Simple Website Refresh Can Increase Sales
If your website is starting to feel outdated or is losing visitors, a simple website refresh can increase sales for your small business!
If your website is starting to feel outdated or is losing visitors, a simple website refresh can increase sales for your small business!
A home page is an important page on your website. A good home page will clearly state who you are and what you do, and will encourage users to take action.
This holiday season, put a new website on your Santa list. Let’s make 2025 the year your business really gets noticed online with a shiny new website!
Changes in our online world reshapes how websites are developed. When creating websites for 2025, UX and SEO will still be key for engagement and ranking.
I’m Marcie Wolf, your local website wizard, and I’ve spent 25 years helping northern Michigan business owners bring their online ideas to life!
A zero click search on Google is when a query is answered directly on the search results page without needing to click through to a website.
MonsterInsights Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress websites is a great way to see quick stats while logged into your own website.
Web design trends are something to think about as your business starts planning for a new website. What’s new in web design for 2025?
Google updates happen quite often so website owners need to stay up on important changes that have to do with SEO today’s Google indexing.
Ten years as Abuzz Creative means ten years of collaboration and trust of amazing clients! I’m giving a heartfelt shoutout to everyone who’s been part of my story.
Social media search engines are being used more and more, especially by people who are looking for local business services and product recommendations.
When you’re adding posts to your Google profile listing, have you wondered what Google Business Profile photo sizes you should be using?
Best battery backup systems will help protect your computer and router. In Good Hart, we experience lots of power outages due to high winds and downed trees, so an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is essential!
Google Local 3-Pack Map. Ever wonder how Google decides which businesses show on the coveted Local 3-Pack Map and how your business can appear on top?
Converting website visitors into sales is a struggle most small business owners face, and there are common issues that can help improve conversions.
Social Media post tips for better engagement: Is posting on Facebook and Instagram for engagement better than selling yourself all the time?
Quality content for Google focuses on the overall quality of the content rather than its length. What does Google consider to be quality content length for posts and pages?
Affordable web design in Michigan might sound like a myth, especially since most website designers do not share their prices. So, what’s affordable?
Tunnel of Trees in Northern Michigan is in my front yard. I live on M-119 just north of Good Hart, Michigan, and there has been more traffic this fall than ever before.
Every small business needs a website. An entry-level website is better than not having one at all. As a Website Designer in Michigan, I provide affordable plans for your business.
With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, now is a great time for a retail business to ramp up your online presence – and attract more website sales!
Google Analytics can be very overwhelming. I mean, how can you just find simple stats like visits, keywords used, and where people came from? Let me help simply things!
Michigan website designer differences are mainly based on our location, but industry focus is a factor, too. Do we serve urban or rural areas, and what are common industries we might serve?
Professional website designers know that your website is often the first impression people have of your business. Why not make it a good one?
Small Business Marketing. We know we need it, but we’re only marketers by necessity. We’re so busy running the show that there’s little time left for marketing.
Google Business Profile was formerly branded as Google My Business and is one of the most powerful tools for boosting your local online presence.
Professional Instagram Profiles are a great place for your business to promote your products and services. However, do your followers see your posts as too promotional?
Mobile First is a web design approach where the primary focus is on creating a mobile version of a website before scaling up to larger screens like desktops and laptops.
SEO Tip: An optimized blog can significantly enhance your website’s visibility in organic search results which will bring more visitors to your website.
You made a website and put a great deal of time and effort into it, but you’re not getting any visitors. How frustrating. Why isn’t your website getting found?
Running a business in northern Michigan during the busy summer means more people are needing your services. It might mean your website is getting ignored.
According to the latest available data, it is estimated that around 36% of small businesses in the United States still do not have a website.
Facebook Page or Website? “I have a Facebook Page for my business. Do I really need a website?” I hear this from business owners often and the answer is YES!
Website Design: While every business has a different goal, every website needs four important elements, no matter the site’s purpose.
Website Question: Build your own website or hire an experienced pro? This question can leave small business owners without a website for weeks, months, and even years!
Website Keywords: Your website content needs to include good keywords and long-tail keyword phrases. It’s how people find your site when searching on Google.
Social Media Managers might seem like an added expense, but outsourcing online marketing tasks and promotions will save every business owner valuable time!
Building the best website for your online home provides a potential customer with their first impression of who you are and what you do.
Hashtags or Keywords? Both hashtags and keyword text play important roles in improving discoverability and engagement on Instagram, but they serve slightly different purposes.
You need responsive design for your website so that your website content can be viewed on any device. Don’t make users pinch and zoom to read content.
There was a time when your business card was your most important marketing piece. You carried a stack with you for networking and meetings, and handed them out freely.
Ecommerce Website: We are all searching for products online. We compare prices on multiple websites before we make a purchase. Are your products getting found?
Instagram search can help you convert Instagram users into customers. Make sure people can find you when they search on this popular social media platform.
Business websites serve a unique purpose for promoting talents and your unique brand. Every business has a different goal when it comes to online marketing.
Overposting on social media, or sharing too much too often, can overwhelm your followers. The risk is people decide to stop following your account permanently.
Abuzz Creative is a renowned digital marketing agency in northern Michigan that is owned and operated by web design veteran Marcie Wolf.
Web Designer Question: Why do people ask a professional web designer for a free website? I’m surprised how often I get asked to create a complex website for a business for FREE.
Upgrade your HTML website to WordPress! Even though your static HTML website was fine as an entry-level option, it’s time to upgrade your software and grow your site.
Monthly website fees. Are you paying too much for monthly services? What are those monthly fees for? In all honesty, you might be paying for services you’re not getting.
Social media content for your B2B audience presents a different set of challenges. How can you effectively capture people’s attention and drive engagement?
Benefits of hiring a marketing expert to manage your website and your social media accounts include giving you more time to focus on running your business!
Risks of keeping an old outdated website includes putting your business at risk for cyberattacks. Plus, your website is challenging for today’s mobile users to use and navigate.
Near me searches on Google are when people search on their phones to find places to eat or shop close to them at that moment. Is your business ready?
DIY Website Troubles. You decided to go DIY and created a business website yourself. You started from scratch without any kind of website building knowledge and just assumed people would come.
Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means up north – daily operations for every business owner are about to get extremely busy.
Facebook and Instagram continue to be popular social media platforms with billions of users ready to engage. Should your business be on one or both?
Websites have changed a lot in the last five years, plus we saw accelerated growth in doing business online during the COVID-19 pandemic. You have to keep up!
Search engines and social media are where people are looking for a business like yours. They type in their search terms and the search engine returns relevant results.
A well-designed website is a powerful tool that attracts customers and builds trust while showing the uniqueness of your brand. A professional website is crucial for the success of your business.
Near me searches on Google is when someone searches online to find local businesses or services that are close to their current location.
As website owners, we all know that if our page appears higher in Google search results, more people will be likely to click the link and visit our site.
With continual changes in design standards, technology, marketing strategies, user expectations, and the competitive landscape, it’s probably time to give your website a complete refresh.
“When you are consciously aware of all that you have to be grateful for, your life is in perfect harmony.” ~ Hal Elrod
4 Tips for Sharing Events: Scrolling through social media, don’t use time-based words in posts like TODAY, TOMORROW, or NEXT WEEK – especially on Facebook!
Social Media Marketing Services: Social media is an important part of a successful marketing plan for every northern Michigan business. You need to be active on social media. Do you have the time?
Social Media Marketing Tips: Successful marketing strategies rely heavily on social media. Your business can engage with your target audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales.
If you own a small business, you know the daily challenges of trying to do it all. You’re juggling lots of responsibilities and managing operations, so when do you find time for marketing?
Having a great online presence is essential for the success of your business. A well-designed website is a powerful tool for attracting customers, building trust, and showcasing the uniqueness of your brand.
What’s the Buzz? I just launched a new and improved website for Screen Graphics of Indian River, a leader in printing services for Northern Michigan business!
Have you claimed your Google Business Profile? Did you know Google gave your business a free listing in their massive directory? Make sure you claim your listing as your own.
Thumb stopping content for social media helps your business grab people’s attention when they’re scrolling on social media. The trick is finding ways to stand out with thumb-stopping content.
How does SEO help your website? To rank well on Google, you need to focus on search engine optimization as part of your entire site build. SEO plays a crucial role in improving your Google visibility and ranking.
How does Digital Marketing help your business? You’ve heard the term digital marketing and wondered what it all means. Digital marketing, or online marketing, is how you connect with potential customers using the internet.
If you’re been wondering when you should hire a social manager, just know that working with a marketing expert is a valuable asset and a great investment for your business.
Creating websites with accepted web design principles helps users find what they’re looking for. We have certain expectations about how your design elements should work.
More people search the web with a mobile device than a desktop these days. We always have our phones with us and can easily find local things we need by searching on Google.
AI Text Tool is great for creating marketing campaigns, and the best natural application of an AI writing tool is to create content for your website and social media.
Don’t lose another day without a website for your business. Hire a web designer with pricing for your budget.
Avoiding Facebook highjacks of your business page starts with your Page Admins! Facebook hackers try to steal personal and financial details to exploit, and your Page Admins could be vulnerable.
Responsive Design is how a website resizes itself for your phone. To be mobile friendly, every website should be using responsive design. Is your website responsive?
Optimize Google Business Profile! Google gave your business a free profile in their online directory. Optimize your listing and start posting often for better local SEO!
Website pricing that fits your budget can be a daunting task. How much do you have to invest? Who can you trust? Will the web designer’s fees be worth it?
Like most business owners who are short-staffed, you’re tired of trying to do everything yourself. That includes managing social media for your business.
Yellow Page Listings! Remember that phone book with yellow pages at the back? Our primary use for yellow pages was to look up a business or to scan categories for something we needed.
Social Media Marketing is important for a business like yours! Social media helps you grow your online presence, gain followers, and connect with people who need your services.
Instagram captions are key for getting found on this popular social media channel. Think of it as another search engine with built-in search functions. Instagram is kind of like a mini-Google.
I see so many businesses using only social media to promote and share their stories. While I do love social media, your website is your hub for building your influence.
Your website plays a crucial role in your online marketing strategy and typically serves as the hub for your marketing efforts. Always update it first!
Social media boosts the visibility of your brand where people hang out most. In today’s digital world, your business can’t survive without a social media presence.
If it’s time to create a new website for your business, you might be wondering what kind of content and special features you should include. Aside from a pleasing design, you need to give people what they came looking for!
Are your marketing messages always about the hard sell? That doesn’t go over well on social media. Try helping people instead with fun and educational posts.
When people do a search on Google, the top results they see come from Google Business Profile listings. So, yes, your business needs one!
If you manage a business profile on Instagram, you struggled with only being able to share one link in your bio. One link was never enough!
Have you wondered how to make your website viewable on smaller screens? That’s called responsive web design, and you need it!
“Build it and they will come.” For your website, that would be nice. In truth, getting visitors to your new website is going to take a lot more work than that.
Have you ever wondered how web designers come up with project prices? Web designers use various cost models to set their project pricing.
Mobile browsing can feel like a website is testing your sanity. You immediately get pop-up ads, “we use cookies” warnings, and pop-ups asking permission to send more pop-ups and notifications. Argh!
What is mobile first? It’s how we design digital experiences like websites and apps with the mobile user in mind as the primary audience.
We’ve all seen those ads saying anyone can make a website in just one hour. Is a “Do-It-Yourself” website builder really the best option for your business?
Do you feel like your business is in a boring industry that nobody wants to hear about? Lots of business owners who provide B2B services feel this way.
Google gave you a free business profile in their massive directory which helps Google show your business in the right search and map results.
Instagram is a powerful tool for expanding your market to new areas. It’s a great place to find new customers where they like to hang out!
I can’t imagine my local communities without my favorite small businesses. Where else can you get personable, memorable customer service from people you know?
At the beginning of 2023, a local business found that their Google Business Profile was suspended. When was the last time you checked your listing?
Is all of your online content mobile friendly? Websites, social media, email newsletters – it all needs to be easy for us to read, no matter our screen size.
Side hustles are a great way to make some extra money while doing something you love. My gig? I’ve been having fun pet sitting!
I’ve been inundated with spammers trying to sell me Google Reviews for my business profile. No matter how tempting it sounds, just say no to buying reviews!
As part of Women in History month, the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is highlighting women who are business owners and members of the chamber.
Buying followers might sound like an easy way to increase your follower count on Instagram. Unfortunately, the negative consequences for your account outweigh the vanity numbers.
A potential client asked me how much of my work I outsource. My answer? None of it. I wondered why they asked, and they were happy to tell me.
I can’t express enough the importance of managing your Google Business Profile. Your Google profile listing is an important part of your local SEO strategy.
Time to redesign your website? Is your site outdated or not finished? I am fielding more calls from business owners who are frustrated with their current website.
To drive the right kind of traffic to your website, you need to create quality content that your target audience is interested in. That’s where evergreen content shines.
Today’s trend is to search for a business like yours on Google before contacting you. Does your website provide a great first impression with up-to-date information?
Your business manages social media profiles to reach more people and to communicate. Social media engagement refers to the level of interaction between your business and your audience.
Your business should never buy followers for your Instagram profile. Purchasing followers is considered a dishonest practice and goes against Instagram’s terms.
You’re ready to hire a professional website designer to create an effective site for your business. The designer you choose should know how to build your site with SEO in mind.
People are using their mobile devices more to search for businesses when they are out and about, and Google keeps getting better at handling local searches.
Your business deserves a professional website that fits your budget. You need a website that grows with your business and is priced competitively.
Google uses mobile-first indexing to determine organic rankings. It will look at the mobile version of your site before crawling and indexing your content.
More than 60% of consumers use Google Business Profiles to find a local business like yours. One of the top things they look for are reviews left by your customers.
What is your word for 2023? The idea is to choose one word for the new year to live by instead of setting resolutions you most likely won’t keep.
When it comes to designing a website for our business, we have to think carefully about how our choices impact the people who visit the site.
You know that Social Media is an important part of a successful marketing plan. No matter the size of your business, you need to be active on social media.
Since a website is the online home for your business, would you rather rent your space from a site builder or purchase your own custom home?
The design of your website and its performance are key to your business success. You should always be evaluating your website and its design for today’s web.
We all use lots of different devices to view website content. Visitors might even look at the same website from their laptop, tablet, and smartphone.
If you’re still questioning the need for social media marketing, your business is missing out on some great leads. Where are those leads going? To your competitors, of course!
November 11, 2022 makes 8 fabulous years as the owner of Abuzz Creative, and 20 years as a small business owner!
I’m finding more email messages in my Junk Mail folder. Some of them are legitimate messages from newer clients. How do these email messages get flagged as spam?
My Basic Buzz website plan is a cost effective website solution with fixed fee pricing for the small Northern Michigan business.
Never ever buy Instagram followers – it’s a trick, not a treat! When you buy followers, you just end up with a room full of bodies. Dead bodies at that…
Have you ever thought about how your negative phrasing is complicating your marketing message? Try focusing on more positive phrasing in all of your writing.
As visually-driven as we are, colors really affect how we feel about something. Your website colors should give us a positive feeling about your business.
Fall means people are starting their holiday shopping and much of it might be online. If you sell products online, you want to appear at the top of search results for products you sell.
Are you passionate about supporting small business owners in your community? Is it your mission to hire local services first when you can?
In addition to posting, we need to engage on social media as our business. That means spending time on social media in the best way possible.
I live in Good Hart on the beautiful Tunnel of Trees in northwest Michigan. M-119 is a historic route along Lake Michigan that offers amazing views, and is a popular destination for fall colors.
You are passionate about your business. It’s not just a job, it’s a labor of love. But, when it comes to marketing, you might be trying to do everything while you excel at nothing.
Now more than ever, people are looking online for a business like yours. The best place for them to find you is on your own company website.
Don’t buy Instagram followers! All you’re doing is just paying for a number. You need to connect with real people who care about your business.
Summer is winding down. You can finally take a breath. And now you have time to think about a website for your business.
Labor Day is a good time to think about the local business owners you know and trust. Mom-and-pop shops, solo entrepreneurs, designers and artists, our hard-working farmers…
Is it time to get your small business online? Abuzz Creative has a Basic Buzz Website Promo that will get you there for less.
I’m trying to figure out why so many small businesses in Northern Michigan still don’t have a website. Is your business one of those?
Image SEO helps your product photos and website images rank well on image search engines like Google. If your photos don’t show up in an image search, you’re missing simple Image SEO.
For a website project to be successful from start to finish, the client has a very important part to play. A website designer is responsible for the way a site looks and functions. Clients are responsible for the content visitors will be reading.
Is your DIY website project driving you to drink? DIY isn’t always best when it comes to creating a website for your business. You might think a cheap option makes sense, but is it right for what you want to achieve?
Social Sunday Tip: Using hashtags when posting on Instagram will give your business a big boost on social media. By using different types of hashtags, you can reach more people in multiple audiences.
Let’s simplify what marketing is for your business. Marketing is anything that gets you closer to your clients. Marketing is how you attract customers.
With a solid portfolio of client projects spanning more than 20 years, Marcie Wolf’s marketing services create long term value for a business like yours.
If you want more attention for your business, spending just a few minutes a day on Instagram can bring your engagement rates up dramatically.
Are you looking for more targeted visibility on Google? Your Google Business Profile is your best Local SEO strategy and a great place to start!
One of the great things about owning your own business is you can choose your path and pursue what you’re passionate about.
Business owners want website visitors to contact them so they can become a new customer or client. To make this process easy, we need to include a call to action on every page.
Are you using all of the free promotion features that come with your Google Business Profile? You can add events, offers, posts, photos, and it all helps with your local SEO!
Fourth of July in Northern Michigan brings lots of summer visitors. People travel from all over to enjoy the place I am fortunate to call home.
The tourists have arrived in Northern Michigan and they’re using Google on their phones to find a local business like yours! Time to update your Google Business Profile!
Are your customers being ignored because your employees are more focused on their personal phones?
What’s The Buzz? It’s more like Who’s The Buzz! Meet Fern and Olive, two amazing entrepreneurs who inspire me and make me happy just knowing them!
June is LGBTQ Pride Month to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan which was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.
Too often a small business will publish a website, then they never revisit it. Having a website is not a one-and-done process. The digital world is constantly changing, and your website needs to move with it.
We all know how important social media is for any size business. We also know how time-consuming it can be when you’re a one-person show.
Social media is a big part of our everyday world. We check Facebook to see what our friends are up to, and we scroll through Instagram to be inspired and entertained.
Most small business owners in Northern Michigan struggle with finding time to manage Facebook and Instagram. You already have a lot to do when it comes to daily tasks, especially if you’re running short-staffed.
Long form content is an article or blog post with more than a thousand words. The content has been optimized with relevant keywords for better ranking on Google.
When posting on Instagram for your local business, be sure to promote your general location with local or community hashtags in your captions. Instagram users like to see what’s happening in their community. Tourists and travelers like to find things to do in specific locations.
Your customer base is on the internet right now searching for specific services, products, or a local business location. Since 80% of searches happen on Google and more than 50% have local intent, there’s a good chance people will discover you through content you’ve added to your Google Business Profile listing.
The design of your site affects user experience, which in turn affects your search engine rankings. When it comes to search engine optimization, the design of your website does matter.
Our mobile devices have taken over every aspect of our lives. We have them on us all the time. We are using our mobile devices the most for searching online.
It’s time to get a website online for your business, which means you need to gather quotes for your project. And you’re afraid of how high all those quotes will be, right?
I am a web designer and have owned a website design company in Northern Michigan for more than twenty years. I am in business to do something I love and am good at, and I get paid for the services I provide.
Have you been thinking about outsourcing your marketing? If you’re short-staffed and trying to do ALL the things, has your marketing become a last priority?
Google My Business is no more. Get used to saying Google Business Profile. I know I know – it’s a hard habit to break! I catch myself doing it, too.
Adding posts to your Google Business Profile is an excellent local SEO strategy. But what size should your images be for posts?
I’ve been working with Three Pines Studio and Gallery for almost a year now managing their Facebook and Instagram channels, and Google Business Profile.
As part of your local SEO, it’s important that you include photos in your Google Business Profile, and that you keep adding new photos often!
People use Google to explore businesses and shops in their local areas, find answers to questions, read reviews, and get contact information.
The pandemic sent us all on a pretty wild ride! We were driving in all directions, trying to keep business going. We cruised on over to social media to promote ourselves.
User experience is a common buzzword with today’s websites, and that’s because it’s extremely important. A happy visitor might become a happy customer!
Thanks to Do-It-Yourself Website options like Wix, more small businesses like yours are taking the DIY approach to make their first website.
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is how you improve a website so more people find your business when searching on Google.
You might have great salespeople, but a bad looking website is making it harder for them to sell your products and services.
A “near me” search is when someone is looking for something in close proximity to them at that moment. These location-based search queries are being made by people who are ready to buy right now.
If today’s marketing is all about being real and authentic, is it time to stop using stock photos on your website? Maybe… OK – yes!
Google knows the hottest content right now is video. The search engine is always looking for quality video content so add videos to your profile!
When posting someone else’s photo on Instagram, you must give credit where credit is due. Always, always credit the source.
If 2022 is all about gaining traction with your SEO, then a great place to start is with your Google Business Profile. Time to optimize and manage!
People visit your website first to learn about your business. Potential customers are hard-wired to make quick judgements, so you only have a matter of seconds to make a great first impression.
It’s been proven that most people’s local buying journey starts with a Google search. If I’m looking for a local service or product, I begin my search on Google. That means that it is critical for any local business to rank well on Google.
More than half of all Google searches show local search results. People are typically looking for a nearby business that can provide them with a service they need or a product they want to buy.
Ooh baby, it is cold in Northern Michigan. This is a good time to warm up your marketing with a hot deal on social media management services!
Modern technology has paved the way for fabulous devices like the smartwatch and the smartphone. Mobile devices that are faster and more high-powered than ever before have improved my life!
Wow, it is cold in Northern Michigan! Are the “Wicked Winds of Winter” keeping people from visiting your business? It’s time to turn your website into a sales-generating machine!
Hopefully your business is using Instagram by now and you’re reaching more people. Instagram is such a great visual platform for social advertising and organic reach.
Is your business spread too thin across too many social channels? You could be setting yourself up for failure when you try to do it all.
Tired of hearing about algorithms? Well, everything in our digital marketing world is driven by algorithms. Website SEO, Social Media, and Online Ads are all algorithm-driven.
I love my weird little creative life here in Northern Michigan. My days are spent creating content and visual designs for my client’s websites and social media channels.
If you want more attention for your business, spending just 15 minutes a day on Instagram can bring your engagement rates up dramatically.
Instead of making New Year’s resolutions we won’t keep, Melinda Gates recommends that we find a guiding word. You focus on a word that defines the year ahead and how you intend to make the essence of that word a reality in your life.
We all have a product to sell or a service we provide, and we all have lots of comparable competitors. In order to get noticed, we have to be different and unique.
Start the new year off right with a really sweet deal on social media management services! You need customers and I will help them find you. And my pricing is sweet no matter the plan you choose.
We all want to rank better than our competition in a Google search. To compete locally, we need Local SEO strategies and tactics – on our website and on our other online marketing channels.
Potential customers are finding you online which means your website needs to make a great first impression. Your website should also be optimized for mobile devices.
We use our mobile device when we want something quick, which results in bursts of digital activity up to 150 times a day. The average mobile session is only one minute long, dozens of times per day.
Unique content on your website helps you rank better on Google. Social media content plays a crucial role in driving customers. Content on your Google Business Profile improves your local SEO.
Social media is about building relationships and being social with people. Don’t focus so much on follower numbers since a follower doesn’t always equal a customer.
“Doing business without marketing is like winking at someone in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does.”
A website for your business is your most essential marketing hub. A great website presents your company as solid, stable, and willing to invest in itself.
Are you looking for a free and easy way to schedule your Facebook and Instagram posts? Try using the Facebook Creator Studio scheduling feature!
November 2021 is my Seven Year Anniversary of being in business as Abuzz Creative and, to celebrate, I’m giving you a gift of free web hosting for one year!
What’s the most common question that I get asked by business owners with a new Instagram account? “How do I buy followers on Instagram so I have more followers than my competition?”
Every business needs a website, plain and simple. It’s natural to have questions about the benefits and costs when building a website for your business.
Today is my seven year anniversary doing business as Abuzz Creative! Lucky 7. Lucky 11:11. I am feeling pretty lucky today.
You might think having a large following on Instagram will make your business look more credible. If you have more followers, that means you’re more popular, right?
Your most important online marketing channels include your business website, all of your social media profiles, a Google My Business listing, and your email newsletters.
Skip the DIY Website! Your business needs a killer website with an eye-catching design that attracts customers to your business. Hire a pro to do the work for you!
When you hire a web designer, they will take your online presence to a higher level. You’re hiring them for their professional expertise in website development, creative design, and SEO.
When we first visit your website, we decide whether we plan to stay within 5 or 6 seconds. That means you don’t have much time to make a great first impression. And to keep your visitor around.
I’m still seeing lots of local business owners who have not claimed and verified their Google My Business listing. A verified and optimized Google My Business profile gives your business a huge advantage over your competition.
There is no magic formula when it comes to SEO and there is no magic way to rank your website on the first page of Google.
Fall is here and your summer help might have gone back to school. Is your business so short-staffed that no one is updating your website or social media right now?
Yeah, I get asked that a lot. And since I really don’t care for the word cheap, let’s rephrase that. Why are you so affordable?
I’ve been getting more and more inquiries for managing social media for local business owners. Many shops and businesses are short-staffed and they just don’t have time to manage their social channels.
We live in a digital world and every business needs a website. If you do one thing today to help your business be more successful, it should be getting online with a new website.
In today’s digital world, we look for a local company on a search engine first, and that really means we do a Google search.
Social Tip: Start experimenting more with new hashtag strategies to grow your following on Instagram. It’s an easy social media strategy that brings great results!
When we’re on Google searching for things like time, weather, how-to tips, and word definitions, the answer is displayed directly at the top of our Google search results page.
If you feel that something is wrong with how your website ranks on Google, there are three technical aspects that might be the culprit.
You claimed your Google My Business listing, created a great profile with your logo, and added some photos. So, now what? Start posting!
Instagram is a visual social channel with great photos and engaging videos. Instagram is also about the text in your captions. The words you share are a key part of your Instagram marketing strategy, too!
Check out your Google Analytics. Are more people visiting your website from a mobile device than from a desktop computer?
Can you take high quality photos yourself? You sure can! Your mobile device lets you take some pretty great photos on the fly to use for promoting your business.
Is your social media manager putting your important keywords and hashtags in a new post comment instead of your captions? Make them stop!
I find it surprising when I see how many small businesses still do not have a website. It’s 2021 and our world is shaped by digital media now more than ever.
I know, you’re anxious to launch your new website. But you still have to decide true colors and write a bunch of valuable content. You’ll just add it later because it’s better to have something online than nothing, right?
Are you getting anywhere with your website? I have a few quotes from Paul Cookson that help drive a few points home.
This is a story about people who try to avoid paying a web designer for their work. Since it happens all too often, I wanted to share a real-life example from yesterday.
Your website is the face of your brand online. There’s a lot of planning that goes into creating this space. It’s where potential customers come to find out who you are and what you do.
Everyone knows a website needs to be optimized for search engines like Google. Search engine optimization (SEO) brings more traffic to your website.
We all know the importance of social media marketing for increased sales and to find new customers. Unfortunately, with so many business owners being so short-staffed, they just don’t have time for their Facebook and Instagram channels.
Is your retail business selling online? If you are a legitimate Northern Michigan brand, or you are committed to building one, selling online is in your favor.
If you have a local business and you want to attract more local clients, a great way to do that is by being active on Instagram as your business.
As things start to open and business gets back to normal, I am looking to the future for offering Marketing Classes and Wine & Web again. Fingers crossed for Fall 2021!
Social Buzz Personal Training from Abuzz Creative offers one-on-one social media marketing training and coaching for Petoskey, Michigan residents.
Social Media is a powerful tool for marketing your business and reaching more potential clients, but should a Facebook Page take the place of a Website for your business?
Can you actually “own” a hashtag? The answer is no, you can’t legally own a hashtag. They’re not intellectual property you can own.
I see lots of northern Michigan business owners dedicating all of their marketing efforts to posting on social media. What about your website – are you updating that, too?
Google My Business works when it comes to quality engagement and conversions. I can really make your profile work for you with my Google My Business optimization services!
Today’s marketing trend is to show your true self and the people behind your business. We remember brands who tell marketing stories we can relate to.
Promoting your business on social media is the best way to increase the visibility of your business. Do you find yourself struggling with writing new content?
So many marketing channels, so little time! Well, guess what? You don’t have to be active on every social media site!
What’s the Buzz? It’s Web Designer Day! Observed every May 31st, Web Designer Day celebrates those who design the web pages we use everyday.
Social media has been proven to work for any size business. Social media is the best way to increase the visibility of your business to the millions on social media every single day.
Instagram isn’t just for retail and highly visual businesses. If you own a service-based business in northern Michigan, there are lots of opportunities on Instagram for promoting your services and sharing your expertise.
Running a marketing agency gives me a chance to create something of value and beauty in a world that desperately needs it. I try to bring sunshine and laughter every day, even if it’s only for me.
You’ve heard that imitation is the highest form of flattery. If someone copies your ideas, you can take that as a compliment.
If you offer a wide range of services and you’re in a competitive niche or location, you can improve your website SEO by creating a unique web page for each service.
It’s time to celebrate your favorite Northern Michigan business by nominating them for 2021 Best of Northwest Michigan! Abuzz Creative was a proud award recipient in 2020 for Professional Marketing Agency.
Are you always wondering what kinds of things your business should be posting on social media? Believe me, I struggle with marketing content the most.
I’ve talked to business owners who are so short-staffed that no one is managing their website or social media right now.
Studies have shown that more than 50% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices and through mobile apps. These numbers will continue to grow as we discover more ways to use our phones.
Summer is a crazy time for business owners in Northern Michigan! If you’re spending too much time on social media marketing tasks instead of running your business, why not partner with Abuzz Creative for the summer?
Your business is what you know best. What Marcie Wolf knows best is websites. Your website needs fresh content to stay competitive. If your business is short-staffed and no one has time to update your website, Abuzz Creative can make WordPress website updates for you!
Your customers follow your business because they like you and what you have to offer, but that doesn’t mean they want to hear about your promotions and sales offers around the clock.
Flowers will soon be blooming, we’ll be seeing longer sunny days, and tourists will start arriving – these are all signs of summer in northern Michigan.
When I develop a new website for a client, I always recommend adding the blog post option to their website. Their first reaction tends to always be, “I don’t have time to be a blogger!” You don’t have to be a blogger to write posts on your website.
Have you tried adding a photo or graphic to a new Google My Business post and important parts of your image were cropped out? Google tells you to upload square images, but if you’re like me, you prefer to upload the right size without parts of your image getting cropped out.
Social media for a small business can feel overwhelming and challenging, especially if you’re a solo entrepreneur. Social media does make spreading the word about your small business faster or easier. By having an active social media presence, you can start building relationships with your audience.
Your forte is your line of work and you do it well. If you’ve been handed over the management of your organization’s social media channels or you’re a small business owner who’s doing everything yourself, you might be wondering where to even begin.
A lot more goes into your website than just creativity, planning, and coding. Applying psychology to web design can give your business a competitive advantage and improve engagement by website visitors!
Creating the right file name for your photos and PDF files will help improve your website SEO. By using keywords in your file names, you are helping Google understand what your file is about.
As the Internet quickly became a place for doing business, lawmakers realized that persons with disabilities faced new obstacles. The Internet was an unwelcome place to individuals with various disabilities.
In partnership with Tip of the Mitt SCORE, I offered a free online seminar called “Making the Most of Your Website in 2021” on Tuesday, March 16.
Join us for a free seminar Making the Most of Your Website in 2021 which is presented in partnership with Tip of the Mitt SCORE Mentors
Get your website ready! User experience is very important to Google. This has become more evident in new Google ranking factors these past few years.
Two different business owners contacted me in the last few weeks asking me to move their Wix website to WordPress. Unfortunately, you can’t move your Wix website “as is” to another hosting server.
I have partnered with the Lifelong Learning Center at North Central Michigan College to offer Boost Your SEO, a four-part virtual learning session from 12:00 – 1:30 pm starting February 25th.
There are businesses that do a great job showing who the people are behind their brand which makes their company more relatable and memorable. They share behind the scenes photos and pictures of their staff.
We’ve all seen the commercials. “Build your own stunning website in just a few minutes!” Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly let you build your own cheap website. But is it the right choice for your business?
People who know SEO tend to speak a language all their own. SEO terminology can be confusing to the small business owner who wants to optimize their website.
Thanks to voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google, we can get the information we need through a voice search. We speak into our phone and get instant results!
Websites like your favorite social media channels always have you agree to their terms of service, or TOS. The terms will vary, but they all have the same purpose – they set the rules that you must agree to when using their website.
Are you looking to boost your Local SEO in 2021? The best strategy for winning at local SEO is by optimizing your Google My Business profile.
Is a new Website on your Wish List for 2021? Is it time to update your website to be more mobile friendly? My project timeline for January is filling fast for new website projects so the time to plan for a 2021 project for your business is now!
COVID-19 has increased Internet use by 70% and your website might be seeing a huge increase in visitor traffic. Even with your physical office being closed, you might have noticed a big boost in your web traffic.
The 2020 pandemic created a situation which no amount of marketing research could have ever predicted. Business owners soon realized that offering some type of online sales on their own website was the best approach for survival.
Every business owner wants their website to rank higher in search engines than the competition. We want to be at the top of the Google Local Pack Map. We want to be in the top organic search spots on Google.
Digital marketing is when you use the Internet and online digital technologies such as desktop computers, mobile phones and other digital media platforms to promote the products and services for your Northern Michigan business.
You need to get people from the search engines to your website. To do that, you need a solid search engine optimization strategy. Without a solid SEO strategy, it’s kind of like driving around without directions to a real destination.
It should come as no surprise that mobile responsiveness is essential to the success of any website. In 2020, over half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices.
A solid search engine optimization strategy can boost your website rankings and the traffic you get from Google. And yes, Google is the search engine you want to focus on!
You’re active on your personal social media profiles like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These are the most popular social networking sites with millions of people logging on daily.
To me, fall feels like a fresh start. Summer is behind us and the holidays are not here yet. My business always picks up in the fall when people have more time to think about their website and marketing.
Last week I ran an audit for a business seeking SEO help. Their website had been online for almost a year and could not be found on Google, even when searching by their business name.
Title tags are the most important meta tags on your site. This is basic SEO. Every single web page on your website must have a title element in the head section which identifies each individual page’s content.
There are exciting changes with Abuzz Creative this fall! My husband Eric Davis has decided to hang up his video equipment and retire. After 40 years as a media technician and videographer, he deserves it!
We all love the feeling of having others like and share what we post on Pinterest. For others, Pinterest is an organizational tool. People will pin recipes, vacation destinations, fashion, food and wine, and everything under the sun.
Your new website has been launched and your most valuable marketing piece is live. People don’t just magically appear when you launch your new site.
When it comes to your Google My Business profile, the images you upload to your photos and use in your posts all need to be unique to your business.
Your website needs to provide a positive first impression with pleasant visual elements and intuitive navigation to make finding content easy.
A well optimized Google My Business profile will help customers find you online and increase customer engagement.
Website Page Speed is about making sure your site visitors don’t get frustrated with waiting for your site to load.
Recent boycotts and executive orders serve as a reminder that you can’t be too reliant on social platforms to generate business. Why not focus more time on adding great content to your own website?
That symbol we used to call the pound sign and now refer to as a hashtag is pretty important on Instagram. A hashtag is a combination of letters, numbers, and emoji characters with the # symbol at the beginning (e.g., #AbuzzCreative).
Are you spending too much time on marketing tasks instead of running – and growing – your business? With competition being so high in your market, it’s important to be on top of your marketing game.
Why is social media important for my Petoskey Michigan business? There are so many people spending hours a day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Social channels are the perfect place for your business to find new customers and drive traffic to your website.
Pinterest remains one of the most important platforms for your Petoskey Michigan business to use. It’s easy for you to get the message across, Pinterest has millions of members who love the platform, and it sends huge amounts of traffic to your website. This is a recipe for success!
Schema markup is a great way to help your website stand out from your competitors in search engine results. Adding Schema markup to your website content will help improve the way your page displays on Google Search.
Your website is your most important marketing piece for your business. Hiring an amateur to design your website is a gamble you should never take for your business. You need a web designer with proof of experience.
In June 2014, Google launched the Google My Business platform to focus on what their users were already doing – searching for local products and services.
If your website is optimized for Google, you will get more people visiting your website which could mean new customers and sales. If your site lacks SEO, people searching for your products and services won’t see your website in search results.
As our way of giving back, Marcie Wolf is offering free marketing seminars via Zoom video conferencing. Marcie had more than twenty people login for her first free marketing seminar on Friday, May 15, 2020. Thank you to all who attended and for asking great questions.
If you are hosting a Petoskey Michigan event, social media is an extremely powerful way to gain exposure for your event, conference, or in-store promotion. Here are some quick and easy ways to expand the promotion of your event.
Social media impacts people’s lives every day. Through social media, we get to meet, connect, and interact with people we might never have otherwise met. Social media makes it easy to support each other, help others, and to communicate in new ways.
SEO isn’t just about keywords and link building. You need to step back and look at the human visitor’s journey through your website. Google considers lots of factors when ranking your site, and user experience is an important one.
You’re invited to take part in a FREE Marketing Seminar! It’s our way of giving back to a community that continues to generously support our business.
Thank you for voting for Abuzz Creative in the Best of Northwest Michigan Awards. We proudly earned 2nd Place for Professional Marketing Agency!
If your retail business has been thinking about moving sales of your products to your website, now is the time to do it! Most of us are at home and we are shopping online for all kinds of things, including products like those that your local shop sells.
People click a link to your website from a search, a social media post, or from an ad you placed. No matter how they get there, you have mere seconds to get their attention and keep them on your website.
We all experience dry spells when writing new posts for our blog and our socials. Suffering from writer’s block can be frustrating. Fortunately, there’s inspiration in ready-made content! You can buy Private Label Rights (PLR) articles to use as your own.
Your business website might be the first thing potential customers will see when they’re searching Google. If they click a link to your website, are you making a good first impression?
Local businesses in northern Michigan are starting to feel the financial crunch from coronavirus restrictions. Business owners and employees have taken refuge during the pandemic by staying at home and working at home.
I can relate to your frustration right now. Your office might be closed, but your business is still open, and working at home isn’t for everybody.
Your office might be closed, but your business is still open. This crisis is a serious threat and a disruption to the life we’re accustomed to, and every business is dealing with uncertainty.
Since most of us are confined to our homes right now, more people are online searching and downloading and connecting.
Your business is most likely experiencing the effects of COVID-19 in your daily operations. Events have been canceled or postponed, everyone is now working from home, your restaurant is serving take-out only. But what about your marketing tasks?
The Internet helps us find answers to questions, locate businesses, purchase products, connect with friends, and so much more. The search engines provide search results based on what we type from our computer or phone.
These are weird days, friends, and we are all struggling with all of the changes happening around us. For your business, now is not the time to go quiet. Now, more than ever, is the time to communicate with your customers.
If your company is experiencing temporary changes in hours and business operations due to the coronavirus, please be sure to update your Google My Business profile.
People are finding new ways to connect while confined to their homes. Using Facebook Live is a great way to connect with your audience and get free exposure for you and your Petoskey Michigan business.
Understanding Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Optimization will help people find both your website and your social media channels. It’s important that you know how to optimize for your website and your social media channels because the methods are a little bit different.
If your website has errors you’ve overlooked, this can hurt the user experience when someone visits your site. Google will never overlook these errors because they want the best user experience for their customers.
When is your local SEO a success? When your business starts appearing in the coveted Local 3-Pack map on Google.
What’s the Buzz? Creating a marketing buzz – or simply creating a buzz – helps you interact with consumers. Creating a local media buzz will help you find local customers who are looking for products and services like yours.
Google My Business is a free tool for controlling how your business appears on Google Maps and Google search results. Google My Business is something every business needs to rank better on Google!
Google My Business is a free tool that helps you manage how your business appears in Google Search and on Google Maps. Not many local businesses are using Google My Business to its fullest potential so let us help you get ahead of the competition on Google!
Social media is perfect for finding new customers. Unfortunately, most small business owners don’t see the potential and they avoid hiring specialized marketing help.
We are all looking for information online to help us make smarter choices. We research products and services before contacting your business, which makes your website extremely important.
Social media gives your business the power to reach more people, but only if you have time to devote to the right social networks. It does take work to keep publishing great content online that will help you find new customers. When is it time to hire someone to manage your social media? When you’re…
When Google rolled out their Google My Business platform, a profile was automatically generated for your company from content found online. You may not realize this profile is out there about you, much less that you can take control of this valuable listing.
The Wix online site builder is fine for making a basic website quickly, especially if it’s for personal use. If you don’t have long-term goals for growth, you don’t care about total control over your site design, and website ownership is not important to you, Wix might suit your needs.
Marketing can be so frustrating to figure out, especially when you’re trying to determine what’s working online for your business. From websites and SEO to social media, email campaigns and now Google My Business, marketing can be so frustrating. Don’t give up – get help!