​In the fast-paced world of web design, keeping up with the latest trends is vital, especially for small business owners. As the digital landscape evolves, it's essential to deliver modern and engaging web experiences that attract customers and drive growth. In this blog post, we'll explore strategies specifically tailored for small business owners to stay informed and inspired, ensuring their websites stay relevant and competitive.

Embrace Continuous Learning
As a small business owner, staying up to date with web design trends doesn't require extensive technical knowledge. By actively engaging in self-education, you can gain valuable insights to make informed decisions about your website. Follow influential design blogs and resources that offer accessible information and tips for non-designers. Websites like Wix Blog and HubSpot provide user-friendly guides and tutorials, helping you understand current trends and best practices.

Leverage Design Templates and Platforms
Small business owners often have limited resources and time to dedicate to web design. Thankfully, there are user-friendly design platforms, like Squarespace and Shopify, that offer pre-designed templates aligned with the latest design trends. These platforms allow you to create a professional-looking website without the need for extensive coding or design skills. Explore their template libraries and choose designs that reflect the current aesthetics and user expectations.

Seek Inspiration from Industry Leaders
When designing your website, draw inspiration from industry leaders and successful businesses in your niche. Visit the websites of established brands and competitors to analyze their design choices and user experiences. Pay attention to the colors, fonts, layout, and overall user journey. While you should never copy someone else's design outright, gathering inspiration can help you incorporate relevant trends into your own website in a way that suits your brand and target audience.

Understand Your Customers
One of the most important aspects of web design is catering to your target audience. Spend time researching and understanding your customers' preferences, needs, and behaviors. Conduct surveys, analyze website analytics, and engage with customers directly to gather valuable feedback. By aligning your design choices with your customers' expectations, you can create a user-centric website that resonates with your target audience and encourages them to take action.

Collaborate with Design Professionals
Sometimes, seeking professional help can make a significant difference in the success of your website. Collaborate with freelance designers or design agencies that specialize in working with small businesses. They have the expertise and industry knowledge to guide you through the design process and ensure your website reflects the latest trends while staying true to your brand identity. Consider reaching out to local designers or utilizing online platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find design professionals that fit your budget and needs.

In the digital age, small business owners must stay on top of web design trends to effectively compete and engage with their target audience. By embracing continuous learning, leveraging design templates and platforms, seeking inspiration, understanding your customers, and collaborating with design professionals, you can ensure your website remains relevant and visually appealing. Remember, a well-designed website is not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a seamless user experience that builds trust, drives conversions, and ultimately leads to the growth of your small business.

​Feel free to reach out to us at stephen@stephenwicks.com if you're interested in a free consultation.

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for small businesses. A well-designed website not only helps businesses reach a wider audience but also establishes credibility and trust. One of the key aspects of modern web design is responsiveness. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of responsive web design for small businesses and how it can help you stay ahead of the competition.

What is Responsive Web Design?

Responsive web design (RWD) is an approach that ensures a website's layout, images, and other elements automatically adjust to fit the user's screen size, be it a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This flexibility makes it easier for visitors to navigate your website and have a seamless browsing experience, no matter the device they are using.

Why is Responsive Web Design Crucial for Small Businesses?

1. Improved User Experience - A responsive website offers an optimal user experience across different devices. This means that your visitors won't have to zoom in or out, scroll horizontally, or struggle with tiny buttons to access the information they need. A pleasant browsing experience encourages users to stay on your website longer, increasing the chances of converting them into customers.
   
   
2. Increased Mobile Traffic - As of 2021, more than 50% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices. By adopting a responsive design, you cater to this ever-growing segment of internet users, which can significantly boost your website's traffic and potential customer base.
   
   
3. Higher Conversion Rates - Responsive design can lead to higher conversion rates, as users are more likely to complete desired actions like signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase when the website is easy to navigate and use.
   
   
4. Better SEO Performance - Google and other search engines prioritize websites that provide an excellent user experience. A responsive website is considered mobile-friendly, which improves your search engine rankings, making it easier for potential customers to find your small business online.
   
   
5. Cost-Effective Solution - Maintaining separate versions of a website for desktop and mobile users can be time-consuming and expensive. With responsive design, you only need to manage one website that automatically adapts to all devices, reducing costs and making maintenance more efficient.
   
   
6. Enhanced Brand Reputation - A well-designed, responsive website reflects professionalism and attention to detail. It sends a positive message about your brand, increasing the likelihood that potential customers will choose your small business over your competitors.

In a world where mobile usage continues to grow, responsive web design is no longer a luxury but a necessity for small businesses. By investing in a responsive website, you'll be able to provide a seamless browsing experience for your visitors, rank higher on search engines, and ultimately increase your chances of converting visitors into customers. If you're looking to improve your small business's online presence, start by ensuring your website is responsive and ready to cater to users on any device.

Web design and development is a crucial aspect of creating a successful website. A well-designed website not only improves user experience but also drives more traffic and increases conversion rates. Here are some of the best website design practices to consider:

Mobile-First Design:
With the rise of mobile device usage, it's essential to make sure your website is optimized for mobile users. A mobile-first design approach ensures that your website is easily accessible and user-friendly on all devices.

Simple and Clean Layout:
A straightforward and clean layout helps users navigate your website and find the information they need. A clear structure and logical hierarchy of information is important for a user-friendly website.

User-Centered Design:
Designing with the user in mind is crucial for creating a successful website. Consider the user's needs, goals, and behaviors when designing the website.

High-Quality Content:
High-quality content is key to engaging and retaining visitors on your website. Ensure the content on your website is well-written, relevant, and up-to-date.

Fast Loading Speed:
A fast-loading website is crucial for a good user experience. A slow website can result in high bounce rates and lower conversion rates, so it's important to optimize your website design for fast loading speeds.

Strong Call-to-Action:
A clear and noticeable call-to-action (CTA) is an essential part of any website. It should encourage visitors to take action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

By following these best website design practices in 2023, you can create a website that is both visually appealing and user-friendly, leading to a better user experience and increased conversion rates.

Stephen Wicks Internet Development Company is an Atlanta Georgia based web design and digital marketing firm with clients across the entire United States.  Please feel free to reach out to us if you are in need of a modern website designed to grow your business.

Did you know that January is National Hobby Month?  Do you have a hobby?  My hobby is photography and videography.  My hobby actually turned into a service that we offer via my company. 

Many people don't realize that a hobby can transfer into a marketable skill that can be monetized.

Of course, not all hobbies need to become money makers, but in today's world, it never hurts to have additional skills that you can use to earn income.

​I've included some of my favorite shots I've taken over the years in the post.

If you have a hobby share it in the comments and let the world know your passion.

Stephen

We are proud to help Country Lake HOA use their website to keep their residents informed and connected during Georgia's shelter in place order for COVID-19.  Today we created a video for one of their latest initiatives.  

​The Country Lake Social Distancing Front Yard Social is an event created by the HOA's board.  During the event, they are asking that residents come out on their front lawns and set up tables, chairs, grills, music, and more.  Their goals was to have a community event while still practicing social distancing as a neighborhood.

In addition to creating a video commercial for the event, we updated sections of their website that we designed and maintain for them.  The commercial airs on "Country Lake TV."  This is an online TV channel that we created for their community.  The channel keeps their residents informed about different news and events concerning their neighborhood.

It's forward thinking like this that will keep our society moving forward in spite of the challenges that present themselves.

We are proud to call them clients.  

Congrats Country Lake!

Stephen
​Stephen Wicks Internet Development Company

Here is the online channel that we created for Country Lake HOA.

Learn more about Country Lake:
www.countrylakehoa.com

Our photography department had a photo shoot at the AEI Startup Factory today.  We provided some photos for their marketing.  We also provided headshots for their members.  Here are some of the before and after shots.

We can provide headshots and corporate marketing images for your next project.  Just send us an email at stephen@stephenwicks.com

We are very proud to announce that we are starting an un-paid apprenticeship program where we will train select individuals how they can begin earning money designing websites and by offering digital marketing services to small to medium sized businesses.

Select candidates will work closely with our staff learning web design / development technologies and marketing platforms.  The goal of the program is to teach individuals how they can create their own opportunities working in technology.

Our owner, Stephen Wicks, has a desire to give back to the community through this program.  "The technology industry has been good to me and I want to share my knowledge with people who want to create their own opportunities."

The program will allow participants to learn and work with technologies such as:

• HMTL
• CSS
• Javascript
• Knack (Database)
• Weebly for Designers
• Duda Development Platform
• and various social media and marketing automation platforms.

The average salary for the job title "Web Designer" as reported by Salary.com, is $48,600 to $74,500 annually.  There are also tremendous opportunities for freelancing and entrepreneurship.

We are looking for people who want to learn how to earn money making websites and offering digital marketing.  We will teach you what we know and test your knowledge with real world projects that you can use on your resume. 

There is no cost to join this program.  The apprenticeship is also un-paid, however, participants may be offered an opportunity to work with our company after completion of the 3 month program.

Apprentices who satisfactorily completes the 3 month program will receive a Certified Web Designer certificate from our company.

Completion Includes:

1. At least 10 hours per week of learning/design work.
2. At least two (2)  completed projects showcasing skills learned during the program.
3. Completion of exam on technologies learned during the program.

We were proud to be selected as the official photographer / videographer for the YALI 2019 experience at the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute.  The weekend of events were held July 19-21, 2019. 

The program brings in the top young business leaders from the continent of Africa to learn from American business leaders.  We loved covering the weekend and have tons of content for the Institute.  Here are a few photos.

We are very proud to announce that our client, The Brian Jordan Foundation, has announced it's 2019 scholarship awardees.

The announcement was made by Mr. Jordan himself at a recent Atlanta Braves baseball game.

We are super proud to have them as a client.

Learn more by visiting their website at :  https://www.brianjordanfoundation.com

We had a blast shooting this video for Denise Powell of DP Global Media.  She was promoting her event called, The Unity Day Pre-Launch Celebration. 

We shot a video under our BlackBusinessList.Com brand that will be used to help promote her book, "Welcome To The A!" as well as the event.