Having a website that not only functions well, but looks good too, is very important in this digital day and age. There are many platforms out there for do-it-yourself business owners, but what are the benefits of working with a company the specializes in website design? Take a look at these five key benefits that will help you decide whether or not doing it on your own is worth the time, money, and commitment.
 
1. It Will Save you Time
Chances are you don’t know all of the ins and outs of building a successful website. You might be more than capable of learning how to make a website, but every minute you spend working on your website could be spent building your business in other ways. In the long run you are going to save yourself a lot of time if you let a professional take the lead on your new website.
 
2. Compatibility with Technology as it Changes
Part of being a professional is having a never-ending commitment to learning. Industry leaders keep up to date on trends, technology, and any other advances in their field that could help their clients. Their lifelong commitment to their profession shows in all of their work and gives them the drive to continue to learn and grow. This will ensure that your website is always up to date with any changes in technology as they happen.
 
3. Positive First Impression
You get one chance to make a first impression. The first time someone visits your site, it gives you a chance to make them a customer, and potentially an advocate for your business. If they are impressed with the look and functionality, they are more likely to recommend it to others. A website design company knows how to capture the attention of your audience and make you stand out from the crowd.
 
4. Your Website Will be SEO Optimized
It is great to have a beautiful website that offers users easy functionality, but you have to make sure people can find it. When your website is being created there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure it is SEO optimized. This means you will appear higher in search results and more people, and potential customers, will be able to find your website.
 
5. It is an Investment in the Future of Your Business
When you think about the long-term benefits of having a well-functioning website, it makes a lot of sense to leave something this important up to the professionals. A good website can last you many years with proper maintenance. Looking at this as a long-term investment versus a short-term cost, makes the decision to work with a website design company even easier.
 
We hope this list has helped you see the benefits of investing in a professional website for your business. There are so many more benefits when choosing to work with us, but we hope this list empowers you to leave your website in our hands. We are experienced, professional and passionate about what we do. We can’t wait to help you! 

One popular New Year’s Resolution is getting and staying organized! We don’t just mean your closet or pantry either. Get your to-do lists, files, and upcoming projects organized with these free tools. No matter your work style, there is a tool on this list that could help you and your team crush your 2021 goals!

Asana
 
Asana is an online Project Management tool that you can use with your team to stay on top of all upcoming projects. It is a great to use when collaborating because you can invite unlimited guest users. The tool can be used to see progress long term and to break out day-to-day tasks that will keep you on target to reach those goals. If you are part of a team that needs constant communication, Asana is a must-have online resource. The best part is there is a free plan for up to 15 people so even a small business can get a lot out of this tool.
 
Trello
 
If you like lists, Trello may be the best tool for you. You can create boards for each project and lists within them for things you want to get done. This platform offers great visuals and is easy to use as a team. You can share boards between users to keep everyone on the same page. The cards on each list can be moved from list to list to keep things organized as you progress through a project. There is a free plan offered by Trello but there are paid plans as well that upgrade some of the features.
 
Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar and Mail)
 
Google Apps are designed to be shared and the cloud-based storage makes it so you can access your files from anywhere. You can easily share your files with other contributors, and you can both work on them at the same time. Using the calendar in conjunction with mail will keep you up to date on all of your meetings and calls with the simple click of a button. These tools are powerful and run by a highly trusted company, so you never have to worry about losing an important document. 
 
WeTransfer
 
Sometimes you just need to get files to people. You don’t need to store them long-term or have a dedicated space for files being used in a collaboration. This is where WeTransfer comes in! It is a free online service where you upload your files, fill in the recipients contact info, and send it to them. The site sends you notifications when the file is sent, opened and when it is about to expire. It is a fast and secure way to send files without having to give up any of your storage space.
 
Pinterest
 
Pinterest has been around for years but is evolving year after year to fit the needs of its users. Did you know when Pinterest first started you had to have an invite from a user to join the site? They have come a long way! It is a great place to find inspiration and collect images onto boards to have for later. You can also create collaborative boards between team members so you can all pin ideas for projects and see each other’s inspiration.
 
Pen and Paper
 
Last, by certainly not least, is good old-fashioned pen and paper. If the online world is too much for you to jump into or if you just like having a physical connection to your to-do list, a pen and paper is all you need. Sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than literally crossing something off your to-do list. It leaves you with a great sense of completion. If you want to up your pen and paper game, look into bullet journals. There are so many resources out there on different lists you can create to help you stay on track and reach your goals!
 
We hope this list inspires you to look into some new and improved ways to stay organized in 2021. No matter how big or small your team, or the task at hand, these tools can help you stay on top of everything. 

We often read articles on where websites are headed, what trends are in, and how to handle the basics of designing your own website. But there isn't nearly as much coverage on the bad practices of website DIY'ers. You know a bad website when you're on it, but it can be difficult to pinpoint the "no-no's" that make you bounce from the bad site and give your attention to a site that does it right.  
 
Here are a few of the "no-no's" we think are important when it comes to website design in the Year 2020.

First:
Don’t get cute with font colors. Stick with black text on light backgrounds.

When was the last time you checked out your own website?
 
Often, this is something even WE overlook. We understand. In this day and age, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work. Like us, that work probably has you on dozens of other sites all day long and before you realize it, a lot of time has flown by since your last check-in on your own site. It may feel it may feel like you just launched that "new" website last month, but maybe a couple years have gone by, and in the digital world, a couple of years can be a lifetime. Best practices, new trends, search optimization, and algorithms are ever-evolving and constantly changing, but try not to get too overwhelmed with it all.
 
Here are a few simple signs it may be time for a little website work: