tara@tingalls.com, Author at Tingalls Graphic Design

3 Important Sections Your Website Homepage is Missing

By: Andrew Hall, Copywriter Intern Does your website pass the 5 second test? As a consumer, my thought process goes like this: – What are you selling? – How can you help me? Far too often, website homepages are filled with industry jargon, fancy-schmancy sales lingo, and biographies of the founders that leave the consumer confused and unsure what you’re even selling. As business owners, marketing professionals, and copywriters, we always need to keep our customers’ needs in mind. In fact, they should at the forefront of every decision we make. Expert copywriter Neville Medhora tells marketers, “Consumers don’t care about you, they only care about themselves.” It’s so true. […]

Posted in Marketing, Website Design

How to Increase Customer Loyalty (without Spending $$$$) with Thank You Notes

By Andrew Hall, Copywriter Intern I asked my mom, “Why can’t I just send them a text?”. My mother made me (or else I had to do the dishes for a week) write thank-you notes for the gifts I received at my high school graduation party. At the time, I thought the gesture was stupid, outdated, and a waste of time. “Why does it matter whether I write a text or a hand-written note?” I thought. We all have received (or written) that generic type of thank you card, “Thank you very much for [gift]. I use it a lot. Thanks, [Name]” I figured I already had to take the […]

Posted in About Tingalls, Marketing, Networking, Tips

Tingalls Graphic Design Recognized for Industry-leading Website Development Services for 9th Consecutive Year

For the 9th year in a row, InBusiness Magazine has recognized Tingalls Graphic Design as one of Madison’s most outstanding website development companies. Finalists are chosen by fill-in-the-blank majority vote by Madison executives, business owners, and community leaders, representing the best-of-the-best of the Madison business community. Serving local businesses in their 23rd year, Tingalls Graphic Design has now helped over 1,300 small businesses, non-profits, and startups revitalize and rebrand their company’s logo, website design, and branding. Separating itself through its quick turnaround time, creative marketing solutions, and clear communication, Tingalls continues to provide top-notch service to local businesses. Under the direction and leadership of Tara Ingalls, the owner and founder […]

Posted in About Tingalls

5 Print Pieces Every Small Business Needs

As the world moves deeper and deeper into the digital realm, there are still some print pieces that every business owner should keep in their marketing toolkit. Branded print collateral will help elevate your business and give your clients the reassurance that they’re working with someone who is professional and prepared. 1. Nametag: Participating in community organizations, networking events, and tradeshows is a great way to meet potential clients. For just a few bucks, a branded nametag is an easy way to look professional and avoid awkward interactions. When you run into someone who can’t remember your name or the name of your business, they will surely remember and appreciate […]

Posted in About Tingalls

How You Can Use Google Analytics 4 to Help Your Small Business

By Andrew Hall, Copywriter Intern Small Business owners already have a ton on their plate…sales, customer service, employee management, marketing…the list goes on. So, yes, installing Google Analytics is another item to add to your to-do list, but this tool is arguably the #1 tool to improve your business sales, marketing, and digital optimization. For this reason, Google Analytics is one of the simplest ways for businesses to better understand their customers, and for customers to have a better digital experience. Before we go any further into the benefits of Google Analytics, let’s first take a look at what it is and how you can install it. What is Google Analytics? Google Analytics […]

Posted in Google, Search Engine Optimization, Tips

5 Ideas for Keeping an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ All Year Long

If you’ve ever walked down a kindergarten in November, chances are you’ve seen cutout paper turkeys on the walls. The bird’s body is the child’s handprint, splayed out so all five fingers give “Tom” a head, torso, and feathers. Additional “feathers” made from construction paper might be affixed to the backside so that “Tom” now is a bit more colorful and robust. On the feathers you’ll see scribblings for what that child is grateful such as “Mommy”, “Daddy”, “strawberries” or “earthworms”. Thanksgiving is the holiday when our thoughts turn to gratitude. We may even feel inspired to take stock while we celebrate with family and friends. But then – as […]

Posted in About Tingalls, Tips

3 Reasons Why Image Names Are Crucial for Website Search Engine Optimization

“A picture is worth a thousand words”. That may be, but within Google’s search engine a picture only needs as few as four words to translate into thousands of clicks and potentially sales dollars for a business. For example: Say you own a bakery in Madison and you make the best chocolate chip cookies. You’re updating your online store with a picture of fresh-from-the-oven creations, which you just snapped with your smartphone. The phone automatically labels the image “IMG1823.jpg”, because that’s the generic file name phones use. How many customers are searching for “IMG 1823” when they’re seeking a local bakery for chocolate chip cookies? Zero. Instead, you should rename […]

Posted in Advertising, Search Engine Optimization, Tips, Website Design

No Tricks at Tingalls, Only Branded Treats!

If you went trick-or-treating as a kid – whether with your parents, siblings, or a group of friends – you’ll recall the search for the best house on the block. It didn’t matter where it was located; year after year, once you found this gem, that house was a must-stop on your candy-harvesting route. What did this place have or do that set it apart from the others? They were the house that went “all in.” I mean, ALL THE WAY IN; jumping into the holiday with child-like enthusiasm and excitement. No simple snack bags of candy corn, no uncarved, rotting pumpkins on the porch, and no bowl with a […]

Posted in About Tingalls, Branding

How a Blog Can Enhance Your Website Design’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

In a day and age where consumers feel overwhelmed with ceaseless distractions, it’s so crucial to be a calm, reliable voice in the online community. Digital marketing ads creep into side banners or (more boldly) pop up right in the middle of our device screens kind of like a desperate male peacock putting on his best dancing moves to attract a mate. Colors, words, or even sometimes just a logo flash by, all in the hopes to gain a few seconds of real estate inside the viewer’s thoughts. Stay current, not swept up and away with it Google, that giant of Internet engines, frequently changes its algorithm of how results […]

Posted in About Tingalls

How to Write Website Copy with SEO in Mind

Guest Blog Article by Flamingo Theory Marketing One of the ways the pandemic shifted the way businesses operated was by drastically increasing the awareness paid to online methods of generating traffic and revenue across all industries. Regardless of what you were selling and how, it seemed like every business owner in America was hitting Google to figure out how to draw in remote business business remotely. At the core of this is managing your on-page and off-page SEO (Search Engine Optimization) which determines how well and how high you can rank in search engines like Google or Bing. This post is going to focus on a few key tips on […]

Posted in Google, Search Engine Optimization, Website Design

Social Media Content Creation Workshop

The Oregon Chamber of Commerce and Tara Ingalls, owner of Tingalls Graphic Design, invites you to join us for an interactive workshop for creating engaging social media content for your business or nonprofit. You’ll leave with 3 months of content and tools for creating additional posts thereafter. Date: Thursday, July 28th Time: 11:30 am to 1:00 pm Location: Tingalls Graphic Design 2939 South Fish Hatchery Road, Suite 100 Fitchburg, WI 53711 (Our suite is in the lower level of the Summit Credit Union) What to Bring: Paper and Pencil/Pen Space is limited, please reserve your seat early. Save my Seat!

Posted in About Tingalls

Benefits of Supporting Women-Owned Small Businesses

Happy Women’s History Month! As a woman-owned and staffed small business, Tingalls understands first-hand how important it is to support other women-owned businesses. Here are five reasons to support women-owned small businesses in your community. Small business owners care about the people in the neighborhoods they serve. Building relationship with local small business owners means you can expect more personalized customer service that often goes above and beyond your expectations. Money spent at local businesses stays in the community. When you make a purchase from a small business, you are supporting a family in your community rather than lining the pockets of some executive at a big box store. Studies […]

Posted in About Tingalls, Tips

Save Time & Money: Hire a Designer!

Good logo design requires creative expertise. It can be tempting to purchase a cheap design from an online logo maker, especially when you’re starting a new business and on a tight budget. But these designs tend to be very generic and there is a high probability that another business will be using the same logo. Investing in a quality logo design for your brand right from the start will save you time and money in the long run. A graphic designer will be able to work with you to determine what sets your business apart from your competitors. Equipped with this knowledge your designer will be able to craft a […]

Posted in Branding, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Print & Package Design, Tips

Planning Your Start-Up’s Marketing Strategy

“How do I market my business?” This is a question I’m often asked by start-up business owners, and I’m always surprised to hear that they think I can give them a simple, one-size-fits-all approach to successful marketing. The honest answer is, “it depends.” There are many factors that play into my recommendations for an effective marketing plan. Determining the business’ unique selling proposition in the marketplace, their goals, and their realistic budget are all key components of a successful marketing strategy. At Tingalls, we dig deep to learn about our clients so we can tailor their marketing to the specific needs of their business. What makes you special? Identifying your […]

Posted in About Tingalls, Marketing, Start-ups, Tips

2021 Projects | A Look Back with Sarah

Sarah comments on a few of her favorite graphic design projects from 2021 … “I started my internship at Tingalls in July 2021 and looking back over the last 6 months I can’t believe how many fun projects I have been a part of in such a short amount of time. I’ve honestly enjoyed every project I have worked on because they have all taught me something new and helped me grow as a designer.” – Sarah Garden Harvest Pottery This project will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first brand I got to do on my own (with lots of helpful […]

Posted in About Tingalls, Branding, Logo Design, Website Design

Tingalls Blog - Marketing Tips & Tricks