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Non-Profit Web Design in Our Community

Posted on 04/08/2013

For all businesses and organizations, marketing is a fundamental service to stay relevant in a busy world.

For organizations such as non-profits and non governmental organizations (NGO), it can be difficult to balance helping the community as well generating revenue and attention. Far too often these organizations find themselves trapped under a limited or strictly volunteer budget.

We feel we can do more for those who help others.

Throughout our time working with businesses in and around Missouri, we have had several fortunate opportunities to provide support to local non-profits and NGO’s. The ability to provide what we do best(web design, graphic design and marketing) to those around the community who help others is pure delight for us.

While working with The Boys and Girls Club of Columbia, MO, The Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Rootin’ Tootin’ Chili Cookoff and Fulton Street Fair we have been able to meet several individuals, building a lasting partnership with each organization.

Whether is was designing a website, providing photography or updating marketing campaigns, we love having the ability to give back and help tell the stories for those organizations making a difference in our community.

At Hub & Spoke, we provide original design and the utmost quality to each and every client.

Treating a project whether it’s for a non-profit, a major corporation or a small business the same is an advantage we extend for all.

We offer a full service of web design, graphic design, photography, video production, print design and much more to every client. Interesting in learning more? Contact Us today to see how Hub & Spoke can help, no matter your organizations size.

Web Design

Responsive Web Design Infographic

Posted on 04/03/2013

With mobile web access on the rise, responsive web design represents the fastest way to each more customers. Here’s a look at responsive web design:

For more information on mobile web design in Columbia, Mo., read our previous blog post.

Mobile Web Site Design: A Primer

Posted on 03/27/2013

We can all agree, being accessible on mobile is a priority. That’s where most agreement about mobile sites end.

Businesses seem to be fixated on a simple mobile site, one that’s cheap and has almost no information. I feel as if I am always asking clients, why not have a full site on mobile, with great content, and at a great price?

I recently read an ad promoting mobile website design in Columbia, Mo. It’s a great idea, providing mobile ready websites to businesses needing to expand information to consumers…Now here comes the problem: the mobile site is a separate site from the original, which probably has great content, information and it’s own flair.

Thinking you only need basic information, like an address and phone number, is limiting potential.

The mobile site is stripping down the meat of the site.

Users who visit your website from a mobile device are automatically directed to the mobile version. When they can’t find what they are looking for, they switch to the full site. Herein lies the problem.

Full website viewing was not intended to take place on a tiny screen, leaving an irritating experience for users. Constantly zooming in and out and scrolling around the page is definitely not my cup of tea, and I’m guessing not many others either.

What’s the solution?

We believe in responsive web design, which creates a website that works on desktop and mobile. We create one site that is accessible on mobile and scales properly, giving a rich experience to customers using mobile devices.

Having a mobile site which is also your full website can take the frustration away from customers and unify an already great website.

How?

With responsive web design, we bring the capability of full desktop and mobile browsing into one. WIth responsive web design, the website will automatically format to the screen size the customer is using. No longer are two separate websites, mobile and desktop, needed.

We know without a well constructed web experience customers are less likely to come back. Together we’ll work to achieve your ultimate goal and bring you the best the web has to offer. We are your Columbia, MO experts in web design, responsive web design and graphic design.

Search Engine Optimization Web Design

Getting to Know Search Engine Optimization

Posted on 03/14/2013

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving visibility of a web site or page on search engines by using specifics phrases or techniques. Here’s how you can improve your SEO:

User Search

Search engines, Google, Yahoo or Bing, rank each web page based on content and which is most relevant to the users search. Getting to the first page or the top results takes planning or experience in the field.

Once to your site, users want to know are your pages a valuable source of information, are they entertaining or can it solve a problem.

Keyword Heavy

The first big aspect of SEO is hitting all the keywords you want to be found by. These words should be spread out evenly throughout the site and pages (As I will state later, cramming in too many is often a downfall for SEO.). Correct placement is key. Take for instance this blog, I’ve said or will say SEO, bounce rate, cloaking and Google Analytics just to name a few (Yes, I know that was a crafting way of sneaking them in one more time.). It is how you do it which is key. Whatever your business is, gaining the attention of all customers is most important.

Doing Research

Researching what keywords people may use to find you is yet another step. Doing a thorough search, might take weeks and into months, can reduce unnecessary filler content. This is where Google Analytics and Rank Tracker come in. A systematic process of trial and error is needed to be sure what people are searching in your area, what are they looking for state or nation wide or what phrases or keywords is my competition succeeding in.

The Good Bounce

Another factor to affect SEO is bounce rate, the number of different page views a single user has or how immersed your visitors are in your site.

If many users go to your home page or a single page and then leave, you will have high bounce rate. On the Other hand, if many users go page to page and explore, your bounce rate decreases. Furthermore, companies with only a single page will tend to have higher bounce rates. There is no set mark to hit high or low on bounce rate. General rule of thumb is anywhere between 40% to 70%. But can change depending on company needs.

Remember This

Cramming in too many content words in a small sentence or paragraph can have negative effects. It needs to flow as a normal sentence. Excessively stuffing too many content rich words can be seen by Google or other search engines as a violation and cost you in the long run.

Additionally, if the content is lacking keywords and feels ‘thin’ to the reader, this ultimately will affect pageviews.

Another bad process is Cloaking. This is providing two separate websites for users and search engines,using the search engine to gain all the page hits while getting all the positive attention on your website. This is a serious no-no as well and Google will find out!

This is just a skimming of the surface into the intricacies of SEO.

Interested in learning more? Email hello@hubandspokecreative.com or give us a call 573-298-6980.

News Web Design

Introducing our New Website

Posted on 02/28/2013

All of our experience in marketing, design and web development have united together to form Hub & Spoke.

While branching out into new areas we knew we needed a new website to match our growing endeavor. Something not like everyone elses, because why would we do that to ourselves when we don’t do it for customers. A site we could be proud to show friends, family and clients.

Focusing on user experience, design and functionality we wanted to make a site that encompassed these principles and many more. No visitor to a site wants to be lost in a maze of endless web pages. Creating a easy to navigate site was a priority. Likewise, since we specialize in design, we need a clean look that stood above the rest. Finally, functionality was a must. Being able to view and enjoy had to be done with different formats and screen sizes in mind.

We have some cool new things we think you will like.

Custom JQuery development

With a diverse background in web development we knew we could have something to set a high standard for the work we do. With custom Jquery development, website design looks more fluid and clean.

White papers

We wanted to have something to go in depth on more topics and subjects. With white papers we now have the ability. Just our way of sharing knowledge.

Now using responsive web design

A great way to show off the website on any format or device. We now offer this to all of our clients too. We know how great it is and want others to have it as well.

Iconography

We have designed all the new icons to showcase our services. With these custom icons we can provide a unique way for viewing products and services.

We would like to welcome you to our new website. Please feel free to roam around and explore.

Trends Web Design

Template of Doom

Posted on 02/26/2013

Early in my web design career, going way back to a just couple years ago. Building and creating sites was just a hobby I had. Using it setup fantasy leagues and any personal or creative stuff I felt like getting off my chest. All those years ago I thought templates, I admit it, were the way to go. They were fast and cheap. It was easy, since I was not that good at writing code. I could get my site up easily with no real work.

Was I sorely misinformed.

I discovered the art of web design soon after. So why does it appear that businesses today still want and use templated websites. I have no problem if a startup has to use one to get up and running. What about the larger corporations, the ones who have internal webmasters or marketing firms with several designers, of all capabilities, on staff.

Which leads me to the next unfortunate situation, web design firms who use templates for clients. I get that nails on a chalkboard moment when I hear this. Being proud of the work you do should be at the essence of the service business. How can design firms be proud of their work, when the majority was created by someone else. Furthermore, how can the client not feel as time and money have been wasted.

By no means do I want to sound negative or condescending. Sometimes when passion for the work you do and want to aspire for comes out in fits of contained outbursts.

What is about the template website that draws so many to it’s pseudo graces. I have a couple points, listed below, which I feel are the leading factors. But I continue to think there must another factor. Do businesses and/or consumer not know of any web design firms that they trust or like, or just not know of any.

Not to sound too one sided here is a quick run down.

There are a few advantages of templates:

CHEAP

-For the price, templated websites are fairly cheap to build off from.

QUICK TURNAROUND

-If needing a website quickly, templates have an advantage here.

There’s the drawbacks of templates:

LOOKS THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE

-If it’s a good template, it has probably been sampled hundreds or thousands of times. A website like every other is not unique; you’re just joining another face in the crowd.

HURTING THE BRAND

-Creating from template, it will be hard for you or your brand to stand out. With

LICENSING

-With many templates, the creator has a copyright. Also, many images could be the property of someone else and the use of such images could cost more.

ADDED FEATURES

-To really get a template to what you want it needs to be, you are going to need someone who knows HTML and how to use it to get any benefit.

-Tracking your website’s search engine optimization can get tricky. Templates are not designed to be used for search engines to rank and organize data. Causing loss of time and money.

At Hub & Spoke, we use creativity and design to handcraft a perfect match for your company to its particular needs. No gimmicks, just hard-working individuals who know your business and what it needs to succeed. Whether its a how-to video, new or updated website, or a print ad, we’re your full service marketing partner.

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