Happy new year! Back in November ChatGPT launched. This AI chatbot was much-discussed in my web design/marketing communities, but I didn’t hear much about it from the rest of my community.
I played around with it earlier this month, asking questions to see what it came up with. Now demand is so high that I can rarely access it. But a few weeks ago, after being inspired by my friend/colleague Kyle asking it to write a poem, I asked it to write a poem about hiring a website designer. Here’s what it came up with:
Hiring a website designer,
A decision not to be made light,
For this person will be the one,
To bring your vision to life.
You’ll share your dreams and ideas,
And they’ll bring them to the screen,
Creating a website that’s unique,
And showcases what you mean.
But it’s not just about aesthetics,
For a good designer knows their stuff,
They’ll ensure that your website is functional,
And easy for users to love.
So when you’re ready to take the plunge,
And bring your website to the fore,
Remember to choose a designer,
Who you trust and admire more.
For in hiring the right person,
You’ll have a website that’s grand,
A reflection of you and your brand,
A virtual home that you’ll always stand.
Not incredible, but it hits some good points! A fun little delight nonetheless.
This Month’s Observation: Google Search Console is a must for every website.
If you don’t have Google Search Console (GSC) set up for your website yet, you’re missing out on a powerful free tool. Not only does it give you valuable data about how people are finding your site via Google Search, it also lets you know if your site has any errors or issues that might be holding it back from being shown in searches.
I don’t always recommend Google Analytics to my clients, but Google Search Console is a must, and it’s pretty easy to set up. Here’s how to get started with GSC straight from Google. If we’ve worked together and you’re not sure if your GSC is set up, reach out and I can let you know.
I’m working on a short guide to Google Search Console — how to interpret the data, what to do about errors, and how to set it up. Update: you can get the course now!
Website & SEO Updates from Around the Web
Using Correct Heading Order for Accessibility
My industry community is sharing weekly website accessibility best practices and this one is super important & doable. It’s a must for accessibility but also for SEO and general user experience. Want more? Check out my blog post on easy ways to make your website more accessible.
Massive Changes Coming to GenerateBlocks in 2023
Skip this video if you’re not feeling techy, but if you’re a DIYer who uses GenerateBlocks (my go-to WordPress page “builder” tool), these updates are pretty exciting. I’ve had several clients request accordions, which meant adding another plugin, so this will streamline that.
Microsoft to Challenge Google by Integrating ChatGPT with Bing Search
Many more updates related to ChatGPT will be coming, but this is an interesting development. Takeaway: don’t forget about Bing.
Where to Start When Creating New Social Channels for Your Business
Their first point is the most important to pay attention to — figure out where your audience is.
What Is Paid Media: Types & Examples
I often talk about paid vs. organic marketing. This post from Search Engine Journal provides a good overview of the various types of paid media.
Book Rec: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
I’ve been rediscovering reading for fun this winter, so this isn’t my normal business-related book/podcast recommendation. But I can’t stop thinking about this book and loved every page of it.
It’s a (fictional) decades-long story of three friends who create video games. I’ve never been a gamer, but I do spend my work days creating websites, which are tiny virtual worlds for someone to get to know a business, organization, or person.
I loved many lines, but this idea of virtual worlds having the capacity to be better than the actual world has stuck with me:
“It is not an inevitability that we should be our worst selves behind the mask of an avatar. What I believe to my very core is that virtual worlds can be better than the actual world. They can be more moral, more just, more progressive, more empathetic, and more accommodating of difference. And if they can be, shouldn’t they be?”
