Is "template" a dirty word?

Web development has come a long way since the internet was created. Sounds of dial up still haunt my dreams. Web developers that build from scratch have some seriously mad skills. They can make amazing things happen. I’ve been learning to code myself this past year and it’s truly amazing what code can do. 

Sometimes, a built from scratch site can be a bit over-complicated. As I said, I’m learning to code on my own, so why is my website in Squarespace? Well, because templates have their advantages, too. Here are a few reasons to give a template some serious consideration.

1 // No Surprises

With a template, you’re able to view the layout and see it in action so you know what you’re getting upfront. Plus, it will help you visualize the content and graphics that you need to create to make the site your own.

2 // Built-In Functionality

When you’re using a template, you know that all of the basics will be included. Responsive site, check. Blog sidebar, check. Call to action buttons, check. Some elements are template-specific, but again, you’ll know up-front what is included. 

3 // Simplicity

Templates are built with simplicity in mind. If you need to edit copy, change graphics or add products, it’s all very easy when using a template. Plus, everything will be consistent across the website and it will be easy for your customer to navigate. Win / Win. 

4 // User Experience

Templates take the most common website elements and put them in an organized layout for consistency and good user experience. They are tested by the creators and used by many. So, you know that it’s been built with the user in mind and that it’s a layout that will work. 

5 // Customization

Okay, not everyone will agree with this one. I’m a firm believer that you can make a template your own by using unique content and creating your own style. Sure, you might be able to tell that my site is a Squarespace template. But, I don’t mind one bit. Because I’ve made it my own by creating custom graphics and a style that fits me. Plus, there are always workarounds to customize even more with a little CSS knowledge. 

In my last link love post, I called out an article from Kissmetrics on the importance of simplifying your website. As a user, couldn’t agree more. I want to find something quickly, without flashy things distracting me. If I can’t, I’m leaving. The most important point from this great article:

“Let me say it as simply as possible: A simple website will make you more money. Period.”

— Neil Patel, Kissmetrics

Read the full article for all 13 tips to simplify your website. 

So, is "template" a dirty word?

Perhaps to some, yes. But only you can decide what's right for you and your business. Don't let the template hates get you down. If you’re ready to redesign or build a new website, don’t count out templates. Keeping it simple will be good for you and your customers’ sanity. 

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Link Love // 4

Well, here it is... my one and only blog post for the month of April. If you're on the edge of your seat wondering where I've been... here's the scoop.

I made the tough decision to wind down on jewelry making. The business is growing and I just can't give it the love, attention and sweat it deserves. Plus, my fingers are already full of arthritis. It's been a fun and creative learning experience. Now, I have first-hand experience of the ins and outs of running a business and I will use that knowledge in everything I do. I decided to close with a bang and offer a 40% off sale for all of my remaining stock. That's kept me quite busy.

In other news, I've accepted a new full-time position with an awesome email marketing software company near Lancaster, PA. While it's sad to leave people that I've worked with for almost 5 years, I'm very excited for this next chapter. As you can imagine, this transition has also been a huge focus of my time this month. I'll be living out of a suitcase in May and moving into a new place out there in June. Catch ya on the flip side, Pittsburgh.

I'm not one to make excuses, but sometimes you just have to know where to focus your time and unfortunately, the blog wasn't it this month for me! I'll be back at it soon. For now, here's a round-up of awesome links from around the web this month!    

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1 // How to Get More Engagement on Social Media (Without Being Pushy)

"There will be some businesses obtaining remarkable results with social media and there will be some achieving tepid results, if any. So what separates the successful businesses from the not-so-successful? It’s engagement. If you can’t get people to engage with you on social media, you won’t be able to benefit from all that social media has to offer." - Neil Patel

Get the tips >>

2 // 16 Ways to Turn Customers into Brand Advocates

"Competition for business in today’s ultra-connected, global world is fierce. Each day, fresh ideas are formed and new companies are launched, and yet – 90% of startups fail. Needless to say (or you wouldn’t be here), you want to be in the 10% that succeed. One way to do that is to focus on more than just gaining customers. Instead, you need to identify ways to turn some of those customers into brand advocates." - Sujan Patel

Read the article >>

3 // How to Find the Confidence to Be an Entrepreneur

"So how do we build the confidence we need to be successful entrepreneurs? By answering the life-defining question for yourself: Who do you think you are?" - Brit & Co, Levo League

Find out who you are >>

4 // Your Website Is Way Too Confusing: Simplify Your Website With The KISS Rule

"It’s easy to make a confusing website. It’s hard to make a simple website. The things that we create — websites, user interfaces, business plans, articles — are the product of our minds. How we think impacts how our product looks, feels, and functions. When making a website, things can get dicey. So many different groups are providing their input, making requests, asking for changes, insisting on features, and making the whole thing pretty darn complicated. By the time the website gets to the end user, the website a hopeless, confusing mess. It’s time to change all of that." - Kissmetrics

KISS >>

5 // Does the length of your blog posts matter?  

"Does the length of your blog posts really matter? Well, it depends on who you ask. Bloggers, especially those in the content marketing realm, have differing views on the subject. Some will tell you that length doesn’t matter as long as you’re providing valuable content. Others will tell you that your post has to be at least 3000+ words in length. But if you’re asking me, I will tell you time and time again that when it comes to blog posts, length does matter." - Lauren Hooker, Elle & Co

Read Lauren's blog >>

6 // The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Cohesive Instagram Feed

"Instagram is growing more and more every day. It is the most powerful social media platform to engage directly with your audience so I want to show you how to do it up right. You can have pretty photos for days on Instagram, but if there isn’t a cohesive theme it can get overlooked by potential clients and customers. I know you don’t want that." - Jessica Safko, Love Plus Color

Get Jessica's tips >>

7 // Girl Boss Playlist

Get busy with this playlist from Studio DIY! 

Jam out while being boss >>

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It's Time to Spring Clean Your Website

The flowers are blooming, the temperatures are rising and spring is here. The typical ritual for this time of year includes things like cleaning out your closet, rearranging your furniture, etc. While you're in the "fresh" mindset, it's also a great idea to give your website a little spring lovin'. Here are a few ways to spring clean your website. 

1 // Redirect or Fix Broken Links

Use Google Webmaster Tools or MOZ to run a quick check on your website and get a list of broken links. If they are old pages that you've closed, be sure to redirect them to live pages. Fixing this routinely is good for SEO.

In Squarespace, it's super easy to redirect URLS. Go to Setting -> Advanced -> URL Mappings. Once there, you'll see easy-to-follow instructions for implementation. 

2 // Check Analytics

Well, you should really be doing this monthly... but if you need a reason, why not add it to your spring cleaning list? Here are a few things to review: 

All Pages - Sort by page views to see your most popular pages. Check them out and see if there is a recurring theme or layout that you might be able to use to create more awesome content. Now, reverse sort to see your least popular pages. What can you do to refresh or provide added value to those? Make some updates and re-share! You can find this in Google Analytics under Behavior -> Site Content -> All Pages.

Exit Pages - As expected, these pages are the ones that your viewers are visiting and then leaving your site from. Review the content, add some goodies or a stronger call to action and re-share! You can find this in Google Analytics under Behavior -> Site Content -> Exit Pages.

3 // Review Your Most Important Pages

Is your homepage telling the right story? Are your services converting? Check out the stats on your important pages and do some testing and tweaking. If you're not sure what to change, do a quick survey to your audience or customer base.  

4 // Update Social Profiles

Did you take new photos recently? Make sure you're putting your best face forward everywhere! Update your profile pictures (consistently) on social media and give your bio a lil' refresh while you're there. 

In case you missed it, here are some great tips from Kate, blogger at Tell Me Tuesday, on rocking your Pinterest profile. 

Now, get outside and enjoy the smells and sights of spring!

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Link Love // 3

1 // Breaking All The Rules on Social Media

Why the conventional wisdom about who wins at social media is broken — and what you can do to fix it. Read it here >>

2 // 18 Best Plant Tutorials

If you're anything like me and can't keep plants alive, why not go with creative paper displays? Learn how to make them here >>

3 // 6 Design Tips to Radically Transform Your Emails

The average individual spends less than a few seconds judging if an email is relevant, important, or trustworthy - with design playing the biggest factor. Get the tips here >>

4 // 3 Steps to Amazing Blog Photography

It’s extremely important when you’re trying to start growing a successful blog to focus on your brand and its visual representation. Photography is not the only component of that, but it is a large one. That’s why today I’m going to go over exactly how to start off with blog photography when you’re a beginner, whether you want to go all in with a DSLR, or even if you’re just planning to use your iPhone. Get the tips here >>

5 // The Science Of Stickiness: A Data-Driven Guide To Creating A Website People Want To Visit

The stickiness of your website is the differentiating factor between a visitor and a customer, between visits and an audience, and between true ROI and traffic that just won’t convert. Get the tips here >>

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Rock Social Media with These Tools

I had the pleasure of writing an article for Kate from Tell Me Tuesday this week. It includes actionable strategies to use social media tools to grow your online presence and build a consistent stream of content. Here's a sneak peek:

“I wanna be where the people are. I wanna see, wanna see ’em dancing'”. It’s a good day when I can work a Disney song into a blog post, right? So, where are the people? On social media, of course! And they sure are dancing! Social media can be a great way to engage with your audience, push traffic to your website and, ultimately, make sales.

If you’re a busy gal running a side hustle business or if you’re managing multiple brand pages, it can be a bit overwhelming without a plan and a schedule.

First off, you don’t have to be EVERYWHERE! Seriously. It’s better to pick a few places and really rock it than to be everywhere and stretch yourself too thin. Think about your target audience. Where are they hanging out? What sites will allow you to reach them the most?

Then, take a look at your content. What will you share on each platform?

Once you figure that out, here are the tools that will make it a breeze to keep a consistent presence on each social media outlet.

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