While we wrote our own article explaining the costs associated with a website, we researched and found other sites explaining the costs as well. It proves that Click IT builds websites well below the norm in costs, when comparing our past projects to these published estimates. Below are links to these other sites, which discuss how much a website really costs, along with hightlighted information regarding the breakdown by category.

1. How much-do-e-commerce-websites-cost? – Georgia Web Development:
   1. Many eCommerce shop owners desire to manage their own eCommerce websites. Costs for integrating and custom developing an eCommerce CMS can typically range anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
   2. eCommerce Website graphics pricing can be a bit obscure at times. It can range from as little as $500 to upwards of $2,000.
   3. Depending on how sophisticated the eCommerce system is and the number of shop managers to be trained, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,200 for quality training.
   4. For most eCommerce websites, plan on budgeting about $1,000 – $2,000 to insure that the eCommerce website is thoroughly tested for usability and that these metrics are bench-marked not only during development but post launch as well.
   5. eCommerce website planning, custom development, database setup, and custom design time – Typically 100 hours and up depending on number of products, pages, level of customization and the sophistication of eCommerce functionality desired
   6. Continued eCommerce CMS & Product Database Maintenance – $600 a year and up (depending on the number of updates and the level of product management required etc.) *Georgia Web Development includes 6 Months – up to 4 hours per month of free ongoing support for updates and training in all new eCommerce projects launched)
   7. Marketing and Promoting your eCommerce website online – $360 per year and up (depends on frequency of promotions, social media management, and content additions to the eCommerce site
   8. Conclusion: For a professionally designed and developed eCommerce website realistically you can expect to pay as little as $2,500 or as much as $10,000 or more.
2. How Much Should a Website Cost You? A Definitive Pricing Guide For You – Website Builder Expert:
   1. …a custom made design that looks like it could potentially cost between $5,000 to $10,000
   2. …what makes up the cost of a website is not only how the website looks on the surface, but rather, what lies “under the hood” that makes a website work.
   3. Simply put, the cost of building your website boils down to 4 resources:
      1. Time
      2. Technical knowledge (or your interest to learn to code)
      3. Design skills (or your willingness to learn design)
      4. Money
3. How Much Does an eCommerce Website Cost – Atlantic BT
   1. …anywhere from about $5,000.00 to millions of dollars, but let’s just use $350,000.00 as a theoretical first phase upper limit
   2. …at a minimum you are likely to spend $5,000.00 with a good domestic vendor just to set it up and do basic configuration and training
   3. When you get into custom design the sky is the limit, but a custom theme may cost $10,000.00 to $100,000.00 depending on the specifics
   4. For a successful and busy site…hosting could cost upwards of $1,000.00 – $2,000.00 a month

In order to have secure communication from a web browser, HTTPS is used, which stands for “Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure”. An SSL (“Secure Sockets Layer”) certificate adds this end-to-end encryption so only the end-user and the web server can decipher the data. If you have data being exchanged without this level of security installed, you take the risk that anyone can easily see the information exchanged over the Internet.

Benefits

1. Privacy: Encryption means that no third party can “listen” to your conversations, track your activities, or steal your identity.
2. Data Integrity: Modifying or corrupting data during transfer will cause an error in decryption, meaning no changes can be made without detection.
3. Authentication: Successful decryption proves that you are communicating with the genuine site, preventing “man-in-the-middle attacks” and building user trust.

Google is Now Penalizing Sites

Since October 1, 2017, Google has been displaying danger warnings about unprotected websites. Because of this implementation, Google is punishing websites that lack an SSL certificate because it frightens website viewers if they don’t have a secure (SSL/HTTPS) website.

Since Google Chrome is the world’s most popular browser, about half of any web traffic (and probably more) is from visitors that use the Chrome browser (desktop or mobile)… and that percentage is just going UP. The average web user has no idea this is a big push by Google to make the web a safer place, meant to reduce information theft and curtail hacking activities.

Visitors are simply lead to think the website is to be avoided, and this is bad for business if your website does not have an SSL certificated installed.

Solution

If you are a website owner, Click IT can help you fix this issue quickly that’s affordable. Our company has helped hundreds of small businesses and individuals with their IT throughout Northeast Ohio, and beyond. With our computer repair store in the Village of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, we have been in business since 2012. (See our testimonials: https://www.clickitcomputer.com/testimonials/.)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Click here to see all our Website Maintenance and Security Plans.

To discuss how Click IT can get rid of these warnings on your website for you, simply schedule an appointment or contact us.

One advantage of being listed in Google My Business (GMB) according to Google, is that at least 50% of cell phone users searching for local businesses will visit that business within a day of their search; and of those, 18% will actually make a purchase. Doesn’t this sound like something that can be a great addition to your business and something that your business should be a part of? You bet it does, and GMB has even more to offer.

Here are 10 Important Advantages To Having A Verified GMB Business Listing:

 Firstly, it is completely free. As in – NO CHARGE from Google.

 It is the ultimate Business Directory online and includes all the pertinent business information that is instantly and easily accessible to your current and/or potential customers.

 All of the information in your verified listing is clickable. Customers may click your phone number to call you directly from their mobile phones, or tap your domain name and be redirected to your website.

 All of the information is properly displayed on any device, including smartphones and tablets.

 It’s available to both local and online businesses.

 You can (and are encouraged to) post photos and videos about your business or services directly to your listing page.

 You have access to Google metrics that will show you how many people are looking for your business and finding your site.

 Your listing drives targeted traffic to your website.

 Customers can read reviews and add their own reviews.

 And you work from one centralized dashboard, with access to Google+, Insights, Reviews, Hangouts, and Google Analytics, plus any other tools Google has available.

Why GMB Is So Important to Local Businesses: There are a great many options to aid you in promoting your business online whether through directories or any of the social media sites. This can be very challenging and confusing for small business owners who have limited resources and little if any, knowledge or the “how-to” to be able to choose the best way to allocate their time, money, and efforts. In order to maximize your expenditures and efforts, it is vital that you weigh all the benefits of using various platforms against your specific business requirements, considering such criteria as “how many people can be reached?” and “is your target audience aligned with the ideal customer you want to attract?” Regardless of your goals, the one most important platform that a local business should not overlook is “Google My Business.” Once known as Google Places, GMB offers the best single location to list all of your business information, while displaying images and videos of the business. Plus, it also helps your local business to appear in search engine results, Google maps and Google+ pages, and searches. Why Google? Because it is where most people will go to find your business! Google Biz / MBA Rank estimates that there are in excess of 1,600,000,000 unique visitors every month.

Also…

 Google is the most visited digital media property online

 92.59% of mobile, worldwide searches use Google

 66% of desktop searches are through Google

Here are more compelling statistics for local businesses:

 4 out of 5 consumers use search engines to find almost all local information

 50% of local mobile searches resulted in a store visit within a day of the search, and

 34% of computer & tablet searches also resulted in a store visit

Google My Business listings differ from actual website visits because they offer more opportunities to appear in multiple locations within the general search results. Plus, when your website is Search Engine Optimized (aka“SEO”), this can help your website move up in the search rankings, mainly because Google gives GMB pages an extra boost via better, and more effective placement on the search engine results pages, (aka “SERPs”). Google also inserts them into other frequently used Google tools such as Google Maps.

Additional Ways That Google My Business Is An Indispensable Tool For Local Businesses: You, or any business, is in charge of the information entered, responsible for making certain that all of the information is correct and also consistent across all the listings. That is probably the most important contributing factor in helping a business climb to the enviable “top” of Google Local Searches. Since Google is considered a “high value” Directory, when you claim your business listing, you need to make certain that every citation (listing) for your business contains the EXACT SAME INFORMATION.

Even small differences such as using South Main Street on one listing and S. Main St. in another directory will have adverse effects on your site’s listing and resulting rank. GMB also gives you the opportunity to shine a light on your business or your company offers in a positive manner. You can highlight details such as menus, product lists, business hours, as well as showing acceptable methods of payment, and other special features like photos, videos, and reviews. And since Google My Business pages give your business a wide variety of tools, you can use them to attract and educate local customers, as well as add coupons and other special offers.GMB Pages also allow you to learn more about your customers via the additional analytics on the various platforms, such as Google Maps and allows you to learn more about the people who are searching for and finding your business. For instance, when someone requests directions to your location from Google Maps, you can see the location where the request originated. This info could be very useful should you want to add a new location or offer special services to other areas. You can also use a correctly verified local listing to maximize your resources. You want to get the highest return for each dollar you spend on your marketing, so it’s important to consider the best platforms that give you the most reach among all your current and potential local customers. Directory listings in sites like Yellow Pages, Yelp, Manta, Superpages, and such may also be useful to help you evaluate all your options and take smart steps to achieve the highest visibility in your local area and in searches on Google.

Web Presence Strategy for Local Businesses

When building a new website, whether it is based on an old website or not, Click IT uses hosted WordPress as the new platform because it allows for growth in functionality easily. For instance, “plugins” are commonly used to add functions, such as a shopping cart, or new order form. Below are additional notes to be included with our standard new website builds.

1) We use industry standards, so your new website will never go out of date, or become inoperative.
2) We take advantage of designs created specifically for a client’s chosen industry and then customize it to reflect that one-of-a-kind product, service, or/and business.
3) If this is a new website (not based on the old one), once you place your order, all that’s required is that you fill out a form, which will take 10 minutes of your time.
4) From there, we do the rest and will have your website completed within a week or less. It’s just that simple.
5) Then with this new framework, we can help you market your site too. To see our portfolio of websites, go to https://clickitwebsitedesign.com. Learn more about our marketing at https://clickitemarketing.com.
6) The new website must be hosted at https://clickithosting.com. We will set this up for you once you complete our Payment Policy and Credit Card Form.

Click IT WEBSITE SECURITY & MAINTENANCE Bronze Plan:

This is a per month cost. We will include periodic updates with these services, as discussed with Fofie.

This plan cares for your WordPress website proactively and effectively for a reasonable price.

Highlights:

– ON-GOING SUPPORT

– Complete set of security and maintenance services
– Delivered on a regular and scheduled basis
– Updates Weekly
– Backups Daily
– Uptime Monitoring
Performance Monitor
– Weekly Health Report
– Security +
– Firewall with SSL
____________________________________________________

See Website Support Plans for a comparison chart and more details.

Website Development with Web Presence Building Strategy:

NOTE: If client has no web presence presently, the following will successfully get their website not only listed properly on the Internet but will also get your business new traffic it would not have normally received.

Step 1) Creation of a new website. Click IT’s standards when building a complete and performing website includes the following:

– Researching, finding and implementing a look and feel design.
– Creating a digital vector version of the logo
– Conversion of written content provided by the client to the web platform.
– Design Customization
– Mobile Design Customization – to pass Google’s mobile-friendly test
– Website Build using best-in-class software
– Website at a bare minimum should include the items listed below:
– Pages, code, setup (recreation of current content on new platform)
– Forms: Contact Us
– Site Map
– Administration area – Easily managed Content Management System (CMS)
– Blog/News – None (but available, if desired. Does help SEO)
– Homepage – Client does not want a slider of photos
– NOTE: All the content and software used can not violate any copyright or licensing laws. The customer bears all this responsibility.

– Completion & Quality Assurance Guarantee with Standard Warranty Included.

Step 2 After your New Website is Build by Click IT:

Additional Services Needed to Build Web Presence, Maintain and Protect Site:

1) Local-SEO-setup-monthly-SEO-booster: https://clickitstores.com/product/local-SEO-setup-monthly-SEO-booster/

(Note: GMB is not managed by anyone and the address and pictures are all wrong. This service will fix these issues.)

2) Website-security-maintenance-bronze-level: https://clickitstores.com/product/website-security-maintenance-bronze-level/

We also suggest the addon Website Security Essential for an additional nominal charge each month.

Additional Notes:

1) Price quoted does not include the hosting fee which will be purchased separately using the client’s credit card at Click IT Hosting. (http://clickithosting.com)

2) Hosting must be done at Click IT Hosting.

3) Any domain name purchases or transfers to Click IT Hosting is also a separate charge and not included in this estimate. (Note: Transferring a domain can require up to three hours of additional work billed at our standard hourly rate.)

4) The time it takes to create the account at Click IT Hosting and purchase the domain and website hosting is included in this price quoted.

5) A credit card must be on file for the hosting and domain fees since it is an independent and automated billing system. Additional services such as Security & Maintenance, SEO and Internet Marketing for additional fees. See https://clickitwebsitedesign.com/website-support-plans/.

6) A template for the design may be purchased using the customer’s credit card and is a separate charge, always under $100. If the cost is more than this we will notify you for permission.

7) Plugins are other functionality is also purchased separately on the customer’s credit card, and must be approved by the customer before any additional purchases besides the ones named above, are purchased on behalf of the client. Plugins range in cost, but all are typically below $100. (The reason why the customer’s credit card must be used for these types of charges is that some of the Plugins require an annual maintenance fee, which most often is optional and will be offered typically to the customer at discounted prices prior to support expiring.)

Go to https://clickitwebsitedesign.com to view some of Click IT’s recent work.

Make an appointment with our management team at https://clickitgroup.com/make-appointment to discuss your project.

When building a new website, whether it is based on an old website or not, Click IT uses hosted WordPress as the new platform because it allows for growth in functionality easily. For instance, “plugins” are commonly used to add functions, such as a shopping cart, or new order form. Below are additional notes to be included with our standard new website builds.

1) We use industry standards, so your new website will never go out of date, or become inoperative.
2) We take advantage of designs created specifically for a client’s chosen industry and then customize it to reflect that one-of-a-kind product, service, or/and business.
3) If this is a new website (not based on the old one), once you place your order, all that’s required is that you fill out a form, which will take 10 minutes of your time.
4) From there, we do the rest and will have your website completed within a week or less. It’s just that simple.
5) The new website will be hosted at https://clickithosting.com. We set this up once our Payment Policy and Credit Card Form is completed.

Now with this new framework, we can then help market your website. To see our portfolio of websites, go to https://clickitwebsitedesign.com. Learn more about our marketing at https://clickitemarketing.com.

Click IT WEBSITE SECURITY & MAINTENANCE Bronze Plan:

This is a per month cost. We will include periodic updates with these services.

This plan cares for your WordPress website proactively and effectively for a reasonable price.

Highlights:

– ON-GOING SUPPORT

– Complete set of security and maintenance services
– Delivered on a regular and scheduled basis
– Updates Weekly
– Backups Daily
– Uptime Monitoring
 Performance Monitor
– Weekly Health Report  
– Security +  
– Firewall with SSL
____________________________________________________

See Website Support Plans for a comparison chart and more details.

See https://clickitwebsitedesign.com/website-support-plans/ for complete details.

Website Development with Web Presence Building Strategy:

If the client has no web presence presently, the following will successfully get their website not only listed properly on the Internet but will also get their business new traffic it would not have normally received.

Step 1) Creation of a new website. Work includes the following:

– Researching, finding and implementing a look and feel design.
– Creating a digital vector version of the logo
– Conversion of written content provided by the client to the web platform.
– Design Customization
– Mobile Design Customization
– Website Build
– includes all items listed below:
– Pages, code, setup (recreation of current content on new platform)
– Forms: Contact Us.
– Site Map.
– Administration area – Easily managed Content Management System (CMS).
– Blog/News – None (but available, if desired. Does help SEO).
– Homepage – Client does not want a slider of photos.
– NOTE: All content provided by the client, and/or borrowed from other websites to get started until editing.

– Completion & Quality Assurance Guarantee with Standard Warranty Included.

Step 2 After your New Website is Build by Click IT:

Additional Services Needed to Build Web Presence, Maintain and Protect Site:

1) Local-SEO-setup-monthly-SEO-booster: https://clickitstores.com/product/local-SEO-setup-monthly-SEO-booster/: $149.95 per month plus a one-time fee for set up.

(Note: GMB is not managed by anyone and the address and pictures are all wrong. This service will fix these issues.)

2) Website-security-maintenance-bronze-level: https://clickitstores.com/product/website-security-maintenance-bronze-level/: $64.95 minus any qualified discounts

This provides the security needed for the website. We also suggest the addon Website Security Essential for an additional nominal charge each month.

Additional Notes:

1) Price quoted does not include the hosting fee which will be purchased separately using the client’s credit card at Click IT Hosting. (http://clickithosting.com)

2) Hosting must be done at Click IT Hosting.

3) Any domain name purchases or transfers to Click IT Hosting is also a separate charge and not included in this estimate. (Note: Transferring a domain can require up to three hours of additional work billed at our standard hourly rate.)

4) The time it takes to create the account at Click IT Hosting and purchase the domain and website hosting is included in this price quoted.

5) A credit card must be on file for the hosting and domain fees since it is an independent and automated billing system. Additional services such as Security & Maintenance, SEO and Internet Marketing for additional fees. See https://clickitwebsitedesign.com/website-support-plans/.

6) A template for the design may be purchased using the customer’s credit card and is a separate charge, always under $100. If the cost is more than this we will notify you for permission.

7) Plugins are other functionality is also purchased separately on the customer’s credit card, and must be approved by the customer before any additional purchases besides the ones named above, are purchased on behalf of the client. Plugins range in cost, but all are typically below $100.

See https://clickitwebsitedesign.com to view some of our recent work.

Make an appointment at https://clickitgroup.com/make-appointment/.

Author: Tony Waldegrave

When someone makes a post on Facebook that includes a link to your website, you may have noticed that Facebook will replace the URL with a thumbnail image, a title, and a description. These are called Open Graph Objects and they appear on several social media sites, not just Facebook. It’s even been shown that open graph objects have a big effect on click-through rates and conversions.

So, let’s explain how to change how your website link appears when it is shared on social media.

A unique open graph object can be set for each page of your website. Let’s start with your homepage. Check how your website thumbnail appears when it is linked to on social media by entering your homepage URL into Facebook’s Sharing Debugger tool. Alternatively, you can simply send a link to your website to anyone on Facebook Messenger. Don’t like what you see? Ask your web developer to follow the instructions below to change your website’s open graph objects:

1. Choose the image you would like to appear as your website thumbnail and upload it to you website server. This image should be 1200×627 pixels and no more than 5MB.
2. Add <meta property=”og:image” content=”X” /> to the <head> section of your webpage’s HTML. Replace X with the URL of the image you just uploaded.
3. Add <meta property=”og:type” content=”X” /> to the <head> section of your webpage’s HTML. You need to replace X with a specified ‘type’ for your webpage (see the Full List of Open Graph Object Types). In most cases, this will be ‘website’ for general webpages or ‘article’ for blog articles.
4. Add <meta property=”og:url” content=”X” /> to the <head> section of your webpage’s HTML. Replace X with the URL of the webpage being shared on Facebook (this will not appear anywhere on Facebook, this is simply the link users will be sent).
5. Add <meta property=”og:title” content=”X” /> to the <head> section of your webpage’s HTML. Replace X with a relevant title that is less than 88 characters (including spaces). This title will appear bolded alongside your image.
6. Add <meta property=”og:description” content=”X” /> to the <head> section of your webpage’s HTML. Replace X with a description that is less than 200 characters (including spaces). Spend time writing your description as it has a significant affect on click-through-rates and conversions.

That’s it! You can now use Facebook’s Sharing Debugger again to see how it looks when your website is linked to or shared on Facebook. We recommend repeating the process for your homepage, popular web pages, and blog articles that are likely to be shared online.

Link Thumbnails for WordPress Websites

If you manage a WordPress site, then you can manage your open graph object using the WordPress SEO Plugin by Yoast. If you’re unfamiliar with installing plugins for WordPress websites, follow this guide on How To Install and Set Up the WordPress SEO by Yoast Plugin.

Article published at https://www.adhesion.co.nz/blog/how-to-change-website-thumbnail-in-facebook-post. Edited by Team Click IT.