zerrowstudios

How this Nonprofit Skyrocketed its Digital Presence

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:56:54 GMT

A Case Study in Transformative Digital Growth for the Edmonton Social Planning Council

In the bustling world of non-profits, a strong digital presence isn't just a luxury – it's a necessity for impact, advocacy, and community engagement. But what happens when a vital organization finds its online home gathering digital dust? Zerrow Studios stepped in to turn the tide for the Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC), a registered charity dedicated to community research and advocacy.

This isn't just a story about a website refresh; it's about engineering a monumental digital transformation that saw a "dead site" in July 2025 explode to 69,000 visitors by September 2025, and continues to thrive today.

The Challenge: A Critical Mission, an Underperforming Digital Footprint

The Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) is an invaluable pillar in the Edmonton community, driving crucial research and advocating for social well-being.

Yet, despite their profound real-world impact, their digital presence was significantly underutilized. In July 2025, their website at www.edmontonsocialplanning.ca was effectively a "dead site," struggling to connect with its audience and reflect the vibrancy of its mission.

This presented a dual challenge:

1. Re-establish Authority: Reinvigorate the website to accurately represent ESPC's critical work and establish it as a trusted source for community information.

2. Massive Audience Growth: Drive significant, targeted traffic to ensure their research and advocacy reached a far wider audience, ultimately increasing their influence and impact.

Our approach at Zerrow Studios goes beyond aesthetics. We craft digital ecosystems designed for measurable growth and sustained engagement.

For ESPC, we implemented a multi-faceted strategy focused on rapid transformation and long-term search engine optimization (SEO) dominance.

Phase 1: Rapid Revitalization & Technical SEO Foundations (September 2025)

The initial phase was critical. We didn't just redesign; we re-engineered.

Comprehensive Site Audit: Identified and rectified critical technical SEO issues that were hindering visibility. This included site speed optimization, mobile responsiveness, and resolving broken links and crawl errors.

Keyword Strategy & Content Mapping: Researched high-impact keywords relevant to ESPC's mission and the Edmonton community. We then mapped these keywords to existing and new content ideas, ensuring every piece of information served a dual purpose: informing users and attracting search engines.

User Experience (UX) Overhaul: Streamlined navigation, improved content readability, and implemented clear calls to action, making the site intuitive and engaging for visitors.

Phase 2: Content Powerhouse & Innovative Engagement (September 2025)

With a solid foundation, we accelerated content creation and introduced cutting-edge engagement tools.

High-Value Content Production: Developed a targeted content strategy focusing on ESPC's research, community initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Each blog post, report summary, and news update was optimized for search engines and designed to provide immense value to readers.

Strategic Link Building: Implemented both internal and external link-building strategies to enhance the site's authority and visibility within its niche.

Introducing the AI Voice Agent: To further boost accessibility and engagement, we integrated a bespoke AI voice agent. This innovative feature allowed visitors to interact with the site's content through natural language, making information more accessible to a broader demographic and providing a unique, memorable user experience. This also significantly improved "time on site" and user satisfaction signals, which are crucial for SEO.

The Results: A Digital Phoenix Rising – 69,000 Visitors in Five Months

The impact was nothing short of extraordinary. From a near-zero baseline in July, the Edmonton Social Planning Council's website experienced an exponential surge in traffic, attracting an astonishing 69,000 visitors by January 2026.

Today, the ESPC website continues to be a vibrant hub, consistently drawing substantial traffic and serving as a powerful platform for their critical work. This sustained growth demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of a well-executed digital strategy.

Key Takeaways for Non-Profits and Aspiring Digital Leaders:

Technical SEO is Non-Negotiable: A beautiful website is ineffective if search engines can't find it. A robust technical foundation is paramount.

Content is King (and Queen): High-quality, valuable, and strategically optimized content is the magnet that attracts and retains an audience.

Innovation Drives Engagement: Features like an AI voice agent differentiate your platform and significantly enhance user experience and accessibility.

Partnership is Power: Collaborating with digital strategists who understand your mission and possess the technical prowess to execute a transformative vision can yield unparalleled results.

Measurable Growth is Achievable: Even for local non-profits, ambitious digital growth targets are achievable with the right strategy and execution.

Ready to Transform Your Digital Presence?

Whether you're a non-profit striving for greater impact or a business aiming for digital dominance, Zerrow Studios is here to help you unlock your full online potential. Contact us today to discuss how we can craft a bespoke digital strategy that delivers tangible, impressive results – just like we did for the Edmonton Social Planning Council.

Visit https://www.zerrow.com to learn more about our services and explore how we can elevate your brand.

Ultimate Burger Battle: When Fundraising Meets Voting Made Fun by Zerrow

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:48:02 GMT

On November 3rd, they kicked off their Ultimate Burger Battle ( https://www.uwlg.org/UBB )—a fundraising campaign that turns local restaurants into competitors and donors into judges.

Here's how it works:

Eight local burger joints are battling it out. People donate to vote for their favorite. The restaurant with the most votes (donations) wins bragging rights and a trophy. It's simple, fun, and surprisingly effective at getting people to pay attention.

Why it's working:

This isn't your typical "please donate" ask. It's entertainment. It creates buzz. Restaurants promote themselves. Local media covers it as a story, not just charity news. Social feeds light up with burger debates. The campaign turns passive scrolling into active participation.

Traditional fundraising often feels like obligation. This feels like choosing sides in a friendly competition.

The tech behind the votes:

United Way Leeds & Grenville partnered with Zerrow.com to build the voting experience. The visual polling widget does the heavy lifting—donors see live results update instantly, creating that "we're winning" (or "we need to catch up") energy that keeps people engaged.

Setup was fast. Results are visual. The widget handles the real-time updates while United Way's media partner crafted the campaign itself.

They also benefit from their easy to manage website and security from Zerrow.com. Their website is so easy to manage that they designed their campaign landing page without any help.

The result? A fundraiser that doesn't feel like a fundraiser. Just a fun way to support local businesses while supporting the community.

P.S. Sometimes the best innovation isn't inventing something new—it's making the donation experience feel less like a transaction and more like being part of something people actually want to talk about.

Fresh Launch — Zerrow × KPMG: Calgary Public Engagement Hub

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:58:44 GMT

Calgary Public Engagement Hub

KPMG and the City of Calgary just opened the floor to everyone.

A new public engagement survey went live this week, and it's not your typical feedback form. This one speaks seven languages—because if you're asking the whole city for input, you need to actually reach the whole city.

What makes this different

Calgary is diverse. Really diverse. So KPMG built an engagement hub that doesn't assume everyone speaks English. The survey adapts—same questions, seven languages, one unified conversation about the city's future.

Residents can weigh in on what matters to them, in the language they think in. No barriers. No translation apps needed. Just direct participation.

Zerrow helped KPMG create custom welcome videos in the seven languages, to introduce the survey to Calgarians.

Why multilingual matters

Most public surveys lose entire communities in translation. When engagement tools only work in one or two languages, you're not getting public input—you're getting input from whoever speaks those languages.

This approach flips that. It says "your voice counts" and actually means it.

The tech doing the work

Zerrow.com built the voting technology and designed the landing page. The system handles multilingual responses and displays results in real time. KPMG can watch participation data come in live, seeing patterns emerge as the community responds.

No waiting for reports. No data delays. Just instant visibility into what Calgarians are saying, as they're saying it.

The result? Public engagement that's actually... public.

P.S. You can check out the survey yourself at engage.getneighbor.com/calgary . And if you're in Calgary, this is your chance to be part of the conversation—literally, in whatever language works for you.

Avoiding 5 Costly Mistakes That Kill 90% of Startups

Wed, 28 May 2025 16:40:30 GMT

The First-Time Founder's Guide to App Development

Key Insights Summary

Building your first app feels like standing at the edge of a cliff—exciting and terrifying. After working with hundreds of first-time founders, I've seen the same expensive mistakes destroy promising businesses before they even launch.

This guide breaks down the five critical errors that kill 90% of first-time app ventures and shows you exactly how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: The Budget Death Trap (Budget 3-5x Your Initial Estimate)

The Hidden Reality of App Development Costs

Most first-time founders approach app budgeting like buying a car—they expect a fixed price for a finished product. This thinking destroys more startups than bad ideas.

Why Traditional Budgeting Fails:

Apps require constant iterations based on user feedback
Platform updates force regular maintenance
New ideas emerge during development that reshape the product
Market conditions change, requiring pivots

Real-World Example: A fitness app founder budgeted $30,000 for development. By month 8, they'd spent $75,000 and still needed:

iOS 17 compatibility updates
Payment system integration fixes
Three major feature iterations based on beta feedback
Android version development

The 3-5x Rule in Action: Your $50,000 app budget should actually be $150,000-250,000 when you factor in:

Initial development: 40%
Testing and iterations: 30%
Maintenance and updates: 20%
Unexpected pivots: 10%

Smart Budgeting Strategy:

Calculate your MVP estimate
Multiply by 4 for realistic planning
Secure funding for 18 months of runway
Plan quarterly budget reviews

Mistake #2: Building Before Validating (Test Demand First)

Why 70% of Apps Never Find Product-Market Fit

The most expensive code you'll ever write is code for features nobody wants. Yet most founders dive straight into development without validating demand.

The Validation-First Approach:

Step 1: Create Design Mockups

Before writing a single line of code, create detailed mockups showing:

Core user flows
Key features in action
Value proposition clearly displayed

Step 2: Build a Landing Page

Your validation landing page needs:

Clear headline explaining the problem you solve
Visual mockups of your solution
Email capture for early adopters
Social proof elements (even if minimal)

Step 3: Drive Targeted Traffic

Google Ads targeting your keywords
Social media campaigns to your ideal users
Direct outreach to potential customers

Step 4: Measure Real Interest

Email signup conversion rate (aim for 3-5%)
User feedback on specific features
Willingness to pay (pre-orders or wait lists)

Case Study: A productivity app founder spent $2,000 on mockups and a landing page instead of $80,000 on development. The landing page attracted 50 signups from 2,000 visitors—a clear signal to proceed. More importantly, user feedback revealed that 60% wanted feature A, while only 15% cared about feature B, which would have been their main focus.

Validation Saves You:

$50,000-200,000 in wasted development
6-12 months of building the wrong thing
The emotional toll of launching to crickets

Mistake #3: Going Native Too Early (Start with Web Apps)

The Native App Trap That Doubles Your Costs

Native mobile apps feel like the "real" way to build an app. This bias costs first-time founders dearly.

Why Web Apps Win for MVPs:

Development Speed:

Single codebase vs. separate iOS/Android versions
Faster iteration cycles (deploy instantly vs. app store approval)
Easier to find developers

Cost Comparison:

Native app development: $100,000-300,000
Responsive web app: $30,000-80,000
Maintenance costs: 50% less for web apps

User Intelligence Gathering: Web apps provide better analytics:

Detailed user behavior tracking
A/B testing capabilities
Real-time feature usage data
Easier integration with analytics tools

The Progressive Enhancement Strategy:

Phase 1: Responsive web app (Months 1-6)
Phase 2: PWA (Progressive Web App) features (Months 6-9)
Phase 3: Native apps based on proven user patterns (Months 9+)

When to Consider Native Earlier:

Camera/GPS functionality is core to your app
You need device-specific features (Push notifications, etc.)
Your target users strongly prefer app store discovery

Real Success Story: A meal planning startup launched with a web app, gained 10,000 users in 6 months, then used that data to build a focused native app that achieved 4.8 stars and 100,000 downloads in year two.

Mistake #4: The IP Protection Paralysis (Speed Beats Perfect)

Why Founders Waste Months Worrying About Copycats

First-time founders often spend months researching patents, worrying about competitors, and building in secret. This perfectionist paralysis kills more startups than competition ever will.

The Harsh Reality About IP:

Most app ideas aren't truly unique
Execution matters more than ideas
Legal protection is expensive and slow
By the time you get protection, the market has moved

The Competition Reality Check: Unless you have:

A genuine patent-worthy invention
Proprietary data or technology
Exclusive industry partnerships
Unique regulatory advantages

Your "secret sauce" is probably already being used somewhere else.

Speed-to-Market Advantages:

First-mover advantage: Build brand recognition early
User feedback: Learn and improve faster than followers
Market education: You define the category
Partnership opportunities: Establish key relationships first

The Execution-First Strategy:

Launch quickly with core features
Gather user feedback rapidly
Iterate based on real data
Build defensible moats through user experience and network effects

 Success Hierarchy (Most Important First):

Speed to market > Perfect product
Interested user list > Big launch with no awareness
Daily active users > Total user count
Basic features used daily > Innovative features ignored
Paying users > Free users
Simple solutions > Complex systems

Mistake #5: Feature Bloat and Complexity Creep

Why Simple Apps Win and Complex Apps Die

The most successful apps do one thing exceptionally well. Yet first-time founders consistently build Swiss Army knives when users want scalpels.

The Feature Trap: As development progresses, founders add features because:

"It would be cool if..."
"Our competitors have this..."
"Some users might want..."
"It's technically possible..."

The Cost of Complexity:

Development time: Each feature adds 2-3 weeks
User confusion: More features = harder to understand value
Maintenance burden: Every feature needs updates and bug fixes
Delayed launch: Perfect becomes the enemy of good

The Daily Use Test: Before adding any feature, ask:

Will users engage with this daily?
Does this solve a core problem?
Can we achieve the same outcome more simply?
What happens if we remove this?

 Feature Prioritization Framework:

Must-have: Core functionality that defines your app
Should-have: Features that enhance the core experience
Could-have: Nice additions that don't compromise simplicity
Won't-have: Everything else (for now)

Building Your Success Timeline

Month 1-2: Foundation Phase

Create detailed mockups
Build validation landing page
Start driving traffic and collecting feedback
Refine core value proposition

Month 3-4: Validation Phase

Analyze user feedback and behavior
Iterate on designs based on real data
Build email list of interested users
Confirm willingness to pay

Month 5-8: Development Phase

Build responsive web app MVP
Focus on core features only
Implement basic analytics
Prepare for beta launch

Month 9-12: Growth Phase

Launch to beta users
Gather usage data and feedback
Iterate based on real user behavior
Plan native app development (if needed)

Key Takeaways for First-Time Founders

Budget Reality: Plan for 3-5x your initial estimate and 18 months of runway. Most successful apps require multiple iterations before finding product-market fit.

Validation First: Spend $2,000 on validation before spending $50,000 on development. Mockups and landing pages reveal user preferences without the development risk.

Web Before Native: Start with responsive web apps for faster, cheaper iteration. Move to native only after proving user demand and understanding usage patterns.

Execution Over Protection: Speed to market beats perfect products. Focus on building and improving rather than protecting ideas that might not work.

Simple Wins: Build the minimum viable product that solves one problem exceptionally well. Add features only after users prove they need them through daily usage.

The app graveyard is full of beautifully designed, well-funded products that nobody wanted. Don't let yours be next. Start with validation, build simply, launch quickly, and improve relentlessly based on real user feedback.

Your first app probably won't be your last, but following these principles will dramatically increase its chances of being your first success.

Get Your Project Started Right

Before you spend a single dollar on development, get clarity on your approach. We offer free 30-minute strategy sessions to help first-time founders:

Validate your budget against realistic timelines
Review your validation plan before you invest
Assess whether to start web or native
Identify potential roadblocks early

No sales pitch. No commitment required. Just practical guidance from developers who've helped 200+ founders avoid these exact mistakes.

[Schedule your free strategy session →]

"I wish I had this conversation before I spent $80K building the wrong thing. Would have saved me 8 months and a lot of stress." - Sarah M., Founder

Questions about your specific project?
Email us your biggest concern about getting started, and we'll send you a personalized response within 24 hours: hello+design@zerrow.com

The Perfect Storm: Why AI Is Reshaping Every Industry

Tue, 27 May 2025 19:10:22 GMT

Executive Summary: Key Convergence Points

Most business leaders see AI as a helpful tool—something that makes employees more productive, like a better calculator or word processor. They're missing the bigger picture. Three separate AI capabilities are converging right now, and when they fully combine, they won't just help humans work better. They'll replace entire categories of human work altogether.

The Three Forces Reshaping Work

Generative Media: The Content Revolution

Generative AI now creates professional-quality videos, podcasts, and marketing materials in minutes. A single person can produce what once required entire creative teams. Real estate companies generate virtual property tours without photographers. Marketing agencies create dozens of ad variations without video crews. E-learning platforms build interactive courses without instructional designers.

This isn't about making content creators more efficient—it's about eliminating the need for most content creation roles entirely.

Voice-First Agents: Conversations at Scale

AI agents now handle complex phone conversations indistinguishable from humans. They book appointments, qualify leads, provide customer support, and even conduct initial job interviews.

Unlike chatbots, these agents understand context, handle interruptions, and adapt their communication style to each caller.

A single voice agent can handle hundreds of simultaneous conversations. The math is brutal for call centers: why employ 50 customer service representatives when one AI system can handle the same volume?

Autonomous Workflows: The Management Layer

The most overlooked trend is AI systems that manage entire business processes without human oversight. These systems coordinate suppliers, adjust pricing based on market conditions, manage inventory, and even hire contractors. They don't just execute tasks—they make decisions about what tasks need executing.

When workflows become autonomous, middle management becomes redundant.

Why Convergence Changes Everything

Each trend is powerful alone, but their combination creates something unprecedented. Consider how they're already working together: A real estate company uses generative AI to create property marketing materials, voice agents to handle inquiries and schedule showings, and autonomous workflows to manage the entire sales process from lead generation to contract signing. The only humans involved are the agents showing properties—and even that's changing with virtual reality tours.

This convergence is happening faster than most realize because each technology amplifies the others. Voice agents become more convincing when they can generate custom audio content in real-time. Autonomous workflows become more powerful when they can create their own marketing materials and handle their own customer communications.

The Skeptics' Blind Spot

Business leaders adn executives who dismiss AI's job displacement potential make three critical errors:

Error #1: They Focus on Individual Tasks, Not Entire Roles

Skeptics argue that AI can't replicate human creativity, empathy, or complex reasoning. They're right—for now. But they miss that most jobs aren't pure creativity or complex reasoning. They're combinations of routine tasks that AI handles easily.

A marketing manager might spend 70% of their time on tasks AI can automate: creating content briefs, analyzing campaign performance, coordinating with vendors, and updating stakeholders. The remaining 30% of "strategic thinking" doesn't justify the full-time role.

Error #2: They Underestimate How Quickly AI Capabilities Compound

Each improvement in AI capability unlocks new possibilities that weren't obvious before. When voice recognition improved by 5%, it enabled voice assistants. When it improved another 10%, it enabled real-time translation. When large language models reached a certain threshold, they suddenly could write code, analyze data, and engage in complex reasoning.

We're approaching similar tipping points with the convergence of generative media, voice agents, and autonomous workflows. Small improvements in each area create exponential possibilities when combined.

Error #3: They Assume Human Oversight Will Always Be Required

The most dangerous assumption is that AI systems will always need human supervision. Current autonomous workflows already make thousands of decisions without human input. As these systems prove their reliability, the default shifts from "human approval required" to "human approval optional" to "human approval unnecessary."

What This Means for Your Industry

Professional Services : Legal research, financial analysis, and consulting reports are already being automated. Voice agents handle client intake. Autonomous workflows manage case progression. Law firms that once needed 20 associates now operate with 5.

Healthcare : AI diagnoses conditions from medical images more accurately than radiologists. Voice agents handle appointment scheduling and patient triage. Autonomous workflows manage everything from insurance pre-authorization to prescription refills.

Education : Generative AI creates personalized learning materials. Voice agents provide 24/7 tutoring. Autonomous workflows handle student enrollment, progress tracking, and credentialing.

Financial Services : AI underwrites loans faster than human teams. Voice agents handle customer service calls. Autonomous workflows manage investment portfolios and detect fraud.

The pattern repeats across every industry: routine cognitive work gets automated first, then customer-facing roles, then coordination and management functions.

The Timeline Reality

This convergence isn't a distant future scenario. It's happening now:

Next 6 months : Voice agents become completely indistinguishable from humans in most business conversations.
Now : Generative media quality reaches broadcast standards at consumer prices
Next 6 months : Voice agents become completely indistinguishable from humans in most business conversations.
Next 6 - 18 months : Autonomous workflows manage complex multi-step business processes without human intervention.
Next 24-36 months : All three technologies integrate seamlessly, enabling fully automated business operations.

Organizations that wait for "perfect" AI solutions will find themselves competing against businesses that operate with 90% fewer employees and 70% lower costs.

The Strategic Response

Forward-thinking leaders aren't asking whether AI will replace human workers—they're asking how quickly they can implement AI solutions before their competitors do. The question isn't whether jobs will be displaced, but whether your business will be the disruptor or the disrupted.

The convergence of generative media, voice-first agents, and autonomous workflows represents the most significant shift in business operations since the internet. Companies that recognize this reality and act accordingly will dominate their industries. Those that don't will become cautionary tales about the cost of technological denial.

The surge is already here. The only question is whether you'll ride it or be swept away by it.

[Schedule Your AI Readiness Assessment]

FYI: If you're not ready to implement within 60 days, please don't book a call. We work with companies ready to act, not those still exploring options.

It's March: Exciting Updates & Opportunities from Zerrow

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:40:32 GMT

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What is the Van Westendorp Pricing Analysis?

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 15:09:24 GMT

Understanding Pricing Methods

TL;DR:

Exploring pricing strategies beyond the Van Westendorp model is crucial for effective pricing. Alternatives like Gabor-Granger and conjoint analysis provide deeper insights into consumer behavior and preferences. Utilizing a range of methodologies tailored to specific situations can yield better revenue outcomes and improve market understanding. I'd encourage everyone not to rely solely on one approach but rather adapt strategies based on context and market dynamics.

Pricing Puzzles: The Art of Determining Product Worth

In the realm of pricing strategy, I often contemplate how businesses arrive at the set price for their products or services, particularly when introducing something novel to the market. There are numerous approaches to consider, yet two dominate discussions: cost-plus pricing and value-based pricing. Today, I want to focus mainly on the latter, as it better aligns with understanding the market from a consumer-centric perspective.

Cost-plus pricing entails calculating all production Costs and adding a fixed percentage as profit. At first glance, this method seems straightforward and easy to implement. However, I've found it inadequate for accurately setting prices, often missing the crucial insights into the consumer's perspective. The strategy doesn’t account for how much consumers are willing to pay, which can lead to pricing that fails to reflect a product's actual market value.

On the other hand, value-based pricing seeks to ascertain a product’s worth from the customer’s standpoint. This strategy revolves around understanding how consumers perceive value and what they are willing to spend on a product.

One tool that I've delved into for gaining these insights is the Van Westendorp price sensitivity meter (PSM). Developed by Dutch economist Peter van Westerdorp in the 1970s, this analysis aims to measure customer price preferences systematically.

Understanding the Van Westendorp Price Sensitivity Meter

The fundamental question the Van Westendorp methodology seeks to answer is, "What do consumers believe is a fair price for this product?" Marketers often face the challenge of gauging this without risking the integrity of their results. A common pitfall is simply asking potential customers what they think a product should cost. From my observations, survey participants frequently provide unrealistically low figures, perhaps under the illusion that their answers might influence pricing strategy.

To navigate this complexity, Van Westendorp proposed a more intricate approach that involves asking respondents four specific questions. This comprehensive inquiry is designed to capture their perceptions of price:

At what price would you consider the product so expensive that you would not even think about purchasing it?
At what price would you consider the product to be so cheap that it implies poor quality?
At what price would you consider the product to be a bargain?
At what price would you consider the product to be expensive but still worth considering?

The analysis is quite revealing, as it involves plotting the cumulative frequencies of responses from the first and third questions against the inverted cumulative frequencies of the second and fourth questions. As I’ve applied this approach, I find it fascinating that the resulting graph presents intersecting points, leading to valuable insights.

For instance, the first intersection presents the point at which an equal percentage of respondents view a price as "too cheap" and "starting to get expensive." The second intersection identifies the point at which the price is deemed too expensive as compared to one that is perceived as a bargain. The viable range of acceptable prices lies between these two intersections. Surprisingly, a third intersection arises that defines the optimal price point (OPP). This OPP is essentially where an equal number of respondents find a price too cheap and too expensive, providing marketers with a crucial benchmark for pricing new products.

You can try the free pricing calculator to test what your product's price sensitivity is here.

Concerns with the van Westendorp Approach

Despite the utility of the Van Westendorp price sensitivity meter, I have some reservations about its effectiveness. A significant concern I have is the reliance on self-reported answers; participants might inadvertently skew the results by giving what they believe to be the "expected" response. Moreover, this method often neglects the influence of competitive pricing and alternatives in the marketplace, which can dramatically affect overall strategies.

Additionally, the reliance on consumer sentiment does not correlate directly with actual purchasing intent. I wonder how often the results from surveys translate into real-world purchasing behavior. If only half the respondents who stated they would purchase at a certain price actually do, the information becomes rather abstract and less actionable.

Through my research and experience, I've also noted the evolution of pricing methodologies over the years. In the 1990s, economists Newton, Miller, and Smith adapted the Van Westendorp approach. They incorporated two purchase intent questions into the traditional framework, which led to the creation of a demand curve reflecting the likelihood of purchases at various price points. This addition brought real-world applicability to the theoretical aspects of pricing, creating a more robust framework for determining optimal prices.

Choosing the Right Pricing Strategy

When contemplating what strategy to adopt for pricing a new concept or invention, I often find myself weighing my options carefully. If I have little to no baseline for pricing, the Van Westendorp analysis can serve as a useful tool for determining a starting point. However, I am always mindful of its limitations. It is essential to complement this analysis with competitive insights and to consider other pricing models when the situation allows.

For instance, I have seen firsthand how utilizing a combination of qualitative feedback from focus groups and quantitative data from surveys forms a holistic view of the market psychology. I often recommend exploring different angles of data collection methods before cementing a pricing strategy. The more data points I gather, the clearer the picture becomes, ultimately leading to better-informed pricing decisions.

Consumer Psychology and Pricing Decisions

In addition to employing tools like the Van Westendorp price sensitivity meter, understanding consumer psychology plays a pivotal role in pricing decisions. How people perceive a price can significantly influence their willingness to buy. This makes sense intuitively, as the quote from Warren Buffett resonates deeply with me:

“The price is what you pay; value is what you get.”

This underscores the necessity to align pricing closely with perceived value.Additionally, studies indicate that consumers' perceived value of a product can be influenced by a myriad of factors, including branding, marketing efforts, and even peer recommendations. When consumers feel a product is of high quality or is associated with a reputable brand, they are often willing to pay a premium. This connection between perception and purchase behavior is paramount. I’ve come across statistics revealing that over 70% of businesses struggle with correctly pricing their products, which underlines the complexities involved.

Engaging in some of my own experiments with pricing—like offering limited-time discounts to gauge customer response—has shown me that consumer psychology is not static. It changes based on societal trends, economic conditions, and even seasonal influences. I also find that it's prudent to remember Albert Einstein’s words:

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

This highlights that while data is critical, the context behind it is just as important.In conclusion, navigating the challenges of establishing a pricing strategy requires a multifaceted approach. From considering the fundamental differences between cost-plus and value-based pricing to employing analytical tools like the Van Westendorp price sensitivity meter, every layer provides additional context to better understand the market. The inherent complexity of consumer behavior must also be regarded significantly, as it serves as a constant reminder that pricing is not merely a numerical exercise but rather a balance of art and science in the offerings we present to the world.

As I explore these concepts, I'm eager to engage with others who are just as fascinated by market research and pricing strategies. Real-life experiences and insights can add so much to the conversation, offering a well-rounded perspective on this challenging yet rewarding topic.

Diving Deep into the Van Westendorp Analysis

When exploring the intriguing world of pricing strategy, I often find myself questioning how companies arrive at the prices they set for their products or services. It’s a challenging task, particularly for innovations that have no prior benchmarks. One might consider a conventional approach like cost-plus pricing, but if I'm honest, I believe this method often falls short. Today, I’d like to delve into an approach that resonates more with my beliefs about value and consumer behavior: the Van Westendorp price sensitivity meter (PSM).

Developed in the 1970s by Dutch economist Peter van Westendorp, this analysis precisely captures customer price preferences without the drawbacks often associated with straightforward surveys. Traditional methods often ask potential buyers what they think a product should cost, expecting them to provide genuine answers. However, I’ve noticed that this can lead to responses that don't reflect actual behaviors — consumers may suggest unrealistically low prices, perhaps thinking they can influence the outcome. This is precisely what Van Westendorp's method seeks to address.

Four Essential Questions Behind the Van Westendorp Analysis

To conduct this analysis effectively, we start by posing four critical questions to participants:

At what price would you consider the product too expensive to consider?
At what price would you consider the product to be so low that you would question its quality?
At what price would you start to think about purchasing the product?
At what price would you view this product as a bargain?

These questions allow us to gauge varying perceptions of price, and as we analyze the responses, we can plot what the results look like on a graph. Each question reveals unique insights into consumer behavior that provide a comprehensive picture of the perceived value of a product.

You can try the free pricing calculator to test what your product's price sensitivity is here.

Understanding the Intersection Points of Price Preferences

As we compile the responses, we begin to plot the cumulative frequencies for the first two questions against the inverted cumulative frequencies of the last two. This structure leads to distinct intersection points within the data:

The first intersection indicates where a price starts to be perceived as both too cheap and too expensive. This location represents a crucial point for marketers to understand consumer boundaries.
The second intersection reveals where consumers regard a price as too high compared to one they consider a bargain. This gives insight into acceptable pricing ranges.

However, the most telling aspect is the optimal price point (OPP) , where equal percentages of respondents view the price as both too cheap and too expensive. This OPP serves as a significant benchmark in strategic pricing, often helping decision-makers to guide their pricing strategies for new products.

Limitations of the Van Westendorp Model

While the Van Westendorp analysis offers a structured approach to understanding consumer price sensitivity, I have some reservations based on my observations. Firstly, the tendency for participants to provide socially desirable answers can skew results. It’s not uncommon for respondents to say what they think is expected rather than what reflects their true willingness to pay.

Furthermore, the Van Westendorp model does not adequately consider external factors such as competitive influences and market substitutes. Often, similar products can sway consumer choices, yet these dynamics aren't adequately captured in this analysis. Additionally, I have found that even if consumers suggest certain figures during surveys, it doesn’t genuinely correlate with their purchase intent in a real-world setting.

Enhancing the Model: Insights from the 1990s

In the 1990s, economists Newton, Miller, and Smith recognized these constraints and sought to refine the Van Westendorp method. They introduced two purchase intent questions, which allowed them to develop a demand curve indicating the likelihood of purchases at various price points. This enhancement can paint a broader picture of market dynamics.

Reflecting on these insights, while I often consider alternative methodologies to power my pricing strategies, I acknowledge the Van Westendorp method can be beneficial when launching a new concept without concrete data about market reception. In those scenarios, its structured analysis can provide valuable initial guidance.

When dissecting the data resulting from the Van Westendorp analysis, I am frequently struck by the balance it attempts to create between consumer perceptions and market positioning. It allows businesses to consider how potential customers might view different price points and the implications of those perspectives on overall brand strategy.

Cultural Reference: A Quote that Resonates

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

This quote resonates deeply with me as it encapsulates the essence of what we often overlook in our analyses — the underlying truths that lie beyond surface interpretations. In our quest for optimized pricing strategies, there exists a complex interplay of consumer psychology, competitive analysis, and market dynamics that deserves our attention.

Final Thoughts on the Van Westendorp Analysis

As I dive deeper into the intricacies of the Van Westendorp price sensitivity meter, I recognize that while it provides a structured way to analyze consumer price preferences, it must be combined with additional insights for a holistic approach to pricing strategy. In today’s fast-paced market, understanding the preferences of our audience demands not only knowledge but also an adaptability to incorporate multiple pricing tactics.

I am keen to explore these methodologies further and would love to hear your thoughts or experiences with the Van Westendorp model.

Have you utilized it in your pricing strategy?

What were the results?

Your insights are valuable as we navigate this complex yet fascinating landscape of market research and consumer behavior.

Alternative Methods and Personal Recommendations

When delving into the world of pricing strategies, I often find myself pondering the many approaches beyond the conventional Van Westendorp model. While this method, which focuses primarily on gauging customer price sensitivity, offers some insights, it certainly isn’t the only game in town. Through my professional journey and personal experiences, I’ve come to realize that situational awareness is paramount in pricing decisions. Not all products fit into the same pricing mold, and understanding alternative methods can enhance revenue generation significantly.

According to research, companies that implement diverse pricing strategies can experience an increase in revenue by up to 20%. This statistic certainly grabbed my attention and nudged me to explore various strategies more deeply.

One alternative method worth considering is the Gabor-Granger technique. This method evaluates consumer preferences based on different price levels, which enriches the understanding of demand elasticity. Instead of only asking consumers about their price perceptions, Gabor-Granger allows us to delve deeper by presenting varying price points and asking respondents whether they would purchase at each level. This dynamic feedback brings invaluable insight into what consumers perceive as fair prices, which can subsequently inform and guide strategic pricing decisions.

Before I dive further into my personal experiences with pricing strategies, I can’t help but draw a connection to the significance of situational context. Early on in my career, I had the opportunity to work on the pricing strategy for a tech startup. While we initially leaned towards the Van Westendorp method, we quickly encountered challenges regarding competitive influences and consumer purchasing behavior. The responses we gathered and the assumptions we made did not correlate with the market dynamics. This experience led me to appreciate the importance of applying multiple pricing frameworks based on the context of each special case.

Personal Experiences with Pricing Decisions

Reflecting on that startup experience, it became evident that value-based pricing—a method that focuses on the perceived value of a product rather than only its costs—could provide a more effective approach in navigating uncertain markets. In several product launches, I witnessed firsthand how anchoring prices to the consumers' perceived value yielded more rewarding sales outcomes than simply following cost-plus pricing. The essence of value-based pricing lies in understanding the customer’s mindset: what will they pay for a solution that meets their needs? For instance, I once worked with a company that was launching a new productivity software. By utilizing Gabor-Granger, we discovered that positioning our price slightly below their indicated willingness to pay significantly boosted our conversion rate.

Moreover, I’ve had my share of missteps, where I relied almost solely on the Van Westendorp methodology in a consumer study. Although the data was intriguing, I do wonder how much unintentional bias played a role in those findings. The consumer responses could easily reflect what they thought was expected of them instead of their true willingness to pay. Learning from that miscalculation, I've shifted my focus toward adopting various methodologies tailored to the unique situations at hand. Sometimes using multiple strategies concurrently can reveal enlightening details that a single method may overlook.

Making Recommendations for Pricing Strategies

When it comes to recommendations, I believe it’s crucial to recognize that situational awareness can profoundly impact which pricing strategy to use. For instance, if you're exploring a new market with little prior knowledge, using the Van Westendorp methodology may offer a starting point. However, supplementing it with demand questions alongside Gabor-Granger lets you expand your understanding of consumer behavior and purchasing intent.

In markets with established competitors, leveraging conjoint analysis could provide actionable insights. This technique allows you to evaluate how consumers trade off different product attributes—including price—against each other. In my experience, this can reveal preferences and help determine not only pricing but also product positioning.

Here’s a brief guide on when to consider which pricing strategy:

Van Westendorp: Use for early-stage products where price expectations are unclear.
Gabor-Granger: Employ when you need to assess consumer preferences across multiple price levels, especially in a competitive landscape.
Conjoint Analysis: Implement in situations where product differentiation is key, and you’re looking to balance multiple factors beyond price.

It’s also important to keep in mind the actual market dynamics. Consumers’ purchasing behavior often shifts with changes in the economy or cultural influences. Quotes like, “The essence of a price is to bring buyers and sellers together,” resonate deeply in this context. Pricing isn’t just about numbers on a sticker; it’s about creating a match between what the market deems valuable and what the seller is offering.

Lastly, as I continue to grow in this field, I can't help but revisit the quote, “Every dollar spent influences the overall market.” It’s a reminder that thoughtful pricing strategies not only affect a company's bottom line but can also reshape the market landscape.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Van Westendorp method offers valuable insights, exploring alternative pricing strategies like Gabor-Granger and conjoint analysis can lead to more nuanced understandings of consumer behavior. My experiences have shown me that one size doesn’t fit all in pricing—context and market dynamics play pivotal roles. It’s through a blend of methodologies that I’ve found success, allowing me to harness the full potential of consumer insights and drive better pricing decisions.

As I wrap up, I'm eager to hear your thoughts and experiences with pricing strategies. Do you have a preferred method? How have you navigated the waters of pricing in your own work? Share your insights in the comments and let’s keep this conversation going.

Web Design Agencies in Toronto: Why Zerrow Web Studios Should Be Your Top Choice

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 19:06:36 GMT

Why Choose Zerrow Web Studios to be your Web Design Agency in Toronto?

Running a business in vibrant and competitive Toronto, having a strong online presence is crucial for business success. The cornerstone of this presence is a professionally designed website that not only looks great but also performs exceptionally.

If you’re searching for a web design partner in Toronto, Zerrow Web Studios stands out as a leading choice. Renowned for its award-winning approach and comprehensive digital marketing solutions, Zerrow Web Studios is committed to transforming websites into powerful tools for business growth.

Award-Winning Expertise in Web Design

Zerrow Web Studios has earned numerous accolades for its innovative web design and digital marketing strategies. These awards underscore their status as a leader in Toronto's competitive landscape. Recognitions such as these speak volumes about the quality of their work and their dedication to delivering exceptional results. When you partner with Zerrow, you’re choosing a company that is trusted by businesses across Toronto to elevate their online presence with cutting-edge design and strategic execution.

Proven Track Record with High-Profile Clients

One of the key indicators of a top-tier web design company is its portfolio of work, and Zerrow Web Studios excels in this area. Their impressive roster of clients includes high-profile names like KPMG, United Way, Working Women, and CPHR Alberta. These collaborations demonstrate Zerrow's ability to manage complex projects while delivering outstanding results. By choosing Zerrow, you benefit from their extensive experience across various industries, ensuring that your website is not only visually appealing but also strategically aligned with your business objectives.

Design-Focused Approach for Enhanced User Experience

At Zerrow Web Studios, design is not just about creating a visually stunning website; it’s about crafting a meaningful user experience. Their design-focused approach ensures that every website they create is tailored to resonate with the target audience and drive engagement. Understanding that design can significantly influence user behavior, Zerrow prioritizes clarity, functionality, and accessibility in their work. This approach leads to websites that are not only beautiful but also easy to navigate, resulting in increased user satisfaction and higher conversion rates.

Leveraging Killer Design Principles

Zerrow Web Studios employs killer design principles that emphasize a balance between aesthetics and functionality. These principles guide every aspect of the web design process, from layout and typography to color schemes and imagery. The result is a website that is not only visually compelling but also intuitive and user-friendly. A well-designed site encourages users to stay longer, explore more, and ultimately engage with your brand, leading to measurable business growth.

Business Growth Through Strategic Design

Zerrow Web Studios understands that the ultimate goal of any website is to drive business growth. Their design solutions are crafted with this objective in mind, utilizing data-driven strategies to create websites that attract visitors and guide them down the sales funnel. By focusing on conversion optimization, Zerrow ensures that your website doesn’t just look good—it delivers a tangible return on investment.

The Zerrow Web Design Process

To deliver the highest quality results, Zerrow follows a structured web design process:

Discovery: Understanding your business needs, goals, and target audience.
Design: Crafting a visually appealing and functional design that aligns with your brand.
Development: Building your website with cutting-edge technology to ensure optimal performance.
Testing: Conducting thorough testing to ensure functionality across devices and browsers.
Launch and Support: Implementing your site and providing ongoing support for continuous improvement.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Online Presence with Zerrow Web Studios

Investing in professional web design in Toronto is more than just creating a visually appealing website—it’s about building a powerful online presence that drives real results. Zerrow Web Studios offers a unique blend of tailored solutions, innovative design, and strong client collaboration that can significantly impact your business growth. If you want to stand out in Toronto’s competitive marketplace, Zerrow Web Studios is the partner you need. Contact them today to start designing a website that truly reflects your brand’s potential.

A Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Best Web Design Company in Calgary

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:38:43 GMT

This Calgary Web Design Company is Leading the Pack

When it comes to creating an impactful online presence, selecting the right web design company is crucial. For businesses in Calgary, this decision can significantly influence their digital success. With numerous options available, choosing the best web design company in Calgary might seem overwhelming. This guide is designed to help you navigate the process and find the top web design companies that are setting industry standards.

Why Web Design Matters

Web design is more than just aesthetics. It encompasses the overall functionality, user experience, and accessibility of your website. A well-designed website can help you attract and retain customers, improve search engine rankings, and ultimately drive business growth. On the other hand, a poorly designed site can lead to high bounce rates, low engagement, and lost revenue.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Web Design Company in Calgary

1. Portfolio and Experience

When looking for a web design company, review their portfolio. Check if they have experience in your industry or a similar niche. A company with a diverse portfolio is likely to understand your needs better and deliver a website that aligns with your brand.

2. Client Testimonials and Reviews

Client feedback is a reliable way to gauge the quality of a web design company’s work. Look for reviews on platforms like Google, Clutch, and social media. Positive testimonials and high ratings can indicate a company’s commitment to delivering quality service.

3. Services Offered

A comprehensive web design company should offer more than just design services. Look for companies that provide a full range of services, including web development, SEO, content creation, and digital marketing. This ensures that your website is not only visually appealing but also optimized for search engines and user experience.

4. Customization and Flexibility

Every business has unique needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach to web design won’t work for everyone. Ensure the company you choose is willing to customize their services to meet your specific requirements. Flexibility in design and functionality is key to creating a website that truly represents your brand.

5. Communication and Support

Effective communication is essential in any business relationship. Choose a web design company that is responsive and open to feedback. Additionally, inquire about their support services. A reliable company should offer ongoing support to help you manage and maintain your website after it goes live.

6. Pricing and Value for Money

While cost should not be the sole determining factor, it’s important to find a web design company that offers value for your investment. Compare pricing structures and consider what you’re getting for your money. A higher upfront cost might be justified by a more comprehensive service package.

Top Web Design Companies in Calgary

Based on the above factors, here are some of the leading web design companies in Calgary that are making a mark in the industry:

Zerrow Studios

Why Zerrow Studios Stands Out: Zerrow Studios has quickly risen as a top contender in the Calgary web design scene. Known for its innovative and modern designs, Zerrow Studios specializes in creating visually stunning websites that are both user-friendly and highly functional. They emphasize a collaborative approach, ensuring that your vision is fully realized while incorporating their expert recommendations.
Services Offered: Z errow Studios provides a comprehensive range of services, including custom web design, web development, e-commerce solutions, branding, and digital marketing. Their focus on creating tailor-made solutions means your website will not only stand out visually but also perform optimally in search engines and across devices.
Client Feedback: Clients often highlight Zerrow Studios' commitment to excellence and their ability to bring creative ideas to life. Their attention to detail, coupled with their responsive customer service, makes them a preferred choice for businesses looking to create a strong online presence.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for a web design company that offers a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and personalized service, Zerrow Studios should be at the top of your list. Their ability to deliver high-quality, custom-designed websites that meet your specific needs makes them a standout option in Calgary.

2. Konstruct Digital

Specializing in B2B web design, Konstruct Digital offers a range of services including SEO and digital marketing. Their customized approach and focus on driving results make them a top choice for businesses looking to enhance their online presence.

3. Blue Ocean Interactive Marketing

With over 15 years of experience, Blue Ocean Interactive Marketing is known for creating innovative and user-friendly websites. They offer a full suite of services, including branding, web development, and digital marketing, making them a comprehensive solution for businesses.

How to Make Your Final Decision

Once you have shortlisted potential web design companies, it’s time to dive deeper into your research. Schedule consultations, ask for proposals, and compare them based on the factors discussed above. Don’t hesitate to ask for references or case studies to see how they’ve helped other businesses achieve their goals.

Conclusion

Choosing the right web design company in Calgary can make a significant difference in your business’s online success. By focusing on experience, client feedback, service offerings, customization, communication, and value for money, you can find a partner who will help you create a website that stands out in a crowded digital landscape.

Zerrow Studios, with its combination of creativity, technical proficiency, and client-centered approach, is an excellent choice for businesses looking to establish or revamp their online presence. Their dedication to delivering custom, high-performance websites makes them a leading option in Calgary's competitive web design market.

Remember, your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Investing in a top-tier web design company like Zerrow Studios ensures that this impression is a positive one, leading to increased traffic, better engagement, and ultimately, more conversions.

Web Accessibility Critical for Health Information Access

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 20:55:55 GMT

New AHIMA Foundation Issue Brief Finds Web Accessibility a critical factor in health information access

Chicago, IL, Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Currently, the U.S. healthcare system is failing its older adults and patients with disabilities on the digital front. Web accessibility–or digital accessibility more broadly–involves designing web page content to be inclusive of people who have visual, motor, auditory, speech, or cognitive disabilities. More than 61 million people in the United States (nearly 1 in 4) and over 1 billion people worldwide have one of these disabilities, including 46% of people aged 60 years and older.

In recognition of Digital Inclusion Week (Oct. 3-7) and October's Health Literacy Month, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Foundation, the charitable affiliate of AHIMA, published an issue brief entitled, “The Critical Role of Web Accessibility in Health Information Access, Understanding, and Use,” with key insights from an audit of over 100 top U.S. hospital website home pages and a survey of older adults and patients with disabilities.

“Web inaccessibility prevents those that often need life-changing, life-saving healthcare from accessing it online wherever they live,” said Angela Thi Bennett, Director of Digital Equity, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. “The Digital Equity Act programs will empower Americans with disabilities to independently navigate digital healthcare systems and utilize websites that are designed to respond to their needs.”

Key findings of the AHIMA Foundation brief include:

Hospitals and health care systems in the U.S. need continuing education on the role of web accessibility in ADA compliance given the significance of newly issued federal guidance.

The home pages of most top U.S. hospitals have many accessibility errors and are not compliant with WCAG 2.1 criteria.

Older adults and patients with disabilities face barriers to accessing their health information electronically; many have struggled to use a hospital website or patient portal.

Multisectoral collaboration, including user-based testing with patients with disabilities and older adults, is needed to improve digital accessibility in the healthcare ecosystem.

AHIMA Foundation’s research findings included in this brief bring visibility to the newly issued Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the newly issued Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Telehealth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights. As hospitals and healthcare systems across the United States prioritize initiatives centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), this research provides institutions with a starting place to improve their digital experience in a way that is compliant, accessible, and patient and data-informed.

“There isn’t a healthcare facility in the country that would leave its main entrance without an accessible physical entrance, yet we found more work needs to be done to ensure equitable entry through the facility’s digital front door,” commented Amanda Krupa, MSc, AHIMA Foundation Director and lead author of the issue brief. “Everyone appreciates a good user experience, but it’s critical from a health access perspective as the population in this country ages and increasingly relies on technology to get both health information and care.”

The number of Americans 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, and one of the objectives of HealthyPeople 2030 is to “increase the proportion of people who can view, download, and send their electronic health information.”

"Outside of a public health emergency, digital accessibility is something we should care about or take ownership for as health information professionals," remarked Aurae Beidler, MHA, RHIA, CHC, CHPS, Director-elect to the AHIMA Board of Directors, Former Compliance and Privacy Officer at Linn County Department of Health Services in Albany, Oregon.

The Top 3 Tips To Instantly Get More SEO Leads

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:27:43 GMT

How to get more SEO leads

If you're looking to quickly boost your website's search engine optimization (SEO) and get more SEo leads, there are a few simple hacks you can try. Here are the top 3 SEO hacks that can instantly improve your website:

Optimize Your Page Titles and Meta Descriptions
Your page titles and meta descriptions are among the most important on-page SEO elements. These are the snippets of text that appear in search engine results pages (SERPs) and can have a big impact on whether users click through to your site. Make sure your page titles are under 60 characters and include your target keyword. Your meta descriptions should be no more than 155 characters and compellingly sum up what the page is about. Use a tool like the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress to easily optimize these elements.

2. Improve Page Load Speed
Site speed is a known ranking factor for Google. Users also expect pages to load quickly - if your site is sluggish, you'll likely see higher bounce rates and lower engagement. There are several ways to improve your page load speed, such as:

Optimizing images by compressing file sizes
Enabling browser caching
Minifying CSS and JavaScript files
Using a content delivery network (CDN)
Leverage browser caching Test your site's speed with a tool like Google PageSpeed Insights and address any issues it identifies.

3. Increase Internal Linking
Internal linking, or linking between pages on your own website, helps search engines better understand the structure and hierarchy of your site. It also keeps visitors engaged and on your site for longer.

When adding internal links, use descriptive anchor text that includes your target keywords. Link to related content that provides additional value to the user. This not only improves SEO but also creates a better overall user experience.

Implementing these 3 simple SEO hacks can deliver an instant boost to your website's visibility and get you more SEO leads. Try them out and see the results for yourself!

Want to get more SEO tips, check out our partners over at DesignRush.com for additional tips: SEO Leads [How To Get Leads + Top SEO Consultants] | DesignRush

Google is closing down Business Profile Websites from March 2024

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:08:30 GMT

Google Business Profile Websites: Important Update for Small Business Owners

Attention small business owners! A significant change is coming to your Google Business Profile that you need to be aware of. Google has announced that websites created using Google Business Profiles will be deactivated in March 2024. If you're currently utilizing this feature to host your business website, it's time to start planning your next steps.

What's Changing?

Google Business Profile websites are simple sites generated from the details in your Google Business Profile. Starting March 2024, these websites will no longer be accessible. Instead, visitors will be redirected to your Google Business Profile. This automatic redirection will last until June 10, 2024, after which anyone attempting to access your site will encounter a "page not found" error.

Immediate Actions to Take

Update Your Google Business Profile: If your website ends in business.site or negocio.site, Google will remove this from your profile in March. It's crucial to update your profile with a new website URL to ensure customers can still find you online.
Explore New Website Options: With your Google Business Profile website going away, now is the perfect time to consider creating a new website. Many user-friendly platforms can help you launch a new site that reflects your brand and meets your needs.
Maximize Your Business Profile: Despite the change, your Google Business Profile remains a powerful tool. Use it to showcase your business, share updates, post photos, and communicate with customers. Ensuring your profile is fully optimized can help mitigate the impact of losing your website.

Why This Matters

Your online presence is vital for attracting and retaining customers. While the discontinuation of Google Business Profile websites may seem like a setback, it can be an opportunity to enhance your online visibility with a more robust and customizable website.

Looking Forward

The shift away from Google Business Profile websites underscores the importance of having a dedicated website for your business. As you transition to a new platform, consider what features and design will best serve your customers and reflect your brand identity.

Remember, the deadline for these changes is March 2024, with redirection ending in June 2024. Acting now will ensure a seamless transition for your business online. For small business owners, staying ahead of digital trends and updates is key to success. This change is a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of the online world and the importance of adapting to maintain and grow your digital footprint.

Conclusion

This update from Google is a call to action for small business owners. By proactively updating your online presence and leveraging your Google Business Profile, you can continue to thrive in the digital marketplace. Start exploring your options for a new website today, and ensure your business remains visible and accessible to your valued customers.

How to Create Engaging Social Media Content, Consistently

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:14:32 GMT

Consistency & Relevancy are the Key to a successful content creation strategy

1. Effortlessly Making Graphics

Graphics play a vital role in simplifying complex concepts and effectively communicating your message. To develop this skill, follow these steps:

- Practice creating one graphic per day, focusing on clarity and simplicity.

- Seek feedback from others or join a community where you can receive constructive criticism.

- Use tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud to enhance your graphic design abilities.

- Aim for graphics that effortlessly convey your ideas without the need for additional context.

2. Writing in a Readable Manner

Clear and readable writing is essential for engaging your audience and effectively conveying your message. Here's how you can improve this skill:

- Break down your content into concise sections with one idea per paragraph or slide.

- Use headlines and subheadings to guide your readers and tell a story.

- Check the readability of your content on both desktop and mobile devices.

- Practice writing headlines that provide a summary of your content, allowing readers to grasp the main points at a glance.

3. Creating Content That Is Too Good to Fail:

To stand out in a crowded market, your content must be of exceptional quality. Follow these steps to create content that exceeds expectations:

- Apply the VAR formula: Value, Actionable, Readable. Ensure your content offers genuine value, provides actionable steps, and is easily readable.

- Continuously improve your content by seeking feedback and analyzing its impact on your audience.

- Repurpose and reuse your content to maximize its reach and effectiveness.

- Focus on creating content that is so good it cannot fail to attract attention and generate results.

4. Speaking Well on Video

The ability to speak confidently and clearly on video is crucial for engaging your audience and delivering your message effectively. Here's how you can improve this skill:

- Practice clear thinking by developing graphics and writing in a readable manner.

- Use graphics and writing as prompts during video recordings to enhance clarity and coherence.

- Seek feedback from others or join a community where you can receive constructive criticism.

- Continuously practice and refine your video presentation skills to become more comfortable and engaging.

5. Planning and Prioritizing Effectively

Lack of focus and poor planning can hinder your productivity and success. Follow these steps to improve your planning and prioritization skills:

- Break down your tasks into smaller, actionable steps.

- Prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency.

- Use a CRM or project management tool to stay organized and track your progress.

- Develop a daily and weekly planning routine to ensure you are focused and on track.

OpenAI announces their new text to video generator

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 23:05:23 GMT

OpenAI's text to video generator is mind blowing

The Ultimate Guide to Nonprofit Employment Services Software: Everything You Need to Know

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 19:21:54 GMT

Why software?

Nonprofit organizations often work with limited budgets and resources. Despite this, they strive to provide the best possible services to their clients, which can include providing employment services. Nonprofit employment services software can be an invaluable tool for organizations looking to efficiently manage their programs and improve outcomes. In this ultimate guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about nonprofit employment services software, including its benefits, features, and how to choose the right software for your organization.

Benefits of Nonprofit Employment Services Software

Streamlined Case Management: With employment services software, nonprofits can streamline their case management process, allowing staff to easily track client information, employment history, and other important data.
Improved Outcomes: By utilizing employment services software, nonprofits can more effectively help their clients find and maintain employment, leading to improved outcomes and greater client satisfaction.
Increased Efficiency: Employment services software can help nonprofits increase their efficiency by automating routine tasks such as appointment scheduling, client follow-up, and report generation.
Better Reporting: Nonprofits can easily generate customized reports with employment services software, allowing them to track program performance and communicate their impact to stakeholders.

Features of Nonprofit Employment Services Software

Client Management: Nonprofit employment services software typically includes a client management module that allows staff to easily track client information, employment history, and other important data.
Job Board: Employment services software may include a job board feature that allows clients to search for job opportunities and apply directly through the software.
Scheduling: Software may include scheduling features that allow staff to easily schedule appointments, interviews, and other client meetings.
Reporting: Nonprofit employment services software typically includes reporting features that allow staff to generate customized reports on program performance, client outcomes, and other metrics.

How to Choose Nonprofit Employment Services Software

Identify Your Needs: Before choosing employment services software, it's important to identify your organization's specific needs and goals. Consider factors such as the size of your organization, the number of clients you serve, and your budget.
Evaluate Features: Once you've identified your needs, evaluate the features of different employment services software options to determine which best meets your requirements. Look for software that includes the features most important to your organization.
Consider User-Friendliness: Nonprofit employment services software should be user-friendly and easy to navigate. Consider how easy the software is to learn and use, and whether it requires any special training.
Look for Support: Consider the level of support offered by the software provider. Look for providers that offer comprehensive support, including training and ongoing technical support.

Best Nonprofit Employment Services Software

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack: Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack is a powerful, cloud-based software solution that includes a variety of features designed specifically for nonprofits, including employment services.
Clarity by Work Start: Clarity is a simple, easy to use cloud-based case management solution that includes features for managing employment services programs, as well as a range of other nonprofit programs.
ETO Software: ETO Software is a comprehensive case management solution designed for nonprofits. The software includes a variety of features for managing employment services programs.
Apricot by Social Solutions: Apricot by Social Solutions is a cloud-based case management solution that includes features for managing employment services programs, as well as a range of other nonprofit programs.

Conclusion

Nonprofit employment services software can be an invaluable tool for organizations looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their programs. By streamlining case management, improving outcomes, and increasing efficiency, employment services software can help nonprofits better serve their clients and achieve their mission. When choosing employment services software, it's important to identify your organization's specific needs, evaluate software features, and consider user-friendliness and support. With the right software, nonprofits can more effectively help their clients find and maintain employment, leading to improved outcomes and

Case Study: Automated E-Card Delivery Software Dev for a Nonprofit Settlement Organization

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 18:49:10 GMT

"I am impressed with how quickly they understand our issues and comes back with innovative solutions."

Zerrow has built an automated eCard platform to help Working Women, a nonprofit settlement organization in Toronto, send e-cards to their donors. Zerrow customized the workflows and created the campaign's designs and graphics. Prior to this, Working Women had to manual create and send out the eCards with their annual donor campaign. Their new automated platform has saved them immense time, money and effort while increasing their donor outcomes.

Following is a project debrief interview with Working Women's Director of Development.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Director of Development at Working Women Community Centre. We are the largest settlement organization in Ontario specializing in services for women and their families and help 10,000+ people annually.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Zerrow, and what were your goals?

We wanted our supporters to be able to send e-cards for Mother's Day as a thank you for donating. During covid we cobbled together a manual process using mailerlite to send ecards but it took a great deal of time and we have no expertise in this area. I asked ken if he could create a system to automate delivery of the ecards and also clean up the landing pages.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Ken had reached out to us to see if we were interested in pro-bono support as part of his company's social giving activities. We were delighted when they agreed to take our project on as we thought it would be too much for pro-bono work. Ken is amazing to work with from the start and I am impressed with how quickly he understands our issues and comes back with innovative solutions.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Ken and his team proposed automating our ecard system using Pabbly and creating customized workflows as well as graphics and design for campaign. They were also able to create the infrastructure for a second campaign. The draft system was created in a few days and we were quickly able to test and then refine our design and layouts.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I worked directly with Ken who is a Principal at zerrow.com. Ken engaged his team with our problem although I am not sure how many people worked directly on the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

I can't speak more highly of Ken and the Zerrow team. Our new campaign is now set to launch 5 months ahead of schedule and we have the ability to launch a second campaign. As a small office, most of the responsibilities to run the old campaign fell on me and I estimate the now fully automated system will save at least 40 hours of labour that previously went into manually uploading and downloading forms, sending multiple mailerlite campaigns, reviewing databases etc.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Ken is a great listener and very quickly understood our issues and (lack of) resources. He outlined a clear project plan and timelines which were all met. He outlined my responsibilities so that I understood all that I needed to do - and since I am not a tech person, Ken also identified what I could do vs what his team needed to do. Our meetings were always on time and constructive and Ken always followed up with an email to outline key points and next steps.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

It is gratifying to find a company like zerrow that goes out of its way to give back to the community. Ken saw our profile on Linkedin and reached out to see if we were interested in any pro-bono help. I am used to sales pitches and was a bit hesitant but any misgivings gave away after a few minutes of meeting with Ken. I really felt a personal connection to Ken in only a few short meetings - we are meeting up next time he comes to Toronto! Ken made it feel like our small pro-bono project was important to him and I had faith in this technical understanding and expertise.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing that I can think of - it has been a pleasure from day 1!

Boost your traffic by making your website accessible

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:46:35 GMT

Improve website performance by making sure your site is accessible

Did you know?

Accessible websites enjoy up to 20% more traffic, prolonged dwell time, reduced bounce rate, improved SEO rankings, and better conversion rates.

What is web accessibility?

Web accessibility is a set of rules, behaviors, code standards, and design guidelines that ensure people with disabilities, who comprise 20% of the world's population, can use websites effectively.

To achieve this, the W3C (The World Wide Web Consortium) has created the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1), for direction on how to make websites accessible. These guidelines have been adopted by governments around the world and have been incorporated into various legislations such as the ADA, Section 508, and EN 301549.

The WCAG focuses chiefly on three areas of accessibility:

1) blind people using screen readers (e.g. JAWS, NVDA).

2) people with motor impairments who only use keyboards, and

3) a variety of other disabilities, including color blindness, epilepsy, and minor visual impairments that mostly concern the Ul and design of the website (color contrasts, animations, fonts, etc.)

Everything you need to know on AODA Compliance

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 23:45:16 GMT

What is the AODA and why does it matter?

Important 2021 update: companies are now mandated to comply with New Ontario Web Accessibility Standards by June 30th, 2021.

AODA stands for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

It was ratified in 2005 by provincial authorities to fix standards for accessibility to services in Ontario.

In 2001, after years of lobbying by advocacy groups, the provincial government passed the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, which required workplaces and websites to remove barriers to participation by individuals with disabilities. It was a big step forward, but it was still very limited because it only applied to government ministries. It also didn’t have any enforcement guidelines, penalties, or compliance requirements, so it was clear that the law needed to be updated almost as soon as it was ratified.

AODA is the follow-up to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. It improved the existing accessibility policy, laying out clear rules, deadlines, enforcement systems, and penalties, and an infrastructure that could keep accessibility policy up to date. Among other things, AODA codified standards for web accessibility.

What does the AODA require?

Like most web accessibility legislation, the accessibility standards of AODA are based on the WCAG 2.0 guidelines from W3C.

The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a set of international web accessibility standards that websites must adhere to in order to become accessible. The WCAG consists of 4 principles that act as the foundation for the guidelines’ complex requirements. These essential principles are: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

While the WCAG is not a set of laws to be enforced, it is, however, setting the web accessibility standard and is referenced within several worldwide legislation as such for making websites accessible at the mandated level. Those who achieve compliance with the WCAG, achieve compliance with the legislation of their jurisdiction, and this includes those covered by AODA.

But it has some exceptions for content that can’t be made accessible:

Some online maps and complex diagrams. In those cases, website owners need to provide an accessible version upon request, but that version might be of lower quality.
Software or programming tools that aren’t compatible with accessibility mechanisms and were used to make certain site features.
Web content posted before 2012. If that content is updated, then AODA rules will apply.

AODA has 2-time frames for web-accessible content:

All websites have to reach WCAG 2.0 Level A compliance by January 1st, 2014
Websites have to reach WCAG 2.0 Level AA (other than criteria 1.2.4 (live captions) and 1.2.5 (pre-recorded audio descriptions), by January 1st, 2021

Does the AODA affect me?

If your business is registered in Ontario, then yes, AODA applies to you. Part II of AODA states very clearly that its rules apply to all governmental and private websites, whether they are run by individuals or corporations.

AODA also set up the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council to advise the Ontario government about future accessibility policy. The council can recommend reforms and updates to the accessibility requirements laid out in AODA, so it’s important for Ontario business owners and website managers to stay up to date with changes to the accessibility standards.

How can you know if a website is AODA compliant?

How are you supposed to know if your website is up to date with web accessibility standards? As a first step, it’s crucial that business owners and website managers audit their website using an AODA Compliance Checker like service that provides a detailed report of both accessibility and compliance levels.

Once you have a clear understanding of what barriers exist on your website, it becomes simpler to draw up a plan of action and decide which tools are best suited to help you elevate to the proper WCAG and AODA compliance levels.

What if my website doesn’t comply?

AODA’s accessibility requirements have teeth, so it’s not a good idea to ignore them. Failure to comply can result in fines of $50,000 per day or part day for individuals, and fines of up to $100,000 per day or part day for corporations.

AODA contains very specific violations categories as well as penalties for those violations. The three groups of AODA infractions are:

Minor - the lack of specific accessibility requirements

These violations occur when a specific feature on a site is inaccessible to a particular type of disabled person. For instance, text content is incompatible with a screen reader.

Moderate - Lack of “organizational preparedness”

This can occur when a company demonstrates a disregard for accessibility standards on its online platforms.

Major - elements that can pose a safety or health risk to persons with disabilities.

This category applies more to physical structural issues than online platforms. But it is not inconceivable that a website could be deemed as committing a major level violation. For example, the WCAG’s Success Criterion G19 requires minimal light flashes on a webpage to avoid triggering seizures in users with various photo-sensitivities. A site with flashing-light features--and no tools to control them--could be considered endangering certain people living with a disability.

---

Within these definitions, there is certainly room for interpretation. Whether a violation is minor, moderate, or major, is decided at the legal proceedings following a complaint.

Another factor determining the severity of a violation is the violators' compliance history.

Minor - First offense
Moderate - 2 to 5 offenses
Major - 6 offenses or more

The Ontario government isn’t taking these accessibility standards lightly. Failure to comply with the AODA web accessibility rules can result in fines of $50,000 per day or part day for individuals and fines of up to $100,000 per day or part day for corporations.

Are there other accessibility laws in Canada that I need to know about?

Although AODA is Ontario’s main accessibility legislation, it doesn’t replace existing laws that could affect accessibility policy. Ontario already has human rights legislation that forbids discrimination against people with disabilities, the Ontario Human Rights Code. AODA could be seen as an addition to this law, so someone who violates AODA could also be reviewed by the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

The human rights legislation mentioned above that protects people with disabilities from discriminatory practices is referred to as the ACA - The Accessibility Canada Act , which is a federal law in Canada that requires various industries to comply with accessibility rules.

Governmental organizations, sectors that are federally regulated, and state-owned enterprises must comply with the ACA by submitting accessibility reports to the government authority that include accessibility plans and progress reports (both of which address the “barriers” organizations remove to provide equal access to people with disabilities). Submitting these reports is how governmental organizations, sectors that are federally regulated, and state-owned enterprises can comply with the ACA.

Find out now if your website is WCAG, ADA, ACAC & AODA compliant

What do I need to know about our website's WCAG 2.1 Compliance?

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 23:32:44 GMT

What is the WCAG?

WCAG stands for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 guidelines) are arguably the most influential protocols shaping web accessibility policy.

Why should I care about WCAG Compliance?

To really understand why the WCAG matters so much, you need to know who is behind them. The WCAG was created by the World Wide Web Consortium , known as the W3C. The W3C was founded in October 1994 in MIT’s Laboratory for Computer Science (MIT/LCS). Founding members included top scientists, and by late 2019, the organization has over 440 members including leaders from business, nonprofit organizations, universities, government entities, and relevant industries.

The development of web accessibility standards was one of the earliest issues to be addressed by W3C founders in the mid-1990s. It would take several years however before a coherent set of standards would be published. In 1998, a 25-point document on best web accessibility practices was put forth by the Trace R&D Center at the University of Wisconsin, a collaborator of the W3C. This served as the basis for the first version of WCAG published the following year in 1999. Almost ten years later at the end of 2008, the WCAG 2.0 was released. Today, the updated version WCAG 2.1 is the W3C’s standard on web accessibility and the one we follow today.

W3C originally focused on standardizing web protocols so that websites and web tools would be compatible with each other. Every W3C standard is reviewed several times, tested, and analyzed before it’s approved by members. Usually, W3C standards have 3 levels of compliance, from A to AAA.

The 4 principles of WCAG

The full WCAG 2.1 is incredibly long and complex, with many different points and requirements, but they’re all based on 4 essential principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Some believe that there's a WCAG 2.1 checklist but in reality, it is more complex than that. The first step for achieving WCAG Compliance, It's to understand Its principles:

Perceivable - this refers to the ways that users perceive content online through their senses of sight, sound, and touch. This includes issues like captions for videos, text that can be adjusted for contrast, color, text size and spacing, font, and similar factors that make it easier to read.
Operable - operability means the ways that someone can use the site. It’s particularly relevant to people with motor disabilities, weak muscles, injured limbs, etc. An operable site needs to be navigable entirely by keyboard, sight-assisted navigation, and other alternatives to a classic mouse.
Understandable - understandable sites are easy for everyone to understand. They don’t use a lot of technical terms or complex jargon, don’t have complicated instructions that are difficult to follow, and have consistent directions that won't confuse readers.
Robust - there are two factors for a robust site:

Using clean HTML and CSS code that meets recognized standards
Being compatible with assistive tools that people with disabilities use to browse online

How does WCAG affect accessibility laws?

The WCAG isn’t a set of laws that can be enforced, but many governments have adopted it as the standard for their accessibility regulations. Below is a short overview of international accessibility laws that rely on WCAG guidelines. Effectively, WCAG compliance is the best means for achieving compliance with most worldwide legislations.

WCAG related regulation in the United States

In early 2018, the updated version of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 came into effect. Section 508 requires that every online platform run by federal bodies or any organization that receives federal funding must be accessible for all users. Under updated rules, these sites have to comply with the WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

When individuals in the US have sued businesses with websites that aren’t accessible, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), courts have required those websites to reach WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance. You'll often hear the term WCAG ADA Compliance. That means that the best way to comply with ADA is by following the WCAG.

WCAG related regulation in the European Union

In 2010, EU officials adopted WCAG 2.0 Level AA as mandatory for all official EU sites, and expanded that to all public sector web platforms and to include WCAG 2.1 in 2016. The E.U. also adopted WCAG 2.0 as the standard for the new European Accessibility Act, EAA , which will become law in 2025.

WCAG related regulation in Canada

In June 2019, the Accessible Canada Act ( ACA ) was passed into law by the federal government in Ottawa. The ACA requires a large number of public and private sector sites to become accessible according to WCAG.

Several provinces have also passed accessibility laws, such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005, AODA , the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (2013), and the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act (2017), which all use the WCAG as the standard for compliance.

WCAG related regulation in Australia

The Australian Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was enacted in 1992 to eliminate barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing real-world workspaces. Over time, the governmental Human Rights Commission and other authoritative bodies in Australia interpreted the DDA to include online services. Official recommendations “strongly encourage” all businesses and services to meet WCAG 2.1 standards to avoid violating the DDA.

In 2010, the Australian government’s Web Accessibility National Transition Strategy required all Australian government agencies to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

To summarize

Despite the fact that WCAG has no legal authority, it has achieved global recognition as the most important set of accessibility standards and is enforced to varying degrees by most major countries.

The Manifest Recognizes Zerrow Among Edmonton’s Most Reviewed Design Companies

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 03:50:34 GMT

The Manifest Recognizes Zerrow Among Edmonton’s Most Reviewed Design Companies

At Zerrow, we are a digital agency that thinks differently, pushing the envelope to deliver exceptional visual and tech-based results for clients in Canada and worldwide. Our team of designers, developers , strategists, and project managers aims to create innovative solutions for our clients with one goal: driving business success.

We are proud to be recognized as a leader on The Manifest and one of the most-reviewed design agencies in Edmonton. A business blog and reviews site, The Manifest compiles and analyzes practical business wisdom for innovators, entrepreneurs, and small and mid-market businesses.

To better understand how we got here, let’s take a look at where it all started.

Zerrow was established in 2020 to bring business ideas to life. With over ten years in the business, we know what you need to have the best possible experience.

In 2022 , we worked on an automated delivery software development project with Working Women Community Centre. The client wanted their supporters to be able to send e-cards for Mother's Day as appreciation for donating.

“It is gratifying to find a company like zerrow that goes out of its way to give back to the community. Ken saw our profile on Linkedin and reached out to see if we were interested in any pro-bono help.” – Steve Lavery, Director of Development, Working Women Community Centre

In 2022 , The Manifest released its list of the leading companies, naming Zerrow as one of Edmonton’s leading and most reviewed design companies. The Most Reviewed Company Award on The Manifest features the top 15 companies on each listing page that have received the most number of new reviews in the past 12 months.

With our extensive experience and in-depth industry knowledge, you can always count on us to deliver your projects effectively.

Growth: Viral marketing campaigns

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:33:04 GMT

A little bit of free can go a long way: How giveaways keep customers coming back

The internet is a fickle thing. Cats, bacon, cupcakes and potato chips all go viral and we move on to the next big thing.

But every now and again, we see some old favorites that still have a few tricks up their sleeve.

One of those old favorites is giveaways. In today's tip, we'll discuss some of the ways that giveaways have been used as a viral marketing tactic.

Creating excitement by giving away

A great way to get people buzzing about your products and build up your company's social media presence is by running a giveaway on social media.

Oprah anyone?

This allows you to stay in the public's eye while also not having to spend a fortune on traditional marketing. There are many tactics you can use to make your giveaways resonate with your audience and increase retweets and favorites.

The giveaway is usually free. The goal is to involve the customers so they can share the giveaway with their friends. This way, even if the company does not make a profit with the giveaway, they will gain more customers and build a base of loyal customers who can continue buying their products and services.

Giveaway campaigns are a great way to engage customers in the excitement of our product launch. For example, when we giveaway gift cards, people engage by telling their friends and family about what they’ve won and by using the gift card they’ve won. Imagine the excitement when they open up their gift card in the mail and see what you have to offer.

Make your giveaways feel like a contest rather than a giveaway.
For example, you can send a survey or have them complete a poll. When you give something back, you show you treasure your followers more. Include a hard and fast deadline and a prize that feels like a lot to the recipient and which can be shared by people in their social circle. Ask your followers to like and retweet the contest to enter.

Make it a meaningful giveaway

I’ve seen companies give away gift cards, tickets to shows, and other items in order to get people interested in their products. This will not only reach thousands of potential customers, but it will also build excitement for when their product launches.

Another way to do a viral giveaway is to offer a free item with purchase. For example, if a customer buys a laptop, they can get a free notebook as well. This way, the customer will share the giveaway with their friends and family and hopefully will buy more from.

Begin with the end in mind

As with everything, resist the temptation to launch a new marketing campaign without a clear goal in mind.

Are you looking to increase revenue with this campaign or increase new signups for your newsletter?

Are you looking to generate a profit from your campaign or are you willing to take a loss in order to grow your prospective customer list?

One may lead to another but they are not necessarily the same from a campaign perspective.

The campaign that you're working on needs to be designed to produce a certain goal. If you are trying to increase new signups for your newsletter, you'll design a different landing page than if you want to increase your store's revenue with this campaign. It's important to pick the right goal for each campaign because design and copy need to match the audience and the goal of the campaign.

Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:30:05 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

Tips for writing great posts that increase your site traffic

ken@zerrowapp.com (Zerrow Studios) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:30:04 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.

zerrowstudios

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Alternative Methods and Personal Recommendations

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