A Designer's Introduction to Inbound Marketing

Andy Carter • January 30, 2015

Allow me to make a confession: When it came to marketing, I was uninformed. Marketing, I thought, was something that took the form of brightly colored billboards climbing to the skies to vie for my attention. It was an intrusion on my ears, delaying the next song I wanted to hear. I was unaware of what a multifaceted, intricate world it was. Marketing, I've discovered, is so much more than a beacon that asks for your attention. Marketing is a part of nearly all human interaction, and these days, it’s within every shade of color, photo, and word in your digital presence.


In my short time so far at BlinkJar, I've gotten a chance to work with an incredible variety of people and businesses, each with their own unique and highly specialized needs. What I truly enjoy about this challenge, is that I almost get to become a minor expert on a world of different subjects. Through communicating with our partners, I'm able to discover what matters most to their business. Each project represents a new and unique challenge -- whether it's a new look for a website, or solving a problem in graphic or web design. 

Have you ever had the experience of visiting a business’s website, and after spending a few minutes perusing through their home page, you realize that you still have no idea what the business is about? That’s a problem. That isn’t the kind of mystery that draws people in – it’s the kind that makes them lose interest. At BlinkJar, we use something that we like to call “The Blink Test.” It refers to the crucial few seconds in which a visitor sizes up your website and decides whether they want to remain on it. This, factors heavily into how we approach web design. Your site should be clean-looking and logically organized. It should present itself to the user as a delightful way to convey information – the information they’re looking for.



However, simplicity in design should be as much about removing elements as it is adding useful ones. You don’t wall a wall of text for your visitors to read the moment they land on your site. Instead, focus on condensing the information in a way that gives your visitors enough to understand your message, but leaves them enticed to find out more. Think about what kind of information your users may be looking for, or common questions they may be asking. While sometimes a FAQ section may be appropriate, it can be equally helpful to simply organize the layout and navigation of your site in a manner that is consistent with what the average user is seeking. 

This, of course, is the very broad view of creating an optimized and well-designed website. For now, here's how you can figure out whether your website passes the Blink Test. 


The fragmentation of search. Why Being Found Is No Longer Just About Google

The Fragmentation of Search: Why Being Found Is No Longer Just About Google

By Rikki Broussard • July 23, 2026
Your customers are still searching. They are just no longer searching in one place. They may start with Google, ask ChatGPT to compare their options, watch a YouTube video, look for examples on Instagram, read reviews, or open a map to find a nearby business. This does not mean your company needs to chase every new platform. It also does not mean SEO is dead. The best response to fragmented search is to strengthen the foundation you already have. Build a clear, credible website, answer the questions your customers ask, share real expertise, and ensure your business appears consistently on the platforms that matter to your audience. AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, is part of that approach. It helps search engines and AI tools find and understand your answers, but it works best when it is built on strong SEO . Why Are Customers Searching in So Many Different Places? Customers are searching in more places because they now have more ways to find the type of information they want. Every Monday during our BlinkJar staff meeting, each person brings an industry update to discuss. One recent conversation about artificial intelligence and its impact on search reminded me of what happened to television. Jared, my husband and BlinkJar’s founder , spent years working in television. At one time, a few broadcast networks held most of the audience. Then cable created more choices. Streaming services, YouTube, social video, and on-demand programming divided attention even further. Television did not disappear. People gained more ways to watch. Search is moving in the same direction. A prospective customer may search Google for a service, ask an AI assistant to explain the differences between providers, watch a video to see how something works, and read reviews before visiting a company’s website. The challenge is not that Google has stopped working. It is that businesses can no longer assume every customer will begin there. Does My Business Still Need SEO? Yes, your business absolutely needs SEO as it remains the foundation of being discovered online. Google continues to drive valuable, high-intent traffic for businesses. A strong website also gives AI tools, maps, social platforms, and prospective customers a reliable place to learn who you are and what you offer. Your website needs clear service pages, useful location information, simple navigation, relevant internal links, and a sound technical structure. Search engines must be able to crawl, index, and understand your pages. Traditional SEO is not being replaced. It is supporting a larger discovery ecosystem. Think of your website as your company’s home base. Social media, maps, reviews, search engines, and AI tools may help customers find you, but your website is where you control the complete story. 
Kingsley Working

What I Learned as a Marketing Intern at BlinkJar Media

By Kingsley Lavender • July 20, 2026
Kingsley Lavender shares what he learned as a marketing intern at BlinkJar Media, including SEO, website updates, content marketing, and real-world agency experience.

Why Personal Connections Matter More Than Ever in an AI-Driven Marketing World?

By Caroline Thaxton • July 10, 2026
Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses approach content marketing , social media marketing , and digital communications. AI can generate ideas, streamline workflows, and help marketers create content faster than ever before. At Blinkjar, we embrace AI as a powerful tool, but we also know the most impactful marketing still begins with something technology can't replicate: a genuine human connection. As a Creative Content Specialist at Blinkjar , some of my most valuable work happens away from my desk. Meeting with clients, visiting their businesses, and building real relationships gives me a deeper understanding of who they are and what makes their brands unique. Those face-to-face interactions help me create authentic content that reflects each client's personality , values, and story. Can AI Really Tell Your Brand's Story? Every business has a story worth telling . While AI can help organize information, brainstorm ideas, and improve efficiency, it can't experience a company's culture, observe customer interactions, or hear the passion behind why a business was started. That’s why every interaction matters. Whether we’re on a call, exchanging emails, meeting in person, capturing photos and videos, or simply talking through new ideas, each touchpoint helps us better understand the businesses we support. These conversations allow us to see how a brand operates, hear the stories behind the work, and uncover the details that make it unique. Those real insights often become the foundation for stronger content because they reveal perspectives that AI simply can’t generate. How Do Client Conversations Lead to Better Content Marketing? The more time I spend with the businesses we support, the better I can represent their brand. Photoshoots are one way those connections happen, but many of my strongest content ideas come from everyday conversations, planning calls, emails, meetings, and moments when a client shares something we would not have known otherwise. Those small details often become the difference between content that feels generic and content that feels true to the brand. Whether we're discussing a new project, talking through their day-to-day operations, or simply catching up, those conversations give me the context I need to write content that's accurate, authentic, and true to their voice. Instead of relying on assumptions, I can pull directly from their experiences, expertise, and personality . That's what transforms content from informative to meaningful.