The DreamPix Studio

WordPress Under Attack

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WordPress has exploded in popularity in the past five years. Unfortunately, it has also become a favorite target for hackers.

Here are a few simple steps that you can take to keep your site safe:

  1. UPDATE PLUG-INS & THEMES:
    Just as it is important to keep your antivirus software up-to-date on your computer, it is important for business owners to protect their CMS platform by regularly updating plug-ins, themes & Word Press when updates are available. The updates often contain security patches to protect plugins and WordPress itself from exposure to security breaches.
  2. HARD TO CRACK PASSWORDS:
    Typically hackers work like an amateur burglar who walks down a hallway testing doorknobs until they find one that opens. To avoid this type of break-in be sure that you are not using the default ‘admin’ as the username and come up with a strong password.
  3. BACK UP:
    Be sure to back up your site and store it on a hard drive and a cloud server if possible for double the protection. Make sure that they also have a focus on security (like how https://www.mirantis.com/software/docker/security/ operates, to name one example).
  4. CAPTCHA:
    As annoying as they are, installing CAPTCHA fields will make it more difficult for spam robots to send and create a traffic jam on the mail server.
  5. PURCHASE THEMES AND PLUGINS FROM REPUTABLE SOURCES:
    Experience has taught me to be wary of unknown themes and developers. I personally try to work exclusively with the Genesis Framework offered by StudioPress. Although sometimes I have clients with a theme in mind from another source, I am sure to do my homework before investing the time and money.

Which Social Media Platform is best for your brand?

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Ideally it would be nice to have a presence on multiple platforms to properly promote your brand however, unless your company has a dedicated social media coordinator, finding the time to create that type of content can be costly and time consuming.

My suggestion is to pick your platform or two and run with it. What are the top four platforms to consider for your business?

  • Twitter:

    • Who should use it: Everyone – from individuals to large corporations.
    What to share: Start, join, and lead conversations; interact directly with brands and customers
    Post frequency: Multiple times a day

  • Instagram:

    • Who should use it: Lifestyle, food, fashion, personalities, luxury brands
    What to share: Share visual content, including short videos
    Post frequency: Once a day

  • LinkedIn:

    • Who should use it: Business (Especially B2b) Recruiters, Job Seekers
    What to share: Job-postings, company descriptions, employer/employee research
    Post frequency: Two to four times a week

  • Facebook:

    • Who should use it: Everyone
    What to share: All types of online content, events, ads
    Post frequency: Once or twice daily

New Faces on the Web

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The DreamPix Studio has launched two new websites whose home offices are located on the North Shore of Boston.

Olympic Roofing

Olympic Roofing is a residential & commercial roofing contractor located serving customers in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. We have provided roofing, painting, siding, masonry, solar energy services, and more to New England customers for the past 50 years. Olympic is a full-service contractor that takes pride in our ability to offer high-quality services at competitive rates. Our reputation is built on the hard work and integrity of our staff and customer satisfaction.

QualMed Solutions

QualMed Solutions, LLC offers expertise and guidance in Quality Assurance and Regulatory compliance. We serve medical device and life science companies of all sizes and device types, including software-only devices.

5 Things Your Website Should Do

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Your website is the face of your business on the web. It greets potential clients and provides the first impression that can make or break relationships. Here are five tasks that your website should accomplish:

1. Tell your story

A visitor to your website is searching for information about your product or services to make a more informed buying decision. Beyond that, they are looking to make a connection with your company. What makes your brand stand out above the competition?

2. Address Core Business Goals

Your website is an extension of your company and aims to achieve the same type of goals that surround your business. Your website is a powerful marketing tool that can generate leads. Make the most of the opportunity.

3. Educate

One of the main benefits of your website will be to educate your audience about your products and services. People searching the web are looking for information – they want to educate themselves.

4. Don’t be afraid to show off your assets

• You work hard to create awesome stuff. Flaunt it!
• Do you attend industry conferences or belong to organizations relative to your line of work? Share the experience.
• Do you create video tutorials designed to walk people through common problems? Make sure you share your YouTube channel so that people can find that information.

5. Create a memorable user Experience

If people enjoy their interaction with you, they’ll return to your website and maybe become a paying client. If they are not engaged they will likely look elsewhere.

To Repost or Not to Repost?

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Should you repost the same content on social media multiple times? While some social media gurus are in favor of this others abhor it. After a bit of self-testing I have found that it is in fact beneficial for three reasons.

  1. It drives more traffic. While the numbers will undoubtedly be lower in the second post you will still increase the number of hits you get and the number of people you reach out and touch.
  2. You will hit multiple time zones. People often forget to take time zones into consideration when making posts. Posting at 10 and 3 in the afternoon helps you to reach potential customers around the world at some point.
  3. Reach your new followers. After we publish a blog we should pick up new followers. Those new followers have yet to see the blog post that you posted 6 months ago so there is nothing wrong with recycling old content – just be sure to reframe it.

Why Use Long Tail Keyword Phrases?

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Long-tail keywords are those three and four keyword phrases that are very specific to what you are selling. Customers who know what they want will be specific with the search phrase. Statistics show that the conversion rate to sales is far greater with long-tail keywords than with general generic searches. Generic searches are more consistent with a customer who is doing initial research and shopping around. Here are a few examples of long-tailed keyword phrases.

  • Website Designer North of Boston
  • Social Media Marketing Boston North
  • Logo Design North Shore Boston

The two most important reasons to use long-tail keyword phrases in your page titles and content is because:

  1. The long-tail keywords are much easier for Google to rank
  2. People who search by using long-tail keywords are far more likely to become buyers!

Pinterest Just for Girls?

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whitey_blugerWe know that people, particularly women, use Pinterest to find things – shoes, guacamole recipes, scented candles – but what about the local area’s most wanted criminals or your grandmother’s gold wedding band that was stolen 20 years ago? Ever since the FBI used Facebook to locate the notorious James “Whitey Bulger” police departments across the nation have become social media fans.

Whether it is the mug shots of local criminals or photos of stolen goods that were confiscated and should be returned to their rightful owner – police departments are proving themselves to be social media savvy. Digital platforms are being used more than ever to solve crimes and connect police officers with their communities.

There’s the story about the police force in Richmond, VA that used Pinterest to solve a murder case, the police department in Pottstown, PA that is using Pinterest to post mug shots of their most wanted, and the Kansas City Missouri Police Department uses Pinterest to showcase the good, the bad and the ugly in their line of work. At last count, 85 boards had been created by law enforcement professionals. It is just another indication that social media isn’t just for girls but it is in fact changing the way that we communicate and conduct business as a society.

Five Web Content Writing Tips for Success

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The most daunting task that business owners face in the website design process is writing dynamic, inspiring content that will lure visitors to dig further into their website. When crafting web copy the most important objective is to be sure that your content speaks to the needs of prospective clients. The goal is to solve their problems and speak their language.

Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind:

  1. Use a Conversational Tone. Write like you speak and avoid stilted verbiage.
  2. Show your Passion. There is no greater sales tool than a business owner who wears the love for their work on their shirtsleeve.
  3. Use Testimonials to Build Credibility. What people are saying about you and your business matters.
  4. Less is more. Be clear and concise and avoid excessive tech talk where you risk losing your visitors.
  5. Focus on Benefits. Remember that you are solving a problem for your customers. They need your service or product and it is your job to tell them why.

As you peruse the internet be aware of the perils you face as consumers. This will help you to be an intuitive seller. A good place to start is on the home page which is like the cover of a magazine. The information on the cover should tell them all that they need to know. Flipping through the contents will give them a more in-depth view.

What should be upfront?

  • Who are you?
  • What is your specialty?
  • What exactly do you do?
  • What can you do for the client?
  • Who are your clients?
  • How can the client learn more about you?

Flip Flops in the Snow?

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Those who live in the Northeast are familiar with how Mother Nature’s unpredictable patterns can influence purchasing decisions. Marketers are now capitalizing on a weather-based email marketing trend. The weather has always made popular small talk so it is no surprise that personalizing an email message by mentioning the local weather conditions will result in higher open rates.

Dreaming of SpringAlthough certain businesses may see opportunity in this type of marketing more than others using a bit of creativity – everyone can use the weather to the benefit as the local weather gives you a commonality.

What types of forecast conditions might be capitalized upon?

  • First Day of the Season Sale – weather it is Spring, Summer, Fall, Cold or Warm … it’s easy to tap into the emotions of those in the Northeast with a mere mention of temperature and the season.
  • Rainy Day or Snow Day Promotions – a local spa that I frequent does this with facials and massages and it works like charm.
  • Prepare for the Forecast – take advantage of 3 or 5-day forecasts and use them to your benefit.