There's a relationship between working and the capacity for more work that works like a battery. Hard work requires time off or you'll become much less efficient in what you're doing. Stephen Covey called it production and production capability. We often focus so much on producing, and yet we rarely take time to actively relax.
Take a few minutes to recharge and share a sunrise with me that was recorded via a Google+ Hangout this morning from Carolina Beach, North Carolina. (I'm personally doing some recharging of my own on vacation with Emily and her family.)
A few weeks ago I received an email from Carlus Gupton asking for some advice about search engine optimization (SEO) on Squarespace. Since I don't have much extra time for consulting these days, I told Carlus that I wanted to figure out how to help him out while not letting any of my other responsibilities slip. Turns out, Google had the answer in their new Google+ Hangouts. Hang out with me while I cover Carlus's SEO questions, and let's chat about Squarespace, online marketing, and SEO.
A Google+ Hangout About Squarespace
On Thursday, June 28 at 7pm CDT (8pm EDT/6pm PDT) we'll be hosting our first ever Google+ Hangout, and you're invited to participate. We're calling it Hanging Out and Talking Squarespace, and it might just turn into an ongoing series about online marketing with Squarespace.
The topic of this first show will be Squarespace and SEO. We'll be exploring the best way to organize your website, how to perform keyword research for your website, and the do's and don't's of SEO on Squarespace.
Google+ Hangout Features
Up to nine people can be a part of a Google+ Hangout at any one time. That's 3/4 dozen people asking questions, sharing knowledge and showing off their Squarespace websites. Claim your spot in the Hangout early by dropping me a line and telling me that you're interested.
What do you need to hang out with us? A computer with a microphone, webcam, and Internet connectivity is required. It also helps to have interest in how to market your Squarespace website online, but not necessarily any direct knowledge.
We'll also be inviting people via Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Plus, we'll be streaming live on YouTube, thanks to the new Hangouts on Air functionality Google released in May. Hanging Out and Talking Squarespace will be published on our currently sparse YouTube channel after the live event has concluded for those who can't attend in person.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of the first Google+ Hangout about Squarespace with our Hanging Out and Talking Squarespace series starting on June 28. Drop me a line now to secure your spot during the live event. You can also submit your ideas for future show topics too!
An official Squarespace 6 company website was spotted out in the wild this week, listing the pricing and features of the new platform, and proclaiming that the beta is now over and that Squarespace 6 is being readied for customers. Has the long wait finally come to an end? Is the Squarespace 6 release right around the corner?
As I was getting ready to fire up this week's post, my eye was drawn to a tweet by Squarespacer Hamish Prior from Melbourne, Australia:
@Squarespace's V6 front page (new.squarespace.com) is probably one of the most beautifully designed sites I've ever visited.
Curious, I clicked, and found what looks like what will be the Squarespace.com homepage when Squarespace 6 is released. Evidently, it looks like things are going to happen soon. If Hamish's tweet is an indication of things to come, Squarespace 6 is coming soon, and it will include some amazing new features.
What do you think? Will the new features be worth the wait or has Squarespace missed their window to really impress current and new customers with the release of Squarespace 6?
The month of May saw five new websites submitted my way to be featured in the May Squarespace Website Show & Tell from a regular contributor and two new faces to Big Picture Web. This month you'll see Squarespace used to build websites for thought leaders, small businesses, banks, even a college!
May's Squarespace Show & Tell
Looking for ideas for your Squarespace website? Be inspired by these five new Squarespace websites finished in the month of May.
Letterpress of Tulsa is a custom letterpress design shop from Tulsa, Oklahoma that uses antique printing presses and oversees the entire creative process, from idea to finished piece. Shane Boyce of GetBoyce.combrought their new Squarespace website to life.
CFC Technology is a banking website (also made by Shane Boyce) that offers remote deposit technologies to businesses. I guess Squarespace even works well for commercial banking sites.
As an employee of a college myself, seeing Independence Community College put a site on Squarespace was quite the accomplishment. Hat's off to Shane Boyce for this one. Squarespace handles everything from the admissions process to highlighting the academic and athletic offerings of the school.
Matt Church is an Australian thought leadership expert who built his Squarespace site as a way to extend his personal brand online. His clean and crisp site highlights his accomplishments and areas of expertise. Great site, Matt!
Max Traylor offers small business consulting and web design services. Max helps businesses put together simple, yet effective websites on Squarespace.
Have you created a Squarespace website lately? Submit your work to us via the form on the right side of the blog and I'll be happy to feature you in an upcoming edition of the monthly Squarespace Website Show & Tell.
Everyone knows the onboard website analytics on Squarespace is a handy way to access website traffic information, but a more advanced tool such as Google Analytics is required if you truly want to track how your site is performing. Installing Google Analytics has always been a relatively simple process, but Squarespace 6 now makes it even easier. Check out this simple copy-and-paste process to install Google Analytics on Squarespace 6.
Simple Google Analytics Installation on Squarespace 6
Squarespace has made it dead-simple to install GA. All you have to do simply paste your Google Analytics Account Number in the General Settings section of the Squarespace 6 administrative menu. That's all there is to it really.
Locating Your Google Analytics Account Number
Not sure how to find your Google Analytics Account Number for use with your Squarespace 6 account? Log in to Google Analytics and access your Admin screen.
Next, click on your Tracking Code tab. Your Google Analytics Account Number is the same thing as your Property ID and your Tracking ID. Copy it from here and paste it into your Squarespace admin controls to complete the Google Analytics install process on Squarespace 6.
If you know how to use Google Analytics, you unlock a world of more robust website tracking. Understanding when people use your contact form, sign up for your newsletter, and click on your links means knowing where you can focus your online marketing efforts, thereby making you much more effective.
What do you use to track the performance of your website? Are you using Google Analytics currently on Squarespace 5? What do you think of the new process?
