At Moocow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest tech trends and web design news. With 2017 over, it’s time to take stock on what we’ve learnt over the past year and get ready for what the new year has in store for the world of SEO. Take a look at our advice below and get ahead of the game with essential SEO tips and trends for 2018.
Voice Search
Voice search is becoming increasingly popular with a surge in voice search and smart speaker sales. Both Amazon Echo and Google Home have become household favourites. Marketers feel voice search has a higher ability to analyse what shoppers are looking for specifically when compared with traditional search options.
Keyword Planning
When it comes to keyword planning it can be hard to get accurate advice without paying for help such as through Google Analytics Keyword Planner. Up your game when choosing good keywords by using free tools such as Moz’s Keyword Explorer tool. This can help you to get accurate information that can rank the best keywords to target relevant to your business.
Optimising Titles and Meta Descriptions
You can optimise Titles and Meta Descriptions on your web pages by ensuring things such as correct word length, correct keyword usage and making sure your keywords are featured in your tags and URL. This way they are more likely to rank higher in search engine results.
Keep Up To Date
Be sure to keep social media channels up to date and produce and publish new content weekly. Make sure content is of your best quality, is descriptive but gets the point across easily, and is enjoyable for your audience to read. Be sure to use relevant keywords and use both external and internal links to relevant content.
Link Building
Link building, when used correctly and adheres to a specific budget, can be extremely beneficial to SEO. Networking with other companies can be extremely beneficial to landing you “guest spots” or social media takeovers on as many public and published sites as possible.
At Moocow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest tech trends and web design news. With 2017 over, it’s time to take stock on what we’ve learnt over the past year and get ready for what the new year has in store for the world of web design. Take a look at our advice below and get ahead of the game with essential design tips and trends for 2018.
Mobile First
Over the last year we’ve focused a lot on the importance of making sure your website is mobile first. And with m-commerce transforming and developing daily, making sure your site is mobile first is vital for the successful functioning of your business and web page. Mobile transactions are set to rocket in 2018, with a vast majority of orders already being made from mobile devices accessing your website. So if you’re still yet to update your site to mobile first, make this your new year’s resolution. Making sure your mobile site is responsive and easy to use is a top priority, otherwise you risk putting off customers from purchasing online.
Bold Colour Palettes
Each new year companies will always find a way to market a product as bigger, better and brighter – and it’s no different for web design. When it comes to planning your website, dare to be different, aim to create a site that’s vibrant, bold and colourful. Be creative but clever, customers don’t want to be left with a headache when shopping from your site. Make it fun and quirky, carefully selecting a colour palette that works with your business and brand. Less is more when it comes to sleek and sophisticated, so stand-out with large typography, geometric fonts and minimalist layouts.
Motion Animation & Video Marketing
Video marketing is booming, and incorporating animation or video into your web site design is becoming increasingly popular. People want to look at things they find visually exciting or pleasing and using imagery makes it easier to access information about your company. Whether it’s short video clips, gifs or cinemagraphs, adding animation to your site will no doubt create a surge in audience interaction. Many best-selling websites are adding videos or slideshows to their homepage, a more and more favoured tactic for creating customer interest. Text based gifs make written information more eye catching, promoting brand awareness whilst showing you have a fun side.
Voice Search
The concept of voice search is a simple one. It allows users to talk straight to their desktop or mobile device and command search options, the same as typing a request into a search engine, except it’s powered by speech. Voice search is starting to compete with traditional search engines. ‘Virtual assistants’ like Cortana, Siri, and Amazon’s Alexa all use direct speech to access search information.. Although met with mixed responses by some, the popularity of using voice searches is rapidly growing, so it would be foolish to not take certain steps and considerations into whether this could be a beneficial change to the way your website is run. It’s still worth a read up even if it’s perhaps a bit too futuristic for your liking.
Personalised Content
Make sure your content represents the mission of your company and targets your audience, not your personal preferences. Write content that your audience can relate to and feels comfortable with and is easy to understand. Reviews and testimonials from clients are a great thing to feature on your website, and is becoming increasingly popular. This helps new customers see that you are a service that is trusted and relied upon. If you’re using images or videos on your site, it can be a good idea to create your own – whether that’s product shots, background images or a look into how your business is run. Not everyone has the skills of a professional photographer and hiring one can be pricey so it’s not the end of the world if you can’t. But try not to make your images too generic and stock like if you want your website to stand out.
At Moocow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest web trends, software and programs. With technology and techniques developing daily, we’ll make sure you’re getting the latest info on what’s happening in the world of web.
Many of our clients manage their online business through platforms such as WooCommerce. WooCommerce is an e-commerce plugin, its intentional use is for either small or large businesses to create an online selling platform using WordPress. This Autumn, WooCommerce have been updating their latest version, offering a bunch of improved applications and extensions. Below is a list of current optimisations that have been finalised:
Improvements for coupon options and management of extensions
You can now apply discounts to coupon orders without having to do it manually
Alerts are sent for new updates on WooCommerce and other extensions giving you the option to download immediately if using outdated versions
An easier “unified shortcode” when itemising various products on your webpages
A new filter enabling you to simply browse your extensions and identify which are ‘Active’ on the webpage
Although the changes may appear small, they offer some nifty adjustments to help run the platform simply, creating smoother running for both developers and clients.
At Moocow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest tech trends and web news. With technology and techniques developing daily, Moocow are continuously working hard to help find new ways to develop your business.
It wasn’t long ago that we were raving about the Tweetstorm feature in one of our recent web news blogs. Despite Twitter leading the way as the most successful social media platform for businesses, we debated it’s one major downfall – the length of posts you are allowed to Tweet. For some users, this has helped simplify things when creating a post – allowing them to Tweet info that is direct and uncomplicated. However for many – the 140 character limit can be particularly frustrating, especially when you feel you’ve got a lot more to say. Jogging your memory at all? Well, Twitter has just released today that you can now send tweets that are 280 characters long, doubling the limit from before.
This feature will be available to almost everyone on Twitter, however tweets in Korean, Chinese or Japanese would not be included as the developers felt the structure of these languages already enabled them to put much more information in one tweet. The Twitter team has already experienced a huge surge in users rushing to take advantage of the new feature this morning with everyone getting excited. Their analytics team have stated that those with tweets posted with a larger number of characters were receiving much higher interest, likes and engagements.
At MooCow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest web trends. With technology and techniques developing daily, take a look at what 2018 has in store for the world of web design.
GIFS – annoying or great fun? Most of us are divided on this opinion. However, when used correctly GIFS and other animated photographic techniques can be the perfect way to give your website that wow factor. Cinemagraphs work by combining Hi-Res images with a video that loops a selected part of the image, making it animated. This makes an already eye-popping image even more magical, allowing viewers to see photographs come to life before their very eyes. These short snippets of animation are becoming increasingly popular, with many social media sites adding tools to create your own online, an example being Instagram’s Boomerang which allows you to upload and create a short repeated video clip. Marketing trends for 2018 are set to become more and more visual, with businesses wanting to create backdrops to their sites that entice and excite their audiences. Working hand in hand with the use of parallaxes and animated backgrounds, using cinemagraphs with your website could be just the thing to get your new website of the ground.
Being a women that works in tech is a constant challenge. I’ve faced plenty of obstacles that have been thrown in my direction, just to work in an industry that is predominantly male-orientated. But why should this be so? With statistics showing women are outperforming men in nearly all sectors in the tech field, why should we be constantly put off from studying in an area we undoubtedly excel in? Deloitte recently released figures stating that as many as 70 per cent of women in the UK with a Science,Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) qualification aren’t currently working in their chosen industry. This is a reality that just should not be so, and so much of the hard work young women have put into their employment or education is being wasted.
Unlike many, I’ve been determined enough to not let these predictions get in my way, and have spent the last few years taking on the tech industry myself. At 22, I started my degree. Beginning later than most, I’d spent some time debating the type of career I was interested in. Having studied in English, Chemistry, Biology and Art and Design, I opted for a BA Hons Degree in Creative Media Practice & Journalism. Despite a lot of thought going into my degree choice, throughout the entire process I was constantly being told I would not make it in this industry, that my degree was pointless and I would be lost in a sea of unemployed graduates once finished with my finals. Yet at age 26, I’ve been lucky enough to pull through with an upper second class degree, a longstanding portfolio and jobs in my chosen industry before officially graduating.
With men accounting for such a large percentage of jobs in the tech industry, it can be tricky competing for the same role, despite some of the most famous leaders in technology being female. The list of women who have braved the odds to succeed within technology is lengthy. From Ada Lovelace – a mathematician regarded by some as the first ever computer programmer, to Mary Lou Jepsen – NASA fellow, founder of Pixel Oi and Director of Engineering at Facebook Occulus VR, to Virginia Rometty – the CEO of IBM who started work as an engineer aged just 24, and was recently voted the most powerful woman in business by Fortune Magazine.
Yet despite such success, women seem to be constantly pushed into being put off from obtaining jobs within the technology industry. Statistically the proportion of girls opting to continue subjects such as Mathematics, Science or Engineering into A Level or Degree Level is far less than boys, with only 7% of girls choosing to study A Levels in these subject areas within the last few years. Shedding light on such issues will hopefully allow changes to be made for the future, and as a woman currently working in tech, I’ve pieced together a few tips for those potentially considering going into a career in the technology industry, in the hope that you can overcome some of the challenges many will face.
Don’t be put off choosing scientific subjects at college
If you’re like me, you probably spent most of your childhood with your nose buried deep inside a book, concocting science experiments, blowing up bicarbonate volcanoes at the bottom of the garden, or getting excited over your parents getting you a new geometry set. To some, we may appear the most boring people on earth, but in reality many will grow up to work in some of the most powerful positions on the planet. No matter what job you’re dreaming of, whether it’s as a scientist, engineer, designer or developer – don’t let anyone stop you from studying exactly what you want to do. Sex or gender should not limit your choice of career path. If you studied in a different subject previously and are wanting to enter into a new choice of career, it’s never too late. And when certain education routes get a bit pricey, there are many different ways to gain qualifications, including ones that don’t come with a price tag. As well as bursaries, scholarships and Arts Council Funding, many companies will actually offer to train people for free. On top of this there are boot camps and hundreds of online training programs and resources that can help you transition into a tech role if you don’t have the qualifications needed for a specific job. And if you’re looking to learn code, there are thousands of sites that can help you, Codecademy, HackerRank & edX are to name a few.
Stand your ground when it comes to your career path
Time and time again I have met with interviewers who comment on my age, refer to me as being too young to possibly have any ‘real’ industry knowledge or seem to be completely bewildered by the idea of a young women applying for a role within the tech industry. It can be hard to overcome an interview situation where you’re being made to feel about 2ft tall, just for not fitting into a stereotype, particularly if you quite clearly have skills that are being overlooked. To overcome this, confidence is key. Now it’s all very well saying this, but if you’re as anxious a person as I am, this can be quite the challenge. First rule is to have a good perception of your own skills, the abilities you have and what you can achieve. If you don’t feel confident in your own abilities, it can be hard for others to feel the same. Prove you are the right person for the role, use active language that shows off your talents instead of being passive, state direct plans you have and show just how much you can benefit their company. Be bold and never feel intimidated, no matter how terrifying the interviewer may appear.
Have a plan and find mentorship
I worked constantly all through my degree building up my portfolio. A good deal of free time I had was spent either applying for internships or gaining work experience. Sure, having to work for free sometimes can feel like a real pain, but if a company is offering you valuable experience, don’t turn it down – in the long run it can really pay off and looks great on your CV. Always take time to refine your skills, practice really does make perfect. Finding mentorship within a working role can also be really beneficial, so be sure to place yourself in an environment where you can be surrounded by professionals in your chosen field who are as passionate about your goals as you are. Most importantly, never give up on what it is you want to achieve. It can be hard seeing friends or colleagues achieving their goals faster than you or at different rates, but the job you’ve been waiting for could be just around the corner. Hard work always pays off, and whether it takes you 1 year, 5 years or even 10 years to reach the job you’ve always wanted, it’s always worth the wait.
Amy Louise – Web Editor, Tech Writer and Analytics Queen
Moocow is an interactive website design agency, based in Brighton & Hove. Since opening its doors in 2006, we have been working hard growing and developing our client base & expertise, offering a dynamic blend of creative thinking, experience and technical know-how. We are proud to be able to represent so many of the fantastic businesses local to Brighton, take a look below to get a taste of who we work with and what we do.
Boardriders Guide
Local to the city, Boardriders Guide is a family run business established in 1990 and is one of the UK’s largest and most established surf, snow and skate websites. Living by the coast has its perks, and Brighton is well known for its legendary water-sports events. With the help of our expertise we devised a site that’s oozing with style, showing off some of the hottest trends Boardriders has to offer. A perfect blend of ice cool graphics and bold typefaces, Boardriders are the ultimate in sun, sea and surf.
The Chilli Pickle
A nationally-acclaimed regional Indian restaurant in the heart of Brighton, fanatical about Indian culture, local produce and traditional cuisine. Our Moocow designers wanted to create a site that was bursting with colour and creativity, showcasing the passion and flair the team at Chilli Pickle strive to achieve. We finished up with a design that’s both decorative and daring and really represents the The Chilli Pickle brand and style.
Pizzaface
Brighton is home to a fantastic array of restaurants and bars that leave us really spoiled for choice, so naturally we jumped at the chance to represent one of the city’s most loved pizza companies. Pizzaface is an independent and award winning pizza and delivery service in Brighton, Hove and Worthing offering first-class food fresh on your doorstep. We created a site that was reliable, clean & pristine, easy to use with a simple and retro feel, supporting the outstanding customer service Pizzaface provides.
Cafe Coho
Cafe Coho is an award winning espresso bar & cafe with three locations in Brighton. Founded by James and Joanna Wilson in 2010, the cafe has fast become a sought after hang-out with its laid back and friendly atmosphere (and not forgetting some of the best coffee Brighton has to offer) When crafting the Cafe Coho website we went for a refined, well-polished, site that was sultry and smooth with a modern twist.
Food For Friends
Food for Friends are Brighton’s award-winning vegetarian restaurant in the historic South Lanes. Their ethos is tasty, affordable and home-made food using the freshest produce. The company are all about supporting local suppliers, something Moocow are dedicated to doing also and we wanted to help create a site as sumptuous and mouthwatering as their food. We went for sublime and sophisticated, hoping to show off their artistic flair.
We love working and supporting local companies in Brighton, Hove and surrounding areas. If you have a project you’re looking to get started on, get in touch and we’ll see how we can help your business grow.
Jobs within the creative industry are fast becoming more and more popular. Our knowledge and awareness of new technologies are developing on a daily basis; and a far greater percentage of young people are moving into the world of web development on completing their studies.
So what exactly is web development?
Web development is a blanket term for the work involved in creating a web site for the internet. There are several different roles within the world of web development, enabling you to expand on your knowledge and explore new technologies from day to day.
What roles are there within web development?
Front-end web developers: They design what you see visually when you click on a web site or web page, the graphics, the layout and the styling of your website, they are behind how all this comes together. These guys deal with what’s called the ‘user side’ of the website. Making sure your website is easy to use, looks great and works properly is their main priority. Using HTML, CSS & JavaScript, they turn your static web page into a flashy new site from scratch, transforming your web page into what you see now when you click on a page.
Back-end web developers: These are the behind the scenes techies, they deal with the bits you don’t see and help with the smooth running and security of your site. Their job is connecting the server to your database and website. They use programs such PHP, Ruby & Python. They might not be in the limelight, but their job is vital to making your site function correctly.
So where should I start?
If you’re interested in a career in web development or are even just a bit curious and are looking to create your own website, below are a few tips and tools of the trade to help get you on your way.
Practice your skills and read up on coding 101. There are some great sites out there that can teach you everything you need to know from scratch. Codecademy is a great place to start and is completely free or give Google’s Developers Training a go. There’s plenty of online forums you can join for advice as well.
If you’re fresh out of university, internships are a great way to gain experience in a professional environment as a web developer. Plenty of companies offer internships and they’re usually advertised on general job search sites such as Indeed. Although many don’t offer a paid income, the expertise you can gain is vital. It’s also a great chance to network and gain industry contacts.
Put your skills into practice, use sites like GitHub to help experiment and generate code examples and test problemswith your HTML/CSS with other programmers or developers.You can stay up to date on tips and trends by following web development blogs such as HTML Center, Code Visually, Codrops or Developer Drive. Codepad is also handy if you’re in need of fixing any common HTML/CSS issues.
Once you’ve built up enough confidence, considering looking into helping out with freelance projects where you can put some of your skills into action. There are some excellent sites aimed specifically for freelancer looking for work including Upwork, GetACoder and PeoplePerHour. Glassdoor is also a really handy site that allows you to search for jobs as well as research potential employers.
Finally, have a go at building your own website. Whether you’re brave enough to give creating a site from scratch a go, or want to opt for using a website builder such as WordPress, there’s lots of options available and online tutorials that can help you customise your site and use your own CSS styling. Once you’ve reached this stage you’re well on your way to being able to present good quality work to potential employers or clients.
MooCow is an interactive website design agency, based in Brighton & Hove. Since opening its doors in 2006, we have been working hard growing and developing our client base & expertise, offering a dynamic blend of creative thinking, experience and technical know-how.
We are a small agency made up of 10 people, equipped with a ninja approach to creating amazing websites. We have a passion and energy about our work which shows through in the results we produce. We are truly enthusiastic about creating fresh, original website solutions that really work for our clients. MooCow’s dedicated team has just the right measure of experience, talent and passion needed to create a site you will be proud of.
Our processes to a successful website:
DISCOVERY – Your requirements are unique, so we make sure we take time to understand your business; your brand, your products so that we can build you the best website and brand for your company.
DESIGN – We now assign one of our top notch designers to start their magical work on creating you the finest looking website. Our designs are created with your customer in mind.
DEVELOPMENT – Time to release the geeks. Using best practice techniques we develop your site to be user friendly & engaging. From desktop to mobile we develop across a range of platforms to optimise customer engagement and conversion rates.
SUPPORT – Once you are live we are here to help – a successful site is an evolving site. We like to stay involved after launch to provide strategic input and help you achieve your full online potential.
So start the ball rolling, let’s work together. Get a FREE Quote
At MooCow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest web trends. With technology and techniques developing daily, take a look at what 2017 has in store for the world of web design.
With many of this year’s trends in web design solely falling on graphics, one trend we are loving is the increase in fresh takes on vintage and retro web designs. From contemporary twists on Art Deco to a more homely, rustic feel, we’re seeing a rise in changes to visuals and typography for many businesses. With customisations ranging from intricate floral detailing & decorative twining to glamorous graphics & decadent 1920’s styled typefaces, vintage layouts offer a softer approach to website design that still shows of your brand in style. At MooCow we are experts in all things WordPress, and WP itself currently have several fantastic vintage themed layouts to get your creative juices flowing. Pure Retro, Life Gate, Ephemera & Writsy are just a few of our favourites.
