Domain vs Hosting

Why the Fu*k Am I Paying for Domain and Hosting for My Website?

Aren't They the Same Thing?

You’re a seasoned business owner, not a techie, and yet here you are, staring at a bill for domain and hosting services wondering, "Why am I paying for both? Aren’t they the same damn thing?" Trust me, you’re not alone. Most folks have no freakin' idea what these terms really mean. But understanding them could save you from a world of digital hurt.

Domains and Hosting 101

Let's break it down. Imagine your website is a house. The domain is your street address – it’s how people find you online. It's that nifty URL you type into a web browser. Hosting, on the other hand, is the plot of land your house sits on. It’s where all the files, images, and data live.

Why Pay Separately?

Why the separate bills, you ask? Because they serve different purposes! Just as you wouldn’t expect your home address to come with free real estate, you shouldn’t expect your domain to cover hosting (or vice versa). Domains and hosting are distinct services offered by different providers, each with its own set of features and benefits.

The Industry's Big Misunderstanding

Many business owners struggle with this concept. You’re not alone. The industry doesn’t exactly make it easy, often bundling services in a way that confuses rather than clarifies. Add to that the tech jargon thrown around, and it’s enough to drive anyone up the wall.

But here’s the truth bomb—understanding these two elements is crucial to owning your digital space. Your domain is your brand, your identity. Hosting is the power behind it, ensuring your website is fast, secure, and reliable.

Real-World Insight

One of our Signwriting clients, was paying through the nose for a bundled package that sounded impressive but delivered little. When we stepped in, we helped separate the wheat from the chaff, optimizing both their domain and hosting costs while enhancing site performance. The result? They saved money and saw a noticeable boost in site speed.

You can do the same. Know what you’re paying for. Make sure your domain reflects your brand and is easy to remember. Choose hosting that offers the right balance of speed, security, and scalability.

Breaking Down Challenges

The industry needs to get its act together. It's time to demystify these services for business owners. Transparency in pricing and service offerings could prevent countless headaches.

Solutions? Here’s a thought—demand clarity from your provider. Ask questions, challenge assumptions, and ensure you’re getting value for every dollar spent. Consider consulting with experts who can guide you through the maze of domain and hosting options.

Don't feel dumb

You shouldn’t feel like an idiot for asking questions about your domain and hosting. Want to know more about the nitty-gritty of domain and hosting? Our team is ready to help untangle the web (pun intended) of services and set you on the path to smarter web management.

Reach out to us for a consultation. Let's ensure you're getting the most out of your digital presence—without the smoke and mirrors.

Lets Chat

How Good Web Design Can Boost Conversions & Sales

In the age of digital marketing, having a business website is crucial. But just having a website isn't enough. It's essential to have a website that's been designed with user experience in mind. In short, good web design can boost conversions and sales. But how exactly does it do that? We'll explore how good web design can help you achieve your business goals by increasing conversions and sales.

Good web design improves user experience


Good web design is crucial for providing a positive user experience. Users are more likely to stay on your website if it's easy to use and provides information in an easily digestible way. Good design includes factors such as a clear layout, easy navigation, and fast-loading pages that keep users engaged with your website. By keeping users on your website longer, you increase the chance they will convert into customers.

Good web design builds trust and credibility


People are more likely to do business with a company if they trust it. A well-designed website that's visually appealing helps build trust and credibility with potential customers. A website with a professional design and great content shows that you care about your business and your customers. It tells potential clients that you have high standards and that you take your business seriously.

Good web design can help with search engine optimization


Web design isn't just about aesthetics. Properly implemented, good web design can boost your search engine rankings. Search engines like Google give preference to websites that are well-designed and easy to navigate. Search engines also look for content that's relevant, and a well-designed website will make it easier for search engines to crawl your site, improving your search ranking.

Good web design optimizes for mobile devices


With more and more people accessing the internet on their mobiles, it's essential to ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices. Good web design includes responsive design, which means your website will automatically adjust to the screen size of the user's device. A website that looks great on a desktop but is difficult to use on a mobile device won't convert mobile users into customers. Having a website that's easy to use on a mobile device will increase conversions and sales.

Good web design drives sales and conversions


Ultimately, good web design is about driving sales and conversions. With a well-designed website, customers are more likely to stay on your site longer, trust your business, and share your content. Good web design creates a positive user experience, which helps to drive sales and conversions. Websites with a clear call to actions that are easy to find and use will turn potential customers into actual customers, increasing sales and driving revenue growth.

Good web design is about more than making a website look good. It's about creating a user experience that drives conversions and sales. A well-designed website builds trust and credibility with potential customers, helps with search engine optimization, optimizes for mobile devices, and ultimately drives sales and revenue growth. As a business owner, investing in good web design is one of the best ways to boost your online presence and take your business to the next level.

5 Free Web Builders to Help Tight-Arse Business Owners

We're here to introduce you to 5 Free Web Builders for tight-arses. Wondering WTF tight-arse has to do with a business that's not the fitness industry? Let us help you out. Tight-arse is Australian slang for a person who spends as little money as possible. Let's use it in a sentence for you: "There's no way the boss would pay for a website, he's a total tight-arse". Do you see what we mean now?

One of the most common knockbacks we get from our website quotes is because the boss or business owner is a tight-arse. They probably read somewhere it's not the fu*king hard to build a website and passes the job to their unsuspecting partner, admin person, or apprentice...[insert any position other than their own here] See the thing is, your boss's mate that built their own site and said it wasn't the fu*king hard, is also a tight-arse. They tend to stick together.

Are free web builders really free

If you read our previous blog (Are free websites really free), you know we really do not recommend free web builders for established Aussie businesses. But we are aware of the increasing number of tight arses in the business space and thought we would help them out. Or for those working for the tight-arse. A quick note to let you know we are not associated with any of these builders, except Google. We are a Google partner. That doesn't really mean a lot though.

Google Business Profile

Coming in at number 1 is Google Business Profile. Its not actually a web builder...but it is with the biggest search engine so it kinda makes sense you should have a profile with them. It is actually entirely free. It will help people find your business and you can upload images, logos and all the things. It's not the slickest of builders but as far as getting found online this is the bare-bone minimum you should be doing.

WordPress

Not for a beginner. You need to do some serious YouTubing to get your WordPress, site to work. It is the powerhouse blogging engine that commandeered a staggering one-third of the Internet. Yes, you read that right. It's a force to be reckoned with. Now, here's the deal. You can go old school and install WordPress on your own servers, or you can save yourself the hassle and simply hop on over to WordPress.com (not WordPress.org) to get your blog, online magazine, or small business site up and running in a mere five minutes.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is more than just an EDM platform. You can build websites too! Its not hard either. Most is drag and drop now. With Mailchimp's free website and landing page tools, you can effortlessly create stunning sites that will impress your audience and bring your brand to life. And that's not all. Their built-in marketing and automation features will take your marketing strategy to the next level. Obviously, some of it's free and some of the extra features are not.

Wix

What can we say. It's the most loved and hated of all the free builders. Wix has actually come a long way. It has improved so many of its lacking features. So don't feel bad using it. What WIX is notorious for is being super basic and any add-ons or decent features will cost you more. So keep this in mind. Again a basic drag and drop builder. Nice responsive templates. Easy to edit.

SITE123

A newish kid on the block. Site123 is more of an app. Their mission is to get you online in a flash, with a fully functional website in just minutes. It's as simple as that. Got your content ready? Great! They'll guide you step by step to create a stunning site. They have a heap of free images, videos, and icons to add that professional touch. No need to stress about design, this is the builder for anyone who wants a quick, easy, and stylish website for their business, portfolio, wedding, blog, or CV.


With the five free web builders above, building an awesome website for any tight-arse business owner has never been easier. Not only are they user-friendly and fun to use, but they will help you create a professionally designed website that looks sleek enough to satisfy even the most penny-pinching boss. So don't settle for a website that your budget doesn't give you - take matters into your own hands and try out one of these five powerful web builders!

Is your boss a tight-arse?

Do you need help convincing them you don't wanna build their stupid site? No problem. Get in touch and we'll help you out.

Types of Website For Your Australian Business

In today's highly digital world, having a website is a must for any business. But what type of website does your business need? Understanding the different types of websites available and what each can offer can help you make an informed decision. We'll explore different types of websites, their features, benefits, and drawbacks, to provide Australian business owners, farmers, and tradies with the knowledge they need to choose the right type of website for their business.

Brochure websites

Brochure websites are simple, informative websites that provide basic information about your business, services, and products. They are usually static and have no interactive features. Brochure websites are suitable for small businesses with limited content and no need for regular updates. They are easy to build, quick to launch, and affordable. This is the bare minimum of sites. You can definitely build on them and they are a great starting point for those with tight budgets or start-ups.

Lead Generating websites

A Lead Generating website is more than a brochure site. It's designed to help businesses generate more leads. It typically works by collecting detailed information from users and then showing them ads or other offers that may be relevant to them. This type of website can be used for a variety of purposes, such as increasing sales, building an email list, or even targeting potential customers with a customized message. Lead Generating websites can also provide valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences, allowing companies to create targeted marketing campaigns and improve their customer service. Additionally, they can provide analytics data to help further optimize marketing efforts for maximum return on investment.

E-commerce websites

E-commerce websites are online stores that allow businesses to sell products and services directly to customers. They feature a shopping cart, checkout, and payment gateway, among other features. E-commerce websites are ideal for businesses that sell products online and need a platform to manage their sales and inventory. E-commerce websites require more investment and maintenance than brochure websites, but they also offer more opportunities for revenue and growth. We use Shopify for our client's e-commerce sites.

Blog websites

Blogs are websites that publish regular articles and posts on various topics related to your business, industry, or niche. They can help businesses establish their credibility and authority, attract traffic and engagement, and build relationships with customers. Blog websites are suitable for businesses that want to provide value-added content to their customers and establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Blog websites require regular updates, quality content, and an engaged audience to be effective.

Social media websites

Social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, are online platforms where businesses can create profiles, share content, and engage with customers. They are ideal for businesses that want to reach a wide audience, build their brand, and foster customer relationships. Social media websites are free to use, easy to set up, and offer various tools and features, such as advertising and analytics. However, social media websites are also crowded, noisy, and constantly changing, which can make it hard to stand out and stay relevant.

Custom websites

Custom websites are tailor-made websites that are designed and developed according to your specific requirements. They can offer unique features, functionality, and branding, and can be fully customized to your business needs and goals. Custom websites are ideal for businesses that have specific needs or want to differentiate themselves from their competitors. However, custom websites are also more expensive, time-consuming, and require a team of professionals to build and maintain.

Choosing the right type of website for your Australian business depends on several factors, such as your business size, goals, budget, and audience. While each type of website has its pros and cons, it's important to consider your business needs and objectives before making a decision. A website is an investment in your business, and choosing the right type of website can help attract customers, generate revenue, and build your brand.

Tips for Running a Business from Home with Kids Around

This depends on a million things, which we can't cover but we will do our best to give you a general idea. We have also written this assuming it's just you. Either you don't have a partner or they work during the day or are entirely useless at anything involving domestic chores and child-rearing. If you have access to childcare, vacation care, or a family member or neighbour to help, 100% do that first. Because the harsh reality is you will burn yourself out trying to do it all!

Being a business owner while caring for kids at home is fucking hard. Your minions demand attention and time when you have important tasks that require your immediate attention. You go from design queen to snack bitch. Many parents who work from home often feel overwhelmed and frustrated because they struggle to balance work commitments, chores, and childcare responsibilities. I mean who doesn't? The good news is, it's entirely possible to run your business from home. Just not like it looks in the movies. Here are some tried and tested tips to help you run your business successfully with kids around.

Set realistic expectations

If there was only one rule, this is it! It's not possible to devote your entire time to work even during office hours. As a parent, you must juggle multiple roles- a caregiver, teacher, and entrepreneur. It would be best to acknowledge that your productivity levels might take a hit when you are with your kids. Set realistic goals and timelines. When your kids are most chilled, get blocks of work done. For babies and young kids that's normally nap time. From primary school kids, its whenever they are most tired and relaxed. Early morning and late arvo for example.

Prioritize your schedules

Running your business while caring for your kids requires careful planning and organization. Scheduling your work and other commitments can help you stay focused and productive. Create a routine that suits your and your family's needs and prioritize your tasks and goals accordingly. Use a planner, calendar, or an online tool to help you keep track of your work and life activities. Be flexible though.

Shit happens

Despite your best efforts and planning, things can go wrong. Kids often fall sick or have emergencies that require your attention. It's essential to have a contingency plan in place to deal with such situations...says the single man that's never looked after a kid in his life. Our plan is there is no plan. Shit happens. Just roll with it. Sometimes I have to walk away from he computer to take one of the minions to the hospital for a playground stunt that failed.

Take breaks and practice self-care

Running your business from home with kids around is physically and mentally exhausting. Apart from attending to your work and family, it's crucial to practice self-care. Take short breaks and engage in activities that you enjoy, such as reading, exercising, or spending time with friends. Set boundaries and don't overwork, as it can lead to burnout. Practice self-compassion and be kind to yourself.

IN OTHER WORDS:

Take time out for you! Just you! Take a long bath, read a book, go to the gym, eat chocolate and watch Netflix. Whatever works.

When we have our shit together

This means there is food in the fridge, pre-made snacks, everyone has taken their medication and no one is in hospital, injured or starting their own death camp. To give you some context, we live on a large property and my minions are 15 months apart in age and both have ADHD.

Our Daily routine looks like this:

5.00am Wake up, walk the dogs and feed the animals and chores
6.00amBreakfast
6.30amKids watch TV, puppy is still napping and I read my book
7.00amWork starts for me and the parrot. Kids have a choice of devices, outside time or TV and puppy tags along.
10.00amWe all have morning tea together
10.30amBack to work. Kids have a choice of devices, outside time or TV and puppy tags along and parrot has ditched me for the kids.
12 noonLunchtime! Lunch and a movie or TV show with the kids, puppy and parrot.
2.00pmBack to work. Kids have a choice of devices, outside time or TV. Parrot and puppy hang with them.
4.00pmWork is done. Kids off devices and outside. Feeding animals and messing around outside.
6.00pmDinner, TV show and chill.
8.00pmBack to work if needed, if not Netflix and a cuppa.

When we don't have our shit together

Probably haven't done a grocery shop, minions had a shitty sleep and woke at 4. Its rough starting your day like this so you can forget a lot of shit. Mainly medication...

Our Daily routine looks like this:

4.00amWake up to the sounds of screaming and both boys performing in their version of redneck WWE.
6.00amMake one child feed the animals with me while the other eats breakfast...so one complains and the other just watches TV until I get back.
6.30amOne kid has eaten the entire contents of the fridge, the other refuses to eat. The parrot is out of his cage and snacking on the HDMI cable.
7.00amFirst coffee for the day. WWE continues. Find mystery puppy poop in the kids room.
10.00amGet to work, kick kids outside along with puppy.
10.30amStop work because of the blood-curdling screams in the backyard. One of the kids has made a dirt hole and is trying to bury the other one. Split up the fight and give them snacks. Find puppy chasing the chooks. Bring her inside.
12 noonRealise I have forgotten medication and it's too late now. Listen to all the bitching about how they want McDonalds for lunch and the 2 min noodles they have is just not going to cut it. One kid is still refusing to eat, the other one eats both lunches with assistance from the parrot and puppy.
2.00pmBack to work. Find a stash of chip packets in kids' room who is always refusing to eat... Kids are sent outside again. With the puppy.
4.00pmPanic because it's quiet. Go find the kids. They are up to dodgy shit behind the shed. Make them come with me to feed everything. One of them is chased by the turkey. Always entertaining. Puppy was in a box which apparently is a 'home base'
6.00pmDinner and bed...seriously they eat dinner and go to bed. I am DONE
8.00pmEat chocolate, watch TV and contemplate my life. Puppy curls up on my boobs. Best sleeping spot.

Keeping it real

With these tips, managing your business and childcare responsibilities can work, but it's okay if it goes to shit. Remember, it's okay to ask for help or take a break from work when you need it. Your family will benefit in the long run when you maintain a healthy work-family balance. Being a parent and an entrepreneur is a juggling act, but with a little bit of planning, self-discipline, you can give it a red hot go!

Why You Need a Sitemap For Your Website

Imagine visiting a site, and you're unable to find what you're looking for. You start scrolling up and down, trying to locate the information you need but to no avail. Irritating, right? As a business owner, ensuring your website is user-friendly is necessary to attract and retain your target audience. A sitemap is an essential tool for achieving this goal. It helps search engines and visitors alike navigate your website and find relevant content. In this article, we will discuss why you need a sitemap for your website and how it can impact your user experience.

Improves Search Engine Optimization


A well-organized sitemap makes it easier for search engines to crawl your website and index your pages. This means your site can rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), leading to increased visibility for your business. Additionally, sitemaps help search engines understand the relationship between various pages, and this can contribute to better SEO. With a sitemap, you can ensure all the pages you want search engines to crawl are included, and you can indicate the priority of your content.

Helps Visitors Navigate Your Website


A sitemap displays the structure of your website, highlighting the different sections and pages. Visitors can use the sitemap as a visual guide to navigate, making it easier to find the information they need. Sitemaps can also include metadata, such as descriptions and keywords, that help visitors understand what each page is about. With a user-friendly sitemap, your visitors are likely to remain on your site and interact with your content.

Enhances User Experience


A sitemap can positively impact the user experience of your website. It makes it easy for visitors to get an overview of your website, including the content available on various pages. This can help visitors quickly jump to specific pages, and it encourages them to explore other parts of your website. If your site is easy to navigate, visitors are less likely to get frustrated and leave, increasing the chances of them converting and becoming a customer.

Facilitates Website Changes


If you have a large website or make frequent updates, a sitemap can be very helpful. Changes to the site structure can be tedious and time-consuming to update on all pages manually. A sitemap makes this process simpler and more efficient. You only need to update the sitemap, and the changes reflect across the site. This ensures the sitemap stays up-to-date and accurate.

Increases Website Traffic


A sitemap can drive more traffic to your website, leading to more conversions. When search engines crawl your website and index your pages, they identify keywords and phrases, making it easier to match your site to user queries. This means your website will appear in more search results, increasing your chances of attracting more visitors.

A sitemap is a powerful tool that can impact the user experience of your website. It helps search engines crawl and index your pages, assists in organizing content, enhances your site's navigation, and improves your chances of ranking higher on SERPs. As a business owner, you need to understand the importance of creating a sitemap, especially if you're looking to attract and retain your target audience. Remember, a user-friendly sitemap can positively impact your website's performance, leading to increased website traffic and most importantly, conversions. So start building your sitemap today and boost your online visibility!

Why You Need a Sitemap For Your Website

Wanna make one for free? Yeah ya do! We use Gloomaps. Watch the video to find out how to make one. We use this too to plan out new websites or plan overhauls of old websites. Its an easy way to know what is connected to what.

Clear Your Cache Ya Filthy Animal

As a business owner, there are a lot of things you need to manage and keep track of, from your financials to your marketing strategies. One thing that often gets overlooked, however, is the importance of clearing your browser cache. A cache is a small storage area on your computer where the browser saves data like images, cookies, and website information. Clearing this data seems like an unnecessary hassle, but it’s actually essential for maintaining your computer’s performance and security. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why you need to clear your cache and how it can benefit you and your business.

Here is a quick DIY to clear your cache for Google Chrome

Faster Browsing Speeds

When you browse the internet, your computer seeks to show previously viewed sites more quickly by pulling stored files and images from its cache. Over time, this cache can grow enormous and can even affect your browsing speed. Clearing your cache regularly allows your computer to free up space for new data and can lead to a faster browsing experience. This can be especially important for business owners who need to optimize their productivity and minimize downtime.

Fixing Technical Problems

Another issue with an extensive cache is that it can lead to technical difficulties such as errors with logging in to a site or inability to see new content that has been updated. For example, if you’ve recently updated your website or made changes to your online products, clearing your cache can allow you to see these changes correctly. This is also true for employees who may have trouble accessing company websites and shared files because of an outdated cache.

Enhanced Privacy

A cache can also store your personal information, such as login credentials and history. If you’re using a public or shared computer, anyone who can access the cache can also access your previous browsing history. Clearing your cache regularly can protect your personal information and enhance your privacy, especially when working with sensitive data.

Security from Malware

Caches can also store malicious scripts and viruses which can compromise the security of your data. Attackers often use cache data as a gateway into systems and networks. By regularly clearing your cache, you can limit the risks of cyber-attacks and protect your computer and business data from new and emerging cybersecurity risks.

New Marketing Strategies

Finally, clearing your cache regularly can be helpful if you want to test out new marketing strategies. Sometimes the browser cache can affect how your website looks or displays, and clearing the cache allows you to see the site as a new user would see it. It is particularly important when running updates to your website and you want to ensure your changes are correctly displayed. Plus, having a fresh view of the site can provide new perspective and ideas for your ongoing marketing strategies.

As you can see, there are several practical reasons to clear your browser cache regularly. Not only it can improve the speed of your browsing, but it can also alleviate technical problems, boost privacy, enhance cybersecurity, and support your ongoing marketing efforts. By being mindful of your browser data cache, you can ensure that your computer runs smoothly and that you’re doing everything possible to protect your business data. So, set a reminder to clear your cache regularly, and enjoy all the benefits of a cleaner, faster, and more secure browsing experience!

2023 Web Design Trends

Web design trends for 2023 are bringing futuristic technology and bold designs together. Helping web owners provide a really fun way to interact with web visitors. We've all seen those movies with sleek web designs that look like they are from another world - well, now they can become our reality! It's time to let your creative juices flow, web designers!

1. Dark mode

With the growing popularity of dark mode, more websites are expected to adopt this style in 2023. Dark mode provides a visually striking and elegant design that is easier on the eyes and helps reduce screen glare. We are huge fans of dark mode and you will see more of that from us this year.

2. 3D and AR/VR

The use of 3D and AR/VR technology in web design is on the rise. 3D models, animations and interactive elements are becoming increasingly common, while AR/VR experiences are set to become the new normal for e-commerce websites. Wondering WTF AR and VR is? Don't worry, we got you! AR is Augmented reality a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view. Think the Pokemon game! For more practical applications check out this site by Showroom

VR is Virtual Reality the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.

3. Micro-animations

Micro-animations, or small animations that enhance the user experience, will be big in 2023. These animations can be used to bring attention to specific elements on a page, to improve the overall feel of a website, or to make navigation more intuitive.

4. Bold typography

Bold and eye-catching typography will be a key trend in 2023. Designers will use big, bold type to make a statement and create a strong visual impact. We've already seen webpages make use of bold typefaces that jump out at us. Folks say it's a look that will never go away and I suppose we'll have to wait and see if that is true! As web designers, all we can do is hang on for the wild ride that is bold typography. We love the Futur for a great example of bold typography.

5. Gradients

Fasten your seatbelt web design enthusiasts, because gradients are back and they're here to stay! Yet these newfangled ancestors of web design past have had a major glow up since the days of Web 1.0. Nowadays, in web design 2023, its all about those way out rainbow gradients, colourful combinations that look like vintage video games, or subtle shade shifts that give out words like "sleek" and "professional." We'd say it's enough to make web designers jump for joy after such a long break from them, but we'll leave that up to the readers imaginations. We freaking love gradients, check out our home page

6. Video backgrounds

More and more businesses are beginning to incorporate video backgrounds in their websites to create lush and interactive designs. Video backgrounds make a website much more dynamic, as viewers can become instantly engaged by the moving imagery. These videos also offer many opportunities to express the company’s message in a very visual way, which for many businesses is essential for making a lasting impression on potential customers. However, if not done correctly, video backgrounds could take up too much loading time or be too distracting. For that reason it is important to find a balance between style and usability when creating those kinds of designs. One of our favourite designs with video backgrounds and micro animations is Humaan

7. Mobile-first design

This shouldn't be a trend, all sites should be mobile-first design. It is a critical aspect of web design. As more and more people access websites from their mobile devices, it is essential that websites are optimized for smaller screens and provide a seamless experience. Mobile-first web design has quickly gone from being a hot web development trend in 2021 to becoming the web design norm for 2023. And you can count on web developers everywhere scrambling to keep up with the newest trends and fads – after all, everything from single page websites to entire eCommerce sites have to look amazing no matter which device your customers are using. So if you're looking for websites that will make use of the latest web sorcery so that your business stands out from the pack, mobile-first web design is definitely the way forward. Our favourite mobile-first design is Typeform.

What our 2023 Web Design Trends means for you

2023 is an exciting year for web design. I mean every year is for us, considering it's our bread and butter! These trends will bring new and innovative design elements to the forefront, creating an even more immersive and engaging online user experience.

Now don't go running out and changing shit on your website just because there's a new list. Trends are just that, a trend. The best way to make your site look on-trend is to make sure you have all the basics covered first. Then if your feeling fancy, contact your local web designer for help, or contact us of course!

5 rules to follow when uploading images to your website

Images are on most websites these days. With so many uses, it's not hard to fill a page with big, beautiful imagery. BUT there are some hard and fast rules to follow when uploading

The good news is you can DIY the lot! 

Our guide will help your SEO and website speed

1. Image name

Don't upload an image that came straight from your camera or iPhone. The main reason is your device will name your image for you AND the file will be the wrong size. Normally way too big!

Say your image is called DSC5689.jpg and you upload that straight to your website. When someone does a search for your product or service, your image isn't going to show up. If you sell turtle food to turtles and the image is of turtle food. Call it what it is! Premium turtle food.jpg Now when someone searches for turtle food, your image has a better chance on being found. Because Google knows what the image is! You should be describing the contents of the image in 3-8 words. 

PRO TIP: Separate the words of your file name with a hyphen (dash). for example, Premium turtle food.jpg should be Premium-turtle-food.jpg Wanna know more? Check this out:

2. Image size

The average size your full-width image needs to be is 1920pxs These are your hero shot found at the top of your website or CTA banners and sliders. Depending on your target demographic, you might want to use a wider image to sustain the use of wider screens. This could apply to designers, video editors etc. But seeing as over 80% of those accessing websites use mobile devices, 1280px is plenty big enough.

Also for consistency on your site, choose a series of image sizes and convert any new images to that size.

Want a guide of the most common image sizes used? Well, we have one handy! Yes you need to sign up to get it, but you can unsubscribe at any time. We don't spam, aint nobody got time for that!

SIGN UP TO GET YOUR COMMON IMAGE GUIDE

3. File size

Keep that image as small as possible without losing clarity. Nothing over 1MB is a good rule to follow. 

Google wants your site to load fast! Google uses load times to decide your website ranking. With this in mind, you should make sure that you aren't overloading your website with huge images. A website visitor will wait no more than 3 seconds for your website to load before giving up and looking for another, faster, website.

Try to keep your images below 100kb when you can. This can be increased to a maximum of 1mb for particularly large images but avoid it as much as possible. To reduce an image's file size you can reduce the width and height of the image and reduce the resolution to 72. This change is easy to achieve on software such as Photoshop or Canva. You can also add a plug in to your wordpress website that compresses your images further. We use Smush – Lazy Load Images, Optimize & Compress Images By WPMU DEV

Google image load times
Image source

4. Alt image text

Alt-text refers to images alternate text. This text is linked to an image on the back end of a website. This alt-text should be a short and basic description of the image. It is not a caption so it will not be displayed on the webpage but instead be visible in the Meta information. Not many website visitors will look at your websites Meta information but the reason you need to add this alt-text is that it will both increase your SEO and make your website accessible

Google loves websites that are more accessible to everyone! It helps your SEO as Google will penalize a website that fails to add alt-text. 

PRO TIP: This also allows vision-impaired peeps to read your site and know what the image is of. It's making your site more inclusive and we think that's how all sites should be!

5. Metadata

Adding metadata to images embeds important details into the digital image itself, including copyright notices, author information, date(s), location(s), and descriptions. Embedding these details into archival images is a best practice employed by professional registrars, collection managers, and other industry experts. 

This isn't a must-have but if you make it best practice then it will help you in the future! It is more techy than the rest and you will need a program like Photoshop to do it.

Image metadata can help protect digital images of your original artwork from being misused or misrepresented. Metadata also enables images to be more easily searched for across the web and successfully located than images without metadata. 

Well there it is

Our advice on images for your website. We hope you have a better understanding and insight for best practices. For more help with your site make sure to contact us