— Website Optimization By Design

SEO, WEB DESIGN & GREEN WEB HOSTING

In my years of designing websites and developing promotions for small businesses, I’ve tried out a lot of services, tools and software in an effort to make my life easier. That means solving problems and accomplishing my goals while working within a limited budget and testing any free tools that are available to me.

At this point, I’ve developed a collection of my favorite tools. These free or high-value subscriptions allow me to develop reliable, user-friendly websites. They allow me to connect business owners to their customers in new ways, whether its online or in-store. They allow me to create a greater online presence for businesses with accurate information and professional graphics for web promotions and marketing campaigns.

I used these tools to build this website, and I recommend them to most of my clients. If you hire me, I’ll recommend them to you. Take the free trials for a test drive, or dive right in. They are some of the best tools for marketing yourself, understanding your customers, improving the look and feel of your website and ranking higher in relevant searches.

This WordPress site was built using Divi (by Elegant Themes). Full disclosure: I am a lifetime member of Elegant Themes. That should tell you something. Most of my clients’ websites have been built with Divi. If not at first, we eventually made the jump. After more than a decade of website building for various purposes, after entertaining annual website subscriptions and proprietary services with Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, and Google Sites, and after trying other WordPress page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder, I keep coming back to the Divi Theme on WordPress. I love the Divi Builder! It is the best, most user-friendly page builder I’ve ever used, not to mention it’s easy on the eyes. Most of the modules and functions I could ever need are already built-in with endless options for customization, and opportunities for HTML and CSS coding throughout.

Pair the Divi theme with some of the plugins I’m recommending (and any on-page corrections that can be identified through Google Search Console and Page Speed Insights), and you will have a professional-looking website in no time. You can make quick progress by selecting from their 100’s of pre-made industry layouts. Simplify their page layouts and focus on one subject in the content of each page for holistic SEO as you go. You will increase page load speed by dumbing down the stylizations. Don’t get too crazy with animations, scroll effects, overlays, and shifts in content. Keep it tasteful, and design with mobile in mind from the very beginning.

I am currently developing my WordPress websites with Ionos, including this one. Not only is it way more affordable than many other hosts, it’s also faster. The WordPress web hosting options are much cheaper than major competitors. Even common add-ons to your subscription such as their website builder, security and SEO tools are cheaper. Purchasing new domains is quick and inexpensive.

Getting 1-on-1, 24/7 support is shockingly easy by phone or chat. I had used GoDaddy for years because most of my clients’ websites were already hosted there. After switching to Ionos, it’s embarassing to think back on all the time I wasted simply waiting for support staff. Often I would get disconnected, run out of time, or transferred to the wrong department. Then I would re-explain my situation and re-verify my account status. None of that happens with Ionos! It’s a dream.

Of all the reasons I love Ionos, Green Hosting means the most to me. Environmentally conscious hosting is built into their mission. They have energy-efficient offices, recycle old servers, and practice environmentally responsible travel. Their largest data center in the U.S. runs completely on wind energy. That means FrederickSEO.com is wind-powered. How cool is that!

What powers your website?

I use these tools on most of my WordPress sites, and I recommend them to all of my clients. Some of the links above are affiliate links.