Week 6: Post Reach, Post Engagement, and Insights

Post Reach, Post Engagement, and Insights

Post Reach

Post reach refers to the number of unique individuals who visited your web page, or saw one of your posts online.

Post Engagement

Post engagement is where someone performs an action on your webpage, by either 'liking' your page or commenting on one of your posts.

Insights

Insights gives you an overview to the posts left on your site.  this would come in handy in evaluating what's working and more improtantly, when it's working.

My website is currently up, but had very little in the way of views.  I am working to get my views up.  I did not try to add any apps to my page, as it's a fictitious business.

Week 5: Welcome to OsideEats!

Welcome to OsideEats!

It is my hope to post fantastic food and drink locations from around the downtown Oceanside area.  We moved to the beach area about two years ago, and are able to walk to many amazing places.

My target market will be 21 years and older males and females who are interested in going out and enjoying a great meal.  I am hoping to post local information as well, to make you feel like you're really part of this wonderful town.

Week 5: Target markets and calls to action!

Target Markets

Subway Vs. Hungry Bear Deli

For this exercise, I chose the Subway/Hungry Bear websites to analyse.  Mainly because I LOVE Hungry Bear. I was shocked at the differences that I found between the two websites.

Hungry Bear Deli has a very beautiful, very simple website which focuses on the sandwiches and salads that they make at their location in Vista.  Meaty and BIG is all I can say.  Fresh, really fresh ingredients.  But that was it.  I was really disappointed in how little there was to say about such an amazing place.  They are appealing to anyone looking for a yummy sandwich for lunch.  There was no call to action on the site.  There was media links, though.

Subway has it nailed down.  Oh my gosh ~ The menu, along with the nutritional information, catering menu, a rewards program, and a HUGE section devoted to responsibility.   They are catering to every man.  People who need lunch; Fit people, families, corporate types.  Their website is VERY solid and multi dimensional.  I started to think that maybe this the difference between a chain-type restaurant, vs. a family owned retail establishment.  I looked up Pizza Hut, and saw that it was similar to Subway in it's offerings and public outreach.

Overall, both websites are well done.  they both have links to social media sites clearly on their pages.They are appealing to the same demographic, but Subway has so much more depth to their site.   

Week 4: Sites I like

The Two Sites that I Like

There are two sites that I visit almost on a weekly basis.  

www.brighton.com

www.maurices.com

Brighton is a costume jewelry / accessory website that I just love.  They have a beautiful and distinctive look to the jewelry, and have fantastic gift items.  I find that if I'm ever invited to a birthday or graduation party, this is where I go to purchase my gifts.  

The website is a clean, white background with photos of the different areas that they provide, a minimal menu at the top which expands to the many, many items that they carry.  You get a good sense of what the site has to offer just from the main page.  They have links to their social media sites, and the information at the bottom of the page, much like the Apple site and the Toyota site that I mentioned in my other post.  The photos are large and focus on the items for sale.  I just adore this site.  I can't think of a thing that they could do to improve.  The customer service is top-notch, as well.  Items are shipped almost immediately, include a note from someone at the site, and they have distinctive gift wrap as well.

Maurices is a site that I shop at at least once every two weeks.  Upon entering, there are photos of current items for sale, a very pleasing color palate, a san-serif font on the menu is in a dark grey, which is readable, but not overbearing.  You can choose to shop based on item, or menu.  They have links to their social media as well, and again, the information at the bottom of the page.  EVERY time I go on that site, there is something new.  Their customer service is fantastic as well. I have never been disappointed with Maurices.  That's why I continually go back to the site.

If I had to add anything to either site, it would be a chat feature.  I've found that to be helpful on the sites that have them, and sometimes it would be nice to ask a question of someone at the business.  Other than that, these two sites seem to have everything.  They are very effective and pleasing.

Week 4: Aesthetics and Design

Welcome to Week 4...

... and the beginning of what should NEVER happen on a website!  I've chosen two examples from the list.  First up:

www.jamilin.com

Oh my.  What ISN'T wrong with this website?  Three potential problems from this website are that it's designed in a table, it's a mish-mosh of what this woman does with no direction at all, and there is really no color scheme at all.

Yikes.

I would begin by NOT repeating pictures on the homepage.  I'd try to figure out one motto or vision statement to post, and I would not design the entire site in a table.  Separate the buttons (using the same colors;  the chakra element was kind of cool), and maybe remove all of the side information.  It would make the site less chaotic.

Second site:

www.roverp6cars.com

Again - Yikes.  And I like automotive websites - restoration sites of older cars.  This site reuses the same photos for buttons, and they don't even line up!  The words in red over them are almost unnoticable.  

There's SO much going on on the webpage between the scrolling text and the vibrating boundries of the colors selected.  Ugh!

I would focus on maybe 5 things to have as buttons, and remove the pictures as buttons.  I would change up the font to something more pleasing to the eye, and my god!  Get rid of the vibrating colors!  I got a headache looking at this site for more than 5 minutes.  They did have a facebook link, but it was right in the middle of the page.  So many yikes!

Now lets talk about who's got it right!

www.apple.com

Clean design with BIG pictures on a black background.  Menu at the top, and information at the bottom.  Nothing gets in the way of your exploring their amazing products.  San serif fonts are easy to read and minimalist.  I LOVE this site.  I just want to stay here - or perhaps buy something.  Quick!  Time to get off of this site. : )

Next is...

www.toyota.com

Many of the same elements as the apple site, menu at the top, info at the bottom, a movie playing on entry to the site.  Minimal buttons at the top - but there are menus throughout the site.  Site is broken down nicely separating information.  They did repeat buttons, though.  And there was a LOT going on in the 'What's happening' section of the website.  Overall, very nice design.

roverp6cars.comLinks to an external site.

Week 3: Checking out the business websites!

I went with sites that I either use often, or want to know more about.

1.  Maurices (maurices.com)

Social media on site:  Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube
Last Post: 2/5/2019 11:00AM (Facebook)

They seem to have it together when it comes to using social media.  There are a lot of pictures, and almost daily, they write a post about a specific article of clothing.

2. LilyGirl Jewelry (shoplilygirl.com)

Social Media on site: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and their Blog.
Last Post: 2/6/2019 9:00 AM (Instagram)

This is a fun, creative jewelry site that I have been obsessed with for many years.  They've got social media down!  Many creative posts.

3. The Hollis Company (thehollisco.com)

Social Media on site: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
Last Post: 2/6/2019 12:20 PM (Facebook)

I LOVE this woman.  My friend loaned me her book, and I read it in an evening.  She's so empowering.  I listen to her podcasts (yes, two of them) now.  I just can't get enough.  

She seems to have social media worked out.  So many YouTube videos.

4. The Gap (gap.com)

Social Media on site: None (What?)

Last Post: None

What a surprise!  I was sure that they'd have something...  I still love their T-Shirts.

5. Raising Cane's (raisingcanes.com)

Social Media on site:  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Last Post:  8 months ago (YouTube), 2/4/2019 (Facebook)

I'm a little surprised that the posts aren't most recent, but perhaps that's because they're in the kitchen making that freaking delicious chicken!!  I was so excited when they opened in Vista.

Analysis:

Pretty much most websites now are going to have some sort of social media presence.  It was interesting to me that the Gap didn't.  That's not saying that they don't have social media, they just didn't have it advertised on their website.

Depending on the type of business, this will determine which is the best type of social media to be involved in.  The Hollis company, while they post on Facebook and Instagram, really have it right with posting their videos on YouTube.  I can't really see YouTube working for a Maurices or a LilyGirl.  However, Facebook and especially Instagram work very well for these types of businesses.

I am more aware of they types of social media that are out there, now, and will follow up once I'm done with the websites. Now I just have to figure out how to UNfollow a couple of the sites...(I figured it out!)

Week 3 Blog Posts

This week, I commented on the following blogs:

Tracey Walz
Bassel Kanj
Matthew Dangyou

Week 3 Part 1: Communication between Business and Customer

Week 3 Part 1: Communication between Business and Customer

I feel like I may be the only one, but I've not ever had trouble communicating with a business.  I had always done it by phone and asked to speak to the manager.  They were always either ready to listen, or they called me back promptly.

Now social media makes contact with businesses MUCH easier.  I've had problems solved this way, but I always thought that they were missing that interpersonal relationship.  Perhaps I'm wrong.

I have actually had some great interactions with businesses through social media.  I've purchased items, I've contacted them to tell them that I've received the item and that I loved it; and I have had to contact them and tell them that the items have not arrived, or when they arrived, they were damaged. Social media has made these contacts easier because I'm not stuck trying to call them during business hours.  All of my interactions have been resolved without any issues.

I'm not one to leave comments or reviews on websites.  Occasionally I will receive a comment survey that I will fill out, but I realize that these operate on an all-or-nothing result.  Many people, for whatever reason, don't feel that anyone is worthy of a 5 out of 5 rating.  I do.  Unless there is a serious issue, this is how I rate the company.

I am old-school, and I believe that the customer is always right.  If I were to receive a negative comment I would contact the person right away, and do my best to rectify the situation so that the customer is happy.  I do know, however, that sometimes there is no pleasing some people, and the internet has made it very easy for people to be negative and anonymous.  That's unfortunate.  If it were my business, I would do everything in my power to make sure that the customer is satisfied.

Week 2 - Part 2: Post Comments

Good afternoon ~

I posted three comments.  Tracey Walz, Lisa Haas, and Matthew Dangyou.

Thanks, and have a great day!

Week 2, Part 1 - In my humble opinion...

Week 2 – In my humble opinion…

SO MANY platforms!  Yikes.  I thought I was comfortable with the ones that I knew.  In doing some research, I found so many more.  I will go just with the list that I found, but there are so many more out there.  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Pinterest, Snapchat, Reddit, Flickr, Swarm, Kik, Periscope, Medium, SoundCloud, Tinder, WhatsApp, Slack, Google +, and the list goes on and on (and on…)

Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter, and the like, all seem to be geared toward personal use.  Recording of personal experiences, chatting back and forth with friends, and sharing pictures, videos, etc. are all reasons I use Facebook, and Snapchat.  Pinterest and Tumblr are great ways to waste HOURS of time, just perusing what people post. YouTube has provided me with hours of videos from old TV shows, musical groups, and I’ve learned how to crochet a rose.  I found this useful for personal use.  There is a business side to this, though.  There are businesses that are posting this information for the consumer to use.

However, there’s a business side to most of these sites.  Many businesses use Facebook to promote their business.  LinkedIn is great for networking, and there is a job search function available.  Instagram, which I originally thought was just a place to post pictures from wild weekends, it turns out is great for businesses and restaurants to promote their sites. 

For the most part, I believe that most sites work well for both. 

Week 1 - Blog Posts

Good morning!

I looked at, and posted on three blogs.  Giuliana Lopez, Francesca Haman, and Bassel Kanj.  After looking at a few posts, I am really regretting the template I chose!  I'll have to make up for it with good content.

Happy Friday!

Week 1 - The Welcome!

Welcome to my first attempt at blogging!  I'm excited to be here.  I hope that over time this blog goes from being a simple exercise in learning the fonts, the format, and all the features that the site has to offer, that it becomes something useful and relevant.

I chose the simple background because I am a simple girl.  I appreciate clean lines, and as a first attempt at blogging, I'm thinking that simple is best.  We shall see! (As I hit 'Preview', I'm realizing that simple is really just that.  Simple.  Wow, is that simple!  I'm hoping there's a way to change that.

I am hoping to incorporate pictures (LOTS of pictures!), text and directions to some of my favorite places to eat in the downtown Oceanside area.  I've recently moved down to the beach, within walking distance of several amazing restaurants, coffee shops, and truly dive bars.

Here's looking forward to some amazing posts! (Meaning, I'm looking forward to going out to eat at some places that I've been putting off...)