In the bustling digital landscape of Washington, DC, where businesses strive to stand out amidst fierce competition, having a robust online presence is non-negotiable. Your website serves as the virtual storefront, the first impression that can make or break a potential customer’s decision to engage with your brand. To ensure your online presence exudes professionalism, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, partnering with a top-notch WordPress development agency is paramount.

A WordPress development agency specializes in creating and optimizing websites using the WordPress platform, the most popular content management system (CMS) globally. With its flexibility, scalability, and extensive array of plugins and themes, WordPress empowers businesses to craft dynamic and visually stunning websites tailored to their unique needs.

Bluetext: A WordPress Expert

Here at Bluetext, we’ve designed some of the most impressive WordPress websites on the internet today. For example, our work with The Weather Company was delivered on a WordPress CMS in just over 100 days from inception to website launch. From the project kick-off to the launch date, Bluetext worked at rapid speed and was committed to hitting an aggressive launch date while producing the highest quality deliverables from beginning to end. This included in-depth discovery work (to ensure we understood the business, its challenges, and its goals), as well as intentional content strategy, SEO, wireframes, color comps, motion study/animation, fully responsive website development and QA, content loading, and strategic recommendations throughout the entire process.

Choosing the Right Agency Partner

So, how do you choose the right WordPress development agency in Washington, DC? Here are some key factors to consider:

Expertise and Experience: Look for an agency with a proven track record of success in WordPress development. Evaluate their portfolio to gauge the quality and diversity of their past projects. Experienced agencies will understand the intricacies of WordPress customization, optimization, and maintenance, ensuring your website performs flawlessly.
Design Capabilities: Aesthetics matter in web design. Seek an agency that excels in creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites. Your website should not only capture attention but also provide a seamless browsing experience across devices, fostering engagement and driving conversions.
Technical Proficiency: Beyond design, technical proficiency is crucial. The agency should possess in-depth knowledge of WordPress architecture, coding best practices, and SEO principles to ensure your website is optimized for search engines and delivers superior performance.
Client Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration are essential for a successful partnership. Choose an agency that values client input, listens to your requirements, and keeps you informed throughout the development process. Transparency and responsiveness foster trust and ensure your vision is brought to life.
Support and Maintenance: Launching your website is just the beginning. Choose an agency that offers ongoing support and maintenance services to keep your website secure, up-to-date, and optimized for peak performance. A reliable partner will provide timely updates, address any issues promptly, and help your website evolve alongside your business. That being said, don’t feel like you have to rely on an agency partner to maintain your website. If you have the capabilities in house, a good website agency will set you up for success so you can support the website from launch onwards.

In Washington, DC, Bluetext stands out as a premier WordPress development agency, specializing in web design, digital strategy, and branding services. With a dedicated team of experts and a client-centric approach, Bluetext has helped numerous businesses across various industries elevate their online presence and achieve their digital goals.

Take our work with BlueAlly for example. BlueAlly is a technology & IT consulting company that helps enterprises break down barriers to advanced technology and achieve new levels of capability. The BlueAlly team came to Bluetext after the acquisition of N2grate and Netcraftsmen to help build a cohesive brand that could encompass all of their growing capabilities. The project started with our messaging work stream followed by the logo design, CVI creation, content planning, and website development that culminated in the external launch of their new brand and site alongside a powerful brand essence video.

Invest with an Agency, Invest in Yourself

Don’t settle for an ordinary website when you can have an extraordinary one. Partner with a trusted WordPress development agency like Bluetext and unleash the full potential of your online presence. Contact us today to embark on your journey towards digital excellence.

In conclusion, investing in professional WordPress development is an investment in your business’s success. By choosing the right agency, you can create a captivating, high-performing website that captivates your audience and drives results. Take the first step towards enhancing your online presence and propelling your business to new heights with Bluetext.

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for businesses looking to maintain a competitive edge. One trend that has been rapidly gaining traction is Voice Search Optimization (VSO). With the rising popularity of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, optimizing content for voice search has become more than just a trend—it’s now a necessity. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of VSO, the strategies involved, and how you can leverage it to enhance your digital marketing efforts.

Understanding Voice Search Optimization

Voice search refers to the act of using voice commands to search the internet, ask questions, or perform tasks on devices equipped with voice recognition technology. Ubiquitous across millions of users daily, voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant are relied upon for finding information and making decisions.

Voice Search Optimization (VSO) involves optimizing your website and content to rank higher in voice search results. Unlike traditional text-based searches, voice searches tend to be more conversational and long-tail in nature, meaning they often contain natural language queries or questions.

Why Voice Search Optimization Matters

The increasing prevalence of voice assistants has fundamentally changed the way people search for information online. According to recent studies, voice searches are not only on the rise but are also expected to account for a significant portion of all searches in the near future. By optimizing your content for voice search, you can ensure that your business remains visible and accessible to a growing audience of voice search users.

Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Use Conversational Language: When optimizing content for voice search, it’s essential to use natural, conversational language. Think about how people would verbally ask a question and tailor your content accordingly. Focus on answering common questions related to your industry or niche.
Target Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that typically have lower search volumes but higher conversion rates. These keywords are especially important for voice search optimization, as users tend to phrase their queries in a more natural, conversational manner.
Optimize for Local Searches: Many voice searches are location-based, as users seek information about nearby businesses, services, or attractions. Make sure your business listings are up-to-date on platforms like Google My Business and incorporate location-specific keywords into your content.
Provide Concise Answers: Voice search users are often looking for quick, concise answers to their questions. Structure your content in a way that provides clear and direct answers to common queries, preferably in the form of featured snippets or FAQ sections.
Optimize for Mobile: Since many voice searches are conducted on mobile devices, it’s crucial to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and loads quickly. Mobile optimization is not only important for user experience but also for search engine rankings.

Conclusion

Voice Search Optimization presents a significant opportunity for businesses to reach and engage with their target audience in new and innovative ways. By understanding the unique characteristics of voice search and implementing effective optimization strategies, you can enhance your visibility, drive traffic to your website, and stay ahead of the competition in today’s voice-driven world. Embrace the power of VSO and position your business for success in the era of voice search. Contact us to learn more about VSO and implementing it on your website.

In today’s digital age, marketing efforts have evolved and expanded to include various online channels and platforms. With the increased accessibility of technology and online tools, businesses now have an unprecedented opportunity to reach their target audience in more efficient and targeted ways. Sounds like music to any marketer’s ears, right? The challenge though lies in how to coordinate various channels and strategies into one cohesive song. This is where digital orchestration comes into play, a new methodology for managing multiple workstreams so that they complement, never compete.

Digital orchestration refers to the strategic coordination of various digital marketing channels, tools, and platforms to deliver a consistent and impactful message to the target audience. It involves leveraging technology to align marketing efforts and create a seamless customer experience across different touchpoints.

As practiced orchestration conductors, Bluetext explores the concept of digital orchestration in marketing to discuss its benefits, challenges, and best practices.

Benefits of Digital Orchestration

Consistency: Digital orchestration helps maintain a consistent brand identity and message across different channels. Consolidating efforts to a single team or agency partner can bring endless long-term benefits to your brand identity. Centralization of creative, campaign management and content creation ensures that customers receive a cohesive experience, whether they are interacting with a brand through social media, email campaigns, or website.
Efficiency: By efficiently managing marketing activities across various channels, businesses can optimize their resources and reduce wasteful spending. Rather than reporting on multiple campaign performances at different intervals, digital orchestration times all reporting to the same frequency within a single dashboard, so that businesses have full visibility into what is and isn’t working. Digital orchestration allows for a seamless flow of data, to ensure all efforts are targeted and effective.
Personalization: With the help of data analytics and customer profiling, digital orchestration enables marketers to deliver personalized content and offers to their target audience. With a clearer understanding customers’ preferences and behaviors, businesses can tailor their marketing messages to resonate with individual consumers, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.
Measurability: Digital marketing offers robust analytics and tracking capabilities. Digital orchestration allows marketers to monitor and measure the effectiveness of each channel and campaign. The gaps in one channel can be filled by another, and pace media spend accordingly. in a method led by numbers, followed by experience, orchestration is a data-driven approach that enables informed decisions, optimized marketing strategies, and improved overall performance.

Challenges in Digital Orchestration

This all sounds promising, so why aren’t all organizations embracing this strategy? While digital orchestration brings significant benefits, it poses some challenges in management and resources, which can be overcome by an agency partner:

Complexity: With the abundance of marketing channels and platforms available, managing and coordinating them effectively can be a daunting task. Marketers must invest time and effort in understanding various digital tools, staying updated with emerging trends, and developing a holistic strategy.
Data Integration: One of the fundamental aspects of digital orchestration is integrating data from different sources to gain a comprehensive view of customers’ interactions. However, merging data from various channels and systems can be challenging due to compatibility issues and technical complexities. Hiring an agency with data integration and CRM experience is critical to success.

Best Practices for Digital Orchestration

To succeed in digital orchestration, digital marketers adopt the following methods and best practices:

Define a Clear Strategy: Start by setting clear goals and objectives. Define your target audience, key messaging, and desired outcomes. Develop a comprehensive strategy that aligns all marketing activities towards achieving these objectives.
Choose the Right Channels: Identify the most relevant channels for your business and target audience. Don’t try to be everywhere; instead, focus on the platforms that will yield the highest ROI. Understand your customers’ preferences and behavior to ensure your message reaches them effectively.
Integrate Data and Tools: Establish a centralized system where you can collate and analyze data from different channels. This will help you develop a unified view of your customers and make data-driven decisions. Invest in marketing automation tools that integrate with your data sources and enable seamless communication across channels.
Monitor and Optimize: Regularly monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns and channels. Leverage analytics and tracking tools to measure key metrics and identify areas for improvement. Use A/B testing to optimize your messaging, design, and targeting strategies.

In conclusion, digital orchestration in marketing is a powerful approach to leverage technology and align marketing efforts across various channels. By implementing a robust strategy and following best practices, businesses can create a seamless customer experience, boost engagement and conversion rates, and achieve their marketing goals in the digital landscape.

Ready to take your marketing to the next level? Contact Bluetext to learn about our digital orchestration services and how this could be tailored to your business’ objectives.

In the ever-evolving landscape of website development, choosing the right Content Management System (CMS) for your company is a critical decision. Webflow has gained popularity as a robust and visually-driven CMS, providing a unique approach to web design and development since its inception in 2013.

What is Webflow?

When it comes to web design, tools that empower creativity and streamline the development process are highly sought after. One such tool that provides a range of capabilities is Webflow—a cloud-based, ‘software as a service’ (SaaS) design tool that runs in a web browser. According to builtwith.com, there are currently over 368,000 websites built on Webflow. If you’re new to the realm of website creation or curious about exploring innovative solutions, let’s break down the pros and cons of this particular CMS option.

Pros:

Intuitive Interfaces

One of Webflow’s standout features is its user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface. This allows designers to create visually appealing websites without delving deep into complex code. The intuitive design empowers individuals with varying levels of technical expertise to bring their creative ideas to fruition, and they’re also able to collaborate simultaneously.

2. All-In-One Hosting Solution

Webflow offers hosting services as part of its package, eliminating the need for third-party hosting solutions. This integrated approach simplifies the deployment process and ensures a high-level of security with Webflow’s free SSL certificate.

3. Optimized SEO

Webflow provides a range of features and tools that can positively impact SEO. It generates clean and semantic HTML, ensuring that search engines can easily crawl and index the content of your website. There are also the impacts of having fast loading speeds, control over meta tags, 301 redirects, alt text, etc.

4. Improved Site Speed

Webflow’s hosting infrastructure is designed for speed. There are multiple factors contributing to improved site speed through Webflow, such as the minification of CSS and JavaScript, browser caching preloading, automatic lazy loading of images, and much more.

5. Unique Animation Capabilities

From simple transitions to complex animations, Webflow empowers designers to bring websites to life without relying on external tools or complex code.

Cons:

Restriction on eCommerce

While the platform does provide e-commerce capabilities, it may not be as feature-rich or as customizable as some dedicated e-commerce platforms. Users may find limitations in terms of advanced e-commerce functionalities, complex product management, or intricate sales processes. Additionally, the available payment gateways might not be as extensive as those offered by specialized e-commerce solutions such as Shopify.

2. Cost Considerations

Webflow’s pricing may be a concern for smaller businesses or individuals on a tight budget. While it offers various plans to cater to different needs, the cost can add up, particularly for those requiring advanced features or increased customization. It may also be challenging to choose a pricing plan that best suits your business and needs.

3. Limited Plugins Available

Unlike some other Content Management Systems that may offer extensive libraries of plugins and extensions, Webflow’s plugin options are more constrained. On the other hand, however, there are quite a few WordPress plugins that Webflow actually accounts for, such as Forms, Askimet, Yoast SEO, Elementor, and more.

Webflow is more than just a website builder; it’s a platform that unleashes creativity, simplifies development, and provides a holistic solution for bringing digital ideas to life. Whether you’re a designer aiming for visual excellence, a developer seeking efficient workflows, or a business looking for a robust online presence, Webflow offers a versatile and powerful toolkit for achieving your goals. However, when it comes to choosing a CMS, it’s important to consider Webflow’s pros and cons based on your project’s specific requirements—it may not be the perfect fit for every project. By weighing these factors, you can determine whether Webflow aligns with your goals or not.

If you’re still not sure what CMS may be right for you, contact us. Bluetext’s experience and expertise with WordPress, Drupal, and Webflow can help you build an effective online presence no matter what CMS you choose.

In today’s world, if you own a business, you have a website. It is a way to showcase your products and services, but it also serves as a first impression to new users. It is important you put your best foot forward. The first step is determining the right CMS for your business. Drupal has emerged as one of the most popular CMS platforms in the world, allowing users to create compelling and dynamic websites. In this post, we will explore the key features of Drupal and guide you through the process of determining whether it’s the right fit for your company’s website.

Reasons to Consider Drupal

Drupal has all the functions needed to build large, modern websites in one place. If your business has the time and resources to support a steeper learning curve than other CMS options, you will be able optimize Drupal’s performance and security benefits with maximum flexibility.

Holistic Web Management Experience

Drupal offers power and adaptability with its flexible platform supporting content and web experience management. It is an ideal solution for businesses looking for a scalable, flexible, and secure platform with robust architecture and simplified content management.

Managing large amounts of content can be daunting. Drupal provides powerful tools and features to handle content challenges efficiently. Drupal creates an intuitive interface experience that allows for simplified collaboration and tracking with functions like versioning, taxonomies, tagging, and categorization. Content has never been more organized and accessible.

Customization

Drupal’s modular architecture allows businesses to customize and extend its functionality. This type of flexibility allows users to choose which modules to enable and what workflows to define based on the specific requirements of your site. This enables businesses to build tailored websites that meet unique needs and experiences without unnecessary bloat.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Friendliness

Businesses looking for online visibility, look no further. Drupal excels with its SEO-friendly features! Drupal has built-in SEO modules like clean URLs, customizable meta tags, and XML sitemap generation to enhance search engine visibility. These features empower businesses to improve their organic search rankings, drive increased website traffic, and attract a wider audience.

Enhanced Reliability & Security

Businesses should prioritize trust and security when choosing and maintaining their CMS platform. Drupal’s focus on security makes it a trusted choice for businesses. Drupal remains secure against potential vulnerabilities with regular security updates and secure coding practices. Your data and customer information will be safeguarded with Drupal.

Open-Source Community

Drupal’s open-source architecture encourages developers to contribute new modules, themes, and functionality to the community. Drupal has a supportive community of developers and non-developers, this community-driven ecosystem ensures that Drupal stays up-to-speed with emerging technologies and best practices. Drupal keeps you at the forefront of CMS innovation and your businesses can take advantage of these cutting edge module functionalities, unlocking limitless possibilities.

Is Drupal Right for Your Company?

While Drupal has a solid foundation of features and functionalities, it’s essential to evaluate whether it aligns with the specific goals of your company and also with your website’s content. Consider the following factors to make an informed decision:

Where is Your Business Now?

While Drupal can support more basic uses of a site, like a blog or portfolio, what sets this CMS apart is its capability to support complex custom integrations. While Drupal is very powerful, it is more advanced than what most pure marketers need. It will be worth your while to consider what your business needs are before you commit to a Drupal CMS.

Do You Have Maintenance Resources?

Prioritizing maintenance tasks and providing ongoing support to ensure the longevity and success of your Drupal website is crucial. Website maintenance is an ongoing task that significantly affects your Drupal site’s success. Your business must be able to support the consistent update of Drupal core and modules, monitor performance, apply security measures, manage content, and conduct regular testing. These are all foundational steps needed to maintain a secure, efficient, and user-friendly website.

What is Your Expected Growth?

Think about your business plan for future growth and expansion. The unparalleled adaptability of Drupal allows you to tailor your online business presence and create unique digital experiences. Drupal’s scalability and customizability ensures your website can grow with you. Making it a strong choice for expanding businesses that need to support complex integrations and experiences.

Drupal stands out as a robust CMS with unparalleled customization and flexibility. By assessing your business’s unique requirements, ease of maintenance, and future growth plans, you can determine whether Drupal is the right choice for your company’s website. Let Bluetext help you implement a new Drupal website today.

In the world of website development and content management systems (CMS), WordPress has emerged as a powerhouse, catering to the diverse needs of businesses across the globe. WordPress has humble beginnings as a blogging platform, but has evolved into the world’s most popular CMS with a plethora of capabilities. In this post, we will explore the key features of WordPress and guide you through the process of determining whether it’s the right fit for your company’s website.

Reasons to Consider WordPress

WordPress’s core strengths lie in several key capabilities that make it a great choice for businesses of all sizes.

1. User-Friendly Interface:

At the heart of WordPress is an intuitive and user-friendly backend interface. This ensures that even those without extensive technical knowledge can navigate and manage their websites effortlessly. Content creation, updates, and customization become streamlined processes, allowing you to focus on what matters most – your business.

2. Versatility Through Themes and Plugins:

The real magic of WordPress lies in its extensive library of themes and plugins. Themes dictate the visual appearance of your website, providing a range of options to suit your brand. Meanwhile, plugins extend the functionality of your site, offering solutions for e-commerce through plugins for WooCommerce, SEO, security, and more. This flexibility allows you to tailor your website to meet your specific requirements. Check out some ways Bluetext has integrated e-commerce functionality to WordPress websites.

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Friendliness:

WordPress is inherently designed with SEO in mind. Its structure and the ability to easily integrate SEO plugins like Yoast contribute to better visibility on search engines. This is crucial for businesses striving to enhance their online presence and reach a wider audience.

4. Scalability:

As your business grows, so should your website. WordPress scales seamlessly, accommodating the evolving needs of your company. Whether you’re a startup or a well-established enterprise, WordPress provides the tools necessary to support increasing traffic, add new content, and create new features and components. Discover how Bluetext has helped clients scale their digital presence with WordPress websites.

5. Community Support:

The vibrant WordPress community is a valuable asset. With a vast network of developers, designers, and users, the community ensures continuous improvement and innovation. Access to forums, tutorials, and extensive documentation means that help is readily available whenever you encounter challenges.

Is WordPress Right for Your Company?

While WordPress boasts an impressive array of features, it’s essential to evaluate whether it aligns with the specific goals of your company and also with your website’s content. Consider the following factors to make an informed decision:

1. Nature of Your Business:

WordPress is incredibly versatile and can accommodate a wide range of business types. If your website requirements include a blog, portfolio, or e-Commerce functionality, WordPress is an excellent choice. However, if your website has highly specialized needs, such as complex web applications and custom integrations to surface content, an alternative CMS may warrant consideration.

2. Ease of Maintenance:

If you prefer a platform that allows for easy updates and maintenance without extensive technical knowledge or an in-house developer, WordPress is a solid choice. Its user-friendly interface makes routine tasks like updating plugins and keeping your website secure and manageable. Your host provider can also help with this if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself.

3. Future Growth Plans:

Examine your strategic objectives and anticipate the potential expansion of your business. WordPress’s scalability ensures that your website can adapt alongside your company’s growth, making it a sustainable and prudent choice for the long term.

WordPress stands out as a robust CMS with unparalleled versatility and user-friendliness. By assessing your business’s unique requirements, ease of maintenance, and future growth plans, you can determine whether WordPress is the right choice for your company’s website. Let Bluetext help you implement a new WordPress website today.

Selecting the right content management system, or CMS, can be a challenging decision for many businesses. While there is no one-size-fits-all website CMS, certain criteria can help you downselect potential options of WordPress, Drupal, Webflow and many more. Take our interactive quiz to help determine which CMS may be right for you and your business needs!

In Part 1 of our marketing acronym series, we reviewed over 50 sales and advertising-centric acronyms. In today’s blog, our listed acronyms focus on the website design and development aspect of marketing as well as the technology and data side, listing out the top 17 acronyms. While you may know most of the concepts described below, we hope you’re able to learn one or two new acronyms.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

The address of your website or web page on the internet.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

A super convenient way to keep up with your favorite blog posts, podcasts, news articles, and updates without having to constantly refresh a website.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

The EU law regulating data privacy and protection for individuals.

UI (User Interface)

The face of your product that users see and interact with.

UX (User Experience)

The total package of a user’s interaction with your product.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of protocols and tools for building software applications.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

The language used to style and format web pages.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

The standard language used to create and structure web pages.

WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)

A fancy way of saying, “what you see on the screen is exactly what you’re gonna get in real life.”

PV (Page View)

The number of times a single page has been viewed.

SERP (Search Engine Results Page)

The page you see after you type in a search query on Google or another search engine. The goal is to get your website at the top of the list.

3PL (Third-Party Logistics)

A company that provides logistics services, such as shipping and warehousing, for other companies.

LP (Landing Page)

The page visitors to your website arrive when they click a link to get your website.

PDP (Product Detail Page)

The ultimate destination for all the deets on your product.

CMS (Content Management System)

The tech that helps you manage and publish your website content with ease.

CDP (Customer Data Platform)

A centralized hub for all customer data.

SQL (Structured Query Language)

A programming language used to manage and manipulate databases.

If you missed Part 1 of our marketing acronym series on sales and advertising-centric acronyms, check that out here. Additionally, review Part 3 of our acronym series here, where we explore the world of acronyms at the office and in the contracting department.

To learn more about Bluetext and our marketing services, contact us today.

We’ve all heard about website accessibility, but what does it really mean, why does it matter, and how can we design and build accessible websites?

What is Web Accessibility?

Web Accessibility is the inclusive practice of making websites usable for all visitors, including those with disabilities such as blindness, low vision, learning and/or cognitive disabilities, deafness or hearing loss, speech disabilities, and physical disabilities. It’s important to be passionate about website accessibility because it allows equitable access and interaction to your site’s content and functionality.

To be as inclusive as possible (and avoid legal issues), ensure your website doesn’t prevent anyone from retrieving, navigating, or understanding the information and functionality your website shares. Luckily, there are established guidelines by WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to follow that can help your site’s accessibility.

Understanding WCAG Standards & Guidelines

The most recent WCAG 2.1 standards are based on four main guiding principles known by the acronym POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Each of these principles has web accessibility guidelines you should reference and apply on your site.

Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. Perceive doesn’t mean just visually; uers who are blind often use screen readers which convert text into speech or braille. The most important and common applications of these guidelines include:
- Add text alternatives (aka alt text) on non-text items like images, videos, and audio content.
- Ensure high color contrast. There are free color contrast tools like Stark that check your contrast in Adobe XD before you get into the development phase.
- Structure content intuitively. Implement proper heading structure and ordered/unordered list elements in the html files.
- Provide transcripts for audio recordings and ensure video captions are in sync with the audio.
Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable.
- Make it keyboard friendly! Some users don’t use a mouse or touchpad, so all functionality of the content should be operable through just the keyboard. A great way to test this is by tabbing through your site. By tabbing through, you should have all items of the menu/navigation accounted for with focus states.
- Ensure there’s enough time for users to properly engage. If anything has a time limit, users should be able to extend or cancel it.
- Ensure it’s easily navigable with clear headings, labels, and page titles that relate to the on-page content. The page content should have focus states and navigate in an order that makes sense. The text for links should also make sense based on the context of the content. Breadcrumbs are also key in helping a user identify where they are within the site.
Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
- Language should be obvious and programmatically determined.
- Implement secondary education reading level. In other words, make it easy to read. Avoid big, complicated words that some people might not know or some mechanisms might not be able to define/pronunciate/translate.
- Consistency is key. Implementing a consistent navigation structure and components with consistent functionality provides a consistent and expected user experience.
- Use error identifications. Ensure that if an input error is detected, that the item with an error is easily identified and described to the user in text. Labels should also be used when content requires user input.
Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
- The HTML should be clean enough to be parsed so assistive technologies can render its contents into a different format. Elements should have complete start and end tages, should not contain duplicate attributes, and should be appropriately nested.

WCAG is considered the go-to guide for building accessible websites for ADA (American Disabilities Act) or Section 508 compliance, but there are multiple levels of compliance to consider.

Accessibility Compliance Levels

There are three levels of compliance (level A, Level AA, and Level AAA). Level AA is the level that most developers aim to meet regardless of their industry. It is also the level that is legally required for certain sites when tasked with making a website accessible. For example, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to ensure that their information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible to people with disabilities. So government sites need to be at least Level AA compliant, ideally Level AAA, to avoid legal troubles.

When redesigning a website, it’s important to understand the level of compliance the site should have because it will impact the design and functionality. But remember, when in doubt, follow the guidelines for Level AA compliance.

At the end of the day, accessibility is subjective because no one cannot account for every design and development possibility. However, following the guidelines outlined by WCAG 2.1 gives your design and development team the best chance at creating an accessible website.

Web Accessibility Tools

There are many tools (many offering free scans and trials) available to check your accessibility and level of compliance. Some of our favorites include:

WAVE – Web accessibility browser extension on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Siteimprove – Industry standard web accessibility checker, especially for OCR (Office of Civil Rights) compliance.
AccessiBe – AI-powered web accessibility software with source code identification.
Google Lighthouse – Automated web accessibility tool that runs with javascript.

Hopefully now you have accessed all the necessary tools to design and build an accessible and compliant website. If you want to learn more about accessibility or are looking to partner with a top-tier agency in creating a beautiful, best-practice, memorable, easy-to-use, and accessible website, contact Bluetext to get started.

Ping — new text message! For the average American this notification is nothing new, appearing 32 times a day…even more for the younger demographics.

As more and more consumers turn to their mobile devices for online shopping, text marketing has emerged as a powerful way for businesses to connect with their audience in a personal and engaging way. In this post, we’ll explore the reasons why text marketing has become such a popular form of marketing, why it’s poised to become an even bigger player in the e-commerce landscape, and even emerge in B2B businesses’ marketing strategies in the coming years.

First, what is text marketing?

But before we dive in, let’s take a moment to consider what text marketing actually is. Simply put, text marketing involves sending promotional messages, coupons, and other marketing content directly to consumers’ mobile phones via SMS or MMS. Seems simple right? Deceivingly yes, but many nuances and personalized targeting capabilities are hidden behind these messages. This approach allows businesses to reach their audience in a way that is immediate, intimate, and highly targeted.

So why has text marketing become so popular in recent years? There are several factors at play. For one, mobile devices have become an increasingly important part of our lives – we carry them with us everywhere we go, and we rely on them for everything from socializing to shopping. Text marketing takes advantage of this trend by delivering marketing messages directly to consumers’ devices, where they are most likely to be seen and acted upon.

In addition, text marketing offers a number of advantages over other forms of marketing. For one, it’s highly personalized – businesses can tailor their messages to individual customers based on their past purchases, preferences, and behaviors. This makes the messages more relevant and engaging, which in turn increases the likelihood that customers will take action.

How can text marketing be useful in a B2B landscape?

While at first glance text marketing may feel like a more beneficial strategy for the B2C segment, the tactic can also add value as a supplemental channel in the B2B segment. While B2C text marketing is centered around quick touchpoints and quick results, B2C text marketing is more focused on building a relationship with your customer and improving your brand reputation. Here are a few ways that B2B businesses can leverage the power of text marketing:

Lead generation: One of the most important goals of any B2B marketing strategy is to generate leads. Text marketing can be a highly effective tool for this purpose. For example, businesses can offer a special promotion or incentive in exchange for customers opting in to receive text messages. This allows businesses to build a list of interested prospects who are more likely to convert into paying customers.
Event promotion: Many B2B businesses rely on events and conferences to generate leads and connect with potential customers. Text marketing can be a great way to promote these events and drive attendance. For example, businesses can send out text messages with event details, special offers, and reminders to register.
Customer engagement: B2B businesses can also use text marketing to engage with customers in a more personal way. For example, businesses can send out text messages with exclusive content or behind-the-scenes insights, or offer special deals to loyal customers. This can help businesses build stronger relationships with their customers and keep them engaged over the long term.
Account management: Text marketing can also be useful for B2B businesses looking to manage customer accounts more efficiently. For example, businesses can use text messages to send invoices, payment reminders, and other important account information directly to customers’ mobile devices. This can help streamline the account management process and improve the overall customer experience.

These are just a few examples of how B2B businesses can use text marketing as part of their marketing strategy. By leveraging the power of SMS and MMS messaging, businesses can connect with customers in a more personal and engaging way, generate leads, promote events, and more. So if you’re a B2B business looking to take your marketing to the next level, consider adding text marketing to your toolbox.

So what does the future hold for text marketing? We believe that it will continue to grow and evolve, becoming an even more important part of the e-commerce landscape. Whether you’re a B2B business looking to connect with your customers in a more personal way, or a consumer looking for deals and discounts, text marketing is a trend that you won’t want to ignore.