Blog
Insights & Ideas
Thoughts on design, branding, and creative strategy.
Astro: The Perfect Website Framework for the Agentic Age
AI agents are changing how websites get built. Here's why Astro is the ideal framework for the era of agentic development.
Our AI Manifesto: Why We Use the Best Tools Available
At Vireo Creative, we believe in using the best possible tools to deliver the best possible results. Here's our position on AI, transparency, and what it all means for the work we do.
Influencer marketing: How to work with a social media influencer
How businesses can effectively partner with social media influencers by doing thorough research, communicating clearly, and choosing influencers whose values and audiences align with their brand. Featuring insights from Ashlyn George of The Lost Girl’s Guide, it highlights the realities behind influencer marketing, including pricing, authenticity, and the time and effort influencers invest in their work.
What is search engine optimization?
Search engine optimization (SEO) enhances website visibility in search results through sustainable practices like avoiding keyword stuffing, ensuring crawlability, and creating unique, high-quality content. Following Google's guidelines helps improve rankings and maintain compliance with spam policies.
Best practices for a non-profit newsletter
A well-crafted newsletter helps keep your non-profit’s audience informed and engaged, but success hinges on maintaining a consistent schedule, sharing relevant and impactful content, and using appealing, brand-aligned design. Prioritize clarity, storytelling, and mobile-friendly formatting to ensure your message resonates and prompts readers to connect with your organization.
How to use hashtags effectively in 2024
Hashtags are still a valuable tool for reaching new audiences in 2024, but their effectiveness depends on using a few well-chosen, relevant tags tailored to each platform. Aim for quality over quantity, avoiding overly specific or spammy hashtags to keep your content engaging and discoverable.
How to manage work-life balance when working remotely
Finding work-life balance while working from home takes time and intention, but setting boundaries and managing time effectively can make a big difference. By creating a dedicated workspace, experimenting with time-management strategies, and staying realistic about your schedule, you can build a routine that supports both productivity and personal well-being.
Appealing to your audience with persuasive writing
Persuasive writing helps non-profits motivate audiences to take action by using rhetorical strategies like logos, ethos, and pathos, along with clear calls to action. Tailoring your message to the platform and audience — whether through email, social media, or web content — makes your communication more effective and impactful.
Is Pinterest right for your non-profit?
Starting a Pinterest account can help your non-profit reach a wider, potentially high-income audience through visually engaging content like infographics, blog posts, and archival photos. With 450 million monthly users and strong Gen-Z growth, Pinterest offers an opportunity to drive engagement, increase donations, and build awareness—especially if you invest in eye-catching, purposeful visuals.
How to reach local customers better through SEO
Local SEO helps businesses increase visibility in their geographic area by optimizing website content, using location-specific keywords, and maintaining a Google Business Profile. It’s a long-term strategy that improves search rankings, drives local web traffic, and helps connect businesses with nearby customers.
Should you post your prices on your website?
Sharing pricing on your website, as recommended in They Ask, You Answer, builds trust with potential clients and helps qualify leads before they reach out. Despite initial hesitation, Vireo found that being transparent about costs improved their sales process and contributed to a 30% increase in revenue.
Webflow vs. WordPress: Pros & cons, and which platform we recommend
At Vireo, we use both WordPress and Webflow, choosing the platform that best suits each client’s goals, budget, and technical needs. While WordPress offers flexibility and broad functionality, Webflow provides premium performance, security, and ease of use for content updates.
How to post on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
Not all social media platforms work the same — each one has its own strengths, audiences, and best practices. This guide helps small to medium-sized businesses decide where to focus their efforts by breaking down the pros, cons, and ideal content types for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Improve your business and your life with these inspiring reads
In 2020, Ashleigh read 40 books, but it was the practical self-improvement titles that had the most lasting impact. This post highlights five of those transformative reads — from habit-building and journaling to entrepreneurship, stoic philosophy, and reading comprehension — with personal reflections on how each one shifted her thinking.
Trying the digital declutter from Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism
Explore the benefits of adopting “digital minimalism,” a mindful approach to technology use inspired by Cal Newport’s book, encouraging readers to declutter optional digital tools and create personalized rules to reduce distractions. By doing so, Ashleigh experienced less stress, more presence in daily life, and deeper relationships, highlighting how intentional tech habits can improve overall well-being.
Want to network better? Here’s how (with Michael Katz)
Michael Katz’s practical advice for service companies on how to network effectively by asking four key questions that uncover prospects’ real challenges and needs. By engaging in deeper, focused conversations rather than superficial greetings, you can identify worthwhile opportunities and avoid wasting time on unproductive leads.
Does your website need a blog?
Having a clear strategy and dedicated time for writing is key to blogging success, and you can either hire Vireo to handle it or do it yourself. If hiring isn’t an option and creating a strategy feels daunting, just start writing and refine as you go—but remember, a blog isn’t essential, and there are many other marketing strategies to consider.
How to write a blog post: A beginner’s guide to writing articles for the web
Writing a blog post involves six key steps: generating ideas, researching, writing, editing, packaging, and promoting. Each step helps ensure your content is relevant, polished, visually engaging, and reaches your intended audience.
7 books that will help you improve your business
Ashleigh shares her top non-fiction reads of 2019—books that significantly influenced her approach to business and personal growth, from marketing and power dynamics to digital mindfulness and effective habits. Each recommendation is paired with thoughtful reflections on key takeaways, making this list a valuable resource for professionals seeking impactful reads.
12 business negotiation tips
Negotiation doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. Vireo co-owner Ashleigh Mattern shares simple, effective tactics that have helped her confidently navigate pricing conversations over the years. Her go-to strategies — like thinking win-win, speaking directly to decision-makers, and giving yourself time to think — make the process feel more collaborative and less stressful.
3 easy ways to improve your SEO right now
Search engine optimization can be an overwhelming topic for business owners to tackle. But there are a few easy things any business owner can do on their own that will help improve search engine ranking.
4 books that will expand your mind
Vireo co-owner Ashleigh Mattern shared her top non-fiction reads of 2018, each offering powerful insights—from personal growth and business strategy to history and social justice. Whether you’re looking to master a craft, rethink your marketing, or better understand Canada’s past, these thought-provoking books are worth adding to your list.
5 reads to make you wealthy
Financial literacy is essential but often overlooked in schools, leaving many to learn about money on their own later in life. Luckily, there are several engaging and practical books and resources—like The Wealthy Barber Returns and the Mr. Money Mustache blog—that make understanding personal finance easier and even entertaining.
A beginner’s guide to freelance writing and editing
Freelancing is a business, and setting yourself up with fair rates, clear contracts, good bookkeeping practices, and a professional online presence is key to long-term success. While freelancing offers flexibility and independence, it also requires discipline, negotiation skills, and strong financial management to thrive—especially when navigating variable income and finding new clients.
Best posting practices for Facebook
Facebook is a great way for businesses to connect with customers, but you need to make a good impression. Anything you post online will represent your business, and you want to put your best foot forward.
Do you eat your own dog food?
“Dogfooding” — the practice of using your own products or services — helps businesses ensure quality, build trust, and identify improvements from firsthand experience. At Vireo Creative, this philosophy guides how we work: we use the same tools and processes we recommend to clients, showing confidence in our services and ensuring they’re tested and refined before delivery.
Education, entrepreneurship, innovation: A conversation with Monica Kreuger
Monica Kreuger, founder of the Praxis School of Entrepreneurship, believes the future of business lies in small, agile teams and empowered individuals working in flexible, collaborative networks. Her passion for helping people create their own paths through entrepreneurship is both visionary and contagious, inspiring others to embrace innovation, freedom, and lifelong learning.
From non-fiction science to science fiction: Ashleigh's favourite books from 2016
Vireo co-owner Ashleigh Mattern read 52 books last year and shared her top picks, ranging from hilarious science writing to profound explorations of consciousness and spirituality. Her favourites — including Gulp, Quantum Night, and Waking Up — reflect her curiosity, love of learning, and appreciation for books that both entertain and transform.
How to build a faster website
Speed is crucial in website development. One second may sound like a short amount of time, but if your site takes that long to load, you’ll lose visitors.
Fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy: Ashleigh's favourite books from 2015
Vireo owner Ashleigh Mattern, an avid reader, shares some of her favourite books from 2015, ranging from sci-fi epics like The Vorkosigan Saga to thought-provoking nonfiction like Sam Harris’s Lying. Her list reflects a deep love of storytelling and a wide-ranging curiosity, with picks that appeal to lovers of science fiction, fantasy romance, and literary fiction alike.
How long does it take to build a website?
The length of time it takes to build a website can vary depending on the size of the project and the company you're working with. Our website development process takes about three months.
How to write search optimized content
Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your website rank higher in search results so potential customers can find you more easily—especially in competitive industries. By using targeted keywords, focusing on long-tail phrases, writing user-friendly content, and working with professionals, you can significantly improve your website’s visibility and effectiveness.
Sik Pics: Capturing once-in-a-lifetime shots
At Vireo, we work with a variety of contractors who are experts in their fields, allowing us to excel at any project we tackle. Sik Pics is our go-to videography and photography firm.
They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan: Book review
The premise of They Ask, You Answer is very simple: your marketing materials should revolve around answering your customers’ questions. Despite being a simple concept, it’s amazing how few companies actually do this.
Peter Murphy: Designer extraordinaire
At Vireo, we work with a variety of contractors who are experts in their fields, allowing us to excel at any project we tackle. Peter Murphy is our go-to designer.
This is Marketing by Seth Godin: Book review
Seth Godin’s This is Marketing reframes marketing as community-building and meaningful connection, not just advertising. By focusing on serving a small, loyal audience, businesses can create real impact and spark powerful word-of-mouth growth.
Website hosting vs. domain name registration: What's the difference?
Building a website often comes with a learning curve—especially when it comes to hosting vs. domain registration. In short: hosting is where your website lives, and your domain is the address people use to find it. You need both, and owning your domain ensures you're in control of your online presence.
Website security strategies
Website security is a shared responsibility — and while Vireo does everything possible on our end to protect your site, your actions matter too. From using strong passwords to keeping your computer spyware-free, small steps make a big difference. We recommend WordPress’s “Hardening WordPress” article for a deeper dive, and we’re always here to help with secure hosting, maintenance, and peace of mind.
How to write a news release
A good old-fashioned news release still plays a role in getting the media’s attention.
What is an SSL certificate?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it’s a type of cryptography — it encrypts the information being shared between the website’s server and your computer.
What is a persona?
As we’re developing a website, the persona becomes a touchstone we can refer to when we’re figuring out problems.
What is the WordPress content management system?
A content management system (CMS) is the software used to edit the content on websites. It’s what allows you to post new pages or blog posts, or feature images on your website.
What you need to know before you talk to a web developer
Web developers can help you figure out what direction your website needs to take, and if you also have a strong understanding of what you need, it will be that much easier for them to realize your vision.
Why you need a contract for website development
I’m not a lawyer, but I have been working as a contractor for more than a decade, and I’ve learned a thing or two about contracts along the way.
Review of "Business Law: Contracts" from The Great Courses
Despite its dry-sounding title, Business Law: Contracts is an engaging and surprisingly entertaining lecture series by Professor Frank Cross that makes contract law accessible and logical through humor and memorable examples. The biggest takeaway is that contracts aren’t scary—they’re simply clear agreements that protect both parties, and understanding their structure can help anyone in business feel more confident and prepared.
What is website management? Do you need it?
Launching your website is just the beginning—ongoing maintenance like updates, backups, security scans, and performance monitoring is essential to keep it secure and running smoothly. While some tasks can be automated, expert support ensures your site stays healthy and protected long term.
Why you should advertise in the slow season
There are more strategic advantages to continuing to advertise during slow times than there are not to. This proactive approach keeps you ahead of the game.
Why did my website get hacked?
It’s a terrible feeling to find out your website has been hacked. But you’re not alone; some sources say as many as 30,000 websites get hacked per day.
WordPress security: Is it safe?
WordPress is a powerful, user-friendly content management system that Vireo Creative proudly specializes in, thanks to its global popularity, flexibility, and robust support community. While security concerns exist — especially if sites aren't updated — regular maintenance and careful plugin selection keep WordPress websites safe and reliable for the long haul.