http://www.webfertile.co.uk Resources - RSS Feed for WebFertile (webfertile.co.uk) Copyright 2010 WebFertile. All Rights Reserved. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT en-gb Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=40 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=40 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT If you ever find yourself needing to do some quick picture editing but you've only got access to a basic computer with no graphics editor available - heres what you can do! Just register at Picnik, its free and within moments you'll have access to a full set of powerful editing tools.  Small Business Promotion (Offline) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=39 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=39 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT We've been re-doing a website for a client who has been with us for a number of years, shes just taken over an existing business. She happened to show me the original proposal from the web designer who completed the old site four years ago - A real eye opener! Even four years ago the competitor Small Business Promotion (Offline) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=38 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=38 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT We have a great team down here at Webfertile HQ , but as things have been getting a little hectic  of late we decided to employ a new member! The entire process went like this: 1. I posted a blog 'looking for so and so... 2. Then I tweeted the blog post. 3. Two days later I me Small Business Promotion (Offline) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=37 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=37 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT We hate competition for web development projects - It always seems to end up with the client opting for the cheapest quote! Looking at our current eight projects at the moment, while three are from clients that have contacted us independently the other five are direct referrals from existing/happy Small Business Promotion (Offline) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=36 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=36 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Landline Numbers - Direct to Your Mobile O2 will launch Fixed Number Anywhere on Monday 24th August - a new service giving small businesses a landline number that rings directly through to a mobile phone. Fixed Number Anywhere is the first service of its kind to be offered in the UK by a majo PC Support Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/pc-support/pc-support-resource.asp?postId=35 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/pc-support/pc-support-resource.asp?postId=35 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT What Are Cookies? Cookies are small text files that are stored on a person’s computer. They hold a modest amount of data specific to a particular person / website. They can be accessed either by the website or the person’s computer. Cookies allow a website to deliver a page tailored Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=34 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=34 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT A website design that fails basic usability guidelines is like a car without a steering wheel. Almost useless. WebFertile have put together 5 website usability essentials to solve common web usability issues and dramatically increase usability of small business website desi Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=33 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=33 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT A Very Rare Occassion We disagree with Jakob Nielsen.  For those of you who don't know Jakob, he is a website usability expert, elevated to almost guru status thanks to his detailed user testing and practical, common sense approach to website usability.  You can find out more about h Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=32 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=32 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Successful business websites share certain characteristics. These characteristics can be used to your benefit - to encourage customers to buy, donate, sign up or otherwise follow your preferred course of action. Clearly State Your Proposition The company's business proposition is clearly Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=31 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=31 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Just 2 - 3% ?! On average just 2-3% of visitors complete an optional free registration. Although this can be improved, let's look at some of the reasons for this low, low natural conversion rate: Signup option not clear enough Too difficult Not enough interest Fear of Spa Search Engine Optimisation Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=28 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=28 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Our Definition The objective of search engine optimization (SEO) is to increase the number of website visitors by ranking highly in the results of searches for your desired keywords / phrases. Typical keyphrases would be 'web designers nottingham' or 'cinema brixton' or s Small Business Promotion (Online) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=30 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=30 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Specific + Achievable Headlines Work Best Results from an test at marketingexperiments.com show that Specific and Achievable headlines are 2 keys to success  for your Google AdWords campaign. Example  The following table shows the impact on click through rate achieved by different Small Business Promotion (Offline) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=29 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=29 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Big Fish / Small Fish "It's not what you know, it's who you know. " So does it pay to be selective in your networking efforts? Are some people more vaulable to network with than others?  For business to business providers (such as ourselves) the most profit is made from dir Search Engine Optimisation Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=27 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=27 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Some Questions You Should Really Ask Before Hiring Them... Can you show me some examples of your previous work and share some success stories? Do you follow the Google Webmaster Guidelines? Do you offer any online marketing services or advice to complement your organic search busine Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=26 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=26 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Following the recently published results of an ecommerce satisfaction survey, here is the WebFertile summary of advice to improving your buyer experience. 11 Tips for Improving Ecommerce Satisfaction Product information should be comprehensive and answer any question the user may have R Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=25 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=25 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT What follows is a summary of the results of a recent Ecommerce Satisfaction survey.  See also our list of tips on increasing ecommerce satisfaction. The Shoppers' Experience Overall, shoppers were NOT happy. And they were NOT satisfied. Over 80% regarded online shopping as a 'chore&# Web Design - ASP Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=23 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=23 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Strip HTML From a String This ASP function can be used to strip the HTML from a string - useful when listing summaries of items / pages in a database or displaying RSS feeds on your website. Get The Code Use the following function in your ASP code: Function stripHTML(strHTML) 'Strips Graphic Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/graphic-design/graphic-design-resource.asp?postId=17 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/graphic-design/graphic-design-resource.asp?postId=17 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT This short simple video tutorial explains how to create a 'depth of field' effect in Adobe Photoshop:   Web Design - ASP Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=22 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=22 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT The WWW Difference Did you know that  http://www.mywebsite.com and http://mywebsite.com are actually 2 different domains and are seen by Google as 2 distinct websites?  For SEO (search engine optimisation) purposes, this dilutes the page rank and potentially the visibility of your websit PC Support Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/pc-support/pc-support-resource.asp?postId=14 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/pc-support/pc-support-resource.asp?postId=14 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Got Malware / Spyware? WebFertile recommend that our clients protect their PC systems against malware / spyware using the following software. Signs that you are suffering from malware / spyware include: Increasingly slow running computer A sudden increase in 'pop up' windows wh Photography Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/photography/photography-resource.asp?postId=15 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/photography/photography-resource.asp?postId=15 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT A short and sweet video tutorial on using the Unsharp Mask feature in Adobe Photoshop.  Used with a layer mask, certain sections of the image can be singled out for extra / no sharpening.  Software Support + Tuition Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/software/software-resource.asp?postId=16 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/software/software-resource.asp?postId=16 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT The link below leads to a very useful area of the BBC website - designed to provide step by step instructions for computing beginners. From plugging in your keyboard to using your mouse and filling in online forms, the tutorial provides a wealth of essential info for those just starting to use comp Graphic Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/graphic-design/graphic-design-resource.asp?postId=13 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/graphic-design/graphic-design-resource.asp?postId=13 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Advance of Colour in Design In the last 50 years, as technology has advanced, advertisements have become increasingly vibrant and diverse, increasing the scope and importance of colour in advertising. Colour is a lens through which we perceive the world. We often take them for granted wi Green Computing Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=5 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=5 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Unlike fairtrade or organic food products, there aren't many labels that can help you identify ethical or green computing. Energy Star The Energy Star programme started in 1992 and was set up by the US Environmental Protection agency - it has since become an internationally recognised sta Green Computing Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=6 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=6 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT PCs + Energy Consumption Many people are aware of energy efficient lightbulbs and insulation - but how many of us consider the environmental impact our PC use is having? PCs use quite a lot of energy - a desktop typically uses 500 kw hours per year.  Put another way, 10 computers have the sam Small Business Promotion (Online) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=10 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=10 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT As noted in our last post  many companies in Nottingham are looking for creative and low cost ways to promote themselves in the current economic climate. We already looked at: Facebook / Myspace Video / Audio Email Newsletters Here are a few more suggestions to ge Small Business Promotion (Offline) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=11 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=11 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Dear WebFertile Client, Firstly... We wondered if you’d be kind enough to submit a short review of our services here: http://www.freeindex.co.uk/wr.htm?id=150530&br=1 Secondly... We're recommending that our small business clients sign up. http://www.freeindex.co.uk/signup.htm?ref Web Design - Javascript Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=21 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=21 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT This is a simple script that opens a link in a new browser window. You can open links in an existing open window, or a brand new one.  View The Sample Click me to open a new window Click me to replace the content of the first window with Google Click me to open differrent window with Googl Small Business Promotion (Online) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=9 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=9 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT In the current economic climate, many businesses are looking for lower cost promotion strategies. Luckily for WebFertile there is a wide range of online promotion methods that fall into this category.  These are grass-roots, affordable marketing strategies that can be tailored to your busines Web Design - CSS Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=18 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=18 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Overflow-x and Overflow-y While they don't (yet) validate, these can be used to control scrollbar display on all major browsers. View The Sample This is an example of one directional scrolling that uses the overflow-x and overflow-y properties.This is an example of one directional scrolling t Web Design - Javascript Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=20 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=20 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT This simple script uses a link to show and hide an area of HTML on a web page.  You can set the layer to be visible or invisible when the page first loads. When the link is clicked, the JS toggles CSS visibility of the layer between 'visible' and 'none'. The text of the l Small Business Promotion (Online) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=8 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=8 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Some clients are worth chasing even if there's (apparently) no profit. Not all clients are created equal. Some have influence, some don't. Ideally, it's the ones with clout that you want to nurture as clients. One example: WebFertile makes a number of sales every month thanks to referr Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=12 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=12 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT How to write successful web pages? What does success mean to you? And does it always mean the same thing?  That leads us into the first point... 1. Clarify Your Goal(s) What do you want your writing to achieve?  Your copy for a sales pages may be different from an informative artic Web Design Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=24 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=24 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT WebFertile are proud to announce the launch of WorkFuture's new website, designed for enhanced business and Google performance. WorkFuture, an Occupational Health provider in Nottingham, offer  Occupational Health services nationwide across a range of sectors. The new website pr Small Business Promotion (Offline) Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=7 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/small-business/small-business-resource.asp?postId=7 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT Posting on other website forums is a "relatively easy" way to drive traffic to your website. Not only is it an opportunity for you to demonstrate your expertise and gain notoriety, but  most forums allow you to include a 'signature' on the bottom of each post you make. This i Web Design - CSS Resources http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=19 http://www.webfertile.co.uk/web-design/web-design-resource.asp?postId=19 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:15:25 GMT As any web developer knows, the problems of presenting content to various browsers in a consistent display are manifold. And just sometimes... this involves writing separate CSS code for the world's favrourite browser... The following code shows 2 examples of writing conditional CSS for Intern