A question I get asked from time to time is, "Why should I pay you to design my site when there are lots of free options?" And it's a fair question. If you're not analyzing every business expense then you're looking for trouble!

There are lots of free website builders available - Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy Website Builder, or, if you're a little more adventurous, take WordPress for a spin.  So, again, why pay me?

Hiring a web professional such as myself can benefit individuals or businesses looking to establish or enhance their online presence for these reasons:

1. Expertise and Skill: We have the technical knowledge and skills required to create well-designed and functional websites. We are constantly learning new skills and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices, ensuring your website meets modern standards such as WCAG.
2. Customization: We will tailor your website to meet your specific needs and goals. We create a unique design for every client to reflect your unique brand identity, making your website stand out from competitors and leaving a lasting impression on visitors. We DON'T do cookie-cutter, choose-your-template websites!
3. User Experience (UX): Everyone understands the importance of a positive user experience, even if they don't realize they

Every website has them (or should - it's one of the most common ways a visitor will interact with your website). But, so often, people don't fill out online forms. There can be a number of reasons why a site visitor doesn't fill out a form.

• They visited your site to get contact information only
• They visited your site to find your address or directions
• They found the information they wanted :-)
• You didn't have the information they were looking for :-(

Did they make it to your form?

Before we blame the form, you need to know if your visitors are even making it to your form. 

Do you? Just because you have a form, or 5, or 20 forms on your site does not mean people will either fill one out or that they even got there in the first place! Knowing this information is vital before deciding on a course of action to boost form completion.

CTAs - do you have them? CTAs (Calls to Action) are links to your form, and more than an entry in your main menu. You should have extra links/buttons throughout your website's pages encouraging visitors to take action - fill in a

A good website design is one that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and effectively communicates its intended message. Here are some specific characteristics that contribute to a good website design:

1. User-friendly interface: The design should be intuitive and easy to use for the average user. Users should be able to quickly find the information they need without having to search for it.
2. Consistency: The design should have a consistent visual and functional style throughout the website. Consistency in design helps users to understand how to navigate the site and find what they are looking for.
3. Responsiveness: The design should be responsive, meaning it should adjust to different screen sizes and device types. This is important because users access websites from a variety of devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
4. Clear navigation: Navigation should be easy to understand and use. A good website should have a clear navigation menu that is easily accessible and visible on every page of the website.
5. Visual appeal: The website design should be visually appealing and aesthetically pleasing. A good website should have a professional design that is consistent with the brand or organization it represents.
6. Readability: The design should be easy

Do I own my Google My Business (GMB) profile? Does is matter? How do I claim my GMB? Great questions and ones you need to ask. Let\'s answer these questions and a few more surrounding this important SEO item. 

Do I own my Google My Business Profile?

The first thing to do is check if you own your GMB profile. To do this, open a browser window and search for your business name. In the right hand panel, you should see something like what you see in the above image. If you see nothing, then it's possible you don\'t have a GMB at all - this is bad from an online visibility standpoint, and something you need to address immediately. We'll deal with that later in this post.

For now, we'll assume you have a GMB and you see a panel like the above one. What you need to look for is "Own this business?". If you don't see this, then you already own (or put another way, you\'ve already claimed) your business. Hopefully... There's always a possibility that someone else has claimed it. That\'s bad, and something we'll also deal with later. If you DO see this, then the

main name renewal scams Questions... Where was your domain name registered, when is it due for renewal, and about how much should you pay for a 1 year renewal (generally)? If you don't know you're a prime candidate for a domain renewal scam.

I'd hoped this may have died and gone away on its own, but it seems that "Melanie" (or whoever she or he really is) is a persistent little scammer that's working hard to screw you over. I've seen this email appear in various clients' inboxes. Always exactly the same format with the site URL changed and he/she uses slightly different names, but the scam is always the same. Get some poor sucker to click on a link to "check out a document listing supposed links to images which are copyrighted". There's a linking to a Google Site. I don't know what's at the end of that, and, frankly, I don't care nor have the time to bother finding out. But you can guarantee it is NOT a list of copyrighted image you are using illegally.

Shock! My site is using copyrighted images illegally!

Don't get me wrong, using copyrighted image without permission is WRONG! 100%. And it CAN cost you money if you do it and get caught. That's why we are carefully about where we source images to ensure they're legit.

But back to the email...

It starts off legitimately sounding. Some poor, hard-working photographer is upset that YOU used

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act & your website 

We've probably all heard the stories of brick-and-mortar businesses running foul of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and what it meant to them as businesses both financially and disruptively. Now it's coming to a website near you - maybe even yours!

The ADA - a quick history 

Along with it's companion, the 2008 Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act, the legislation was enacted to address equal access for all people regardless. However, due to the early adoption date, the original Act, and, to a some degree, the subsequent Amendment, did little to give guidelines on adoption in the World Wide Web (WWW).

The Act is comprised five Titles, with Title III (Public Accommodations) applying to website design. This title prohibits private places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. Your website is considered a "private place" which offers "public accommodation". What this means is your website is privately owned and managed (private place), yet anyone who has a computer can get access to it (public accommodation).

The penalties for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act can be quite severe. Under Title III the maximum penalty for a first offence is