Text contents: Separated from design and functionality, only with HTML format, without inline design, easily exportable (ie: XML), transportable to other systems Image contents: All in a single place (folder), with correct image dimensions for all responsive scenarios, correct file format, correct compression, correct file names, correct alt tags, without upsampling (pixelation/blurry) CMS system: Well […]
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Google SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
Google SEO on page: Google indexation: To appear high in Google search list results, Google needs to index your pages correctly by understanding what your pages are about and the only way to achieve this is by reading the text copy in your pages, so pages with no text or few text will not be […]
Get more conversion to your website checklist
To get more conversion using your website, your website needs to be well optimised, have the correct contents and have links from other websites. These are my main recommendations: Web optimisation: Create websites that are Google SEO friendly + Fast to download + Ready for all devices + Easy to use by your visitors > […]
Get more traffic to your website checklist
To get more traffic to your website, your website needs to be found by Google, that means that your website needs to have correct contents and also be fast to download. These are my main recommendations: Size: Use less than 1MB per page Requests: Use less than 50 requests per page Plugins: If you use […]
WordPress client update
I have created this post for my clients, to help them update their WordPress website. These are all very important matters about the security and traffic related to your website, all issues are important, so if there is anything that you do not understand please do not hesitate to contact me. Security Backup: Use a […]
WordPress Backup
Basic WordPress Backup Main text contents XML: pages, posts and menus, not widgets (WordPress Core, no need for plugin): Tools > Export Widgets text contents WIE (Widget Importer & Exporter plugin): Tools > Widget Importer & Exporter > Export Widgets Images uploaded in all sizes: (Export Media Library plugin) : Media > Export OR (UpdraftPlus […]
Web Links
I list here some external links that you can use to check your website, page structure, Google services, change your design and get information about your website. Check your Website SEO: Check your Search Engine Optimisation: seositecheckup.com Performance: Check your download speed: tools.pingdom.com Responsiveness: Check if your website is responsive: ami.responsivedesign.is Check your Page Structure […]
Web Myths
If you love your website because you think it is fast, has got many functionalities, huge images and you love its current minimal design with not much text, you may need to read this: Cache: The speed that you experience is not what others do Your perception of the speed of your website is not […]
WordPress Gutenberg Block Editor
Since WordPress version 5.0, The new Gutenberg Block Editor has been added to the core of WordPress. If you are going to use the new Blog Editor > Great, then you do not need to do anything. If you use Woocommerce plugin, then you should install the the WooCommerce Products Block plugin If you are not […]
What does “PHP Update Required” mean?
Recently a client asked me In my WordPress Admin Dashboard area I see a message that says, PHP Update Required, what does that mean and can it be fixed? And this is what I told him PHP is a programming language used by WordPress and WordPress recommend a minimum version 7.3 and this is required […]
What does “Not secure” website mean?
Recently a client asked me When I open my website it has a message saying “Not secure” what does that mean and can it be fixed? And this is what I told him The reason you are seeing the “Not Secure” warning is because your website is providing an insecure connection HTTP instead of a […]
Website features
These are the minimum requirements that you need when you create a new website and that I include when I create new websites: Structure Header: Logo: Unique image logo that represent your business Navigation: Easy to use and collapsible on mobiles Main: Banner: Good quality and catchy image Contents: For your text copy, images, etc… […]
Progressive Web App
What is a Progressive Web App? A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a special website that combine the best of Web pages and Native Mobile Apps to bring an enhanced user experience. A PWA is a Web App so: It works in any Scenario: any browser and any device It is Linkable and can be shared […]
Images for Web
Formats JPG: Use JPG for photos with millions of colours as JPG uses lossy compression that can reduce the image file size much more than PNG which uses lossless compression, so never use PNG for photos PNG-24: Use PNG-24 (millions of colours) for images with transparencies or graphics/logos with not many colours PNG-8: Use PNG-8 […]
Web Optimisation check list
WPO (Web Performance Optimisation) > SPEED Do not use a single one page website: split your contents in different pages to reduce downloading time Reduce number of files: deactivate libraries, frameworks and plugins that are not important or unnecessary Reduce file sizes: optimise images in dimensions, compression and format Use Server caching and Browser caching […]
One page website
One page website, is a new trend in web design, I tend not to use this approach and I do not recommend it and this is why. But if your website uses already this approach, find below how to optimise your SEO correctly. Disadvantages of one page websites: Loads all assets at once >>> Slower […]
How to avoid CSS Spaghettification
CSS is a very powerful language for styling HTML pages but can get very complex and very difficult to manage if you do not follow some sort of order. Years of experience in CSS has taught me this: Use a Framework first, I recommend Bootstrap (which is mobile first and progressive enhancement) After the Framework, […]
Web Performance Optimisation
Web Performance Optimisation > Reduce Downloading time > Get more conversion to your business. Files in General: Reduce number of files: If you use WordPress: Deactivate unnecessary and unused plugins > This will reduce JS files and CSS files Combine JS files and Combine CSS files Reduce number of images per page if possible (next […]
Cache memory
When you see a website page, your browser keeps a version of that page and it is stored locally in your computer in the so called “Cache Memory”. Then if you connection is slow or the Internet is busy and you request that page again, if it takes a long time to download, the browser […]
Update correctly contents in your website
Contents Website contents is mainly Text and Images. You can update your website contents using the CMS (Contents Management System) associated to your website, currently I am using WordPress. Your Text must be Original, using correct Semantics and SEO Keywords Your Images must be copyright free or your own, and you must upload your images with […]
Things that you can do NOW to improve your website Discoverability traffic
Direct traffic Use the power of word of mouth to promote your website by giving your website directly to people. Put your website in cards and give them away in networking events related to your business. Put your website in printing ads (magazines, newspapers) and also use local resources (business, shops). Use Google Google SEO (Free): Search […]
PC Utilities
System processes Security > Internet: Antivirus + Adware AVG Antivirus (free Antivirus) AND Spyboot Search & Destroy (free Adware) AND Windows: Start > Control Panel > Windows Security Center: Firewall + Automatic Updates + Virus Protection: On Optimise > System: Clean + Repair Advanced System Care (free Optimiser) OR Glary Utilities (free Optimiser) OR CCleaner (free […]
Web Special Files
Create these Web Special Files in the root folder .htaccess Contains the permanent 301 redirect to unify your website with and without “www” + Names the Error page + Redirects pages RewriteEngine On RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^domain.com : Unify URLs RewriteRule (.*) http://www.domain.com/$1 [R=301,L] : Unify URLs ErrorDocument 404 /error-page.html : Error page Name redirect permanent […]
Validate and Submit
Code Validator > HTML + CSS Use the W3C Validator HTML to validate your HTML code Use the W3C Validator CSS to validate your CSS rules Use the CSS Lint code quality tool to perform static analysis of source code and flags patterns that might be errors or otherwise cause problems for the developer Website […]
Digital Images
Images by Computer Pixel is the smallest unit of image information which can be controlled by a computer Digital Image is a sequence of pixels in a rectangle disposition Image Dimension is measured in Width x Height pixels, and it is common practice to specify Width first, ie: 1024×768 pixels Colour System: each pixel has […]
Domain and Hosting
When you create a website you need to buy two components in a Provider company: Domain name is the name of your website, ie: www.yourdomain.com Hosting space is a physical space in a server computer to upload the files needed for your website And optionally you can also add: Brand email: if you want to […]
Noticed on Google
Google Listings > Sponsor (Google Ads) + Natural (SEO) Google is the world’s most popular search engine, where users search using keywords and get 2 result of listings: Sponsor Listings: These appear either on top of the main listings or on right hand column. To be included in these listings you have to use Google […]
PageRank
What is PageRank? PageRank is a Google patented method to assign a numerical weighting, between number 0 and 10, to a web page. The speed of Google search we experience can be attributed in part to their search algorithm and the heart of this algorithm is PageRank. PageRank is a system for ranking web pages […]
Exchange Links
Why exchange links? Exchange Links make the Internet world go round Inbound Links > Why is good to have links from other websites to your website Get Traffic: Links drive traffic from other websites to your website Get Indexed: Links help Google to find the content on your site to index that content Get PageRank: […]
Mobile Web App
What is a Mobile Web App? A Mobile Web App is simply a website optimised for mobile devices that look like a Native Mobile App. Mobile: Uses a Responsive Layout for providing an optimal experience for all mobile devices (phones/tablets) and orientations (landscape/portrait). Responsive means the use of fluid layout (widths in %) + flexible […]
Responsive Web Design
What is a Responsive Web Design (RWD)? Responsive Web Design is a web design approach to provide optimal user experience for all mobile devices (phones/tablets), orientations (landscape/portrait) and computers (desktops/laptops) using one single website for all. >>> As opposed to use different websites for mobile devices and for computers. Responsive Layout Responsive Layout = Fluid […]