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May 29, 2019

Analytics: Create and Manage Goals

Source: Google

Goals let you measure conversions on your site and are an essential tool in Analytics. A goal represents a completed activity, called a conversion, that contributes to the success of your business.

Regardless of what business you’re in, defining both micro and macro goals for your site or app is one of the most important parts of your implementation. Macro goals correspond to the primary objectives of your site, such as e-commerce transactions or lead generation conversions. Micro goals help you understand the contribution of other user activities that lead up to the primary conversion.

The articles in this topic help you create, edit, share and manage the recording status of goals.

About Goals

Use goals to measure how often users complete specific actions.

Goals measure how well your site or app fulfills your target objectives. A goal represents a completed activity, called a conversion, that contributes to the success of your business.

Examples of goals include making a purchase (for an e-commerce site), completing a game level (for a mobile gaming app), or submitting a contact information form (for a marketing or lead generation site).

Defining goals is a fundamental component of any digital analytics measurement plan. Having properly configured goals allows Analytics to provide you with critical information, such as the number of conversions and the conversion rate for your site or app. Without this information, it’s almost impossible to evaluate the effectiveness of your online business and marketing campaigns.

In this article:

May 23, 2019

Analytics: Users Flow Report

jpearson Blog user engagement

About the Users Flow report

Source: Google

Visualize your users’ paths through your site.

The Users Flow report is a graphical representation of the paths users took through your site, from the source, through the various pages, and where along their paths they exited your site. The Users Flow report lets you compare volumes of traffic from different sources, examine traffic patterns through your site, and troubleshoot the efficacy of your site.

In this article:

Users Flow report prerequisites

None.

Access the Users Flow report

To see the Users Flow report:

Sign in to Google Analytics.
Navigate to your view.
Open Reports.
Select Audience > Users Flow.

What can I do with the Users Flow report?

The Users Flow visualization lets you see:

The relative volume of traffic to your site by the dimension you choose (e,g., traffic sources, campaign, browser)
The relative volume of pageviews per page or collection of pages
Specific metrics for connections, nodes, and node exits when you hover over them

The Users Flow report is very similar to the Behavior Flow report; however, the Users Flow is focused on the pages your users visit, whereas the Behavior report also includes Events and Content Groupings.

Next Steps

Access the Users Flow report now and explore your site. For information about how to configure the report and use the different visualization options, read Using Flow reports.

Once you have a general idea of how the Users Flow report works, read the Analyze your data with the Users Flow article to see some specific ways to gain even more insights from the report.

Related resources

Increase User Engagement Apis Productions

May 16, 2019

Increase User Engagement on Your Website

jpearson Blog user engagement 0

To be successful with user engagement, you should know how to define maximum engagement and how to boost this critical website factor to earn more leads and revenue in the future.

WHAT IS USER ENGAGEMENT?

Put most simply, user engagement is when visitors to your site appreciate your content enough to stick around, absorb, and convert. That said, let’s jump right into the top five high-level ways to increase user engagement on your website.

De-Clutter Your Layout
Too much confusion can lead to higher bounce rates, which is the opposite of user engagement. If your layout has too much going on, switch to a simpler design. Your menu should also be center-stage and easy enough for anyone to figure out. Use plenty of white space so your content is easy on the eyes and always use readable fonts and text sizes.
Be Clear About What You Expect
Whether it’s submitting a form, entering their email address, or clicking a button to learn more, state those instructions in clear enough language that anyone can understand. Your CTAs (Calls to Action) should stand out so they’re always noticed with commanding language that directs the conversion.
Collect Email Addresses and Engage Directly
If you aren’t in the habit of gathering information from your website leads, start now. Keep returning visitors coming back by delivering your content directly to their inboxes. You can have a subscribe box or pop up on your site, or you can collect email addresses by gating middle-to bottom-funnel content and then following up with useful content based on your target audience’s needs.
Surveys & Questionnaires
From your best customers to new leads entering your marketing funnel, everyone’s opinion matters. Start releasing surveys and polls and questionnaires to help uncover improvement ideas for your website that aren’t immediately apparent. Keep engagement trending upward on your site by regularly publishing the data you’re producing. Not only will it drive more engaged traffic, but it will increase your inbound links, too.
Analyze the Data, Test & Tweak Your Website
Of course, the best way to gauge visitor interactivity and user engagement is to crunch the numbers. Google Analytics and other platforms can give you the invaluable insight you can use to boost engagement across every page of your site.

In our next post, we will cover ways to measure user engagement by utilizing Google Analytics and other applications.

These will measure:

Engagement
Page Views
Bounce Rate
Average Time on Site
Return Visits
Conversions

It’s important to note, as well, that there are ways to measure “Real Time” stats. Google Analytics offers Real-Time analytics, which means that you can view visitor data coming in as it’s happening.

There are also other methods to view how effective your content is by using Heat Maps which let you know where visitors are hovering their cursors, clicking on buttons, filling out forms and more.

As always, if we can be of help to you in any way, give us a shout! We’re listening!

May 1, 2019

Switch Up Your Look with Themify’s Ultra Skins

jpearson Blog Design Skins, Themify Ultra Skins 0

Have you wondered about trying different looks for your current site? With Themify’s Ultra Theme, you can do just that (well, we’ll do it for you).

60+ Pre-designed Layouts

Create unlimited layouts using drag & drop Builder, responsive layouts, slider backgrounds, video backgrounds, parallax scrolling, custom styling, animations, and more. See their demo.

Smart Layout Options

Ultra gives you full control from header to footer, either site-wide or per individual page. This means that you can make your entire site share the same look and feel or create a unique look for every page.

6 Archive Layouts

Ultra includes 6 different styles for archive post layouts that you can choose from such as slider, full width, masonry, grids, Polaroid, and overlay. You may also toggle the visibility of the post elements such as post title, featured image, meta, content, etc.

The possibilities are endless! So, if you’d like us to switch it up for you, give us a shout! We’re here to help!

April 25, 2019

Fine-Tuning YouTube Part Three

jpearson Blog Social Media Management, YouTube, YouTube Fine-tuning 0

In Part Three of Apis Productions’ YouTube Series, we’ll cover adding thumbnails to videos (custom or auto-generated), adding watermarks to videos, and we’ll also cover YouTube’s 2019 image guidelines for each of the sections.

Add (or Change) Video Thumbnails

Video thumbnails let viewers see a quick snapshot of your video as they’re browsing YouTube. After your video is finished uploading, you can choose a thumbnail from the three options YouTube automatically generates, or upload your own.

To add or change a video thumbnail:

YouTube Fine-Tuning

From the left menu, select Videos.

YouTube Series Select Videos

Select a video by clicking on its title or thumbnail.

Choose an auto-generated thumbnail (choose from three listed for you) and select Save.

YouTube Thumbnails

From the left menu, select Videos.

Select a video by clicking on its title or thumbnail.

Under “Thumbnail”, select Choose custom thumbnail.

Choose the file you’d like to use as your custom thumbnail. (See the Image Size and Resolution section below for thumbnail size specifications!)

Select Save.

Image Size and Resolution:

Your custom thumbnail image should be as large as possible, as the image will also be used as the preview image in the embedded player. We recommend your custom thumbnails:

Have a resolution of 1280×720 (with a minimum width of 640 pixels).
Be uploaded in image formats such as .JPG, .GIF, .BMP, or .PNG.
Remain under the 2MB limit.
Try to use a 16:9 aspect ratio as it’s the most used in YouTube video players and previews.

Add a Branding Watermark to Videos

You can encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel by adding a branding watermark to your videos. This is often called a custom subscribe button. When you add a watermark, viewers can directly subscribe to your channel if they hover over the watermark when using YouTube on a computer.

To Add your Branding Watermark:

YouTube Fine-Tuning

From the left menu, select Settings.

Select Channel and then Branding.

YouTube Branding

Select Choose image and choose which image you’d like to use as your branding watermark.

Select the display time for the branding watermark:

End of video: The branding watermark will appear for the last 15 seconds of the video.

Custom start time: The branding watermark will begin showing at a time you choose.

Entire video: The branding watermark will appear throughout the entire video.

Save changes.

Image guidelines for branding:

Images must be square, with a minimum of 150×150 pixels, and less than 1MB in size. We recommend that you use a transparent background rather than a solid one and include just one color in the image. This will help the image be less distracting, especially on small screens.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Apis Productions YouTube Series Part Two

April 18, 2019

Fine-Tuning YouTube Part Two

jpearson Blog YouTube, YouTube Fine-tuning 0

In Part Two of Apis Productions’ YouTube Series, we’ll go over custom links, adding videos, adding playlists, creating featured videos to display on your YouTube channel for returning visitors and new visitors.

Creating Custom Links

You can add links to any URL you’d like to link to on your channel banner.

On a computer, go to your channel and click the About tab. If you’re in the new YouTube layout, click Customize channel.

Hover over the “Links” section (down at the bottom), then click edit.
Click the +Add button.
Enter the title and URL of the site you want to link to. You can add up to five links.
Click Done.

Adding Custom Links YouTube

Links that you add here are featured just below your description. If you link to other social media accounts, the icon for each social media platform will appear here. If it’s a link to your website, it will use your YouTube Channel profile photo.

Adding Videos

When uploading or adding videos, it’s best to keep in mind (in the next step) that you’ll need to upload them first, edit any privacy settings such as publishing to the public or private, edit any monetization settings; then create your playlists and place your videos into each respective playlist for your audience to view.

Note: This feature isn’t available in YouTube Studio beta yet. If you’re in YouTube Studio beta (studio.youtube.com), select Creator Studio Classic in the left menu to follow these steps.

Sign in to YouTube.
At the top of the page, click Upload.
Select Upload video.

Upload Video YouTube

Before you start uploading the video, you can choose the video privacy settings.
Select the video you’d like to upload from your computer. You can also import a video from Google Photos.
As the video is uploading, you can edit both the basic information and the advanced settings of the video and decide if you want to notify subscribers (if you uncheck this option, no communication will be shared with your subscribers). Partners will also be able to adjust their monetization settings. You can have a title up to 100 characters and a description up to 5,000 characters.
Click Publish to finish uploading a public video to YouTube. If you set the video privacy setting to Private or Unlisted, just click Done to finish the upload or click Share to privately share your video.
If you haven’t clicked Publish, your video won’t be viewable by other people. You can always publish your video at a later time in your Video Manager.

Adding Playlists

Before deciding what names to use for your channel’s playlists, pull in at least 20 videos. This will make it easier to section the videos into playlists. Don’t worry if you don’t have many subscribers yet. This will come as your channel grows. We will go over this in Part Three of our YouTube Series!

Note: If you aren’t able to follow these instructions, you are likely using the old version of YouTube. If you’re using a newer browser, update to the current version of YouTube.

To create a new playlist, go to Playlists within your channel editor, enter a playlist name.
Use the drop-down box to select your playlist’s privacy setting. If it’s private, only you can view the playlist.
Click Create.

YouTube Title Playlist Example

To find your playlists, go to the Guide and click Library.

Note: It’s not currently possible to delete playlists in the current desktop experience. To edit or delete playlists:

Go to your channel page.
Select Edit layout.
You’ll be taken to the old design to make changes.

Creating Featured Videos (aka Channel Trailers) To Display On Your YouTube Channel For Returning Visitors And New Visitors

You can have a video trailer show to all unsubscribed visitors (or returning visitors) to your channel. Your channel trailer is like a movie trailer – use it as a way to offer a preview of your channel’s offerings so viewers will want to subscribe.

By default, ads won’t appear when the trailer is playing on the channel page in the trailer spot (unless the video you’ve chosen contains third-party claimed content). This helps keep the user focused on learning about and subscribing to your channel. If the viewer is already subscribed to your channel, they’ll see a video under “What to Watch Next” instead.

Setting a Channel Trailer

Upload the video you want to be your channel trailer or choose from a video already uploaded to your channel.
Go to the channel you want to manage.
Go to the “Home” tab.
Click the “For new visitors” tab.
Click Edit.
Select the Video again you want to use.
Click Save.
Repeat the same thing for “Returning Visitors” next to “For new Visitors”.

Set Featured Vid YouTube

Quick Tips for Creating Channel Trailers

Assume the viewer has never heard of you.
Keep it short.
Hook your viewers in the first few seconds.
Show, don’t tell.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

April 10, 2019

Fine-Tuning YouTube Part One

jpearson Blog YouTube, YouTube Fine-tuning 0

YouTube is a beast. It really is. It’s a marketing beast. It’s a memory beast. It’s a platform beast. It makes superstars out of everyday people with everyday lives. Everyone has something to say. There are so many options and considerations when putting together a channel for yourself, your business, and everything in between!

We, at Apis Productions, decided it would be super helpful to put together a series dedicated to fine-tuning your YouTube presence. Whether this speaks to you as a way to help with your YouTube channel, video help, website help, whatever it may be, we’ll explain it in small doses so you, our clients, can understand everything you need to know about managing YouTube and making it work for you.

Unlike LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, YouTube lends itself to putting pictures and sound into one pretty package. It’s always there in the background, easily coded into your website, linked to, embedded; alive! However, there are some secrets to making everything look right.

Channel Art

One of the most important aspects of any YouTube presence is channel art. The size charts are confusing, at best. We first mentioned 2019 YouTube sizes in a post a couple of months ago (among other social-media sizes.) The profile icon or logo for YouTube is not as ambiguous as the ‘channel art’. The profile picture size is a straightforward 800×800 pixel image. The background or “cover” should be 2560×1440 pixels.

Back to the Channel Art: – Size is One Thing, Text is Another

If you upload channel art that has text in the background, it will be cut off. Basically, you’ll need to upload a graphic background (of your choice) but keep the text separate and compact like a ribbon over the background: (See Examples below.)

YouTube Channel Art Sample2

YouTube Cover Art Sample 3

YouTube Cover Art Example 4

The text blocks will need to be adjusted almost always until you find the right fit. Best bet is to keep the text in a very small line across the background’s center as is displayed in Apis Productions’ example #1. The goal is to have the high definition YouTube channel art cover background be the star and the text be the sidekick.

There are three high definition displays to check when adjusting the final channel art:

1. Desktop PC or Apple

2. Mobile iPad or Cell

3. TV

Description

Next step is to fill in your “About” section, business email (for business inquiries) and the location of your business. These are self-explanatory. Follow the prompts and click save after each entry.

In the next section of the series, we’ll go over custom links, adding videos, adding playlists, creating featured videos to display on your YouTube channel for returning visitors and new visitors.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

March 29, 2019

Ideas For Your Website & More With ‘Living Coral’

jpearson Blog 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral 0

We told you about Pantone’s 2019 color of the year, Living Coral, back in December 2018.

This color is so vibrant, yet mellow. It’s warm and welcoming. It’s natural, lively, and joyful. It’s modern and influential.

For 20 years, Pantone’s color of the year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries including fashion, home furnishings, industrial design, as well as product packaging, web design, and graphic design.

So, what does this mean for you?

We thought it would be fun to show you some of the ways others are using Living Coral in their websites, fonts, presentations, printed materials, business cards, products, etc.

Whether you’re looking to update your site with different pops of color or you’re looking for inspiration to create your next presentation, we’ve got some ideas for you.

Spotify uses a darker version of Living Coral on their website membership sign-up page.

Living Color Example Spotify — Source: Spotify

Personalize your action items on your website with Living Coral:

Menu Living Coral

Here’s an example of printed materials using Living Coral:

Printed Materials using Living Coral

Who doesn’t love coffee mugs? Looks great with Living Coral!

Pantone Color of the Year 2019 Mug — Source: The Brag

Business card example using Pantone’s Living Coral:

Business Card Living Coral

Create vibrant presentations by utilizing Pantone’s Living Coral:

Powerful Presentations With Living Coral

Beautiful skyline using Living Coral:

Living-Coral-Skyline

Under the Sea Apis Productions Living Coral

If this color inspires you, we hope you will get in touch with us. We can add the color in for you boldly or subtlety. Maybe this color just inspires you for other things besides your website. Let us know what you think! We’re here to help!

Apis Productions - Web Spring Cleaning_blog

March 27, 2019

Website Spring Cleaning Checklist

jpearson Blog website spring cleaning 1

The birds are chirping, flowers are beginning to bloom, and the color green is everywhere! It’s spring! Your website needs a bit of spring cleaning, just like the bottom of your closet.

Roll up your sleeves, shake out the website welcome mat, and refresh your website.

Tidy Up

Is your news page updated? When did you last write an article for your site?
Do you have an events calendar and is that up to date as well?
In the “About Us” section, have any of your staff changed and are the key details still correct?
Check that the copyright message at the bottom of the page is up to date with the current year.

Freshen Up

How is the site looking? Is it a little dated?
When did you last refresh the imagery? Get some new pictures on the site, take some new team photos!
What about getting some video on the site? What would you want to say to visitors?
Does your site reflect what is new and exciting in your business?
How about mobile devices? Bear in mind that over 52% of internet traffic is accessed on mobile devices. Does your site look great and work smoothly on a small screen?

Sing the Right Song

Is it clear what a visitor to your site should do to get in touch? Does your site provide a clear “Call to Action”?
Add some fresh content. What has changed in your business since last spring? Do your visitors have the same problems and challenges? How do you resolve the issues? Are they the same issues or have they evolved over time?
How about your social media accounts and directory listings? Do they all contain the right information?

Tune Up the Working Parts

Check to see if any and all forms are submitting and that you are receiving the messages.
Any automatic emails? Do they still contain the correct contact details?
Are your social media and sharing links all up to date and working?
Check for broken links. We can help you with this.
Are your visits being tracked in Google Analytics? Log in and check. How is your traffic doing compared to this time last year?

As always, we are here to help! If you need assistance with any of these topics or if you need a spring cleaning web audit, get in touch with us!

March 21, 2019

Ways To Promote The Apis Mobile App (PWA) To Your Audience

jpearson Blog promote pwa, pwa 0

We, at Apis Productions, have a few ways you can share your new Apis Mobile app with your audience, through your website, social media, and print assets.

A branded “Download Our Mobile App” image like the example below. We provide this at no charge for you to use.

A pop-up that showcases your app on your website. This can be set up to appear when your website is visited on a mobile device (or even if viewed from a laptop or desktop). The sky is the limit with design options – from small and simple to large with stunning visuals. Design and integration fees apply.

QR codes for tracking everything (use with social media, brochures, emails, website) – all linking back to your dedicated page.

Example_rendered_qrcode — Sample QR Code

Branded social-media images with links to landing pages built in to share on your company’s social platforms. All linking back to your dedicated page. Design and integration fees apply.
Social Media Profiles: If you’re already in the social media game and have a Twitter profile, Facebook page or LinkedIn page, make use of that space to promote your app.

Custom videos like this example (at additional cost).

We’re here to help!