Year: 2015

Dangers of shopping on non https websites

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We wanted to highlight the dangers of shopping on non secure- non https websites.

We wanted to highlight the dangers of shopping on non secure- non https websitesWebsite Design Cheltenham was amazed to come across an otherwise reputable site that didn’t encrypt it’s potential customers’ details.

With cyber hacking happening on a daily basis with the likes of Talk Talk, JP Morgan and Wetherspoons all being victims of abuse we thought that every company with a website was taking it’s customers’ data securely.

Not only is this a moral requirement- it is a legal requirement here in the United Kingdom. You could be liable for a fine by the Data Comissioner to the tune of £500,000. How happy is that at Christmas time?

Things to look for in a secure website

When visiting a website that asks for sensitive information such as credit card numbers or passwords,  is verifying that any information you enter on this site is transmitted and stored properly. Once your information is entered online, it is transmitted as plain text for anyone to intercept. To avoid this, make sure that the website is encrypted over a secure connection.

  • HTTPS

One such sign to look for is in the URL of the website. A secure website’s URL should begin with “https” rather than “http”. The “s” at the end of “http” stands for secure and is using an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection. Your information will be encrypted before being sent to a server.

  • THE LOCK ICON

Another sign to look for is the “Lock” icon that is displayed somewhere in the window of your web browser- usually by the URL in your browser.

  • GREEN ADDRESS BAR

Some SSL certificates also activate the green address bar – a visual reminder about an especially secure connection.

A recent survey shows that while some people don’t necessarily know which security signs to look out for, nearly all associate the green address bar with a secure connection.

In fact, 85% of web users state they wouldn’t buy through a website where they weren’t certain their data was being transferred securely.

This illustrates how important it is to have clear and visible security settings so customers will click the “Buy Now” button with confidence.

So, if you want to increase your non secure website’s sales by 600% then please contact us NOW or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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Cheltenham personal trainer Kydd gets fit seo with WSD

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Cheltenham personal trainer Kydd Fitness has asked Website Design Cheltenham to tone up it’s seo.

Cheltenham personal trainer Kydd Fitness has asked Website Design Cheltenham to tone up it's seoWebsite Design Cheltenham are delighted to help Cheltenham personal trainer Luciano Kydd with his website’s search engine optimisation (SEO).

Luciano Kydd is a personal trainer based in Cheltenham dedicated to helping you to see results and achieving your goals.

His aim is to deliver up and above exceptional results with all of his clients or anyone who seeks out his services along with awesome customer care while bring about a positive change in the client’s mindset.

Seeing RESULTS is his way, and your way, of getting value for money. He is a big advocate of strength and condition type training, as it has proven time and time again to be the most effective and efficient way of obtaining the body composition changes, that most people seek when they are looking for a positive change in the way they look and feel.

Mr Kydd’s philosophy is the same as Website Design in Cheltenham’s as we both focus on results- getting results for clients is as pleasing for us as for our clients.

So, if you want your website toning up with the search engines please contact us now or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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Black Friday- top tips for safer online buying

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Website Design in Cheltenham’s guide to the phrenetic world of Black Friday- and our top tips for safer online buying.

Website Design in Cheltenham's guide to the phrenetic world of Black Friday- and our top tips for safer online buyingBlack Friday is a shopping event on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of Novembe and it has traditionally been the day that kicks off the festive shopping season.

The Monday following Thanksgiving is also known as Cyber Monday, as data shows it is the biggest online retail day of the year with online sales of £810 million in the UK in 2014. The deals are also not limited to just these 2 days, you should see a raft of great deals throughout November and December.

Here are our top tips to help you stay safe when shopping online this Christmas.

1. Check to see if the company is reputable

So you have found the product you want at a great price, but you have never heard of the retailer, how do you know they are all they are cracked up to be?

Always check that the company is reputable, this can be done fairly simply starting by looking for the obvious signs: check that the company is displaying a UK based address and telephone number on their website, that they have a number of contact avenues over and above an email address or contact form.

You could also take their limited company number and check it is still active on the companies register, this will also tell you how long they have been trading and what other company names they have used previously.

Make sure you feel confident they are who they say they are, if you are not sure – look elsewhere.

2. Read online reviews

Sites such as SafeBuy are dedicated review sites as well as Trustpilot, Reevoo, and Review Centre will enable you to see what other people are saying about the retailer you are thinking of using.

Average ratings are useful in that if they have a high rating with a large number of reviews, then they should be a reputable online retailer.

Sometimes poor ratings are generated by things such as slow delivery times. Check the website is upfront about slow delivery if this is the case. But if the reviews cite problems such as unresponsive customer service or poor quality items then you should think about avoiding those retailers and taking your money elsewhere.

3. Check that the checkout is secure

This is one of the most important things to look out for- is the connection secure?

When buying online, you want to know that your transaction is going to be handled securely, there are a number of things to do here:

The first thing to check is that the checkout process is secured by SSL. You can do this by looking at your browsers address bar and look for the padlock icon, also check that the address begins with https://. This means that the communication between you and the website is secure.

Sometimes the payment page will be hosted somewhere else, such as Paypal, this is fine, just make sure that the page where you enter your personal details is secure as well as the payment page.

4. Protect your personal information

Giving online retailers your personal details is an inevitable part of online shopping, they need to know your email address to send you a copy of your invoice and keep you up to date with shipping etc. And of course they will need your address, otherwise they will not know where to send the items!

However- you also want to know that the retailer is going to look after your data once they have it, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the homepage, and see what assurances they give you about protection of customers through their shopping experience, be that external review site, money back guarantees, or data protection statements.

Always review their privacy policy, look out for information about how your data is stored, and who they will share your data with. If you do not like what they will do with it or the information is absent, look elsewhere.

5. Know your online rights when buying

The law has recently been updated when it comes to your consumer rights, it is now covered under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and came into force on October 1st 2015. It replaced the Sales of Goods Act 1979.

Make sure the goods that arrive are as described, if the website description is different to what you received or the quality is not satisfactory, you are entitled to a full refund. The goods should be fit for purpose and last a reasonable length of time.

If something is faulty, you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days, after this your rights become more limited, such as being able to ask for repair, replacement, or partial refund.

6. Extra protection from your credit card in the UK

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 states that a credit provider must take the same responsibility as a retailer if things go wrong. This protection covers most purchases that are between £100 and £30,000 and means that if for example, the company that you bought something off went into liquidation before you received your goods, you can claim the money back from your credit provider.

This protection covers credit cards, store cards, store instalment credit and some car finance agreements where a single item is between those values. As an added bonus, even if you just pay for part of the item on credit, you are still protected for the full value of the item.

So if you are making any big purchases this Christmas, make sure some or all of it is paid for on credit.

Hopefully this will help you to keep safe online. Good Luck!

Prestbury Bathrooms tops Google in Charlton Kings

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Prestbury Bathrooms is at the top of Google’s results in Charlton Kings.

Prestbury Bathrooms is at the top of Google's results in Charlton Kings.When Prestbury Bathrooms came to Website Design in Cheltenham as well as wanting their site to be brought into the twenty first Century, they wanted it to make more introductions- and sales.

So one of the key ways of achieving this was to search engine optimise the site for all of the key areas of Cheltenham. This included focussing on Charlton Kings.

Which we are pleased to say we are getting a Number One ranking on Google. And it’s not just Charlton Kings where we are getting a top ranking.

We are also getting top rankings in other wards and suburbs as well- please just trying searching for yourself which other areas we are succeeding in.

So, if you want a great ranking website which makes you money please contact us now or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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SEO as easy as ABC?

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Are SEO Services in Cheltenham as easy as ABC?

Are SEO Services in Cheltenham as easy as ABC?Well search engine optimisation may be according to ABC Services in Cheltenham as we have managed to earn them a number of first page rankings on Google.

Last year ABC Services asked up to help them with seo and get them first page rankings for their business.

Whilst we never guarantee good rankings on Google- there are a number of things which we can do to help reposition a website within Google’s databases- and it’s subsequent rankings.

Sometimes seo is regarded as a “black hat” process akin to dark arts and a somewhat underhand and shady proceedure.

We disagree- SEO is a genuine, professional process.

Being a qualified Charetred Marketer through the Chartered Institute of Matketing- the world’s largest group of profesional marketers- and being qualified members of the UKWDA- the UK’s Web Design Association, SEO Pros and the White Hat organisation we know a thing or two about what works with Google- and what doesn’t.

And this knowledge is being built up ever since 1998- the very year that Google was launched!

Ethical, professional SEO is a science that can be reproduced for any product or service- whether you are a local garage in Cheltenham helping drivers with MOTs, servicing and body repairs like ABC Services or a multi national company like Pfizer promoting their pharmaceutical drugs around the world.

So, if you want a great ranking website which makes you money please contact us now or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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Website Design Cheltenham wins Broad Oak Furniture

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Website Design in Cheltenham has been asked to help the Broad Oak Furniture site.

Website Design in Cheltenham has been asked to help the Broad Oak Furniture siteThe Stroud online furniture business Broad Oak Furniture has asked Website Design in Cheltenham to help them increase their online sales from their site.

Having been referred by another of our happy clients to Richard Andrews the Sales Director- we sat down and reviewed their current site with a view of working out their current situation to enable us to help them going into the future.

Without giving out confidential information, it became clear from looking at Google’s analysis that there are search engine optimisation issues.

Nothing calamitous, but enough to cause issues with their rankings. Consequently we have agreed a course of actions and activities which will expect will boost their rankings- as well as to improve the sales conversions when people do actually find the site.

So, if you want a great ranking website which makes you money please contact us now or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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Website Design Cheltenham adds Stroud Valleys Credit Union

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Website Design in Cheltenham has added Stroud Valleys Credit Union to our roster of clients.

Website Design in Cheltenham has added Stroud Valleys Credit Union to our roster of clientsStroud Valleys Credit Union has had a website for a number of years, but is was not responsive ie will not work across various screens ie computers, notepads and smart phones- and was very difficult for the Credit Union to update.

So they asked us to see if we could help them- which was naturally a pleasure.

We drew up a rough list of requirements which helped the Union draw up a comprehensive content brief.

After presenting a creative template we converted the whole website into a WordPress format. This means that the site is now fully complaint with Google’s Mobile Compatibility tool- as well as being easily able to be updated with their latest news and content changes as required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)- who regulate them.

After the Credit Union’s management reviewed our redesign results we then provided access and training to key staff members so that they can progress the site on their own- without the need for costly and slow third parties to effect the updates- as well as keeping on the right side of the regulatory authorities.

So, if you want a great ranking website which works on all screens- computers, macs, notepads, smart phones and iPods please contact us now or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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Website Design Cheltenham completely rebuilds Andy Turvey site

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Website Design in Cheltenham has completely rebuilt the voiceover artist Andy Turvey’s site for him.

Website Design in Cheltenham has completely rebuilt the voiceover artist Andy Turvey's site for him

As a long term client of Website Design in Cheltenham the voice over artist Andy Turvey is given regular monthly reports on where his site is ranking on Google for various agreed keyword phrases. As do all of our clients as a courtesy service.

Around Easter time- after Google’s new algorithm process review which now promotes responsive ie will work on tablets, smart phones. computers and pods we advised Andy that his site was slipping down the first page of Google.

Accordingly we drew up a list of requirements for him for his new site and Andy helpfully provided some new content for the revamped site.

We started off by rebranding his site from a colourful site to a cleaner, sharper black, white and grey scheme.

Which meant that we had to create a new logo for him. As the site is eponymous it made sense to feature Andy in the logo. So we devised and created a new cartoon logo for him.

Building on this we then transferred his site- which was a series of standalone pages into a WordPress format- which allows us not only to be responsive, but also search engine optimised with the added set of options to add extra facilities and features.

One of the advantages of WordPress is that if it is used properly it can “grow” the number of pages which can get ranked in Google. So for example Andy’s site had 25 pages. The site now has more than twice that number now cached in Google.

And the client’s view of his new site? ” The website is now PERFECT! Just what I wanted! My life is now complete!”

So, if you want a great ranking website which works on all screens- computers, macs, notepads, smart phones and ipods- please contact us now or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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New Contemporary Cakes site tops Google

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The new Contemporary Cake Designs website is now the top result on Google for a number of phrases.

new Contemporary Cake Designs website is now the top result on Google for a number of phrases

Whilst Contemporary Cake Designs‘ old site ranked well for it’s brand the new redesign and search engine optimisation by Website Design in Cheltenham is now ranking considerably better.

The site is now coming out at the top of Google for the phrase “contemporary cakes” above 17,400,000 competitors- which also feature several of our optimised images.

Additionally they also now have a top rank for “chocolate cakes designs”- above 3,170,000 competitors.

Mr Xavier Pelloux the Managing Director said “Marvellous- we have never had such good Google rankings. Thank you. We really like some of the very clever design features as well.”

Simon Dye of Website Design Cheltenham replied- “It’s always a pleasure to help local businesses- especially when they are so talented and creative.”

“Search engine optimisation is seen by some people as a black art- but in reality it’s a science, it’s a repeatable process which works whether you run a cake company of produce blue widgets. We can never guarantee to someone that we will get them to the first page let alone the top of Google. But regularly we do achieve great results.”

So, if you want a great ranking website and improving your business’s and sales- please contact us now or ring us on 01242 521967 now to see how we can help you to make money as well!
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