The truth is, most business owners don’t realize their website is costing them leads, trust, and revenue. The signs are there — they’re just easy to miss when you’re deep in the day-to-day of running a business. Whether you’re a local service provider, an e-commerce brand, or a growing company in Broken Arrow, this guide will walk you through the 10 most damaging signs your website is underperforming and exactly what to do about each one.

Sign #1: Your Website Takes Forever to Load

Speed is not a luxury — it’s a requirement. Studies consistently show that users will abandon a website if it takes more than three seconds to load. If your pages are slow, you’re bleeding traffic before visitors ever see what you offer.

How to fix it: Compress images, reduce unnecessary plugins, use a content delivery network (CDN), and choose a quality hosting provider. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can give you a clear picture of where you stand.

Sign #2: It Looks Broken on Mobile Devices

More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your website isn’t responsive — meaning it doesn’t adjust cleanly to smartphone and tablet screens — you’re immediately telling half your potential audience that you don’t care about their experience.

How to fix it: Invest in a mobile-first redesign. Every element — buttons, text, navigation menus, images — should work flawlessly on any screen size.

Sign #3: Visitors Leave Within Seconds (High Bounce Rate)

A high bounce rate means people are landing on your site and leaving almost immediately. This tells search engines that your content isn’t relevant or engaging, which tanks your rankings and sends your traffic into freefall.

How to fix it: Improve your above-the-fold content. Make sure your headline speaks directly to your visitor’s problem. Have a clear, compelling reason for them to stay and scroll.

Sign #4: Your Call-to-Actions Are Confusing or Nonexistent

If visitors don’t know what to do next, they’ll do nothing. Weak, vague, or buried calls to action (CTAs) are among the biggest conversion killers on any website.

How to fix it: Every page should have one clear, specific CTA: “Schedule a Free Consultation,” “Get a Quote,” or “Shop Now.” Use contrasting colors, strong action verbs, and place CTAs where eyes naturally land.

Sign #5: Your Website Has an Outdated Design or Content

An outdated website signals to visitors that you may not be trustworthy or that your business isn’t actively maintained. First impressions are formed in milliseconds — and a dated design destroys credibility instantly.

How to fix it: Refresh your design to reflect current trends and your brand identity. Update your content regularly — expired promotions, old blog posts, and outdated team photos all send the wrong message.

Contact us today to get a free website evaluation and discover exactly what’s holding your site back.

Sign #6: You’re Not Showing Up on Google (Poor SEO)

If your website can’t be found in search results, it might not exist. Poor on-page SEO — missing meta titles, no keyword strategy, unoptimized images, and weak content — keeps you invisible while your competitors collect the traffic.

How to fix it: Conduct a thorough SEO audit. Focus on keyword research, meta descriptions, header tags, internal linking, and local SEO if you serve a specific area, such as Broken Arrow or the surrounding region.

Sign #7 — The One Sign That’s Costing You the Most: Your Website Hurting Business Through Poor Trust Signals

This is the silent killer. Visitors who don’t trust your site won’t buy, call, or fill out your form — even if your product or service is exactly what they need. Missing trust signals include the absence of testimonials, security badges, clear contact information, and social proof.

How to fix it: Add real customer reviews and testimonials prominently. Display any certifications, awards, or partnerships. Make sure your contact details — phone number, email, physical address — are easy to find. And if you’re taking payments or collecting information, ensure your site has an SSL certificate (https://).

Sign #8: Your Website Has No Clear Value Proposition

What do you do? Who do you help? Why should someone choose you over a competitor? If your homepage doesn’t answer these three questions within the first five seconds, you’ve already lost the visitor.

How to fix it: Write a clear, benefit-driven headline for your homepage. Avoid generic phrases like “Welcome to our website.” Instead, say something like: “We Help Broken Arrow Small Businesses Generate More Leads Online — Guaranteed.”

Sign #9: Your Navigation Is Confusing

If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they leave. Overly complex menus, too many options, buried pages, and inconsistent navigation structures all contribute to a frustrating user experience.

How to fix it: Simplify your navigation to no more than five to seven main menu items. Use clear, descriptive labels. Make sure every page is reachable within two to three clicks from the homepage.

Sign #10: You Have No Analytics Tracking

If you’re not measuring it, you can’t improve it. Many small business websites have no analytics set up, meaning they have no idea where their traffic comes from, what pages people visit, or where visitors drop off.

How to fix it: Install Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console on your website immediately. Set up conversion tracking so you know exactly how many leads your site is generating — and where the bottlenecks are.

Your website should be your best-performing salesperson — not your biggest liability. If you recognized your business in three or more of the signs above, it’s time to take action.

Why Choose McWilliams Media

At McWilliams Media, we’re your local growth partner based right here in Broken Arrow. We understand the local market, the local audience, and what it takes for businesses in this area to stand out online.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• We take a results-first approach — every recommendation we make is tied to a measurable business outcome.
• We specialize in helping small to mid-sized businesses compete with larger brands through smart, strategic digital marketing.
• Our team has hands-on expertise in website design, SEO, content marketing, paid advertising, and conversion rate optimization.
• We treat every client like a long-term partner, not just a project — your growth is our success.
• We communicate clearly, meet deadlines, and deliver work that we’re proud to put our name on.
• We are deeply rooted in the Broken Arrow community and committed to helping local businesses thrive in a competitive digital landscape.

When you work with McWilliams Media you’re getting a customized strategy built around your specific goals, industry, and audience.

Stop guessing about why your website isn’t converting. Let the experts at McWilliams Media analyze your site, identify the leaks, and build you a digital presence that drives real results. 

Conclusion

Your website is either working for your business or against it — there’s very little middle ground. The 10 signs we’ve covered in this post are not rare edge cases; they’re the exact issues we see every single day with business websites across Broken Arrow and beyond.

The good news? Every single one of these problems is fixable. With the right strategy, team, and execution, your website can go from a liability to your most valuable business asset.

The businesses that succeed online in the coming years won’t be the ones with the biggest budgets — they’ll be the ones who take their digital presence seriously and act before their competition does.

If you’re ready to take that step, McWilliams Media is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t let another month go by watching potential customers land on your website and leave without taking action.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I know if my website is hurting my business? 

The clearest signs include low traffic, high bounce rates, few or no leads coming through your website, poor Google rankings, and slow page speeds. If you haven’t reviewed your site’s performance recently, a professional website audit is the best place to start.

Q2: How much does it cost to fix a website that isn’t performing? 

Costs vary depending on the scope of work needed. Minor SEO and content updates can be affordable, while a full website redesign is a larger investment. McWilliams Media offers flexible service options to fit different budgets — reach out for a personalized quote.

Q3: How long does it take to see results after fixing website issues?

SEO improvements typically take three to six months to show significant results, while design and conversion improvements can impact performance almost immediately. Speed and mobile fixes often produce quick wins in user experience and bounce rate.

Q4: Do I need a brand new website, or can my existing site be improved?

It depends on the condition of your current site. In many cases, strategic improvements to an existing website can produce strong results without a full rebuild. Our team will evaluate your site and give you an honest recommendation.

Q5: Does McWilliams Media serve businesses outside of Broken Arrow? 

Absolutely. While we are proudly based in Broken Arrow and deeply committed to our local community, we work with businesses across Oklahoma and throughout the United States. Our digital services are location-flexible — a great strategy works everywhere.

The post 10 Signs Your Website Is Hurting Your Business (And How to Fix It) first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

As a small business, setting up your Google Business can be a game-changer when it comes to your business’s online visibility and long term growth. However, there are several things you should consider when setting up your Google Business online. Here are the top five mistakes small business owners make when initially setting up their Google Business: 

1. Limiting Your Business Categories

Oftentimes, businesses will only choose one or two categories to define what type of services they provide. It is very rare, though, for a business to offer only one type or even only two different types of services. Google will actually allow you to choose up to ten categories for you to classify your business, and they provide over 3,000 categories to choose from. Choosing more categories will create more search visibility for your business when potential customers search for various keywords. So, make sure to add more categories!

2. Not Adding Media

It is no secret that our world is becoming increasingly more visually-oriented. Because of that, photos and videos make fantastic online tools to tangibly show people both what your business looks like and what it is all about. Examples of great photos and videos to add to your Google Business listing include either photos or a 360 video of your brick-and-mortar business (if you have one) or high-quality images that put on display the services you provide. For a restaurant or catering company, this may be photos from your menu. For a mechanic, you might upload photos of cars you have worked on.

3. Inconsistent Info Between Your Website and Google Business

If your address on your website says “1234 Location Ave.” and your Google Business says 1234 Location Avenue, this is confusing for Google’s ranking algorithms. This is extremely important if you want your website/Google Business to show up on Google searches. Google looks at consistent information as a point of criteria when ranking websites. That said, it important that your web address, phone number, and email address are also consistent.

4. Not Adding a Business Description

A business description helps customers to further understand what your business is all about. This is the place where you really have the chance to sell a customer on your value proposition, or what your business brings to the table. What is more, adding a business description is the perfect opportunity to add valuable keywords to your Google Business that will make it appear in more searches.

5. Not Responding to Reviews (Positive or Negative)

Do not just set up your Google Business and then forget about it! When you begin to receive reviews, it is important that you actually respond to them. This type of personal interaction is huge for prospective customers to see on your Google Business. It truly does not matter if the reviews are positive or negative as long as you are sincere and intentional in your response. In fact, responding kindly to negative reviews may even entice the negative reviewers to come back and change their ratings. 

The post 5 Mistakes Most Small Businesses Make When Setting Up Their Google Business first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

Do the words “website content” cause your stress levels to rise? You know that creating compelling content for your digital marketing is important but you are not sure where to start. If you are a business owner or non-profit leader you have a lot on your plate already and thinking about creating content for your website is easy to shove down the to-do list because you have more pressing matters to take care of.

Have you considered the fact that many customers very first impression of you will be through website content?

That’s far too important to keep ignoring and should lead you to the question, “How do I create great website content?”

With time is limited it’s even more important to get it right. You don’t want to waste time creating content that doesn’t attract or connect with the people you want to reach. We put together a list of 10 Keys To Creating Astonishing Website Content designed to help you create content that connects with people and keeps them engaged with your message and brand.

10 Keys To Creating Astonishing Website Content That Attracts Clients

1. Stop Trying To Be The Hero

Great communication begins with an understanding of WHO the communication is for. Spoiler Alert: It’s not you. You communicate to engage, help and persuade others, not just to hear the sound of your own voice or read your own words. This is the biggest mistake that people make when creating content. They make the content all about them and not the people they are trying to talk to. The more you forget about yourself and obsess over your customer the more you will be heard. What are their problems, fears, hopes, and dream? Speak to those things in your message and you will be heard. Constantly remind everyone how awesome you are and how your company was started by your grandfather 100 years ago and prepare to be tuned out.

2. Be Clear

You may have heard the phrase before, “Content is King” but the real truth is that “Clarity Is King”. The Internet is flooded with content and noise. In a cluttered market of ideas, the value of clarity is always going up.
Clarity is what cuts through the noise. Clarity is what causes people to connect with your words. Be clear and specific. What problem are you trying to solve? Who are you trying to help? Who is your product or service for? Who is it NOT for? Ask yourself questions to help define who you are talking to and what problem you are trying to solve for them. Concrete and specific words and descriptions stick in peoples heads better.

If you forget all the other keys but remember to be clear, you will have put yourself at a great advantage.

3. Call People To Action

People want to be led somewhere. Take them on a journey that calls them to action. Don’t just think about what you want people to know. Put thought into what you want to challenge them to do. This doesn’t always have to be guiding them to A Buy Now button or urging them to call your phone number. It may be guiding them to take another step to learn more, downloading a helpful resource or signing up to a newsletter. Think of your communication and marketing as what it is a conversation with an actual person. Kind of like if you were on a date. Don’t ask your clients to marry you on the first date.

4. Define the Problem

Talking about problems sounds negative. It can be tempting to avoid talking about problems and constantly talk about solutions, features, and benefits. If you don’t define the problem in your content, people will tune it out. They think that it must not apply to them because they don’t understand what problem your product or service is trying to solve. When you describe someone’s problem in detail though they engage and connect with your message because they know it’s for them.

5. Address Internal and External Issues

Another common mistake people make when creating content is only focusing on talking about external problems. Most likely your company is heavily focused on solving external problems for your clients. If you are roofer you fix leaking roofs. If you are a dentist you help hurting teeth etc. It’s easy to talk about external problems because they are to put it bluntly, obvious. But external problems are only part of the picture. That client with the leaking roof has internal problems as well. Perhaps they are nervous and uncertain about dealing with an insurance claim because they have never done it before. They feel insecure. Perhaps the dental client is self-conscious about their teeth and worried they will be judged for “not flossing enough”. These are the internal problems that are connected with your client’s external problem. Why is it important to think about internal problems? Because most customer decisions are based off of how they feel about their internal problems not external ones. It’s also the best opportunity you have to separate yourself from your competitors. They are calling a roofer because they have a leaking roof but they are going to hire the company that speaks best to their internal problem.

6. Think From Your Customers Perspective

Do you see a trend here? Thinking from your customers perspective is the giant key that unlocks powerful content and communication. Customers don’t choose the company that talks the most, they choose the company that understands them the most. Thinking from the customers perspective is an easy thing to say and it seems like an obvious thing to do but it’s not easy.
Why is it difficult? If you are a business owner or non-profit leader you typically have a lot of things going on. You are thinking about fires you have to put out with your team, next weeks payroll and perhaps those few clients that seem to really frustrate you. It can be hard to step out of your world and see your company through your clients or potential clients eyes. Try asking some of your better clients questions about how they see your company or organization and why they chose to use your product or service. Try to think about what the hopes, fears, and dreams might be of the typical person you serve. Try to see the world from their eyes, it might change everything for how you communicate.

7. Pay Attention to Details

Every piece of communication in your business or organization sends a message. From a blog post, social media image or even your company voice mail. Details matter. If you want people to assume that your customer service and work is high quality and meticulous, don’t sell yourself short by delivering low-quality communication. Use spell checker and grammar tools to help catch errors that may give off a bad impression. You don’t have to be perfect but it is important to put just as much effort into your communication as you do the work itself.

8. Be Authentic

Don’t try to present yourself or your organization as something you are not. Don’t use buzzwords and overdone phrases. If you or your company is a little quirky and has a sense of humor, embrace it. Don’t feel like you have to present a sterile corporate version of yourself because that is what everyone else is doing. At the same time, if you value being professional and proper don’t try to be quirky and funny because you think that’s what other people want. When you find your own unique voice you may be surprised how many people are eager to hear it.

9. Show What’s At Stake

What is the cost of not hiring your company? What might happen if the problem is ignored? You don’t have to become a fearmonger with your messaging but it is important that you present to people what’s at stake. You want to present to people a clear vision of success and let them know that you can help guide them to that future but the other side of that is showing them a clear vision of what failure looks like.

10. Be Consistent

Have you been guilty of the inspiration trap? You listen to a podcast about social media and for 2 weeks you are posting twice a day and then nothing for months?
Being inspired is great but being consistent is what will cause your content to engage and connect with people.
Be consistent with the way you present yourself and your company. Be consistent with the frequency at which you post on social media and your website.

Set a goal for how often you want to talk to your customers over various mediums, then cut that goal in half and deliver on it!

Summary

Creating astonishing website content that attracts clients really boils down to great communication.
Great communication is an art form that takes practice. This list is far from comprehensive. There is always something new to learn and apply to your communication skills. We hope that this list has given you something that you can apply to your business or non-profit to help create great content that engages people with your cause.

It’s time for key number 3. How will you take action to make your communication better? In a cluttered and noisy environment, you need clarity to cut through the noise and distinguish yourself from competitors.

What will you create? What message will you speak? What problem will you solve?

If you want to learn more about marketing or experience what it’s like to have a team of people working with you to create amazing content that attracts customers get in touch with us to learn more and make sure that your brand’s message is heard through the noise.

The post 10 Keys To Creating Astonishing Website Content That Attracts Clients first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

They may have claimed that they can scan your site and provide you with information that only experts can provide. They also may have claimed your website not being up-to-date, missing information, or lacking speed. These emails or calls may be full of promises about your business being able to leverage this success overnight and gain a large quota of sales quickly!

Tempting.

We know.

These scare tactics can convince anyone to jump in on the investment, but before you hand over any private or financial information we wanted to provide you with some valuable tips to help you recognize spam, as well as reasons as to why you should stick to the experts.

How to recognize spam:

• Unsolicited emails and/or comments left on your website from random companies or contacts that you have never had contact with before. These are often full of exaggerated promises that seem too good to be true – because they are.
• Consider the email address. For example, are they sending you an email from an unprofessional email address or a free service such as @gmail.com or @hotmail.com?
• Research their company and consider the professionalism or the lack there of, their website, social media accounts, and email addresses provided.
• Requesting private information too soon. For example, are they requesting your private or banking information simply after your first interaction? If they seem pushy at all – RUN.

Why you want to use SEO experts instead:

• You will be better off because the experts are not out to trick you, but actually want to see your company succeed. Our success is directly correlated with your company’s success!
• You will save money by not trying to find a quick fix that doesn’t work and results in you needing to start ALL over again. Invest your money the right way the first time and avoid detours along the way to your SEO success.
• Your company will grow when you avoid the shortcuts.

Bottom line, trust your SEO success with the experts. SEO isn’t an overnight fix. It’s about promoting your site and overtime beating your competitors in the Google race.

Remember: slow and steady wins the race.

The post SEO Spam: How to Recognize and Avoid It first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

Customers are becoming savvier every day and work hard to not to be “sold”. This means that with each purchasing decision made, buyers are looking for some added value beyond the sale; perhaps a connection, relationship and better understanding of their needs. A couple of great tactics used to gain a better relationship with your potential customers is:

Reevaluate Your Messaging

Simplify your messaging and make sure that your website can be scanned within 10 seconds so a potential customer can understand what you have to offer. Your message should focus on your customer’s story and position your business as their guide. Keep your focus on building an authentic relationship with customers versus simply growing your business. The benefits of taking the time to care for your customers will highly benefit you in the end.

Simplifying Your Business Practices by Using Automation

Automation is drastically changing the way businesses communicate with customers and the way customers expect to interact with businesses. There are a couple of key ways to utilize automation in order to streamline your digital marketing efforts and ensure that no sale is left behind.

1. Live chat & chatbots are wonderful ways to expand your business’ reach without having to hire more staff. This also provides an on-call service that will answer basic questions at all hours for potential customers.
2. Voice search technology like Alexa or Google Home is going to provide your business with plenty of marketing opportunities with you having to do a thing!

Using Video as Your Main Communication Tool

Video is not going anywhere. The speed in which content is being created is growing rapidly with everyone having the ability to become a YouTube star. Video, in particular, is morphing the way businesses and customers communicate. Consider the following ideas:

1. Video is not just for web pages and social media, but a great effective tactic to include in your email marketing. This means that aside from regular text, you can either embed or link to a video of you speaking to the reader and sharing your message. This brings you into someone’s office or home, simply through email.
2. Welcome videos are a wonderful way to instantly begin a relationship with a new subscriber. Sending a 10-second custom video to a customer is a revolutionary form of contact and will also help ensure some deals. This is a wonderful tactic for realtors, counselors, and any other service that eventually hopes to build a relationship. This can be done through a quick casual video on your phone, or even through apps that service this exact purpose.
3. Video will ensure higher ratings on Google, better algorithms, and will increase the chances of your emails being opened. Don’t overthink video. Instead, realize it is a way to show how authentic your business is!

Digital marketing leaves a lot of space for creativity. Ultimately, customers are looking for a clear message and efficient ways to communicate so they can learn about your business. What better way to do this than to reevaluate your messaging, take advantage of atomization options, and use the resources at your fingertips to create simple videos!

Our team of marketing specialists are available to help your business succeed and take your digital strategy to the next level!

The post Digital Marketing in 2019: Ways to Up Your Digital Strategy first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

Get a group together and show off your smart phone skills with this unique game.

Get rid of bacteria and charge your phone at the same time with this sleek phone charger and sanitizer.

You won’t have to put down your phone, laptop, or games to get warm with these USB heating hand warmers.

Never lose a cord or earbud again with this on-the-go organization for all of your tech accessories.

Connect this awesome laser red projected keyboard to any bluetooth synching device.

Make a fun and delicious keyboard shaped waffle with this one of a kind waffle iron.

Hold it all together with these modern and highly functional magnetic twist ties.

Collect one or all of these technology must have’s, and enjoy a wonderful holiday! Happy Shopping!

The post Gifts for the Techie People in your Life first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

Who are Gen Xers?

From a marketing standpoint, think of modern moms & dads. These are adults who currently make up the filling of the American demographic pie. They are working long hours, raising kids, and paying mortgages. Many of them are at the peak of their careers or are building businesses.

Though they are self-proclaimed mavericks and individualists, in many ways, from a marketing standpoint they are a hybrid. Some researchers call them the bridge generation. They’ve adopted some aspects of “boomer-ism” from their parents, and they have clearly been one of the major influences in making millennials so–well–millennial.

In this post, we’ll examine how an understanding of this generation’s unique characteristics can help us market more effectively to them. Here are some tips on marketing to Generation X.

The Busiest Generation

Gen Xers are busy. They must juggle marriage, kids, parents, and careers like no other generation. If we want to gain them as customers, we have to catch them first. Here are a few suggestions for marketing to the busiest generation.

1. The @ Factor

Though some prematurely prophesy the end of the email, it’s still the most effective way to market to this generation. They are online to a much greater degree than boomers, and they are very comfortable with online shopping. Outlook is an integral part of their business and home communications, so email marketing is a natural fit.

2. Chill Time

Gen Xers need a break more than any of us. According to research, 80% of Gen Xers with an annual income of over 250k say they’ll take a vacation this year. Over half of the rest said they plan annual vacations as well. Even if you’re not in the travel business, consider a sweepstakes promotion or other travel-related marketing.

3. Get Social

One of the ways to help this generation save time is to be where they are. Gen Xers are on social media almost as much as millennials. This means that your social media marketing needs to address them as well. Develop specific strategies to target them, however, since their needs are very different from those of millennials.

Conscience Counts

This generation certainly has a conscience. They have grown up in difficult times, and it has made them want to make the world a better place. Here are a couple of ways to appeal to the Gen X conscience.

1. Remember the Planet

Finding out what causes your prospects are interested in can be a great way to win their business. For Gen Xers, the environment is number one. Be cautious about associating your brand with anything perceived as hurting the environment. Proactively, find ways your business can facilitate the support of environmental causes. Gen Xers will genuinely appreciate this effort and take notice of your brand.

2. Rock the Vote

Though early predictions about this generation’s political personality were gloomy, they have grown up to be quite politically loyal. This gives you another simple way to research and target this demographic. Their voting habits can be relatively stable, so learn what they are. Research their hot-button issues and you’ll know them much better as a group.

A Few Curveballs

I have three kids. They all surprise us from time to time, but the middle one is just full of surprises. This seems to be true with most middle children, and it’s true with this demographical “middle child.” Here are a few statistical curveballs Gen X has thrown at market researchers.

1. They go to the store.

Gen Xers are hybrid shoppers. Though they often shop online, they also still go shopping. You’ll find them at the mall with their kids, at discount and specialty shops as well. In addition, though they claim to be list shoppers, statistics say otherwise. They are among the most likely to make impulse buying choices.

2. They use coupons.

These are some of the most coupon-ready prospects in the marketplace. They entered the workforce just as the Great Recession hit, and they tend to be pessimistic about retirement, so they focus on saving. Self-professed bargain-hunters, many of them try to buy only with coupons. Therefore, in your social media and email marketing, make sure to provide useful coupons.

3. They bring in the mail.

One place you might not expect to find this generation is at the mailbox. However, as the Postal Service struggles for its existence, many Gen Xers pick up their mail every day. In fact, many of them say they have bought based on direct mail advertising. Though the bulk of current marketing will tend to be digital, feel free to kick it old school on occasion. As long as you are careful not to waste paper, you may be able to win some Gen X business for the cost of some printing and postage.

Don’t Forget the Middle Child

Next month, we’ll explore what’s on everyone’s mind, marketing to millennials. However, we hope this information inspires you to remember the tremendous opportunity of marketing to this unique group. Generation X, like Baby Boomers, are often forgotten in our haste to adapt to what’s new and what’s next. Remember, this demographical “middle child” is and will continue to be a crucial target for any successful marketing strategy.

Effective Digital Marketing in Tulsa, Oklahoma

At McWilliams Media in Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, we are committed helping businesses develop effective digital marketing strategies. From web design and video to social media and SEO, let us be your digital marketing partners.

Call (918)791-3128 today and set up a free consultation, or click here to contact us.

The post Generational Marketing Part 2: Marketing to Generation X first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

…Kevin Bacon?

I played a game with friends a few times called “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” It was based on the “six degrees of separation” theory, which states that every living person is separated by no more than six relational steps. This, of course, includes famous people like, for instance, Kevin Bacon (ok, maybe formerly famous). So you’d sit around and try to think of people you knew, who knew other people…etc. through up to six steps until you reached someone famous. I think the appeal was that it made us all feel a little bit closer to Hollywood.

Your Business Photo Shoot

Well, feeling a little closer to a Hollywood icon (or former icon, as the case may be) might be fun, but it probably won’t help you in your business. However, when it comes to your business photo shoots, you want them to look as much like Hollywood as possible. In our experience shooting video and still photography for businesses, there happen to be six important steps to prepare for your best possible results. So we call these our “six degrees of preparation” for your business photo shoot.

1. Prepare Your Wardrobe

One of the simplest ways to enhance the quality of your shoot is to carefully plan what all the subjects will wear. Ignoring this can have a seriously negative impact on your finished product. You want to represent yourself in the best possible way, and clothing is very important to the overall tone and quality of your shoot. Here are some tips.

• Wear ONLY solid colors.
• Choose neutral, muted, or subdued colors.
• Do NOT wear green.
• Coordinate colors and styles with other subjects.
• Coordinate colors with your background.
• Make sure the style of your wardrobe matches the impression you want to create.
• Remember the shoes. Bright pink sneakers are probably not going to work.

2. Prepare Your Hair

Hair is another important consideration. Of course, photos can be edited, but this takes time. Save time and expense by following some simple guidelines for hair.

Wear hairstyles that fit the desired overall tone and impression of your shoot. If your office is super casual, some subjects may want to upgrade. Just make sure they don’t go too far. If someone feels very unnatural, it will be noticeable.

Wear more or less normal hairstyles. Again, it’s important that everyone is as comfortable as possible.

If some of your subjects have wild or brightly colored hair, you may want to ask them to make a change. This may be sensitive for some, but let them know it’s temporary!

Haircuts or style changes should be scheduled about two weeks before your shoot. Haircuts and styles rarely look their best the first few days out of the salon.

3. Prepare Your Environment

If your shoot will take place in an office, you may need to schedule a special cleaning day. The camera will pick up every speck of dust on shelves, plants, etc. in your background. Your photographer should visit the site and help you plan what areas will be shot. Pay special attention to those areas, but to allow for spontaneity, you probably want to do a thorough cleaning of every area where the camera might be.

If you will use a backdrop, make sure you have plenty of space. Talk with your photographer in advance and make the necessary adjustments before they arrive if needed.

Maybe your office has a face for radio. Many very successful businesses have office spaces that aren’t particularly photogenic. In this case, you may want to choose another location. Talk with your photographer about where this might take place. Once a location is chosen, make sure it is clean and prepared as well.

4. Prepare Permission

You will need to make sure you have the proper release forms signed by all subjects in your shoot. Your photographer should provide all the necessary forms for you, but you should know the guidelines yourself. Here is a link to important info on our site to help you be prepared for the legal side of things.

5. Prepare Your Story

Yes, your photo shoot is a story. You have a specific message you want to communicate, or you wouldn’t be investing in a photo or video shoot. Discuss this in detail with your photographer and plan out all your shots. Compile a specific list of shots you want to get that tell the story you want to tell. This effort will save you time, money, and dramatically improve your overall results.

6. Prepare For Business

You may or may not want to schedule your shoot during regular business hours. This can be an important part of your plan since it will impact factors like background noise, background movement, and the availability of your subjects. Discuss this in advance with your photographer.

Professional Results

Taking these important steps before your shoot will save you time and money. In addition, advance preparation in as many areas as possible will make your shoot much less stressful and much more enjoyable. This ensures that you get the professional results you want, and make your message come across with clarity and impact.

At McWilliams Media in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we specialize in telling your story. Our professional photographers will work with you to plan, prepare, and execute a photo shoot that tells your story in the most powerful way possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

The post 6 Degrees of Preparation: Getting Your Photo Shoot as Close to Hollywood as Possible first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

Market Awareness – Understanding Your Target Market

A business without market awareness is like a ship without a rudder. If the wind happens to blow in the right direction, success is possible. The chances of that happening, however, are almost none. In order to succeed in business, we must know our markets.

Multiple Generations/Multiple Strategies

One of the most important ways to analyze our markets is in terms of demographics. Right now, perhaps more than ever, marketers need to consider three distinct generations in our culture. Those generations are usually known as Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millenials.

These three groups are dramatically different in terms of how they buy, how much they buy, how they view money and business, and how they communicate. Therefore, we must market to them with these distinctions in mind. We need multiple strategies for multiple generations.

Generational Marketing

This is the first in a series of blogs on how to market to these three generations. We’ll briefly identify each generational group, and give some insight on how to tailor your marketing strategies for each. Of course, these are not hard lines or hard and fast rules, but benchmarks to help give direction.

Marketing to Baby Boomers

Who are Baby Boomers? Baby Boomers are the ones who still listen to and leave voicemails. They were born between 1946 and 1964, so they grew up in the idealistic post-WWII era. In general, theirs is a rather “white-picket-fence” view of the world.

Though their kids say they are technologically challenged, they are not averse to it. Researchers say that by 2014, over 65% of people ages 50-64 were using social networking sites. In addition, Boomers spend more on technology than any other generation.

Most importantly, this generation is a huge and often untapped market. Though the over-50 crowd accounts for over 50% of all expenditures, we marketers currently only spend 10% of our budgets going after them. Oops! Let’s see how we can correct that. Here are some tips on marketing to Baby Boomers.

1.  Don’t Low-Ball

According to the AARP, US adults over 50 spend $3.2 trillion annually and have accumulated $15 trillion in financial assets! This means that they’re not afraid to spend. They spend more per purchase, more per shopping trip, and more per year than any other group.

Baby-boomers not only aren’t afraid to spend, but they may, in fact, be suspicious of prices that are too low. Their years have taught them that quality matters, and they believe they deserve it. So market premium, full-priced products to Boomers. Just make sure your products are worth the price.

2. Win Their Loyalty

This brings us to the next tip. Baby Boomers tend to be very brand loyal. Once they’re convinced a product is great and they like it, they’re committed. My mother is on her “umpteenth” (that’s the word she would use) new Buick, and she’ll keep buying them because that’s what she buys.

The trick with boomers is often to become “what they buy,” “what they use,” or “who they go to.” If you can become their brand, you can build serious consistency. The key is to make sure your products and services are really great and do a great job convincing them of that fact.

3. Reward Their Loyalty

Consistency and longevity are important to Boomers. One way to communicate that you’ll be around is to set up programs that reward their longevity as a customer. Cash-back programs or loyalty discounts are excellent ways to make these customers stick. To most of them, front-end discounts often mean something is wrong. Loyalty programs do the opposite, adding value instead of taking it away.

4. Go Old-School

Facebook ads just annoy most Boomers. According to research, they use social media to revive old friendships and not much else. Therefore, they will most likely tag your FB ads as spam.

The most effective way to market to this generation is through direct contact. These big-spenders are more likely to buy from a real person than any other way. Call them on the phone (by the way, many of them still have landlines), but just make sure it isn’t during dinner!

If personal sales contacts are not practical for your business, the next best thing is email marketing. Boomers are more likely to read an email than a blog or pop-up ad, especially if it’s brief and professional. Particularly if you’ve already won them as a customer, used wisely, email can be a powerful tool for keeping yourself in front of this generation.

Speaking of blogs, don’t count them out. Boomers do read blogs as long as they are brief. Researchers have found that most people 50 years and up will read a blog if it’s about 300 words or less. The long-form blog that takes forever to get to the point won’t work. However, if you can write concisely and get your message across quickly, Boomers will get it.

5. Always Tell the Truth

This is just good business, and we assume the vast majority of our readers know and practice that. However, if you’re tempted to fudge occasionally, don’t. If you read about the next two generations, you’ll find that this is one of the tips for all three generations. However, the reasons differ slightly for each one.

For Boomers, it’s about trust. Many of them feel that the moral fiber of our culture is eroding. They have been burned by slick salesmen and misleading ads, especially on the internet. In order to gain and keep these loyal customers, you’ll have to prove yourself. You’ll need to establish integrity.

Speaking of integrity, there’s a fact we all need to remember while we’re working to get ahead in business. Author and researcher Tom Stanley surveyed vendors, friends, and family of self-made deca-millionaires (people who had achieved a net worth of $10 million or more) and found they had 38 things in common. The number one thing they all shared was fanatical integrity.

Market Personalities

Maybe you’re already marketing to this generation. Perhaps you see this as uncharted waters. Either way, remember that these guidelines are intended to shed light and open doors, not to draw hard lines.

Every customer will differ slightly, but research shows that in general, these three groups have distinct market personalities. Learning how to approach them can greatly increase your ability to win and keep them as customers. Watch for our next entry in this series, “Generational Marketing Part 2: Generation X.”

Digital Marketing Strategies

At McWilliams Media in Tulsa and Broken Arrow, we are passionate about helping you succeed in today’s market. From branding and overall strategy to web design, video, and social media, we can help you build a marketing strategy to win in the digital age. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post 5 Unique Strategies to Utilize When Marketing Baby Boomers first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.

If you’re looking at someone else’s website and it makes you go “Ooooh! I really like that. I like the color, the feel, I like how their logo is; they’ve got cool buttons.” If their site makes you go “Ooooh!” and not your own site, then we want to change that. Let’s make your website awesome!

We can take a look at the other site that you like. We can dissect it, figure out the small pieces that you love, and incorporate them into your current site. Or, if you don’t have a site already, then we can start from scratch and create something amazing!

If you don’t feel like your site is worth saying “Ooooh!” over, call Mcwilliams Media. We’ll be happy to look at what you have, give you a quick site audit, and see how we can help you love your site again.

The post Tulsa Website Design | Things That Make You Go “Ooooh!” first appeared on Website Design | McWilliams Media |Broken Arrow, OK.