The agency’s position is a perfect example of why many marketing shops fail their clients. They either do not understand the technology or hope the client will not ask questions. In reality, sticking with browser-only tracking is a business liability. It is easy for the agency to implement, but it bleeds revenue through lost conversions, incomplete attribution, and poor targeting.

A proper Server-Side Tracking Setup is essential if you want accurate data and stronger campaign performance. Most low-end agencies will never provide it because it is more technical than simply pasting a pixel into a website. It requires skill, planning, and ongoing maintenance.

What Server-Side Tracking Setup Does

Server-side tracking involves sending tracking events directly from your server to analytics or advertising platforms rather than relying on the visitor’s browser. This method bypasses the significant problems that ruin browser-based tracking, such as ad blockers, browser privacy settings, and iOS or Android tracking restrictions.

Key differences:

• Browser-side tracking occurs on the visitor’s device, where it can be blocked or altered before data is sent.
• Server-side tracking runs from your server, which you control, making it resistant to tracking prevention methods.

Why agencies should do it:

• Server-side tracking sends data from your server to platforms like Google Analytics or Facebook Ads.
• It is not affected by browser privacy settings or ad blockers. It results in more accurate attribution and complete conversion data.
• It requires technical setup and ongoing management.

Why Low-End Agencies Stay Away From It

The primary reason most agencies do not offer a proper Server-Side Tracking Setup is simple: they cannot handle the technical requirements. Implementing it means:

• Configuring a server environment, often through a Google Tag Manager Server container or a custom server endpoint.
• Setting up DNS for a dedicated tracking subdomain.
• Mapping event parameters correctly to match analytics and advertising platforms.
• Testing the setup across multiple devices, browsers, and operating systems.
• Maintaining the system as APIs and privacy laws evolve.

Low-end agencies are built on quick-turn projects and surface-level optimizations. They can set up a Facebook pixel in minutes, but lack developers who can manage a server container or handle event mapping. Learning and maintaining this skill would take time and money. Instead, they act like the old browser-only approach is “good enough.”

Low-end agencies do not want to take the time to learn:

• Most agencies lack the technical knowledge to implement server-side tracking.
• They avoid hiring developers who could handle the setup.
• They stick to basic pixel installs because they are fast and easy.
• They pass off outdated methods as acceptable.

What Happens When You Stay on Browser-Only Tracking

Browser-only tracking is already on life support. Every year, privacy updates exacerbate the issue. Conversions are lost because tracking scripts never fire or are blocked before sending data. Attribution reports are often incomplete, leading to poor decisions about ad spend.

Real-world numbers show the damage and the potential gains from a proper Server-Side Tracking Setup:

• Tracklution reports that moving to server-side tracking can recover 30 to 40 percent more conversions.
• Admetrics documented a DTC brand tripling ROAS two weeks after moving to server-to-server tracking.
• Another Admetrics case study demonstrated a 60.3% lift in ROAS after implementing Meta S2S for Ehrenkind.
• Stape reported client increases of 22 percent conversions, 90 percent data accuracy, and 33 percent more accurate Facebook Ads tracking.

Bullet points for skimmers:

• Browser-only tracking results in a significant loss of conversions.
• Server-side tracking recovers lost conversions and improves attribution.
• Real businesses have documented substantial performance lifts.
• The data gap continues to grow every year as privacy restrictions intensify.

Why This Matters to Business Owners

If your agency has not recommended a Server-Side Tracking Setup, you are operating with incomplete data. That means you are making decisions based on partial truth. Advertising platforms use your data to determine targeting, bidding, and delivery. Insufficient data equals bad targeting, which directly costs you money.

For business owners:

• This is not a future upgrade. It is a current necessity.
• The longer you wait, the more budget you waste.
• Agencies that cannot or will not implement this are not protecting your interests.

For agencies:

• Accurate tracking is essential for effective targeting.
• Incomplete data costs money in wasted ad spend. A capable agency should already be offering server-side monitoring.
• If they are not, they are behind the curve.

Technical Breakdown of a Proper Server-Side Tracking Setup

A real Server-Side Tracking Setup is not a matter of flipping a switch. It is a process that requires planning, correct configuration, and continuous monitoring. The goal is to take control of your tracking pipeline, enabling you to deliver reliable data to every platform that requires it.

Step 1: Choose the Server Environment

The most common option is to use a Google Tag Manager Server container hosted on Google Cloud or another cloud provider, such as AWS. This container receives event data from your site or app, processes it, and then forwards it to the relevant analytics or advertising platforms. For businesses that require complete control, a custom-built server endpoint using Node.js, PHP, or Python is also an option.

• Google Tag Manager Server container is the fastest way to start without writing all the code from scratch.
• Custom-built endpoints allow total flexibility but require in-house or contracted development expertise.
• The environment must be secure and capable of handling traffic at scale.

Step 2: Configure the Tracking Subdomain

You will need a dedicated subdomain such as track.yoursite.com or metrics.yoursite.com. This is set up through your DNS provider and points directly to your server environment. Using a subdomain under your main domain helps maintain first-party status for cookies, which improves data retention and tracking reliability.

• Choose a subdomain name that is short, clear, and tied to tracking.
• Ensure the DNS record points to the correct server IP or cloud endpoint.
• Keep SSL certificates up to date to avoid data loss from insecure connections.

Step 3: Define and Map Events

You must decide which events are worth tracking and map their parameters to match the requirements of each platform. For example, a purchase event may need transaction value, currency, and product ID parameters, while a form submission might need form ID and lead source.

• List out all conversion and engagement events critical to your business.
• Map each event to the exact parameter names expected by Google Analytics, Facebook, TikTok, and others.
• Use consistent naming conventions to avoid confusion across systems.

Step 4: Implement Event Sending

Your site or app sends data to the server endpoint rather than directly to the tracking platforms. This can be done using JavaScript fetch calls, app SDK calls, or tag manager client-side tags configured to hit your server container. Once the server receives the event, it processes and forwards it.

• Ensure that client-side calls to your server endpoint are lightweight to prevent slowing down page loads.
• Verify that each event contains all necessary parameters before forwarding it.
• Test across devices and browsers to confirm consistent delivery.

Step 5: Test the Entire Pipeline

Testing is critical before rolling out the system live. You want to confirm that events pass from the original trigger through your server and into the analytics or ad platform without data loss or parameter mismatch.

• Use preview and debug modes in the Google Tag Manager Server container.
• Check real-time reports in your analytics platforms to confirm event delivery.
• Test under conditions such as private browsing or ad blockers to ensure resilience.

How to Tell if Your Agency Implemented It

A common trick is for an agency to claim they have set up server-side tracking when all they did was adjust the pixel placement. This is easy to spot if you know where to look.

Check the Network Requests

Use your browser’s developer tools to inspect network requests when performing a tracked action. If you see requests going directly to facebook.com or google-analytics.com from the browser, it is still browser-side. An actual server-side setup will display requests to your tracking subdomain and the platform.

Look at Your DNS

Verify that your tracking subdomain exists and is correctly pointed to a live server environment. If it does not exist, they cannot set it up properly.

Audit Your Tag Manager Account

If using Google Tag Manager, look for a server container in addition to any web container. If there is only a web container, it is still browser-based.

Review Platform Event Sources

On platforms like Facebook Events Manager, server-side events are labeled as originating from the Conversions API. If you only see browser events, your server is not processing anything.

Long-Term ROI Benefits Over Browser-Only Tracking

Switching to Server-Side Tracking Setup is not just a technical upgrade. It directly increases profitability by feeding your ad platforms complete and accurate data.

Higher Conversion Capture

When you send data server-side, you capture conversions that would be lost to blockers and privacy rules. This alone can result in a 20 to 40 percent increase in reported conversions, enabling platforms to optimize campaigns more effectively.

Improved Targeting and Optimization

Ad algorithms thrive on accurate event data. If they know precisely who converted, they can find more similar users. Poor data forces them to guess, which burns budget on low-quality impressions.

Better Attribution

Instead of guessing where sales came from, you can attribute them correctly to the channel and campaign. This prevents wasting budget on underperforming campaigns and allows scaling of the high performers.

Compliance and Privacy Control

By processing data on your server, you can control what is sent to each platform, removing unnecessary personal information and improving compliance with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.

Common Excuses Agencies Give to Avoid Doing It

When agencies avoid setting up server-side tracking, they rarely admit it is because they lack the necessary skills. Instead, they come up with weak excuses.

“It’s Not Worth the Cost”

Translation: We do not know how to set it up and do not want to hire someone who does. However, the data accuracy and ROI gains make it worth the investment.

“It’s Too Complicated for Your Business Size”

Translation: we are too lazy to learn; you will believe this line. Server-side tracking benefits businesses of all sizes because every conversion matters.

“Browser Tracking is Fine for Now”

Translation: We hope you never notice how much money is being lost. “Fine for now” is code for “we will ignore the problem until you bring it up again.”

When to Demand a Server-Side Tracking Setup

If you run any form of paid advertising or conversions, which are a key part of your business model, you should demand it now. Waiting will only widen the gap between what happens on your site and what your analytics show.

A competent agency will either have it in place or have a clear plan to implement it. If they do not, you must decide whether to encourage them to learn or find an agency with the expertise.

Monitoring and Maintaining a Server-Side Tracking Setup

A proper Server-Side Tracking Setup is not something you can “set and forget.” Platforms change APIs, browsers update privacy rules, and your campaigns will evolve. Without ongoing monitoring, even a perfectly set-up system can start leaking data.

Ongoing Testing

You should schedule regular testing to confirm events are still flowing correctly. Test each major conversion event across multiple browsers, operating systems, and devices. Privacy updates can unexpectedly break scripts or block cookies.

Performance Monitoring

Your tracking subdomain and server container must remain online and responsive. Downtime means lost data. Use uptime monitoring tools to get alerts if your server endpoint fails.

Version Control and Documentation

Document the exact configuration of your server-side setup, including event mappings, parameter names, and platform endpoints. Keep backups of any custom code or tag configurations. This makes troubleshooting faster and prevents mistakes if you need to hand it off.

API Updates

When platforms update their APIs, you must update your server-side logic accordingly. Failing to do so can result in dropped events or incorrect reporting.

Advanced Configurations for Multi-Platform Tracking

Once the core Server-Side Tracking Setup is stable, you can expand it to power multiple platforms from the same data stream.

Multi-Destination Event Routing

You can send the same event from your server container to Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, TikTok, Pinterest, and any other platform you use. This ensures consistent data across every channel, eliminating the need for multiple client-side scripts to fire.

Event Enrichment

Because the data flows through your server, you can add context before sending it. For example, you can attach a CRM customer ID, product category, or subscription status to an event, enabling more granular reporting and targeting.

Data Filtering

You control what leaves your server. If you do not want certain personally identifiable information sent to ad platforms, you can strip it out before the event is forwarded. This is a significant compliance advantage.

Example Case Study: Before and After a Proper Server-Side Tracking Setup

Before Implementation

A mid-size eCommerce brand relied entirely on browser-side tracking for Facebook Ads and Google Analytics. They reported about 1,000 conversions monthly but noticed that their CRM showed significantly higher actual orders. Attribution gaps made it impossible to tell which campaigns were truly profitable.

• Conversions are under-reported by 35 percent compared to CRM.
• ROAS looked 20 percent lower than it was.
• The retargeting audiences were smaller because many conversions were not being captured.
• Cost per acquisition looked higher than reality, causing budget cuts to campaigns that were performing well.

After Implementation

The business implemented a Google Tag Manager Server container on a custom tracking subdomain. All purchase events, form submissions, and key engagement actions were routed through the server and sent to Google Analytics and Facebook via the Conversions API.

• Conversions in analytics matched within 2 percent of CRM records.
• ROAS increased by 48 percent in platform reporting.
• Retargeting audiences grew by 30 percent.
• Ad spend was shifted to the best-performing campaigns with confidence.
• Wasted spend dropped by 18 percent in the first 60 days.

Why Agencies Fail Here

The agencies that cannot set up Server-Side Tracking fail for predictable reasons.

Lack of Developers

They are staffed with ad managers and designers, not technical implementers. They stall out when faced with DNS settings, server provisioning, or API parameter mapping.

No Incentive to Learn

Learning server-side tracking takes time and effort. Low-end agencies survive on fast client turnover and simple setups. They are not interested in spending weeks on something that does not directly increase their billable hours.

Selling the Easy Story

It is easier to tell a client that the current setup is “fine” than to explain why it is wrong and requires an overhaul. They rely on the client not knowing the difference.

What to Ask Your Agency Right Now

If you suspect your agency has not implemented this, there are direct questions you can ask.

• What server environment is our tracking container running on?
• What is the tracking subdomain you set up for us?
• Can you show me the network requests from our site that route through our subdomain before being sent to analytics or ad platforms?
• How often do you test the tracking pipeline?
• What events are sent server-side, and what parameters are included?

If they cannot answer clearly, they likely did not set it up or do not understand it.

Your Next Steps

If your agency is avoiding Server-Side Tracking Setup, you have two options: either push them to hire the necessary technical help or replace them with an agency that can do it correctly. Every month without it is another month of wasted ad spend, inaccurate reports, and poor targeting.

You do not need to become a tracking expert, but you need to be the kind of business owner who refuses to settle for incomplete or inaccurate data. Agencies that cut corners on tracking will likely cut corners elsewhere as well.

Final Word

At Bright Vessel, we build Server-Side Tracking Setups correctly, from cloud server configuration to event mapping and multi-platform integration. Our team possesses the technical depth that low-end agencies often lack, and we back it up with ongoing monitoring to ensure your data remains clean and your campaigns remain profitable. We do not guess or cut corners and ensure every conversion is captured, allowing you to scale confidently. If your tracking setup leaks revenue, we can fix it and give you a competitive advantage that most competitors will never have.

Book a free consultation.

The post Server Side Tracking Setup: Why Most Agencies Avoid It first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

What Does a Web Designer Do?

Web designers are responsible for the look and feel of a website. They create the website's overall design and decide how each page will look. The designer is the creative force behind the website, and they use their skills to make sure the website is visually appealing and user-friendly.

A designer relies on software tools such as:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Dreamweaver
• Material Design
• Mock flow

There are different types of web designers, depending on their roles.

UI Designer

UI design is the creation of illustrations, typography, and motion graphics for web and app interfaces. They are responsible for the look and feel of the user interface. They design the buttons, icons, and overall layout of the website, making sure it is attractive and user-friendly. The user interface includes informational, navigational, functional, and aesthetic elements.

UX Designer

UX designers are responsible for the user experience of a website or app. They focus on how the user interacts with the product, ensuring it is easy and enjoyable to use. Their job is designing the flow of the website, creating a logical sequence from one page to another. They also test different user scenarios to ensure they all work correctly.

Visual Designer

Visual designers are responsible for the overall look and feel of a website. They create the website's style and decide how each page will look. The visual designer is responsible for making sure the website is visually appealing and user-friendly. They're a mixture of UI and UX designers.

What Does A Web Developer Do?

Web developers are responsible for the functionality of a website. They build the website, and they make sure it works properly. The developer is responsible for writing the code that makes the website run, and they also work on optimizing the code to make the website run as quickly as possible. The main aim of a web developer is to build a smooth-running, functional website.

Developers use a variety of programming languages, including:

•  PHP
• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• jQuery
• Bootstrap
• Ruby on Rails
• Python
• ASP.NET

There are different types of developers depending on their specialties.

Front-End Developer

The front-end is the part of a website that users see and interact with. Front-end developers are responsible for building the user interface, including the layout, fonts, colors, and animations. They also write the code that makes the website interactive.

The front-end developer determines the structure, behavior, design, and content of whatever appears on the screen when applications, websites, or web pages launch. Front-end developers use programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create code that makes a website look and function the way it was designed.

Backend Developer

The backend is the part of a website that users do not see. Backend developers are responsible for building the site's functionality, including the database and server. They also write the code that processes information and interacts with the user interface.

Backend developers use programming languages such as PHP, Ruby on Rails, and ASP.NET to create code that makes a website work properly. Users interact indirectly with the backend when they enter information on a website, for example, through a form. That data is then processed, and results are shown to the user.

Full-Stack Developers

Full-stack developers can work on both the front and back ends of a website. They are familiar with all aspects of website development, and they can build a website from start to finish. Full-stack developers use a variety of programming languages to create code for websites.

Difference Between Designer v Developer

•  A designer is responsible for the look and feel of a website, while a developer is responsible for the functionality.
• While a designer focuses on the website's aesthetics, a developer focuses on making sure the website works properly.
• A designer creates the website's style, while a developer writes the code that makes it run.
• While a designer typically does not need to code, a developer must know how to design to create a functional website.
• A designer can work with pre-made templates and frameworks, but a developer must make everything from scratch.

Designer v Developer at Work

Designers and developers often work together to create a complete website. The designer will create the layout and style of the site, and then the developer will build it using code. This partnership is often successful, as the designer and developer have complementary skills.

The designer is responsible for making sure the website is visually appealing and user-friendly. They work with the client to develop a design that meets their needs, and then they create the visuals using Photoshop or another design program.

Meanwhile, the developer is responsible for building the website, including the functionality and coding. They'll work with the designer to ensure everything works properly and looks good. Together, both produce a complete website that meets the client's requirements.

How Do You Know When to Hire a Designer v Developer?

If you need a website that looks good and functions properly, you will need to hire both a designer and a developer. A designer can create the website's style, while a developer can make it work. If you only need a basic website, you may be able to get by with just a developer. However, if you need more complex functionality or a custom design, you'll also require a designer.

It is important to note that not all designers are developers, and not all developers are designers. If you need someone who can work on both the front and back ends of your website, you will need to hire a full-stack developer. Full-stack developers are familiar with all aspects of website development, and they can build a website from start to finish.

If you only need someone to work on the back end, you can hire a backend developer. Backend developers use programming languages such as PHP, Ruby on Rails, and ASP.NET to create code that makes a website work properly.

Conclusion

If you need a website that looks good and functions properly, you will need to hire both a designer and a developer. At Bright Vessel, we understand all your needs and will be able to guide you through the process. Contact us today to get started.

The post Designer v Developer: What Each Does In a Website first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Before settling on a web maker of your choice, it is better to understand your expenses on premium plans and why you are creating them. The features you will use also play a significant role because every platform is created uniquely.

The Most Reliable Drag and Drop Website Builders in 2022

Below you'll find the very best drag and drop website builders in 2022!

Wix 

If you want to create a web with relatively little effort and great artistic control, Wix is the best option for you. The software has distinct aspects, including digital asset archiving, e-commerce facilities, beautiful video themes, title effects, smartphone applications, and even a handy free tier.

Additionally, in the ever-developing sector of web-making services examined, the current Editor X layout stands out as one of the most simple, clean, and efficient. In simple terms, Wix is an easy-to-use inter-platform that, together with Duda and Gator, is an upfront Editors' preference.

Regarding graphics, Wix offers a significant advantage: it allows you to reuse images that you have already shared by storing them in digital folders for yourself. If you wish to use photos in another part of your site, you'll have to re-upload them using the other platforms.

In terms of e-commerce, Wix has a robust platform. The Store widget in the top toolbar creates a Shop page with a pre-populated product gallery that you can update on your own. To receive funds, you will need an e-commerce premium package. Likewise, Wix has a customizable storefront, periodic payment, and membership alternatives so that you can make even more money. You may arrange goods by category and give coupons through its complete product modification panel.

Zyro

Zyro is a speedy website construction solution for people who don't code. In truth, most of its targeted demographic does not need to know much about the web. You can use Zyro if you are accustomed to graphical user interfaces. Besides the web design GUI, Zyro also features some useful related tools, like an AI content creation script, an AI heatmap for target modulation, and a vast pool of photos to use as resources are among them.

For users who have used Zyro before, it takes care of SSL setup and settings. Unlike many other web providers, you have to deal with different SSL certificates and handling mechanisms. Your Zyro site is automatically secured. That's right – without having to make any effort. Although SSL may appear to be a minor concern, it is crucial for every digital network. Many search engines are now harshly penalizing webs that do not employ SSL.

The web creator features a library of ready-to-use templates to help you from the beginning. These are there to give you a picture of how the sites appear.

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the best-known brands in the digital marketplace. While it's the most popular selling domain names and internet services, you can still rely on this software to develop your web. GoDaddy websites and marketing is easy to use with mobile-friendly designs.

The most recent version strives to give a more comprehensive solution, especially marketing. A content architect for creating social networking posts, an excellent blogging option, a neat small email marketing instrument, and an SEO wizard for optimizing your site is available.

GoDaddy provides a free plan and paid ones that begin at just $10 every month. They all include web storage and customer services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, the free package does not utilize a custom domain tag. Additionally, if you want to start a digital store, you can only achieve that by using the e-commerce plan.

You can include a PayPal button to any plan. However, if you want to start an online store, you will need the most expensive package, which includes appointment scheduling, product ratings, and integration with Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.

Elementor

Elementor is a versatile tool used in complete webs to specialized landing pages. You could create custom forms, advertisements, and landing pages. This system can assist you in designing whatever is on your mind.

Several experts on your team can use Elementor. The visual editor allows you to drag and drop any widgets such as buttons and star ratings to generate content. Featuring code efficiency, configurable properties, and backup versions, Elementor continues to be the leading system for WordPress developers.

This drag and drop website builder offers a free plan and multiple premium subscription choices. The free version includes:

• A drag-and-drop editor.
• Common widgets.
• Elementary templates.

These are all the features you'll need to get your platform up and running. If you require more advanced capabilities like integrating forms and custom CSS, you can upgrade to the premium plans.

Elementor, like any other reputable WordPress page maker, is SEO-friendly. It assists you in building a gorgeous site design, allowing you to keep people on your page longer. As customers interact with your site, search engines will recognize its importance, elevating your rankings and improving your SEO.

Site123

SITE123 is a rapidly growing, individually owned drag and drop website builder located in Israel that caters solely to do-it-yourselfers. The web creator is a diverse and all-inclusive collection of website creation options, giving whatever you need to start and expand your web. It differs from alternatives requiring you to independently purchase, install, and control all of your website's aspects.

The web editor makes building a platform as simple as a pie. As the name implies, you build a web in three phases: pick a good design, create content, and publish. The designs fit into general categories like business, online store, or portfolio and then break down into specific niches like law firms, hair salons, or gardening. There's no complicated setup process since you can do everything in your browser. Like many other drag and drop website builders, it also comes with a blog and a digital store.

There are various payments options for the available plans, but you must first register a free account. It gives you the freedom to experience everything for as long as you need. If you enjoy the offerings, you can then upgrade. However, for the first year, you will get free web hosting and the option to establish email accounts.

Squarespace 

Squarespace is an excellent platform for building a dream website. It offers the highest-quality unique capabilities in the industry, and while it takes some getting accustomed to, the results are well worth the effort. It is recommended for those interested in design or with some technical knowledge.

Squarespace is ideal for photographers, artists, and anybody who enjoys design and wishes their web to reflect the quality of their work. It also includes a comprehensive set of ecommerce capabilities, making it an excellent choice if you plan to create a store with a limited inventory or offer digital goods.

Squarespace's two e-commerce packages contain essential inventory control and abandoned cart restoration. You can even trade offline and have everything in one place if you combine the Squarespace Commerce app with your account. Additionally, you could effortlessly accept credit card payments while on the go, and all sales will be reflected in your retail channel.

Duda 

Duda is a definite winner for someone looking for a clean, modern, and quick web designer. The drag and drop website builder is simple to use, featuring drag-and-drop features and well-structured and attractive templates. Its features make it ideal for anyone interested in design but unprepared to have complete creative control over their web.

There are over 90 templates available, with topics ranging from business to lifestyle. You have artistic control over modification, but you're still restricted mainly by your chosen design within the template's limitations.

These capabilities make Duda excellent for web designers building several sites for customers – it's what it was developed for, after all! Duda also lets you create adaptive, customized web apps, a huge plus for any serious organization.

Conclusion

A free web creator is an excellent place to start if you only want to make a simple platform without a digital store. However, the free option plans have limited storage and SEO marketing features that don't suit big organizations with huge traffic. Contact BrightVessel to get all the details and guidance about web creation.

The post The Most Reliable Drag and Drop Website Builders first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Here is how to export assets when building out a WordPress website in Adobe XD.

1. You first want to open your adobe XD file

2. Once you have your file open you will want to make sure you provision the files so they can export correctly.

The need to be precise and all elements need to be group and in their own section.

In this image, a designer adds elements in several different layers, so when all layers were grouped. The elements were not properly cropped. This is an easy fix. When double-clicking on one of the elements, Ex: the man. You drag so that no elements bleed to a different row.

This is an easy fix. When double-clicking on one of the elements, Ex: the man. You drag so that no elements bleed to a different row.

3. Naming scheme is very important. It is always good to name your images not just for an easy way to identify but also for SEO. We will use HDR for headers and then BG for backgrounds.

This makes it easier to know what type of elements image it is and then the name of the section if a background or the element if it is typography, button, etc. In the layers area, name the group and single images. Use lower case and a dash between each word.

4. Now the easiest way to export once you have corrected all elements is to group them so you can export the image needed. In most cases, you will be gathering assets that otherwise could not be done in HTML and our a builder that you may be using.

File > Export > Selected

Now that we named the layer, we do not have to type it out. So we know what type of elements images are for the background, typography, button, etc. It is always good to name your images not just for an easy way to identify but also for SEO. We will use HDR for headers and then BG for backgrounds.

Once you have exported, you should then have a group of elements in the desired type of image file.

The post How to Export Assets from Adobe XD to Build a WordPress Website first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Coming soon pages aren’t just placeholders for your WordPress website. They’re tools you can use to foster customer excitement and get them more interested in your brand, telling customers about what you will launch.

The Anatomy Of A Coming Soon Page

Coming soon pages should be informative, but they should also create a buzz. As a marketing device, they are something that you can use to get people interested in what you’re doing.

Some ecommerce companies can “soft launch” and begin taking orders immediately, figuring out their processes and WordPress websites along the way. However, these are very much the exception to the rule. Mostly, companies need sites that are ready to go immediately.

What Coming Soon Pages Should Achieve

It may be several months before you launch your store. Why not begin marketing now and then reap the rewards once the store finally opens? That's what a coming soon page helps you do.

Here’s what a coming soon page should achieve:

• Announce the arrival of a new product, service, promotion, or WordPress website. You can only get a sense of how interested people are in your products if you measure how your clientele respond to them before you launch. Usually, you can get a pretty good sense from the community about how things are likely to turn out in advance. Once you collect feedback, you can then update your offering, improve your service, and build something.
• Collect user IDs, such as their names, email addresses, and (in some cases), phone numbers. Coming soon pages are very similar to landing pages in the sense that you’re trying to capture the information for remarketing purposes. Remember, you can't direct customers towards a purchase before you launch. Instead, your only option is to grab their details and then use these to sell to them in the future. Adding incentives (which we discuss below) increases the chance that somebody will sign up.
• Create a buzz about what’s coming down the pike, reminding them why they should be getting excited. Most standard landing pages include options that allow people to share the page with their friends on social media. Brands include social media tags to amplify their landing pages' reach so that they reach more people. It would be best if you did the same for coming soon pages. Add social media sharing buttons that allow people to easily link with friends on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook (depending on the type of products you sell).
• Provide further information regarding when customers and users can expect to benefit. Your customers need to know how they’re going to benefit from your products and services when you finally launch. Thus, you should use your landing page to discuss any unique selling points that you might have. Perhaps you’ve found a way to make certain products cheaper, or maybe you’re the only seller in the country currently stocking certain products. Make this immediately clear.

How To Create A WordPress Coming Soon Page That Converts

If you’re reading this article, then there is a good chance that you’re planning on launching an WordPress ecommerce page shortly. In the meantime, you need a placeholder page to get people pumped and encourage them to return to you once you finally go ahead and lunch.

Here’s a rundown of how to create a compelling coming soon page that converts:

• Think of it as a landing page: In principle, there is no difference between a coming soon page and a landing page - the goal of both is to convert. Thus, you should always view a coming soon page as a time-deferred conversion funnel - a vehicle that will deliver clients in the future.
• Add name and email capture forms: How will you remind people to come back to your page when you launch? Simple: send them an email reminder. However, you can only do this if you provide somewhere for them to enter their name and address.
• Collect feedback: Often, you can get a sense of what customers do and don’t like about your idea by including feedback options on your coming soon page. Something as simple as a star-rating for various ideas can get people engaged in what you’re doing and provide you with useful information to improve your offering.
• Offer incentives: Occasionally, people will hand over their name and email without you having to offer them anything in return, but that’s rare. Mostly, ecommerce retailers will want to provide some reward when customers hand over personal information. Here are some ideas:
  • Provide an early-bird discount of 10 percent for everyone who shops with you in the first 48 hours of launch, with even more money off for those who spend more than $200 with you.
  • Offer free-shipping on purchases made in the first week, regardless of order size. Be clear how much money you’re taking off the final bill.
  • Send free resources to customers’ email addresses on topics that interest them.
  • Enter customers who send you their email addresses into a prize draw.

Tools For Building Coming Soon Pages

Several types of tools lend themselves nicely to the building coming soon pages.

Email Marketing Software

Email marketing software often comes with landing page builders that integrate with the core mail service.

Here are some of the benefits:

• The software automatically populates your leads list.
• You don’t have to perform complex integrations - all the services are already included in a single tool.
• Comes with pre-fabbed templates for speedier email and page construction.

https://mailchimp.com/

Landing Page Tools

As we discussed above, landing pages and coming soon pages are very similar. For that reason, you can often repurpose landing page builders to create compelling coming soon pages that tell users what’s coming down the pike.

The advantages of these tools include:

• Plenty of templates ready for you to use immediately.
• Quickly create coming soon pages.
• Get messaging and social sharing options out-of-the-box.

https://elementor.com/

Examples Of Coming Soon Pages

Backpacker Travel

Backpacker Travel’s coming soon page adheres to virtually all of the criteria we listed above. It features a box for growing their email list, social media buttons, and an exciting blurb telling visitors why they should sign up.

Bezar

Bezar wanted to get people interested in its art network before launch to encourage signups to get its network going. It wound up offering monetary credit to users and friends when they referred somebody else to the network. Its coming soon page offered multiple signup options, including Facebook.

Jevelin

Jevelin did what many companies like to do and included a real-time countdown timer on its coming soon page. It also included social sharing icons for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Summary

Coming soon pages are important because they let you market during “dead time” before your official product launch. The ideal page is one that captures names and email addresses, allowing you to remarket your store and remind users when it finally opens.

The post Everything You Need Launch A WordPress Coming Soon Page first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Here is a list of WordPress Website Troubleshooting FAQs:

1. The website isn't loading what I can do?

There's a good chance your server is down, or your website has an error that is not allowing it to display. Unfortunately, if it is an issue with the website, some hosting providers will ask you to call your web developer because they just host the website.

If you are not a web developer, there are a few things you can do to narrow down the issue.

a. Check to see if it not the host or the website. You can visit https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/

If your site is down for you, it is most likely an issue with your ISP (Internet Service Provider), which is your connection to the internet.

b. Check to see if you can get to the backend of your website. 

If you can get to your WordPress dashboard, then there is most likely an issue with your website vs. the host.

c. If you do have access to the backend, you start a trial by elimination and do the following:

• If you have a caching tool (check your plugin directory). Purge the cache to see if it is a caching issue.
• Disable your plugins one by one and test the homepage to see if one of your plugins is throwing an error.
• Disable your theme by selecting the default WordPress theme to see if it is a theme error.

If none of these have helped you identify the issue, then you need to do some more advance items which may involve getting your host or developer.

• Turn on the WordPress debug mode. This feature lets you see errors directly on each page, which can help you pinpoint the underlying cause of the website being down.
• Raise the memory limit of your php.ini - https://wordpress.org/support/article/editing-wp-config-php/#configure-error-logging.
• Check the permissions of the files and folders - https://wordpress.org/support/article/changing-file-permissions/.

For additional support and help for your WordPress website, see this post: WordPress Support & Maintenance: Where to Find the Best Help

2. My website is taking forever to load. What can I do?

Your host probably lacks resources at the moment. There are two ways to go about this:

• Directly contact your hosting provider. The best practice is using this tool to see why the site is slow.
• If the issue is specifically a page you created recently, it may not be fully optimized yet. Contact your Tech Support person.

3. A website element won't work correctly. How do I fix?

You may have compatibility issues between plugins and the version of WordPress you're currently running. (Backup site ALWAYS) Update the plugins first, and if the problem persists, email your Tech Support contact.

4. Plugins or software won't update.

You may be having issues with your licenses. Get ahold of your Tech Support, Billing, and Software Updates contacts to figure out what's happening.

5. Website emails go to the spam folder.

This usually happens when using less-than-ideal email providers. The best way to fix this is by changing to a premium service, such as Google G Suite.

6. I can't send and/or receive emails.

This could be an issue with either your host or individual provider, so it's best to let your Tech Support contact know so they can fix whatever needs fixing.

7. There's a security warning on the site.

For the most part, this happens due to SSL certificates. Contact your Security contact, or directly your SSL or hosting providers, and figure out the next step.

8. The website redirects to a different site.

Unfortunately, you've been hacked - but don't worry, it's not as terrible as it sounds! You should either email your hosting company or web developer. In most cases, the hosting company should take care of this if they want to charge your better off emailing your web developer.

• Security: Make sure they solve the issue and harden the WordPress website.
• Backup: Ask your web developer for a clean version of the website from before the attack, so you don't lose any information.

9. Someone is contacting me to say there's an issue with my website.

There might be an issue, yes, but you might just be looking at a company targeting you because you've recently registered a site. You may be receiving mass emails from agencies who will tell you they'll "fix" a problem that might not even exist. To be safe, it's a good idea to contact your Tech Support guy to see if everything is going well.

10. I did something wrong and can't take it back.

I can happen just using WordPress admin. If you do not have code skills, call your developer first and ask for a backup if you want to give it a go. Also, ask him or her if they will be available to replace the file if you're not familiar with accessing web files. Make sure you note all the steps before going down. Getting a website back up is not hard just need a fallback plan.

Conclusion

Did you know Bright Vessel offers full web maintenance packages that cover all the possible issues above? Whether you're too busy running your business or you don't have the patience to go through all the trouble yourself, we can help keep your site healthy on every front. Check out the most affordable Amazon AWS WordPress management plan.

The post WordPress Website Troubleshooting FAQs first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

When trying to grasp how many WordPress website designs have been done over the years, it is hard to imagine an estimated 127 million WordPress websites worldwide. Officially starting in 2003, WordPress has grown to be the most prominent CMS on the planet. Many people are drawn to this beautiful platform because it is open source and has one of the largest communities supporting the product.

We compiled a list of the 25 of the Best WordPress Website Designs Around the World for review:

1. TechCrunch

TechCrunch made a bet to adopt a more current approach to web design, changing its site after five years. As one of the leading sources of tech-related news and think pieces, they aimed to elevate their visual concept. The result is a seamless site where content is a top priority. The aesthetic is minimalistic and as clean as possible, allowing users to go from piece to piece quickly.

2. The New Yorker

The New Yorker website easily reflects the feel of its iconic paper edition by making everything broad. When you go to the main site, your entire screen will be full of content. Large fonts, thumbnails, and the occasional animation help you easily handpick where you're going. It feels like what the brand has always been: a space for cultural insights.

3. The New York Times Company

A beautiful and broad website, The New York Times Company's site slides from story to story, with images taking center stage. Whether you're looking at a photograph or a short video on their homepage, the visuals will entice you. This is a great way to showcase the power of visual storytelling from one of the most crucial mass media companies on Earth.

4. Reuters Blogs

Text, but make it fashion—that seems to be the force behind Reuters Blogs. As a world-famous source of opinion pieces, it's undoubtedly the best choice. Visitors can easily read the basics of each article without delving too deep to make an informed decision about reading.

5. Boingo

Boingo provides a particular service for its users: mobile Internet access for devices. As such, people who visit their site will usually want more information about their different plans. The Boingo website makes things smooth by marking their different modalities at the center of their homepage. You can choose between their plans on the spot, without having to navigate much. Web design companies dream of sites that are to-the-point and straightforward like this.

6. Sweden’s Official Website

The official website for the country of Sweden is the perfect model for a tourism site. Full of images representing landscapes and scenes from Sweden, it's a leisurely "tour" around the country. They have easy-to-access sections on events, culture, traditions, and even business. Tidbits about the country's all-around richness are everywhere, with lots of easy-to-chew listicles. The setup makes it easy for visitors to fall in love with Sweden and learn more about the country.

7. SAP News Center

SAP is one of the most important software companies in the world, an essential piece of multiple processes in many industries. However, SAP also offers specialized services, and the company's serious image can be intimidating. The visually pleasing SAP News Center website is a step towards making the German company's image more approachable. Bright colors, intuitive menus with lots of info, and straightforward placement are the foundation of this site.

8. Arctic Cool

An activewear company will always target active users, and Arctic Cool implemented that mechanic to its web design. Their homepage quickly presents users with everything new and exciting going on the brand. Presented as a product page, it's effortless on the eyes and allows you to scroll down to featured posts. An excellent solution for active audiences.

9. Quartz

Quartz audience visits the website mostly from mobile devices, and the design accommodates that. Responsive to different screen sizes and light to the touch, articles seamlessly pop into the screen like thought bubbles. Scrolling down, you'll find different-sized thumbnails, which helps keep the look interesting.

10. The Rolling Stones

One of the most iconic rock bands of all time, the Stones' website is as fun as you'd like it to be. Bright colors are prominent, and the homepage showcases the newest things about the band, including easy access to tour tickets. Inviting and smooth to navigate around merch and beyond, you couldn't ask for more from a rock band site.

11. Raptis Rare Books

Raptis Rare Books is the perfect example of how websites should be inviting to the specific audience they are targeting. While we'd generally discourage putting a lot of text in homepages, readers are their target here. Visitors are looking for first editions, and rare book finds of all types; these people enjoy the written word. Letters fit prominently into the design, and you'll find a lot of info.

12. Staples Canda Blog

Instead of focusing solely on stationary, the Staples Canada blog is all about improving businesses. Listicles about productivity abound, and it's effortless to go from one to the next. From their trending pieces to more in-depth posts, you'll get a natural look from the outside and a large screen when you're inside each article.

13. BBC America

Following the idea that websites should be friendly to the specific type of user they serve, BBC America's is on the right track. Media takes protagonism on their homepage, with beautiful and colorful pictures as thumbnails. You can seamlessly access featured videos and episodes directly from the home, for all types of content. Catering precisely to their audience.

14. Pulse by Target

Target is one of the biggest retailers in the world, which makes it an exciting place to work. With that idea, the company created the Pulse blog for candidates looking to start their Target career. Pulse is natural on the eyes, with to-the-point and straightforward web design. It showcases some of the latest posts from workers of different levels within the company, explaining how life is inside Target. The design makes it easy to look into the different areas of the Target experience, with lots of quality content to showcase it.

15. Wolverine Worldwide

A traditional company with such a straightforward product as shoes has no business bringing unnecessary gimmicks to its website. Wolverine Worldwide understands that, and their website is a simple trip around the company and its many aspects. Everything you need to know is within reach, unbothered by unnecessary extras. The fact that the color palette is smooth on the eyes certainly helps drive the point across.

16. Facebook Newsroom

Stemming from one of the most important Internet companies in the world, Facebook Newsroom is understandably a significant source of online data. For starters, the site is heavily customizable: you'll reach the version made for your region. Interestingly enough, the content varies from region to region, even beyond merely changing languages. There's a real effort in bringing the Facebook experience closer to users, and that includes the easy-to-navigate site that mimics the look of Facebook.

17. Fish Monkey Gloves

Colorful and fun are the two best adjectives to describe the Fish Monkey Gloves web design. Their business is fishing gear, and the brand focuses on active people who love the great outdoors. Amusing caricatures and beautiful fishing pictures take center stage on this website, while also leaving all essential information readily available. The look is a little striking without reaching overbearing levels, just like the outdoors it represents.

18. PlayStation.Blog

If there's a brand that can't get away with having a stale-looking website, it's Playstation. The company blog is full of essential news from the platform, the gaming industry in general and all-around technology. It's an ode to geekdom in all its forms: an explosion of color, showcasing the most impressive current graphics. A visit will make you want to experience everything new going on in the network, so it certainly fulfills its aim.

19. Bloomberg Professional

Offering services for decision-makers and companies, the Bloomberg Professional manages to showcase gravitas. The black background with white words gives the website an air of elegance, only improved by the ease of movement. Visitors can go over their cursor to find a myriad of services and choices for many types of businesses. Finding information on the site is a seamless experience, appreciated in the business sphere of their potential (and current) clients.

20. Bata

The Bata website has a beautiful intro video showing off the lifestyle they've associated with wearing their shoes. Once you've specified your location, (they have site versions for numerous countries around the world), you'll get a broad and comfortable homepage. You'll find the featured shoe models of the season here, in large and easy-to-read banners. Interestingly enough, they've adapted the design of the homepage to each country, for a unique look on each. Their corporate website is also a design dream, with large and beautiful images with lots of red, the company website.

21. Marks & Spencer for Business

Marks & Spencer for Business focuses on providing corporate gift solutions, and its site is an excellent example of how to showcase a high-end brand to new audiences. M&S gives businesses everything they might need to know at the very homepage; there's no need to dig deeper. In tune with their brand, the design is smooth, showing the lifestyle associated with their high-quality products. An earthy palette is a perfect finish to the high-end look.

22. Inside BlackBerry

Once a staple of smartphones, Blackberry has pivoted its focus to security software. Online safety is their primary concern, which their website does an excellent job in showing. The blog content focuses on security on all aspects of online life. The design of their site is severe, wasting no effort in gimmicks. The design contrasts black and white, giving out a feeling of security, just as intended.

23. cPanel Blog

Wide, friendly, and all-in-one, the cPanel Blog is a smooth introduction to the company's services. While this is a technical blog, it doesn't shy away from keeping things light, even showcasing the company mascot, a Sphynx cat. Everything is accessible from the homepage, steered by large thumbnails with fun images. Very tech-savvy and pleasant.

24. The Wall Street Journal Law Blog

Much like its subject, the Wall Street Journal Law Blog is a very sober site. That's not to say it isn't interesting. The layout allows visitors to dig a little deeper into today's legal happenings without having to delve into the overly technical. A blog by lawyers and made for other lawyers and those interested in the law, it's a smooth-looking way to learn more about what's happening in the world.

25. Boston Market

When you enter the Boston Market homepage, you get bright, fun, and tasty. The color scheme follows the brand's hues (red and black) and accompanies large and scrumptious-looking foodstuffs in succession. Their most popular products and menus are easily accessible through big banners, while the company's info (such as menu and catering) awaits above in a straightforward setting. It's just delicious.

If you're looking for help designing your WordPress website, Bright Vessel is a certified WooCommerce and WordPress design firm. We build all types of websites, from simple brand sites to robust WooCommerce sites, and would love to help. Please get in touch with us for further details.

The post 25 Best WordPress Website Designs from Around the World | Stunning WordPress Inspiration first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

There’s one thing that should always be on your mind before tackling local website design: Search Engine Optimization (SEO). You probably know a little about this one! The key to being relevant online, SEO focuses on increasing relevant traffic to the website. Through a series of SEO practices, your brand can reach the top search engine results of a relevant keyword. In turn, this practice will bring the right traffic to the site.

Once you’re aware of SEO as a basis for building a website, there are three concepts you need to understand:

• Website Design. Website design comprises visual keys from the layout to the logo, and it's the way a site presents itself to users. It can include a myriad of details, and should always focus on reflecting the brand in the most useful way possible.
• Website Architecture. Much like with brick-and-mortar architecture, this concept relates to its construction. Websites with great architecture are intuitive in link-building, so users can navigate smoothly and without getting lost.
• User Experience. This concept relates to the level of ease and comfort a visitor has when visiting a website. Good user experience should be fast, pleasant, easy-to-use and functional.

These three factors can make or break a website, working together to ensure visitors stay and engage, leading to revenue for the business.

7 Fundamental Rules to Local Website Design

Here’s the thing about local website design: there’s no all-encompassing formula. While the ultimate goal in any business is revenue, the strategy to achieve that should be different in each case. A mom-and-pop store can’t have the SEO approach of a large regional brand, and you can't market a restaurant in the same way as a factory.

The first thing you need to figure out is how to tackle an online presence. Once that’s done, here are some rules local website design should always follow:

• The website should run smoothly on desktop and mobile. People are browsing from smartphones and tablets more and more each year. Any website that doesn’t work well on mobile could be losing customers. Besides, since 2016, Google has indexed mobile sites first, so it’s also an excellent SEO practice. Make sure to use the Google Mobile-Friendly Test Tool to smooth anything out.
• A site shouldn’t have any technical issues. While keeping a site error-free might seem obvious, but it’s easy to let errors pass without notice. Good design should be easy to navigate for users and search engines, allowing indexing and ranking.
• Local website design should guide visitors towards taking action. If you’re running an eCommerce site, your layout should make it easier for visitors to make a purchase.
• Great design should be simple and distraction-free. Don’t clutter a website with too much information. Don’t overstimulate users with videos and popups that serve no actual purpose and can only confuse them.
• A website should look up-to-date. When browsing, few things generate more distrust than a site that seems to be out of date. An outmoded design can be a deterrent for visitors to stay too long, as they may fear it’s unsafe.
• The website layout should be in tune with the branding. It’s essential to maintain an all-encompassing image online and off. That goes from using the same color palette as the logo and other signage to keeping the same type of language on the copy.
• The website’s design should be in tune with its industry and location. You should know what customers are like and what they crave for, and present yourself in a way that speaks to them. As previously noted, each industry and location will have its nuisances, and it’s critical to be aware of them. We recommend creating customer personas to get to know customers better.

The specifics of branding should depend on each specific business, but the principles above are universal.

Building a Local Website

Now that you have an idea of what local website design should entail, it’s time to make it. There are three ways you can go about this:

• In-house website design. Whether you’re a big or small business, you may choose to hire a team of designers and developers to build a website.
• Outsourced website design. You can hire a third-party design agency with an excellent reputation to build a website, taking your cues and input.
• Combined design. You may choose a mixed approach, perhaps connecting in-house design team with an agency’s.

Make sure that whoever’s building the website has the necessary skills to do so. While it might seem like crafting the site is the cheapest way to go, it’ll ultimately cost your business in visits and conversions - or lack of them. In the same manner, some agencies aren’t as good as they say they are, and it’s essential to do some research. Also, ensure that you can still maintain some control over the site, allowing you to grow.

Hiring a Website Design Agency

A local business website isn’t an unmovable place, but one that’s always in movement. It’s crucial to set sites up in a way that they can continue to grow and update. Here are a few ways to know you’ve chosen the right web designer or agency:

• They know about SEO-friendly website design.
• They’re aware of local website design SEO principles. The chosen website designer should understand Google’s Guidelines for Representing Your Business.
• They build websites with user usability in mind. You need a web designer that keeps updated with the latest trends and needs, and that includes creating sites for humans and not for machines.
• They’re straight with you. Instead of making false claims or promising impossibles, a great agency will be honest and tell you they can’t guarantee first-page rankings on Google.
• They’ll be clear about past work and offer references. You should be able to contact past or present clients to know whether they get results, meet deadlines, etcetera.
• They’ll give you the rights to your website. Many agencies will try to keep the copyright of the design or content, and that’s certainly something to be avoided. You should have all the necessary files and passwords to access the site. The designer should offer a thorough contract denoting your rights.
• They’ll be a reference on web design. Whether the designers keep a blog or have an education platform, you want the designer agency to be generous with their knowledge. It’s an excellent way to know what kind of company they are!

Managing a Local Website

Once you’ve settled on how you want your site built, it’s time to figure out how you want it handled. You can have an in-house website managing team or hand the job over to an agency. In any case, you’ll need someone to be on top of:

• Adding content and pages
• Fixing errors
• Updating the design
• Performing SEO research and analytics
• Crafting campaigns

Planning the Architecture of a Website

Now that you’ve made some decisions regarding the site’s design, it’s time for step two: architecture. It’s important to note that a website should target two audiences: visitors and search engine bots. While the top priority should be to have a site that’s easy to navigate for human beings, it should also cater to search engines.

In any case, there are three methods of navigation that are key for a seamless experience for both visitors and search engines:

• Main menus. A site menu is a list of internal links present on the same location across the site’s different pages. The main menu can be either horizontally at the top of each page, vertically and to one side, or on the footer.
• Submenus. While only necessary on larger websites, these are subcategories of main menus. They can make it easier for users and search engines to locate specific bits about a local business. For example, a catering company could find it useful to have a submenu for each type of service. Compartmentalizing will make it easier for visitors to navigate the site.
• Miscellaneous internal links. Besides the links from menus and submenus, it’s crucial to have some in the copy whenever relevant. Adding internal links in the content eases the way for your visitors to navigate the site and find out more about you. From an SEO perspective, it can also help you strengthen the hierarchy of pages and spreading ranking equity.

Here’s what you want out of website architecture: an easy way for humans and bots to land into valuable content. The complexity of the site’s architecture will depend on the type of business and its size.

How It All Translates Into Website Usability

Once you’ve settled on your local website design and architecture, you can soft launch a working version. The best way to proceed from there is simple enough: invite users to test it! Whether you ask family and friends, well-established customers, or even outsource testing to an agency, it’s time to see how it’s working.

These are some things to notice during the test run:

• How unbiased visitors respond to the site. Is it easy to navigate?
• Noticing if there are any hiccups on the customer journey throughout the site, keeping them from conversion.
• Noticing which paths work well, as to copy them whenever possible in future updates.
• Seeing how the website fares when compared to competitors’.

Ask testers to be honest with you. Are the menus clear enough or do they need name changes? Did they find what they were looking for when browsing the site? Were there confusing areas? What would they change? It’s hard for you to see your site objectively since you’re so close to it, so it’s essential to have others take a look at it.

In Conclusion

Critical in building a brand in the 21st century, local website design takes a lot of work. You need to be on the lookout for a lot of things and find a trustworthy agency.

That’s where Bright Vessel comes in: our years of experience working with different Florida brands support us. Contact us to have a look at our portfolio and find out more about our services.

The post How Local Website Design & Architecture Can Improve User Experience first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Websites have a central role in creating an online presence. Potential customers are likely to search for online information before heading to a restaurant or even shopping at an online store. A local business website will help visitors follow the path you want them to adequately meet you.

While small businesses spend a lot of money on creating a website, often more needs doing. There are critical deficiencies in most small websites, from lack of information to ignoring proper Search Engine Optimization practices. Bright Vessel is here to help you create the site your brand deserves!

How to Improve a Local Business Website in 6 Steps

1. Get Your Info Out There

While your website is the first step toward connecting with customers, you should have more channels available. Each of these channels should be easily visible on your site:

• Add your contact information on every page of a local business website. Instead of hiding your email on the Contact Us page, leave it at the end of every page. Don’t make it difficult for customers to find alternative ways to locate you.

• Funnel customers through top priority channels. Keep in mind which is your preferred method of communication, and lead site visitors there. If you want them to visit you, have the address visible at all times, and so forth depending on the channel.

• Add widgets to social media sites. In this day and age, customers communicate with brands through a myriad of channels. Whatever social networks you’ve chosen to work with, ensure visitors are aware of them. Link to your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

• Ensure you provide updated and consistent information. If you’ve changed addresses, your site should reflect it immediately. Also see that you’re checking the most popular listings for business, such as Yelp, TripAdvisor and Google Places. It’s critical to have a firm grasp of the info available on your activity on all fronts. Customers will know you’re serious if you’re making it easy for them to find you. Your online presence needs to be all-encompassing, covering every possible side.

2. Be Approachable

Your local business website should serve as a way for potential customers to clear all doubts. You don’t have to wait for them to show up on the doorstep or give you a call.

• Consider adding a live chat to your local business website. There are several services like LiveAgent that allow you to engage with site visitors at any time, answering visitors' questions. It’s an excellent way to help build trust with the customer base.

• Put contact forms on your site. Let visitors add themselves to your lists, so they can ask questions or share concerns. Not only can you then provide custom answers to queries, but you’ll also have their information to let them know about future endeavors they may find interesting. Plus, you can sort contact forms by request type, which will make it easier for organization purposes.

3. Design an Appealing & Mobile-Friendly Website

Gone are the days when unpleasant-looking websites dominated the web. These days it’s necessary to provide a visually appealing experience to make a mark on the online world.

Investing on a web designer will not just make visitors want to stay longer; it’ll also make you look more professional. Having a professional working on your website’s image can help you build trust.

• Check that your local business website is error-free. We’ve all seen it happen: you go into a site, and some details make it difficult to navigate. The images are too heavy, broken links are everywhere, and there may even be text boxes with the wrong formatting. These are all avoidable faults and they make a lot of noise to visitors. Some might even leave because they find the website tedious.
• Avoid building the site on Flash. Although it’s visually appealing, the cons might be more significant than the pros. First, Flash doesn’t work on many mobile devices, which can make you lose out on the market of on-the-go shoppers. Also, search engines can’t read Flash pages, so all keyword work will be in vain. Generally speaking, the compatibility issues might be better suited for bigger companies that don’t need to focus on SEO. When you’re growing an online presence, it’s not the best move.
• Become mobile friendly. For years, there has been a growing trend: people increasingly perform shopping research on their smartphones and tablets. If your site doesn’t adapt to mobile well, you may be losing a lot of potential customers. According to a recent vSplash survey, almost 95% of small business sites don't work well on mobile. Even if your mobile version isn’t as full as your desktop one, it’s crucial to have a presence for those coming from smaller devices.

4. Add Keywords Without Cluttering

A great SEO strategy is the first thing that will put your name on the map when it comes to an online presence. You need to touch base with customers and know what they’re searching for them to find you. There are many essential factors in building a local business website with SEO in mind, and many revolve around keywords.

• Research the right keywords. Write down the keywords that you think apply best to your products and services, and look into them in tools like Google AdWords and Google Trends. Track what’s trending in your field and work from there. While you may want to prioritize layman’s terms, you should also have keywords with technical jargon, as some visitors might know more about you’re offering.
• Incorporate your keywords throughout each page, but be mindful. Google doesn't award overstuffing keywords anymore, and search engines nowadays look for a natural-sounding copy. Write your copy with the reader in mind, not Google. Adding a keyword in every other sentence will make your text look unnatural to visitors, and you won’t even get extra points with Google.
• Add each page’s specific keyword to your SEO title. Instead of repeating the content from your headline or merely the name of your business, customize each page. Have the page’s specific product or service be the star of the SEO title. Remember: SEO titles should be 70 characters, tops.
• Add your keywords to your slugs or page URLs. Having your keyword on the URL will make it easier for search engines to assert that you’re relevant for those particular search terms.
• Write meta descriptions including your focus keyword in a seamless and natural-sounding way.
• Your images and videos should also include your keywords. Although Google can’t read the pictures and videos of your local business website, it can read the filenames and descriptions. Once again, it’s vital to avoid overstuffing, but we encourage you to add your keyword to filenames and alt descriptions. For videos, tags should also feature the chosen keywords.

For WordPress websites, we highly recommend the Yoast SEO plugin, which can ease the way to set up keywords in the sections above.

5. Keep Your Content Updated

One of the best possible practices we can advise to anyone with a local business website: don’t neglect it! Managing a site is ongoing work, and it certainly doesn’t stop once you’ve gone live.

• Spice up your homepage. At least once a month, change your homepage to reflect what’s going on in your business. Whether you’re offering special sales during the month or releasing a product, it’s important that anything new takes center stage. Be sure to remove any deals, products or services that no longer apply: you don’t want your visitors purchasing an item you no longer have.
• Blog it away. The best way to keep your website always providing fresh content is by writing a blog. Here, you can update your visitors on products, deals, or even industry news. For example, if you run a business selling embroidery materials, this is the place to put patterns or DIY ideas. Besides providing exciting content to your visitors, a blog will help search engines establish you as an authority on the field. It’s also content to add to your social media. Just remember to update it regularly - we recommend between one and three times a week!

6. Become Friends with Google Analytics

Now that your local business website is up and running with the best practices, it’s time to track results. Unfortunately, most small businesses don’t know how to measure their website’s performance, lacking the knowledge on how to work on Google Analytics. Analytics is the best tool for site owners, as knowing the numbers can help them lead their site in the right direction, focusing and what works and scraping what doesn’t.

Some of the things you’ll be able to see through Analytics:

• The number of visitors coming to your site.
• What keywords lead them to you.
• From where are you getting visitors.
• The type of content that gets bigger responses.

Bright Vessel is located in Jupiter, Florida with clients all over the world. We're leading in small business service for website design and marketing. Contact us to find out how we can work together!

The post 6 Tips to Build a Local Business WordPress Website first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Based on our years of experience working on WordPress, we’ve comprised the ultimate website migration checklist. We’ve also separated it into key areas. Here you'll know what you’ll need to work on and avoid confusion. So, let’s do this!

First Item on Your Website Migration Checklist: Content

What You Should Be Moving

Content is the basis of any website. Putting out original content will let Google know you’re an expert on the subject. And you won’t want to lose the authority you’ve established on your old site. This might be the essential side of this website migration checklist.

When migrating from an older site, follow the best SEO practices. Top-performing content should be your no. 1 priority when migrating. This means focusing on those pages with more traffic, link popularity, and rankings.

Here’s how to prioritize the content from your old site:

• From your Google Analytics, export a CVS file of your old site’s highest-traffic pages.
• From your Google Search Console, export a CVS file of your “most linked content.”
• Use a tool like SEMrush to export a list of your high ranking pages. If high-ranking pages are the same as the high traffic ones, don’t export.
• Combine your lists into one spreadsheet.
• See that these pages still exist on the new iteration. At least, there should be closely related pages.
• On the spreadsheet, make a list of the URLs for your old site’s top pages. Keep track of which ones change during the relaunch. Be sure to create 301 redirects for the new URLs.
• Export the database of your old site’s WordPress blog and import it to the new one.

New site’s formats

Now that you’ve migrated the content, it’s time to toggle it on the new site. Here are the factors to consider:

• Title tags. They should start with your focus keyphrase and then your company name. Each title tag should be unique and should have a maximum of 55 characters, including spaces.
• Meta descriptions. They should include your focus keyphrase, be unique, and include around 120 characters.
• Headers. Each page should have at least H1 and H2 tags as subheaders. Your H1 and H2 tags should include your focus keyphrase.
• Links. Each page should link to different pages throughout your site. You should consider adding the focus keyphrase of each page on those links.
• Focus keyphrase. You should repeat it a few times on your copy. Do NOT overstuff!
• Call-to-action. Each of your pages should guide your visitors towards desired actions, like purchase buttons.
• Images. Add images to your pages, and put alt tags on them. These should be simple descriptions of what’s happening on the image. Try to also have the target keyphrase here!
• Make it worthwhile. All the SEO hacks in the world can only get you so far. Your top priority should always be creating great content. This includes migrating old content and creating new!

Do you want to learn more about writing SEO driven articles? Check out "What is Cornerstone SEO?"

Design

You chose the perfect layout for your entire website, with templates that reflected your brand. However, formatting can easily mess up the way your page looks. And a messy-looking page won’t rank very high on search engines.

Before officially going live, you need to be confident that everything looks like it should. Here’s what you should be looking out for:

• Have a side-by-side look at the approved designs and the final website. Review each template thoroughly. Check that the layout, fonts, formatting, content and header style look right.
• See that images are compressed. Large images can take forever to load, making visitors flee. Optimize for mobile users by retaining quality and overall consistency in image size.
• Check image licenses. If you use stock photos from somewhere like Getty or Shutterstock, see you’ve purchased the licenses.
• Look into consistency. See that the different formats on your site are harmonious. Double check font styles, spacing, images, navigation, colors, line height.

For more tips, check out these "21 Tips on Website Design"

Google Analytics

You’ll be using Google Analytics to get a better understanding of everything number-related on your site. If you fix it later, you won’t get historic reports.

These are the Google Analytics actions we recommend:

• Ensure you’re an administrator on Google Analytics. You should see that you have full access to the backend. This means you can manage users, edit, collaborate, read and analyze. In case you aren’t a full access member yet, ask that whoever’s in charge grant you this status.
• Add your Analytics code to the website’s configuration record. Remember that the way to do this may vary depending on which content managing system you’re using.
• Exclude traffic from the IP address of your office and / or home. This also means excluding the IPs of anyone working on the page. You don’t want you or your employees to cloud your analytics. If you don’t know what your IP is, just Google “what is my IP.”
• Configure a Funnel. Set up goals for different types of conversion (like, say, checkout receipt).
• If it applies to your website, enable site search.
• If you’re going to sell from your website, enable eCommerce.
• Link up your Google Analytics to your Google Search Console account. Do this by going through Admin > Property Settings > and then link to your accounts.
• Don't forget to select “https” for the Property and View areas of your account if your site has an SSL.

Testing

Perform a few key tests before your official launch date to make sure your site is running smoothly. We recommend you focus on:

• Forms. See that each of them is functioning just right, with the proper etiquette. After submitting it, visitors should arrive at a thank-you page with relevant content. They should also receive an automated email letting them know when to hear a response. Your website should be storing the submitted form to a database. And, finally, Analytics should record the submission as a conversion.
• Features. See that every feature you’ve programmed works right. It’s also crucial to ensure they’re easily understandable and usable across devices.
• Test each page for HTML/CSS errors and compatibility. This includes checking on desktop, mobile, and different browsers of each platform.
• Test your file upload feature on CMS and see that you’re not getting any permission errors.
• Head to Google PageSpeed and Pingdom Tools to test performance. These sites will also give you technical recommendations.

Try Pingdom

Final Touches on your Website Migration Checklist

Below you’ll find technical aspects that will impact your ROI, more than any other on this website migration checklist. You could end up paying lots if you miss any of the items listed below.

• Check that accounts match every third-party item. This means social media, Flickr galleries, and anything else you’ve set up previously.
• Download your old site on a tool like WebZip. This allows you to return to the old website to recover things you may have missed before.
• Confirm your domains. Do you have every possible domain you may need to point to the new iteration of your site? If the answer is yes, confirm your access to the domain registrars.
• Talk to your IT people to help you with the launch. They should be able to point the A record for the domain to the new IP.
• Perform a WHOIS lookup to find current registrar information.
• Find your current DNS information by searching for your domain on Terminal.
• Plan your next step. Create a second checklist, this time focusing on the items you didn’t complete by launch time. Schedule a meeting with your team to review what’s next and set up your priorities.

For a pre-launch checklist, please see this post:

Launch!

You’re ready to launch your web baby on the Internet. Remember: never launch on a Friday, as you won’t get your team to respond during the weekend!

These are the final website migration checklist items ahead of your launch:

• Migrate to your new server if your site is secure and includes an SSL certificate. Otherwise, set up a new SSL and apply it.
• Simulate a full live test by changing your local DNS. This way you can see if the server, third-party plugins, and the CMS are all working properly. This test prevents those little scares you could have after the launch.
• 3, 2, 1… launch! It’s time to go live. Send the launch IP address to your administrative contact for the domain, requesting to update the DNS record or add an A record to the domain.

After Launch

It can take up to 48 hours for your new site to go live. The times are highly variable because the routers around the Internet don’t update at the same time.

Once it’s officially up and running, here a few items left on the website migration checklist:

• Verify that Google Analytics is working well and collecting data.
• Configure your Google Search Console, doing it for https:// if your site has a security certificate.
• On Search Console, submit a new sitemap.xml and see that it passes without any errors. This will make it easier for search engines to crawl your site, as they’ll know what to search for on each page. Once it passes, select Crawl > Fetch as Google. Then, add your domain and click Fetch and Render.
• Through Search Console, demote the URLs of the pages you don’t want to see appearing on search results for your brand.
• Check each of your site’s pages and robots.txt and ensure they aren't set to noindex and nofollow.
• Check that your login areas are set to noindex and nofollow. Also set to “disallow” in the sitemap.xml.

Google Search Console

Marketing

Your site is up and running and working well - it’s time to promote it! Don't forget to:

• Let everyone know on your newsletter. Invite your readers and customers into your new website!
• Write a blog post about why you’ve redesigned your site, talking about the people behind it and the challenges they faced.
• Post on social media. Don’t overwhelm your followers, but do show off your new site. Between one to three posts per network, during one week, should be fine.
• Get a new feature image on your social networks that includes a note about your site launch.
• Add your new website to your signature on emails for the next couple of weeks.
• Have your outgoing message on the company line inform callers about the new website.

Congratulations! You’ve performed every item of the website migration checklist, and you have a well-performing new site. If you’re looking for experts to guide you through the process, Bright Vessel is the way to go! Contact us for more information about what we could do for your brand!

The post Website Migration Checklist: Your Amazing New Site is Steps Away! first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Practices of Performance Optimization you can Remove

Which Parts Changed?

• A crucial point of the new HTTP/2 protocol is that rule of a new request per each file is no longer a requirement. This new particular fact is the sole modification that has drastically changed the standard guidelines for performance optimization. Within the realms of HTTP1 and HTTP/1.1, the fastest way would be to merge JavaScript and Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) files, as well as any images. However, within this new realm of Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0, This tactic is now unnecessary.

Is This New Protocol Available for Me to Use?

• In a nutshell: Yes. In fact, any website that runs HTTPS can also run the new Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0. To use the new protocol, you or the host service you subscribe to may have to reconfigure the configuration of your server to support Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0, but that is the only action you’d have to take. Certain browsers that are now outdated may not be able to use the new protocol, but your website would still work for them under the old protocol.

Well, Should I or Should I not Use Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0 right now?

• Yes, you most definitely should use Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0! The speed has greatly increased in comparison with the older HTTP1. Therefore, the setting is up seamlessly will be a substantial optimal change for the majority of your users.

With Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0, it a CDN Necessary?

• Yes, though Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0 is an update and improvement, a CDN is still required. The CDN will send web content with higher speed than a standard server could ever possibly perform, so having one would still be a great benefit for your website. Each CDN that is of top quality should already have the capability to support Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0.

The Performance Optimization Practices That Have Changed

• Below is a list of best practices that you no longer have to use with the new Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0, and they should be eliminated from your development efforts:

The Concatenation of Cascading Style Sheet(CSS) and JavaScript(JS) Files

• Since the number of requests has been reduced, thus eliminating the issue of multiple files transferred, performing this task will be irrelevant and redundant. However, you can still minify your files.

Creating Image Sprites, or "Image Spriting"

• The definition of Image Spriting is when you combine a substantial number of mini-images into an even larger image to lessen the request number, which has always been a weighted task. Fortunately, Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0 deletes the need for this process.

Domain Sharding

• In the past, though not very common, individual sites that were heavy made the use of multiple CDN domains to serve their files. Now since Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0 eliminates the requirement of parallel connections, because, with Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0, parallel downloads can occur simultaneously in a single context, this best practice is now redundant.

The Inlining of Cascading Style Sheet(CSS) and Javascript(JS) files

• Google made the inlining CSS and JS files a web standard. Inlining JS and CSS files cause improper caching. Since a small file request won’t have any additional overhead, this best practice can also be eliminated.

Google’s PageSpeed tool and Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0

• Surprisingly, the acceptance of Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0 has not been practiced yet by Google Pagespeed, along with a significant number of other performance tools. It is necessary for them to have guideline changes. A decent amount of webpage speed techniques would be shown as unnecessary, thus removable, once an elementary Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0 test has been performed.

• However, some Google colleagues presently are aware of the pros of Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0. See this presentation, created in 2015 by Ilya Gregorik, to see the details.

At Bright Vessel, we make sure that we are up to date with the latest and most significant technologies. Contact us at Bright Vessel today to see how we keep our marketing ideas fresh, merged with the most recent technologies.

The post Optimal Performance Within an HTTP/2 Global Society first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Benefits of PHP 7

Usage

About 98% of websites are still using PHP version 5.*. With PHP5 being more than 11 years old now, it’s time to upgrade to PHP 7 and clean up those obsolete functions. The PHP project has a list of deleted functions as well as a list of removed APIs and extensions, which will guide you in porting PHP 5 to PHP 7 code.

Most big blog systems such as WordPress, content management systems (CMS) like Joomla, and e-commerce sites like Opencart support PHP 7 out-of-the-box. Make sure you’re running the latest version of WordPress or your CMS and switch your webserver to PHP 7. Many services updated automatically to stay on top of new releases and trends. If you are unsure what version of PHP you’re running, contact your web hosting company. Many video tutorials are available to guide you through installing or upgrading to PHP 7.

History

In the beginning of 2015 the first alpha of PHP 7 has been released. The first stable (v7.0.0) PHP was released December 1, 2015. Currently, the PHP community is busy with version 7.0.8 (release candidate) and 7.1.0 alpha. PHP version 7.0.7 is released as stable. Most important issues have been resolved, and PHP 7 is mature enough to use in production.

What about version 6? PHP 6 was never released, although it was in originally in development. The idea was to introduce Unicode in PHP 5, calling it PHP 6. Unicode is a computing standard for the encoding and representation of text. Due to the complexity of introducing Unicode, PHP 6 was never released. Unicode doubled the memory consumption and impacted the performance due to conversions, and PHP 6 was abandoned. Moving forward, it was decided the newest version of PHP would be named PHP 7 while skipping PHP 6 altogether.

Performance

One of the biggest reasons to switch from PHP 5 to PHP 7 are the speed improvements. See the benchmarks below for comparisons of Drupal and WordPress measurements (higher bars are better performing):

PHP 5 vs PHP 7 website (2x faster!)

Another comparison of PHP versions as well as HHVM (a virtual machine for PHP) in req/sec (again higher is better).

PHP 5.6 vs HHVM 3.11 vs PHP 7.0.

Response time between PHP 5, HHVM and PHP7 (less is better).

Response time between PHP 5, HHVM and PHP7.

Last but not least, a comparison between PHP 5, HHVM, and PHP7 memory usage with RAM in megabytes (less is better).

Memory usage PHP 5, HHVM and PHP 7

What is new?

• Improvements in performance! PHP 7 is twice as fast as PHP 5.6.
• Significantly reduced memory usage, as we have seen above.
• Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) data structure used for the PHP 7 compiler.
• Consistent 64-bit support
• Improved Exception hierarchy
• Many fatal errors are now converted to Exceptions
• Secure random number generator
• New operator: null coalescing (??) that returns the result of the first operand if it exists & not NULL, or else its second operand.
• New operator: spaceship (<=>) that returns -1, 0 or 1 when the first operand respectively is less than, equal to, or greater than the second operand.
• Anonymous classes: a class that does not contain a name can be used when the class does not need to be documented or is used only once.
• Use define() function for defining array constants (before only const could be used).
• Scalar Type declarations allow functions to require parameters of a certain type at run-time.
• Return Type declarations allow functions to return a specified type.
• And much more…

Download

You can download the latest PHP 7 version from the official website.

If you have a Debian server running with PHP, try-out Dotdeb.org, which provides up-to-date packages (32bit & 64 bit) for Debian servers. It includes Nginx and MySQL as well as PHP 7!

Depending on your GNU/Linux distribution, PHP 7 may already be available in your package manager. Video tutorials are often available to help upgrade PHP for your specific distribution.

The post Why Should You Upgrade to PHP 7? first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.