What It’s Like to Work with Merge Media

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Merge Media lenaing over computers smiling while working

Choosing a web designer can feel like a bit of a gamble.

There are so many options out there and on the surface, they often sound the same. But finding someone who actually gets your business, listens to what you need, and builds a site that truly works is a different story.

But that’s exactly what we’re here to do.

We are not just another web company. We care about doing things properly, keeping the process simple, and creating websites that support your business long after they go live. We take pride in the fact that our sites are strategic, easy to manage, and designed to grow with you.

Here is what makes us different and what you can expect when you work with us.

What Makes Us Different

1. Your Website Is Built to Be Found

Before we even start designing, we do the groundwork. We look at your competitors, review your industry, and explore the keywords your customers are searching for. We build that into your site from the start so it has a better chance of ranking well in search engines.

Good SEO is not something we treat as optional. It is part of the way we build every site.

2. We’re a Small Team That Actually Cares

You are not just another job in a queue. When you work with us, you deal directly with people who care about your business. We are small, local, and personal. That means better communication, more attention to detail, and support you can count on.

3. You’re Part of the Process

We do not just go away and build something in secret. We involve you in the journey so you know what is happening, when it is happening, and why.

We use a tool called Slickplan to lay out your website structure. That way, you can see how everything fits together before we start building. You’ll get to give feedback and see progress along the way so there are no surprises.

4. Your Website Will Grow With You

We build sites that are made to last. That means the design, structure, and platform are set up in a way that lets you grow over time without needing to start from scratch later.

If you want to manage simple updates yourself, we will show you how. And if you need help down the line, we are just a message away.

5. We Take the Time to Get It Right

We are not the fastest or the cheapest, and we are okay with that. We care about doing things properly. That means understanding your brand, your audience, and your goals before we dive into design.

It also means building something that works hard for you well after it goes live.

What to Expect When You Work With Us

Our process is straightforward and collaborative. Here’s how it usually goes:

1. Let’s have a chat

We meet either in person or online and talk about your business, your goals, and what you need your website to do. We also take a look at your current logo and brand, or chat through your ideas if you’re just starting out. That helps us put together a clear brief before anything else happens.o.

2. SEO and competitor research

We work with David, our trusted SEO specialist, who carries out a detailed competitor and keyword analysis for your business. From there, we use those insights to plan your content structure and layout using a tool called Slickplan. This helps us map out your website in a way that makes sense for your audience and gives you a chance to see how everything will fit together.

4. We get started on the build

Once you’ve approved the structure, we begin designing your new website. You’ll have the chance to review the design early on and make any changes before we dive into development. That way, we know everyone is on the same page and happy with the direction before we move forward.

5. Your site goes live

Once everything is built, tested, and approved, your site goes live through our experienced developer, Steven. We take care of the technical bits to make sure everything is running smoothly at launch.

6. You get ongoing support

After launch, we are still here. We offer dedicated hosting, maintenance, and support add-ons for clients who want extra peace of mind. But even if you are not on a plan, we will always make sure your site is up and running properly. Call us anytime — we are always happy to help.

Why This All Matters

Your website is often the first thing people see when they discover your business. It needs to represent you well, work smoothly, and help you grow.

We take pride in building websites that feel right, look sharp, and bring results. We care about doing good work for good people, and we believe your website should be something you’re proud to share.

Ready to get started? Book a Free Chat with us today and let’s talk about what your website could be.

Contact us

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The Brand Consistency Checklist

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Brand Consistency Checklist

Is Your Business Sending Mixed Signals?

Branding is more than just your logo. It is how your business shows up everywhere. That includes your website, social media, business cards, invoices, email signature and even the way you speak. If things look and feel different depending on where someone finds you, it creates confusion and uncertainty.

The truth is, inconsistent branding is costing you more than you think. It can make your business look unprofessional, water down your message and turn potential clients away before they even get in touch. But the good news is it is easy to fix once you know what to look for.

Here is a simple checklist to help you keep your brand looking sharp and consistent wherever it shows up.

1. Stop Stretching Your Logo

Your logo should be used the same way every time. That means no stretching, no weird colour changes and no swapping between random versions. Whether it is on your website, social media or print materials, your logo needs to be clear, clean and instantly recognisable.

2. Pick Your Fonts and Stick to Them

Choose one or two fonts and use them across everything. That includes your website, brochures, emails and social media graphics. Mixing different fonts creates a disjointed look and can make your business seem all over the place.

3. Your Colours Are Not a Free-for-All

Stick to the exact colours in your brand palette. Not something “close enough.” The right hex codes or print values help your brand look polished and trustworthy. Changing colours too often breaks the connection your audience builds with your brand.

4. Do You Sound Like the Same Business Everywhere?

Think about how you sound across different platforms. Do your emails sound like your social posts? Is your website copy in line with the tone of your proposals? Whether you are casual and friendly or more formal and direct, your brand voice should feel the same every time someone interacts with your business.

5. Your Photos Tell a Story

Ditch the stock photos and show real people. Friendly shots of your team on the job help build trust and make your brand feel more human. People want to see who they’re working with — so let them.

6. Check Your Socials with Fresh Eyes

Make sure your profile pictures, bios and highlights match your brand look and tone. If someone clicks from your Instagram to your website, it should feel like the same business. Keep it clear, updated and in line with everything else you are doing.

7. Your Email Signature Is Part of Your Brand Too

It is a small thing but it matters. A clean, well-branded email signature helps you look polished and professional. Use your brand fonts, colours and logo. Include your contact details and maybe a short tagline or link to your website.

8. Branded Documents Matter More Than You Think

From invoices to proposals and e-books, every piece of communication is an extension of your brand. Consistent design here shows you are professional and pays attention to detail.

9. Stop Ignoring Your Print Materials

Business cards, brochures and signage still count. If they don’t match your digital presence, it chips away at trust. Make sure print and digital are working together, not against each other.

10. Vehicle signage is your best friend

Your car or van is a rolling ad. Keep the signage clean, clear and on-brand so it grabs attention wherever you go. One job site can lead to the next if your branding shows up well.

Have you ticked all the boxes?

If you’re sitting there ticking things off, you’re already on the right track. Your brand is probably looking sharp and sending the right signals.

If you’ve missed a few, don’t panic. Most businesses do. The good news is you now know what to look out for, and small changes can make a big difference. You don’t need a full rebrand, just a little tidy-up.

And if you’re staring at this list thinking “I have no idea where to start,” we’ve got you.

Book a free chat and we’ll walk through it with you. No judgement, no jargon, and definitely no Comic Sans!


Contact us

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Behind on AI? It’s Not Too Late

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Person typing on keyboard with "ai" on the screen

Feeling overwhelmed by all the AI hype and wondering what it actually means for your business?

We’re hearing a lot about ChatGPT lately. It’s writing blog posts, generating images, and even suggesting what colour your logo should be (yep, that’s a thing now). But here’s the truth:

You don’t need to keep up with AI — you just need to stop getting left behind.

Because while ChatGPT is pretty clever, and there are some seriously cool tools out there, your customers still want to feel like they’re dealing with you. Not a robot.

AI can be a great tool when used the right way and especially for content writing. But when it comes to how your business looks and feels online, the human touch still matters most. The trick is knowing what to automate and what to keep personal.

We’ll show you how to strike the right balance.

A Helping Hand, Not a Replacement

AI doesn’t have to be scary. Used right, it can be a powerful sidekick.

You can use it to:

  • Come up with content ideas for blogs or social media
  • Summarise long documents or reword tricky emails
  • Brainstorm new services or business ideas
  • Organise your thoughts or improve your writing
  • Automate your emails or booking confirmations

These tools are here to save you time and take the pressure off when you’re stuck. You’re still the one in control. AI just helps you move faster, think bigger and spend more time doing what you’re actually good at.

ChatGPT Isn’t Cheating (But Edit It!)

Using AI to write your website content or brainstorm ideas? Brilliant. It’s a great starting point. But it’s just that, a start.

If you copy and paste it straight onto your website without tweaking, people can tell. It reads like it was written by a well-spoken alien. That’s why we always say: write your content however you like (even with a bit of help from AI), and we’ll use it to build your site. We’re happy to work with what you give us, and we’ll even help bend the copy into shape if it needs it.

It’s faster for you, and frees up more time to focus on the fun stuff, like getting show-stopping images that actually reflect your brand.

Where we come in!

Of course, if you’re already using AI to write your content, that’s a great head start. Send it our way and we’ll shape it into something that works well on your website. The more you can give us upfront, the faster we can get your site up and running so you can start seeing results sooner.

Need help making your website actually work for your business? Get in touch today!

BOOK A CHAT WITH US

 

 

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Merge Media design beautiful branding across all media for brand consistency.

The Importance of Branding Consistency Across All Media

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In today’s highly competitive market, creating a strong and consistent brand is paramount.

Branding goes beyond a mere logo or tagline; it encompasses every aspect of how your business is perceived by customers.

One of the critical areas where branding consistency must be maintained is across all media, particularly on your website.

This article explores the significance of consistent branding and provides insights from industry experts on why it is essential for brand and business owners to establish robust branding before developing their website.

What is Branding Consistency?

 Branding consistency involves maintaining a uniform image and message across all platforms and marketing materials. This means that every piece of content, whether it’s your website, social media posts, signage, or promotional collateral, should reflect the same visual style, tone of voice, and core values. Consistency helps build recognition, trust, and loyalty among your audience.

Why is it important?

It Enhances Brand Recognition

Consistency in branding ensures that your audience can easily recognise your brand across various channels.  According to branding expert Neil Patel, consistent presentation of a brand increases revenue by up to 23% .

When customers see the same colours, logos, and messages repeated, it reinforces their memory and recognition of the brand. Neil Patel

Seth Godin, in “This is Marketing,” noted, “A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories, and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.” This quote highlights the role of consistency in building and sustaining consumer relationships and expectations.

 Strengthens Marketing Efforts & Supports Customer Loyalty 

Consistent branding creates a unified front for all marketing efforts. When your social media posts, advertisements, and website share the same design and messaging, it amplifies the impact of your marketing campaigns.  It also ensures that all marketing activities contribute to a cohesive brand narrative, making your campaigns more effective.

Branding consistency helps create an emotional connection with customers. When customers know what to expect from your brand, they are more likely to develop a sense of loyalty, leading to more referrals.

Why Consistency is Crucial for Websites

Your website is often the first point of contact between your brand and potential customers. Therefore, it is crucial that your website accurately reflects your brand’s identity.

If you would like some help with your branding or developing a brand guideline, get in touch!

BOOK A CHAT WITH US

 

 

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10 things to consider when setting up your business

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Purple checklist

If you’re diving into the business world for the first time, the amount decisions you need to make can feel overwhelming. Where do you start?!

As a web and graphic designer passionate about helping my clients bring their visions to life, I’ve curated a list of 10 essential considerations to ensure your venture starts off the right way. From defining your brand identity to establishing a solid online presence, each step is crucial to laying the groundwork for your success.

When starting your business journey, here are a few things you need to do:

 

 

  1. Define Your Identity: Whether it’s choosing a business name or refining your brand identity, clarity is key. Reach out to Miranda at [email protected] for expert marketing guidance if you’re having trouble!

  2. Check the Companies Office Register: Ensure your chosen business name is available, distinct, and not too similar to your competitors. Click here to check now. If it’s available, register it!

  3. Is your domain name available? Check availability on Discount Domains and secure your online presence. Make sure it’s not too long so it’s easy to fit on your marketing collateral. If it’s available, buy it!

  4. Set up your email address: Now that you’ve purchased your domain name, it’s time to set up your business email address. If this sounds too technical, get in touch and our team can help!

  5. Decide on your budget: We have a range of customisable packages available, check them out here or contact us for a free consultation to discuss your individual requirements.

  6. Gather inspiration: Have a look around at brands and logos you like. What do your competitors look like? While we may be great graphic designers, we are terrible mind readers! It’s our job to find out your likes and dislikes, so we’re heading down the right track from the start. Compile and share a Pinterest board with us or gather images from Google so we can see your preferences and brand vision. Find out more about briefing a graphic designer here.

  7. Do you have a memorable brand and logo? Complete our branding brief form here so we have all the information about your business we need to start. Once that’s designed and finalised, we’ll supply your logo guideline you need for signage and documentation.

  8. Get your website up and running: Starting with your key words in mind, we’ll create a site plan and website that becomes your #1 salesperson. Fill in our website brief form so we’ve got all the info we need!

  9. Write great content: You have the option of either writing web copy yourself, or if you don’t have time (the the know-how), our expert copywriter can help with Google-friendly content.

  10. Set up a Google My Business listing: This allows you to feature on Google Maps and gather client reviews. This is important for search engine optimisation purposes.

 

We’ve done it all before and helped many business owners get set up and on their way to business success!

If you need further guidance, get in touch with Renee for a free consultation.

YES PLEASE! BOOK ME IN!
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Need more quality leads from your site? Here’s how we help.

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Merge Media Ultimate Website Checklist

A Website Lead Generation Document is a strategically designed digital asset on a company’s website, with the primary goal of capturing visitor information, such as names and email addresses.

Typically, these documents take the form of downloadable resources, such as eBooks, whitepapers, checklists, or guides, offering valuable content to visitors in exchange for their contact details.

Merge Media Ultimate Website Checklist

How does it work?

  • By Offering Value: The document serves as a valuable resource related to the business’s niche. It could be industry insights, how-to guides, or expert tips that address common pain points of the target audience.
  • Prominent Placement: The document is strategically placed on the website, often through eye-catching call-to-action buttons or pop-ups, enticing visitors to download the resource.
  • Opt-in Form: To access the document, visitors are prompted to fill out a short opt-in form, providing their contact information. This information is then stored in a database for future communication.
  • Automated Follow-ups: Once the information is collected, businesses can leverage automated email marketing campaigns to nurture leads, providing additional value and guiding them through the sales funnel.

What are the benefits of website lead generation?

  1. Builds Credibility: Offering valuable content positions your business as an authority in your industry, enhancing credibility and trust among your audience.
  2. Generates Quality Leads: By attracting visitors genuinely interested in your content, you’re more likely to capture high-quality leads who are potentially interested in your products or services.
  3. Nurtures Relationships: Automated follow-up emails enable ongoing communication, allowing businesses to nurture relationships with leads over time, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
  4. Data Collection: Gathering contact information provides valuable data for understanding your audience, enabling more targeted marketing efforts and personalized communication.
  5. Boosts Conversion Rates: Providing a tangible benefit in the form of a valuable resource increases the chances of visitors taking the desired action, whether it’s making a purchase or requesting more information.
  6. Enhances Marketing ROI: Targeted lead generation efforts contribute to a more efficient use of marketing resources, ensuring that efforts are focused on individuals genuinely interested in your offerings.
  7. Supports Content Marketing Strategy: The document becomes a cornerstone of your content marketing strategy, attracting and engaging your target audience while supporting your overall marketing goals.

In the era of digital marketing, a Website Lead Generation Document is a powerful tool for businesses looking to expand their online reach, capture high-quality leads, and nurture meaningful relationships with their audience.

By strategically implementing and promoting these documents, businesses can unlock a wealth of opportunities and take a significant step towards sustained success in the digital realm.

Want help to get more quality leads from your site?

We’ll help you plan, design, content write and implement your website lead generation document.

Check out our our own Merge Media Lead Generation page and get in touch if you need help with yours!

 

YES PLEASE! HELP ME WITH MY LEAD GEN

 

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Clear the cobwebs from your website. Here are 8 reasons why!

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Clear the cobwebs from your website. Here's why!
  • Is your website is still your top salesperson or have enquiries slowly started dropping?
  • Are customers getting frustrated because your contact details, products, services or prices are out of date?
  • Do your competitors now have a more exciting site than you?

In the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, maintaining a vibrant and up-to-date website is crucial for so many reasons. Here’s a breakdown of why regular updates matter:

Reasons why you should update your website

1. If you forget about your site, so will Google!

Google favours regularly updated sites and will boost a well maintained website’s visibility in search results. Regular updates signal to search engines that your site is active and relevant, positively impacting your SEO ranking.

2. Industries adapt and evolve, and so should your website

Regular updates reflect your commitment to staying current with trends, technologies, and best practices.

3. Give your customers a reason to return

No-one wants to see the same old thing every time they visit! Fresh content and updated images keep visitors engaged, interested and coming back again, fostering a loyal audience. Outdated information can also lead to confusion and frustration for potential customers. Are you prices, project pages and contact details up to date?

4. Updates keep your site secure

Regular updates include software patches and security measures, safeguarding your website against potential threats and vulnerabilities.

An outdated website is more susceptible to hacking and other security breaches.

5. Increased brand image and credibility

A well-maintained website with updated visuals and content contribute to a professional and trustworthy image…which reflects positively on your brand. It shows that you care about your online presence and value your audience’s experience.

6. Better Social Media integration

Updated content provides fresh material for sharing on social media platforms, driving traffic back to your website. Social media traffic is increasingly influential in search engine algorithms so making a strong social media presence beneficial for SEO.

7. Updates maintain your competitive edge

Staying ahead of competitors requires continuous improvement to ensure you’re staying ahead of them. Regular updates demonstrate your commitment to being a leader in your industry.

A modern and dynamic website is more likely to attract and retain users compared to a stagnant or outdated one.

8. It saves you money in the long run

Updating small bits and pieces regularly means you won’t be left behind or need to spend hundreds on a massive overhaul further down the track. Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing and do small tweaks regularly.

In conclusion, online digital marketing is dynamic and always changing so maintaining an up-to-date website is essential for success.

Regular updates not only improve user experience but also contribute to improved SEO, security, and overall brand credibility. By investing time and resources in keeping your website current, your business will stay in position for sustained growth and relevance in the online world.

We’re the experts in making your site your top salesperson so book your free 30 minute website content review with us here.

Book a website content review
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What are plugins and what do they do?

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Laptop shwoing series of wordpress plugins

A plug-in, put simply, is a piece of software that adds new features or extends functionality on an existing application.

When it comes to websites, these are paramount to ensuring functionality, improving speed and efficiency, and maximizing your customer’s experience. They can help your website be unique in the way it appears, ie the ability to use certain fonts that relate to your brand, help maintain your site’s security, ensure your site has the ability to be backed up and/or restored (god forbid your site ever gets hacked) and provide your website with great SEO solutions, plus much more.

How did plugins come about?

Early on in the timeline of the Internet, websites offered visitors a very limited experience. Most websites could only display simple text, a few still images and links. Plugins were born as a solution to overcome the limitations of early HyperText Markup Language (HTML), the standard coding language programmers use to create webpages. They very much helped to create a more engaging experience for site visitors. Since then, plugin usage has become a very important aspect of web design. There are now thousands of plugins that people can easily install and use on their websites.

Why you should use plugins

If you want the ability to expand the functionality of your website quickly and easily, then plugins are a no-brainer. Web designers can usually download and install them within minutes. Plugins are also need to be updated frequently, often several times per year, as they regularly offer performance and security improvements.

Some things to consider, if you are creating your own site…

When you download and install a plugin, you are relying on the third-party developer that created the program, to be legit. Some plugins are excellent and function exactly as described, while others are buggy, redundant, or lacking in security.

Security issues– Platforms like WordPress are widely regarded to being very secure, but when external sources – like plugins – are invited in, security can be compromised and leave the website vulnerable to hacking. Even some of the most widely used WordPress plugins, have suffered security flaws in the past.

Drain on resources – Every plugin you install adds “weight” to your website. Plugins consume processing power which can slow down your website and even cause it crash.

Conflicts – Sometimes plug-ins react badly with certain websites. They can clash with a CMS, website theme or even other plug-ins, particularly after the user processes an update.

Paid versus free plug-ins
Thousands of free plugins are available for download, however, they don’t offer much support to the user. Web designers that use paid plugins are more invested in providing good customer service and try to keep the programs bug-free and compatible with the platform they were designed for. It can take many hours of research to make sure that the plugins you’re thinking of downloading have good reviews and are not likely to cause you any headaches down the road.

That’s why at Merge Media, we are the best option for ensuring your website runs smoothly, with no major issues for you, as we have created numerous websites over the years with our clients’ trust, happiness and stress levels in mind!

VIEW OUR SITES

CONTACT US FOR A FREE WEB CONSULTATION

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Why we love our design sub-contractors

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Quality design sub-contractors are worth their weight in gold…

Here at Merge Media we are proud to say that we work closely with a wide range of professional and quality sub-contractors for many, if not most, of our web and graphic design clients.

We can either work directly with them or can refer them onto our clients, whatever is preferred. Interested in learning more? We’ve put together below, 4 important reasons why we use and refer to quality sub-contractors as part of our business:

1. Skilled sub-contractors provide the best expertise

Skilled sub-contractors will offer a superior service and provide expert advice and services, such as our SEO expert, David Partis from Website Optimisers. Furthermore, they have been working in a specific field for a number of years and have had ample opportunity to hone their skills. With there being so many aspects to website optimisation for example, such as SEO/Adwords etc, having an expert in this field to refer to, is paramount. We want to make sure that your website can not only look its best, but rank well in Google too.

Over the years, we have come to know our sub-contractors personally and we are proud of the amazing work they do, which in turn, has helped our business grow and achieve excellent results for our clients.

2. Increased productivity

Increasing productivity is one of the biggest positives of working with quality and trusted sub-contractors. Our time is therefore increased – being able to focus on what Merge Media does best – creating stunning websites, branding and graphic design. We can get your job done faster for you, without compromising on quality.

3. It is cost efficient & risk adverse

Hiring the best sub-contractors is often much more cost effective than bringing on new, full-time employees – so these cost savings also get passed onto our clients. Even more importantly, it also helps avoid risk by hiring a reliable and safe sub-contractor, with substantial, specialised, experience.

4. We love to support local, skilled sub-contractors

Being actively involved in our local BNI group, we love to support our local, professional sub-contractors where we can – it helps them out, as well as us. Being able to get to know some of our highly skilled local sub-contractors has been valuable to our business, as we can be confident going forward using their services, knowing that our clients will be receiving only the best and in turn, achieving excellent results for their own businesses.

What sub-contractors do we use?

Here are Merge Media, our main sub-contractors we work with are photographers, signwriters, SEO consultants, marketing consultants, copywriters and web developers to name a few. These are all highly important people that we refer to for our projects, ensuring they are also adding value to your brand.

Click below, to find out more about our latest project for Pohutukawa Coast Vets – where we have utilised our amazing sub-contractors to achieve stunning signage, photography and a well optimised website.

MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT CONTACT US FOR A FREE WEB CONSULTATION
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