Hungry Media https://hungrymedia.com Fri, 18 Aug 2023 18:20:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 Wireframe vs. Mockup vs. Prototype – What’s the Difference? https://hungrymedia.com/wireframe-vs-mockup-vs-prototype-whats-the-difference/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wireframe-vs-mockup-vs-prototype-whats-the-difference Mon, 25 Apr 2022 19:19:17 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3098
Wireframe vs. Mockup vs. Prototype

Language used during the software design and development process can be a bit confusing. Many terms are used interchangeably, even when they shouldn’t be. Here, we’ll explain the three often-confused components of the software design process. Before we dig into definitions of wireframe vs. mockup vs. prototype, it’s important to understand the purpose of the design process and how it relates to development. During website and app design, you’ll decide upon the look and feel of your product as well as how it will behave when users interact with it. The actual development doesn’t begin until design is complete. 

It’s important to follow this process because website and app coding, debugging and installation are time consuming and can be expensive. Even a small miscommunication can create issues down the road. To have a clear idea of what a new product will achieve and how it will do so, you’ll start with a wireframe, then create a mockup, and from there a working prototype. 

Wireframes, mockups and prototypes are each used to illustrate concepts, gather feedback and gain consensus so that development teams can create exactly what customers want. Although wireframes, mockups and prototypes may seem similar, they all serve a unique role at distinct times during the product development lifecycle.

Wireframe vs. Mockup vs. Prototype

How do wireframes, mockups, and prototypes compare to each other? Let’s start with the broad strokes.

The first step in design is similar to a sketch. Wireframes use simple elements to convey a concept. Next, the mockup adds logos, colors, and icons to make it more realistic. And finally, the prototype is usable and clickable. 

All three might not be necessary, but it’s helpful to understand the purpose and limitations of each before deciding on how to proceed with your own design process. 

What is a Wireframe?

Wireframes are the foundation upon which all other design elements are built. They are black and white depictions that rely heavily on boxes and text to represent what a final product will look like. They are usually low fidelity and easy to create. Wireframes are often used during brainstorming sessions to quickly and simply convey an idea. 

Because they are basic, design software isn’t usually required. It is rare to have a high-fidelity wireframe. Meaning can be derived with a simple sketch using paper and pencil or a whiteboard.

Initially, wireframes should be used to reach a decision about the core functionality of a concept. The absence of design elements like colors and logos is intentional, as critiques should be focused on whether the proposed layout will provide desired user results.

What is a Mockup?

It is easy to define mockup once you understand what a wireframe is. Mockups simply take wireframes to the next level with the addition of design choices such as color schemes, fonts, icons and navigation elements. It’s very common to generate several mockup types so there are multiple options and ideas to evaluate at once.

More effort and skill are required to create mockups. Therefore, they are usually crafted by a designer, preferably one with a background in UX design, using digital software specific to this task. It is during mockup presentations that detailed visual critique is encouraged. The realistic vision offered by mockups make it easy to determine what works about the design and what doesn’t. 

What is a Prototype?

And then there’s the question, what is the difference between a mockup and a prototype? Once a single design has been chosen, a prototype will be developed to test usability and gather feedback. Prototypes usually look very similar to a mockup, but with the addition of interactive elements. This is also accomplished with a digital design software. At this point, the app or website is not live. As such, prototypes are not fully functional, but elements are interactive enough to convey core concepts.

Once developed, prototypes are invaluable tools for user testing. This offers insight that is then incorporated into a new iteration of the prototype. After testing is complete, the project will be handed off for development.

The difference between the looks and functionality in a wireframe vs. prototype is vast. And each of the steps in the design process bring clarity to what customers really need, allowing for the creation of a useful product that provides a pleasant experience. 

Let Hungry Media Help You Design your Dream Product

Our unique approach to discovery and design means you won’t ever be confused by the creation process or benefits of wireframes vs. mockups vs. prototypes. We’ll collaborate every step of the way until the best version of your website or app has been realized. Contact us today to see how we can help make your dream product a reality. 

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How To Engage Customers –– 9 Strategies to Try Today https://hungrymedia.com/how-to-engage-customers-9-strategies-to-try-today/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-engage-customers-9-strategies-to-try-today Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:34:15 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3090
effective customer engagement strategies

The goal of effective customer engagement strategies is creating a meaningful connection with your customers, so they want to return. Learning how to engage customers in today’s environment isn’t difficult, but it is a paradigm shift from the marketing strategies that were effective a generation ago. The following tips will help you understand how to engage customers effectively, no matter your industry, niche, or the size of your business.  

How To Engage Customers

In addition to working well for your customers, an effective customer engagement strategy must be scalable and sustainable. Each of the ideas below is both.

1. Build a Community

The opportunity for customers to dialogue with you and each other is a particularly effective user engagement strategy. Assuming your business offers quality products and customer service, a community can usually self-manage once you get the ball rolling. From there, you’ll just need to provide guidelines for communication and offer a bit of interaction here and there. The beauty of an engaged community is that it offers the perfect opportunity to take the pulse of your customers, determine needs related to your current and potential offerings, and test new ideas. 

Passion Planner has done a beautiful job at building a community of customers. They have an engaged Facebook group full of users who connect over their love of Passion Planner products and how they use them in their everyday lives. It’s the perfect win-win. Customers connect with like-minded individuals, and Passion Planner now has a trusted place to turn for feedback about their brand. 

2. Inspire 

Inspire your customers in any way that feels right to you. Some companies share their own vision to connect the public to their “why.” Some encourage community service and social impact. Some swear by customer service above all else. Regardless of your place in your industry, the market or society, inspiration is a great start for a business that is learning how to engage users. 

One of the most well-known examples of inspiration used to increase user engagement is the one-for-one model. For every item purchased, a company donates one to a person in need. Toms and Bombas are both very well known for this. It feels good to do good, and when shopping elicits this feeling, businesses are bound to benefit.

3. Constantly Connect

Working to remain relevant and responsive is a fantastic way to increase engagement with customers. When customers feel connected with your brand, they are much more likely to return again and again. Consistent, genuine communication is one of the simplest ways to accomplish this. 

Online pet supply retailer, Chewy, is known for their sincere communication. They send handwritten birthday cards to each pet in their database, handwritten holiday cards to all customers, and even sympathy cards when they learn about the passing of a family pet. Talk about connection! And as is evident in this twitter exchange, they monitor their social media and provide timely responses to their customers, to boot.

4. Personalize the Experience

If you can only focus on one task as you learn how to engage customers, consider ways to personalize their experience. On a large scale, you might invest in software that makes shopping recommendations based on prior purchase history. But it could also go simple, providing helpful information based on data collected from customers or creating a quiz to help them choose the best product for their personal circumstances. 

Grammarly, an online app that makes suggestions to improve your writing in real time, delivers weekly reports to their users. These reports offer an analysis of their writing technique and an overview of how their writing has improved since they began using the app. It also makes suggestions about steps users can take to see further improvement. Brilliant!

5. Solve Problems

As you work to generate great customer engagement ideas, consider this: customers don’t buy products or services. They buy solutions. Engage users by helping them solve a problem. Often, your products and services do just that, but even if you don’t have a product or service that solves a common customer problem, you can still provide information to help them out. When you seek to advise, inform and offer value, you earn credibility and develop trust with your customers. That, in turn, will naturally generate repeat business and referrals. 

In 2015, Toyota Europe created a quick video for YouTube about how to install roof racks. Sure, the products they used were all manufactured by Toyota, but the problem they addressed is that customers didn’t know how to install these parts. The video explains how and where to measure, how to prepare the roof rack for installation, and how to use it once installed. Anybody, whether using Toyota parts or not, can benefit from this, making it the perfect example of helpful content that builds brand equity and user engagement. 

6. Anticipate Customer Needs

When you want to know how to increase customer engagement, look no further than the feedback your customers provide. Feedback comes in the classic sense –– questions asked and answered. However, you can also gather feedback simply by paying attention. If you’re constantly answering the same question about your product or service, consider creating content that answers it proactively. If customers often push their monthly auto-shipment by two weeks, consider adding a six-week auto-shipment interval. Your customers are always telling you something, even if you’re not asking a question. Pay attention and keep an open mind. 

Zappos takes this to the next level, not just paying attention to consumer trends, but including a Zappos Customer Research Center which actively seeks insights to help them decipher the true needs of their customers. 

7. Remain Relevant

Learning how to get more engagement won’t do much good unless your customer finds you relevant. Effectively sharing relevant information with your customer is engaging, and one of the best ways to do this by finding creative places, and ways, to meet your audience. 

GoPuff – an app similar to UberEats, but for convenience stores instead of restaurants – creatively connected with followers on Twitter, sharing some of the orders they receive. For instance, an order from the customer who prepared for a post super-bowl hangover with a massive order of Gatorades during the game, or the person who ordered roses at 5:00 PM on Valentines Day. This strategy might be a little unorthodox, but it meets their customers where they are both in life, and online. 

8. Offer Perks

Grocery store chains found ways to engage customers well before the internet was a way of life. Loyalty rewards are a fantastic way to encourage repeat business. You can take this idea in a slightly different, more modern, direction. Instead of offering discounts on the products you want customers to purchase, offer them rewards they want. Is that an informational seminar? A credit towards their next purchase? Free samples of new products before they hit the market? The options are endless. Note: be sure to truly understand your audience before deciding how to reward their loyalty, as missing the mark has potential to cause more harm than good.

Sephora’s Beauty Insider loyalty program is very well known for allowing members to accumulate points with each purchase. These points can be redeemed for coupons, free shipping, special in-store discounts, free samples and more. What’s most best about this loyalty program is that it offers customers flexibility without devaluing Sephora’s products.

9. Create a Resource Hub

Take that content you create in response to your most common customer needs, and put it all in one place. This ensures customers have resources to help them make a sound buying decision or use your products and services to their full potential. A resource hub doesn’t take the place of top notch customer service, but it may reduce the burden on your team while anticipating and customer needs. It’s a win-win!

Olive and June, an online manicure product retailer, exploded during the early days of the pandemic, boasting the longest lasting nail polish on the market. But they didn’t stop at simply selling their products. They offer a learning library filled with text, photo, and video tutorials, teaching customers tricks for achieving the long-lasting results they promise.

Engage with Hungry Media

A great customer engagement strategy starts with a great website. Hungry Media’s unique approach uncovers the needs of your business, your customer, and where they intersect. This allows us to create a website unique to you and your brand, leaving you with the perfect foundation upon which to build your engagement efforts. Contact us today and learn how to engage customers with a top-notch website that will help take your business to the next level. 

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Why is Thoughtful Website Navigation Design So Important? https://hungrymedia.com/why-is-thoughtful-website-navigation-design-so-important/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-is-thoughtful-website-navigation-design-so-important Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:24:11 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3085
website navigation design

Website navigation refers to the menu and options that direct users through pages on your website. There are several types of website navigation, but the most common are header menus at the top of a website, side menus – usually located on the left side of the screen, and links in the footer. While defining “good” website navigation design can be tricky, we all know what it feels like to deal with poor website navigation design. So, let’s start there. 

Think of the times you’ve tried to accomplish something online that seems like it should be simple, but isn’t. Perhaps you go down a four- or five-page rabbit hole assuming you’re on the right track, only to realize that you’re not. And now you can’t figure out how to backtrack and head in a different direction. Or maybe your on a fresh, modern-looking website but you have no clue where to find typical website navigation elements like a shopping cart, contact information, or search button. The way you feel in these moments may be a result of poor website navigation design. 

What Makes Good Navigation

On a website, the best navigation creates a pleasant experience by offering clear, simple, intuitive options that help users find what they’re looking for and accomplish their goals. 

Furthermore, effective navigation structure design improves conversion rate and search engine optimization.  A thoughtful website navigation menu may also have the following benefits: 

  • Improve website traffic.
  • Increase session length – the length of time users spend on a website.
  • Increase the number of pages visited per session

By contrast, ineffective website navigation techniques put you at risk of losing customers, creating a negative brand impression or both. 

Website Navigation Best Practices

When considering website navigation, the following practices can have a big impact.

Think like a user. User interface and user experience should be top of mind during all phases of website design, navigation included. What steps are users likely to take as they move through your website? Where do they expect to find each item? Website navigation elements and design should always start with users’ needs in mind.  

Use intuitive website navigation. What path are users likely to take before making a decision? Think through how they will arrive at a specific location or to a point of taking a specific action. Design navigation to remove as many obstacles along this intuitive path as possible. 

Stick to convention. Out of the box thinking serves us well in many situations. Website menu design is not one of them. Users have come to expect a few “standard” website navigation menu options, such as: 

  • Main menu items within the header.
  • Menus that condense on small screens. 
  • Contact information and social buttons in the footer.

Deviating from standards can make web page navigation frustrating for users who expect something different than what you offer.

Avoid generic terms. Avoid non-specific menu terms such as “products” or “services.” Instead, include something more descriptive like “pet products” or “dog-walking services.” Not only does this help users decide where to head next, but it helps search engines predict what can be found on each web page.

Limit menu items. Users tend to scan websites, by default. So, the fewer options available at any given time, the easier your website navigation will be. A general rule of thumb is no more than seven menu items in your main website navigation bar. 

This doesn’t mean you have to minimize website offerings, only that you should provide a few options at a time. Instead of adding a menu item for each of ten pet products, consider menu items for “Cat Products” and “Dog Products.” From there, include links to each of the five products per pet. 

On this note, avoid using more than two menu levels in the top navigation bar. Doing so leads to more difficult decision making on the part of your user.

Put menu options in the right order. Users tend to remember the first and last items in a list more easily than those in the middle. Effective website navigation design places the most important menu items at the top and bottom of a vertical menu or left and right side of a horizontal menu. 

Use a sticky navigation bar. This simply means the navigation bar will remain at the top of the page, regardless of how far a user scrolls. When you have a large amount of content on a page, sticky navigation bars ensure users have easy access to menus at all times. 

Make hierarchy simple. Make it easy for users to understand your site organization by leveraging constructs they’re already familiar with. Examples include starting broad and narrowing with each step, alphabetized lists, chronological order, etc. The most appropriate construct depends on your business offerings and the amount of content on your site. Regardless of how you choose to organize it, sticking with an intuitive flow will yield the best navigation design for your website.

Guide users with visual cues. Sometimes users find your site without a perfectly clear understanding of what they need to accomplish. Effective landing page navigation includes links, calls to action, suggestions for related content, and anything else that connects users with your brand while guiding them through your site. 

How to Improve Website Navigation Design

If your navigation could use an upgrade, take the following steps. 

  1. Find the needs of your user. Who is landing on your site, from where, and for what reason? Are they coming to collect information? Make a purchase? Find recommendations? 
  2. Establish your goals. What is the purpose of your website? You need a clear understanding of your website’s primary function before you can construct effective navigation. Only you will know for sure what that is, but the most common include increasing sales, building a distribution list, improving brand awareness, or pointing users to social media sites. 
  3. Create a site map. You can begin planning a web navigation site map after you’ve clarified the needs of your user and function of your website. This is a list of all the pages on your site, how they are categorized and how they connect to each other. 
  4. Determine flow. Once you know how your site will be laid out, choosing header and side menu options will be relatively simple. Remember, your navigation guides users through your site, so it can be helpful to start with the end in mind and work backward from there. 

Hungry Media Helps Navigate Website Design

Website navigation design is just one of many factors that combine to create an effective online presence. If your head spins at the thought of web design and development, let alone successful design and development, we’re here to help. Our team of qualified professionals works with clients in all industries and in all phases of design to create a website that meets the needs of their business. Contact us today to learn how Hungry Media can help you make the most of your website and take your business to the next level.

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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17 Pro Tips to Enhance Your Instagram Marketing Strategy in 2022 https://hungrymedia.com/17-pro-tips-to-enhance-your-instagram-marketing-strategy-in-2022/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=17-pro-tips-to-enhance-your-instagram-marketing-strategy-in-2022 Mon, 28 Feb 2022 20:01:02 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3080 instagram marketing strategy

Instagram is a social media platform that allows users to upload photo and video content, which can then be edited with filters, organized by hashtag, and geotagged. As of February 2022, Instagram reported 2 billion monthly users. It’s one of the most popular social media platforms and the fifth most visited website in the world.

The importance of Instagram as a marketing tool cannot be understated. In fact, an Instagram marking strategy is considered an essential piece of any social media marketing plan. Put simply, Instagram is where consumers are, so it’s where you should be too.  

Why Market on Instagram

Roughly 50% of Instagram users are Millennials or members of Generation Z, which are shaping up to be the wealthiest generations in U.S. history. Nearly 90% of these users follow business accounts, including at least one major brand. Digital marketing has been proven extremely successful, especially on Instagram. Social media marketing today is simply not complete without an Instagram strategy. 

How to Create an Instagram Marketing Strategy

1. Determine Your Target Audience

Before you begin to post on Instagram, determine who you want to reach. Keep Instagram’s user demographics in mind as you pull from other marketing strategies. One of the best ways to narrow your target audience is to research popular events and hashtags related to your business. See who is engaging with these pages and determine whether a similar audience could benefit from your product or service. 

2. Conduct an Analysis 

Next, you need to decide what to promote on Instagram and how to go about creating those promotions. Once you know who you’re targeting, review what others, with a similar target audience, are posting. What hashtags are they using, which Instagram content strategy yields the most engagement, what types of posts perform best, and so on? As you conduct this analysis, be sure to keep an eye out for opportunities your competitors are overlooking and any gaps in their content.  

3. Create an Editorial Calendar

An editorial calendar is your posting schedule. It includes the date, type of post, caption copy, and of course the photos or videos you intend to use. Editorial calendars create structure and encourage posting consistency. Plus, planning your calendar in advance can help prevent missed opportunities and ensure you leverage the best type of content for each social media platform.

Aside from just posting about your products or services, don’t forget to include posts about major business milestones (launches, special offers, etc.), national holidays, current events, and anything else that may be special to your followers. 

4. Be Consistent

As with any form of digital marketing, an Instagram marketing strategy will be most effective when consistent. Post often, always respond to comments in a timely manner, and interact with other accounts on the platform.

Consistency is also one of the most important branding tips for Instagram. This covers everything from the colors of your photos, to the voice used in your captions, to the message you convey. As your followers become familiar with your brand, they’ll look to your Instagram page to serve a specific purpose. This is when you’ll really start to gain traction on the platform. 

5. Grow Your Following

Growing a following is much easier once you have a solid foundation. Which is why we suggest waiting until you’re well established before launching Instagram campaigns to increase followers. In this case, as new users find your page you’ll have credibility due to the number of posts and the way you engage with users. Furthermore, consistency teaches users what to expect from your brand and keeps them coming back for more. 

Instagram Marketing Best Practices

6. Use a Business Account

Want to know how to promote your business on Instagram? Start with the basics and make sure you’re using a business account. Instagram business accounts offer features that aren’t accessible to personal accounts such as insights and analytics, ads, shopping, primary and secondary message inboxes, contact info and calls to action directly in your profile.

7. Optimize Your Profile

Your Instagram profile has to make a great impression in 150 characters or less. This is your first opportunity to convey your personality and convince users to follow your account. That’s a big job for a few words. Also included in your profile, but not in those 150 characters, is your name, username, website, category, contact information, and call to action. Don’t forget to choose the right profile photo. Unlike Facebook, Instagram profile photos can’t be enlarged, so aim for something simple and recognizable.

8. Create Visually Compelling Content

Instagram is a visual platform, so your posts should be aesthetically pleasing. That doesn’t mean you need to hire a professional photographer, but it does mean that you want to put a little bit of thought into your photos or videos. Keep the backgrounds simple, make sure images are clear and well lit, and ensure the focal point fills as much of the frame as possible. And of course, make sure your content is compelling. It doesn’t matter how great the photo if it doesn’t inspire a user to stop scrolling and engage.

9. Create Captivating Captions

Yes, Instagram is more of a visual platform, but captions are always included in Instagram posting tips for business. Just like any other ad medium, captivating copy converts users from followers to customers and advocates. Instagram captions can be up to 2,200 characters, which provides a significant amount of space to tell your story, describe your product, or share your service. Users tend to scan the first few lines of a caption, so make sure you use an engaging opening sentence to grab their attention and get them reading more. 

10. Use a Simple, Searchable Username 

Skip the extra characters in your username on Instagram. Social media tips rarely mention this, but we think it’s worth discussing. Consider how you will promote your Instagram page when speaking about it. 

It may be more visually appealing to separate words in your username with dots, dashes, or underscores. But the more special characters you include, the more difficult it will be for potential users to remember your username. What rolls off the tongue easier: at hungry media (@hungrymedia) or at hungry underscore media (@hungry_media)? Not only is the latter more difficult to say, it’s also more challenging to remember.

11. Use Hashtags

Social media marketing on Instagram is very hashtag driven. Hashtags are an easy way to gain followers and engage users with interests that align with your business. There are several approaches to hashtag usage, and we’d argue that as long as it’s working for you, there’s no “wrong” way to hashtag. Instagram allows a maximum of 30 hashtags per post or comment, so take your time to research hashtags that connect users to other accounts within your niche. These will be the best place to start. 

12. Engage, Engage, Engage

Instagram marketing for beginners: If you want others to engage with you, you’ve got to engage with others. Post quality content, promptly respond to comments, and bring value to others’ posts and pages. This makes you more recognizable and accessible to anyone who may want to connect down the line. Not to mention that most social media algorithms favor accounts which generate and offer engagement throughout the entire platform. 

13. Utilize Instagram Stories

Nearly half of business conducted on Instagram begins via Stories. These are 15 second clips (photo or video) which disappear after 24 hours. Because of their short lifespan, it is acceptable for stories to be a little less polished than photos or videos in your feed. We love incorporating them into an Instagram marketing strategy because they connect you to your followers without the pressure of perfection. If a story isn’t your best work, there’s no harm. It disappears before too long, and you’ve engaged your target audience in the meantime. 

14. Create Reels

These are Instagram’s response to TikTok. Reels are similar to Instagram Stories in that they are short clips to which effects such as filters, stickers and music can be added. The difference between Reels and Stories is that Reels do not disappear. They remain in your feed unless and until you delete them.

15. Encourage Sharing 

Every once in a while, create content that lends itself to sharing. This could be a simple post that makes people smile, something useful users will want to share with others, a cute meme, a funny joke, a link to a helpful product. When users share your content, your brand earns facetime with a new group of potential followers. 

16. Leverage Influencer Marketing

We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t mention influencers in our list of Instagram marketing tips. Working with influencers helps to build credibility, and similar to generating sharable content, ensures your brand gets in front of users you wouldn’t have connected with otherwise. This is in opportunity to build credibility and promote your product or service.

17. Take Advantage of Analytics

Regardless of how great your Instagram marketing strategy, there’s always room for improvement. This is where analytics come into play. Analytics offer the opportunity to learn from what you’ve already done and refine your strategy from there. You’ll learn what types of content perform well, the best time of day to post, demographic information of those who engage with page, and more.

A Great Instagram Marketing Strategy Starts with a Great Website

A digital marketing strategy that leads to an engaged social media following isn’t an end to itself. Rather, it’s a tool to help grow your business over time. And you won’t grow your business without a website to effectively serve your client or customer base. That’s where we come in. Hungry Media’s expert team will design the perfect place for your followers to land when they hop off social media and decide to make a purchase. 

Learn more about our unique approach, browse our list of satisfied customers, and contact us to learn more. We can’t wait to meet you!

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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Website Terminology 101: Digital Marketing Terms https://hungrymedia.com/website-terminology-101-digital-marketing-terms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=website-terminology-101-digital-marketing-terms Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:38:57 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3074
digital marketing terms

Designing and developing a website involves plenty of unfamiliar words and terms. While you don’t need to understand the nitty gritty, having a grasp on digital marketing terms is ideal for anyone embarking on a web design project. Here are the 15 most common digital marketing terms to know.

Alt Tag

An alt tag is also known as an alt attribute or alt description. Because search engines cannot interpret images, an alt tag is applied them, providing searchable text. When Google crawls a website, images with appropriately formatted alt tags contribute to the ways in which the site is indexed. Because of this, applying alt tags to images can positively impact search engine rankings. 

Backlink

A backlink connects one website to another. Search engines use these links to help decide how well a particular website will satisfy a query. The thought is that frequent links to a particular webpage indicate that the page is of value. Sites providing greater value achieve higher rankings in search results.   

Bounce Rate

It’s thought that if users visit a website but leave before taking action, they have not deemed that site to be of value. The digital marketing term “bounce rate,” describes this scenario. It’s the number of single-page visits to your website, as a percentage of all visits. It stands to reason that the lower the bounce rate, the more effective your website, making this one of the most common digital marketing terms to learn.

Call to Action

A call to action, or CTA, is part of a marketing campaign. It is a written directive that tells a user to take a specific action. In the context of digital marketing, CTAs almost always encourage users to click a link intended to move them through the sales process. A CTA might say something like “Register Now,” “Request Information,” or “Join our Mailing List.”

Conversion

Website conversion is the term used to describe a user taking an action that moves them through the sales process. Examples of a conversion include visiting a website and signing up for their email list, opening an email and clicking a link to a product, clicking a link to a product and adding it to your cart, and so on. 

CRO

Conversion Rate Optimization, or CRO, encompasses a variety of marketing tools and methods to increase the number of conversions on a website. CRO marketing tends to focus on ways to capture as many users as possible, at any step of the sales process. 

Content

Content is intended to engage users, and comes in many forms including social media posts, blogs, podcasts, and eBooks. It tends to be longer form and more frequently updated than typical marketing copy, as content aims to generate warm leads that could convert down the road. Not only does an effective content strategy play a role in SEO and CRO, but it serves to connect users to the brand. 

digital marketing terms to know

Domain Name

Simply put, a domain name is the string of text we use to access a website. For instance, www.HungryMedia.com. However, as we now live so much of our lives online, domain names have come to represent an online identity. It’s often the first impression visitors have of a company or a brand, and like so many of our other terms used in digital marketing, it can also have an impact on SEO. 

Favicon

This little icon is always noticed, but rarely considered. It’s the tiny icon next to the page name on a browser tab. It provides an easy visual representation of the website and brand, making it easy for a user to quickly navigate between browser tabs at a glance.

Landing Page

A landing page is often used in digital marketing. In basic terms it is a web page on which users “land” from another digital space. This space could be an email ad, social media post, list of search engine results, or any other online location. Landing pages are standalone pages created for a specific marketing campaign and encourage users to take a desired action such as clicking to learn more or providing contact information. 

Metadata

Website metadata is attached to every individual page included in a website and provides a page title and description. It offers important information to search engines about the purpose and content of each webpage, helping to determine whether the page is relevant to the searcher’s query. 

Meta Tag

Meta Tags are small snippets of text that describe the content contained within a web page. They don’t appear in the page, but rather in the source code. Search engines take information contained within meta tags into consideration when determining which websites to return in the results listing. 

MVP

The most basic version of a new product, sans any bells and whistles, is called the Minimum Viable Product, or MVP. MVPs are essentially steppingstones that help determine whether a viable idea will translate to a viable product. It allows developers to collect data, gain an understanding of users’ needs, and share important information with potential investors before investing a significant amount of time or money in more detailed development.

Responsive Design

Have you ever noticed that the same website looks different on your laptop than your phone? Responsive design allows a website to adapt to the size of the screen on which it’s displayed. This is a relatively new approach to web design, but it’s very important in today’s digital world. Mobile-first design strategy always includes responsive design, as do most UX design strategies. 

The Fold

The fold is among the digital marketing keywords taken from our pre-digital world. Picture a newspaper before it is unfolded by the reader. Everything visible on the top half of the front is literally located “above the fold.” This is a very desirable location for content and ads, as it provides maximum visibility. In the context of web design, the fold refers to the place at which a user must begin scrolling to see additional content. The location of the fold differs depending on the size of the screen on which the content is viewed, but the bottom line remains the same: the more important the content, the higher on the page it should be displayed.

Digital Marketing Made Easy with Hungry Media

You don’t have to be fluent in digital marketing terms to have a hand in creating an effective, aesthetically pleasing website. Hungry Media’s team of expert project managers, developers, and designers are the perfect partners whether you’re building a brand-new app, revamping a dated website, or anything in between. Contact us today to learn how we can help take your project to the next level. We can’t wait to meet you!

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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Inclusive Design Principles and How to Apply Them to Your Website https://hungrymedia.com/inclusive-design-principles-and-how-to-apply-them-to-your-website/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=inclusive-design-principles-and-how-to-apply-them-to-your-website Mon, 24 Jan 2022 19:27:56 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3070

Shopping, communicating, banking, even adopting a pet or finding a dinner recipe. We live so much of our day to day lives online. Imagine what it would be like if you weren’t able to easily access the digital world. For many people this is a reality, and it’s exactly what is addressed with the most common inclusive design principles.

Designing for accessibility and inclusion focuses on the diversity of experience which may exclude a person from effectively using a digital interface. Both inclusive design and accessibility practices ensure that websites and apps work just as well for those with disabilities or other limiting circumstances as those without. 

Accessible vs. Inclusive – What’s the Difference?

Accessible design focuses on the outcome of a project, specifically meeting accessibility guidelines set forth by governing bodies. It ensures that those with disabilities can access a website. 

While inclusive design is related, it isn’t the same thing. Inclusive design is more of an approach. It’s the process of creating a website which can be used by a wide range of humans, both with and without disabilities. Accessibility is one of the benefits of inclusive design, although focusing solely on accessibility will leave out large sections of the population whose experience would be enhanced by the use of inclusive design principles.

Inclusive Design Principles

What are the principles and practices that support inclusivity? When designing with website inclusion in mind, take the three A’s into consideration. Factors such as access to quality tools, computer literacy, financial means, culture, and language all combine to determine a user’s ability, attitude, and aptitude.

  • Ability – physical and cognitive abilities
  • Attitude – perception of the digital space, and of your specific website or app
  • Aptitude – experience and proficiency with basic internet navigation

What is Inclusive Design?

There are several factors to keep in mind when striving for inclusive design. Tools which help businesses assess their digital inclusivity will often consider the following aspects. Keep in mind that while these aspects have some overlap with accessible design principles, they aren’t always executed with identical intention. 

Content Structure

Inclusive UX design structures content in ways that make it more easily understood by users with visual, language, or cognitive deficits. This can be achieved by: 

  • Breaking up long form text into smaller sections, divided by headings and subheadings.
  • Maintaining a minimum level of contrast between colors. 
  • Using a maximum content width of 80 characters per line. 
  • Ensuring lines are at least 1.5x the height of the website font
  • Aligning text either right or left. Avoid centering or justifying long-form text. 

Content Markup

Regardless of what the website looks like on the screen, you want the backend to reflect an equal level of structure and organization. So, in addition to considering user interface design, consider the back end while creating your website.

For instance, heading tags should be used to indicate the visual structure created by different fonts for headings and subheadings. Using helpful alt text for images has a similar impact. 

Images with Text

Don’t place important content within images. This is because screen readers don’t recognize images as text, so therefore don’t scan them for helpful information. Alt text, as mentioned above, can explain what an image looks like, but it doesn’t describe the importance of that graphic. Furthermore, images with text can be very difficult to see as screen size decreases.

Language

Simple, clear wording goes a long way to maintaining an inclusive website. Not only will it benefit those with cognitive or learning disabilities, but also those for whom English is not a first language.  

Use inclusive design principles to prevent overcomplicating content for your user:

  • Skip jargon. If this isn’t possible, clearly and contextually define terms with which the layperson may be unfamiliar.
  • Use acronyms sparingly. If you must use an acronym, use the expanded version first and place the acronym in parentheses afterward. You can use the acronym on its own in subsequent sentences. 
  • Leverage lists. Bulleted or numbered lists are easier to comprehend than long-form text. Plus, the visual hierarchy created by lists lends itself to the structured content we discussed above. 
  • Employ images. Create and use images to clarify complex ideas. 
  • Insist on accuracy. Make sure your content uses proper grammar and avoids slang. 
  • Remove non-essential words. For instance, “Browse our catalog of products” could be pared down to “Browse products.” This reduces the number of words a user must read and comprehend by more than 50%.

Error Avoidance

First and foremost, you can help users avoid common mistakes by creating clear, concise instructions as well as programming automatic corrections of the most common errors. Beyond that, give the user time to verify input before submission, clearly label errors, and try to display error messages in real time. 

Layout

Nearly all inclusive web design principles insist on simplicity, and the layout of your pages is no different. Imagination and creativity should not be prioritized above usability. Sure, there are plenty of cool elements you could use to set your website or app apart from the rest. Unfortunately, the more dynamic a digital experience, the more challenging it can be for those with disabilities to connect with. 

Include Hungry Media in Your Next Project

Our experienced designers and developers expertly create websites that meet not just the needs of your business, but the needs of your end user. Our unique approach works to determine exactly what those needs are, and our team collaborates with you throughout the design and development process to ensure we’ve covered each of the inclusive design principles above. Contact us today to discuss including Hungry Media in your next digital project.

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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Designing for Everyone: Why is Accessibility is Important? https://hungrymedia.com/designing-for-everyone-why-is-accessibility-is-important/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=designing-for-everyone-why-is-accessibility-is-important Mon, 10 Jan 2022 17:58:57 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3061

Regardless of hardware, software, language, location, or physical ability, websites should be accessible to everyone. When web design effectively achieves this goal, all people – including those with any number of hearing, movement, sight, or cognitive abilities – are able to use the web page in question. It is for this reason that accessibility is an essential concern for developers and businesses who which to create high quality websites and tools. Read on to learn why accessibility is important and how you can create an accessible website for your business. 

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility means that persons with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the web. As such, when we define accessibility in web design the following concerns are addressed: auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, visual. 

Why is Accessibility Important?

While some may view accessibility in UX (user experience) as a design “bonus,” ADA compliance in UX design is actually a pretty important component of building a website. 

In many ways, the option to virtually interact can level the playing field for a person with a disability. This is because virtual interaction removes barriers to communication and engagement usually encountered in the physical world. In this sense, creating accessible websites supports inclusion.  

It’s simply good form to accommodate all users when and if possible. Additionally, section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act requires that information and communication technology ensure the accessibility and useability by individuals with disabilities. So, not only is making your website accessible the right thing to do and a beneficial business practice, but in many cases it is also a legal requirement.

Additional Benefits of Accessibility

There are also some secondary benefits to designing for people with digital accessibility needs. For instance, accessibility has significant overlap with best practices such as mobile first design, multi-modal interaction, and search engine optimization. In fact, studies have shown that accessible sites fare better in organic search results than non-accessible sites.

But the benefits of accessibility don’t stop with SEO. Large text options are great for users with smaller screens. And captions are beneficial for those who can’t turn the volume up on their smart phones. The ancillary benefits really add up and are what bring users back again and again, disability or not. 

What are Website Accessibility Standards? 

There are several components to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which are essentially accessibility standards for web design. The most recent iteration of these accessible website requirements was developed in 2018. Each suggestion falls into one of four categories: 

  • Perceivable. Information and user interface components must be presented in a way (or ways) all users can perceive. 
  • Operable. User interface and navigation components should be controllable by all users.
  • Understandable. Operation of and Information contained within the website must be understandable to all who may access it. 
  • Robust. Content must be developed using industry standards that work across different browsers, both now and in the future. 

By adhering to these guidelines companies will ensure that they are not only meeting the accessibility needs of their users, but that they are building an ADA compliant website.

Examples of Accessibility

Understanding the broad strokes of accessibility is great. But exactly what does web accessibility mean, and how does one build a website based on these principles? Here are just a few examples of accessibility in user interface design.

Alt Text

Alternative text for images (or alt text) can be included in an image’s code. Alternative text describes the image for those who are unable to see it – whether they are blind, vision impaired, or simply choose not to load images on their device in an effort to conserve bandwidth. Additionally, describing an image provides information to search engines as they attempt to determine how relevant a page is to a user’s query.

Keyboard Input

An accessible website doesn’t rely on a mouse. All functionality is available using keyboard commands, which is helpful to any person with limited fine motor control. In this case, website visitors are able to input keyboard commands using assistive tools or assistive technology such as speech recognition. 

Audio Transcripts

Just like image descriptions accommodate users who cannot see, audio transcripts, or captions, can assist users who are unable to hear. This makes the information contained in a video or audio recording accessible to any person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to use an audio output on their device.

Color Contrast

The contrast, or lack thereof, between foreground color and background color can have a major impact on the legibility of a website. For the sake of accessibility and a positive user experience all around, it’s important to ensure there is sufficient contrast between these two design elements. 

Translation

A trusted translating software interprets and localizes your website, thus making your content accessible by and engaging to anyone, regardless of the language they speak or the region of the world in which they live. 

Navigation

What may feel intuitive to some has the potential to be overwhelming and challenging to others. Website navigation, for instance, can be frustrating to a person with cognitive or neurological challenges, or perhaps a person who is very new to using the internet. Maintaining consistency goes a long way here. As does using breadcrumbs to provide an additional means for users to understand where they are within a website at any given time.

Hungry Media Builds Accessible Sites

With years of experience building mobile friendly sites and applications, Hungry Media understands why accessibility is important and how to maintain user accessibility requirements while building a beautiful, functional website. Our unique approach will first work to uncover the specific needs of your business and your project, and then our team of designers and developers will collaborate with you to build the accessible website of your dreams. Contact us today for more information. We can’t wait to meet you!

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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The Difference Between Static and Dynamic Websites (And Which to Build) https://hungrymedia.com/the-difference-between-static-and-dynamic-websites/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-difference-between-static-and-dynamic-websites Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:44:48 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3052
static website vs dynamic website

To understand the difference between static and dynamic websites, it is best to begin at the beginning – with how websites are delivered to your web browser. 

When you visit a website, your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) sends a request to the server that stores all of the information for the site. The server, in response, sends the information – in code – back to the web browser. Then the web browser uses all of the information contained within the code to display the website on your computer or smart phone screen as intended by the developer.

What is a Static Website?

Sometimes called a flat or stationary site, a static website is displayed exactly as it is stored in a server. It relies on fixed content, which is ready and waiting on the server for delivery to your web browser upon request. Static web pages return the exact same information for any user. No recent search history, no “Welcome, John Doe!” in the top right corner of the screen, no shopping carts, etc.

What is a Dynamic Website?

Also known as a database driven site, content for a dynamic website is stored on a database to which the server refers before returning the webpage to the user. In this case, the browser tells the server what data is needed, the server finds that data in a database, loads it into a template, and THEN sends the information back to the browser.

In other words, dynamic sites generate web pages in real time based on the data input by the user. This means that different content can be generated at different times of day, based on the browser being used, where the user is located, information contained in their user profile, and so on. 

Additionally, changes to the information contained within the database – prices, inventory, etc. – change the information served to users, in real time.

The Difference Between Static and Dynamic Websites

The difference between a static website and a dynamic website can be easier to grasp if you understand the pros and cons of working with each. 

Benefits

Static Websites

  • Easy to create and build. Static websites can be created with HTML code and nothing else. 
  • Less expensive. Static sites are less expensive to build because they require less work. They are less expensive to host because they take up less space on a server. 
  • Faster load times. Because they are ready made and literally waiting in the server to be sent to a browser, static sites load much faster than dynamic sites. 
  • SEO is simpler. Since the pages already exist, search engines can crawl static web pages very effectively. This makes accomplishing SEO basics a little bit easier.

Dynamic Websites

  • Easy to personalize for different users. Dynamic websites allow users to login and see information relevant to them and their accounts. 
  • Updating and scaling are easier. Frequent updates and website growth are much easier on dynamic sites since the code required to make changes is already present. It simply needs to be modified instead of created from scratch. 
  • Simpler to meet the needs of the end user. Websites which return information specific to each user make it easier to meet their needs and expectations. 

Drawbacks

Static Websites

  • Harder to change. For the reason that dynamic websites are easier to update, static websites require more manual work to achieve similar changes.
  • Difficult to grow. Similarly, a static website can be more time consuming to scale since every change requires manual work, and often a total rewriting of the code involved. 
  • Maintaining more than a few static pages can be impractical. If there are more than a few pages involved, maintaining them over time can be quite a challenge. 
  • Updates require development expertise. Even simple changes cannot be easily managed by the business. Instead, they must be completed by a web developer who understands the coding languages in use. 

Dynamic Websites

  • Much more difficult to build. What makes a website dynamic also means more work at the outset because additional coding is required for server-side processing. Often databases must be built from scratch, too. 
  • Expensive. This complexity makes dynamic websites more expensive to build and host.

Static vs. Dynamic Websites – Which Should You Choose?

Every business needs a website, and choosing whether to build a static website vs. dynamic website is a relatively easy decision these days. Most of today’s websites are 100% dynamic, contain a combination of static and dynamic pages, or include at least a few dynamic elements. This means that nearly every website requires some amount of database-driven processing. Even if you don’t have the ability to build a fully dynamic site right away, opting for a site with some dynamic options will make growing and scaling your site much simpler in the future. 

Dynamic Websites by Hungry Media

Hungry Media has years of experience building dynamic, database driven sites which help companies take their businesses to the next level. Whether you sell luxury vacations, are a starting a non-profit, or anything in between, we’ve got you! Our unique approach uncovers your needs not just for today, but for the long term. This allows us to build a website that grows with you, over time. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create the website of your dreams. 

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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Website Terminology 101: Web Developer Terms https://hungrymedia.com/website-terminology-101-web-developer-terms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=website-terminology-101-web-developer-terms Tue, 23 Nov 2021 15:11:10 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3033

If you thought standard web design terms sound foreign, just wait until you hear some of the most common web developer terms! But don’t worry. The basic terminology of web development probably sounds like gibberish to most people.

Here, in our web development glossary we put some of the most common web development words into easily comprehendible terms. Be sure to check out the other posts in our Web Terminology 101 series: The Basics and Web Design Terms. These will help you glean an understanding of tech phrases which aren’t necessarily development-related but are certainly helpful to understand.  

Accessibility

This web programming term relates to making a website accessible for people with disabilities. At the very least, all websites should follow the website guidelines outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a bonus, complying with these guidelines can make it easier for any user to navigate your website, which leads to an improved user experience and a boost in search engine optimization

Content Management System (CMS)

A CMS is a software system used to organize, update, and maintain all that is contained within a website. This includes everything from menu items to images to blog posts. Content management systems simplify the publication process without requiring you to become a web developer.

Domain Name Server (DNS)

DNS servers connect a website’s URL to its IP address. And yes, we’ve just saddled you with more jargon-y web development terms. Here’s an analogy to help explain. 

Think about the internet like a library. Each individual public website is represented by an individual book on the library shelves. Similar to the way in which a Dewey Decimal Classification indicates the exact location of a specific book on those shelves, an IP address tells us exactly where a website can be found within the world wide web.

In this analogy, the DNS is akin to the library catalog. It is a directory which connects the title of a book (domain name or URL) to that Dewey Decimal code (IP address). When you type in a web address such as www.hungrymedia.com, your web browser connects to a DNS, which looks up the IP address associated with our domain name and communicates it back to the browser. The browser, now that it knows where to look, finds our website and displays its contents on your screen.  

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

This is one of the most common coding acronyms around. Hypertext markup language is the type of code used to construct web pages and display content such as text, images, video, and links. Usually, HTML is used in conjunction with additional languages that allow the developer to add functionality to the website. 

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)

This programming acronym indicates that a website is using the secure version of the protocol for sending data from a web browser to a website, and back again. It encrypts all of the communication between the two, meaning the information transmitted is less susceptible to being hacked than if the secure protocol were not in use. 

Plugin

Plugins are like apps for a website. In web developer terms, they are little pieces of software designed to perform a specific task or add a specific feature to a site. It’s safe to say that nearly any function you can dream of is available as a plugin. Free and paid options are available for everything from SEO, to photo carousel creation, to social media sharing buttons. 

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate

This is one of those coding abbreviations that has been around for as long as the internet. SSL is a standard security protocol which is required to establish encrypted communications between a website and a web browser. When a site has an SSL certificate, it can then include the “S” after HTTP in the web address (mentioned above). 

Coding

Coding is the process of translating the design of a website into specific website building terminology like HTML or CSS. You can view the source code for any website by right clicking anywhere on the page and selecting “view source.” 

Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

AMP is a coding abbreviation that stands for accelerated mobile pages. This is a web standard, created by Google, with the intention of making mobile sites quicker to respond. By using a more rudimentary version of HTML, AMP enables pages with less data to load faster on mobile devises such as smart phones or tablets. Some regular web page code can’t be used for AMP, so there are limitations to the process. On the whole, though, this initiative has been widely beneficial for those on both the development and user ends of a mobile first strategy

Application Programming Interface (API)

An API is a software intermediary responsible for connecting one website to the database of another. For instance, an API is responsible for providing airline flight availability through a booking sight like Expedia. Expedia doesn’t store the availability and pricing for every airline, rather it uses an API to connect to each airline and return accurate information to customers when they request it. 

Bug

A bug is an error in website code which prevents a site from running the way it is intended. It’s impossible to test every single action available in a website or app, so sometimes bugs aren’t noticed during initial testing. Sometimes they are very obscure and only occur when a unique action is taken by a user. This is why it is very important that the steps taken prior to the error be recounted accurately. Otherwise, debugging will involve reviewing potentially thousands of lines of code until the error is found. 

Open Source

Open source is a web developer term that usually refers to software which is distributed with permission for developers to change its source code. This allows for easy manipulation of the way a website looks or functions, which in turn allows businesses to meet the needs of the end user without restrictions. WordPress is the most well-known open-source software on the market. 

Embed

Embedding means placing content – usually graphics or videos – directly on a web page rather than just linking to it. In this situation, users do not have to leave a page to consume additional content. As you can imagine, there are several benefits to embedding graphics or videos, namely increasing the time users spend on a page, building engagement, and hopefully improving return rates over time. 

Websites Made Easy with Hungry Media

When you’re building a website or app it’s helpful to have an understanding of basic web developer terms. But don’t let all of the jargon scare you away. Hungry Media’s project managers and developers work with businesses of all sizes and tech comfort levels. Whether you’re a startup in need of a brand-new app or an established business looking to revamp an old website, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to learn how we can help take your app or website to the next level. We can’t wait to meet you!

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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The Best Social Media Content Types for Each Platform https://hungrymedia.com/the-best-social-media-content-types-for-each-platform/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-best-social-media-content-types-for-each-platform Mon, 08 Nov 2021 16:33:26 +0000 https://hungrymedia.com/?p=3028
Social Media Content

Upon its inception nearly 20 years ago, social media was simply a way to connect with friends and family in the digital world. Today, it has become a way of life. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have transformed the way we connect with others, source information, consume news, and engage with brands. This is why effective social media content has become a vital component to the digital marketing strategy of nearly all businesses.

What Makes Social Media Marketing Special?

The ease of interaction on social media sets it apart from traditional marketing platforms. We can comment on a Facebook post, directly message brands on Instagram, even create TikTok duets with business accounts. Needless to say, interactive social media posts tend to be the most popular among users.

Furthermore, with just a few mouse clicks, users can share social media posts with their digital network. This means that on top of the high level of access and interactivity, the reach of social ad campaigns can be pretty darn impressive. And finally, social media provides the opportunity for marketers to easily target specific audiences for their ads. This can make these ads much more cost-efficient than traditional advertising avenues.

Social Media Platforms

Honestly, there are more social media platforms out there than can be counted, but there are a handful which seem to be the most mainstream. 

Facebook features user-generated content in the form of photos, videos, and personal information. Anyone over 12 can sign up for a free Facebook account and use the platform’s features to share with family and friends. 

YouTube is an online video sharing platform. YouTube users create and post content in the form of video, only. YouTube features “likes” and has a basic comments section for each video, but most of the users’ attention is intended to be focused on the video itself.

WhatsApp is a little different than other social media platforms, but it is among the most popular. This cross-platform instant messenger service allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images and other documents.

Instagram is a social networking site for sharing both photos and video. This app allows users to upload content that can be edited with pre-programmed filters and organized by hashtags as well as geo-tagging.

TikTok began as a video platform for creating short lip sync and comedy videos. Since then, the genre of content shared on TikTok has expanded, but the type of content has not – it’s still used to create and share short-form, usually lighthearted, video content.

Reddit is a social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion platform organized into communities (called subreddits) that cover any variety of topics. User-generated content is either voted up or down by members of the community. The more “upvotes” a post receives, the higher that post will appear on the designated page.

Pinterest is an image sharing platform that allows users to save and search for information using online images. Saved images are organized into virtual pinboards, and users can follow others’ boards for ideas and inspiration.

Twitter is a microblogging site. Users posts and interact with messages called “tweets,” which are limited in length to 280 characters. Posts can be liked or retweeted by other users on the platform. 

LinkedIn is an employment oriented social platform intended for professional networking and career development. Users create profiles and connect to each other similar to the ways in which they would connect on Facebook. LinkedIn also allows employers to post job openings and users to search and apply for jobs directly through the platform.

Types of Social Media Content

There are several content types for social media sharing, and several ways to leverage each platform within a content-first strategy. Here are the four most common ways to market to customers (both current and future) on social media: 

Video 

Video is probably the most valuable content on social media because it captures audience attention easily. Plus, you can be concise enough in video to retain that attention. It makes sense then, that video is the most popular way to engage with users, today. There are dozens of methods for integrating video into a social media marketing strategy. (Don’t worry. We’ll give some suggestions in the next section.)

Best platforms for video: TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram

Images

A picture is worth a thousand words, and strong visual content is a must for nearly all social media platforms. Afterall, what is easier to view than an image? While other types of content have grown in popularity recently, images remain one of the most valuable types of social content, today.

Best platforms for images: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook.

Text-Based Posts

Obviously visual content reigns supreme, but never underestimate the power of words. While images and videos grab attention, text-based posts allow businesses to provide detailed information to users. Once you learn which information is most sought by your users and begin providing it, your social media content strategy will be stronger than ever.

Best platforms for text-based content: Reddit, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

Stories

Stories include short-form clips that automatically run in sequence and are usually only visible for 24 hours. Since stories can come in the form of video, image, or text, you may be wondering why they get their own category here. It’s because they are unique, incredibly valuable, and slightly underrated given how much users love to engage with them. 

In addition to the availability of novel backgrounds, music, effects, and animations, social media stories are often more informal than typical social media marketing content. Users tend to enjoy stories so much because they feel like they are hanging out with a good friend rather than the target of a marketing campaign.

Best platforms for stories: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

Social Media Content Creation Categories

Once you understand how to create content for social media, it’s time to have some fun! Here are the most popular types of social media posts used for marketing purposes. Consider integrating a few (or all!) of these content categories for social media into your strategy:

  • Behind the scenes posts
  • Infographics
  • Testimonials or reviews
  • Announcements
  • Contests 
  • Holiday recognition
  • Guides
  • Tutorials
  • Series of any kind
  • Memes
  • Challenges
  • How Tos
  • Polls
  • Milestone posts
  • Trending topics or post types
  • Questions

Hungry for Help with Your Social Media Content?

The backbone of any strong social content strategy is always a well-built, user-friendly website that customers will return to again and again. The combination of Hungry Media’s unique approach to website creation and our team of highly skilled designers and developers is what allows us to produce top-notch websites that provide everything businesses need to be successful in the digital world. 

Our content strategists are also available after initial setup to help build your brand through content creation. Whether you want to understand how to create compelling social media content, craft long-form blogs, design infographics or anything in between – we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to learn how we can help you take your business to the next level. We can’t wait to meet you! 

contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer

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