In today’s digital world, having a website that looks and works great on mobile devices is a must for all small business.

So many people use their smartphones and tablets to surf the web, it’s important to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Not only does this make your visitors happy, but it also plays a significant role in how search engines rank your site. In this blog post, we’ll chat about the essential elements that can make your website a mobile-friendly delight.

1. Responsive Design

Think of responsive design as the superhero of mobile-friendly websites. It magically adjusts your site’s layout to fit any screen, whether it’s a tiny phone or a bigger tablet. No need for a separate mobile version of your site – it’s all in one! Responsive design ensures your visitors have a smooth experience no matter what device they’re using.

2. Speedy Loading

Who likes waiting? Mobile users sure don’t! It’s vital that your web pages load quickly. You can do this by making your images smaller, using efficient code, and reducing the number of things your website needs to load. Think of it as a fast lane for mobile users.

3. Easy-Peasy Navigation

Mobile navigation should be a piece of cake. Those traditional dropdown menus just don’t cut it. Instead, try a hamburger menu – you know, those three horizontal lines that expand to show the menu options. It’s like a secret passage to all your site’s goodies, and it’s super easy to use.

4. Readable Content

Words on your site should be easy to read without squinting or endless scrolling. Use fonts that are easy on the eyes, space your text well, and break up long paragraphs. Think of it like having a cozy reading nook for your visitors.

5. Friendly Images and Videos

Your images and videos should be friendly to mobile devices too. They need to load quickly and not gobble up all the data. Use images that adjust to the screen size and make videos easy to watch on mobile. It’s like serving a mobile-friendly snack.

6. Touchy-Feely Buttons

Buttons and links should be big enough to tap without trouble. There should be enough space between them so fingers don’t get all tangled up. No accidental clicks, just smooth sailing!

7. Polite Pop-Ups and Ads

Annoying pop-ups and intrusive ads? Nah, let’s keep it friendly. If you have to use pop-ups, make them easy to close. Search engines frown upon annoying pop-ups, so let’s keep it chill.

8. Mobile SEO Magic

Make sure your site plays nice with mobile SEO. Optimize your meta tags, create mobile-friendly sitemaps, and ensure your content is easily found by search engines. If you’re catering to a local audience, think about local SEO strategies too.

9. Testing and Listening

Regularly test your site on different mobile devices and browsers. If something’s not right, fix it. And don’t forget to ask your visitors for their thoughts. Their feedback is gold! They can tell you what works and what needs improvement.

In a nutshell, having a mobile-friendly website is no longer a choice – it’s a must. By embracing these essential elements, you’re not only making your visitors happy, but you’re also boosting your site’s chances of showing up in mobile search results. Stay responsive, keep it zippy, and always put the user experience first. Your visitors will thank you, and your website will shine.

In the world of marketing, small businesses are all abuzz about social media.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Snapchat are used daily by millions around the country. But did you know that good old email marketing can be still a powerhouse when it comes to engaging with your customers?

Just take a look at your Inbox – how many marketing emails did you receive this morning? Some might call them annoying, but the truth is, email can still be a fantastic way to connect with your audience. However, like anything else, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. So, here are our four top tips to help you create an effective (and legal*) email marketing strategy for your business:

Grow Your Database

Before diving into any email marketing campaign, you’ll need a list of legitimate* email addresses. If you have a website, this is pretty easy to do. You can use tactics like pop-up windows or a newsletter subscription box on your homepage. Some tools like MailChimp even offer plugins that seamlessly integrate with your website and take care of collecting and managing email addresses for your campaigns. Whichever method you choose, always be transparent about why you’re collecting these addresses and what your subscribers can expect in return (check out the value point below).

Remember the Mobile Users

With the unstoppable rise of smartphones, more and more people are checking their emails on mobile devices. In fact, depending on your industry, up to 75% of email opens* may be on mobile. To cater to this audience, make sure your emails are mobile-friendly – easy to read on small screens, light on data usage, and concise in their content.

Be Aware of the SPAM Act 2003

To keep your email marketing on the right side of the law, you must ensure that your emails comply with three main points: Consent, Identity, and Unsubscribe.

Consent: Your subscribers must know exactly what they’re signing up for when they subscribe. Consent can also be based on an existing relationship with the subscriber, such as being a customer.

Identity: Your marketing emails must clearly state who’s sending them and provide contact information.

Unsubscribe: Every email you send should include an Unsubscribe option so that subscribers can opt out at any time.

Learn more: ACMA Anti-Spam Guidelines

Offer Value

The secret sauce for any successful email campaign is providing VALUE to your subscribers. Value can take many forms – a free eBook, a newsletter filled with tips and tricks, or staying up-to-date with the latest industry news. If you’re promoting products or services, sweeten the deal with a discount voucher for their next purchase. Everyone loves getting something for free, and your subscribers are more likely to stick around.

Remember, what works for one business might not work for yours. So, experiment with your ideas and, most importantly, measure the response. Don’t waste your precious time barking up the wrong tree. Instead, take note of what works and what doesn’t, and fine-tune your approach along the way. This way, you’ll develop an effective email strategy that helps your business grow without breaking the bank or eating up your valuable time.

So, you’ve got this awesome website that is doing great things for your business.

It’s working, bringing in new (and old customers), and you’re feeling pretty good about it. However, there’s something crucial you might be overlooking in day-to-day operations of your site – updating your WordPress plugins!

Updates are absolutely essential for the safety, speed, and overall awesomeness of your website. Let’s find out why…

Safety First

Imagine your website is like a digital fortress, and plugins are like the guards at the gate. When plugin developers spot little cracks in their armor (security vulnerabilities), they quickly make patches to keep the bad guys out. But if you’re not updating your plugins, it’s like leaving the drawbridge down and the gate open.

Hackers are always finding new ways to sneak into websites. By not updating your plugins, you’re making their job way too easy. Regular updates not only fix known issues but also keep your site safe from future threats. It’s like giving your website its own security detail

Compatibility

WordPress is a bit like a celebrity – it loves to change and shine with new updates. Sometimes, these updates can have a little clash with older plugins and If your plugins are outdated, they might throw a hissy fit and stop working correctly. That means broken features, frustrated visitors, and a not-so-happy you.

By updating your plugins, you make sure they’re best friends with the latest WordPress version. This happy, harmonious relationship means a smooth, trouble-free website.

Keep it “Fast and Furious”

Not all updates are about security or compatibility. Some are like giving your website a turbo boost! Developers often tweak their plugins to make them run faster, use fewer server resources, and load quicker. Think of it as making your website a speed demon.

A fast-loading website is like a red carpet for your visitors. It’s not only a great user experience but also something that search engines, like Google, love. They reward speedy websites with better rankings. So, updating your plugins is like giving your site a VIP pass to the top!

Embrace the New Goodies

Developers love feedback, and they’re always working to make their plugins better. By updating your plugins, you get access to new features, bug fixes, and improvements. It’s like getting a shiny new toy – except it’s for your website. Sometimes, these updates can be game-changers, making your site more efficient and user-friendly. It’s all about making your website a better place for you and your visitors.

No More Website Drama

Outdated plugins can turn your website into a soap opera with episodes of downtime and data loss. A malfunctioning plugin can mess up your database, making you go, “What just happened?” Not fun at all.

By keeping those plugins up to date, you dodge those dramatic scenarios. You’re the hero of your website story, preventing crashes and data disasters.

In the world of WordPress websites, the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is absolutely on point. Regularly updating your plugins is like giving your website a suit of armor, ensuring it dances gracefully with new WordPress updates, and keeping it in tip-top shape.

One point to remember though, before diving into updates, back up your website – it’s like wearing a seatbelt while driving. If something goes a bit sideways, you can always go back to where you started.

Now, go give your plugins some love and keep your WordPress site in its best shape ever!

You’ve probably heard this before but your website isn’t a “set and forget” operation. Every small business site has a unique journey that it must take in order to become, and remain, successful.

And you, the site owner, have a vital role in this journey.

In this blog article, we’re going to take a look at the lifespan of a small business website, from its early days of launch through to the exciting process of reinvention.

Birth and Growth (Year 1)

The first year is all about the birth and growth of your small business website. Think of it as the “getting to know you” phase. Your website starts as a simple online presence, sharing the basics like contact details and what you offer. The goal here is to get online and start reaching your potential customers.

During year one, your website should adapt to feedback and changing trends. You’ll add more content, begin to dabble in SEO, and introduce additional pages to showcase your growing business.

Maturity (Years 2-3)

By the second and third years, your website matures, just like a fine wine. Your business has likely expanded its customer base, and your website should reflect this growth. Here’s what this stage is all about:

1. Enhanced Features: You might introduce cool features like e-commerce, customer portals, or a blog to share your industry expertise.
2. Advanced SEO: You’ll get serious about SEO to get noticed in search results and bring in more organic traffic.
3. Consistent Content Updates: Regularly updating content, like blog posts or news articles, keeps your users engaged and builds your site’s authority.

Reinvention (Years 4+)

As your website nears its third year, it might start feeling a bit stagnant. That’s the time for reinvention! Here’s what you should focus on:

1. Redesign: Give your website a fresh, modern look to reignite user interest and engagement.
2. Updated Content: Replace old and outdated content with fresh, informative material that keeps your users coming back for more.
3. Enhanced SEO: Boost your website’s visibility by revisiting and enhancing your SEO strategy.
4. Advanced Marketing Strategies: Use email marketing, social media campaigns, and paid advertising to rekindle interest and reach a broader audience.

Conclusion

Your small business website has a journey that parallels the growth and changes in your business. It starts as a simple online presence, evolves into a sophisticated platform, and sometimes needs a little reinvention. To ensure your website stays fresh and relevant, remember to embrace adaptability and continuous improvement.

Keep it evolving and make the most of your website’s potential in this ever-changing digital world.

Small business owners are often hesitant to change their existing email addresses when they create their first business website.

The owners argue that the Gmail or Hotmail address that they have been using for the past ten years “still works” and that there is no need to change over.

What these business owners are failing to realise is that the benefits of a professional email address far outweigh any drawbacks they may have and the changeover doesn’t have to be a nightmare either.

Benefit #1 – A PROFESSIONAL email address conveys a PROFESSIONAL image

The generic email addresses from webmail services like Gmail and Hotmail can give a small business the appearance of being a fly-by-night operation and not very serious about how they operate. It can also convey that a business is new, small, or even part time!

A generic email address also doesn’t encourage trust in the brand of your business.

Some prospective clients will simply refuse to share information through to a Gmail or Hotmail account. They want to know that your business is legit and serious enough to engage with.

A professional email address will give you the right branded image to do this.

Benefit #2 – Your own email address makes you easy to REMEMBER.

With so many businesses staking out their claims online, it is easy to get lost in the crowd. Think of the number of email addresses that you have in your own professional directories – Can you remember any of the generic ones?

For example – it is much easier to remember bob@cassowarycoastdining.com.au* than bob332521@gmail.com

Let people get in touch easily by being memorable with your own branded business email address.

Benefit #3 – Give your small business a BIGGER image

Having your own professional email address system lets you convey a corporate image regardless of the size of your business.

By setting up multiple email addresses for the various sections of your business, prospective customers will perceive that you are a much larger business than you are and to some of them, bigger IS better.

For example, Cassowary Coast Dining* could use email addresses such as accounts@cassowarycoastdining.com.au, support@cassowarycoastdining.com.au, bookings@cassowarycoastdining.com.au, etc.

Benefit #4 – You can promote your Brand – EVERY time you send an email

By using a professional email address, you get to promote your OWN business every time you send out an email, not Google’s or Microsoft’s. Even if the recipient has never heard of your business before, your email address is an instant way of bringing it to their attention.

For those still hesitant to make the change, the move from generic email to branded email doesn’t have to be an immediate one (nor do we recommend it).

Make the change with these four easy steps:

• Be sure to make all your customers aware of the new email (a MailChimp Newsletter would be a great way to do this).
• Continue to monitor incoming emails via the generic platforms of Gmail or Hotmail.
• All new outgoing emails should be sent via the new email address.
• Once the incoming emails to the generic addresses have slowed or stopped completely, close those accounts so that they can no longer be used by anyone.

If you are interested in setting up professional email addresses for your business, get in touch with Tropical Coast Web Design and we’ll work with you throughout the changeover process (and beyond).

* Cassowary Coast Dining is not a real business. Those email addresses are purely for demonstrative purposes.

Sit back for a moment and think of a business that you deal with regularly – one that you enjoy returning to time after time.

Now, delving a little deeper, why do you go back to that particular business each time? Is it just for the price of the goods and services?

Chances are (with the exception of the big chain stores), it’s not – you go back for their customer service.

At the end of the day, businesses are often not remembered by the goods and services they provide. They are remembered for the helpfulness of their customer service and the promptness with which it is given.

To the small business owner, time is always valuable and providing a customer service that is high quality, helpful and prompt can take a fair chunk of this time. Fortunately, with the right systems in place, you can provide this level of service through your website.

Here’s five website-based systems that could work for your business:

The Helpdesk

Easy to install on most content management systems, a helpdesk provides a simple form for customers to complete which is sent directly via email to the business. With this system, unless you have staff available 24/7, be sure to indicate on your site the hours that the form will be supported. Outside of these hours, link the Helpdesk straight to the FAQ (see below).

LiveChat

A very popular option, this system incorporates a small pop-up chat window (usually in the lower right of the website screen) that is answered by the business’ staff. When staff are not available (i.e. serving customers in a physical store), most live-chat systems will display a message asking the visitor to leave a question that will be answered ASAP.

Troubleshooting Guides

These guides can come in a variety of forms, the most popular being factsheets and tutorial videos. Without taking valuable time to answer the same question from a multitude of customers, a guide can help the customer work through the problem themselves. A great example of troubleshooting guides can be found at the front counter of any Bunnings store with their variety of how-to pamphlets.

FAQ (Frequently Answered Questions)

Similar to the troubleshooting guides above, the FAQ of a website can be built over time to answer those questions that pop-up repeatedly. With a FAQ, you only have to answer it once and that answer is then available to anyone with the same question in the future. An additional part of an FAQ can include a “smart” form that starts looking for an answer as you begin to type – like Google does when you start to search.

Community Forum

Provided you can generate a “following” for your products and services, a forum is great for customers to start helping each other. Users can post questions and they can be answered by either other forum members or members of staff that are available. Once a forum starts “rolling” along, they can be very effective in generating a “tribe” of followers for a business.

Start small and build your support system over time using the questions that you hear every day. By using actual customer enquiries, you can answer exactly what your cliental needs to know without having to re-invent the content yourself. And by simply setting aside a small amount of time each day/week, you can build a resource that will not only save you time and money but can help your customers even while you sleep.

Note: If you opt to use the non-automated systems such as LiveChat and Helpdesk, your staff must ensure that answers are provided as soon as humanly possible, especially with LiveChat where a customer may be waiting for the answer.

Web design has truly come a long way since 1991 when the web’s pioneer, Tim Berners-Lee, crafted these first text-only pages.

Back then, web pages were, let’s face it, pretty dull. The sluggish technology and turtle-paced download speeds left us with little choice.

Fast forward to 2023, and there’s no room for such excuses anymore. High-speed broadband is practically everywhere, and multimedia websites, complete with video, images, and sound, are the norm. Web browsing these days is like a full-blown sensory adventure, and text often plays second fiddle. You know the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, it couldn’t be truer.

So, what’s the deal with images being so darn powerful on a website? Picture this: hot spot analysis reveals that images are the very first thing that grabs a visitor’s attention on a website. Text? It’s way down the list! Believe it or not, a single image can set the mood and vibe of a website before a visitor even reads a single word. Visitors love clicking on image links more than plain text links.

For instance, if you’ve got a product image, chances are a user will click on it to make a purchase rather than reading the words underneath. People love sharing what they discover online with their pals, and guess what? They’re way more likely to LIKE an image to share on Facebook or PIN it onto Pinterest.

Using images on your website has some serious perks: Studies show that images boost the average number of pages visited on a site, reduce bounce rates, and keep visitors hanging around longer. Here’s a stat: a whopping 60% of consumers are more inclined to consider local businesses that jazz up their websites with images.

Ever heard of ALT tags? Those nifty labels that pop up when you hover your mouse over an image? Well, they do wonders for your site’s SEO. Google gives them a good scan each time it drops by your website.

And here’s a gem for online stores: products flaunting effective imagery have a way better shot at making a sale than those without.

So, the message here is clear: don’t skimp on the imagery. It’s painfully obvious when a business goes the budget route with its website images. Even if your text is top-notch and your “call to action” is on point, lousy images can drag the whole show down. Creating emotion is a big deal in business web design. You want your site visitors to “feel” something about your brand, right? Whether it’s sparking excitement with action shots, warming hearts with family photos, or evoking compassion for important causes, it all hinges on impactful imagery.

Now, time for a little soapbox moment: Only a pro photographer (or at least someone with some serious photo skills) can capture the kind of images that truly tug at the heartstrings. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that a couple of smartphone snaps will do the trick. Even shots taken by your own team might not cut it.

If you’ve invested in a web designer for your small business site, you’ve made a smart move. But don’t sabotage that investment by skimping on image quality. It’s worth shelling out a few extra bucks (trust us, it’s often more affordable than you’d think) to hire a professional photographer who can conjure up the emotions your site needs for success.

If your website is built on the WordPress framework, you’re in great company.

WordPress is an incredibly popular and user-friendly content management system, powering around 25% of all websites out there. However, as with anything popular, it does come with some security concerns – it tends to attract the attention of hackers.

WordPress is awesome because it’s open source, meaning the code is freely available on the internet for anyone to use. This has allowed developers to create a wide range of plugins and themes that make WordPress so versatile.

Unfortunately, it also means that hackers can examine the code and look for vulnerabilities, which can lead to spamming and security breaches. For most small website owners, this might not be a problem, but if your site catches the eye of a hacker, it can cause major headaches for your small business and its visitors.

But fear not! You can take some simple steps to protect your site, and you don’t need to be a tech guru to do it:

Keep WordPress Updated

Log into your site’s dashboard, and if there’s a new version of WordPress available, you’ll see an update link on the main screen. Newer versions might even update automatically.

Update Your Plugins

In the dashboard’s main menu, you’ll find an “Updates” option under the Home button. If there are updates for your plugins, click on it to access the Updates page and apply the updates. While you’re at it, delete any plugins you’re not using, as even deactivated ones can pose a security risk.

Use a Strong Password

Protect your login with a strong, unique password – one that doesn’t include common words and includes a mix of symbols, letters, and numbers. Limit access to those who really need it.

Install WordFence

This free plugin offers top-notch firewall and malware protection. It’s a must-have for your WordPress website. You can get it here: WordFence Plugin.

All these options are accessible through your WordPress dashboard, but you’ll need administrator access to make these changes. If you can’t find these options, reach out to your website developer for assistance. If, despite your best efforts, your website does get seriously hacked, don’t panic! Your server provider should have regular backups, which they can restore for a small fee. However, prevention is always better than cure. If your current web server provider doesn’t back up your site at least three times a week, consider finding a new one. Your website’s security should be a top priority.

And if all of this feels a bit overwhelming or you’re unsure about implementing these security measures, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Tropical Coast Web Design. We’d be happy to perform a no-obligation security audit of your site and discuss how we can help keep your website safe and sound.

In the world of email communication, encountering spam messages is a common occurrence.

It’s safe to say that most of us have dealt with unwanted emails flooding our inboxes, often on a daily basis. However, for small businesses operating in Australia, there’s more to it than just dealing with spam. We have robust laws in place that govern who we can send emails to and what exactly we can send them.

One of the most important regulations is the Australian SPAM Act of 2003, which outlines the rules for sending commercial electronic messages, such as emails and texts, by businesses and organizations across the country. Violating these laws can result in significant fines, so it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the rules before sending any emails.

The SPAM Act defines a commercial electronic message as a message that falls into one of these categories:

• It offers, advertises, or promotes the supply of goods, services, land, or business or investment opportunities.
• It advertises or promotes a provider of goods, services, land, or business or investment opportunities.
• It aids someone in dishonestly obtaining property, commercial advantage, or other gain from another person.

To determine whether a message is commercial in nature, the Act considers factors such as the content, presentation, and any links, phone numbers, or contact information that may lead to content with a commercial intent.

When sending a commercial electronic message, there are three critical areas that you must carefully consider: Consent, Identification, and Unsubscribe.

1. Consent: Do you have the recipient’s consent?

You should only send commercial electronic messages to individuals who have provided either expressed or inferred consent. Expressed consent is when the recipient directly asks for more information or subscribes to your messages. Ensure that you clearly state what recipients can expect and how often they will hear from you. Inferred consent applies to customers with whom you have an ongoing relationship and who have previously provided contact details. One-time purchases do not count as a basis for inferring consent.

2. Identification: Does the message clearly identify the sender?

Every commercial electronic message must contain accurate contact information that clearly identifies the business or person sending the message. This information must remain accurate for at least 30 days after the message is sent.

3. Unsubscribe: Can the recipient easily opt out of receiving further messages?

All messages must include clear options for recipients to unsubscribe, regardless of their length. This gives recipients the ability to “opt out” of further communications. Once someone chooses this option, you must honor it within five working days. Similar to business identification, the unsubscribe link must remain valid for 30 days after the message is received.

In summary, adhering to these relatively straightforward guidelines should allow your business to send electronic messages without running into legal trouble. However, it’s important to note that this information is provided as a guide.

While we strive to ensure the accuracy and helpfulness of the information on our website and blog at Tropical Coast Web Design, we cannot guarantee its accuracy or accept responsibility for how you use it within your business or organization. For more detailed information and to make your own judgments, we recommend reviewing the Spam Act on ACMA’s Spam Act and Codes of Practice page.

Web statistics are often the forgotten element in a business website, yet they are key to whether the site succeeds or fail.

These little gems hold the power to make or break your website’s performance, so it’s time to give them the attention they deserve!

By diving into the nitty-gritty details, you can fine-tune your website’s operation, increasing your chances of turning visitors into loyal customers. In other words, monitoring your site’s statistics can be a game-changer in answering the big question: Is your website working its magic for you?

So, here are five key statistics you should keep an eye on regularly:

Site Traffic

This is like the pulse of your website. It tells you how many people are stopping by to check out what you have to offer. You can even track traffic spikes during specific promotions, like that awesome sale you ran on Facebook. There are two types to watch: unique visitors (newcomers) and repeat visitors (those who keep coming back). Both matter to gauge the health of your site and the appeal of your content.

Traffic Source

Ever wondered where your visitors come from? There are four main sources: organic (from search engines), referral (from other websites), direct (typing in your site’s address), and social (from platforms like Facebook and Instagram). It’s smart to diversify your traffic sources so that if one falters, your website isn’t left in the lurch.

Bounce Rate

Picture this as a digital first impression. The bounce rate tells you how many people land on your site and then quickly exit. A high bounce rate is a red flag, suggesting something might be off with your content or offerings. Pro tip: Get some friends and colleagues to play “visitor” and provide feedback—it might uncover issues you hadn’t noticed as the site owner.

Top Pages

Want to know which pages are stealing the spotlight? Top pages statistics reveal which parts of your website are getting the most love. You’ll see how many hits they’ve received and how much time visitors are spending there. This info helps you tailor other pages to match your audience’s interests.

Conversion Rate

This is the granddaddy of all statistics. Your website’s success hinges on whether it can turn visitors into customers. The conversion rate calculates how many visitors take some meaningful action on your site, like making a purchase, subscribing to your newsletter, filling out an inquiry form, or sharing your content on social media.

Now, you might be wondering, “How do I actually measure all of this?” Well, fear not!

The big kahuna of web statistics is Google Analytics, and the best part is, it’s free. However, it can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers. If you’re running a WordPress site, you can also consider analytics plugin that are locally hosted on your own server. They can provide many of the same metrics and, you won’t be sharing your data with Google.

In a nutshell, website statistics are your secret weapon to ensure that your website isn’t just an online expense but a valuable asset that boosts your bottom line. Keep an eye on these numbers, and watch your online presence flourish!