the market! If you’re brand new to the web, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use WordPress and DreamHost to get your website up quickly</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Then you can add some of the other options on this list to build your brand online.</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">The 10 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| <item> | |
| <title>13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/?p=24058</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>As you think about your resolutions for the new year, you’ve probably got some financial goals on the list, whether it’s paying off a student loan, making more money, or balancing work and life a little bit better. Figuring out how to achieve those goals with your day-job pay is where it gets challenging. Enter […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/">13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As you think about your <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/">resolutions for the new year</a></span>, you’ve probably got some financial goals on the list, whether it’s paying off a student loan, making more money, or balancing work and life a little bit better. Figuring out how to achieve those goals with your day-job pay is where it gets challenging.</p> | |
| <p>Enter the <span style="font-style: italic;">side hustle</span>: a job or business that you run after your regular nine-to-five to bring in some extra cash.</p> | |
| <p>The good news: It’s not a bad time to pick up an extra gig. Employers are becoming increasingly open to bringing on freelancers and contract workers. These arrangements create a different kind of partnership than the traditional employment approach, one that offers increased flexibility along with the chance to grow your savings account!</p> | |
| <p>In this article, we’ll look at the current state of the gig economy. We’ll then explore 13 lucrative side hustle ideas you can try out in 2020 to earn extra income. Let’s get started!</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Side Hustle Needs a Website</h2><p>We’ll make sure your site is fast, secure and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">What You Need to Know About Current Trends in the Gig Economy</span></h2> | |
| <p>In our connected digital world, there are a lot of opportunities for side hustles. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/abdullahimuhammed/2019/05/09/5-important-stats-about-the-gig-economy-to-know-in-2019/#307cc0bc1039">Forbes has indicated</a></span> that the gig economy, where workers take on multiple freelance or short-term work engagements in their spare time, is expanding three times more rapidly than the American workforce as a whole. In terms of dollars, that means freelancers <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/">contributed $1.28 trillion</a></span> to the economy in 2018.</p> | |
| <p>That means it’s a perfect time to strike out on your own with a side hustle. Not only can it be rewarding, but consumers and employers alike are also much more receptive to the concept than ever before. Plus, there are plenty of routes you can take.</p> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</span></h2> | |
| <p>There’s no shortage of options for creating your own side hustle. When you take into consideration all the on- and offline options you have available, there’s really no time like the present to launch into a new gig. Let’s explore 13 of the most accessible and rewarding opportunities.</p> | |
| <h3>1. Sell Graphic Design Services</h3> | |
| <p>If your friends are always asking you to create signs, posters, logos, and more, this might be an excellent side hustle to pursue. You don’t have to master all aspects of design, either. You can focus solely on logos, website themes, or whatever else you like. Graphic design is a diverse field with many lucrative niches.</p> | |
| <p>To get started, you’ll want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-your-online-portfolio-fast/">set up a portfolio</a></span> on your own website or <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/creating-beautiful-instagram-portfolio">use a social media site like Instagram</a></span> to display samples of your work. Another approach is to use a platform such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://creativemarket.com/">Creative Market</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/086d117c-cf0e-4a37-86d8-815fe905ad3b_DreamHost-side-hustle-12.jpg" alt="The Creative Market website." width="900" height="373" /> | |
| <p>When you set up an account with Creative Market, you can display your graphic design work to millions of potential clients. It operates as your personal digital storefront. Some of the benefits of using this option, in particular, are that you can set your own prices and you are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.designhill.com/design-blog/top-21-places-to-sell-your-design-work-online/">not locked into selling on Creative Market</a></span> exclusively.</p> | |
| <h3>2. Become a Virtual Assistant</h3> | |
| <p>This is one of the most diverse and versatile options for a side hustle. As a Virtual Assistant (VA), you can completely tailor <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://horkeyhandbook.com/virtual-assistant-services-you-can-offer-your-clients/">your service offerings</a></span> to match your skills or passions. From appointment scheduling to inbox assistance, there is a wide array of items that busy professionals need help with.</p> | |
| <p>If you’re a stay-at-home parent or even a college student looking to bring in a little extra cash, this is a great option. In many cases, this work will involve skills you already have or simple rote tasks. If you’re concerned about striking out on your own, there are websites like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.peopleperhour.com/">PeoplePerHour</a></span> that you can use to get started.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/468a8a49-cd8b-40a8-8221-5a17e309102c_DreamHost-side-hustle-5.jpg" alt="The PeoplePerHour website." width="900" height="419" /> | |
| <p>PeoplePerHour and similar websites work to pair freelancers with projects. Just be aware that you’ll need to have excellent time management and be willing to hustle for each client if you want to make it in the VA world.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/25-ways-make-money-online/">25 Legit Ways You Can Make Money Online</a></h4> | |
| <h3>3. Create a Proofreading Service</h3> | |
| <p>Not everyone is a wordsmith, which means that if you are, there’s plenty of work out there for you to incorporate into a new side hustle. If you’re a fastidious grammarian and enjoy helping others improve their written content, starting up a proofreading service can be very lucrative.</p> | |
| <p>This is another choice that’s perfect for college students. You can work out a schedule that meshes well with your classes, and put that sentence diagramming skillset to use. You can even set up a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-freelance-writer-website/">simple freelancer website</a></span> to describe and highlight your previous work, qualifications, and services, or use a site like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.upwork.com/">Upwork</a></span> to establish a reputation.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/08c8d69f-ac33-4174-884d-96c605a04b71_DreamHost-side-hustle-10.jpg" alt="The Upwork website." width="900" height="417" /> | |
| <p>As a freelancer, you can create a profile on Upwork and search through thousands of posts from people looking for proofreaders. Additionally, if you’re working from home as a proofreader, you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taxes-tax-deductible-work-from-home-2019-4">can deduct many household items</a></span> from your taxes. Just remember that you’ll need to keep a diligent record of your work items and hours.</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h3>4. Open an Amazon Storefront</h3> | |
| <p>The online retail giant Amazon now enables entrepreneurs to create a storefront on its website. If you have a product to offer, you can set up a seller account with Amazon and maximize access to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/846/amazon/">210 million unique monthly visitors</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/c8cd8c8e-9ae7-420a-a145-64cd346a03ae_DreamHost-side-hustle-1.jpg" alt="Amazon’s Seller Central website." width="900" height="345" /> | |
| <p>One of the most intriguing things about using Amazon to support your side hustle is that there are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.sidehustlenation.com/make-money-on-amazon/">so many options</a></span>. You can sell bulk items, offer handmade products, or use Amazon’s print-on-demand services. This is a platform that enables you to market products like custom t-shirts to a vast audience of potential buyers.</p> | |
| <p>There are sometimes fees associated with Amazon’s services, so you’ll have to research the options and decide what works best for you. Additionally, you’ll need to plan to handle shipping yourself, unless you go all in and use the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://services.amazon.com/fulfillment-by-amazon/how-it-works.html">Fulfillment by Amazon</a></span> service.</p> | |
| <h3>5. Offer Errand Services</h3> | |
| <p>This might sound like something you’d do as an enterprising young person in your neighborhood, but in reality, errand-running can be big business. Two common examples are grocery pickups and fast food delivery. This service is often prevalent in cities where not everyone has a car or where there are a lot of senior citizens.</p> | |
| <p>You can easily make use of several websites that already exist in order to try out an errand-running business. For example, sites like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://postmates.com/">Postmates</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.doordash.com/">DoorDash</a></span> focus on grocery and food delivery services.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/b6195eba-7885-4db8-aba9-b5b66374cc8f_DreamHost-side-hustle-13.jpg" alt="The DoorDash website." width="900" height="392" /> | |
| <p>You’ll need to check your local regulations to be sure you have the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://smallbusiness.chron.com/insurance-need-start-errand-business-11763.html">right kind of insurance</a></span> coverage for this side hustle. Additionally, you may have to work extra vehicle maintenance into your overall budget. However, if you have a reliable vehicle and like to interact with people while running errands, this is definitely an opportunity worth considering.</p> | |
| <h3>6. Drive for a Rideshare Company</h3> | |
| <p>In the same vein as errand-running, driving for rideshare companies can be very lucrative, depending on where you live. If you’re interested in driving but aren’t sure if it’s for you, there are some good <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-lyft-driver-how-much-money-2019-10#and-sunday-was-a-disaster-because-of-car-troubles-i-ended-up-spending-430-and-not-driving-a-single-passenger-7">driver reviews</a></span> out there that can tell you how much you’re likely to make on apps like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.uber.com/">Uber</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.lyft.com/">Lyft</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/73d73f1e-da15-4bb5-a2dd-c72ec28cd69f_DreamHost-side-hustle-4.jpg" alt="The Lyft rideshare website." width="900" height="414" /> | |
| <p>Of course, offering driving services can mean you risk picking up people who have been drinking or are trying to break the law. So while just about anyone can try this side hustle (as long as you’ve got a driver’s license, of course), it’s one to consider carefully.</p> | |
| <p>You’ll also want to understand the company policies about safety and what to do in specific situations. However, if you generally like meeting new people and driving around town, this is a side hustle where you have total control over the hours you work.</p> | |
| <h3>7. Start a Repair Service</h3> | |
| <p>Simple home repairs and “handyman” jobs are a possible side hustle to consider if you have a good set of your own tools, and you like fixing things. It doesn’t take much to get started.</p> | |
| <p>Plus, each season brings something new you can market services for. For example, you can offer holiday decoration services for people who can’t string up lights anymore or gutter cleaning in the fall and spring. You can also use different websites like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.taskrabbit.com/">TaskRabbit</a></span> to find jobs and build up a good name for yourself.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/142817d5-7fbd-4aca-9bec-103c40f6a32c_DreamHost-side-hustle-7.jpg" alt="The TaskRabbit freelance website." width="900" height="402" /> | |
| <p>One downside to this kind of work is the fact that you’ll likely be entering people’s homes. This comes with a certain amount of liability and uncertainty. You’ll want to at least make sure you’re insured for anything that might happen on the job.</p> | |
| <h3>8. Design Websites</h3> | |
| <p>Roughly 100,000 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/complete-guide-to-new-tlds/">new website domains</a></span> are added every day to the internet. That’s a lot of new sites — and a lot of potential clients for your new website design side hustle.</p> | |
| <p>Designing websites enables you to select the clients you want to work with, and only work the hours you choose. Plus, user-friendly Content Management Systems (CMSs) like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org">WordPress</a></span> make it much easier to start your own design business.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/c64f8a0f-93f9-4872-9896-3f642001eec8_DreamHost-side-hustle-3.jpg" alt="The WordPress download page." width="900" height="345" /> | |
| <p>Not only is WordPress the most popular and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/">widely-used CMS</a></span> on the market, it’s also open source. This means <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/what-is-wordpress/">there’s a lot of versatility</a></span> when designing with it.</p> | |
| <p>All in all, this option is a great one for anyone with some web design knowledge. You can make use of page builders and other tools and ramp up a web design business quickly, without needing extensive programming skills.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/">A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</a></h4> | |
| <h3>9. Develop and Sell Themes or Plugins</h3> | |
| <p>When it comes to WordPress and side hustles, there are other options besides designing entire websites. As we mentioned previously, WordPress is built on an open-source core. This means that if you have the right programming knowledge, you can easily develop plugins and themes aimed at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/cm-wordpress">35.2% of all websites</a></span> that are currently online.</p> | |
| <p>As with many other side hustles, you can create your own website to promote your work, or you can use an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/top-wordpress-theme-marketplaces-to-find-the-best-themes/">existing marketplace or sales platform</a></span>. The <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/themes/">WordPress Theme</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/">Plugin Directories</a></span> are a great place to submit a free version of your product. This enables you to build a following, and entice people to buy a premium version.</p> | |
| <p>If you’re just starting out and you want to test your skills, there are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/developers-guide-to-wordpress/">a lot of resources</a></span> out there to help you along the way. Using resources on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://github.com/">GitHub</a></span>, an open-source code repository, is another excellent method for learning the ropes.</p> | |
| <h3>10. Manage Social Media Posts</h3> | |
| <p>If you’re great at networking, up on all the latest social platforms, and can juggle 10 accounts at once, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.postplanner.com/how-to-become-a-social-media-manager-in-6-steps/">managing social media posts</a></span> might be just the right side hustle for you. When you’re able to showcase your social media talents to potential clients, you really don’t need any other special qualifications.</p> | |
| <p>There <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> a few skills and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-ways-to-pick-the-best-social-media-platform-for-your-small-business/">applications you might want</a></span> to be able to demonstrate knowledge of, however. This can help set you apart from the competition. For example, mastering applications like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://hootsuite.com/">Hootsuite</a></span> can give you a leg up on your rivals.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/c313a724-ac17-4370-9132-d8025ad49fc5_DreamHost-side-hustle-11.jpg" alt="The Hootsuite social media management app." width="900" height="466" /> | |
| <p>This is an all-in-one social media management application that puts the tools you’ll need as a new social media manager all in one place. Just remember that you’ll want to be mindful of keeping all the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.lifewire.com/social-networking-strategies-for-personal-and-professional-use-2378017">accounts you work with separate</a></span>, and establishing a clear set of terms and conditions with your clients.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/">10 Social Media Marketing Tips for Your Small Business</a></h4> | |
| <h3>11. Sell Items on Etsy</h3> | |
| <p>There are plenty of places to sell handmade items online, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a></span> is one of the best-known options.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/e98a169d-1d33-44bc-a4ab-871e19497a33_DreamHost-side-hustle-9.jpg" alt="The Etsy website." width="900" height="391" /> | |
| <p>When it comes to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ecomdash.com/etsy-selling-tips/">being successful on Etsy</a></span>, reliable customer service can go a long way towards building a following. Posting quality photos and employing <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/">Search Engine Optimization</a></span> (SEO) skills can also help. You’ll also want to make sure you have a marketable product, of course.</p> | |
| <p>Potentially the biggest challenge to making yourself stand out on Etsy is that there will be a lot of competition. You’ll want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://yourcreativeadventure.com/etsy-seller-tips/">do your research</a></span> on how to make sure your shop attracts attention. With that said, Etsy is an excellent option for crafters and makers of any type.</p> | |
| <h3>12. Start a Cottage Food Business</h3> | |
| <p>Another great way to have some fun and bring in extra income in the new year is with a cottage food business. Cottage food <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.pickyourown.org/CottageFoodLawsByState.htm">laws vary from state to state</a></span>, but they typically outline what items can be made and sold in the home without a bakery license. This means you can sell approved items at farmer’s markets, in shops you partner with, or online.</p> | |
| <p>If you’re everyone’s go-to friend for cakes and confections, you might want to consider <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-food-blog/">setting up a food blog</a></span> or promoting your cottage food items on a platform such as Instagram.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ee229bd7-5ecd-4700-9dd5-b7c84a6d79ea_DreamHost-side-hustle-8.jpg" alt="The Magnolia Bakery on Instagram." width="900" height="515" /> | |
| <p>With a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/1882/instagram/">projected 125.5 million users</a></span> in the United States alone by 2023, Instagram is an excellent place to market your products.</p> | |
| <p>The only downside to cottage food endeavors is that they can be limiting. Again, you’ll want to check your state laws for a list of products you can make without a license.</p> | |
| <h3>13. Set Up a Consulting Service</h3> | |
| <p>If many of the above options appeal to you, but you’re more of a “big picture” kind of person, you can always <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/abdullahimuhammed/2017/03/15/how-to-become-a-highly-paid-freelance-consultant/">set up a consulting service</a></span>. This can cover a wide range of professional areas or skills. It’s also an excellent way to make use of abilities you have that you might not be using in your day job.</p> | |
| <p>You’ll want to clearly establish your experience and expertise in the category you’re offering consulting services for. You can make use of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-linkedin-company-page/">a platform like Linkedin</a></span> if you want to present a more professional image.<img src="undefined" alt="" /></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter wp-image-24074 size-full" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2.jpg" alt="The LinkedIn website." width="900" height="414" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-300x138.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-768x353.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-600x276.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-750x345.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-100x46.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p>This is also a situation where your portfolio will likely matter a lot. Potential clients will want to know if you have the experience necessary to guide them.</p> | |
| <p>Keep in mind that to start up a successful consulting gig, you’ll want to put together a clear outline of the agreed-upon work for each client. It’s vital to make sure upfront that all parties are on the same page in terms of what the consult will include.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-real-estate-website/">How to Create a Real Estate Website in 4 Steps</a></h4> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Set Yourself Up to Launch a Successful Side Hustle</span></h2> | |
| <p>There’s a reason that getting a supplementary job like the ones listed above is called a <span style="font-style: italic;">side hustle</span>. This approach really does take some energy and ambition if you want to be successful. Plus, it’s not all that uncommon for something that starts out as a gig on the side to eventually become a full-time endeavor.</p> | |
| <p>Whatever your goals might be, there are several ways to set yourself up for success when launching a side hustle. You’ll want to have:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>A clear vision of your objective</li> | |
| <li>Solid time management</li> | |
| <li>A website with a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/">secure and trusted web host</a></span></li> | |
| <li>A financial advisor</li> | |
| <li>The ability to maintain good records</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>There are also many helpful resources available online for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/learning/start-a-side-hustle">learning more about the gig economy</a></span>. There’s really never been a better time to take a chance on something you’ve always wanted to do!</p> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earn $$$ for Your Bank Account</span></h2> | |
| <p>There’s often more to a side hustle than just adding money to your household income. A freelance gig can give you a greater sense of freedom and control. Plus, it never hurts to earn a little extra cash now and then.</p> | |
| <p>You can set yourself up for a successful new side hustle in 2020 by planning ahead carefully and exploring your options. There are plenty of online businesses you can get involved in, such as web design and proofreading, as well as offline options like repair and ridesharing.</p> | |
| <p>Whatever your new adventures are in the new year, DreamHost is here to help support them. With our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-shared-hosting/">shared hosting plans</a></span> and support services for even the smallest budgets, you’ll be one step closer to kicking off your new side hustle successfully!</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/">13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>Want to Build a Website in 2020? Here’s Your Game Plan</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2020 20:00:44 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sara Atwood]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=17024</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>Feeling committed to making this year better than the last? You’ve probably got your personal goals all set for the new year: read more books, call your mom, eat less pizza, walk off that holiday pie. How’s this for a New Year’s Resolution: Build a successful website from the ground up. Sounds like a lofty […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website/">Want to Build a Website in 2020? Here’s Your Game Plan</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Feeling committed to making this year better than the last? You’ve probably got your personal goals all set for the new year: read more books, call your mom, eat less pizza, walk off that holiday pie.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How’s this for a New Year’s Resolution:</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Build a successful website from the ground up</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Sounds like a lofty goal, but trust us, kid — you’ve got the makings of a champion.</span></p> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="giphy-embed" src="https://giphy.com/embed/l41YvkBOHfmsU6Gas" width="480" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/wta-l41YvkBOHfmsU6Gas">via GIPHY</a></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Building an online presence is like running a marathon. Those exhausting 26.2 miles require long-time endurance built over months of training. Marathoners train one step at a time and complete one mile at a time.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This guide is your training plan. </span></p> | |
| <div class="p-rich_text_section">As your trusty web host and coach, we’re here to keep you on track as you build, grow, secure, and promote your new site. We’ve broken this website workout plan into goals and tasks to complete each quarter throughout 2020, but feel free to work at your own pace. You do the sweating, and we’ll be right beside you with step-by-step instructions, water cups, and cheese-tastic motivational signs.</div> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li><a href="#first-quarter">Build Your Website </a></li> | |
| <li><a href="#second-quarter">Grow Your Website</a></li> | |
| <li><a href="#third-quarter">Secure Your Website</a></li> | |
| <li><a href="#fourth-quarter">Promote Your Website</a></li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p>Sound good? Then tie up your Nikes, pull on your gym shorts, and let’s get to work.</p> | |
| <h2 id="first-quarter"><b>First Quarter: Build Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <h3>Step 1: Decide on Your Mission</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ready to race right off the starting block into</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/crap-need-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">building your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? We love the enthusiasm. But before even reaching the starting line, you need to get in some warm-ups and conditioning to establish a solid foundation. Every good website begins with a thoughtful plan. Open a fresh new digital doc (or grab a pen and paper if you’d prefer to go old school) and complete the following exercises.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Find Your Purpose</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why do you want a website in the first place? What do you hope it will accomplish? Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this website?”</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you looking to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-templates-increase-sales/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">sell a product</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">To share your art or writing</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-your-online-portfolio-fast/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">portfolio</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">To share your thoughts on</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-crafting-perfect-blog/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">To promote your</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-business-website-mistakes-to-avoid/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">new business</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create an</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/6-reasons-why-your-small-business-needs-a-website-now/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">online home</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for your brick-and-mortar store?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-review-site-with-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">host reviews</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The possibilities are endless — but you need to spell out what you want and who your</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/identify-target-market-for-business/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">target audience</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is. Write down what you decide; you’ll use this purpose to guide everything else you do this year.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Set Goals</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time to dive deeper into the reflecting and set some specific goals for your website. Grab your pen (or ready your typing fingers) and, below your website’s purpose, jot down a few goals. There are lots of options.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Site revenue</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Site Traffic</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">More customers in your physical store</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">More followers on social media platforms</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Number of business contacts or leads from your site</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These goals should accomplish your website’s purpose and drive the rest of your plans.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t lose sight of your finish line — and don’t be afraid</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-online-store-become-boss/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">to adjust your goals</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> over the coming months.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Outline Your Content</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You probably shouldn’t bake a cake without a recipe. Likewise, you can’t build your website until you know what components you need to make it a success. So go ahead and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-website-content-audit/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">outline your content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make sure you hit your goals. Consider these components:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Start with your</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-rules-structuring-your-website/"> <b>website’s menu</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> What should its offerings include? And in what order? Rank what’s most important to you — and your goals — at the top.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Do you want to include a blog</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">? This will be helpful for search engine optimization (SEO) — more on that in a minute — encourage engagement and community,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">build your reputation,</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/19-expert-blogging-tips-for-2019/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">establish you as an expert</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If the blog is the cornerstone of your site, take some time to outline (or, for overachievers, write) your first few posts and plan some topics you might write about over the next year.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The “About Me” page is your place to tell your story </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">and describe your business. Don’t skip out on this chance to connect with your customers.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Do you need a spot to describe the products or services</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you’re selling, either online or in your physical store? If your objective is to drum up business directly from the web page, this is essential. Think about categories and subcategories of products, and consider how you might describe or sell them to your website visitors.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>What is included on the</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-design-landing-pages-that-convert/"> <b>homepage</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Your contact information? Maybe, although that could easily be its own page. A</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-edit-your-website-photos/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">memorable photo</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Definitely. Another homepage must-have? A</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-write-website-ctas/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">call to action (CTA)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Your CTA should invite visitors to do something: check out your offerings, sign up for your newsletter, or delve into your blog.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>Step 2: Choose a Domain and Platform</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ready. Get set. We are inching closer to launching your website, but before we can get going, it first needs a name and a place to live.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Pick a Domain Name</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Basically,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-domain-name-registration/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a domain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is what you type into the bar at the top of your browser to point to a specific website. For example, to find us a DreamHost, you type in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">dreamhost.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. A domain consists of two parts:</span></p> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The top-level domain (TLD) — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">In dreamhost.com, the “.com” part is our TLD. The more common TLDs include .com, .net, .org, .info.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/complete-guide-to-new-tlds/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> You can even choose something jazzier, like one of the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">new TLDs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: .party, .site, .pizza, .limo, .store, and more. At least for now, though, .com is still the most common TLD.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The second-level domain (SLD) — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">In our domain name, that’s “dreamhost.” This is the keyword that will serve as the address for your website.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-domain-name/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure it is specific, descriptive, and memorable</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> so that customers can easily find and remember it.</span></li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jot down a dream domain and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/domains/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">see if it is available for purchase</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If you can’t find (or afford) your first-choice domain name, we’ll help you find other great options.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Pick a Hosting Plan</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your domain name is your website’s address, hosting is the physical space (spoiler: a server) where your website lives.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/managed-wordpress-hosting-guide/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The hosting plan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you choose for your website will impact many things — like how fast your site loads and what kind of maintenance you have to do.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost offers</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> several great options</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to cover a variety of web hosting needs (not that we are biased about this at all, ahem).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For beginners, we recommend</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">shared hosting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. It is affordable, fast, and meets the needs of any basic website (and includes a free domain registration!).</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/when-to-upgrade-your-hosting-plan/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">You can always upgrade</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as your website grows.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Shared Hosting That Powers Your Purpose</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast, secure and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h4>Choose a Platform</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To build your website, you’ll need to pick a platform — and there’s no </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">content management system (CMS)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> better, in our opinion, than </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-crash-course/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. And </span><a href="https://managewp.com/14-surprising-statistics-about-wordpress-usage"><span style="font-weight: 400;">75 million websites agree</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with us. Like <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">any powerful tool</a>, there is a learning curve to WordPress, but the </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-site-cost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">open-source software is free</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to use and pretty beginner-friendly.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 3: Design and Launch</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">OK — with a set of goals, a content outline, a domain, web hosting, and a platform picked for your new website, it is finally time to get building!</span></p> | |
| <h4>Build Your WordPress Website</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Head over to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost’s WordPress hosting page</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, pick the plan that’s right for you,</span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/215525277-How-to-install-WordPress-using-the-One-Click-Installer"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">install WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/most-important-wordpress-settings-for-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">configure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your settings, and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">start building your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Pull out the list of goals and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-rules-structuring-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">content outline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you made in step one, and use it to guide you in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/brand-your-wordpress-theme/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">choosing a theme that matches your brand</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Learn About Web Design Trends and Best Practices</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No, you don’t need to become an expert overnight. And never fear: Those WordPress themes we just mentioned are beautiful and will</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/scary-web-design-mistakes/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">save you from major design blunders</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But here are a few</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-tips-for-a-well-designed-website-as-told-by-a-dreamhost-designer/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">basic pointers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to keep in mind as you get started in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/elements-of-webdesign/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">designing your site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="list-style-type: none;"> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Keep things quick and straightforward — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">From homepage copy to navigation options, think short and sweet.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Don’t fear the blank space — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t feel the need to fill every nook and cranny; elegant emptiness can go a long way.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Keep your menu front and center — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep it easy to find or risk losing visitors.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Mind your</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-typography-affects-website-conversions/"> <b>typography</b></a><b> — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">What you say matters as much as</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> how </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">you say it — and what it looks like.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Pick a color scheme that matches your brand —</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-choose-color-scheme-for-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Color communicates</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, so pick ones that fit the ethos of your website.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Make it accessible — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Expand your audience by making sure your website is usable by everyone,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">including individuals with disabilities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Use templates —</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> When you sign up for a DreamHost plan, you’ll have the option to include </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with your account. This tool makes it easy to use customizable and professional templates to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/grow/customize-your-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">design a beautiful, fully functional WordPress website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. To prove just how versatile this tool is, we put together a tutorial series that demonstrates how you can use WP Website Builder templates to start </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-fitness-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fitness blogs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-food-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> food blogs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-photography-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">photography blogs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-real-estate-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">real estate websites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-restaurant-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">restaurant sites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (to name a few)!</span></li> | |
| </ol> | |
| </li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you lack the skills (or time to learn the skills) to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-web-design-trends-2018/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">design a website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — and have some wiggle room in your budget — consider</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-hire-designer-to-create-custom-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">hiring a professional designer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you customize your site’s look.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-web-design-lessons-star-wars/">10 Web Design Lessons from a Galaxy Far, Far Away</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h4>Launch!</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Go ahead. Send your website out into the world. Take a quick victory lap — you’ve earned it! But don’t lose your momentum; the work has only started.</span></p> | |
| <h2 id="second-quarter"><b>Second Quarter: Grow Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So now you have a website. Yay!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time to beef it up with some strength training. That’s right. Once your site is up and running, turn your attention to attracting more visitors and bringing in some income.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21755" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="450" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-300x150.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-768x384.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-600x300.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-750x375.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-100x50.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <h3>Step 4: Monetize Your Site</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ready to bring in the big bucks with a blog or online store? Let’s get you set up.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Review your offerings — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take a look at the products and services you are selling. Is there anything else you can add, especially to entice back past customers? Have you thought about adding an</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-an-online-course-with-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">online course</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or premium</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/worst-blogging-blunders-to-avoid/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">for-pay content to your blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Add some ads — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Include a bit of subtle, tasteful</span><a href="https://www.google.com/adsense/start/?gclid=CMmypYrZ2MUCFUiFfgodnrUA7A#/hl=en&sourceid=aso&subid=na-en-ha-bk_MC&medium=ha?modal_active=none"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">advertising</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your WordPress blog to bring in some additional revenue.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/25-ways-make-money-online/">25 Legit Ways You Can Make Money Online</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Affiliate marketing — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Incorporating</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">affiliate links</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your blog or website is another way to add to your revenue stream. Basically, you’ll promote another brand’s product and provide links to their site. If your readers click and make a purchase, you’ll get a cut of the sale in thanks for your referral.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Investigate e-commerce solutions — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">How are you planning to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sell and accept payment</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your website? You’ll need to get that squared away before promoting your online store. If you’re using WordPress, we recommend</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-templates-increase-sales/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Woocommerce</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (so much so, that we’ve even got</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/woocommerce-hosting/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">hosting just for Woocommerce</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> users). Study up on the world of e-commerce and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-online-payment-gateways-compared/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">pick an online payment gateway</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (watch out for </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-accept-payments-through-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sneaky transaction fees</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-woocommerce-store-with-oceanwp/">How to Build an Awesome Online Store with the OceanWP Theme</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 5: Adopt SEO Best Practices</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once your site is built and prepped to be monetized, you are ready to reel in the traffic with SEO.</span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO is a group of strategies</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> website owners can (and should!) use to appear closer to the top of the results on search engines.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think about it: when you search for something on Google, you probably only scan the first few entries before clicking — and so will your clients. Since Google bases its results ranking on</span><a href="https://searchenginewatch.com/2018/12/10/ranking-signals-2019-optimize/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a variety of factors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, it’s essential to do the following:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Brainstorm keywords relevant to your site — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">What search phrases do you think (or hope) would most likely lead readers to your website? Use Google’s</span><a href="https://adwords.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Keyword Planner</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-keyword-research-wordpress-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">research and discover new keywords</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Optimize your blog posts — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plan content around these keywords and make sure to use them in your posts and headings — but be careful and creative with your placement to avoid creating content that sounds forced. If you need help getting started, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-tools-to-optimize-website-success/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">check out these SEO tools</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Keep it fresh — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Regular updates and new content will give you a search-ranking boost. But don’t be afraid to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/keep-your-blog-fresh-how-to-repurpose-old-posts/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">freshen up and repurpose old content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Create a sitemap</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — Sitemaps, which are basically a hierarchical list of all the pages and content on your site, help Google’s search engine crawlers see and connect the pages on your site, making it easier to present relevant information in search results.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/18-expert-blogging-tips-for-2018/">The Internet’s Most Successful Bloggers Share Their Top Tips</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 6: Take Care of the Details</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that your site has been up and running for a while, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/spring-clean-your-website-with-this-checklist/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">it’s time for some spring cleaning</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Let’s make sure your website is up to par and easy to access for all your potential customers.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Clean and Polish</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start with a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/guide-clean-your-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">few routine upkeep tasks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and set reminders to do them again in another six months:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check for broken links.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Review and edit website copy and high-traffic blog posts.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Update contact information and your “About Me” section.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Test functionality of forms and checkout.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think about your user experience. How can you make it better?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Review your hosting plan —</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/when-to-upgrade-your-hosting-plan/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">are you ready for an upgrade</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h4>Go Mobile</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take a look at how your site looks on the small screen. If your website isn’t</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">optimized for mobile</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — that is, if it doesn’t</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-amp-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">look as good and load as fast</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">on mobile devices as it does on a computer — you’re missing out. Responsive design matters in 2020.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many potential customers use phones or tablets in place of a home computer, and some</span><a href="https://www.adweek.com/digital/mobile-shopping-is-on-the-rise-but-remains-split-between-the-mobile-web-and-apps/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">shop on the go</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Plus, your</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-declares-mobile-%C2%ADfriendly-a-must-for-seo/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Google search rankings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> could hurt if your website isn’t mobile-friendly. Pull your website up on your smartphone, and make any</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-wordpress-website-for-mobile/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">necessary changes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Review Your Traffic</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you haven’t already, install</span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/216474217-Google-Analytics"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Google Analytics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> onto your WordPress website. Google Analytics is a plugin that tracks and analyzes key data about your website, including:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Page views — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">At a glance, this stat will reveal your most popular pages and posts in the past day, month, and year.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Unique visitors — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using IP addresses, Google Analytics will track how many unique visitors your site attracts.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Bounce rate — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes visitors will click away from your site after viewing only one page; this stat will let you know how often that dreaded “bounce” happens.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Session duration — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">When someone visits your site, how long do they stick around? Check this number for the answer.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Traffic source — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You might suddenly see an increase in traffic to a particular page, and Google Analytics will help you pinpoint what link is sending the visitors.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/the-four-metrics-every-blogger-needs-to-track/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Studying these statistics</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">will help you find changes to make to draw more visitors and encourage them to stay longer (and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-wordpress-plugins-drive-conversions-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">hopefully make a purchase</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/use-google-analytics-wordpress/">Learn How to Grow Your Website with Google Analytics</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2 id="third-quarter"><b>Third Quarter: Secure Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time to work on endurance: You want your website to stick around for the long haul. Now it’s time to beef up your security practices and protect your data.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21756" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="450" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-300x150.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-768x384.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-600x300.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-750x375.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-100x50.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <h3>Step 7: Tighten Website Security</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to security, you can rest easy at night: you’re already on the right track to keeping your information and customer’s data safe with</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-wordpress-security-plugins/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/qa-how-dreamhost-keeps-websites-safe/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But there are a few additional steps you can take to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/secure-your-wordpress-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">tighten up security</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Switch to HTTPS — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “S” in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ultimate-guide-ssl-tls/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">HTTPS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> stands for “secure,” and it is (surprise) the more secure version of HTTP, encrypting your data as it is transferred from your website to a user’s browser. Add that all-important “S” by</span><a href="https://letsencrypt.org/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">getting an SSL/TLS certificate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (offered for free with all DreamHost hosting plans).</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Enable a firewall — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You probably have a firewall on your computer,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-security-through-obscurity/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">protecting you from unwanted attacks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. And, if you’re one of our customers, lucky you: DreamHost includes a built-in Web Application Firewall (WAF) to offer your website similar protection.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Use two-factor authentication — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">This will require you to sign in to your site with a code that’s first sent to your mobile phone. While it can be a bit of a hassle on your end, this step goes a long way in keeping your site secure. Use a WordPress plugin like</span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/two-factor-authentication/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Two-Factor Authentication</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Add an SSL security certificate —</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> At DreamHost, we want you and your website’s users to feel confident about their data and financial transactions. We also want you to be able to focus on building your website’s following — that’s why </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/216539548-Adding-a-free-Let-s-Encrypt-certificate"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we offer SSL/TLS certificates free</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with all of our hosting plans!</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Backup your site — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hackers gonna hack. Even with all your efforts to secure your site, security breaches and other disasters are still a possibility. So make sure to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-back-up-your-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">regularly backup your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. That way, if the unthinkable happens, you won’t lose all of your digital property.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Scan for malware — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hackers can really mess things up for your website by installing</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-malware/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">malware</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which can mess with the code and steal secure data. Scan your site regularly to make sure it’s clean. DreamHost customers can sign up for</span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/226704048-How-do-I-enable-the-Malware-Remover-service-"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamShield</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, an add-on that will</span><a href="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/enhance-dreamshield-security-audit-log/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">automatically scan your site for malware</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Pick a strong password</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — Don’t make it easy for just anyone to walk into your digital front door;</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-strong-passwords/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">choose a password</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that is long, uncommon, and used only for your website.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>Step 8: Speed Things Up</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nothing is more of a drag than a sluggish website. Keep your website</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">up to speed by</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Installing a caching plugin for faster load times — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “cache” is where your computer stores recently used information, such as the files of a recently visited website. A</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/caching-solutions-for-WordPress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">caching WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> pulls data from the local cache instead of reloading it fully every time, thus speeding things up.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Optimizing your images — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">High-res photos can take an extra-long hot second to load, but there’s</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/using-images-video-wordpress-blog/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">no need to sacrifice quality</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Testing your speed — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even if it seems like your page is loading normally, get in the habit of regularly</span><a href="https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">testing your speed</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Simply type your URL into Google’s PageSpeed insights for a quick analysis and tips to get a faster score.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-fix-slow-website/">12 Reasons Why Your Website Is Slow (And How to Fix Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 9: Prepare for Trolls</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By the time you’ve reached this step, you’ve probably got fans. But as your site builds a community, it will also attract some of the slimier creatures lurking in the anonymity of the web: spammers, trolls, and cruel commentators. Keep these thoughts in mind as</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-stop-internet-trolls/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">you deal with the underbelly of the web</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Don’t feed the trolls — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is rule No. 1 when it comes to trolls. Don’t engage; it will just feed the fire.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Understand the difference between trolling and disagreement — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not everyone who disagrees with you is a troll; usually, they are legitimate readers with a different viewpoint. Feel free to defend yourself and your arguments, and be open to changing your mind — and reminding aggressive commenters to play nice.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Establish a commenting policy — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spell out for your readers how you expect them to behave, what the consequences are for violations, and make clear that trolls are not invited to the party.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Block or delete — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">If a trolling post gets too out of hand, don’t be afraid to step in and shut it down.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2 id="fourth-quarter"><b>Fourth Quarter: Promote Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Congratulations! You’re officially three-quarters of the way through this marathon [splashes water on face]. Don’t lose that momentum; continue strong and steady to the finish line. Think of all the orange slices awaiting you. To get there, your next task is</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-marketing-your-website-increasing-traffic/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">promotion</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21753" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="450" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-300x150.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-600x300.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-750x375.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-100x50.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <h3>Step 10: Advertise</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve got a great thing going, and it’s time to tell the world. Advertising, even for the beginner website owner, is a no-brainer that can be simple, effective, and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/35-ways-to-promote-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">affordable</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Try your hand at two basic types of targeted advertising:</span></p> | |
| <h4>Pay-Per-Click Advertising</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A good SEO strategy will organically move you to the top of the search results. With</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ppc-guide/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you’ll take matters more into your own hands by </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">paying </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">to land atop the search engine result pages (SERPs). The best part? You only have to pay for premium placement if someone clicks on your link. You choose the keywords you want to bring up your ad, and you can set and limit your own budget.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Social Media Advertising</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook is a well-oiled, data-collecting machine, and you can use its power to target advertising</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">directly to your ideal audience</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You can create a</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook ad</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that reaches users based on specific info such as age, gender, interests, etc. As with Google Adwords, you’ll set a budget and pay for clicks.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-incorporate-instagram-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Get on Instagram</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and leverage your feed and stories for some great free advertising for your brand. Follow this</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-ways-to-pick-the-best-social-media-platform-for-your-small-business/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">guide to narrow down which social media platform</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you should use for your business.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 11: Market with Email</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Email is one of the best tools your e-commerce site has for finding new customers, bringing back previous ones, and maintaining relationships.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Learn the Basics</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Study up on</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">email marketing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a tried-and-true marketing method that involves collecting email addresses as a way to share content and build relationships with current and potential customers.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Collect Email Addresses</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can’t send any mail if you don’t know where it’s going. But don’t be spammy and shady about it; create opt-in forms directly on your site inviting visitors to subscribe. Try offering something</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/email-marketing-wordpress-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">in exchange for an email address,</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> such as a discount off a first purchase or access to a free ebook.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Create an Email Newsletter</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Email newsletters remain</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-an-email-newsletter/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">one of the best ways</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to connect with your customers, so create one and make it the center of your email marketing strategy. Use it as a way to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-media-kit-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">showcase your voice and your brand</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, share news and upcoming events for your business, and introduce new products (but don’t be too pushy). Send it out regularly, loaded with fresh content, and then solicit feedback.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h4>Bring Your Customers Back</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond a newsletter, what other</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/14-emails-website-owners-should-send/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">types of emails</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will engage your customers? Always send purchase receipts and make sure to welcome new subscribers. Consider reaching out to past customers to announce sales, share discounts, and invite them back to the fold.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 12: Get Creative</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that you’ve covered your bases with advertising and email marketing, dig deeper and get a little creative in extending your website’s reach. Try out these promotion ideas:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Get yourself some</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-no-brainer-seo-tips-total-beginners/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">non-spammy backlinks</span></a></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">holiday cheer to your marketing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or consider a</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/black-friday-cyber-monday-tech-deals/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Black Friday sale</span></a></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Register with</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/scaling-your-business-online/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">online directories</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> so Googlers can find your brick-and-mortar location along with your website</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Connect with micro-influencers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, minor celebrities in your area of expertise, whose endorsements may point their followers to your site</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create a</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-a-loyalty-program-for-your-site/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">customer loyalty program</span></a></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve made it to the finish line! You’ve worked hard, and your website is certainly one to be proud of. Now, hit the showers, champ.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And if you haven’t launched your site yet, we’re here for you. Start off on the right foot with DreamHost’s shared hosting plan. It’s the most affordable way to make all your website dreams come true — seriously, plans start at just $2.59/month — without sacrificing quality and performance. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create your website today</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website/">Want to Build a Website in 2020? Here’s Your Game Plan</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>20 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses to Make in 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Mon, 23 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kasee Bailey]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tech Talk]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[small business]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/?p=21236</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>The end of a decade! Can you believe it? This year — and the past 10 — have seen us through some pretty noteworthy stuff. Should we take a reminiscent jaunt down memory lane? Let’s recall the launch of the first iPad and the inception of Instagram — yep, both happened in 2010! — plus […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/">20 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses to Make in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The end of a decade! Can you believe it? This year — and the past 10 — have seen us through some </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">pretty</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> noteworthy stuff. Should we take a reminiscent jaunt down memory lane? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s recall the launch of the first iPad and the inception of Instagram — yep, both happened in 2010! — plus the pop culture renaissance and reboots. There have been Royal Wedding(s), auditory earworms (looking at you, “Gangnam Style”), and addictive apps. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the rise of AI and voice assistants to Beyonce’s twins and Tesla’s takeover, from </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strangers Things</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and superheroes to rap musicals about the founding fathers, I think we can we agree — this decade has been a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">wild</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> ride. But with the end of another 365 days, it’s time to say </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">adieu</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to the 2010s.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cheers, 2019. Thanks for the memories.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But now, letting bygones be bygones, we’re ready to ring in 2020 with a bang, starting with some high-powered business goals. What are you resolving to do in the new year? Forget hitting the gym more or writing a novel (although those are definitely worthwhile objectives). This year, we want you to commit to taking your small business to the next level — and actually reach your goal! Now is the perfect time to look forward. Here are 20 ways you can resolve to build a better, more prosperous business in 2020.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>We Support Your Dreams</h2><p>Whatever your goals, DreamHost will be right there with you, making sure your site is fast, secure, and always up. Hosting plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>1. Build a Website </b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fact of the matter is, if you’re running a business in the 21st century, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/6-reasons-why-your-small-business-needs-a-website-now/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">you </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">need</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> an online presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Even if you have endless tasks on your small business to-do list, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/why-your-website-still-matters-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">prioritizing the presence of your own web content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is critical. Web users need to be able to find and connect with you virtually — that fact is elementary, Watson.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But building a website to showcase your business doesn’t have to be a complicated or an expert-level-only endeavor. And the how-to aspects of creating a website </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-problems-keeping-small-biz-owners-awake/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">don’t have to keep you up at night</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Any small business can — and should — have a website. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start with a game plan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and determine your goals, then dig into the necessary technical tasks, based on your needs.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want </b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-low-maintenance-wordpress-website/"><b>a blog that’s low maintenance</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (hey, we </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">so</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> get it — you have enough to do!)? We’ll help you keep things simple.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Prefer to leave it to the experts? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost makes it easy to get a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-hire-designer-to-create-custom-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">custom-designed website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>If you want some autonomy, </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">but still need a little hand-holding, you can get a simple — but snazzy — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress site up and running in a jiffy</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Or, you can be guided through the entire site-building process</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by utilizing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/products/wp-site-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21506" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The best part? You can usually get a great-looking, functional website in </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-set-up-dreamhost-site-under-an-hour/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">less time than it takes to finish a Netflix episode</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Boo-yah.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With a website, you’re reaching people even when you’re asleep — meaning, your business isn’t limited to a brick-and-mortar location. Your site will help you to build your brand and connect with audiences.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-business-website-mistakes-to-avoid/">Building Your Own Business Website? Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>2. Be Social</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, it’s good to get out and socialize (and seek new networking opportunities, perhaps?), but the kind of social activity we mean is mainly virtual. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Engaging with audiences on social media is essential to getting your business seen, building your brand, and developing a loyal following. Plus, plugging into social platforms gives you new ways to connect and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">promote your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21507" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not yet fluent in the social jargon of snaps, double-taps, tweets, and apps? We’ve got </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a few social tips and tricks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for your hard-working small business, like advice on writing killer captions, curating content, monitoring competitors, harnessing hashtags, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing with micro-influencers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and showcasing your brand’s voice. Plus, we’ll ease your mind about biting off more social than you can chew (hint: you don’t have to use </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the platforms).</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>3. Write a Blog</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Believe us, blogging is </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">not</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a thing of the past. Creating your own content on a personal or business blog is still a powerful means of engaging with your audience and providing value to consumers, sharing your expertise, building your brand, and growing your business. Remember the oft-quoted adage: content is king? Well, we’d go so far as to say that content is the Beyonce of the internet. The Queen, capital Q. That fact hasn’t changed, no matter the landscape of the internet.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Getting a killer blog up and running </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/infographic-simple-tips-to-start-your-own-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">doesn’t have to be complicated</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">time-consuming</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21514" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And even if you’re aren’t an OG of the blogosphere, don’t worry. When it comes to blogging, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-crafting-perfect-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we say, “Beginners welcome</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!” (Just strive to avoid </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/worst-blogging-blunders-to-avoid/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">these blogging blunders</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To begin, learn from the mouth of the experts — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/18-expert-blogging-tips-for-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">some of the internet’s best bloggers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — about what makes a five-star blog, and then take notes from </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">these company blogs that boast killer online reps</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <h2><b>4. Rank Higher Through SEO</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Obviously, one of your main goals as a small business is to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">grow</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your business. That means you need to start attracting audiences. Promoting your blog on social media and producing great content aren’t the only tactics you need to get found by your target audiences — you must also </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-tools-to-optimize-website-success/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">prime your site to rank highly</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on search engines. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You need to rank high if you want sales: </span><a href="https://v12data.com/blog/consumer-shopping-trends-stats/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">81%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of shoppers conduct online research on products before making a purchase, but </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/insiders/inbound-marketing-stats"><span style="font-weight: 400;">75%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of people never scroll past the first page of search engine results. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21505" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enter Search Engine Optimization (SEO). </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Good SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> starts with a quality hosting provider and involves everything from </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-best-practices-for-domains/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your domain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-blog-structure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your site structure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To grow your business, you need to start implementing strategies to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">drive traffic to your site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — SEO is one of the most effective ways to rank higher in search engines and increase visibility. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-keyword-research-wordpress-blog/">How to Do Keyword Research for Your WordPress Blog</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>5. Get Mobile-Friendly</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mobile matters. OK, so </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">maybe we’re a broken record on this topic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">seriously</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, if you aren’t optimizing your site for use on mobile devices, you’re harming your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.augustash.com/our-blog/mobile-friendly-websites-2019"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sixty-one percent</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing, and 40% will jump ship and visit a competitor’s site instead. Ouch. What’s more, </span><a href="https://getgist.com/mobile-friendly-google/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google rewards mobile-friendly sites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with better rankings. That’s a lot — sales, conversions, traffic, search engine placement, UX, responsiveness — riding on your bottom line. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mobile rules e-commerce: </span><a href="http://frontburnermarketing.net/37-mobile-optimization-stats/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">66%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of online shopping time is being consumed on smartphones, and that number seems only to be increasing with each year. Not only are consumers using smartphones to search (more Google searches </span><a href="http://adwords.blogspot.com/2015/05/building-for-next-moment.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">take place on mobile devices</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> than on computers in 10 countries, including the U.S.) and make purchases (</span><a href="https://makeawebsitehub.com/mobile-marketing-statistics/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">70%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of all mobile searches result in action within one hour), but they’re not letting mobile devices out of their sight: </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/24082/9-Amazing-Mobile-Marketing-Statistics-Every-Marketer-Should-Know.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">91%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of American adults have their smartphone within arms reach 24/7.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking these numbers into account, you can see that </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-wordpress-website-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">mobile optimization</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> affects nearly every aspect of your business, from brand building to traffic generating, to customer service, to establishing relationships. Plus, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-declares-mobile-%C2%ADfriendly-a-must-for-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google will not be friendly</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in its rankings to sites that aren’t optimized for mobile, which harms your SEO, and therefore, your </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">traffic-building efforts</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You don’t want that.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21515" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having a website optimized for small screens is a thou-shalt that simply </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">has</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to be a part of your small biz commandments this year if you want a more successful business.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start thinking mobile by taking a </span><a href="https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly"><span style="font-weight: 400;">responsiveness test drive</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, working on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">improving your site’s load times</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, redesigning your site pop-ups, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-amp-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">enabling AMPs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">making an app</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — if that works for your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-fix-slow-website/">12 Reasons Why Your Website Is Slow (And How to Fix Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>6. Find Your Target Audience</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have you ever taken the time to think about who you’re actually trying to reach with your business? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead of broadly and ineffectively casting a wide net, take the time to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/identify-target-market-for-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">define your target audiences</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> so that your marketing and other efforts are focused enough to have a real, meaningful effect for your business. Determining exactly who your target markets are — starting with the who, when, how, and why — gives your business the benefit of being able to appeal to those most likely to engage with you. Your business can’t be everything for everyone, so don’t try. </span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/surveys/#?modal_active=none"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do the research</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, identify your niche, and run your business with its target audiences in mind. This focus will give purpose and meaning to every business decision you make — from the design of your site to the kind of content you produce to the way you market that content — and yourself.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then, once you’ve zeroed in on your target audiences, ask them to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">do</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> something with </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-write-website-ctas/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your winningest CTAs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">FYI: even with a target audience bullseye in mind, it’s necessary to make </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your website accessible</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> users, including people with different abilities, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-design-lgbtq-inclusive-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">LGBTQ+ groups</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-website-localization/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">those who speak languages</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> other than English. Inclusivity is just good business.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>7. Improve Your Email Marketing</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, it’s often overlooked if you’re not in a ‘90s Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks rom-com, but truth be told, email can be </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">very</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> powerful. How powerful? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, a whopping </span><a href="http://www.mailigen.com/blog/infographic-segmented-emails-is-what-the-future-holds/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">89% of marketers</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">say that email is their primary channel for lead generation — and they </span><a href="https://www.extole.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gigaom-and-Extole-Research.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">consistently rank email</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">s the single-most-effective tactic for meeting their awareness, acquisition, conversion, and retention goals. They’ve branded it, fittingly, “</span><a href="http://www.dmnews.com/email-marketing/consumers-keep-those-emails-comin/article/396332/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the workhorse</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” and prove </span><a href="https://marketingexperiments.com/email-marketing/data-points-for-a-bigger-budget"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your marketing budget should include more</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">money allotted for an invested email strategy. This seemingly-archaic medium </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">(</span><a href="https://econsultancy.com/blog/5402-could-email-fatigue-give-social-media-the-upper-hand-with-marketers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">which was predicted to decline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, btw) is </span><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/business-reporter/11133546/email-marketing.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">increasingly relevant</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">— unlike screen names or Myspace pages — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/35-ways-to-promote-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">for site owners</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">looking to build customer relationships and augment sales.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And marketers aren’t the only ones cheering on Team Email:</span> <a href="https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/case-study/customer-communication-by-channel"><span style="font-weight: 400;">72% of consumers</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">say email is their favorite method of communication with companies they do business with, and </span><a href="https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/chart/how-customers-want-promo-emails"><span style="font-weight: 400;">61% say</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">they </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">like</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to receive promotional emails every week from businesse</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">s.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21512" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="737" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-300x246.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-768x629.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-600x491.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-750x614.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-100x82.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So educate yourself: get the 411 on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dodging the spam folder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and providing valuable content that customers want to see enter their inboxes. Learn about </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/14-emails-website-owners-should-send/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the types of emails</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you should be sending your followers (like the increasingly prevalent email </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-an-email-newsletter/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">newsletter</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), set goals, work on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/email-marketing-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">building your ever-important email list</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and start connecting with more of your customers in their inboxes.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>8. Fine Tune Your Customer Service</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You probably already know this, but </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-your-online-business-can-nail-customer-service-during-holidays/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">excellent customer service</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> doesn’t just take place behind a counter anymore. Like most things in the online age, customer service interactions are increasingly transparent and web-based, with virtual-word-of-mouth effects that have the power to make or break your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, good customer service practices are </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">essential</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to modern and future businesses. Soon, </span><a href="https://www.score.org/resource/infographic-happy-customers-win-small-business"><span style="font-weight: 400;">customer service is expected to become more significant</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> than price </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">or</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> product when customers decide who gets their business. No pressure, right?</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s raise the stakes a little more. As it turns out, bad customer service does some serious damage to your business. Data evidence shows that </span><a href="https://www.quicksprout.com/user-retention/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">71% of consumers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — yep, nearly three-quarters of ‘em — have terminated their relationship with a company due to poor customer service. Yikes. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s not all. You’re actually helping out your </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">competitors</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> when you don’t prioritize top-notch customer service experiences. </span><a href="https://www.quicksprout.com/user-retention/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sixty-one percent of customers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will take their business to a competitor after a negative customer service experience.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21517" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="598" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-300x199.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-768x510.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-750x498.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-100x66.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Building </span><a href="https://blog.podium.com/good-customer-service-skills/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">strong customer service principles</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — like professionalism, communication, and active listening — help you to be more profitable, for one. It’s </span><a href="https://blog.kissmetrics.com/retaining-customers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">seven times more expensive</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones, and </span><a href="https://www.jitbit.com/news/customer-service-skills/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">58%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of consumers are willing to spend more on those companies that provide excellent customer service. That makes more than dollars and sense.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What’s more, by providing customers — and those elusive potential buyers — with a killer customer service experience, you’re setting your business up for success: better sales, repeat customers, strong relationships, a distinguished brand reputation, and those coveted five-star </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-review-site-with-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">reviews</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. So start putting your best (virtual) face forward by demanding gold-star customer service experiences from your business.</span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>9. Build Your Brand</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the influx of social media and e-businesses, we see the word </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">brand</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> tossed around haphazardly. What really is a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">brand</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Why is it so crucial to build one? How can you establish your business’ brand?</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inherent to branding is your business identity: getting seen — and becoming known — by your target audiences. With strong branding, you have the opportunity to become an authority in your field or industry and build loyal customer followings. Think of building your brand awareness as establishing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your e-reputation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like we talked about with target audiences (see No. 6), your niche — and the brand you ultimately build — determine your business decisions; it impacts the voice, feel, style, and substance of your content and website, and on a more technical level, your operations, management, interactions, and marketing efforts. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think about some of the most popular brands out there: Nike, Disney, Coca-Cola, for example. They all have recognizable and unique brands. You may not be setting your sights on global domination (yet), but these big-wigs prove that building your brand is a crucial to-do for excelling in business.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">12 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>10. Run A/B Tests</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Talk to any experienced website owner and they’ll likely let you in on a little small biz secret — no one gets it right the first time. This applies to multiple aspects of your business (hello, learning curve), but </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">especially</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your website. A fine-tuned, well-performing site requires time and tweaking to perfect. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll want to regularly run tests on your site to see what is — and what isn’t — working best for your visitors and your bottom line.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21508" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-768x513.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-600x401.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-750x501.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This important trial and error process doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly technical. Simple </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ab-testing-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A/B testing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (AKA </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the comparison of two variations of a single webpage, design, ad, or other marketing media to determine which version converts more successfully), when strategized, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">can give you valuable insight on performance to help you adjust and refine the various aspects your website — everything from CTAs to images to copy length. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What results is valuable insight that you can analyze to help your site — and ultimately, your business — improve. Three cheers for progress! That’s what resolutions are all about, right?</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>11. Meet Customers in Person</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The day and age in which we do business are replete with 21st-century benefits: new and innovative technology, evolving e-commerce landscapes, and the unique opportunity of being able to connect with anyone, anywhere. Talk about living in the iGeneration!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But even with all the technological latest-and-greatest and virtual advancements, the truth is, you </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">need</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> some quality, in-person face time with your customers. Step out from behind your .com and interact with those supporting and championing your small biz. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21516" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Work to host meetups, workshops, or even informal get-togethers, and spend time on the ground floor of your brick-and-mortar (if you have one). Express genuine gratitude to customers for their patronage and support, and seek to get to know them.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only will this boost your customer service rep, but it will give you insight on how to better serve your audiences. In both respects, you’re building a better business. And that’s what 2020 is all about.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At DreamHost, we </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">thrive</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on meeting our awesome users IRL. That’s why we host and support collaborative </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/girl-develop-it-comes-to-dreamhost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">learning events</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-a-wordcamp/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordCamps</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/2017-reach-out-tour/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">multi-city tours</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — to meet YOU.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>12. Get Involved in Your Community</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Trust in this knowledge: you have something of value to contribute to your community, whether it be your purely virtual e-community or IRL associations. Get involved and lift your business — and society you live in — together. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some ideas? Learn from others. Collaborate, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/crowdfunding-on-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">crowdfund</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/pitching-support-open-web/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pitch in together for noble causes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/become-a-wordpress-contributor/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">share knowledge</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another life- and business-altering effort? </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/support-women-in-tech/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support and champion</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> those on whom the spotlight isn’t often shined — especially </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/state-of-women-in-tech/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">women</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/like-black-woman-tech-qa-kaya-thomas/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">minorities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — and help them to get involved in business and tech, and help your community diversify.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The effects of your efforts will be far-reaching both for your business and the communities you are a part of. We really are all in this together.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>13. Research Web Design Trends</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a small business and website owner, you need to stay on top of the trends. No, we’re not talking about the in-season looks gracing the catwalks of NYFW. We mean </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-web-design-trends/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">web design trends</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Did you know? Design on the web goes through phases and fads, too. Keep tabs on what’s in style (minimalism and asymmetry, anyone?) and what is </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">sooo</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 2019 to keep your site relevant, engaging, and looking fresh with a capital F.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21509" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="589" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-300x196.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-768x503.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-600x393.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-750x491.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-100x65.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/elements-of-webdesign/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website design fundamentals</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are basic and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/web-design-dos-and-donts/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">some design to-dos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> never go out of style, while other design trends vary from year to year. Do your research to stay in the know; then </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-redesign-checklist/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">consult your design checklist</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, channel your inner Chip and Joanna, and build a beautiful — and en vogue — website. Shiplap not required.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>14. Create a Staging Site</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like we talked about with goal No. 10, often the best websites take time — and testing — to really get right. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-staging-beginners-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Setting up a staging site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a great way to test your site and fix errors — without letting your live site miss a beat (or risking unnecessary or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/your-website-downtime-survival-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">unanticipated downtime</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How does a staging site work? Well, it’s pretty simple. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as a testing or development site, a staging site is a standalone copy of your website (whether that be a blank site or carbon copy of your existing one) that you can use to try out site fixes or changes — like new plugins or themes or bug fixes before implementing them on your live, or public, site. Your staging site is for your eyes and testing purposes only — it’s a private site that only you can access. Staging sites can be offline and stored on a local computer or hosted online but marked as private.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you can guess, staging sites are beneficial for many reasons. First, it provides you with a safe environment to experiment with site changes before implementing them on your live website. Whether you’re a perfectionist or simply want to improve your website, a staging environment allows you to tweak until you get it </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">just</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> right. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21510" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Second, staging sites facilitate the learning process. You’re not going to know </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-crash-course/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">everything about WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (or whatever CMS you use) right away, so staging sites give you a way to learn as you experiment incorporating plugins, themes, or custom code on the platform. Think of it as your low-risk, no-pressure website playground.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lastly, staging sites provide you with the perfect place to test solutions for bugs and fix any troublesome site errors. You can, of course, maintain and tweak your website on your public site. Still, live maintenance creates the risk of something on your site breaking, slowing loading times, or causing other interferences in your visitors’ experience on your website. Not ideal.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year, resolve to simplify and streamline your live website maintenance. Create a staging site to make sure everything on your website is working correctly — and to your liking — before implementing changes to your live site and welcoming traffic to it.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-back-up-your-wordpress-website/">How to Back up Your WordPress Website — A Complete Guide</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>15. Stay Up to Date on Marketing Innovations</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like design trends (No. 13), marketing tactics are ever-evolving. The small business owners of yesteryear looking to get eyes on their goods weren’t </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-podcast-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pushing new podcast episodes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, managing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">micro-influencers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or fishing for Facebook likes. </span><a href="https://www.marketingweek.com/marketing-through-the-ages-2000s-dilemmas-digital/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marketing really has come a long way</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> since the early 2000s.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The way you </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-marketing-your-website-increasing-traffic/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">build traffic and promote your content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is likely to transform as industries and digital landscapes change, and as your business grows. Plus, things change as marketers are continually discovering new, innovative ways to connect with customers, giving you new opportunities to learn and engage with your audiences. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes these new strategies are merely building off of foundational tried-and-true tactics, like implementing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">seasonal</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or niche-related touches onto your current marketing efforts of developing a social media presence, growing and maintaining an email list, advertising, and running a company blog. And other times, they’re entirely new approaches to reaching customers — like the recent developments in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and voice search.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21511" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keeping up with current marketing innovations means </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/marketing-trends"><span style="font-weight: 400;">doing your research</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and implementing the latest marketing tactics that make the most sense for your business. Guided by your overall business goals, you can develop an up-to-date marketing strategy that couples the best of old and new marketing innovations.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>16. Use PPC Advertising</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There really is a lot to small biz advertising, and it can be overwhelming for newbies — and beginner budgets. But promoting your site and attracting audiences through advertising doesn’t have to be overly-complicated or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/35-ways-to-promote-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pricey</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This year, give </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ppc-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">PPC advertising</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a go. PPC, or pay-per-click, works like this:</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A search engine query displays both organic results (the sites that come up because they are relevant based on their keywords, SEO strategy, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/keeping-a-fresh-blog-what-to-do-with-your-old-blog-posts/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fresh content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and responsive design) and paid search results. You’ve likely seen this second type of result identified with an “Ad” or “Sponsored” label.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paid search — as the name suggests — involves dishing out dollars to have your website appear in the sponsored sections of search engine results and corresponding partner sites. Both organic and paid searches appear in search results, just in different locations. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">PPC allows you to have your website appear in the sponsored/ad results, but the best part? You only pay for it when someone clicks on your ad. With PPC, your business can take advantage of the web’s virtual rush hour of clicks in a wallet-friendly and low-risk way.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>17. Try Out Some New Tools</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new year means new opportunities for trying things that are, well, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">new</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The end of one 365 and the beginning of another can motivate you to run, skip, or hop out of your comfort zone and expand your range of skills and knowledge. Start by experimenting with some new tools that help you build your business.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21513" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-768x513.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-600x401.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-750x501.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s get some ideas flowing:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to build your own website?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Check out </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/products/wp-site-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, our easy-to-use site creator.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to boost your SEO in big ways?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Easy. There are </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-tools-to-optimize-website-success/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">tons</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of tools for that</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to open up your own e-shop? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Test out </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce,</span></a> <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-magento/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magneto</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We’ll show you how.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Are you a WordPress groupie (</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/why-dreamhost-loves-wordpress/"><b>join the club!</b></a><b>) looking to take advantage of the platform’s </b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-gutenberg-for-designers/"><b>latest and greatest features</b></a><b>?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Check our our </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/tutorials/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress tutorials</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to become a coding master? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve compiled </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-online-resources-learn-to-code/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">more than seventy tools</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you with that.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Looking to explore other </b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/"><b>CMS</b></a><b> options? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-drupal/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drupal</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-joomla/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joomla</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you’re </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-online-resources-learn-to-code/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">learning a new (digital) language</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, familiarizing yourself with </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-makes-up-a-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the ins-and-outs of WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or meeting millennials on their turf of a new </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-ways-to-pick-the-best-social-media-platform-for-your-small-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social networking</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> site, trying out new tools will help you become a more well-rounded and knowledgeable small biz owner — an advantage that’s bound to help you build a better business in the new decade.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">The 7 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>18. Give Back</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just because you’re a business looking to make $$$ doesn’t mean you can’t also give back to the communities and customers helping you grow — or to those causes that resonate with you personally. Seek out opportunities to flex your business’ philanthropic muscles and give back in meaningful ways — and not just during the holidays.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For our 20th birthday in 2017, we celebrated by </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10000-clean-water/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">gifting more clean water to the world</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — with your help! Our joint efforts to bankroll more community-owned clean water projects around the world resulted in a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/thanks-for-the-water/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">$9,500+</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> donation. And you know what? Giving back felt good. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Really</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> good.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21518" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="637" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-300x212.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-768x544.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-600x425.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-750x531.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-100x71.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether your giving efforts </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/coding-for-the-greater-good-initiatives-to-bring-humanity-into-technology/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tie into tech</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or not, joining with your community and offering of your time or substance will not only result in a return of positive juju, but it will give more meaning to your day-to-day work.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>19. Subscribe to the DreamHost Blog </b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24043" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1.jpg" alt="The DreamHost Blog." width="900" height="619" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-300x206.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-768x528.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-600x413.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-750x516.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-100x69.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to being </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your hosting gurus</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, one of our goals (not just this year, but </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">every</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> year) is to provide you with relevant, useful content that helps you reach your small business and website goals. Follow along with us on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">our DreamHost blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for a continued stream of valuable articles designed to keep you learning and improving your business all year long. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here you can find profiles on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/meet-the-creative-couple-behind-craftograph/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website owners making big moves with DreamHost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/complete-guide-to-new-tlds/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">complete guides on every tech topic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">beginner-friendly how-tos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">sooo</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> much more. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>20. Take a (Deep) Breath</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Running a small business is no small feat. To give your best to your business, you need to resolve to achieve the proper work-life balance. It can’t be all work and no play — or you (or your employees) will burn out faster than those Christmas lights you still haven’t taken down. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When approaching the new year, set realistic goals, <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/">hustle hard to stretch yourself</a> and make things happen, and then breathe. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/small-business-ways-to-manage-stress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking care of yourself is crucial to the success of your business</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Trust us. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-stay-focused-working-from-home/">17 Ways to Stay Focused When You’re Working from Home</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Set boundaries for in- and out-of-office hours and honor them. Automate any tasks you can, delegate responsibilities, and then unplug. Resist the temptation to “just check” your inbox. Be intentional about stepping away from screens and/or your desk and engage in rejuvenating activities. Make face-to-face connections and prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remember: It’s OK to take off your small-business-owner hat and just have a good time. A proper recalibration of your priorities and work-life habits will help you be a better business owner.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And that’s what we want for you! </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At DreamHost, we love watching you succeed. In fact, we live for it. Whether your new year goals include boosting your bottom line, hiring a team, finding new customers or clients, or learning new entrepreneurial skills, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we’re here to help you make them happen</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2020.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s to a happy, healthy, and business-booming new year! </span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/">20 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses to Make in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 19 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=20947</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>There’s no shortage of ways you can make money online. However, few are as flexible and rewarding as affiliate marketing. If done right, it can be a lucrative way of earning an income by producing creative and valuable content. In a nutshell, affiliate marketing enables you to monetize your content by promoting other companies’ products […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/">A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There’s no shortage of ways <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/25-ways-make-money-online/">you can make money online</a></span>. However, few are as flexible and rewarding as affiliate marketing. If done right, it can be a lucrative way of earning an income by producing creative and valuable content.</p> | |
| <p>In a nutshell, affiliate marketing enables you to monetize your content by promoting other companies’ products using affiliate links. When somebody buys a product or service based on your referral, you earn a small commission on that purchase.</p> | |
| <p>In this article, we’ll introduce you to the basics of affiliate marketing and discuss how it works in practice. We’ll also show you how you could benefit from using it and give you some help in getting started. Let’s begin!</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Optimize Your Site with DreamPress</h2><p>Our automatic updates and strong security defenses take server management off your hands so you can focus on growing your business.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/" class="btn btn--brand">Check Out Plans</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21740" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png" alt="" width="200" height="201" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-100x101.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>A Brief History of Affiliate Marketing (And How It Works)</strong></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/34e3dfdd-c02a-4165-8ce9-96b691ecdcd9_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-2.jpg" alt="The DreamHost affiliate program." width="900" height="415" /> | |
| <p>Monetizing your website doesn’t have to be a difficult or compromising endeavor. In fact, it can be incredibly rewarding, both from an economic and creative perspective. Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of the legwork involved in other methods of making money online.</p> | |
| <p>Affiliate marketing involves promoting products from external vendors on your own website. While definitions sometimes vary, there are generally three or four parties involved in an affiliate setup. Since these terms can be confusing, let’s take a moment to clarify the ‘who’s who’ of affiliate marketing:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The affiliate.</span> Also known as ‘the marketer,’ this is the person running a site that contains affiliate links. The affiliate receives a commission on each purchase made by visitors who found a product by clicking on one of their links.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The consumer. </span>This is a visitor on the affiliate site, who clicks on an affiliate link and completes a purchase (whether that’s the original item being promoted, or something else from the same company).</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The network.</span> This refers to the internal or third-party platform that the affiliate program is operated on. This means they’re the ones providing the links that the affiliates use and paying the affiliate their commissions.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The merchant.</span> This is a company that sells products being marketed by the affiliate. In many cases, the merchant and the network are the same, as some companies run their own affiliate programs. For simplicity, we’ll be combining these last two entities throughout the rest of our discussion here.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>If that still sounds a bit confusing, let’s look at a typical real-life example of how an affiliate sale might work:</p> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li>An affiliate publishes a blog post on their site. The post is a review of a pair of sneakers, which are sold by the merchant.</li> | |
| <li>At the bottom of the post, the affiliate includes a link that leads to the sneakers’ product page.</li> | |
| <li>A consumer reads the blog post and, intrigued by the review, clicks on the affiliate link.</li> | |
| <li>Once on the merchant’s website, the consumer decides to purchase the sneakers.</li> | |
| <li>The merchant earns a profit off of the sale and shares a portion of that money with the affiliate.</li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p>You might be curious about how the merchant knows which affiliate is responsible for the purchase. That’s actually the easy part since every affiliate is given a unique link that tracks each product they promote. This lets the merchant track all referrals using cookies to ensure that they know exactly how much money they’ve earned thanks to each affiliate (and what to pay them in return).</p> | |
| <h2><strong>How Affiliate Marketing Can Benefit You</strong></h2> | |
| <p>The potential to earn money by simply sharing links probably sounds tempting already. However, affiliate marketing comes with a whole host of advantages beyond the obvious one. Let’s take a look at some of the main ways being an affiliate marketer can benefit you and your site.</p> | |
| <p>First of all, it’s a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://varn.co.uk/07/04/creating-low-risk-high-value-strategy-using-affiliate-marketing/">l</a></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://varn.co.uk/07/04/creating-low-risk-high-value-strategy-using-affiliate-marketing/">ow-risk and inexpensive</a></span> business. The bare minimum for getting started as an affiliate is having a blog, a website, or even just a social media profile. This makes it a very cost-effective method for earning money. It also means you don’t have to commit a lot of cash up-front since you can start small and grow your marketing efforts over time.</p> | |
| <p>Another compelling aspect of affiliate marketing is that it lets you be creative, and provide something genuinely useful to your audience. Since you can use affiliate links pretty much anywhere, you can <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-review-site-with-wordpress/">set up a review site</a>, publish long-form articles, or even produce video content. Since you’re promoting other companies’ products, you don’t even need to worry about actually creating, shipping, and supporting the items yourself.</p> | |
| <p>Affiliate marketing also gives you the freedom to choose what you promote. In other words, it offers you the luxury of being picky. Not only do you get to decide precisely which programs to work with, but in most cases, you’ll even select the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.shoutmeloud.com/how-to-select-right-affiliate-program.html">individual products and services</a></span> you want to promote. As such, you always have full control over what’s featured on your site.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6d0db671-b716-4a5e-a2e2-6631002f508a_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-4.jpg" alt="The This Is Why I’m Broke affiliate website." width="900" height="445" /> | |
| <p>Last but not least, affiliate marketing can be <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.thebalancesmb.com/can-you-really-make-money-with-affiliate-marketing-1794168">very lucrative</a></span> (although keep in mind that it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme). Since you’re earning a percentage of every sale you refer, there’s no maximum ceiling for earnings either. This means that if your affiliate site takes off in a big way, you could potentially end up making a great passive income.</p> | |
| <p>With all of that in mind, you should have a fairly clear idea about whether affiliate marketing is something you’d like to get involved with. For many people, the benefits speak for themselves. However, before you start posting affiliate links, there are a number of things you’ll need to bear in mind.</p> | |
| <h2><strong>What to Consider Before Becoming an Affiliate Marketer</strong></h2> | |
| <p>Affiliate marketing definitely provides some impressive benefits, but that doesn’t mean you can jump in without preparation. To ensure that your work as an affiliate isn’t wasted, you’ll need to do a bit of planning and be aware of the potential drawbacks.</p> | |
| <p>We’re going to talk about some of those considerations in more detail later on. However, here is a brief overview of what you’ll need to do:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Find the right niche.</span> Your niche determines your site’s subject matter, and by extension, what types of products or services you’ll promote. As such, finding a niche that’s both comfortable and potentially lucrative is vital.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Understand how to </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://prettylinks.com/2017/05/affiliate-link-disclosures-best-practices/">disclose your affiliate links</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> It’s imperative that you let visitors know your site contains affiliate links. Affiliate links come under the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2009/10/ftc-publishes-final-guides-governing-endorsements-testimonials">Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines</a></span> of endorsements, after all. Plus, being transparent is a smart way to improve trust in your website and business (not to mention sales).</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Avoid </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.verticalrail.com/kb/affiliate-theft/">‘affiliate theft’</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> at all costs.</span> There are several illegitimate methods of increasing your commissions, which are collectively referred to as ‘affiliate theft’ or ‘commission theft.’ As such, you’ll need to make sure you only use proper, disclosed links at all times. Otherwise, you might end up like the scammer who used affiliate theft to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shawn-hogan-sentenced-in-ebay-affiliate-marketing-scam-2014-5?IR=T">steal $28 million from eBay</a></span>.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Understand that being an affiliate is not ‘selling out.’</span> By promoting other companies’ products, you’re nothing but a pawn in their marketing schemes, right? While some people assume this, it really isn’t true. In fact, a key characteristic of most successful affiliates is that they <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://marketingartfully.com/2010/01/12/is-honest-affiliate-marketing-an-oxymoron/">provide honest and insightful content</a></span> to go along with their links. Since you choose what to promote, there’s no need to bend the truth or connect your name to poor-quality products.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be patient.</span> Finally, affiliate marketing rarely leads to overnight success. Instead, it usually <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://apogeeagency.com/from-apogee/affiliate-marketing-requires-patience/">requires a lot of time and effort</a></span> to slowly generate traffic and build an audience. This is especially true if you’re starting with a new or low-traffic site. It’s essential that you don’t expect quick results, and are ready to put in the work needed to grow your site and commissions.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>If you take some time to consider the above points carefully, you’ll start off prepared and with realistic expectations. This will give you a solid foundation upon which you can build your affiliate marketing career.</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>Affiliate Marketing for Beginners (In 3 Steps)</strong></h2> | |
| <p>As we’ve already mentioned, affiliate marketing has a relatively low barrier to entry. To help you get started quickly, we’re going to walk you through the first steps for turning your site into an affiliate marketing success.</p> | |
| <h3>Step 1: Choose a Suitable Affiliate Niche</h3> | |
| <p>If you’re starting a new affiliate site, you’ll need to consider what niche you will work within. Your site’s niche determines what type of content you create, who your target audience is, and which kinds of products you will promote.</p> | |
| <p>Naturally, it’s crucial to choose a niche that’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/find-profitable-niche-affiliate-marketing/">financially viable</a></span>. This means you need to find a subject that enough people will be interested in. That may seem tricky, but there are actually <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://cospot.com/affiliate/most-lucrative-affiliate-niches/">a lot of options</a></span> you can choose from. Performing <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo/keyword-research">keyword research</a></span> is also a smart idea at this stage, to find out what keywords are driving the most traffic via search engines.</p> | |
| <p>However, this step isn’t just about finding the niche that pays the most. To be successful, you should also aim for a niche that suits you personally. If you already have some knowledge and interest in your chosen area of focus, you’ll be in a position to create authoritative and engaging content to go along with your affiliate links.</p> | |
| <p>You’ll also have a better understanding of your target audience’s needs and desires. This is essential since it helps you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.jonloomer.com/2017/01/25/entrepreneurs-affiliate-marketing/">build trust</a></span> with your visitors. If they feel like they can rely on your judgment and recommendations, they’ll be more likely to click on your links and make purchases based on your suggestions. Therefore, the best niche will have plenty of potential consumers and will be something you can create knowledgeable and trustworthy content about.</p> | |
| <h3>Step 2: Find and Sign Up for the Right Affiliate Programs</h3> | |
| <p>Once you have a niche and site ready to go, it’s time to look for affiliate programs. As we mentioned previously, many programs are run directly by a merchant, with the goal of promoting their own company’s products.</p> | |
| <p>When deciding which programs to sign up for, you should first look at what products they want you to promote. Most importantly, they’ll need to offer products that are popular in your selected niche. Therefore, look for brands that speak to your target market, and see if they offer affiliate programs. For example, if your site is about running websites, you could look for web hosts with <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/affiliates/">their own affiliate programs</a></span>.</p> | |
| <p>In addition to merchant-driven programs, there are also dedicated affiliate networks, such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://rakutenmarketing.com/affiliate">Rakuten</a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.awin.com/us/publishers">Awin</a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.cj.com/">CJ</a></span>, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.pepperjamnetwork.com/">Pepperjam</a></span>. These programs encompass several different merchants and thousands of products. This gives you access to multiple types of products, without needing to join lots of programs. Even eCommerce giants like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://partnernetwork.ebay.com/">eBay</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/">Amazon</a></span> have their own successful affiliate programs.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ae00b28a-d559-4e13-8b0a-f0760d2c8313_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-5.jpg" alt="Amazon’s affiliate marketing program." width="900" height="428" /> | |
| <p>Naturally, it’s also important to find programs that will <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.forexreferral.com/best-affiliate-programs">pay you well</a></span>. After all, you’re putting a lot of effort into promoting the merchants’ products, so you should see a fair share of the profits. Before you sign up, it’s also a smart move to research each program and see what experiences other affiliates have had.</p> | |
| <p>You might even find it useful to seek out an affiliate community, such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.wealthyaffiliate.com/community/">Wealthy Affiliate</a></span>. There, you can get advice and help from those who have been publishing and marketing for a long time. This can be particularly helpful when you’re a novice. Then, in a few years’ time, you might be the one helping another beginner get started.</p> | |
| <h3>Step 3: Add Affiliate Links to Your Site</h3> | |
| <p>At this point, you’ve signed up for the best affiliate programs in your carefully chosen niche. Now it’s time to really get to work, which means sharing your affiliate links. Of course, how you actually <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://amazon-affiliate.eu/en/how-to-add-amazon-affiliate-links/">implement these links on your site</a></span> will vary, depending on what type of content you’re creating.</p> | |
| <p>For example, <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/customer-testimonials-social-proof/">if you’re running a review site</a>, it makes sense to place relevant affiliate links within your reviews. The simplest way of doing this is just to include them as text links in the content itself. However, this approach <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> be seen as misleading, since it’s less clear that you’re promoting the products in question.</p> | |
| <p>A better technique is to keep your links slightly separated from your main content. For instance, you can place them towards the end of each relevant post. The film site <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://birthmoviesdeath.com/">Birth.Movies.Death</a></span> does this by featuring boxes with related products underneath its articles.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/69aad55d-6e9f-4996-9d7e-963fdeef34cc_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-1.jpg" alt="An affiliate link on a post from Birth.Movies.Death." width="900" height="346" /> | |
| <p>You can see a similar approach taken by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/">OutdoorGearLab</a></span> This site places links to each product’s page alongside the pricing information in its reviews.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/46bf3c04-e834-4546-9bd0-e0559c4c72ba_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-3.jpg" alt="An affiliate link from OutdoorGearLab." width="900" height="578" /> | |
| <p>Some affiliate programs will also provide you with assets, such as banners, that you can use to promote products. This might be more suitable if you want to keep your marketing and content clearly separated.</p> | |
| <p>As with your niche, your approach to implementing links will depend on your site’s purpose. Feel free to experiment with different strategies, but always remember that your focus should be on providing value to your audience. If you fail in that task, visitors won’t trust you, click on your links, or return in the future. Make sure you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/18-expert-blogging-tips-for-2018/">write quality content</a></span>, therefore, and keep an eye on your conversions to see what’s working (and what’s not).</p> | |
| <p>Finally, we once again want to stress the importance of disclosing your affiliate links. This is a crucial part of complying with <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking">the endorsement guidelines</a></span> provided by the FTC. Violating these guidelines could lead to legal action, which is naturally something you’ll want to avoid at all costs.</p> | |
| <p>As such, you should provide information about your links’ nature and purpose, which you can do by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://termsfeed.com/blog/affiliate-disclosure/">creating an ‘affiliate disclosure’ statement</a></span>. The notice should be unambiguous, and clearly visible anywhere affiliate links are used. This will keep your site out of trouble, and help to promote trust with your audience.</p> | |
| <h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2> | |
| <p>The trouble with trying to make money online is that you’re rarely given the opportunity to be creative or to work with something you feel passionate about. In that sense, affiliate marketing is unique. This marketing technique enables you to monetize your own site, choosing exactly what products to promote and how.</p> | |
| <p>Ready to start your own affiliate marketing website? Consider DreamPress, our managed WordPress hosting solution. With automatic updates and strong security defenses, DreamPress takes server management off your hands so you can focus on what you do best: selling products. <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">Learn more about plan options today</a>.</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/">A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>Let’s Take a Look at SEO Trends: How to Rank Higher in 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-rank-higher-seo-trends/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=21132</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a vital part of any website owner or digital marketer’s work. This is unlikely to change in the new year, but that doesn’t mean you can just rely on old strategies. In fact, as browsing habits change, you’ll need to keep your SEO techniques up to date. The way people […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-rank-higher-seo-trends/">Let’s Take a Look at SEO Trends: How to Rank Higher in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-no-brainer-seo-tips-total-beginners/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a vital part of any website owner or digital marketer’s work. This is unlikely to change in the new year, but that doesn’t mean you can just rely on old strategies. In fact, as browsing habits change, you’ll need to keep your SEO techniques up to date.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The way people use search engines such as Google changes constantly. For example, over the past few years, “</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-declares-mobile-%C2%ADfriendly-a-must-for-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">mobile-first</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” has become an essential mantra for improving both </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">accessibility</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and page rankings. While nobody can tell for sure what the future holds, it </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">is</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> possible to get a good idea of what you should focus on for the next year.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this article, we’ll talk about why SEO will continue to be a critical consideration in the upcoming year. We’ll also discuss some of the trends that may come to dominate your SEO strategy in 2020. Let’s get started!</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>The Current State of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In case you’re new to the concept, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-no-brainer-seo-tips-total-beginners/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> refers to a series of techniques for helping your site rank higher in search results. It’s an integral aspect of everyday work for most developers and content creators and looks poised to remain so for years to come.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is no shortage of ways you can </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">improve SEO on your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. General considerations include making sure its </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">loading times</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are kept to a minimum, for example, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-keyword-research-wordpress-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">performing keyword research</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to tailor your posts to match people’s search queries.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, while it might seem like SEO practices are evergreen, this is far from the case. In reality, what ranks well depends on the search engines’ algorithms, which </span><a href="https://moz.com/google-algorithm-change"><span style="font-weight: 400;">are continually changing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This naturally means you can’t keep relying on the same optimization techniques over time and expect good results.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As such, you’ll want to stay up-to-date with the changing world of SEO. This will help you keep your site optimized well into 2020 (and beyond).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Optimize Your Site with DreamHost</h2><p>Our automatic updates and strong security defenses take server management off your hands so you can focus on SEO.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/" class="btn btn--brand">Check Out Plans</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21740" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png" alt="" width="200" height="201" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-100x101.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>SEO Trends: 12 Tips for Ranking Higher in 2020</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To help you get a head-start on optimizing your content in the new year, we’re now going to take a look at some of the SEO trends that will be worth paying attention to in 2020. We’ll also give you some tips on how to adapt your content and strategy to take advantage of those trends. Let’s jump right in!</span></p> | |
| <h3>1. Prepare Your Site for Voice Search</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2019/01/11/voice-search-optimization-guide-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Voice search</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has already nestled comfortably into many people’s lives. Perhaps you use Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Echo, or Google’s Assistant, just to name three examples. As this technology becomes more prevalent, you’ll need to consider how voice search will affect your SEO efforts.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The main difference between typical SEO strategies and </span><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/seo-for-voice-search/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimizing for voice search</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> involves using more “natural phrasing.” After all, text searches usually involve stilted, compressed phrases like “best blog hosting 2019.” However, if you were to use your voice to search for the same information, you’d probably say something like: “What is the best hosting for blogs this year?”</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do you notice how the second phrase is both more natural </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> considerably longer? This means you’ll also want to consider optimizing your content for </span><a href="https://www.wordstream.com/long-tail-keywords"><span style="font-weight: 400;">long-tail keywords</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to a greater degree. Since the ultimate goal is to use keywords people are likely to search for, this might actually make your job easier, as you won’t need to jam cumbersome key phrases into your content.</span></p> | |
| <h3>2. Use Schema to Markup Your HTML</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://schema.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schema is structured data</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that can help web browsers and search engines gain a deeper understanding of your page’s content. Consequently, </span><a href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/schema-structured-data"><span style="font-weight: 400;">adding this markup</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can improve how your website displays (and ultimately ranks) in Search Engine Results Pages (SERP). </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s recommended that </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/guides/intro-structured-data"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schema markup be used</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to benefit content such as creative works, events, recipes, organizations, people, and products. For example, a search result using Schema will display richer information than one without.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24026" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1.jpg" alt="‘Schema examples in search results’." width="602" height="267" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1.jpg 602w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1-300x133.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1-600x266.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1-100x44.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you can see in the example, one of the results displays ratings, images, and more. You can manually add this kind of markup to your posts, or you can use one of the </span><a href="https://search.google.com/structured-data/testing-tool"><span style="font-weight: 400;">many tools available</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to test and improve your Schema data. Fortunately, if you’re not prepared to tinker with the HTML of your posts, you can </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/schema/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">employ a dedicated plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you take advantage of this SEO functionality. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, you can review Google’s own </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/guides/sd-policies"><span style="font-weight: 400;">structured data guidelines</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as well as </span><a href="https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7552505"><span style="font-weight: 400;">several reports</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> offered in their webmaster tools. Ultimately, Schema is a vital addition to your website if you want search engines to read the details of your products, rather than view your content as non-descript text. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/">13 Simple Ways to Boost SEO on Your WordPress Website</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>3. Optimize Your Site for Speed</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Optimizing your site for performance</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is something we’ve discussed in several previous posts. However, the importance of this step bears repeating. Loading times will undoubtedly remain a huge consideration in 2020 — especially when it comes to improving your site’s rankings.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This issue came to the forefront in 2018, when Google announced it would begin factoring in </span><a href="https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2018/01/using-page-speed-in-mobile-search.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">page speed for mobile devices</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This was due to the </span><a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/277125/share-of-website-traffic-coming-from-mobile-devices/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">growing popularity of mobile browsing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Since then, keeping load times short is a primary concern for all website owners.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fortunately, we’ve also previously explored how to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-ways-to-speed-up-a-dreampress-site/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">speed up your site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in general. Key strategies include </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/guide-to-wp-caching/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">implementing a caching solution</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as well as </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/guide-to-wp-image-optimization/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimizing your media files</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information, you can take a look at our full series of </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/optimizing-wp-for-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tutorials on performance optimization</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h3>4. Make Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a distinctly futuristic ring to it. So it’s no surprise that it’s going to play a major role in how SEO changes in the near future. We’re (unfortunately) not talking about hiring a robot to handle your SEO strategy, but that’s not as far from reality as you might expect.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google already uses AI extensively, thanks to its </span><a href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/google-rankbrain"><span style="font-weight: 400;">RankBrain system</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This is a bot that uses machine learning to continuously improve Google’s search results. It finds patterns and context in millions of pages, which the search engine can then use to </span><a href="https://www.singlegrain.com/seo/future-of-seo-how-ai-and-machine-learning-will-impact-content/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">return more relevant results</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for specific queries.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, Google isn’t the only party that can also </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/supercharging-your-seo-with-ai-insights-automation-and-personalization-299900"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use AI to its advantage</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In fact, </span><a href="https://dailyseoblog.com/seo-tools-artificial-intelligence/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tools that utilize machine learning</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to improve your SEO are becoming more popular. One such example is </span><a href="https://automatedinsights.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Automated Insights</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/e0712bb7-3784-4af0-8f68-ce739c4bd021_seo-trends-2019-2.jpg" alt="The Automated Insights home page." width="900" height="490" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This solution helps you turn unorganized data, such as site analytics, into a clear narrative. In turn, that can help you spot patterns more quickly and start making improvements.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another tool that can help you when creating content is </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordlift/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordLift</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/473547e4-ede8-45df-b55a-03ae560a81ba_seo-trends-2019-1.jpg" alt="The WordLift plugin." width="900" height="309" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-primer/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> uses machine learning to help you optimize your content. It does that by both offering suggestions for the actual content and by adding structured metadata and suggesting relevant links.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We suspect that this is only scratching the surface of what AI-based tools will be able to do in the future. As such, getting familiar with this technology now can give you a vital head start.</span></p> | |
| <h3>5. Improve Your Mobile Pages</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2018/03/rolling-out-mobile-first-indexing.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s mobile-first index</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> means that the search engine now ranks pages based on their versions designed for mobile devices. As such, even if your site performs flawlessly on a desktop, but it’s hard to use and sluggish when viewed on a smartphone, your SEO rankings will likely suffer.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For this reason, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimizing your site for mobiles</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is no longer optional. In reality, you’ll need to spend even more time making sure your mobile site is fast and usable. This is also called </span><a href="https://blog.tbhcreative.com/2018/11/mobile-first-indexing-in-2019.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">making your website responsive</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, since the goal is for it to work well regardless of the screen size or device type used to view it.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> | |
| </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll also need to consider how your site will actually work </span><a href="http://www.velsof.com/blog/mobile-seo/the-essential-components-of-mobile-seo-in-2019"><span style="font-weight: 400;">on different screens</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. For example, if you’ve designed your navigation for desktop browsing, is it still as intuitive and simple to use on mobile devices? If your site contains additional elements, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/pop-ups-and-dark-ux/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">such as pop-ups</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you’ll also need to ensure that they don’t interfere with the mobile user experience.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thankfully, this is not as difficult as it might seem. For instance, the vast majority of </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/picking-a-wordpress-theme/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress themes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and plugins are built with responsive design in mind. However, to avoid any issues, you should still make sure to thoroughly </span><a href="https://www.lifewire.com/top-tools-for-testing-your-mobile-website-2373220"><span style="font-weight: 400;">test your site on multiple devices</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h3>6. Focus on More Personalized Results</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It often seems like people are getting less patient by the day. They want to find the information they need much more quickly, for instance, which is why Google has placed a greater focus on </span><a href="https://seo-hacker.com/how-is-google%E2%80%99s-personalized-search-engine-capability-going-to-affect-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">personalized results</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most notably, Google actually gathers information about each individual user to return the most relevant results. Another example can be found in Google’s “</span><a href="https://www.seerinteractive.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-content-for-google-answer-boxes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">answer boxes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.”</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/416724d0-d7da-426b-aa49-804fe80a1848_seo-trends-2019-3.jpg" alt="A Google result using an answer box." width="900" height="504" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s service is also personalized by offering searchers contextual results </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/guide/seo/personalization-search-engine-rankings"><span style="font-weight: 400;">based on previous searches</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or even the user’s location. If you try searching for “Where is the nearest coffee shop?”, you’ll be shown options that are close by.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This may seem like a tricky trend to leverage to your own advantage, but it’s far from impossible. You can actually increase your odds of </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/06/26/become-an-seo-expert-by-conquering-the-google-answer-box/#5ccabed82142"><span style="font-weight: 400;">appearing in answer boxes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by merely providing clear and organized information on your site. Using lists and distinct headings to summarize each page’s contents will also help Google parse and index the information, making it easier to get your site featured in the coveted “</span><a href="https://blog.reputationx.com/what-is-position-zero-seo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">position 0</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.”</span></p> | |
| <h3>7. Create an Optimized Knowledge Base</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One area of SEO you might have overlooked is your </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us"><span style="font-weight: 400;">knowledge base</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. As part of your customer service strategy, you want users to have access to support and common service questions on a 24/7 basis. This is where a robust </span><a href="https://www.seoadvantage.com/seo-topics/why-knowledge-center.php"><span style="font-weight: 400;">knowledge base</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can be quite useful. However, you may not have considered the SEO benefits of a knowledge base.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24028" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2.jpg" alt="‘The DreamHost Knowledge Base’." width="900" height="512" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-300x171.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-768x437.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-600x341.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-750x427.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-100x57.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A knowledge base can offer a plethora of </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/guide/seo/content-search-engine-ranking"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rich content possibilities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, all of which can help you improve your SEO ranking. This includes creating specific content full of valuable keywords. Additionally, you can fine-tune your knowledge base experience in order to keep customers loyal and happy. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, this can be a make or break point for many businesses. Research indicates that </span><a href="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2771217/Content/2018%20Customer%20Service%20Expectations%20Gladly.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">92% of customers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will switch to another company after three or fewer bad customer service experiences. This means you have a golden opportunity to knock out two birds with one stone – provide rich content </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> excellent customer service at the same time. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since you want users to be able to find the articles they need, knowledge base content also tends to follow SEO best practices. You can also ramp up your knowledge base efforts with the </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/echo-knowledge-base/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use of plugins</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One thing to keep in mind, since visitors to a knowledge base are not really looking to be entertained, you can just get down to business and cover the topic using highly optimized keywords. </span></p> | |
| <h3>8. Extend Your SEO Strategy to Your Social Media Channels</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having a strong social media presence is a significant aspect of online marketing. Naturally, this also applies to your SEO strategy. While </span><a href="https://optinmonster.com/social-media-and-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social media shares aren’t currently</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">direct</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> ranking factor, there does seem to be a correlation between social signals and rankings.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How this works is complicated, to say the least, and we won’t get too deep into the details here. Suffice it to say that the more your content is shared, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the more traffic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your site will likely get through search engines. This also helps you </span><a href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/backlinks"><span style="font-weight: 400;">build backlinks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-marketing-your-website-increasing-traffic/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">brand awareness</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, since more people will see and talk about your site.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As such, it’s vital that you factor in your </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social media presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> when considering SEO. Focus on a few essential platforms and maintain a consistent strategy for sharing content and interacting with your followers. This will help you across </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> areas of your marketing.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/">New to Influencer Marketing? Start Here</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>9. Shift Your Focus Away from Google</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So far, we’ve consistently referred almost exclusively to Google when considering SEO. This is no accident, considering that it remains the </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/top-search-engines"><span style="font-weight: 400;">most popular search engine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by far. Still, it may not be a good idea to focus solely on Google’s ranking algorithms when putting together your SEO strategy.</span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://blog.rankingbyseo.com/amazon-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amazon’s search engine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, for example, is becoming one of the most significant on the web. As it turns out, </span><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-27/more-than-50-of-shoppers-turn-first-to-amazon-in-product-search"><span style="font-weight: 400;">over half of shoppers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> turn to Amazon when searching for products, rather than to Google. Another example comes in the form of YouTube, which remains the world’s </span><a href="https://www.mushroomnetworks.com/infographics/youtube---the-2nd-largest-search-engine-infographic/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">second-largest search engine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What this means for you is that relying solely on Google may not be feasible from now on. For example, if you want your products to be more visible, you’ll need to </span><a href="https://www.klaviyo.com/blog/why-ranking-on-amazon-breaks-regular-seo-rules"><span style="font-weight: 400;">consider Amazon</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to a much larger degree. If you have a lot a video and other non-text content, on the other hand, YouTube and similar platforms should be high on your list of targets.</span></p> | |
| <h3>10. Understand How Blockchain Affects SEO</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve never heard of “</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain"><span style="font-weight: 400;">blockchain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” before, you’re not alone. While the concept is too complex to do full justice here, we can break it down in simplified terms. In essence, a blockchain is a list of records that cannot be modified after the fact. Every item – or block – in the chain is recorded and preserved as-is forever.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This technology can </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/blockchain-will-impact-search-marketing-industry-282998"><span style="font-weight: 400;">affect SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> because using blockchain changes the relationship between advertisers and website owners. With blockchains, you can guarantee that every click is valid, meaning that the days of bot visitors are over. This will lead to improved </span><a href="https://leappoint.com/2018/07/03/what-blockchain-means-for-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">verified data</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, meaning that sites won’t be able to get away with artificially improving their rankings using automated clicks.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At this point, your best move is simply to </span><a href="https://www.coindesk.com/information/what-is-blockchain-technology"><span style="font-weight: 400;">learn more about blockchain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and how it can affect your site and business. This is a complex and nuanced topic, so being prepared is key. You may even wish to hire an expert to help you if you’re interested in implementing blockchain yourself.</span></p> | |
| <h3>11. Improve Your Technical SEO</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO is often thought of as a concern exclusive to content creators and marketers. However, the reality is that it’s also something developers need to think about. The process of “</span><a href="https://econsultancy.com/what-is-technical-seo-and-why-is-it-important/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">technical SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” refers to making sure your site is compatible with the standards set by search engines.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two major aspects of technical SEO that we’ve already touched on include page speed and mobile-friendliness. However, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/2018-website-redesign-checklist/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">another crucial consideration</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is site security. For instance, Google now requires sites to be </span><a href="https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/6073543?hl=en"><span style="font-weight: 400;">delivered using HTTPS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in order to be labeled as “secure” in the Chrome browser.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are just a few of the elements that fall under the technical SEO umbrella. While we don’t have time to go through everything, here are a </span><a href="https://unamo.com/blog/seo/technical-seo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">few additional aspects</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you’ll want to consider:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://unamo.com/blog/seo/9-effective-site-architecture-tips-for-seo"><b>Site architecture.</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> By designing your site in a logical way, you’ll make it easier for crawlers to catalog and index your pages, which improves your rankings.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://yoast.com/what-are-rich-snippets/"><b>Rich snippets.</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This is a type of markup that adds extra information to your pages, making them stand out more in search results.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66359?hl=en"><b>Duplicate content.</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Search engines penalize sites that feature the same content in more than one location. As such, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t repeat or re-use the same text.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we mentioned, this is by no means a comprehensive list. However, it should be enough to get you started, whether or not you have an interest in development.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-best-practices-for-domains/">The Top 11 SEO Best Practices for Domains</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>12. Use SEO to Optimize Your Videos</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For our final tip, we should acknowledge that SEO isn’t just about text. It’s also vital to look at </span><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/guide-to-video-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO as it pertains to video</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> content. This is increasingly important as video is becoming more prevalent by the day.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To give you an example, in 2018, nearly </span><a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/03/08/video-marketing-statistics"><span style="font-weight: 400;">half of all internet users</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> watched at least an hour of online video every week. Site owners have started to take heed of this trend, and you can do the same. An easy way to start? Include videos on your site. Search engines consider the quality of your content and the length of time users stick around as ranking factors. By using video, you can improve both metrics.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What’s more, you can also aim to </span><a href="https://www.3playmedia.com/2018/11/09/video-seo-google-speed-update/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">improve SEO on the videos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> themselves. This involves using </span><a href="https://www.lemonlight.com/blog/8-expert-tips-to-optimize-your-video-for-seo-in-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">clear and descriptive titles</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, choosing </span><a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/06/02/video-seo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the right video hosting platform</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and making sure to address your users’ questions and pain points. This will make sure your visitors get the information they need while improving your rankings at the same time.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Moving on Up</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not a static pursuit. As the internet changes, so do the parameters that determine how well your site ranks in search engines. This means that you need to stay up-to-speed with the latest SEO trends in order to ensure continued success for years to come.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you ready to optimize your website for 2020? Consider DreamPress, our managed WordPress hosting solution. With automatic updates and strong security defenses, DreamPress takes server management off your hands so you can focus on what really matters: improving your rankings and getting more traffic. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more about plan options today</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-rank-higher-seo-trends/">Let’s Take a Look at SEO Trends: How to Rank Higher in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>How to Improve Your WordPress Blog’s Accessibility (And Why It Matters)</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/improve-wordpress-blog-accessibility/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ellice]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[WordPress]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/?p=23992</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>You may have heard about web accessibility, but understanding and implementing the guidelines may seem out of reach. Finding resources to help you tackle accessibility issues can also be a barrier to your web projects. Fortunately, WordPress has been making advancements in providing tools to assist with making websites more accessible. Additionally, there are many resources available […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/improve-wordpress-blog-accessibility/">How to Improve Your WordPress Blog’s Accessibility (And Why It Matters)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You may have heard about <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/">web accessibility</a></span>, but understanding and implementing the guidelines may seem out of reach. Finding resources to help you tackle accessibility issues can also be a barrier to your web projects.</p> | |
| <p>Fortunately, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/">WordPress has been making advancements</a></span> in providing tools to assist with making websites more accessible. Additionally, there are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/">many resources</a></span> available online that can help guide you. Making your WordPress website accessible is not only good design practice, but it also ensures that everyone has equal access to web content and applications.</p> | |
| <p>In this article, we’ll take a look at what accessibility means online. We’ll also dive into some of WordPress’ new additions that make accessible design easier. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Create a Website for All</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast and secure so you can focus on the important stuff.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">What Web Accessibility Is and Why It Matters</span></h2> | |
| <p>In this context, “accessibility” means designing websites and web applications in a way that does not prohibit anyone from using them. This means that any visitor, regardless of disability or impairment, should be able to access and use your site.</p> | |
| <p>This is important when you consider the fact that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html">one in four adults in the United States</a></span> has a disability of some kind. In other words, if you’re not building with accessibility in mind, up to a quarter of your website’s visitors may struggle to access your content.</p> | |
| <p>Fortunately, there is a set of guidelines you can use to review your web design and functionality. The <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/">W3C standards</a></span> outline several levels of accessibility. This includes a minimum threshold that’s considered acceptable. Of course, you’ll also want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/policies/">make laws and regulations into account</a></span>, since accessibility is a legal matter as well.</p> | |
| <p>Building with accessibility in mind is not that different from following standard best practices for web design and optimization. In fact, many of the principles and techniques are the same. In particular terms, this means that accessible design isn’t out of reach for anyone — especially if you’re using WordPress.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/web-accessibility-expert-gian-wild/">Leveling the Web: 12 Questions with Accessibility Expert Gian Wild</a></h4> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exploring the Block Editor’s Accessibility Features</span></h2> | |
| <p>WordPress has endeavored to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/">improve web accessibility</a></span> in the codebase of its ever-evolving Content Management System (CMS). In fact, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/best-practices/coding-standards/accessibility-coding-standards/">standards have been instituted</a></span> to meet a minimum standard of accessibility on all new or updated code that’s released.</p> | |
| <p>Additionally, WordPress developers have created an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/best-practices/">accessibility handbook</a></span> that outlines how programmers should be creating products for the CMS. For example, all WordPress code must meet the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)</a></span> 2.0 at level AA. This is considered the worldwide standard and is also used for government and public service websites.</p> | |
| <p>If you take a look at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/most-exciting-features-gutenberg-wordpress-editor/">the Block Editor</a></span>, in particular, there are a couple of helpful built-in features that aid in creating accessible content. For instance, merely making your font larger and bold does not tell a screen reader that it represents the header of a section. The Block Editor makes it easy to use appropriate header markup by providing a <span style="font-style: italic;">Heading</span> block.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/4ed0be75-28f3-43c3-ad38-82eee56d737e_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-2.jpg" alt="The Header Block." width="541" height="576" /> | |
| <p>This means your content will be automatically be structured using the proper headers. Not only does this help screen readers navigate your content appropriately, but it <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://yoast.com/how-to-use-headings-on-your-site/#headings-seo">provides better information to search engines</a></span> as well.</p> | |
| <p>The Block Editor also includes a built-in <span style="font-style: italic;">Table of Contents</span> feature, which enables you to quickly check your headers to make sure your content follows a logical hierarchy.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/8c2e4293-23fb-4693-ac86-d4ff038fbd17_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-1.jpg" alt="“The document outline in WordPress.”" width="900" height="347" /> | |
| <p>Of course, these aren’t the only options for designing accessible content. As it turns out, WordPress offers plenty of ways to ensure that all visitors can access and appreciate your content.</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly email newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">5 Ways to Make Your WordPress Blog More Accessible</span></h2> | |
| <p>As we mentioned earlier, meeting accessibility standards can benefit your overall web design and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts. Plus, it helps you grow your audience and stay in compliance with critical regulations. With that in mind, here are five easy ways to improve your site’s accessibility.</p> | |
| <h3>1. Add Alt Tags to Images</h3> | |
| <p>Adding “alt tags” to your images is one of the easiest ways to make some of your content accessible. An alt tag enables screen reader software to “read” the image it’s connected to, and tell the user what it is and how it fits into the context of the page.</p> | |
| <p>You can easily add alt text to your images in WordPress. Once you add an image to your post or page, enter a short phrase or sentence describing it into the <span style="font-style: italic;">Alt Text</span> field on the right-hand side of the editor.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/7e7b4b80-e046-43a2-b954-2e4de5f904ea_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-4.jpg" alt="“The image settings.”" width="900" height="318" /> | |
| <p>Underneath this field, you can also click to view helpful <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/decision-tree/">alt image guidelines</a></span>.</p> | |
| <h3>2. Use Accessible Color Palettes</h3> | |
| <p>Another WCAG accessibility standard involves the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://webaim.org/articles/contrast/">color palettes you use</a></span>. Some color palettes can cause trouble for visitors with color blindness, poor eyesight, and similar problems. In general terms, you’ll want to use colors with lots of contrast, so your text can be easily seen.</p> | |
| <p>To help you get started, WordPress has a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/design/use-of-color/">useful resource</a></span> in its Web Developer Handbook regarding the appropriate use of color. Additionally, when you’re working in WordPress and decide to change the color of some of your text, you’ll receive a notice in the right-hand editing menu if your color choice may create issues.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/125d81d1-32af-4a37-b5ae-1625a28d21be_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-3.jpg" alt="“The color settings.”" width="900" height="404" /> | |
| <p>Following these simple standards for color choice means your website’s users should have an easier time reading your text, regardless of whether they have visual impairments.</p> | |
| <h3>3. Organize Headings Hierarchically</h3> | |
| <p>As we mentioned earlier, the Block Editor makes using appropriate headings and header tags easy. Whenever you want to use a new heading level, you can select the <span style="font-style: italic;">Heading</span> block from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Block Menu</span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/6607f6c6-b97e-47b0-9a68-ddb2d1ede927_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-7.jpg" alt="“The heading levels.”" width="745" height="288" /> | |
| <p>You’ll have several header levels to choose from. You might notice that <span style="font-style: italic;">H1</span> is not listed in the block options, however. This is because it’s best not to use H1s inside your post or page content, since it tends to confuse screen readers. H1s should be reserved for each page or post’s primary title, while you can use H2s and below to structure the rest of the content.</p> | |
| <h3>4. Make Sure Your Forms Are Accessible</h3> | |
| <p>Forms are a widely-used element on many websites. They can create interactivity, and help business owners collect information about their customers. However, they can also present a challenge to anyone using assistive technology.</p> | |
| <p>Fortunately, you can create forms that have <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/forms/">greater accessibility</a></span> built right in. One option is to use a plugin like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/formidable/">Formidable Forms</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/f632ff3b-8c05-454d-8cee-ab3ffb490010_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-5.jpg" alt=""The Formidable Forms plugin banner.”" width="900" height="281" /> | |
| <p>This tool offers a form builder with WCAG 2.0 standard compliance <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://formidableforms.com/features/wcag-accessible-forms/">as a key feature</a></span>. This can be exceptionally helpful, especially given how much goes into <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/markup/web-forms/">making forms accessible</a></span>.</p> | |
| <p>For example, labeling your form’s fields helps users navigate them with and without assistive technology. Another common practice for form designers is to use placeholders — text that appears in the form field as an example. Both are useful for accessibility since labels tell users <span style="font-style: italic;">what</span> to fill out while placeholders explain <span style="font-style: italic;">how</span> to fill it out.</p> | |
| <p>It’s also smart to include clear instructions to help users fill out forms. Many web users have what are called “invisible” disabilities. This means they may not use assistive technology such as a screen reader. Instead, they may have cognitive impairments, which clear instructions and other accessible form design practices can help with.</p> | |
| <h3>5. Make Your Site Keyboard-Friendly</h3> | |
| <p>For a WordPress website to be genuinely accessible to anyone, it has to be designed for navigation <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/keyboard-operation-keyboard-operable.html">with only a keyboard</a></span>. This ensures that blind and low-vision users, as well as anyone needing an alternative keyboard or keyboard emulator, will be able to use your website.</p> | |
| <p>Typically, keyboard navigation on a website involves using the <span style="font-style: italic;">Tab</span> key. This enables the user to jump from one item of linked content to another. These areas have focus indicators programmed in, which can be activated with the keyboard. A sighted user will be able to see a visual change (such as an outline, border, or background color) when the keyboard activates a specific area.</p> | |
| <p>You can see this feature at work in the following example, where “web accessibility” has a visual indicator around it, signifying that the user has navigated to it with the keyboard.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/65ba34d6-99fd-41d5-9755-a5f945128f12_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-6.jpg" alt="“A keyboard focus example.”" width="748" height="565" /> | |
| <p>Plugins such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-accessibility/">WP Accessibility</a></span> can help you develop better keyboard focus for your WordPress website, among other improvements.</p> | |
| <p>In terms of on-screen navigation, a screen reader will make sense of your site’s content based on its source code. Therefore, your code must be written with logical page navigation in mind. There’s a lot to understand about designing a keyboard-friendly site. Fortunately, there are plenty of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://webaim.org/techniques/keyboard/">resources available</a></span> to guide you!</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-primer/">The Beginner’s Guide to WordPress Plugins</a></h4> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">Empower All WordPress Users</span></h2> | |
| <p>Navigating the world of accessibility standards can be confusing. Fortunately, WordPress offers resources you can use to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/test-for-web-accessibility/">test your website for accessibility issues</a></span>, and then make improvements.</p> | |
| <p>Making sure you have the right tools can help you build more inclusive content. Here at DreamHost, we believe in the openness and availability of online resources for everyone. Plus, we offer top-notch support for accessible websites on our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/shared-wp-hosting/">low-cost shared hosting plans</a></span>!</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/improve-wordpress-blog-accessibility/">How to Improve Your WordPress Blog’s Accessibility (And Why It Matters)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
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| <item> | |
| <title>2019 Year in Review: WordPress at DreamHost</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-year-in-review-2019/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jenn Kay]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[DreamPress]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[WordPress]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/?p=23987</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>TL;DR: 2019 was a pretty rad year! We saw lots of new ideas come to life on the web and so many existing ones expand and grow using WordPress. We continue to put WordPress features and support at the top of our priority list so we can keep giving such a large percentage of our […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-year-in-review-2019/">2019 Year in Review: WordPress at DreamHost</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">TL;DR</span>: 2019 was a pretty rad year! We saw lots of new ideas come to life on the web and so many existing ones expand and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/why-use-wordpress/">grow using WordPress</a></span>. We continue to put WordPress features and support at the top of our priority list so we can keep giving such a large percentage of our customer base the help they need. Thank you for a great year — we’re looking forward to many more to come!</p> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">2019 WordPress Redux</span></h2> | |
| <p>Now, let’s review some of the major WordPress perks we brought you in 2019.</p> | |
| <h3>Build & Edit Websites Easier with WP Website Builder</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: All WordPress users</p> | |
| <p>To make your WordPress experience easier than ever, we partnered with BoldGrid to give you access to a premium set of plugins and design tools. Boldgrid’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/">WP Website Builder</a></span> bundle offers several useful features, whether you’re starting fresh or just want to try new tools with an existing site. These features include a website creation wizard that builds a starter site for you with preloaded content and a drag-and-drop builder that makes editing simpler for everyone (beginners and pros alike)!</p> | |
| <p>To prove just how versatile this tool is, we put together a tutorial series that demonstrates how you can use WP Website Builder on a number of projects.</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-fitness-blog/">How to Start a Fitness Blog</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-food-blog/">How to Start a Food Blog</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-photography-blog/">How to Start a Photography Blog</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-real-estate-website/">How to Create a Real Estate Website</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-restaurant-website/">How to Create a Restaurant Website</a></span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>This bundle is usually $60 a year on its own, but our customers get access to it for FREE. If you aren’t taking advantage of it yet, you can install WP Website Builder on any existing or new WordPress website from your DreamHost panel.</p> | |
| <h3>More Control with On-Demand Backups</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">DreamPress</a> users</p> | |
| <p>While daily backups are a great feature to have, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-important-reasons-to-perform-website-backup/">ability to create a backup</a></span> “on demand,” whenever you want, can be hugely beneficial for your convenience and the security of your website assets.</p> | |
| <p>This gives you more control and peace of mind to make changes — any time of the day — knowing you can revert back to the original version if you don’t like it or if something goes wrong. No need to wait on daily backups to do its thing!</p> | |
| <p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/etNPlNq7gqQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-back-up-your-wordpress-website/">How to Back up Your WordPress Website — A Complete Guide</a></h4> | |
| <h3>Experiment & Test with One-Click Staging Sites</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">DreamPress </a>users</p> | |
| <p>Let’s face it, things break or sometimes don’t have the results we expect. This year we launched one-click staging for DreamPress, which allows users to safely experiment and test code and other changes <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-staging-beginners-guide/">without risking what’s on the live version of their site</a></span>. With staging, you can avoid those panic situations and make changes confidently, when you’re ready.</p> | |
| <p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDK5aGezk5Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> | |
| <h3>Hassle-Free WordPress Migrations</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">DreamPress </a>users</p> | |
| <p>Moving a site can be scary, take a lot of time, and cost a lot of money. So we added free migrations to DreamPress in 2019 to make transferring from another host easy, straightforward, and worry-free.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-switch-web-hosts-migrate-site/">Should I Switch Web Hosts? How to Know When It’s Time to Migrate Your Site</a></h4> | |
| <h3>Simpler, Better File Management with WebFTP</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: All hosting customers</p> | |
| <p>This year we rolled out a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003490852">new WebFTP interface</a></span> to resolve some known issues and improve your experience. With WebFTP, you can now access files quickly with our auto-login feature (no need to remember another password). It also supports SFTP connections, includes a file editor with syntax highlighting, and handles compressed files in a much more efficient way. To access your website’s files via WebFTP, visit your DreamHost account panel.</p> | |
| <h3>Continuous Learning with Our WordPress Guides & Tips</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: All WordPress users</p> | |
| <p>We are big fans of sharing information and helping others with the resources and experience we have accumulated over the years. Our motto: never stop learning! Here are just a handful of our most popular WordPress guides from this year.</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-blogger-checklist/">The WordPress Blogger Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before Hitting Publish</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/">10 Ways to Optimize Your WordPress Website for Speed</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/become-a-wordpress-contributor/">How to Get Started as a WordPress Contributor</a></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/become-a-wordpress-contributor/"> </a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ftp-sftp-guide-for-wordpress-users/">What is FTP/SFTP? A Guide for WordPress Users</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-accept-payments-through-wordpress/">How to Accept Payments Through Your WordPress Website</a></span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">What’s Coming in 2020? </span></h2> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>To complement our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/tutorials/">WordPress Academy tutorials</a></span>, we’re working on a brand new set of guides and videos that will help WordPress users grow their site’s traffic. Watch this space for an announcement next year.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Free WordPress Migrations for </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Everyone</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> This year we launched free migrations for DreamPress, our managed WordPress solution. It has become more and more evident that moving a WordPress site can be an intimidating task. We think it’s important to open up free migrations to a larger group of WordPress users, so we’re excited to share that this is in our pipeline.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">You tell us! </span>Fill out this <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17Is6EnH-kKlnW_js_oocAYJSzjXy4YyjYe6VbytsjKs/edit">short survey</a></span> to give us feedback on which WordPress features you think we should work on next year.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>We are looking forward to 2020 and all the exciting things to come!</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-year-in-review-2019/">2019 Year in Review: WordPress at DreamHost</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| <item> | |
| <title>Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2019 17:05:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=16883</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>The bright and cheery season is finally here! String up the twinkling lights, bust out your ugliest sweater, and get to work decking out your website. via GIPHY Wait? Work during the holidays?! Yeah, I do sound like the Grinch right now. But getting festive for Festivus (and all the other major end-of-year holidays) can actually […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/">Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The bright and cheery season is finally here!</p> | |
| <p>String up the twinkling lights, bust out your ugliest sweater, and get to work decking out your website.</p> | |
| <div style="width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 142%; position: relative;"><iframe class="giphy-embed" style="position: absolute;" src="https://giphy.com/embed/l0HlFA4gt73SGEzU4" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/bretteldredge-brett-eldredge-l0HlFA4gt73SGEzU4">via GIPHY</a></p> | |
| <p>Wait?</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-style: italic;">Work</span> during the holidays?!</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yeah, I do sound like the Grinch right now. But getting festive for Festivus (and all the other major end-of-year holidays) can actually </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">give your website more chances to unwrap extra visitors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your cup of ideas isn’t running over, we’ve got you covered. Our gift to you? Ten great ways to freshen up your website for the holidays. Batteries not included.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Site’s Home for the Holidays</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast, secure, and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Before You Get Started</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you delve too deep into creating new holiday campaigns, take the time to look at the results of your holiday promotions from last year. Hopefully, you already did this when you were </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/prepare-your-website-black-friday-cyber-monday/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">preparing your website for Black Friday and Cyber Monday</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But if not, let’s refresh!</span></p> | |
| <h3>Let Your Goals Guide</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First, take a moment to reflect. What are your company goals? And what do you need to get out of the holiday shopping season: more sales, leads, or subscribers? Every action you take, including a fun holiday marketing campaign, should drive toward those goals. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If the campaign ideas you’ve got in mind won’t help you achieve your goals, put them on the naughty list.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Review Last Year</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Which promotions resonated with customers last December? Which ones fell flat? </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you put fingers to keyboard, take a look at last year’s results and build from there.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Plan Out Holiday Sales in Advance</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Run the numbers to find out what deals you can afford to offer during the holidays. Then use this information to help you choose which marketing campaign ideas to implement on your website. </span></p> | |
| <h3>Analyze Your Channels</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You need to know how you’re going to spread the word about your holiday campaigns and promotions. So ask yourself: Do you have an </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">email subscriber list</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? How strong is </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your social media presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Is one platform stronger than the others? Have you </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ppc-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ever used PPC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? </span></p> | |
| <h3>Scout Out the Competition</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What have your competitors done for the holidays that you could tweak for your specific audience? Make a list. You can even look to big brands for ideas (lots of inspiration coming your way).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Got all that? </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Okay, on to the ideas!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">12 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What Small Business Owners Can Learn from Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>10 Holiday Ideas to Brighten Up Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <h3>1. Make Sure Your Website is Ready for the Season</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First things first, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/prepare-your-website-black-friday-cyber-monday/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">let’s get technical</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make sure your website is geared up and ready for the season.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can do this by checking with your </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hosting provider</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to plan for any surges in traffic. If you </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/when-to-upgrade-your-hosting-plan/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">need to upgrade for more resources</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, do it before the holidays hit. That way, you won’t run into issues when all those visitors come knocking on your website’s door to get your shiny holiday deals. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next, make sure your payment gateway can handle more transactions. You may also want to consider upgrading your services to accept more forms of payments and double-check your security features. The gifts of convenience and security are the type of holiday cheer your customers will appreciate — and bring them back year after year.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-online-payment-gateways-compared/">The 10 Most Popular Online Payment Gateways for Your Website, Compared</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, optimize to reduce your site’s load times. I could give you a mile-long checklist for this, but you’re busy — I get it. Instead, try these </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/4-ways-speed-up-wordpress-site/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">four speedy-site tips</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and then test your site’s performance with </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s PageSpeed Insights</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, you’re ready to roll!</span></p> | |
| <h3>2. Dress Your Website up for the Holidays</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your customers are used to your website’s regular look, and that’s great — for most of the year. When the holidays roll around, though, consider giving your site a little extra sparkle.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take caffeine juggernaut Starbucks. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everyone is used to the company’s white-and-green siren, but come November 1, Starbucks’ cups get a little more festive. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19222" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9.jpg" alt="" width="594" height="764" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9.jpg 594w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9-100x129.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Obviously, your website isn’t a paper cup. So when it comes to zhuzhing up your homepage, a lot of jingle can go all the way. Let’s look at a brand that does holiday cheer well: </span><a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bath and Body Works</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19218" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="462" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-600x308.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-750x385.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-100x51.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-300x154.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-768x394.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-810x416.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As soon as visitors hit the website, they are greeted with sparkling snowflakes and a giant, festive banner image. Even their promotion code is cheery: SNOWFALL.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One word of warning (and good, old-fashioned marketing advice): know your audience. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you opt to make your branding more holiday-themed, pay attention to how your customers receive it. If you’re worried, solicit customer feedback, run some A/B tests, or hold a focus group. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t want to catch any flack — </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/revealed-starbucks-2017-holiday-cups-arent-red-2017-10"><span style="font-weight: 400;">like Starbucks often does</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — for being too much this way, not enough that way. </span></p> | |
| <h3>3. Use Your Email Marketing List</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, it’s easy to get caught up in making sure your website is perfectly festive. However, it’s vital to remember that many customers won’t see it — unless you email them with a link and a good reason to return to your homepage.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Long-time readers and first-time commenters alike will probably remember that we’ve gone in-depth before on why </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website owners need to get serious about email marketing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s the </span><a href="https://optinmonster.com/is-email-marketing-dead-heres-what-the-statistics-show/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">single-most-effective marketing tactic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for awareness, acquisition, conversion, and retention — so start building some merry email campaigns</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You want a slice of that pie!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/email-marketing-wordpress-website/">Build an Email List With Your WordPress Website in 3 Simple Steps</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most of all, remember that your subscribers opted in to your email list for a reason: they want to hear from you! Don’t forget to wish them well this holiday season and share your good news.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After all, who doesn’t love a killer sale like this offer from </span><a href="https://legacybox.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAn8nuBRCzARIsAJcdIfNfGvkOYlCaEJ_Fbf9h3EtyNqfzkSqqQP6-wc_8t2tWumoHk30Gip4aAhlJEALw_wcB"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Legacybox</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19217" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="786" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5.jpg 448w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5-100x175.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5-171x300.jpg 171w" sizes="(max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly email newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h3><b>4. Make ‘Em Laugh</b></h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes the best way to get your website visitors in the holiday spirit is to make them laugh. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, how you do this is largely up to you and what works for your brand. </span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.jibjab.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">JibJab</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> allows visitors to personalize hilarious videos and send them to friends and family. Each year, the site offers a series of customizable holiday cards that are bound to make their customers laugh, share, and repeat.</span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.kmart.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kmart</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is another brand that has used humor to increase sales during the holidays.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19216" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="326" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-600x217.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-750x272.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-100x36.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-300x109.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-768x278.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-810x293.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOZdJ0iFaJQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the Jingle Joes might not appeal to everyone, the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3rHibpKMxc"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use of humor</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is an excellent way to stand out during a very competitive shopping season.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lastly, don’t be afraid to go dark. Like real dark.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For a lot of people, getting together with family for the holidays isn’t a friggin’ Hallmark movie. </span><a href="https://www.hoteltonight.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HotelTonight</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took all those bad feels and translated them into this dark-comedy dream.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter wp-image-19215" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3.jpg" alt="" width="703" height="900" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-600x768.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-750x960.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-100x128.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-234x300.jpg 234w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-768x983.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-800x1024.jpg 800w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-810x1037.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 703px) 100vw, 703px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t have to be a hotel booking website to pull this off either. Get creative and think about your specific target audience. The world is your air mattress — erm — oyster.</span></p> | |
| <h3>5. Put Together a Holiday Gift Package</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No matter what products or services you offer, you can group them together during the holiday season and offer a holiday combo on your website. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dollar Shave Club nails it each year.</span></p> | |
| <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOBKvP7h_hZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> | |
| <div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOBKvP7h_hZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> </p> | |
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| <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div> | |
| <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> | |
| <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div> | |
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| <p></a> </p> | |
| <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOBKvP7h_hZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The holidays can't handle a gift like the DSC Holiday Shave Set. Get one today. Link in bio.</a></p> | |
| <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dollarshaveclub/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Dollar Shave Club</a> (@dollarshaveclub) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-12-15T00:48:50+00:00">Dec 14, 2016 at 4:48pm PST</time></p> | |
| </div> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you can see, the shave kit is exactly like the ones they offer every other month of the year. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So what’s changed? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Only the context! The Elf on the Shelf signals holiday hijinks are afoot without the brand having to do any repackaging of their product. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This time of year, people like to see holiday promotions. Even if you are selling the same old thing, dress up the way you promote your product or services with holiday trimmings to match the season. </span></p> | |
| <h3>6. Drum Up Interest</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Almost everyone has a hard time waiting for the holidays (even if you can’t wait for them to be over, amirite, Scrooge?). But as a website owner, you can use all that anticipation as a marketing strategy: to drive hype for your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take H&M. The brand created a short trailer to tease its holiday collaboration with Nicki Minaj. </span></p> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9oFP-pOMNwE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of all things H&M and Nicki Minaj, so even before the final campaign dropped, I knew I’d be checking out H&M’s latest gear. #MarketingSuccess</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, if you don’t have the budget to hire a megawatt celebrity to headline your holiday marketing campaign (pssst, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">have you heard of micro-influencers?</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), then you can always build hype the old-fashioned way: with a countdown!</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19214" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="468" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-600x312.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-750x390.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-100x52.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-300x156.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-768x399.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-810x421.jpg 810w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-375x195.jpg 375w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ellen famously does the “12 Days of Giveaways,” and it’s hugely successful. Hitch your sleigh to that idea by doing 12 days of promotions, deals, limited-time offers, a holiday gift guide, even a cheery blog post — anything that will resonate with shoppers and provide them festive fodder for </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">last-minute gift ideas.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is nothing naughty about leaning into the sense of urgency and excitement that comes with holiday shopping. </span></p> | |
| <h3>7. Promote Your Expertise</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If there’s one thing for sure about the holiday season, it’s this: people gain weight. Yeah, your pants aren’t lying; </span><a href="https://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/weight-loss/holiday-weight-gain"><span style="font-weight: 400;">holiday weight gain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is real. And so is the motivation to lose that weight come January 1.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t worry, I’m going somewhere with this.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are a brand that holds a particular level of expertise on a holiday-related topic, then take advantage of that in your marketing efforts. The time is now to jump in and start sharing. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, if you are a doctor, wellness coach, purveyor of health supplements, or self-styled weight-loss guru, then focus your content on how people can stay healthy during the holidays.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Need an example? It’s like that one time we talked about</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/top-15-best-tech-horror-movies/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> tech-themed horror movies for Halloween</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Look for a niche that you have expertise in and find a way to tie it to the season. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Content win!</span></p> | |
| <h3>8. Get Real With Your Followers</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not like </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-3wZFHoU-8"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drunk Uncle real</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. I mean </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">genuine</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The holidays are a great time to share what your brand is really about.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take Samsung, for example. </span></p> | |
| <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZUZkB8kC8Ec" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their “Unwrap the Feels” video captures the spirit of the holidays by showing a collection of darling families gathering together. It’s so darn charming that by the end, you might get a bit misty-eyed — and want to purchase some of Samsung’s magical family-bringing-together products.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t have to pull heartstrings to win hearts, though. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are getting jolly around the office, let your customers in on the fun. Chances are they’ll be interested in the team that keeps their favorite products on the market.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19219" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="582" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-600x388.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-750x485.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-100x65.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-300x194.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-768x497.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-810x524.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you hold an office party or volunteer for a charity project, make sure you share the real, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">unfiltered</span></i> <i><span style="font-weight: 400;">you</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with your customers. </span></p> | |
| <h3><b>9. Give Back to Customers</b></h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes right down to it, the holidays are about giving back. There is no better time to focus a little less on the bottom line and a little more on making the world a better place. For instance, you could make a donation to a charitable organization or sponsor a company-wide day of service. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking for a viral way to spread joy to your customers? Host a giveaway or contest on social media. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only does this give you a chance to reward loyal customers and engaged holiday shoppers, but targeted giveaways or special offers can also serve as an additional (free!) marketing tool. You can share the user-generated content that customers provide as valuable virtual word of mouth.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take small business </span><a href="https://www.thegivingmanger.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Giving Manger</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, for example.</span></p> | |
| <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrTZ6IEgJEU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> | |
| <div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrTZ6IEgJEU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> </p> | |
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| <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> | |
| <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div> | |
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| <p></a> </p> | |
| <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrTZ6IEgJEU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Don’t forget: We’re increasing the impact of your Giving Manger photos this year!!!! In an effort to start a wave of INSPIRATION, we are inviting you to post photos of you and your children serving as you use The Giving Manger. For every post of service in action that you tag us in, we'll donate $1 to those affected by the California wildfires. The more you post, the more we donate.</a></p> | |
| <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thegivingmanger/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> The Giving Manger</a> (@thegivingmanger) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-12-12T21:58:09+00:00">Dec 12, 2018 at 1:58pm PST</time></p> | |
| </div> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only did they earn free visual content for their social platform by inviting customers to share their photos (and boost their marketing efforts), but they’re using it as a way to give back in a charitable way. Double-whammy winter win.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/">10 Social Media Marketing Tips for Your Small Business</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>10. Welcome Visitors to the New Year</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the hype has died down, take some time to ramp up your content production. Why? Because once the merriment is over, your customers will be thinking about the next big thing: the new year!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Come January, DreamHost customers are looking for help building a brand new site to kickstart their resolutions, whether they’re starting a blog, a business, or an e-commerce website. Think about what your customers will want to do in 2020 and start creating content to help them do just that. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new year is a fresh start for everyone. Stay on top of your content strategy by preparing in December for a big rollout of fresh ideas in January.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Stick a Bow on It, You’re Done</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There you go! We hope you’ll enjoy (and use!) these 10 gift-wrapped holiday ideas to connect with your customers during the holiday season. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And we want you to get in on this, too! We want your website to have a holly-jolly home for the holidays — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sign up for DreamHost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make hanging tinsel and all the stockings on your website a breeze. Team up with us today!</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/">Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| <title>15 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 05 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tech Talk]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=21115</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and “Jingle Bells” is probably playing in every store you enter. Naturally, this can only mean that the holiday season is upon us once again. As a result, it’s time to prepare for your holiday marketing campaigns. This season offers a lot of opportunities for all […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">15 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and “Jingle Bells” is probably playing in every store you enter. Naturally, this can only mean that the holiday season is upon us once again. As a result, it’s time to prepare for your holiday marketing campaigns.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This season offers a lot of opportunities for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> businesses, big and small. If you can grab consumers’ attention with a unique campaign, you’ll be well on your way to pulling in additional revenue. A smart place to start is to look at what has worked for other brands and then use their campaigns as inspiration for your own marketing efforts.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this article, we’ll take a look back at some of our favorite marketing campaign ideas from seasons past. We’ll discuss their history, why they were so successful, and how you can incorporate them into </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/hot-marketing-ideas-to-warm-up-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your holiday marketing strategy</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Let’s jump right in!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Site’s Home for the Holidays</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast, secure and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <p> </p> | |
| <h2><b>1. “Santa Tracker” by Google</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/b747523a-441c-42a4-b789-c0a261619e7e_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-11.jpg" alt="Google’s Santa Tracker website." width="900" height="495" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re going to start with a true classic of online holiday marketing. </span><a href="https://santatracker.google.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s Santa Tracker</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has been going strong since 2004. During this time, it has enabled users to follow Santa Claus on his worldwide gift-giving journey every Christmas.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Santa Tracker campaign initially started as a simple way to </span><a href="https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/tracking-santa-backstory.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">visualize Santa’s journey via Google Earth</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (or Keyhole Earth Viewer, as it was called then). However, it has since evolved in numerous ways. For instance, the site has expanded to show information about the cities Santa visits, offer “live updates” directly from the sleigh, and much more.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With Santa Tracker, Google manages to market its map service in a way that is both fun and interactive. The key lesson to take away from the campaign is that it works across multiple audience segments, appealing equally to young children and adults. By combining mythology and technology in a quirky way, Google managed to create a new spin on an age-old story and make its brand synonymous with the tradition itself at the same time.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/">Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>2. “Elf Yourself” by Office Depot</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/c8a27f4f-0ca5-41bc-aeff-e48287073fe5_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-2.jpg" alt="Using the Elf Yourself website to create an elf." width="900" height="358" /> | |
| <p>Next up, this is another interactive and playful campaign that appeals to kids and adults alike. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elfyourself.com/">Elf Yourself</a></span> is a recurring campaign by Office Depot, which lets users create elves based on pictures of themselves (or other people). Since 2006, users have <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151104005115/en/Office-Depot-Elf-Yourself%C2%AE-App-Creates-Billion">created over one billion elves</a></span> using the site and app.</p> | |
| <p>In recent years, the Elf Yourself app has been updated with new features, such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.marketingdive.com/news/office-depot-brings-back-elf-yourself-with-ar/511516/">Augmented Reality (AR)</a></span> and the ability to print your elf as a seasonal greeting card. Users can also share their creations on social media, along with the marketing hashtag <span style="font-style: italic;">#ElfYourself</span>.</p> | |
| <p>This is an example of how a holiday campaign can be used to grow brand awareness, rather than explicitly aiming to increase conversions or sales. By providing something fun and engaging for your users to play with, you can get the word out about your business, without overtly promoting your products or services.</p> | |
| <h2><b>3. “Home Alone, Again” by Google</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23973" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2.jpg" alt="Google’s “Home Alone Again” video." width="741" height="413" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2.jpg 741w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2-300x167.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2-600x334.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2-100x56.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nostalgia can be an excellent driver of shareable content. That’s what Google’s 2018 advertisement </span><a href="http://www.sm.artsandsciences.com/featured/home-alone-again"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Home Alone Again”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took advantage of. The video, featuring a grown-up Macauly Culkin, tapped into a wealth of holiday feelings. Created by the Arts & Letters firm and directed by Mike Warzin via Arts & Sciences, the short video also features all the best of </span><a href="https://assistant.google.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google Assistant</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The scenes and overall general feeling of the video are designed to be transportive for anyone who grew up watching the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Home Alone</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> films as a holiday staple. Google Assistant starts off by reminding “Kevin” that he finally has the house to himself for the day and organically showcases its smart home options when the bad guys enter the picture. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This ad taps into a piece of media that many generations have enjoyed. The original movie debuted in 1990, meaning it’s likely that the ad will hit home with audiences ranging from baby boomers to millennials. Wrapping your ads around something very nostalgic </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/identify-target-market-for-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">to your audience</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a marketing approach that can have shareable appeal across platforms and generations.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>4. “The Holiday Odyssey” by Target</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1aa05703-23b0-4755-831d-d2ffc361b1fe_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-1.jpg" alt="Screenshot from Target’s Holiday Odyssey advertisement." width="900" height="471" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a sense, every holiday season is a journey. At least, it is if you believe Target and its 2015 campaign </span><a href="https://cargocollective.com/sararose/Target-The-Holiday-Odyssey"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Holiday Odyssey.”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This campaign’s most visible element was a series of short video clips, which included cameos from the Minions, Barbie, Star Wars characters, and even Neil Patrick Harris.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, these storytelling videos only represented one aspect of the campaign, which also made use of multiple marketing channels. As well as a dedicated website and promotion across </span><a href="https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/target-takes-consumers-a-toy-filled-odyssey-holidays/301143/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">its social media platforms</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Target also took the “Odyssey” into its physical stores. By doing this, Target managed to create a complete </span><a href="https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/targets-holiday-campaign-brings-magical-story-life-across-tv-digital-and-its-stores-168113/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">synergy across multiple platforms</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, something that’s ideal for businesses with a broad audience.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is naturally difficult to do if you don’t have the reach and budget of a major corporation. Still, it does highlight the importance of leveraging multiple channels in your own marketing. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, you might not be able to afford to feature NPH in your ads. However, you can still use your online presence and physical stores in conjunction to create an all-encompassing campaign that appeals equally to the various segments of your audience.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>5. “Nick Offerman’s Yule Log” by Lagavulin</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ea3b32f9-b5a5-4e96-a3e4-72b0984ac458_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-9.jpg" alt="Screenshot of Lagavulin’s Yule Log video, starring Nick Offerman." width="900" height="493" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Watching a man silently drink whiskey next to a crackling fireplace for 45 minutes might not sound very appealing at first. However, if that man is actor and comedian Nick Offerman, you’ve got a </span><a href="https://adage.com/creativity/work/nick-offermans-yule-log/44567"><span style="font-weight: 400;">viral marketing sensation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your hands.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s what Lagavulin did when it hired Offerman to create a parody of the “classic” yule log videos that were popular in 2015 (and still are). Since then, the original video has been watched over 3 million times. Thanks to popular demand, Lagavulin has even put out an extended </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">10-hour</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> version.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This campaign is a masterclass in how to use a video to create a conversation starter. First, it’s a perfect fit with Offerman’s existing public persona and ties into his most famous role as Ron Swanson on TV show </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parks & Recreation</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a character who </span><a href="http://drinkwire.liquor.com/post/how-to-drink-like-ron-swanson#gs.kHPV5dg"><span style="font-weight: 400;">famously loved Lagavulin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it’s also an eminently shareable clip in its own right. It’s fun, attention-grabbing, and actually works quite well as a non-ironic yule log video. Considering the minimal resources required to pull this off, it’s a perfect example of how a simple idea can have a huge payoff if it connects with your audience.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/">1How to Promote & Market Your Website With Influencers</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>6. “Red Cups” by Starbucks</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/3a98a94c-f2d6-4c6c-93d9-4f497c9a4fe7_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-8.jpg" alt="Holiday cups offered by Starbucks." width="900" height="602" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a previous article, we discussed Starbucks’ penchant for brand management on its official </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">company blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. To no one’s surprise, it turns out that the company is just as proficient at promoting its brand during the holiday season. You’ve most likely seen its iconic holiday cup designs yourself — they were introduced all the way </span><a href="https://www.eater.com/2015/11/10/9705570/starbucks-holiday-red-cups-controversy-history"><span style="font-weight: 400;">back in 1997</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since then, the company has featured new festive designs every year. Somewhat infamously, these cups were a point of controversy in 2015, when a plain red variety was accused of not being “Christmassy” enough. Despite this setback, the reusable red cup design has become iconic, to the point where </span><a href="https://www.countdowntoredcups.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">independent websites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have sprung up that feature a countdown to its annual re-release.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The lesson here is that a stylish and cohesive brand identity can be an extremely powerful tool. This campaign also shows that it’s possible to create unique traditions that are tied to your brand, then encourage your audience to look forward to them each year.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>7. “#OptOutside” by REI</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/8fd8c450-fd5a-495e-9b60-2b716f207738_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-6.jpg" alt="The #OptOuside page by REI." width="900" height="497" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Black Friday is widely regarded as the beginning of the holiday shopping season, as well as one of the busiest retail days around the world. Considering this fact, it was especially noteworthy when the outdoor retailer REI announced that it would not participate in the </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/prepare-your-website-black-friday-cyber-monday/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Black Friday rush</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of 2015 and would keep all its stores closed for the entire day.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This was the start of the </span><a href="https://www.rei.com/opt-outside"><span style="font-weight: 400;">#OptOutside</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> campaign, which has become a recurring event ever since. The goal was to get employees and customers to spend Black Friday </span><a href="https://newsroom.rei.com/news/corporate/rei-closing-its-doors-on-black-friday-invites-nation-to-optoutside.htm"><span style="font-weight: 400;">enjoying the outdoors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> rather than shopping. After the initial success, the company has </span><a href="https://www.adweek.com/creativity/inside-year-three-of-optoutside-with-reis-chief-creative-officer/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">expanded the event</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to include a search engine that lets users around the world share their outdoor experiences using the campaign’s hashtag.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is #OptOutside a terrific example of a company making a statement about the holidays, but it’s also perfectly in line with its brand identity. After all, REI sells outdoor equipment, so it makes sense to encourage people to participate in outside activities even during the winter. This goes to show that you can start a meaningful conversation while also bringing attention to what your business does best. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/">The Website Owner’s Guide to Email Campaigns</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>8. “Misunderstood” by Apple</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2e191c5d-2832-4bc5-9674-67da660ac6b8_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-10.jpg" alt="Screenshot of the ‘Misunderstood’ short film by Apple." width="900" height="526" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether it’s spending time with family and loved ones or remembering past holidays, the festive season is steeped in sentimentality. Many businesses take advantage of this in their campaigns, and perhaps the best example is Apple’s short film, </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/221001942"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Misunderstood</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The clip shows a young boy appearing to avoid spending time with his family during the holidays. However, at the end (spoilers!), it’s revealed that he was actually busy creating a heartwarming montage of family moments the whole time. The clip was </span><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-soojungkim-pang-phd/apple-misunderstood-commercial_b_4491319.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">positively received</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by many viewers and even went on to win an Emmy.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With this clip, Apple managed to insert its product into the sentimentality of the season in two clever ways. The film subverts the idea that phones are only used to avoid time with your family, while also </span><a href="https://www.cultofmac.com/497994/apple-history-misunderstood-iphone-ad-emmy/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">demonstrating the actual capabilities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of the latest iPhone at the same time. This is a “show, don’t tell” approach to marketing a specific product that can be difficult to pull off, but very effective when done well.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>9. “#NZSecretSanta” By New Zealand Post</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/b95cac28-0c43-4ef3-842b-a05f0c3f5f18_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-12.jpg" alt="The #NZSecretSanta home page." width="900" height="545" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In case you’re not familiar with the concept, Secret Santa is a tradition where a group of people comes together to buy one gift for each person — everybody buys and gets a gift. However, each recipient is entirely unaware of who their gift-giver is, which creates a fun sense of mystery.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With its </span><a href="https://nzsecretsanta.nzpost.co.nz/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">#NZSecretSanta</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> event, the New Zealand Post aimed to blow this game up to a national level. Started in 2010 by Sam Elton-Waters, the initiative was a huge success — even </span><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/new-zealand-secret-santa-twitter_us_5a39c9b7e4b06d1621b05301"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the country’s prime minister</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took part! As the yearly event grew in scope, the New Zealand Post stepped in to help organize the gift-giving.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is this a heartwarming tradition, but it’s also a great example of how you can </span><a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/new-zealand-post-secret-santa-2013/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">engage people using social media campaigns</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. An event that encourages people to have fun together, be thoughtful, and even give to charity helps to encourage participation and positive feelings towards your business.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>10. “Come Together” by H&M</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/9583b3d1-a91a-4091-b8b8-3688c0470e57_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-4.jpg" alt="Screenshot from H&M’s Come Together short film." width="900" height="502" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At this point, we’ve already mentioned the benefits of using video marketing to your advantage during the holidays. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also bring up H&M’s impressive “</span><a href="https://vimeo.com/224473293"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Come Together</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” campaign.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Directed by Wes Anderson, </span><a href="http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2016/hm-come-together/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">this short film</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> features Adrien Brody as a conductor on a train that gets caught in a snowstorm. Since they’re stuck in place, the conductor and passengers decide to throw a Christmas party together. Shot in the filmmaker’s trademark style, the video is both quirky and heartwarming. It also aligns the brand with Anderson’s sense of fashion and whimsy. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is yet another way you can create a talking point, even if you don’t have any Academy Award-winning actors at your disposal. You can still use your brand videos to create a </span><a href="https://thinkmonsters.com/speakinghuman/media/branding-wes-anderson-holiday-commercial/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">unique signature and style</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Having a recognizable style is crucial during the busy holiday season and is especially important for brands aimed at a modern, trend-conscious audience. </span></p> | |
| <h2><b>11. “Believe” by Macy’s</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/33d1f4d3-8e4e-42a4-8867-cf42869aed45_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-3.jpg" alt="The home page for Macy’s Believe campaign." width="900" height="478" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think fast: What are the two most essential parts of Christmastime? If you answered “stuffing your face with food” and “decorating the tree,” we can’t blame you. However, we were specifically thinking of charity and gift-giving. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Charity is an especially significant part of the holiday spirit, and it’s something Macy’s has made a cornerstone of its </span><a href="http://social.macys.com/believe/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Believe” campaign</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This campaign revolves around a site where users can write a letter to Santa with their Christmas wishes. For every letter posted, Macy’s donates $1 to the </span><a href="http://wish.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make-a-Wish foundation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only does this charitable element align perfectly with the giving season, but it also </span><a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151103005970/en/Magic-Macy%E2%80%99s-Campaign-Returns-Writer%E2%84%A2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">encourages visitors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and customers to engage with the brand directly. This type of initiative lets you do a charitable deed while also expressing your brand identity in a fun and memorable way.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>12. “Holiday Gift Guides” by Etsy</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/f4015c45-ce37-4336-ad25-1f59400da355_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-5.jpg" alt="Holiday gift guides on the Etsy home page." width="900" height="555" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most of the campaigns we’ve looked at have avoided being directly commercial in nature. Instead, many businesses choose to use the holiday season to manage and increase awareness of their brands, rather than actively pushing their products.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, Etsy manages to go another way while also providing useful content for its users. Instead of a big marketing push, this e-commerce site produces annual “</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/gift-guides"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gift Guides</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.” These guides help holiday shoppers find the perfect presents to buy, based on different categories and styles.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is a creative way to drive additional sales while still sticking with a holiday theme. It also helps funnel customers more effectively towards the products they’ll prefer. In fact, Etsy actually provides similar guides all year round, such as the </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/featured/gift-guide-under-30"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finds Under $30</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> guide. This means that loyal customers will already be accustomed to searching for products in the same fashion.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether or not you create dedicated guides, it’s key to ensure that your actual website makes it easy for users to find what they need quickly. After all, buying gifts for the holidays is often stressful. Anything you can do to make this process faster and easier is going to be well-appreciated by your customers.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>13. “The Book of Dreams” by Argos</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter wp-image-23974 size-full" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16.jpg" alt="The Argos “Book of Dreams” advertisement." width="574" height="314" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16.jpg 574w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16-300x164.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16-100x55.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 574px) 100vw, 574px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It might seem “old school” to promote a traditional, physical product catalog in our highly-digital age. However, British catalog retailer </span><a href="https://www.argos.co.uk/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Argos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has found a way to do so successfully. In one of the early holiday ads of 2019, </span><a href="https://theandpartnership.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The&Partnership advertising agency</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> created a video that appeals to the child in all of us. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dubbed</span> <a href="https://www.thedrum.com/creative-works/project/thepartnership-argos-the-book-dreams"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Book of Dreams</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the ad follows a dad reliving a childhood dream about a drumset as the scene around him transforms into a stage. He’s joined by his daughter, and they rock out to “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. In a successful play on nostalgia and recapturing the wonder of the holidays, the advertisement is sweet and highly shareable. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harnessing the magic of being a child at Christmastime is something any holiday campaign can strive for. Plus, this example demonstrates that the excitement of thumbing through a toy catalog is a unique and tangible joy that can be tied to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/19-expert-blogging-tips-for-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fun online content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. When customers receive the mailing, they’ll remember to dream big!</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>14. “All Together” by Amazon</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23975" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1.jpg" alt="Alt-text: An Amazon holiday video advertisement." width="900" height="490" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-300x163.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-768x418.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-600x327.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-750x408.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-100x54.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the Lucky Generals agency, this next piece of Christmas marketing brings everyone a smiling box and a catchy tune. Amazon’s </span><a href="http://www.luckygenerals.com/amazon-holidays-2019"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">All Together</span></i></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">advertisement highlights the company’s employees and friendly packaging in a video reminiscent of the popular holiday film</span> <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Love Actually</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In terms of takeaways, this is another excellent example of how to demonstrate a lot of different aspects of your business in a minute or less. You can highlight your employees, your customers, and just average people being happy and connecting with others. It only takes Amazon 90 seconds to make you want to call your mother, which highlights the impact of a heartfelt approach.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This particular video demonstrates the value of going all the way and embracing the touchy-feely part of the holiday season without cynicism or parody. Showcasing the excitement of the holidays — and working in your products or services organically without letting them steal focus — is a recipe for success with this type of marketing.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>15. “Holidays Are Coming!” by Coca-Cola</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/95d4d474-0e74-46c8-9648-48061905cb84_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-7.jpg" alt="Screenshot from the Holidays Are Coming advertisement by Coca-Cola." width="900" height="484" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, let’s end on a true classic, perhaps the most legendary and recognizable holiday campaign in media history. Coca-Cola has been crucial in defining how Christmas marketing looks to the point where </span><a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-claus-that-refreshes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a prevalent myth</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> claims that the company invented the modern image of Santa Claus.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even if that’s not true, Coca Cola’s recurring “Holidays Are Coming” campaign is </span><a href="http://blog.brandisty.com/brand-management-blog/how-coca-cola-became-a-holiday-brand/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">still legendary</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In fact, many don’t consider the Christmas season truly started until they hear the familiar jingle on TV. Even though it’s been a staple for over two decades, Coca-Cola has continued to </span><a href="https://www.marketingweek.com/2016/12/06/coca-cola-innovate-christmas-ad/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">expand and innovate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> its holiday marketing, while still keeping the core of its message clear and consistent.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After all, the holidays are all about traditions, both big and small. Using nostalgia and tried-and-true concepts can help to create a sense of tradition around your brand. We’ve seen this notion applied in many of the campaigns on this list, where brands iterate on a successful idea over the years.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, nothing demonstrates the effect of this technique quite like Coca-Cola. If you can manage something similar for your own brand, albeit, on a smaller scale, it can improve your business’ authority and capture your audience’s imagination.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Holly and Jolly</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The holidays are not </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">just</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about giving gifts, traveling, and spending time with family. They’re also a prime opportunity to market your business, boost end-of-year sales, and solidify your brand identity in the process. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Making sure you have all the tools you need can help boost the success of any campaign. Our </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-shared-hosting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">shared hosting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a great way to get started on a new endeavor while providing your site with lots of room to grow!</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">15 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| <title>The 10 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses in 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:45:18 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[small business]]></category> | |
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| <description><![CDATA[<p>From site design to social media and everything in between, managing your web presence is integral in today’s market. There are several reasons why you need a strong online presence: it reinforces your brand, boosts your marketing efforts, and most importantly, helps you connect with your customers. But what if you’ve got a local clientele […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">The 10 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From site design to social media and everything in between, managing your web presence is integral in today’s market. There are several reasons why you need a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/own-your-online-content/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">strong online presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: it reinforces your brand, boosts your marketing efforts, and most importantly, helps you connect with your customers. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what if you’ve got a local clientele or are a brick-and-mortar operation that’s not really interested in doing the whole e-commerce thing? Do you </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">really</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> need a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/6-reasons-why-your-small-business-needs-a-website-now/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">small-business website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The answer is an internet-troll-style, all-caps, gigantic </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">YES: </span><a href="https://www.brightlocal.com/2014/07/15/9-essential-stats-convincing-smbs-invest-local-search/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">97% of consumers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> use the web to search for local businesses</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> If you want your small business to reach its full potential, you need to have an </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/customer-spotlight-resume-assassin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">online presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But</span> <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">where do you start</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? After all, there are thousands of “must-have tools” out there that claim they help with web management. So we’ve put our fingers on the keyboard and nose to the grindstone — gross, right? — to research the best web management software, apps, and tools for your small business. Here’s what we found.</span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>Web Design</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to </span><a href="/blog/wordpress-web-design-trends-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">web design</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you’ve got several options. Of course, you can always hire a professional team from a trusted firm to tackle your web design, but experts don’t come cheap. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective method, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are several programs that are easy to navigate, have beautiful templates, and provide easy click-to-edit functionality to make creating a beautiful website easy — even if you </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">don’t know how to code</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-tips-for-a-well-designed-website-as-told-by-a-dreamhost-designer/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">aren’t a professional designer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Here are some of the best.</span></p> | |
| <h3>1. WordPress</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re at all web savvy, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress is an excellent choice</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. WordPress is a <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/">content management system (CMS)</a> that makes it easy to regularly update your website with fresh blog posts, news stories, and more. WordPress does have a slight learning curve, but it’s relatively easy to tackle and you’ll be pleased with the number of features. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Flexibility. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress is extremely versatile. You can create a blog, a portfolio, <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/">a business website</a>, an online community, an online store, and basically anything else you can think of.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Simplicity. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is WordPress flexible, but it’s also simple to use. With WordPress, you don’t have to know how to code to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">get a responsive website up in minutes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Plus, tools like </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are specifically built to make maintaining your site and keeping it secure really easy.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Popular. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress is one of the most popular web design tools on the market. That means there are </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/guidelines-for-choosing-a-wordpress-theme/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">thousands of pre-designed themes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, useful plugins, and resources to help you build, modify, and update your site with ease.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Cost. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-site-cost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress.org software is free</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, it’s a budget-friendly option that can <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/scaling-your-business-online/">scale with your business as you grow</a> and need more features.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>2. WP Website Builder</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a tool that can help you build beautiful WordPress websites in the easiest way possible. This plugin’s drag-and-drop user interface makes it approachable for all skill levels. Additionally, there are over 200 starter sites to choose from. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Convenience. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder comes in three budget-friendly pricing options and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">includes free hosting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You can get started with DreamHost and WP Website Builder in a matter of minutes. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Quality. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can choose from over 200 premium, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/themes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">industry-specific website themes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This makes it easy to </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035254691-Creating-a-site-using-WP-Website-Builder"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use the drag-and-drop editor</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make customizations. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Real-Time SEO.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The site builder also comes with SEO recommendations in real-time. You’ll be able to see right on your post edit screen where you can make SEO improvements. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Design Blocks.</b><span> You’ll also have access to over 100 design blocks. You can use them to customize your pages and posts as much as you’d like.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Get More with DreamPress</h2><p>DreamPress Plus and Pro users get access to Jetpack Professional (and 200+ premium themes) at no added cost!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/" class="btn btn--brand">Check Out Plans</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21740" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png" alt="" width="200" height="201" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-100x101.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>E-Commerce Software</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you want <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/ecommerce-on-wp/">e-commerce capabilities</a>, we’d recommend building your website with WordPress — the flexibility and <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/solutions-to-create-scalable-ecommerce-site/">scalability are ideal for online stores</a>. But remember: WordPress doesn’t come with an e-commerce solution out of the box. You’ll have to add that functionality, either via a plugin or an additional platform, to create a digital shopping cart. </span></p> | |
| <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">3. WooCommerce</span></h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce is a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/most-popular-wordpress-plugins/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">popular WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and one of the best e-commerce solutions on the market. And it’s <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-online-store-in-an-hour/">easy to get started</a>! Basic features to help you manage sales, payment, shipping, and other common tasks come baked in. If you need additional options, however, it’s easy to find </span><a href="https://woocommerce.com/product-category/woocommerce-extensions/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">extensions</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to add functionality.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><b>Budget-Friendly. <span style="font-weight: 400;">Both </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-site-cost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress.org software</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and WooCommerce are completely free, as are some of the extensions (most of the others range from around $50 to $100). Getting your online store up and running doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket.</span></b></li> | |
| <li><b>Scalable. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce makes scaling from small business to larger venture easy. For example, if you need more <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-online-payment-gateways-compared/">payment gateways</a>, simply download and install a relevant extension or plugin.</span></li> | |
| <li><b>Secure. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Security is vital for every website but especially if you’re managing transactions. WordPress’ dedication to security and frequent updates will help protect your site. Additionally, customers using DreamHost’s </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">managed WordPress options</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are protected by a built-in firewall that eliminates the need for additional security plugins. </span></li> | |
| <li><b>Search Engine Optimized. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce itself is light on SEO-related features. It’s built using code </span><a href="https://blog.kissmetrics.com/website-source-code-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimized for SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and there are a few relevant extensions you can add, such as </span><a href="https://woocommerce.com/products/seo-friendly-images/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO Friendly Images</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. However, if you really want to improve your store’s chances of getting to the first page of Google, you can download a </span><a href="https://www.sourcewp.com/best-wordpress-seo-plugins/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress SEO plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Store Deserves WooCommerce Hosting</h2><p>Sell anything, anywhere, anytime on the world's biggest eCommerce platform.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/woocommerce-hosting/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21745" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing.jpg 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-marketing-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">4. Shopify</span></h3> | |
| <p><a href="http://www.shopify.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a subscription-based, e-commerce platform that makes it easy for beginners to build and customize an online store in very little time. It also provides a “guru” service to guide you through the creation and management of your e-commerce site. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Reliability. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify is one of the largest e-commerce solutions on the market. Because it requires a monthly subscription — plans currently start at $29 per month — you can count on Shopify’s rock-solid performance. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Integrations. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s easy for DreamHost customers to </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/216994617-Shopify"><span style="font-weight: 400;">integrate a Shopify store</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with your site. There’s also </span><a href="https://apps.shopify.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">an app store</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> where you can download add-ons that provide functionality such as social media, shipping, and accounting.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> | |
| </span><b>Support. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify provides support through its </span><a href="https://help.shopify.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">comprehensive help center</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, where you can find everything from tutorials to troubleshooting guides. You also get access to 24/7 support via chat, email, or phone. </span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Still wondering whether you should opt for WooCommerce or Shopify when building your e-commerce site? Wonder no more.</span> <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve put together a comprehensive guide</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you parse out which platform might be more suitable for your e-commerce store.</span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>Social Media</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even a small business can have a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">large social media presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The social media management tools below will allow you to expand your web presence all in one integrated interface. Be in several places at once? It’s every small business owner’s dream!</span></p> | |
| <h3>5. HootSuite</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://hootsuite.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HootSuite</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> integrates with Facebook, Facebook Pages, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Google+ Pages, LinkedIn, FourSquare, MySpace, YouTube, and WordPress. It allows you <a href="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/how-to-schedule-posts-in-wordpress/">to schedule posts ahead of time</a>, focusing on peak performance times for each platform. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Convenience. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re sick of switching between your social media profiles just to push out daily updates, then you’re going to love HootSuite. With HootSuite, you can manage all your social platforms from one location.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Collaboration. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many small businesses have several people creating content and posting across channels. If you don’t have a cohesive system, you’re setting yourself up for a social snafu. HootSuite gets everyone on the same page.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Reputation Management. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">HootSuite makes it possible to never miss a mention or complaint that your team needs to address.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>6. Buffer</h3> | |
| <p><a href="http://bufferapp.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> supports up to 25 social accounts, allowing you to post across all your platforms from one interface. Here are some of Buffer’s other top features.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Trends. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffer has integrated analytics and insights, making it easier to tweak your social strategy based on data.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Scheduling. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffer allows you to create a custom schedule for each day. You can do it daily, monthly, or annually — basically whenever it’s convenient.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Insights. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll never have to wonder when you should share your next Instagram pic or Facebook missive. Buffer keeps track of your followers so you know when it’s the optimal time to post.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>7. Everypost</h3> | |
| <p><a href="http://everypost.me/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everypost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> makes it easy to curate content from across the web, schedule your posts, and integrates with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, and tumblr.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Analytics. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can social smarter with the analytics provided by Everypost. The dashboard is sleek and easy to use.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Curation. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everypost helps you curate content directly within the app — no switching around to find shareable content, design content, and post content. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Customization. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can maximize the potential of each post you create. This helps you reach all of your audience members, no matter what platform they are on.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2><strong>Marketing</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not enough to build your website and forget it; you’ve got to be strategic about <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-media-kit-website/">getting your brand out</a> into the world — and in front of the eyes of your potential customers — as much as possible. Even if your business is a brick-and-mortar deal, promoting your website and digital offerings with marketing tools will usher local Googlers into your doors.</span></p> | |
| <h3>8. HubSpot</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">HubSpot offers a free </span><a href="https://www.hubspot.com/products/marketing"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing tool</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/leadin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help keep track of potential customers and assist you with <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-get-website-visitors-fill-out-lead-forms/">lead conversion</a> — that is, converting a casual browser into a committed buyer.</span><b> </b></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Capture. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">HubSpot makes it easy to grab website visitors’ email addresses by helping you create a pop-up invitation or another module. It can even pull and track information from any form submission on your website — no matter what tool or plugin.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Track. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Along with keeping track of visitors’ email addresses and activity on your website (purchases, time spent on page, etc.), you’ll know which other websites your potential customers have visited. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Convert. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Analytics displayed on a simple dashboard will help you know what’s working for your site (and what isn’t) and how to target </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing emails</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to bring your customers back.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Simple. </b>The HubSpot WordPress plugin is simple to use, even for the non-techie, and it plays nicely with other tools such as Shopify.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>9. Google Analytics</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to digital marketing, making data-informed decisions can be the key to success. The biggest name in search and analytics is </span><a href="https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google Analytics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Fortunately, when it comes to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/use-google-analytics-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">integrating Google’s tools with WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you’re in luck. Thanks to the </span><a href="https://developer.wordpress.org/rest-api/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">REST API</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, there are lots of opportunities for using Google’s free tools to increase the impact of your marketing efforts. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Budget-Friendly.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> As we mentioned already, </span><a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s analytics tools</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are free to use. There’s a lot to choose from, too. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Trusted.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> One thing you won’t have to worry about with Google is reliability. When you incorporate these tools into your marketing resources, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-analytics-can-solve-five-biggest-worries-site/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">you know they’ll work</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Value.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Google Analytics offers so many data collection options that it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, it also provides </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/analytics/solutions/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">excellent documentation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and extensive knowledge bases. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Testing.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Boosting your SEO and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-write-product-descriptions/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">getting better rankings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) can be tricky. Google offers lots of testing tools for tasks like improving the </span><a href="https://search.google.com/structured-data/testing-tool"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schema markup</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your website. </span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>10. Yoast SEO</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the easiest and most versatile things you can do to improve your WordPress site’s marketing resources is </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">to use an SEO plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yoast SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a free tool for WordPress, with premium upgrade options. The free version has plenty of features to get you started, however. </span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Current.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Yoast will notify you when your most important pages haven’t been updated for six months. This is a big help for busy marketers and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/keep-your-blog-fresh-how-to-repurpose-old-posts/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">keeps your content fresh</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for better search results. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Reports.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Yoast enables you to add </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">schema.org</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> data quickly and correctly. This means you’ll have faster indexing and rich search results. This applies to search engines such as Google, but also to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social platforms like Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Readability.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Yoast will automatically scan your content and score it for readability, so you can quickly adjust the length of your sentences or your use of passive voice (if needed). These elements, when done right, can make it so that readers are more likely to stay on your page and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/19-expert-blogging-tips-for-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">actually read your content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2><strong>Want to Keep It Simple?</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Obviously, there are several tools out there to help you effectively manage your online presence. But you don’t have to overwhelm yourself by investing in every option on the market! If you’re brand new to the web, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use WordPress and DreamHost to get your website up quickly</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Then you can add some of the other options on this list to build your brand online.</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">The 10 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/?p=24058</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>As you think about your resolutions for the new year, you’ve probably got some financial goals on the list, whether it’s paying off a student loan, making more money, or balancing work and life a little bit better. Figuring out how to achieve those goals with your day-job pay is where it gets challenging. Enter […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/">13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As you think about your <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/">resolutions for the new year</a></span>, you’ve probably got some financial goals on the list, whether it’s paying off a student loan, making more money, or balancing work and life a little bit better. Figuring out how to achieve those goals with your day-job pay is where it gets challenging.</p> | |
| <p>Enter the <span style="font-style: italic;">side hustle</span>: a job or business that you run after your regular nine-to-five to bring in some extra cash.</p> | |
| <p>The good news: It’s not a bad time to pick up an extra gig. Employers are becoming increasingly open to bringing on freelancers and contract workers. These arrangements create a different kind of partnership than the traditional employment approach, one that offers increased flexibility along with the chance to grow your savings account!</p> | |
| <p>In this article, we’ll look at the current state of the gig economy. We’ll then explore 13 lucrative side hustle ideas you can try out in 2020 to earn extra income. Let’s get started!</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Side Hustle Needs a Website</h2><p>We’ll make sure your site is fast, secure and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">What You Need to Know About Current Trends in the Gig Economy</span></h2> | |
| <p>In our connected digital world, there are a lot of opportunities for side hustles. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/abdullahimuhammed/2019/05/09/5-important-stats-about-the-gig-economy-to-know-in-2019/#307cc0bc1039">Forbes has indicated</a></span> that the gig economy, where workers take on multiple freelance or short-term work engagements in their spare time, is expanding three times more rapidly than the American workforce as a whole. In terms of dollars, that means freelancers <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/">contributed $1.28 trillion</a></span> to the economy in 2018.</p> | |
| <p>That means it’s a perfect time to strike out on your own with a side hustle. Not only can it be rewarding, but consumers and employers alike are also much more receptive to the concept than ever before. Plus, there are plenty of routes you can take.</p> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</span></h2> | |
| <p>There’s no shortage of options for creating your own side hustle. When you take into consideration all the on- and offline options you have available, there’s really no time like the present to launch into a new gig. Let’s explore 13 of the most accessible and rewarding opportunities.</p> | |
| <h3>1. Sell Graphic Design Services</h3> | |
| <p>If your friends are always asking you to create signs, posters, logos, and more, this might be an excellent side hustle to pursue. You don’t have to master all aspects of design, either. You can focus solely on logos, website themes, or whatever else you like. Graphic design is a diverse field with many lucrative niches.</p> | |
| <p>To get started, you’ll want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-your-online-portfolio-fast/">set up a portfolio</a></span> on your own website or <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/creating-beautiful-instagram-portfolio">use a social media site like Instagram</a></span> to display samples of your work. Another approach is to use a platform such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://creativemarket.com/">Creative Market</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/086d117c-cf0e-4a37-86d8-815fe905ad3b_DreamHost-side-hustle-12.jpg" alt="The Creative Market website." width="900" height="373" /> | |
| <p>When you set up an account with Creative Market, you can display your graphic design work to millions of potential clients. It operates as your personal digital storefront. Some of the benefits of using this option, in particular, are that you can set your own prices and you are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.designhill.com/design-blog/top-21-places-to-sell-your-design-work-online/">not locked into selling on Creative Market</a></span> exclusively.</p> | |
| <h3>2. Become a Virtual Assistant</h3> | |
| <p>This is one of the most diverse and versatile options for a side hustle. As a Virtual Assistant (VA), you can completely tailor <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://horkeyhandbook.com/virtual-assistant-services-you-can-offer-your-clients/">your service offerings</a></span> to match your skills or passions. From appointment scheduling to inbox assistance, there is a wide array of items that busy professionals need help with.</p> | |
| <p>If you’re a stay-at-home parent or even a college student looking to bring in a little extra cash, this is a great option. In many cases, this work will involve skills you already have or simple rote tasks. If you’re concerned about striking out on your own, there are websites like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.peopleperhour.com/">PeoplePerHour</a></span> that you can use to get started.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/468a8a49-cd8b-40a8-8221-5a17e309102c_DreamHost-side-hustle-5.jpg" alt="The PeoplePerHour website." width="900" height="419" /> | |
| <p>PeoplePerHour and similar websites work to pair freelancers with projects. Just be aware that you’ll need to have excellent time management and be willing to hustle for each client if you want to make it in the VA world.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/25-ways-make-money-online/">25 Legit Ways You Can Make Money Online</a></h4> | |
| <h3>3. Create a Proofreading Service</h3> | |
| <p>Not everyone is a wordsmith, which means that if you are, there’s plenty of work out there for you to incorporate into a new side hustle. If you’re a fastidious grammarian and enjoy helping others improve their written content, starting up a proofreading service can be very lucrative.</p> | |
| <p>This is another choice that’s perfect for college students. You can work out a schedule that meshes well with your classes, and put that sentence diagramming skillset to use. You can even set up a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-freelance-writer-website/">simple freelancer website</a></span> to describe and highlight your previous work, qualifications, and services, or use a site like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.upwork.com/">Upwork</a></span> to establish a reputation.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/08c8d69f-ac33-4174-884d-96c605a04b71_DreamHost-side-hustle-10.jpg" alt="The Upwork website." width="900" height="417" /> | |
| <p>As a freelancer, you can create a profile on Upwork and search through thousands of posts from people looking for proofreaders. Additionally, if you’re working from home as a proofreader, you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taxes-tax-deductible-work-from-home-2019-4">can deduct many household items</a></span> from your taxes. Just remember that you’ll need to keep a diligent record of your work items and hours.</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h3>4. Open an Amazon Storefront</h3> | |
| <p>The online retail giant Amazon now enables entrepreneurs to create a storefront on its website. If you have a product to offer, you can set up a seller account with Amazon and maximize access to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/846/amazon/">210 million unique monthly visitors</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/c8cd8c8e-9ae7-420a-a145-64cd346a03ae_DreamHost-side-hustle-1.jpg" alt="Amazon’s Seller Central website." width="900" height="345" /> | |
| <p>One of the most intriguing things about using Amazon to support your side hustle is that there are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.sidehustlenation.com/make-money-on-amazon/">so many options</a></span>. You can sell bulk items, offer handmade products, or use Amazon’s print-on-demand services. This is a platform that enables you to market products like custom t-shirts to a vast audience of potential buyers.</p> | |
| <p>There are sometimes fees associated with Amazon’s services, so you’ll have to research the options and decide what works best for you. Additionally, you’ll need to plan to handle shipping yourself, unless you go all in and use the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://services.amazon.com/fulfillment-by-amazon/how-it-works.html">Fulfillment by Amazon</a></span> service.</p> | |
| <h3>5. Offer Errand Services</h3> | |
| <p>This might sound like something you’d do as an enterprising young person in your neighborhood, but in reality, errand-running can be big business. Two common examples are grocery pickups and fast food delivery. This service is often prevalent in cities where not everyone has a car or where there are a lot of senior citizens.</p> | |
| <p>You can easily make use of several websites that already exist in order to try out an errand-running business. For example, sites like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://postmates.com/">Postmates</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.doordash.com/">DoorDash</a></span> focus on grocery and food delivery services.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/b6195eba-7885-4db8-aba9-b5b66374cc8f_DreamHost-side-hustle-13.jpg" alt="The DoorDash website." width="900" height="392" /> | |
| <p>You’ll need to check your local regulations to be sure you have the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://smallbusiness.chron.com/insurance-need-start-errand-business-11763.html">right kind of insurance</a></span> coverage for this side hustle. Additionally, you may have to work extra vehicle maintenance into your overall budget. However, if you have a reliable vehicle and like to interact with people while running errands, this is definitely an opportunity worth considering.</p> | |
| <h3>6. Drive for a Rideshare Company</h3> | |
| <p>In the same vein as errand-running, driving for rideshare companies can be very lucrative, depending on where you live. If you’re interested in driving but aren’t sure if it’s for you, there are some good <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-lyft-driver-how-much-money-2019-10#and-sunday-was-a-disaster-because-of-car-troubles-i-ended-up-spending-430-and-not-driving-a-single-passenger-7">driver reviews</a></span> out there that can tell you how much you’re likely to make on apps like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.uber.com/">Uber</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.lyft.com/">Lyft</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/73d73f1e-da15-4bb5-a2dd-c72ec28cd69f_DreamHost-side-hustle-4.jpg" alt="The Lyft rideshare website." width="900" height="414" /> | |
| <p>Of course, offering driving services can mean you risk picking up people who have been drinking or are trying to break the law. So while just about anyone can try this side hustle (as long as you’ve got a driver’s license, of course), it’s one to consider carefully.</p> | |
| <p>You’ll also want to understand the company policies about safety and what to do in specific situations. However, if you generally like meeting new people and driving around town, this is a side hustle where you have total control over the hours you work.</p> | |
| <h3>7. Start a Repair Service</h3> | |
| <p>Simple home repairs and “handyman” jobs are a possible side hustle to consider if you have a good set of your own tools, and you like fixing things. It doesn’t take much to get started.</p> | |
| <p>Plus, each season brings something new you can market services for. For example, you can offer holiday decoration services for people who can’t string up lights anymore or gutter cleaning in the fall and spring. You can also use different websites like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.taskrabbit.com/">TaskRabbit</a></span> to find jobs and build up a good name for yourself.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/142817d5-7fbd-4aca-9bec-103c40f6a32c_DreamHost-side-hustle-7.jpg" alt="The TaskRabbit freelance website." width="900" height="402" /> | |
| <p>One downside to this kind of work is the fact that you’ll likely be entering people’s homes. This comes with a certain amount of liability and uncertainty. You’ll want to at least make sure you’re insured for anything that might happen on the job.</p> | |
| <h3>8. Design Websites</h3> | |
| <p>Roughly 100,000 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/complete-guide-to-new-tlds/">new website domains</a></span> are added every day to the internet. That’s a lot of new sites — and a lot of potential clients for your new website design side hustle.</p> | |
| <p>Designing websites enables you to select the clients you want to work with, and only work the hours you choose. Plus, user-friendly Content Management Systems (CMSs) like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org">WordPress</a></span> make it much easier to start your own design business.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/c64f8a0f-93f9-4872-9896-3f642001eec8_DreamHost-side-hustle-3.jpg" alt="The WordPress download page." width="900" height="345" /> | |
| <p>Not only is WordPress the most popular and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/">widely-used CMS</a></span> on the market, it’s also open source. This means <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/what-is-wordpress/">there’s a lot of versatility</a></span> when designing with it.</p> | |
| <p>All in all, this option is a great one for anyone with some web design knowledge. You can make use of page builders and other tools and ramp up a web design business quickly, without needing extensive programming skills.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/">A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</a></h4> | |
| <h3>9. Develop and Sell Themes or Plugins</h3> | |
| <p>When it comes to WordPress and side hustles, there are other options besides designing entire websites. As we mentioned previously, WordPress is built on an open-source core. This means that if you have the right programming knowledge, you can easily develop plugins and themes aimed at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/cm-wordpress">35.2% of all websites</a></span> that are currently online.</p> | |
| <p>As with many other side hustles, you can create your own website to promote your work, or you can use an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/top-wordpress-theme-marketplaces-to-find-the-best-themes/">existing marketplace or sales platform</a></span>. The <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/themes/">WordPress Theme</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/">Plugin Directories</a></span> are a great place to submit a free version of your product. This enables you to build a following, and entice people to buy a premium version.</p> | |
| <p>If you’re just starting out and you want to test your skills, there are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/developers-guide-to-wordpress/">a lot of resources</a></span> out there to help you along the way. Using resources on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://github.com/">GitHub</a></span>, an open-source code repository, is another excellent method for learning the ropes.</p> | |
| <h3>10. Manage Social Media Posts</h3> | |
| <p>If you’re great at networking, up on all the latest social platforms, and can juggle 10 accounts at once, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.postplanner.com/how-to-become-a-social-media-manager-in-6-steps/">managing social media posts</a></span> might be just the right side hustle for you. When you’re able to showcase your social media talents to potential clients, you really don’t need any other special qualifications.</p> | |
| <p>There <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> a few skills and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-ways-to-pick-the-best-social-media-platform-for-your-small-business/">applications you might want</a></span> to be able to demonstrate knowledge of, however. This can help set you apart from the competition. For example, mastering applications like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://hootsuite.com/">Hootsuite</a></span> can give you a leg up on your rivals.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/c313a724-ac17-4370-9132-d8025ad49fc5_DreamHost-side-hustle-11.jpg" alt="The Hootsuite social media management app." width="900" height="466" /> | |
| <p>This is an all-in-one social media management application that puts the tools you’ll need as a new social media manager all in one place. Just remember that you’ll want to be mindful of keeping all the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.lifewire.com/social-networking-strategies-for-personal-and-professional-use-2378017">accounts you work with separate</a></span>, and establishing a clear set of terms and conditions with your clients.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/">10 Social Media Marketing Tips for Your Small Business</a></h4> | |
| <h3>11. Sell Items on Etsy</h3> | |
| <p>There are plenty of places to sell handmade items online, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a></span> is one of the best-known options.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/e98a169d-1d33-44bc-a4ab-871e19497a33_DreamHost-side-hustle-9.jpg" alt="The Etsy website." width="900" height="391" /> | |
| <p>When it comes to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ecomdash.com/etsy-selling-tips/">being successful on Etsy</a></span>, reliable customer service can go a long way towards building a following. Posting quality photos and employing <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/">Search Engine Optimization</a></span> (SEO) skills can also help. You’ll also want to make sure you have a marketable product, of course.</p> | |
| <p>Potentially the biggest challenge to making yourself stand out on Etsy is that there will be a lot of competition. You’ll want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://yourcreativeadventure.com/etsy-seller-tips/">do your research</a></span> on how to make sure your shop attracts attention. With that said, Etsy is an excellent option for crafters and makers of any type.</p> | |
| <h3>12. Start a Cottage Food Business</h3> | |
| <p>Another great way to have some fun and bring in extra income in the new year is with a cottage food business. Cottage food <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.pickyourown.org/CottageFoodLawsByState.htm">laws vary from state to state</a></span>, but they typically outline what items can be made and sold in the home without a bakery license. This means you can sell approved items at farmer’s markets, in shops you partner with, or online.</p> | |
| <p>If you’re everyone’s go-to friend for cakes and confections, you might want to consider <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-food-blog/">setting up a food blog</a></span> or promoting your cottage food items on a platform such as Instagram.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ee229bd7-5ecd-4700-9dd5-b7c84a6d79ea_DreamHost-side-hustle-8.jpg" alt="The Magnolia Bakery on Instagram." width="900" height="515" /> | |
| <p>With a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/1882/instagram/">projected 125.5 million users</a></span> in the United States alone by 2023, Instagram is an excellent place to market your products.</p> | |
| <p>The only downside to cottage food endeavors is that they can be limiting. Again, you’ll want to check your state laws for a list of products you can make without a license.</p> | |
| <h3>13. Set Up a Consulting Service</h3> | |
| <p>If many of the above options appeal to you, but you’re more of a “big picture” kind of person, you can always <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/abdullahimuhammed/2017/03/15/how-to-become-a-highly-paid-freelance-consultant/">set up a consulting service</a></span>. This can cover a wide range of professional areas or skills. It’s also an excellent way to make use of abilities you have that you might not be using in your day job.</p> | |
| <p>You’ll want to clearly establish your experience and expertise in the category you’re offering consulting services for. You can make use of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-linkedin-company-page/">a platform like Linkedin</a></span> if you want to present a more professional image.<img src="undefined" alt="" /></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter wp-image-24074 size-full" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2.jpg" alt="The LinkedIn website." width="900" height="414" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-300x138.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-768x353.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-600x276.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-750x345.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/DreamHost-side-hustle-2-100x46.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p>This is also a situation where your portfolio will likely matter a lot. Potential clients will want to know if you have the experience necessary to guide them.</p> | |
| <p>Keep in mind that to start up a successful consulting gig, you’ll want to put together a clear outline of the agreed-upon work for each client. It’s vital to make sure upfront that all parties are on the same page in terms of what the consult will include.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-real-estate-website/">How to Create a Real Estate Website in 4 Steps</a></h4> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Set Yourself Up to Launch a Successful Side Hustle</span></h2> | |
| <p>There’s a reason that getting a supplementary job like the ones listed above is called a <span style="font-style: italic;">side hustle</span>. This approach really does take some energy and ambition if you want to be successful. Plus, it’s not all that uncommon for something that starts out as a gig on the side to eventually become a full-time endeavor.</p> | |
| <p>Whatever your goals might be, there are several ways to set yourself up for success when launching a side hustle. You’ll want to have:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>A clear vision of your objective</li> | |
| <li>Solid time management</li> | |
| <li>A website with a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/">secure and trusted web host</a></span></li> | |
| <li>A financial advisor</li> | |
| <li>The ability to maintain good records</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>There are also many helpful resources available online for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/learning/start-a-side-hustle">learning more about the gig economy</a></span>. There’s really never been a better time to take a chance on something you’ve always wanted to do!</p> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earn $$$ for Your Bank Account</span></h2> | |
| <p>There’s often more to a side hustle than just adding money to your household income. A freelance gig can give you a greater sense of freedom and control. Plus, it never hurts to earn a little extra cash now and then.</p> | |
| <p>You can set yourself up for a successful new side hustle in 2020 by planning ahead carefully and exploring your options. There are plenty of online businesses you can get involved in, such as web design and proofreading, as well as offline options like repair and ridesharing.</p> | |
| <p>Whatever your new adventures are in the new year, DreamHost is here to help support them. With our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-shared-hosting/">shared hosting plans</a></span> and support services for even the smallest budgets, you’ll be one step closer to kicking off your new side hustle successfully!</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/">13 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>Want to Build a Website in 2020? Here’s Your Game Plan</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2020 20:00:44 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sara Atwood]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=17024</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>Feeling committed to making this year better than the last? You’ve probably got your personal goals all set for the new year: read more books, call your mom, eat less pizza, walk off that holiday pie. How’s this for a New Year’s Resolution: Build a successful website from the ground up. Sounds like a lofty […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website/">Want to Build a Website in 2020? Here’s Your Game Plan</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Feeling committed to making this year better than the last? You’ve probably got your personal goals all set for the new year: read more books, call your mom, eat less pizza, walk off that holiday pie.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How’s this for a New Year’s Resolution:</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Build a successful website from the ground up</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Sounds like a lofty goal, but trust us, kid — you’ve got the makings of a champion.</span></p> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="giphy-embed" src="https://giphy.com/embed/l41YvkBOHfmsU6Gas" width="480" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/wta-l41YvkBOHfmsU6Gas">via GIPHY</a></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Building an online presence is like running a marathon. Those exhausting 26.2 miles require long-time endurance built over months of training. Marathoners train one step at a time and complete one mile at a time.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This guide is your training plan. </span></p> | |
| <div class="p-rich_text_section">As your trusty web host and coach, we’re here to keep you on track as you build, grow, secure, and promote your new site. We’ve broken this website workout plan into goals and tasks to complete each quarter throughout 2020, but feel free to work at your own pace. You do the sweating, and we’ll be right beside you with step-by-step instructions, water cups, and cheese-tastic motivational signs.</div> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li><a href="#first-quarter">Build Your Website </a></li> | |
| <li><a href="#second-quarter">Grow Your Website</a></li> | |
| <li><a href="#third-quarter">Secure Your Website</a></li> | |
| <li><a href="#fourth-quarter">Promote Your Website</a></li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p>Sound good? Then tie up your Nikes, pull on your gym shorts, and let’s get to work.</p> | |
| <h2 id="first-quarter"><b>First Quarter: Build Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <h3>Step 1: Decide on Your Mission</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ready to race right off the starting block into</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/crap-need-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">building your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? We love the enthusiasm. But before even reaching the starting line, you need to get in some warm-ups and conditioning to establish a solid foundation. Every good website begins with a thoughtful plan. Open a fresh new digital doc (or grab a pen and paper if you’d prefer to go old school) and complete the following exercises.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Find Your Purpose</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why do you want a website in the first place? What do you hope it will accomplish? Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this website?”</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you looking to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-templates-increase-sales/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">sell a product</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">To share your art or writing</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-your-online-portfolio-fast/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">portfolio</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">To share your thoughts on</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-crafting-perfect-blog/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">To promote your</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-business-website-mistakes-to-avoid/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">new business</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create an</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/6-reasons-why-your-small-business-needs-a-website-now/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">online home</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for your brick-and-mortar store?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-review-site-with-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">host reviews</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The possibilities are endless — but you need to spell out what you want and who your</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/identify-target-market-for-business/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">target audience</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is. Write down what you decide; you’ll use this purpose to guide everything else you do this year.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Set Goals</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time to dive deeper into the reflecting and set some specific goals for your website. Grab your pen (or ready your typing fingers) and, below your website’s purpose, jot down a few goals. There are lots of options.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Site revenue</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Site Traffic</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">More customers in your physical store</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">More followers on social media platforms</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Number of business contacts or leads from your site</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These goals should accomplish your website’s purpose and drive the rest of your plans.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t lose sight of your finish line — and don’t be afraid</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-online-store-become-boss/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">to adjust your goals</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> over the coming months.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Outline Your Content</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You probably shouldn’t bake a cake without a recipe. Likewise, you can’t build your website until you know what components you need to make it a success. So go ahead and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-website-content-audit/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">outline your content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make sure you hit your goals. Consider these components:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Start with your</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-rules-structuring-your-website/"> <b>website’s menu</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> What should its offerings include? And in what order? Rank what’s most important to you — and your goals — at the top.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Do you want to include a blog</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">? This will be helpful for search engine optimization (SEO) — more on that in a minute — encourage engagement and community,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">build your reputation,</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/19-expert-blogging-tips-for-2019/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">establish you as an expert</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If the blog is the cornerstone of your site, take some time to outline (or, for overachievers, write) your first few posts and plan some topics you might write about over the next year.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The “About Me” page is your place to tell your story </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">and describe your business. Don’t skip out on this chance to connect with your customers.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Do you need a spot to describe the products or services</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you’re selling, either online or in your physical store? If your objective is to drum up business directly from the web page, this is essential. Think about categories and subcategories of products, and consider how you might describe or sell them to your website visitors.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>What is included on the</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-design-landing-pages-that-convert/"> <b>homepage</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Your contact information? Maybe, although that could easily be its own page. A</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-edit-your-website-photos/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">memorable photo</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Definitely. Another homepage must-have? A</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-write-website-ctas/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">call to action (CTA)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Your CTA should invite visitors to do something: check out your offerings, sign up for your newsletter, or delve into your blog.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>Step 2: Choose a Domain and Platform</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ready. Get set. We are inching closer to launching your website, but before we can get going, it first needs a name and a place to live.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Pick a Domain Name</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Basically,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-domain-name-registration/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a domain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is what you type into the bar at the top of your browser to point to a specific website. For example, to find us a DreamHost, you type in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">dreamhost.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. A domain consists of two parts:</span></p> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The top-level domain (TLD) — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">In dreamhost.com, the “.com” part is our TLD. The more common TLDs include .com, .net, .org, .info.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/complete-guide-to-new-tlds/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> You can even choose something jazzier, like one of the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">new TLDs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: .party, .site, .pizza, .limo, .store, and more. At least for now, though, .com is still the most common TLD.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>The second-level domain (SLD) — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">In our domain name, that’s “dreamhost.” This is the keyword that will serve as the address for your website.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-domain-name/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Make sure it is specific, descriptive, and memorable</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> so that customers can easily find and remember it.</span></li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jot down a dream domain and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/domains/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">see if it is available for purchase</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If you can’t find (or afford) your first-choice domain name, we’ll help you find other great options.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Pick a Hosting Plan</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your domain name is your website’s address, hosting is the physical space (spoiler: a server) where your website lives.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/managed-wordpress-hosting-guide/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The hosting plan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you choose for your website will impact many things — like how fast your site loads and what kind of maintenance you have to do.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost offers</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> several great options</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to cover a variety of web hosting needs (not that we are biased about this at all, ahem).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For beginners, we recommend</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">shared hosting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. It is affordable, fast, and meets the needs of any basic website (and includes a free domain registration!).</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/when-to-upgrade-your-hosting-plan/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">You can always upgrade</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as your website grows.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Shared Hosting That Powers Your Purpose</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast, secure and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h4>Choose a Platform</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To build your website, you’ll need to pick a platform — and there’s no </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">content management system (CMS)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> better, in our opinion, than </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-crash-course/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. And </span><a href="https://managewp.com/14-surprising-statistics-about-wordpress-usage"><span style="font-weight: 400;">75 million websites agree</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with us. Like <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">any powerful tool</a>, there is a learning curve to WordPress, but the </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-site-cost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">open-source software is free</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to use and pretty beginner-friendly.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 3: Design and Launch</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">OK — with a set of goals, a content outline, a domain, web hosting, and a platform picked for your new website, it is finally time to get building!</span></p> | |
| <h4>Build Your WordPress Website</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Head over to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost’s WordPress hosting page</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, pick the plan that’s right for you,</span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/215525277-How-to-install-WordPress-using-the-One-Click-Installer"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">install WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/most-important-wordpress-settings-for-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">configure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your settings, and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">start building your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Pull out the list of goals and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-rules-structuring-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">content outline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you made in step one, and use it to guide you in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/brand-your-wordpress-theme/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">choosing a theme that matches your brand</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Learn About Web Design Trends and Best Practices</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No, you don’t need to become an expert overnight. And never fear: Those WordPress themes we just mentioned are beautiful and will</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/scary-web-design-mistakes/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">save you from major design blunders</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But here are a few</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-tips-for-a-well-designed-website-as-told-by-a-dreamhost-designer/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">basic pointers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to keep in mind as you get started in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/elements-of-webdesign/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">designing your site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="list-style-type: none;"> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Keep things quick and straightforward — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">From homepage copy to navigation options, think short and sweet.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Don’t fear the blank space — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t feel the need to fill every nook and cranny; elegant emptiness can go a long way.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Keep your menu front and center — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep it easy to find or risk losing visitors.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Mind your</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-typography-affects-website-conversions/"> <b>typography</b></a><b> — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">What you say matters as much as</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> how </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">you say it — and what it looks like.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Pick a color scheme that matches your brand —</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-choose-color-scheme-for-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Color communicates</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, so pick ones that fit the ethos of your website.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Make it accessible — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Expand your audience by making sure your website is usable by everyone,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">including individuals with disabilities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Use templates —</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> When you sign up for a DreamHost plan, you’ll have the option to include </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with your account. This tool makes it easy to use customizable and professional templates to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/grow/customize-your-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">design a beautiful, fully functional WordPress website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. To prove just how versatile this tool is, we put together a tutorial series that demonstrates how you can use WP Website Builder templates to start </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-fitness-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fitness blogs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-food-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> food blogs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-photography-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">photography blogs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-real-estate-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">real estate websites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-restaurant-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">restaurant sites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (to name a few)!</span></li> | |
| </ol> | |
| </li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you lack the skills (or time to learn the skills) to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-web-design-trends-2018/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">design a website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — and have some wiggle room in your budget — consider</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-hire-designer-to-create-custom-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">hiring a professional designer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you customize your site’s look.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-web-design-lessons-star-wars/">10 Web Design Lessons from a Galaxy Far, Far Away</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h4>Launch!</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Go ahead. Send your website out into the world. Take a quick victory lap — you’ve earned it! But don’t lose your momentum; the work has only started.</span></p> | |
| <h2 id="second-quarter"><b>Second Quarter: Grow Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So now you have a website. Yay!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time to beef it up with some strength training. That’s right. Once your site is up and running, turn your attention to attracting more visitors and bringing in some income.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21755" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="450" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-300x150.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-768x384.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-600x300.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-750x375.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-3-100x50.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <h3>Step 4: Monetize Your Site</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ready to bring in the big bucks with a blog or online store? Let’s get you set up.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Review your offerings — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take a look at the products and services you are selling. Is there anything else you can add, especially to entice back past customers? Have you thought about adding an</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-an-online-course-with-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">online course</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or premium</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/worst-blogging-blunders-to-avoid/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">for-pay content to your blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Add some ads — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Include a bit of subtle, tasteful</span><a href="https://www.google.com/adsense/start/?gclid=CMmypYrZ2MUCFUiFfgodnrUA7A#/hl=en&sourceid=aso&subid=na-en-ha-bk_MC&medium=ha?modal_active=none"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">advertising</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your WordPress blog to bring in some additional revenue.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/25-ways-make-money-online/">25 Legit Ways You Can Make Money Online</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Affiliate marketing — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Incorporating</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">affiliate links</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your blog or website is another way to add to your revenue stream. Basically, you’ll promote another brand’s product and provide links to their site. If your readers click and make a purchase, you’ll get a cut of the sale in thanks for your referral.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Investigate e-commerce solutions — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">How are you planning to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sell and accept payment</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your website? You’ll need to get that squared away before promoting your online store. If you’re using WordPress, we recommend</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-templates-increase-sales/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Woocommerce</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (so much so, that we’ve even got</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/woocommerce-hosting/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">hosting just for Woocommerce</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> users). Study up on the world of e-commerce and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-online-payment-gateways-compared/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">pick an online payment gateway</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (watch out for </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-accept-payments-through-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sneaky transaction fees</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-woocommerce-store-with-oceanwp/">How to Build an Awesome Online Store with the OceanWP Theme</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 5: Adopt SEO Best Practices</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once your site is built and prepped to be monetized, you are ready to reel in the traffic with SEO.</span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO is a group of strategies</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> website owners can (and should!) use to appear closer to the top of the results on search engines.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think about it: when you search for something on Google, you probably only scan the first few entries before clicking — and so will your clients. Since Google bases its results ranking on</span><a href="https://searchenginewatch.com/2018/12/10/ranking-signals-2019-optimize/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a variety of factors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, it’s essential to do the following:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Brainstorm keywords relevant to your site — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">What search phrases do you think (or hope) would most likely lead readers to your website? Use Google’s</span><a href="https://adwords.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Keyword Planner</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-keyword-research-wordpress-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">research and discover new keywords</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Optimize your blog posts — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plan content around these keywords and make sure to use them in your posts and headings — but be careful and creative with your placement to avoid creating content that sounds forced. If you need help getting started, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-tools-to-optimize-website-success/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">check out these SEO tools</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Keep it fresh — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Regular updates and new content will give you a search-ranking boost. But don’t be afraid to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/keep-your-blog-fresh-how-to-repurpose-old-posts/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">freshen up and repurpose old content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Create a sitemap</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — Sitemaps, which are basically a hierarchical list of all the pages and content on your site, help Google’s search engine crawlers see and connect the pages on your site, making it easier to present relevant information in search results.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/18-expert-blogging-tips-for-2018/">The Internet’s Most Successful Bloggers Share Their Top Tips</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 6: Take Care of the Details</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that your site has been up and running for a while, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/spring-clean-your-website-with-this-checklist/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">it’s time for some spring cleaning</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Let’s make sure your website is up to par and easy to access for all your potential customers.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Clean and Polish</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start with a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/guide-clean-your-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">few routine upkeep tasks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and set reminders to do them again in another six months:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check for broken links.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Review and edit website copy and high-traffic blog posts.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Update contact information and your “About Me” section.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Test functionality of forms and checkout.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think about your user experience. How can you make it better?</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Review your hosting plan —</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/when-to-upgrade-your-hosting-plan/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">are you ready for an upgrade</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h4>Go Mobile</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take a look at how your site looks on the small screen. If your website isn’t</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">optimized for mobile</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — that is, if it doesn’t</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-amp-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">look as good and load as fast</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">on mobile devices as it does on a computer — you’re missing out. Responsive design matters in 2020.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many potential customers use phones or tablets in place of a home computer, and some</span><a href="https://www.adweek.com/digital/mobile-shopping-is-on-the-rise-but-remains-split-between-the-mobile-web-and-apps/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">shop on the go</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Plus, your</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-declares-mobile-%C2%ADfriendly-a-must-for-seo/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Google search rankings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> could hurt if your website isn’t mobile-friendly. Pull your website up on your smartphone, and make any</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-wordpress-website-for-mobile/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">necessary changes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Review Your Traffic</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you haven’t already, install</span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/216474217-Google-Analytics"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Google Analytics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> onto your WordPress website. Google Analytics is a plugin that tracks and analyzes key data about your website, including:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Page views — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">At a glance, this stat will reveal your most popular pages and posts in the past day, month, and year.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Unique visitors — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using IP addresses, Google Analytics will track how many unique visitors your site attracts.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Bounce rate — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes visitors will click away from your site after viewing only one page; this stat will let you know how often that dreaded “bounce” happens.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Session duration — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">When someone visits your site, how long do they stick around? Check this number for the answer.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Traffic source — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You might suddenly see an increase in traffic to a particular page, and Google Analytics will help you pinpoint what link is sending the visitors.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/the-four-metrics-every-blogger-needs-to-track/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Studying these statistics</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">will help you find changes to make to draw more visitors and encourage them to stay longer (and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-wordpress-plugins-drive-conversions-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">hopefully make a purchase</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/use-google-analytics-wordpress/">Learn How to Grow Your Website with Google Analytics</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2 id="third-quarter"><b>Third Quarter: Secure Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time to work on endurance: You want your website to stick around for the long haul. Now it’s time to beef up your security practices and protect your data.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21756" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="450" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-300x150.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-768x384.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-600x300.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-750x375.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-4-100x50.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <h3>Step 7: Tighten Website Security</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to security, you can rest easy at night: you’re already on the right track to keeping your information and customer’s data safe with</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-wordpress-security-plugins/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/qa-how-dreamhost-keeps-websites-safe/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But there are a few additional steps you can take to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/secure-your-wordpress-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">tighten up security</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Switch to HTTPS — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “S” in</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ultimate-guide-ssl-tls/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">HTTPS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> stands for “secure,” and it is (surprise) the more secure version of HTTP, encrypting your data as it is transferred from your website to a user’s browser. Add that all-important “S” by</span><a href="https://letsencrypt.org/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">getting an SSL/TLS certificate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (offered for free with all DreamHost hosting plans).</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Enable a firewall — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">You probably have a firewall on your computer,</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-security-through-obscurity/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">protecting you from unwanted attacks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. And, if you’re one of our customers, lucky you: DreamHost includes a built-in Web Application Firewall (WAF) to offer your website similar protection.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Use two-factor authentication — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">This will require you to sign in to your site with a code that’s first sent to your mobile phone. While it can be a bit of a hassle on your end, this step goes a long way in keeping your site secure. Use a WordPress plugin like</span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/two-factor-authentication/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Two-Factor Authentication</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Add an SSL security certificate —</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> At DreamHost, we want you and your website’s users to feel confident about their data and financial transactions. We also want you to be able to focus on building your website’s following — that’s why </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/216539548-Adding-a-free-Let-s-Encrypt-certificate"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we offer SSL/TLS certificates free</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with all of our hosting plans!</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Backup your site — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hackers gonna hack. Even with all your efforts to secure your site, security breaches and other disasters are still a possibility. So make sure to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-back-up-your-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">regularly backup your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. That way, if the unthinkable happens, you won’t lose all of your digital property.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Scan for malware — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hackers can really mess things up for your website by installing</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-malware/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">malware</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which can mess with the code and steal secure data. Scan your site regularly to make sure it’s clean. DreamHost customers can sign up for</span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/226704048-How-do-I-enable-the-Malware-Remover-service-"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamShield</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, an add-on that will</span><a href="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/enhance-dreamshield-security-audit-log/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">automatically scan your site for malware</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Pick a strong password</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — Don’t make it easy for just anyone to walk into your digital front door;</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-strong-passwords/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">choose a password</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that is long, uncommon, and used only for your website.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h3>Step 8: Speed Things Up</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nothing is more of a drag than a sluggish website. Keep your website</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">up to speed by</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Installing a caching plugin for faster load times — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “cache” is where your computer stores recently used information, such as the files of a recently visited website. A</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/caching-solutions-for-WordPress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">caching WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> pulls data from the local cache instead of reloading it fully every time, thus speeding things up.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Optimizing your images — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">High-res photos can take an extra-long hot second to load, but there’s</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/using-images-video-wordpress-blog/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">no need to sacrifice quality</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Testing your speed — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even if it seems like your page is loading normally, get in the habit of regularly</span><a href="https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">testing your speed</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Simply type your URL into Google’s PageSpeed insights for a quick analysis and tips to get a faster score.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-fix-slow-website/">12 Reasons Why Your Website Is Slow (And How to Fix Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 9: Prepare for Trolls</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By the time you’ve reached this step, you’ve probably got fans. But as your site builds a community, it will also attract some of the slimier creatures lurking in the anonymity of the web: spammers, trolls, and cruel commentators. Keep these thoughts in mind as</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-stop-internet-trolls/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">you deal with the underbelly of the web</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Don’t feed the trolls — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is rule No. 1 when it comes to trolls. Don’t engage; it will just feed the fire.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Understand the difference between trolling and disagreement — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not everyone who disagrees with you is a troll; usually, they are legitimate readers with a different viewpoint. Feel free to defend yourself and your arguments, and be open to changing your mind — and reminding aggressive commenters to play nice.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Establish a commenting policy — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spell out for your readers how you expect them to behave, what the consequences are for violations, and make clear that trolls are not invited to the party.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Block or delete — </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">If a trolling post gets too out of hand, don’t be afraid to step in and shut it down.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2 id="fourth-quarter"><b>Fourth Quarter: Promote Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Congratulations! You’re officially three-quarters of the way through this marathon [splashes water on face]. Don’t lose that momentum; continue strong and steady to the finish line. Think of all the orange slices awaiting you. To get there, your next task is</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-marketing-your-website-increasing-traffic/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">promotion</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21753" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="450" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-300x150.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-600x300.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-750x375.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/how-to-start-a-website-1-100x50.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <h3>Step 10: Advertise</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve got a great thing going, and it’s time to tell the world. Advertising, even for the beginner website owner, is a no-brainer that can be simple, effective, and</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/35-ways-to-promote-your-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">affordable</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Try your hand at two basic types of targeted advertising:</span></p> | |
| <h4>Pay-Per-Click Advertising</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A good SEO strategy will organically move you to the top of the search results. With</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ppc-guide/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you’ll take matters more into your own hands by </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">paying </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">to land atop the search engine result pages (SERPs). The best part? You only have to pay for premium placement if someone clicks on your link. You choose the keywords you want to bring up your ad, and you can set and limit your own budget.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Social Media Advertising</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook is a well-oiled, data-collecting machine, and you can use its power to target advertising</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">directly to your ideal audience</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You can create a</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook ad</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that reaches users based on specific info such as age, gender, interests, etc. As with Google Adwords, you’ll set a budget and pay for clicks.</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-incorporate-instagram-wordpress/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Get on Instagram</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and leverage your feed and stories for some great free advertising for your brand. Follow this</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-ways-to-pick-the-best-social-media-platform-for-your-small-business/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">guide to narrow down which social media platform</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you should use for your business.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 11: Market with Email</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Email is one of the best tools your e-commerce site has for finding new customers, bringing back previous ones, and maintaining relationships.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Learn the Basics</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Study up on</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">email marketing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a tried-and-true marketing method that involves collecting email addresses as a way to share content and build relationships with current and potential customers.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Collect Email Addresses</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can’t send any mail if you don’t know where it’s going. But don’t be spammy and shady about it; create opt-in forms directly on your site inviting visitors to subscribe. Try offering something</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/email-marketing-wordpress-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">in exchange for an email address,</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> such as a discount off a first purchase or access to a free ebook.</span></p> | |
| <h4>Create an Email Newsletter</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Email newsletters remain</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-an-email-newsletter/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">one of the best ways</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to connect with your customers, so create one and make it the center of your email marketing strategy. Use it as a way to</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-media-kit-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">showcase your voice and your brand</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, share news and upcoming events for your business, and introduce new products (but don’t be too pushy). Send it out regularly, loaded with fresh content, and then solicit feedback.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h4>Bring Your Customers Back</h4> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond a newsletter, what other</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/14-emails-website-owners-should-send/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">types of emails</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will engage your customers? Always send purchase receipts and make sure to welcome new subscribers. Consider reaching out to past customers to announce sales, share discounts, and invite them back to the fold.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Step 12: Get Creative</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that you’ve covered your bases with advertising and email marketing, dig deeper and get a little creative in extending your website’s reach. Try out these promotion ideas:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Get yourself some</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-no-brainer-seo-tips-total-beginners/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">non-spammy backlinks</span></a></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">holiday cheer to your marketing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or consider a</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/black-friday-cyber-monday-tech-deals/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Black Friday sale</span></a></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Register with</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/scaling-your-business-online/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">online directories</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> so Googlers can find your brick-and-mortar location along with your website</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Connect with micro-influencers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, minor celebrities in your area of expertise, whose endorsements may point their followers to your site</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create a</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-a-loyalty-program-for-your-site/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">customer loyalty program</span></a></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve made it to the finish line! You’ve worked hard, and your website is certainly one to be proud of. Now, hit the showers, champ.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And if you haven’t launched your site yet, we’re here for you. Start off on the right foot with DreamHost’s shared hosting plan. It’s the most affordable way to make all your website dreams come true — seriously, plans start at just $2.59/month — without sacrificing quality and performance. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Create your website today</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website/">Want to Build a Website in 2020? Here’s Your Game Plan</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>20 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses to Make in 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Mon, 23 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kasee Bailey]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tech Talk]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[small business]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/?p=21236</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>The end of a decade! Can you believe it? This year — and the past 10 — have seen us through some pretty noteworthy stuff. Should we take a reminiscent jaunt down memory lane? Let’s recall the launch of the first iPad and the inception of Instagram — yep, both happened in 2010! — plus […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/">20 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses to Make in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The end of a decade! Can you believe it? This year — and the past 10 — have seen us through some </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">pretty</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> noteworthy stuff. Should we take a reminiscent jaunt down memory lane? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s recall the launch of the first iPad and the inception of Instagram — yep, both happened in 2010! — plus the pop culture renaissance and reboots. There have been Royal Wedding(s), auditory earworms (looking at you, “Gangnam Style”), and addictive apps. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the rise of AI and voice assistants to Beyonce’s twins and Tesla’s takeover, from </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strangers Things</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and superheroes to rap musicals about the founding fathers, I think we can we agree — this decade has been a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">wild</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> ride. But with the end of another 365 days, it’s time to say </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">adieu</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to the 2010s.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cheers, 2019. Thanks for the memories.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But now, letting bygones be bygones, we’re ready to ring in 2020 with a bang, starting with some high-powered business goals. What are you resolving to do in the new year? Forget hitting the gym more or writing a novel (although those are definitely worthwhile objectives). This year, we want you to commit to taking your small business to the next level — and actually reach your goal! Now is the perfect time to look forward. Here are 20 ways you can resolve to build a better, more prosperous business in 2020.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>We Support Your Dreams</h2><p>Whatever your goals, DreamHost will be right there with you, making sure your site is fast, secure, and always up. Hosting plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>1. Build a Website </b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fact of the matter is, if you’re running a business in the 21st century, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/6-reasons-why-your-small-business-needs-a-website-now/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">you </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">need</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> an online presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Even if you have endless tasks on your small business to-do list, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/why-your-website-still-matters-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">prioritizing the presence of your own web content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is critical. Web users need to be able to find and connect with you virtually — that fact is elementary, Watson.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But building a website to showcase your business doesn’t have to be a complicated or an expert-level-only endeavor. And the how-to aspects of creating a website </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-problems-keeping-small-biz-owners-awake/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">don’t have to keep you up at night</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Any small business can — and should — have a website. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-build-website-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start with a game plan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and determine your goals, then dig into the necessary technical tasks, based on your needs.</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want </b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/build-low-maintenance-wordpress-website/"><b>a blog that’s low maintenance</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (hey, we </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">so</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> get it — you have enough to do!)? We’ll help you keep things simple.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Prefer to leave it to the experts? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">DreamHost makes it easy to get a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-hire-designer-to-create-custom-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">custom-designed website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>If you want some autonomy, </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">but still need a little hand-holding, you can get a simple — but snazzy — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress site up and running in a jiffy</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Or, you can be guided through the entire site-building process</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by utilizing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/products/wp-site-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21506" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-2-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The best part? You can usually get a great-looking, functional website in </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-set-up-dreamhost-site-under-an-hour/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">less time than it takes to finish a Netflix episode</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Boo-yah.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With a website, you’re reaching people even when you’re asleep — meaning, your business isn’t limited to a brick-and-mortar location. Your site will help you to build your brand and connect with audiences.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-business-website-mistakes-to-avoid/">Building Your Own Business Website? Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>2. Be Social</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, it’s good to get out and socialize (and seek new networking opportunities, perhaps?), but the kind of social activity we mean is mainly virtual. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Engaging with audiences on social media is essential to getting your business seen, building your brand, and developing a loyal following. Plus, plugging into social platforms gives you new ways to connect and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">promote your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21507" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-3-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not yet fluent in the social jargon of snaps, double-taps, tweets, and apps? We’ve got </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a few social tips and tricks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for your hard-working small business, like advice on writing killer captions, curating content, monitoring competitors, harnessing hashtags, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing with micro-influencers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and showcasing your brand’s voice. Plus, we’ll ease your mind about biting off more social than you can chew (hint: you don’t have to use </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the platforms).</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>3. Write a Blog</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Believe us, blogging is </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">not</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a thing of the past. Creating your own content on a personal or business blog is still a powerful means of engaging with your audience and providing value to consumers, sharing your expertise, building your brand, and growing your business. Remember the oft-quoted adage: content is king? Well, we’d go so far as to say that content is the Beyonce of the internet. The Queen, capital Q. That fact hasn’t changed, no matter the landscape of the internet.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Getting a killer blog up and running </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/infographic-simple-tips-to-start-your-own-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">doesn’t have to be complicated</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/start-a-wordpress-site-in-5-minutes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">time-consuming</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21514" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-10-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And even if you’re aren’t an OG of the blogosphere, don’t worry. When it comes to blogging, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-crafting-perfect-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we say, “Beginners welcome</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!” (Just strive to avoid </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/worst-blogging-blunders-to-avoid/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">these blogging blunders</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To begin, learn from the mouth of the experts — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/18-expert-blogging-tips-for-2018/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">some of the internet’s best bloggers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — about what makes a five-star blog, and then take notes from </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">these company blogs that boast killer online reps</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <h2><b>4. Rank Higher Through SEO</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Obviously, one of your main goals as a small business is to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">grow</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your business. That means you need to start attracting audiences. Promoting your blog on social media and producing great content aren’t the only tactics you need to get found by your target audiences — you must also </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-tools-to-optimize-website-success/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">prime your site to rank highly</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on search engines. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You need to rank high if you want sales: </span><a href="https://v12data.com/blog/consumer-shopping-trends-stats/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">81%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of shoppers conduct online research on products before making a purchase, but </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/insiders/inbound-marketing-stats"><span style="font-weight: 400;">75%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of people never scroll past the first page of search engine results. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21505" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-1-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enter Search Engine Optimization (SEO). </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Good SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> starts with a quality hosting provider and involves everything from </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-best-practices-for-domains/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your domain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-blog-structure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your site structure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To grow your business, you need to start implementing strategies to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">drive traffic to your site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — SEO is one of the most effective ways to rank higher in search engines and increase visibility. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-keyword-research-wordpress-blog/">How to Do Keyword Research for Your WordPress Blog</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>5. Get Mobile-Friendly</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mobile matters. OK, so </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">maybe we’re a broken record on this topic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">seriously</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, if you aren’t optimizing your site for use on mobile devices, you’re harming your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.augustash.com/our-blog/mobile-friendly-websites-2019"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sixty-one percent</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing, and 40% will jump ship and visit a competitor’s site instead. Ouch. What’s more, </span><a href="https://getgist.com/mobile-friendly-google/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google rewards mobile-friendly sites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with better rankings. That’s a lot — sales, conversions, traffic, search engine placement, UX, responsiveness — riding on your bottom line. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mobile rules e-commerce: </span><a href="http://frontburnermarketing.net/37-mobile-optimization-stats/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">66%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of online shopping time is being consumed on smartphones, and that number seems only to be increasing with each year. Not only are consumers using smartphones to search (more Google searches </span><a href="http://adwords.blogspot.com/2015/05/building-for-next-moment.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">take place on mobile devices</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> than on computers in 10 countries, including the U.S.) and make purchases (</span><a href="https://makeawebsitehub.com/mobile-marketing-statistics/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">70%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of all mobile searches result in action within one hour), but they’re not letting mobile devices out of their sight: </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/24082/9-Amazing-Mobile-Marketing-Statistics-Every-Marketer-Should-Know.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">91%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of American adults have their smartphone within arms reach 24/7.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking these numbers into account, you can see that </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-wordpress-website-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">mobile optimization</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> affects nearly every aspect of your business, from brand building to traffic generating, to customer service, to establishing relationships. Plus, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-declares-mobile-%C2%ADfriendly-a-must-for-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google will not be friendly</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in its rankings to sites that aren’t optimized for mobile, which harms your SEO, and therefore, your </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">traffic-building efforts</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You don’t want that.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21515" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-11-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having a website optimized for small screens is a thou-shalt that simply </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">has</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to be a part of your small biz commandments this year if you want a more successful business.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start thinking mobile by taking a </span><a href="https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly"><span style="font-weight: 400;">responsiveness test drive</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, working on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">improving your site’s load times</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, redesigning your site pop-ups, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-amp-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">enabling AMPs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">making an app</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — if that works for your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-fix-slow-website/">12 Reasons Why Your Website Is Slow (And How to Fix Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>6. Find Your Target Audience</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have you ever taken the time to think about who you’re actually trying to reach with your business? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead of broadly and ineffectively casting a wide net, take the time to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/identify-target-market-for-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">define your target audiences</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> so that your marketing and other efforts are focused enough to have a real, meaningful effect for your business. Determining exactly who your target markets are — starting with the who, when, how, and why — gives your business the benefit of being able to appeal to those most likely to engage with you. Your business can’t be everything for everyone, so don’t try. </span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/surveys/#?modal_active=none"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do the research</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, identify your niche, and run your business with its target audiences in mind. This focus will give purpose and meaning to every business decision you make — from the design of your site to the kind of content you produce to the way you market that content — and yourself.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then, once you’ve zeroed in on your target audiences, ask them to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">do</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> something with </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-write-website-ctas/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your winningest CTAs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">FYI: even with a target audience bullseye in mind, it’s necessary to make </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your website accessible</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> users, including people with different abilities, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-design-lgbtq-inclusive-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">LGBTQ+ groups</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-website-localization/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">those who speak languages</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> other than English. Inclusivity is just good business.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>7. Improve Your Email Marketing</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, it’s often overlooked if you’re not in a ‘90s Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks rom-com, but truth be told, email can be </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">very</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> powerful. How powerful? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, a whopping </span><a href="http://www.mailigen.com/blog/infographic-segmented-emails-is-what-the-future-holds/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">89% of marketers</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">say that email is their primary channel for lead generation — and they </span><a href="https://www.extole.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gigaom-and-Extole-Research.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">consistently rank email</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">s the single-most-effective tactic for meeting their awareness, acquisition, conversion, and retention goals. They’ve branded it, fittingly, “</span><a href="http://www.dmnews.com/email-marketing/consumers-keep-those-emails-comin/article/396332/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the workhorse</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” and prove </span><a href="https://marketingexperiments.com/email-marketing/data-points-for-a-bigger-budget"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your marketing budget should include more</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">money allotted for an invested email strategy. This seemingly-archaic medium </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">(</span><a href="https://econsultancy.com/blog/5402-could-email-fatigue-give-social-media-the-upper-hand-with-marketers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">which was predicted to decline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, btw) is </span><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/business/business-reporter/11133546/email-marketing.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">increasingly relevant</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">— unlike screen names or Myspace pages — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/35-ways-to-promote-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">for site owners</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">looking to build customer relationships and augment sales.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And marketers aren’t the only ones cheering on Team Email:</span> <a href="https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/case-study/customer-communication-by-channel"><span style="font-weight: 400;">72% of consumers</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">say email is their favorite method of communication with companies they do business with, and </span><a href="https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/chart/how-customers-want-promo-emails"><span style="font-weight: 400;">61% say</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">they </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">like</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to receive promotional emails every week from businesse</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">s.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21512" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="737" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-300x246.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-768x629.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-600x491.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-750x614.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-8-100x82.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So educate yourself: get the 411 on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dodging the spam folder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and providing valuable content that customers want to see enter their inboxes. Learn about </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/14-emails-website-owners-should-send/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the types of emails</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you should be sending your followers (like the increasingly prevalent email </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-an-email-newsletter/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">newsletter</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), set goals, work on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/email-marketing-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">building your ever-important email list</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and start connecting with more of your customers in their inboxes.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>8. Fine Tune Your Customer Service</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You probably already know this, but </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-your-online-business-can-nail-customer-service-during-holidays/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">excellent customer service</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> doesn’t just take place behind a counter anymore. Like most things in the online age, customer service interactions are increasingly transparent and web-based, with virtual-word-of-mouth effects that have the power to make or break your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, good customer service practices are </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">essential</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to modern and future businesses. Soon, </span><a href="https://www.score.org/resource/infographic-happy-customers-win-small-business"><span style="font-weight: 400;">customer service is expected to become more significant</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> than price </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">or</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> product when customers decide who gets their business. No pressure, right?</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s raise the stakes a little more. As it turns out, bad customer service does some serious damage to your business. Data evidence shows that </span><a href="https://www.quicksprout.com/user-retention/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">71% of consumers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — yep, nearly three-quarters of ‘em — have terminated their relationship with a company due to poor customer service. Yikes. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s not all. You’re actually helping out your </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">competitors</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> when you don’t prioritize top-notch customer service experiences. </span><a href="https://www.quicksprout.com/user-retention/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sixty-one percent of customers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will take their business to a competitor after a negative customer service experience.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21517" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="598" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-300x199.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-768x510.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-750x498.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-13-100x66.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Building </span><a href="https://blog.podium.com/good-customer-service-skills/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">strong customer service principles</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — like professionalism, communication, and active listening — help you to be more profitable, for one. It’s </span><a href="https://blog.kissmetrics.com/retaining-customers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">seven times more expensive</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones, and </span><a href="https://www.jitbit.com/news/customer-service-skills/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">58%</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of consumers are willing to spend more on those companies that provide excellent customer service. That makes more than dollars and sense.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What’s more, by providing customers — and those elusive potential buyers — with a killer customer service experience, you’re setting your business up for success: better sales, repeat customers, strong relationships, a distinguished brand reputation, and those coveted five-star </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-review-site-with-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">reviews</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. So start putting your best (virtual) face forward by demanding gold-star customer service experiences from your business.</span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>9. Build Your Brand</strong></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the influx of social media and e-businesses, we see the word </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">brand</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> tossed around haphazardly. What really is a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">brand</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Why is it so crucial to build one? How can you establish your business’ brand?</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inherent to branding is your business identity: getting seen — and becoming known — by your target audiences. With strong branding, you have the opportunity to become an authority in your field or industry and build loyal customer followings. Think of building your brand awareness as establishing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your e-reputation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like we talked about with target audiences (see No. 6), your niche — and the brand you ultimately build — determine your business decisions; it impacts the voice, feel, style, and substance of your content and website, and on a more technical level, your operations, management, interactions, and marketing efforts. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think about some of the most popular brands out there: Nike, Disney, Coca-Cola, for example. They all have recognizable and unique brands. You may not be setting your sights on global domination (yet), but these big-wigs prove that building your brand is a crucial to-do for excelling in business.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">12 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>10. Run A/B Tests</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Talk to any experienced website owner and they’ll likely let you in on a little small biz secret — no one gets it right the first time. This applies to multiple aspects of your business (hello, learning curve), but </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">especially</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your website. A fine-tuned, well-performing site requires time and tweaking to perfect. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll want to regularly run tests on your site to see what is — and what isn’t — working best for your visitors and your bottom line.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21508" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-768x513.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-600x401.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-750x501.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-4-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This important trial and error process doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly technical. Simple </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ab-testing-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A/B testing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (AKA </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the comparison of two variations of a single webpage, design, ad, or other marketing media to determine which version converts more successfully), when strategized, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">can give you valuable insight on performance to help you adjust and refine the various aspects your website — everything from CTAs to images to copy length. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What results is valuable insight that you can analyze to help your site — and ultimately, your business — improve. Three cheers for progress! That’s what resolutions are all about, right?</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>11. Meet Customers in Person</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The day and age in which we do business are replete with 21st-century benefits: new and innovative technology, evolving e-commerce landscapes, and the unique opportunity of being able to connect with anyone, anywhere. Talk about living in the iGeneration!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But even with all the technological latest-and-greatest and virtual advancements, the truth is, you </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">need</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> some quality, in-person face time with your customers. Step out from behind your .com and interact with those supporting and championing your small biz. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21516" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-12-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Work to host meetups, workshops, or even informal get-togethers, and spend time on the ground floor of your brick-and-mortar (if you have one). Express genuine gratitude to customers for their patronage and support, and seek to get to know them.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only will this boost your customer service rep, but it will give you insight on how to better serve your audiences. In both respects, you’re building a better business. And that’s what 2020 is all about.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At DreamHost, we </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">thrive</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on meeting our awesome users IRL. That’s why we host and support collaborative </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/girl-develop-it-comes-to-dreamhost/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">learning events</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-a-wordcamp/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordCamps</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/2017-reach-out-tour/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">multi-city tours</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — to meet YOU.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>12. Get Involved in Your Community</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Trust in this knowledge: you have something of value to contribute to your community, whether it be your purely virtual e-community or IRL associations. Get involved and lift your business — and society you live in — together. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some ideas? Learn from others. Collaborate, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/crowdfunding-on-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">crowdfund</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/pitching-support-open-web/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pitch in together for noble causes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/become-a-wordpress-contributor/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">share knowledge</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another life- and business-altering effort? </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/support-women-in-tech/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support and champion</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> those on whom the spotlight isn’t often shined — especially </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/state-of-women-in-tech/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">women</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/like-black-woman-tech-qa-kaya-thomas/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">minorities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — and help them to get involved in business and tech, and help your community diversify.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The effects of your efforts will be far-reaching both for your business and the communities you are a part of. We really are all in this together.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>13. Research Web Design Trends</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a small business and website owner, you need to stay on top of the trends. No, we’re not talking about the in-season looks gracing the catwalks of NYFW. We mean </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-web-design-trends/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">web design trends</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Did you know? Design on the web goes through phases and fads, too. Keep tabs on what’s in style (minimalism and asymmetry, anyone?) and what is </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">sooo</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 2019 to keep your site relevant, engaging, and looking fresh with a capital F.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21509" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="589" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-300x196.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-768x503.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-600x393.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-750x491.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-5-100x65.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/elements-of-webdesign/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website design fundamentals</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are basic and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/web-design-dos-and-donts/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">some design to-dos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> never go out of style, while other design trends vary from year to year. Do your research to stay in the know; then </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-redesign-checklist/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">consult your design checklist</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, channel your inner Chip and Joanna, and build a beautiful — and en vogue — website. Shiplap not required.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>14. Create a Staging Site</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like we talked about with goal No. 10, often the best websites take time — and testing — to really get right. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-staging-beginners-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Setting up a staging site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a great way to test your site and fix errors — without letting your live site miss a beat (or risking unnecessary or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/your-website-downtime-survival-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">unanticipated downtime</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How does a staging site work? Well, it’s pretty simple. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as a testing or development site, a staging site is a standalone copy of your website (whether that be a blank site or carbon copy of your existing one) that you can use to try out site fixes or changes — like new plugins or themes or bug fixes before implementing them on your live, or public, site. Your staging site is for your eyes and testing purposes only — it’s a private site that only you can access. Staging sites can be offline and stored on a local computer or hosted online but marked as private.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you can guess, staging sites are beneficial for many reasons. First, it provides you with a safe environment to experiment with site changes before implementing them on your live website. Whether you’re a perfectionist or simply want to improve your website, a staging environment allows you to tweak until you get it </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">just</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> right. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21510" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-6-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Second, staging sites facilitate the learning process. You’re not going to know </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-crash-course/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">everything about WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (or whatever CMS you use) right away, so staging sites give you a way to learn as you experiment incorporating plugins, themes, or custom code on the platform. Think of it as your low-risk, no-pressure website playground.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lastly, staging sites provide you with the perfect place to test solutions for bugs and fix any troublesome site errors. You can, of course, maintain and tweak your website on your public site. Still, live maintenance creates the risk of something on your site breaking, slowing loading times, or causing other interferences in your visitors’ experience on your website. Not ideal.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year, resolve to simplify and streamline your live website maintenance. Create a staging site to make sure everything on your website is working correctly — and to your liking — before implementing changes to your live site and welcoming traffic to it.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-back-up-your-wordpress-website/">How to Back up Your WordPress Website — A Complete Guide</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>15. Stay Up to Date on Marketing Innovations</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like design trends (No. 13), marketing tactics are ever-evolving. The small business owners of yesteryear looking to get eyes on their goods weren’t </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-podcast-wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pushing new podcast episodes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, managing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">micro-influencers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or fishing for Facebook likes. </span><a href="https://www.marketingweek.com/marketing-through-the-ages-2000s-dilemmas-digital/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marketing really has come a long way</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> since the early 2000s.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The way you </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-marketing-your-website-increasing-traffic/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">build traffic and promote your content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is likely to transform as industries and digital landscapes change, and as your business grows. Plus, things change as marketers are continually discovering new, innovative ways to connect with customers, giving you new opportunities to learn and engage with your audiences. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes these new strategies are merely building off of foundational tried-and-true tactics, like implementing </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">seasonal</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or niche-related touches onto your current marketing efforts of developing a social media presence, growing and maintaining an email list, advertising, and running a company blog. And other times, they’re entirely new approaches to reaching customers — like the recent developments in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and voice search.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21511" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-750x500.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-7-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keeping up with current marketing innovations means </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/marketing-trends"><span style="font-weight: 400;">doing your research</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and implementing the latest marketing tactics that make the most sense for your business. Guided by your overall business goals, you can develop an up-to-date marketing strategy that couples the best of old and new marketing innovations.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>16. Use PPC Advertising</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There really is a lot to small biz advertising, and it can be overwhelming for newbies — and beginner budgets. But promoting your site and attracting audiences through advertising doesn’t have to be overly-complicated or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/35-ways-to-promote-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pricey</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This year, give </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ppc-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">PPC advertising</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a go. PPC, or pay-per-click, works like this:</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A search engine query displays both organic results (the sites that come up because they are relevant based on their keywords, SEO strategy, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/keeping-a-fresh-blog-what-to-do-with-your-old-blog-posts/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fresh content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and responsive design) and paid search results. You’ve likely seen this second type of result identified with an “Ad” or “Sponsored” label.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paid search — as the name suggests — involves dishing out dollars to have your website appear in the sponsored sections of search engine results and corresponding partner sites. Both organic and paid searches appear in search results, just in different locations. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">PPC allows you to have your website appear in the sponsored/ad results, but the best part? You only pay for it when someone clicks on your ad. With PPC, your business can take advantage of the web’s virtual rush hour of clicks in a wallet-friendly and low-risk way.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>17. Try Out Some New Tools</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new year means new opportunities for trying things that are, well, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">new</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The end of one 365 and the beginning of another can motivate you to run, skip, or hop out of your comfort zone and expand your range of skills and knowledge. Start by experimenting with some new tools that help you build your business.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21513" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-768x513.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-600x401.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-750x501.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-9-100x67.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s get some ideas flowing:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to build your own website?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Check out </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/products/wp-site-builder/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WP Website Builder</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, our easy-to-use site creator.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to boost your SEO in big ways?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Easy. There are </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-tools-to-optimize-website-success/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">tons</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of tools for that</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to open up your own e-shop? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Test out </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WooCommerce,</span></a> <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/woocommerce-shopify-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shopify</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-magento/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magneto</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We’ll show you how.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Are you a WordPress groupie (</b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/why-dreamhost-loves-wordpress/"><b>join the club!</b></a><b>) looking to take advantage of the platform’s </b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-gutenberg-for-designers/"><b>latest and greatest features</b></a><b>?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Check our our </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/tutorials/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress tutorials</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Want to become a coding master? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve compiled </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-online-resources-learn-to-code/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">more than seventy tools</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you with that.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Looking to explore other </b><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/comprehensive-guide-to-content-management-systems/"><b>CMS</b></a><b> options? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-drupal/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drupal</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-joomla/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joomla</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you’re </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-online-resources-learn-to-code/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">learning a new (digital) language</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, familiarizing yourself with </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-makes-up-a-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the ins-and-outs of WordPress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or meeting millennials on their turf of a new </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-ways-to-pick-the-best-social-media-platform-for-your-small-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social networking</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> site, trying out new tools will help you become a more well-rounded and knowledgeable small biz owner — an advantage that’s bound to help you build a better business in the new decade.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-web-management-tools-for-small-businesses/">The 7 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>18. Give Back</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just because you’re a business looking to make $$$ doesn’t mean you can’t also give back to the communities and customers helping you grow — or to those causes that resonate with you personally. Seek out opportunities to flex your business’ philanthropic muscles and give back in meaningful ways — and not just during the holidays.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For our 20th birthday in 2017, we celebrated by </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10000-clean-water/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">gifting more clean water to the world</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — with your help! Our joint efforts to bankroll more community-owned clean water projects around the world resulted in a </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/thanks-for-the-water/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">$9,500+</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> donation. And you know what? Giving back felt good. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Really</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> good.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21518" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="637" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-300x212.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-768x544.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-600x425.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-750x531.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/resolutions-small-biz-14-100x71.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether your giving efforts </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/coding-for-the-greater-good-initiatives-to-bring-humanity-into-technology/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tie into tech</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or not, joining with your community and offering of your time or substance will not only result in a return of positive juju, but it will give more meaning to your day-to-day work.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>19. Subscribe to the DreamHost Blog </b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24043" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1.jpg" alt="The DreamHost Blog." width="900" height="619" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-300x206.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-768x528.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-600x413.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-750x516.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/new-year-resolutions-1-100x69.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to being </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your hosting gurus</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, one of our goals (not just this year, but </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">every</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> year) is to provide you with relevant, useful content that helps you reach your small business and website goals. Follow along with us on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">our DreamHost blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for a continued stream of valuable articles designed to keep you learning and improving your business all year long. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here you can find profiles on </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/meet-the-creative-couple-behind-craftograph/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website owners making big moves with DreamHost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/complete-guide-to-new-tlds/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">complete guides on every tech topic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">beginner-friendly how-tos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">sooo</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> much more. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>20. Take a (Deep) Breath</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Running a small business is no small feat. To give your best to your business, you need to resolve to achieve the proper work-life balance. It can’t be all work and no play — or you (or your employees) will burn out faster than those Christmas lights you still haven’t taken down. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When approaching the new year, set realistic goals, <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/lucrative-side-hustle-ideas/">hustle hard to stretch yourself</a> and make things happen, and then breathe. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/small-business-ways-to-manage-stress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking care of yourself is crucial to the success of your business</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Trust us. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-stay-focused-working-from-home/">17 Ways to Stay Focused When You’re Working from Home</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Set boundaries for in- and out-of-office hours and honor them. Automate any tasks you can, delegate responsibilities, and then unplug. Resist the temptation to “just check” your inbox. Be intentional about stepping away from screens and/or your desk and engage in rejuvenating activities. Make face-to-face connections and prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remember: It’s OK to take off your small-business-owner hat and just have a good time. A proper recalibration of your priorities and work-life habits will help you be a better business owner.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And that’s what we want for you! </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At DreamHost, we love watching you succeed. In fact, we live for it. Whether your new year goals include boosting your bottom line, hiring a team, finding new customers or clients, or learning new entrepreneurial skills, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we’re here to help you make them happen</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2020.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s to a happy, healthy, and business-booming new year! </span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-small-businesses/">20 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses to Make in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| <item> | |
| <title>A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 19 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=20947</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>There’s no shortage of ways you can make money online. However, few are as flexible and rewarding as affiliate marketing. If done right, it can be a lucrative way of earning an income by producing creative and valuable content. In a nutshell, affiliate marketing enables you to monetize your content by promoting other companies’ products […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/">A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There’s no shortage of ways <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/25-ways-make-money-online/">you can make money online</a></span>. However, few are as flexible and rewarding as affiliate marketing. If done right, it can be a lucrative way of earning an income by producing creative and valuable content.</p> | |
| <p>In a nutshell, affiliate marketing enables you to monetize your content by promoting other companies’ products using affiliate links. When somebody buys a product or service based on your referral, you earn a small commission on that purchase.</p> | |
| <p>In this article, we’ll introduce you to the basics of affiliate marketing and discuss how it works in practice. We’ll also show you how you could benefit from using it and give you some help in getting started. Let’s begin!</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Optimize Your Site with DreamPress</h2><p>Our automatic updates and strong security defenses take server management off your hands so you can focus on growing your business.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/" class="btn btn--brand">Check Out Plans</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21740" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png" alt="" width="200" height="201" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-100x101.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>A Brief History of Affiliate Marketing (And How It Works)</strong></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/34e3dfdd-c02a-4165-8ce9-96b691ecdcd9_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-2.jpg" alt="The DreamHost affiliate program." width="900" height="415" /> | |
| <p>Monetizing your website doesn’t have to be a difficult or compromising endeavor. In fact, it can be incredibly rewarding, both from an economic and creative perspective. Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of the legwork involved in other methods of making money online.</p> | |
| <p>Affiliate marketing involves promoting products from external vendors on your own website. While definitions sometimes vary, there are generally three or four parties involved in an affiliate setup. Since these terms can be confusing, let’s take a moment to clarify the ‘who’s who’ of affiliate marketing:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The affiliate.</span> Also known as ‘the marketer,’ this is the person running a site that contains affiliate links. The affiliate receives a commission on each purchase made by visitors who found a product by clicking on one of their links.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The consumer. </span>This is a visitor on the affiliate site, who clicks on an affiliate link and completes a purchase (whether that’s the original item being promoted, or something else from the same company).</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The network.</span> This refers to the internal or third-party platform that the affiliate program is operated on. This means they’re the ones providing the links that the affiliates use and paying the affiliate their commissions.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The merchant.</span> This is a company that sells products being marketed by the affiliate. In many cases, the merchant and the network are the same, as some companies run their own affiliate programs. For simplicity, we’ll be combining these last two entities throughout the rest of our discussion here.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>If that still sounds a bit confusing, let’s look at a typical real-life example of how an affiliate sale might work:</p> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li>An affiliate publishes a blog post on their site. The post is a review of a pair of sneakers, which are sold by the merchant.</li> | |
| <li>At the bottom of the post, the affiliate includes a link that leads to the sneakers’ product page.</li> | |
| <li>A consumer reads the blog post and, intrigued by the review, clicks on the affiliate link.</li> | |
| <li>Once on the merchant’s website, the consumer decides to purchase the sneakers.</li> | |
| <li>The merchant earns a profit off of the sale and shares a portion of that money with the affiliate.</li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p>You might be curious about how the merchant knows which affiliate is responsible for the purchase. That’s actually the easy part since every affiliate is given a unique link that tracks each product they promote. This lets the merchant track all referrals using cookies to ensure that they know exactly how much money they’ve earned thanks to each affiliate (and what to pay them in return).</p> | |
| <h2><strong>How Affiliate Marketing Can Benefit You</strong></h2> | |
| <p>The potential to earn money by simply sharing links probably sounds tempting already. However, affiliate marketing comes with a whole host of advantages beyond the obvious one. Let’s take a look at some of the main ways being an affiliate marketer can benefit you and your site.</p> | |
| <p>First of all, it’s a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://varn.co.uk/07/04/creating-low-risk-high-value-strategy-using-affiliate-marketing/">l</a></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://varn.co.uk/07/04/creating-low-risk-high-value-strategy-using-affiliate-marketing/">ow-risk and inexpensive</a></span> business. The bare minimum for getting started as an affiliate is having a blog, a website, or even just a social media profile. This makes it a very cost-effective method for earning money. It also means you don’t have to commit a lot of cash up-front since you can start small and grow your marketing efforts over time.</p> | |
| <p>Another compelling aspect of affiliate marketing is that it lets you be creative, and provide something genuinely useful to your audience. Since you can use affiliate links pretty much anywhere, you can <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-review-site-with-wordpress/">set up a review site</a>, publish long-form articles, or even produce video content. Since you’re promoting other companies’ products, you don’t even need to worry about actually creating, shipping, and supporting the items yourself.</p> | |
| <p>Affiliate marketing also gives you the freedom to choose what you promote. In other words, it offers you the luxury of being picky. Not only do you get to decide precisely which programs to work with, but in most cases, you’ll even select the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.shoutmeloud.com/how-to-select-right-affiliate-program.html">individual products and services</a></span> you want to promote. As such, you always have full control over what’s featured on your site.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6d0db671-b716-4a5e-a2e2-6631002f508a_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-4.jpg" alt="The This Is Why I’m Broke affiliate website." width="900" height="445" /> | |
| <p>Last but not least, affiliate marketing can be <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.thebalancesmb.com/can-you-really-make-money-with-affiliate-marketing-1794168">very lucrative</a></span> (although keep in mind that it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme). Since you’re earning a percentage of every sale you refer, there’s no maximum ceiling for earnings either. This means that if your affiliate site takes off in a big way, you could potentially end up making a great passive income.</p> | |
| <p>With all of that in mind, you should have a fairly clear idea about whether affiliate marketing is something you’d like to get involved with. For many people, the benefits speak for themselves. However, before you start posting affiliate links, there are a number of things you’ll need to bear in mind.</p> | |
| <h2><strong>What to Consider Before Becoming an Affiliate Marketer</strong></h2> | |
| <p>Affiliate marketing definitely provides some impressive benefits, but that doesn’t mean you can jump in without preparation. To ensure that your work as an affiliate isn’t wasted, you’ll need to do a bit of planning and be aware of the potential drawbacks.</p> | |
| <p>We’re going to talk about some of those considerations in more detail later on. However, here is a brief overview of what you’ll need to do:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Find the right niche.</span> Your niche determines your site’s subject matter, and by extension, what types of products or services you’ll promote. As such, finding a niche that’s both comfortable and potentially lucrative is vital.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Understand how to </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://prettylinks.com/2017/05/affiliate-link-disclosures-best-practices/">disclose your affiliate links</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> It’s imperative that you let visitors know your site contains affiliate links. Affiliate links come under the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2009/10/ftc-publishes-final-guides-governing-endorsements-testimonials">Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines</a></span> of endorsements, after all. Plus, being transparent is a smart way to improve trust in your website and business (not to mention sales).</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Avoid </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.verticalrail.com/kb/affiliate-theft/">‘affiliate theft’</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> at all costs.</span> There are several illegitimate methods of increasing your commissions, which are collectively referred to as ‘affiliate theft’ or ‘commission theft.’ As such, you’ll need to make sure you only use proper, disclosed links at all times. Otherwise, you might end up like the scammer who used affiliate theft to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shawn-hogan-sentenced-in-ebay-affiliate-marketing-scam-2014-5?IR=T">steal $28 million from eBay</a></span>.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Understand that being an affiliate is not ‘selling out.’</span> By promoting other companies’ products, you’re nothing but a pawn in their marketing schemes, right? While some people assume this, it really isn’t true. In fact, a key characteristic of most successful affiliates is that they <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://marketingartfully.com/2010/01/12/is-honest-affiliate-marketing-an-oxymoron/">provide honest and insightful content</a></span> to go along with their links. Since you choose what to promote, there’s no need to bend the truth or connect your name to poor-quality products.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be patient.</span> Finally, affiliate marketing rarely leads to overnight success. Instead, it usually <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://apogeeagency.com/from-apogee/affiliate-marketing-requires-patience/">requires a lot of time and effort</a></span> to slowly generate traffic and build an audience. This is especially true if you’re starting with a new or low-traffic site. It’s essential that you don’t expect quick results, and are ready to put in the work needed to grow your site and commissions.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>If you take some time to consider the above points carefully, you’ll start off prepared and with realistic expectations. This will give you a solid foundation upon which you can build your affiliate marketing career.</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><strong>Affiliate Marketing for Beginners (In 3 Steps)</strong></h2> | |
| <p>As we’ve already mentioned, affiliate marketing has a relatively low barrier to entry. To help you get started quickly, we’re going to walk you through the first steps for turning your site into an affiliate marketing success.</p> | |
| <h3>Step 1: Choose a Suitable Affiliate Niche</h3> | |
| <p>If you’re starting a new affiliate site, you’ll need to consider what niche you will work within. Your site’s niche determines what type of content you create, who your target audience is, and which kinds of products you will promote.</p> | |
| <p>Naturally, it’s crucial to choose a niche that’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/find-profitable-niche-affiliate-marketing/">financially viable</a></span>. This means you need to find a subject that enough people will be interested in. That may seem tricky, but there are actually <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://cospot.com/affiliate/most-lucrative-affiliate-niches/">a lot of options</a></span> you can choose from. Performing <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo/keyword-research">keyword research</a></span> is also a smart idea at this stage, to find out what keywords are driving the most traffic via search engines.</p> | |
| <p>However, this step isn’t just about finding the niche that pays the most. To be successful, you should also aim for a niche that suits you personally. If you already have some knowledge and interest in your chosen area of focus, you’ll be in a position to create authoritative and engaging content to go along with your affiliate links.</p> | |
| <p>You’ll also have a better understanding of your target audience’s needs and desires. This is essential since it helps you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.jonloomer.com/2017/01/25/entrepreneurs-affiliate-marketing/">build trust</a></span> with your visitors. If they feel like they can rely on your judgment and recommendations, they’ll be more likely to click on your links and make purchases based on your suggestions. Therefore, the best niche will have plenty of potential consumers and will be something you can create knowledgeable and trustworthy content about.</p> | |
| <h3>Step 2: Find and Sign Up for the Right Affiliate Programs</h3> | |
| <p>Once you have a niche and site ready to go, it’s time to look for affiliate programs. As we mentioned previously, many programs are run directly by a merchant, with the goal of promoting their own company’s products.</p> | |
| <p>When deciding which programs to sign up for, you should first look at what products they want you to promote. Most importantly, they’ll need to offer products that are popular in your selected niche. Therefore, look for brands that speak to your target market, and see if they offer affiliate programs. For example, if your site is about running websites, you could look for web hosts with <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/affiliates/">their own affiliate programs</a></span>.</p> | |
| <p>In addition to merchant-driven programs, there are also dedicated affiliate networks, such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://rakutenmarketing.com/affiliate">Rakuten</a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.awin.com/us/publishers">Awin</a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.cj.com/">CJ</a></span>, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.pepperjamnetwork.com/">Pepperjam</a></span>. These programs encompass several different merchants and thousands of products. This gives you access to multiple types of products, without needing to join lots of programs. Even eCommerce giants like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://partnernetwork.ebay.com/">eBay</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/">Amazon</a></span> have their own successful affiliate programs.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ae00b28a-d559-4e13-8b0a-f0760d2c8313_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-5.jpg" alt="Amazon’s affiliate marketing program." width="900" height="428" /> | |
| <p>Naturally, it’s also important to find programs that will <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.forexreferral.com/best-affiliate-programs">pay you well</a></span>. After all, you’re putting a lot of effort into promoting the merchants’ products, so you should see a fair share of the profits. Before you sign up, it’s also a smart move to research each program and see what experiences other affiliates have had.</p> | |
| <p>You might even find it useful to seek out an affiliate community, such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.wealthyaffiliate.com/community/">Wealthy Affiliate</a></span>. There, you can get advice and help from those who have been publishing and marketing for a long time. This can be particularly helpful when you’re a novice. Then, in a few years’ time, you might be the one helping another beginner get started.</p> | |
| <h3>Step 3: Add Affiliate Links to Your Site</h3> | |
| <p>At this point, you’ve signed up for the best affiliate programs in your carefully chosen niche. Now it’s time to really get to work, which means sharing your affiliate links. Of course, how you actually <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://amazon-affiliate.eu/en/how-to-add-amazon-affiliate-links/">implement these links on your site</a></span> will vary, depending on what type of content you’re creating.</p> | |
| <p>For example, <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/customer-testimonials-social-proof/">if you’re running a review site</a>, it makes sense to place relevant affiliate links within your reviews. The simplest way of doing this is just to include them as text links in the content itself. However, this approach <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> be seen as misleading, since it’s less clear that you’re promoting the products in question.</p> | |
| <p>A better technique is to keep your links slightly separated from your main content. For instance, you can place them towards the end of each relevant post. The film site <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://birthmoviesdeath.com/">Birth.Movies.Death</a></span> does this by featuring boxes with related products underneath its articles.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/69aad55d-6e9f-4996-9d7e-963fdeef34cc_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-1.jpg" alt="An affiliate link on a post from Birth.Movies.Death." width="900" height="346" /> | |
| <p>You can see a similar approach taken by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/">OutdoorGearLab</a></span> This site places links to each product’s page alongside the pricing information in its reviews.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/46bf3c04-e834-4546-9bd0-e0559c4c72ba_beginners-guide-affiliate-marketing-3.jpg" alt="An affiliate link from OutdoorGearLab." width="900" height="578" /> | |
| <p>Some affiliate programs will also provide you with assets, such as banners, that you can use to promote products. This might be more suitable if you want to keep your marketing and content clearly separated.</p> | |
| <p>As with your niche, your approach to implementing links will depend on your site’s purpose. Feel free to experiment with different strategies, but always remember that your focus should be on providing value to your audience. If you fail in that task, visitors won’t trust you, click on your links, or return in the future. Make sure you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/18-expert-blogging-tips-for-2018/">write quality content</a></span>, therefore, and keep an eye on your conversions to see what’s working (and what’s not).</p> | |
| <p>Finally, we once again want to stress the importance of disclosing your affiliate links. This is a crucial part of complying with <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking">the endorsement guidelines</a></span> provided by the FTC. Violating these guidelines could lead to legal action, which is naturally something you’ll want to avoid at all costs.</p> | |
| <p>As such, you should provide information about your links’ nature and purpose, which you can do by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://termsfeed.com/blog/affiliate-disclosure/">creating an ‘affiliate disclosure’ statement</a></span>. The notice should be unambiguous, and clearly visible anywhere affiliate links are used. This will keep your site out of trouble, and help to promote trust with your audience.</p> | |
| <h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2> | |
| <p>The trouble with trying to make money online is that you’re rarely given the opportunity to be creative or to work with something you feel passionate about. In that sense, affiliate marketing is unique. This marketing technique enables you to monetize your own site, choosing exactly what products to promote and how.</p> | |
| <p>Ready to start your own affiliate marketing website? Consider DreamPress, our managed WordPress hosting solution. With automatic updates and strong security defenses, DreamPress takes server management off your hands so you can focus on what you do best: selling products. <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">Learn more about plan options today</a>.</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-affiliate-marketing/">A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>Let’s Take a Look at SEO Trends: How to Rank Higher in 2020</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-rank-higher-seo-trends/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=21132</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a vital part of any website owner or digital marketer’s work. This is unlikely to change in the new year, but that doesn’t mean you can just rely on old strategies. In fact, as browsing habits change, you’ll need to keep your SEO techniques up to date. The way people […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-rank-higher-seo-trends/">Let’s Take a Look at SEO Trends: How to Rank Higher in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-no-brainer-seo-tips-total-beginners/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a vital part of any website owner or digital marketer’s work. This is unlikely to change in the new year, but that doesn’t mean you can just rely on old strategies. In fact, as browsing habits change, you’ll need to keep your SEO techniques up to date.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The way people use search engines such as Google changes constantly. For example, over the past few years, “</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/google-declares-mobile-%C2%ADfriendly-a-must-for-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">mobile-first</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” has become an essential mantra for improving both </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">accessibility</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and page rankings. While nobody can tell for sure what the future holds, it </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">is</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> possible to get a good idea of what you should focus on for the next year.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this article, we’ll talk about why SEO will continue to be a critical consideration in the upcoming year. We’ll also discuss some of the trends that may come to dominate your SEO strategy in 2020. Let’s get started!</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>The Current State of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In case you’re new to the concept, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/5-no-brainer-seo-tips-total-beginners/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> refers to a series of techniques for helping your site rank higher in search results. It’s an integral aspect of everyday work for most developers and content creators and looks poised to remain so for years to come.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is no shortage of ways you can </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">improve SEO on your website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. General considerations include making sure its </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">loading times</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are kept to a minimum, for example, and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-do-keyword-research-wordpress-blog/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">performing keyword research</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to tailor your posts to match people’s search queries.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, while it might seem like SEO practices are evergreen, this is far from the case. In reality, what ranks well depends on the search engines’ algorithms, which </span><a href="https://moz.com/google-algorithm-change"><span style="font-weight: 400;">are continually changing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This naturally means you can’t keep relying on the same optimization techniques over time and expect good results.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As such, you’ll want to stay up-to-date with the changing world of SEO. This will help you keep your site optimized well into 2020 (and beyond).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Optimize Your Site with DreamHost</h2><p>Our automatic updates and strong security defenses take server management off your hands so you can focus on SEO.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/" class="btn btn--brand">Check Out Plans</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21740" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png" alt="" width="200" height="201" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-dreampress-100x101.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>SEO Trends: 12 Tips for Ranking Higher in 2020</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To help you get a head-start on optimizing your content in the new year, we’re now going to take a look at some of the SEO trends that will be worth paying attention to in 2020. We’ll also give you some tips on how to adapt your content and strategy to take advantage of those trends. Let’s jump right in!</span></p> | |
| <h3>1. Prepare Your Site for Voice Search</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2019/01/11/voice-search-optimization-guide-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Voice search</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has already nestled comfortably into many people’s lives. Perhaps you use Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Echo, or Google’s Assistant, just to name three examples. As this technology becomes more prevalent, you’ll need to consider how voice search will affect your SEO efforts.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The main difference between typical SEO strategies and </span><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/seo-for-voice-search/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimizing for voice search</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> involves using more “natural phrasing.” After all, text searches usually involve stilted, compressed phrases like “best blog hosting 2019.” However, if you were to use your voice to search for the same information, you’d probably say something like: “What is the best hosting for blogs this year?”</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do you notice how the second phrase is both more natural </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> considerably longer? This means you’ll also want to consider optimizing your content for </span><a href="https://www.wordstream.com/long-tail-keywords"><span style="font-weight: 400;">long-tail keywords</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to a greater degree. Since the ultimate goal is to use keywords people are likely to search for, this might actually make your job easier, as you won’t need to jam cumbersome key phrases into your content.</span></p> | |
| <h3>2. Use Schema to Markup Your HTML</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://schema.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schema is structured data</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that can help web browsers and search engines gain a deeper understanding of your page’s content. Consequently, </span><a href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/schema-structured-data"><span style="font-weight: 400;">adding this markup</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can improve how your website displays (and ultimately ranks) in Search Engine Results Pages (SERP). </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s recommended that </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/guides/intro-structured-data"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schema markup be used</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to benefit content such as creative works, events, recipes, organizations, people, and products. For example, a search result using Schema will display richer information than one without.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24026" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1.jpg" alt="‘Schema examples in search results’." width="602" height="267" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1.jpg 602w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1-300x133.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1-600x266.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-1-100x44.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you can see in the example, one of the results displays ratings, images, and more. You can manually add this kind of markup to your posts, or you can use one of the </span><a href="https://search.google.com/structured-data/testing-tool"><span style="font-weight: 400;">many tools available</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to test and improve your Schema data. Fortunately, if you’re not prepared to tinker with the HTML of your posts, you can </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/schema/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">employ a dedicated plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to help you take advantage of this SEO functionality. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, you can review Google’s own </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/guides/sd-policies"><span style="font-weight: 400;">structured data guidelines</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as well as </span><a href="https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7552505"><span style="font-weight: 400;">several reports</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> offered in their webmaster tools. Ultimately, Schema is a vital addition to your website if you want search engines to read the details of your products, rather than view your content as non-descript text. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/boost-seo-wordpress-website/">13 Simple Ways to Boost SEO on Your WordPress Website</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>3. Optimize Your Site for Speed</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Optimizing your site for performance</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is something we’ve discussed in several previous posts. However, the importance of this step bears repeating. Loading times will undoubtedly remain a huge consideration in 2020 — especially when it comes to improving your site’s rankings.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This issue came to the forefront in 2018, when Google announced it would begin factoring in </span><a href="https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2018/01/using-page-speed-in-mobile-search.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">page speed for mobile devices</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This was due to the </span><a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/277125/share-of-website-traffic-coming-from-mobile-devices/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">growing popularity of mobile browsing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Since then, keeping load times short is a primary concern for all website owners.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fortunately, we’ve also previously explored how to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-ways-to-speed-up-a-dreampress-site/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">speed up your site</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in general. Key strategies include </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/guide-to-wp-caching/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">implementing a caching solution</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as well as </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/guide-to-wp-image-optimization/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimizing your media files</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information, you can take a look at our full series of </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/optimizing-wp-for-speed/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tutorials on performance optimization</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h3>4. Make Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a distinctly futuristic ring to it. So it’s no surprise that it’s going to play a major role in how SEO changes in the near future. We’re (unfortunately) not talking about hiring a robot to handle your SEO strategy, but that’s not as far from reality as you might expect.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google already uses AI extensively, thanks to its </span><a href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/google-rankbrain"><span style="font-weight: 400;">RankBrain system</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This is a bot that uses machine learning to continuously improve Google’s search results. It finds patterns and context in millions of pages, which the search engine can then use to </span><a href="https://www.singlegrain.com/seo/future-of-seo-how-ai-and-machine-learning-will-impact-content/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">return more relevant results</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for specific queries.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, Google isn’t the only party that can also </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/supercharging-your-seo-with-ai-insights-automation-and-personalization-299900"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use AI to its advantage</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In fact, </span><a href="https://dailyseoblog.com/seo-tools-artificial-intelligence/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tools that utilize machine learning</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to improve your SEO are becoming more popular. One such example is </span><a href="https://automatedinsights.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Automated Insights</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/e0712bb7-3784-4af0-8f68-ce739c4bd021_seo-trends-2019-2.jpg" alt="The Automated Insights home page." width="900" height="490" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This solution helps you turn unorganized data, such as site analytics, into a clear narrative. In turn, that can help you spot patterns more quickly and start making improvements.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another tool that can help you when creating content is </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordlift/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordLift</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/473547e4-ede8-45df-b55a-03ae560a81ba_seo-trends-2019-1.jpg" alt="The WordLift plugin." width="900" height="309" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-primer/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress plugin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> uses machine learning to help you optimize your content. It does that by both offering suggestions for the actual content and by adding structured metadata and suggesting relevant links.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We suspect that this is only scratching the surface of what AI-based tools will be able to do in the future. As such, getting familiar with this technology now can give you a vital head start.</span></p> | |
| <h3>5. Improve Your Mobile Pages</h3> | |
| <p><a href="https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2018/03/rolling-out-mobile-first-indexing.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s mobile-first index</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> means that the search engine now ranks pages based on their versions designed for mobile devices. As such, even if your site performs flawlessly on a desktop, but it’s hard to use and sluggish when viewed on a smartphone, your SEO rankings will likely suffer.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For this reason, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-site-for-mobile/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">optimizing your site for mobiles</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is no longer optional. In reality, you’ll need to spend even more time making sure your mobile site is fast and usable. This is also called </span><a href="https://blog.tbhcreative.com/2018/11/mobile-first-indexing-in-2019.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">making your website responsive</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, since the goal is for it to work well regardless of the screen size or device type used to view it.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> | |
| </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll also need to consider how your site will actually work </span><a href="http://www.velsof.com/blog/mobile-seo/the-essential-components-of-mobile-seo-in-2019"><span style="font-weight: 400;">on different screens</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. For example, if you’ve designed your navigation for desktop browsing, is it still as intuitive and simple to use on mobile devices? If your site contains additional elements, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/pop-ups-and-dark-ux/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">such as pop-ups</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you’ll also need to ensure that they don’t interfere with the mobile user experience.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thankfully, this is not as difficult as it might seem. For instance, the vast majority of </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/picking-a-wordpress-theme/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WordPress themes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and plugins are built with responsive design in mind. However, to avoid any issues, you should still make sure to thoroughly </span><a href="https://www.lifewire.com/top-tools-for-testing-your-mobile-website-2373220"><span style="font-weight: 400;">test your site on multiple devices</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <h3>6. Focus on More Personalized Results</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It often seems like people are getting less patient by the day. They want to find the information they need much more quickly, for instance, which is why Google has placed a greater focus on </span><a href="https://seo-hacker.com/how-is-google%E2%80%99s-personalized-search-engine-capability-going-to-affect-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">personalized results</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most notably, Google actually gathers information about each individual user to return the most relevant results. Another example can be found in Google’s “</span><a href="https://www.seerinteractive.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-content-for-google-answer-boxes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">answer boxes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.”</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/416724d0-d7da-426b-aa49-804fe80a1848_seo-trends-2019-3.jpg" alt="A Google result using an answer box." width="900" height="504" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s service is also personalized by offering searchers contextual results </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/guide/seo/personalization-search-engine-rankings"><span style="font-weight: 400;">based on previous searches</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or even the user’s location. If you try searching for “Where is the nearest coffee shop?”, you’ll be shown options that are close by.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This may seem like a tricky trend to leverage to your own advantage, but it’s far from impossible. You can actually increase your odds of </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/06/26/become-an-seo-expert-by-conquering-the-google-answer-box/#5ccabed82142"><span style="font-weight: 400;">appearing in answer boxes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by merely providing clear and organized information on your site. Using lists and distinct headings to summarize each page’s contents will also help Google parse and index the information, making it easier to get your site featured in the coveted “</span><a href="https://blog.reputationx.com/what-is-position-zero-seo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">position 0</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.”</span></p> | |
| <h3>7. Create an Optimized Knowledge Base</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One area of SEO you might have overlooked is your </span><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us"><span style="font-weight: 400;">knowledge base</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. As part of your customer service strategy, you want users to have access to support and common service questions on a 24/7 basis. This is where a robust </span><a href="https://www.seoadvantage.com/seo-topics/why-knowledge-center.php"><span style="font-weight: 400;">knowledge base</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can be quite useful. However, you may not have considered the SEO benefits of a knowledge base.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24028" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2.jpg" alt="‘The DreamHost Knowledge Base’." width="900" height="512" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-300x171.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-768x437.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-600x341.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-750x427.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/seo-trends-2-100x57.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A knowledge base can offer a plethora of </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/guide/seo/content-search-engine-ranking"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rich content possibilities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, all of which can help you improve your SEO ranking. This includes creating specific content full of valuable keywords. Additionally, you can fine-tune your knowledge base experience in order to keep customers loyal and happy. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, this can be a make or break point for many businesses. Research indicates that </span><a href="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2771217/Content/2018%20Customer%20Service%20Expectations%20Gladly.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">92% of customers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will switch to another company after three or fewer bad customer service experiences. This means you have a golden opportunity to knock out two birds with one stone – provide rich content </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> excellent customer service at the same time. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since you want users to be able to find the articles they need, knowledge base content also tends to follow SEO best practices. You can also ramp up your knowledge base efforts with the </span><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/echo-knowledge-base/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use of plugins</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One thing to keep in mind, since visitors to a knowledge base are not really looking to be entertained, you can just get down to business and cover the topic using highly optimized keywords. </span></p> | |
| <h3>8. Extend Your SEO Strategy to Your Social Media Channels</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having a strong social media presence is a significant aspect of online marketing. Naturally, this also applies to your SEO strategy. While </span><a href="https://optinmonster.com/social-media-and-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social media shares aren’t currently</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">direct</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> ranking factor, there does seem to be a correlation between social signals and rankings.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How this works is complicated, to say the least, and we won’t get too deep into the details here. Suffice it to say that the more your content is shared, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the more traffic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> your site will likely get through search engines. This also helps you </span><a href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/backlinks"><span style="font-weight: 400;">build backlinks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-marketing-your-website-increasing-traffic/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">brand awareness</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, since more people will see and talk about your site.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As such, it’s vital that you factor in your </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">social media presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> when considering SEO. Focus on a few essential platforms and maintain a consistent strategy for sharing content and interacting with your followers. This will help you across </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> areas of your marketing.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/">New to Influencer Marketing? Start Here</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>9. Shift Your Focus Away from Google</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So far, we’ve consistently referred almost exclusively to Google when considering SEO. This is no accident, considering that it remains the </span><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/top-search-engines"><span style="font-weight: 400;">most popular search engine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by far. Still, it may not be a good idea to focus solely on Google’s ranking algorithms when putting together your SEO strategy.</span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://blog.rankingbyseo.com/amazon-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amazon’s search engine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, for example, is becoming one of the most significant on the web. As it turns out, </span><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-27/more-than-50-of-shoppers-turn-first-to-amazon-in-product-search"><span style="font-weight: 400;">over half of shoppers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> turn to Amazon when searching for products, rather than to Google. Another example comes in the form of YouTube, which remains the world’s </span><a href="https://www.mushroomnetworks.com/infographics/youtube---the-2nd-largest-search-engine-infographic/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">second-largest search engine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What this means for you is that relying solely on Google may not be feasible from now on. For example, if you want your products to be more visible, you’ll need to </span><a href="https://www.klaviyo.com/blog/why-ranking-on-amazon-breaks-regular-seo-rules"><span style="font-weight: 400;">consider Amazon</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to a much larger degree. If you have a lot a video and other non-text content, on the other hand, YouTube and similar platforms should be high on your list of targets.</span></p> | |
| <h3>10. Understand How Blockchain Affects SEO</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve never heard of “</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain"><span style="font-weight: 400;">blockchain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” before, you’re not alone. While the concept is too complex to do full justice here, we can break it down in simplified terms. In essence, a blockchain is a list of records that cannot be modified after the fact. Every item – or block – in the chain is recorded and preserved as-is forever.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This technology can </span><a href="https://searchengineland.com/blockchain-will-impact-search-marketing-industry-282998"><span style="font-weight: 400;">affect SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> because using blockchain changes the relationship between advertisers and website owners. With blockchains, you can guarantee that every click is valid, meaning that the days of bot visitors are over. This will lead to improved </span><a href="https://leappoint.com/2018/07/03/what-blockchain-means-for-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">verified data</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, meaning that sites won’t be able to get away with artificially improving their rankings using automated clicks.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At this point, your best move is simply to </span><a href="https://www.coindesk.com/information/what-is-blockchain-technology"><span style="font-weight: 400;">learn more about blockchain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and how it can affect your site and business. This is a complex and nuanced topic, so being prepared is key. You may even wish to hire an expert to help you if you’re interested in implementing blockchain yourself.</span></p> | |
| <h3>11. Improve Your Technical SEO</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO is often thought of as a concern exclusive to content creators and marketers. However, the reality is that it’s also something developers need to think about. The process of “</span><a href="https://econsultancy.com/what-is-technical-seo-and-why-is-it-important/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">technical SEO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” refers to making sure your site is compatible with the standards set by search engines.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two major aspects of technical SEO that we’ve already touched on include page speed and mobile-friendliness. However, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/2018-website-redesign-checklist/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">another crucial consideration</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is site security. For instance, Google now requires sites to be </span><a href="https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/6073543?hl=en"><span style="font-weight: 400;">delivered using HTTPS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in order to be labeled as “secure” in the Chrome browser.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are just a few of the elements that fall under the technical SEO umbrella. While we don’t have time to go through everything, here are a </span><a href="https://unamo.com/blog/seo/technical-seo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">few additional aspects</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> you’ll want to consider:</span></p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://unamo.com/blog/seo/9-effective-site-architecture-tips-for-seo"><b>Site architecture.</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> By designing your site in a logical way, you’ll make it easier for crawlers to catalog and index your pages, which improves your rankings.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://yoast.com/what-are-rich-snippets/"><b>Rich snippets.</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This is a type of markup that adds extra information to your pages, making them stand out more in search results.</span></li> | |
| <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66359?hl=en"><b>Duplicate content.</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Search engines penalize sites that feature the same content in more than one location. As such, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t repeat or re-use the same text.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we mentioned, this is by no means a comprehensive list. However, it should be enough to get you started, whether or not you have an interest in development.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/seo-best-practices-for-domains/">The Top 11 SEO Best Practices for Domains</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>12. Use SEO to Optimize Your Videos</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For our final tip, we should acknowledge that SEO isn’t just about text. It’s also vital to look at </span><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/guide-to-video-seo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SEO as it pertains to video</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> content. This is increasingly important as video is becoming more prevalent by the day.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To give you an example, in 2018, nearly </span><a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/03/08/video-marketing-statistics"><span style="font-weight: 400;">half of all internet users</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> watched at least an hour of online video every week. Site owners have started to take heed of this trend, and you can do the same. An easy way to start? Include videos on your site. Search engines consider the quality of your content and the length of time users stick around as ranking factors. By using video, you can improve both metrics.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What’s more, you can also aim to </span><a href="https://www.3playmedia.com/2018/11/09/video-seo-google-speed-update/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">improve SEO on the videos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> themselves. This involves using </span><a href="https://www.lemonlight.com/blog/8-expert-tips-to-optimize-your-video-for-seo-in-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">clear and descriptive titles</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, choosing </span><a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/06/02/video-seo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the right video hosting platform</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and making sure to address your users’ questions and pain points. This will make sure your visitors get the information they need while improving your rankings at the same time.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Moving on Up</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not a static pursuit. As the internet changes, so do the parameters that determine how well your site ranks in search engines. This means that you need to stay up-to-speed with the latest SEO trends in order to ensure continued success for years to come.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you ready to optimize your website for 2020? Consider DreamPress, our managed WordPress hosting solution. With automatic updates and strong security defenses, DreamPress takes server management off your hands so you can focus on what really matters: improving your rankings and getting more traffic. </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more about plan options today</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-rank-higher-seo-trends/">Let’s Take a Look at SEO Trends: How to Rank Higher in 2020</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| </item> | |
| <item> | |
| <title>How to Improve Your WordPress Blog’s Accessibility (And Why It Matters)</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/improve-wordpress-blog-accessibility/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ellice]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[WordPress]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/?p=23992</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>You may have heard about web accessibility, but understanding and implementing the guidelines may seem out of reach. Finding resources to help you tackle accessibility issues can also be a barrier to your web projects. Fortunately, WordPress has been making advancements in providing tools to assist with making websites more accessible. Additionally, there are many resources available […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/improve-wordpress-blog-accessibility/">How to Improve Your WordPress Blog’s Accessibility (And Why It Matters)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You may have heard about <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/make-your-website-accessible/">web accessibility</a></span>, but understanding and implementing the guidelines may seem out of reach. Finding resources to help you tackle accessibility issues can also be a barrier to your web projects.</p> | |
| <p>Fortunately, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/">WordPress has been making advancements</a></span> in providing tools to assist with making websites more accessible. Additionally, there are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/">many resources</a></span> available online that can help guide you. Making your WordPress website accessible is not only good design practice, but it also ensures that everyone has equal access to web content and applications.</p> | |
| <p>In this article, we’ll take a look at what accessibility means online. We’ll also dive into some of WordPress’ new additions that make accessible design easier. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Create a Website for All</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast and secure so you can focus on the important stuff.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">What Web Accessibility Is and Why It Matters</span></h2> | |
| <p>In this context, “accessibility” means designing websites and web applications in a way that does not prohibit anyone from using them. This means that any visitor, regardless of disability or impairment, should be able to access and use your site.</p> | |
| <p>This is important when you consider the fact that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html">one in four adults in the United States</a></span> has a disability of some kind. In other words, if you’re not building with accessibility in mind, up to a quarter of your website’s visitors may struggle to access your content.</p> | |
| <p>Fortunately, there is a set of guidelines you can use to review your web design and functionality. The <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/">W3C standards</a></span> outline several levels of accessibility. This includes a minimum threshold that’s considered acceptable. Of course, you’ll also want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/policies/">make laws and regulations into account</a></span>, since accessibility is a legal matter as well.</p> | |
| <p>Building with accessibility in mind is not that different from following standard best practices for web design and optimization. In fact, many of the principles and techniques are the same. In particular terms, this means that accessible design isn’t out of reach for anyone — especially if you’re using WordPress.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/web-accessibility-expert-gian-wild/">Leveling the Web: 12 Questions with Accessibility Expert Gian Wild</a></h4> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exploring the Block Editor’s Accessibility Features</span></h2> | |
| <p>WordPress has endeavored to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/">improve web accessibility</a></span> in the codebase of its ever-evolving Content Management System (CMS). In fact, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/best-practices/coding-standards/accessibility-coding-standards/">standards have been instituted</a></span> to meet a minimum standard of accessibility on all new or updated code that’s released.</p> | |
| <p>Additionally, WordPress developers have created an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/best-practices/">accessibility handbook</a></span> that outlines how programmers should be creating products for the CMS. For example, all WordPress code must meet the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)</a></span> 2.0 at level AA. This is considered the worldwide standard and is also used for government and public service websites.</p> | |
| <p>If you take a look at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/most-exciting-features-gutenberg-wordpress-editor/">the Block Editor</a></span>, in particular, there are a couple of helpful built-in features that aid in creating accessible content. For instance, merely making your font larger and bold does not tell a screen reader that it represents the header of a section. The Block Editor makes it easy to use appropriate header markup by providing a <span style="font-style: italic;">Heading</span> block.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/4ed0be75-28f3-43c3-ad38-82eee56d737e_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-2.jpg" alt="The Header Block." width="541" height="576" /> | |
| <p>This means your content will be automatically be structured using the proper headers. Not only does this help screen readers navigate your content appropriately, but it <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://yoast.com/how-to-use-headings-on-your-site/#headings-seo">provides better information to search engines</a></span> as well.</p> | |
| <p>The Block Editor also includes a built-in <span style="font-style: italic;">Table of Contents</span> feature, which enables you to quickly check your headers to make sure your content follows a logical hierarchy.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/8c2e4293-23fb-4693-ac86-d4ff038fbd17_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-1.jpg" alt="“The document outline in WordPress.”" width="900" height="347" /> | |
| <p>Of course, these aren’t the only options for designing accessible content. As it turns out, WordPress offers plenty of ways to ensure that all visitors can access and appreciate your content.</p> | |
| <div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly email newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">5 Ways to Make Your WordPress Blog More Accessible</span></h2> | |
| <p>As we mentioned earlier, meeting accessibility standards can benefit your overall web design and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts. Plus, it helps you grow your audience and stay in compliance with critical regulations. With that in mind, here are five easy ways to improve your site’s accessibility.</p> | |
| <h3>1. Add Alt Tags to Images</h3> | |
| <p>Adding “alt tags” to your images is one of the easiest ways to make some of your content accessible. An alt tag enables screen reader software to “read” the image it’s connected to, and tell the user what it is and how it fits into the context of the page.</p> | |
| <p>You can easily add alt text to your images in WordPress. Once you add an image to your post or page, enter a short phrase or sentence describing it into the <span style="font-style: italic;">Alt Text</span> field on the right-hand side of the editor.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/7e7b4b80-e046-43a2-b954-2e4de5f904ea_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-4.jpg" alt="“The image settings.”" width="900" height="318" /> | |
| <p>Underneath this field, you can also click to view helpful <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/decision-tree/">alt image guidelines</a></span>.</p> | |
| <h3>2. Use Accessible Color Palettes</h3> | |
| <p>Another WCAG accessibility standard involves the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://webaim.org/articles/contrast/">color palettes you use</a></span>. Some color palettes can cause trouble for visitors with color blindness, poor eyesight, and similar problems. In general terms, you’ll want to use colors with lots of contrast, so your text can be easily seen.</p> | |
| <p>To help you get started, WordPress has a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/design/use-of-color/">useful resource</a></span> in its Web Developer Handbook regarding the appropriate use of color. Additionally, when you’re working in WordPress and decide to change the color of some of your text, you’ll receive a notice in the right-hand editing menu if your color choice may create issues.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/125d81d1-32af-4a37-b5ae-1625a28d21be_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-3.jpg" alt="“The color settings.”" width="900" height="404" /> | |
| <p>Following these simple standards for color choice means your website’s users should have an easier time reading your text, regardless of whether they have visual impairments.</p> | |
| <h3>3. Organize Headings Hierarchically</h3> | |
| <p>As we mentioned earlier, the Block Editor makes using appropriate headings and header tags easy. Whenever you want to use a new heading level, you can select the <span style="font-style: italic;">Heading</span> block from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Block Menu</span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/6607f6c6-b97e-47b0-9a68-ddb2d1ede927_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-7.jpg" alt="“The heading levels.”" width="745" height="288" /> | |
| <p>You’ll have several header levels to choose from. You might notice that <span style="font-style: italic;">H1</span> is not listed in the block options, however. This is because it’s best not to use H1s inside your post or page content, since it tends to confuse screen readers. H1s should be reserved for each page or post’s primary title, while you can use H2s and below to structure the rest of the content.</p> | |
| <h3>4. Make Sure Your Forms Are Accessible</h3> | |
| <p>Forms are a widely-used element on many websites. They can create interactivity, and help business owners collect information about their customers. However, they can also present a challenge to anyone using assistive technology.</p> | |
| <p>Fortunately, you can create forms that have <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/forms/">greater accessibility</a></span> built right in. One option is to use a plugin like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/formidable/">Formidable Forms</a></span>.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/f632ff3b-8c05-454d-8cee-ab3ffb490010_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-5.jpg" alt=""The Formidable Forms plugin banner.”" width="900" height="281" /> | |
| <p>This tool offers a form builder with WCAG 2.0 standard compliance <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://formidableforms.com/features/wcag-accessible-forms/">as a key feature</a></span>. This can be exceptionally helpful, especially given how much goes into <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/markup/web-forms/">making forms accessible</a></span>.</p> | |
| <p>For example, labeling your form’s fields helps users navigate them with and without assistive technology. Another common practice for form designers is to use placeholders — text that appears in the form field as an example. Both are useful for accessibility since labels tell users <span style="font-style: italic;">what</span> to fill out while placeholders explain <span style="font-style: italic;">how</span> to fill it out.</p> | |
| <p>It’s also smart to include clear instructions to help users fill out forms. Many web users have what are called “invisible” disabilities. This means they may not use assistive technology such as a screen reader. Instead, they may have cognitive impairments, which clear instructions and other accessible form design practices can help with.</p> | |
| <h3>5. Make Your Site Keyboard-Friendly</h3> | |
| <p>For a WordPress website to be genuinely accessible to anyone, it has to be designed for navigation <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/keyboard-operation-keyboard-operable.html">with only a keyboard</a></span>. This ensures that blind and low-vision users, as well as anyone needing an alternative keyboard or keyboard emulator, will be able to use your website.</p> | |
| <p>Typically, keyboard navigation on a website involves using the <span style="font-style: italic;">Tab</span> key. This enables the user to jump from one item of linked content to another. These areas have focus indicators programmed in, which can be activated with the keyboard. A sighted user will be able to see a visual change (such as an outline, border, or background color) when the keyboard activates a specific area.</p> | |
| <p>You can see this feature at work in the following example, where “web accessibility” has a visual indicator around it, signifying that the user has navigated to it with the keyboard.</p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/65ba34d6-99fd-41d5-9755-a5f945128f12_DreamHost-how-to-improve-accessibility-6.jpg" alt="“A keyboard focus example.”" width="748" height="565" /> | |
| <p>Plugins such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-accessibility/">WP Accessibility</a></span> can help you develop better keyboard focus for your WordPress website, among other improvements.</p> | |
| <p>In terms of on-screen navigation, a screen reader will make sense of your site’s content based on its source code. Therefore, your code must be written with logical page navigation in mind. There’s a lot to understand about designing a keyboard-friendly site. Fortunately, there are plenty of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://webaim.org/techniques/keyboard/">resources available</a></span> to guide you!</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-primer/">The Beginner’s Guide to WordPress Plugins</a></h4> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">Empower All WordPress Users</span></h2> | |
| <p>Navigating the world of accessibility standards can be confusing. Fortunately, WordPress offers resources you can use to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/handbook/test-for-web-accessibility/">test your website for accessibility issues</a></span>, and then make improvements.</p> | |
| <p>Making sure you have the right tools can help you build more inclusive content. Here at DreamHost, we believe in the openness and availability of online resources for everyone. Plus, we offer top-notch support for accessible websites on our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/shared-wp-hosting/">low-cost shared hosting plans</a></span>!</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/improve-wordpress-blog-accessibility/">How to Improve Your WordPress Blog’s Accessibility (And Why It Matters)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
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| <item> | |
| <title>2019 Year in Review: WordPress at DreamHost</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-year-in-review-2019/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jenn Kay]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[DreamPress]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[WordPress]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/?p=23987</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>TL;DR: 2019 was a pretty rad year! We saw lots of new ideas come to life on the web and so many existing ones expand and grow using WordPress. We continue to put WordPress features and support at the top of our priority list so we can keep giving such a large percentage of our […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-year-in-review-2019/">2019 Year in Review: WordPress at DreamHost</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">TL;DR</span>: 2019 was a pretty rad year! We saw lots of new ideas come to life on the web and so many existing ones expand and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/why-use-wordpress/">grow using WordPress</a></span>. We continue to put WordPress features and support at the top of our priority list so we can keep giving such a large percentage of our customer base the help they need. Thank you for a great year — we’re looking forward to many more to come!</p> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">2019 WordPress Redux</span></h2> | |
| <p>Now, let’s review some of the major WordPress perks we brought you in 2019.</p> | |
| <h3>Build & Edit Websites Easier with WP Website Builder</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: All WordPress users</p> | |
| <p>To make your WordPress experience easier than ever, we partnered with BoldGrid to give you access to a premium set of plugins and design tools. Boldgrid’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/website-builder/">WP Website Builder</a></span> bundle offers several useful features, whether you’re starting fresh or just want to try new tools with an existing site. These features include a website creation wizard that builds a starter site for you with preloaded content and a drag-and-drop builder that makes editing simpler for everyone (beginners and pros alike)!</p> | |
| <p>To prove just how versatile this tool is, we put together a tutorial series that demonstrates how you can use WP Website Builder on a number of projects.</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-fitness-blog/">How to Start a Fitness Blog</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-food-blog/">How to Start a Food Blog</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-photography-blog/">How to Start a Photography Blog</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-real-estate-website/">How to Create a Real Estate Website</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-create-restaurant-website/">How to Create a Restaurant Website</a></span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>This bundle is usually $60 a year on its own, but our customers get access to it for FREE. If you aren’t taking advantage of it yet, you can install WP Website Builder on any existing or new WordPress website from your DreamHost panel.</p> | |
| <h3>More Control with On-Demand Backups</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">DreamPress</a> users</p> | |
| <p>While daily backups are a great feature to have, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-important-reasons-to-perform-website-backup/">ability to create a backup</a></span> “on demand,” whenever you want, can be hugely beneficial for your convenience and the security of your website assets.</p> | |
| <p>This gives you more control and peace of mind to make changes — any time of the day — knowing you can revert back to the original version if you don’t like it or if something goes wrong. No need to wait on daily backups to do its thing!</p> | |
| <p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/etNPlNq7gqQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-back-up-your-wordpress-website/">How to Back up Your WordPress Website — A Complete Guide</a></h4> | |
| <h3>Experiment & Test with One-Click Staging Sites</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">DreamPress </a>users</p> | |
| <p>Let’s face it, things break or sometimes don’t have the results we expect. This year we launched one-click staging for DreamPress, which allows users to safely experiment and test code and other changes <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-staging-beginners-guide/">without risking what’s on the live version of their site</a></span>. With staging, you can avoid those panic situations and make changes confidently, when you’re ready.</p> | |
| <p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDK5aGezk5Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> | |
| <h3>Hassle-Free WordPress Migrations</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/managed-wp-hosting/">DreamPress </a>users</p> | |
| <p>Moving a site can be scary, take a lot of time, and cost a lot of money. So we added free migrations to DreamPress in 2019 to make transferring from another host easy, straightforward, and worry-free.</p> | |
| <h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-switch-web-hosts-migrate-site/">Should I Switch Web Hosts? How to Know When It’s Time to Migrate Your Site</a></h4> | |
| <h3>Simpler, Better File Management with WebFTP</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: All hosting customers</p> | |
| <p>This year we rolled out a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://help.dreamhost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003490852">new WebFTP interface</a></span> to resolve some known issues and improve your experience. With WebFTP, you can now access files quickly with our auto-login feature (no need to remember another password). It also supports SFTP connections, includes a file editor with syntax highlighting, and handles compressed files in a much more efficient way. To access your website’s files via WebFTP, visit your DreamHost account panel.</p> | |
| <h3>Continuous Learning with Our WordPress Guides & Tips</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For</span>: All WordPress users</p> | |
| <p>We are big fans of sharing information and helping others with the resources and experience we have accumulated over the years. Our motto: never stop learning! Here are just a handful of our most popular WordPress guides from this year.</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-blogger-checklist/">The WordPress Blogger Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before Hitting Publish</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/optimize-wordpress-website-speed/">10 Ways to Optimize Your WordPress Website for Speed</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/become-a-wordpress-contributor/">How to Get Started as a WordPress Contributor</a></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/become-a-wordpress-contributor/"> </a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ftp-sftp-guide-for-wordpress-users/">What is FTP/SFTP? A Guide for WordPress Users</a></span></li> | |
| <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-accept-payments-through-wordpress/">How to Accept Payments Through Your WordPress Website</a></span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">What’s Coming in 2020? </span></h2> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>To complement our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/tutorials/">WordPress Academy tutorials</a></span>, we’re working on a brand new set of guides and videos that will help WordPress users grow their site’s traffic. Watch this space for an announcement next year.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Free WordPress Migrations for </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Everyone</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> This year we launched free migrations for DreamPress, our managed WordPress solution. It has become more and more evident that moving a WordPress site can be an intimidating task. We think it’s important to open up free migrations to a larger group of WordPress users, so we’re excited to share that this is in our pipeline.</li> | |
| <li><span style="font-weight: bold;">You tell us! </span>Fill out this <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17Is6EnH-kKlnW_js_oocAYJSzjXy4YyjYe6VbytsjKs/edit">short survey</a></span> to give us feedback on which WordPress features you think we should work on next year.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>We are looking forward to 2020 and all the exciting things to come!</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-year-in-review-2019/">2019 Year in Review: WordPress at DreamHost</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></content:encoded> | |
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| <item> | |
| <title>Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2019 17:05:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tutorials]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=16883</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>The bright and cheery season is finally here! String up the twinkling lights, bust out your ugliest sweater, and get to work decking out your website. via GIPHY Wait? Work during the holidays?! Yeah, I do sound like the Grinch right now. But getting festive for Festivus (and all the other major end-of-year holidays) can actually […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/">Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The bright and cheery season is finally here!</p> | |
| <p>String up the twinkling lights, bust out your ugliest sweater, and get to work decking out your website.</p> | |
| <div style="width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 142%; position: relative;"><iframe class="giphy-embed" style="position: absolute;" src="https://giphy.com/embed/l0HlFA4gt73SGEzU4" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/bretteldredge-brett-eldredge-l0HlFA4gt73SGEzU4">via GIPHY</a></p> | |
| <p>Wait?</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-style: italic;">Work</span> during the holidays?!</p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yeah, I do sound like the Grinch right now. But getting festive for Festivus (and all the other major end-of-year holidays) can actually </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/driving-traffic-to-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">give your website more chances to unwrap extra visitors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your cup of ideas isn’t running over, we’ve got you covered. Our gift to you? Ten great ways to freshen up your website for the holidays. Batteries not included.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Site’s Home for the Holidays</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast, secure, and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Before You Get Started</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you delve too deep into creating new holiday campaigns, take the time to look at the results of your holiday promotions from last year. Hopefully, you already did this when you were </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/prepare-your-website-black-friday-cyber-monday/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">preparing your website for Black Friday and Cyber Monday</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. But if not, let’s refresh!</span></p> | |
| <h3>Let Your Goals Guide</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First, take a moment to reflect. What are your company goals? And what do you need to get out of the holiday shopping season: more sales, leads, or subscribers? Every action you take, including a fun holiday marketing campaign, should drive toward those goals. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If the campaign ideas you’ve got in mind won’t help you achieve your goals, put them on the naughty list.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Review Last Year</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Which promotions resonated with customers last December? Which ones fell flat? </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you put fingers to keyboard, take a look at last year’s results and build from there.</span></p> | |
| <h3>Plan Out Holiday Sales in Advance</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Run the numbers to find out what deals you can afford to offer during the holidays. Then use this information to help you choose which marketing campaign ideas to implement on your website. </span></p> | |
| <h3>Analyze Your Channels</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You need to know how you’re going to spread the word about your holiday campaigns and promotions. So ask yourself: Do you have an </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">email subscriber list</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? How strong is </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog-on-social-media/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your social media presence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? Is one platform stronger than the others? Have you </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/ppc-guide/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ever used PPC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">? </span></p> | |
| <h3>Scout Out the Competition</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What have your competitors done for the holidays that you could tweak for your specific audience? Make a list. You can even look to big brands for ideas (lots of inspiration coming your way).</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Got all that? </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Okay, on to the ideas!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">12 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What Small Business Owners Can Learn from Them)</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>10 Holiday Ideas to Brighten Up Your Website</b></h2> | |
| <h3>1. Make Sure Your Website is Ready for the Season</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First things first, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/prepare-your-website-black-friday-cyber-monday/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">let’s get technical</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make sure your website is geared up and ready for the season.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can do this by checking with your </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hosting provider</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to plan for any surges in traffic. If you </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/when-to-upgrade-your-hosting-plan/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">need to upgrade for more resources</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, do it before the holidays hit. That way, you won’t run into issues when all those visitors come knocking on your website’s door to get your shiny holiday deals. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next, make sure your payment gateway can handle more transactions. You may also want to consider upgrading your services to accept more forms of payments and double-check your security features. The gifts of convenience and security are the type of holiday cheer your customers will appreciate — and bring them back year after year.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-online-payment-gateways-compared/">The 10 Most Popular Online Payment Gateways for Your Website, Compared</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, optimize to reduce your site’s load times. I could give you a mile-long checklist for this, but you’re busy — I get it. Instead, try these </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/4-ways-speed-up-wordpress-site/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">four speedy-site tips</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and then test your site’s performance with </span><a href="https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s PageSpeed Insights</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, you’re ready to roll!</span></p> | |
| <h3>2. Dress Your Website up for the Holidays</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your customers are used to your website’s regular look, and that’s great — for most of the year. When the holidays roll around, though, consider giving your site a little extra sparkle.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take caffeine juggernaut Starbucks. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everyone is used to the company’s white-and-green siren, but come November 1, Starbucks’ cups get a little more festive. </span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19222" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9.jpg" alt="" width="594" height="764" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9.jpg 594w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9-100x129.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image9-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Obviously, your website isn’t a paper cup. So when it comes to zhuzhing up your homepage, a lot of jingle can go all the way. Let’s look at a brand that does holiday cheer well: </span><a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bath and Body Works</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19218" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="462" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-600x308.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-750x385.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-100x51.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-300x154.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-768x394.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image6-810x416.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As soon as visitors hit the website, they are greeted with sparkling snowflakes and a giant, festive banner image. Even their promotion code is cheery: SNOWFALL.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One word of warning (and good, old-fashioned marketing advice): know your audience. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you opt to make your branding more holiday-themed, pay attention to how your customers receive it. If you’re worried, solicit customer feedback, run some A/B tests, or hold a focus group. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t want to catch any flack — </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/revealed-starbucks-2017-holiday-cups-arent-red-2017-10"><span style="font-weight: 400;">like Starbucks often does</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — for being too much this way, not enough that way. </span></p> | |
| <h3>3. Use Your Email Marketing List</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, it’s easy to get caught up in making sure your website is perfectly festive. However, it’s vital to remember that many customers won’t see it — unless you email them with a link and a good reason to return to your homepage.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Long-time readers and first-time commenters alike will probably remember that we’ve gone in-depth before on why </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website owners need to get serious about email marketing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s the </span><a href="https://optinmonster.com/is-email-marketing-dead-heres-what-the-statistics-show/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">single-most-effective marketing tactic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for awareness, acquisition, conversion, and retention — so start building some merry email campaigns</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You want a slice of that pie!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/email-marketing-wordpress-website/">Build an Email List With Your WordPress Website in 3 Simple Steps</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most of all, remember that your subscribers opted in to your email list for a reason: they want to hear from you! Don’t forget to wish them well this holiday season and share your good news.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After all, who doesn’t love a killer sale like this offer from </span><a href="https://legacybox.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAn8nuBRCzARIsAJcdIfNfGvkOYlCaEJ_Fbf9h3EtyNqfzkSqqQP6-wc_8t2tWumoHk30Gip4aAhlJEALw_wcB"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Legacybox</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">?</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19217" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="786" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5.jpg 448w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5-100x175.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image5-171x300.jpg 171w" sizes="(max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly email newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h3><b>4. Make ‘Em Laugh</b></h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes the best way to get your website visitors in the holiday spirit is to make them laugh. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, how you do this is largely up to you and what works for your brand. </span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.jibjab.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">JibJab</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> allows visitors to personalize hilarious videos and send them to friends and family. Each year, the site offers a series of customizable holiday cards that are bound to make their customers laugh, share, and repeat.</span></p> | |
| <p><a href="https://www.kmart.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kmart</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is another brand that has used humor to increase sales during the holidays.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19216" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="326" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-600x217.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-750x272.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-100x36.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-300x109.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-768x278.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image4-810x293.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOZdJ0iFaJQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the Jingle Joes might not appeal to everyone, the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3rHibpKMxc"><span style="font-weight: 400;">use of humor</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is an excellent way to stand out during a very competitive shopping season.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lastly, don’t be afraid to go dark. Like real dark.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For a lot of people, getting together with family for the holidays isn’t a friggin’ Hallmark movie. </span><a href="https://www.hoteltonight.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HotelTonight</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took all those bad feels and translated them into this dark-comedy dream.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter wp-image-19215" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3.jpg" alt="" width="703" height="900" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-600x768.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-750x960.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-100x128.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-234x300.jpg 234w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-768x983.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-800x1024.jpg 800w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image3-810x1037.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 703px) 100vw, 703px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t have to be a hotel booking website to pull this off either. Get creative and think about your specific target audience. The world is your air mattress — erm — oyster.</span></p> | |
| <h3>5. Put Together a Holiday Gift Package</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No matter what products or services you offer, you can group them together during the holiday season and offer a holiday combo on your website. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dollar Shave Club nails it each year.</span></p> | |
| <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOBKvP7h_hZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> | |
| <div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOBKvP7h_hZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> </p> | |
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| <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div> | |
| <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> | |
| <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div> | |
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| <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> | |
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| <p></a> </p> | |
| <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOBKvP7h_hZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The holidays can't handle a gift like the DSC Holiday Shave Set. Get one today. Link in bio.</a></p> | |
| <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dollarshaveclub/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Dollar Shave Club</a> (@dollarshaveclub) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-12-15T00:48:50+00:00">Dec 14, 2016 at 4:48pm PST</time></p> | |
| </div> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you can see, the shave kit is exactly like the ones they offer every other month of the year. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So what’s changed? </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Only the context! The Elf on the Shelf signals holiday hijinks are afoot without the brand having to do any repackaging of their product. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This time of year, people like to see holiday promotions. Even if you are selling the same old thing, dress up the way you promote your product or services with holiday trimmings to match the season. </span></p> | |
| <h3>6. Drum Up Interest</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Almost everyone has a hard time waiting for the holidays (even if you can’t wait for them to be over, amirite, Scrooge?). But as a website owner, you can use all that anticipation as a marketing strategy: to drive hype for your business. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take H&M. The brand created a short trailer to tease its holiday collaboration with Nicki Minaj. </span></p> | |
| <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9oFP-pOMNwE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of all things H&M and Nicki Minaj, so even before the final campaign dropped, I knew I’d be checking out H&M’s latest gear. #MarketingSuccess</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, if you don’t have the budget to hire a megawatt celebrity to headline your holiday marketing campaign (pssst, </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">have you heard of micro-influencers?</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), then you can always build hype the old-fashioned way: with a countdown!</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19214" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="468" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-600x312.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-750x390.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-100x52.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-300x156.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-768x399.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-810x421.jpg 810w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image2-375x195.jpg 375w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ellen famously does the “12 Days of Giveaways,” and it’s hugely successful. Hitch your sleigh to that idea by doing 12 days of promotions, deals, limited-time offers, a holiday gift guide, even a cheery blog post — anything that will resonate with shoppers and provide them festive fodder for </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">last-minute gift ideas.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is nothing naughty about leaning into the sense of urgency and excitement that comes with holiday shopping. </span></p> | |
| <h3>7. Promote Your Expertise</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If there’s one thing for sure about the holiday season, it’s this: people gain weight. Yeah, your pants aren’t lying; </span><a href="https://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/weight-loss/holiday-weight-gain"><span style="font-weight: 400;">holiday weight gain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is real. And so is the motivation to lose that weight come January 1.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t worry, I’m going somewhere with this.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are a brand that holds a particular level of expertise on a holiday-related topic, then take advantage of that in your marketing efforts. The time is now to jump in and start sharing. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, if you are a doctor, wellness coach, purveyor of health supplements, or self-styled weight-loss guru, then focus your content on how people can stay healthy during the holidays.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Need an example? It’s like that one time we talked about</span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/top-15-best-tech-horror-movies/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> tech-themed horror movies for Halloween</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Look for a niche that you have expertise in and find a way to tie it to the season. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Content win!</span></p> | |
| <h3>8. Get Real With Your Followers</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not like </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-3wZFHoU-8"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drunk Uncle real</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. I mean </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">genuine</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The holidays are a great time to share what your brand is really about.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take Samsung, for example. </span></p> | |
| <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZUZkB8kC8Ec" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their “Unwrap the Feels” video captures the spirit of the holidays by showing a collection of darling families gathering together. It’s so darn charming that by the end, you might get a bit misty-eyed — and want to purchase some of Samsung’s magical family-bringing-together products.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t have to pull heartstrings to win hearts, though. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are getting jolly around the office, let your customers in on the fun. Chances are they’ll be interested in the team that keeps their favorite products on the market.</span></p> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19219" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="582" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-600x388.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-750x485.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-100x65.jpg 100w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-300x194.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-768x497.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DreamHost-Holiday-Marketing-image7-810x524.jpg 810w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you hold an office party or volunteer for a charity project, make sure you share the real, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">unfiltered</span></i> <i><span style="font-weight: 400;">you</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with your customers. </span></p> | |
| <h3><b>9. Give Back to Customers</b></h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes right down to it, the holidays are about giving back. There is no better time to focus a little less on the bottom line and a little more on making the world a better place. For instance, you could make a donation to a charitable organization or sponsor a company-wide day of service. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking for a viral way to spread joy to your customers? Host a giveaway or contest on social media. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only does this give you a chance to reward loyal customers and engaged holiday shoppers, but targeted giveaways or special offers can also serve as an additional (free!) marketing tool. You can share the user-generated content that customers provide as valuable virtual word of mouth.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take small business </span><a href="https://www.thegivingmanger.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Giving Manger</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, for example.</span></p> | |
| <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrTZ6IEgJEU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> | |
| <div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrTZ6IEgJEU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> </p> | |
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| <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> | |
| <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div> | |
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| <p></a> </p> | |
| <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrTZ6IEgJEU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Don’t forget: We’re increasing the impact of your Giving Manger photos this year!!!! In an effort to start a wave of INSPIRATION, we are inviting you to post photos of you and your children serving as you use The Giving Manger. For every post of service in action that you tag us in, we'll donate $1 to those affected by the California wildfires. The more you post, the more we donate.</a></p> | |
| <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thegivingmanger/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> The Giving Manger</a> (@thegivingmanger) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-12-12T21:58:09+00:00">Dec 12, 2018 at 1:58pm PST</time></p> | |
| </div> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only did they earn free visual content for their social platform by inviting customers to share their photos (and boost their marketing efforts), but they’re using it as a way to give back in a charitable way. Double-whammy winter win.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/easy-social-media-tricks-hard-working-small-business/">10 Social Media Marketing Tips for Your Small Business</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h3>10. Welcome Visitors to the New Year</h3> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the hype has died down, take some time to ramp up your content production. Why? Because once the merriment is over, your customers will be thinking about the next big thing: the new year!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Come January, DreamHost customers are looking for help building a brand new site to kickstart their resolutions, whether they’re starting a blog, a business, or an e-commerce website. Think about what your customers will want to do in 2020 and start creating content to help them do just that. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new year is a fresh start for everyone. Stay on top of your content strategy by preparing in December for a big rollout of fresh ideas in January.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Stick a Bow on It, You’re Done</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There you go! We hope you’ll enjoy (and use!) these 10 gift-wrapped holiday ideas to connect with your customers during the holiday season. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And we want you to get in on this, too! We want your website to have a holly-jolly home for the holidays — </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sign up for DreamHost</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make hanging tinsel and all the stockings on your website a breeze. Team up with us today!</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/">Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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| <item> | |
| <title>15 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</title> | |
| <link>https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/</link> | |
| <pubDate>Thu, 05 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> | |
| <dc:creator><![CDATA[Megan Hendrickson]]></dc:creator> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Tech Talk]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[Web Hosting]]></category> | |
| <category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category> | |
| <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/?p=21115</guid> | |
| <description><![CDATA[<p>The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and “Jingle Bells” is probably playing in every store you enter. Naturally, this can only mean that the holiday season is upon us once again. As a result, it’s time to prepare for your holiday marketing campaigns. This season offers a lot of opportunities for all […]</p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">15 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
| ]]></description> | |
| <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and “Jingle Bells” is probably playing in every store you enter. Naturally, this can only mean that the holiday season is upon us once again. As a result, it’s time to prepare for your holiday marketing campaigns.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This season offers a lot of opportunities for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">all</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> businesses, big and small. If you can grab consumers’ attention with a unique campaign, you’ll be well on your way to pulling in additional revenue. A smart place to start is to look at what has worked for other brands and then use their campaigns as inspiration for your own marketing efforts.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this article, we’ll take a look back at some of our favorite marketing campaign ideas from seasons past. We’ll discuss their history, why they were so successful, and how you can incorporate them into </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/hot-marketing-ideas-to-warm-up-your-website/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">your holiday marketing strategy</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Let’s jump right in!</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Your Site’s Home for the Holidays</h2><p>We make sure your website is fast, secure and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo.</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/" class="btn btn--brand">Choose Your Plan</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21751" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png" alt="" width="200" height="210" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-shared-100x105.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <p> </p> | |
| <h2><b>1. “Santa Tracker” by Google</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/b747523a-441c-42a4-b789-c0a261619e7e_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-11.jpg" alt="Google’s Santa Tracker website." width="900" height="495" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re going to start with a true classic of online holiday marketing. </span><a href="https://santatracker.google.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google’s Santa Tracker</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has been going strong since 2004. During this time, it has enabled users to follow Santa Claus on his worldwide gift-giving journey every Christmas.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Santa Tracker campaign initially started as a simple way to </span><a href="https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/tracking-santa-backstory.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">visualize Santa’s journey via Google Earth</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (or Keyhole Earth Viewer, as it was called then). However, it has since evolved in numerous ways. For instance, the site has expanded to show information about the cities Santa visits, offer “live updates” directly from the sleigh, and much more.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With Santa Tracker, Google manages to market its map service in a way that is both fun and interactive. The key lesson to take away from the campaign is that it works across multiple audience segments, appealing equally to young children and adults. By combining mythology and technology in a quirky way, Google managed to create a new spin on an age-old story and make its brand synonymous with the tradition itself at the same time.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/10-holiday-marketing-ideas-website/">Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>2. “Elf Yourself” by Office Depot</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/c8a27f4f-0ca5-41bc-aeff-e48287073fe5_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-2.jpg" alt="Using the Elf Yourself website to create an elf." width="900" height="358" /> | |
| <p>Next up, this is another interactive and playful campaign that appeals to kids and adults alike. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elfyourself.com/">Elf Yourself</a></span> is a recurring campaign by Office Depot, which lets users create elves based on pictures of themselves (or other people). Since 2006, users have <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151104005115/en/Office-Depot-Elf-Yourself%C2%AE-App-Creates-Billion">created over one billion elves</a></span> using the site and app.</p> | |
| <p>In recent years, the Elf Yourself app has been updated with new features, such as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.marketingdive.com/news/office-depot-brings-back-elf-yourself-with-ar/511516/">Augmented Reality (AR)</a></span> and the ability to print your elf as a seasonal greeting card. Users can also share their creations on social media, along with the marketing hashtag <span style="font-style: italic;">#ElfYourself</span>.</p> | |
| <p>This is an example of how a holiday campaign can be used to grow brand awareness, rather than explicitly aiming to increase conversions or sales. By providing something fun and engaging for your users to play with, you can get the word out about your business, without overtly promoting your products or services.</p> | |
| <h2><b>3. “Home Alone, Again” by Google</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23973" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2.jpg" alt="Google’s “Home Alone Again” video." width="741" height="413" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2.jpg 741w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2-300x167.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2-600x334.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-2-100x56.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nostalgia can be an excellent driver of shareable content. That’s what Google’s 2018 advertisement </span><a href="http://www.sm.artsandsciences.com/featured/home-alone-again"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Home Alone Again”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took advantage of. The video, featuring a grown-up Macauly Culkin, tapped into a wealth of holiday feelings. Created by the Arts & Letters firm and directed by Mike Warzin via Arts & Sciences, the short video also features all the best of </span><a href="https://assistant.google.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google Assistant</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The scenes and overall general feeling of the video are designed to be transportive for anyone who grew up watching the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Home Alone</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> films as a holiday staple. Google Assistant starts off by reminding “Kevin” that he finally has the house to himself for the day and organically showcases its smart home options when the bad guys enter the picture. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This ad taps into a piece of media that many generations have enjoyed. The original movie debuted in 1990, meaning it’s likely that the ad will hit home with audiences ranging from baby boomers to millennials. Wrapping your ads around something very nostalgic </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/identify-target-market-for-business/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">to your audience</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a marketing approach that can have shareable appeal across platforms and generations.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="cta-block cta-block--wide cta-block--wide--single" style="background-color: #ebf5fe;"><div class="cta-block--wide__txt"><h2>Be Awesome on the Internet</h2><p>Join our monthly newsletter for tips and tricks to build your dream website!</p><div class="btn-wrap"><a href="http://messages.dreamhost.com/public/webform/render_form/0d5r88n319d4z8oihazkjsxjn2xwo/0eb6cc6c0d15e420a3ff54f02356d3eb/addcontact" class="btn btn--brand">Sign Me Up</a></div></div><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21731" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop.png 200w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-150x150.png 150w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CTA-guy-with-laptop-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></div></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>4. “The Holiday Odyssey” by Target</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1aa05703-23b0-4755-831d-d2ffc361b1fe_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-1.jpg" alt="Screenshot from Target’s Holiday Odyssey advertisement." width="900" height="471" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a sense, every holiday season is a journey. At least, it is if you believe Target and its 2015 campaign </span><a href="https://cargocollective.com/sararose/Target-The-Holiday-Odyssey"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Holiday Odyssey.”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This campaign’s most visible element was a series of short video clips, which included cameos from the Minions, Barbie, Star Wars characters, and even Neil Patrick Harris.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, these storytelling videos only represented one aspect of the campaign, which also made use of multiple marketing channels. As well as a dedicated website and promotion across </span><a href="https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/target-takes-consumers-a-toy-filled-odyssey-holidays/301143/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">its social media platforms</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Target also took the “Odyssey” into its physical stores. By doing this, Target managed to create a complete </span><a href="https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/targets-holiday-campaign-brings-magical-story-life-across-tv-digital-and-its-stores-168113/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">synergy across multiple platforms</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, something that’s ideal for businesses with a broad audience.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is naturally difficult to do if you don’t have the reach and budget of a major corporation. Still, it does highlight the importance of leveraging multiple channels in your own marketing. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sure, you might not be able to afford to feature NPH in your ads. However, you can still use your online presence and physical stores in conjunction to create an all-encompassing campaign that appeals equally to the various segments of your audience.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>5. “Nick Offerman’s Yule Log” by Lagavulin</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ea3b32f9-b5a5-4e96-a3e4-72b0984ac458_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-9.jpg" alt="Screenshot of Lagavulin’s Yule Log video, starring Nick Offerman." width="900" height="493" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Watching a man silently drink whiskey next to a crackling fireplace for 45 minutes might not sound very appealing at first. However, if that man is actor and comedian Nick Offerman, you’ve got a </span><a href="https://adage.com/creativity/work/nick-offermans-yule-log/44567"><span style="font-weight: 400;">viral marketing sensation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on your hands.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s what Lagavulin did when it hired Offerman to create a parody of the “classic” yule log videos that were popular in 2015 (and still are). Since then, the original video has been watched over 3 million times. Thanks to popular demand, Lagavulin has even put out an extended </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">10-hour</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> version.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This campaign is a masterclass in how to use a video to create a conversation starter. First, it’s a perfect fit with Offerman’s existing public persona and ties into his most famous role as Ron Swanson on TV show </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parks & Recreation</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a character who </span><a href="http://drinkwire.liquor.com/post/how-to-drink-like-ron-swanson#gs.kHPV5dg"><span style="font-weight: 400;">famously loved Lagavulin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it’s also an eminently shareable clip in its own right. It’s fun, attention-grabbing, and actually works quite well as a non-ironic yule log video. Considering the minimal resources required to pull this off, it’s a perfect example of how a simple idea can have a huge payoff if it connects with your audience.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/promote-your-website-with-micro-influencers/">1How to Promote & Market Your Website With Influencers</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>6. “Red Cups” by Starbucks</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/3a98a94c-f2d6-4c6c-93d9-4f497c9a4fe7_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-8.jpg" alt="Holiday cups offered by Starbucks." width="900" height="602" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a previous article, we discussed Starbucks’ penchant for brand management on its official </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-company-blogs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">company blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. To no one’s surprise, it turns out that the company is just as proficient at promoting its brand during the holiday season. You’ve most likely seen its iconic holiday cup designs yourself — they were introduced all the way </span><a href="https://www.eater.com/2015/11/10/9705570/starbucks-holiday-red-cups-controversy-history"><span style="font-weight: 400;">back in 1997</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since then, the company has featured new festive designs every year. Somewhat infamously, these cups were a point of controversy in 2015, when a plain red variety was accused of not being “Christmassy” enough. Despite this setback, the reusable red cup design has become iconic, to the point where </span><a href="https://www.countdowntoredcups.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">independent websites</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have sprung up that feature a countdown to its annual re-release.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The lesson here is that a stylish and cohesive brand identity can be an extremely powerful tool. This campaign also shows that it’s possible to create unique traditions that are tied to your brand, then encourage your audience to look forward to them each year.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>7. “#OptOutside” by REI</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/8fd8c450-fd5a-495e-9b60-2b716f207738_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-6.jpg" alt="The #OptOuside page by REI." width="900" height="497" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Black Friday is widely regarded as the beginning of the holiday shopping season, as well as one of the busiest retail days around the world. Considering this fact, it was especially noteworthy when the outdoor retailer REI announced that it would not participate in the </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/prepare-your-website-black-friday-cyber-monday/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Black Friday rush</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of 2015 and would keep all its stores closed for the entire day.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This was the start of the </span><a href="https://www.rei.com/opt-outside"><span style="font-weight: 400;">#OptOutside</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> campaign, which has become a recurring event ever since. The goal was to get employees and customers to spend Black Friday </span><a href="https://newsroom.rei.com/news/corporate/rei-closing-its-doors-on-black-friday-invites-nation-to-optoutside.htm"><span style="font-weight: 400;">enjoying the outdoors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> rather than shopping. After the initial success, the company has </span><a href="https://www.adweek.com/creativity/inside-year-three-of-optoutside-with-reis-chief-creative-officer/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">expanded the event</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to include a search engine that lets users around the world share their outdoor experiences using the campaign’s hashtag.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is #OptOutside a terrific example of a company making a statement about the holidays, but it’s also perfectly in line with its brand identity. After all, REI sells outdoor equipment, so it makes sense to encourage people to participate in outside activities even during the winter. This goes to show that you can start a meaningful conversation while also bringing attention to what your business does best. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><h4 class="single-related">Related: <a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/website-owners-guide-to-email-marketing/">The Website Owner’s Guide to Email Campaigns</a></h4></span></p> | |
| <h2><b>8. “Misunderstood” by Apple</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2e191c5d-2832-4bc5-9674-67da660ac6b8_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-10.jpg" alt="Screenshot of the ‘Misunderstood’ short film by Apple." width="900" height="526" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether it’s spending time with family and loved ones or remembering past holidays, the festive season is steeped in sentimentality. Many businesses take advantage of this in their campaigns, and perhaps the best example is Apple’s short film, </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/221001942"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Misunderstood</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The clip shows a young boy appearing to avoid spending time with his family during the holidays. However, at the end (spoilers!), it’s revealed that he was actually busy creating a heartwarming montage of family moments the whole time. The clip was </span><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-soojungkim-pang-phd/apple-misunderstood-commercial_b_4491319.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">positively received</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by many viewers and even went on to win an Emmy.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With this clip, Apple managed to insert its product into the sentimentality of the season in two clever ways. The film subverts the idea that phones are only used to avoid time with your family, while also </span><a href="https://www.cultofmac.com/497994/apple-history-misunderstood-iphone-ad-emmy/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">demonstrating the actual capabilities</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of the latest iPhone at the same time. This is a “show, don’t tell” approach to marketing a specific product that can be difficult to pull off, but very effective when done well.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>9. “#NZSecretSanta” By New Zealand Post</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/b95cac28-0c43-4ef3-842b-a05f0c3f5f18_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-12.jpg" alt="The #NZSecretSanta home page." width="900" height="545" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In case you’re not familiar with the concept, Secret Santa is a tradition where a group of people comes together to buy one gift for each person — everybody buys and gets a gift. However, each recipient is entirely unaware of who their gift-giver is, which creates a fun sense of mystery.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With its </span><a href="https://nzsecretsanta.nzpost.co.nz/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">#NZSecretSanta</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> event, the New Zealand Post aimed to blow this game up to a national level. Started in 2010 by Sam Elton-Waters, the initiative was a huge success — even </span><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/new-zealand-secret-santa-twitter_us_5a39c9b7e4b06d1621b05301"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the country’s prime minister</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took part! As the yearly event grew in scope, the New Zealand Post stepped in to help organize the gift-giving.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only is this a heartwarming tradition, but it’s also a great example of how you can </span><a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/new-zealand-post-secret-santa-2013/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">engage people using social media campaigns</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. An event that encourages people to have fun together, be thoughtful, and even give to charity helps to encourage participation and positive feelings towards your business.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>10. “Come Together” by H&M</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/9583b3d1-a91a-4091-b8b8-3688c0470e57_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-4.jpg" alt="Screenshot from H&M’s Come Together short film." width="900" height="502" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At this point, we’ve already mentioned the benefits of using video marketing to your advantage during the holidays. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also bring up H&M’s impressive “</span><a href="https://vimeo.com/224473293"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Come Together</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” campaign.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Directed by Wes Anderson, </span><a href="http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2016/hm-come-together/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">this short film</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> features Adrien Brody as a conductor on a train that gets caught in a snowstorm. Since they’re stuck in place, the conductor and passengers decide to throw a Christmas party together. Shot in the filmmaker’s trademark style, the video is both quirky and heartwarming. It also aligns the brand with Anderson’s sense of fashion and whimsy. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is yet another way you can create a talking point, even if you don’t have any Academy Award-winning actors at your disposal. You can still use your brand videos to create a </span><a href="https://thinkmonsters.com/speakinghuman/media/branding-wes-anderson-holiday-commercial/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">unique signature and style</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Having a recognizable style is crucial during the busy holiday season and is especially important for brands aimed at a modern, trend-conscious audience. </span></p> | |
| <h2><b>11. “Believe” by Macy’s</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/33d1f4d3-8e4e-42a4-8867-cf42869aed45_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-3.jpg" alt="The home page for Macy’s Believe campaign." width="900" height="478" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think fast: What are the two most essential parts of Christmastime? If you answered “stuffing your face with food” and “decorating the tree,” we can’t blame you. However, we were specifically thinking of charity and gift-giving. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Charity is an especially significant part of the holiday spirit, and it’s something Macy’s has made a cornerstone of its </span><a href="http://social.macys.com/believe/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Believe” campaign</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This campaign revolves around a site where users can write a letter to Santa with their Christmas wishes. For every letter posted, Macy’s donates $1 to the </span><a href="http://wish.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make-a-Wish foundation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only does this charitable element align perfectly with the giving season, but it also </span><a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151103005970/en/Magic-Macy%E2%80%99s-Campaign-Returns-Writer%E2%84%A2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">encourages visitors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and customers to engage with the brand directly. This type of initiative lets you do a charitable deed while also expressing your brand identity in a fun and memorable way.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>12. “Holiday Gift Guides” by Etsy</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/f4015c45-ce37-4336-ad25-1f59400da355_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-5.jpg" alt="Holiday gift guides on the Etsy home page." width="900" height="555" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most of the campaigns we’ve looked at have avoided being directly commercial in nature. Instead, many businesses choose to use the holiday season to manage and increase awareness of their brands, rather than actively pushing their products.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, Etsy manages to go another way while also providing useful content for its users. Instead of a big marketing push, this e-commerce site produces annual “</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/gift-guides"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gift Guides</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.” These guides help holiday shoppers find the perfect presents to buy, based on different categories and styles.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is a creative way to drive additional sales while still sticking with a holiday theme. It also helps funnel customers more effectively towards the products they’ll prefer. In fact, Etsy actually provides similar guides all year round, such as the </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/featured/gift-guide-under-30"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finds Under $30</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> guide. This means that loyal customers will already be accustomed to searching for products in the same fashion.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether or not you create dedicated guides, it’s key to ensure that your actual website makes it easy for users to find what they need quickly. After all, buying gifts for the holidays is often stressful. Anything you can do to make this process faster and easier is going to be well-appreciated by your customers.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>13. “The Book of Dreams” by Argos</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter wp-image-23974 size-full" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16.jpg" alt="The Argos “Book of Dreams” advertisement." width="574" height="314" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16.jpg 574w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16-300x164.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-16-100x55.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 574px) 100vw, 574px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It might seem “old school” to promote a traditional, physical product catalog in our highly-digital age. However, British catalog retailer </span><a href="https://www.argos.co.uk/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Argos</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has found a way to do so successfully. In one of the early holiday ads of 2019, </span><a href="https://theandpartnership.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The&Partnership advertising agency</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> created a video that appeals to the child in all of us. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dubbed</span> <a href="https://www.thedrum.com/creative-works/project/thepartnership-argos-the-book-dreams"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Book of Dreams</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the ad follows a dad reliving a childhood dream about a drumset as the scene around him transforms into a stage. He’s joined by his daughter, and they rock out to “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. In a successful play on nostalgia and recapturing the wonder of the holidays, the advertisement is sweet and highly shareable. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harnessing the magic of being a child at Christmastime is something any holiday campaign can strive for. Plus, this example demonstrates that the excitement of thumbing through a toy catalog is a unique and tangible joy that can be tied to </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/19-expert-blogging-tips-for-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fun online content</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. When customers receive the mailing, they’ll remember to dream big!</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>14. “All Together” by Amazon</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23975" src="https://dhblog.dream.press/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1.jpg" alt="Alt-text: An Amazon holiday video advertisement." width="900" height="490" srcset="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1.jpg 900w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-300x163.jpg 300w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-768x418.jpg 768w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-600x327.jpg 600w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-750x408.jpg 750w, https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DreamHost-holiday-mktg-campaign-1-100x54.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the Lucky Generals agency, this next piece of Christmas marketing brings everyone a smiling box and a catchy tune. Amazon’s </span><a href="http://www.luckygenerals.com/amazon-holidays-2019"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">All Together</span></i></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">advertisement highlights the company’s employees and friendly packaging in a video reminiscent of the popular holiday film</span> <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Love Actually</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In terms of takeaways, this is another excellent example of how to demonstrate a lot of different aspects of your business in a minute or less. You can highlight your employees, your customers, and just average people being happy and connecting with others. It only takes Amazon 90 seconds to make you want to call your mother, which highlights the impact of a heartfelt approach.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This particular video demonstrates the value of going all the way and embracing the touchy-feely part of the holiday season without cynicism or parody. Showcasing the excitement of the holidays — and working in your products or services organically without letting them steal focus — is a recipe for success with this type of marketing.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>15. “Holidays Are Coming!” by Coca-Cola</b></h2> | |
| <img class="aligncenter" src="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/95d4d474-0e74-46c8-9648-48061905cb84_best-holiday-marketing-campaigns-7.jpg" alt="Screenshot from the Holidays Are Coming advertisement by Coca-Cola." width="900" height="484" /> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, let’s end on a true classic, perhaps the most legendary and recognizable holiday campaign in media history. Coca-Cola has been crucial in defining how Christmas marketing looks to the point where </span><a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-claus-that-refreshes/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a prevalent myth</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> claims that the company invented the modern image of Santa Claus.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even if that’s not true, Coca Cola’s recurring “Holidays Are Coming” campaign is </span><a href="http://blog.brandisty.com/brand-management-blog/how-coca-cola-became-a-holiday-brand/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">still legendary</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In fact, many don’t consider the Christmas season truly started until they hear the familiar jingle on TV. Even though it’s been a staple for over two decades, Coca-Cola has continued to </span><a href="https://www.marketingweek.com/2016/12/06/coca-cola-innovate-christmas-ad/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">expand and innovate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> its holiday marketing, while still keeping the core of its message clear and consistent.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After all, the holidays are all about traditions, both big and small. Using nostalgia and tried-and-true concepts can help to create a sense of tradition around your brand. We’ve seen this notion applied in many of the campaigns on this list, where brands iterate on a successful idea over the years.</span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, nothing demonstrates the effect of this technique quite like Coca-Cola. If you can manage something similar for your own brand, albeit, on a smaller scale, it can improve your business’ authority and capture your audience’s imagination.</span></p> | |
| <h2><b>Holly and Jolly</b></h2> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The holidays are not </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">just</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about giving gifts, traveling, and spending time with family. They’re also a prime opportunity to market your business, boost end-of-year sales, and solidify your brand identity in the process. </span></p> | |
| <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Making sure you have all the tools you need can help boost the success of any campaign. Our </span><a href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-shared-hosting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">shared hosting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a great way to get started on a new endeavor while providing your site with lots of room to grow!</span></p> | |
| <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/best-holiday-marketing-campaigns/">15 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns (And What You Can Learn from Them)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.dreamhost.com/blog">Website Guides, Tips and Knowledge</a>.</p> | |
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