Clients regularly ask us whether they should have a blog or not. In general, my answer is yes, though there are some exceptions. Here’s why… (more…)
Professional Web Services
Clients regularly ask us whether they should have a blog or not. In general, my answer is yes, though there are some exceptions. Here’s why… (more…)
I’ve seen research that shows that more than 50% of development projects fail. Given the number of projects we inherit from other web developers due to unhappy customers, I would say the figure is at least that high. This doesn’t apply to small websites such as a simple “brochure” site or a WordPress blog. However, when a project becomes more sizeable and has custom programming, it can easily fall apart before it’s done. In the last blog entry, I talked about the primary reasons this occurs. Here I’ll give some tips on how to avoid problems and have a successful outcome.
A story I hear far too often from prospects is that they just fired their previous web developer. You might think I like hearing this because it means our competitors are falling down which is good for us. I actually hate hearing this story. For one, I feel bad for the person standing in front of me who just spent good money and now feels it was a partial or total loss. For another, when web developers leave unhappy customers in their wake, it makes our whole industry look bad. If we’re not careful, the general public perception of web developers will eventually rival that of used car salespeople.
At NDIC, we know email is one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience. But we also understand how crowded inboxes can be—and how easy it is for a good message to get overlooked. Many of our clients use platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact, and we help them get the most out of these tools by designing branded templates, creating engaging content, and setting up signup forms that actually grow their lists. That’s why we work closely with each client to make sure their newsletters and marketing emails not only get opened but also deliver real results.
The first step to better communication is knowing who you’re talking to. We help clients segment their email lists based on customer behaviors, demographics, or interests, so messages feel personalized and relevant instead of generic.
Your subject line is the gatekeeper. If it doesn’t spark curiosity or show immediate value, your email won’t get opened. We test and refine subject lines with our clients, using proven tactics that resonate with their audiences.
Subscribers don’t want endless promotions. The best emails provide value—whether it’s tips, resources, or stories that educate and inspire. We help clients strike this balance so their audience looks forward to opening each message.
Most readers skim emails, and the majority open them on their phones. We create mobile-friendly designs that are clean, scannable, and visually engaging, making sure your message is clear no matter where it’s read.
Every email needs a purpose. We work with clients to design CTAs that stand out and drive the desired action—whether it’s booking an appointment, registering for an event, or making a purchase.
Email marketing is not “set it and forget it.” We track key metrics like open rates, click-throughs, and conversions, then adjust strategies based on real performance. A/B testing subject lines, layouts, and CTAs helps our clients continually improve.
The best results come from building trust over time. We help clients establish a consistent schedule and keep their messaging authentic, so subscribers know they can count on their communications.
Better marketing emails aren’t about luck—they’re about strategy, consistency, and putting your audience first. At NDIC, we make sure your communications stand out, deliver value, and drive results. And if you’re using tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact, we can take them even further—helping you design professional templates, craft the right messages, and increase signups so your email marketing works harder for your business or nonprofit
As part of our series on basic search engine optimization (SEO), let’s talk about how to measure your SEO efforts. A key metric is how you rank for each keyword you are targeting. Are you on the first page of search results? Are you in the top 3? Are you moving up in the results over time or are you moving down?
The most basic way to track your ranking is to do a search in Google and then count where you rank. If you are on the first page, you are at least in the top 10. If you are half way down the third page, your ranking is 35. Most people agree that if you aren’t at least on the first page then your ranking is meaningless, however, it still can be useful to see whether your rank is getting better or worse over time.
The problem with this basic way of tracking your ranking is that Google can mislead you terribly due to a new feature called “Personalized Search”. If you find that with little or no SEO effort, you are suddenly ranking #1 for a particular keyword, you may have been fooled by personalized search. Here’s how to figure out what’s going on…
There are a number of tools you can use to analyze your web site’s traffic but they fall into two primary categories – Web based tools and Server based tools. What’s the difference and how can they affect your sites stats? Read on…
Social Media experts will expound upon the virtues of Twitter in terms of your online marketing strategy. There is no doubt that Twitter can help expose your product or service to thousands of new prospects if you use it right. The question is, will you use it at all?
Let’s discuss the advantages of Twitter to your online marketing efforts and then we’ll talk about reasons NOT to use Twitter.
Most articles on social media marketing start with a discussion of FaceBook and Twitter, however, I’m going to start with LinkedIn because I think it’s an often underestimated contributor to social traffic. For many small businesses, if you have a good LinkedIn strategy, it can generate as much traffic as FaceBook. Here’s how…
Unfortunately, some SEO consultants are scammers or even worse, flat out liars. Search engine ranking can be so important to a business that some consultants have gone to great lengths, including doing things that are unethical, to get good rankings. A good example of this is using a competitor’s brand name as a target keyword in your site. Others advertise their services by making claims they simply can not back up. As a result, you need to be a savvy consumer when it comes to purchasing SEO services. What is the biggest lie in SEO?
In a previous article, we introduced a basic SEO plan that helps lay the groundwork for improving your website’s visibility in search results. After researching the right keywords and creating dedicated landing pages, the next step is to optimize the rest of your site so it fully supports your SEO goals.
At NDIC, we help our clients with key SEO edits to keep their website optimized — practical changes that can make a real difference without requiring an ongoing strategy. If you’re already investing in a better-performing website, these small improvements can go a long way.
Here’s a breakdown of what we call Basic On-Site SEO and how it can help your website perform better in search engines.
On-site SEO refers to the things you can control and improve directly on your website. This is different from off-site SEO, which includes strategies like backlink building, social media presence, and directory listings.
The goal of on-site SEO is to help search engines understand what your pages are about and show them to the right audience at the right time.
The <title> tag is one of the most important on-page ranking factors. Every page on your site should have a unique, descriptive title that focuses on one or two main keywords.
Keep it under 70 characters
Include your target keyword near the beginning
Avoid stuffing too many keywords into one title
Every page should have a clear, text-based heading formatted with an <h1> tag. This helps both users and search engines understand the focus of the page.
If your site was designed with stylish image-based headers, consider replacing them with real HTML text so they’re readable by search engines.
While keyword meta tags carry minimal SEO weight today, the meta description is still important. This is the text that often appears under your site title in Google’s search results.
Write a compelling, natural-sounding description (150–160 characters)
Include your keyword if possible
Think of it as a mini advertisement to encourage clicks
We help clients write or refine these to better reflect what each page offers.
Image alt tags serve a dual purpose: they help with accessibility, and they give search engines context about your images.
Use descriptive alt text that includes your keyword where appropriate
Don’t stuff keywords — make it useful to a real user
Your page URLs matter more than you might think. Instead of generic URLs like:/page1.html or /service123.html
Use keyword-rich URLs that reflect the page content:/ventura-homes-for-sale
Important: If you rename pages, make sure to update all internal links to avoid broken pages and preserve a good user experience.
While bolding keywords doesn’t have the same SEO value it once did, it can still help emphasize important content for both users and search engines.
Use bold formatting selectively to highlight core phrases or benefits on your pages. Don’t overdo it — it should feel helpful, not spammy.
Yes — they absolutely help. These on-site edits won’t catapult you to #1 overnight, but they will:
Make your site easier for search engines to understand
Improve user experience
Strengthen the impact of your keyword targeting
Combined with smart landing pages and consistent updates, these edits are an essential part of any sustainable SEO strategy.
At NDIC, we don’t run full-scale SEO campaigns, but we can help you improve your site’s structure, content, and on-page elements with best practices in mind. Whether you’re launching a new website or simply want to make some targeted SEO improvements as part of your website maintenance plan, we’re happy to support you.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help enhance your site’s visibility — one smart step at a time.
Most conversations about AI and websites focus on one of two things: how AI is changing search results, or how… more
Most businesses understand that website accessibility matters. But here’s the reality: Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. It’s something you maintain.… more
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Rob Fry,
Sales and Marketing Team Leader
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
Rob brings a diverse sales and to the team, from financial services to wine to several years in tech.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
His passion is to help people and businesses succeed and he loves the creative/strategic thinking required to help people succeed on the internet!
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests?
A champion backgammon player, Rob enjoys puzzles and games, is an avid golfer, and accomplished cook.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Playing in the garden, cooking a nice meal for friends or family
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Everywhere! To have the time and means to travel the world for a year would be awesome!
What’s the most ridiculous thing you believed as a child?
When the radio is turned on, it begins playing the song from where it stopped when it was turned off.
Romina Aguilar,
Project Manager
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I’ve been in the marketing and advertising industry for 10 years. I love being part of a team and working directly with clients, brand managers, company owners, etc.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I like being part of a team and I’m always learning something new.
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests?
I love animals and I have a rescue organization, and I also love love reading.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation – to be able to travel the world and go anywhere.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Africa, I feel peace when I’m around animals and I’d love to see my favorite animals in the wild.
What’s your favorite book or author?
The seven sisters by Lucinda Riley.
Angie Jimenez,
Customer Support
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I’ve always been good with people, and working at Starbucks for five years improved my customer service skills. I enjoy helping clients, even in this new line of work, and learning new things.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love hearing clients express satisfaction with our services, especially when I can help older clients understand tasks like setting up emails or renewing domains. Their appreciation makes my work rewarding.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you?
I can rollerblade and ice skate…but no flips or loops.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The power to access all the knowledge my brain can store and use….not sure if that makes sense, but I’d like full access to my thoughts, intellect (if any, lol), and logic…and also put it into practice.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
I Love Lucy.
What’s your secret talent?
I know how to make corn tortillas….not the just the “add water” ones (maseca), but the real deal. Se tortear 🙂 Which is a big deal here in the US, especially for a Chicana.
Pablo Castillo
Developer
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
Experienced web developer since 1997. Taught at university and given talks. Expert in PHP, WordPress, and Laravel.
What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you love most about what you do?
Puzzle solving and learning new things; from code and other people’s views.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
I used to have really beautiful long hair, down to my waist long hair.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Time stopping, for napping and reading.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Stargate SG-1, I do have to re-watch it every now and then.
What’s your secret talent?
I can make a really good tiramisu.
Bijay Muduli,
Graphic Designer
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I’ve developed skills in user interface and visual design, using tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver.. My passion for fine art fuels my ability to create innovative designs.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love transforming ideas into visually appealing solutions. Each project brings fresh challenges, whether designing a brand identity or a user interface, keeping the work exciting and fulfilling.
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy painting, writing in my native language, and listening to music for relaxation. Singing karaoke is my fun way to unwind and express myself.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to instantly see and create design ideas. It would help me quickly visualize and refine designs in real-time.
What’s the most ridiculous thing you believed as a child?
When I swallowed a seed, I imagined a tree growing inside me— such a vivid imagination!:D
Share any random fact you like about yourself
I often find inspiration for design in unexpected places, like the patterns on a leaf or the color palette of a sunset. This helps me bring unique elements into my work.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Diving into a good book or enjoying some melodious music.
Randy Alvarez
Developer
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I have 10 years as developer and leader, 20 years in technology. Lifelong learner passionate about applying knowledge to projects.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I most enjoy being able to work with such a bright and professional team, both developers and non-developers alike.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
Boxing and fencing are my favorite sports and I watch and participate in both.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
The Office
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Night owl and I’ve tried many, many times to switch to mornings.
Coffee, tea or mate?
I run on coffee
Nick Ise
Project Manager
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
The technology is always evolving so things never stagnate. I enjoy working on interesting projects that allow me to be creative while learning about various industries.
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Spending time in the ocean and mountains.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Severance, Frasier
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning
Quentin Rogers
Developer
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I bring 20+ years of web design experience working on diverse projects. Inspired by constant innovation and design in the internet industry led me here.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love exploring new technologies, coming up with creative coding solutions for client’s problems and knowing that my work is helping them to meet their goals.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
Judging by my level of athleticism, you’d never guess that I have an Olympic gold medal winning athletes in both my biological and adoptive families.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Time travel…mostly stock market related, but I also have a long list of concerts I wish I’d been at.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Some island where I could sleep in a thatched hut on the beach, swim with whale sharks and hang out with sloths.
What’s your favorite book or author?
Kurt Vonnegut
Masen Yaffee,
President
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
My parents were entrepreneurs and even before I knew WHAT I wanted to do, I knew that I wanted to start and build a business.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love working with smart, fun people to do things useful in the world.
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Wakeboarding, mountain biking, martial arts, reading, aviation.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Super-speed, because I could get SOOOO much more done!!
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
The Matrix
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Hanging out in bed with my wife and the cat, playing on our phones
What’s your favorite book or author?
Branden Sanderson
Chris Bond,
Senior Programmer
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I’ve loved computers since childhood, starting with BASIC programming on the Apple IIe. After studying Electronic Engineering, I taught myself programming, leading to a career as a web developer.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
When it comes to my job, I simply love creating. Whether it’s code or problem-solving, the joy of building something from scratch is what drives me.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
I can sing pretty well and if you tune the radio to a 90’s Country station, it will be rare if I don’t know most, if not all, of the words to any song that plays.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleporting
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Tin Cup
What’s your secret talent?
Reading people’s faces.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Japan, because I love the culture and history.
What’s the most ridiculous thing you believed as a child?
That my dad could throw a football into orbit.
Damaris Bautista
Accounting
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
Twenty years of accounting and operations experience. I enjoy being hands-on and learning about business and this led me to my current position at NDIC.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
My passion for finance, technology, and entrepreneurship has always driven me, and working at NDIC allows me to continue learning and growing in these areas.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
I once scored tickets to a sold-out concert by offering the band wine and cheese through a DM. Years later, the band came over for wine and cheese before their Santa Barbara Bowl show.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A 3-month adventure through South America.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
1000% night owl!
What’s a random fact about you?
I love jumping into bodies of water: lakes, rivers, pools, and most of all the ocean!
Bobby Ericson,
Team Leader of Project Management and Customer Support
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I’ve led project management since 2016. As a natural leader, overseeing projects from start to finish is rewarding, and the satisfaction of completing each one never gets old.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy helping businesses succeed, drawing from my own experience as a business owner. Websites, emails, and hosting are crucial, and NDIC excels in these areas, empowering our clients to thrive.
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests?
I love photography & cooking. Being from Lincoln, NE, I also have to mention college football. Go Big Red!
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
Do you have a favorite quote or motto?
I am an Eagle scout. Our motto is Be Prepared. That has stuck with me since I learned it in Boy Scouts growing up.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Friends & This is Us would be at the top. Movies: August Rush, Crazy, Stupid Love, The Emperor’s New Groove and almost any Disney/Pixar movie.
Share a random fact about you
I still have my original Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Sega from when I was a kid. My own kids now play those games and systems with me. It is so much fun! My 14 year old daughter is very good at the original Mario Kart on Super Nintendo.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
I enjoy playing video games after a long day.
Abir Ahmed
Systems Administrator
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
Twelve years of experience in system administration inspired by Linux. RedHat Certified Architect with expertise in hosting and cloud technologies.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The best part of my job is troubleshooting complex problems that challenge me to fix them and learn new or unfamiliar information along the way.
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
I LOVE to ride motorcycles.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Being immune to any sort of motorcycle accidents
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
The Big Bang Theory
What’s the most ridiculous thing you believed as a child?
I believed life would be much easier as an adult.
Sofia Ferrara
Customer Support
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I have experience in customer service and English proficiency. Working online is new to me and presents an interesting earning opportunity.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy feeling a part of a team and being able to count on the people I work with. I am also learning as I go how to be more productive with my time.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
I am a foodie, I like to make food something special, so I am usually looking for good restaurants and trying new food. I am also a picky eater so it’s a fun combo.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
What’s your favorite book or author?
Eragon, The Hobbit, Lord of the Flies, Where the Crawdads Sing, and War and Peace
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
The Dead Poet Society, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Bride, Stardust, and Labyrinth.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
I dance or take a Pilates class to work out the long day.
Dani Garcia,
Project Manager
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I fell in love with SEO and have enjoyed projects in that area ever since. My operations management experience also fuels my passion for process improvement in digital marketing.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Helping clients bring their ideas to life or improve their digital solutions is incredibly rewarding. I love client communication and leveraging my organizational skills to enhance projects.
Personal Interests:
What are your hobbies or interests?
I’m passionate about outdoor activities, nature, and traveling. I also enjoy giving back to my community whenever I can.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Lightspeed flying would be so much fun and it would allow me to travel as desired.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Friends & This is Us would be at the top. Movies: August Rush, Crazy, Stupid Love, The Emperor’s New Groove and almost any Disney/Pixar movie.
Share a random fact about you
I’m a sunset hunter, known for appreciating the small, beautiful details in life.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Coffee or dinner with friends, a movie and comfort food, yoga or pilates to name a few 🙂
Joni Mozis
Project Manager
Professional Background:
What experience and inspiration brought you to pursue this work?
I have an extensive background in marketing and web design but my passion lies in crafting custom websites that truly reflect each client’s unique essence. I enjoy working with many types of clients and businesses to help them create an online presence.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The idea of blending creativity with marketing and tech to solve real-world problems. That’s what fuels me: helping clients bring their visions to life and reach their goals.
Personal Interests:
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
I grew up in Minnesota so my blood runs purple, meaning I am a huge fan of Prince and the Minnesota Vikings.
Fun and Lighthearted Questions:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To be able to speak and understand all languages including communicating with animals other than humans.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Friends
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?
You only die once – live every day!
What’s your secret talent?
I’m fluent in Minnesotan — dontcha know 🙂