Bebarce El-Tayib didn’t learn that Dungeons & Dragons or other tabletop RPGs (role-playing games) existed until he was well into adulthood. He was intrigued, and on his first Father’s Day — his daughter was eight months old at the time — his wife encouraged him to check out a local game shop that was debuting the fourth edition of D&D. He was hooked and eventually branched out to other RPGs. Fast forward a few years: El-Tayib’s baby girl is six and now has a four-year-old sister. His gaming was going strong, but with one hiccup — the girls kept stealing his dice. “Eventually I realized if I ever wanted the dice back, I’d have to come up with a game for the girls to play,” he says. So he started looking around for options to introduce his kids to tabletop RPGs but came up short. “Considering their ages, most of the role-playing games out there were either too advanced or too adult,” El-Tayib says. “Some of the few that I found, while good, were often just simplified versions of adult games.” His solution? Invent a new game to play with the girls. Several years and hours upon hours of work later, the Power Outage world was built, and its corresponding Core Rules Book finally ready to be published. “Power Outage is a superhero-themed tabletop role-playing game that is designed for kids, but fun for adults looking for a more casual, light-hearted gaming experience,” El-Tayib says. “It’s absolutely drenched with puns as well.” Built to engage kids as young as four years old, Power Outage’s cast of characters pits such villains as Break Fast, InstaGator, and The Bulshefist up against the Pocket Protector, SuburbanKnight, Rockin Troll, and other heroes. ![]() After reaching its funding goal on Kickstarter and making an official debut in 2019, Power Outage was nominated twice for an Ennie, a notable award in the RPG world. El-Tayib is building an audience for Power Outage and has gotten great feedback from fans so far. “I think the best compliment I ever received was when someone referred to me as the ‘Mr. Rogers of role-playing games,’” El-Tayib says. And along the way, he’s relied on DreamHost to power this and other passion projects. Choose Your Own AdventureAs a kid in elementary school, El-Tayib loved Choose Your Own Adventure books. “So much so,” he adds, “that I would write my own and run them with kids at the lunch table. That was before I knew that RPGs existed.” He was introduced to the concept as an adult through the early Penny-Arcade podcast crew, which was testing out and describing the new Dungeons & Dragons fourth edition. The idea of RPGs “immediately shot me right back to elementary school,” he says. His favorite game these days, other than Power Outage, is Tales from the Loop, which represents the kind of quality he’s chasing with his own game. “My goal was to create a game that brought parents and kids to the table, have fun, and maybe learn a little,” El-Tayib says. “I’ve yet to meet a person that hasn’t claimed to have had a blast playing Power Outage.” In creating the game, El-Tayib relied on his daughters for playtesting to craft an RPG that was truly centered on a child’s experience. “I built it from the kids’ perspective up — I think that really informed the shape of the game,” he says. While most traditional RPGs focus on battles and fighting, Power Outage was built with a choose-your-own-adventure flair that gives kids — and their parents — different options for what kinds of games they can play. El-Tayib created a system he calls CAPE: Combat, Alternative, Puzzle, and Exploration. Each path creates a custom adventure that styles gameplay according to the preferences of both parents (who lead the game) and kids. “Don’t want your kids fighting? Choose an Alternative path,” El-Tayib explains. “Want your kids to practice problem solving? Choose a Puzzle path. Additionally, I created a substantial amount of guidance for new gaming parents that I’ve been told sheds some light for even veteran players when switching to gaming with kids.” Ultimately, he hopes the game can help parents, gamers or not, connect with their kids in a way that resonates. “I want kids to have experiences with their parents that they’ll remember growing up,” El-Tayib says. “I want a channel to open up about themselves, without fear of reprisal. The ability to instill into an avatar their desires and see those play out, and in doing so, educate those adults playing with them.” Feedback on Power Outage has been overwhelmingly positive — especially once he can help players ditch the expectation that this child-oriented game aligns, or should align, with Dungeons & Dragons gameplay. “It’s also amazing seeing pictures from fans holding up kids, often infants, next to my book with the promise that a new player will be starting up soon,” he says. Related: Herald and Sons Publishing: The Ultimate Father-Son DIY ProjectChild’s PlayBy trade, El-Tayib is the chief technology officer for a public school system in New Jersey. Part of his work includes considering the needs of students with disabilities, and in developing Power Outage, accessibility was top of mind. The Power Outage rule book has a section outlining accommodations to make the game playable for all children, including those who need physical, communicative, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional adjustments to the gameplay. In creating this content, he consulted experts in special education to review his recommendations and terminology. “Role-playing games allow all of us to not only break free of the limitations we find in our everyday lives, but express our real selves through our avatars,” El-Tayib says. “The absolute need to make that process available to everyone is imperative. We need to be accessible. We need to be inclusive. We need to bring everyone to the table, and if we can’t, then we need to drag that table over to them.” El-Tayib wants his entire mythology — based on Outage, an ancient, mysterious island that appeared in the Pacific Ocean — to be fun and understandable to children of all ages and abilities. ![]() “I eliminated death from the game, changing your standard HP (health points) to YP (yield points),” he says. “Kids are freer to enjoy their creative spirit with the knowledge that they can get up and try again. All the villains are fun and humorous, but many have deeper contexts that parents can use to exemplify lessons.” Power Outage does have a slight amount of number crunching, and still uses the “‘math rocks’ — i.e., dice — my kids loved to steal in the first place,” El-Tayib adds. The game is designed to allow players of different skill levels to work together on the same goal, so kids of all ages can still play together. It lists generic powers for the avatars to use but leaves the details up to players’ imaginations. Power Outage throws out the traditional RPG character races or classes — wizard, human, elf, etc. — to give kids more wiggle room to create the avatar they want, be it a robot, a werewolf, or a princess. “The sky is literally not even the limit,” El-Tayib says. “It allows kids to keep their creative mind, while conditioning the effects into manageable gameplay. Heck, it even has a comic strip in the back that explains all the powers.” Related: Leveling the Web: 12 Questions with Accessibility Expert Gian WildRunning the GameCreating and testing the game and teaming up with designer Rosanna Spucces to give it a polished look was the fun part. Getting Power Outage, a self-published, indie game, out in front of an audience, has been El-Tayib’s biggest challenge. “I’ve often described promotion of an indie game with the analogy of a crowded bar,” El-Tayib explains. “Everyone is in there, clamoring to have their story heard, often talking over each other. You have that solid group of people that are always there listening to you, but your story never really branches out from your table. Your friends will share it, but the message doesn’t get much farther out from where you are. Then someone walks in and everyone in the bar looks up at once and shouts “NORM!” You’re incredibly appreciative and flattered by those that you have with you — your small group of friends and fans. But you always wonder, ‘Man, what makes everyone like Norm so much?’” El-Tayib’s found that his best tool for promotion is creating loyal fans of the game. He’s given the rule book to podcasters and Twitch streamers and has run games online and at conventions. Earlier this year, he coordinated Shelter in Play, a quarantined-themed charity sale with 17 other kid-friendly game creators, who offered their products together as part of a $10 bundle. Proceeds were split between Extra Life 4 Kids and the Child’s Play Charity, with each charity receiving a little over $3,500 each. “I’ve probably given away eight times or more digital copies than I’ve sold,” El-Tayib says. “On the whole, I believe people in the communities I’ve engaged with have a bit of faith in my character, and they’ve rewarded me by helping me to promote things.” Home BaseEl-Tayib has been a proud DreamHost customer since 2006. So when it was time to get serious about publishing Power Outage, he knew exactly where to build its website, which he hopes to grow into a community hub for game players and fans. “I like that it’s built with WordPress, which has a lot of adaptability and the allowance for personalization,” El-Tayib says. He’s built websites for others and himself for years. Along with a website for Go Nerdy, his parent company that publishes Power Outage and other resources, El-Tayib runs a personal website, bebarce.com (“Who else gets to claim their own first name as a domain name?”), and is developing a wiki site to provide resources to make tabletop RPG play more accessible to people of all abilities. “DreamHost’s support is great,” El-Tayib says, “and absolutely tolerant of my late night blunderings. There have been quite a few times they have bailed me out of a hotspot. The site structure on the back end is super intuitive and it offers a lot of control. Honestly if I’m not building a site directly on DreamHost, I’m often encouraging others to migrate to it.” We’ll Support Your DreamWhatever your online goals, we’ll be right there with you, making sure your site is fast, secure, and always up. Plans start at $2.59/mo. ![]() Work AheadOutside of his day job and work on Power Outage, El-Tayib is passionate about writing. He’s written a few children’s books, and he’s working on a series of princess-themed STEM stories with titles like “The Princess and the Placebo” and “A Princess’ Primer to the Theory of Evolution.” “I also enjoy woodwork, even though I’m a bit of a novice at it,” he says. “I made a tie rack and, recently, some custom sandboxes for my kids and extended family.” Tech consulting and side gigs also keep him busy, not to mention juggling his family and trying to invest time into advocating for more accessible gaming tables. As far as Power Outage goes, he isn’t done promoting or working on the game. He’s working on supplemental adventures — a necessary component to keeping a tabletop game growing and earning money. “The biggest mountain is sustainability,” he says. “I have to find a way to create future products faster, with better turn around, and increased promotion.” Currently in the works: an adult version of Power Outage. “It’s called Power Outage: Neon Knights,” El-Tayib says. “The idea is to take all the campy weirdness of Baywatch Nights and apply it to my own world setting. But of course, ‘adult’ doesn’t necessarily mean it’s in any way more mature. After all I’m a pretty immature adult myself.” The post “Power Outage” Brings Tabletop RPGs to Young Players (And Their Grown-Ups) appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/customer-spotlight-power-outage/
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So, you want to start a business? To strike out into the unknown, discover new opportunities, change the world, and make some money along the way? The road to becoming your own boss can be a long one. But we’ve got you covered. In this guide, you’ll learn all the steps — from creating a basic business plan to hiring your first employee — that you need to start a successful small business. You’ll learn how to:
So, without further ado, let’s get right to it and learn how to start a business. The Big IdeaEvery creative endeavor has two halves: the idea and its execution. Many aspiring entrepreneurs can come up with some type of idea but end up struggling with the second part. Need proof? First, how many friends of yours have revolutionary app ideas? Now, how many have actually developed an app, released it, and built a successful business out of it? Chances are, the answer to the second question is a lot lower. When you start your own business, you need to have an execution plan ready from the get-go. So, let’s start things off on the right foot and make sure that you break your big idea down into small, realistic steps. ![]() 1. Refine Your Business IdeaFew things kill a new business like an idea that’s way too vague. How do you even start building your business if your idea is simply to “make a new type of social network?” The answer? You don’t. You either refine your idea into something tangible, or you put it to the side. But most ideas can be saved with a dash of refinement and a bit of polish. The key to doing so is asking the right questions:
By answering these questions, you can turn a vague idea like “start a new social network” into “start a new social network for US-based professionals and recent college graduates to connect and find job opportunities in their alumni networks.” Once you get through your first round of questions, ask more questions: Why would this target demographic use this over LinkedIn? What are the features that separate it from the competition? Refining your idea is like making a sculpture out of a block of marble. Start by cutting away big chunks on your first pass, and then chip at the little details once you’re further along. But remember that sometimes, ideas simply won’t work, and it’s often more important to know when to give up on an idea than how to refine it. There’s no shame in admitting that a business idea isn’t a good one and putting it to the side so you can focus your efforts on another one. 2. Create a Business PlanThe next step is to start working out the nitty-gritty by working out a detailed business plan. Besides serving as a guide, your business plan can also come in handy when looking for investors or grants. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, a traditional business plan should have these elements:
3. Decide on a Business NameChances are that if you’ve made it this far, you already have some type of working name. But if you don’t, make sure you iron one out by this point. When coming up with your business name, keep these tips in mind:
Some entrepreneurs get backed up at this stage. While it’s definitely important to make sure your business name has some allure to it, don’t overthink it and hold your entire business plan up just because you can’t settle on the perfect name. Give yourself a reasonable amount of thinking time, and go with your favorite option after that time has elapsed, even if you’re not thrilled with it. 4. Define Your BrandBusinesses are like people — they have names and personalities. Once you’ve settled on a name for your business entity, start to consider what other features you want people to recognize your brand by. At this point, you’ll want to design a logo and set some brand guidelines. What tone will your business take in its communications? What colors represent it? Oatly, for example, has defined itself through its playful and irreverent copywriting, its logo, and the colors blue, brown, black, and white. Ideally, your branding should be recognizable enough that even if you release a new product, customers will immediately realize that it’s a new addition to your product line. Secure Your Space on the WebWith COVID-19 still raging across the world and society showing no signs of retiring social distancing restrictions anytime soon, maintaining a strong digital presence has become more important than ever. Luckily, starting a website and building a social presence is easier than ever before. Here’s how. ![]() Related: 11 Ways Small Businesses Can Pivot to Survive a Crisis1. Register a DomainYour domain is the address that people will type in when they want to visit your website. It’s essentially your online calling card. For example, our domain is dreamhost.com. If your business were called Doug’s Donuts, your domain might be dougsdonuts.com. The vast majority of businesses will want to get a .com name. However, other domain extensions, like .ai, .inc, and .net, may be worth consideration in certain cases. Purchasing and registering a domain is a simple process. All you need to do is search for your desired domain on a reputable domain registrar’s website and purchase it. Most registrars will guide you through the process. Once you’ve got a domain, you’ll need to connect it to your website. Most website building platforms offer instructions on how to do this. Overall, the hardest part about registering a domain is finding one that isn’t already taken. In some cases, you may need to get a bit creative by adding words, i.e., Doug’s Delicious Donuts, or change your name entirely so you can get a better domain name. 2. Secure Social Media AccountsIt’s estimated that there are 3.6 billion social media users in 2020. To ensure your business’s survival in the modern business climate, you need to be where your potential customers are — on social media. But don’t be intimidated — you don’t need to actually develop your social media presence just yet; you just need to get your usernames. Like domain names, usernames on major social network sites are hot commodities and go fast, so you want to lock them down ASAP. Unfortunately, it’s fairly unlikely that you’ll end up finding that the same username is available across all social media platforms. Most businesses will need to edit their handles slightly or have different accounts per platform (i.e., @dougsdonuts on Twitter and @dougsdeliciousdonuts on Instagram). Related: 10 Easy Social Media Tips for Your Hard-Working Small Business3. Create a WebsiteWhat use would your domain name be if you had no website to go along with it? Once you have a domain ready to go, it’s time to start building your website. These days, there are tons of online website builders that make it easy to get a site up and running quickly. But if you want your website to run on a powerful, tried-and-true platform, building a WordPress site is one of your best options. WordPress powers approximately 38.4% of all websites, so there’s no lack of support, powerful features, and communities to get involved in. DreamHost offers a drag-and-drop WordPress website builder with shared hosting that combines the ease of a website building tool with the raw power of WordPress. This gives the business owner the best of both worlds. We’ll Support Your DreamWhatever your business goals, we’ll be right there with you, making sure your site is fast, secure, and always up. Plans start at $2.59/mo. ![]() Deal with Laws and FinancesStarting a business can sometimes mean navigating a lot of red tape. Between registering your business, structuring it, and opening a bank account, many entrepreneurs quickly find themselves with their hands full. Here’s what you need to know to get started. 1. Find an Accountant and an AttorneyIf you’re serious about your business’s success, it’s a good idea to start things off on the right foot and hire an accountant and an attorney. Starting a business is a complex process with lots of legal requirements, and this team will be able to guide you through it and answer the many questions you’re sure to have along the way. If you’re on a very tight budget or starting your business as a side hustle, you may be able to hold off on this step. But keep in mind that you’re running a risk when you don’t have a professional helping you with complex tax, financial, and legal issues. Plus, an attorney and accountant will help you figure out how to choose a business structure — the next step in your journey. 2. Decide on a Business StructureChoosing a business structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The legal structure you choose will determine how you pay taxes and how your business is viewed by government entities. Importantly, your business structure will determine whether your profits are taxed on a pass-through basis or not. Owners of pass-through businesses include their share of profits as individual, self-employed, taxable income. Owners of non-pass-through businesses pay themselves a salary and report their income and the business’s profits separately. The most common business structures in the US are:
3. Register with the Government and the IRSMost business registration is conducted at a state level, so you’ll need to look into your local laws to see what’s required to legally form your business. An attorney can be a great help here. Once your business is registered, you might need to file to get a federal tax ID called an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can think of an EIN as a Social Security Number for your business. According to the Small Business Administration, you’ll need an EIN if your business does any of the following:
If you’re running a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC, you don’t need a separate tax ID — your profits are taxed as personal income. 4. Open a Business Bank AccountHaving a bank account for your business can help you keep your personal and business finances separate, making accounting and filing taxes much easier. It also offers an extra layer of protection for your personal assets, maintains a professional image, and allows you to open a business credit card. You’ll need to have all your business’s formation and tax documents, along with a business license and ownership agreements to open a bank account. Your accountant will be able to help you here — especially if you’re considering applying for a business loan. 5. Purchase InsuranceMany business owners forget this step or simply don’t realize how important it is. Don’t be one of them. Purchasing liability insurance can sometimes be the only wall that protects you against bankruptcy if you get sued for some reason. Plus, if you hire employees, you’ll legally need to have worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance. Set Up Your Daily OperationsA business is like a machine. To keep it running smoothly, you need to make sure all the parts fit together and stay well oiled. ![]() 1. AccountingYour accounting system is the backbone of your business’s financial operations. Without a good system in place, you won’t be able to process invoices, make payments, etc. Your best bet here is to speak with an accountant who can help you find a solution that works for your specific needs. 2. Project ManagementA robust project management system ensures that projects reach completion in a timely and organized way. Project managers communicate with different team members, contractors, and other external businesses to keep everyone on the same page. Whether you’re going to be your sole proprietorship’s own project manager or you’re hiring one for your corporation, it can be a good idea to invest in project management software like Asana or Trello. Related: The 7 Best Web Management Tools for Small Businesses3. PayrollIf you plan to hire employees, you’ll need some type of payroll system. Gusto, Intuit Payroll, and Bill.com are all good options. If you’re hiring contractors, a payroll platform can also help, but it’s not entirely necessary. 4. CommunicationsIf you’re hiring employees or contractors, you’ll need a way to communicate with each other. While email works fine in most cases, many businesses prefer platforms like Slack, which speed up communication and are more convenient than email. 5. ShippingBusinesses that have an e-commerce component will need to set up a shipping system. To figure this out, you’ll need to compare options like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL to see which one best fits your needs. Related: The 30 Best Apps for Small Businesses in 2020Build Your TeamA business is nothing without its team members. When building your team, you’ll have to mix and match three types of members. 1. EmployeesEmployees are full-time or part-time workers. Hiring employees comes with a slew of legal and tax responsibilities, such as paying payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, etc. If things don’t work out with an employee, you can’t just fire them so easily. However, there are benefits to hiring employees, such as having reliable team members always available at set times. You also get more control over the work produced. 2. ContractorsContractors are typically independent businesses themselves, so you won’t have any legal responsibilities as their employer (outside of what’s covered in your contract). You can hire them at will without a long-term commitment. However, contractors are independent and not full team members, so you won’t have the same level of control over the work they produce. Plus, they may not be available when you need them — they have their own schedules and businesses to run, after all. Contractors are useful for businesses that need specific deliverables, like graphic design, writing, web development, etc. But businesses that need operations run around the clock, like customer service, management, etc., will likely want to hire employees. 3. VendorsSome businesses choose to outsource some of their work to third-party vendors. For example, you may choose to hire a third-party call center to field all your customer service requests or for on-site security. However, this is typically only required for larger businesses, so it’s something to keep in mind as you grow. Grow Your BusinessOnce you’ve planted your business’s seed, you’ll need to water it so that it grows into a successful startup. ![]() 1. Develop a Marketing StrategyMarketing is essential. Without it, no one will even know your business exists. Marketing comes in many forms, from content marketing and PPC ads to email marketing. If you’re not familiar with these terms already, it’s a good idea to read up on them a bit. However, to really get your marketing going in the right direction, you’ll likely want to hire a professional. Related: 12 Marketing Strategies to Promote Your Local Business2. Set Goals and Create a Growth PlanBusinesses rarely grow without goals. To ensure your business continues to evolve over time, it’s a good idea to set SMART goals — goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. What does that mean? Instead of setting a goal like “grow my business,” write something like “increase sales by 25% by January.” Now, your goal fulfills the smart criteria. To build a growth plan, you simply outline a series of these sorts of goals for a period of one or two years. Typically, businesses divide this period into quarters, so you’ll ideally have eight goals for a two-year period. Ready to Grow Your Business?Whether you need help finding a target audience, crafting the ideal digital marketing strategy, or outlining your brand values, we can help! Subscribe to our monthly digest so you never miss an article. ![]() How to Start Your Own Business: Key TakeawaysStarting a business is a long and arduous endeavor. But it’s also incredibly rewarding! Few things are as satisfying as seeing others enjoy your hard work and benefit from your products and services. Really, what could be better than running your own business? If you’re ready to become a small business owner, DreamHost shared hosting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get your idea off the ground. For just $2.59/month, we give you everything — a free domain, SSL certificate, professional email address, and privacy protection — you need to thrive online. While there are no certainties in business, there is one guarantee: Whatever happens, you’ll learn a lot and grow as an entrepreneur. That much is certain. The post How to Start a Business: The Complete Guide appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-start-a-business-guide/ Which is harder: Naming your kid or choosing a domain? Sure, your bambino is stuck with the moniker you choose until they can get a judge to change it, but you won’t need to reinvent the wheel to come up with something to call them. You can look to historical figures, literary characters, or even your favorite TV show for inspiration. However, when it comes to a domain, you’ve got to make sure your digital baby is truly unique. No repeats allowed. So what makes a good domain name? Generally speaking, you’ll want something memorable, brandable, and easy for people to type and pronounce. It’s also smart to avoid anything too long or overly specific. By following a few simple guidelines, you can pick out a name that helps to drive more traffic your way. In this guide, I’ll explain why your domain name matters and share 11 factors to consider when making this decision. I’ll also discuss the best places to register a domain and how you can get a free one along with your web hosting. Let’s get started! Your Great Idea Starts with a Domain NameDon’t let someone else register your dream URL. Search DreamHost’s 400+ TLDs to find the perfect match for your website. ![]() Why Your Domain Name MattersYour domain name is as much a part of your brand as your business name or logo. Even if you’ve nailed your branding in every other respect, if there’s something about your domain name that puts potential customers off, they’ll likely go elsewhere. The opposite is also true. If your web address is accurate and as fun to say as it is to use, people will be eager to check it out and share it. First impressions matter, and sometimes your domain is the initial experience people will have of your brand. It’s also not easy to change your domain name after your site is online. You can do it, but it can be time-consuming and does have consequences. It can lead to a loss of traffic and unnecessary downtime. In other words, life will be a lot easier if you take your time now and come up with a name you love. Related: A Beginner’s Guide to Domain Registration11 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Domain NameAs with most big business decisions, you’ll find plenty of opinions about how to select the right domain name. To make it easier, let’s take a look at eleven key points to consider. 1. Choose Your Top-Level Domain Extension CarefullyA Top Level Domain (TLD) is the piece of your domain that comes after the site’s name. The most common TLDs are .com, .net, and .org. There are plenty of newer TLD options, but it’s usually best to keep it old school and stick to .com if possible. It’s been around the longest and is the most popular, so people are very familiar with it. Of course, it’s possible you won’t be able to secure a decent domain name with a .com TLD since many are already taken. However, it’s not the end of the world if you have to use an alternative. ![]() You’ll find tons of available options that can add personality to your web address. Just make sure that whatever you select makes sense for your website and audience. Related: The Complete Guide to New Domain Extensions2. Incorporate Keywords StrategicallyKeywords aren’t just for content. Search engines use your domain name to understand what your site is about and help determine search rankings. So it’s essential to include keywords where possible. The keywords you choose for your domain name should be relevant to your website. It’s much more important to represent your content accurately than to add keywords for their own sake. If you’re stuck for ideas, you can give Google Keyword Planner a try. ![]() This free tool lets you explore keywords by search volume and other factors to identify terms people actually use. Don’t get too carried away, though. Using too many keywords, especially popular ones, can make your site seem boring and maybe even a little untrustworthy. 3. Make Sure Your Domain Is Easy to Pronounce and SpellYou probably want your domain name to be memorable. However, if you’re thinking of going the Elon Musk baby-naming route, don’t. No matter how cool it looks spelled out, there will come a time when you’ll have to give someone your website or email address verbally. Word-of-mouth is still powerful advertising. What’s more, it only works when people can actually pronounce your domain. This also makes the name easier to remember, increasing the odds that people will visit and pass the site along to their networks. 4. Avoid HyphensUsing hyphens may seem like a creative way to get the domain name you want. Unfortunately, they’re tough to express verbally. They also make the domain more difficult to type. Some people will likely forget about them entirely and end up on someone else’s website. Generally, when you’re brainstorming domain name ideas, try to avoid anything that isn’t a letter. That includes replacing letters with numbers. Those kinds of touches make the name a lot easier for people to misremember and mistype. 5. Avoid Using Doubled LettersUsing doubled letters in a domain name is practically asking for typos. Doubled letters are hard to read and even harder to type correctly. If mistakes happen often enough, you may end up with someone typosquatting and stealing your traffic. Plus, having to spend even a few seconds longer than necessary trying to figure out how to spell your domain is an unnecessary distraction. 6. Keep Your Domain Name ShortThere are several reasons short domain names work better. First, shorter names are easier to remember and type. Therefore, they are beneficial for branding purposes. Also, an overly long domain name is yet another way to look suspicious. If you don’t use too many keywords and make your name easy to pronounce, on the other hand, your domain will probably be short naturally. 7. Stay Unique and BrandableA unique domain name can help your business stand out and potentially help you avoid legal trouble. It can also contribute to your marketing efforts, so you’ll want it to be brandable. StitchFix is an excellent example of a unique, brandable name. ![]() StitchFix checks all the boxes when it comes to marketable domain names. It’s fun to say, doesn’t have any inherent meaning, and is easy to remember and spell. 8. Pick a Domain Name That’s FlexibleYour domain name is one area where you don’t want to paint yourself into a box. While you should be specific enough to attract an audience, you don’t want to be so precise that there’s no room for your website to grow. For example, “shutter.photography” might be perfect for a photography blog. However, if you decide to write about other art forms as well, you’ll be stuck with an inaccurate domain name. So it’s smart to consider upfront how your site or business may expand over time. 9. Do Your Domain Name ResearchOnce you’ve narrowed your search down to a few candidates, you can use a research tool to determine if it’s available. ![]() However, just because the domain name is available doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t have a valid claim to it. To be safe, you’ll want to perform a trademark search before making your choice. It’s also best to make sure you can secure appropriate social media handles. If you can’t get an exact match, try finding something that makes sense with your domain name. Related: Boost Your SEO Ranking with These Domain Best Practices10. Don’t Get Analysis ParalysisChances are that if you want a domain name, someone else probably wants it too. If you’re sure about your choice, go ahead and buy the domain. This is especially recommended if it’s reasonably inexpensive. Plus, if you come up with something better later on, you can always let the registration lapse. You don’t want to end up in a dispute because you didn’t act fast. 11. Protect Your Brand With Multiple DomainsHave you ever heard: “If the shoe fits, buy it in every color?” Well, if the domain name fits, buy it in every TLD. Even if you manage to snag a coveted .com address, you might consider purchasing other options and setting up redirects. You can even go a step further and buy common misspellings of your domain name. ![]() This is a smart strategy to apply to social media as well. Even if you don’t think you’ll use Twitter, you might want to grab a decent handle if one is available. You’ll be ready if you ever decide to tweet, and you’ll prevent anyone else from taking that username. Picking the Best Place to Register Your DomainOnce you’ve picked out a domain name, you need to choose a domain registrar, which is the company where you’ll purchase it. When shopping around for a registrar, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
There are plenty of registrars you can use. However, sometimes it makes sense to register your domain through your hosting provider. Related: Why You Should Consider Keeping Domain Registration and Web Hosting Under One RoofHow to Get a Free Domain With Your Web HostingSome web hosts offer a free domain name when you sign up for a hosting plan. You may have to pay for renewal at the end of the first year, but it’s not typically expensive. You also won’t have to worry about migrating your domain if you register it through your hosting provider. At DreamHost, we offer a free domain name when you sign up for one of our Shared or DreamPress hosting plans. Once you’ve selected the right option for you, just click on Register a new domain. ![]() You’ll be prompted to search for your desired domain name. Simply add your domain to your cart and complete the checkout process! Related: Didn’t Get Your Domain Through DreamHost? Here’s How to TransferSo Many Potential Domain Names . . .There’s a lot to think about when choosing a domain name. After all, it’s one of the first major decisions you’ll make when establishing your online presence. Putting some time and care into this selection can help set the stage for success down the road. Fortunately, there’s lots of information you can rely on to help you make your choice. Keeping your domain name short, pronounceable, and easy to remember will get you off to a strong start. Once you have a name in mind, you can follow our suggestions for choosing a registrar and getting a free domain with your web hosting provider. Have you settled on the perfect domain name for your website? Get a free private domain registration when you sign up with DreamHost! The post How to Choose the Right Domain Name appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-domain-name/ Spoiler alert: Setting up a website can be stressful — especially if it’s your first time. And even if you’re a pro, having something go wrong with your website at one point or another is pretty much inevitable. The hard truth is that technical difficulties can make you want to throw in the towel. But don’t give up, champ. DreamHost’s brilliant tech support team is here to get you back on track. For more than 20 years, our top priority has always been customer satisfaction, which is why our support team wins awards for quality and responsiveness. What’s more, getting help with your website is even easier if you know what to expect when you reach out to us and what you can do on your end to make the process as quick and painless as possible. Yep, you’ve got the power! In this article, we’ll help you cope with your website’s technical difficulties, give you some advice for contacting technical support, and let you know what to expect when you interact with a customer service rep. Want to jump ahead? Here are 5 steps to successfully dealing with tech support:
Are you ready to uncover the secrets to getting good customer service? Let’s dive in! We’ll Support Your DreamWhatever your goals, we’ll be right there with you, making sure your site is fast, secure, and always up. Plans start at $2.59/mo. ![]() Step 1: Try Some Basic SolutionsIf it looks like your site has gone offline entirely, there may be a quick fix you can tackle on your own. First, check to make sure the website is genuinely down and that the issue isn’t something on your end. Security software may be blocking your website, especially if you’re trying to access it from a different network than usual. Maybe your cat unplugged the router. Actually, she may be trying to help, so don’t forget to check and see if the reset worked. Last but not least, have you tried turning your computer on and off again? You’re welcome, fans of The IT Crowd. Once you’ve eliminated other possibilities and determined that your site is down, you’ll want to know whether it’s just you or if it’s a hosting problem. You can look at the DreamHost Status page to find out if there’s a system-wide issue. ![]() If DreamHost is experiencing downtime, there’s no need to contact tech support, as we’re already aware of the problem. You’ll just have to sit tight until it’s over. If this doesn’t seem to be the source of the issue, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
These are just a few possibilities, but asking the above questions may help get you on the right track. If you were able to pinpoint the issue, you might want to see if you can DIY your way to a solution. Troubleshooting help is available 24/7 via our Knowledge Base and blog. Or you can join our private Facebook group to swap ideas with other website owners. You’re Cordially InvitedJoin DreamHost’s Facebook group to connect with like-minded website owners and get advice from peers and experts alike! ![]() Step 2: Document the Problem in DetailSo you’ve done your detective work, but you still don’t know what’s wrong. It’s probably time to call in some expert help. However, before contacting support, you might want to spend some time carefully documenting the issue your website is having. Being thorough now will make it easier for tech support to get you a solution quickly. First, try to reproduce the issue. A problem that can’t be copied will be much more challenging to solve. If you’re able to consistently trigger the issue, you can provide more information to the DreamHost tech. If you’re unable to recreate the exact circumstances, try to accomplish the task in other ways. Now might be an excellent time to explore the forums. Another user may have some helpful insight or creative suggestions for how to reproduce your problem. You don’t need to be a tech expert to document complex issues. Just use precise language to describe what you see in as much detail as possible. If you’re vague or inaccurate, you’ll likely end up having more back and forth with the support agent. ![]() Once you’ve put together a detailed description of the issue, you’ll want to compile your website’s recent history. Identify which domain is having problems and what Content Management System (CMS) you’re using. Include any changes you made, no matter how innocent they seem — even installing a new theme or plugin can sometimes create problems. Additionally, you’ll want to take screenshots of what you see to support your description. A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in tech support! Bonus points apply if you can grab some video while you’re at it. After you’ve thoroughly documented your problem, you’ll need to gather your account information. Have your domain name and the last four digits of your password handy. Related: How Your Online Business Can Nail Customer ServiceStep 3: Contact the DreamHost Tech Support TeamNow it’s time to contact DreamHost’s award-winning, in-house support team. You can access a technical support specialist by email or live chat. If you’re an existing customer, both of these options will be available to you through your panel on the Contact Support page. If you’re unable to log in to your DreamHost account for any reason, you’ll need to contact support using the online contact form. No matter which avenue you choose to get in touch, you’ll start by filling out the Contact Support form. Remember all that information we asked you to gather in the first two steps? Plug it into the form. Include your detailed description of the problem, as well as any methods you’ve tried to fix it. Live chat is available from 5:30 am–9:30 pm Pacific time, seven days a week. The service is available in Spanish as well. After filling out the Contact Support box, click on the Chat now button and wait for an agent to join. ![]() Once the chat is complete, you can review it in the Contact Support page’s Recent Messages section. Keep in mind that while it may be convenient, live chat is best suited for situations with a quick fix. If your issue is more complicated, the chat agent may ask you to open a ticket via email, as this is the preferred method for contacting support. You can create a ticket the same way you access the live chat. The only difference is that you’ll click on the Submit a ticket button after you’ve filled out the Contact Support form. Once you’ve submitted your ticket, it will appear under Open Tickets. You can withdraw it if you solve the issue independently and no longer need help from tech support. Otherwise, you’ll be able to view your conversation here. Step 4: Request a Callback if NecessaryAfter support resolves your issue, you can still refer back to the conversation if needed. You can find the closed ticket in the Support History section of DreamPanel. You’ll also find any other messages from DreamHost here. ![]() If you need to submit a file, you can do so by selecting the Attach files link at the bottom of the form. If you prefer, you can send the file via SFTP to your DreamHost server. Just be sure to explain what you’ll be uploading and where you uploaded it. DreamHost’s support team doesn’t typically operate over the phone. However, callbacks may be available to you, depending on your plan. You can choose to add three callbacks per month to any plan for an additional fee. To access phone support, check the Request a callback box when you submit your ticket.
![]() Here, you’ll also be able to add your phone number and a preferred time. Even if you choose to have a callback, be sure to include as much information as possible when filling out the Contact Support box. Step 5: Work With Our Support Team to Solve Your ProblemThe DreamHost support team tries to reply to all requests within 24 hours. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll completely solve the problem at that time. You’ll be working together with a support agent to diagnose and resolve your issue. Tech support is a team effort. Be prepared to answer some questions and maybe even perform a few tasks to help diagnose the trouble. You’ll also be able to ask any questions that you may have. If it turns out the issue isn’t with DreamHost, our support specialists will try to point you in the right direction to get it worked out. Of course, it helps the entire process if everyone tries to remain calm and courteous. Glitches and technical difficulties are part of owning a website, and this likely isn’t the only time you’ll encounter frustrations. Even if you’re worried about losing traffic, it won’t help to lose your cool. You haven’t done all that yoga for nothing. Breathe. Remember, even if your website is experiencing significant downtime, DreamHost has a 100% uptime guarantee. You’ll receive credit for the inconvenience, and we’ll do everything we can to improve your customer experience. Be Awesome on the InternetSubscribe to our monthly newsletter for helpful tips and tricks to build your dream website! ![]() Great Customer Support Is a Click AwayHandling website problems is no one’s idea of a fun time, and TBH, neither is interacting with angry customers. It’s totally normal that you’re feeling stressed out, frustrated, and maybe even embarrassed for not having the answers yourself. But before you open that bottle of wine, keep calm and contact tech support. Knowing what to do when complex issues arise can make the situation a little less scary. Also, planning ahead when dealing with tech support can help you get the most out of the experience. Gather as much detailed information as you can and know what channels you have available to you, as well as how to use them. With DreamHost’s superhero tech support team in your corner, you can build your website fearlessly. Get started with a hosting plan today! The post How to Successfully Deal With Tech Support (5 Simple Steps) appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-tech-support/ What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org? Turns out, it’s big, especially when you want full control over your website. What do the New York Times, Katy Perry, Forbes, The Walt Disney Company, and Sony Music all have in common? Well, for one thing, these well-known entities — and many others — have websites powered by WordPress.org, the open source force that for more than a decade, has been behind more than a quarter of the internet! You’re probably familiar with WordPress, at least the WordPress.com side that allows you to quickly — and easily — create a basic blog (with that omnipresent .wordpress.com domain) and outfit it with preloaded themes and accessories. But click over to WordPress.org, and you’ll quickly realize that with a self-hosted WordPress website, there are a lot more options. Let’s dive in and discover everything — down to the nitty and the gritty — about WordPress, both the .com and .org sites, and find out how you can create your ideal space on the web. ![]() WordPress.com: The BasicsSo what if you didn’t even really know — until now, of course — that there were different WordPress services. No problem. We’ll start with the bare bones. WordPress.com, the WordPress you’re probably most familiar with, is a browser-based — meaning, no downloads involved — commercial website that is really popular amongst internet users. WordPress.com gets more unique visitors per month than Amazon! WordPress allows users, after creating an account, to build and host their own blog on the WordPress site at no cost. We all like free, right? The approximately 76.5 million existing WordPress.com blogs are evidence of that. ![]() As you create your new website, you’ll notice a few features of WordPress.com. For starters, you will get to create your domain name — up to the .wordpress.com tacked on at the end. Additionally, WordPress supplies themes, which are essentially design templates, that you can choose from to customize the look of your blog or website. Many of these templates are free, but you can purchase a premium theme for a fee. ![]() With a few clicks and no strain on your wallet, your* website is up and running. Voilà! Related: Up Your Blogging Game with 20 Tips from Today’s Best Content CreatorsThe Hidden Costs of a Free WebsiteAh, so you noticed the asterisk. Let me explain. First of all, let’s understand what goes into making a website. In order to make a basic, functioning site, you need a few things:
There are other tools you’ll want for maintaining a website, but these are the basics. WordPress.com is a website hosting service where you can house your blog or site for free. It is run by web company Automattic, and as you can see from the checklist below, its pre-programmed software helps users build and launch sites by providing them a domain name, the tools and templates to design their site, and a place to host it. Now, back to the *fine print. With WordPress.com, the website you create isn’t technically yours. Sure, you’ve plastered your name — or your brand’s — across you. But with WordPress’ commercial site, the $0 plan does come with some virtual expenses. 1. Limited SpaceFor one, while there is no cost to set up or house your website on the WordPress site, the site restricts space with an allowance of 3 GB. So if you’re website features high-quality videos or photos, your space could be limited, and you could be looking at a sizable fee — up to $25 a month — for a plan upgrade. ![]() 2. Stuck as a SubdomainWhat’s more, if you’re anxious to ditch the .wordpress.com domain (a tag that makes you simply a subdomain of WordPress), you’ll have to dish out for that, too, as a custom domain requires a plan upgrade. There’s also no option for a domain email — something that your growing business will eventually need. Related: A Beginner’s Guide to Domain Name Registration3. Fewer MetricsThere are some important metrics to gauge the trajectory of your blog or website — like bounce and conversion rates — that ideally, you’d want to be able to track on your own terms. But you’re limited to the analytic tools provided by WordPress, without an option to install your own analytics plugins or software, if you use the free service. In order to install your own analytics plugin, you’ll have to spring for a paid business plan. 4. WordPress AdsA free plan allows WordPress.com to place ads on your site without your permission; you have no control over their content or placement, and none of the advertising revenue goes to you. Removing them requires — you guessed it — upgrading to a paid plan. 5. Less ControlYour free plan allows simply for basic design customization — a bunch of free WordPress themes and select themes you can buy — without the luxury of CSS options or code alterations. The Premium and Business paid plans allow for third-party theme and plugin integration, which help enhance the look and functionality of your website. With this, you run the risk of having a cookie-cutter blog design; with only a handful of free WordPress themes, many blogs may look like yours. You have the option of purchasing a new theme or paying someone to make a custom one for you, but again, you could be looking at a wallop to your wallet. The cost-efficient option of WordPress.com becomes, at that point, not so cost-effective. We’ve Got the Ultimate Website Design ToolWhen you partner with DreamHost, you get access to WP Website Builder and more than 200+ industry-specific starter sites for free! ![]() 6. Monetization RulesAnd speaking of costs, there’s probably a chance you’d like to make money online. Well, with WordPress.com basic plans, you are not able to place your own code for ads like Google AdSense and must follow specific guidelines for affiliate linking and sponsored posting. So monetization on your blog also comes with its own price. Related: How to Create Your First WordPress PluginWordPress.com: Apartment Complex of Internet Real EstateIf you’re looking to quickly get your info on the web in a fuss-free, no-frills manner, then WordPress.com is a great option. Potentially, from start to finish, you could get a website up and running in a matter of minutes. It’s also a painless choice if you’re a little apprehensive about the technical aspects involved in creating and maintaining a website, or just want to get an initial feel for blogging. Sustaining a website on WordPress.com can be a temporary option, too, if you decide later that you want to migrate your content to your own self-hosted site. But if you’re trying to build a long-term website and authoritative brand, then you’ll want your own domain, and you’ll surely want more control over the look and feel of your site through plugins, templates, and upgraded features. So, when considering the characteristics of WordPress.com, think about it this way: WordPress.com is like renting an apartment versus owning a home. ![]() When you rent an apartment, you have little control over what the apartment looks like; it’s likely that most of the apartments in the complex look similar unless you dish out more for fancy upgrades like a fireplace or an extra bedroom. Additionally, you’re subject to the rules and regulations of the company that owns your complex. On the other hand, the upkeep is managed by a team of maintenance workers. You’re also protected by security personnel or a code-restrictive gate. The management deals with all the sometimes-messy, behind-the-scenes aspects of running the property. Ultimately, an apartment can be a good choice for those not yet seeking long-term housing or while still exploring a certain neighborhood or town. So with a WordPress.com site: maintenance and security are largely maintained by the site itself (apart from your own secure password — you are in charge of your own apartment key, after all). You have minimal control over the appearance and functionality of your blog unless you pay for fancier addendums. But it can be a good choice for those who are testing the blogging waters and want to start small. WordPress.org: The BasicsNot to be confused with its commercial counterpart, WordPress.org is often referred to as self-hosted WordPress. It was created in 2003 (it’s older than Twitter and Facebook!) by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. Simply put, it’s open source code under the GNU General Public License — meaning it’s free to use, modify, build upon, and redistribute to create your own website, blog, or even an app. You download the code directly from the WordPress.org page (and at this moment, WordPress 4.8 has been downloaded 7,649,315 times . . . and counting!) ![]() The source code is a framework — think of it like a skeleton — that is used in a development environment to build and customize your site. The engine is the same for yours and other websites that use the WordPress software, but the remaining features and accessorizing parts are yours to control and create. Make sense? Because the code you work with is just the framework, it must be used in tandem with a web host, a company that provides space on its servers to house your website. The hosting service you choose will depend on the amount of space and bandwidth you need as well as your budget. For instance, DreamHost’s Starter Shared hosting plan starts at just $2.59 per month. WordPress.org also provides substantial resources — called Documentation — to aid with the development of themes and plugins for your site, among a myriad of other useful topics. Additionally, there are community-led forums that help answer common questions and aid with troubleshooting problems. The community features of WordPress.org allow you to collaborate and connect with other users for help in building your site. Related: How Much Does It Actually Cost to Set Up a WordPress Website?How to Create a Self-Hosted WordPress WebsiteAccording to WordPress.org, these are the steps for carrying out self-hosted WordPress functions. Let’s dig a little deeper into each of these. Choosing a Web HostA web host is a third-party vendor that provides space on a server where your website is stored and provides the means for it to be accessed on the internet. There are a number of flexible hosting options, based on your site’s needs. DreamHost offers additional perks through our service plans, like free domain names and unlimited hosting. We recently partnered with the folks at Automattic to make Jetpack Professional available to DreamPress Plus and Advanced customers. And for the record: We come endorsed by WordPress.org and power more than 600,000 WordPress blogs and websites! Related:But even if you know which hosting provider you’d like to use, there is still the matter of choosing the right hosting plan for your website. Here is a quick, easy-reference guide to the most common types of hosting available. Shared HostingYour website or blog is placed on a server with other sites, so the cost for the hosting is shared amongst the clients. The catch: a heavily-trafficked site on your server may affect your own site’s performance. Virtual Private ServerA VPS acts as multiple virtual servers, even though users share one physical server and resources; a step between shared hosting and a dedicated server. To learn more, check out this beginner’s guide to VPS. Dedicated ServersMaximum control and resources at a higher cost; you exclusively rent your own dedicated server and don’t have to worry about sharing resources with other sites. Managed WordPress HostingAdditionally, DreamHost offers DreamPress, three managed WordPress hosting plans, where many of the technical components of operating WordPress — such as updates, security, and backups — are handled by our experts. ![]() In this way, DreamPress mirrors the ease-of-use of the WordPress.com option. Plus, you’re armed with more power than you’d get from a basic shared plan and have access to 24/7 support, highly-tuned performance features, and easy management. And have we mentioned speed? With DreamPress, your service is five times faster than regular shared hosting. Ultimately, a managed WordPress solution is the best option for WordPress beginners, giving you more control and less stress. Launch Your Website with DreamPressOur automatic updates and strong security defenses take server management off your hands so you can focus on creating a great WordPress website. ![]() Installing WordPressUnless your web host is handling the software setup for you, there are a few things you’ll need to do for your WordPress installation. Each requirement is explained through WordPress.org’s handy guidelines. ![]() Reading the DocumentationLastly, the Documentation allows you to find guides in building and using all the extras: plugins, themes, etc. Unlike a free WordPress.com site, WordPress.org allows full freedom in using your favorite premium plugin or uploading a custom theme. The sky is the limit! You can even create email addresses in conjunction with your website – a great tool for businesses. But with that freedom – as Eleanor Roosevelt said – comes more responsibility. With more control over your website and the ability to alter the code, you will be in charge of updating the WordPress software as new versions are released, paying for your web hosting services annually, maintaining the site with necessary backups and security precautions (if you haven’t chosen a hands-off managed WordPress hosting plan, that is), and protecting against spam and errors. If something goes wrong that you don’t know how to fix, you might need to hire a professional to help. WordPress.org: Craftsman Bungalow of Internet Real EstateRemember our housing analogy from before? Well, unlike renting an apartment, using the WordPress software is like owning your own home. ![]() With a home, you are totally in charge of maintenance of the house and yard, paying your mortgage each month, taking security measures, and making necessary repairs and upgrades. But, when you own your own home, you have greater license to change features — like removing a wall or changing wall paint — and you also have a property that really belongs to you. And that’s how it is with self-hosted WordPress. The control is in your hands, as is the increased responsibility to maintain your site. You can alter your WordPress theme and code, and you actually own your online content. This is especially important if you’re striving to create a lasting brand or monetize a website. The Choice Is YoursYour choice of WordPress.org or WordPress.com truly depends on what you want out of your website and, of course, your budget. So how much does a WordPress website actually cost? This guide tallies up the annual expenses for a range of WordPress websites – free, budget-friendly, mid-range, and high-performance – so you can choose the right option for your goals (and wallet). Remember, your hosting provider will play a big part in the total cost, so make sure you choose a good one. We’d recommend checking out our Starter Shared hosting plan if you’re looking to get a site online for less than $3 per month. Ultimately, you’ll be on the path to choosing the right platform for your website after you analyze your goals, your level of comfort with technical functions, and your budget. WordPress is waiting! Ready to Build Your WordPress Site?Whether you need help choosing a blogging platform, understanding WordPress hosting, or picking an awesome free theme, we can help! Subscribe to our monthly digest so you never miss an article. ![]() Talk WordPress to UsAre you a loyal WordPress user? How have you utilized WordPress.com or WordPress.org in building your website or blog? What features of the WordPress services are most important to you? Join DreamHost’s Facebook group and tell us what you think! The post The Difference Between WordPress.com & WordPress.org appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/wordpress-differences-beginners-guide/ Ethan Herald is a natural storyteller. Almost as soon as he started talking, he made up fully-fleshed characters and told his parents all about them — what they did, where they went, what they wanted for dinner. Today, five-year-old Ethan is a published author — thanks to his dad, Brian Herald. Herald, a technical writer by trade, was amused at his son’s stories and started jotting them down to remember them. Eventually, he realized that many of Ethan’s stories were more than a child’s ramblings; they had recognizable plots with beginning, middle, and end. “One story in particular really stood out, so I thought that it would be cool to turn it into a book for him and surprise him with it,” Herald says. “So I wrote it out and broke it into pages and made a full story out of it and hired an illustrator.” He printed a few dozen copies to share and expected to stop there. But soon, Herald dug into the world of self-publishing, and the more he learned about the industry, the more he wanted to see what he could do with his son’s stories. That’s how Herald and Sons Publishing, the ultimate father-son DIY project, got off the ground. To provide a platform for Ethan’s stories, Herald started up their own indie publishing house. “On our website, we say it tongue-in-cheek: We are building a publishing empire on a foundation of child labor.” Herald and his sons, Ethan and four-year-old Jonah, are a year into the project and have collaborated on two books, with a third scheduled to hit the presses this month. To flesh out a world around their characters and engage audiences, Herald is experimenting with activities, coloring pages, and videos — all hosted on their trusty DreamHost website. We’ll Support Your DreamWhatever your goals, we’ll be right there with you, making sure your site is fast, secure, and always up. Plans start at $2.59/mo. ![]() Telling Good Stories![]() Growing up, Herald was part of his own father-and-son business. His dad owned Herald and Sons Construction, and he fondly remembers helping out on projects when he was young. “He still has one of the ‘Herald and Sons Construction’ signs hanging up in his garage,” Herald says. “I still see that every time I go over. And when I thought of the name Herald and Sons Publishing, I was just like, ‘Oh man, that’s just too perfect. I can’t not do that.’” Herald built his humble “publishing empire” to provide a home for Ethan’s books online, and the additional projects he creates. From the beginning, Herald wanted to make sure to put out a quality story that other kids could relate to. “I wanted them to be good stories,” he says, “with a moral, a lesson, or substance to them, not just these tangents that my kids go on.” Their first book, Forest Explorer, features Nino and his younger sister, Tenna — characters who have basically become members of the family now, thanks to Ethan’s detailed descriptions of the two and their adventures. In the story, Nino goes on a walk in a forest near his home. He notices flowers, insects, and the smells of the forest, and then spots a forest fire, which he tries to put out until the fire department comes to save the day. Herald asks his sons questions to flesh out and fully develop each story, pushing for more and more details — including ones only a kid could dream up. “I asked Ethan, ‘So, how did that fire start?’” Herald says. “And he’s like, ‘A dragon came down and sprayed fire.’ Oh, of course, the dragon started the fire. Obviously, it wasn’t because the bush was dry, and it was a strong wind or anything like that.” Herald wrote that answer down with a smile, hoping that his son’s thinking would connect well with other children. He asked for more details about what Nino saw in the woods, and “I realized that there was a moral there, or a lesson, which is being curious — like, you should always be aware of what’s around you, and you should be curious about what’s going on. So I try to infuse that in the story.” Forest Explorer — plus its sequel Picture This, Imagine That — and a soon-to-be-published Nino and Tenna camping adventure story are available as printed books, e-reader downloads, and even audiobooks. Herald hopes these stories, along with the accompanying printable activities from his website, have some role in promoting language learning among young readers. “The goal has become to entertain and inform readers while promoting literacy and language learning,” Herald says. “The stories and the kids’ activities and coloring pages are based around developing language, using repetition with words. In the back of my mind, I keep asking, ‘How is this helpful? Is this actually contributing something to the kids reading the story?’ I don’t want them reading empty words with nothing behind them.” Related: This DreamHost Customer Is Helping a Generation of Young Women Own Their PowerPossibility Through Self PublishingForest Explorer was never supposed to be more than a fun surprise for Ethan and Jonah. But through the process of writing and printing it, Herald was introduced to the world of self-publishing — and the idea that he could take action to bring Nino and Tenna to a wider audience. “I got really into a few podcasts, and one in particular, called The Self Publishing Show,” Herald says. “It just really struck me how they take a marketing perspective, and not just say, ‘You’re a great writer; your stories deserve to be told.’ It was more focused on, like, the logical steps you can take to promote your stories.” Once Herald understood there were steps he could take to market his stories, he took it on as a personal challenge to see how far he could take Herald and Sons. He doesn’t sell the books directly on his website, but they’re available from a number of online retailers, including Amazon. “Amazon has a really great platform for independent publishers where they offer a print-on-demand service,” Herald says. “Originally, my plan was to set up a seller account and just mail these things out one by one. But that simply is not scalable — I can’t be going to the post office every single day.” He’s also made the print and audiobooks available to libraries, both locally and around the country, and can track when the book is checked out. “To see it getting discovered in a library and then checked out and listened to, it’s kind of cool.” Related: Bibliophiles, Unite! Meet the DreamHost Customers Behind Silent Book ClubThinking Like a MarketerHerald has found marketing his books to be a challenge, and he really enjoys that aspect of publishing children’s stories. He stays up late at night filling Excel sheets with potential keywords, crafting ad copy, and finding new ways to get Ethan’s characters in front of more people. “You can’t just put a book out and just sit there and wait for it to do anything,” he says. One of his challenges is catering to two different audiences. The books and corresponding activities are used by children — but the ones doing the spending are parents and grandparents. “You’ve got to reach the parents and create something that they think their kids would enjoy. That’s really tricky, and I’m still working on getting the right voice and brand to present our stories as something a lot of kids would like to read.” A key piece to organically growing an audience is creating fun, engaging activities and other materials freely available online that can introduce kids (and their parents) to Nino and Tenna. Herald offers activity books and other printable activities, including weekly word searches, mazes, coloring pages, and more. Particularly popular are his kid’s calendars. Released each month in color and as coloring pages, the calendars list one fun holiday — think “Wiggle Your Toes Day” or “Chocolate Chip Cookie Day” — for each day of the month. Herald promotes these calendars on social media, using them as a way to bring visitors to his website and build his email marketing list. At the beginning of a new month, he advertises them on social media and sees big increases in website traffic — but always trusts his web host to keep everything loading quick and smoothly, even on busy days. Home Base![]() This wasn’t the first time Herald has built and managed a website, though. He played drums in a band and started a flooring business with a friend and, in both cases, dreaded working on the websites. With Herald and Sons, he took a leap of faith and switched over to a WordPress site hosted by DreamHost. Herald had been intimidated by WordPress in the past, but found it surprisingly easy and user friendly — and much more detailed, powerful, and effective than other platforms. “I’m loving it; it’s so easy to use,” Herald says. “It does such a good job. I wish I’d used it to begin with other websites I’ve worked on.” He does most website updates on a browser, but sometimes he has to make a quick update or has a brilliant idea on the go and uses the WordPress app on his phone. Herald runs social media accounts for the business, but he doesn’t spend a lot of time using them specifically to grow his audience. Concerned about social media platforms and changing algorithms that impact how followers find activities and updates, Herald decided to focus primarily on his website. “It’s so important to have your own space, your own home base,” he says. “I’m trying to do a lot of different things for marketing, like Facebook and Amazon advertisements, and just using social media a little bit. The website has been huge in this, because everything I come up with, it all goes up on the website, and that’s our home base for everything.” The website is also key to building an email marketing list, too. WordPress through DreamHost integrates seamlessly with MailChimp to help people sign up for the newsletter to learn about activities and get the kids’ calendar through email. Herald is happy with his choice to use DreamHost for his website — a choice that was solidified days after he signed up. “I got an email from a marketing manager; her name was Marissa,” he says. “She reached out just to say hi and check in, you know, to see if I needed anything.” They emailed back and forth a bit. Herald discovered that Marissa had a new baby at home and ended up sending her a copy of Ethan’s story. “That was a personal touch that felt really great,” he says. “It was validation that I was going on the right path.” Meet More Awesome Site OwnersSubscribe to the DreamHost Digest for inside scoops, expert tips, and exclusive deals. ![]() Teaching GritWhether or not they build that publishing empire, Herald is glad to work together with his kids on a project that’s not just fun, but that can really teach them something. Beyond giving Ethan and Jonah the chance to be creative and think critically about story and plot at such young ages, Herald hopes they develop a grit that will serve them well in future projects. “One thing that I really hope that they get from this is that if they want to create something, or have an idea, that they can just go for it,” says Herald. “They don’t have to wait for somebody to tell them it’s a good idea or even have a good reason for doing it, other than just being interested in it.” Herald hopes that the boys will be proud of their work down the road — even if it might bring some teasing and embarrassment in the notorious middle school years. The publishing business has been around for about a year now. He’s not sure how long the Nino and Tenna series will last, though Ethan is as eager as always to fill his family in on stories and details about the characters. Eventually, Herald wants to try his hand at writing his own fiction. For now, Jonah loves hearing their books at bedtime, and Ethan is happy to see his stories in print, scrawling his autograph in five-year-old handwriting across each copy that gets sent out to a friend. Though sometimes on re-readings, Ethan has more feedback on the book: “That’s not what Nino was wearing!” or, “That’s not what he did!” Herald laughs it off. “It’s OK; we’ll fix that in the next edition.” The post Herald and Sons Publishing: The Ultimate Father-Son DIY Project appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/customer-spotlight-herald-and-sons/ With male leaders outnumbering women four to one, the tech industry has notoriously been a gentleman’s club. Still, more and more women are “leaning in” and finding their places at the table in technology and science. But are their voices equally valued? DreamHost takes this issue to heart and has been working to support women in tech for years. And that’s why we reached out to author Therese Huston. “When it comes to decision-making and leadership, men are from Mars, and women are from a less respected part of Mars,” Huston says. The author of How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not, and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices, Huston shares her insights on challenges facing women in tech — and how we can all do better to make sure every voice is heard. ![]() 1. What challenges do women face in a male-dominated field?A really common complaint — and one backed by research — is that women have to keep proving their competence. People are more likely to notice women’s mistakes and to remember them longer; while with men, we tend to remember successes longer and more readily forgive mistakes. Related: 6 Things Women in Tech Are Sick of Hearing2. We like to think that all good ideas are valued and recognized. How true is that in practice?Sadly, credit is not always given where it is due, especially when it is due to a woman. I’ve heard countless stories about women making a suggestion that doesn’t get picked up, but then when a guy makes the same suggestion later, all of a sudden everyone is enthusiastic about it. Researchers studying mixed-gender work teams in male-dominated fields found that when a group’s successful problem solving was evaluated by an outsider not present for the collaboration, if it wasn’t specified exactly who did what, it was automatically assumed that a man was the top performer and deserves the credit. That’s really concerning, especially when management teams are doing reviews or considering promotions. DreamHost Takes Inclusivity SeriouslyWe regularly report on diversity, accessibility, and representation in the tech industry. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter so you never miss an article. ![]() 3. What are some key differences between how men and women make decisions?Actually, research by neuroscientists is showing that under normal circumstances, men and women actually approach a problem the same way. But put them under stress — maybe with a deadline, the threat of a product being cut — and you’ll see a difference. Men suddenly become much more drawn to risks and big rewards than normal. Women do the opposite; they want to do what they know will work, what has worked in the past, what they know they have the full resources to accomplish. I like to use baseball as an analogy: Men want to go for the home run, which is very difficult to accomplish but offers a big reward, while women aim for the more tried-and-true goal of getting on base. What you want in stressful circumstances is a mix of both strategies. Unfortunately, all too often in tech at the management level, it’s just a room full of men. What that says to me is that we really need to tap more gender balance in our leadership teams and to listen to the women who get there. 4. How true is it that women rely on emotion in decision-making?You’ve heard the phrase “woman’s intuition” — but probably not “man’s intuition.” We think of women as going with their gut or following their heart. However, the research shows that women tend to take a more analytical approach; they are more likely than men to do research and analyze possible scenarios and pros and cons. It’s actually the men who are more likely to go with their gut and what “feels right” as opposed to doing the necessary analytics. 5. How are women’s decisions received differently than men’s are?There’s ample evidence that women’s ideas are more scrutinized. A Yale researcher asked people to read about a scenario in which a male or female leader in a traditionally male occupation made a costly mistake. They then evaluated how good or bad a leader they thought that person was. When a male leader showed poor judgment, his rating dropped about 10 percent, while a woman making the same mistake suffered three times the penalty, and some people even called for her demotion. When we scrutinize a woman’s mistakes much harsher than a man’s, that makes it all the more difficult for women to simply be promoted within the organization, let alone reach the c-suite. In tech you’re told to fail early and fail often — but that only really applies if you are a guy. 6. Is it only men who are guilty of gender bias?Not at all. Women will often think that men’s ideas are more credible, though they are likely to disavow that if you ask them. We all live and work in the same culture and are subject to the same unconscious biases. 7. Sounds like we have a long way to go. How can women make sure their voices are heard?One of my favorite techniques is amplification. This idea actually came from the Obama administration. Women were finding that their ideas weren’t being heard or given due credit, so they began to amplify one another in meetings: If one woman in the meeting suggested an idea, another woman in the meeting would immediately speak up, name and credit the first woman, and repeat her idea. The women later reported getting credit for their ideas and more opportunities to contribute. Amplification translates well to tech, where women can team up with each other or a male colleague, and it doesn’t come across as aggressive — a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” trait commonly criticized in female leaders. Related: What It’s Like to Be a Black Woman in Tech: A Q&A with Kaya Thomas8. How can women advocate their ideas without being dismissed as overly aggressive?There is some fabulous research recently looking at which types of aggressive behaviors work for women in meetings and which don’t. Talking louder or getting angry, for example, is not liked. But one aggressive technique that doesn’t seem to lead to penalties for women is interrupting. It might feel awkward to interrupt — it certainly does for me — but it’s effective. I don’t mean you should spend the whole meeting talking over everyone, but if there is something you really want to say, then say it. No one is going to call on you; if you’re waiting for a pause, it’s not going to happen. If you, like me, find the thought of interrupting painful and stress over finding the right moment, try counting backward from ten and when you hit one, blurt out your idea, no matter what. Interrupting gives you a huge surge of adrenaline and helps you stay enthused in the meeting, rather than tuning out and giving up. Another strategy to help women — or really, anyone — to give their ideas a boost is to frame it as a question. So say “Would it be possible to … “ instead of “What we need to do is … “ Research shows that this phrasing invites discussion and gives ideas more airtime. The phrasing can be a little tricky for women because there’s a fear that they are sounding soft and asking for permission, but it is actually an effective strategy for both men and women looking to get their voices heard. 9. What can men do to support their female colleagues?For one, they can partner up with the women in their group and try the amplification technique — or simply get in the habit of amplifying good ideas. Prompts as simple as, “What I like about Emily’s idea is . . .” or “I think Samantha suggested that earlier” ensure that women get credit for their ideas. Managers or others who may want to help without coming across as patronizing could pass along the article about amplification in the Obama administration to team members, starting a conversation about this issue and what everyone can do to help. Related: Six Women Programmed the First Computer . . . And Didn’t Get the Credit10. What can tech companies — like DreamHost — do to help?They need to put conscious strategies in place to counteract unconscious gender biases. In meetings, those in management could make a habit of asking to hear input from someone who hasn’t spoken yet. That creates an opportunity for women to speak up, along with anyone else who might need more time to think through their comments. Saying something as simple as, “Wait, I want to hear what Julia has to say,” can open the conversation, as can bringing the conversation back to an idea that may have been interrupted. Managers could also take the time to write down the division of roles, so when the work is being analyzed later, women will get credit for the work they’ve done. Related: 30 Ways to Be an Ally for Women in TechNow Share Your VoiceWe’d love to hear your take! What are some biases you’ve noticed in the workplace? How have these affected you or your co-workers? What strategies have you used to make sure yours — and other’s — ideas are equally heard and valued? And have you tried any of Huston’s techniques? Join us on Twitter and Facebook to start the conversation. The post Fixing Tech’s Gender Gap: 10 Questions with Author Therese Huston appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/fixing-tech-industry-gender-gap/ The imagery you choose to share — on your website, social media accounts, and marketing materials — says a lot about your business. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Returning and potential customers, as well as employees and anyone else who crosses paths with your business, will look at the choices you make in your images. Are they reflected in those photographs? Do your visuals showcase true diversity and representation? “Inclusive imagery matters because our world is a beautiful and diverse place, and we need to embrace and celebrate that in terms of the visual content we put out into the world,” says Claudia Marks, Senior Art Director, iStock by Getty Images. “For brands, it’s an important consideration to make and, ideally, one that you make consistently with every visual choice,” Marks adds. “It’s safe to assume that most small businesses want to expand their reach, which means attracting as many customers as possible. It also means intentionally choosing imagery which is inclusive and, therefore, speaks to people broadly and welcomes them to interact with you and your business.” In this article, we’ll make the business case for diversity, share some tips for adding inclusive imagery to your site, and explain the growing demand for culturally diverse stock photos. Most importantly, we’ll share 19 great stock photo agencies and websites you can turn to when you want diverse, inclusive stock imagery for your business — no tired stereotypes here!
We’ve got a lot to cover. Let’s dive in! Create a Website for AllWe make sure your website is fast, secure, and always up so you can focus on the things that really matter. ![]() The Business Case for DiversityThere are plenty of reasons small business owners should opt for inclusive stock photos. Most importantly, it’s simply the right thing to do. But from a business perspective, it can also help a website owners’ bottom line. “The more you demonstrate that you welcome everyone or that your product is for everyone, the more people will be open to seeing what you have on offer and potentially becoming a customer of yours,” Marks says. “That’s a win-win for any business owner.” However, using inclusive stock art isn’t as easy as finding one person of color in an image and patting yourself on the back. There are certain guidelines to keep in mind to ensure you’re portraying true diversity. “Think about the concepts behind your business and what you are selling,” Marks says. “Make intentional choices in your imagery to ensure you show the kinds of customers you want to appeal to — all of them. Ask yourself if you unconsciously chose images that reflect your personal bias and, if so, challenge that. Know your audience . . . learn what they respond to and what resonates with them best.” Related: 3 Ways to Debug Tech’s Diversity GapHow to Get Started With Diverse ImageryRemember to include everyone in your images. Marks suggests asking yourself a few key questions:
To ensure that site owners give the appropriate credit when using images, familiarize yourself with Creative Commons and fair use rules. Take some time to read up on copyright restrictions; the best and simplest explanation can be found at creativecommonsusa.org. To quickly boil it down, examples of fair use in United States copyright law include using images for commentary, search engines, criticism, parody, news reporting, research, and nonprofit educational purposes. Before you post a photo, do your due diligence to make sure it’s okay to do so (especially if it could qualify as commercial use). The Increasing Demand for Diverse PhotosIn recent years, many new stock art agencies with diverse representation have cropped up to meet the demands of conscious business owners and media outlets. In addition, existing agencies, including Getty, have expanded to embrace more diversity. “Since launching LeanIn, we’ve expanded the ways we authentically — and inclusively — show the world and its beautiful humans,” Marks says. “We recently created the Nosotros Collection, which sought to expand our offering of Latinx content to more honestly depict Latinx people of all origins across the U.S. and North America and, ideally, banish false cultural stereotypes which pervade our media. We’ve also launched the Disability Collection in partnership with Verizon Media to more authentically show people of all abilities navigating everyday life, and the Disrupt Aging Collection in partnership with AARP to re-picture the 50+ community.” Plus, to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Getty also made select content free to download. 19 Great Resources for Diverse Stock Photos1. #WOCinTech Chat![]() The tech industry is notorious for being overwhelmingly male and white. #WoCinTech Chat is trying to change that stereotype by sharing photos of women of color in various technology fields. Even better, every single picture is free to use, thanks to the Creative Commons license. There’s just one caveat: Every photo has to be credited with either a link to the collection and/or the hashtag #WoCinTech Chat. When you think about it, it’s a double win, since it drives more visitors — and hopefully followers — to their site. The collection is curated by Flickr. Related: The State of Women in Tech2. UKBlackTech![]() Most young people of color don’t see themselves represented in the fields of technology. When UKBlackTech — a British organization whose mission is to boost the growth of Black and ethnic minorities in the tech sector — learned about this, they organized a photoshoot to create the images that were missing. In addition to including people of color, they also aimed to include a distinctly British aesthetic. Under Creative Commons licensing, the collection can be used for free as long as UKBlackTech or www.ukblacktech.com is credited. 3. Nappy![]() Diverse stock art shouldn’t just capture people in staged activities. Nappy offers “beautiful, high-res photos of Black and Brown people” in everyday life, ranging from exercising to eating, working, hanging out — you name it. And because Nappy wants to increase representation in the media, the images are free to use. They recommend giving them credit, but it isn’t mandatory. Nappy was created by Shade, a talent agency that specializes in diversity. 4. CreateHer Stock![]() CreateHER Stock isn’t a one-way business. Founder Neosha Gardner is creating a community by encouraging people to connect with her team on collaborations, including adding their own stock photos to the collection, and sending out a monthly email newsletter to keep everyone apprised of updates and giveaways. The stock photo site offers more than 3,500 photos of women of color spanning an array of categories, from workplace to lifestyle. Gardner launched the site when she couldn’t find photos of women of color for a blog post in 2014. They offer both royalty-free and paid options. Related: How This DreamHost Customer Became India’s Premier Blogger5. TONL![]() On their website, TONL says, “A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions for everyone.” The agency is living up to those words by focusing on images that show a glimpse into the lives of all types of people. They bring deeper context to their images by sharing text with each to provide a wider story. To make finding just the right images easier, the site’s offerings are organized into narratives such as taste, travel, tradition, technology, and trend. Within those categories, you’ll find an array of everything from religious images to family photos. They can be purchased à la carte or with a subscription. 6. Picnoi![]() When you can’t find stock image essentials that show a range of skin tones and races, there’s Picnoi to fill the gap. The co-op knows that most free stock images have very few options when it comes to showing people of color, so they created a space for bloggers, website owners, designers, publishers, advertisers, and anyone else to have free access to diverse images right at their fingertips. Picnoi doesn’t require attribution, but they appreciate it, so do them a solid and link to Picnoi to spread the word. Related: What it’s Like to Be a Black Woman in Tech — Q&A with Kaya Thomas7. The Gender Spectrum Collection: Stock Photos Beyond the Binary![]() When talking about inclusive imagery, gender identity is often left out of the conversation. Luckily, The Gender Spectrum Collection fills that void with photos of transgender and non-binary folks. Powered by Vice media, the images are free to use. Organized by category — including lifestyle, relationships, and work, to name a few — Vice encourages clients to use the images mindfully to help bring awareness to gender bias and stereotypes, elevating the trans community along the way. The photos run the gamut of the LGBTQ spectrum, featuring people in all facets of life. Related: How to Design an LGBTQ-Inclusive Website8. DragonImages![]() To ensure Asian people are represented correctly in imagery, Pressfoto Group, a stock photography house, launched DragonImages under their umbrella in 2012. Based in Asia, they ensure their photos accurately represent culture, customs, and ethnicities from across the continent. They shoot on location using Asian models, encompassing a wide array of categories and themes. In addition to being available at Pressfoto, many of their images can be found at popular stock photo agencies such as iStock, Shutterstock, and Fotolia. DragonImages purposely prices their photos very low — often for less than a dollar — to make them widely accessible. More than 50,0000 of their photographs have been used all over the world. 9. Mocha Stock![]() Sequoia Houston was constantly on the lookout for professional, diverse visuals she could use for campaigns at her marketing job, but they were next to impossible to find. She took matters into her own hands and launched Mocha Stock. From diverse stock images to illustrations to videos, Mocha Stock offers it all, showcasing people of color with a real vibe. A few of their themed galleries include celebrating women, business, and family. The royalty-free images are priced affordably to suit all budgets. 10. Diversity Photos![]() “Relevant. Authentic. Inclusive.” That’s how Diversity Photos describes their collection, and it’s spot on. They cover every topic you can think of and make it look believable, from business to health, spirituality, family, disabilities, and culture — all neatly organized into categories. With super high-quality and professional photos, they offer subscriptions or à la carte purchases at attainable prices. 11. The Lean In Collection from LeanIn.org/Getty![]() A team effort between Getty Images and LeanIn.org, the women’s empowerment nonprofit launched by Sheryl Sandberg, this photo library features more than 6,000 images of female leadership, both in work and life. Aiming to dispel gender stereotypes and imagery that depicts patriarchy, The “Lean In Collection” shows women and girls as equals and empowered. “The goal is to shift perceptions, overturn clichés, and incorporate authentic images of women and men into media and advertising,” Marks says. Related: 30 Ways to Be an Ally for Women in Tech12. The 67 Percent Collection from Refinery29/Getty![]() “This is a collection of imagery created by the team at Refinery29 to dive deeper into how millennial and Gen Z women view themselves and the world — unapologetically themselves and embracing every aspect of who they are,” Marks says. It’s all about raw images of women from various walks of life and backgrounds. 13. MuslimGirl.com Collection from Getty![]() “We partnered with their founder, Amani al-Khatahtbeh, to purposefully change how young, modern Muslim women and girls are depicted in the media and advertising,” Marks says. “Whether they choose to wear a hijab or not, they are more than they have been depicted in pop culture. They have the same aspirations and emotions and passions and intelligence as all modern girls and women and should be depicted as such to normalize their existence in our world and specifically the West.” 14. Shestock from Blend ImagesImages of women by women doesn’t sound revolutionary, but it was when Shestock was launched in 2012, making it the very first woman-centric stock image collection. In addition to supporting female photographers, it aims to eliminate gender bias and show women in more authentic and empowering situations. For example, Shestock shares photos of women in STEM fields to encourage young girls. The collection is available for purchase through Blend Images. 15. LGBT Photos by PexelsThe LGBTQ spectrum truly is as broad as a rainbow, and Pexels captures this sentiment in their curated section of LGBTQ photos. From portraits to lifestyle shots and everything in between, Pexels covers the bases with an ethnically diverse group of people in an authentic way. Even better, all of the photos and videos are free. Attribution isn’t necessary, but it is appreciated by both Pexels and the photographers. DreamHost Takes Inclusivity SeriouslyWe regularly report on diversity, accessibility, and representation in the tech industry. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter so you never miss an article. ![]() 16. TetraImages.comThe latest collection from Tetra is Blend images, which is all about photography and footage of multicultural and diverse people shot by artists from across the globe. They cover any category you can think of — small business to city life, beauty, nature, food, holidays, seasons, health living, education, Americana, and pharmaceuticals, to name a few. The conceptual images are fresh, modern, and realistic, and all are available for editorial and commercial licensing. 17. The LGBT section at Twenty20![]() Twenty20 fills their LGBTQ section with people of color, a range of identities, and striking images that deliver a deeper message. To make it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for, their LGBTQ section is organized into several categories, such as Pride, couples, and happy people. They offer subscriptions from $16.50 per month. 18. PhotoAbility![]() It doesn’t get more authentic than PhotoAbility and their models. Every single person portrayed in the images has a disability and a portion of each sale goes directly to them. The photos feature adults and children with disabilities in various settings, including travel, sports, business, and lifestyle, aiming to increase positive imagery of people who use wheelchairs, canes, walkers, guide dogs, and other mobility devices. They offer a range of prices to fit every budget, with a deep discount for advocacy groups. Related: Leveling the Web: 12 Questions with Accessibility Expert Gian Wild19. Canva’s Natural Woman CollectionTired of the male gaze? Canva is too, which is where their Natural Woman Collection comes in. Authentic and true to life, it captures women in their natural state, whether that’s in nature, striking a yoga pose, taking selfies with friends, or with their families. Canva offers both free and premium shots to make the most of your budget. The post 19 Great Resources for Diverse Stock Photos appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/diverse-stock-photos-resources/ The imagery you choose to share — on your website, social media accounts, and marketing materials — says a lot about your business. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Returning and potential customers, as well as employees and anyone else who crosses paths with your business, will look at the choices you make in your images. Are they reflected in those photographs? Do your visuals showcase true diversity and representation? “Inclusive imagery matters because our world is a beautiful and diverse place, and we need to embrace and celebrate that in terms of the visual content we put out into the world,” says Claudia Marks, Senior Art Director, iStock by Getty Images. “For brands, it’s an important consideration to make and, ideally, one that you make consistently with every visual choice,” Marks adds. “It’s safe to assume that most small businesses want to expand their reach, which means attracting as many customers as possible. It also means intentionally choosing imagery which is inclusive and, therefore, speaks to people broadly and welcomes them to interact with you and your business.” In this article, we’ll make the business case for diversity, share some tips for adding inclusive imagery to your site, and explain the growing demand for culturally diverse stock photos. Most importantly, we’ll share 19 great stock photo agencies and websites you can turn to when you want diverse, inclusive stock imagery for your business — no tired stereotypes here!
We’ve got a lot to cover. Let’s dive in! Create a Website for AllWe make sure your website is fast, secure, and always up so you can focus on the things that really matter. ![]() The Business Case for DiversityThere are plenty of reasons small business owners should opt for inclusive stock photos. Most importantly, it’s simply the right thing to do. But from a business perspective, it can also help a website owners’ bottom line. “The more you demonstrate that you welcome everyone or that your product is for everyone, the more people will be open to seeing what you have on offer and potentially becoming a customer of yours,” Marks says. “That’s a win-win for any business owner.” However, using inclusive stock art isn’t as easy as finding one person of color in an image and patting yourself on the back. There are certain guidelines to keep in mind to ensure you’re portraying true diversity. “Think about the concepts behind your business and what you are selling,” Marks says. “Make intentional choices in your imagery to ensure you show the kinds of customers you want to appeal to — all of them. Ask yourself if you unconsciously chose images that reflect your personal bias and, if so, challenge that. Know your audience . . . learn what they respond to and what resonates with them best.” Related: 3 Ways to Debug Tech’s Diversity GapHow to Get Started With Diverse ImageryRemember to include everyone in your images. Marks suggests asking yourself a few key questions:
To ensure that site owners give the appropriate credit when using images, familiarize yourself with Creative Commons and fair use rules. Take some time to read up on copyright restrictions; the best and simplest explanation can be found at creativecommonsusa.org. To quickly boil it down, examples of fair use in United States copyright law include using images for commentary, search engines, criticism, parody, news reporting, research, and nonprofit educational purposes. Before you post a photo, do your due diligence to make sure it’s okay to do so (especially if it could qualify as commercial use). The Increasing Demand for Diverse PhotosIn recent years, many new stock art agencies with diverse representation have cropped up to meet the demands of conscious business owners and media outlets. In addition, existing agencies, including Getty, have expanded to embrace more diversity. “Since launching LeanIn, we’ve expanded the ways we authentically — and inclusively — show the world and its beautiful humans,” Marks says. “We recently created the Nosotros Collection, which sought to expand our offering of Latinx content to more honestly depict Latinx people of all origins across the U.S. and North America and, ideally, banish false cultural stereotypes which pervade our media. We’ve also launched the Disability Collection in partnership with Verizon Media to more authentically show people of all abilities navigating everyday life, and the Disrupt Aging Collection in partnership with AARP to re-picture the 50+ community.” Plus, to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Getty also made select content free to download. 19 Great Resources for Diverse Stock Photos1. #WOCinTech Chat![]() The tech industry is notorious for being overwhelmingly male and white. #WoCinTech Chat is trying to change that stereotype by sharing photos of women of color in various technology fields. Even better, every single picture is free to use, thanks to the Creative Commons license. There’s just one caveat: Every photo has to be credited with either a link to the collection and/or the hashtag #WoCinTech Chat. When you think about it, it’s a double win, since it drives more visitors — and hopefully followers — to their site. The collection is curated by Flickr. Related: The State of Women in Tech2. UKBlackTech![]() Most young people of color don’t see themselves represented in the fields of technology. When UKBlackTech — a British organization whose mission is to boost the growth of Black and ethnic minorities in the tech sector — learned about this, they organized a photoshoot to create the images that were missing. In addition to including people of color, they also aimed to include a distinctly British aesthetic. Under Creative Commons licensing, the collection can be used for free as long as UKBlackTech or www.ukblacktech.com is credited. 3. Nappy![]() Diverse stock art shouldn’t just capture people in staged activities. Nappy offers “beautiful, high-res photos of Black and Brown people” in everyday life, ranging from exercising to eating, working, hanging out — you name it. And because Nappy wants to increase representation in the media, the images are free to use. They recommend giving them credit, but it isn’t mandatory. Nappy was created by Shade, a talent agency that specializes in diversity. 4. CreateHer Stock![]() CreateHER Stock isn’t a one-way business. Founder Neosha Gardner is creating a community by encouraging people to connect with her team on collaborations, including adding their own stock photos to the collection, and sending out a monthly email newsletter to keep everyone apprised of updates and giveaways. The stock photo site offers more than 3,500 photos of women of color spanning an array of categories, from workplace to lifestyle. Gardner launched the site when she couldn’t find photos of women of color for a blog post in 2014. They offer both royalty-free and paid options. Related: How This DreamHost Customer Became India’s Premier Blogger5. TONL![]() On their website, TONL says, “A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions for everyone.” The agency is living up to those words by focusing on images that show a glimpse into the lives of all types of people. They bring deeper context to their images by sharing text with each to provide a wider story. To make finding just the right images easier, the site’s offerings are organized into narratives such as taste, travel, tradition, technology, and trend. Within those categories, you’ll find an array of everything from religious images to family photos. They can be purchased à la carte or with a subscription. 6. Picnoi![]() When you can’t find stock image essentials that show a range of skin tones and races, there’s Picnoi to fill the gap. The co-op knows that most free stock images have very few options when it comes to showing people of color, so they created a space for bloggers, website owners, designers, publishers, advertisers, and anyone else to have free access to diverse images right at their fingertips. Picnoi doesn’t require attribution, but they appreciate it, so do them a solid and link to Picnoi to spread the word. Related: What it’s Like to Be a Black Woman in Tech — Q&A with Kaya Thomas7. The Gender Spectrum Collection: Stock Photos Beyond the Binary![]() When talking about inclusive imagery, gender identity is often left out of the conversation. Luckily, The Gender Spectrum Collection fills that void with photos of transgender and non-binary folks. Powered by Vice media, the images are free to use. Organized by category — including lifestyle, relationships, and work, to name a few — Vice encourages clients to use the images mindfully to help bring awareness to gender bias and stereotypes, elevating the trans community along the way. The photos run the gamut of the LGBTQ spectrum, featuring people in all facets of life. Related: How to Design an LGBTQ-Inclusive Website8. DragonImages![]() To ensure Asian people are represented correctly in imagery, Pressfoto Group, a stock photography house, launched DragonImages under their umbrella in 2012. Based in Asia, they ensure their photos accurately represent culture, customs, and ethnicities from across the continent. They shoot on location using Asian models, encompassing a wide array of categories and themes. In addition to being available at Pressfoto, many of their images can be found at popular stock photo agencies such as iStock, Shutterstock, and Fotolia. DragonImages purposely prices their photos very low — often for less than a dollar — to make them widely accessible. More than 50,0000 of their photographs have been used all over the world. 9. Mocha Stock![]() Sequoia Houston was constantly on the lookout for professional, diverse visuals she could use for campaigns at her marketing job, but they were next to impossible to find. She took matters into her own hands and launched Mocha Stock. From diverse stock images to illustrations to videos, Mocha Stock offers it all, showcasing people of color with a real vibe. A few of their themed galleries include celebrating women, business, and family. The royalty-free images are priced affordably to suit all budgets. 10. Diversity Photos![]() “Relevant. Authentic. Inclusive.” That’s how Diversity Photos describes their collection, and it’s spot on. They cover every topic you can think of and make it look believable, from business to health, spirituality, family, disabilities, and culture — all neatly organized into categories. With super high-quality and professional photos, they offer subscriptions or à la carte purchases at attainable prices. 11. The Lean In Collection from LeanIn.org/Getty![]() A team effort between Getty Images and LeanIn.org, the women’s empowerment nonprofit launched by Sheryl Sandberg, this photo library features more than 6,000 images of female leadership, both in work and life. Aiming to dispel gender stereotypes and imagery that depicts patriarchy, The “Lean In Collection” shows women and girls as equals and empowered. “The goal is to shift perceptions, overturn clichés, and incorporate authentic images of women and men into media and advertising,” Marks says. Related: 30 Ways to Be an Ally for Women in Tech12. The 67 Percent Collection from Refinery29/Getty![]() “This is a collection of imagery created by the team at Refinery29 to dive deeper into how millennial and Gen Z women view themselves and the world — unapologetically themselves and embracing every aspect of who they are,” Marks says. It’s all about raw images of women from various walks of life and backgrounds. 13. MuslimGirl.com Collection from Getty![]() “We partnered with their founder, Amani al-Khatahtbeh, to purposefully change how young, modern Muslim women and girls are depicted in the media and advertising,” Marks says. “Whether they choose to wear a hijab or not, they are more than they have been depicted in pop culture. They have the same aspirations and emotions and passions and intelligence as all modern girls and women and should be depicted as such to normalize their existence in our world and specifically the West.” 14. Shestock from Blend ImagesImages of women by women doesn’t sound revolutionary, but it was when Shestock was launched in 2012, making it the very first woman-centric stock image collection. In addition to supporting female photographers, it aims to eliminate gender bias and show women in more authentic and empowering situations. For example, Shestock shares photos of women in STEM fields to encourage young girls. The collection is available for purchase through Blend Images. 15. LGBT Photos by PexelsThe LGBTQ spectrum truly is as broad as a rainbow, and Pexels captures this sentiment in their curated section of LGBTQ photos. From portraits to lifestyle shots and everything in between, Pexels covers the bases with an ethnically diverse group of people in an authentic way. Even better, all of the photos and videos are free. Attribution isn’t necessary, but it is appreciated by both Pexels and the photographers. DreamHost Takes Inclusivity SeriouslyWe regularly report on diversity, accessibility, and representation in the tech industry. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter so you never miss an article. ![]() 16. TetraImages.comThe latest collection from Tetra is Blend images, which is all about photography and footage of multicultural and diverse people shot by artists from across the globe. They cover any category you can think of — small business to city life, beauty, nature, food, holidays, seasons, health living, education, Americana, and pharmaceuticals, to name a few. The conceptual images are fresh, modern, and realistic, and all are available for editorial and commercial licensing. 17. The LGBT section at Twenty20![]() Twenty20 fills their LGBTQ section with people of color, a range of identities, and striking images that deliver a deeper message. To make it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for, their LGBTQ section is organized into several categories, such as Pride, couples, and happy people. They offer subscriptions from $16.50 per month. 18. PhotoAbility![]() It doesn’t get more authentic than PhotoAbility and their models. Every single person portrayed in the images has a disability and a portion of each sale goes directly to them. The photos feature adults and children with disabilities in various settings, including travel, sports, business, and lifestyle, aiming to increase positive imagery of people who use wheelchairs, canes, walkers, guide dogs, and other mobility devices. They offer a range of prices to fit every budget, with a deep discount for advocacy groups. Related: Leveling the Web: 12 Questions with Accessibility Expert Gian Wild19. Canva’s Natural Woman CollectionTired of the male gaze? Canva is too, which is where their Natural Woman Collection comes in. Authentic and true to life, it captures women in their natural state, whether that’s in nature, striking a yoga pose, taking selfies with friends, or with their families. Canva offers both free and premium shots to make the most of your budget. The post 19 Great Resources for Diverse Stock Photos appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/diverse-stock-photos-resources/ What a time to be alive! Beginners with no coding experience can now build a website with minimal effort and expense. Even better, the options are limitless: You’ve got an entire arsenal of colors, fonts, images, and buttons at your disposal. But with so many design elements to play with, it can be tempting to go a bit wild. “A sprinkle of animation here! A dash of cheetah print there!” But, as is often the case with things that glitter, it’s easy to go overboard — especially if your creativity is reducing the functionality of your site. Whether you want to sell a product or share some blog posts, you’re not really building the website for you. It’s your site’s visitors that need to be happy with the design and user interface. That’s where User Experience (UX) comes into play. Keeping a strong focus on UX while building your site should pay off in higher conversions and lower bounce rates. In this article, I’ll give you a crash course in UX and explain what a UX designer does. Then we’ll go over some tips on recognizing good UX design when you encounter it. Finally, I’ll show you how to use UX to create a better website for your audience. Feel free to jump ahead to the section that’s most beneficial to you!
Ready to talk UX strategy? Let’s get started! An Introduction to User Experience (UX) and Why It MattersSimply put, User Experience (UX) is how interacting with technology makes a user feel. UX applies to any technology, from an app to a game console. When it comes to websites, UX design is about optimizing the interaction between the human user and the page. A site built with solid UX principles should leave the user feeling like they accomplished what they came to do without frustration. That may make you think of going all out with the website’s visual design. That might include flashy animations and gigantic image carousels. If you remember MySpace, you probably still have nightmares about animated glitter and MIDI versions of Blink-182 songs . . . yikes. ![]() But UX design has a lot less to do with how a site looks than how it’s used. To be effective, your website should be a complete experience — not just words and images on a page. Users will forget data, such as how much they paid for the products they ordered. However, the experience of ordering should be pleasant and effortless. That experience will stay with them, increasing the odds that they’ll buy from you time and again. If your site delivers a poor UX, you may see the opposite result. Users who become stressed out or angry when using your site will likely head to one of your competitors’ sites. They have many options and no reason to return to a website that’s difficult to use. If you’re still not convinced that UX matters to your website, here are a few key statistics:
All of this serves to illustrate the importance of good UX design when building a website. Related: The Great Pop-Up Debate (and Other Dark UX Problems)The Role of the UX DesignerUX is so vital there’s an entire profession dedicated to optimizing it. A UX designer’s day-to-day tasks will vary based on what kinds of projects they’re tackling. However, the goal is usually the same. The UX designer’s job is to optimize the user’s experience when interacting with digital technology while also keeping in mind the well-being of the business. To achieve this balancing act, the UX designer follows a process that results in multiple deliverables. Before any actual designing starts, there’s a lot of UX research to do. Therefore, the designer may first create one or more audience personas. This enables the designer to understand the user’s needs. Next, the UX designer may present a potential user flow diagram to help explore possible ways that a user may interact with the website. They can then translate that information into a prototype. Prototypes may be as basic as a wireframe, a rough blueprint for what a final web page could look like. The designer may also create a more visually-robust prototype or even one that can be interacted with. ![]() The UX designer’s responsibilities don’t end with the final design. Once the site is launched, they may conduct usability testing or look into usage analytics to identify and fix potential problems. In other words, they’re involved with all stages of a website’s creation and launch. Related: How to Start User Testing on Your WebsiteHow to Recognize Good UX DesignIf you’re handling your own UX design, it’s your responsibility to advocate for your audience while ensuring that you’re still getting what you want from your site. To do that, the first step is to learn how to recognize robust UX design. With that in mind, let’s look at some examples of UX in the wild. There are four key elements you’ll want to pay close attention to. 1. NavigationPoor navigational design can render any website useless. Moving through a site should be smooth and intuitive. The navigation menu should also be accessible no matter what device a visitor is using. Breadcrumb navigation is one way designers prevent users from getting lost, especially if a website has many pages. ![]() It’s also important to pay attention to links. Web designers who employ strong UX make sure you can identify links when you see them. This often means underlining them and using a different text color. They’ll also use meaningful anchor text, so you know where the link is taking you before clicking on it. Related: 12 Tips for Optimizing Your Blog’s Structure2. ContentA significant part of successful UX is understanding how people interact with different parts of a website. For example, most people don’t read web page content normally. They scan it and then stop to read if they’ve found something interesting. Content is scannable if a user can quickly browse through a blog post or sales page and come away with a clear idea of what it’s communicating. ![]() Keeping paragraphs short is one way to create scan-friendly content. Those paragraphs should be broken up frequently with headings, lists, and images. Designers may also make use of pull-quotes, bolded text, and similar elements. Related: How to Create a Content Strategy for Your Website3. AnimationAnimation is an effective way to stand out from a sea of websites and grab a user’s attention. It adds an element of fun and can contribute to creating a memorable experience for the user. However, there’s a right and a wrong way to go about implementing it. Subtle animation can provide feedback while you wait for a transaction to complete. An animation can also loop endlessly while you struggle to focus on reading a product description. These approaches create two very different experiences. The overuse of animation can also affect UX on mobile devices. 4. ResponsivenessOptimizing a website for mobile users is a must. If you’re like most people, you usually use your phone to access the internet. If you come across a site that you have to struggle to use on your device, you’re likely to simply abandon it. Beyond choosing a responsive theme, you can take additional steps to ensure that your site works well on all screens. For example, you can run your website through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test Tool. ![]() This tool will alert you to issues that are keeping your site from being mobile-friendly. You may find that a particular font is too difficult to read on a tiny screen, for instance, or that buttons are too small to tap easily. Related: How to Increase Your Website’s Conversion Rate with TypographyHow to Use UX to Design a Site for Your AudienceNow that you know what good UX is, how do you apply it to your site? You probably won’t be doing intensive market research or prototyping with high-fidelity wireframes. Still, putting on your UX designer hat can help you create a site that both you and your audience will love. First, it’s important to be clear about why you have a website and what you want it to do. For example, are you:
Next, get to know your ideal user or potential customer. Creating a user persona will help you imagine how your target audience may interact with your website. This persona can be as simple as who the person is, what they want, and what keeps them from getting it. Crucially, you must identify what the user needs to be successful on your site. Remember that accessibility is an integral part of UX. You may have visitors who use assistive technology, so consider making accessibility a priority when building your site. You can also check out your competitors’ sites to see what’s working for them. Is the shopping cart icon always in the upper-right corner? Maybe yours should be, too. You can be creative without reinventing the wheel; users shouldn’t have to figure out how your site works to accomplish their goals. ![]() Finally, website performance matters for UX. Slow pages will cause visitors to leave before the site has a chance to load. There are many ways to speed up your site, although your best bet is to start with quality hosting. Building a Better User Experience?Partner with DreamHost. We’ll make sure your website is fast, secure, and always up so your visitors trust you. Plans start at $2.59/mo. ![]() UX ResourcesAt this point, you’ve likely figured out that UX design isn’t something you optimize in one shot. There’s a lot more to this field than we can cover in one article. ![]() Fortunately, there are many quality UX resources you can refer to as you continue to improve your website:
If you combine these resources with research and practice, you should find yourself implementing good user experience practices in no time. Design a Great User ExperienceYou don’t need to be a professional UX designer to build a website your audience will love interacting with. All it takes is some understanding of what will make life easier for your visitors and a willingness to build a site that provides that experience. UX describes what the experience of interacting with your website is like for users. Optimizing your site’s UX means ensuring that it has clear navigation, creating content that’s easy to scan, testing it for responsiveness, and more. There’s a lot to learn, but there are also plenty of useful resources and knowledgeable designers who can help. After that, you’ll be ready to conquer the internet with your UX-optimized website! You can check some of the performance-related tasks off your list early with our high-quality shared website hosting plans. The post What Is User Experience (And How Can You Use It to Build a Site That Suits Your Audience)? appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge. from https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-user-experience/ |