J&M Group WordPress Blog

Gutenberg and The New WordPress

marciacatlin · December 23, 2021 ·

In a nutshell. Gutenberg and the new WordPress add up to greater flexibility for today’s web designer.

But, this is also my personal story.

How WordPress, the 17-year-old software platform, delivered me from Angelfire.

What say? You’ve never heard of Angelfire? Though still alive, Angelfire then was exclusively a 1996 hosting service, providing swipeable sample code I used to build something called a website. Oh, those crazy last century Internet days!

With a background in political science, journalism and typewriters, I had much to learn as the digital dawn had dawned and most of us didn’t know it. Correction. Those of us without computers in the liberal arts didn’t know it.

WordPress has enabled Web Design for Everyone

So why WordPress? It’s versatile, easy-to-use, and, completely free. It’s made it easier for people to build websites, and these websites have made it easier for people to build companies, publish writing, and connect with others.

The development of Word Press is a classic case of necessity is the mother of invention. With a growing audience of non-technical designers like myself, it has morphed into a versatile content management system that can be customized.

The arrival of WordPress 5.0 and the Gutenberg Editor is one of the biggest updates to WordPress in its 17-year history. Above all, it has enabled this liberal arts Palm Beach Gardens web designer to build custom websites. No more reliance just on themes.

What is Gutenberg?

Gutenberg has revolutionized the way users build their WordPress websites. Called a “block editor,” the new style tool lets users insert any kind of multimedia into each block. This could be a paragraph, image, list, heading, or quote. Each piece of content is contained within its own block, meaning you can edit it as much as you like.

WordPress Updates: The Biggest Changes Over the Years

Want a new website built with the new WordPress and customized just for you? Tell me about it below!

Is Monthly SEO Worth The Cost?

marciacatlin · November 27, 2021 ·

To understand SEO, we need to understand Digital Marketing and SEO’s place within it. Digital marketing is a direct assault against traditional marketing channels like print and TV.

While Amazon soared, Sears and Toys R Us fell. While YouTube and Google ascended, newspapers and magazines withered.

Adapt or die because people love their Internet, and digital marketing is how we monetize it. Don’t underestimate the importance of digital marketing.

People will find your website before they find your store, before they meet you, and before they purchase from you.

Without a single storefront, Amazon has become the 7th largest retail store. It has the largest market capitalization of any retail store, including Wal-Mart… and it is just warming up.

Major digital marketing channels include search marketing, social media, display advertising, and email marketing. Combined, digital marketing budgets exceeded TV ad spending in 2017. Of these digital marketing channels, the search engines are the primary driver of business generation.

Search engines produce about 200 billion searches per month.
There are over 236 million people in the USA that will be search engine users in 2019.
66% of marketing professionals say that growing their organic presence is their top online marketing priority.
Over 72% of people seeking a local store on their mobile phones will visit the store.
Social media actually generates only 3% of the traffic on average to a website. When you add it all up, search engines generate the lion’s share of online-based sales, while leading to on-site visitations as well.

Search engines are the king of digital marketing sales.

Search engine marketing comes in two varieties, sponsored search (PPC) and organic search (SEO). When executed properly, SEO tends to yield the best ROI, due to the expensive and competitive nature of PPC.

Search-based web traffic is second only to a referral. Search engines display your website to a person seeking the products/services you sell at the very moment they are interested. Investing in SEO is a common-sense marketing strategy.

Over 72% of people seeking a local store on their mobile phones will visit the store.

Any SEO effort must be viewed as a long-term approach. Websites don’t go from #1000 to #1 overnight. You must build trust with the search engines, and that takes time. Ongoing SEO is necessary because search engines are always evolving.

We SEO differently today than we did three years ago. This is serious stuff and your business is on the line. Are you going to give up on SEO quickly after knowing that it is one of the most important, and possibly THE most important, marketing influencer?

Get a FREE SEO Review! CLICK HERE.

If you have tried it, and it failed, it means that you need to work harder or find better help.
Check out our Monthly SEO Package.

Courtesy of SharpNet Solutions

You Need a Social Media Marketing Pro

mcoffey@jmgroup.net · November 5, 2021 ·

social media marketing jungle — Banner vector created by valadzionak_volha – www.freepik.com

Time, money, trust. There are a million reasons not to outsource. Except things have changed radically. It’s a jungle out there! Yes, indeed. You need a social media marketing pro!

Talk public relations. Consider brand reputation. What about customer recruitment and retention? How about free advertising? Time to burnish your brand?

Social media marketing is all of these things and much more wrapped into one!

Social media marketing is so vital to businesses these days that you need to ask yourself – do you really have time to do all this kind of time-intensive marketing yourself?

8 Reasons You Need a Social Media Marketing Pro

It’s a jungle out there.
What platform should you be on? What does the latest update mean? How do we know which insights to look at? A social media manager will know when to post, where to post it, what to say, what the insights mean, and how to tweak their strategy based on the latest stats and updates.
It’s not your priority.
Is your social media at the bottom of your to-do list? A social media manager will always have the time to do your social. Strategically planned and part of a long-term growth plan.
You need to go beyond brand awareness.
A good social media marketer will know the different types of content your business needs and will be sharing them with a defined strategy.
The good old days are gone.
Engagement is key on your social platforms. Your social media manager will be actively engaging with people to grow your audience.
Get eyes on your content.
Social media managers know which apps to use to create the best content. Many offer content creation as part of their services.
You don’t really want a huge agency!
Freelance social media managers are not big agencies, and that’s a GREAT thing. It means they aren’t juggling 10 clients and are as invested in your success as you are.
Faster response times for your customers.
People want answers before they buy. Having a social media manager who monitors your platforms, responds to comments and messages, and gives people the answers they need quickly will help stop them from going elsewhere.
You need to focus on the things that make you money.
Having a social media manager on your team frees up some time to focus on the things you need to do to make your business work.

MORE READING

“2021 cemented a lot of changes in our professional lives. Zoom became our default meeting room, and webinars are regular events. But the most impactful change was how social media became the go-to window to learn, find new career opportunities, and grow our brands.” – The Importance of Social Media Marketing in 2022

Looking for a Small Business Grant or Program?

marciacatlin · July 18, 2021 ·

Taking the first step to start your own business is a brave decision that offers the potential for great rewards. Looking for a small business grant or program? There are certain factors needed for a business to find success, including time, energy, and, of course, money.

There are several grants and programs available, offered by government agencies and private foundations.

Why Form an LLC?

One of the first decisions to make when forming a business is the type of business structure your organization will adopt. Many small businesses decide to pursue a limited liability company (LLC).

There are several benefits for small businesses that choose to form an LLC. For example;

● Reduced paperwork and administration hassles

● Decreased personal liability

● Tax advantages (pass-through taxation)

● Flexibility with ownership and management

● Flexibility with profit-sharing

In order to enjoy these benefits, the LLC needs to be legally established according to state requirements. A formation service can help with the process.

How Can a Formation Service Help?

Navigating the incorporation process can be daunting. Many people choose to hire a lawyer to help organize the necessary paperwork. However, lawyers can charge a hefty fee; Thervo says to expect charges anywhere from $200 to $400 per hour.

Hire the help of an affordable formation service rather than do the legwork alone. A formation service that is in tune with your state requirements, such as florida-llc.net, can assist by saving time and reducing the risk of business formation errors. Some even offer packages with access to additional business tools.

Grants and Programs for Small Businesses

Every grant and program has its own requirements and restrictions. Make sure to read the eligibility criteria before applying. Note that some grants require extensive, organized information, as well as persuasive details about your project. If you need help writing a grant, Thumbtack points out that you can hire a freelance grant writer; costs will vary depending on the grant writer’s experience and qualifications, as well as how involved your project is.

Here are three grants and programs to kickstart your search.

Walmart Foundation Grants

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have joined forces to offer more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind support to nonprofits that align with their philanthropic endeavors.

The grants focus on creating opportunity, advancing sustainability, strengthening community, and racial equity. They offer a selection of programs, each with its own unique requirements.

The grants aren’t available in fixed amounts but fall into two main categories. The Community Grant Program commits between $250 and $5,000. The National Giving Program awards grants for $250,000. You can learn more about Walmart’s programs and their eligibility requirements at walmart.org/how-we-give.

The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio

The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio is passionate about investing in equity. For more than two decades, the organization has strived to remove systemic barriers through its grants, programs, and events.

Since 2002, the Women’s Fund has invested over $4 million in creating long-term solutions for women-led entrepreneurship. In 2021 alone, the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio invested $251,900 in 21 grant partners.

The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio also offers an immediate impact grantmaking program that focuses on relief and rebuilding for those on the frontlines of the global crisis.

Find out about available grants from the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio by clicking here.

Open Meadows Foundation Grant Program

The Open Meadows Foundation Grant Program is one of the few grants that award very small businesses and startups. The grant offers $2,000 to small businesses that strive to enrich their communities and otherwise lack the funds.

The program insists that businesses be women-owned and work specifically to promote gender, racial, and economic justice.

Make sure to include all necessary documents for the application process.

An exciting example of women’s entrepreneurship is Dimepiece LA. Dimepiece is an international style source and lifestyle brand that encourages charismatic street style and boldness in women’s apparel. Dimepiece venerates the fresh space Los Angeles provides for its global youth, alongside its ungentrified neighborhoods that keep Los Angeles street culture alive and authentic.

A great website is indispensable these days. Take your organization to the next level with a professionally designed website from the J & M Group that engages your customers and helps grow your business! Call 561.906.3436 for more information.

How to be A Successful Solopreneur Post COVID

marciacatlin · June 21, 2021 ·

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the marketplace. It has changed how we do business, how we buy and sell, and even what a regular business workday is like. So naturally, if you are considering a small business launch, you may be wondering whether the rules for new solopreneurs have changed, too. While effective business management principles are largely unaltered, there are certainly new factors that need to be considered, both before your launch and once your business is live.

The time of the solopreneur.

Usually, when you think about starting a business, you think about a company with a manager that hires employees and functions as a team. But in recent years, with the increased growth of the gig economy, more and more businesses are a company of one. In fact, in 2020, 66% of new businesses were started by independent workers. Demand for freelancers is high, while job openings in some fields are hard to find—so many skilled individuals are opting to be their own boss and turn their freelance operation into an actual registered business.

The benefits of starting a business now.

Despite uncertain times, you may be wondering if you should wait a little longer before getting your business off the ground. A delay may be wise in certain industries that depend heavily on face-to-face interaction, but even certain factors make this a good time for a new business owner. For starters, interest rates are unusually low. Plus, many businesses that closed their doors are either selling out their products, equipment, and inventory at low prices. Alternatively, there are opportunities to buy these established businesses.

The switch to ecommerce.

One lasting change wrought by the pandemic is that many more consumers purchase products and services online, and businesses that have invested in an ecommerce model are benefiting from this. As you plan your business, consider whether you can offer online options for potential customers, or whether an ecommerce model might even be your best choice.

A quality website.

It’s important to have a professional website, no matter what the nature of your business. This is essentially your calling card, and it’s the first thing customers or clients will see when looking into what you have to offer. Rather than a clunky, DIY site, a professionally designed website is worth the investment to get your company started on the right track. Experts like the J&M Group can help you prepare and create a robust and visually appealing website, as well as help manage all of your digital marketing needs.

The importance of outsourcing.

Life as a solopreneur does not mean you always have to go it alone, considering that you can hire freelancers to assist you when needed. Areas that may require you to outsource certain tasks include web design, content writing, accounting, and cybersecurity. If you do opt to hire freelancers, it’s important to have an organized system for compensation so you don’t get bogged down in trying to manage payroll. Before you hire your very first freelancer, look into an online payroll program that offers automation features for scheduling payroll as well as filing and calculating taxes to eliminate some of the guesswork. Bonus points if you use a platform that provides a direct deposit option, and an iOS or Android app that paves the way for processing payroll while in the field so that payroll is never held up.

The importance of health and safety.

Many consumers anticipate making public and personal health a priority even after the dangers of the pandemic have subsided. If your business involves any person-to-person contact, especially indoors, it’s crucial to address your environment from a safety standpoint, which includes physical details such as ventilation, ease of hygiene, and social distancing options. Customers with health concerns will be seeking out businesses where they can feel safe, so this is one way to earn lasting client loyalty—a key to business success—and it can also help reduce the loss of work hours due to illness.

Building a successful company as a solopreneur requires many of the same qualities that have always been key to a good business strategy. But it’s also important to keep your eye on new and changing trends that will determine many of the choices you make for your company, along the way.

Image via Pixabay