Interactive Agency Straight North Offers Chicago Web Design Services

Dec. 22, 2010 - PRLog -- CHICAGO - Straight North, an interactive marketing agency with deep roots in the Chicago marketplace, helps firms doing business in the area design websites that connect with the local community. Using the right Web design techniques helps B2B and B2C firms build strong connections with customers and encourage them to take action on the site.

“Companies that do business in Chicago or are attempting to enter the market need to establish an authentic connection with the community,” observed Straight North president, Kevin Duffy. “If a website looks generic, if it tries to appeal to all people everywhere, it’s not going to resonate with local visitors.”

A key element of effective local design is the use of Chicago-specific images. By displaying photos of Chicago landmarks and landscapes, visitors will immediately make a local connection. It is important to use local images not only on the Home page, but on interior pages as well.

“When companies engage in search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising, visitors will enter its site on many different pages,” said Duffy. “Because of this, just about every page on the site needs to convey a local flavor.”

Duffy also recommends adding Chicago language to key textual elements in the Web page design – including headlines, subheads, navigational elements, call to action buttons, and forms. After visitors view images on a Web page, these textual elements are usually scanned next. Duffy said, “Many business sites ignore these important content areas and instead pack local information into body copy. The problem with that is many visitors never read that copy – but they will read headlines and navigation labels.”

Overdoing the Chicago theme on a website will backfire, Duffy noted. Too much local emphasis, unless it is highly relevant to the firm’s business, will be perceived by visitors as inauthentic or manipulative.

In addition to Web design services, the interactive marketing agency offers a comprehensive suite of services including Web development, search engine optimization, copywriting, social media marketing, e-mail marketing and more.

ABOUT STRAIGHT NORTH: Straight North (www.straightnorth.com) is a Chicago-based interactive marketing agency that provides creative, strategic and technology solutions focused on increasing our clients' revenue and advancing their brand. Straight North's services include Web development services, search engine optimization, interactive and social media strategies, branding and communication, graphic design, market research, strategy development and consulting.

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Straight North (http://www.straightnorth.com/) is an interactive marketing firm that specializes in Internet marketing services and Web design in Chicago. Straight North provides results-driven web development and PPC and SEO services.