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So your business just launched a new website. Like most companies you probably spent a significant amount of time getting the design, content and functionality just right. I have just 2 questions for you: How will you track whether or not your new site is a success? And how do you know if users are engaging with your site? There are actually many tools for this but the one tool that I use everyday is Google Analytics (and it’s free).

With more digital experiences than ever fighting for the user’s attention (I know you’re peeking at that notification in the other tab), a concise, focused single-page website can set you apart from the crowd and boost conversions. In the era of the smartphone, users have adapted to new web browsing habits that have rendered previously proven strategies ineffective. With the average reader’s attention span clocking in at an astonishing 15 seconds, every moment counts in the digital world. You don’t want your readers to spend those precious few attention-grabbing seconds battling an interface that is ill-suited to your content. Although single-page websites aren’t the be-all-end-all solution, they are the perfect way to present simple content and create clean, effective landing pages.

As a designer, creating captivating copy is not my strong suit. I am much more comfortable dealing with color, photography, typography and form. As far as creating actual copy for an ad or article, well that strikes a bit of fear and anxiety into me. In the past, I always believed that copy should come from a copywriter because they specialize in writing amazing copy, while designers specialize in the visuals. As time goes on I am realizing that adding copywriting to my skill-set will benefit me and my clients in the long run. So yes, designers should, (and are capable of learning), write copy. Here is why:

I'll keep this brief because I know you won't stick around for long! In fact, if this was an email you might have already left. Did you know only 50% of viewers who click on your email won't scroll, let alone read your content? Of the 50% who stayed, viewers on average will spend 11.1 seconds skimming your email. Obviously time is not on your side. You need to entice your audience in under 8 seconds before they decide to stay or leave. Here are 10 ways to do just that!

With open source you own it all. You can rip out the carpet, knock down walls or add new bathrooms. Some modular homes you can even move! Like owning a home, open source websites are distributed code (free or sometimes paid) that you download from the web. From there you are free to do what you like with the files. Some popular open source platforms include Wordpress (wordpress.org), Magento, ExpressionEngine, Craft CMS, Joomla, and Drupal.

Picture yourself in this scenario: You went on a summer family vacation and decided to save a few dollars by leaving the air conditioning off at home. If you have ever been that person, you know exactly the feeling you come home to. You’re tired from traveling home and unpacking, and you just want to relax on the couch, but it’s HOT.

“Businesses need to be on social media.”

Every designer has been there at some point. Some days being creative can feel impossible, no matter how many cups of coffee you’ve had. Whether you’ve hit a roadblock halfway through your design or you’re struggling to even get started, here are five ways to help you push through:

Picture this scenario: you are traveling to a new town and you want to experience the best pizza in that area. What do you do? The majority of consumers will start by searching the web from their smartphone for the best pizza. Next, they will read review after review and might even post a question to their social media networks asking for input. Beyond delicious tasting pizza, what is it that they are really looking for? Social Proof.

What happens when a network of churches and like minded leaders have a mission to equip and resource leaders to develop and multiply life changing churches throughout the world and need a website to accomplish that mission? Simple, they come to MC2 Design to help execute their vision.