Hey there! So in case you didn’t notice or place the reference in my headline… Jesper is from Denmark, as was Hamlet who coined, “To be or not to be, that is the question.” And I, Michelle, was an English major and spent many an hour in Shakespeare, hence my blog title. Whatever I can do to bring a little Shakespeare reference, no matter how weak, to a blog about websites, is a win in my book.

But now on with it!

We’re not your typical corporate behemoth. We know you are likely not either if you are reading this. Most of our clients are awesome small to medium-sized businesses, run by passionate folks who absolutely love what they do. They get it – having a great website is key to showcasing their business online.

But hey, ever thought about adding a blog to your site? Did you know our content creators write blogs for all types of businesses from manufacturing companies and online retailers to small local stores and veterinarians….and many more. It’s one of those things we like to toss out there because, well, it’s pretty cool. And guess what? It’s not as scary as you might think. Let’s chat about it: Should you add a blog to your website?

So, here’s the scoop: Everybody talks about starting a blog, but… it’s trickier than it seems.

Let’s add another scoop: Content is king for search engines, and blogging is the best way to keep your site fresh, no matter what your business does.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a business owner or a have a leadership role in your company. You’re a leader, with ambitions to match. You probably know that fresh content is crucial for your website, and you’re aware that Google’s always on the hunt for great stuff to ping when people search.

“How hard can it be,” you might wonder, “to write about what my company does? I can do that every couple weeks!”

Engine Web Development is all about websites. We build ’em, host ’em, and make sure they’re tip-top. When clients ask for a blog, we sometimes get requests like this:

“Let’s add a page so I can put in blogs!”

“Sure thing! Got a plan for what you’ll write about and how often?”

“I’ll just write when I feel like it. Easy peasy!”

So, we set it up, feeling hopeful. But then, I check in later and… crickets. Maybe an intro post about how they’ll start blogging, but that’s it. Nothing for months, or even years…possibly 2016…

Writing blogs isn’t a walk in the park. Sure, there’s AI that can churn out content like there’s no tomorrow. But crafting informative, keyword-rich content that resonates with your audience? That’s a whole different ballgame.

It’s tough to find time for something you’re not comfortable doing, especially when you’re juggling a million other things.
When you do decide to blog, keep these goals in mind:

• Boost Search Engine Visibility: Get noticed in those Google searches by having content that matches what folks are looking for.
• Establish Authority and Expertise: Share your wisdom and position yourself as the go-to expert in your field.
• Drive Traffic and Generate Leads: Engage your audience and guide them through your site with killer content and calls-to-action.
• Enhance Social Media Presence: Spread the word on social media and grow your following with shareable, engaging content.
• Build Long-Term Relationships: Keep the conversation going with your audience and turn them into loyal fans.

If you decide to work with Engine for your blogs, here’s what we’ll do:

• Meet with you to brainstorm topics and create a content calendar.
• Share the calendar for your input and approval.
• Set up a plan for posting your blogs and sharing them on social media.
• Get your final say before publishing, and make any tweaks you need.
• Reach out to any folks you want us to interview for your blog, like clients, case studies, or experts.

And hey, guess what? You can write your own blogs AND have a pro blogger do it for you if you like. Extra content is always a win. Whether you want to post a couple times a year or collaborate to make your voice heard, we’re here to share your story with the world.

Adding a blog to your website is a game-changer. It boosts your visibility, establishes your authority, drives traffic, and builds relationships with your audience. 

So why wait? As Hamlet also said, “Suit The Action To The Word, The Word To The Action.” Start blogging today and unlock the full potential of your website!

Think of your website like your home – it needs a little TLC to stay inviting and functional. Just as you maintain your yard, appliances, and car, your website deserves some attention too. That’s where we come in to lend a hand. 

Your website isn’t just a pretty face; it’s often the first impression potential customers get of your business. However, simply having a website isn’t enough. Regular updates and maintenance are essential to ensure that your online presence remains effective and engaging. Here’s why keeping it updated should be on your to-do list:

Reflecting Your Brand Identity:

Your website is a reflection of your brand identity and values. An outdated website can give the impression that your business is no longer active or trustworthy. By keeping it updated with the latest design trends and branding elements, you can ensure that it accurately represents your business and resonates with your target audience. 

At Engine, we recommend updating the look and feel of your site every 3-4 years. To do this, we have several options, depending on the platform of your website and it’s overall “health” concerning functionality-focused needs such as updates to plugins and platform. 

Our design team is well-equipped to provide tailored solutions that meet your specific needs, offering a variety of creative concepts and budget alternatives to enhance your website’s appearance. We recognize the significance of preserving the integrity of your brand identity throughout the redesign process, ensuring that every aspect of the new design seamlessly aligns with your values and objectives. Allow us to collaborate with you to rejuvenate your online presence while upholding the essence of your brand.

At Engine, we believe in prioritizing the core structure of your website because it significantly impacts its performance. Using our technical SEO tools, we specialize in building or renovating websites to enhance their SEO-friendliness. Our services extend beyond technical aspects to encompass content creation such as blogging, case studies, and social media management. We conduct thorough SEO analysis using various tools, including G4 analytics and ensure that all website elements, from content to meta tags and images, are optimized for SEO.

Read more about our services on our services pages here on our site. Or better yet? Contact us! You can email michelle@runengine.com with any questions and she will be happy to assist or get you to the person you need to talk to based on what you are looking for. You can also give us a call at 616.457.0300 and we are happy to take some details from you and then send you suggestions based on your needs. 

 Staying Competitive:

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying ahead of the competition is crucial. A well-maintained and up-to-date website can give you a competitive edge by showcasing your products, services, and unique selling points in the best possible light.

Engagement is key to building meaningful relationships with your audience. Regularly updating your website with fresh content, blog posts, and multimedia ensures that visitors have a reason to keep coming back, increasing engagement and fostering brand loyalty.

Let’s make a “cleaning” list of what needs to be done around your website together to tidy it up! It’s not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s essential for maintaining relevance, driving traffic, and achieving your business objectives. By investing time and resources into regular updates and maintenance, you can ensure that your website continues to serve as a valuable asset and a powerful tool for attracting and retaining customers.

In the fast-paced digital landscape, the choice of website hosting can make a significant impact on your website’s success. At Engine, we understand the crucial factors that matter to our clients — security, speed, and the assurance of a real person to address any issues that may arise. Let’s delve into why hosting your website with us is a game-changer.

1. Robust Security Measures:

Our top priority is the security of your website and the sensitive data it holds. When you choose Engine, you can be sure that we are committed to always having the most recent security measures in place on our servers. We keep up with all updates and constantly monitor sites to make sure they are up and running. 

At Engine Web Development, we prioritize the security and integrity of your digital assets. One of the key features that sets us apart is our commitment to automatic rolling off-site backups. We understand the critical importance of safeguarding your data against unforeseen events such as hardware failures, cyber threats, or accidental deletions. With our robust backup system, we ensure that your website’s information is regularly and automatically duplicated to secure off-site servers. This proactive approach not only provides peace of mind but also allows for seamless restoration in the event of data loss. Our dedication to automatic rolling off-site backups reflects our commitment to delivering a reliable and resilient hosting environment for our clients, allowing them to focus on their online presence with confidence.

2. Lightning-Fast Speed:

Website speed is critical for user satisfaction and search engine rankings. We take pride in offering unparalleled speed and performance. We have large dedicated servers and we only place your website on a server with enough room to offer you the best site load speed. The large and popular low-cost companies overcrowd their servers, resulting in slow websites. If your site does not load quickly, the customers and potential customers will move to another site that will get them the information they need quickly. 

3. Personalized Support from Real People:

We believe in the power of human connection, especially when it comes to addressing your concerns. When you host your website with us, you enjoy 24/7 Customer Support. This is HUGE in today’s world. If your site goes down, we will get notified and we monitor that all hours of every day. And, you can always call or text us at 616-378-0480 when you notice your site is down. Chances are, we are already working on it, but having a human to connect to right away will give you the peace of mind you need, knowing someone is there for you. 

Revamp Your Website in 2024

Happy New Year!

Now, the question we all get…  Any Resolutions?  Many of us have resolutions to organize and prioritize various things in our lives. Being a web development company, this is us saying your website is one area that fits into this category!

Don’t click out just yet. Reading a long article and thinking about technology upgrades is not your favorite thing to do, but we invite and encourage you to take a few minutes to read below to make sure you are where you need to be when it comes to your online abode. We’re pretty cool people…well, not cool, cool…but honest, professional, laidback, and always have your best interest at heart, kind of people. Take a few minutes to see if any of these categories speak to you…then speak to us!

Just like your favorite space at home, your website deserves a spruce-up now and then. In this guide, we’re delving into the art of refreshing your website’s look, content, maintenance, and even the platform it stands on.

Revitalize the Look: Keeping it Visually Fresh
Your website’s appearance is like the curb appeal of your digital dwelling. So, how often should you give it a facelift? Well, think of it like redecorating your living room. A complete overhaul might be every couple of years, but minor touch-ups, like changing banners, modernizing a font, or tweaking colors, can be done more frequently. Keep it visually appealing to make that lasting first impression.

Content Overhaul: Spice Things Up Regularly
Content is king, they say, and they’re right on many levels. For blogs, a weekly or monthly piece could be the sweet spot to get people to your site and offer them information of value. Content is also key for SEO. Adding regular content to your site, while implementing SEO tools like meta tags and keywords are important to bring people to your site. At Engine we write content from blogs and case studies to web pages and social media posts. All content articles are written with SEO-focused strategy and readability.

Maintenance: Tackling the Nitty-Gritty
Just like you’d do some spring cleaning at home, your website needs regular maintenance. How often? Well, a monthly check-up should suffice. Hunt down broken links, update plugins, and ensure everything is running smoothly. It’s the digital equivalent of changing the oil in your car – preventive maintenance saves you from bigger issues down the road. At Engine, we have several clients who have a monthly maintenance plan where we go in every month to make sure everything is updated and we send you a report of what was done each time. Reach out if you are interested in a maintenance package.

Platform Shuffle: When and Why to Switch Things Up
The technology world evolves faster than a Netflix series plot, so it’s natural to wonder when it’s time to upgrade your website’s platform. Major changes, like switching from WordPress to a custom CMS, might happen every few years. But if your current platform isn’t meeting your needs, don’t hesitate to make the jump. At Engine we can let you know if you need to update your platform. Reasons for this need are most often that you are on a platform no longer supported by updates. When updates cannot be done you run the risk of lower speed, broken pages, and security holes. Reach out if you would like more information on what platform you are on and what advice we would have on staying where you are or available updates.

Still with me? It’s wordy but there are important things here.

Hang in there! 

Listening to the Digital Symphony: User Feedback and Analytics
The digital world provides a symphony of user feedback and analytics. Listen to it! If your visitors are craving a change, consider it. Analytics are your backstage pass – understand what’s working, what’s not, and adjust your strategy accordingly. At Engine, Michelle has immersed herself in the world of analytics and improving a website’s ability to be seen in a search. Analytics can be overwhelming! At Engine we can do a baseline SEO review to dive deep into your site and let you know where and what improvements are needed on your site and create a plan to get your site more visible to Google. Reach out if you would like to learn more about SEO and the work we can do on your site.

Balancing Act: Consistency and Innovation
While change is good, find the right balance. Consistency breeds familiarity, and innovation keeps things exciting. Sometimes a large overhaul is needed, but more often updating your site for user-friendliness through platform updates to increase speed and security and adding SEO and content, mixing in some mild tweaks to make the site more modern if needed are what we recommend.

In conclusion, your website is your digital home. Refresh the look, stir up the content (and make it good on all levels), tackle maintenance regularly, and upgrade the platform when needed. What numbers above do you think you need to get assistance with?

It’s not just about staying current – it’s about creating a digital space that’s inviting, dynamic, and uniquely yours.