How to add a custom image size in WordPress

February 5, 2018February 4, 2018 by Kaz

In this video, I’m going to show you two ways to add a custom image size in WordPress. There are a few reasons why you might want a custom image size: You may want an image that is bigger than the regular medium size, but smaller than the large size You may want your image … Read moreHow to add a custom image size in WordPress

9 Compelling Reasons Why Your Business NEEDS a Professional Website

March 2, 2018December 7, 2017 by Kaz

I originally wrote this article, 8 Reasons Why Your Business NEEDS a Professional Website, on my old website back in 2008, but felt it was in need of an update when I put this website together in 2017. Since 2009, there has been a drastic shift towards social media. Also, many entrepreneurs who understand the need for having a website are doing it themselves with freebie web hosting that comes with free drag and drop page builders.

However, there are still a lot of small business owners who do not believe they need a professional website or even a website at all. They’ve either been in business so long without one they think word of mouth is all they need or they believe they can get all their customers or clients on Facebook or other social media channels. Not true!

Why you should not rely solely on Facebook

February 22, 2018April 7, 2017 by Kaz

…and why it’s important to have a website for your small business

Last month, someone in my networking circle suggested that websites are going the way of the dodo, much like snail mail. Earlier this week, during his “elevator pitch,” he recanted his statement and then preceded to talk about his Facebook Messenger business automation tool.

I was next to speak, and said with a smile on my face, “Thank goodness websites aren’t going the way of the dodo, as I am a website designer!” I got quite a laugh from everyone at the table.

It got me thinking though…

It always astounds me when I meet someone for the first time and ask if they have a website so I can take a look at the products or services offered when I get home, and the response is, “No, I don’t have a website but I’m on Facebook.”

There’s a surprisingly high number of small business owners who don’t seem to value the benefits of having a website.

Graphic Design Terms 7-8: Script vs Decorative

January 8, 2016 by Kaz

Can you recognize a script typeface from a decorative typeface?

When trying to determine if a typeface is script or decorative, picture the cursive (joined up) writing you learned at school vs the elaborate words you artistically drew on the cover of your exercise books.

Script typefaces that look like joined up handwriting with curves, loops and swirls that flow between letters so they each appear joined, whereas decorative typefaces have embellishments or decorative elements added to them.

Script typefaces range from casual, looser styles to highly organized more formal styles that resemble cursive handwriting.

Decorative typefaces tend to have a more blocky or chunky style with space between individual letters. As well, decorative typefaces may only include fonts in capital letters. Script typefaces include both upper and lower case letters, but capitalized script is usually very hard to read.

Comparison: Facebook vs Your Website

June 18, 2015 by Kaz

Why you should not rely solely on Facebook (insert any other social media) to promote your business instead of your website

Last week, I created a graphic and posted a message on my Facebook business page stating that “Your business is always open when you have a website! Don’t have one? I know just the gal who can help!”

I also shared it on my own timeline, knowing that the reach on my Facebook business page was very low.

My intention was to hopefully receive a few likes and possibly a share or two from anyone who saw the graphic and that it would ultimately lead to new business from someone needing a website.

Shortly, I received a notification that someone had replied to my post. Excited, I logged in to see who it was and what they had written. However, I was amazed to read the following response:

“my FB business page is always open …I never use my webpage”

I was flabbergasted. “I never use my webpage”?

“What a waste of an investment, what a waste of prime real estate for speaking to her audience,” I thought. After some careful consideration, I crafted the following short response:

3 reasons why you should update your website’s content regularly

February 22, 2018May 27, 2015 by Kaz

How often do you update your website’s content?

When was the last time you updated your website’s content? Not since it was first published several years ago? A couple of years ago? Last year? Six months ago?

3 reasons why it matters

I recommend you update your content at least once every couple of months, but once a month or more often would be even better. Here are 3 reasons why updating your content regularly matters.

K.I.S.S.

February 5, 2012 by Kaz

This is a hard one for me. I’m a detail-oriented person. I don’t like to leave anything out in case I miss something important. If I’m telling a story, I like to embellish it with details. Getting to the point is often a long drive round the houses. But sometimes, keeping it simple is a must. On your website, for example.

When a visitor arrives on your homepage, he/she needs to know what it’s about almost immediately. They don’t have time to drive round the houses trying to find what they are looking for and they don’t need or want to be confused by irrelevant stuff. They also don’t want to leave with eye strain due to glaring colours or zigzagging down your page.

How do you make it easy for them to navigate your site and keep them there longer? By keeping it (stylishly) simple.

This doesn’t mean you can’t go into detail at all; there will always be some visitors that want to know more. But make it so they can get the gist from a five second glance and if they want more information, provide them with a means to get them there.

Here’s some tips on keeping your website stylishly simple.

Tips to help you promote your business

April 15, 2010 by Kaz

Whether it is business cards, brochures, newspaper ad or website you need to have a clear direction. A creative marketing piece means nothing if it does not convey the right message, targets the right audience or uses the correct medium. Before you start you need to ask some questions:

• What do you want to achieve through your advertising?
• Who are you targeting?
• What message do you want to convey?
• How will you reach your audience?

Apologies and an Overdue Announcement

March 21, 2010 by Kaz

After two weeks of intermittent down time of my website and having to manually fix the problem, to the chagrin of one or two clients who couldn’t gain access when they needed to, I decided to switch my hosting over to GoDaddy.ca (really it’s an American company, and I swore I would stay with Canadian, but enough is enough already).

Apologies to anyone who couldn’t get to my blog on Kaz Design Works or the business directory on www.powerfulwomen.ca I’m a great web designer, but can’t always find my way around the control panels of web hosts to find the relevant bits of information I need to get things like databases up and running.