W is for Web Logo with spider web, letter "w" colorful outline

W is for Web

based in Los Angeles, CA since 2013

Spellbinding Sites


WELCOME to W is for Web

Where Web Design Meets Compassion!

With over 15 years of experience in the business of web design, award winning animation, and meaningful peer relationships from the mental health field, Sandra is getting older and honestly a bit more tired, too. The pandemic was not all that easy to live through, and it’s still not over.While establishing W is for Web in 2013, my path was illuminated by collaborations with individuals from all walks of life, including those navigating mental health issues, facing crises, and living with disabilities. I was volunteering to support people who needed technical support by writing resumes and as well as emotional support as a peer. I only wish someone had given me more of a heads up about the way subsidized work while on disability works. If I were a coach for someone like me, I’d probably have said that I had a choice to make.Through these experiences, I understand that the digital landscape transcends 'form follows function'. We embrace more than function by bridging connections, embracing unique needs, and crafting websites that carefully depict personal narratives while promoting ethical engagement. My work with this interactive art form provides the platform to support and represent unheard voices with empathy and respectful diverse inclusivity in web design.At W is for Web, beyond building websites; we strive to foster integrated learning and specialized support. We want to make your online presence more accessible and compassionate for all.Whether you're seeking a personal website, a business aiming to enhance your online presence, or an organization dedicated to inclusive community building, W is for Web is here to actualize your vision with expertise, empathy, and steadfast support.Journey where technology intersects with empathy. Let’s make the animated videos and websites that demonstrate the neuro-diversity and cross-cultural appreciation we want to see more of.- SSC, Author of "W is for Web"
Based in Los Angeles County, California since 2013.



Get tickets free for my monthly online event!

Visit my Website Blog
or my Art Blog



SERVICES:

What W is for Web Does

At "W is for Web," I take pride in offering a comprehensive suite of services to cater to your diverse web-related needs. Here's a glimpse of what I can do for you:


Empowering Mental Health Professionals: Custom Website Design

Custom Website Design for Mental Health Professionals:


W is for Web has collaborated with Wildflowers' Movement and Los Angeles County Client Coalition, sharing insights into custom website designs tailored for mental health advocacy. From logo creation to promotional branding imagery, W is for Web has supported both these groups, and provided updates consistently as both a group leader and a non-profit board member.
By building and maintaining social media platforms for these groups, such as eventbrite, facebook pages, and newsletters, I have been integral in providing training for others with technical challenges. Not only can a website support the vision of a community support group, but a well-designed online presence for mental health organizations can attract and be a communications hub for many like-minded individuals.My art knows no bounds. From eye-catching logos that represent your brand identity to compelling info graphics that convey complex information with ease, captivating photography, intricate drawings, and lively animations.

I will craft visual elements that truly set your website apart
while sticking to your vision under your guidance.


Animated Videos
of Lived Experiences:


Connecting Through Animation: Supportive Online Communities

Sandra has shared her own lived experiences with audio hallucinations with an award-winning animated short produced while she attended her first year of USC. Named "PedantPhilia" in 2003, it helped describe her feelings towards an art teacher that became his voice in her head. In this dream-like hand-drawn video, Sandra mishears her own name while the teacher is saying "And draw" and an imagined song & dance scene ensues. Heralded at Tiburon International Film Festival, Hi Mom Film Festival, and Nashville International Film Festival, and screened at many others, "PedantPhilia" helped Sandra open up about her mental health issues in her own community.
With her experience creating films about recovery, feel free to set up a fifteen minute session with Sandra to discuss the possibility of creating your own film, catering the story to suit to a specific audience while maintaining your confidentiality as needed. This might be a topic best opened up at a support group of like-minded creatives. Sandra can help with finding an online or in person community that you would be able to entrust with the responsibility of helping you keep your authentic self while maintaining your privacy.


Animated Explainer Videos for Online Support Communities:W is for Web has collaborated with the Events Industry Council's whiteboard animation project, which is an animated explainer video that helped teach people especially those who report about suicide in the media how to talk about it. These videos were used to discuss sensitive topics like suicide, such as the importance of being able to use phrases like "killed themselves" or "died by suicide" rather than other words that might put the blame on victims. Animation can convey important messages within online support communities, by creating engaging content that fosters understanding and connection. Animations like these can help you explain your mission or core values more clearly while cultivating your own brand.

W is for Web collaboration with Events Industry Council "It's Ok to talk about Mental Health and Media

Learning SEO & Marketing Basics & Collaborative Experiments
In the vast digital landscape, being found is just as crucial as being visually appealing.
W is for Web can support you with learning together collaborations. Sandra is still learning to do SEO, but she would love to create a real-life set of experiments with in-depth research and recommendations on the best Search Engine Optimization and marketing techniques tailored specifically for your business. We can try to optimize your online presence and look at other people's methods for driving more traffic to your website.


Maintaining Mental Health Recovery Support:

Nurturing Wellness: Creative Approaches to Mental Health Recovery


Maintaining mental health recovery support can be built through creativity and mindfulness. Gratitude, perspective, and awareness of our own circumstances can be survival tools when navigating challenging times. While being an artist can be a super power, it has its many emotional and organizational problems. Being creative and mindfully aware of our many own diverse dimensions of wellness can enhance well-being. We encourage you to document your own journey through creative writing or imagery, fostering a sense of community and self-expression in mental health recovery.If you'd like to share any of your writing, poetry, personal stories, artwork, or other creative endeavors, feel free to ask for support with finding online or in person communities with which to share your work. If you happen to be in Los Angeles, Wildflowers' Movement is one group for example which invites its members to collaborate creatively online. Enhance the engagement and credibility of your content with imagery that you can create on Canva or Adobe Express, both now enhanced with Ai if you want it. Additionally, promote these articles on your social media platforms to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website.

Information Sharing Sessions: At W is for Web, I believe in sharing knowledge and empowering my clients. Join me for information sharing sessions, where you can gain insight into our working methods. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast looking to understand the process or a business owner keen on transparency, I'm here to demystify the world of web design and development.


My mission is to be your all-encompassing partner on your digital journey. W is for Web is not just about creating websites; it's about fostering creativity, learning how to boost your online visibility, and sharing the knowledge you need to succeed in the digital realm. Let's collaborate and make your web presence truly exceptional.


Business Partners

CLIENTS of W is for Web

Above are some of the local groups and small businesses in Los Angeles which are currently being supported and represented by W is for Web's design services.


Reach out

Contact Sandra at W is for Web


We help anyone who wants support.

Located in Los Angeles County, CA



Reviews

Would you like to review my work? I welcome any reviews, including from those who want remain anonymous or simply use your initials or just a first name, real or not.
Feel free to review me on Google Maps
or Facebook


                                                                                [email protected]


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RESOURCES

The art and Science of websites

You may be wondering what you are going to need for building a website. Here's a list of possible resources we might want to try, including the ones that I tend to use most. If you have a resource that isn't listed here, I'd love for you to share with me what that is so I can include it.

  • Collaborative learning with SEO > How to choose Meta-tags (10 tips)

  • SEO Strategies > Google My Business Recognition (4 tips)

  • Social Media Marketing > Calendar and Continuity of Care

  • Stragtegic SEO > (11 tips)

Collaborating on Learning SEO

I will be transparent here about my experience with SEO as I am a newbie and with the speed at which things change, I don't expect to call myself an expert at any time soon. That is why I'm calling this part of my site a "collaboration", and I find that communication and being clear with my clients is more important to me than being an expert at something that I don't yet know. That doesn't mean I don't want to do the work and learn as I go. In a perfect world, my clients would have at least as much time and motivation to learn about this as I do. However, I know how hard it is to find free time, so here you go.
Also be warned that as I develop this website and my blog, there may be parts in here that I'm still writing, (including parts that have Ai-generated placeholders) until I am ready to deep dive into the topic and make it clearer and better. Pardon my dust, please; and thank you for reading.

How to choose Meta-Tags

In modern SEO practices, major search engines, including Google, largely ignore the meta keywords tag for ranking purposes. Google, in particular, has officially stated that they do not use the meta keywords tag as a ranking signal. Instead, search engines primarily rely on other factors such as the content of your page, backlinks, and user experience.However, you can still optimize your meta tags for better user engagement and click-through rates. Here are some tips:1. Focus on Meta Title and Meta Description:
While meta keywords may not have a significant impact, the meta title and meta description are crucial. Craft compelling and accurate meta titles and descriptions that encourage users to click through to your website.
2. Use Relevant Keywords Naturally:
Even though meta keywords don't directly impact rankings, you can still include relevant keywords in your meta title and description. Ensure that these keywords naturally describe the content of your page.
3. Understand User Intent:
Consider the intent behind the user's search and tailor your meta tags to align with that intent. This will not only improve your click-through rates but also enhance the overall user experience.
4. Be Descriptive and Accurate:
Clearly convey what users can expect on your page in the meta description. Accurate and descriptive meta tags can attract the right audience to your site.
5. Include a Call-to-Action (CTA):
Incorporate a compelling call-to-action in your meta description to encourage users to take the desired action, whether it's clicking through to read more, making a purchase, or engaging with your content.
6. Regularly Review and Update:
Stay informed about changes in your industry, target audience, and search engine algorithms. Regularly review and update your meta tags to ensure they remain relevant.
7. Test and Monitor:
Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor the performance of your meta tags. A/B test different variations to see which ones result in higher click-through rates.
8. Mobile Optimization:
Ensure that your meta tags are optimized for mobile users, as a significant portion of internet traffic comes from mobile devices.
9. Schema Markup:
Implement schema markup to provide search engines with structured data about your content. This can enhance the appearance of your search results and increase visibility.
10. Consider Rich Snippets:
Explore opportunities for using rich snippets, such as review stars or product information, to make your search results more appealing.
In summary, while meta keywords may not be a critical factor, focusing on other aspects of your meta tags, such as the title and description, can contribute to better user engagement and overall SEO success.

SEO Strategies

Navigating Google Recognition for Mobile Services:


1. Google's Home-Based Business Verification:
Google allows businesses that operate from home or provide mobile services to be recognized on the platform. During the verification process, Google will ask for your business address. If you operate from home, you can choose to keep this address private, displaying only your city and region on your public profile.
Note: To complete this verification, having a business email associated with your domain is crucial. This not only serves as a means of contact for potential clients but also acts as evidence of your business's legitimacy.


2. Obtaining a Business Email:
To fulfill this requirement, acquiring a professional business email is imperative.
3. Setting Up Your Business Email:
Whichever service you choose, setting up your business email is a straightforward process. Both Google Workspace and Zoho Mail offer step-by-step guides to assist you in creating and configuring your professional email addresses.
Other considerations might be ProtonMail, Tuta, or CleanEmail if you're looking for freedom with more privacy protections.
4. Completing Google Recognition:With your business email in place, you can confidently proceed with the Google verification process. Follow the steps outlined in the provided YouTube tutorial to ensure that your mobile services business gets the recognition it deserves on Google.
Click here to apply to become a verified business on Google or alternatively, look up any business from maps.google.com and see if it can be a suggestion for google businesses.
Conclusion:Whether you operate from a fixed location or offer mobile services, having a strong online presence is fundamental to the success of your business. By obtaining a business email and leveraging Google recognition, you not only enhance your credibility but also increase your visibility to potential clients. With user-friendly platforms like Google Workspace and Zoho Mail, setting up your professional email is a seamless process, ensuring that your mobile services business is well-equipped for the digital landscape.




Social Media Marketing


How to Publish on Social Media with a Marketing Strategy

In the dynamic realm of online business, harnessing the power of social media is no longer an option—it's a necessity. We understand the pivotal role that social media plays in modern marketing, and we're here to guide you through the essentials of crafting a strategic approach to publishing on these platforms.

The Social Media Calendar: Your Blueprint for Success
One of the cornerstones of effective social media management is a well-crafted social media calendar. This tool acts as your roadmap, outlining when and what to post across different platforms. By planning your content in advance, you ensure a consistent and engaging online presence.
Start by identifying key dates, events, and industry trends relevant to your business. Incorporate these into your calendar to stay timely and relatable. Consistency is key, so establish a posting frequency that aligns with your audience's preferences without overwhelming them.SEO Tags: Elevate Your Visibility
Enhancing your social media posts with SEO tags is a game-changer for online discoverability. Much like optimizing your website for search engines, incorporating relevant keywords into your social media content boosts your visibility in platform searches.
Each post should include carefully selected keywords related to your business, industry, and the specific content of the post. Be strategic and natural in your approach—these tags should seamlessly integrate into your captions and descriptions. This simple step can significantly increase the chances of your content being discovered by a broader audience.The Power of Visuals: Incorporating Video Content
In a world inundated with information, visual content, especially videos, has emerged as a highly effective way to capture audience attention. Including videos in your social media strategy can convey complex messages in a more digestible format and create a deeper connection with your audience.
Consider creating videos that showcase your products or services, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business, or provide valuable insights and tips. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn offer various formats, such as stories, IGTV, and live videos, enabling you to diversify your content and cater to different audience preferences.Maintaining Your Profile: A Continuous Effort
Building an impactful social media presence is not a one-time task—it's an ongoing effort that requires consistent nurturing. Regularly update your profile information to reflect changes in your business, and engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly.
Furthermore, regularly review and refine your social media strategy. Analyze performance metrics, such as engagement rates, click-through rates, and follower growth, to understand what works best for your audience. Adjust your approach accordingly, ensuring that your social media presence remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of your audience.In conclusion, mastering the art of publishing on social media requires a thoughtful strategy. By leveraging a social media calendar, incorporating SEO tags, embracing the power of video content, and maintaining a dynamic profile, you'll not only enhance your online visibility but also build a meaningful connection with your audience.At "W is for Web," we specialize in crafting bespoke strategies for businesses like yours. Elevate your social media game with us, and let's make your online presence truly shine.

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Strategic SEO:

11 Essential Tips to Propel Your Business to the Top


          In the dynamic world of digital marketing, mastering Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for businesses aiming to rise above the online noise. This article explores 11 indispensable SEO tips, with a dedicated focus on keyword selection using SEMrush research and monitoring favorite keywords for optimal competitive advantage.


1. Optimize Locally:Enhance your local SEO by incorporating your business location into your website's title. This targeted approach ensures that your business is easily discoverable by potential customers in your vicinity.


2. Reviews as Social Proof:
Foster a positive online reputation by accumulating at least 10 reviews on your Google Business listing. Positive reviews not only instill trust but also contribute significantly to your business's credibility.


3. Subcategories for Precision:
Utilize tools such as the GMB Everywhere Chrome extension to gain insights from competitors. Identify and implement relevant subcategories on your Google My Business listing to provide a comprehensive snapshot of your offerings.


4. Service Pages for Depth:
Strengthen your online presence by creating dedicated service pages on your website. Each service should be showcased on its own page with detailed content, keywords, and engaging information, optimizing your site for both users and search engines.

5. Quality Over Quantity in Content:While regular content updates are beneficial, prioritize quality over quantity. Regularly revisit existing content to ensure relevance and accuracy, aligning with evolving search engine algorithms.

6. User-Centric Approach:Focus on meeting user needs. A user-friendly website not only attracts more visitors but keeps them engaged. This approach enhances the overall user experience, a key factor in SEO success.

7. Speed through Decluttering:Optimize your website's speed by removing unnecessary plugins and widgets. A streamlined, fast-loading site is more likely to rank higher in search engine results.

8. Content Harmony:Craft content for your audience first, then optimize for search engines. Find the balance between user-friendly, informative content and SEO best practices to achieve a harmonious online presence.

9. Backlinks for Authority:Build high-quality backlinks from reputable sources to bolster your website's authority. Quality backlinks act as digital endorsements, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable.

10. Regular Maintenance:SEO is an ongoing process. Regularly revisit your website, update keywords, optimize images, and ensure your site remains responsive and mobile-friendly. Consistent effort is key to sustained success.


11. Keyword Mastery with SEMrush:
Take your SEO strategy to the next level by leveraging SEMrush for comprehensive keyword research. Dive into your competitors' websites, analyze their chosen keywords, and identify gaps in your strategy. Monitor your favorite keywords and assess their competitiveness using SEMrush's robust statistical insights. This data-driven approach allows you to strategically choose keywords that give you a competitive edge, ultimately propelling your business to new heights in search engine rankings.



Image Libraries


How do I find CopyRight free or Royalty Free images?

W is for Web ai generated work with photo collage

You've come to the right place!Each online library has its own rules about posting and uploads, and it's especially important to be aware that the site may or may not be able to tell when a user actually has permission to post something. Be very careful about anything, especially things you use for profit. Below is a list of libraries which will be growing as I review them and find more. The years to the right of each name are the first year I saw an archive of this library. Thanks to Philip Blank!

TitleOrigin Year Link
pixabay2010pixabay.com
unsplash2013unsplash.com
lifeofpix2014lifeofpix.com
publicdomain2009publicdomainarchive.com
barnimages2015barnimages.com
wiki2004commons.wikimedia.org
dreamstime2001dreamstime.com
vecteezy2007vecteezy.com
freenature2015freenaturestock.com
littlevisuals2013littlevisuals.co
freepik2004freepik.com
picography2014picography.co
stocksnap2014stocksnap.io
newoldstock2013nos.twnsnd.co
picjumbo2013picjumbo.com
jaymantri2014jaymantri.com
picxclickx2016picxclickx.com
magdeleine2014magdeleine.co
foodiesfeed2013stocksnap.io
isorepublic2014isorepublic.com
librestock2015librestock.com
realisticshots2015realisticshots.com
kaboompics2014kaboompics.com
pexels2014pexels.com
freeimages1998freeimages.com
gratisography2013gratisography.com
morguefile2001morguefile.com
deathtothestock2013deathtothestockphoto.com
burst2023shopify.com
123rf2022123rf.com
flickr2004flickr.com

Online Visual Apps

Are you looking for something that isn't out there? Make it yourself!

Function/ NicknameApp-YearLink
ExpressIMAGE APPnew.express.adobe.com/
CanvaIMAGE APPcanva.com
Writing TimeLordTEXT APP -1963adrian17.github.io/Gallifreyan
MS aiAi APPchatGPT
Moretocome

By combining these 11 essential SEO tips with strategic keyword research using SEMrush, you'll equip your business with the tools needed to navigate the intricacies of the digital landscape and emerge as a formidable presence in your industry. Remember, SEO success is a journey, not a destination. Stay proactive, stay adaptive, and watch your business ascend in the digital realm.



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SITE MAP (updated 2/26/2024)

HOME (W IS FOR WEB)

SERVICES
> Custom Art > SEO > info Sharing Sessions
#work, #googlebusiness, #social, #keyword
CLIENTS
> Wildflowers' Movement > LACCC, inc. > Laundronauts > CooSkinCare > QueenHelenesBoutique
#about
CONTACT
> contact form, > email & phone
SOCIAL LINKS
fb, linkedin, quora, venmo, youtube, legacy, email, textRESOURCES
> Collab on SEO learning > SEO strategies > Social media marketing > Strategic SEO
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