mvermeer, Author at Matthew Vermeer

Files and Folders in Google Drive

Files and folders can be added in Google Drive at any given time. When you’re ready to create new documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more, just click the New button and select an app from the list to get started. Do you have existing files and folders you want to add to Google Drive? You can easily sync or upload those files to add them to Google Drive on the web and your mobile devices. Steps to add new files and folders in Google Drive: Click on My Drive. Click the New button in the left column. Click on Folder. Name the folder something that works for your files in the New Folder pop-up window. Click Create. Click My Drive in the left column and identify that your new folder is present. Double click the new folder to open it. Click the New button at the top of the page and select Folder. In the New Folder pop-up window, name the folder something that would help you organize your files inside the hierarchy folder. Click Create If you need assistance with your understanding of Google Drive, please get in touch with me. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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What is Locational Branding?

Brand / mvermeer

Locational branding allows companies to target their consumers at a microscopic, personal level. It is one of the best ways businesses can target consumers on a personal, granular level just based on their physical location. This can be done online or offline, but the messaging that is used is based on their physical location. Locational branding has proves to be an effective strategy. When implementing it properly, it allows companies to focus in on specific customers by offering specific offers to them. Because of the technologies available today in phones, cars, watches, and the like, locational branding can be used through a variety of means. There are two main types of locational branding that most marketers use. Geofencing Geofencing is a location-base service that establishes a digital perimeter with smartphone, WiFi, or GPS data to trigger a desired marketing action. For example, when you walk past a Kohl’s store and you receive a push notification with the message: “Sale ends today! Buy 1 pair of shoes, get the second 50% off”. Geotargeting Geotargeting is a location-based service that delivers content when certain criteria are met when within the defined perimeter area. For example, your brick oven pizza restaurant recently added a new vegan pizza option. You want to target users within your community that are interested in a vegetarian lifestyle and health. Does it work? In a joint study by Forbes and Treasure Data, 74% of consumers say they were influenced to buy from a brand based on just the shopping experience. There are oodles of other studies out there that will prove this same fact. But the underlying theme amongst all of them is that a great customer buying experience is the mainstay for a successful business and marketing strategy. If you need assistance with improving your marketing strategy using location branding, please get in touch with me. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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How to Secure Your WordPress Site with Top Website Security Plugins

Web Design / mvermeer

Having a secure website is essential for any business. One of the best ways to do this is to use a website security plugin for WordPress. With a website security plugin, you can protect your site from malicious attacks, keep user data safe, and prevent any unauthorized access. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top website security plugins for WordPress and how they can help keep your site secure. Wordfence One of the most popular and highly rated website security plugins for WordPress is Wordfence. This plugin offers a comprehensive suite of security features designed to protect your website from all kinds of threats, including malware, hacking attempts, and other types of malicious attacks. Wordfence is incredibly easy to use and install, even for those without any technical expertise. The plugin offers real-time monitoring and alerts for any potential security threats, including attempts to break into your website or spamming attacks.In addition to its advanced security features, Wordfence also offers a powerful firewall that can block malicious traffic and IP addresses, as well as limit the number of login attempts allowed. The plugin also includes a two-factor authentication feature to further enhance the security of your website. One of the best things about Wordfence is that it constantly updates its security protocols to stay one step ahead of hackers and other online threats. The plugin also provides detailed reports on any security incidents or vulnerabilities, which can help you quickly take action to protect your website. Overall, Wordfence is an essential website security plugin for any WordPress site. With its advanced features and user-friendly interface, you can rest assured that your website is always protected from any potential threats. Jetpack Jetpack is another popular security plugin for WordPress, offering a range of features to keep your site safe. It provides protection against brute-force attacks and offers a firewall to prevent unauthorized access. In addition to this, Jetpack comes with automatic backups, so you never lose your data in the event of a security breach. One of the unique features of Jetpack is its uptime monitoring, which sends notifications to you if your site goes down, allowing you to quickly address any issues. Additionally, Jetpack provides malware scanning, ensuring that your site is free from harmful code. Overall, Jetpack is a great all-in-one solution for website security and management. It provides a range of features to help protect your site, as well as other useful tools such as performance optimization and social media integration. If you’re looking for a comprehensive security solution for your WordPress site, Jetpack is definitely worth considering. VaultPress Another popular website security plugin for WordPress is VaultPress. Developed by Automatic, the same team behind WordPress, VaultPress provides real-time backup and security scanning services for your website. With VaultPress, you can easily back up your website’s database, files, and even your theme and plugin settings to their secure cloud storage. In case of any disaster, you can quickly restore your website to its previous state with a single click. Moreover, VaultPress performs daily security scans on your website and alerts you of any vulnerabilities that may put your site at risk. You can also receive regular reports on the overall health and performance of your website. VaultPress also offers site cleaning services if your site is infected with malware. They can scan your site and remove any malicious code, ensuring your website is free from any security threats. One of the best things about VaultPress is its easy-to-use interface that makes it simple for anyone to manage their website’s backups and security. It is also compatible with popular WordPress hosting providers like Bluehost, DreamHost, and SiteGround. Overall, if you’re looking for a comprehensive security and backup solution for your WordPress site, VaultPress is definitely worth considering. With its reliable and robust features, it can give you the peace of mind you need to run your online business with confidence. Sucuri Sucuri is a popular website security plugin for WordPress that offers both a free and a paid version. The free version includes features such as malware scanning and blacklist monitoring. The paid version, on the other hand, offers more advanced features such as malware removal and a website firewall. One of the standout features of Sucuri is its website firewall. It acts as a shield between your website and any potential security threats. The firewall blocks malicious traffic, such as hackers and bots, from accessing your site. It also provides a content delivery network (CDN) which improves your website’s speed and performance. In addition, Sucuri offers real-time alerts for any potential security threats. It sends an email notification when it detects any suspicious activity, allowing you to take action immediately. Sucuri is also known for its exceptional customer support. Its support team is available 24/7 to assist with any security issues or concerns. Overall, Sucuri is a great option for WordPress website security. Its website firewall, malware scanning, and real-time alerts provide solid protection against any potential security threats. Bulletproof Security Another popular website security plugin for WordPress is Bulletproof Security. As the name suggests, this plugin offers an extra layer of security to protect your website from hackers and cyberattacks. Bulletproof Security is known for its easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users. Some of its features include malware scanners, login security, database backup, and firewall protection. One of the unique features of this plugin is the automatic quarantine of suspected hackers, preventing them from accessing your site and causing damage. Additionally, it also provides a one-click setup for adding security to your site. However, some users have reported issues with compatibility and support, so it’s important to do your research and make sure it’s the right fit for your website’s needs before installing it. Overall, Bulletproof Security is a solid choice for those looking to enhance the security of their WordPress site. Its features and user-friendly interface make it a great option for users of all levels of experience. Got

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Facebook Image Sizes

Graphic Design / mvermeer

When it comes to Facebook and image sizes, it seems like the list will never end. Meaningful Facebook conversations begin with great content. Statistics show that images and video garnish the most attention online and therefore, your attention should be given to it. Facebook cover photos as well as newsfeed images should be used to gather people’s attention. Images that your audience is most interest in should be your focus when developing these images. The variations in the image sizes aren’t something Facebook is doing to make things difficult for the users. Rather, the different sizes are all related to the devices someone might be viewing your content on. Therefore, a close calculation when developing these images is necessary to ensure your users the best experience when partaking of your content. Facebook Pages When developing your Facebook page, it is crucial that you use the properly sized images so they are clear and precise for the viewer. Below are the measurements you should be aware of. Cover Photos Desktop: 820 x 312 pixels Mobile: 640 x 360 pixels Profile Photos Desktop: 180 x 180 pixels Mobile: 140 x 140 pixels Banner 1200 x 628 pixels Facebook Events There is no better way to keep an audience informed on the happenings of your business than an event schedule. Facebook makes this scheduling and promoting of these events easy through their Facebook events. The event itself can be very important, but won’t get attention of your clients by themselves. Utilizing imagery to get their attention becomes vital. By utilizing the proper sizing for the images will ensure they are portrayed properly and look professional while doing so. Cover Image: 1200 x 628 pixels Facebook Groups: Desktop: 1640 x 662 pixels Mobile: 1640 x 859 pixels If you need assistance with the develop of imagers for your Facebook profile, please get in touch with me for assistance. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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New Social Media Platforms in 2023

Digital Marketing / mvermeer

Since the introduction of the concept of social media back in 1978, there have been different platforms that have come and gone. Social media will forever be evolving, which means new platforms will continually be developed. The year 2023 will be no different. There are many platforms that have carried over from previous years and some that are in their infancy. Three social media platforms to be on the lookout for in 2023 include: BeReal BeReal is an app that focuses on the creation “new and unique ways to discover who your friends really are.” With this idea, the app chooses random times of the day that its time to be real. The app requires the user snap a photo of whatever it is you happen to be doing, but it requires you to do so within the 2 minutes time slot after it informs you. The photo you take actually uses both your front and rear cameras on your phone. So ultimately, it is taking two pictures at once to show others what you are currently doing. In 2022, usage of the BeReal app jumped up by 312% with downloads being up 1000% from 2021. Needless to say, BeReal is on the uprise. Clubhouse Clubhouse is an audio app that has the feature of chat rooms. Users of the app have the opportunity to drop into live chat conversations and listen in to what is being discussed. Clubhouse took off in March 2020 and grew until about February 2021. It became so popular that the likes of Oprah Winfrey was hosting chats on the platform. However, soon after that, the popularity started to dwindle as the app fell by 60%. However, Clubhouse is still staying alive by offering new features and partnering with the likes of TED. The conversations on the platform are primarily in the STEM space now. Instagram Reels Instagram Reels is a new feature put out by the already established social media platform Instagram. The Reels option was launched in 2020 in response to the attention gaining from TikTok. Reels took the video option already on the Instagram platform and gave it more options with creation. The Reels are 90 seconds of video that can be edited right inside the Instagram app. Because of the craze currently for short video, Instagram Reels has seen a growing interest over time. If you seen the benefits of social media for your branding or marketing strategy but not sure how to incorporate it, please get in touch with me so I can discuss how I can help you. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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Trash in Google Drive

Google / mvermeer

Trash in Google Drive contains everything you’ve deleted. To delete an item, select the item and click the trash icon that appears: Note: You can only trash items that you own. For items you don’t own, click More > Remove to take them out of your Google Drive, but not remove them for everyone else. Google Drive Trash Can Your trash is never automatically emptied, so you’ll probably want to clean it out once in a while. Items in your Trash still count toward your storage quota, so this helps free up some space. To clean it out: In the Trash view, click Empty trash to permanently delete everything. Or, check individual items and click Delete forever.Tip: Notice that after you select items in the trash, you can also choose to restore them from the More actions menu. Steps to delete files to Trash in Google Drive: Click on Recent in the left column. Scroll to find a file that has been shared with you. Single click the file. Click on More actions at the top right of the page and select Make a copy. Click on the Remove/Trash Can button toward the top of the page. Because this file is shared with you and owned by someone else, it is now deleted from your records forever. Click on Recent in the left column. Scroll to find the copied file. Click on the Remove/Trash Can button toward the top of the page. This sends the item to the deleted folder. Click on Trash in the left column. Scroll to find the copied file and select it. At the top of the page, click on Restore. This sends it back to its original location. Click again on Recent in the left column. Scroll to find the file and select it again. Click on the Remove/Trash Can button toward the top of the page. Click on Trash in the left column. Scroll to find the file and select it. This time click on Delete Forever. The file is now gone completely. If you need assistance with your understanding of Google Drive, please get in touch with me. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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Customers and Brand Perception

Brand / mvermeer

What is Brand Perception? Brand perception are the thoughts, experiences, and feelings a customer associates with a company. These thoughts and feelings are why people choose to wear certain brands of clothing, pick certain food items at the grocery store, or choose what restaurants to eat at. Brand perception plays a vital role in creating emotional connections with customers. Once brand perception, whether good or bad, is established, it’s very difficult to change it in people’s minds. Therefore, giving attention to and putting in the proper work necessary to create positive associations is important. How do you Measure Brand Perception? Data provides evidence and framework for what is working and what is not working in given situations. This is also the case with brand perception. Since this perception comes from a variety of avenues, it is important to gather information from those to help determine how to measure it. Here are some means to collect data to evaluation that measure: Surveys: Surveys are a quick and relatively easy way to collect information from people. Setting up the survey properly will aide in the responder’s responses so that the best data can be collected. Social Media Mentions: Social media is the new online coffee shop. People are constantly hanging out on these platforms sharing their views on different topics. By monitoring some of these conversations and mentions on these platforms, one can get a feel for what people are talking about in regards to certain brands. Brand Audit: A brand audit is a great means to evaluate current information. Through primary and secondary research one can assess target markets, products/services, and brand positioning. Although it takes extra work to complete, the results that come about from a brand audit can be influential in learning how people perceive the brand. Customer Experiences: When customers buy your products and service, implement an extra measure in that process to ask them a variety of questions. These answers can help paint the picture on how they view the brand. If you are not sure how your target market views your brand and want to find out, please get in touch with me so I can help you through that process. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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The Need for a Website Backup

Web Design / mvermeer

Website Backup A website backup is a snapshot of all your website’s important components. Therefore, making backups of your website is an important part of regular site maintenance. You don’t want to be left without a backup of your site should something happen. Website Down Have you ever visited a website to find an error message or find it in maintenance mode? How did your view of the website and company change upon finding that? Many visitors will hit the back button and move on to a different search result for their source of information. Causes of Website Crashes Websites can be down for a variety of reasons. They can be caused by outside individuals as well as individuals associated directly with the website itself. Here are some reasons why websites go down: The developer makes some mistakes while creating or updating a site The website is broken The server hosting your website crashes Viruses infect your site and take it down Theme and plugin updates are completed incorrectly Is Your Website Down? If it is your website that is showing the error message, maintenance mode, or worse yet down completely, this can create a huge problem for you and your customers. If someone does land on your site and finds it in this mode, statistics show that they might never return to your website again. Therefore, it is vital that you can remedy the website problem quickly and efficiently to keep it fluid for your users. The Need for a Backup A backup for your website is the main guarantee that your site can be restored after any problems or crashes. These problems can arise from the inadvertent deletion of important elements, a theme issue, a plugin not working properly, or your website getting hacked. A website backup is necessary! Having a backup provides safety for you as well as it gives you a fluid means to restore the site for limited downtime. Websites go down daily for a variety of reasons. Everyone is concerned about hackers getting into their sites and causing havoc. But statistics show that most owners and developers are the ones that cause sites to go down. If you don’t currently has a backup system in place for your website, please reach out to me so I can help you get that established. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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Social Media Image Copyright Laws

Graphic Design / mvermeer

Image Copyright Laws Image copyright laws have been passed to protect the creators of the images. The internet showcases many beautiful, compelling, and eye-catching images. It can be tempting to use them for your personal or professional gain. However, most of the images you find online are not available for use without the expressed permission or license from the copyright owner. What is the Copyright Act? According to the United States Copyright Office, the Copyright Act “protects a wide variety of photographic works. This category includes photographs that are created with a camera and captured in a digital file or other visual medium such as film.” How does the Copyright Act help Creators? This means that the image creator has the legal ownership of an image. This level of ownership is automatic. Copyright exists no matter what! When a creator creates the image, whether they register it or not, their work is automatically copyrighted for their use. All types of visual arts are subject to copyright. They might include any of the following: Charts Digital art Infographics Maps Paintings Photographs Copyright Around the World Over 181 countries are members of the Berne Convention, which sets basic copyright standards. With having so many countries as a part of this, copyrights are applied to imagery throughout many parts of the world. Therefore, creators can feel assured that their work will be protected in many places. Social Media and Images Social media content with images has proven to get the most attention and engagement. If you don’t have the tools, resources, or time to generate your own images for your social media channels, it is important to know the ins and outs of image copyrights. If you need help with your social media graphics, please get in touch with me as I would love to help. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences. Let’s connect!

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Image Size for Website SEO

Digital Marketing / mvermeer

Image size for your website’s SEO matters. According to 2018 data, 20% of all U.S. website searches happen on Google Images. SEO developers understand the importance of optimizing images for your website and worth the time to do so. Whether you optimize the size and quality of the image or utilize alt tags or other SEO tricks, your efforts might be what is needed to get your image shown in search results. Image Size Affects Website SEO Image optimization creates a host of advantages for the user as well as the website owner. For the user, optimization gives them a better experience with the image and faster page load time. For the website owner, optimization gives additional ranking opportunities and improved authority for SEO purposes. Here are some recommendations to consider when choosing your images for your website: Format There are a substantial amount of image formats currently in the marketplace. With that said, the PNG and JPEG formats are the most common for the internet. PNG – this format produces better quality images, but comes with a larger file size. JPEG – this format has less quality, but the quality level can be adjusted to find a balance. WEBP – this format is the only image format supported by Chrome and Firefox. Image Compression As mentioned in a previous article, mobile is now king and anything that slows the load time becomes your enemy. According to HTTP Archive, “images makeup on average 21% of a total webpage’s weight.” This is the very reason why its recommended to compress images before they are uploaded to a website. This can be accomplished by using an application like Photoshop or a plugin like TinyPNG or WP Smush. Whatever plugin or application is used, make sure the compression happens on an external server so that the weight isn’t put on your website’s server. Unique Images The goal with images is to get attention. However, those images might lose their purpose if they are obtained from stock image databases. By creating your own unique images, you establish a special feel and presence on your website. You make it more personal for the visitor. Even if you are able to optimize your images perfectly in regards to SEO results, it will still lose luster with the visitor if it’s a stock style image. The more original your images are, the better experience it’ll be for the user. Copyright for Images The U.S. Copyright Act defines images as “pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works.” It defines these works to include “two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art, photographs, prints and art reproductions, maps, globes, charts, diagrams, models, and technical drawings, including architectural plans.” So regardless of the image files you choose to use, it’s important that there’s no copyright conflicts. There are images out there that are for reuse and others for a fee. However, by creating your own images that your customers will like better anyway, is the best route to take. Use SEO-Friendly Alt Text Alt tags on your images are text alternatives to your images when a browser can’t properly render them. The alt tag is used to describe the image file to give meaning to what the image portrays. Adding Alt tags is also a great way to enhance your SEO results. It ensures that all components of a website have meaning whether they are viewable or not. Images to add life to your website and marketing materials. However, they can detract too if effort isn’t put into personalizing it and connecting the image to the content being presented. If you need assistance with your imagery on your website or with your marketing materials, please get in touch with me and I would be pleased to assist you. Got a Project in Mind? GET IN TOUCH I collaborate with innovative brands to create cutting-edge digital experiences.Let’s connect!

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