10 Great Technology Advancements

How Technology Advancements Have Changed Our Lives

Just look at how technology advancements have changed the way we communicate, how we live, and how we work. Technology has created massive changes in our culture and society. It has changed the way we live, and even the way we die. We have learned how to use it, and it has helped us live longer. It has created jobs, and it has destroyed jobs. The world of technology has changed, and so has the world of business. Technology is an integral part of every aspect of business. Some businesses rely on it heavily, while others barely notice it. This post gives a brief overview of how technology advancements have changed our lives.

Communication

From mobile phones to email to text messaging, the way people communicate has drastically changed. With this change, comes a massive shift in the way businesses operate. Just think about it, we used to spend hours on the phone calling a company and asking them to provide us with information. Not any longer! Nowadays, we can simply send an email or text message to find out if a company is willing to provide us with the information we need. This has completely changed the way businesses operate. Today we can order just about anything online (including a car) and have it on your doorstep the following day. People order groceries online. Then a store employee does the shopping for you, sends you a text when your order is ready and brings your order out to your car when you arrive. Covid ramped up the curbside delivery model and caused retailers to scramble to implement this new way of selling their goods. Almost unheard of a few short years ago, it's now commonplace to see curbside pickup areas at stores everywhere.

Adapt or be Left Behind

So what can we take away from this? Well, in today’s world, it is absolutely imperative that businesses adapt and adjust to the ever-changing world of technology. When it comes to communication, technology has made it easier than ever to reach out to someone and inquire about a product or service. This allows businesses to respond quicker, and it keeps customers satisfied with the quality of service that they receive. Even if we don't have a smart phone, we can still find ourselves on the Internet thanks to an incredible network of Wi-Fi hotspots. It's not that long ago that we relied on landlines, faxes, and snail mail for the bulk of our communication needs. Now, we're always connected and online at the same time.

The Internet

Technology has affected all areas of our lives, but none as profoundly as the Internet. We have an incredible amount of access to information at our fingertips thanks to the Internet. With technology advancing every day, we have so much information at our disposal that we have to take a deep breath and slow down sometimes. There is hardly an aspect of our life where we are not impacted by technological developments. The technological advancements in society have occurred throughout health, communication, work and entertainment, and the changes brought about by technology are significant. While many people are concerned with the advances made by technology, there are those who embrace them and find great benefit in the many ways in which technology helps us. There is also a part of the population who are confused and stifled by technology.

Medical Technology Advancements

Civil War battlefield physicians routinely sawed off injured limbs. Today we marvel at artificial legs and arms and even wearable robotic hands. And a few years from now, we may be looking back at surgical robots as a primitive form of technology. Technology is changing health care at an unprecedented rate, and it’s a fact of life we can’t avoid. The field of healthcare technology has grown to encompass anything from wearable devices that track vital signs to automated decision-support systems that interpret MRIs. As healthcare providers try to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs, this trend is only going to accelerate. 100 years of medical advancements have changed the world of health care in countless ways. From the creation of an entirely new field of medicine, to the rise of artificial intelligence, technology has revolutionized the way patients receive treatment. The use of technology in healthcare has evolved over time. As a profession, medicine has been around for thousands of years, but advances in the early 20th century brought about the rise of modern medicine. With the advent of the internet and the mobile phone, modern technology has drastically improved patient care by allowing doctors and other health care professionals to provide remote care to patients anywhere in the world. Technology advancements have changed our lives in many ways and for the better. It has helped improve the way we live our lives in many ways. There are many people who believe that we will soon be living in a digital world, where everything we need will be available through the Internet. This isn’t just a fantasy, as the Internet is becoming a more important part of everyday life for many people. It’s easy to forget the impact that technology has had on people and society since it became a part of everyone’s lives.

Instantaneous Information

Not only have technology advancements changed the way we communicate with each other, but it has given us an abundance of information at our fingertips. We no longer have to go through countless papers and books to find the information we are looking for.

Just Google It!

Now, we can access information right from our devices. As a result of this, we’re able to get more done with less effort. Have a question? Need to know something? Easy - just Google it! That has become a common phrase around our house. It’s also impacted the way we market ourselves and how we sell our products. In today’s market, it’s easier than ever before to reach a lot of people with the right message. The challenge is that most people don’t want to hear what you have to say, which is why you need to show them first. Technology advancements have made the buying process easier and more accessible, yet it hasn’t eliminated the sales process itself. In fact, sales processes continue to evolve with the advances in technology. This means that businesses must continue to invest in the sales process to keep up with the times.

Our Top Ten Picks

Here are our picks for the Top 10 technology advancements in the last 100 years.

These technology advancement examples have most likely touched your life.

1. The Radio: The first invention that came along after the printing press. It took about 25 years to get the radio to the point where you could hear it without earphones.
2. Television: The television is considered the first true mass medium. It allowed people to sit at home and watch something at the same time.
3. The Telephone: The telephone was the first time people could speak to someone else who was far away. The telephone revolutionized society and business.
4. The Computer: When the first computers were invented in the 1940s, they were very large, expensive, and only useful for big businesses and universities. By the 1970s, they became smaller, cheaper, and more useful.
5. The Internet: In the mid-1990s, the Internet became the world's biggest computer. Before that, it was just used by scientists. It changed the way we live, communicate, and interact.
6. The Personal Computer: The first personal computer (PC) was invented in 1951. The early PCs were big and bulky, but they quickly got smaller and more powerful.
7. The Mobile Phone: The mobile phone, which is smaller than a credit card, is now so widespread that almost everyone has one. The mobile phone has made communication between people easier and more accessible.
8. The GPS: A few decades ago, the GPS system was used by pilots and sailors. Now, anyone can use it to find their way around. This is a huge benefit for car and motorcycle riders, hikers, and bicyclists.
9. The Electric Toothbrush: The electric toothbrush was introduced in 1881. This invention led to the dental revolution. The first electric toothbrushes were made from copper and were incredibly expensive. They could only be used once or twice a week and were hard to use. Today, electric toothbrushes are the most popular and affordable oral hygiene device.
10. The Mobile App: Apps have been a huge benefit to consumers because they can be used on a wide variety of devices. People can download apps from the App Store on their phones, tablets, and even on the internet. Apps are an easy way to stay connected with people you care about.

Do you agree with our picks? What other advances in tech would you include? We'd like to know your thoughts. Let us know in the comments.  

Original post here: 10 Great Technology Advancements

We Refreshed The WebRidez Website

We just finished a little remodeling on one of our side project, WebRidez. We gave the site a facelift and made some nice improvements. For instance, you no longer need to register to post your events on WebRidez. You can also post your Car Club to help generate more exposure for your club and drive traffic to your club website. We have improved the ability to browse events and search for events by type of event, by state, or by the name of the car show or club. The overall user experience is improved and the whole process is faster and easier. When you post an event to WebRidez, it remains active and published until 1 day after the event. On the day after the event we don't delete or remove your event - we just un-publish it. That way we can resurrect it for the next year if you like. We're still working out some of the details on the republishing process but that's the goal. We invite you to hop over to WebRidez and check out all the new stuff. Here's the link: https://WebRidez.com  

Original post here: We Refreshed The WebRidez Website

Why Should I Use Internet Marketing

Internet Marketing - Not Your Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing is based on one simple principle: You have to tell your audience what you want them to do. In other words, you have to "sell" them on something. Content marketing is different. Content marketing is about creating valuable content that your audience wants to read and share. Today's online marketing has changed the way businesses work. It's no longer enough to simply advertise and wait for people to find you. You need to be present and engaged in your audience. The good news is that internet marketing is easy to do and can be done in a way that allows you to focus on what you're passionate about. If you want to learn more about online marketing, I'm here to help you! Consumers want to be engaged with brands and businesses in a meaningful way. If you're not providing your audience with valuable information, you're missing out on a huge opportunity. By creating content that is helpful and entertaining, you're giving your audience something to talk about. Marketing has been around for thousands of years, and the goal of most businesses is to grow sales and profits. However, the way we do business today is very different from how it was in the past. Traditional marketing focuses on sales and growth, but what if you want to focus on creating quality content? This is where digital marketing comes into play. In the past, it was common for companies to have a catalog you would order from, or they would send you a brochure with information on their products. The internet has changed everything, and companies are finding that the internet is a great way to reach potential customers. The internet has also become a valuable tool for companies to help them find out what products their customers want. There's never been a better time to be a consumer. With the Internet, we're able to search for products and services to fit our needs. And thanks to social media, we're able to find out what others are saying about a particular product or service, and how they are feeling about it. This information is invaluable when making a decision. Digital marketing is all about creating, executing and measuring the most effective marketing strategies using technology. It includes everything from developing and executing digital marketing plans, to using digital technology to create and deliver content, to measuring the performance of digital campaigns. There are many definitions for internet marketing, but here's the one I like best: "Internet marketing is the process of using the web to promote products or services." Content marketing differs from traditional advertising in that it focuses on creating content that is valuable to consumers, and then promoting that content on the web.

Content - Give Them What They Need

If you're not delivering content, you're not selling anything. This is why it's so important to know your audience and provide them with the content they want and need. If you're just throwing up random content and hoping that people find it, you'll never see a return on your efforts. Think about your audience and what they're interested in. Provide them with the content they want and need, and you'll be successful. How should you deliver that digital content? Here are some suggestions for your digital marketing efforts:

1. Upload the digital content to a website. (get one here)
2. Email the digital content to a list of recipients.
3. Post the digital content on a social media page.
4. Send the digital content as an attachment in an email.
5. Create a video and post it on YouTube.
6. Maximize your GMB profile. (learn more here)
7. BONUS MARKETING TIP - Create a free account on Patch.com. Then create free classified ad. Include a photo and your brand information (website, name, address & phone number).

Creating high quality, targeted content is a great way to ensure that your audience finds value in your information and associates that value with your brand. By providing valuable content that is relevant to your audience, you can create a strong relationship with them and ensure that they continue to return to your site. It's clear that consumers want and need content. Brands are listening, and responding. This means that brand content should be a priority for marketers. But it's not just about writing content, it's about creating an experience with information that resonates with your visitors and leads to sales.

Paid SEM

Up to this point we have focused on organic SEO tactics. There is another side of marketing and that is Paid SEM. Paid SEM is a form of paid advertising that uses search engine marketing (SEM) to promote a business or product. Paid SEM can take many forms, including paid search, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and display advertising. This form of marketing more closely resembles traditional marketing methods than organic SEO. Paid SEM has a place in marketing and is useful in supplementing organic SEO efforts.

Opportunities For Marketing Your Business

The internet is growing and evolving at breakneck speed. If your brand isn't taking advantage of the opportunities to present your information and utilize available online marketing services you really need to get on board. If you have questions or need help please get in touch with Team 218.  

Original post here: Why Should I Use Internet Marketing

Technical SEO – What Web Designers Leave Out

What Web Designers Leave Out

Website Audits

One of the services I offer is website audits. A website audit looks at several key areas of a site and grades the website. I review on-page SEO optimization, off-page backlinks, social, performance, security and more. A higher grade results in a better experience for your users and improved ranking and visibility by search engines. Something that I see all too much is a website that has a good appearance but is lacking in the important technical SEO optimizations that are critical in ranking a website. Google has made a lot of changes to their algorithm in recent years that have made it more difficult for websites to rank well. Not utilizing on-page aspects of SEO optimization is like leaving money on the table. SEO is an essential part of a website's success, and neglecting it can lead to decreased traffic and lower rankings. A web designer who is not familiar with SEO can create a website that is difficult to find and rank, and may even result in a loss of business. The website might look great and be easy to use but without solid technical SEO it will never be as good as it could be if the SEO was correct.  If your website doesn't have strong technical SEO, it will likely not rank as well in search engines as it could. This could lead to a loss of business and customers. So why do web design firms leave out or ignore important SEO components? Is it because they only focus on the design of the website? Maybe they just don't understand SEO. Whatever the case, you should be looking for a different web design company.

What Is Technical SEO?

In this post, we'll discuss what technical SEO is and why it's important for your website. We'll also show you how to make sure your site is optimized for search engines. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a process of improving the visibility and ranking of a website or web page in search engine results pages (SERPs). The goal is for a website or web page to appear at the top of results for specific keywords or phrases. Technical SEO is the process of optimizing your website for the search engine. This includes all the things that you can do to improve your website's search engine optimization. It includes things such as the title tag, the meta description, the keyword tags, and other things. Let's examine the pieces of technical SEO and how to implement them.

Title Tag

The title tag is the most important piece of technical SEO. It is the first thing that a user sees when they click on a link from another website. The title tag should be short and concise, but it should contain keyword phrases that are relevant to the page. There is almost an art to creating a great title tag. You need to explain what your page is about in 60 characters.

Meta Description

The meta description is the second piece of technical SEO. It is the description of the page that appears below the title tag. The meta description is what the search engine displays in its results page when someone searches for your page. You can use it to attract more clicks to your page.

Image Alt Tag

The image alt tag is used to describe the images that appear on your page. It helps the search engine to know what your page is about without having to see the image. In the event your image is not able to be displayed for any reason, the Alt text will be shown.

Page Hierarchy

Every page on your website should have an <h1> heading tag - and there should only be one. All too often I see multiple <h1> heading tags or no <h1> heading tag at all. That's a sure sign of poor technical SEO. When using more than one heading on a page it is important to use the correct hierarchy. Using the incorrect hierarchy level can affect SEO and could make using assistive technology, such as a screen reader, very cumbersome. Be sure to never skip heading levels. For example, the heading after an <h2> should never be an <h4>, <h5>, or <h6>. Follow the correct order.

Site Structure / Sitemap

How your website is structured is important. It's also important to make sure the search engines know the structure. That's where your sitemap comes in. A sitemap is a file that tells the search engines about all of your web pages. You should create a sitemap and upload it to your website. This will help your site to appear in the search engine results.

Linking

Inter linking is important for ease of navigation but it also plays a role in telling search engines how the content of your web pages should connect to each other.

Schema Code

Schema markup (schema.org) is a structured data vocabulary that helps search engines understand the info on your site in order to serve rich results. This markup will help search engines understand your content better by showing them the meaning and relationships behind your website's various content entities. Schema markup has become a hot topic for SEO because it lets you provide more details about your products and services.

Performance

How fast your web page loads and displays is an important metric when it comes to SEO. There are several websites you can use to test your site's performance. GTMetrix and WebPageTest are a couple I like.

Core Web Vitals

Core web vitals are a combination of several metrics designed to measure how users perceive the experience of interacting with a web page. In this update, Google wants to ensure that only sites that provide simple and seamless experience show up on the top of search engine result pages (SERPs) for specific search terms or keywords. Core web vitals are a subset of Google’s overall evaluation of Page Experience, a longstanding ranking signal. The metrics that define Core Web Vitals will change over time along with changes in a user’s expectation of web pages. The current set of metrics focus on three important aspects of the user experience, including load speed, interactivity and visual stability. I wrote an article about Google's Core Web Vitals where you can learn more.

Conclusion

Technical SEO is not an option. You need every advantage to be competitive in the online world and your website will never achieve its' full potential without solid on-page SEO. If you would like a free website audit you can get one on our Free Website Audit page. Wait…FREE? Yes, it’s really free. No strings attached or obligation on your part. Just an honest review of your website. I’ll look at 3 areas of your website: SEO, Performance &  Security, and User Experience.. You will receive a detailed report clearly explaining the results in PDF format and a few ideas on what you might do to improve.

Original post here: Technical SEO – What Web Designers Leave Out

Destination Iowa Funding

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What Is Destination Iowa?

Iowa is serious about attracting visitors and pulling in new residents. How serious you ask? $100 million serious! The Destination Iowa fund provides $100 million in grants to counties, cities and non-profits located in the state of Iowa.

Destination Iowa consists of four separate funds.

1. Economically Significant Development
2. Outdoor Recreation
3. Tourism Attraction
4. Creative Placemaking

The federal American Rescue Plan Act is funding Destination Iowa grants. Applications will be accepted beginning on May 9, 2022. On Friday, April 15, at 10 a.m. there will be a webinar to explain the program. Link To Webinar

The contacts for Destination Iowa are:

 

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Alaina Santizo

515.348.6162

Email Alaina

 

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Maicie Pohlman

515.348.6161

Email Maicie

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If you are a nonprofit organization, make sure to review the links in this post to see if you might be able to benefit from a Destination Iowa grant.

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Original post here: Destination Iowa Funding

Custom T-Shirts, Hoodies, Sweatpants, Flyers, Posters & More

If you're in need of any type of custom printing you need to talk to Brian at BCMK Design in Corydon, Iowa. Their competitive pricing can't be beat and their virtual viewing process lets you see your products being made! Great quality products. Check them out at https://bmckdesign.com

Original post here: Custom T-Shirts, Hoodies, Sweatpants, Flyers, Posters & More

How Do I Find Someone To Build My Website

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1. Hire Team 218 To Build Your Website
2. How Do I Find Someone To Build My Website?
3. Web Design Options For Small Businesses
4. Hiring a Web Design Company To Build My Website
5. What is our process for designing and creating a website?
6. Building a Website Yourself
7. What are some things to avoid when designing a website?
8. Ready to set your business on the path to success?

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You deserve a website that is both functional and beautiful. Don't settle for less than the best!

We eliminate all the confusion and headaches when you hire us to handle your web design and development. After all, we've been doing it for over 20 years. If you'd like to cut to the chase and get started on your website, go ahead and click the button let's see if we're a good fit.

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More than likely though you are here for some actual helpful information. If that's the case, keep reading. Regardless of which path you choose, we wish you much success with your website and internet marketing. Thanks for stopping by our website.

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How Do I Find Someone To Build My Website?  👈

There are 2 main reasons you may be asking, “How do I find someone to build my website?” Reason 1: You don’t have a website and you need to hire someone to build one. Reason 2: You already have a website and you either A) lost track of the person who built your website or B) you’re not happy with the results you’re getting. This can present a two-fold problem for you. Not only do you need to hire someone – you also may need to FIRE someone and that's never a pleasant experience.

Web Design Options for Small Businesses

The prospect of building a website for your small business can seem daunting. However, there are ways to simplify the process and still create a web design that showcases the best qualities of your business! Hiring an experienced web design professional takes the pressure off of you and guarantees a custom website that functions on a variety of devices. When you choose a website vendor to build my website, you will still have some homework to do if you're going to reap the benefits of "doing it right" versus "getting it done". The website vendor you choose should have a vested interest in who you are and what you do. And this is BEFORE you have made a final decision or have spent any money. Look for a vendor who, after you've requested a proposal to build, fix, or redesign an existing site, exhibits an understanding of what you need and offers clear cut solutions to meet those needs. They should be asking you questions and gathering information. If they can't meet your needs, they should be making suggestions of where you might be better served. If you want to build a website yourself, there are plenty of resources online that can provide you with the tools you need to get started. After all, nobody knows you better than you do. But please do your homework here as well. You can build it but will they come? There is more to building a website than a pretty face and no one knows that better than an experienced, qualified, and diligent web designer. If building your own site suits your business perfectly though, and it does in some instances, we'll share some pitfalls we've learned to avoid for the DIYs out there whom we truly admire and tip our hats to! Whether you are a local small business owner, an entrepreneur, or a nonprofit organization, keep reading to learn about your options. The first step to a new and improved public face for your business through website solutions is choosing your path to success.

Hiring a Web Design Company To Build My Website

Do you want a unique custom website that represents your local business but don’t know where to start? If so, hiring a web designer is the right option for you. Team 218 Web Services has been involved in web design and development since 2014. We've built valued relationships with our clients and truly enjoy our continued endeavors with our diverse portfolio. We work with small businesses all over the state of Iowa with a focus on Eastern Iowa web design. We’ve created websites for a wide variety of businesses and nonprofit organizations over the years, so we know how to keep your viewers engaged while providing a design that stands out from the rest. Our websites are optimized for usability, meaning that your website will be simple to navigate on laptops, phones, and tablets. This is more important now than ever since most people own more than one device in their homes. We know the importance of using search engine optimization tactics to increase the traffic of your targeted audience. By implementing SEO and having easily accessible content, your website has an increased ranking in search results which means more business for you. And as you're most likely already aware, advancements in technology have trained a large percentage of people to explore a business online first to ensure it meets their particular needs. Your website is the primary means by which information is sought out about you and about what you do. Your first impression - the users experience in your web design elements, the site functionality, and inclusion of relevant page content mapping - means that one chance to wow them at your first official meet and greet. And excellent first meetings often lead to many more! Having a well-designed web page will give you a competitive advantage in your industry and enhance your credibility as a business. All across the Hawkeye state, we've provided custom web design options for local small businesses that generate more in-person customers as well as online traffic.

Our process for designing and creating a website 💥

At Team 218, we strive to create unique websites that help local small businesses grow. Our process to get you the website of your dreams is simple. We gather information from you over the phone or online and then form your website utilizing Organic SEO copywriting techniques. The overall process from start to finish takes about four to six weeks, and then you can expect your custom website to be online and ready to use! We also help with existing websites that need updating or debugging. We are very responsive to customers every step of the way to ensure that you’re satisfied with the finished product.

Building a Website Yourself 💥

If you’ve decided to create your website yourself, here are some tips to get started and things to avoid! There are a lot of factors to consider when building a website from scratch, such as choosing a domain name, deciding how to customize your website, and what content to include. Luckily, there are plenty of resources online that make the process easier, regardless of technical skill level. Most of them have varying features based on your budget, knowledge of web design, and the amount of time you’re able to dedicate to your project. Some available DIY website builders include:

• Wix
• Weebly
• WebStarts
• Squarespace
• Ucraft

There are countless other website builders to choose from depending on your preferences and budget. Most of these sites produce quick results and usually require minimal technical and design knowledge on your part. However, there are disadvantages that novices should be aware of when considering using web builders. For example, the webpage templates might look generic and not be accessible on all devices. This could prevent a potential customer from navigating your website easily and persuade them to opt for a competitor instead. Some DIY website builders have limited SEO options. Investigate and choose wisely. A good tip when creating a web design is to know your targeted audience. What are customers looking for when they visit your website? What type of imagery embodies your company values and personality? What can I do to set myself apart from similar businesses a customer might encounter? Considering these questions will give you insight into your viewers expectations when they click on your website.

What are some things to avoid when designing a website?

As you go through the process of creating your website, there are certain things you want to keep in mind to avoid driving your customers away. Here are 4 common mistakes beginners make:

1. Your webpage is too cluttered. ​Having too many elements on one page can be overwhelming and distract from the main focus of your business.
2. You don’t have a clear call to action. ​Your viewers should immediately be informed of the purpose of your website and what you offer.
3. Poor usability. ​A website that has a confusing layout and can’t be viewed on all devices could deter customers from returning.
4. Not using Organic SEO. ​This can have a major impact on the visibility of your website in search engine results.

Ready to set your business on the path to success?

Now that you know some of the options for small business web development, you’re on your way to having a great website. We hope you have a better idea of how to answer the question of How Do I Find Someone To Build My Website? Whether you decide to create your website from scratch or hire our professional team, we are here to offer our services to you! Contact Team 218 with any website design or development needs at our number (309) 912-5139 or use our contact form. You can learn more about the process we use on our Web Design page. You can also find a lot of good information in our Knowledge Base. Better yet, why not schedule a Free 30 minute Zoom Meeting to discuss your website needs. We'll help you clear up any questions you may have and you'll be better prepared to get a great website. We look forward to learning about you![/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url="https://ift.tt/f2AC3uq" button_text="Tell Us About Your Website Project" _builder_version="4.10.8" _module_preset="default" custom_button="on" button_text_color="#000000" button_bg_color="#2bff3c" button_border_color="#000000" button_border_radius="50px" button_font="||||||||" button_bg_color_last_edited="off|desktop" global_colors_info="{}" button_bg_color__hover_enabled="on|desktop" button_bg_color__hover="#0C71C3" button_bg_enable_color__hover="on" button_text_color__hover_enabled="on|hover" button_text_color__hover="#FFFFFF" button_border_color__hover_enabled="on|desktop" button_border_color__hover="#000000"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

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