Website Design Services in Canada

By Drew | Published: December 2, 2011

I have been providing website design services in Canada for almost six years now (I began professionally in the spring of 2006).

I started as an SEO with a side interest in WordPress, and last year I began designing websites exclusively using the WordPress publishing platform.

There are several stages that go into each website project. Looking for my Portfolio?

1. Planning

Choosing the right platform, look, and message for your website will go a long way to a better website which is updatable, current and appropriate for your business or group. I use WordPress exclusively. Why? Because it has the largest community, thousands of amazing plugins to greatly extend it’s capabilities, and best of all it’s free! Also, I take into consideration that you are likely Canadian marketplace, and I’ll try and recommend an appropriate search engine optimization strategy to reflect that (see “About Ongoing SEO” at the bottom of the page).

2. Implementation

This (of course) is a key stage, involving a few important steps:

  1. Collecting from you/creating new content with which to fill up your website.This will then be ‘populated’ into the site, taking care to write well-optimized content that will be friendly to search engines (this can always be adjusted/improved upon later).
  2. Selecting the right menu layout and page/post structure to make logical sense, be easy to navigate, and ultimately present the content in a friendly way to the visitor.
  3. Implement any special features that you may require. For instance, this may include videos, maps, contact forms, blog, portfolio, etc.

3. Testing

All aspects of the website will be tested to make sure they work as intended. This stage may also include making adjustments as necessary.

4. Going “Live”

The website will then be moved over to your domain name and server, or kept hosted on my own server if desired and associated with your domain name.

5. Follow Up

We will then discuss the outcome of the website, and any future or ongoing plans to add content, do search engine optimization work, etc.

6. About Ongoing SEO

Some clients would like either ongoing or periodic efforts to maximize their exposure on the “SERPs” (Search Engine Result Pages).

If this is the case for you, any level of optimization work can be arranged.

This is often a joint effort between your business/group and myself. One reason for this is that adding more content (ie. more pages or blog postings) is a great way to gain more search engine results, and it will save time and money if we create new content together.

For more information see my post on SEO in Canada for more information!

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WordPress Website Design Canada

By Drew | Published: December 7, 2011

Maybe you’ve heard of WordPress. It’s a free, open source publishing platform used by tens of millions of people the world over.

It powers websites and blogs large and small, and more and more people are now using it to power their own websites – for either personal or business applications.

Or maybe you have already decided that you want to use WordPress for your next website!

I have been designing and developing websites using WordPress for over five years. You can view a portfolio of my most recent works.

In summary, if you’re a Canadian business, or one in the United States, and you want to take control of your own website using a friendly user interface with powerful features and attractive themes, look no further.

My pricing is reasonable, and I always do my very best to bring great value on each and every website design project I take on.

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Search Engine Optimization for Canadian Companies

By Drew | Published: December 8, 2011

I’ve been doing SEO professionally for over 5 years. In that time I have reviewed literally hundreds of websites, taken multiple courses, and seen some amazing results.

And what have I learned in that time? SEO WORKS!

…It’s one of the most efficient ways to gain a competitive advantage; taking a business, personal, or blog site to a whole new level.

I have decided to offer something brand new to qualified Canadian companies this year. What is it?

It’s my 3 1/2 minute SEO brainstorm session.

In approximately 3 1/2 minutes I will:

  • Do a professional SEO review of your website for you – live on the phone – for free! You have absolutely nothing to lose and lots to gain.
  • You’re free to jot down notes during this time…
  • …Or for a very reasonable fee I can deliver a custom SEO strategy report to you by email.

If you’re interested in having me perform part or all of the search engine optimization work that I outline, I will do so at my current hourly rate.

If you’re not on page #1 of Google right now, let’s work together and I can guarantee you positive results in the right direction.

The effective and strategic search engine optimization for Canadian companies that I offer is generating increased traffic and brand visibility for others day in and day out, and it can do the same for your business.

One of my biggest “pet peeves” is seeing companies spend their marketing budgets on services like Google Adwords without first creating an effective SEO strategy. Do you know that even your paid Adwords advertisements will rank higher with proper optimization done first? It’s true! Let’s get your website in order, up and running efficiently and generating organic search traffic (ie clicks that you don’t have to pay for!), and then you can resume your PPC advertising and other marketing strategies!

Just fill out this form to begin or call me at (778) 478-2474!

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SEO Made Easy Part Two – The Importance of Keyword Research

By Drew | Published: January 5, 2012

In the last article I introduced some core SEO tactics, as well as some free tools to get you started. But there’s a whole lot more to this game!! If you’re serious about SEO success, read on.

Keyword Research

The “R” word… Research isn’t all rainbows and ponies, but it’s definitely worth it. Unfortunately, you can only go so far on a budget of zero. There are a couple of things you can do before dipping into your Paypal account however.

Google Adwords Keyword Tool

The good news about this tool is that it’s free to use. The bad news is that it offers only a general idea of keyword viability, without getting into the nitty gritty details. It does offer an estimate of monthly searches, however many search terms don’t show any searches at all. I’m guessing that they must have a rather high threshold of monthly searches (you’ll notice a lot of local searches just aren’t shown). This is probably to optimize performance on their end. Nevertheless, it’s good for some things, especially when used in conjunction with Google’s other tools. Read More »

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SEO Made Easy Part One – How Free WordPress Plugins Are A Handy Start (But Not Everything)

By Drew | Published: January 5, 2012

SEO. The letters inspire hope, promise, frustration, fear, and many other emotions. Maybe you think of how much money it will cost, (or how much time). Indeed, there almost seems to be a new class form of “haves” and “have nots” when it comes to being savvy with search engine optimization.

But what are the rules of engagement? What tools are effective? Where does one begin? I hope to answer a few of these questions, leaving the “kid gloves” on for newcomers.

We Need Another “S” in SEO

We should never talk about SEO without immediately mentioning another “S” word: Strategy. Without a solid strategy your SEO success will be a distant dream. My practical advice? Start simply, with a single keyword phrase, and then plan your actions with intention. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did! Remember, start thinking “SEOS,” and you’ll stand a good chance out there.

The Current State of Affairs

The truth is, search engine optimization is getting easier, not harder (in this author’s opinion). Part of the reason is thanks to the widespread adoption of the SEO-friendly WordPress publishing platform (and the thousands of available plugins that enhance its functionality). Read More »

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Toxic Companies: Is Your Business a “Blessing” or a “Curse”?

By Drew | Published: January 5, 2012

Things are changing in business today. With the multitude of choices that are offered to customers these days, they are free to make quick decisions about changing brands, dealers, and retailers.

A number of factors will influence anyone’s decision to work for, partner with, or shop at your company. However there is something that is often overlooked; especially by small and medium-sized businesses.

The question is: Is your business a life-giving and positive environment? Perhaps it is, and needs to continue growing in these strengths. But perhaps it isn’t. Maybe it’s sort of… neutral, or even worse it could be downright toxic and/or draining.

I think we have all seen these negative traits perpetuated in a company that we have either worked for or bought from (maybe we’ve even owned these businesses… yikes!).

Feedback
What do people say about your company, from both sides of the fence? Take time to design surveys and/or polls for your staff as well as your clientele. Make it worth the customers while by giving them a coupon or other free offer for their participation. This data will be extremely valuable, and will be a strong fortress for you to lean on in the meetings and discussions to come. Read More »

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Filtering the Noise of Today’s Media

By Drew | Published: January 5, 2012

Are you positively inundated with direct mail, emails, phone and SMS text messages? How about internet, TV, radio and print advertising? If so, you’re not alone. We are bombarded every day with hundreds of messages directed towards us.

Even first-hand recommendations by trusted friends and co-workers can become overwhelming, and ultimately impossible to follow up on. This article is about taking back your time, focus and what advertisers call your “eyeballs.”

We’ll put the media management into two categories, “asked” and “unasked” for. It’s important to differentiate these things as we want to treat them differently.

Isn’t This a Big Topic?

This list of recommendations will be presented in a series, as they could not be contained in one article. After a couple of general arguments and concept introductions we will move on to our first leg; email strategies, and then cover subsequent media in future articles.

Unasked For Information

We often become so used to this “white noise” that we hardly even notice it. But is it good to acclimate ourselves to the lowest common denominator of information? This author argues that minimizing this effect will endow us with greater imagination, clarity and focus of thought and intention, and even greater peace and satisfaction. All of these; being the positive benefits of implementing a conscious media management strategy, are in fact inverse to the desired response of those advertisers and marketers creating these materials. So in light of this, what do we do? Read More »

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Christmas is Upon Us Once Again!

By Drew | Published: December 16, 2011

Wow what a year!! I have managed to complete no small list of projects this year for some absolutely fantastic clients (see my new website design portfolio page for more details).

2011 was an absolutely foundational year in my freelance career; and I value the experiences that I have had immensely. I picked up many new skills, grew in confidence and learned some valuable lessons to be sure.

As I look outside at the snow whisking through the air, I am reminded of this time last year, and I realize how fast a year goes by. I can only hope that 2012 brings this much joy and growth – who knows? It may be an even bigger and better year. :)

Thank you for reading.

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Three New Web Design Projects

By Drew | Published: November 24, 2011

New WordPress Website Design Projects in Canada and the USA.

1. HP Distributors

This Texas based company sells energy efficient products, with a focus on LED technology. They’re moving into some other lighting tech as well however; now carrying CFL and even a new type of Digital HID lighting by a company called Accendo Electronics. Their main supplier of LED is Artemis LED – who’s website I also had the oppourtunity to create. In fact; HP liked the look of Artemis’ site so much, they decided to go with the same theme! That’s fine by me, it’s a sweet theme. Check out HP Distributors’ website here: Energy Efficient Products.

2. Advanced Therapeutic Counselling

Based out of British Columbia’s “lower mainland,” ATC has three offices to serve it’s clients. Clinical therapist and owner Regina Case hired me to accomplish this task with a main goal of improved SEO. I thought, “No problem, let’s use WordPress!” While this project is still in the works I am sure we will see an improvement in SEO, as well as in her client’s – not to mention prospective clients’ – user experience. visit her at this link, British Columbia Family Therapist.

3. HealthWise Medical Clinic

My first medical clinic website! Drs. Bennie and Lize Wiese are close friends of my wife and I, so when Ben called and asked if I could create a website for their new practice and clinic, I was totally into it! He also believes that there is a great oppourtunity to gain much more website work in the medical field; as many Canadian doctors do not have their own sites (yet). I didn’t realize or think about this, so I am optimistic about marketing to a whole new group! If there’s a doctor “in the house,” please contact me. Visit Healthwise Family Practice at Healthwise Medical Clinic Kelowna, BC.

Thanks for checking out these projects, I’ll be glad to see them up and doing their jobs; facilitating high quality interaction with leads, clients and patients online.

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