Written by Justin Ensz
Graphic Designer & Webmaster

Anyone who is working on a website is conscience of the importance of SEO development these days. Many times I search for new information on SEO practices and rules, but often it is hard to find up-to-date material. An article I found helpful and up-to-date is this one from dxseo.com.

Read the article
How to use Meta Description Tags in 2011

Written by Justin Ensz
Graphic Designer & Webmaster

As we watched in shock from our office view, it occurred to us
“Get the camera — get the camera!”

March 31, 2011 was a different day for PAZ Design Group. Rather than wondering when the next client was going to call with a critical deadline, we faced the fear of wondering when the next gun shot was going to be fired or the next explosion was going to go off. Fortunately, the Salem SWAT team resolved the conflict within four to five hours, and we got some great photos.

To get the full story, go to StatesmanJournal.com.

Photos courtesy of Paz Reingans

Written by Justin Ensz
Graphic Designer & Webmaster

Email — something almost everyone in a business has. A lot of us send close to 50 or more emails a day to our clients, customers, partners, or colleagues. With so much communication flying back and forth, it is no wonder we may feel too overwhelmed to consider any further potential in email. However, email is a great way to advertise your business and raise interest in potential customers. I am always surprised with the number of emails I receive without, for instance, an email signature- a simple advertisement for any company. In consequence, I am inspired to write about more effective use of email and signatures.

For those of us who are sending email in a business setting and want to take advantage of free advertisement for the company, consider the following tips when sending messages:

Write a subject line that explains what the message is about.
Often we don’t really think when we write a subject line in our email, but a subject is used a lot of times as a sort of index in the mass of what is email. Whenever we have to find an email that has specific information and it is impossible to find, we can guess that the subject line gave no valid information about what the email was about. Email browsers sometimes have a search feature, but it is no fool-proof substitute. My advice when writing a subject line is: think of an index or table of contents. Use the subject line to indicate the subject of the email. This will also help avoid your email appearing as spam.

On replies, answer all of the questions.
When you reply to an email, answer questions or respond appropriately, but after you have written your reply, stop. Do not click “send”. Instead, re-read the original message again to double-check whether all questions have been answered completely. People will be impressed with your thoroughness.

Give a signature. Always.
Always give a signature on your emails. Your name, company’s name, office number, cell number (if you have one), fax number, and website address are all applicable and give you free advertisement for your business. It is like giving your business card out — without you having to remind people that you gave it to them! Your contact information in a signature is pertinent to easily accessible information for your client to reach you.

Advertise through email.
At the end of an email after your signature, you may want to take advantage of advertising your social networking sites such as your blog site, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Another thing you may try to add is a featured project or testimonial — something “short and sweet” is more likely to be read. Clientele are also more likely to visit your social networks when they are located right in front of them.

Ensure fonts are websafe.
When you use fonts in your email, keep in mind that the font you see may not be the font that the receiver will see. Always use websafe fonts. Websafe fonts are fonts that are included on most computers. Examples of basics include Arial, Verdana, Times New Roman, or Courier New. If a font is not websafe, you may be missing the target you were trying to hit, and my mis-represent the look your company relies on.

I hope you find this information useful next time you write your email. Happy writing!

Written by Justin Ensz
Graphic Designer & Webmaster

Social networking has become a priority in today’s standard of communication, even in the corporate world. With most people and businesses connected by Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, today we’re highlighting how to integrate your Twitter feed by adding Twitter’s customizable, real-time widget to your website or blog.

With this widget your Tweets will update on your Twitter feed and on your Facebook, website or blog at the same time. Since your time or your employees time is so valuable, it may be worth looking into posting your Twitter updates on your website and let technology do the work!

One example of a business using this widget is a long-time PAZ Design client,  Oral BioTech, the creator of a product line named CariFree. PAZ Design Group created the Oral BioTech website and blog site and recently added a live Twitter feed to both. See for yourself at blog.carifree.com and carifree.com. Without making changes manually to their website, Oral BioTech has up-to-date news, info and tips streaming on their site with the click of a button from their Twitter account. Simple! Links nestled in each Tweet can take browsers to more information, and their web content is well on it’s way to seeing more traffic.

If you’re interested in adding a Twitter feed to your website, fill out this form, check the “Social networking” box and write “Twitter widget” in the message.

Written by Justin Ensz
Graphic Designer & Webmaster

If you want well-written content for your website but don’t have the budget for a professional web writer, the following steps will help you make the best of writing content on your own. WIth ten key points in mind, you can bring your content up a notch and keep your expenses down.

1. Start by researching similar or competitor’s websites before writing, analyze likes and dislikes — get your creative “juices” going

2. Research Google keywords (what are Google keywords?) for implementing in later steps

3. Identify the specific goal of your webpage, article, or even paragraph

4. Begin by writing a rough draft

5. Go back through to cut out anything that is extraneous or can be shortened (as a rule, less is more)

6. Replace any key words with Google’s keywords

7. Perform spellcheck

8. Read through to see if you accomplished your goal

9. Have the text reviewed again by yourself and at least one or two other people — make sure it conveys your goal

10. Upload your new content

Following these steps will help you create professional and effective content for your viewers to read, and great results from search engines.

Search engines thrive on “fresh” information, so update your content often.

Happy writing!