Web Design by Gaynor Tilley

New content managed website

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:49:00 +0000

SolutionSurfers Ltd is a start-up training and development company. I have developed their website using WordPress as the platform. The customer is able to login to the backend and update any content on the site, thus reducing ongoing website maintenance costs.

If you are interested in a content managed website or in converting your existing brochure site to a content managed system, please call for a free, no obligation quote.

Please sponsor me in the Swimathon

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:01:00 +0000

I will be swimming 1.5 K (60 lengths) in April to help raise money for Marie Curie Nurses. Please help me stick to my training plan and achieve this goal by sponsoring me on my swimathon sponsor form

Domain Names

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Don't get confused and think a domain name is technical - it is really just a sign post pointing people to your website - otherwise you would have to tell them to access 92.10.33.49 or some other string of code.

Clever domain names include a keyword, e.g. www.bournemouthmassage.co.uk

Or you can buy a domain name just to point to a specific page on your site, e.g. www.southbournefastandflat.info which is obviously much easier than telling them to go to http://www.fsk.org.uk/Events/ComingSoon/SouthbourneFastandFlat10K5KRun/tabid/328/Default.aspx

Domain names seems to be getting longer and more complicated but I advise my clients to use capital letters, colours, bold or italics to help customers read the domain name so it is easier to remember.

Need to update your website?

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:55:00 +0000

All websites should be updated regularly. Here is site for which I regularly undertake web maintenance although I was not involved in the original development.
Visit www.qmuk.co.uk

Over time businesses grow and change and your website should reflect that. Updates to your site could range from indicating new services or products, showing recent work completed, updating staff profiles, advertising vacancies or just giving a breath of fresh air to a dated webpage. Contact me to discuss your requirements for updates to your website.

Redesigned Website for Bournemouth-based town planners

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:28:00 +0000

Tanner & Tilley have been busy restructuring and rebranding their business. They wanted to update their website to mirror the new look of their business.

Using WordPress as the platform, we developed a content managed system for them. The new design works well with the simplicity of their new logo. The Services and News sections of the website represent the key sections of the business, guiding customers to the relevant information.

If your business needs a new look website, please contact me for a free quote.

Quick and simple brochure website

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:48:00 +0000

This is a new site advertising DRIVE School of Motoring in Highcliffe, near Christchurch.
www.lessonswithdrive.co.uk/

The client chose a clever domain name lessonswithdrive.co.uk. Domain names are still one of the most important factors affecting how well your site performs in the search engines. This name contains two of the keywords DRIVE and LESSONS.

Although it is a simple brochure website, the client is able to manage all the content. For example if he wants to change the advertised prices. This was achieved by using SiteBuilder from the web hosting company.

New Brochure Website

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:21:00 +0000

Southbourne Dry Cleaning are just launching their new website. This site is a simple brochure website with a clean and professional looking design. The client specialises in wedding dress cleaning and within days of the site going live was already receiving queries. If you are interested in a brochure website for your business, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Love Your Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:50:00 +0000

There is some fantastic jewellery available on this new website http://www.loveyourrocks.com/

Love Your Rocks sell contemporary gemstone and pearl jewellery. Based in Poole, Jackie handcrafts all the necklaces, bracelets, earrings and lariats herself.

The e-commerce website uses osCommerce with a simple design which emphasises the beautiful product shots very well. The site was customised from the standard osCommerce package to include features such as Gallery Display, Star Product, Cross Selling, Multiple Images, WYSIWYG information pages...

Website Redesign

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:56:00 +0000

www.groveservices.co.uk has been redesigned and it now a fully content managed website using WordPress. There is a wealth of health and safety information on this site which has been made easily accessible with the site search feature and also the tags. The contact form has been built with captcha to prevent the contact form from being hijacked and to reduce the number of spam emails that web site owners often receive. This site was developed in less than a month. If you are interested in converting your current static website to one where you can add and update the content yourself, contact me for a free quote.

Search Engine Optimisation Work

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:20:00 +0000

I have recently improved the content of www.relaxretreat.co.uk to improve its ranking within the search engines. The results have been good. Across the three major search engines if you search for beauty treatments, massage treatments or pampering in Swanage, the Purbecks, Studland etc then this site will appear within the top 5.

If the search term is more generic such as spa days in Dorset then the site does not rank within the top 30, but if the keywords are clearer such as spa treatment in Purbecks then the site will show at number 1. Similarly if you use much more specific terms such as Indian Head Massage in Studland, then the site is again top of the list.

Focus on your chosen keywords. This is one of the key factors for good ranking within organic searches (i.e. not the sponsored listings). General terms can be vague and will often come up against a lot of competition for placement in the search engines.

If you would like help in promoting your site and making it work more effectively for you, contact me to talk about search engine optimisation.

The Past in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:38:00 +0000

Bournemouth will be celebrating its bicentennial in 2010. Next year marks the 200th anniversary of the official founding of the town. I have recently completed a website which gives you an opportunity to buy pictures from the past showing scenes across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. Visit www.thepastinpictures.co.uk.

The e-commerce site was built using ZenCart and customised to fit the customer's requirements. The site has a SSL (secure sockets layer) to help protect customers information sent via the web and uses PayPal for payment processing. The pictures are available in 3 sizes and categorised according to area or key landmarks and the era in which they were taken. The search facility within the site also allows you to look specifically for keywords such as transport or fashion. Close ups of the photographs are shown using a lightbox effect.

SEO Project

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:16:00 +0000

I recently reviewed the website for LPA HR Ltd. After updating the home page content, bringing the site up to current web standards and tweaking the content to optimise the pages for the search engines, the site was relaunched in July and now consistently ranks highly in the search engines if you search for an HR Consultancy in Reigate or even Surrey.

If your business needs a boost during the current climate, contact me for further information about how to promote your website.

New Content Managed Website

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Home Comforts Interiors, based in New Milton, offer a complete bespoke design and manufacture service of high quality traditional and modern built-in furniture across the New Forest, Christchurch and Bournemouth.

Their website launches today. There are some great photos which make the site very appealing. On the home page the photos are displayed as a slideshow and within the photo galleries they can be viewed close up using a "lightbox".

This site was built using WordPress which provides the client with a content managed system so he can update the content of the site and add new photos to the gallery keeping the maintenance costs of the website manageable.

Have a look - www.homecomfortsinteriors.co.uk

What is an ebook?

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:37:00 +0000

Quite simply put an ebook is a document you can download onto your PC or hand-held device. It provides you with instant access to the material, whether is a training manual or novel that you want to read. There are many ebooks available across the internet covering as wide a range of subjects as you can imagine.

One of my SEO clients is relaunching his ebook Can You Manage? which is available to buy online if you follow the link. It offers essential management skills for busy managers and the download includes a personal development plan for you to use.

Website Promotion - Progress Talk and Thinking

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Mon, 25 May 2009 09:14:00 +0000

This new website www.progresstalk.co.uk is currently being promoted through search engine optimisation, directory submission and links.

The design of the site is very simple but the purpose is to generate business. Interested people can sign up to receive a free e-book with hints and tips for personal development and business coaching. They will also receive a free monthly newsletter. In return, Progress talk and thinking as a business will build an email list of potential leads. This is all achieved with an email marketing package called iContact.

Rob also uses a blog, which has been integrated into the main site. This helps to show potential customers that the content of the site is fresh. People may choose to follow this blog. This part of the site uses Blogger from Google.

Email marketing software

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:31:00 +0000

If you want your website to help build a list of potential customers' emails, consider using iContact or AWeber for your email marketing. You can build lists, create newsletters, schedule a series of emails and survey your customers easily.

I can help integrate sign up forms into your website and ensure the branding of your email marketing matches your website. Call now to discuss your requirements further.

Making Sure Your Website Is Right For Your Business

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:06:00 +0000

With the UK ecommerce market set to hit the £68.4 billion mark in 2009, it's fair to say that the age of technology has been a very welcome one for retailers. But as we journey deeper into a recession, it seems that hardly a day passes by without at least one well-known and seemingly "safe" business falls into administration or liquidation and the high streets are starting to look much emptier than they once were.

With this in mind, it makes sense that all businesses try to improve and expand their profiles and get those much needed customers to spend, spend, spend.. The internet provides a new face for any business and reaches out to customers on an international level.

Read more...

Create a 3D view from your photos.

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:01:00 +0000

This mini video was created using Photosynth

The images show a garden which was designed and created by Contours Landscapes.Visit their website at www.contourslandscapes.co.uk

Online Competitions

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:20:00 +0000

If you are looking to generate a mailing list or collect emails of people interested in your products, one way to do this would be an online competition.

PotteryPainters came up with their idea and I created the online version of the competition entry form which they are also printing and distributing offline.

They looked around online, found other similar competitions and adapted the format to suit their business, including all the terms and conditions.

Why not have a go and see if you can win a pottery painting party for the kids!
Online Entry Form

Alternatively if you would like to create something similar for your website, contact me.

A Company Presentation on YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:28:00 +0000

The increasing popularity of YouTube means that more companies are beginning to place adverts online. You may not have the resources to create video ads but an easier solution is to convert a PowerPoint presentation, set some background music and let YouTube advertise your business, products or services.

Follow this link to see the QMUK Company Presentation about ISO Standards

If you are interested in marketing your business via YouTube, contact Web Design by Gaynor Tilley

Internet Browsers

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:48:00 +0000

I was astonished to read that Internet Explorer and Firefox had an equal share of the market when it came to browsers used on the internet. I tried to verify these statistics and came across another set of figures which showed that IE (Internet Explorer) is the more popular web browser with a 68% share of the market and Firefox accounts for 21%.

Whichever version is the more realistic, it clearly shows that your website must be tested across different internet browsers to ensure it displays and functions correctly. Otherwise, you will lose potential customers.

Other internet browsers worth a mention here are Safari, Chrome and Opera which account for about 10% of the market between them.

If you have built your own website or have an older site, it may not be viewable in all web browsers and you could be losing customers.

Contact me today for a free review of your site, I can either reassure you that your site is fine or help you to improve it.

The best way to start your own internet business

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:09:00 +0000

Read this article from Business Link. Click here

They discuss the latest research figures which indicate that online shopping is up almost 50% despite the current climate and they take you through the initial steps for setting up your own internet business.

Websites obviously play a crucial role within this. E-commerce sites vary enourmously but I charge very competitive rates, from £600. Talk to me about your ideas and I will give you a free no obligation quote.

Should I Display an Email Address on My Site or Use a Contact Form?

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:57:00 +0000

Christopher Heng at thesitewizard.com writes an interesting article as to whether you should have a contact form on your website.

Read article

I would add to this.
When I include an email address on a website, I do so using code which makes it harder for spammers to harvest the email address.

The inconvenience of not receiving all the relevant information from a customer when they send you an email (e.g. they forget to include a contact telephone number) is, in my opinion, much better than the problems which are often encountered with contact forms.

A contact form sometimes just stops working....but you don't realise until a customer actually tells you...how many other customers were lost as they just clicked away onto another site?
Your webhost may change parameters on the server to limit spam mail, but this may result in you receiving some but not all of the enquiries via your contact form. How can you check this...only by regularly sending yourself half a dozen test enquiries from your website and making sure you receive them all.
Internet "bots" can hijack contact forms which are not well protected, they then use them to send spam emails to others....but it looks like it is coming from your site. You could get blacklisted. Again, you often have no idea that it is even happening.
Internet "bots" can send spam to you via a contact form on your site which does not have proper validation on all the content entered.

My advice is to use contact forms when you need to collect specific information from potential customers but be aware of the problems I have mentioned above.

Call me if you have further questions about the contact form on your website.

Promoting your website

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:48:00 +0000

The following article appears on www.bytestart.co.uk If you need help to achieve any of the points below, please call me.

5 ways to promote your website online
These days a website is a must for the vast majority of businesses. But there's no point in having a great looking website if nobody can find it, so here are 5 tips to help you to promote your website online and get visitors to your website;
1. Get more links to your website
Forget all the "quick fixes" to building links that you see advertised, the best thing to do is build up a bank of links yourself over time. You should look to exchange links with other relevant websites. Also, take part in business forums, visit relevant blogs and add comments. Add some value to the website you are contributing to and make sure you always have a link to your website in your signature.
2. Write articles
One of the best ways to display your knowledge is to write articles on subjects that you have an expertise in. If you write good quality articles, there are a host of websites that accept original content from experts. You will be spreading the word about your website and getting another link.
3. Use email marketing
When visitors come to your site give them the opportunity to leave their name and email address. The option to sign up to a regular email newsletter is a popular way to do this, as it's an excellent way to encourage repeat visits.
4. Add a blog
If you have a fair bit to say, why not add a blog to your website. By including social media tags for aggregators like del.icio.us, Technorati and Digg you can make it easy for people to spread the word about your blog.
5. Pay per click advertising
If you need visitors right away – the only guaranteed way to do that is to buy traffic by advertising online. Pay Per Click (PPC), advertising is popular with lots of small businesses because you can target your advert very specifically and you only pay when someone clicks on your advert.

For the original article and other useful information about this topic, please follow this link http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/news/1_14/business121-newsletter-144.shtml

Merry Christmas to all my customers

noreply@blogger.com (Gaynor Tilley) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:52:00 +0000