Green Bay: (920) 826-5901
Marinette: (920) 639-5609
Marquette: (920) 393-3156
Abrams: (920) 826-5901

Category: Websites

Why WordPress for Websites? If it’s good enough for the White House…

Image of the White House, which has a WordPress website

WordPress powers millions of websites worldwide. It powers everything from small blogs to multi-million-dollar companies. Even the White House (https://www.whitehouse.gov/) runs on WordPress. In fact, it’s so popular that WordPress powers 43% of websites on the internet. So, what does that tell you about this stylish, fast, and flexible content management system? WordPress is the only platform we use to build websites. The platform offers neat, efficient design templates that our developers customize to fit each client.

Why Build Websites on WordPress?

Here is why Packerland Websites recommends WordPress for website building:

  • Numerous plugins available for custom design & functionality
  • Secure, to avert hacking and cyberattacks
  • Easy for the owner to maintain and update
  • Mobile friendly
  • Google friendly
  • WordPress is taught to students obtaining website development degrees in colleges nationwide

One-to-one Training Included in Website Build

Packerland Websites wants to empower its clients. Therefore, we offer complimentary training. We introduce editors to the features and functions of their new WordPress website as a content management system. Editors learn to update and maintain their new website. Our goal is to give clients the tools they need to embrace website management as a quick, easy task. Continuing training is included with a website build, to keep clients up-to-speed if they forget something or transition to a new editor. Bottom line, we help clients manage their content easier, with less stress.

WordPress Works for Techies & Non-techies

Packerland Websites clients easily adapt to the WordPress content management system because of its intuitive features for adding or changing text, photos, and graphics. Anyone familiar with Microsoft Word will find it easy to transition to the WordPress Editor. There’s no need to be familiar with coding or programming.

Update Easily with WordPress tutorials

Packerland Websites created custom online, video, and written tutorials for editors and volunteers. Advantages of our WordPress tutorials:

WordPress tutorial by Packerland Websites
  • Include quick tips and step-by-step instructions demonstrated with words and images
  • Help editors feel more comfortable managing their website
  • Are specifically written to match the way we build websites, instead of being generic WordPress guides
  • Shortens editors’ learning curve
  • Swiftly guides editors through updates, giving them more time to work on other things

Get the WordPress Help You Need

If the editor hits a roadblock, the Packerland Websites team is ready to assist. For assistance, clients can submit a support ticket, call/email the Packerland Website office, or chat with a developer via chatbot on the Packerland Website’s website. Help managing your WordPress website is at your fingertips!

Contact Packerland Websites

For assistance developing a WordPress website as a powerful marketing tool, contact us today. Packerland Websites creates websites that convert leads into sales, so businesses prosper.

How It’s Built Matters: 8 Website Building Essentials

Packerland Websites team enjoy a break from website building
The team of Packerland Websites enjoy a break from website building.

So, you want to bring your dream website to life. When choosing a website building company, not only do you want a great value but also a functional, professional-looking website. With so many website builders to choose from, finding the right partner isn’t always an easy decision. At Packerland Websites, we know the ins and outs of website development. Thus, clients get a great-looking, user-friendly website they are proud to show off. To meet our clients’ objectives, we design websites with these eight important elements.

Navigation

Packerland Websites creates a clear, intuitive path for visitors to follow. We focus on the User Interface (UI) – how visitors interact with a website. We take traffic where you want it to go.

Responsive, mobile-friendly design

Packerland Websites builds websites on the WordPress platform, which automatically resizes for different devices for easy viewing and interaction. Visitors can touch, scroll, and tap to interact with the website because the site is built on a responsive platform.

Concepts of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

Packerland Websites incorporates many elements from Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG is part of a series of web accessibility guidelines published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium, the main international standards organization for the internet. In addition to IDEA concepts, Packerland Websites incorporates many elements that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Options are available for full website audits along with bringing websites up to full compliance upon request.

Optimized with SEO best practices

Packerland Websites includes a wide range of SEO techniques in its website design. To inspire Google to recommend the website to your target audience, we incorporate the following on-site SEO techniques:

  • Unique text – We recommend 250-400 words per page. Our team provides professionally written content as requested.
  • Keywords – We use the appropriate keyword density, based on keywords a potential visitor would type when searching for your type of business
  • Optimized website elements – We add tags, page titles, page descriptions and other behind-the-scenes SEO elements
  • Blog/news articles – We offer blogging services. Blogs add keywords and new text to a website, increasing the opportunity to appear in search results

Additionally, we incorporate the following off-site SEO techniques:

  • Claim your Google My Business profile
  • Optimize your Google My Business profile with accurate information, photos, reviews
  • Submit the business’ name, address, and phone number to online directories like Yelp, Bing, MapQuest
  • Generate incoming links to your website from outside sources like videos you post on YouTube, which is owned by Google.

Social Media Integration

Packerland Websites integrates social media channels into the design. News and information can be easily carried to social media from the website. In turn, social media drives traffic back to the website.

Applicable Content Imported

Packerland Websites developed techniques to quickly and efficiently import content from the current website to a new website.

Ecommerce Solutions

Packerland Websites has built over 20 ecommerce solutions for clients, and has a platform that is far superior to Shopify. Our platform hosts the store on independent, high-security servers. Aside from the added layers of security, the store’s speed, performance, and options are better than Shopify’s. The store is easy to manage, especially with the one-to-one training that Packerland Websites provides.
The ecommerce system we recommend offers a built-in merchant system for security and convenience. Additional ecommerce benefits:

  • Accepts multiple payment types including PayPal, Square, Stripe, and more
  • Includes automatic shipping options and calculations
  • Calculates taxes automatically
  • Includes desirable marketing features like “If you like this, you may also like…”
  • Enables users to control inventory
  • Gathers customer information to be used in future communications
  • Allows for options with price modifiers. An example is a T-shirt in five colors and five sizes. This is still only one product with 25 options. The seller can charge different prices for varying sizes.

Style Guidelines

Packerland Websites manages over 500 websites, each with its own style guidelines. Our team collaborates with clients to follow the appropriate graphic standards and guidelines.

Website Building for Your Dream Website

With over 11 years of experience building websites and 500 clients, Packerland Websites has the capability to accomplish our clients’ objectives. We have the talent, time, and operational structures to accommodate their needs. Packerland Websites establishes the design, functionality, and features that our clients request to bring their dream websites to life. Visit our Portfolio to see examples of our work. To learn about the parts of a website, read more.

Websites: The Swiss Army Knife of Marketing

Websites are swiss army knife of marketing

A website is more than just a brochure on the internet. Way more! Think of a website as a marketing multi-tool. You know, like the handy-dandy multi-tool that’s a screwdriver, box cutter, spork, and hex wrench all-in-one. Your website should be the Swiss Army Knife of marketing. A website is a fantastically useful tool.

Employee magnet

A well-designed website is a kick-butt recruitment tool, giving recruits a reason to choose you. Companies can demonstrate their amazing company culture with graphics, photos, articles, and videos. Easy-to-follow page navigation leads to online applications. Job descriptions are posted in real time and managed with just a few clicks of the mouse. As employees join the organization, production increases – and the website pays for itself.

Telephone operator

That tiny telephone icon is a big, powerful tool on a website. Communication doesn’t get much simpler than this! Customers tap the one-touch phone icon on your Home page, and your phone starts ringing. A well-designed website resizes for smart phones, so viewers can easily navigate the site and read webpages. Then, with a quick tap of the phone icon, they’re talking to you. This could be the start of a beautiful, profitable relationship.

Beacon

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) lights the way for customers to find you. SEO is the process of making your website show up on search engine listings like Google. You might have the greatest product in the world, but without exposure, your product just sits on the shelf. Today’s consumers look for everything online. So, help them find their way to you with powerful SEO embedded in your website.

Welcome mat

Roll out the welcome mat to your doorstep! Invite your online viewers to visit your location in person. Websites are a terrific complement to brick-and-mortar businesses. To help consumers find you, display your street address prominently and publish a map showing your locations.

Cash register

Online shopping is booming, especially since COVID-19 shifted demand from in-person shopping to ecommerce. Ecommerce stores provide flexibility, affordability, visibility, and security for sellers. The beauty of an ecommerce website is its third-party payment system. Sales transactions are fully integrated into the website and offer the same level of security of a bank.

Encyclopedia

A website represents your brand 24/7. The images, videos, and text tell your story, and more importantly, tell the story of your clients. By putting your clients in the center of the story, you place them in the hero role. Once you get their attention, they’ll want to know more about you and the solutions you provide. Like an encyclopedia, a website provides critical information to your audience.

Your Website is a Medley of Marketing Features

Gee whiz! Who knew there was so much going on with a website? Like the surprising capabilities of a multi-tool, a website is a medley of marketing features. While a website won’t loosen a screw or slice through a tomato, a well-developed website will lead its audience to act. Website visitors will call, stop in, request a quote, or purchase a product online. Now that’s a handy-dandy way to grow a business.

Free Internet Health Checkup

Ready to create your own magic multi-tool of marketing? Get started with a FREE internet health check up (normally a $199 value). The Packerland Websites team will review and make recommendations regarding your website, SEO, directory listings, and Google account. To schedule an internet health checkup, email Team@PackerlandWebsites.com and type “Checkup” in the subject line.

Human-Powered Chat is Sales Funnel

humane powered chat

Customer relations are as complex as ever, because clients have so many platforms to communicate with a business. Sometimes, business owners aren’t eager to communicate. They turn off their phones, ignore emails and messages, and shut down the office for a well-deserved break. Thankfully, websites never take a break. Websites don’t sleep, and they don’t take snow days. Neither do chat bots. A well-designed website with a chat bot is like having an extra employee on the team. This employee works an amazing 24/7/365.

Chatbot generates leads

A chatbot is a marketing tool that acts as a funnel on a website. Packerland Websites added a chatbot to its website in June 2020, and we receive chat messages every week. Actually, some of those messages resulted in website sales. A lot of people prefer to type in a quick message instead of making a phone call or filling out a contact form. As a lead-generation tool, the chatbot is a success for us.

Chatbot options for websites

Our developers manage the chatbot, so they’re on one end of the conversation. We love this communications feature so much that we provide chatbot plugins to clients. For clients who don’t have the time, interest, or personnel to manage a chatbot, we have another chat marketing tool that funnels visitors to a desired action.

Human-powered chat service

We recently started working with Juvo Leads, a company that promises at least 35% more leads from your existing website traffic. Juvo Leads does this through a human-powered chat answering service. They’ve agreed to give our clients discounted rates as well as a free, 30-day trial.

Free 30-day trial

If you’re interested in a free 30-day trial, let us know and we can get it set up for you. The cost after the trial (if you choose to continue) is $28 per qualified lead. (You define what is a qualified lead.) If you like the idea of getting more leads and only paying for the qualified ones, this is a great chance to try it free for 30 days. The 30-day trial gives you time to determine if the human-powered chat service can become a sales funnel for your business.
If interested, just contact the Juvo Leads team for a no-obligation consultation.

Should Businesses Stop Posting on Facebook?

Facebook marketing

Having second thoughts about social media marketing? The whistleblower’s testimony on Capitol Hill may have you reevaluating Facebook as a marketing tool. If you missed the news flash, here’s the super-simplified version. Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen testified that Facebook values profits over safety. She said that the social media platform made choices that allow hateful, polarizing content on its site. Facebook denied the accusations, saying it continues to balance the right for people to express themselves while keeping Facebook safe and positive. Overall, the testimony painted an unsavory picture of the ubiquitous social media company.

Should We Continue Facebook Marketing?

Does the whistleblower testimony mean that companies should stop posting on Facebook? Plus, what about Instagram and YouTube? Facebook owns these platforms, too. Despite the brouhaha, the answer is no. Granted, these social media networks should be carefully monitored for misconduct. We’re right to question their integrity.

Despite its defects, Facebook continues to be an effective way to connect with customers. Companies build their brand by engaging with their audience online. Organizations that spent time and resources to attract a following on social media would be unwise to throw it all away. However, social media marketing shouldn’t rank as the be-all and end-all of a marketing plan.

Who Controls Facebook & Social Media?

Customers who solely rely on social media run the risk of putting all of their eggs in one basket. What happens, if for some reason beyond their control, the basket flips. Realistically, what control does a small business have over social media platforms? In comparison, what control does a small business have over its own website? Hopefully, you see the difference.

Who Controls My Website?

Businesses typically own their own websites. A website is company property. Thus, company executives control the brand message and how it’s presented. Additionally, a website is an organization’s No. 1 salesperson working 24/7. Facebook is chock-full of distractions, and company posts oftentimes go unnoticed. However, a business website is a single-focus, streamlined marketing tool. Websites educate the audience and inspire the audience to take action. A call to action, for example, might be “Contact us,” “Schedule a consultation,” or “Request a quote.”

What’s the Best Marketing Strategy?

When determining a marketing strategy, organizations should rank their websites higher than social media. Marketing materials and brand messaging should direct people to a company website, not Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. While directing customers to social media pages is an important marketing strategy, it shouldn’t be the main goal. Instead, a business website is the No. 1 place to send clients.

For assistance developing a website as a powerful marketing tool, contact us today. Packerland Websites creates websites that convert leads into sales, so businesses prosper.

Cyberattack Targets Server Bank

Police talking on cellphone about cyberattack

Halloween 2021 generated a trick – instead of a treat – for the Packerland Websites team and some of our clients. A cyberattack, originating in Chile, was committed Halloween weekend against a server bank in Chicago. Server banks require complex maintenance, security and IT service. Thus, Packerland Websites utilizes third-party server banks. The cyberattack on Oct. 30 affected some of our most complicated websites.

What a nasty trick

We know our clients rely on their websites functioning 24/7. Disruptions aren’t just inconvenient; they oftentimes affect the organization. Sadly, in today’s world where cyberattacks exist, servers go down and take time to reconnect.

Cyberattack Resolution

The server company and outside experts worked on the weekend to fully restore services. By Sunday morning, the threat was blocked and contained. All of Packerland Websites’ client sites were up and running again. On Sunday and Monday, the Packerland Websites team used its backup records to update the affected websites to the most recent version. (Thanks, team) For clients with Halloween-themed events, like Porters Patch or complex calendar booking systems, like Palette and Pub, up-to-date and functional websites are a must. Thankfully, the cyberattack was resolved promptly.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Besides being Halloween, October 31 is the last day of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Nothing makes a nonprofit or business more aware of cybersecurity than when their website goes down because of a malicious attack.

Maintaining Secure Websites

The Packerland Websites Team has multiple security measures in place, yet as we saw this weekend, servers can be targeted. We rely on skillful and knowledgeable outside server providers that are the best in the industry. The Packerland Websites Team is committed to maintaining secure sites.

Packerland Websites maintains secure websites by:

  • Hosting websites on secure, HTTPS platforms
  • Backing up the websites on databases with 30-day retention.
  • Performing daily security scans

Preventing Scary Cyberattacks

We hope that everyone enjoyed Halloween weekend. As for our clients, please know that the Packerland Websites team works hard every day to protect your website against scary cyberattacks. Thanks for trusting us with the security and integrity of your website. Contact us to learn more about the cybersecurity features we provide.

Read more about cybersecurity

Website Hacking: Update Your Cybersecurity
My Website Got hacked! Who Is Responsible?
Expert Tips: Make Your Website Load Fast, Look Good, Be Secure

How to Inspire Google to Rank your Business

Google rank
Click here to scan your business

The strategy of “build it and they will come” doesn’t work in Google’s world anymore. So, how can you inspire Google to recommend your business to your ideal customer? Essentially, you need Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to influence Google. SEO helps businesses break through a crowded, competitive ranking system. Read our related article to learn more: How Long Until My Website Ranks?

Strategies to Improve Google Ranking

SEO is powered by several elements, both on and off a website. There’s no silver bullet, only a bunch of small factors that increase the visibility of a business in Google searches. Read our related article to learn more: SEO Strategies That Work. To improve your business’ search ranking, incorporate these on-site and off-site strategies:

On-Site SEO Elements

  • Write unique text – We recommend 250 words per page. For professionally written content, contact the Wonder Writer
  • Include keywords – Use words a potential client would type when searching for your product
  • Optimize website elements – Developers add tags, page titles, page descriptions
  • Create blog articles – Blogs add keywords and increase the opportunity to appear in search results
  • Lock in your location – Repeatedly provide your address/municipality

Off-Site SEO Elements:

(Read our related article about off-site SEO)

  • Claim your Google My Business profile
  • Optimize your Google My Business profile with accurate information, photos, reviews
  • Submit your business’ name, address, and phone number to online directories like Yelp, Bing, MapQuest (Save time and labor! Ask about our SEO package)
  • Generate incoming links to your website from outside sources like videos you post on YouTube, which is owned by Google.

The Marketing Power of SEO

You wouldn’t throw a party without inviting guests. Likewise, you shouldn’t build a website and simply expect customers to come. If only it were that simple! Instead, your business needs a multi-faceted SEO strategy to establish its online presence and increase its visibility in Google rankings. When done correctly, on-site and off-site SEO turns websites into powerful marketing tools. Packerland Websites not only builds user-friendly, effective websites, we also craft SEO strategies to help businesses grow. To learn more, contact Bill Koehne, owner of Packerland Websites, at 920-826-5901, ext. 1.

Manufacturer’s Exclusive: Get More from Your Websites

technician photo for a manufacturer website

Who knew the variety of businesses that needed websites? In addition to landscapers, home builders, municipalities and nonprofit organizations, we’ve developed websites for authors, eyelash extension artists, and exterminators. Recently, our team has developed a number of manufacturer websites for fabricating, processing, and converting companies.

Manufacturer websites complement salesforce

Manufacturing and production companies often rely on their salesforce to find customers. Wouldn’t it be nice for customers to find you, instead? A powerful, effective manufacturer website generates leads that pan out.

  1. A manufacturer website is a recruiting tool to grow your workforce. 6 Tips: Recruit Workers Via your Website
  2. Additionally, it’s a branding strategy to showcase your products and services. 6 Signs Your Company Needs a New Website
  3. Lastly, a manufacturer website works 24/7/365 to reach multiple audiences. Target Audience: Websites that Hit the Bullseye

Manufacturer websites resonate with users

A manufacturer website needs to speak your industry’s language, but not just with technical jargon. Effective websites answer your customer’s questions, address their concerns, and offer solutions to their problems. Visitors to your website read the content and look at the graphics, saying to themselves, “Yes! This company gets it. This is exactly what we’re looking for!”

Manufacturer websites explain ‘Why?’

Instead of simply displaying equipment and explaining capabilities, a manufacturer website needs to show “Why?” Why do you do what you do? Why would people want to work with you? Demonstrate how your corporate culture and company philosophy defines who you are and what you do. Give visitors confidence in your brand with messaging that resonates with them

You and your fabricating, processing, or converting company:

  • Will be taken care of
  • Can trust us
  • Will find us easy to work with
  • Will be completely satisfied with our products and services

Websites that Achieve Your Goals

View these original designs by Packerland Websites

Time for a new manufacturer website?

Some manufacturers tell us, “We have a website already.” Well, just because you have a website doesn’t mean you’re using it to its highest capabilities. Is your website doing everything it can as a marketing, communications and promotional tool? You wouldn’t keep an old, outdated machine on the production floor, would you? Then why keep a tired-looking, ineffective website around?

Contact Us

One of the best ways to get internet results is to speak to the struggles of clients and prospects. Then, explain why you do what you do and the solutions you provide. Sound easy? The team at Packerland Websites is ready to help. Contact us today for professional content writing and marketing services that get a response.

Do professional bios belong on websites?

dentists benefit from professional bios

My dentist is at the stage in life when he works less. He’s easing out of the dental practice, and he hired another dentist to pick up the slack. While waiting for my appointment recently, I overheard one of his patients. She said she wouldn’t see any other dentist. Consequently, she doesn’t know what she will do when our dentist retires completely.


Professional Bios Foster Customer Loyalty


That type of customer loyalty indicates meaningful one-to-one relationships between consumers and service providers. How can a website foster these relationships? One design element is a professional bio. Basically, a professional bio explains who you are, what you do, and who you help. A professional bio highlights career and academic achievements. (Personal interests are optional, depending on your objectives.) Professional bios build a service provider’s brand image. Essentially, they build upon what’s shared on the About page.


Professional Bios for Service Providers


Service providers who work one-on-one with clients can benefit from publishing professional bios on their websites. These types of service providers include:

professional bios
  • Dentists
  • Attorneys
  • Massage therapists
  • Real estate agents
  • Insurance agents
  • Hair stylists
  • Personal coaches

Even website developers have professional bios! All of these professions involve personal interaction. Successful connections lead to customer loyalty. Return customers are the backbone of any business. In contrast, new customers are essential to growth. A well-crafted bio resonates with existing customers and piques the interest of prospects. Three Steps to Writing a Catchy Bio


Professional Bios for Organizational Leaders


In addition to service providers, organizational leaders can benefit from professional bios. Leaders in a for-profit or nonprofit organization build audience trust with bios. One example is the Oconto Falls Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members and nonmembers get to know the directors. Links to the director’s social media profiles and company websites encourage communication.


Achieving Your Website Goals


As you can see, professional bios actually do belong on websites. Professional bios are especially advantageous for service providers working personally with clients and organizational leaders reaching out to members and nonmembers. Packerland Websites will help you decide if professional bios are right for your website. First and foremost, we will consider your goals as they pertain to branding your organization and personnel. Contact us for a consultation today.

6 Tips: Recruit Workers Via Your Website

 

Job recruitment by LeTourneau Plastics

A commercial contractor I spoke with recently said he didn’t need a website. What he needed were more employees! In today’s tight job market, he was missing out on a golden opportunity. Why not create a website that kicks butt as a recruitment tool? As employees are hired and the organization takes on more work, the website pays for itself.

The planning that goes into every website developed by Packerland Websites begins with the same important question: What are your business objectives? If you have jobs to fill, employee recruitment might be at the top of your list.

How can a company use its website for recruitment? Here are 6 tips.

1. Post job descriptions in real time
Companies often have more than one position open. To save time and labor, a business can post job openings in real time. A website makes it easy to announce each opening and post its job description. The job postings are readily available 24/7, convenient to anyone searching after hours.

2. Easy navigation directs candidates to applications
The most useful recruitment feature on a website is a simple pathway to the employment opportunities pages. The link can direct candidates to the online/printable application and application instructions. An Employment Quick Link in the footer of every page also brings candidates to the application link.

3. Streamlined application processing
Human Resources employees have automatic access to applications immediately after the applications are submitted. The website forwards applications to the staff’s email inboxes. The staff can instantaneously prequalify the candidates and advance to the next phase of the hiring process.

4. Adaptable content for recruitment
WordPress (our content management system), makes it easy for multiple users to change and update content. This flexibility is helpful at businesses because the staff is able to modify the text according to specific application requirements and processes.

5. Give recruits a reason to choose you
Serious job seekers will research employers online before they apply for a job. An attractive, user-friendly company website will contribute to the strength of your brand. Visitors to a website should see images and text describing the company’s history, capabilities, products, and services. The employment page can tout the advantages of competitive wages, insurance benefits, 401(k), vacation, paid holidays, work schedule, etc.

6. Bells and whistles
Dress up your website with features that will resonate with potential employees:

  • Clickable “Now Hiring” button on the Home page
  • Employee testimonials, either written or video
  • “Meet our Staff” pages that include photos and professional bios
  • Employee profiles as Blogs and Vlogs
  • Job satisfaction surveys
  • Photos, videos, and articles that demonstrate the company culture
  • Compensation, training, and benefit package information prominently displayed

If you have jobs to fill, are you giving recruits a good reason to choose you? Your brand is more important than ever in today’s competitive job market. We can help you build that brand and attract talented employees. Give us a call today, 920-826-5901.

SNAPSHOT WILL SCORE YOUR WEBSITE ON