According to a study done by Adobe, 38% of consumers would leave a website altogether if the layout or imagery is unattractive or if the content is too long. If you need some advice on how to create a more visually appealing website with well-written content, then keep reading below.

Create Content, NOT Clutter

The point of having content on your website is to engage with visitors. Nobody, I repeat, NOBODY wants to scroll through paragraphs and paragraphs of words on your website’s landing page. This comes across as cluttered, not knowledgeable, and negatively impacts your website’s appearance. Only the most important words should make the final cut here.

Certain products and services can be complex to explain through words – that’s OK! This is when information can be organized with the use of typography. Establishing a text hierarchy makes the content more readable and allows visitors to easily browse through text without their eyes glazing over.

Another way to de-clutter your content is to transform it into graphics or videos. Referring back to the Adobe study, it also found that 66% of consumers who had just 15 minutes to browse content preferred to view “beautifully designed” content rather than content that was “simple or plain.” Having an infographic or helpful video can be more engaging for visitors and can maintain user attention on a complicated topic.

Go Farther with UX Web Design

User Experience (UX) is a big deal. It encompasses the entire interaction a visitor has with a business, even after leaving the internet. From the words to the page design – it’s everything a customer will experience. In a nutshell, UX is how visitors perceive and interact with a website.

UX web design is a process that involves different teams coordinating to make the most engaging website experience possible. This can involve lots of steps, including site mapping, wireframing, website design and copywriting. Research is also necessary, so accurate strategies are used for each company. This element can take a website to the next level and leave a lasting impression on potential customers.

Creating a beautiful and engaging website can take a lot of knowledge on the subject matter. If you aren’t tech savvy, don’t worry! We recommend letting a team of experts, like 3D Digital, help with your website design needs. Together, we can create a stunning website that will keep users swiping right for more!

The post Swipe Right on a Beautiful Website appeared first on 3D Digital.

As we move into 2020, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of what we accomplished this past year.

Marketing

We completed digital marketing campaigns for numerous new and existing clients in 2019. While many of our clients are local, we also work with national and international brands to grow their presence. Duval Ford, a local automobile dealership, has enlisted us to manage their digital marketing strategy, including the addition of dynamic ads. These dynamic ads are a game-changer for them, as they allow advertisements to adapt to the preferences of each unique user.

On a larger scale, we’re proud to have worked with brands like Chick-fil-A, Bubba Burger and Planet Fitness to expand their presence regionally and across the country. Using tactics like targeted display, OTT, and YouTube ads, our digital marketing campaigns soared in 2019.

Video Development

Having an in-house video team at 3D Digital is a huge asset. It allows us to work on video projects more efficiently for our clients. We had the privilege to put together many different video projects in 2019 for clients in varying industries. Two of the largest video projects we worked on this year are both very dear to us. The first is a fan series for the Jacksonville Jaguars, our local NFL team. The Jaguars sought our help to tell the stories of some of their most dedicated fans and what they do to engage in the local sports community.

Secondly, we worked on a video series for Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. This is a nonprofit that grants the wishes of local children with life-threatening illnesses. We produced videos to promote participation in their annual 5K race, with proceeds going to benefit their cause. Additionally, we produced a series of videos to share the stories of a few children they’ve supported.

Websites

Year after year we remain dedicated to helping others build their presence online. Last year, we successfully developed and launched a handful of new websites. Champion Brands (www.championbrands.net), Integrity Spine and Orthopedics (www.integrityspineortho.com), and Golf Range Netting (www.golfrangenetting.com) are just some of the sites we’ve constructed recently. Our team approaches website builds with an “all hands on deck” mentality. In other words, we don’t stop until the finished product is just right.

Overall, we accomplished quite a lot as a team in 2019. Every year we do our best to live out our motto: Define, Design, Deliver. Not only did we live out that motto in 2019, but we have hopes that 2020 will be even better.

The post 3D Digital at a Glance appeared first on 3D Digital.

Site Maintenance

It’s never been easier to build a website. With programs like WordPress and Wix.com, you don’t have to be a professional web developer to create a beautiful website. However, what happens when your site suddenly crashes?

As a business owner, you probably already have a million things on your plate. Most business owners don’t check their site every day, so if it crashes you might not catch it right away.

Don’t spend time trying to learn how to fix your web problems. A professional website host and manager can eliminate issues by routinely checking up on your site and resolving any issues should they arise.

Data Security

A reliable website host and manager backs up your information and data routinely. At 3D Digital, we back up the sites we host every night.

Backing up a website stores files, content and data to ensure your data won’t get lost forever if a hacker or malware attacks your system. A more common and less cynical reason to back up is to protect against human error. Accidents happen, so be prepared in case you or your employees mistakenly delete something from your site. When you invest time and money into creating a beautiful website, having a professional host back it up is smart.

Keeping Licenses Up to Date

It’s the age of subscriptions with sites like Netflix, Spotify and hundreds of others on the web. Many business owners have an additional bundle of recurring payments and multiple licenses to keep up with. If you manage your website, you must keep up with the renewal of your domain and any licenses you may have attached to your site.

If you miss the date to renew your domain, you risk losing it. Having a website manager eliminates this issue by constantly monitoring important renewal dates for you. If you manage your own site and miss a key renewal date your site can be taken down, or worse, your domain name might be sold to someone else.

If you don’t want to handle your website’s day-to-day operations, hiring a team to manage it is a great option. At 3D Digital, we’re experienced website hosts and managers who will maintain your site, keep your information secure and ensure all licenses are in good standing. Visit www.3ddigital.com/ to learn more about our full suite of web services.

The post Why It's Important to Have a Website Host and Manager appeared first on 3D Digital.

Have Purpose

To connect with Generation Z, your business needs to have a purpose. Yes, every business has a purpose to make money, but to win over this upcoming generation it must go deeper than that. These young people prefer to get behind brands that serve a greater good and have environmentally or socially conscious roots. Gen Z mentality is all about expressing individuality and being who you are. When they find a brand that expresses public support for people like them or for a cause they’re passionate about, they’re more likely to become a loyal customer.

Use Video

Video is a great way to boost awareness and engagement in general, but is even more significant to Generation Z. More than 70 percent of teens spend at least three hours per day watching videos on their mobile devices. With such a focus on video content, reaching out to this generation through any other medium just isn’t likely to be as effective. Whether it be through videos embedded on your website or short video ads on YouTube, video marketing is a must if you want to increase your conversions among this demographic.

Support Mobile

If your online presence isn’t yet optimized for mobile devices that should be your top priority. Without a properly developed mobile site, you’re not only missing out on the majority of Gen Z, but a lot of people in general. Incredibly, more than half of all teens use their smartphone for shopping. As more people begin the transition to online shopping and brick and mortar stores continue to decline, having an attractive mobile website is more important now than ever before.

Diversify Social Media

Facebook is king… or is it? While Facebook is still the most popular social media platform among the general population, the same can’t be said for Generation Z alone. According to Google, Instagram and Snapchat are the most popular social media platforms for this age group. Many businesses are familiar with Facebook and Facebook marketing, but not many have bridged over to Instagram and Snapchat in the same manner. If you want your brand to stay relevant moving forward, diverting more resources to these platforms is a one-way ticket to social media success.

With such a diverse group of individuals and free thinkers, the best way to connect with those in Generation Z isn’t the same across the board. Without a straightforward solution, observing their habits is extremely telling. Having a greater purpose, utilizing video, supporting the mobile experience and broadening your social media presence are some of the best ways your business can connect with Gen Z today.

The post How to Connect with Generation Z appeared first on 3D Digital.

To boost your branding strategy, we’re giving you five tips that will help build your brand in the new year.

Reevaluate Your Audience

No matter how confident you are that you know your customers, change is always a possibility. It’s recommended that you research your audience base annually so that you know exactly who you should be targeting with your marketing materials throughout the year. The billion-dollar brands of the world didn’t get there without making sure they knew exactly who to target and when.

Refresh Your Website

Your website is likely the first thing a potential customer will encounter. That first impression is crucial to entice someone to stay and discover all you have to offer. If you haven’t made any updates to your site in years, now’s the time. A well-executed website can position you as a leader in your industry and as a trustworthy place to do business. It’s also important that your branding materials are consistent between both your physical and digital locations, or your brand will suffer. Designing a fresh website that reinforces who you are and what it is you are trying to accomplish is always necessary, not only at the start of a new year.

Step-up Your Social Media Game

Social media is more than just a place to share cute cat pictures, it’s a proven business tool. If you haven’t delved into the world of social media, that should change immediately! During your audience research you should determine what platforms your customers prefer, then make sure you are present there. Like your website, the goal of your social media accounts should be to reinforce and enhance your brand online. Unlike your website, social media is where you can get a little more fun with your followers. Behind the scene looks, live videos, employee spotlights and direct customer engagements are all things you can offer on your social media accounts that wouldn’t make sense anywhere else.

Invest in Blogs

Blogs are a valuable brand building tool that many overlook. A well-researched and written blog post can position you as a knowledgeable source in your industry. This designation can result in massive gains for your brand as more people connect with your content. Also, a blog is great for search engine optimization (SEO) and adds more substance to your digital real estate, both valuable for a brand.

Seek Help from the Professionals

Regardless of how knowledgeable you are in your field, you may not know how to build a brand that resonates with your audience. This is where professionals step in. Hiring a team of experienced marketers to help you build your brand may just be the best decision you ever make. This team can take a lot of the stress off your shoulders and determine your best plan of action moving forward. From drafting your mission statement to creating a new logo, a marketing team can help you build from the ground up or midway through your journey. People often get lost trying to establish a successful online presence. An effective digital marketing team can design your website and tailor your social media accounts to best suit your needs.

Strong branding is more important now than ever. As 2019 begins, businesses are going to search for the newest and most innovative ways to grow their brands. It’s recommended that you do the same or risk losing your place as a competitor in your field. Reevaluating your audience, refreshing your website, focusing on social media, investing in blogs and bringing on a professional marketing team are all ways that you can continue to build your brand this new year.

The post 5 Tips to Building Your Brand in the New Year appeared first on 3D Digital.

Video

We’ve seen more and more people talk about video this year and it’s steadily grown. By the start of 2019, it’s expected to make up 80 percent of all internet traffic. Consumers value it because it provides an emotional connection between them and a business, something that’s not easily accomplished without it. Creating videos to share on your website and social media accounts gives you the opportunity to speak directly to your audience and show them exactly what you want them to see. The uses of video are endless, but promoting your products and demonstrating their abilities are both great uses, as the consumer can see exactly what it is they’re purchasing. Creating pieces of video content on a variety of topics to distribute throughout the year will help your company stay top of mind and make you a valued resource.

Another trend making waves this year is live video, also known as live streaming. This feature, commonly found on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, lets you instantly connect with your audience from anywhere in the world. It creates a new experience for your followers and gives them the opportunity to talk to you directly by making comments and getting a response from you in real time. Regularly live streaming can establish a relationship between you and your audience that was never possible before.

Influencer Marketing

Promoting a product isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. With so many outlets to choose from, the path to success may not be clear. One way to give yourself an advantage is to include influencer marketing as a digital strategy. An influencer is a person who has the power to influence other’s decisions, which is usually someone with a large following like a celebrity or internet personality. Let’s say Cristiano Ronaldo, who happens to be the most followed person on Instagram with nearly 150 million followers, posts a video promoting Coca-Cola. He’s telling all his followers that he enjoys Coca-Cola. The company then hopes that more business is generated from his fans who want to drink Coca-Cola simply because he drinks it. Find a person who has influence over your specific industry and you’ll likely see higher conversion rates than you would from using a random influencer. If you are a video game company, you probably wouldn’t want to use a reality TV star to promote your new game. A smart choice would be someone in the gaming community who already has millions of like-minded followers.

Single Page Web Design

Cluttered web pages are a thing of the past. Simplicity and uniformity are highly sought after this year, as more time online is being spent on mobile devices rather than traditional computers. The number of single page websites is exploding as we crave simpler designs that are mobile friendly. Single page websites are basically what they sound like, just one page. No more fumbling with lengthy drop-down menus and expansive toolbars. Single page sites give you all the available information neatly on one page, so you can find what you’re looking for quickly, translating to higher conversion rates. Updating your web design is always important; however, next time try condensing it down to a single page site to be even better prepared in the long run.

This doesn’t mean a single page website is for everyone. If your brand calls for a more in-depth experience, do it. Making sure the user has a great experience, no matter the device, should come first.

Bonus: Addressable Geo-Fencing

Many marketers this year will be taking advantage of an innovative tool called addressable geo-fencing, which provides the means to target up to one million unique street addresses. This is revolutionizing the world of digital marketing because now you can take your existing audience base, or those who have shown interest in you, and only target devices within the boundaries of their addresses. Instead of manually drawing a geo-fence around a general area, you can now advertise exclusively to those you know will be interested, resulting in a higher chance of conversions.

Digital marketing isn’t an easy area to stay on top of.  As people grow and change, so do their online habits. This makes it difficult to always pinpoint what is going to be successful in the future; however, what we do know is what’s on trend now. Video, influencer marketing, single page web design and addressable geo-fencing are all currently transforming the world of digital marketing and should be looked out for in 2019.

The post Digital Trends to Look out for in 2019 appeared first on 3D Digital.

User experience (UX) is the way that varying demographics interact with online content or products. Strategizing this experience can help users flow through your website the way you want them to.

Many people operate based on feelings, with it taking only less than one second for someone to form his or her opinion of your website. As soon as your page opens, there must be something there to persuade someone to click.

This online experience is important because it’s often a deciding factor if someone stays on your site for a prolonged period of time or bounces off. It’s an opportunity for you to make sure users receive your messages the way you want them received.

If someone has a positive experience, they are more likely to become a frequent visitor; however, if they have a bad experience it’s not a stretch to say they won’t be coming back. A staggering 94 percent of negative feedback websites receive is a result of bad design. Website design should be a top priority for everyone.

It’s understandable that not all businesses have a large budget to spend on UX strategy; however, spending a little more upfront to perfect a web design is a lot cheaper than going back later to fix it.

There are many ways you can create a positive user experience for your online content. Read the tips below to see what you should be doing right now to have a better UX:

Know Your Audience

This is the first step to creating a positive UX. You can’t just guess who your target demographics are and what they’re going to want. You may not even know who is really viewing your content the most. Do some research and dive deeper into your analytics, then design your site accordingly. Conducting small-sample research and paid analytics evaluations for your website are never a bad idea – and reviewing this data might even change your perception of how you might be assuming people use the website.

Standardize the Design

Users are more likely to interact with a site that’s easy to navigate. The design pattern of your pages should be consistent. Different fonts or layouts, endless drop downs and complex menus may want to be avoided when trying to create a positive UX. Your customers should be able to find what they’re looking for effortlessly. The last thing you want is for them to lose patience and click off.

Get Help

It’s smart to seek the assistance of experienced web designers and digital agencies, like 3D Digital. These professionals study website and other industry related trends and can design digital experiences to target your audience. It can also assist in audience research or explore unique ideas on how to gain a positive user experience across all platforms.

UX is a major determinant in whether a business is successful online. Listen to your audience. If the average interaction with your site is brief, there may be a design flaw that you can improve. Keep an open mind and don’t hesitate to change things if need be.

The post Why a Positive UX is Important appeared first on 3D Digital.

You need to be able to find that web professional who has the skills to do the job. It doesn't matter whether they call themselves a designer or a developer.

Not to make an attempt at explaining web design vs web development, but, for the record, developers are typically involved with application and/or software development. Nonetheless, many also know very well how to build and maintain websites. So, you can't rule them out if you need a website built.

In the webiverse, the distinction among professionals and their skills has become more granular than just calling someone a web developer or web designer. For instance, someone who specializes in user experience is called a UX designer while someone who specializes in Javascript is called a Javascript developer. A PHP expert might be called, yes, a PHP developer. There are Angular JS, Node.js, Python, and C++ developers, too. The list goes on.

Step One: Stop trying to distinguish web design vs web development.

How to Find the Right Web Professional

To start, determine what your project is exactly. Is it a new website? A redesign of a current website? A landing page working with a digital banner marketing campaign? Is it a mobile app? Is it a web-based software product? Will you have ecommerce? Will users be interacting with the site in a way that manipulates the page view, the content, or the outcome of calculations? Determine the basis of your project needs by understanding first what you want in the end.

Once you have a clear idea of what the outcome needs to be, it's time to start looking for a web professional that has the right skillset for your project.

While it is beyond the scope of this article to talk about reputations – how to tell good professionals from not-so-good ones, it is imperative that the web professional you do choose can validate claims about skills by providing examples from their previous projects that have a similar basis to yours. For example, if you are a clothing retailer wanting to build an ecommerce website to sell your products, you will want to find a web professional that has at least a couple of ecommerce websites built recently (within the past 2 years) in their portfolio and links to live sites they've built for you to look at and evaluate. If they don't, there is valid reason to doubt that they are the right web expert for your project.

An example of a well-rounded portfolio is the 3D Digital portfolio. This portfolio exemplifies the diversity of skills offered by the 3D Digital team. It provides a good sense of the clients they have worked with – medical-dental, bio-technology, retail, celebrity/hi-profile, schools/education, nonprofit, home services, entrepreneurs, legal, construction/builders and more. By examining the portfolio further, you can see that have built everything from very complex retail ecommerce sites and sites with cool interactive animations to static informational websites. The more you dig, you will see that they have not only built many custom websites, but they have a video production team, too. You can get a social media video animation created or shoot an entire video segment in the studio. While your project is unique in its own right, there is good evidence provided to feel confident moving forward with discussing your project with them.

Whether you have a large project or a small one, whether you are looking to hire an agency or a consultant, this necessity for them to provide evidence of their skills applies.

Here is a tip when searching for a web professional in Google:

If, for example, you want an ecommerce website built in WordPress, Google something like

WordPress + Ecommerce + Jacksonville

…where Jacksonville is the location modifier for the search.

Adding a location modifier helps weed out search results for jobs, education and other channels that may not procure a web professional for you.

Finally, when reaching out to professionals in your search, don't settle with just one quote or opinion. Get multiple quotes and opinions. Discover who you are comfortable talking with and who is difficult to talk with. Discover who has experience working in your market or industry. Weigh the options. The cheapest price is not always the best route to take. In the case of your business, it's always better to know the professional you are paying has the credentials and ability to make your project successful than it is to save a few dollars with the cheapest quote. And, sometimes it works out that the best person for the job is the cheapest quote!

In the end, understanding web design vs web development really isn't necessary at all.

The post Web Design vs Web Development appeared first on 3D Digital.

If you are interested in more options for crawling a page without indexing the content – perhaps you want the crawler to follow the links on a page to reach other content you do want indexed – then this meta robots article is a good resource.

The post What is Robots.txt? appeared first on 3D Digital.

GO LOCAL

Working with a local web design company is a major plus for the success of your online presence. Local companies have a good grasp on the geographical area and your target audience. Florida's most populated city is Jacksonville, home to roughly 850,000 people. This diverse city is comprised of many different areas, like the Beaches, San Marco, Avondale, Riverside and many more. Going local when picking your web design company is great because the local team that you choose is going to be familiar with the competition in the area. They are ahead of the curve and will be able to make your company’s website stick out from the rest. Instead of worrying about the competition, going local makes you the competition.

GOOD REPUTATION IN THE COMMUNITY

Finding a Jacksonville web design company that has a good reputation is key to not wasting your time and money. It is important to do your research prior to making your decision to commit with the web design company of your choice. Be sure to check out reviews to get some insight on how others might have liked or disliked their interaction with the company you are considering. Request references when you choose a web design company, as well. If someone had a bad experience with a company, he/she will be honest. Of course, the web design company you are looking at is going to make it seem like they are the best, that is part of their job. This is why you need to do your own personal research and look for red flags. Checking out websites, like the Better Business Bureau, is a great way to see if the website design company you could possibly choose is worth going forward with or not.

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Choose a company that takes time to give back to their community. Not only is it good for the parties involved, but it also shows that they make it a priority to invest in their community. To determine if a company is partnering with local agencies and charities, check out their website for mentions of sponsorships, donation drives and volunteer service. You can also view the LinkedIn pages of the company’s leadership team to see if they donate their time to charitable causes or sit on any nonprofit boards.  A company that gives back is not just there for the personal profit, but is also making the conscience choice to be involved and present for the betterment of the community.

UNDERSTAND YOUR VISION

Going local with your web design company is great when it comes to the one-on-one time and connection that you can build with their team. Having a team nearby gives you the chance to partake in face-to-face conversations, eliminating the the confusing back and forth emails that could get misinterpreted if you were to choose a long-distance company. Make sure the web design team that you hire puts your vision into action. It should be a give and take. A good website design company will listen to your wants and needs, as well as provide insight and ideas to help elevate your vision. Picking a team that has similar goals, values and personalities to you is also something important to consider. Meet with the team, explain to them what you are looking for, and make sure they are onboard with your vision. You want the connection to be authentic. This will make working with the team more enjoyable and create a successful partnership.

TRENDSETTERS

Innovative creators don’t take shortcuts. These type of creators will work with you in order to create a unique design that will make your company’s website standout from the competition. While meeting with your Jacksonville web design company, make sure they are bringing exciting ideas to the table. You do not have to settle for a pre-made template that every other company in Jacksonville offers. Look for a web design company that is a trendsetter, creates original content and can provide solutions to your problems. When choosing a Jacksonville web design company, creativity is key!

If your business needs a new website, or would like to upgrade an existing website, contact the experts at 3D Digital and ask for a free quote. We have helped many companies, local and national, increase their online presence.

3D Digital is a full-service, digital marketing agency located in Jacksonville, FL. We offer website design and development, video production, social media management and an array of digital marketing solutions, such as display banners and AdWords. To learn more about our services, please visit 3ddigital.com/.

The post How to Choose a Web Design Company in Jacksonville appeared first on 3D Digital.