Frequently Asked Questions
Social Media
Organic social media helps build brand awareness, community, and trust. It’s the regular, unpaid content you post on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to keep your audience engaged. Paid social, on the other hand, allows you to target specific users, promote key messages, and reach people beyond your current followers. At Dogwood, we manage both. We’ll build a posting calendar, create branded graphics, and handle ad campaigns built to perform. You can get more details on our Social Media Management page and explore insights like 4 Ways to Make Your Social Media Stand Out.
We start by learning about your goals, your audience, and your brand voice. From there, we build custom strategies that include content calendars, branded graphics, engagement plans, and targeted ad campaigns. Our social media services are never one-size-fits-all—they’re built to reflect who you are and what your audience responds to. Learn about our social media services.
Videography & Photography
We produce high-quality photo and video content that aligns with your brand and communicates clearly with your audience. That includes promotional videos, event recaps, short-form social media reels, interviews, and headshots. For many clients, we capture both photo and video in a single shoot to maximize value. Need a next-day vertical video for Instagram after a big event? We do that too. Learn more about what’s possible on our Photography and Videography page,
High-quality visuals aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for establishing credibility, reinforcing your brand, and increasing engagement. Whether it’s photography for your team page or a video promoting an event, professional content helps build trust with your audience from the first impression. Check out our photo & video work.
Great lighting and clean audio are two of the biggest upgrades you can make to mobile video. Use natural light when possible or supplement with a ring light, and avoid noisy environments that could muddy your sound. Keep your shot steady with a tripod, and film in horizontal or vertical mode based on your platform. For more tips, reach out to our team or read our guide on video best practices coming soon to dogwd.com/blog.
Website Development
We design and develop custom WordPress websites that are responsive, fast, and easy to manage. Our process includes discovery and planning, content collection, wireframing, design, development, and launch—usually within 6–12 weeks depending on scope. Once live, you’ll be trained on how to update your own content, or we can continue managing it for you. Whether you’re a nonprofit, business, or school, we make sure your site is built with your users in mind. Get the full breakdown on our Website Building page, and don’t miss our post on What Makes a Great Website.
An effective website strikes a balance between strong messaging, clean design, intuitive navigation, mobile responsiveness, fast load speeds, and SEO readiness. It should tell your story clearly, guide users to take action, and adapt well to future needs. Dogwood’s website development process covers all these bases and more.
We build websites using a mobile-first design approach. That means every site we create is designed to perform beautifully on small screens, with text, buttons, and media optimized for smartphones and tablets. Responsive design ensures that your site is both functional and visually appealing no matter how it’s accessed. Learn more about our approach.
Accessible websites serve more users and perform better in search rankings. We follow accessibility best practices during every website build, including contrast, text size, image alt text, and keyboard navigation. Learn how we address accessibility.
Hosting
Our managed WordPress hosting isn’t just about keeping your site online—it’s about keeping it fast, secure, and stress-free. We host sites on Google Cloud infrastructure, which means reliable speed and uptime. Each hosting plan includes SSL security, daily plugin and theme updates, malware scanning, and 30 days of daily backups stored on-server (with monthly off-server backups available too). We also send a monthly performance and analytics report, so you’re never in the dark. You can explore the complete list of features on our Hosting page. If you’re unsure why managed hosting matters, our blog post on Understanding Website Hosting and Why It Matters breaks it down.
We offer fully managed WordPress hosting that combines speed, security, and simplicity. Our hosting includes daily backups, plugin and theme updates, Google Cloud infrastructure, SSL encryption, and monthly reporting—all managed by a local team who’s here when you need help. Explore our hosting services.
Website security starts with proactive maintenance. We monitor plugin and theme updates daily, scan for known vulnerabilities, and apply fixes before issues become threats. We also follow strong password protocols internally and use trusted tools to keep your site protected. Learn more about how our hosting and content services work together to safeguard your site.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Content & Storytelling
Content management means keeping your website up to date and relevant. That might involve editing service pages, publishing new blog content, uploading photos or videos, or refreshing your homepage to reflect current campaigns. At Dogwood, we handle this for you on an ongoing basis, so you don’t have to worry about outdated information or broken links. Consistent content updates help search engines view your site as active and trustworthy, which supports your SEO efforts. You can learn more on our Content Management page or check out blog posts like Tips for Writing Strong Website Copy.
Your website needs to reflect what’s current in your business. Routine updates help with accuracy, improve SEO, and give your visitors a better experience. Dogwood offers ongoing content support, whether you need to update service offerings, publish new blogs, or keep seasonal content fresh. See our support services.
Storytelling humanizes your brand and creates an emotional connection with your audience. Whether through video, case studies, or well-written website content, stories help people understand why you do what you do. See how we use storytelling.
AI tools like ChatGPT can help speed up the brainstorming and writing process. At Dogwood, we sometimes use ChatGPT to draft initial outlines or generate topic ideas—then we refine and polish to match your voice. Read our post on ChatGPT in blogging.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a long-term strategy that helps your site rank better in search engines like Google. Our approach starts with a detailed audit of your site, followed by on-page optimization (like metadata, header structure, and content clarity), keyword tracking, technical fixes, and link-building strategies. While paid ads offer quick wins, SEO builds credibility and sustainable visibility over time. Most clients start to see results in 3–6 months. We often pair SEO with content management and blogging to maximize the impact, like in this blog post on Why SEO Should Be Part of Your Marketing Strategy.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps your website show up when people search for products or services like yours. It drives organic traffic, builds credibility, and supports nearly every other digital marketing channel. If your website isn’t ranking, you’re missing out on potential customers. Explore our SEO services.
We use professional tools like RankMath and Google Search Console to uncover the terms your audience is searching for. Then we incorporate those keywords strategically into your site’s content, metadata, and page structure. This helps improve relevance and ranking. Learn more.
Some of the biggest offenders include slow load times, missing meta descriptions, poor mobile design, broken links, and outdated content. Avoid these mistakes by working with a team that understands SEO from the ground up. Read our blog on SEO mistakes.
Email Marketing
Yes, we manage email marketing campaigns exclusively through Mailchimp. We handle strategy, design, contact list management, automation, and reporting. Whether you need a monthly newsletter, a donation appeal, or an event reminder series, we’ll create branded, mobile-friendly campaigns that engage your audience and drive action. Learn more about our approach on the Email Marketing page and check out 5 Tips for Better Email Marketing Results.
Personalized content, list segmentation, and mobile-friendly design are more important than ever. Strong subject lines, A/B testing, and automation workflows also improve results. Read our email marketing strategy blog.
Public Relations
Our public relations services help you craft the right message, whether launching a new initiative or responding to a sensitive issue. We write press releases, coordinate media coverage, manage interview prep, and help you maintain a consistent voice across platforms. We help you respond clearly, quickly, and confidently in a crisis. Learn more on our Public Relations page and read How to Build a Strong PR Strategy on our blog.
A well-planned PR strategy builds trust, earns media coverage, and gets your story in front of the right audiences. At Dogwood, we help you craft the right message, time it effectively, and distribute it through the best channels. Explore our PR services.
Digital Advertising
We create and manage advertising campaigns across Google Ads (Search, Display, YouTube), Facebook, and Instagram. We aim to drive real results—whether that’s lead generation, event attendance, or increased website traffic. We’ll define your audience, craft the messaging, run A/B tests, and monitor results weekly to improve your return on investment. Budget-wise, many clients start with $500/month in ad spend per platform, plus a management fee. Learn more about our approach on the Advertising page or check out How Dogwood Helps You Win Online; Search, Display, Video, and Social Ads.
Targeted digital advertising is one of the most efficient ways to connect with the people most likely to become your customers. At Dogwood, we build campaigns that are data-driven and tailored to your audience’s behaviors, demographics, and interests. This means your budget works harder, your message gets seen by the right people, and your return on investment improves. Whether you’re trying to boost event attendance or increase sales, targeted ads help you spend smarter and get better results. Explore our digital advertising services.
We use a strategic mix of Google Ads, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), and YouTube to get your message in front of the right audience. Each platform offers unique benefits: Google captures active search intent, Meta reaches users based on interest and behavior, and YouTube offers high-impact storytelling through video. Depending on your goals, we’ll recommend the best combination. See the full scope of our ad services.
Print gives your audience something tangible to hold, which can reinforce your digital messaging and improve recall. It’s especially effective for local outreach, events, and campaigns targeting less digital-savvy audiences. Learn more.
Graphic Design
From logo design to brochures, social media graphics to event branding, we offer full-service graphic design tailored to your goals. We build from your existing brand or help you create one from scratch, including font and color selection, brand guidelines, and templates. Many clients work with us monthly for ongoing design needs. You can view examples and service details on our Graphic Design page and learn more in How to Keep Your Brand Consistent Across Platforms.
If your brand no longer reflects who you are—or if it feels outdated or inconsistent across materials—it may be time to refresh. We help you evaluate your current branding, understand where it’s falling short, and develop new visuals and messaging that better align with your business. Talk to us about rebranding.
A strong logo is clean, scalable, memorable, and versatile. It should work well in color or black and white, be easy to read at any size, and reflect the spirit of your brand. But remember—it’s just one part of a larger visual identity. Explore our design work.
We design brochures, flyers, signage, postcards, business cards, and more. Whether you’re preparing for an event or building a full print campaign, we make sure every piece is consistent with your brand. Explore print services.
