Digital Marketing by Patrick LaJuett

My portfolio website - built using the new Google Sites Patrick LaJuett is a digital media architect with more than two decades of experience in visual communications, information technology and brand marketing.

I have done quite a few website redesigns over the past decade or so.  When taking on a new project, I suggest to customers that they utilize a content management system (CMS).  The ease of updating content (versus traditional code editing) is a huge winner for clients. My favorite web CMS platforms are WordPress, Google Sites and DNN.  See the benefits of each here . The Project: This project was for a local home builder looking to modernize and expand their online presence. Out With the Old: The old site was something I designed a while back using MS Expression Web (html 4, CSS and JavaScript).  It was functional, but not very easy to update. BEFORE REDESIGN - HTML4 Website before being redesigned. In With the New: For the new website I opted for Google Sites (, with embedded Google Drive documents, Picasa Web albums and YouTube videos. AFTER REDESIGN - GOOGLE SITES Google Sites for local home builder after redesign. Let me know w...

Make Sure Your Website is Mobile Friendly. Earlier this year, Google Search expanded its use of mobile-friendliness as a "ranking signal". This change affected mobile searches worldwide and had a significant impact on Google Search results. Google's Mobile-Friendly Test Tool How to get the“mobile-friendly” label from Google. Avoid software that is not common on mobile devices, like Flash Use text that is readable without zooming Size content to the screen so users don't have to scroll horizontally or zoom Place links far enough apart so that the correct one can be easily tapped If you want to make sure that your page meets the mobile-friendly criteria: Check your pages with the Mobile-Friendly Test . Read Google's updated documentation, " Webmasters Mobile Guide " on how to create and improve your mobile site...

Easy, stable and connected to the Google Apps for Work product suite. Baseball team website developed using Google Apps for Work - Google Sites Enabling customers to manage their own content is the right way to go.  I choose Google Sites as my go-to web CMS platform.  Here are a few reasons why... Integrate Google Calendars Embed Youtube videos Instant micro blogging platform SEO friendly Hosted in the cloud Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

12 steps to follow for a building a successful WordPress site. Set-up a basic Linux hosting plan on a secure server environment. Bluehost, 1&1, GoDaddy, etc. Install the WordPress application (should be a 1-click install via host control panel) Purchase and install a WordPress theme Themeforest is a good place to start TIP - Make sure it passes Google's mobile friendly-test Customize the WordPress configuration and settings Upload your logo Modify colors to match your brand Set fonts and sizes Create or import content Add pages Author blog posts Upload images Bigstock (fee),  Pixabay (free) Enhance user experience Add desired menus (top, side, footer) Add widgets Connect with social media profiles Install plugins to extend WordPress functionality Security - Wordfence Backups:  BackWPup Search engine optimization - Yoast SEO Test, tweak and test some more Launch Submit website URL to Google Search Console Submit XML Set prefer...

New site features responsive design, interactive quoting forms and more. Here's a new Google Sites we developed for an insurance company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. BEFORE REDESIGN AFTER REDESIGN http://www.grubbsgroup.net/ Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

How Do I Appear First in Google Search Results?   Here are best practices for improving your ranking in Google search results: Provide high quality content on your site. Google tries to find the best answer for our users’ requests; if you write the best material, you’re in the game.   Make your site mobile friendly. Many users search on mobile devices; Google’s search results favor pages that they think answer the user’s request with the best possible user experience on their platform.   Use informative titles and snippets. Good, clear titles and accurate meta tag descriptions help Google understand the purpose of a page and generate useful snippets in our search results.   Add structured data to enable additional search result features such as stars, event information, or site search boxes.   Make sure that you follow Google’s guidelines and avoid pitfalls that could affect your ratings. Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJ...

Recommended WordPress SEO Steps These are the baseline steps I take when optimizing a WordPress website for search: Backup Plugin- Install  BackWPup : **Run backup job before installing plugins** Security Plugin - Install  Wordfence : Keep WordPress core and plugins up-to-date Organic SEO Plugin: Install WordPress SEO by Yoast Customize all Page Titles & Meta Tags Utilize Google Webmaster Tools Utilize Bing Webmaster Tools Tracking Plugin: Install Google Analytics -  Google Analytics by Yoast Performance Plugin: Install PageSpeed -  GZip Ninja Speed Note: The plugins listed are my recommendations only.  Many alternatives are available, just make sure they are compatible with your version of WP. Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

We're a proud sponsor of a 2015 Quad A for Kids soap box derby car. Learn more at:  http://www.quadaforkids.com/programs/stem-soap-box-derby Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

 Flyer Design Using Adobe Illustrator CC Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

 Here is an example of how Google Sites can be used to create a custom and compelling website. http://www.5ddental.com With a bit of design ingenuity, Google Sites can be used to create great looking Websites.  Start with one of the base templates, and modify the background images, color scheme, and page layouts. Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

New TimelySites for Enhanced Communications Solutions Fast loading, search engine friendly, and integrated with Google Apps for Work   Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

Two if by Google Sites We have many more Google Sites in the design pipeline, but here our the latest.  Freshly developed and launched for locally based clients. Projection Video Professionals Integrated Power Systems International, Inc. Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

Even in the era of social, business cards are a staple of a professional's marketing toolkit Business card design services by Patrick LaJuett Here's a business card we designed with digital printing in mind.  The cost per card is more with digital printing, but file prep and turnaround time is much quicker. The option to print in smaller quantities (100) is also available, which means less business cards sitting around in boxes. Here's a screen capture of the Online printing application

We are helping Monroe Framing with a "social media spring".  We'll be integrating social links and sharing tools directly into their website.  We will also establish a consistent brand identity across their social networking sites (Facebook, G+, and Pinterest). Most clients understand that social media can help their business, but they just don't have time. LaJuett offers a solution that encompasses strategy, content creation, monitoring, and social media administration. Visit client website:  http://monroeframing.com Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

Create a unique Google Sites website by customizing a base theme We recently completed a Google Sites website for a local roofing contractor.  The site features a unique look and feel, developed by using the base theme "Ski". Google Sites base themes allows you to start with an existing theme and make the following customizations: Site width Color scheme Font family Background images Element sizing Page grid Navigation Visit the website:  http://gregtheroofer.com Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

 Here are a few examples of our custom Google Sites design and development work. Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

10 Social Media Practices to Focus On in 2014 My top ten list of social media practices to utilize in the upcoming year. Publish often - Daily or weekly if possible Listen and respond - Let your customers know that you care Don't talk down to your audience - Be clear and succinct Integrate with your core website - Hook into existing streams and feeds Experiment -  Try social networks you have not yet used (Tumblr, Instagram, etc.) Hash it out - Use hash tags to help people find your content #ilovehashtags #organizeandtag Comment and reply -  Converse about things you are passionate about Be generous - Share your knowledge Establish authority - Own your niche Be thoughtful  - Humility and kindness go a long way Happy and prosperous 2014 to all! Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy adviser.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 1959 Jeep FC-150 rendering done in Google Drawing. GooglePlus auto-awesome snow effect applied. One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say Thank You for our acquaintance and to wish you the very best for the New Year! Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Google Snippets in Search Results Snippet Discovery I recently discovered a unique occurrence of Google snippets that appeared in a Google search engine results page (SERP).  It happens to be one of my portfolio pages, so naturally, it peaked my interest. A Google snippet is a description of or an excerpt from the webpage.  A snippet refers to the description portion of a Google search listing. Take a look at the SERP snippet below: Note, the snippet is made up of an element count (40+ items), the meta description, and four excerpts from the page. Page Rendering in Browser Here's what the portfolio page looks like when rendered in the browser: Underlying Page Code In this case, it appears as though the Google bot has gone into the page code, and parsed out the top four image descriptions.  What's interesting is that the page contains an html table with alternating rows.  Images, followed by the company name and location. ...