Category: Local SEO and Online Visibility

  • Welcoming Raymond Labban to the David Martin Design Team

    Welcoming Raymond Labban to the David Martin Design Team

    We are thrilled to officially welcome Raymond Labban to the David Martin Design team as a part-time Digital Marketing & SEO Specialist! Raymond brings a fresh perspective and a strong passion for helping businesses thrive online. His skills and dedication are already making an impact, and we’re excited to highlight how he’ll support our growing portfolio of clients.

    About Raymond

    Raymond Labban is a talented professional with a knack for improving digital visibility. His role at David Martin Design involves:

    • Implementing SEO Updates: Conducting keyword research, optimizing site structures, and enhancing technical performance to improve search engine rankings.
    • Content Strategy Development: Crafting tailored strategies to boost engagement and connect businesses with their audiences.
    • Social Media & Reputation Management: Managing client profiles, responding to reviews, and monitoring digital interactions.
    • Local Search Optimization: Ensuring Google and Bing business listings are accurate, optimized, and impactful.
    • Monthly Reporting & Strategy: Assisting with performance reports, keeping clients updated, and driving strategic reviews.

    Contributions So Far

    In his short time with us, Raymond has already made remarkable strides:

    • Website Management: He has helped onboard new projects, including setting up essential tools like WordPress accounts and Gravatar profiles.
    • Digital Enhancements: Raymond has optimized business descriptions, ensuring a clear, professional presence across platforms.
    • Content Collaboration: He’s streamlined processes for crafting SEO-friendly meta descriptions and developed strategies for improved digital engagement.
    • Reputation Management: Raymond facilitated thoughtful responses to online reviews, helping to enhance brand trust and visibility.
    • Team Integration: From setting up Asana tasks to participating in team meetings, Raymond has embraced our collaborative workflow, demonstrating excellent adaptability.

    Commitment to Community and Growth

    At David Martin Design, we pride ourselves on being partners in the growth of our local community. Adding Raymond to our team underscores our dedication to empowering small businesses with high-quality, personalized digital marketing solutions. His work ensures our clients receive tailored support that aligns with their unique goals, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact he’ll continue to make.

    Looking Ahead

    As Raymond deepens his involvement with new projects, we are confident his expertise will further solidify David Martin Design’s reputation as a trusted partner for local businesses. His focus on innovative, data-driven solutions aligns perfectly with our mission to foster meaningful digital transformations.

    Welcome aboard, Raymond! We are excited for all that’s ahead.

  • Brightside Café: Your Go-To Breakfast Spot and Study Haven in Bloomington!

    Brightside Café: Your Go-To Breakfast Spot and Study Haven in Bloomington!

    🌞✨ Big shoutout to Brightside Café! 🌟 We just wrapped up an incredible consultation with them today. With the influx of Indiana University students coming into town, Brightside Café is ready to welcome everyone with open arms. Whether you’re looking for the best breakfast in town, a delicious espresso drink made just the way you like it, or gluten-free food options, they’ve got you covered! 🍳☕️

    A person reflected in a laptop screen showing an internet speed test in a coffee shop with a view of the interior through glass windows.

    But that’s not all—Brightside Café is also the perfect spot to hit the books and study! 📚 With lightning-fast internet speeds (just look at the speed test results in the image below! 🚀), it’s an outstanding place to get work done while enjoying a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

    If you’re new to Bloomington or just looking for a new favorite spot, be sure to check out Brightside Café and feel the Brightside vibes! 😎🌈

  • WordPress SEO for the Busy Entrepreneur: Image Optimization

    WordPress SEO for the Busy Entrepreneur: Image Optimization

    Are you trying to DIY your online presence but are struggling to understand all the search engine optimization (SEO) terms? Are you worried about causing more damage or harm than good, or overwhelmed with deciphering what practices are essential and what could be saved for a rainy day?

    Hello and welcome to the first chapter of our WordPress SEO for the Busy Entrepreneur series where we help our clients, fellow entrepreneurs, and aspiring digital marketers better understand the foundational practices of SEO for their website’s organization.

    We know the stress of trying to run a business on top of marketing it. That’s why people come to us and we have a business! (Talk about the circle of life!) But we also have many wonderful clients who aren’t at that stage of their entrepreneurial journey, who need a professional website with reliable hosting and can’t afford a marketing agency quite yet. Yet, many have a drive that knows no bounds and are more than willing to put in the work updating their website with edits and blog posts. They just don’t have the time to learn what’s important, what’s less so, what resources to trust and learn from.

    It’s become clear to us that there needs to be a resource for entrepreneurs who are willing to put in the work, but can’t afford a single moment more. For those who need the pieces broken down and targeted specifically for their WordPress site. For those who aren’t technically savvy and have no desire to be, they just want things to work and for customers to go 📈. If any of these sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

    Today, we’ll be talking about Image Optimization, why it’s important and how it plays into your institutions marketing success, and ranking each piece by what’s most important as well as the process we recommend you take for the most efficient use of your time.

    What is Image Optimization?

    Image optimization is the process of converting high quality photographs, artwork, and graphics from their original state into copies that are optimized for websites and social media platforms. This process involves two main procedures:

    1. Cropping, resizing, and saving images into a compressed format while sacrificing minimal quality
    2. Correctly categorizing and describing the images you’re using through image metadata

    Just like you wouldn’t want to wear a t-shirt that’s 5 sizes too big and claims to be “wrinkle-free” when it’s clearly not, you wouldn’t want an image on your website that takes 2 minutes to load and ends up not being what the user was looking for. The process of image optimization is like tailoring that oversized t-shirt to fit just right.

    Image Compression: Tailor Your Images to the Digital World

    Image Compression is ultimately about carefully cropping, resizing, and compressing the image file so it loads quickly and looks great on screens – without sacrificing the quality or intent of the original image.

    Image Compression can be broken down into 4 steps:

    1. Crop: Crop the image so that the main focus is centered, if needed. Consider the platform(s) you’re uploading to and whether they use a square, rectangular, or circular aspect ratio. This not only reduces the file size, but also improves it’s impact.
    2. Resize: Digital cameras today are capable of taking superb quality photographs in 4K resolution. But images on web pages or social media platforms are rarely displayed at this resolution, since most images are not displayed full screen and the majority of internet users are using devices lacking 4K output. When in doubt, a 1200px width is more than enough for the vast majority of images used on a web page.
    3. Reformat: There are plenty of image formats out there nowadays. Each come with their own benefits and drawbacks, but to keep it simple: Use .jpg for images that have a background, and .png for images that have a transparent or no background. The default quality option should be sufficient.
    4. Compress: Using a free image compressor like compressor.io can further reduce the file size of an image by up to 80% sometimes without making a noticeable impact on quality. Now would be a good time to rename your image for SEO purposes (more on that below.) If you follow nothing else in this guide, using these image compression tools are an extremely easy and straightforward way to reduce page load time.
    Screenshot of compressor.io reducing the file size of an image

    Crop & Resize Images on Windows

    1. Open File Explorer and find the image you want to edit.
    2. Right-click on the image, hover over “Open with,” and select “Photos.”
    3. Click the “Edit & Create” button in the top-right corner.
    4. Select “Edit” from the dropdown menu.
    5. Click the “Crop & rotate” button.
    6. Adjust the cropping frame by clicking and dragging the corners or edges of the frame. Once satisfied, click the “Save a copy” button to save the cropped image.
    7. Open the cropped image in Paint (right-click the image, hover over “Open with,” and select “Paint”).
    8. Click the “Resize” button in the Home tab.
    9. Ensure the “Maintain aspect ratio” checkbox is checked.
    10. In the “Horizontal” box, enter “1200” (the vertical dimension will adjust automatically). Click “OK” to resize the image.
    11. Click “File” in the top menu bar and select “Save as.” Choose the desired location and format, and click “Save.”

    Crop & Resize Images on Mac

    1. Locate your image in Finder
    2. Open the image in Preview (double click on the image)
    3. Press and drag your selection
    4. Hover on Tools in the top menu bar, select Crop
    5. Hover on Tools again, select Resize Image
    6. In the width box, put 1200px & confirm
    7. Save the image by hovering on File in the top menu bar and selecting save (or press S)

    Image Metadata: The Catalogue Card for Your Photos

    Before we delve into Image Metadata, let’s back up and ask the question: “What is Metadata?”

    Metadata defined for the laymen

    To define it simply: Metadata is data about data. It’s information that categorizes and summarizes what something is.

    To use an analogy: In the 80’s you needed to find a book (website) at the library (web). You would use the library catalogue (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) to search for the book either by it’s name or author. When you found the right card (search result), it would tell you the call number or location. You would then go through the shelves or ask a librarian for help (click) and eventually find and check out your book (website).

    In our case, we use metadata describing your website to help the robots that search engines use to rank search results better understand who your organization is, what you do, when you’re open, how to contact you, etc. and ultimately rank as high as possible.

    What do I need to know about image metadata?

    Image metadata is important not only because it helps these robots understand images they can’t actually see (yet) and determine if they’re relevant or not, but also ensures your website remains accessible for those with sight disabilities or a painfully slow internet connection by providing descriptions of what they’re viewing.

    Image metadata can feel complex to understand considering all the various elements that go into it, and even harder to know what to prioritize. But luckily, the elements that have the greatest visibility impact are also some of the simplest to incorporate. Here are the three most important elements concerning image metadata:

    1. Alt Text: Alt text, short for Alternative Text, is the most important part of image metadata. This is really just a brief description of what the image is. It’s used for people who rely on screen readers, when the image fails to load to give context (common for those with slow internet connections), and for showing search engines that this image is relevant in relation to your organization.
    2. File Name: An images name before uploading it plays a huge factor in helping search engines better understand the image content and increase it’s visibility. This is a great place to tie your images with your company and it’s specific services or people. Instead of “mark.jpg”, something like “Mark-Scott-Sales-Manager-Generica-Inc.jpg” helps search engines recognize that Mark Scott is the Sales Manager at Generica Inc, this is his picture, and that this image is relevant to the blurb describing him below it.
    3. Title: The title tag is used as a tooltip description, providing supplemental information when the user hovers over an image. However, the this only applies to users on desktop. This is a good place to add keywords if warranted.
    Screenshot of the WordPress media attachment panel

    Let’s get to work: An actionable Image Optimization checklist

    Now that we’ve explained the abstract concepts behind Image Optimization and it’s two major components: Image Compression and Image Metadata, let’s go through a step by step process on how to actually incorporate these pieces efficiently:

    1. Gather your images into a folder called something like [subject]-originals
    2. Decide where you’re uploading these images and crop each one as needed
    3. Resize the width of each image to 1200px
    4. Reformat each image. Are they photographs? Go with .JPG. Are they graphics or use transparent backgrounds? .PNG is the way to go
    5. Create a folder called [subject]-optimized and upload your edited images to compressor.io
    6. Download each image, saving it into the [subject]-optimized folder and rename each image to relate to your organization and the relevent service or person
    7. If you want a break, now’s a good time
    8. Login to your WordPress website, and navigate to the Media tab in the admin panel
    9. Upload your optimized images
    10. Return to the media library, click on the first image thumbnail in the upper left. This will open the image metadata panel. In the alt field, write a brief description of the image in question either manually or use AI to assist you. If you have a premium ChatGPT plan, use our A11y SEO Image Wizard.
    11. Fill out the alt text (and optionally the title) for the remaining images. Congratulations! You’ve now optimized the images on your website. Your images can be now be added to the posts or pages of your choosing.

    If you followed this checklist, you can rest easy that the most important standards concerning image optimization are being met. Your web page will now appear more attractive to search engines, as well as improve the page load times and accessibility for your visitors.

  • Building 67 Storage: A Branding Case Study

    Building 67 Storage: A Branding Case Study

    Transforming Ideas into Virtual Reality: The Genesis of 67storage.com

    The creation of 67 Storage was a branding project that challenged our creativity and technical expertise but also strengthened our belief in the power of one-on-one collaboration.

    Our partnership with Roman, the business owner behind 67 Storage, started with a mission to craft a digital web presence and branding that mirrors the efficiency, security, and user-friendliness of their recently built storage units on Highway 67.

    Our branding project began with making a pivotal decision. Roman initially sought to name his venture after his last name, “Manley Enterprises”. However, after sitting down with Roman and getting a better understanding of his marketing goals, we found an opportunity for a more intuitive connection with potential clients.

    We brainstormed and design a brand that wasn’t only a name, but also a literal signpost. A logo that encapsulated the business’s essence and its geographical significance. Drawing from its strategic location off of Highway 67, “67 Storage” was born.

    This decision wasn’t just about picking a name—it was about crafting a scalable, recognizable, memorable, and easily searchable brand identity across both digital platforms and physical mediums for future customers. ’67 Storage’ was more than a choice; it was a strategic decision that streamlined the discovery process for potential clients.

    Brand Identity Creation – Forging the 67 Storage Identity Inspired by the Open Road

    With the name “67 Storage” setting the stage, the journey towards creating a cohesive brand identity began.

    Color Scheme

    A Palette Born from the Road

    The color scheme transitioned from concept to palette, drawing from the distinctive colors of highway road signs. This choice was intentional, aiming to evoke a sense of reliability and guidance, much like the road signs that navigate travelers to their destinations. The colors chosen were more than just visually appealing; they were a narrative in themselves, telling a story of trust, direction, and safety.

    Typography

    Typography plays a pivotal role in bridging 67 Storage’s brand identity with its digital presence. Research into the typography of highway signs—specifically Highway Gothic and Clearview—revealed the practical challenges of licensing and digital optimization. Thus, for the logo, we chose Interstate, a font inspired by highway signage yet suitable for digital use, found on Adobe Fonts. For the website, Overpass from Google Fonts was selected for its web optimized design and open source license, ensuring a consistent, readable online experience. This thoughtful selection allowed us to maintain a connection to the brand’s roots while adapting to the digital landscape.

    Screenshot of the ClearviewHwy Complete Family font licensing options showing a price of $795 for a single computer license.
    ClearviewHwy font single computer license purchase page indicating the cost of $795, which informed the decision to select Overpass for the 67 Storage website.
    Informational screenshot detailing Overpass, a free, open-source typeface from Google Fonts, designed for web and environmental graphic design.
    Screenshot highlighting Overpass, a versatile typeface from Google Fonts, chosen for its compatibility with 67 Storage’s branding and logo.

    Logo Design

    Drawing inspiration from the very roots of the name, the brand’s visual identity took cues from highway signs—a nod to the name’s origin and a brilliant play on familiarity and visibility. The logo was fashioned to mirror the clarity and straightforwardness of highway signage, ensuring instant recognition and connection.

    Logo of "67 Storage" resembling a traditional American highway sign with a shield shape, red and blue color scheme, and large white "67" in the center.
    Logo of "67 Storage" resembling a traditional American highway sign with a shield shape, red and blue color scheme, and large white "67" in the center.
    Logo of "67 Storage" resembling a traditional American highway sign with a shield shape, red and blue color scheme, and large white "67" in the center.
    Logo of "67 Storage" resembling a traditional American highway sign with a shield shape, red and blue color scheme, and large white "67" in the center.
    Logo of "67 Storage" resembling a traditional American highway sign with a shield shape, red and blue color scheme, and large white "67" in the center.

    Business Card Design

    Business card for 67 Storage featuring contact details, a QR code for the website, and the company's shield logo with the number 67.

    For the business card, we compressed 67 Storage’s brand identity into a readable, impactful design. The layout and iconography is intentionally minimalist to focus on clearly displaying key contact information. To balance the white space of the card, we crafted a background that aligns with the shield logo on the right. This enhances the card’s visual appeal and brand recognition. Moreover, a QR code links to the 67 Storage website for ease of customer access. Our design approach makes the business card an efficient networking tool and extension of the 67 Storage brand identity.

    Picking 67storage.com: Securing a Strong Online Presence

    Selecting the right domain name for 67 Storage was a crucial decision to make. Picking an overly complicated or hard to remember domain name could considerably impact it’s ability for customers to find and remember. To avoid this, we decided on 67storage.com, a short, straightforward domain name that both reinforces the brand identity and simplifies the customer’s journey to finding the business online online.

    WordPress Website & Design: Crafting a User-Centric Online Space

    The website for 67 Storage was intentionally designed to radiate its unique identity while focusing on two primary objectives: attracting new customers and enabling online payment for storage unit rentals. Using WordPress, we customized the latest 2024 Theme and enriched it with hand-coded Custom CSS. This approach added a layer of interactivity to navigation elements, buttons, and links, improving the overall user experience. For style, significant customization was made on the page template to echo the brand’s signature shield motif, ensuring a visual consistency across the digital and physical aspects of the brand.

    Screenshot of 67 Storage's homepage featuring a welcome message, a diagram of available storage unit sizes, and facility information including address, total units, and 24/7 access.

    Key features of the site include detailed information about available storage units, a comprehensive FAQ section, and integration with a payment processor, facilitating easy rent payments for customers. Additionally, the website is equipped with contact forms designed to cater to prospective customers, simplifying the process of inquiring about rentals. This strategic combination of form and function embodies 67 Storage’s commitment to service accessibility and customer convenience, ensuring the website not only serves as a digital storefront but also as a tool for operational efficiency.

    Key Takeaway

    Working closely together with Roman, we took the initial seeds of a business idea, patiently nurturing them through a collaborative journey to fruition. It was our personal approach to this collaboration—taking the time to understand Roman’s vision, marketing goals, and the core values he wanted to portray—that let us create more than just a name or logo; we built an identity that truly embodied the key principles of efficiency, security, and customer focus.

    This project was more than a branding initiative; it was a testament to the power of personalized collaboration. By establishing a strong sense of trust with Roman and understanding his vision, we were able to ensure the branding truly reflected the essence of his business. This synergy created a robust, impactful brand that held a distinct logo and strong digital presence.

    67 Storage is no longer only an idea, but a living representation of Roman’s vision, bringing a tangible impact to the marketplace. It stands as the embodiment of thorough deliberation, cooperative work, and perseverance, and we’re immensely proud to be part of this evolving journey of 67 Storage. Our collaboration with Roman underscores the incredible outcomes that can be achieved through an individualized, insight-driven approach to business development.

  • Elevate Your Business Visibility with Local Business Listings on Google, Bing, & Yahoo

    Elevate Your Business Visibility with Local Business Listings on Google, Bing, & Yahoo

    In today’s fast-paced digital world, having your business information accurately listed on various online platforms is not just a necessity; it’s a game-changer. At David Martin Design, we’re excited to announce our latest offering – Local Business Listing Management. This service is tailored to help business owners like you gain better visibility and ensure your business details are always up-to-date across key platforms, including Google, Bing, and more.

    The Importance of Accurate Business Listings: Accurate business listings are critical for two main reasons. First, they ensure that your potential customers can find you easily. Second, they provide reliable information, building trust and credibility in your brand. Inaccurate or outdated information can lead to lost opportunities and a negative impression.

    For a small business in Bloomington, Indiana, beyond the major search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, there are several other platforms where you can submit your business listing to increase visibility and reach potential customers:

    1. Local Directories and Review Sites:
      • TripAdvisor: Ideal if your business is related to hospitality, tourism, or dining.
      • Angie’s List: Great for service-oriented businesses.
    2. Social Media Platforms:
      • Facebook: Creating a business page on Facebook can help you reach a wide audience.
      • Instagram: This is especially useful if your business can showcase visually appealing products or services.
      • LinkedIn: Ideal for B2B businesses and professional networking.
    3. Local Bloomington, Indiana Resources:
      • Bloomington Chamber of Commerce: Listing your business here can increase local business-to-business connections.
      • Visit Bloomington: If your business caters to tourists or is part of the hospitality industry, this is a great place to be listed.
      • BloomingtonOnline: Shop Local isn’t just a trendy slogan. It’s a call to action.
      • Local Bloomington Newspapers and Magazines: Many local publications have business directories.
    4. Industry-Specific Directories:
      • If your business falls into a specific niche (like healthcare, legal services, or home improvement), look for directories specific to that industry.
    5. Better Business Bureau (BBB):
      • Listing your business here can add credibility, as consumers often check BBB ratings.
    6. Google Business and Bing Places:
      • Businesses can verify and edit their business information, respond to reviews, post photos and offers, and see insights on how customers are interacting with their business.
    7. Community Bulletin Boards and Forums:
      • Local community centers, libraries, or online community forums specific to Bloomington can be valuable for word-of-mouth referrals.

    How Our Service Works: Our Local Business Listing Management service is designed to be simple yet effective. We take the burden off your shoulders by:

    1. Claiming Your Listings: We ensure your business is accurately listed on platforms like Google, Bing, & other important local platforms.
    2. Regular Updates: From changing business hours, and updating posts, to updating contact information, we keep your listings current.

    In a world where online presence is crucial, let David Martin Design be your partner in ensuring that your business stands out. Claim your listing today with our Local Business Listing Management service and take the first step towards enhanced visibility and success.

    Ready to enhance your business’s online presence? Contact David Martin Design today to learn more about our Local Business Listing Management service and how we can help your business grow.