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5 Reasons You Need a Chatbot on Your Website

Posted on by Phil

What is a Chatbot?

Before we discuss why you need a chatbot… First things first. Let’s just cover off what a chatbot actually is.

A chatbot is a computer program that simulates human conversation through artificial intelligence. It can interact with people via text, audio, or video and provide automated responses to their questions. Chatbots can be used to answer customer service inquiries, provide product recommendations, and even help people make decisions by guiding them through conversations.

Make your website work for your visitors!

Are you considering adding a chatbot to your website? If so, you’re not alone. An increasing number of businesses are using chatbots to enhance the customer experience and provide better service. Let’s take a look at five reasons why chatbots are a wise addition to any business website.

Cost Savings

A chatbot can reduce your overhead costs significantly by automating repetitive tasks that would otherwise require manual labor. By removing mundane tasks from your employees’ workloads, they can focus on more important tasks that require human attention. The cost savings associated with automation are immense and often underestimated by business owners. Additionally, chatbots can be set up quickly and easily and some of them even come pre-programmed with industry-specific scripts that make setup a breeze.

Enhanced Customer Service

Chatbots allow customers to ask questions in real time without waiting for someone to answer their inquiries. This means customers don’t have to wait for an email response or be placed on hold while they wait for an operator to pick up the phone. Furthermore, since bots are programmed with natural language processing (NLP), they can understand what customers need and respond accordingly, providing quick, helpful answers in no time at all.

Increased Engagement

When people visit your website, chances are they want something—whether it’s information about products or services or assistance with an issue they’re having. A chatbot allows customers to get immediate answers and encourages them to engage with your business which could lead to increased revenue. Additionally, because bots provide answers quickly and accurately, customers are more likely to return in the future as well as recommend your business to others.

Easy Integration

Chatbots can be integrated into almost any existing website platform or CRM system with ease. CRM and marketing automation software such as SharpSpring by Constant contact or Hubspot offer solutions for chatbots too. A lot of web platforms offer plugins that make it easy to add bots directly into your site without the need for coding knowledge or expertise. Additionally, custom integrations can be tailored specifically for your needs if needed.

Data Analysis & Insights

Data-driven marketing is the key to success online. One of the most powerful aspects of using chatbots is their ability to analyze customer data in order to identify trends and improve overall performance over time. Bots provide valuable insights into customer behavior which can help you better understand how people interact with your website and what changes might need to be made in order for it perform better online. This data can help inform marketing strategies as well as product development efforts down the line!

 

Focus on user experience and win more work.

So as you can see, incorporating a chatbot into your website has many advantages… Website visitors in this day and age expect almost immediate responses. So it just makes sense to have an answer on hand 24/7. A chatbot can offer this. It’s not all smooth sailing though. If you want your website to really perform – and that includes a chatbot, then you need to train it. Educate it. A website is like a staff member – The more knowledge and training you give them – the higher the level of service and results you can expect. put in the hard yards, create quality relevant content and you will reap the rewards. Only then will you truly realise just how much revenue your website can generate.

What Industries Need Marketing?

Posted on by Phil

Whether you are a startup business or a well-established company, marketing is essential for success. So when we talk about industries that need marketing, who comes up the most? Well, it’s hard to narrow that down. It’s so important to remember that all businesses need marketing. But there are some industries that have to use it more than others. Let’s take a look at some of these industries and how they use marketing to reach their target audience.

Industries that Need Marketing

Retail Industry

The retail industry is heavily dependent on marketing and advertising due to its highly competitive nature. Retailers must create unique and effective campaigns in order to differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract customers. They rely on advertising, public relations, direct mail campaigns, social media strategies, and more. In saying that, the biggest opportunity for any retail business, is online. And by online I mean e-commerce. If you own a retail business and are not selling online. Now is the time to start. Additionally, e-commerce offers the ability to integrate data-driven strategies. Things such as email marketing, marketing automation, and retargeting ads are highly measurable and effective.

Food Industry

one of the Industries that need marketing more than most is also The food industry. It’s also highly competitive and needs effective marketing strategies in order to stand out from the crowd. Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, catering companies – all these businesses need enticing visuals and wording to draw people in through digital marketing channels such as websites and social media platforms. Additionally, food companies can reach out directly to potential customers through coupons or special deals sent via email or text message campaigns.

Technology Industry

The technology industry is among the industries that need marketing too. It’s rapidly changing and evolving as new products are constantly being released. Companies in this sector must stay ahead of the competition by creating a powerful online presence with strong visuals and appealing messaging that entices customers into making purchases or downloading apps. Additionally, technology companies should be leveraging influencers within their niche who can share their products with a wider audience.

Construction/Building Industry

In the building industry, it might be tempting to think that you’re already busy enough and don’t need any more work. However, marketing is a way to ensure that your business doesn’t suffer from feast-or-famine syndrome – no industries are exempt from this rule, and that includes the construction sector. If you want to know how to grow your building business, then investing in marketing is a key component. By attracting and converting leads, your sales pipeline of work can remain full. And your business can remain steadily busy.

Marketing is essential for all businesses

If you want to succeed regardless of your industry type, Marketing is essential. However, there are certain industries where it is especially important for reaching potential customers. The retail industry relies heavily on attractive visuals and messaging while the food industry needs enticing imagery for driving sales; meanwhile, the technology industry requires staying ahead of trends with a strong online presence. Ultimately no matter what type of business you run, having an effective marketing strategy is key for achieving success! Bt what you must remember is Marketing is not about you. It is about your [potential] customers.

Why We Don’t Build Websites with Squarespace

Posted on by Phil

At Back9 Creative Studio, we’re passionate about building websites that genuinely grow your business. Squarespace has its perks, sure—but here’s why it’s not our platform of choice…

The Illusion of Simplicity

Squarespace markets itself on being beautifully simple, and on the surface, it is. Yet simplicity can be deceptive. Businesses constantly change, needing flexibility and adaptability. Its structured templates look great initially but can quickly become restrictive when your business demands more sophisticated functionality.

Limited SEO Potential

Yes, Squarespace offers basic SEO features. However, achieving real competitive advantages in search rankings requires precise control and advanced optimisation capabilities. It really provides only the basics, lacking the tools needed to truly dominate organic search. Businesses looking for growth should aim beyond the SEO essentials that Squarespace provides.

Slow Performance, Hidden Costs

Behind Squarespace’s visually appealing templates lies bloated code, which can significantly slow your site. Site speed matters—it’s crucial for user experience and Google rankings. Moreover, Squarespace pricing is listed in USD, adding fluctuating exchange rates into your budgeting equation. Plus, money spent with Squarespace doesn’t contribute to New Zealand’s local economy or support Kiwi hosting businesses.

Proprietary Constraints vs Open Source Freedom

Squarespace is proprietary, meaning you’re locked into their ecosystem with limited flexibility. You don’t own your website; you’re effectively renting space. In contrast, open-source platforms offer full control, allowing you to customise freely and scale without restrictions. This freedom aligns far better with our mission to empower businesses digitally.

Scalability Roadblocks

Your website must scale seamlessly with your growing business. Squarespace, although convenient early on, often falls short when businesses need advanced customisation or functionality. Transitioning from a templated platform like this later can be complex and costly. Why start your journey on a platform that can’t comfortably handle your eventual growth?

Lack of True Customisation

While Squarespace templates can be beautiful, they lack true uniqueness. Your brand deserves a distinctive online identity, one not shared by countless other Squarespace sites. Real customisation involves building your digital presence exactly as you envision—something Squarespace’s template-driven approach doesn’t readily allow.

Server Location and Data Control

With Squarespace, you have limited control over where your data is physically stored. Server location matters for site performance, compliance, and security. Local hosting provides faster load times, clear compliance with New Zealand data laws, and keeps your digital assets closer to home.

Collaboration Over DIY Isolation

We deeply value collaboration at Back9 Creative Studio. Squarespace’s do-it-yourself approach can leave businesses isolated, troubleshooting problems alone. We believe websites should emerge from genuine partnership, working closely together to create something exceptional—not leaving you stranded when things go awry.

In a Nutshell

We’re not anti-Squarespace; we’re pro-customisation, pro-flexibility, and pro-growth. Choosing Squarespace is like grabbing a ready-made sandwich—convenient, yes, but limited in choice and flavour. At Back9 Creative Studio, we prefer crafting gourmet digital experiences: fully optimised, beautifully unique, and perfectly tailored for lasting business success. Your business deserves nothing less.

HubSpot vs SharpSpring: Comparing Pricing and Features

Posted on by Phil

Hubspot vs SharpSpring – Get the Most Out of Your Marketing Platform

HubSpot Overview

Founded in 2006, HubSpot launched the inbound concept. It’s a powerful platform that provides a high volume of content. To Hubspot’s credit, they do have a freemium model with limited features. A starter option, professional as well as an enterprise level option. HubSpot’s pricing (particularly for all the hubs on the professional level and above, is on the high end of the spectrum. Hubspots Professional level suite is between $1900-2000 NZD per month. And they are not registered for GST in NZ which is worth taking into account.

For an annual up-front payment Hubspot does offer a decent discount… But is still pretty pricy.

HubSpot is a powerful and user-friendly marketing platform designed to help businesses generate more leads and close more sales. It offers a wide range of features, including email marketing, content management, and analytics tools. Plus, with its pricing plans, you can get the most out of your marketing platform.

To get the most out of HubSpot, I’d recommend the professional-level CRM and marketing Suite.

SharpSpring Overview

SharpSpring launched in 2014 to deliver powerful and affordable marketing automation. It’s a flexible platform that integrates easily with other tools. SharpSpring has annual and monthly payment options and is a fraction of the cost of competitors.

SharpSpring is a comprehensive marketing platform that allows businesses to automate their sales and marketing processes. It offers a wide range of features, such as lead generation, lead nurturing, and analytics tools. Plus, its pricing plans are competitive, making it an affordable option for businesses of all sizes.

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HubSpot vs SharpSpring: Comparing Pricing & Features

As a former Hubspot Partner, I’d say with confidence that Hubspot is the market leader when it comes to Inbound marketing and their software is beautifully designed and intuitive. As a current partner of Sharpspring, I can say it offers most of what Hubspot does – or the features most small-medium businesses would actually have the capacity to use anyway.

When comparing HubSpot and SharpSpring, it’s important to look at their features and pricing plans. HubSpot offers a wide range of features, such as email marketing, content management, and analytics tools. Plus, its pricing plans are competitive, allowing businesses to get the most out of their marketing platform. On the other hand, SharpSpring also offers a wide range of features, such as lead generation, lead nurturing, and analytics tools. However, its pricing plans may be more expensive than HubSpot, depending on the features you choose. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which platform is best for your business.

Check out these other reviews here at Sharpspring: HubSpot Pricing and Reviews or G2’s review Compare HubSpot Marketing Hub and Constant Contact Lead Gen & CRM (formerly SharpSpring)

Refining Your Keyword Strategy for Maximum Impact

Posted on by Phil

Keyword Strategy is key to seeing success online for any digital marketing plan. Optimizing your website for keywords can be a bit like playing a game of chess. You need to plan your moves in advance, and anticipate the moves of your “opponent” (in this case, Google). And use strategy to make sure that you’re moving ahead with each turn. Developing and refining your keyword strategy requires just as much finesse and skill. Let’s take a look at how you can do it.

Keywords They are the words and phrases that people use when searching for your product or service. Knowing what keywords to target and how to develop a keyword strategy. As well as understanding keyword competition can mean the difference between success and failure in online marketing. Let’s dig into how you can get your keyword strategy right.

Step One: Identifying Relevant Keywords

The first step in developing a keyword strategy is to identify relevant keywords. Think about what people would type into search engines when looking for your products or services. Furthermore think of the related topics that might be of interest to them. To find out which terms are used most often, you will need to do some research using tools like Google Adwords or Moz’s Keyword Explorer. You should also consider any industry-specific terms or jargon that may be relevant to your business. These terms could give you an edge over your competitors who don’t include them.

Step Two: Refining Your Strategy

Once you have identified some potential keywords, it’s important to refine your list. You can do this by researching the competition and considering how difficult it might be to rank for each term. For example, if there are already several websites ranking highly for a particular keyword, then it may not be worth trying to compete with them. Instead, you should look for other terms with less competition but still good search volume. As well as looking at the competition, you should also think about whether a particular keyword is likely to generate enough traffic and leads for your business; if not, then it’s probably best avoided.

Step Three: Implementing Your Keyword Strategy

Now that you have identified and refined your list of keywords, it’s time to start implementing them on your website. The first place they should appear is on your homepage; this helps search engines understand what the page is about so they can rank it accordingly in the search results pages (SERPs). Once you’ve done this, make sure all of your other pages contain relevant keywords too—this will help boost visibility across multiple searches made by potential customers. Additionally, consider creating content such as blog posts or videos around these topics; this will further improve visibility since content featuring popular keywords tends to rank higher than pages without them.

Having an effective keyword strategy can make all the difference when it comes to boosting visibility online and driving more traffic and leads from search engines like Google and Bing. It starts with identifying relevant keywords and refining them based on competition and search volume before implementing them on your website in order to increase visibility across multiple SERPs. With some help from an SEO expert and a little bit of effort upfront, you can reap huge rewards in the long run—so get started today!

Finding the best Wellington SEO Company

Posted on by Phil

As we discuss in our article, who is the best SEO agency in NZ, narrowing down the best business in any industry can be tricky. This is especially hard when it comes to all things digital. SEO or Search Engine Optimisation in itself is complicated enough as it is!

So when it comes to SEO in Wellington, how do you find the best fit for your business? How much does SEO cost? Will I even see results from SEO? The questions go on… The most important factor for one person may not matter to another, and vice versa. Understanding what is SEO all about, is important, but you need to understand, there are so many things to factor in.  Also, you need to understand the difference between organic SEO and paid search! One aspect can stand out among the rest for you and something else for your neighbour. So how do we define who is the best SEO agency for you?

Who are the best-ranking SEO providers in Wellington?

Which company will be the best for you depends on your needs and circumstances.

  • Assess your criteria for partnering with an SEO agency or freelancer.
  • What do you want them to do for you?
  • Understanding the results you hope to achieve?

One of the most important parts of teaming up with a company is working with people who believe what you believe! You can usually feel that in your gut. And from my experience, I would say trust your instinct!

The reality is if you’re providing SEO services, then you should be able to get your own website ranking pretty well on Google. However, it’s easy in an online world to bend the truth or manipulate Google’s Search Engine Results Pages (or SERP). But the good news is, it’s getting increasingly harder to do. Consumers want trust from their providers, whether that be from their mechanic, their power company, or their website design team.

At the time of writing this, (bearing in mind staying at the top of the search results or SERP, is tough at the best of times) here are six of the highest-ranking SEO agencies for the search phrase: best SEO in Wellington?

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Rank Local

Well… Rank Local specify on their Wellington SEO landing page that they are: NEW ZEALAND’S MOST TRUSTED SEO AGENCY IN WELLINGTON! A quick click on their contact page reveals they are Auckland based. Fundamentally we believe that location is not a barrier to doing great work. That means providing SEO services in New Zealand Wide is definitely a possibility – regardless of where you are located. What grind my gears it companies pretending they are located in your region, or have an office coming soon… when they are not and more than likely they don’t.

In saying that, honesty and trust, may not always get the job done. And that may not be something you have an issue with, and in that case, fill your boots. Rank Local certainly know how to please google so they can probably help you to rank well too.
 

Firefly Digital

Firefly is an Auckland-based Google Ads and Digital Marketing Agency. They rank well, not only for Wellington SEO but among the 10 Best SEO Companies in NZ too. Firefly Digital was born in 2014 as a response to a flawed industry. There were limited digital options that helped businesses get ahead. With a passion for business, Anthony Baxter set forth to build an agency that focussed on growth, that was channel-agnostic, and didn’t play favourites with any platforms or strategies, but rather helped businesses with the best strategy and channel mix to achieve their goals.

Since then their team has grown quickly and has worked with over 700 businesses, in over 100 industries, generating over two hundred million dollars worth of sales for our customers.

First Page

First page also like Firelfly Digital rank well for the 10 Best SEO companies in NZ. They unashamedly say they’re “the digital marketing agency that’ll put your competition to shame and deliver high-quality traffic that actually converts”. As the top-rated digital marketing agency in NZ, they add “Our primary responsibility is to get the right people to the right place on your website”. First Page is also like a lot of the Wellington SEO companies listed in this article, in that whilst they rank well the search term on Google, they are not actually located there..

Sky Media

According to their website, Sky Media is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing digital marketing agencies, due to owner and director Corey Reid’s forward-thinking leadership.

Sky Media’s Digital Marketing Team’s constantly up-skilling to achieve the highest industry standards in the ever-changing world of digital strategy. HQ’d in Timaru, they have representatives in a few locations around New Zealand and Australia. These locations include Auckland, Christchurch, and even Sydney. And they appear to have their marketing manager based in Wellington. Their Website has a friendly down-to-earth tone and a lot of decent content. And they rank fairly well on Google for the best Wellington SEO agency, so they are worth contacting to discuss your options for sure.

Do Good Things

Well, Do Good Things is actually based in Queenstown, so when it comes to Wellington SEO agencies, they possibly lose a point for honesty? They are dedicated to driving measurable growth for our partners. They want to stand out from conventional digital marketing agencies that prioritise soft marketing metrics like leads and clicks by measuring our work across full-funnel marketing ROI. Do Good Things has some great content and if you’re searching for a Wellington SEO company, and aren’t phased about there actual location then they are worth a chat to.

Back9 Creative

Well, what can we say?  I guess the fact that you’re on our website and you more than likely found us in a Google Search, then reiterates it. But full disclosure we’re not based in Wellington either… And like some other SEO and Digital Marketing companies we’re not going to pretend we have an office coming soon. But hey, never say never… We’re only a couple of hours down the road anyway in Invercargill.

We don’t usually add ourselves to these posts because we don’t like to toot our own horn when the results speak for themselves, but yes, we do believe we are one of the best Wellington SEO companies – or NZ SEO companies to be fair… Much like the other companies on this list, we offer the same laundry list of services. So what makes us different?  Well, Nothing specific really. We’re all good at SEO, or our websites wouldn’t be ranking on Google, right? So you’ll choose to talk to us if you think we can deliver value (pssst… We can by the way…) And we’d love to have a chat and see if we can work together…

So, who is the best Wellington SEO agency for you and your business?

So which Wellington SEO company is the best for you and your business? Well… That still depends on what you’re looking for. Are the above companies still at the top of the results? SEO is a complicated field – actually, it’s a minefield. And to stay at the top of Google you (or the agency you partner with) need to work bloody hard!

All of the above businesses claim to be the Best SEO company in Southland. Best these days is subjective, and is more about what it best for you and your business! What are you trying to achieve and who aligns with your values the best?

If you’re looking to partner with an SEO Agency or Freelancer, or wondering How to choose the right marketing agency for your business you must take the time to research. We’ve had several clients over the years who feel they have not seen results paying for SEO. And the reality is, there are a lot of people out there saying they are the best. SEO is also a long-term investment How Long it takes for SEO to show results will vary. This will depend on a number of factors… These include (but are not limited to) how good your website design is. And then how well developed or built it is too.

Do some Google searches

When you’re deciding who to contact, do some Google searches to see how well their website ranks. Look over their website. If their site seems easy to use, and it answers most of your questions, chances are they could be a good fit. One tip is to check right at the bottom of their website and looks for the “Copyright ©” info. If it says 2014, chances are they may be a bit out of touch. Read up on their services, and testimonials. Ultimately if their style and tone match what you want for your own business, they may be worth talking to. Taking time to find that right fit and work with credible, reliable businesses can save time and trouble later on. So it’s worth the effort!

Ironically, though, if you’re reading this article, you found at the top of the Google Search results. Well… You may have found the best SEO company in Southland already 😉

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