Note: This blog was originally published 12/24/2015, updated 12/22/2017. As 2017 winds down, lots of people (us included) will be out of the office celebrating the holidays with family and friends. Here are some really funny, clever and snarky out-of-office messages sent this year, courtesy of HubSpot Blogs (full article here). By the way, … [Read more...] about 17 Funny Out-of-Office Emails for the Holidays
20 Questions That Will Give You a Year’s Worth of Blog Posts
You've heard it before (probably from us): in order to rank on Google, you need a blog. And you need to update it. Regularly. It's usually at the words "regularly updated blog" that our customers' faces blanch and the panic creeps in. That's when we hear: "I'm not a writer. And besides, I don't know what to blog about." I'll let … [Read more...] about 20 Questions That Will Give You a Year’s Worth of Blog Posts
2017 Social Media Image Size Guide [Infographic]
New year, new selfies. 2017 is here and social media isn't going anywhere. Considering that 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual, social media is more important than ever. Start this year off right by making sure all your social media images are primed to pop. Below is our 2017 social media size guide. Remember to save this … [Read more...] about 2017 Social Media Image Size Guide [Infographic]
The Trends to Pay Attention to in 2017
2016 is finally over. It's time to brush off the dust of last year and step forward into 2017. A lot changed in the digital marketing landscape over the last 12 months. Here are the top digital marketing trends in 2017 that you need to know to keep your business competitive. Digital Marketing - You Have to Be There It may seem obvious, but … [Read more...] about The Trends to Pay Attention to in 2017
How to Get Reviews
You can't afford to ignore online reviews - your customers sure don't. 88% of consumers read reviews to determine the quality of a local business. Before ever picking up the phone, your customers will be searching for your online reviews. If you don't have any, they may not buy. But getting online reviews is a struggle many business owners face. … [Read more...] about How to Get Reviews
How to Write Epic Content
Between TV, email and social media, we're all bombarded with so many words a day that they all blur together into a shapeless mush. It takes some truly special content to stand out from the rest. How can you make your online marketing efforts reach the most people? Make it epic. Stories unite us. They define us. There's a reason why stories like … [Read more...] about How to Write Epic Content
Why Aren’t People Opening Your Emails?
Ever feel like you're just shouting into a void? That no matter how amazingly beautiful your emails are, no matter how Earth-shattering the subject matter, it doesn't even matter because barely anyone is opening them? Don't lose hope! The bad news is that people aren't opening your emails. The good news is that you can fix that. If your emails … [Read more...] about Why Aren’t People Opening Your Emails?
How to Make Sure Your Holiday Event Doesn’t Fall Flat
Here's a terrifying reminder: the holidays are almost here. We already gave you some tips for making the most out of the holiday season, but one of the easiest (and most popular) ways to reach out to customers is with a holiday event. Miranda Paquet at Constant Contact has some tips for rocking any holiday event. 1. Decide on a goal Do you … [Read more...] about How to Make Sure Your Holiday Event Doesn’t Fall Flat
10 Worst Social Media Fails of 2016
Schadenfreude is the German word for "pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune." There are few situations more ripe for Schadenfreude than social media fails. Tweets can be deleted, but screencaps are forever. We're looking back at the worst social media fails of 2016, with tips on where they went wrong. We don't want any of you … [Read more...] about 10 Worst Social Media Fails of 2016
Staying in Control of Your Website: Why Your Host Matters
One of the first questions we hear from new customers is: what the heck is web hosting, and why do I have to pay for it? Think of a website as an apartment. You own anything that goes inside your apartment, but you still have to pay rent to live there. In order for your website to appear online, you have to rent out the space. That's where a web … [Read more...] about Staying in Control of Your Website: Why Your Host Matters
How to Create Compelling CTAs (Calls-to-Action)
Here's a million-dollar question: how do you get people to do what you want them to? It isn't enough to just dump words out into the universe and hope that does something. Whether you're putting together a website, sending out an email, posting on social media or drafting up a blog, you want to drive people toward a specific action. What that … [Read more...] about How to Create Compelling CTAs (Calls-to-Action)
Why Your Website is Scaring People
Gather round, I have a terrifying tale. And every last word is true. There was once a website...a seemingly normal website. But underneath the surface, dark forces were at work. Visitors would come, but they wouldn't stay. The contact form was so unused it gathered dust. No one could find it on Google. Business began to die. Sound familiar? If … [Read more...] about Why Your Website is Scaring People
How Do I Market When My Business is Boring?
Let's face it: we can't all be the cool kids. You know the type: those renegade, cutting-edge startups that shake the status quo. Some of us have to be the doers - the invisible forces that keep the world turning. Sometimes our product isn't sexy and our services are, well, kind of boring. At least when it comes to social media, blogs and website … [Read more...] about How Do I Market When My Business is Boring?
5 Ways to Rock the Holiday Season
You can't deny it any longer: it's now officially Pumpkin Spice season. The plastic bats are coming out of hibernation, skeletons are gracing storefront windows and you can't walk three feet without seeing orange. Now's the time to dust off your strategy and start gearing up for Holiday 2016. Even if you're not selling a tangible product, you can … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Rock the Holiday Season
How to Use Email Marketing Automation, Without Turning Your Subscribers Off
Do you want more time in your day? Of course you do. While you're busy juggling all your obligations, it's easy to overlook marketing. Email marketing is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to connect with your audience...but who has the time? That's where email marketing automation comes in. Set it once, then walk away.You don't have time … [Read more...] about How to Use Email Marketing Automation, Without Turning Your Subscribers Off
How to Create Gorgeous Social Media Pictures in Seconds
We've said it before and we'll say it again: images are the bread and butter of social media. On Facebook, posts with pictures on average see 37% more engagement than text posts alone. Instagram and Pinterest are almost exclusively photo content, with very little text. To compete with the big boys, your social profiles need high-quality images. But … [Read more...] about How to Create Gorgeous Social Media Pictures in Seconds
Snapchat VS. Instagram Stories: What’s the Difference?
Instagram Stories is the shiniest new toy, and everyone is talking about it. Launched last month, Instagram Stories lets users share snapshots that disappear after 10 seconds. Sounds familiar. Facebook, Instagram's parent company, clearly launched Instagram Stories as a response to the wildly popular Snapchat. And now every small business owner is … [Read more...] about Snapchat VS. Instagram Stories: What’s the Difference?
8 Online Tools Every Business Needs
We spend so much time chasing after the shiniest new toy that it's easy to get sidetracked from the basics. Today we're tacking it back, slowing it down and giving you a play-by-play of the 8 tools your business needs online and how we can help you get there. Every business is different, but when it comes to online marketing there are 8 tools every … [Read more...] about 8 Online Tools Every Business Needs
Which Social Network Is Right For My Business? [Quiz]
Are you ready to take your business social? With all the choices out there, it's hard to know which social media network to start with. Cut through the chatter with the quiz below and find which network you should start with. Don't see the quiz? Click here. The Top 5 Social Networks:Facebook is the largest social network for a good reason. This … [Read more...] about Which Social Network Is Right For My Business? [Quiz]
5 Social Media Tips for the Trades
Show of hands: who set up their social media, posted a couple of times and then never returned?Don't worry - we get it. You're trying to run your business. And you may be thinking: "What do I even talk about?" It's easy to look to big brands with their flashy videos and professional photos and get discouraged. But here's the thing: you … [Read more...] about 5 Social Media Tips for the Trades
WordPress Alert: Will The New Update Break Your Site?
This Tuesday, WordPress unveiled their latest update - WordPress 4.6 Pepper. The update comes with some slick new features (more on those later) but also a warning - make sure you install it correctly, otherwise your site will be kaput. Do I Need to Do Anything?Well, that depends:✓ I Host With BizzyWebIf you host with BizzyWeb, we automatically … [Read more...] about WordPress Alert: Will The New Update Break Your Site?
10 Commandments for Millennial Marketing
A few weeks ago, we told you how to appeal to Gen Xers. Continuing on our generational journey, here's a bit of insight into millennials. This list from Rustin Nethercott of Constant Contact shows the 10 commandments of millennial marketing. Read the full article and nab an infographic here.1. Mobilize Your EffortsIt’s safe to say that mobile … [Read more...] about 10 Commandments for Millennial Marketing
Schrödinger’s SEO: Search Engine Optimization is Both Dead and Alive
Schrödinger's cat is a quantum mechanics paradox in which a cat trapped in a box with a bottle of poison may be simultaneously both dead and alive. Schrödinger's SEO is a paradox in which Search Engine Optimization is dead or alive, depending on whichever headline makes more waves. Everyone has an opinion on SEO: it's dead and over, it's alive and … [Read more...] about Schrödinger’s SEO: Search Engine Optimization is Both Dead and Alive
60 Ways To Grow Your List in 60 Seconds [VIDEO]
Earlier this week, Dave shared 60 tips for growing your email list. It's a fantastic resource (if we do say so ourselves) but there's only one problem...it's a little long. We decided to give it another try, without any pesky things like "slide transitions" or "pausing to breath" eating up precious time. We try to be efficient. We had to tap into a … [Read more...] about 60 Ways To Grow Your List in 60 Seconds [VIDEO]
6 Dos and Don’ts of Marketing to Generation X
Poor Generation X. Wedged between the Baby Boomers and Millennials, Generation X frequently gets swept to the side. Which is a shame, because Gen Xers are the managers and entrepreneurs. In other words? They're the decision-makers.These folks, aged 35-51, have a monumental influence on the market that isn't being tapped into. Millennials are the … [Read more...] about 6 Dos and Don’ts of Marketing to Generation X
The Ultimate Social Media Image Size Guide [Infographic]
A picture is worth a thousand retweets. When Facebook and Twitter first launched, they were text-only and word-heavy. Now, virtually every social network has become more and more streamlined and picture-friendly. Pictures dominate social networks and consistently see more engagement.We’ll say it straight out: if your images aren’t optimized for … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Social Media Image Size Guide [Infographic]
How To Secure Your Website Like a Fortress [Checklist]
Let's imagine for a second that your website is a real, physical object. You're holding it in your hands, doing whatever it is you'd do with a tangible website, when in the distance you see an attacker running at you full speed with a mace. Now, which would you rather having standing between you, your website and the incoming, mace-wielding … [Read more...] about How To Secure Your Website Like a Fortress [Checklist]
The Top 3 Takeaways From Facebook’s New Friends>Business Algorithm
They're at it again. Just when you think you've started to understand how the Facebook algorithm works, they go and change it. This Wednesday Facebook announced that they were shaking up the News Feed once again – and this time, business pages are taking a hit.The new algorithm will be prioritizing users friends' content above any business, news or … [Read more...] about The Top 3 Takeaways From Facebook’s New Friends>Business Algorithm
Same BizzyWeb, New Look
It’s official: we’ve got a new look. If you’ve been following us on Facebook and Twitter, you probably noticed we were up to something. Well, the honey-brick road has led us here.We’ve been working our butts off behind the scenes to get this new site live, and we couldn’t be happier! We talk the talk, but it’s time for us to walk the walk. Our new … [Read more...] about Same BizzyWeb, New Look
Dave Meyer Wins 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Dave Meyer has won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes those who take the risk of starting and running business enterprises. Candidates were judged on business strategies, financial success and community involvement. Dave was honored to receive the award, and had this to say during the … [Read more...] about Dave Meyer Wins 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Award
3 Simple Design Tips that Will Double Your Customer Base
By Jessica Moretter, Creative Director, BizzyWeb There are always a series of questions that I have when I approach a web design project. They are pretty typical among all web designers and no matter who you work with they will (or they should) ask you at the very least these two questions: What do you want to accomplish with your website, or … [Read more...] about 3 Simple Design Tips that Will Double Your Customer Base
4 Ways to Segment Your Email List
What does your email list look like? No, not how many emails you have. How is it organized? Is it organized? Too many companies overlook list segmentation, when it's one of the most important features of email marketing. By breaking out your list, you can send targeted emails to the people most likely to act. That's powerful.Azure Collier … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Segment Your Email List
Creative Email Call-to-Action Ideas That Really Drive Action [Infographic]
If you send out regular emails to your customers, you know the frustration of crafting the perfect email and seeing those open rates shoot up...but the click through rates stay at rock-bottom. Once your readers open your email, they don't click on anything. Why is that?The answer is frustratingly simple: you're not giving them something they want … [Read more...] about Creative Email Call-to-Action Ideas That Really Drive Action [Infographic]
4 Strategies for Facebook Live
Only one month after launching, Facebook Live has already cemented itself as more than just "the next big thing." It's clear that video streaming is here to stay, and is only going to continue to furiously grow in the months moving forward. Why do you need to take note? Facebook Live is a powerful way to share your brand's personality and story. … [Read more...] about 4 Strategies for Facebook Live
Dave Meyer is a 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist
Our very own Dave Meyer is in the running for the Entrepreneur of theYear Award from the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce:This award gives much deserved credit to those who take the risk of starting and running business enterprises. Candidates for this award are judged on business strategies, financial success and community involvement. The … [Read more...] about Dave Meyer is a 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist
Why You’re Losing Website Traffic (Without Even Realizing It)
When it comes to web browsing, Tom Cruise said it best: "I feel the need...the need for speed." Visitors don't like to be kept waiting. It takes as little as a second of delay for users to navigate away. If your website doesn't load quickly, you could be losing visitors. So how do you know if your website is loading slowly and driving visitors … [Read more...] about Why You’re Losing Website Traffic (Without Even Realizing It)