New e-commerce sites are launching every day. Shopify and WooCommerce are two of the biggest e-commerce platforms powering millions of websites around the world. If you are considering starting a new site yourself or are making changes to your current site, you might be wondering what the difference is between Shopify and WooCommerce. Since each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, we will break down some of the key differences between them and help you decide which platform is best for your business.

Hosting

The biggest difference between Shopify and WooCommerce is that Shopify is a hosted e-commerce solution while WooCommerce is a self-hosted solution that requires a separate hosting account. 

Maintenance

Shopify manages all the core updates and security of e-commerce sites on their platform. WooCommerce on the other hand requires a much more hands-on approach to maintenance, updates and security monitoring. 

Cost

The cost of a Shopify site typically runs between $30-300 per month depending on plan. Custom themes and apps are additional one-time or subscription-based fees in addition to the monthly Shopify fees. WooCommerce is built on WordPress and is free to install but you will need to pay for hosting which typically runs between $150-500 a month depending on your resources and maintenance requirements. 

Payment Processing

Both platforms also require some form of payment processing. Shopify has its own payment processing plan but also supports other major payment processors such as PayPal and Authorize.net. WooCommerce also supports many of the major payment processors. Payment processing for both platforms typically costs between 2-3% per sale.

Features & Apps

You can add features to your site via apps in Shopify and plugins in WooCommerce. Each platform has its own repository of apps/plugins and you can also find free and paid apps/plugins on third-party party websites. 

Most of Shopify’s apps are provided by third-party app developers and are hosted on the developer’s servers. Shopify app developers are responsible for maintenance and updates of the app and have different levels of access to your store’s data. 

WooCommerce plugins are also primarily offered by third-party developers but the plugins are installed directly on the server or hosting platform running WordPress. WooCommerce plugins options include free, one-time fee or subscription based. 

You have a lot more flexibility with how your store is set up and it’s easier to add custom features to WooCommerce.

So, which platform should you use for your e-commerce website? 

The platform you choose depends on 

• What type of site you are building
• How many custom features you will be adding to the site 
• How you plan to support the site

Shopify is a great choice for standard e-commerce sites with high volume and not a lot of static pages. 

We recommend WooCommerce for sites with a lot of custom features, when clients are already familiar with WordPress or plan to have a lot of non-product pages and/or a blog alongside their e-commerce site. 

Iceberg Can Help

The e-commerce experts at Iceberg Web Design can look at how you plan to use your e-commerce site, which products you want to sell, and any requirements for custom features or 3rd party integrations. Based on this information, we can help you to decide which platform will work best for your e-commerce website. 

And when you are ready to build your e-commerce site, our specialists can work with you through every step of the process to ensure your site is exactly what your business needs.

Contact us today!

The post Shopify Vs. WooCommerce – Which Platform is Right for You? appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

Then the writer assigned to the project will do a deep dive, researching the industry and deciding how to portray the company best to put them on top.

Well Written Content 

Your content will profoundly affect a customer’s perception of your business. If your content is disorganized, visitors will assume that your business is, as well. That organization rests on the shoulders of your content.

It has never been more critical to make a good impression on your website. Because of COVID-19, many customers are vetting businesses by visiting their websites first. This can often save them time and potential health risks by ensuring a company can meet their needs before going into their brick-and-mortar business.

SEO Strategy

Your SEO strategy should include both on-page and off-page SEO. Your content writer needs to be adept at using these concepts. User experience is the number one thing that will affect your SEO. User experience is behind all of the rules that are part of Google’s algorithm. Having a content writer who knows how to maximize the user experience will not only make Google happy and boost your SEO. It will also make your site visitors. It may even improve the chances that they will want to do business with you.

Avoid the Fluff: Display Your Expertise

Offering Free Knowledge is a great way to show your customers that you are an expert in your field. Many people want to understand the problem they are hiring someone to fix. Then, they feel secure in the knowledge that they are getting the right service for their needs.

Your website is the first impression many people will have of your business. Customers can find fluff anywhere. By sharing something of value, you are helping them feel comfortable with your level of expertise. If you can’t articulate your business, customers aren’t going to feel secure working with you.

Yet, some companies are fearful of giving away free knowledge. They hold onto it like it’s Grandma’s secret recipe. But sharing knowledge with your site’s visitors will help to create a bond between them and your business over time. They will see your generosity and good-will.

Iceberg Web Design Can Help

We have SEO Content Writers who care about helping your company make a good first impression. We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses over the years, and we would love to work with you. Contact us today to learn how to make that happen. Read our Reviews if you don’t believe us! 

The post Why Content is the Foundation To A Website that Converts appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

Then Yahoo Changed the World

In 2000, Yahoo introduced Google to the world, and Google unveiled its algorithm for deciding how to rank websites. It boiled down to “if they are talking about you, you are important.” Links were one component of their algorithm, so people suddenly added all the backlinks they could point to their site—even if it meant paying for them.

You can learn more about the fascinating history of SEO in The Search Engine Journal. The important thing to take from this is that even though the black hat tactics of keyword stuffing and paid backlinks are rooted in the internet of the early 2000s, you will still see people attempting to use them.

Keyword Stuffing

Have you ever read an article on the internet that kept repeating the same keywords throughout the content to the point that it felt like overkill? They may use different variations of the keywords, but something about it does not seem natural. That is because it isn’t. It’s keyword stuffing in an attempt to rank higher on the search page for that particular word or phrase.

Google has gotten wise to this black hat tactic and will kick those pages down in the ranks when detected. As a website owner or a content writer, it is essential to keep your content useful and relevant for the readers you are trying to reach. By doing this, you will naturally grow your audience and move up in the ranks.

Paid Backlinks

Receiving a backlink from another site on the web is a high compliment. It means they trust the content you are putting out enough for them to share it with their audience. Because of that, Google counts that as a factor in how you should rank on the search engine results page. It’s like carrying extra clout.

Unfortunately, some people would instead take the quick and easy route rather than the honest way. They pay for links that others work hard to get. Google and other search engines have taken a tough stance on this, banning the buying and selling of links as a way of manipulating page ranking. If they do detect this, they will penalize both the seller and buyer of the links.

What if I Have Paid for Links in the Past?

If you have paid for backlinks in the past, not realizing it was wrong, and you want to straighten things out, there is a way to do that. Google has a Link Disavowal Tool.

How Can I Rank Well?

The best way to rank well with search engines like Google is with high-quality content that follows search engine optimization rules. At Iceberg Web Design, we specialize in website-based business solutions, including premium content and SEO services. Contact us today to see how we can help take your business to the next level.

The post Black Hat SEO: Keyword Stuffing & Paid Backlinks appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

Business Locator

If you have more than one brick and mortar location, having a location page is an essential complement to your local SEO because it is a great way to target location-specific long-tail, location-specific keywords.  

Hirshfield’s

One great example of a store locator the one Iceberg Web Design built for Hirshfield’s.  For this page, the customer has several ways from which to choose a location.

•         If they want to allow location services, GPS will enable the list to automatically show the closest stores to their location at the top of the left sidebar. You can accomplish similar results by putting in the zip code of the area you are looking for.
•         Perhaps they have a favorite store already. In the lower-left is an alphabetized list of links to all Hirshfield’s stores.  
•         You can also look at the interactive map. The map links to store hours and other information a customer may want to have.

For a business locator as in-depth as this, it is important to ensure that all locations have a unique page for that specific store only. The address and GPS location allow location services to find the store that the customer is looking for quickly.

Stonegate Builders

Thinking outside of the box can lead to new ways of using old tools. For Stonegate Builders, a Division of Gonya Homes, we built a location page to help potential homebuyers find where they had available homes for sale. The way theirs works is through a map that shows the various neighborhoods with Stonegate Builders homes for sale. When you click on the link, it takes you to a page where you can learn about the community, the houses in it, and how to get more information.

Stonegate Builder’s location page is different from Hirshfield’s because each of their customers has their own unique buying habits. In the end, it comes down to what the customer is going to respond to best.

Select Eyecare

Select Eyecare is an eye care clinic with an in-house lab and three locations in the northern Twin Cities metro area. Iceberg Web Design created a location page for Select Eyecare that had their locations on a single page as part of the company website. We chose to have their location page laid out this way because it best suits their needs and customers’ needs.

Avoiding Doorways in Your Location Pages

It’s essential to make your location page unique and useful for users, and if possible, have one location for each of your physical stores. That’s because of something known as “doorway pages.” This black hat SEO tactic can become a trap that is easy for you and your customers to fall into. To learn more about doorway pages, read this article by Google Search Central. Follow Google’s recommendations, and have a separate Google My Business page for each location.

To avoid any pitfalls and reap the rewards of a business locator page, it is best to use an experienced website developer like Iceberg Web Design. We would be happy to meet with you and discuss your next project. Contact us today!

The post Business Locator Page for Your Website appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

Adam Toporek, author of “Be Your Customer’s Hero: Real-World Tips & Techniques for the Service Front Lines,” has created a great infographic on this topic. [1]

Here are some of the things that are known to drive customers up a wall

1.       Being ignored
2.       Being abandoned (broken connection)
3.       Being hassled
4.       Incompetence (Perceived or real)
5.       Being shuffled from one department to the next
6.       Being powerless when trying to talk with a large organization
7.       Being disrespected

Customer Service Representative, Jessie Gutzwiller, Shares Her Thoughts

Jessie has been working in the customer service industry for the past 30 years. She has also been a customer. Having experience on both sides of the phone line has made her the ideal CSR (Customer Service Representative) for Iceberg Web Design as well as the perfect person to ask about Customer Service “Triggers.”

Being Ignored

This happens a lot more in person than on the phone. For example, if you are at a restaurant and the wait staff seems to breeze by without a word. You probably feel ignored. Likewise, if you are in a store and need assistance, but no one seems to notice you. You wonder if anyone knows you’re there. This can be frustrating.

Customers need to feel heard. As a CSR, even if you are busy, it’s imperative that you acknowledge the customer. If you are in person, rather than over the phone, look them in the eyes so that they know you see them. Tell them, “I’m running a bit behind, but I will be right there.”

The telephone equivalent is when you are sitting on hold for an eternity. Again, let the customer know why they are on hold and how long they can expect to wait. It is much easier to be patient when you see the end is in sight.

Being Abandoned

Being abandoned can happen when a phone connection gets dropped after you’ve just waited on hold for a long time. It can also occur when you expect a follow-up email from CSR, but it never arrives.

Being abandoned can also happen in person. Examples of this include asking someone if an item is in stock. They disappear for 20 minutes, leaving you to wonder if they have forgotten about you. We can again look at the example of a waitress. This time, they seem to forget that you are waiting for refills or even the check.

A good CSR will read back the email and a phone number you have given them to ensure they have the right one. This way, if you get disconnected, they can get ahold of you, and you don’t have to go through the often arduous process of dialing back in. They will also reply to each message or email you leave to assure you that they are looking into the issue. If you are in-person, a good CSR will check back if they are gone for a while.

Being Hassled

When you talk to a customer service representative, whether in person or over the phone, you want to be heard. Even if they can’t do anything about the problem, the last thing you want is to have things turned around on you. No one wants that. That is “being hassled.” Anytime a customer is treated like they are the problem, it is being hassled.

A good CSR will let the customer vent their frustrations and listen with understanding. The customer is never wrong. That’s an important axiom to remember in customer service. Jessie Gutzwiller, the CSR at Iceberg, told me that people would rather have the best waitress and bad food than the best food and a bad waitress.

Incompetence (Perceived or real)

Another customer trigger is incompetence. It doesn’t even have to be real incompetence, but if a customer believes that you don’t know how to do your job, they will be disappointed and perhaps even irate. It’s okay not to have the solution to the problem or the answer to their question, but at least try to find it.

Customers will often perceive that a CSR is incompetent not because they are, but because they are lazy, unmotivated, or even hung-over. You need to be on the customer’s side and try to find a solution to their problem as if the problem was your own.

Being shuffled from one department to the next

Sometimes this can’t be helped. They may have called the wrong store or the wrong department. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t help. Maybe they have a general question that you can answer without pushing them off onto someone else. If you must transfer them, apologize and explain why you need to transfer their call.

Like in the second customer trigger, “Being Abandoned,” you will want to give them a direct number to the person they should talk to if their call gets dropped. Offer a choice between being transferred or getting a return call. By being patient and willing to help, you will show your customers that you are more than competent.

Being powerless when trying to talk with a large organization

Large organizations became successful for a reason, so they must have something going well for them. It’s essential that you avoid ever telling a customer what you can’t do for them. Instead, let them know what you can do.

One example is when someone calls asking for help with their Wix site. We only work with WordPress, so what is our CSR to do? She can ask around for someone who works with Wix and get back to them. This is going the extra mile, considering they aren’t a customer of ours. But it’s important to treat everyone who calls with the same blue-ribbon service.

Being Disrespected

This final customer service trigger may be the most important one. Everyone you encounter deserves respect. It can be difficult, though, when they are rude and disrespectful to you. When that happens, it is time to put up clear boundaries.

For example, if you have a customer who is swearing at you over the phone, the temptation will be to either dish it back to them or hanging up. Instead, muster all your self-control and say, “I need you to stop swear at me, or I will have to hang up.” At that point, the ball is in the customer’s corner. They can calm down, or they can continue their tirade. You have told them the consequences, so you are now obligated to follow through.

The Joy of Customer Service

Thankfully, most customers are great. They share stories with us that make us laugh, and they are usually very appreciative of the efforts we make to help them out. We would love to help you out with all of your business needs. Our customer service representative, Jessie, handles our support and maintenance plans and customers love her. If you aren’t already a customer and would like to experience the Iceberg difference, contact us today! Read more about customer’s experiences!

[1] Toporek, Adam. “Customer Service Infographic: What Are the 7 Service Triggers?” Adam Toporek Keynote Speaker of Customers That Stick®, 14 June 2019, customersthatstick.com/blog/customer-service-infographic-what-are-the-7-service-triggers/.

The post Avoiding Customer Service Triggers appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

No matter who you choose to work with on your next web project, be sure you have clear channels of communication.  Just having the email address of your developer isn’t a guarantee of having your concerns heard.  Here at Iceberg, we pride ourselves on responding to our clients quickly (often times within minutes) whether by email, by phone or in-person.

As part of our ongoing education at Iceberg, we have been working to implement and improve on our project management strategies which prompted us to design a visual depiction of our development process for our clients.  We’ve always had these steps in place, however making sure our clients can see just how the process flows has helped us avoid some of those typical roadblocks that can occur.

If you’d like to learn more about what makes Iceberg Web Design different, give us a call at 763-350-8762.

Better yet, if you are local, stop by and see our new office space!  A free consultation & beer are waiting!

The post Website Development Process appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

We are very excited to be celebrating our 9th full year in business today!

Iceberg Web Design was incorporated on May 20, 2005 in Morris, Minnesota. Our company has grown one client at a time, primarily through referrals, since the business opened. In late 2008 we relocated to the Anoka, Minnesota area, where the business is now located.

A lot of time and hard work has brought us where we are today, but we would not be here without the support of our community and clients. A heartfelt THANK YOU is extended to everyone who has watched us grow over the years. Since the business was started, we have developed more than 250 websites and worked with hundreds of clients. Our business has grown a lot in such a short time, and we only expect to keep getting better at what we do and offer even more exciting services to our clients.

To show our appreciation, we are running some “specials on the 9s” for the next 9 business days. Early summer is a great time to revisit your online marketing, so take advantage of these deals before they expire on June 2nd!

 9% Off All New Website Development and SEO Packages

Sign up for a new website development project or Search Engine Optimization package with Iceberg before June 2nd and we will give you a 9% discount on the package price.

Start your summer marketing on the right foot by bringing your website up to speed with a new, modern layout and responsive design. Most website development projects can be completed in less than two weeks – let’s get started on yours today!

[iwd_button href=”https://www.icebergwebdesign.com/consultation/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#a5c710″ color=”#ffffff” with_border=”yes” border_color=”#023a5b”][iwd_icon type=”icon-circle-arrow-right”]Click here for a free consultation[/iwd_button]

 9 Months Free Website Hosting Service with Development

Through June 2nd, receive 9 months of free website hosting service with all new website development packages or website re-design packages from Iceberg.

Our website hosting service comes with e-mail accounts, FTP access, subdomains, and free customer support. We use reliable UNIX servers located at the SAVVIS Datacenter in Boston – one of the most secure datacenters in the world.

[iwd_button href=”https://www.icebergwebdesign.com/consultation/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#243bc7″ color=”#ffffff” with_border=”yes” border_color=”#5b0a06″][iwd_icon type=”icon-circle-arrow-right”]Click here for a free consultation[/iwd_button]

 For website hosting customers: $9 credit on all 15 minute website update charges

For the next 9 business days (May 20th through June 2nd) we will be applying an automatic $9 credit to all 15 minute website maintenance and update charges for our current website hosting clients. No coupons necessary – your credit will automatically be reflected on your June invoice.

If you’ve been wanting to make a few changes to your website, now is the time! We guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time (one business day) for all small website update requests, and most changes are completed the same day you request them.

[iwd_button href=”https://www.icebergwebdesign.com/consultation/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#190b48″ color=”#ffffff” with_border=”yes” border_color=”#210d02″][iwd_icon type=”icon-circle-arrow-right”]Click here for a free consultation[/iwd_button]

 The Fine Print (Terms):

These specials apply only to new website development projects, new website hosting accounts, or maintenance and updates requested May 20, 2014 to June 2, 2014. Specials do not apply for current website development projects, and credits for hosting or design can not be applied to previous website projects. For new development packages, an order form must be filled out and down payment must be received before June 2, 2014 to take advantage of the 9% and 9 months free hosting offer. New website development and hosting accounts may take advantage of all three of these specials. Please contact Iceberg Web Design at 763-350-8762 or [email protected] if you have questions or would like more information.

The post Celebrating 9 Years in Business Today! appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

Social Media and SEO: It’s time to take your online presence to the next level.

Having an outstanding website is the first step in internet marketing. But your presence online consists of much more than just your website. Once your website is complete, Iceberg Web Design will conduct an audit of your entire online presence to see where we can help make improvements. We will work with you to pick targeted keywords and key phrases to help you generate web content and improve your social media and online accounts.

Learn more about our SEO Packages here!

The post New Services from Iceberg Web Design appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

Credit for website hosting service will not be issued if an account is canceled before the end of a 3-month contract.

Our Business Website Hosting plan is available at $19.99/month for customers who wish to remain on a monthly website hosting contract.

Please click here to view our current website hosting plans. If you have questions about your website hosting service, feel free to contact us at any time.

As always, thank you for your business and continued support! We hope you enjoy the Holiday Season!

The post Quarterly Invoicing for Simple Website Hosting beginning in 2012 appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.

What is a blog? You’re reading one right now! A blog (short for the term “web log”) is a type of website where someone posts news, photos, videos, or other content on a regular basis. The newest posts are displayed at the top, so that visitors will see what’s new when they first visit. Posts can be filed into different categories, and visitors can browse through previous content, which is automatically archived as new posts are added.

If you have enough to write about, a blog alone can be an entire website for an individual or a business! It can also be used as a supplement (as this blog is) to add fresh content to the site, keep customers updated, and bring in new traffic.

Blogs are not “just for kids” to use like public diaries for their friends to read. Many businesses are taking advantages of blogging software to promote their products and services, announce specials, and answer questions for new and potential customers.

How can a blog help your business? Keep reading!

A blog can keep your website up to date.

Sure, your website has a lot of valuable information about your business. But your clients (and search engines) have already seen it. So why come back to visit?

Adding new content to your website not only gives your clients a reason to come back – it shows them that your business is still succeeding. It provides assurance for existing (and potential) customers that you’re still doing your job, you’re still accepting business, and your doors are open for them.

A blog lets you add content yourself!

That’s right – no need to call your website designer when you want to update your blog! You can add text, photos, videos, even upload mp3 music files directly to your blog through an easy-to-use admin control panel.

Add formatting:

• bold font
• italicized content
• custom font colors and sizes
• and bulleted lists

to your blog posts with just the click of a mouse. It’s very similar to using Microsoft Word. If you can type and use your mouse, you can keep your blog updated whenever you want, from any computer with an Internet connection. You can even update your blog using your cell phone!

Plus, every time you add a new post you will be generating more content for Search Engines to scan through. Keywords and instant search engine optimization you can do yourself. File your blog posts into categories, add links to other pages on your website (or to other websites), and be seen!

A hosted blog brings more traffic to your website.

Hosting a blog on another domain is one of the biggest mistakes a business can make. Sure, you can set up a free blog at Blogspot, WordPress, or elsewhere – but doing so will be sending your visitors away from your website, and they will be more likely to wander off and never return. Plus, you’ll be sending the search engines there as well.

The purpose of blogging for your business is to promote your products, your services, your company … your website. Put your blog where it belongs: at Your-Website-Dot-Com.

If you already have a blog and would like to transfer it to your domain, Iceberg can help you export the content from your existing blog and set it up on your new hosted blog. You can even redirect your old blog’s address to send current followers to your own website.

A blog encourages customers to be part of your business.

When your clients are actively engaged in your business, they will be more likely to turn to you than to one of your competitors. Remind your customers of new products or services, promote sales, and offer customer discounts via your blog. Ask for feedback or comments – what do they want from your business? What new products or services have they seen that you could offer?

What are you waiting for?

Existing Iceberg clients: For a limited time, we are offering an incredible special on custom blog setup. For just $90 we will set up a blog on your domain with a custom design (matching your current website design). Start blogging in just 24 hours – guaranteed! Click here for complete details.

Not an Iceberg client? We can still work with you to set up a blog on your own domain. Contact Iceberg for details on setting up a new domain for your blog. We have pre-designed templates that we can work with, or we can create a custom blog design just for your business. Contact Iceberg for a quote on your new Blog project!

The post What can a Blog do for Your Business? appeared first on Iceberg Web Design.