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Great Fast Cheap

 

When creating and designing a new website, one of the most frequently asked questions among business owners is “How much is this going to cost?”.

The diagram above is a fun way of guessing the price, speed of delivery, and quality. Great, Fast, or Cheap – you can only choose two.

All jokes aside, if you ask ten different web design firms, you’ll likely get ten different answers.

There are a lot of variables that go into a website project and each will affect the cost. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key factors that your business will need to consider when investing in a new website.

To start, we need to acknowledge that the world of web design is like the wild west.

Anyone can declare that they have the skill and experience to deliver a professional business website. This includes your tech-savvy nephew, people that took a 4-week boot camp course during Covid, and professionals that have years of experience.

While it should be easy to weed out amateurs from professionals, the water gets muddied because everyone uses the same language to describe what they do.

For some businesses, a cheap and cheerful solution is OK… especially if you’re just starting out. However, if your business is established, or you have a budget to work with, hiring a professional will often yield a much stronger return on investment.

 

Variables that affect website cost

Complexity

Size & Complexity

Building a website is like building a house. A small house with a few rooms is less of an investment than a large family home. Websites are similar. If your website requires a lot of pages, that will increase the investment. The same goes for complexity. If your website requires some more advanced functionality (eg. E-Commerce), that is a bigger project than a basic brochure-styled website.

Design

Design

What type of design will your business have? A custom proprietary design, or a reusable template? A custom design is a bigger investment – it will be unique to your business and include an on-page strategy designed for your exact needs*. A template on the other hand can be purchased for a very small amount, however you’re often working with something that was designed to be generic. This means you may not get the right strategy and thousands of other businesses could be using the same design – even a competitor.

*The skill level of the designer or firm will determine how effective this is.

Content Creation

Content Creation

Your website content will consist of text, images, and videos. Creating this content can be expensive depending on what you need and who is producing it. A professional writer will cost more than a hobbyist. The same goes for photography, graphic design, video editing, etc. Some business owners are comfortable writing their content, while others are busy running their businesses and prefer to have everything taken care of for them.

Platform

Platform & Technology

These days, virtually all sites use some kind of back-end software to power the public-facing website. There are well-established platforms like WordPress and Shopify which are robust, scalable and offer nearly unlimited customizations. There are also a lot of DIY/no-code solutions that offer a lot of features but are more limited in capability. DIY platforms tend to cost less due to the nature of the solution, but that also comes with limitations in what is possible to achieve.

Integrations

Integrations

It’s common to integrate business websites with other software, such as CRM, marketing tools, payment software, etc. Some integrations are easier than others while some require additional 3rd party tools. The complexity of the integration can increase the cost of the end deliverable.

Hosting

Website Hosting

Website hosting is a necessary aspect of any website. This comes with a monthly or annual cost. Selecting the right hosting provider/server is critical. The easiest way to understand this is to think of a computer. Some computers are more powerful and have greater capabilities than others. The same goes for your hosting server. It’s easy to be tempted by a low-cost server, but that can lead to slow-loading websites, faulty security, and scalability limitations.

Freelancer

Freelancer or Agency

As indicated at the beginning of the article, there are many providers able to build a deliver websites. The quality and skill of these providers vary. Some providers are independent/freelance, while others are part of an agency. One is not necessarily better than the other. There are plenty of freelancers that produce work that rivals large agencies. Agencies can often cost more due to increased overhead, but there is no exact formula for which is going to cost more.

When making a decision, it’s good to research the provider to identify if they have the right qualifications, skills, and experience to produce the result you’re looking for. Review their portfolio, check reviews and testimonials, and look them up on LinkedIn and other social networks to get a feel for how long they’ve been around and what level of credibility they have. It also helps to identify what their core offering is.

As an example, many firms have a primary service offering that is not websites. This could be marketing, print design, or even I.T. providers. If their goal is to sell you their primary service, the website you receive may be an afterthought. This is an important factor in decision-making.

 

How much does Pixel Perfect charge for a website?

When creating a quote for a project, we’ll take into consideration all the factors laid out in this article. We’ll look at your business, objectives, and unique needs to build a quote that reflects the goals established for the project. Small credibility websites can start as low as $5,000.

 

Interested in finding out what your project is worth?

Get in touch with us today to learn how Pixel Perfect can help provide a business-forward website that is strategic, beautiful, and optimized to deliver the results that you’re looking for.

Request An Estimate

Ontario website grant programs have been extended for 2023, offering businesses a competitive edge in today’s market.

As financial markets experience volatility, it’s more important than ever for businesses to enhance their online presence and stay ahead of the curve. Two grant programs have been introduced to help Ontario businesses improve their websites and e-commerce capabilities.

 

Grant Option 1 – Website & Digital Marketing (Extended)

The deadline for applications for this grant was originally in fall of 2022. It has now been extended into 2023 until funding runs out.

This grant focuses on:

  • Website improvements, including redesign or enhancement of an existing site
  • Development of a brand-new website

Note: If you have received a similar grant in the past (prior to June 30, 2021), you can apply again, as long as funding remains available.

Value: $2500 – Inquire Today

 

Grant Option 2 – E-Commerce

This grant targets adding e-commerce functionality to your website.

Grant funds can be utilized for:

  • Implementing or upgrading e-commerce capabilities on your site
  • Developing a new e-commerce website
  • Online reservations or bookings
  • Purchasing e-commerce software
  • Search engine optimization (related to e-commerce)
  • Digital marketing initiatives (related to e-commerce)

Service-based business? You can still apply!

Here are some of the ways service-based businesses are using this grant.

  • Accept online payments for services, deposits, consultations, etc.
  • Accept online payments for monthly subscriptions
  • Sell access to VIP/members-only areas of your website

With the rapid growth of e-commerce, now is the perfect time to start or improve your existing solution.

Value: $2400 – Inquire Today

NOTE: This program is offered by the federal government and is available to provinces outside Ontario.

 

Your business may qualify for BOTH grants!

If your business meets the criteria for both grants, you can apply for both, totalling $4900 to invest in your website design, e-commerce, online presence, and digital marketing.

 

Participant requirements

Both programs have eligibility requirements that must be met before applying. The top requirements are:

  • The business must have a brick-and-mortar location and pay commercial property tax (i.e. no home-based businesses)
  • Have at least one full-time employee (aside from the business owner), and less than 50 staff

Please inquire to see if your business meets these requirements.

 

Ontario Website Grant Availability

The website grants have varying availability windows.

Grant Option 1 has been extended into 2023 as long as funding remains available.

Grant Option 2 offers more flexibility, but there is a limit on the number of grants provided.

Please inquire about timing and availability.

 

How can Pixel Perfect help my business?

Pixel Perfect is ready to assist qualifying businesses with both programs.

For Grant Option 1 – Website & Digital Marketing, businesses can leverage:

For Grant Option 2 – E-Commerce, businesses can leverage:

 

Don’t miss this opportunity…

If you’re interested in benefiting from one of these programs but need guidance on the best use of funds, please contact us today, and we can help create the most significant impact.

Request Information

Marketing Strategy

A strategic plan is critical to executing a successful marketing campaign.

Far too often, business owners and inexperienced marketers, jump straight to tactics before doing the strategy and planning required to create the best possible opportunity for success.

These tactics are often based on quick assumptions, anecdotal information, or simply due to a provider ‘specializing’ in a specific type of marketing (eg. Google Ads). While these tactics can sometimes pay off, you’re risking both your time and marketing dollars with this approach.

Starting the process with strategy first can help ensure you create the greatest possibility for success and a strong return on investment (ROI).

 

Step 1 – Identify your goals, target customer, and evaluate your business positioning

Make a list of the following information:

  • What is your sales goal for the next 12 months (in revenue)?
  • What is the annual $ value of each client/customer?
  • What is your close rate by lead acquisition type (referrals, inbound, outbound)?
  • What is your unique value proposition (and are you a commodity)?
  • Who is your target customer?
  • Where does your target customer spend their time?
  • What marketing activities are you doing right now / what have you had success in?

Documenting this information will help lay the foundation for your strategy.

 

Step 2 – Evaluate your findings

Now that we’ve identified the critical information about your goals, clients, and the current status of your business, it’s time to strategize.

Let’s say that your revenue goal is to generate $100,000 of new business in the next 12 months, and the annual value of each client is $5,000. This means you need 20 new clients to achieve the goal of $100k.

Next, let’s look at your close rate. Many service providers I speak with estimate an 80% close on direct referrals. That’s a great number. But what about outbound advertising? Unless you’re a high-profile online influencer, your outbound advertising and lead generation numbers will be significantly lower.

Businesses rarely have this information so in most cases, we’re going to take a guess. For this example, let’s say that it’s 2.5%.

This means if we want to generate $100k in 12 months with the average value of a customer being $5k, and our close rate is 2.5%, we need to generate 800 leads to close 20 clients.

$100,000 / $5,000 = 20 clients
20 clients / 2.5% close = 800 leads

 

Step 3 – Planning the marketing campaign

Now that we’ve identified we need 800 leads to reach our goal of 20 clients, we need to choose our marketing strategy.

In step one, we identified our unique target customer – what information were you able to collect about where they spend their time?

  • Are they on social media? If so, what platforms?
  • Are they part of any organizations, associations, or networking groups?
  • Are they too busy to be social?
  • Are they actively looking for your service (eg. Googling)?

The key is to identify the most probable place you will find your client and determine the level of success you will have marketing to them with a specific campaign type.

Some examples of marketing campaigns include:

  • Social Media / PPC Advertising
  • Direct Mail
  • Sponsorships (eg. events, podcasts, etc.)
  • Traditional Advertising (eg. newspaper, trade magazines, billboards, etc.)
  • The list goes on…

 

Step 4 – Budgeting for your marketing campaign

Now that you’ve identified where you’re going to advertise, we need to figure out how much it will cost.

What is the number of impressions/viewers/circulation/etc. you will need to reach your target number of leads?

Let’s say that you chose to do social media advertising.

Through some research, you’ve identified that 0.005% of impressions result in a lead. To generate 800 leads, you will need 160,000 impressions (an impression = your ad displayed one time).

800 leads / .005 = 160,000 impressions

The cost per impression would depend on a few variables, but let’s say that it’s $0.02 ea. In this scenario, your ad spend is approximately $3,200

Other costs that you may need to factor in include Graphic Design, Copywriting, Photography, Technical setup (eg. Social Ads), management, etc.

Note: Most people need 3-7 ‘touches’ before deciding to take action on an ad. Out of these 160,000 impressions, you may be advertising to a smaller group of 32,000.

 

Step 5 – Evaluating the ROI on your marketing effort

There are a lot of variables that will dictate the final ROI of your marketing effort. The important thing to consider is that at the end of the day if your marketing spend is generating positive results (i.e. you’re making more than you’re spending) then it’s money well spent. If your ROI percentage is not aligned with your initial calculations, you may need to tweak and adjust along the way.

To figure out your return on investment, simply use the following equation:

(Sales Growth – Marketing Cost) / Marketing Cost x 100 = ROI

In our example, it would look like this:

($100,000 – $3,200) / 3200 x 100 = 3,025%

Impressive, right?

While the math is correct, this does not factor in operational costs, and assumes you have the perfect ad, the perfect offer, and perfect audience targeting.

With social media marketing, there is always some trial and error to see what ads/offers/targeting/etc. performs and delivers the highest ROI.

The big takeaway is you now have a framework to start planning and have actual data to work with.

 

How does this approach compare to how you market your business?

Does your business go through this exercise before starting a new marketing initiative? Or do you freestyle by choosing a popular tactic and making a lot of guesses and assumptions?

If you fall into the second category, it’s time to re-evaluate how you do things. With today’s economy, every dollar counts. Approach every new marketing campaign with a clear goal and strategy and you’ll be miles ahead of where you are today.

 

Does your business need help to implement an intentional marketing strategy?

Book a one-on-one consultation to learn about how we can help your business develop a refined marketing strategy that will reach your revenue targets.

Book a Consultation

Your Meta Tags may be hurting your SEO and limiting the clicks you get on Google.

If your website is not getting a lot of traffic or ranking well on Google, you may have an issue with your Meta Tags.

 

Not sure what Meta Tags are?

You can find them displayed on Google’s search results, and shared content on social media.

Every listing shows a Meta Title and Meta Description for the displayed webpage. (and no, this is not related to Facebook aka Meta)

It matters because it’s just one of the ways that will impact how much traffic you get to your website. Imagine every page showed up the same – neither Google nor your visitors would know whether or not the page was relevant to them.

Next time you search for something, pay attention to which link you click on and why.

Likely you’ve clicked on a specific listing because it best described what you were looking for – This is what you need to consider when you’re thinking about the Meta Tags on each page of your website.

 

Writing the Meta Title and Description doesn’t have to be complicated. Put yourself in the shoes of the person you want to visit your website.

When you write them, think about how you can best tease the answer for what your potential visitor is searching for while sharing what the page is about.

Your Meta Title can include:

  • Subject (i.e. product or service)
  • Use Case (eg. type of customer)
  • City (important for local businesses)
  • Your Business’s Name

Each title should only be 50-60 characters in length. You may not be able to fit everything, so if you have to skip your company name that’s ok.

When writing for a home page, I typically use business, subject, and city.

Example:
Pixel Perfect | Web Design & Online Strategy | Niagara, ON

Your Meta Description is similar, however, you should write these so that your potential visitor feels compelled to click your link. Think of this as a “Teaser” for the page.

Your Meta Description can include:

  • Subject
  • Use Case
  • Results/Impact
  • City

Each description should be 150-160 characters in length and be written in such a way that people feel compelled to click on your link over someone else.

Think of the meta description as a “Hook”. In most cases, this is simply teasing the result or outcome they will get from visiting your page.

Example:
Generate more leads, sales, & online credibility with our strategic web design, branding, and online strategy – serving Niagara and beyond.

In this example, I’ve covered the result, how I do it, and where my clients are located.

 

Now that we know what Meta Tags are, why they’re important, and how to write them, it’s time for you to take a look at your website.

Do an audit of each page and ask yourself if you’ve covered all the items on this list.

Not sure where to start (or too busy)? Let’s chat about how we can get your website up to snuff so that you can start driving more traffic, leads, and sales for your business.

Book a Consultation

Not converting visitors to leads or sales? You may be missing a call to action.

If your website is getting traffic but failing to convert visitors to leads or customers, chances are you’re missing a call-to-action.

 

What is a call-to-action?

A call-to-action is simply instructions on what you’d like the visitor to do.

Some examples of activities you might like your visitor to take include:

  • Fill out a form
  • Make a phone call
  • Purchase a product
  • Visit a specific page or blog on your website
  • Leave a review
  • Join a mailing list

 

Call-to-Action Examples:

Call to action examples

Why does it matter?

All websites should have a specific goal in mind for the visitor. While the expected action a visitor should take may seem obvious to you, it may not be crystal clear for everyone.

Several variables go into how intuitive your website is and how obvious the next steps are. Design, layout, content formatting, etc. contribute to the visitor’s decision-making process.

You may also have primary and secondary goals for the website.

Implementing a call-to-action strategy is the best way to ensure visitors are likely to do the ‘thing’ you want them to do.

 

Where should your call-to-action appear?

You should include a call-to-action strategically throughout your website.

Here are some examples of where you might include them:

  • With your products or services
  • In a sidebar or secondary content area
  • At the bottom of every page, just before the footer

If you have a service-based business or a single offer, the footer call-to-action is critical. Why? Regardless of where the visitor is on the website, this message is clear, we want them to ‘do this thing!’.

 

Inquire for a FREE call-to-action analysis

If you’re struggling to convert visitors, click the link below to request a free call-to-action analysis. There is no obligation to hire Pixel Perfect. If you find our recommendations helpful we would be happy to provide an estimate.

 

Get Started

 

Fun fact – the section above is a call to action!

No Traffic? You're Website is missing a consistent marketing strategy

Imagine for a moment… You have the most perfect business website.

It’s beautiful. The branding is on point, the design and strategy is unique to your target audience, you even have professional photography to help showcase why you’re awesome. Everyone you share it with agrees – your designer nailed it.

But where is the traffic? Where are the thousands of visitors that should be here? Where are the sales or abundance of new leads that will increase cash-flow and profits?

 

What’s with all the crickets?

If you’ve found your business website short on visits, it doesn’t mean it’s broken.

It’s still the perfect, strategic business tool that you invested in. You’re just missing one essential piece.

 

Marketing = Visits

Without marketing, no one knows about your beautiful website.

No one will ever see the great things you have to offer. No one will fill out a form, make a purchase, or join your mailing list.

How could they? They don’t know where to find you OR that they should be looking in the first place.

While this may feel like a huge bummer, the good news is that there is a solution. The price? A little sweat equity…

The strategies below are FREE ways you can increase visits to your website.

 

1. Google My Business

Google My Business (GMB) is like the modern Yellow Pages. If you’re a local business, selling to a local audience, it is critical to have this profile set up. https://www.google.com/business/

Be sure to:

  • Get verified and complete your listing 100% (including images)
  • Keep all information accurate and consistent with your website
  • Collect detailed customer reviews (more positive reviews = higher ranking)

GMB listings are typically the first results to appear on a Google search, so being here is very important. It will also allow your business to show on Google Maps (i.e. map with the pins). If you operate from your home, you can choose to show a service area instead of exact location.

 

2. Social Media

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok… You don’t need to be everywhere and it doesn’t have to be hard. Identify what platforms your target audience is using and set up an account or business page.

Some key things to remember:

  • Your posts should do one (or more) of the following: Educate, Empower, or Entertain
  • Be consistent – algorithms will work in your favour if you post regularly
  • Be social – interact with others, be helpful, give compliments, etc.

Not sure where to start? Do some research and study other successful businesses or brands in similar fields. Figure out what works for them and take inspiration for your own content.

 

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is ultimately a long-term strategy, however, some items can pay off faster than others.

Assuming your web designer has taken care of the technical items, some critical tasks you can work on yourself include:

  • User experience – does the content intrigue visitors to stay and ultimately take action? Is the navigation intuitive? Is there a visitor strategy? Longer visits = more credibility with Google and higher search result rankings
  • Blogging – think of each new article as a doorway for someone to access your website via Google (Bonus – it makes great shareable social media content)
  • Keywords – if someone was to search for your business on Google, what terms would they type? Ensure that you’ve included this language and unique keywords in your content (this includes city names if you serve a local audience)

 

4. Enroll others to share your website

Word of mouth referrals are one of the most powerful tools a business has to generate new website visits (and sales!). These referrals can come from staff, family/friends, past customers, suppliers, or other people of influence.

While you’ll find many are happy to spread the word unconditionally, it can sometimes be more effective to incentivize them. Some examples are:

  • Provide them with an exclusive offer not available to the general public
  • Reward them if a referral turns into a customer (i.e. create a referral program)

The more people talking about your business, the more potential for increased visits.

 

Next Steps

Are you willing to do what it takes?

At the end of the day, the only thing standing between you and an abundance of visitors is taking action and being consistent. It’s a little like exercise for your business.

Start with the low hanging fruit. Google My Business can be an easy first win if you’re just getting started.

Take advantage of YouTube for training tutorials and use free tools like Canva.com to create graphics.

Don’t worry about being perfect – authenticity is most important.

 

When to get help

Most business owners I know already wear too many hats. Asking them to take on more tasks can be a recipe for failure – especially if it’s something they’re not excited about.

This is when it’s important to consider putting aside a marketing budget to hire professional help.

There are many firms, including Pixel Perfect, that can help with more or more of the strategies listed on this page. While it may cost a little to get started, if the return on investment is there it’s been money well spent.

This also opens the door for paid advertising/marketing opportunities. Social Media Ads, Google Ads, etc. are all areas where a professional can provide guidance and ensure you’re getting the most impact for every dollar spent.

 

Not sure what you need?

That’s ok too. Book a free 15-minute consultation with Pixel Perfect and have a high-level discussion on how to get your business moving.

Book A Call

Ontario Grant Programs 2022


IMPORTANT:
NEW Revised post available with information for – 2023 Ontario Website Grant Programs


New website grant programs are now available, as of spring 2022, for Ontario businesses.

After a complicated couple of years of Covid, some much-needed assistance is coming to small businesses across the province. Two grant programs are now available and are specifically aimed at improving your website and online presence.

 

Grant Option 1 – Website & Digital Marketing

This grant is geared at the following:

  • Website Improvements – including re-design or improvements of an existing website
  • Development of a brand-new website.

Important: If you have received a similar grant in the past (prior to June 30, 2021), you can apply again.

Value: $2500 – Inquire Today

 

Grant Option 2 – eCommerce

This grant is aimed specifically at adding eCommerce functionality to your website.

Grant money can be put towards:

  • Implementation or improvement of eCommerce capability on your website
  • Development of a brand-new e-commerce website
  • Online reservation or booking
  • Purchase of eCommerce software
  • Search engine optimization (related to eCommerce)
  • Digital marketing initiatives (related to eCommerce)

Service-based business? You can still apply.

Some of the ways service-based businesses can use this grant include:

  • Accept online payments for services, deposits, consultations, etc.
  • Accept online payments monthly subscriptions
  • Sell access to VIP/members-only areas of your website

It has been said that eCommerce adoption has accelerated 10 years due to the pandemic – this is the perfect time to get started or improve on your existing solution.

Value: $2400 – Inquire Today

NOTE: This program is offered by the federal government and is available to provinces outside Ontario.

 

Some businesses will qualify for BOTH grants

If your business meets the required criteria for both grants, you can apply for both, totaling in $4900 to invest towards your website design, eCommerce, online presence and digital marketing.

Please inquire to see if your business meets these requirements.

 

Participant requirements

Both programs have eligibility requirements that must be met prior to applying.

Please inquire to see if your business meets these requirements.

 

Ontario Website Grant Availability

The Grow Your Business Online and Digital Transformation Grants both have different availability windows.

The Digital Transformation Grant has a strict timeline and should be acted on quickly.

The Grow Your Business Online Grant has a little more flexibility, but there is a limit on how many grants are being offered.

Please inquire about timing and availability.

 

What services can Pixel Perfect help my business with?

Pixel Perfect is equipped and ready to help qualifying businesses with both programs.

For the Digital Transformation Grant, businesses can leverage:

For the Grow Your Business Online Grant, businesses can leverage:

 

Don’t leave money on the table…

If you’re interested in taking advantage of one of these programs but need help identifying how to best use the funds, please contact us today and we can review how to create the greatest impact.

Contact Pixel Perfect →

Recommended tools and resources

Welcome to the ultimate list of MUST HAVE tools and resources for building a business online.

At Pixel Perfect, we work with clients of all sizes. Many of which are new entrepreneurs looking to build a business online. While they have some ideas on what they need, they’re not always sure where to look.

That’s why we built this list.

A go-to resource for all the tools you might need to build a custom website for your business.

We encourage you to browse the links below and use these tools to get started on building your business online.

Have a suggestion to make this list even better? Let us know…

Recommended Apps, Tools & Resources

Domain Names

We use GoDaddy exclusively for domain names. Partially because it’s cost prohibitive to move them, but also because we think they have great service. It’s not often we have an issue, but when we do, the hold times are short and their call centers are based in North America.

Website Hosting

Flywheel is our go-to website host for WordPress. Their service is amazing. The tools are easy to use. We can manage multiple websites from a single portal. Highly recommended.

Content Management Systems

These days, we use WordPress almost exclusively. However, depending on your project, there are some other decent options out there. Squarespace and Wix can be good options if you’re working with a limited start-up budget.

eCommerce & Payments

Collecting payments or selling a product or service online is becoming a new standard in website development. Below are some of our go-to tools for managing payments online.

Email

In recent years, Email has become more sophisticated. Our email service of choice is Google’s G-Suite. It’s easy to use, affordable, and provides a robust set of tools you can use in your business.

Email Marketing & Automation

If you’re communicating with your clients on a regular basis, or building a sales funnel, it’s important to have the right email marketing and automation tools. Our go-to is MailChimp. It’s easy to use and free to get started.

Online Advertising & Retargeting

If your business is ready to try out paid online advertising, these services below will help you along the way.

Website Optimization & Conversion

Keep your website optimized is one of the most important things you can do to get found on Google and convert visitors to customers. Google Analytics is installed on all Pixel Perfect websites prior to launch, and depending on the unique objectives, you may see some of these other tools utilized as well.

Stock Photos

If you’re in need of images for your website, or do not have any professional photos, stock photography websites can be a great resource. We regularly use all three of the services below.

Image Editing & Optimization

We use the Adobe Creative Suite (eg. Photoshop) exclusively, but that’s not a great option for most small business owners. Here are some great tools to work with images for your website.

Have a suggestion on how to make this list better?

We’d love to hear from you! Send us your suggestions.

 

Start an online business

Have you ever thought about starting a side business to generate some extra income?

These days, just about everyone I meet has had the thought cross their mind.

I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy some extra money for things like investments, vacation, or even the kids education fund?

At Pixel Perfect, we’ve recently had an influx of new web design clients that are chasing the dream of building something on the side. Many of which hope to one day ditch the 9-5 and make their new side business a full-time gig.

Does this sound like you?

Most people are not sure where to start…

One thing that’s interesting about these clients is that even though they have an idea, many of them have no clue on where to start.

They are not tech-savvy.

They have no (or limited) previous entrepreneurial experience.

They’re not sure about what business model they should use.

While they may be lacking in technical and business knowledge, they all share a common trait… they have a wealth of knowledge they want to share with the world.

Getting started is easier than you think!

If you find yourself nodding in agreement, you probably have an idea too, but how do you start?

That’s where Pixel Perfect can help.

We take care of the technical bits and consult on different online business models to help make the most of your expertise and knowledge.

There are many different online business models to choose from.

While most people immediately think of big eCommerce websites like Amazon, the truth is there are 100’s of different ways to earn money online.

Here are some of my favourites…

1. Virtual Consulting

This is one of the easiest ways to get your feet wet with online business. If you have expertise in a specific area, you can charge for online consultations.

This is great for people involved in training, teaching, coaching, counselling, and more.

All you need to get started is a website form to collect payment and a tool for live video (eg. Skype).

2. Online Courses

If you have specific expertise that can be converted to a teachable format, an online course may be the right online business model for you.

An easy way to get started would be to create a PowerPoint presentation with recorded narration.

You can create one or more videos and post them in a ‘members-only’ area on your website.

You would need some technology to manage registrations and process payment, but for the most part this would run completely on auto-pilot.

3. Digital Products

Perhaps you have expertise in creating specific documents or digital files that are of value to others?

This could include training resources, templates, graphics, audio files, and more.

Selling digital products is easier than you think.

An eCommerce website setup to handle file downloads is exactly what you need to get started. You can even limit the number of downloads per sale to prevent unauthorized sharing!

4. Online Memberships

Large companies like Netflix use this business model, but that doesn’t mean you can’t too. An online membership is great for businesses that produce regular fresh content.

This could be articles, videos, courses or downloadable files. Basically any kind of information that is consumed on an ongoing basis.

This business model is highly sought after because it generates recurring revenue, or as I like to call it, the ‘Holy Grail’ of online business.

This is just scratching the surface!

There are many other business models to choose from and often times a combination of more than one can be applied to maximize your potential.

Because most new entrepreneurs are not sure what business model will fit their expertise, a discovery session is a good place to start.

We meet with new clients regularly to help them figure out their business model and provide estimates on what the investment will be to get things up and generating revenue.

Are you ready to chase your dream?

Building a business is not easy. If it ways, everyone would be doing it.

The good news is, you don’t have to go it alone.

Pixel Perfect can be your digital partner to help you take your dream to reality.

Book A Consultation

Free & easy ways to increase website traffic

This is by far one of the most commonly asked questions we receive from our clients… and for good reason! You’ve just invested big in your business so now it’s time to get that fancy new website to work.

More traffic! More leads! More new business!

It should just happen, right?

Even though your website is looking good, does anyone know it’s out there?

The truth is, without active marketing and promotion you may find that you do not receive that burst of new traffic you were hoping for.

To help you get started, we’ve created an essential checklist of 19 items you can do right now, FOR FREE, to start driving traffic to your website.

Tip: These items are not just for new websites! Any business online can benefit from taking action on these items.

Directories & Links

1) Google My Business Profile

This is one of the most important profiles you should set up for your business.

Google My Business will help give your company visibility in the search results faster than just about any other tactic. Plus it helps you show up in Google’s local search results (i.e. the map with the pins).

Once you have your profile setup, be sure to ask past and future customers to provide a review.

https://www.google.com/business/

2) Yelp

Yelp is a directory/review website best known for helping consumers make informed decisions.

If your business is selling a product or service to the general public, it’s worth getting your free listing (and website link).

https://www.yelp.ca

3) Trip Advisor (if relevant)

If your business is operating in the tourism industry, a Trip Advisor listing is a must have.

Be sure to collect positive reviews to get the most out of this directory service.

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/

4) Bing Places for Business

These days, Bing is a bit of an after thought, but that doesn’t mean you should count it out.

Just like on Google, you can claim a free local business listing.

https://www.bingplaces.com

5) Social Media Platforms

Social Media platforms are a great tool to connect and share with your current and future customers.

Claim your free business or personal listing on each platform to get started.

Note: Only join networks you actively plan on using. As an example, if you don’t tweet or know what a tweet is, you probably don’t need Twitter. Think about your target customer and what networks they use. Is your product or service ‘follow worthy’?

www.facebook.com
www.twitter.com
www.instagram.com
www.pinterest.com
www.youtube.com
www.linkedin.com

Tip: In my opinion, every business owner should have a Linkedin presence. Even if you’re not planning on creating a business profile, there are a lot of benefits to having a professional profile on this platform. Think of it as the ‘Facebook of Business’. You can connect with other business owners and professionals that may be potential new customers or referral sources.

6) Relevant Industry Directories

Search Google for business directories related to your field or industry. You will likely come across both free and paid options. This may also include joining associations or your local Chamber of Commerce.

Each time you get a link on these websites you improve your websites search engine optimization (SEO) and create a new opportunity to be found.

7) Website Links

Ask industry colleagues and partners for links from their website back to yours.

Even better, ask them to include the link on a specific keyword related to your business.

Example: We might ask for a link on the keywords ‘website design’ rather than just the business name Pixel Perfect. This is important because it gives Google another way of referencing what keywords are most relevant about your business.


Marketing & Promotion

8) Start Blogging

Leveraging your website’s blog (or news) section is one of the most important things you can do to improve your website ranking.

Google wants to see fresh, relevant content being added to your website regularly. In fact, this is a key metric used to rank your website.

Not sure what to post about?

Think about the common questions you receive from current and potential customers. Write a blog post answering each question.

You can also share about industry related news, tips, community involvement, achievements, team members, and more.

Posting frequency can really depend on how competitive the online space is for your business. For new websites, we recommend at least two posts per week to get things moving.

Tip: Be sure to get creative with your subject line. Think about your target audience and write something catchy.

9) Start Sharing

Leverage your network on social media and share your website and blog posts.

Even if you don’t think your direct network will be interested, they might know someone who is. The key is to stay top of mind.

With Pixel Perfect, we see a spike in traffic every time we share a new post. You can get the same results by being consistent and creating valuable content.

10) Ask for Reviews

Many of the business listings we spoke about in the previous section (i.e. Google My Business, Facebook, etc.) have areas where past customers can share a review.

Positive reviews tell visitors and Google whether your business is credible and worth visiting.

Tip: It’s not uncommon for people forget to leave a positive review and ratings after they’ve had a good experience. Don’t be afraid to proactively reach out and ask.

11) Update Marketing Collateral

If you have existing brochures, business cards, flyers, etc. be sure to update them with your website address. If you’ve recently revamped your website, call attention to it.

12) Create or Update Your Email Signature

If you’re frequently sending business emails, you should include a link to your website in the signature. This makes it easy for people to access your website or reference it later to share with a colleague.

Tip: Be sure to have your team do this as well.

13) Answer Relevant Questions on Quora

Quora is a community powered Q&A website. Create a free profile and search for questions relevant to your business. If a question is unanswered (or lacking a good answer), spend a few minutes and share your knowledge on the subject. If you have previously written a blog post about the same topic, share a link back to your website.

14) Share Your Services on Kijiji or Craigslist

Kijiji and Craigslist are free online classified websites. If you’re selling a product or service to a local market, we encourage you to take a look.

It’s not appropriate for all businesses, but if you’re looking to generate some additional free exposure this might be a good place to start.

https://www.kijiji.ca
https://www.craigslist.ca

15) Connect with Influencers

Reaching an influencer can be the Holy Grail of marketing and promotion. Think about individuals that can influence large groups of people and try to get them to share your information.

To start out, think about people involved in your local chamber of commerce, associations, or well known business leaders.

It could even include building strategic alliances with other businesses that complement your product or service.

If you’re looking to gain visibility on a larger scale, research and find individuals with a large online following (i.e. Social Media, YouTube, Bloggers, etc.). These people are more difficult to reach, but if you have a killer product or service you may be able to convince them to share it with their audience.

Tip: Don’t just expect people to share your business – especially if they don’t know you that well. Think about how you can help them first. Is there some way you can bring value to them or make their day a little bit better? Give before you receive.

Technical

16) Install Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free service that lets you track the number of visitors (and their behaviour) on your website. It’s a must have for any business as it helps provide a way to track the performance of your website and allows you to make informed decisions when it’s time to make adjustments.

This is something that you will likely need your web designer to help you set up. There is a little bit of code that needs to go on ever page of your website.

https://www.google.com/analytics

Note: Installing Google Analytics will not increase website traffic, but it will give you a way of analyzing and optimizing your website on-going.

17) Setup Google Search Console

Another great service from Google, the Search Console will give you additional insights about your website and inform you about it’s performance. It will check for page errors, issues with how Google is crawling your website, and more. If your domain name is brand new, it’s also is a quick way of telling Google you exist!

https://www.google.com/webmasters/

18) Submit A Sitemap

Once you have setup Google Search Console, you will want to submit a website sitemap. This informs Google of your website and all it’s pages. Google requires a special type of file called XML for this to work. Your website may or may not have this built in already – it really depends on the website designer who built your website.

You can check by visiting your website and adding /sitemap.xml to the end. Eg. www.mywebsite.com/sitemap.xml

If you don’t have one, you can also manually create one by using a free tool like https://www.xml-sitemaps.com

19) Install an SSL Certificate

An SSL Certificate is the the little green lock you see in the web address bar, typically when you’re shopping online or doing online banking.

SSL encrypts the data being sent through the internet, from the computer browser to the remote servers. This is especially important for websites that sell products online as it will safely transmit credit card details without the worry of data being stolen.

Even if you’re not collecting credit cards online, SSL is quickly becoming the new standard for all websites. In fact, since 2014 Google has made it known that it gives bonus search engine optimization (SEO) points for having this. It’s a ‘win win’ for both you and your website visitor. Extra SEO credit and a safer web experience.


How many of these items have you done?

Now that you have knowledge about what to do after your new website goes live, are you going to take action?

Some of these items require a little bit of work. The key is to do one at a time. Look at the list and pick out the items you can do right away. Knock them off the list first.

Items such as blogging will take a little time and effort, but we promise it will be worth it.

Have something that should be added to this list? Let us know.

If there is something you believe should be on this list, we want to hear from you! Send us a message and let us know how we can make this post even better.

Are you ready to take your business to the NEXT LEVEL?

Request An Estimate ➝