Business-Grade WordPress Websites & Webmaster Service
Website Services
WordPress Website Design & Development, Gilbert AZ
Let’s Build The Home For Your Business Online.
WordPress Website Services
Website services at Mirex Marketing include building new business-grade WordPress websites, updating existing websites and maintaining websites so that they achieve marketing objectives for your business. Also included with website services is the domain name acquisition service, for when you’ve just got to have a domain name that is already owned. When businesses are looking for website services, they often search for “website design and development” firms. While Mirex Marketing does provide website design and development, we are NOT a development firm; we are a marketing agency, and the reasons you’d want to hire a marketing agency to build your website are described in further detail below. The work we do with websites is entirely on the WordPress platform. WordPress is a platform where business-grade websites can be built. Over 40% of the internet is built on WordPress. Unlike many “web builders” that are available, which are NOT business-grade, WordPress is a CMS or Content Management System. It is developer-friendly, user-friendly, and SEO-friendly. For various reasons, there might be better ways to build a site, but they are not nearly as cost-effective as WordPress. There are also cheaper ways to build a site, but these are not business-grade. The only reason a business would consider the DIY web builders is if they don’t have the budget for anything else. Something is better than nothing; it’s better to be online than to not be online; but don’t expect the “web builders” to be business-grade, even if they help produce a pretty site. DIY can help you get by, but if you really want to grow, hire a pro.
Why you want a Business-Grade WordPress Site:
If your website needs to achieve marketing objectives, then hire a marketing agency to build it.
A lot of business owners (often new or smaller businesses) do the minimum of what it takes to get online, because the importance of being online is at least implied for modern business practices. Yet, having a business-grade website is more than simply having a website which acts as a digital business card. It needs to do more than simply list your name, services and contact info, and more people should be finding it than the ones who might type your website directly into their internet browser.
The concepts and phrases “user experience” and “customer journey” have paramount importance when it comes to marketing your business, and a website is often at the end of the customer journey. Or in other words, it’s at the apex of your marketing funnel. If the website doesn’t help your business appear in search engine results or if website visitors don’t convert into leads for your business once they land on your website, then there is very little point in building the site or paying to drive traffic to it. Only a marketing agency will understand this. Developement firms and technical individuals will generally only build a site that functions; designers and creative individuals will only build a site that is pretty. Yet, a business grade-grade website will help your business achieve marketing objectives and include the following features (click the toggle + icon to see more details for each):
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Consistent Branding
The messaging on the website needs to match the tone of your brand, have colors and design that complement your logo, and distinguish why customers should use your business instead of your competitors.
User-Friendly Layout & Structure
This term is actually pretty loaded, because being user-friendly is not just important for people, it’s also important for search engines. Google and other search engines want to send users to websites where there are inidicators that the user is getting what they need, and the user won’t stick around on your site unless it’s user friendly.
This means your site must have a user-friendly layout and intuitive site structure. It also means that the site loads properly and quickly. Maintaining a site so that it loads properly and quickly is called Performance Optimization. The site also needs to be mobile-friendly to be user-friendly, since over 50% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices (60% or more by some reports). Modern websites that are mobile-friendy are called Responsive websites, because they respond and adapt to different screen sizes.
SEO Potential
One of the main purposes of having a website is so your business can show up in search engine results. This is the most-ignored fact by business owners who settle to use DIY “web builders”. It is also why Mirex Marketing works with WordPress, because WordPress offers a lot of similar benefits of web builders, yet it also has much higher SEO Potential.
Note that “SEO Potential” does not mean that it automatically has Search Engine Optimization just because it’s built on WordPress, but it does have higher potential from the start than any web builder and it’s more cost-effective than other options that actually provide SEO potential.
You could have a site custom-built by a developer, but that usually costs 2-10 times more, takes much longer to build, and then when you have it built, it costs more to maintain and update. That’s if the developer who built it will even maintain it for you. There are certainly cheaper ways to build a website, but they do not have the same SEO Potential that WordPress has.
Conversion Optimization
Regardless of whether you plan to run advertising campaigns or try to drive organic traffic to your website, conversion optimization works the same for all traffic sources. In fact, this is why you don’t just want a marketing agency to build your site; you’d want a marketing agency that specializes in both websites and digital advertising (PPC+), because only an agency that understands both will understand the importance of conversion optimization and be able to implement it on your site.
Conversion Optimization asks this question: if you use your resources to drive traffic to your website, will your website do the job of converting visitors into leads so those resoures are not wasted? A business-grade website intended for marketing purposes must have conversion optimization.
Integration Friendly
Since WordPress is developer-friendly, it is one of the most common platforms that allows you to integrate with other digital marketing tools. This gives you more options for automation, tracking ad campaign results, remarketing, and other objectives.
The more common tools that you might want to be integrated with your website include any PPC+ platform that has conversion tracking, email marketing tools and CRMs. As a rule of thumb, if you’re trying to use a tool that does not integrate with WordPress, then the tool is either underdeveloped or the developers have purposely made it a closed system so they can lock you into their services.
A common app that is used to integrate two or more independent apps together is Zapier. If you’re using a tool or app that integrates with Zapier or a similar integrations app, then it will integrate with WordPress. It’s also just as common to integrate with WordPress directly without using Zapier, through the use of a WordPress plugin. (Think of WordPress plugins as addon features, see “upgrade features”, “ecommerce” and “specialty sites” below).
You Can Add Content Regularly
The old internet marketing adage that “Content Is King” still holds true. A site that allows you or your webmaster to add content regularly is one that can keep up with the demands of your marketing, whether you have frequently-changing promotions or whether it’s part of your strategy to educate your clients. Good content is the foundation of all marketing, which is why it’s nice to have a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress.
You Can Upgrade Features Without A Complete Rebuild
This is arguably not a requirement for a website to be business-grade, but it is still a nice feature that gives WordPress an edge over other website options.
WordPress has plugins which provide addon features to a basic WordPress site. Because of this, you can start with a basic website at a lower cost and then add the features you need later when you’re ready and potentially avoid a whole rebuild. If you want to convert your basic site into an ecommerce site, we can often do that without a complete rebuild. If you want a calendar, or a membership portal, or a booking system, or other features, we can often add those without a complete rebuild, as long as the site is built well to begin with and as a long as it’s not outdated (it’s generally good practice to rebuild a site anyway about every 5-10 years).
You Own It!
This is not a feature that is required to have a business-grade website, but it is often one that most business owners want to have. If you’re going to pay for a website, shouldn’t it be yours?
This is actually a policy that sets Mirex Marketing apart from many other professionals who build websites. You might hire them to build it and then they decide to keep it if you part ways with them. That doesn’t seem right does it?
As a policy, Mirex Marketing will only build a site on your hosting account, and you own it forever (it is also important to note that all domain and hosting services are technically only “rented”, but that is between you and your hosting provider). Mirex Marketing does not hold your digital properties hostage.
The phrase “search engine marketing” might mean different things to the layperson and to digital marketing professionals. Within the industry “search engine marketing” is often synonymous with “pay-per-click” advertising on search engines, the most dominant being Google. Yet the traditional use of the word “marketing” means much more than just advertising; so the layperson may interpret “search engine marketing” to mean any use of search engines, both paid and organic, to promote their business. Mirex Marketing considers Search Engine Marketing (SEM) to be both Search Engine Advertising (which we would coin as SEA), and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). (SEM = SEA + SEO). Further, the use of the label “pay-per-click” advertising is also becoming outadated, since there are now digital advertising platforms that allow the advertiser to pay for other high-value actions besides clicks. Mirex Marketing will therefore often abbreviate digital advertising as PPC+, for “pay-per-click plus”.
Get Started Now!
Does your business need a business-grade website?
Business-Grade WordPress Website New Build, Update or Rebuild
The most common website we build is a basic, business-grade WordPress website with 5-10 pages. This will have appropriate content for all pages, at least one contact form, full blog functionally, and social media buttons. We collaborate with you on creating the content. You do not have to use the blog, but it is highly suggested. If you don’t want to use it, we will simply hide it. You also do not have to have a separate page for every service you provide, but it is also highly suggested. If you want to rank in search engines for any of those services then you will need separate pages for each and every service.
We do not always have to build a new website. Sometimes we can update an existing site, though it is generally good practice to have your site rebuilt every 5-10 years anyway.
WordPress Ecommerce Sites, Using WooCommerce Plugin
If you have anything to sell online, then an ecommerce website is the way to go. With the WooCommerce plugin for WordPress, your basic website can be converted into a complete online store with product listings and shopping cart functionality. Ecommerce is most commonly associated with online retail for selling tangible items. If you have a retail business, then your ecommerce site will usually be your most economic “location”. Yet, ecommerce can also be used for sales of nontangible products, such as digital product downloads, event ticketing, online classes, and membership subscriptions.
Other Specialty WordPress Website New Builds
Ecommerce, with it’s product listings and shopping cart functionality is just one type of speciality website that Mirex Marketing can build for you. Would you like to create a Learning Management System (LMS) with online classes similar to Udemy or Coursera? Or a hotel booking system? Or have a website with appointment bookings or event listings? Are you an artist, architect, home services provider or other business that provides visually appealing services and would like to include a portfolio on your website? Do you want to allow affiliates to promote your ecommerce products for sales-based commissions? Mirex Marketing can build all of these and more through the use of free and paid WordPress plugins. If we can meet your needs with WordPress then it will be much easier, quicker and affordable to have the site built by us than if you hired a developer to custom-develop it. So it’s worth talking to us about it first. If it’s not within the scope of our wheel house then we will be up front about it, but there is quite a lot that we can do.
WordPress Plugin Installation & Configuration
WordPress Plugin Installation & Configuration is rarely a stand-alone service, but it can be if needed. If this is a task that you need to be completed for your business then call us.
WordPress Website Integration With Other Marketing Tools
As mentioned above, one of the benefits of WordPress is that it’s developer friendly and can be integrated with many other marketing tools. In fact it is the most likely of all website options to be integratable with the tool you might be using. If you are using a tool that does not integrate with WordPress, then it is either under-developed or purposely designed to be a closed system, which can be limiting. Integrating a WordPress website with other marketing tools is not often a stand-alone service, but it can be. If you need this for your business then call us.
Webmaster Service – WordPress Website Management
The Webmaster Service can be thought of as WordPress Website Management. It’s like having your own webmaster on staff without the cost of an employee on staff. It includes backups, technical updates, performance optimization (which keeps the site loading properly and quickly), uptime monitoring, changes to the content upon request and publication of client-provided content upon request, generally within a business day. We can even schedule blog posts in advance, similar to the social posting service.
We’ve heard horror stories of businesses asking their developer to make changes to their site and six months later it’s still not done. That’s certainly not conducive to your marketing. While WordPress is a very user-friendly platform that can allow you to publish content on your own, quite a few business owners don’t want to focus on that. Even if the business is big enough to have a marketing director, that is often something that even the marketing director doesn’t want on their own plate, especially when this service is so affordable. The Webmaster Service keeps your website functioning properly for your peace of mind and has the turn-around time for requested changes that is conducive to your marketing. And if you need help creating the content, we can do that too. More on Creative Services below.
Domain Name Acquisition, Domain Name Brokering
The Domain Name Acquisition Service, also known as Domain Name Brokering, is not a common service for us, but it is one that we can certainly do. Most often a business owner would elect to go with an available domain name that is not already owned, because it is much more affordable. An unowned domain costs about $15 a year or less; acquiring a domain that someone owns could cost between $500-$10,000 or more to acquire it from the owner (then it’s $15 to renew). If you’re extra-focused on having the correct brand and correctly-branded properties, then sometimes buying a domain name that is already owned is worth it for your long-term brand strategy. We can help by determining the contact information of the owner, establishing a dialog, helping you come to an agreeable price, and assist in the transfer of the domain from their registrar to yours (or from their account to your account). This also requires an escrow service to ensure that the seller does not take your payment and then decide not to transfer the domain.
Popups & Email Marketing For Conversion Optimization & Remarketing
When popups are used appropriately, they can supplement conversion optimization, and the most common popups are prompts to get the user to opt-in to an email newsletter.
Email Marketing is particularly useful for B2B businesses, coaching business, businesses with sales teams, retail and any business that has frequent sales and discounts or has a need to educate their clients on an ongoing basis. It is the most cost-effective form of remarketing. It can be used to help get new customers, get current customers to spend more and get current customers to spend more often. And it usually all starts with offering a giveaway on your website so that visitors opt-in to your email list. Mirex Marketing can help with all aspects of this, from helping you create the giveaway or promotions, to setting up the campaigns and helping you evaluate them.
Creative Services From Blog Copy Writing to Video Production (Video Improves Conversions)
If you need help creating any content for your website, then that would fall under the creative services of copy writing, graphic design, photo editing, audio and video production. Do you need help creating a giveaway for your email marketing campaign? Or producing a engaging video to help increase conversions on your website? Or ongoing blog copy writing? The possibilities are vast and we can help you create relevant, engaging content to help promote your business and convert visitors to leads.
By far, the most engaging content is video. One of the best ways to improve conversion optimization is to add a video to the home page of your site so it’s one of the first things visitors see when they land on your site. These are often motion graphics explainer videos.
Conversion Optimization With Chatbots
Another way to improve conversions on a business website is to provide a Chatbot on the website. These are usually found in the lower right corner of the site, yet there are other strategic options, such as the left corner or a link in the main navigation.
The best experience for the website visitor is to interact with a live human on the chat. Mirex Marketing can provide a team to do this for you as a service, which of course includes the Chatbot itself. If you have people on staff that can reply to chats received from the website, then there are multiple Chatbot software options. Another option is to use automated and AI-powered responses to the chat, instead of human responses. In these cases the visitor can still engage with the chat and get some questions answered.
Sometimes a CRM will come with a Chatbot or you’d want to be sure the Chatbot you’re using can integrate with your CRM. The Resources page has mulitple options for Chatbots.
Additional Website Resources (Plugins, Hosting, Etc.)
The Additional Resources section has more information on suggested WordPress plugins, best WordPress hosting providers, and other tools that can be useful for your website and overall marketing. We aggregate these resources to help you save precious time.