Stephen Holmes Jr. – Modality Creative Studio

7 Reasons Businesses Use WordPress for their Websites

Websites spring up every day. It comes as no surprise because as an entrepreneur, having an online presence is everything. There are several factors involved in building a seamless website and letting people know about your service. The first and most important is using the right site builder. For us, that choice should be WordPress.

WordPress is commonly described as a content management system. It is a free open-source management system that helps business owners build and run a functional website. WordPress is not the only website builder available, but is the most popular for several reasons.

If you are considering building a fresh website or transferring from an old one, here are 7 reasons you should use WordPress.

WordPress is popular and free

When you want to download a new game or app from your mobile store, you first consider how many people have tried the app. Then you look at what they have to say in their comments and ratings. Ultimately, the most used app is the ideal choice because you would find no surprises.

In the same way, WordPress is the best option because it powers over a quarter of the world’s total websites. Almost every online business owner knows about WordPress. In addition, the site builder is free.

As business minded folks, we all know the importance of using something free. There are several other things to spend money on such as web hosting and better WordPress themes. Hence, using this site builder is an affordable option.

Flexible and Adaptable

As a content management system, WordPress is great for updating content and can also handle all other website needs. It is unique because it is a flexible and adaptable system. WordPress allows you to make changes when necessary. For example, expanding from e-commerce to blogging.

User-friendly

Everyone appreciates a system that is user-friendly for their business. Although, it is important to hire a professional to set up your website, WordPress remains an intuitive system even for the service provider. You can easily install WordPress and get started on the basic steps. This allows you to control and organize your site with an engaging dashboard and helpful directions.

Mobile Responsiveness

Many of your potential clients use their mobile phones for at least one hour daily. This usually entails browsing websites, making searches, transacting businesses, and so on. Hence, to benefit from this your website should be mobile responsive. WordPress is one of the best site builders that offer mobile responsiveness. It eliminates issues like slow loading pages, and improper sizing for a phone’s view.

Blogging becomes easier

If you started out without a blog, using WordPress makes it easy for you to have one with no need to opt for a separate installation. The built-in blog feature on WordPress is available at any time from any device. Blogging with WordPress is user-friendly, and inspiring.

WordPress Themes are Impressive

Themes matter when you are building a website. You have to choose something that suits your business, your tastes and desires, and is easy to navigate. WordPress offers free themes for you to choose from, but if you need even better themes, you can also pay for that.

Security

If security slips your mind, WordPress has you covered. The open-source system recognizes that the internet leaves many businesses vulnerable to attacks and threats. A secure website is vital for business to protect your clients’ information and your hard work. WordPress is a highly security conscious platform, and it extends this to the websites it powers. You would be given some steps to follow to guarantee your online security. WordPress uses Sucuri to keep you safe from malware and other threats.

For me, one of the biggest advantages of using WordPress is the reduced cost and effort for maintenance. WordPress developers like myself are easily available to solve your customization or development needs. Setting up is also a seamless process that a professional can handle for you affordably. Unlike other content management systems that may lock down for a development, WordPress just keeps going.

You can always look to us for questions, information, or setting up and maintenance needs.

Types of Social Media Content for Your Business

Social media is an important word for thriving businesses in recent times. Many have come to realize how valuable they are to a business. The biggest advantages social media brings to your start-up is a broad audience. Where you have thousands of people to sell to, some are bound to take an interest in your service and be converted to clients. However, you do not want to approach such an audience without a game plan. A success-minded business owner will realize the relevance of building a strong online presence to convert as many web users as possible.

These web users want two things; education and entertainment. Regardless of your niche, you can offer both. Here are the various types of social media content used to engage potential clients and create brand awareness.

Interactive Content

Social media is all about interaction. People take part in two-way communication which is one reason web users can’t stay off the internet. Interactive content is all rage for businesses right now and has proven to be an effective way to gain brand awareness and traffic. It includes content that opens a discussion, quiz, contests, polls, and so on. Being able to establish this connection with as many people as possible is the endgame.

Also, if you ever doubted the power of interactive content, it may interest you to know the New York Time’s most recognized content was not an article but a dialect quiz.

Visual Content

What is social media without images? Probably an empty place where no one wants to be. Visual content or images are the most sought after on online platforms. People are more likely to view an image, understand its message, and share it with friends and contacts. You can do much with posting several image-rich contents or just images for your brand. Remember that poor visual content with an unclear message and bad graphics won’t do any good. Rather it can affect your online reputation.

Positive Content

Another popular trend content marketers and creators use on social media sites is positive content. Research has shown that web users respond highly to feelings of awe, joy, amusement, and laughter. If you post something funny, encouraging (like quotes and motivational talks), or extraordinary you are likely to get people’s attention.

User Generated Content (UGC)

This refers to content created by your audience and posted on social media. Some businesses use User-generated content to maintain active relationships with their audience and give new followers a warm welcome. The regular method is to share the created content using engaging captions and the right tags. User-generated content is mostly used on Instagram with hashtags.

Testimonials

Nothing promotes trust and brand awareness like testimonials from satisfied clients. The more testimonials or reviews you have, the more attractive your services look to an audience. Social media sites are one of the best platforms to share testimonials. Increase the effectiveness of this content by using video testimonials recorded by you or the client.

Podcasts

Podcasts are an older concept used by businesses for the longest time. However, they continue to evolve with industries and remain relevant. I value podcasts and use them consistently. You can do the same on social media platforms. Web users find podcasts informative and entertaining. For sites that do not support direct uploads of podcasts, you can post the links with engaging visuals to reach your audience.

Events

Giving news updates and information on your brand is an important part of social media content. Don’t underestimate sharing details about trade shows, new products, slash sales, season’s greetings, and much more. This type of content is highly supported with rich visuals and a direct and short text. They also come with a call to action or a hook to bring in potential clients.

Social media is a gold mine for businesses. It is unnatural not to have a strong online presence to benefit from what social sites offer. Using the right content is important for efficiency and relevance. This is why you should hire professional social media content creators to keep you at the top. Social media content is for all businesses, no matter how small or large.

Three Essential Things For Your Startup

I did a podcast episode a while back where I outlined three things every start-up needs. Today, the number of entrepreneurs that exists seem to increase with every click. After all, starting your own business is so much easier today than it’s ever been really. That’s not to say that it still doesn’t have it’s challenges, but compared to just a decade ago, you’re now able legitimately start a business online in minutes and because of technology, we can up and running much quicker for much cheaper. Furthermore, it’s a commendable decision to start a business and begin to take control of your passion but that’s not all you need. There are somethings to consider as you begin or continue your journey. There are a few, what I call, “mission critical” items that I believe are needed to be successful in a fast-changing digital world. Of course there are more than three, but these are the three that I can speak directly to:

Digital Imagery

This isn’t the most important but it is critical. I’ve met so many small business owners that have legitimate business or business ideas but they cant attract the clientele they want because their imagery doesn’t match the quality of their service. It’s no secret that people want to deal with people who at least look like they have it together. In a digital world, poor pictures and images say the opposite, fair or unfair. Additionally, there are no shortage of photographers nowadays. That means getting decent pictures won’t cost you a whole lot. You need a good headshot and just maybe a couple of action shots. You’d be surprised how much you can do with just a few quality pictures. If we’re being transparent (and cheap), they don’t even need to be your own pictures. There countless free stock sites that allow you download and utilize stock images. For example unsplash.com is a great free tool. They send you 10 free photos every 10 days. The only drawback is the lack of variety for but conversely, they might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s free, and we all know beggars can’t be choosers. The moral of the story is: Invest some time and effort into addressing your digital images and assets. There is an immediate payoff.

Digital Real Estate

I’ve heard the term “build on your land” a lot recently is my readings and research and I believe that this nugget of wisdom is paramount in the beginning stages of a new business. Building on your land means creating a website or a digital apparatus that you have 100% control over. If you have a small business you need a website, it’s that simple. Utilizing Facebook and other social media sites as a website is a great idea if you only intend to use it as such for a temporary period of time. Just think about the steps you’d have to take to keep a prospective clients attention on Facebook. Now think about that same prospective willing client on your website. Once you have them there, you have a lot more control over the interaction and less distractions to overcome. Build on your land. There’s no better way. Infact, there are hosting sites like GoDaddy, Host Gator, and Blue Host, that have really good promotional pricing on hosting. Take advantages of the introductory pricing as you’re getting started out and build a simple landing page and then fill your site out incrementally. The lesson here, build on your own land.

A Logo

Equally important is the logo. Today this is probably the easiest to obtain. There are plenty of programs and apps that allow you to do it yourself or you can go the traditional route and hire a graphic designer. You’d be surprised what it cost to get logo done today, it’s ridiculously inexpensive. There are free apps like Logo Shop that allow you design a logo for free. It has some great tools and pre-made items that you can edit to make your own. There’s also a pro-version (paid) that unlocks hundreds of other fonts and shapes. Today there’s really no excuse if you don’t have the budget to hire someone. There’s enough free tool online to at least get you started.

This isn’t an exhaustive list but I do believe it to be essential. A little research and a little planning and you can have some great images, a nice new website, and a great logo for free or little to nothing. It’s just takes a little know-how and effort. You’d be surprised what you can do if you just put in a little time and invest in yourself.

Bonus Tip:

Tax ID:

This isn’t design related but definitely one to consider more earlier than later. Once you create your business, go apply for a Tax ID (or EIN). This not only further legitimizes your operation from a legal standpoint , but it also allows you to start building business credit, obtaining tax deductions and write-offs, and also protects your personal information from identity theft. Of course you don’t need this early on to start a business but the sooner you can obtain a Tax ID the sooner you can benefit from the aforementioned.

Inspiration Overload

I have a question. A legitimate question packaged in a blog entry.

I’m an entrepreneur who still works full-time in addition to running my start-up agency, Modality. I’m not quite ready for the proverbial “leap” just yet. Although, I’m proud to say that I’m approaching the cliff. That aside, I present a question that hit me like a ton of feathers. I was sitting at my desk handling some administrative tasks when I suddenly got the urge to update my website. While I daydreamed about these slick new site updates, I immediately shifted and thought about two new podcast topics. Then I thought about how I wanted to design an upcoming proposal for a client, create new social media posts, design new versions of my logo, and on and on. In the matter of about 20 minutes, there’s little difference between my brain and an erupting volcano. I have so many things that I now want to work on. An explosion of sorts. Of course, at a 30,000 foot view, none of these items are essential to anything immediate. However, moments like these, I sometimes feel too inspired.

Is that even a thing? Should I feel guilty about my glutenous-like intake of inspiration? These are real questions. I consider myself a creative and thus realize that I’m wired differently than most. But I wonder how many other people are “saddled” with inspiration? How many people are paralyzed with ideas? It’s like reverse writers bloc.

This happened to me the other day. I was overwhelmed with inspiration by the things I wanted to do right then and there, and things I wanted to create in the moment. I knew that I didn’t have the time, nor was I in the right place. However, the influx of inspiration still persisted nonetheless. I don’t how to categorize this state of being. It’s bliss and agony at the same time. I tried to do the responsible thing and write down my ideas as they came, but I must admit, there’s nothing like striking while the iron is hot. By the time I made it home that evening, the ideas were still there, but the motivation and urge that I experienced hours earlier had all subsided.

Am I the only one this happens to?

Maiden Voyage

One of my favorite jazz tunes is Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock. It was released in 1965 and is considered one of the great jazz tunes of all-time. I listen to it quite often because it’s such a relaxing song. The premise of the song centers around marine and oceanic themes. I don’t know how many versions of this song currently exist, but what I do know is that every time I hear it, i’m taken on a new journey through the lens of music and who doesn’t like a good trip?

I envision Modality Creative Studio to be a lot like this tune. The good thing is, this is one we’ll get to take together. The “Maiden Voyage of Stephen Holmes”, owner founder of Modality Creative Studio or something cheesy like that. I imagine this blog will be a bit multi-faceted and very fluid with respect to topics and content. Of course, i’ll do my best to give you the most current industry news and trends as it relates to creative design and marketing, but i’ll also share stories of my journey through the prism of an entrepreneur. So today, i’m just one guy, but hopefully this thing will take off into something more. Something that even my own eye may not be able to see.

For the time being, just make sure you continue to stop by and share along this journey with me and Modality. Feel free to share your thoughts comments, words of encouragement, issues concerns, disagreements, anything. Healthy dialogue is a key to keeping our selves socially fit. Thanks for dropping by the Modality Blog!

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