Question and Answers
Hosting & Web Development
At Integris Design, we have refined our WordPress environment over the years. In just a few clicks of a mouse of you create a fully immersive web page. Unfortunately though WordPress is also plagued with poorly developed plugins and themes. This problem is incredible especially when someone places a lot of content into plugins or components that cease to work.
Our full-featured environment offers over 250 features. These features are used by serious designers, IT professionals and business owners. There is seldom a request for another feature, but we can accommodate that need.
Hosting:
- Containerized Google hosting
- Cloudflare integration
- DNS management
- Plugin and theme updates
- Properly licensed premiere plugins
- Proprietary processes to enhance SEO positioning
- Options for automatic WPG image optimization
- 2FA security
- Choice of data center at Google (32 global selections)
- Optional domain management
Web Development Features:
- The environment is fully managed
- Secured plugins and theme areas
- Core licensing included
- Export includes XML (FEE)
- training video
- Ssl management
- Stable solution developed since 2006
- Editor can be used with basic computer skills (no programming required for most tasks)
- Organizations that want the power and flexibility of WordPress without managing plugins, themes, technical updates, hosting services or a technical infrastructure. We specifically do not allow access to themes and plugins to ensure maximum security, speed, and uptime. You can request a plugin or feature; as long as it meets the following requirements, we will install it for you.
- The plugin is regularly updated
- The plugin is either a premium plugin OR the plugin has a significant following and has a rich history of stability
- Themes that are premium.
- We may have to disable those components if you request a theme that utilizes components that conflict with our core infrastructure.
- It passes basic compatibility tests.
- Limits to support:
- Our team is well-versed on our production processes, but will have limited support capabilities with plugins or themes we do not regularly support. We will do our best to help as needed.
- Businesses that want the power of a full-service marketing and art team without the high overhead.
- Businesses that want to work with real people in the US.
We host exclusively with Google®. We have data center options across the globe. You can choose your preferred data center location.
For more than ten years, our specialized focus has been on WordPress®, a platform known for its diverse development processes. WordPress itself offers various avenues: WordPress.com provides a hosted version, whereas WordPress.org offers full access to the code, allowing developers complete control.
The effectiveness of WordPress, like any tool, relies heavily on the processes, methodologies, and components employed in website creation. Utilizing the correct tools establishes a secure, potent, and finely optimized environment. Conversely, using free plugins, subpar hosting, or inexperienced development may result in security vulnerabilities and performance drawbacks.
Throughout our decade-long commitment, we've dedicated ourselves to providing dependable solutions for businesses across the continental United States, Bermuda, and beyond. This dedication has yielded impressive results, evident in our exceptional client-retention rate of over 94% since 2006.
FALSE: The quality of hosting doesn't matter. Be cautious when your web design firm doesn't explicitly tell you where their servers are. We also recommend not using EIG Companies.
FALSE: WordPress® is not used by serious businesses. WordPress is the most popular CMS on the planet. WordPress® is used by approximately 43% of all sites on the internet (as of 2023).
FALSE: Design is the first step in web development. It's common for web designers or small businesses to start by choosing a template (templates are generally a bad idea). Setting goals should always be your first step, followed by planning.
E-Commerce
Our primary focus is using WooCommerce, but we also have experience with Shopify and other platforms.
Integris Design specializes in creating 360-degree interactive videos and animations for products. Additionally, we offer standard photography and video services tailored to showcase your products effectively.
Venturing into online product sales isn't as straightforward as it may appear. While prominent e-commerce platforms often suggest that setting up an online store is merely about website creation and promotion, there are numerous critical factors to contemplate before diving in. It's crucial not to kickstart this journey by simply selecting an e-commerce platform and opting for a template.
Here are a few fundamental considerations:
- Market saturation: Is your product oversaturated online? Do you possess a strategic advantage to stand out?
- Competitive edge: Would your products hold their ground when compared with similar offerings online?
- Trustworthiness: Does your website inspire trust in consumers? Building consumer trust is paramount.
- Payment gateways: Choosing the right payment gateways tailored to your needs.
- Consumer experience: How can you provide an engaging experience to help customers make informed decisions without physically handling the product?
- ROI model: Considering your Return on Investment (ROI) is crucial. With an initial ROI typically ranging from 1-5%, optimizing sales and analyzing cost models is essential.
- User experience tracking: Planning to utilize Analytics effectively, including event tracking and considering heatmaps.
- Distribution strategy: Strategizing product distribution across platforms like Google Shopping and other relevant venues.
- Clarity in offerings: Is your product/service clear and easily understandable?
- Streamlined shopping experience: Is your website's shopping journey too convoluted or too simplified?
- Website engagement: Does your website capture attention and interest within the first 7 seconds?
- Advertising strategy: Planning for both paid advertising and long-term SEO. Implementing SEO from the outset with a proper architecture is crucial for sustained success.
- Consistent branding: Ensuring consistency in branding across all touchpoints.
- Effective advertising venues: Choosing the right advertising platforms with a carefully planned ad budget is pivotal for success.
Addressing these high-level considerations can significantly impact the success of your online product sales venture. These considerations require expertise to properly navigate.
We have an Ortery system designed to offer complete 360-degree turntable capabilities. We can also set the number of photographs taken for animations and offer different background options as well. Our service include hosting and implementation as well (WordPress®).
If you use another platform than WordPress, we will provide the native code for your team to integrate.
Drone Flight
Within a 100 miles of Asheville, NC.
- Discuss objectives
- investigate flight area to make sure there are no flight restrictions that need to be addressed.
- Schedule flight (reschedule if weather deems it necessary)
- Post-Production
Yes. We have numerous drones for different applications.
Yes. We can either provide the unedited files or properly edited photos/videos. We can shoot in HLG or D-LOG modes. If you are unsure, we can advise on the best color mode for your needs.
Matterport® Virtual Tours
Within a 100 miles of Asheville, NC.
Online advertising
Yes. We have successfully maintained a relationship with Google and passed their criteria for partnership.
No. This is known as double-serving. Even if you are pointing to different websites, you risk being suspended.
While Google Ads provides a user-friendly interface for setting up campaigns, achieving optimal results often necessitates a deep understanding of its features and nuances. A skilled and experienced team can navigate the platform effectively, utilizing various tools and strategies to maximize Return on Investment (ROI) or Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI).
Several factors contribute to successful Google Ads campaigns, including keyword selection, bid management, ad copy creation, audience targeting, and continuous optimization based on data analysis. Without a proficient team that understands these intricacies, it can be challenging to achieve the desired results and efficiently allocate your advertising budget.
Furthermore, staying updated with Google Ads' frequent updates, changes in algorithms, and new features is crucial for maintaining campaign performance and adapting strategies accordingly. As such, having an experienced team that specializes in Google Ads can significantly impact the success of your advertising campaigns.
Sometimes Google Ads works immediately, but in most cases, it requires time. Time to not only fine-tune the account but also time for Google's AI to learn.
Charging a flat rate rather than a percentage of the ad spend is indeed a different approach taken by some agencies to eliminate potential conflicts of interest. By charging a fixed fee that remains independent of the ad budget, it aims to ensure that the agency's recommendations and strategies are not influenced by the desire to increase ad spend for their own financial benefit.
This model can provide transparency and reassurance to clients, as they know that every dollar they allocate toward advertising directly contributes to their campaign without any portion being used as compensation for the agency's services. It aligns the agency's incentives more closely with the client's goals, focusing on optimizing campaigns and achieving the best results within the set budget.
However, it's important to note that different pricing models suit different business needs. While a flat-rate fee can eliminate conflicts of interest, it might not be the most cost-effective option for all businesses, especially those with fluctuating or larger ad budgets. Some businesses might prefer a percentage-based model as it can scale more dynamically with their advertising investment.
Ultimately, the choice between pricing models should be based on the specific circumstances, goals, and preferences of the client. What's crucial is transparency in the agency-client relationship and a clear understanding of how the pricing model aligns with the objectives of the advertising campaigns.
Your distinction between active marketing and passive marketing effectively outlines two different approaches to reaching consumers, each with its own advantages and considerations.
Active Marketing:
- Targeting Consumers Actively Seeking Products/Services: Active marketing platforms, like search engine advertising (such as Google Ads), target consumers actively searching for specific products or services. These ads appear when users input relevant keywords or show direct interest in a particular product.
Reaching Consumers at the Point of Purchase Intent: By appearing during a consumer's search or active engagement, these ads have the advantage of reaching potential customers when they're more likely to make a purchase decision. - Effectiveness and Conversion: Active marketing can be more effective in generating immediate conversions since it targets users already showing purchase intent.
Passive Marketing:
- Display Ads, Social Media Advertising, etc.: These platforms fall under passive marketing as they reach consumers who might not be actively looking for a product or service at that moment. Display ads on websites, social media ads (like Facebook or Instagram), or TV/radio commercials are examples.
- Lower Cost but Potentially Lower Immediate Conversion: Passive marketing venues tend to be cheaper compared to active marketing. However, they may be less effective in generating immediate conversions since the audience may not be actively searching for the advertised product or service.
Brand Awareness and Long-term Engagement: Passive marketing can be effective for building brand awareness, fostering brand recall, and engaging with potential customers who might need the product or service later, even if not immediately.
Both active and passive marketing have their place in a comprehensive marketing strategy. Active marketing is more focused on immediate conversions and reaching consumers at the point of purchase intent, while passive marketing aims to create broader brand awareness and engage with a wider audience that might convert later.
A successful marketing strategy often combines elements of both approaches, utilizing active marketing for immediate results and passive marketing to build long-term brand recognition and engagement. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each approach is crucial for allocating resources effectively based on specific marketing objectives and target audience behaviors.
Identifying, qualifying, and verifying social media influencers within a specific market is a valuable service in today's digital landscape. Collaborating with influencers can expand brand reach, increase credibility, and engage with a target audience.
When assisting clients in this capacity, here are several key steps you might undertake:
- Identification of Relevant Influencers: Utilize various tools, analytics, and research methods to identify influencers who align with the brand's values, target audience, and campaign objectives. This involves looking at their follower demographics, engagement rates, content quality, and relevance to your market.
- Qualification Process: Evaluate influencers based on specific criteria, such as the authenticity of their followers, engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), content quality, consistency, and their overall reputation within the industry. This step ensures that the selected influencers are a suitable match for the brand.
- Verification and Background Check: Verify the authenticity of the influencer's audience by examining follower growth patterns, audience demographics, and engagement authenticity to ensure they are not using fake followers or engagement tactics. Also, conduct a background check to ensure their values and past collaborations align with your brand's image.
- Negotiation and Collaboration: Facilitate negotiations between the brand and the selected influencers. Define terms, expectations, deliverables, compensation, and the overall campaign strategy to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership.
- Campaign Monitoring and Analytics: Monitor the influencer's content performance, engagement metrics, and overall impact on the brand's objectives. Use analytics to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and adjust strategies if needed for optimal results.
By offering this service, you would assist businesses in making informed decisions about influencer partnerships, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of their influencer marketing campaigns. Your expertise in identifying, qualifying, and verifying influencers can significantly contribute to a brand's success in leveraging social media influencers as a part of its marketing strategy.
Coaching Services
Customized coaching tailored to individual businesses and goals is indeed crucial for success. Generic advice can offer valuable insights, but adapting strategies to fit the unique circumstances of a particular business often leads to more effective outcomes.
By understanding the specific challenges, strengths, and objectives, you can offer targeted strategies and support that align with their particular circumstances.
This personalized approach can include:
- Individualized Assessment: Understanding the current state of the business, its industry, competition, and unique challenges.
- Customized Strategies: Developing strategies and action plans that directly address the identified needs and goals of the business.
- Regular Evaluation and Adaptation: Continuously monitoring progress and adapting strategies as needed to ensure they remain effective and aligned with the evolving needs of the business.
- Tailored Support and Guidance: Providing guidance and support that is specifically catered to the client's situation, offering practical solutions and actionable advice.
By emphasizing this personalized approach in your coaching program, you're likely to attract businesses seeking solutions that are tailored to their specific circumstances rather than generic advice that might not apply directly to their situation. This level of individualized attention and customization can significantly enhance the value and impact of your coaching services.
General Myths About The Internet
While many DIY platforms and tools exist, they often oversell the ease of achieving success in these fields.
Comparing web development and marketing to building a house with a hammer and nails is a vivid analogy. Just as constructing a sturdy, well-designed house requires expertise, planning, and skill, establishing a strong online presence demands more than just basic tools.
The competitive nature of the internet underscores the necessity for dedication, persistence, and ongoing refinement. Achieving a meaningful presence online involves:
- Expertise: Understanding the complexities of web development, design principles, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), content creation, analytics, and more.
- Strategic Approach: Developing a well-thought-out marketing strategy that aligns with business goals and target audiences.
- Consistent Effort: Regularly updating, optimizing, and refining online content and strategies to stay relevant and competitive.
- Patience and Adaptability: Acknowledging that results take time and require adjustments based on market changes and evolving trends.
While DIY systems might promise quick and easy solutions, the reality is that true success in web development and marketing demands a deeper understanding, ongoing effort, and the ability to adapt to a constantly changing digital landscape.
By highlighting the dedication and expertise required, your coaching program can emphasize the value of professional guidance and personalized strategies tailored to each business's unique needs and objectives. This approach can help businesses recognize the importance of investing in knowledgeable professionals for achieving sustainable and impactful results in their online endeavors.
Achieving organic positioning on Google – essentially ranking well in search results without paying for ads – demands a consistent and strategic effort. It involves a deliberate and continuous approach to building your business's online reputation, authority, and relevance.
Here are key factors essential for successful organic positioning:
- Quality Content Creation: Regularly publishing high-quality, relevant content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience is vital. This includes blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, etc.
- SEO Optimization: Understanding and implementing SEO best practices to ensure your content is discoverable by search engines. This includes keyword research, on-page optimization, meta tags, and structured data markup.
- Link Building: Earning backlinks from reputable and relevant websites is crucial. Quality backlinks signal to search engines that your content is credible and authoritative.
- User Experience (UX): Providing a seamless and user-friendly experience on your website is essential. Factors like site speed, mobile responsiveness, and intuitive navigation contribute to better rankings.
- Social Signals: Engaging on social media platforms and creating shareable content can boost visibility and indirectly impact search engine rankings.
- Consistency and Patience: Building organic visibility takes time and persistent effort. It's a long-term strategy that requires patience and consistent implementation.