Insights
At Out & About Communications, we love transforming and launching new websites for our clients that will help them connect with more of their target audience and grow their businesses. Here’s our latest website reveal for MJP Wealth Advisors, based in Connecticut.
At the beginning of each website redesign project, we sit down and listen to the mission and values each client wants to convey to their target audience. Then we create a design to help better achieve those goals, as well as infuse tested and proven digital strategies to generate more traffic and leads to reach that audience more effectively. Learn more about our process.
It’s also important to note that we never use templates or off-the-shelf themes. Every site we create is custom to fit each client’s unique needs. The site is responsive and mobile-friendly so prospects can move through each page quickly and easily find information while they’re out and about.
MJP Wealth Advisors had a website that could benefit from a facelift. It needed a more seamless user experience with clear actionable items on each page, like call-to-action buttons. Most importantly, it needed to tell more of its story: that its team brings balance to clients’ financial lives.
The firm also wanted to showcase its awards and new employee photography as well as provide better access to client resources and the client portal. So, we got to work!
We started with the value proposition — the main point MJP wanted to convey — and made that the first statement visitors read when visiting the homepage. It’s not just about financial planning and wealth management; it’s about what kind of life clients want to live long into retirement: one that gives them the balance and freedom to make the most of every day.
Before
The previous home page had a call-to-action to “learn more” that was almost hidden. Now, the call-to-action is front and center and encourages users to not only learn more, but begin the process of balancing their financial life with MJP Wealth Advisors. The homepage is more about the client and less about the firm. This allows prospective clients to start to feel like the firm really understands them and what they want.
After
Another important item is the risk-free assessment prospects can take to get started. Instead of dedicating a page to this, which could get buried or missed, this call-to-action — which leads to the assessment — was added to the bottom of every page.
We then moved on to reorganization of the site, starting with the navigation. The pages were re-sorted under new tabs to create a beginning, middle and end to users’ paths as they move around.
As mentioned above, one of MJP Wealth Advisors’ main goals was to make the client portals and resources more accessible; so we added these items to the navigation so they can’t be missed. The resources tab also houses the blog and other tools and resources clients or prospects might need to find quickly.
Top Navigation Before
Top Navigation After
The services page has been streamlined with easy-to-read sections to clearly convey all service offerings. The process page maps out the path clients will take. Both these pages bring much-needed confidence and clarity to prospective clients, who are probably feeling confused about where to start.
The team page also got a major facelift, to showcase the team’s updated headshots and bios. Team pages are often one of the most highly visited pages on a site because prospects want to see who’s behind the curtain. When you’re selling services, you’re really selling your team, so giving this page a lot of love will make a positive impact on your first impression and your bottom line.
Finally, MJP Wealth Advisors wanted to easily showcase the awards and recognition they have received over the years. They have a lot to be proud of. We folded that into the About Us section. The awards section is important because it builds trust and credibility and lets other people say how awesome you are.
Thinking of redesigning your website? Here are some more of our tips to get started. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to chat more. We’d love to hear from you.
The Big Reveal: MJP Wealth Advisors' New Site
At Out & About Communications, we’re committed helping you grow your business by strengthening your messaging, amplifying visibility and increasing leads.
One way we can drive more traffic and create a higher ROI for your brand is to redesign your website. You only have one chance to make a first impression and your website is often the first place your prospects interface with your brand. It’s very important to position your brand with the right design, copy and strategy to put your best foot forward.
How do you know if it’s time for a web redesign? Here’s a quick rundown of what to know and where to start.
Once a web redesign is on the table, Out & About has a specific website approach and process in place that will ensure every step is being addressed. Let’s take a look.
What is Out & About’s website philosophy?
Your business isn’t cookie cutter, and we believe your website shouldn’t be, either. That’s why every website we create for our clients is custom — not from an off-the-shelf theme. We build around your company goals, vision, target market, and how you want your brand to look in one year, five years, and beyond, then we get to building — from the ground up. (If you’re wondering how much you should be paying for a custom site, we’ve broken it down for you here.)
How do we do this? We rely on three pillars: design, content and marketing strategy.
Design that tells your story
When you think of search engine optimization (SEO), design might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but a well-designed site actually fuels your SEO efforts. That means visitors are going to be compelled to look around, get past the home page and stay on your site longer. Longer visit time means a lower bounce rate that often translates to a higher lead conversion rate.
When designing, it’s important to ensure you’re making the site as easy as possible for end-users to understand your message, navigate pages and respond to key calls to action (CTAs). We design with end-users in mind, considering how it’s going to impact their experience overall.
Content that speaks their language
People are too busy and overwhelmed these days to read a content-heavy site. What they do is scroll and look for headlines. That’s why having effective headlines as well as short and concise content is vital for powerful searches.
In our initial discovery discussion with you, we’ll outline your goals and objectives, and then conduct keyword research to help support them. We’ll then sprinkle those keywords strategically throughout your site to optimize content.
The key here is sprinkle. Gone are the days of stuffing your site with as many keywords as possible. Google’s algorithm is looking for organic content that appeals more to humans than robots. We find the voice of your target market and write the way they would speak and search. We can also help you hone in on words that might be too heavy or ambiguous to your target market and splice them out of your headlines to drive more traffic.
Architecture that stands the test of time
We don’t just build an amazing website for today. We build websites that are relevant and effective for years to come — ones that incorporate a holistic cross-channel marketing strategy to meet the unique needs of each client.
Your website should seamlessly connect with your social media presence, advertisements, collateral, and in-person experience, so by the time your target audience contacts you, there’s no question about your company’s vision, mission, and services. Your website should be a tool to bring them a solution, so they keep coming back to you.
What is Out & About’s website process?
This philosophy might sound really great, but now you might wonder, how we actually accomplish these goals. We have a proven three-step process to get your new site up and running and generating leads!
- Discovery and Design —In this stage, we’ll meet with you to learn your company goals, target market and current needs for the website. After we have a clear understanding, we’ll design wireframes and draft copy with your objectives in mind.
- Build and Test — Once step one is approved, we’ll build and lay out the site with content and images. We then test the site for responsive design across all browsers and devices to ensure compatibility. Pages will be filled up with final SEO-optimized content, meta tag descriptions will be added and we’ll test the site again for overall user experience.
- Launch — We launch your website with Google Analytics hooked up and provide support with any questions and further testing. We launch late at night to ensure little disruption and a more seamless user experience. Ultimately, you own the website. We can hand it off to you to manage or help you with different levels of support as needed.
This is all part of Out & About difference. Your goals are our goals. We operate as an extension of your team and are always a call away. We won’t just hand you a website and say, “good luck.” Together, we’ll map a strategic plan for you and we’re flexible enough to grow as your business grows.
Let’s dazzle your clients together. Contact us to get started.
Why a Fresh Website is Your Company’s Best Investment
Hi there! My name is Kaithleen Apostol and I am Out & About’s digital communications intern for fall.
Out & About is a team composed of bright, talented individuals, and I’m excited to be part of it! I’m a senior at the University of California, San Diego, pursuing my degree in communication. Having grown up alongside San Francisco’s thriving art scene, I’ve been a creative for as long as I can remember. Dabbling in photography, music and writing, I’ve always appreciated the arts. Now that I’m in college, I’ve had a plethora of experiences that have allowed me to explore my passions. I’m a social media maven in love with all things beauty, foodie and nerdy. When I’m not in the office, you can catch me out and about trying new restaurants found on Yelp, exploring Southern California, or building playlists on Spotify.
Meet Our Fall Digital Communications Intern, Kaithleen Apostol
Hello everyone, my name is Drew Lauer. Born and raised in St. Charles, Missouri, I am currently attending Drake University’s School of Business, studying marketing and information systems in Des Moines, IA. In addition to my studies, I enjoy playing on Drake’s Division 1 football team. This summer, I’m excited to be part of the Out & About Communications team as a Digital Communications Intern. This is a perfect opportunity for me to dive into the digital marketing world. I know there is a lot to learn from Lauren Hong and her talented team. I look forward to receiving a hands-on education from such a successful entrepreneurial company down here in sunny San Diego!
Fun facts:
- I am the first Division 1 football player to score a touchdown in China.
- I enjoy listening to new music.
- I also love playing outdoor basketball with my friends.
Meet Our Digital Marketing Intern, Drew Lauer
Hello everyone! My name is Jackson Smith, one of Out & About Communications’ Digital Communications Interns. Currently a senior at the University of Missouri in Kansas City earning my degree in English, I’m excited to join the Out and About Communications family and dive into the world of digital marketing this summer. Last summer, I had a unique opportunity to spend time in Hong Kong learning various business skills with my uncle who is an entrepreneur there. Energized by the lessons I learned, I was eager to build on this experience by spending time learning from another entrepreneur, this time, in the digital marketing industry. I am stoked to have the chance to work and learn from Lauren Hong and her team. Here’s to a fun and productive summer at Out & About Communications!
Fun Facts:
- I am very creative and spend a lot of time writing poetry.
- I really like cars: my dream car is either a Cadillac CTS-V or a Porsche Boxster.
- I once climbed Mount Fuji from the bottom up in a massive rainstorm.
- In San Diego, I am most looking forward to eating as much authentic Mexican food as possible.
Meet Our Digital Marketing Intern, Jackson Smith