The web design industry can be extremely intimidating for those unfamiliar or new to it. Not only does it contain its own language but there’s so much web jargon and terms that goes along with it.

For designers, these terms have become second nature, so lets look at some of the most common web related terms you’ll stumble across.

301 Redirect:
A 301 redirect is a term all designers are familiar with, it’s the term used when one URL (Uniform Resource Identifier) permanently redirects to another.

This usually happens when you change URL’s, have broken pages, content is deleted or is no longer useful, when a website is redesigned or domains are merged.

404 Error:
When a 404 page error appears, this means the page you’re trying to access doesn’t exist on the website. 404 errors commonly appear when a page has been deleted from the site or the URL has been misspelled.

CSS:
CSS, also known as Cascading Style Sheet refers to the script created to lay out and style pages on a website. This can include anything from colour, size, spacing of the content to font changes.

Hosting:
Without hosting, your website can’t be accessed. Hosting is the web servers used to “house”, serve and maintain all the files of websites.

Domain:
A domain name is simply the name of your website, it is what people typically type into a browser when searching for your website. Domain names are unique to every business, and your domain name can be claimed by having it registered with a domain registrar.

Shopping Cart:
Shopping carts are e-commerce sites specifically designed for businesses that sell products that allow customers to purchase goods online.

CMS:
Content management system is a type of software that uses a database to manage content when designing a website.

Although they are not specific to web design and are used for marketing purposes too, they play a vital role in the management of website content.

HTTP:
HTTP, short for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is regarded as the foundation of the world wide web used to load pages with the use of hypertext links and to transfer files on the internet.

HTTPS:
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is the secure version of HTTP, where data is transferred over a secure network.

Cache:
Cache refers to a type of hardware or software component that stores data so that the data can easily be accessed for future use.

Cookies:
Cookies is the data your browser saves to help keep track of your website visits and activity.

Slider:
Slideshows on a website are typically referred to as sliders used to display information. They’re used for images, text and even video.

Header:
The top section of a website is known as the header, it is usually what people see first when opening a website.

Footer:
Footers are found at the end of a website, they’re the opposite of the header. They generally display company details such as contact information, copyright, social icons and privacy policies to name a few.

While these are but a few everyday design terms we’ve compiled, there are hundreds, if not thousands of web related terms designers and design agencies are familiar with.

If social media engagement hasn’t been part of your social strategy - you need to start making it a priority. In our previous post, Understanding Social Media Engagement, we delved into what Social Media Engagement is and why it’s important.

But understanding it is one part of a two-part problem, so, lets look into some practical ways in which you can improve your social media engagement with a few simple steps.

1. Consider your offering
While this doesn’t seem like an important step to some, it’s by far one of the most crucial steps. All your marketing efforts and the interaction your brand will receive is centered around:

WHAT you’re offering - are you product or service focused? If you’re offering multiple services or products, what’s your core business?

WHO you are targeting - are your products or services aimed at professionals, youngsters, business owners, kids, different audiences?

2. Understanding the platforms
In the world of social media, there’s no shortage of platforms where you can market your product or service. But no two platforms are the same. Each one caters to different audiences and won’t offer the exact same return on investment.

When you have a clear understanding of what each platform offers, the type of business / product it is intended for and the audiences that live on each platform, you better your chances of creating the right content and targeting people who should be interacting with your brand.

Facebook
Not only is Facebook the largest social networking platform, it is also the most versatile. It works really well for both products and services, and allows you to reach and target different groups of audiences, anywhere.

Example: A baker (product) can use Facebook to target his or her audience by showcasing examples of their work, doing live tutorials or sharing DIY recipes.

A personal trainer (service) can share at-home workouts, health tips and suggestions and conduct Q&A sessions.

LinkedIn
Also known as the hub for professionals, LinkedIn tops the chart for connecting professionals across a multitude of industries. Whether you’re job hunting or recruiting, LinkedIn is a great B2B marketing platform and an ideal source for seeking out opportunities, talent and skill. 

Twitter
For all things news, trending and buzzworthy, you can count on Twitter to be the most effective platform in bringing you news on the go or the daily scoop. It has been successful in connecting people and allowing them to share their thoughts with a large audience. 

Instagram and Pinterest
Instagram focuses more on sharing your own images, while Pinterest is about curated content. Despite this difference, they’ve both gained popularity for being a source of inspiration for ideas. 

YouTube and TikTok
Video content and the use of platforms like YouTube and TikTok has seen exponential growth over the last 5-10 years. Next to images, video content is easier to digest and allows you to communicate better and faster with your intended target audience.
With the above in mind, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do to improve your social media engagement:

DO

• Make your content relevant and interesting 
• Be human
• Be consistent 
• Engage with your audience by responding to comments and answering questions
• Invest in Facebook and Instagram live chats
• Make it less about you and more about your audience
• Keep up with what’s trending 
• Adapt
• Use video and images

DON’T

• Opt for text-heavy posts
• Oversell
• Avoid generic and impersonal communication 
• Take too long to respond to comments and messages
• SPAM

Social media engagement is all about interaction. The output (engagement) strongly depends on the input (effort invested). Just as a plant will grow if it receives the right amount of water and sunlight, so will your brand.

But beware, that growth (engagement) won’t happen overnight. Your plant (business) won’t be watered at the same time or receive the same amount of sunlight every day. It will adapt to its environment and with time, you can reap the rewards (customer loyalty and trust) from the fruit it bears.

Google has been a highly resourceful search engine that has revolutionised and given life to our online experiences. For businesses just starting out or those that are already established, it’s important that your customers are able to find you online. Since Google’s aim is to help people find businesses closest to where they are, a Google My Business listing will not only help potential customers find you on Google, but it will greatly contribute to your online success.

So, what exactly is a Google listing and how do you go about getting one?

Google My Business is an all-in-one free (that’s right) tool that allows you to manage and control your digital presence in local Google search engines and Google Maps. You can post updates, connect and engage with your audience, gather reviews for your product and service.

Take a look at the image below, when your business name or keywords related to the product or service you offer is entered into Google, (eg: web design companies in Bellville), you’re likely to appear in search results.

To start the listing process, first you need to create your listing, then the account has to be verified. Once those steps are completed, you can then optimise the account for search, and to better promote it.

Step 1: Creating your account

Google has simplified the process by guiding you through each step.

First, you want to ensure you’re logged into an existing Google account. Once logged in, head on over to https://www.google.com/business/ to start the process.

Once you’re on the Google My Business homepage, you want to establish whether there is an existing listing for your business, this is if you’ve previously created a listing.

When you click on manage, you’ll be redirected to the following page where you can either find your business or start setting up a new listing.

If there is an existing account, you can proceed to claim it. If it’s a new account, you’ll proceed to the page that requests your business name, the category that best describes your business.

If you have offices or a physical store, you can include this, as it will show on Google Maps or when people are searching for you. Hereafter, you’ll have the option to include additional areas you may serve or deliver to customers (if applicable).

Include all the necessary contact details that will help customers get in touch with you, all contact details you enter . Here, you can also include your website. And if you do not have one, Google allows you to create a free, basic website (this will not include your official domain registration or emails and hosting).

You have now successfully completed step one and can start managing your content within your Google My Business Listing.

Step 2: Account verification

You’ll need to confirm that the business is yours by verifying the account. Google permits account verification in two ways, you can either;

Have a postcard mailed to the address under which you’ve listed the business. For businesses based in South Africa, this usually takes roughly 21-22 days to arrive via post. The card will look as follows, and you’ll need to follow the steps on the card to proceed with verifying your Business Listing.

Although this method is the easiest, it’s worth noting that not all businesses are successful in verifying via email or phone. If your business is eligible, you’ll be prompted to either complete this step via email or phone, to which the code will be sent.

You’ll be taken through a series of additional steps to complete your listing;

Listing your services Adding your business description Adding images of your business - this can be products, your offices or images relevant to the service you offer.

Thereafter you’ll be directed to your business listing dashboard where you can start filling in all relevant information to optimise your listing.

Step 3: Optimising your listing

Optimisation is key to getting your customers to find your business. It’s worth mentioning, an optimised listing requires constant and consistent efforts. It’s not about adding a lot of information, it’s about adding the right and most relevant information.

• Focus on content that is most relevant to your customers
• Have images that will appeal to your customers
• Be sure to manage and respond to reviews (both good and bad)

An optimised account includes the following:

• A cover image that is a clear reflection of your company, since it will be displayed at the top of your listing, it needs to be the correct size and resolution.
• Regular posts to keep visitors informed and up to date. Don’t post for the sake of posting, your content should at all times be purpose-driven.
• Responds to customer reviews.
• Allows for direct messaging.

Like any other efforts invested into getting your business seen, a Google My Business listing is an investment that’ll pay off in the long-run. To get started with your listing, head on over to https://www.google.com/business/, or if you need professional assistance, get in touch with us and we’ll help you set up a fully optimised listing.