Web Design
Web design is concerned with everything connected to the visual aesthetics and usability of a website and how it appears on a device.
Typical elements include:
HTTPS (Hypertext transfer protocol secure) is the secure, encrypted version of sending data between a website and a web browser. An SLL Certificate (Secure Socket Layer) is used to establish the encrypted connection. HTTPS is really important for transmitting sensitive data such as banking details and is why we always look for the padlock symbol on ecommerce sites which tells us a site is secure.
Even if you are not sending sensitive data having a SSL certificate can be important. Websites such as Google Chrome will mark a site not using HTTPS as in secure and this can effect your search rankings.
So how do we switch from HTTP to HTTPS? It’s easy with these steps:
Always back up your site before doing any major changes. Even the simplest thing can go wrong and having a back up will safe hours of headache.
Log into your host and activate your SSL certificate. There are a number of different types of SSL certificates available so check out which is most appropriate for you site. Typically there are WildCard and EV premium SSL certificates and Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL certificates. At the very least use a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates.
Log into your site and navigate to: Settings > General and update the address to include https://
If you want to force HTTPS on your WordPress admin area add the following code above the “That’s all, stop editing!” line in your wp-config.php file:
define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);Go through your site pages and posts and update any links in your content and database that include the old http to https. This is really important. If you use HTTP over HTTPS you will get “mixed content” errors. This happens because the html is loaded over a secure connection but images or other assets are loaded via an insecure HTTP connection. Mixed content errors will effect security and could effect your search rankings negatively.
You should also check resources and assets in your theme templates and function files for absolute HTTP links and update these to HTTPS as well. These will include images, videos, fonts, JS and CSS files stored in your theme folders.
Next we need to add a 301 redirect which will automatically send visitors to the secure version of the site. This is done by adding some code to our htaccess file which is in the WordPress root directory. To access your htaccess file you need to use ftp or your website’s cpannel. If you can’t see it you may need to select ‘show hidden files’.
# Redirect http to https and force SSL
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
</IfModule>
Head over to Google search console and add a new property for HTTPS. Google sees HTTP and HTTPS as different domains so it’s important to set this up.
Next we need to update and resubmit our XML sitemap. This will make it easier and quicker for search engines to crawl the site and understand the new format.
And of course, let’s not forget Google analytics. Log into your Google analytics account and under Admin > Property Settings > Default URL select HTTPS.
Test, test test
SSL Check is a great free tool that crawls your site looking for non-secure elements.
In May 2018 a new European regulation will be introduced called the ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ or GDPR for short.
The GDPR is a new data privacy law which will affect how companies collect and handle personal data about their customers.
Simply, the GDPR is designed to give people greater rights over their personal data. These rights include:
The GDPR puts the responsibility to protect that data on you, the business owner, as the data controller, and to ensure that your customers and website visitors can exercise their rights. In simple terms and as I understand it, business owners are required to:
Any information that can be linked to a particular individual, for example:
For more information on the definitions of personal data visit the key definitions page on the ICO website.
The GDPR applies to any business or organisation, however large or small, which processes and stores personal data of anyone residing in the EU. The business or organisation does not have to be in the EU itself.
There are two main profiles related to the new regulation.
The controller: The business or organisation offering goods or services that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data.
The processor. A third party that processes the personal data for the controller. Examples could include email marketing platforms and website hosts.
Yes, GDPR will come in before the UK leaves the EU.
Create or update your privacy policy to include information regarding GDPR compliance and share it with your customers and website visitors. Make sure you outline exactly what data you’re collecting, e.g. email, name and address, billing information, ip addresses etc, how it is going to used and who has access to it. Ensure you include how your customers can access and remove their data and contact you regarding data issues.
Check that any third party applications, themes or plugins you use comply with GDPR, e.g. MailChimp, google analytics etc.
Check if you need customer consent to process data, and if you need to change how you obtain the consent to comply with GDPR requirements. For example, all automatic opt-ins on your site need to be removed as customers will need to tick the check box to comply.
Ensure you are able to comply with the rights GDPR provides to your customers.
Complete a data audit to understand exactly what customer data you have, how it is used and how it is stored.
Put together a data policy outlining your policies and procedures for handling personal data.
Here are some simple questions to ask to complete a data audit:
If you have a business website GDPR will have an impact on the following:
Further reading and resource:
Over a quarter of small businesses do not have a professional website. Surprised? I was, especially considering we’re surrounded by computers and smartphones with apps and cloud services to run our entire lives.
I first came across this in a survey by Redshift Research and commissioned by GoDaddy in 2015 which found that two thirds of small businesses do not have a website.
In another, more recent survey by clutch.co, Small Business Websites in 2017: Survey it states that “29% of small businesses do not have a website”, and only 79% of those businesses that have a website say it’s mobile friendly.
It states that “29% of small businesses do not have a website”, and only 79% of those businesses that have a website say it’s mobile friendly.
While that figure has improved in the last couple of years, it is still a lot of businesses without a professional site.
So let me share with you my 7 reasons why your business needs a website and the benefits your business can gain from having a professional site.
Let’s look at some facts.
Around 40% of the total world population has an internet connection. That means that over 3 billion people worldwide have the ability to connect with your business via your website daily.
Now that is a really large number so let’s focus on the UK as an example.
According to ons.gov.uk in 2017, 90% of UK households had access to the internet and 73% of adults used a smartphone to access the internet while on the go. The survey also states just over 3 quarters of adults, 77%, paid for goods or services online.
Compare all those potential customers with the reach of a ‘bricks and mortar’ store.
Simply put, your website allows you to be seen and can dramatically increase your ‘virtual footfall’.
Think of your website as your business’s virtual hub, an online brochure displaying up-to-date product information and contact information.
Support your website with your social media platforms of choice. Use these platforms to reach out and engage with your customers to form and build relationships.
Build email lists and send out regular newsletters with the latest deals, products and news about your company.
7 reasons why your business needs a professional website today!
You can actually reduce costs and increase efficiency by serving your customers.
Brainstorm the potential questions your customers might need answering about your product or service. Produce a well written and well organised set of FAQs to answer common questions your customers ask. This reduces the amount of calls and emails you might receive allowing you to better use your time running your business.
If you sell a product online a FAQ section can help increase conversions and boost sales as the customer can satisfy their needs all in the same place.
Set up a forum where customers can search similar problems and their solutions or find answers and advice to questions. A forum also provides a space where customers can share their own experiences, knowledge and views with others. This can benefit your business as customers can ask and answer questions from within the group, developing a community.
You and your employees can act as moderators and get involved when more in-depth answers or advice is needed.
Use your website to promote offers, promotions and events. Display photos or produce a blog to engage with your customers.
People tend to reach out to the internet to find a solution to a problem. Position your business and your website to be a problem solver, build trust and turn internet surfers into loyal customers.
A professional website and online presence gives your customers access to your business all day, every day. It allows customers to connect with your business, review your products or services and buy what you’re selling all from the comfort of their home or wherever they are.
This is a great selling point when you consider the busy lives we all lead today.
A well-structured website gives your business credibility by providing you with a professional organised image. Display reviews and customer testimonials, display credentials and memberships to professional bodies which in turn will promote trust.
Although the cost of designing a website varies and depends on many factors, after it is up and running on going costs are low compared with other forms of advertising and marketing and the opportunities to convert customers and increase revenue is high.
Designing a professional business website does not have to cost the earth but done properly is likely be one of the best investments your company will make.
Ensure you have a website working for your business