Web design blog

Earlier this year SilverStripe launched the SilverStripe 3.0 Theme Design Contest where the winning theme would be the default theme of SilverStripe 3.0.  Given how much we like SilverStripe and how our web design and development team enjoy working with it we couldn't resist submitting an entry.

It goes without saying that the first place to drive visitors to your website is through search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo. When designing and redesigning websites for our clients, we ensure that we optimise your site to be found in search engines during the build process.

Responsive web design is used to describe the design of a website that allows the layout to change depending on what screen the website visitor uses. This means that the website will work well no matter if viewed on a PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device.

Whether you have had an online shop for a while, or you are in the process of setting up a new one, it is essential to create a great online shopping experience for your customer as well having an ecommerce site that can be easily found in search engines such as Google or Bing.

Many users of the internet access information “on the go” via either a mobile phone, smart phone (such as Android or iPhone) or tablet (such as iPad), and therefore, it’s not only essential to have a mobile friendly website to get optimum traffic, but it also imperative that you provide content on your website that works well on mobile devices.

Wondering if it’s time for a website upgrade? Do any of the following apply to your website?

Facebook marketing for business is now becoming the norm for SME and corporate businesses. TV and Magazine advertising will invariably have a link to a custom Facebook page as well as a link to a website. There are several reasons for this. Facebook has become an essential part of our every day activity. According to the BBC the average person was spending a over 22 hours online in 2010 (65% more time than the previous 3 years) and Facebook is the number one website where they spend most of their time (comScore Data Mine). Facebook is a marketeers dream vehicle for engaging with their audience and measuring the impact.  You can encourage people to "Like" you, your company or your product and then share content with those that have liked your page (they will see it in their news feed) to drive traffic either back to your website, or to drive telephone/email enquiries, and even business enquiries directly on your Facebook page.

With over 46 million internet users in the UK, online shops and e-commerce sites provide a way to sell your products and services to a much wider audience than ever before.  Before starting your online shop, there are many things to consider before engaging an ecommerce web designer to make your ideas a reality:

Over a third of all adults in the UK now own a smartphone (such as an iPhone, Blackberry, Android or Windows phone) with access to the internet.  Mobile webviewing is on the increase and we are interacting online more than ever before. Almost half of mobile users make more than one purchase a month via their mobile devices. At a recent press launch we noticed that over half the people attending had looked at our client's website on their mobile device during the presentation.

Whether you already have a website, or considering starting a new website, it is always good to examine the basics of your website, to make sure that you are achieving your overall goals. It’s a good idea to review your website regularly, as it is often the first contact that a client or potential client has with your business and brand.