Mozak Design Blog

Plugins In Review: Redirection

Picture this, a potential client is searching on Google and finds a link to your site. They click on it and … yikes … a 404 page not found error! How embarassing …

One of the more useful Wordpress Plugins that I have been using on my Wordpress Website is something called Redirection. This handy little plugin helps to keep my site navigation clean and useful. Being highly configurable, Redirection provides many different options to help you keep your website navigation in check.

There are two specific cases when I turn to this plugin.

• First, in the event of a page url change or removal.
• Second, if I want to add an external website as a link in my navigation bar.

In the case of the first application, Redirection prevents visitor loss due to “page not found” errors (404s).  Instead, this plug in will redirect visitors to a specific page you select when the invalid URL is requested.

Additionally, Redirection tracks all “page not found” errors that occur on your site. This is important as it tells you exactly which URLs bring people to your site resulted in a 404.

The second application where I find Redirection comes in handy is the addition of and external site to my navigation. This comes in handy if something like a “calendar”, “event registration” or “homepage” exist on another site. To add these items to my navigation I simply create a page with the name I want to show up in my navigation. I then use Redirection to send visitors to the external URL I want when they click on the page name I created. It really is that easy.

Redirection is one of those gems of a Wordpress plugin that helps you gain more control over where your traffic goes because of errors. Installation is quite easy, and works with Wordpress 2.6 and higher.

Check out my video below to see how to install and use the plugin Redirection. (coming soon)

Wordpress Plugin’s In Review: TinyMCE Advanced

Finally you can format your text the way you want!

I remember the first time I sat down to create a post on my new Wordpress blog. It was an exciting moment that quickly changed to frustration. All I wanted to do was change the font size!

Seemed to me like a reasonable enough request. But, I’d be darned if I could figure out how to do that with the default tool bar. Sure I could change from “paragraph” to “Heading 1″ or “Heading 2″ but none of these gave me the results I wanted.

This sent me on a quest for a good wordress wysiwyg editor. After hunting around for a while I discovered two that I liked. One is called “WP Super Edit” and the other is “TinyMCE Advanced”.  Since of the two I prefer TinyMCE Advanced, that is the plugin I will discuss today.

So with out further ado here are some of the features this plugin provides:

1. Change font size and font family !!!
2. Create and editing tables
3. Text justificati0n
4. Text hi-lighting
5. Subscript & superscript
6. Anchor links
7. Search and replace
8. Time & Date insertion
9. Emotions (Smilies)
10. ieSpell checked

40 new formatting buttons in all.

Needless to say this plugin has become a staple in each and every wordpress website & blog I design. To see the plugin installation in action I invite you to watch the video below:

Good Copy Tip #3: Linking within your website

One opportunity that is often missed is linking to internal pages within your website.

This is valuable in several ways:

1. It enables easier creation of scannable pages.
2. It creates Google optimized, topic specific, pages.
3. It allows you to guide readers into older blog posts.

By linking deeper into your website you can provide a readers with simple lists that they can scan; with the option to learn more on that topic if they follow the link. In addition, linking within your website allows you a way to continue using older posts in your blog. Most blog posts are not looked at once they are about 5 posts old. By guiding readers to older posts and series you have written, you are able to maximize your imvestment in them.

Finally, linking deeper into your site helps to guide your guest through your site to the information that interest them the most. This is crucial as web surfers have little patience hunting for what they are looking for.

Good Copy Tip #2: People do not read, They scan

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Often when we sit down to write our thoughts come on in the form of paragraphs. In fact this was how we were taught to write. The problem with this is your website readers have little patience to sit and wade through all your text. They want to be able to scan and quickly identify if what they are looking for exists on your website.

Here is a recipe for scannable text:

1. Break your page content into topic sections
2. Create a Header for your first section. Format it in color and with a large font.
3. Write a 2-3 sentence intro paragraph on the topic. Make sure your line height is set to 1.25x the font size for easier reading.
4. Next utilize numbered & bulleted lists to highlight the key points linking them deeper into your website
5. Finally repeat for your other topics on the page.

By following these tips your website will present your business in a way that caters to the needs of your visitors. By doing so, there is a much higher chance that your website visitors will become clients.

Good Copy Tip #1: It’s not about you

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I often see website homepage text that reads more like an “About Us” page. While the history of your business and all the services you provide have their place in; make sure the homepage is engaging to your viewer. Speak to them. Why have they sought out your business? What needs do they have? What solutions to you offer?

By writing content that speaks to clients on an emotional level you can connect with them. If they feel understood then they will think … Wow, this business gets me – I’d like to work with them.

Building Customer Relationships

Shopping online is becoming increasingly popular and many enterprises are doing business through the Internet. However, a traditional store instills a greater sense of security and reliability for the customer as compared to an online store. Online stores cannot ensure the physical assurance but they can develop their relationship with the customers by building trust and familiarity through their websites.

• A well designed website will create a good first impression.
  The one principle that is common to both traditional and online stores is that business owners must think like their customers. This helps to get to know the customers better and anticipate their needs. Traditionally, methods for building customer loyalty ranged from offering dedicated customer service to conveniently placing the goods in the store. Similar methods can be extended to an online store/ web business in the form of a well designed website that is easy to navigate and provide customer service that includes prompt shipping of the goods.

• Familiarity builds trust.
  In order to make a lasting impression on the first time visitor the webpage must convey a feeling of familiarity when he /she views the home page. A website that sells clothes should have pictures of the items of clothing being marketed by it. A website selling garden supplies can be designed to look like a garden shed in order to incorporate the familiar concept of a garden store that the customer is used to. Retaining the visitor’s interest is the beginning of a good business relationship.

• Customers appreciate assistance while shopping.
  In case of an online store, you must have a web page where customers can get information on the products you are marketing. This may be in the form of an FAQ page or you could provide the product descriptions along with a picture of the product. You may also place testimonials received from your customers at strategic locations on your site so that visitors are assured of the reliability of your goods or services.
  Assure the customer that your financial transactions are performed on a 128-bit encryption system. This can be done by displaying the fact prominently on the sales confirmation page so that customers are aware of this security measure.

• Make efforts to improve on the relationship that your website has created.
  Once the visitor makes the first purchase, you must make sure that he returns to your site for more. You may do this by offering helpful tips and helpful material on the relevant subject. Offering perks and discounts on purchases made can be other options. You may invite visitors to subscribe to your newsletter and interact with them on issues related to your business and products.

Building customer relationships in the online world may be a difficult task, but by letting your website speak for itself, you can build up trust among your users.

Connecting with Your Customer

What will you say to them?

It is critical that you speak to your client on home page. It is not time to speak about how wonderful your business is. Instead identify what brought them to your wordpress website and how you will offer solutions.

How will you connect with your prospective client?

The best method involves offering a complimentary service that the client views as valuable. Options include: free phone consultations, providing a article or monthly newsletter full of tips in exchange for the customer leaving an e-mail address. This provides your client with a service in exchange for providing you with a method for future follow up. Even if the client is not ready to purchase from you at that moment you have a method for future connections.

How will you build credibility with them?

Once you engage your clients on the homepage, they will want to navigate deeper into your wordpress website. This is where you continue to grow credibility by showing all your business has to offer. You can include information on services, products, and links to related resources. Wordpress Blogs & articles are a great method for providing quality information to your clients. Coupons, hours and location serve clients planning to visit your physical store. All of these pieces are resources to your customers; resources that they will appreciate; resources that will take your business to the next level.

Has Your Wordpress Website Lost Its Focus?

Does it communicate your core business or something else?

Does it speak to your current customers? You may find that it no longer serves your business in the way it once did. It’s time to revamp your site and rediscover your business core.

Consider the following questions about your business

• What inspired you to create your business?
• What is your core product or service?
• What aspect of your business are you most proud of?
• What makes your service unique?

You may want to take a blank sheet of paper and ponder these questions for a moment.

These questions are designed to get to the heart of your business. Over time business grow. Sometimes we forget what our core focus. We want to share all that we have to offer. Yet, when you are not clear about your primary service it is challenging to present you business to customers. Yes, everything you offer can be mentioned.

But your core, your uniqueness, is what you want potential customers to see when they first come to your wordpress website. That needs to be the focus.

Designing for Your Ideal Customer

Is it bringing the you the business your need?

So, who are your customers? This may seem like a silly question. However, I do not want you to focus on the breath of customers your serve. Instead, consider the ideal customer you want to reach. This is who you want to design your wordpress website for.

Imagine your perfect customer just walk through the door. Describe them:

• Who are they?
• Why are they coming to you today?
• How will you solve their issue?

Once you know who your ideal client is, you can design your wordpress website to serve them.