Small Business Blog

Earth Skater's take on the trends in e-commerce
Posted by earthskater

6 Ways to Get More Followers for Your Business

SEO

1. Stick To A Theme

Choosing a theme and sticking to it is one way to make your Social Media accounts a success. Brainstorm a few ideas by first thinking about what attracts your current customers and what you’d like to achieve next. For example, if you’re a restaurant hoping to get more patrons in the door, feature behind-the-scenes posts of your chefs in action or give sneak peeks of new menu specials.

2. Keep a Posting Schedule

By pushing out new visual content each day or at least each week, or even each month (but you have to do more), you’ll not only increase your chances of getting noticed, but followers will start to truly “follow” your posts as well.  According to research conducted by Latergramme, the best times to post for the most engagement are 2 AM and 5 PM EST.  While others say it’s 8ish AM and 8ish PM.  You will have to experiment for yourself to see what works best for your audience.

3. Mix It Up

Stick with your business related theme, but come out of your shell because on social media boring does not sell.  Mix up your social feed with varying angles, backgrounds and moods.  If you’re bored by your own gallery of widget portraits, chances are your followers are too.  If you are a pet adoption center, get your animals in action by posting videos of them interacting with visitors or playing outside.

4. Motivate With Messages

Remember, Instagram is all about storytelling. You have to include a description to give your picture background. Tying motivational or inspirational messages to posts is an extremely successful posting method, especially if your theme or brand revolves around personal improvement. Check out Nike account for some great examples.

5. Stick to a Few, Simple Hashtags

Hashtags are a simple way to connect your post to a larger theme or global project. But be careful of spamming followers with too many common hashtags like #tbt or #love. You can easily lose more followers than you gain depending on how you utilize hashtags to boost your post visibility.

6. Follow Others and Like Often

Like the relevant content that similar accounts or brands are posting. Follow those who inspire you. Look at the “suggested users” list to find more accounts to follow.  An easy way to find new followers is to add your Facebook friends’ accounts – these users will almost immediately add you back if you follow them first.
* This blog post is based on content which first appeared in a newsletter by a very prominent social media marketing firm.
Posted by earthskater

Why Small Businesses Must Take SEO Seriously

SEO
Some of the best things small business owners can do for their company is focusing on Search Engine Optimization.  Search Engine Optimization has grown in popularity as online presence and visibility continue to grow in importance. Regardless of how small or big a company is, everyone is fiercely competing to obtain a first page rank at the top of search engine results.  It’s the first page that matters, nothing else!
Where you may have been on the first page for many keywords years ago, today, the competition has consolidated in many markets driving the small business owner off the first page and often past the second page and further.  The best remedy is a paid advertising campaign combined with SEO to get back on page 1.
No wonder mega companies like Wal-Mart and Home Depot manage to obtain top ranks in Google’s search results – millions of inbound links, bulk of content and a recurring base of online visitors. If you are wondering how a small business with a limited experience can counteract market leaders and competition of this level, then read below to find out about the miraculous benefits of SEO:

A User-Friendly Website

Many of you might not be aware of this but SEO helps create a faster, better and a more user-friendly website. Search Engine Optimization is not just for search engines but the spotlight is on the end user. If you make your users happy and content, then the probability of your appearance on the top of search results stands high. All in all, to enhance the user experience and draw in short and long term benefits, SEO is an essential tool.

Help the Business to Grow

Every business is established with a vision to grow and flourish. The purpose of SEO is to gain high rankings in search engine results, which further translates into greater targeted visits and ultimately leading to a broadened customer base.  Making sure the content on your sales pages is short and to the point and that you are using social media are all low cost and effective actions you can take today.

Helps To Create Brand Awareness

One of the hidden advantages of SEO is that it indirectly creates brand awareness for lesser known businesses. A common notion is that customers tend to trust brands that appear higher in the search results rather than brands that don’t have a regularly updated web and social presence. Small businesses that are seeking effective ways of creating brand awareness must invest in SEO to obtain top positions for the terms related to their business. In this digital age, search engines play a crucial role in building or destroying a brand image. At Earth Skater, we provide our clients with an opportunity to market their newly set up online stores via Search Engine Optimization which is a part of our marketing and advertising services. Furthermore, we offer Landing Page Optimization, Social Media Accounts setup, Pay per Click Advertising setup and more. If you are interested to set up an online store affordably, then Earth Skater could be your ultimate online store builder.
Posted by earthskater

What Should You Expect From Website Testing

E-commerce
If all computer systems had identical software running, website testing would be a breeze. However, it is not. Unlike printed media, a website can be accessed and viewed from a number of systems that are composed of countless variables to take into account when designing a website. This is the very reason why website testing takes place. The ultimate goal of website testing is to make sure every visitor has a pleasant and smooth experience on a website, regardless of the system they have. The core areas covered in website testing are stated below:

Mobile Usability

As much as 91% of Americans today own a smart phone out of which around 48% use it to shop online. According to Google, 90% of people start off a task on one device and wrap it up on the other. Keeping this trend in view, the significance of mobile usability testing cannot be overlooked. The ultimate purpose of mobile usability testing is to ensure the following:
  • Easy transition between mobile and desktop testing scenarios mid-session,
  • Allow users/viewers to watch gestures and facial expressions in real-time,
  • Capture the respondent’s finger gestures and facial expressions simultaneously,
  • Permit users to use the mobile device in natural ways rather than conforming to technical norms.

Browser Bugs

Most of the old browsers, and some of the new ones, do not adhere to established standards as they should. This means that an identical code may look perfect in one browser but not in the other. This is the result of browser bugs that surface in various forms such as broken page layouts, multi-sized fonts, spacing and alignment issues etc. The purpose of website testing is to fix these issues by revising codes to ensure compatibility across major browsers.

Accessibility Concerns

This area is specifically covered during website testing to ensure a smooth browsing experience for handicapped and impaired individuals. Determining the alt tags in images, ease of accessing key definitions, screen readers and contrast of colors used for the color blinded people are some of the accessibility issues that are resolved during website testing. Most of these enhancements are easy to implement on a standardized website and testing for these issues promises a good navigational experience.

Functionality Problems

Even a perfect-looking website is bound to fail if it falls short of functioning appropriately. One of the basic examples of functionality is if a website has a registration form, what should happen if a ‘*’ field is left unfilled? What if inaccurate information is provided in the email field? Is the checkout process user-friendly and bug-less? The ultimate purpose of testing for functionality is to make sure the website is free from any slip-ups. If you are looking for a complete web solution to have a perfect start for your online store, then you’ve come to the right place. At Earth Skater, you will be assured of the best services and web hosting solutions at affordable rates. We provide website testing for our clients ensuring everything is perfect before going live. Browse through our Web Hosting Features and Web Design Gallery to find out more about our best online store hosting services.
Posted by earthskater

Top Tips for Providing the Best Online Customer Support

Marketing
In order to keep prospective clients engaged, efficient and effective online support is indispensable. Poor customer support means that your customers are not getting the deserved attention and this factor might end up being the biggest hurdle in converting customers into ‘loyal’ customers. Customers get engaged and show loyalty only when they feel that their needs are not just being met, but consistently being met. A customer demands to be guided in the right direction to establish a lifelong relationship with the brand. In a nutshell, to assure the overall success of your business, the following tips must be followed to generate best online customer support:

Offer Consistent Support

Businesses that offer multichannel support must ensure that the customer support is consistent. Customers must not feel any hesitation and difference between communicating over one channel and another. If you are operating through a single channel, then offering customer support is fairly easy; however, if you are introducing another support channel then additional efforts must be made to ensure that your brand conveys the same message across all platforms. In simpler words, your customer support team must provide the same answers and advice on every podium. In order to do this, make sure your support team has a comprehensive product and service knowledge, are good at diagnosing and solving problems, and are courteous and considerate.

Value Your Customers’ Time

Nothing could frustrate your clients more than waiting for customized solutions for their problems. Businesses must understand that customers must have instant access to the support team. Make sure someone informative, helpful and considerate is always present on duty to help resolve client queries and problems. The ultimate purpose of live chat is to allow clients to come in direct contact with customer representatives. Ideally, the response time over a live chat mustn’t be more than 60 seconds; in case there is a delay, make sure the representatives are able to convince customers with valid reasoning.

Talk in Layman Terms

When your customer service representatives are interacting with clients, ask them to avoid using jargon and technical terms that customers cannot comprehend. Train them to talk in the simplest manner, utilizing plain and ordinary spoken words. For instance, if a large chunk of information is to be explained to customers, make sure it is broken down into smaller, simpler sub-sections and explained one by one. Moreover, agents must ask the clients in between whether or not they are grasping the concepts and are finding the information useful. If you are looking for affordably priced online store software for online store setup, then Earth Skater is your solution. In addition to offering the best customer support and services, we provide the right guidance and assistance to our clients as to how they can draw and retain their customer base. Here’s how we can support you in case you have any queries.
Posted by earthskater

The Perks of Premium SSL

E-commerce
One of the basic pillars of setting up an online store requires you to completely understand necessary security measures before starting out and making it big in the online world; having said that, SSL certificates are an important piece of this puzzle. SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer and is a form of security for sites that handle sensitive information such as customer names, phone numbers, credit card information, addresses etc. Moreover, SSL security certificates help to establish a secure connection between a customer’s web browser and the server they are collaborating with. All in all, if you are willing to maintain privacy and security of your website, SSL certificates are a pre-requisite. Some of the most important benefits you can expect from SSL Certificates include:

Information Encryption

The primary purpose of SSL Certification is to encrypt the information on the website so that it can be read and comprehended by the intended parties only. Since the information sent to reach the final destination surpasses several stops, the chances of third party intrusion and misuse of information increase. In this instance, SSL certificates insert random characters in the original information so that no one can decrypt the message without the encryption key.

Renders Authentication

If you want to be sure that the information on the website stays safe and secure without interception, then SSL certification is what you need. The certificate acts as a mediator between browsers and SSL servers to show that SSL certification provider can be trusted. Customers are allowed to view these documents to authenticate your site’s SSL and that the page they are about to enter is real, not an imitation.

Required For Payment Acceptance

As per the Payment Card Industry Compliance, on online business needs SSL certification with an encryption of at least 128-bit. According to PCI, SLL Certificates are one such source that can be trusted as it uses the right strength of subscription and provides a private connection on any page that requires customer information. Without such certificates, a site won’t be able to accept credit card payments. Some common types of SSL Certifications include:

Basic Domain Validation SSL Certification

The Certificate Authority checks the right of the applicant to choose a specific domain name. However, no company identification is examined and no information is exhibited other than the encrypted information that lies within the security seal. Also, this certificate does not include a clickable link or a trust badge.

Premium Organization Validation SSL Certification

In addition to checking the right of applicants to use a domain name, it allows to scrutinize the organization as well. This vetted information is presented to customers when they click the Secure Site Seal. This provides greater visibility and trust in regards to who is behind the site. OV certificates include a clickable link and a trust badge.

Ultra Premium Extended Validation SSL Certification

According to this certification, the Certificate Authority checks the right of the applicant to use a domain name and conducts a thorough examination of the organization. It verifies the legal, physical and operational existence of the entity. This certification is available for all types of businesses and governmental entities. Also, it includes a green address bar on HTTPS secure pages. If you are willing to set up an online store with secure online store hosting, then you’ve landed at the right spot. At Earth Skater, we allow our customers to opt for a Standard SSL, Premium SSL and Ultra Premium SSL so that your business grows securely. To find out more about our services, visit: www.earthskater.com/affiliate-tracking.asp
Posted by earthskater

Some Awesome Features That Earth Skater Offers

Marketing
Online retail markets have been booming since the early days of e-commerce. Moreover, accounting to convenience and expediency, consumers prefer shopping online than from traditional stores. While the process of setting up an online store seems daunting, it isn’t as difficult as it seems to be. This is exactly the purpose of Earth Skater. We are an online store builder, specializing in online store development. Our aim is to provide all those aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to set up an online store which would not only be operational on laptops and PCs, but also on mobile devices. By hiring us, you are allowing our team of technical experts to take on the responsibility of setting up an online store ranging from website designing to programming and marketing the store to the target market. Earth Skater’s range of unequaled services include logo/banner creation, product transfers, web content, icon creation, developing shipping connections and payment gateways. Regardless of whether you are a nascent entrepreneur or a sought after businessman, we will have everything covered for you at nominal rates.

Online Store Features

We permit our clients to choose one of our mobile friendly responsive sites or stick to their current website design. From website design to logo, setting up shipping to payment settings, and content and product transfers, we handle it all on your behalf. Your account home page will consist of easily accessible variables such as email, webmail, stats, SSL security, PCI compliance and backup. As a recommendation, we have a features list that allows you to pick and choose essential features that your website must have such as taking donations, charging credit cards or checks, offering wholesale prices etc. Once your online store setup is complete, we will continue to assist and help you out whenever needed, at affordable rates.

Affiliate Tracking Program

Our Affiliate tracking program will be a part of your website where anyone can become an affiliate and refer business to your website to generate sales for a certain commission. Affiliates make use of their own unique links to refer customers to your website. At Earth Skater, we offer multiple marketing banners to choose from. Moreover, we offer the ability to track affiliate clicks, conversions, commissions and payments.

Setup Features

Every hosting package offered by Earth Skater includes a complete and complimentary setup so you don’t have to do anything on your own. Our online store setup includes responsive and mobile-friendly website design, product export & import, transfer content, starter logo design and email setup and more. Moreover, each and every plan includes a free 1st year domain name, whereas, standard and above plans include a 1st year SSL security certificate. We will allow you to have a website that you will be proud of! Specializing in e-commerce, we guarantee a professional website every time.
Posted by earthskater

Benefits of Social Media Marketing

Marketing
Businesses that do not utilize social media as a marketing tool consider it nothing more than a steep, complicated learning curve that has no practical advantages. On the other hand, there are entrepreneurs that realize the true power of this fad and believe that its full advantage must be taken before the spotlight hogs onto something else. According to a research conducted last year, 92% of the marketers asserted that social media was important for their business; while 80% indicated that their efforts increased the traffic on their website. Needless to say, social media has a great potential to boost sales, required if businesses have a thorough knowledge and understanding of social media tools. Read below to find out how social media marketing can improve your business performance:

Greater Brand Recognition

Every opportunity that you come across to pool in the content and increase your visibility is vital. Consider social media as another tool to voice your business idea and content. They not only permit you to reach out to new customers, but also make your business more accessible, familiar and recognizable to existing customers. For instance, a customer on Facebook would get to hear first about your new offering while browsing over his/her news feed. The fact of the matter is, customers become better acquainted with your brand when they witness it over multiple social networks.

Better Conversion Opportunities

Each and every post you make on social media is a prospect for customers to convert. Every blog, image, video or post you share over the internet allows someone to react, and every reaction leads to a site visit and ultimately a conversion. Once businesses build a following, they will concurrently have access to new, recent and old customers. However, keep in mind that every reaction will not result in a conversion, but increase the likelihood of eventually turning into one.

Reduced Marketing Costs

If the recent statistics are to go by, 84% of the marketers stated that it required no more than 6 hours per week to generate increased traffic. For a communication channel as big as social media, 6 hours are not very significant. If you spend a single hour per day to develop your content and syndication strategy, your efforts would bear fruit soon. Paid advertisement on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter charge relatively less than other advertising tools. If you are on a limited budget and want maximum exposure for your budding online business, then turn to Earth Skater, the best website design company. We are the best online store software, offering online store development services at affordable range. Read through our services page or contact us for your queries.
Posted by earthskater

Make Your Mark: How Small Businesses Stay Recognizable Across Social Media

Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Web Design

Photo via Adobe Stock

For small businesses and startups, social media is often the very first place people encounter your brand. Before someone visits your website, steps into your shop, or books a service, they’re scrolling past your posts. That makes your social presence more than a marketing tool—it becomes a first impression, and often the determining factor in whether someone wants to learn more.

But with limited time, resources, and bandwidth, it’s easy for startups to post whatever they can whenever they can, even if the content feels disconnected. Consistency is what turns that scattered effort into brand recognition. When your small business shows up with a familiar personality across different social platforms, people begin to trust what they see. And trust is one of the most valuable tools a smaller brand can build.

Define the Character Behind Your Small Business

Every business—no matter how new or small—has a personality. It might be friendly and approachable, practical and helpful, bold and energetic, or calm and reassuring. Whatever tone feels most true to your business should guide everything you share online, from captions to videos to behind-the-scenes moments.

Take a few minutes to identify three or four traits that describe your brand’s character. These traits help anchor your social voice so that even when the content style changes, your identity remains clear. When your personality is steady, your audience can recognize your posts faster, even as you grow.

Choose Content Themes That Tell Your Story Clearly

Startups often try to share everything at once, which makes it difficult for audiences to understand what the business really stands for. Instead, select a few themes that truly represent your brand—such as quality, service, innovation, or community—and let those themes shape your messaging across platforms.

These themes don’t need to appear in every post, but they should guide the stories you tell. A customer testimonial, a tutorial, a behind-the-scenes clip, or a product update becomes more effective when it ties back to a consistent idea. Over time, your themes help shape a social presence that feels focused rather than scattered.

Adapt to Each Platform Without Losing Your Identity

Every social platform has its own atmosphere. TikTok rewards quick authenticity; Instagram favors curated visuals; LinkedIn appreciates more thoughtful insight. But your core identity should stay the same. A friendly brand should sound friendly everywhere. A bold brand should feel bold on every platform.

The way you deliver content may change, but the personality behind it should not. This approach helps your platforms strengthen one another. When someone discovers your business on one channel and then sees you again somewhere else, the familiarity builds recognition and trust.

Use Simple, Repeatable Visual Habits

Small businesses don’t need complicated design systems to stay consistent. Familiarity grows when your posts follow simple, repeatable visual habits. That might include using similar lighting in your photos, choosing backgrounds with consistent tones, following the same color palette, or using comparable spacing in your graphics.

These subtle choices help customers identify your content mid-scroll—even if they don’t see your logo. Whether you’re posting still images, social media posts, reels, or stories, small visual habits make your brand feel more cohesive without requiring a large production budget.

Build a Workflow Your Team Can Maintain

Trying to keep up with social media can become stressful for small teams, especially when everyone is already handling multiple roles. Creating a simple, predictable workflow prevents inconsistency and frees up time for creativity.

This workflow can be as simple as keeping brand assets in one shared folder, writing a short guideline about tone and visual style, and choosing a realistic posting rhythm your team can stick to. When your team knows where to find things and how to execute them, your content becomes more aligned and significantly easier to maintain.

Strengthen Social Consistency With Adobe Express

Staying visually consistent is much easier when your creative tools support a recognizable style across platforms. Adobe Express helps small businesses maintain cohesion by offering:

For small businesses and startups, consistency is one of the most accessible ways to compete with larger brands. When your voice, visuals, and message stay aligned across social platforms, your audience understands who you are—and begins to trust your identity. A cohesive social presence doesn’t limit your creativity. It gives it a stable foundation, helping your ideas stand out in a crowded digital space.

For brands working to strengthen their online presence, Earth Skater offers custom web development, ecommerce setup, and long-term support that help small businesses build a consistent, professional identity across every digital touchpoint.

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