Reading Time: 2 minutes
Inflation… Recession… The market is up… The market is down… How is a small business owner supposed to budget for anything when the economy is so unpredictable? But we can’t really stop moving, can we? As the owner of a small business, I speak first-hand when I say that none of us should be sitting still right now. Now is not the time to be pulling back or slowing your marketing efforts. Quite the opposite – we should all be ramping them up. If you want to grab any piece of business that’s out there, the only way to do that is to get in front of new customers. And nowadays, the only logical way to do that is on the internet.
Articles by Keith Paul
Who We Do Business With, the Supreme Court, Equal Justice Under Law… and “Beer?”
Reading Time: 5 minutes
A recent story in the news caught my attention for three reasons: the subject had to do with website design; the timing of what transpired; and the horrible precedent that has been set.
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Colorado web designer (I will not identify this person by name as they do not deserve, and I refuse to contribute to, the SEO boost they might get from it), looking to get into wedding website design, could legally refuse to work for someone based on their sexual orientation and could post such discriminatory language on their own business’s website. Colorado is one of roughly half the states that has a public-accommodations law meant to prevent businesses that are open to the public from discriminating against LGBTQ+ and other protected groups or publically announcing their intent to discriminate. This designer, who opposes same-sex marriage citing religious beliefs, felt they should not be forced to convey a message that they oppose for a client using their “artistic expression”. On the surface, this sounds like it might be a reasonable argument. It’s the “I don’t believe in what you believe, so I won’t help spread your message” defense. And while I do think there is a place for this defense, this was very much not that place.
Calling All Digital Marketing Professionals
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We are hiring! Electric Bricks is expanding and we are looking to add real professionals to our digital marketing teams. We are looking for qualified candidates who are interested in remote (US-based candidates only) contract/freelance positions but treat it like it’s their job (because it is!)! If you don’t want to attend any meetings, not be held to deadlines, and not have any accountability, then THIS IS NOT FOR YOU! Only serious applicants will be considered. We’re looking for contractors who are responsive (answer your phone and emails quickly) and responsible (do the best job you can every time and on time). We have a variety of positions available. Please review our Employment page for more details and to apply.
The Difference Between a Web Designer and a Website Developer
Reading Time: 3 minutes
The terms website designer and web developer are often used interchangeably, but they are absolutely not the same thing. And the differences are significant. While many web developers are sometimes designers, the vast majority of designers are typically not developers. Let’s take a quick look at the differences and why it should matter to anyone building a website.
Allow me to preface this article by stating clearly that Electric Bricks is both a web design and development agency. And being able to make that claim is what sets us apart from many of the smaller companies out there.
Google Ads Advertiser Verification – What’s That All About?
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Around March of 2020, Google began letting businesses that advertise on the Google Ads platform know that they will be required to complete an “identity verification” in order to continue using Google Ads. Typically, Google will send an email to the account holder alerting them that they must “start identity verification to continue serving ads”, or something to that effect. This is not optional. Let me repeat that – this is not optional! You will have 30 days from the date you receive that first email to begin the verification process. If you do not, Google will quite simply stop serving your ads, and your account will be paused.
Website Backups – A Critical Line of Defense for Your Website
Reading Time: 2 minutes
This post is directed at all current and future Electric Bricks clients.
As part of your website hosting and maintenance package (H&M), Electric Bricks regularly backs up your site files and database as an important safety measure. These backups are a critical part of your website management service and help ensure your site stays safe and can be restored in the event of a hacking attempt, malware attack, server crash, or user error. We did extensive research and testing, and an issue that we’ve discovered is that most WordPress backup software (including the software we were previously using) can have an adverse effect on server and site performance due to the way they work. They use up a lot of server resources and can sometimes slow a site down or cause other issues. Because of this, Electric Bricks is changing (and improving) the software and methodology we use to manage the backups we do for you.
Keep Reading
Electric Bricks & Cloudflare: Protecting Our Clients’ Websites From Cyber Attacks
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Cyber attacks of all kinds are on the rise. There is a relentless onslaught of spam, phishing, website hacking attempts, viruses, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks every single day. At Electric Bricks, we’ve seen a sharp increase in these types of attacks recently. While some are attempting to steal the identities of you and your clients, many of these types of attacks are often meant only to create chaos, crash websites, and cause senseless, irritating disruptions.
Please note: the following service changes only apply to Electric Bricks clients for whom we host their website.
Electric Bricks Ranked as a Top 20 Web Design Firm on DesignRush
Reading Time: < 1 minute
We are very proud to announce that DesignRush has ranked Electric Bricks as one of the Top 20 Website Design Firms in New York for 2021! DesignRush reviews and ranks hundreds of agencies across the country to help small businesses find web design and digital marketing firms that stand out. And now the world knows what we’ve known all along – Electric Bricks is one of the best website design and digital marketing agencies in New York!
Goodbye 2020!
Reading Time: < 1 minute
As you’ve probably heard more than once in 2020 (or even said yourself), this year has been the longest decade of my life! I think I speak for most of us when I say I have never been happier to start a new year – or more accurately, to end one. Even though we’ll still be dealing with many of the same headaches we’ve been suffering through all year long, it still feels like we’re coming out of a long, dark tunnel. The dumpster fire that was 2020 will soon be a thing of the past. And it will not be missed!
Easing the Burden (Somewhat) During These Crazy Times
Reading Time: 2 minutes
This is a message to all of Electric Bricks’ clients. So, raise your hand if you’re thinking about cash-flow right now. I know I am. It’s the grease that keeps our machines running smooth. But right now, when the whole world feels like it’s holding it’s breath, cash may be in short supply. I know many of our clients provide products or services that are not considered “essential”. That means you either had to close your store or office completely (and indefinitely), or your trying to operate remotely (if you can) and hang on to your employees until the dust settles. Electric Bricks is in the same boat but, it the spirit of “we’re all in this together”, because I truly believe that we are, I am instituting the following changes that will hopefully make some small difference for you.