Website Image Sizes: A Guide for DIYers

Website Image Sizes: A Guide for DIYers

by | Dec 3, 2024 | Images, Web Design and User Experience (UX)

 

The Importance of Having Correct Image Sizes for Your Desktop and Mobile Website

Your website’s visuals are your storefront to the digital world, and having the right image sizes is essential for a polished, professional appearance. Whether you’re managing your website yourself, working with a photographer, or outsourcing design to a team like Social Nectar, knowing the correct image dimensions can save you time, money, and frustration.

Below, we’ll break down the essential image sizes you need for a stunning, functional website. Plus, we’ll share tips to help you decide when to DIY, hire a professional, or let our team take the reins.

Why Website Image Sizes Matter

Using properly sized images ensures your website looks sharp and loads quickly. Oversized files can slow down your site’s performance, while undersized or incorrectly cropped images can appear pixelated or distorted. Both scenarios can leave a less-than-favorable impression on visitors.

By knowing your ideal website image dimensions upfront, you can:

  • Optimize loading times to improve user experience.
  • Maintain high-quality visuals across devices.
  • Reduce costs by avoiding unnecessary photo edits.

Key Website Image Dimensions

 

Here’s a handy reference for common website image dimensions to keep your site looking sharp.

 

  • Website Headers: 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Hero Images: 1600 x 900 pixels
  • Blog Featured Images: 1200 x 628 pixels
  • Square Images (e.g., Product Thumbnails): 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • Social Media Thumbnails: 150 x 150 pixels
  • Full-Width Background Images: 1920 x 1280 pixels

Note: For a deeper dive into these recommendations, check out Oberlo’s original website image size guide, which is where I got this great chart:

 

 

Image type Mobile  (W x H) Desktop  (W x H) Aspect ratio
Hero image 360 x 200 pxl 1280 x 720 pxl 16:9
Square logo 60 x 60 pxl 100 x 100 pxl 1:1
Thumbnail image 90 x 90 pxl 300 x 300 pxl 1:1
Background image 360 x 640 pxl 2560 x 1400 pxl 16:9
Social media icons 48 x 48 pxl 32 x 32 pxl 1:1
Favicon 16 x 16 pxl 16 x 16 pxl 1:1
Rectangle logo 160 x 40 pxl 400 x 100 pxl 4:1
Website banner 360 x 120 pxl 1200 x 400 pxl 3:1
Lightbox images 360 x 640 pxl 1600 x 500 pxl 16:9
Blog post image 360 x 240 pxl 1200 x 800 pxl 3:2

 

When to DIY Image Sizing

If you’re looking to save on costs or want to experiment with visuals, resizing images can often be done with free tools like Canva, Adobe Express, or even built-in photo editors. Here are some scenarios where DIY makes sense:

  • You Have the Originals: If your photographer has provided high-resolution files, resizing them to fit your website’s needs is a straightforward task.
  • Simple Adjustments Needed: Cropping or resizing doesn’t always require professional expertise.

Tip: If you have budget constraints, I highly recommend using Canva to crop and compress your photos. Here’s a great video tutorial. 

When to Hire a Photographer or Editor

For businesses that prioritize flawless visuals or don’t have the time to resize and prepare images, outsourcing might be the better choice. Here’s when to consider professional help:

  • Complex Editing: Tasks like background removal, color grading, or retouching often require specialized skills.
  • High-Stakes Pages: Your homepage, product pages, or landing pages are worth the extra polish to make a strong first impression.

How Social Nectar Can Help

If you’d rather skip the DIY route altogether, Social Nectar offers tailored photo-editing and resizing services. We work with your team—or your photographer—to ensure your visuals are perfectly optimized for your site’s needs.

Need help managing your website visuals? Reach out to us for expert assistance! Whether you’re resizing images yourself or looking for a professional touch, we’re here to make your website shine.

🐝 Next up: What are Alt-Tags? Learn what they are and how to alt-tag your images to maximize SEO and make your website stand out! Read the article here. 

Email Marketing in 2025: The Inbox Goldmine You’re Probably Ignoring

Email Marketing in 2025: The Inbox Goldmine You’re Probably Ignoring

by | Dec 2, 2024 | Email Marketing, Funnel Marketing

Email Marketing: The Inbox Goldmine You’re Probably Ignoring

I know, I know… we spend more time hitting “delete” on emails than we do reading the newsletters we subscribed to. But here’s the thing—despite our inbox fatigue, the money is STILL in the newsletter!

This phrase traces back to early direct marketing legends like Frank Kern, who popularized the idea that email lists are the most reliable revenue stream for businesses. And guess what? It’s still true today. If you’re not using email marketing to its full potential, you’re leaving money (and customer loyalty) on the table.

Why Email Marketing Matters

Email isn’t just a communication tool; it’s one of the highest-performing digital marketing channels out there. According to industry data, for every $1 spent on email marketing, the average return is $36. That’s insane ROI. And yet, so many businesses let their newsletters languish—or worse, flood inboxes with uninspired daily emails.

When done right, a well-crafted email:

  • Keeps your brand top of mind.
  • Builds relationships with your audience.
  • Drives traffic, sales, and engagement consistently.

Newsletters Don’t Have to Be a Chore (or Boring)

Let’s bust the myth that email marketing has to be complicated. The best newsletters are simple, engaging, and purposeful.

What Makes a Great Newsletter?

Brevity: Nobody has time for a novel in their inbox. Keep it short and sweet unless you’re sharing valuable long-form content.

Clarity: What’s your message? A sale? A product launch? A blog post? Make the focus crystal clear.

Visual Appeal: Use images strategically—whether it’s one bold photo or a gallery of visuals, make it on-brand and eye-catching.

Examples of Stellar Newsletters

Marie Forleo: Her emails are upbeat, clear, and action-oriented. I learned everything I know about emails from her class, The Copy Cure which I highly recommend if you love to write, like me.  She makes it easy to absorb her message and always includes a compelling call-to-action (CTA).

Seth Godin: His daily newsletters are short and thought-provoking. On occasion, he mentions a new book launch or special product release which in my opinion bring tremendous value.

Domino’s Pizza: Their emails are longer but cleverly segmented into bite-sized nuggets of info—think clickable deals, mouth-watering visuals, and timely promotions.

The Skimm: Short, punchy, and informative. They’ve mastered the art of consistent, easily digestible content. I’ve been a subscriber for a decade and I highly recommend that you subscribe too. Check them out here.

The Psychology Behind a Consistent Newsletter Campaign

A consistent presence in someone’s inbox creates memory muscle. When your audience sees your name pop up regularly, they’re reminded of your value. Even if they don’t open every email, they’ll remember you when they need your product or service.

Play by the Rules: Permission is Key

Whatever you do, don’t add people to your email list without their consent. It’s not just annoying—it’s bad for your reputation and could get your account flagged by email providers.

Thankfully, tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and Flodesk make it easy to manage permissions. For example, if you collect emails at an event, these platforms allow you to import those contacts and send them a welcome email to opt-in before you start sending regular campaigns. But be careful!

IMPORTANT: Don’t send emails to people who haven’t subscribed or you could get some pretty hefty fines depending on the size of your distribution list. To avoid big fines for spamming people’s inboxes, take one minute to learn about the CAN-SPAM Act right here. 

Why You Shouldn’t Email Every Day—Unless You’re Seth Godin

Sending daily emails is a fast track to your audience’s unsubscribe button—unless you’re delivering exceptional value every single day. Ask yourself:

  • Is this entertaining or educational?
  • Is this part of a limited-time countdown?
  • Does my audience actually want daily content?

If not, stick to a more strategic schedule. Weekly or bi-weekly emails give your audience breathing room while keeping your brand top of mind.

Worthy of note, here: In addition to The Skimm, If there’s one daily email I actually look forward to, it’s Seth Godin’s. Why? Because he’s not selling anything. Instead, his emails deliver short, sweet, and often profound insights that challenge the way you think. His consistency isn’t about pushing a product—it’s about building trust and offering value. That’s the gold standard for daily email content: something your audience will want to open daily.

When planning your email marketing strategy, ask yourself: What kind of value can I deliver that’s worth opening daily? If you’re not Seth Godin, that might mean focusing on quality over quantity.

The Critical Role of the CTA

Every email should have a clear call-to-action. What do you want your audience to do next? Click a link? Buy a product? Register for an event? Marie Forleo’s newsletters are perfect examples—her CTAs are direct, encouraging, and impossible to miss.

Big or Small, You Can Do This

You don’t need a massive budget to create impactful emails. Platforms like Canva offer beautifully designed templates, while tools like MailerLite and ActiveCampaign provide robust features for automating your campaigns. Even with a smartphone, you can whip up visuals that rival those of big brands.

Not Sure What the Voice of Your Brand in Your Newsletters Should Be?

I wrote this article to help you! And you can download the questions, too! 

Ready to Transform Your Email Marketing?

At Social Nectar, I help businesses of all sizes craft email strategies that engage, inform, and convert. Let’s create emails your audience actually wants to read—and take your marketing game to the next level.

Interested in learning how a sales funnel can improve your email ROI? Read my article here.

The Power of Analytics: How Data Helps Shape Your Marketing Strategy

The Power of Analytics: How Data Helps Shape Your Marketing Strategy

by | Nov 16, 2024 | Analytics and Reporting

Gathering Data Analytics is the Key to Understanding Your What your Audience is Interested in

I’m a stats geek. Why? Because analytics and data is the ultimate storyteller. Knowing your data shapes your entire strategy and tells you when you need to wash and repeat your strategic steps. Whether it’s Google Analytics, social media insights, or tools like DashThis, HubSpot, Klavayo or Linktree, gathering marketing statistics is the key to understanding your audience’s experience and journey. At Social Nectar, we know that the numbers don’t just tell you what’s happening—they tell you why.

By evaluating analytics, we can determine what’s working, and what’s not, and how to pivot strategies to align with your goals. Let’s explore how analyzing marketing data helps shape your business growth and why collaboration with you, our valued client, makes all the difference.

Analytics and Data is Used in Evaluating User Experience

Google Analytics, social media stats,  (or any of many other data platforms) are more than just numbers—they’re the roadmap to understanding your audience. These tools help us:

Analyze Traffic Sources: Discover where your visitors are coming from, whether its organic search, social media or referral links.

Track User Behavior: See how users interact with your website, from the pages they visit to the time they spend exploring and even how much time they spend on a particular page. 

Evaluate Engagement: Metrics like click-through rates, likes, shares, and comments reveal how well your content resonates with your audience.

🐝 Why It Matters: These insights allow us to see your user journey through their eyes, identifying pain points and opportunities to create a successful customer journey and a seamless experience. If you’re interested in learning more about the customer journey, you can read about it here. 

Using Analytics and Data to Pivot Strategically

Not every strategy works perfectly out of the gate, and that’s okay! By analyzing the data, we can pivot to get back on track. These are examples of when you may need to adapt:

Spot Trends Early: If a particular ad or social post is gaining traction, we can amplify it.  If a new product is getting tons of web traffic but nobody’s buying it—it’s time to evaluate and and adjust. 

Course-Correct Inefficiencies: If something isn’t working—like a low-performing blog post or ad—we can adjust the approach of the copywriting, the images, or the entire messaging. 

Test and Refine: Different audiences live on different platforms. A/B testing and experimentation are essential to finding the right tone, format, and platform for your audience. 

🐝 Example: If Google Analytics shows high bounce rates on a landing page (meaning they leave quickly), we might tweak the copy, improve load speed, or refine the call-to-action.

What’s Included in a Marketing Report

To keep you informed and aligned with your goals, we compile monthly reports that include:

Website Analytics: Traffic, bounce rates, time on page, and conversion metrics.

Social Media Performance: Growth in followers, engagement rates, and top-performing content.

Campaign Results: ROI, click-through rates, and ad performance insights.

Recommendations: Clear, actionable steps for the coming month based on our findings.

These reports are designed to be easy to understand, giving you confidence in every decision we make together.

 

Why Data-Driven Marketing Matters

Unexpected surprises in your data enable us to take a deeper look at what your audience actually wants and values most. For example, if a blog article, video or web page is getting far more traffic than you’d anticipated, it’s a great opportunity to give your audience more information on that topic or another product offering in that category. It might even be a good time to send out a poll to determine what they like about the content, service or product. 

We believe in the power of numbers paired with creative strategy. By leveraging tools that gather data, we can ensure your marketing efforts are always aligned with your company goals and moving in the right direction.  

 

Ready to let your data do the talking? Let’s work together to create buzz-worthy strategies that keep your brand growing. We’re here to help every step of the way. 🐝

Why Knowing Your Budget is Key to Marketing Success

Why Knowing Your Budget is Key to Marketing Success

by | Nov 15, 2024 | Content Marketing, Marketing Costs, Small Business and DIY Marketing

When it comes to marketing, understanding your budget isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

A clear financial plan allows us to build strategies that align with your goals, prioritize tasks effectively, and ensure your project is completed seamlessly. Whether you’re aiming for a one-time campaign or consistent, ongoing support, knowing your budget upfront can make all the difference. Let’s explore the benefits of budget clarity and how it impacts your marketing journey.

The Benefits of Knowing Your Maximum Marketing Budget

Having a maximum budget in place allows our team to:

Develop a Comprehensive Timeline

A defined budget helps us plan the entire project from start to finish. Whether it’s designing a new website, managing ad campaigns, or producing social media content, we can allocate resources effectively to deliver on time and within budget.

Prioritize Strategically

We focus on the initiatives that bring the most value, ensuring your investment generates measurable returns. Knowing your budget allows for flexibility within the project scope while keeping us laser-focused on the final outcome. Let’s say you decide you won’t have the bandwidth to take on the web-copy (writing all of the content for your site). We can take that on, and pass the Photo editing and optimizing on to you or your team, or we can move something one of them to phase 2 with a new budget.

Balancing Budgets and Progress

Not everyone has a large budget, and that’s okay. We can work within your financial constraints while still making meaningful progress. Here’s how:

Phased Approaches

Instead of tackling everything at once, we break projects into manageable phases that fit your budget.

Aligned Expectations

By understanding your financial comfort zone, we tailor solutions that meet your needs without compromising quality. This approach ensures you’re investing wisely without overextending, giving you peace of mind while still achieving long-term goals.

Monthly Retainers: Top Priority Access

For clients who want consistent, ongoing support, a monthly retainer offers immense benefits. Retainer clients are at the top of our to-do list. We always know what they need and we widdle away at our task list without pestering them for content.

Predictable Deliverables

Retainers typically include a set number of tasks, such as:

  • Writing blog articles.
  • Optimizing web pages
  • Photo SEO
  • Videography
  • Updating your website.
  • Maintaining the backend of your website.
  • Creating and scheduling newsletters.
  • Posting and engaging on social media.
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Monthly Meetings

 

Determining What’s Included in a Retainer

The cost of collaborating with you to define the scope of services, ensuring your most pressing needs are met each month and posting to social accounts three to five times per week typically starts at $2500 a month and goes up to $6000 a month depending on the frequency of posts, the level of engagement you want, the amount of copywriting, graphic design, photos and video necessary to maintain brand consistency, keyword research, optimization, data analysis, and reporting you want. We’ll put together the perfect team for your brand. And in some cases—it might just be me! We’ll figure that out together. 

Knowing Your Social Marketing Budget

Social media plays a vital role in growing your business. Posting consistently helps you gain traction and maintain momentum. But how often should you post? And how much does it cost to pay someone to do it for you?

Recommended Posting Frequency

Instagram, Facebook and/or TikTok: 3–5 times per week to maintain visibility and engagement.

YouTube and/or Rumble: 1–3 times per week with high-quality, engaging content.

Substack or Blog: Weekly to monthly posts to provide significant, educational, emotionally appealing, or entertaining value to your audience.

Essentially, the more consistent and strategic your posting schedule, the stronger your results will be.

The cost to post on two to three social accounts two to five times a week is $500 to $1500 a month depending on the content we’re providing and the strategy behind the sales funnel. We don’t post without a plan, so this includes bi-weekly meetings to ensure a clear CTA (call to action) and a pulse check on engagement.

Planning Your Yearly Marketing Budget

A yearly marketing budget is the foundation for long-term success. It should include:

Website Costs: Your domain name is where it all begins. Knowing the initial (and annual) costs for your domain and hosting is essential to your overall budget.

Website Updates: Your website is often the first impression—keep it modern, fast, and user-friendly.

For a small business, here’s a suggested budget allocation based on 2024 industry trends:

Digital Marketing Trends: Allocate 10–15% of your marketing budget to emerging trends, SEO updates, and exploring new platforms. Staying adaptive ensures relevance. (subscribe to my newsletter and I’ll do my best to keep you up to date on trends)

Ad Spend: Dedicate 20–30% of your marketing budget for Google Ads, social media campaigns, or other paid promotions. Test campaigns to optimize ROI.

A Team to Support You: Plan for 30–40% of your marketing budget for hiring experts in content creation, social media management, and strategic planning. If you don’t have the team or the time, this investment saves time and boosts results.

Why Budget Clarity Matters

When you provide your marketing agency with clear budget parameters, you empower us to:

  • Build realistic timelines.
  • Maximize your investment.
  • Deliver exceptional results without surprises or setbacks.

Whether you’re planning for a comprehensive campaign or want steady progress within a smaller budget, our team at Social Nectar thrives on creating tailored strategies that work for you.

Ready to Map Out Your Marketing Budget?

Let’s work together to build a plan that aligns with your goals, keeps your brand buzzing, and makes your investment count! Reach out today, and let’s create some buzz! 🐝

Need Website and Logo Budget Help? We’ve got numbers for you here:

How much should I budget for my website?  Read this article.

How much should I budget for my logo? Read this article. 

 

Contact Us
Social Media Strategies That Drive Results

Social Media Strategies That Drive Results

by | Nov 14, 2024 | Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing

Social Media Strategies That Drive Results

Welcome to Social Nectar, where creativity meets strategy! Since 2009, I’ve been navigating the ever-changing landscape of social media—long before TikTok dances and Instagram reels ruled the day. As a beta tester for cutting-edge platforms for over a decade, I’ve learned firsthand how powerful strong social media strategies can be.

The secret? It’s not just about posting pretty pictures or going viral. A successful campaign is about teamwork, intention, and consistency. From public relations to advertising to campaign management, every player has a role to ensure your brand’s voice, personality, and goals shine through. Let’s dive into how to craft strategies that engage and convert—and look back at some unforgettable campaigns for inspiration.

Why Social Media Strategies Matter

Without a strategy, social media can feel like shouting into a void. A solid plan ensures:

Consistency: Your brand voice stays on-point across platforms.

Engagement: You create content that resonates with your audience.

Goals Alignment: Every post moves you closer to achieving measurable objectives.

Building the Ultimate Social Media Strategy with a Dream Team

Creating a winning social media strategy takes collaboration. Here’s how to bring together the best minds:

Public Relations Team: Keeps messaging on-brand and ensures campaigns align with your broader company values.

Ads Team: Maximizes visibility with targeted ads and data-driven insights.

Campaign Managers: Orchestrates the moving pieces, ensuring deadlines are met and goals are achieved.

Content Creators: Designers, writers, and videographers craft compelling visuals and copy.

When everyone works together, the result is magic—a campaign that feels seamless, authentic, and uniquely you.

Memorable Social Media Campaigns Through the Years

Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010) (One of my all-time favorites)!

Who could forget the witty, suave Old Spice Guy? This campaign blended humor with personalization, creating over 180 video responses to real social media comments. It skyrocketed Old Spice’s sales and set the gold standard for engagement.

🐝  Takeaway: Be bold, embrace humor, and talk with your audience, not just to them.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (2014)

This viral campaign raised awareness (and over $220 million!) for ALS research. By encouraging participation and nominating others, it tapped into people’s social circles and FOMO.

🐝. Takeaway: Invite your audience to join the story. User-generated content can amplify your reach like nothing else.

Spotify Wrapped (2017-Present)

Spotify turned user data into a celebration. By showcasing listeners’ music habits with personalized visuals, Spotify Wrapped became a highly shareable annual event.

🐝  Takeaway: Leverage data to create personal, shareable moments for your audience.

Wendy’s Savage Twitter Roasts (2017)

Wendy’s took a fresh approach to social media by using humor and sass to interact with followers (and even their competitors). Their “roast” sessions were wildly popular, showcasing how a distinct voice can set a brand apart.

🐝  Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to have a strong personality—it makes your brand unforgettable.

Creative Social Media Strategy that Drives Results Requires Ideas Unique to Your Brand

Need some inspiration for your next campaign? Try these:

Interactive Stories: Use polls, quizzes, or sliders on Instagram stories to engage followers directly.

Throwback Content: Share nostalgic posts that tie into your brand’s history or pop culture moments.

Social Challenges: Start a hashtag challenge that encourages participation, like Coca-Cola’s #ShareACoke.

Behind-the-Scenes Peeks: Humanize your brand by showing how the magic happens.

Cause-Driven Campaigns: Align with a meaningful cause to showcase your values.

 

Let’s Create Your Next Big Social Media Moment

At Social Nectar, I know that the best social media strategies are rooted in creativity, collaboration, and a deep understanding of your audience. Whether you’re a budding brand or an industry leader, I’ll help you craft campaigns that leave a lasting impact.

Measure Results, Wash, Rinse and Repeat

When driving results for your social media strategy, be sure to monitor your results! To learn about the importance of data analysis to power your results read my article here. 

Ready to make your mark? Let’s get started! Send an email here