Free Websites and Free Marketing Services to Uplift Louisville

Why We Support Local Initiatives: Stronger with Every Step Together

At Design Web Louisville, we firmly believe that building a great city is akin to running a relay marathon. It requires the collective effort of everyone in the community, each person playing a unique and vital role. Whether you’re providing support from the sidelines or actively participating in the race, every effort contributes to our shared goal of crossing the finish line together.

This belief underpins our commitment to supporting local people and groups dedicated to enriching our city. As the local affordable website design and digital marketing company of Louisville, we are proud to serve as vital supporters on the sidelines. Our role is to empower you—our community’s changemakers—so you can focus on what you do best: uplifting and uniting us all.

The Relay of Community Engagement

Just like in a relay marathon, success in building a thriving community comes from passing the baton—sharing resources, knowledge, and support. By providing our expertise in website design and digital marketing at free or deeply discounted rates, we ensure that valuable projects and initiatives have the visibility and reach they deserve. This way, we all move closer to the finish line of creating a more vibrant, nurturing, and inclusive Louisville.

Our support for local individuals and groups stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of community collaboration. We know that by working together, sharing responsibilities, and supporting each other’s efforts, we can achieve remarkable things. Our role is to facilitate this process, offering our skills and services to ensure that every community project can reach its full potential.

In essence, our Philanthropic Partnerships Program is more than just a service offering—it’s a commitment to the comradery, unity, and collective effort that make Louisville a wonderful place to live and share. We invite you to join us in this endeavor. Apply today, and let’s work together to make a lasting impact on our beloved city.


Empowering Our Community: The Design Web Louisville Philanthropic Partnerships Program

In the heart of Louisville, a movement is underway. A movement that seeks to uplift, empower, and unite. It’s a call to action for all those who envision a brighter future for our city and its inhabitants. This vision is the driving force behind Design Web Louisville’s Philanthropic Partnerships Program, an initiative that extends a hand of support to local community members and organizations dedicated to making a meaningful impact.

A Commitment to Community Excellence

Design Web Louisville understands that the strength of a community lies in the hearts and actions of its members. With a history of supporting local endeavors, our latest initiative, the Philanthropic Partnerships Program, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering community growth and resilience. This program is designed to empower those who work tirelessly to benefit the entire city of Louisville, as well as projects aimed at serving the underserved or at-risk communities within our vibrant city.

Two Initiatives, One Goal

The program is built on two foundational pillars:

  1. Support for Groups and Organizations: Recognizing the power of collective action, we offer free or deeply discounted services to groups and organizations that spearhead projects with a city-wide benefit. Whether it’s enhancing our green spaces, supporting the arts, aiding vulnerable populations, or driving economic development, our goal is to amplify your impact.
  2. Empowerment for Individuals: We believe in the potential of every Louisville resident to be a catalyst for change. For individuals with projects that serve our underserved or at-risk communities, our program provides the tools and resources needed to bring your vision to life. Through free or deeply discounted services, we aim to help you make a lasting difference.

Our Services: Amplifying Your Impact

At the core of the Philanthropic Partnerships Program are our professional services, tailored to meet the unique needs of each project. From state-of-the-art website design to comprehensive marketing strategies, we leverage our expertise to help you reach a wider audience, garner support, and achieve your goals. Our team is dedicated to providing the support you need to succeed, ensuring that your project not only thrives but also serves as a beacon of hope and progress in our community.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Are you ready to be part of a transformative journey? Whether you’re leading a community project or looking to launch an initiative that addresses the needs of our underserved populations, we invite you to apply for the Philanthropic Partnerships Program. Together, we can create a more vibrant, nurturing, and inclusive Louisville.

How It Works: Easy Application Process

Taking the first step towards amplifying your community project with Design Web Louisville is simple and accessible. We offer two straightforward methods to apply for our Philanthropic Partnerships Program: online or by email. Here’s how you can get started:

  1. Apply Online: Visit our dedicated program page at Design Web Louisville’s Philanthropic Partnerships Program and fill out the application form. The form is designed to capture essential information about you, your organization, and the impactful work you’re doing or plan to do.
  2. Apply by Email: Prefer to apply directly? No problem. You can send us an email detailing your project, your goals, and how you believe our services can assist in achieving these goals. Be sure to include any relevant information about your organization and the specific services you’re interested in.

Whether online or by email, the key is to tell us about your vision, your goals, and how our services can play a role in turning your vision into reality. Our team will review your application and work closely with you to understand your needs and how we can best support your project.

For more information about the program, including details on how to apply, visit Design Web Louisville’s Philanthropic Partnerships Program page.

The time to act is now

The time to act is now. By joining forces with Design Web Louisville’s Philanthropic Partnerships Program, you’re not just launching a project; you’re igniting a movement. A movement that champions inclusivity, supports growth, and celebrates the spirit of community. Let’s work together to make Louisville a place where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our collective well-being.

Your project could be the next to benefit from our expertise and commitment to community empowerment. Apply today and take the first step towards transforming your vision into reality. Together, we can make Louisville a better place for all.

What Are the Top Ways to Enhance the Tech Conference Experience?

Creating an engaging and rewarding tech conference experience can be full of challenges. Attendees often have high expectations. They seek more than knowledge but also networking opportunities and innovative insights. To make a conference truly memorable, you must employ various methods that enhance engagement.

From leveraging the latest technology to creating better networking opportunities, various methods are designed to increase the attendee’s investment in the conference. Therefore, implementing them will ensure high engagement levels, enhancing their overall experience at your tech conference.

The Importance of Enhancing the Tech Conference Experience

Enhancing the experience of your tech conference is vital in today’s world. As technology evolves, so do the expectations of conference attendees.

They are looking for experiences that are informative, engaging and interactive. With a well-crafted conference experience plan, you can provide a space for collaboration and professional growth. In turn, attendees leave with valuable takeaways, giving them a compelling reason to return.

You can even create a community that motivates people to interact with each other long after the conference has ended. Enhancing the conference experience is therefore essential to meet and exceed the modern attendee’s expectations for value, engagement and connectivity.

1. Provide Better Networking Opportunities

Networking is part of the reason people attend tech conferences. They look forward to connecting, exchanging ideas and forming professional relationships. To take networking to the next level, organizers can introduce high-tech wearables such as smart badges.

These devices allow attendees to exchange contact information, eliminating the need for traditional business cards. With a simple tap, smart badges can transfer contact details between attendees, storing them in a digital format for access post-conference.

While providing networking opportunities is essential, attendees will expect your conference to have the latest technology as well. Therefore, integrating these smart badges can be an innovative way to make networking more effective and memorable for participants.

2. Enhance Visual Presentations

Visual presentations are the foundation of providing an exciting tech conference experience. Better visual experiences enhance the overall engagement and enable attendees to retain the information of the content presented.

One way to enhance these presentations is by paying close attention to the quality of display screens, such as LED walls. An essential aspect of LED displays is the pixel pitch, which is the distance between the centers of one pixel to another. The smaller the pixel pitch, the higher the resolution, allowing for a clearer and more detailed image and overall display.

This detail becomes particularly important in a large venue where attendees may sit far from the screen. A lower pixel pitch means even those at the back can enjoy a crisp, clear image without the visuals appearing pixelated.

Consider investing in a high-quality display with the right pixel pitch to make data and graphics more accessible to attendees.

3. Use Engaging Keynote Speakers

The keynote speakers you choose can take a tech conference from mediocre to great. Speakers are often the highlight of the event because they set the tone and provide value that the audience craves. However, the right keynote speaker can bring the right type of experience. They can either share a captivating story or a groundbreaking idea that inspires and energizes attendees.

To enhance the experience further, conference organizers should seek speakers who are more than thought leaders. They should also possess a dynamic presentation style. The ability of a speaker to connect with the audience and stir conversation is as important as the content they deliver.

Additionally, speakers should be encouraged to incorporate interactive elements into their presentations, such as live polls or Q&A sessions. That way, your tech conference fosters a two-way dialogue with the audience.

A truly engaging keynote speaker can leave a lasting impression, sparking creativity and driving the conference’s success.

4. Create an Immersive Theme

Take the tech conference further by immersing your audience in a specific theme. This can truly enhance their experience by providing a cohesive and engaging environment. It sets the tone for the design of sessions, activities and the venue decor, creating an even more memorable experience.

For instance, if the theme revolves around “The Future of AI,” every aspect of the conference — from the keynotes to the exhibits — can provide a deep dive into artificial intelligence. This might include AI-driven performances and hands-on demonstrations with the latest AI technology like ChatGPT.

An immersive theme encourages participants to fully engage with the material and the environment, often leading to higher participation and interaction.

5. Make Time for Breakout Sessions

Giving attendees time for a break and chat is essential for a well-rounded tech conference experience. These areas offer attendees a place to relax, decompress and reflect on the presentations they have attended.

Provide complimentary drinks and food in these spaces, as it encourages attendees to stay on-site and network. Additionally, breakout spaces should be comfortable and inviting, with ample seating and a layout that facilitates private and group conversations.

These spots also serve as a haven for informal networking where attendees can connect in a more relaxed setting. Simultaneously, this allows them the space to recharge physically and mentally.

6. Build an App for Your Event

Building a dedicated app for a tech conference is a powerful way to enhance the attendee experience. An event app can be a hub for all things related to the conference, providing users with the following:

  • Schedules
  • Speaker bios
  • Session descriptions
  • Interactive venue maps

It also helps with networking by allowing attendees to connect, schedule meetings and exchange information directly through the app. Moreover, an app can enrich the experience by sending real-time notifications about session start times and schedule changes. It can even list upcoming networking events or include features like live polling.

By offering a one-stop solution for logistics, networking and engagement, an event app ensures participants navigate the conference easily. However, ensure the app works seamlessly because a delay in it by even a second can decrease user satisfaction by 16%.

7. Survey or Poll Your Attendees to Uncover Their Expectations

Surveying or polling participants is a strategic method for enhancing the tech conference experience. It’s an excellent approach because it gathers data on what participants expect and value most in a conference. By asking attendees what they expect, organizers can understand their preferences for topics, speakers and even food.

Plus, it can reveal trends that may not have been obvious before, such as types of networking opportunities or more interactive sessions. Overall, it ensures the conference caters to your audience and remains relevant and impactful.

Make Your Tech Conference Memorable and Powerful

The experience of your tech conference depends on how deeply you understand your audience and how to implement enhancements central to them. Each of the methods provided here plays a crucial role in meeting attendees’ expectations these days. Follow what is trending, ask for feedback and create a strategy that sets the stage for a truly impactful event.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

What Are the Essential Business Expenses that Shouldn’t Be Avoided?

Running a company is expensive. If you hope to make a profit while keeping prices competitive, you will need to minimize your operating costs wherever possible. At the same time, there are some business expenses you should not cut from the budget.

Many enterprises spend too much on avoidable or unnecessary expenses. However, if you want to cut costs effectively, you must recognize the spending areas you should always include in your budget. Here are five such essential expense categories you should think twice about before cutting.

Licenses and Permits

Regulatory costs are the most important business expenses to consider. While some of these fees may be expensive, they are far less than the cost of noncompliance penalties or — in a worst-case scenario — losing your right to operate.

Most companies require state and federal licenses to operate legally. Depending on where you work and what industry you are in, the accompanying fees can cost several hundred dollars. Many licenses also expire after a set period, in turn requiring renewal and more permit-related costs.

In some cases, you can get additional permits that may not be mandatory but let you perform services that set you apart from the competition. Whether this spending is worth it depends on your local market and what you specialize in. For most regulatory costs, though, the only way to minimize them is to avoid penalties. Review all applicable regulations to determine your necessary licenses before setting a budget.

Employee Wages and Benefits

Employee expenses are a more contentious area for many organizations. Wages and benefits can be some of your biggest operating costs, so it makes sense to want to reduce them. While spending too much on your workforce is possible, lowering salaries is not always ideal.

At the most basic level, your business needs staff to work efficiently and the law requires you to pay them a certain amount. It is often best to go above and beyond these minimums, though. Offering a competitive salary and benefits package may cost more, but it can also lead to more productive and engaged employees.

Many companies today struggle to retain staff because people have more employment options than ever, so they often leave for better-paying positions. Considering hiring and onboarding are far more expensive than keeping a good employee, it is typically best to offer better compensation in the first place.

Insurance

Insurance is another crucial business expense you should not gloss over. Some forms of insurance — such as vehicle insurance and worker’s compensation — are mandatory in some areas and industries. Others may not be a legal requirement but are worth the cost, considering how much they save in an emergency.

Professional liability insurance minimizes legal costs from claims from dissatisfied customers, which is ideal for some high-risk products and sectors. If your brick-and-mortar facilities reside in storm-prone areas, you may also consider flood or wind coverage for your building. You can determine what insurance you need by reviewing your enterprise’s costliest and most likely risks.

In some cases, you can write off business insurance on your taxes because it is common and necessary in your industry. Remember to capitalize on that opportunity to minimize your expenses without sacrificing safety.

Equipment and Maintenance

Depending on your industry, equipment costs may be another class of unavoidable business expenses. Just as you need talented and engaged employees to work efficiently, you need the right tools for the job. Opting for the least amount of or cheapest possible machinery may seem smart initially, but it often leads to low efficiency or poor-quality output.

Of course, you do not necessarily need top-of-the-line machinery in every instance. Making the most of these investments is often more about selecting the optimal tool for a specific use case rather than simply spending more. Determine how much you should pay by comparing prices to expected depreciation, any resulting savings from efficiency and equipment longevity.

Maintenance is another crucial spending category, especially if you use high-end equipment. Regular maintenance may seem expensive, but it saves money in the long run by preventing costly, disruptive breakdowns.

Web Presence

As the internet’s role in life and business grows, your organization’s web presence is becoming increasingly important. Consequently, building and maintaining an engaging website and social media channels is now a critical business expense.

A well-designed website and carefully curated social media profiles will help you reach new customers and engage existing ones. Expanding your web presence will also provide more data on your customers and target markets. Direct, personalized marketing drives sales and increases loyalty, and the only way to achieve it is through this data, so take advantage of this opportunity.

Social media marketing, web design, search engine optimization services and cloud infrastructure to enable a more responsive website are all worthwhile investments. You can determine where to focus this spending by learning more about your target audience. If you want to reach younger consumers, mobile-optimized websites and social media are ideal, whereas a B2B business may prefer to pay for email marketing.

Get More Out of Your Necessary Expenses

Effective saving starts with recognizing where you cannot afford to cut corners. These five business expenses are all areas where a little more spending is worth it in the long run. Whether they are a matter of legality, efficiency or long-term savings, these cost categories deserve dedicated room in your budget.

It is possible — and recommended — to approach these expenses carefully to see how you can avoid spending too much on them. Simultaneously, reaching only the bare minimum in these areas will end up costing you more than you would initially save.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

This Is Why Your CTA Is Not Converting (and How to Fix It)

The calls to action (CTAs) on a website can make or break company revenue goals. Driving visitors to a page is only half the battle. Once people are there, the site must be engaging enough to move them toward the ultimate objective of converting from shoppers to buyers. If a brand has a CTA not converting, it’s time to check out the following factors and determine what changes are necessary.

Here are some of the principles designers should follow for the highest chance of success with CTAs.

1. Use Actionable Language

Vague phrases such as “Info” or “More” don’t encourage action. Instead, use actionable verbs, such as “Get Free Report” or “Sign Up” to drive engagement.

Stick to simple phrases or risk losing visitors with shorter attention spans. Try to come up with something that explains what the user will get when they take the action and why it’s specific to the brand.

Some strong action verbs website owners can use include:

  • Buy
  • Shop
  • View
  • Subscribe
  • Try
vrbo web page screenshot

Source: https://www.vrbo.com

VRBO uses a simple “Book Now” command to encourage site visitors to place a reservation with one of their host locations. The button is blue, which pops against the backdrop of black, white and gray. Each property has a CTA button that follows the user down the page, as they look at photos of the property or interact with the listing.

2. Check Placement

Is the CTA still not converting? Where it’s located on the page can have a huge impact on how successfully it sends users down the buyer’s journey path. Try different locations and use A/B split tests to determine which location on the page works best with a particular audience.

Some users want enough information to make a decision before seeing a CTA button. Others are ready to act as soon as they land and need an option near the top of the page.

3. Make an Offer They Can’t Refuse

Get people to click on the CTA button by making an attractive offer. Give them something free, for a limited time or offer a perk if they convert to a customer.

There are two schools of thought on offering free items to collect leads. Some believe it gives the brand a direct connection to people already interested in what they offer. Others think freebies just attract people who want something for nothing and won’t convert into buyers.

Try different offers and see how the results shake out.

inhub website screenshot

Source: https://inhub.thehenryford.org

A good example of offering something free so people can see what a brand offers is found on inHub. Note the “Join for Free” CTA button right at the top of the page. If the full signup process is rather lengthy, brands may take action to make a free signup for a trial or download simpler. Collecting only crucial information to stay in touch, such as a first name and email address, encourages users to complete the signup.

4. Increase the Size

For a CTA not converting, increasing the size of the button might improve conversions. A mere increase of 20% in size can draw user attention and improve sales. Try making the button easier to find. Move it around, make it larger, make it smaller and see what users respond to.

Every site and every offer is slightly different. What works for one site or even page on that website, may not work for another. Testing is critical.

5. Create a Sense of Urgency

Once users leave a site, they aren’t as likely to return. They may intend to but a million other things distract them from coming back. Whenever possible, create a sense of urgency to drive conversions while having their attention.

Utilize words and phrases such as:

  • Limited time
  • Ends soon
  • X left
  • Buy now
  • Hurry

One note of caution — if the CTA says something is only available for a limited time, don’t extend that time indefinitely. Users should trust a brand to stick to its word. If the CTA or text surrounding it says there are only two hours left to get an offer, it must disappear after that time. The company can create a new offer, but it should not be the initial one.

hulu website screenshot

Source: https://www.hulu.com

Hulu adds a CTA to the top bar of their site to really drive home the point that the offer is for a limited time. They even list the end date so users know exactly when the cost goes up. If one looks at the CTA buttons further down the page, they’ll see in small letters it shows how much the price is going up and why users shouldn’t delay in signing up.

6. Add White Space

One big mistake people make with CTAs is not adding enough white space around them. A bit of negative space sets a button apart and shows the user it’s something important they should pay attention to.

For mobile users, adding white space makes it easier to click on the button on a smaller screen. Since over half of internet traffic is now via mobile devices, it makes sense to create a responsive design.

Figuring Out Why a CTA Is Not Converting

The CTA may not be converting for numerous reasons. Running tests to figure out what works with the brand’s audience is the number one way to improve conversions. Try changing the color of the button, the size, the placement and even the wording. With a bit of trial and error, designers will find the best combination for their audience and wind up with a high-converting landing page that drives growth.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

What Emerging IoT Trends Should Businesses Pay Attention To?

You must pay attention to the latest innovations coming to the Internet of Things. IoT devices complement many other advanced technologies, so people are starting to combine them. These emerging IoT trends stand to revolutionize how businesses use the technology.

How Are IoT Trends Evolving Technology?

Emerging IoT trends are evolving technology into something entirely new. It combines with the most advanced, popular innovations to create something never before seen. The IoT as you know it may soon change forever.

In 2022, IoT startups secured the highest amount of funding they had received since 2012. They collected an average of nearly $16 million, a 30% increase from 2021. People saw the emerging trends of 2023 and decided they needed to be a part of the technological innovation.

The market for IoT devices dipped over 20% in 2022. However, they still secured incredibly high funding because investors believed the upcoming trends would revolutionize the technology. How much money they receive gives businesses a direct insight into its future. In this case, it is a clear indication of success.

What Are the Emerging IoT Trends?

The emerging IoT trends offer new takes on traditional devices. While some incorporate other well-known technologies, others create something entirely new.

  1. Automation

Many emerging trends combine IoT devices with other advanced technologies. Automation has been a massive success for many businesses and is among the most popular. Although it has existed for a few years, it is only starting to pick up speed.

Many companies use IoT in robotic automation. For example, FedEx has used it for five years to organize and distribute mail, replacing traditional carriers. Most businesses rely partially on e-commerce sales, so they would benefit from technology that can package, label and ship products.

Even if you do not ship items to customers, you should pay attention to this trend because it has many real-world uses. No matter your industry, you can automate some of your responsibilities with IoT devices. It could streamline your processes, increasing accuracy and profit.

  1. Artificial Internet of Things

Artificial intelligence in IoT — what people call AIoT — is one of the latest IoT trends. It combines artificial intelligence with traditional IoT technology. However, the extent of its presence differs depending on the device’s purpose.

Incorporating AI into IoT allows businesses to rapidly analyze data, make accurate predictions and run things smoothly. The simplest form of AIoT uses an algorithm to process information, while the more advanced version makes the devices operate independently.

Much of the buzz around it comes from the potential for peer-to-peer communication where each IoT device interacts with others. They already have a constant connection to the internet, so establishing one between a group of them is a minor leap.

  1. Asset Tracking

A business owner is no stranger to supply chain delays and surprises, considering everything from a bad storm to a foreign conflict can disrupt things. IoT asset tracking can give immediate updates on an item’s location.

You can use remote IoT tracking to find packages in real time, no matter where you are. It improves traceability, helping you reduce losses. All you have to do is put a device on a pallet to keep track of its whereabouts the entire time it is in transit.

On top of tracking where products are, IoT asset tracking can tell you if they break in transit. The sensors can detect minor changes and alert you to potential damage. This technology can even improve your brand’s reputation since you can resolve the issue before your customer receives a defective item.

  1. Digital Twins

A digital twin is a virtual copy of a physical object. Basically, it is an advanced version of traditional simulations. You use IoT sensors to map whatever item you want to visualize to monitor it in real time or simulate it after a change.

A digital twin can handle thousands of variables simultaneously, so you can use it for complex situations. For example, you could simulate how your new packaging design will function. You can use a digital twin instead of repeatedly building and testing prototypes.

It is also helpful for visualization. A digital twin can help you if you want to keep track of something remotely. Since it is a replica of the item in a digital format, you can monitor it even if you are not close to it. If something on the actual object begins to malfunction, you can consult the copy to understand how to troubleshoot things.

  1. New Regulations

Regulations have begun to appear because of the rapid appearance of new IoT trends. Businesses should be aware of each new law to protect themselves as they adopt the technology. Regulatory bodies want to set ground rules as more industries use it.

For instance, the European Commission accepted a data protection act in 2023. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission proposed mandatory cybersecurity labels for IoT devices in the same year.

What Can Businesses Do to Prepare?

Businesses can analyze their needs to prepare for upcoming IoT trends. Once they identify where to use the technology, they can figure out how to implement it. While AIoT may be the best choice for one company, automation may be vital for another, depending on their individual needs.

Whatever they choose, it is a good idea to act now since the technology is only getting bigger. In 2023, the amount of IoT devices reached 15.14 billion globally. Experts expect the number will continue to rise and reach nearly 29.5 billion as early as 2030. They can take advantage of the growth if they prepare for it.

Follow the Trends

Businesses can benefit from paying attention to emerging IoT trends revolutionizing technology. You could use it to automate your e-commerce packaging, test new product prototypes digitally or predict supply chain delays. Ultimately, it could improve your company’s operations and elevate your digital processes.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

Next-Level Campaigns: How AI Supercharges Customer Acquisition and Retention

Customer acquisition and retention are necessary for businesses to succeed. Acquiring new customers allows companies to grow, but they must also retain them to guarantee brand loyalty and sustainable profitability.

Consumers are constantly shifting their preferences and behaviors, making it challenging for companies to reach target audiences with effective campaigns. However, with artificial intelligence (AI) by your side and the right data, you can better understand, attract and retain your customer base.

A Brief Overview of How AI Works

AI helps marketers by analyzing large amounts of data in a shorter time. Companies have always used data to learn about their customers. Yet, before AI came into the picture, businesses used traditional marketing methods that often relied on broader information.

Today, the global AI market comes to $142.3 billion, and companies use it to identify specific customer behaviors, preferences and patterns. Marketers create more targeted and personalized campaigns using algorithms to sift through data sources like website visits, social media interactions and purchase histories.

This information provides a deep view of customers’ habits and what they like. With these insights, businesses craft messages and offers that resonate directly with individual users. As a result, potential customers are more likely to engage because those messages capture their attention.

Essentially, AI eliminates much guesswork and ensures you use your resources efficiently to reach the right audience on time.

Personalized Marketing Messages and Recommendations

AI takes personalization to a whole new level by understanding each customer. One way it personalizes marketing is through product recommendations.

For instance, when users visit an e-commerce site, AI analyzes their browsing behavior, past purchases and abandoned carts. It uses this information to suggest products they are likely to buy. However, this method requires more than showing relevant products — it also needs you to present them at the right moment in the user’s journey.

Email marketing has also benefited from AI’s personalization capabilities. Instead of sending generic newsletters, companies can now send emails that provide specific solutions to their customers’ needs. From subject lines that capture attention to content that addresses their interests, AI ensures every email feels individually crafted.

In social media advertising, AI looks at users’ interactions, likes, shares and comments to display ads that relate to their interests and values. It ensures each message caters to the individual to increase engagement and customer interest.

Optimizes Ad Campaigns

Optimizing an ad campaign has become highly sophisticated with the integration of AI. AI assists businesses in ensuring their advertising efforts are on point through various techniques:

  • Dynamic pricing: AI analyzes real-time market demand, competitor pricing and other factors to adjust ad bids automatically. This analysis ensures companies get the best value for their ad spend while maximizing visibility.
  • Audience segmentation: Instead of broad demographic groups, AI creates micro-segments based on behaviors and past interactions. This allows for highly targeted ad campaigns that cater to specific audiences.
  • A/B testing at scale: While traditional A/B testing compares two versions of an ad, AI can test multiple variations simultaneously. It analyzes which elements — like headlines, images or calls-to-action — perform the best.
  • Predictive analysis: AI forecasts how likely a particular ad is to convert based on historical data and user behavior. This predictive insight allows businesses to allocate their budgets better — pushing resources toward advertisements likely to yield higher results.
  • Multichannel optimization: AI focuses on more than one platform by evaluating the performance of ads across various channels — from social media to search engines.
  • Real-time adjustments: Market conditions and user behaviors can change rapidly. Therefore, AI-driven platforms become useful as they react in real time to tweak campaigns to adjust to these changes.

Predicts Customer Needs

AI may be able to capture data and analyze it for campaigns. However, the interesting part is that it can predict future trends by analyzing past behaviors. With its predictive capabilities, you can address customer needs before they arise.

AI achieves this by looking for patterns in your customer data. These could be things your customers have purchased or time spent on particular pages. From there, AI determines what a customer is interested in or might look for in the future.

For example, a customer who checks out athletic gear often may be interested in a new sportswear line. The company can then use this information to promote the products, instantly saving time and money from studying customers’ preferences and behaviors.

Beyond looking at individual behaviors, AI also analyzes global trends. By examining broader market patterns and predicting upcoming trends with AI, your business can always be a step ahead in its offerings.

Automates Customer Communication

Effective communication is crucial in establishing and maintaining customer relationships. Communication helps customers get answers to their questions, build trust with a brand and solve problems. However, low-priority communications often take up much of your customer support team’s time.

When AI automates simple requests, customer support can better care for customers with larger issues. For example, AI could help customers find what they want on the business’s website. Hubspot found that 78% of customer support agents use AI and automation because they say it lets them spend their time on more important aspects of their role.

One of the most popular ways companies do this is through chatbots. These tools handle numerous customer inquiries in real time, providing instant answers and solutions. AI chatbots can understand and respond to user queries. The interaction feels smooth and natural, and more customers are satisfied with the help they receive.

Using AI Marketing for Customer Acquisition and Retention

AI has certainly changed the way marketers reach and retain new customers. Whether it is through personalized messaging or product recommendations, businesses witnessed the power behind it to engage with customers in previously unimaginable ways. Pinpoint some areas where you could use AI in your business and start taking customer acquisition to another level today.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

Why Incorporating Community Service Is Vital for Modern Web Businesses

What does community service look like for modern web-based businesses? Unlike traditional mom-and-pop shops with personal customer relationships, a digital company may have various clients.

Figuring out the ins and outs of giving back to customers requires more legwork but can still help your company develop strong interpersonal relationships with clients. Laying the groundwork gives you a competitive advantage and establishes your organization as one that cares.

1. Build Strong Connections

The Edelman Trust Barometer 2023 showed a rising need for increased trust between consumers and brands. Approximately 71% of people feel being able to rely on a company to be honest is more important today than in the past.

Giving back to the world shows you care about more than just a profit. It is much more likely to instill good feelings in people than if you ignore social causes or needs. You create strong emotional ties when you make a difference in someone’s life.

2. Show You’re an Authority in Your Field

According to research, family-owned enterprises provide employment opportunities for 63% of the workforce in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of businesses emerge each year, making it increasingly challenging to find success.

How can you show you’re an authority in your field and gain customers’ confidence? Giving back to others shows you know what you’re doing and are making a profit. Give a percentage of revenue to philanthropic efforts.

Consumers who believe in the same cause will consider you when they need something you sell. An example of this type of buy-one, give-one mentality can be seen in the model of TOMS shoes. When you buy shoes, it donates a pair.

3. Create a Positive Impression of Your Company

Community service can also improve your image and help you develop a positive reputation. If you’re doing damage control from past mistakes or a catastrophe, finding ways to give back can help repair your reputation.

Remember why you started your company and the big dreams you had. What is your brand image and how do others see you? For example, are you an avid golfer? You may have started your company to serve a need such as help with putting skills. One idea is to offer free training to golfers on an aspect of their game. You could also give back to a charity for youth by hosting an event where profits go to a specific organization.

Embrace whatever cause matters most to you, whether saving the environment, protecting endangered species or helping homeless veterans. Whatever movement you participate in, post to your social media account and share how you’re giving back with your followers.

4. Keep Employees Thriving

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the quit rate for June 2023 was 2.4%, which was nearly 4 million workers. Although competition to retain people might vary depending on where you live, you still want to keep your employees engaged and thriving.

Your employees often promote your business and its activities. They take pride in their workplace and eagerly spread the word to others. Identifying your strengths simplifies determining when and how you should give back. By working together, everyone can contribute to cultivating a company culture.

Regardless of how much the labor shortage impacts your company, you want to train and keep top workers. Investing in things they care about is a great way to retain talent.

5. Teach Customers to Be Loyal to Your Brand

Serving the online community means your company name is repeatedly mentioned in the same circles. Your target audience might see you donated to a cause they are passionate about. You may have participated in a local project and it made an impact or spurred more giving to a global cause.

They may perceive their friends buy the same product, creating an online connection. In fact, 22% of consumers say a strong sense of community is a big reason for brand loyalty. However, it goes deeper than just feeling seen and heard. Someone has to hear your name repeatedly before remembering it in the first place.

Building brand recognition takes a plan and consistent delivery. Look for ways to get the word out. However, the reason you participate in an event or offer a service should be because you care.

Even if you gain zero new customers from giving back, you should still do it because it matters. Approaching charity work with a positive attitude will likely get fresh eyes on your products and revenue from the effort.

6. Get Your Customers Like No One Else Does

Understanding the emotions and passions that drive your audience means you’re much more likely to make an emotional connection. Engaging in community service lets you connect with your customers on their level and gain insights into their priorities. Take the time to inquire about the organizations they hold dear and would appreciate your support for. Additionally, explore ways you can assist them or their loved ones.

For example, some of your customers may have vision limitations. You can find out what makes it easier for them to browse your pages and fix it. You can then offer a community service by featuring workshops for other companies and explaining what you changed and how they can repeat your efforts.

Start on Community Service Today

The best way to ramp up community service for your modern web business is to map out how you’d like to give back and start with the top ones. Allow your employees some input, try various ideas and ask customers what they think about new programs. Focus on improving your efforts over time and offering a service to make the world a better place rather than what you can get out of it as a company.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

The Art of Meeting Project Deadlines: Essential Practices for On-Time Delivery

One of the most challenging aspects of running a successful company is meeting project deadlines. With multiple players on a project and clients throwing new due dates at you, developing strong practices for on-time delivery is difficult at best.

Meeting due dates is crucial to the growth and success of your business. You will build trust with clients so they turn to you for future projects. When you are more productive, you will also get more work done and be able to take on new clients.

Fortunately, making a few changes to how you approach projects can make all the difference. Here are the top ways of meeting project deadlines on time.

1. Get Input From Staff

Gartner reports 82% of employees want their organizations to understand them as a person, but only 45% feel their employer tries. Before embarking on any big process changes or productivity improvements, gather everyone together.

Ask workers for ideas to improve time management. Most of them probably already have hacks they use and everyone can learn from one another. Also, ask for feedback for project managers on the things that might need improvement when it comes to dispersing work and setting deadlines.

2. Set the Foundation

Come up with a template you can utilize that defines the scope of the project and the end objective. Knowing the typical milestones for projects of a similar type enables you to streamline the process of setting up the job.

You can use tools such as online project management to make the process easier and save other workflows. With a plug-and-play type system, you simply add in the specific details for the exact project of the moment.

3. Use a Paper Planner

When you are first laying out your projects, put everything on paper. You never know when third-party software might go down. With a paper copy, you can pull out the original notes and keep moving forward until systems come back online.

Studies also show writing things out in hard copy improves retention. People will not have to continually refer to online notes if they better remember the next task. Although it is an extra step to mark off completed work and change things along the way, it is minimal compared to the headache you might have if a digital copy gets hacked or the server goes down.

4. Be Smart About Project Deadlines

It is tempting to make deadlines extremely tight to encourage staff to strive for better productivity. However, the stress of meeting impossible due dates could have the opposite effect and cause people to feel like failures.

Consider what a reasonable deadline is and how difficult the task might be. Something simple — such as emailing the client — might only need a few minutes to complete. On the other hand, creating a style guide is much more intensive and requires multiple hours of work that often must be broken down to avoid burnout.

5. Assign Tasks to the Right People

The creation of a website or app should go to your best web developer staff members. If you begin assigning tasks and realize you do not have enough people to complete highly technical or skilled work, you will need to hire someone or allow time for other team members to train.

Look at what is time sensitive and push those jobs to the people you know meet deadlines without fail. At the same time, get those workers to mentor others who might not be as adept at finishing tasks when they should.

Although meeting deadlines and working productively are important, your employees are learning from each project. Factor in time for education and building new skills so each project becomes a bit more efficient.

6. Rate Tasks by Priority

For any project, some tasks are more crucial than others. If the marketing department is waiting on a graphic design, they cannot schedule advertisements.

Look at which elements impact other elements when choosing the priority of tasks. Then, rank the most vital things so the team knows they should complete them first. Make it a daily habit to organize things a second time as milestones change and different variables enter the picture.

7. Conduct Frequent Progress Checks

As the project progresses, take the time to see if you are meeting major milestones and what deadlines might fall behind. If you are having a hard time coordinating everything or need a professional set of eyes on a job, hire one of the estimated 781,400 project management specialists in the U.S. You might want to get their input on how well your plan is working and any tweaks that would make the process more efficient.

8. Say No

It is common for clients to throw a bunch of new tasks or widen the scope of a project after you begin. You have to learn how to manage such requests without overwhelming your staff or not meeting crucial deadlines.

You do not want to tell a customer no constantly. However, sometimes you must explain why something is outside the original agreement, and additions will require more time and resources.

Deliver Quality Projects on Time

Clients expect you to meet specific deadlines but keep the lines of communication open and assure them you understand what they want from the experience. Setting goals before you begin a project helps keep things on track. If you run into problems, go back to the objective and strategize. When you focus on the project as a whole and then break it down, you will be better able to manage project deadlines and keep your clients happy.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

How Do Businesses Create Unforgettable Experiences that Span the Entire Buyer’s Journey?

Today’s savvy consumers look for more than just price or quality in the products they buy. Shoppers also want a positive and engaging user experience (UX) that spans the entire buyer’s journey and beyond.

It’s natural to focus on finding new leads and getting them to make a purchase, but there are many steps before, during and after the sale that can impact how the user feels about your brand. The goal is to engage with them in a way that leaves them walking away with such a positive impression that they tell everyone they know and sing your praises via reviews and social media posts.

How can you improve the buyer’s journey and turn browsers into loyal customers and current clients into raving fans?

1. Know the Phases of the Buyer’s Journey

Before you can create an amazing experience, you must fully understand the path a consumer walks before they buy. In general, there are three phases to the process.

  1. Awareness
  2. Consideration
  3. Decision

Within each of those phases are various touch points to focus on if you wish to create a memorable encounter. Walk through the sales funnel as though you are a user at each phase. Does anything make you want to leave the site? Is there anything unclear or that could be easier to use?

2. Get Personal

It’s particularly crucial during the awareness phase to create content that speaks to the audience. Create buyer personas based on pain points the user has that drives them to you for a solution.

Once you understand your audience’s demographics, you can address the emotions behind each pain point. Create content that relieves fears, makes them laugh or helps them overcome the issue at hand.

Videos are one tool to engage new users and begin to move them from the awareness to the consideration phase. You must first teach them about what you do and why it would help them.

3. Improve Checkout

Zippia reports that the average shopping cart abandonment rate is 69.82% across all industries. Anything you can do to improve checkout will improve your revenue.

Users entering your checkout process are likely already in the decision stage and ready to make a purchase. Prevent any reasons to bounce away. Test the system, retest it and simplify things until closing the sale is as natural as clicking a single link.

Add features such as a one-click checkout and integrate with third-party payment providers like PayPal and Google so information is already stored and the user doesn’t have to think before hitting the checkout button.

4. Onboard New Visitors

Many experts now recommend taking a total experience (TX) approach with users. With TX, you have to look at every tiny detail. The way the colors on the page impact users emotionally may seem minor but can make a difference in the way the audience perceives your brand.

Take the time to welcome new visitors and teach them how to use your website or software. Break things down until even a small child could understand the next step and why to take it. Ensure call to action (CTA) buttons are easy to spot and the result is clear.

Don’t forget how many mobile interactions there are, as the numbers increase annually. Many shoppers may visit your site from smartphones, tablets and other devices.

5. Create Interactive Experiences

When the buyer’s journey reaches the consideration stage, focus on creating content that draws the user in and engages them. You might add a flip card, where you ask a question and the user clicks on the card for the answer about your product or service.

You might also host a webinar, offer online product demonstrations or tap into the power of augmented reality (AR). Ikea takes AR and adds it to their app for an immersive experience that sells furniture. The user points their cell phone at the room and plops the item into place. Instantly, they can consider how it looks and if it is the right item for their needs.

People move very quickly from consideration to decision when you give them the tools to do so.

6. Build Customer Loyalty

CX is a roughly $641 billion industry and growing. Companies are starting to understand why the steps a buyer goes through to become a customer are so crucial to building a loyal fan base.

One thing you can do to better understand your customers and create positive associations with your brand is to build a customer journey map. A map is something you should build as you walk through your site or shopping experience. Write down every touchpoint.

Next, ask if each interaction is all it can be or you should ramp things up. If something isn’t working, change it. Talk to customers and find out what they love and dislike about their experience.

7. Improve Multichannel Communication

Have you ever gone online and engaged a chatbot to fix an issue with a product or service? Perhaps you phoned and explained the issue only to be transferred and have to explain it all over again.

If you want to make a good impression on the buyer, you have to lessen their frustration when something does go wrong or they have a question. The best way to improve your customer service is by integrating all customer service channels into a single database.

Let’s say John went into the chatbot and tried to troubleshoot his new flashlight. Unfortunately, no live agents were available, and the bot couldn’t help, so the system asked him to phone.

John makes the call but has to explain the entire issue once again. The agent he reached isn’t in technical support and apologizes and transfers him to the correct department. Once there, guess what happens? John has to explain the entire problem yet again and hope this person can help him.

If you’re frustrating your customers like this, stop now. Train agents to look up the chain of communication and already know what the problem is so they can hit the ground running. “Hello John, I see that you tried to resolve this with our online live chat but were asked to phone in. Your new flashlight you just bought isn’t turning on and you want to know if you should return it. Is that correct?”

John is now less frustrated and you’ve improved the CX for him, making his experience unforgettable in a positive way.

Follow Up for the Best CX Imaginable

Creating an unforgettable experience happens when you stand out from the competition. You must show customers you care about them as individuals and give them a reason to trust you with their hard-earned dollars.

Following up after you have their money is one of the top ways to signal you care about more than just profit. You want them to be happy with their purchase and trust you in the future. Send an email checking on them and make sure they’re completely satisfied. Most will ignore the email, but a few might reach out for help or with a complaint. If they do, you now have the opportunity to solve the problem and secure your reputation with them.

With a little added effort during each part of the buyer’s journey, you’ll wind up with a skew of loyal fans who tell others how amazing you and your products are.


Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

The Key to Reaching Boomers to Gen Z through Multigenerational Marketing

Marketing to acquire new customers can be a challenging task for any business. You have to know who your target audience is, what makes them tick and how your products or services can make a difference in their lives. Yet, when you add multiple generations into the mix of your marketing strategy, this can be a huge undertaking. A mass appeal to different ages requires careful planning, the right resources and a thorough understanding of each group.

Before diving into multigenerational marketing head-on, you will need a powerful strategy to ensure you are keeping all generations within reach. From baby boomers to Gen Z, here is how you can deepen your market penetration and broaden your customer base.

Defining Multigenerational Marketing

You likely already know that marketing requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Even if you are only selling one offer, you must adjust your content and advertising to attract different audiences through multigenerational marketing.

Multigenerational marketing is defined as the practice of communicating and promoting products or services to multiple age groups simultaneously. This marketing approach uses segmentation to include each demographic by acknowledging their unique needs, values and experiences.

Many businesses implement multigenerational marketing because it allows them to interact with a wider audience, cultivate more relationships and gain valuable insights. Additionally, it promotes inclusivity and diversity, which is helpful in enhancing brand appeal across each age group. When done right, your marketing team can set your business apart from the competition and create more opportunities for high conversions.

Who Is Each Generation?

To implement multigenerational marketing successfully, you must understand each demographic so you can devise a personalized marketing strategy to increase reach. Here is an overview of what the different generations are like:

Baby Boomers

The boomer generation was born between 1946-1964, making up 20.58% of the U.S. population. Baby boomers are the generation that grew up during the era of the white picket fence and significant technological advancements. They are often described as hardworking, resourceful and conservative.

When it comes to their consumer behavior, boomers value quality and are brand loyal. They are not as digitally native as their younger counterparts, which means traditional marketing methods work best. They prefer face-to-face communication, sales pitches and testimonials. Direct mail campaigns and videos with captions also work well for this audience.

Despite their slow adoption of technology, they still use the internet and shop online. They appreciate more detailed information, so clear and concise copy is key. This generation also has significant spending power but does not make decisions lightly, so building trust will also be worth your time.

Gen X

Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, is often considered the “middle child” between baby boomers and millennials. This generation is autonomous and self-sufficient, having grown up in an era of two-income families.

Gen Xers are tech-savvy and adaptable, bridging the gap between digital and traditional media. They tend to be skeptical consumers who take time to research and read reviews before making a purchase decision. Additionally, Gen X appreciates email for communication and is more receptive to a high frequency of newsletters. Therefore, sending many emails over a period of time is fine for them.

They prefer transparency and straightforward marketing messages, but also enjoy personalized offers that cater to their interests. Values like stability and security are key to gaining their trust.

Millennials

Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996. This is a group that stands out from their predecessors because they have a unique set of characteristics. Millennials are highly diverse, tech-savvy and socially conscious.

They always feel the need to be constantly connected to social media and the internet, making them highly comfortable with technology and digital communication. However, that does not mean they like brands bombarding them with messages. Instead, they prefer slow and steady.

Additionally, millennials are driven by experiences and are constantly looking for ways to engage with others and share content on social media. They desire personalization and social impact, so they are more likely to support brands that share these same values.

Their purchase decisions often extend beyond the product itself, considering the brand’s reputation and ethical standards. Therefore, engaging with millennials means recognizing these attributes and what they believe in the most.

Gen Z

Generation Z, born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s, makes up 40% of consumers in the U.S. This is a tech-savvy generation. Growing up in a digital era, Gen Zers are largely influenced by their continuous online presence. They are often guided by trends spotted on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, and they have shorter attention spans than any other generation.

However, Gen Z places high importance on authenticity, social causes and inclusivity, making them likely to patronize brands that reflect these values. This generation also values speed and convenience, making them more likely to shop for products or services with one-click purchasing on their mobile devices.

They are quick to dislike messaging or advertising that disrupts their online experience and have a tight-knit relationship with technology that shapes their purchasing habits.

Tactics for Marketing to Each Generation

Here are some of the best marketing tactics for each generation:

  • Baby boomers: Prioritize traditional media channels like TV, radio and print, along with Facebook. Focus on providing specific details about your offerings and prioritize excellent customer service. Emphasize quality and cater to their price-conscious side.
  • Gen X: Utilize a mix of digital and traditional marketing channels. Adopt straightforward, honest marketing messages to appeal to their skeptical nature. Highlight the practicality and value-for-money aspects of the product.
  • Millennials: Leverage digital and social media platforms. Showcase social responsibility and ethical business practices. Provide personalized experiences and engage in two-way communication.
  • Gen Z: Prioritize mobile-friendly, quick and highly visual content. Avoid using “Gen Z” language and showcase authenticity instead. Utilize influencers and peer reviews, as Gen Z values opinions from people they trust.

Multigenerational Marketing for Success

Multigenerational marketing can be an effective way to reach a wide audience across various age demographics. However, it takes hard work and thorough research to understand each of their characteristics and what they value most.

Be sure to tailor your messaging to each generation. Personalization goes a long way in maintaining relevance, increasing engagement and building long-standing relationships.