Articles on Design, Marketing, Web, Business Growth & More
Three Misconceptions About Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence is moving fast, and with that speed comes confusion. Headlines, social media posts, and even marketing materials often blur the line between what AI actually does and what it appears to do. As AI tools become more visible in everyday work and creative spaces, it is important to separate reality from assumption. Here are three of the most common misconceptions about...
If a company wants to break past the ten-million plateau and build a future instead of protecting the past, outsourcing marketing is not a risk. It is the next step in the growth curve. A Familiar Story There is a story I have seen repeat itself across large companies of every industry. Manufacturing, logistics, construction, technology, consumer products. The details shift, but the pattern never does. A company...
Most businesses know they need to “do marketing,” but the point where most budgets fail is simple. They don’t spend enough to generate meaningful reach. If you limit your exposure, you limit your sales potential. But reach is not the same across every platform. Meta delivers one type of reach. Google delivers a very different type. If you do not understand the difference, you make decisions that slow growth instead of accelerating it. At Des...
If you’ve started running Meta (Facebook) Ads and suddenly notice strange form submissions — random letters, gibberish names, or nonsense emails — you’re not alone. These aren’t real people. They’re bots. Understanding why this happens (and how to stop it) is key to protecting your ad budget, keeping your CRM clean, and improving campaign performance. What Are Bots and Why They Target Forms Bots are automated scripts that crawl the internet...
Before you cut your marketing spend, take a quick look at this case study—you might reconsider once you see what happened when this company stopped investing.
Understanding AI for Media AI for Social Media has emerged as a game-changer for brands and creators alike. By harnessing the power of machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks, businesses can automate routine tasks, deliver personalized experiences at scale, and extract actionable insights from mountains of user data. From identifying trending topics to forecasting audience behavior, AI-driven tools enable marketers to stay one step...
Google’s automated ranking systems reward content created primarily for real people, not merely to “game” the algorithm. By focusing on helpful content that’s reliable and people-first, you build trust with both your audience and search engines, laying the groundwork for lasting visibility and authority (developers.google.com). Key Principles for Creating Helpful Content 1. Self-Assess Your Helpful Content Originality & Depth: Offer unique...
The short answer? Not if AI is helpful. Google Developer Guide for SEO AI Content How Google Handles AI Content Google doesn’t care how your content is created. It cares whether it's: Relevant to the searcher’s intent Accurate and trustworthy Well-structured for search visibility That means content written with AI tools won’t hurt your rankings as long as it delivers value. On the flip side, AI content that’s vague, repetitive, or...
Yes. Or They’ll Be Obsolete in Five Years. AI isn’t a maybe—it’s a mandate. If your marketing team hasn’t integrated AI into its workflow, you’re already behind. In five years, your team won’t just be slower—they’ll be irrelevant. AI is the competitive edge your business needs to stay ahead. It speeds up research, sharpens analysis, and eliminates hours of grunt work. That means more time for strategy and creativity—if your team knows how to...
Let’s be honest: most ads look great these days. Clean fonts. Trendy color palettes. Maybe even a cheeky headline or two. But if your beautifully designed ad is getting crickets, here’s the hard truth: It’s not them. It’s you.(Okay, it’s your messaging — but still.) Good Looks Won’t Save a Bad Strategy Sure, a nice visual might stop the scroll for half a second.But then what? If your ad doesn’t know your customer — their pain points, their...
We recently had a conversation with a construction company that’s been working with another local Iowa design agency. During the meeting, they hit us with a question that honestly stopped me in my tracks: "How can you write content for the roofing industry if you're not in the roofing industry?" It’s a fair question—but also a telling one. Research is the foundation for good marketing When you’re hiring someone to help with your website, your...
Social media isn’t just for connecting with customers — it’s a tool for boosting your search engine visibility. Yet, many businesses miss out on leveraging social media to improve their SEO. By optimizing your social media presence, you can increase discoverability, build authority, and drive more traffic to your website. Here’s how to make your social media posts work harder for your SEO strategy. 1. Optimize Your Profile for Search Your...
You’ve put time, effort, and money into building your small business website, but something just isn’t clicking. Customers visit but don’t convert, or worse — they never find your site in the first place. A website that isn’t built with the user in mind could be costing you more than you realize. Let’s break down the most common pitfalls that could be driving potential customers away and how to fix them. 1. Slow Loading Times: The Ultimate...
When it comes to making a powerful first impression online, your website is the key to standing out. Whether you’re a local business looking to attract more customers or an established brand aiming to boost visibility, having a customized website is essential. The one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t cut it anymore. That’s where Des Moines web design comes into play, offering tailored solutions that make your brand unforgettable. Why Custom...
Google Ads, Finding the right keyword When it comes to Google Ads, using broad, generic keywords can be a costly mistake—especially if you’re in a niche industry. For example, let’s say your ad agency picks a pay-per-click keyword like “axles.” At first glance, this seems like a great choice. After all, the term has high search volume. But here’s the problem: “axles” refers to car axles, trailer axles, or any number of other axle types. Bad...
Web design is constantly evolving, and in 2025, aesthetics and functionality are merging more than ever. Websites are no longer just about delivering information—they are immersive experiences that captivate users. Bold typography, interactive elements, and fluid animations are taking center stage, making design more engaging and memorable. Here’s a look at 10 web design trends that will shape how websites look and feel in 2025. Web Design...
Your website might have been cutting-edge when it launched, but is it still pulling its weight? If it’s outdated, slow, or failing to convert visitors into customers, it's time for a website revamp. A refresh isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about ensuring your site is working as a powerful tool for your business. Let’s break down the signs that your website needs an overhaul and what we can do to bring it back to life. Signs Your Website Needs...
What Makes a Top Web Design Company? In today's digital landscape, a business’s online presence is often its most valuable asset. A well-crafted website can drive sales, establish credibility, and enhance customer engagement. But what sets apart a top web design company from the rest? Here’s what to look for when choosing the best agency to handle your web design needs. 1. Strategic Design Approach A top web design company doesn’t just focus on...
Think about the last time you visited a website and immediately clicked away. Maybe it was slow, confusing, or just plain ugly. Now, think about the sites you actually enjoy using—the ones that feel effortless, guide you where you need to go, and maybe even make you want to stick around. That’s the power of web design done right. It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about function, psychology, and strategy...
Color correction is the process of adjusting an image's exposure, white balance, contrast, and color tones to ensure accurate, true-to-life colors and a natural appearance. How Color Correction and Grading Sets Des Moine Creative's Photos Apart Not all photographers provide professional color correction and grading as part of their services. Why? From what I've seen in the field, most photographers don't have a grasp on color theory or they...
Does AEO Rely on Schema? Yes, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) often relies heavily on Q&A schema or structured data to improve its effectiveness. This is because answer engines (like Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa) and search engines' featured snippets look for well-structured content that directly answers user queries. Q&A schema helps these systems understand and extract relevant answers from your content more effectively. What are...
What is SEO and What is AEO In the world of digital marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has been a cornerstone for increasing visibility and driving traffic to websites. But there's a newer player on the field—AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). Both are powerful tools, but they serve different purposes and require different strategies. Let’s dive into what each one entails, their key differences, and which might be the best choice for...
I recently came across a unique problem that disrupted email workflow between businesses. This IT problem was unique to a company that owns multiple domains for its subsidiaries. If you're like me, then you know that these problems are frustrating and that there are not enough articles on what you can do to fix them. Below are the areas we investigated to get their email accounts back up. 10 reasons why an email address cannot send to a...
These are affordable starter template sites designed for companies that can't afford a developer or designer to get started. Why Cheap Web Builders Hurt Your Business in the Long Run When it comes to building a website, businesses often face a common dilemma: save money upfront with a cheap website builder or invest in a custom-built solution. While web builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify may seem like an easy and affordable option,...
PPC Ads and why you should start here. What are PPC Ads? PPC Ads are Google Ads. PPC ads drive an average of 80% of our client's website traffic. There are several types of campaigns, but in general they're designed to target search queries. You can specify your audience down to interest and locations. If Traffic Drive Sales then PPC is the Fuel As a business the most important thing for you to do is drive traffic. Whether it's to your...