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Why you should have a sports fan site

Homepage of Bayern Munich, the largest soccer club in Germany using Go Sitebuilder for sport fans.

If you are a serious sports fanatic then you might find it slightly frustrating trying to tell friends and family about the latest sporting updates. The more excited and in-depth of an explanation you go into, the more their eyes glaze over and the more disinterested they seem.

That’s why being a part of a sports fan website can be a great thing for a sport-lover: you are able to share your interests with countless numbers of like-minded people, safe in the knowledge that they will listen to your every word. Having a sports fan site creates a real sense of community within your sports area of choice, and it allows you to engage with your hobby as much or as little as you desire. In order to grow this sense of community, it is important that you include a few important functions within your site so that it can prosper. 

Social media 

If you use social media regularly then you will understand the importance of its use in the sporting world. By being able to link your social media to your sports fan website, other users will be able to see what kind of sport-related information that you’re posting. This doesn’t need to be a time-consuming essay: Twitter only lets you write 280 characters at a time, meaning all sport updates have to be kept short and sweet. 

Linking your social media to your website also shows other fans that you know what you’re talking about. For example, if you’re posting live updates of results and commentary on the latest footie game then it’s clear you’re a true fan, and are committed to ensuring that your website is useful for other sports fans.

Having live updates which are shared both on your website and your social media is also a great way to reach out to professionals on the go who might not have the time to always keep up to date with their favourite game. By keeping them in the loop, you’re more likely to build a strong sports community that includes everyone.

If you want a live chat room then linking your Facebook messenger is a great way to keep everyone connected so that you can share your love for sport with others at any time of day.

Blogs 

If you want to commit a bit more time to your fan site, then blogs are a great way to draw others to your website. By writing opinion pieces about certain matches, providing history on a certain popular player, or even offering information pieces about the importance of your sport of choice, you are bound to get more people interested in your content, thus inspiring them to become a member of your fan site. 

Writing blogs can also increase the visibility of your fan site. If people are googling questions online, and Google’s search engine picks up on the key terms from the question within your website, it is more likely to boost your website further up the search index. This is something called SEO – search engine optimisation. This is important if you want to increase your membership number: the more people who find your fan site, the more likely it is that you will generate larger numbers of interest. 

Upload photos 

Uploading photos is a great way to add some visuals to your website: whether you’re posting pictures to show support for your favourite player or want to post your own snaps from a live game, it’s a good idea to have a photo gallery to display all of this. It adds a personal touch, and allows you to share your opinions about a game/players in an authentic way.

If you want to get other site users involved then you could encourage them to send you photos of their own about the chosen sport – why not encourage them to send you their pictures through social media, and then you can upload them onto your fan site? This would encourage others to become actively involved with your fan site, ensuring that you have a steady stream of people who want to become a part of your community. 

How to set up a fan site 

Whilst setting up a website might be daunting, don’t let this stop you from building a thriving online sports community. Go Sitebuilder does all the hard stuff for you, meaning that you can start your fan site free from any hassle. Not sure if you’re ready to commit yet? Their 14-day free trial gives you all the time you need to decide whether or not you want to start your sports fan site today!

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How do I know if a photo is copyrighted?

Woman looking at image on tablet. How do I know if a photo is copyrighted?

Using photos copied from the internet can be risky, and you could put yourself in danger of breaching copyright. Since the advent of the internet, it is so simple to right click and save an image, but to keep yourself safe you should never use that photo unless you know the regulations surrounding it! That’s what we’re here for – we’re going to let you know when an image is copyrighted, when it isn’t, and most importantly, when you can use it on your website.

Can you use any image from the web?

Quick answer – no! According to UK Law, when an image is created, it is copyright protected as the intellectual property of the creator. This is a process that happens automatically, so if you upload a picture on your website that you took, other people do not have the right to use it unless you give them permission. Copyright in the UK lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years from their death, but if the copyright has expired then you are free to use it.  

There are exceptions to copyright, which means you can use any image as long as it is used within limited situations. This includes non-commercial research, private study, and teaching. If you are using your website to sell a service, then you will be using photos for commercial use and copyright will apply. 

How can you tell if you can use a photo?

This is the tricky bit – if copyright is automatically applied without having to apply for it, there are no records on what is free to use. 

However, if a photo has a watermark (often the name of the company/creator written on the image), if it has the ⓒ symbol, or a caption that indicates ownership or sourcing, then it’s generally safe to assume this image is protected under copyright and you can’t use it. 

You might have found a picture that is free to use under the Creative Commons Licensing, but you’ll need to look at the wording in detail. Often these types of licenses are limited to non-commercial use. 

One good way to see if a photo is copyrighted is by reverse searching for the image. Right click on the image and select “copy image address”. Then paste this into Google Images or a site dedicated to reverse image search, like TinEye. This will show you where the image is used, and where it has come from. You can also install plugins for Firefox and Chrome to easily reverse search images. If it comes from a paid stock photo website like Adobe, then leave it be! 

A common question is whether you can use photos from social media, but in the UK, these pictures are still considered the intellectual property of the creator. Social media platforms do have terms in their contracts that mean they can reuse your content, but this doesn’t override existing copyright laws. Essentially, this means that the social media provider can re-use your material (for example, when someone shares your photo on their feed within the app) but that doesn’t mean that anybody can download your photo and pass it off as your own. 

How can you find copyright-free images?

If we’ve scared you, we didn’t mean to! It might seem like all photos are copyrighted, but there are loads of stock photos that are available to use. You can choose to pay for a stock photo provider, like Shutterstock or Adobe, but there are also loads of free stock photo websites that offer high quality photos – for nothing! Here is a list of some of our favourites, and you can use these images worry-free.

What happens if I use a copyrighted image on the web?

If you unknowingly use a photo that is copyright-protected, then you might be contacted and asked to purchase a one-off licence for the use of that photo. Or, if you have used more than one photo from the same creator, they may try and come to a commercial arrangement, where you can freely use their photos for an ongoing fee. 

In the worst case scenario, however, the creator could take legal action and take you to court. This usually ends up being very expensive, as the user will have to pay the licence of the photo, court expenses, and often financial compensation for the copyright infringement, as well as removing all photos by that creator from their site. If it is deemed that you deliberately infringed copyright, then there are criminal penalties. 

The best way to stay safe is never to use a photo if you’re not sure where it came from! If you don’t have a budget, you can use free stock images, but if you’re still on the hunt for a website builder to do so, why not try Go Sitebuilder? They have free access to thousands of stock photos so you won’t have to worry about copyright, as well as easy-to-use galleries and photo editors. Try our 14-day trial and see for yourself!

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How do you get more customers into your beauty salon

brand new interior of european beauty salon to get more customers using Go Sitebuilder

Attracting more customers to your beauty salon is vital to grow your business. New visitors can become loyal returning customers, and with the right marketing strategies, they can share their experiences of your business with friends and family. The nature of beauty salons is that word of mouth is one of the most important ways to spread the word surrounding your business. However, in order to do this you need to start by attracting more new customers. 

There are many ways you can attract new customers to your beauty salon. This article shows a few marketing strategies you could use to attract new clients and grow your customer base.

Effective Website Design 

A well designed website can significantly increase the number of customers that visit your salon. Visitors to your website will form a judgement on your website as soon as they see the first page, and according to Stanford Web Credibility research, 75% of people judge a business’s credibility by the design of its website. This means that when using a website builder, you need to make sure that your website looks professional and communicates your beauty salon’s atmosphere and ethos. 

In order to create an effective website there are a number of aspects you should consider. Often businesses such as beauty salons will consider matching certain aspects of their website to their beauty salon. For example they may have the same colour scheme on the walls of their salon as they have on their website. 

Key points to consider are:

  • Colour scheme 
  • Font 
  • Layout 
  • Logo
  • Photographs of your work 

Contact Options

The most savvy salons will have various contact options on their website to make booking a service as hassle free as possible. In order for potential customers to gain an insight into your business, you should consider showing your range of services. Also consider showing staff members’ specialities and the price of each service.

A great tool for your website is a contact form which can take personal details such as an email and full name. Having this information also allows you to contact the client after they visit your salon with offers or to remind them of the appointment. 

Your website should also provide details of how to contact your salon if the booking system does not work, or if there are more questions that the visitor has. You should include:

  • Phone number 
  • Email
  • Address

These should be displayed clearly at the bottom of your webpage. 

Clear Information

Another important facet of any website is providing important information to visitors that is easily accessible and simple to understand. This can be provided through sections on your website. Headings such as the titles listed below can be a good place to start to ensure you include all important information:

  • About Us 
  • Meet The Team
  • Price List 
  • Our Services
  • Find Us 
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions  

Having all relevant information on your website allows visitors to get a clear idea of your business.

Relevant Social Media 

Another important feature for any beauty salon is to have a presence on a range of social media platforms. Social media can increase the exposure of your beauty salon to new customers. Social media can also be a great way to showcase your work in a more informal manner. Instagram is one of the most-used forms of social media for beauty services, so photographs on this platform will help people discover your services and entice people to visit your salon. 

The most important aspect to remember when creating a social media presence is to post regularly and ensure your photographs are high quality and well lit. If you are not sure what kind of images would work well on social media then search for different beauty salons or beauty brands and you will get a feel for what makes a successful platform. 

Social media can also be a good way to communicate offers your salon may have. For example, you may offer a 10% student discount and through the use of social media you can advertise that to a wide range of people. 

This can be especially effective for short term offers, for example on Mother’s Day you may offer 20% off for mothers and daughters if they come in together. This discount can be sold through social media and requires a set of steps such as signing up to a mailing list or following your Instagram account. By setting out your offers in this way, you gain a new way to communicate in the long term with potential clients.

Brand Design 

In a market such as beauty the appearance of your business is extremely important in garnering new customers. Having a strong logo and design of your salon is vital in gaining new customers and getting them to come back again. Don’t feel you have time? There are loads of great free online tools to help you design a colour palette, like Colormind, or to design a quick and easy logo, like Looka.

If your salon has not had a redesign recently and you are seeing declining interest it may be time to revamp your brand. This can be as simple as redesigning your website to make it more user friendly or changing the colours you use in your salon. A professional website and design gives customers a sense of the professionalism of your business and allows them to connect to your services easier. Publicising your new look on your website and social media is another way to heighten interest in your salon.

If you don’t have a website yet, or you are looking to rebrand but can’t quite find the time, then Go Sitebuilder is a great option. Designed for simplicity and speed helps you get back to what you’re good at, our website builder means you can have a beautiful and professional-looking website up in minutes! There are even ready-made templates perfect for a beauty salon to save you time and hassle. Try our 14-day free trial today. 

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How to Create a Successful Events Website

Casual Catering Discussion Meeting Colleagues at an event

Are you looking at creating a website for your event? Keen to spread the word on a new exciting occasion? There are some easy steps you can take to raise awareness of your event and create a successful events website. 

Why Create an Events Website?

An events website can increase knowledge of your events and ultimately encourage more people to come to them. A website can communicate key information surrounding your event such as dates and location. Without a website, you are relying on word of mouth or press releases which may not reach as many people as a website can. 

A well-designed website can also portray key aspects of your events such as the event ethos or attract a certain target market depending on how you design and present your event. This is key in ensuring that people who would benefit the most from your event are finding your website easily and are easily directed to all the information they need to attend. 

What are the Key Features of an Events Website?

For every website there are some key features to consider. However, for an events website aspects such as dates, times, location and other details are the most important to communicate clearly with visitors to your website. Some key features to think through when designing your website are:

Important Information: For an events website it is vital you present the important information surrounding your event clearly on your website. This ensures that visitors know immediately about your event and whether or not they can attend. You must include information such as:

Date and Time of the event – Without the date and time visitors cannot know whether they can attend. The date and time should be clearly advertised on the first page or as a header to your website.  

Location and Transport – Perhaps include a Google Map link as well as an address. If the location is difficult to find consider including instructions on how to reach you. Try to include this for multiple types of transport, for example have the nearest train route as well as car directions.

Price – Ensure that you clearly show the price. If this is a multi-day event ensure that you have prices for each day if that is an option. Make sure to include how to purchase the tickets, whether this is on the door or over an online ticket site.  

Type of Event – Is this a music festival or a fundraiser? Or both? Try and present what kind of people will be at this event as well. For example is this a family friendly event, or something for young people? 

Accommodation – If your event spans over multiple days it may be wise to include information regarding accommodation. This may be camping or similar, or advice on where to find accommodation in the city. 

Eye-catching Design: In order for your website to attract as many people as possible, it is crucial to have an engaging website design. Using a good website builder will mean you will be able to easily add features which communicate aspects of your event without having to include paragraphs of content. 

Key aspects of good website design for an events website include: 

Colour and font – Two of the most important aspects of website design is picking a colour and font to use. Different colours portray different emotions or atmospheres. For example a family friendly music festival like Latitude may have bright colours, whereas a heavy metal festival like Download may opt for a darker colour scheme. 

Fonts can also have an impact on the type of event. Often events have a specific font they will use for their logo and throughout their website to create a brand image that is easily recognisable wherever it is used. 

Posters – Events will often have a poster designed which can be displayed on their website, social media platforms and put up around the location. This poster should be eye catching and include all relevant information (including a line up/schedule if this is relevant)

Layout – An effective events website will have a clear layout which is easy to navigate. This should include an ‘about’ page, information and ticket buying facilities (if relevant). Another key aspect many events pages include is a frequently asked questions (FAQs) page, which allows them to provide more information on specific questions regarding accessibility or food suppliers for example. 

A successful events website will consider all of the aspects above in order to attract as many people as possible and create an event which will be talked about for many years to come!

If you are looking to build a website or blog for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional looking website up and running in minutes, with easily shareable content and information to encourage as many people as possible to attend your events. Try our 14-day free trial today!

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What are some of the latest web design trends?

top view of a computer, laptop, smartphone and tablet on a desktop workspace. responsive website on screen. 3d rendering. All screen graphics are made up using the latest web trends

You’ve come to make your website and you want it to stand out and look professional, modern and stylish, but you know you don’t have the time to design a website from scratch. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a list of some of 2020’s latest web design trends that are easy to implement in your website builder.

Vibrant colours

Don’t be a shrinking violet! Using big, bold colours will help your website stand out, but make sure not to use too many at the same time – neon yellows, pinks and greens all together will be a real shock to the senses! Instead, choose one or two vibrant colours – preferably one that is in your logo or part of your brand identity, and then use a muted colour of text to complement it, like Cyclemon have done on their website. If you’re not sure what colours to go for, try a colour palette generator like Coolors to give you inspiration.

This adds visual interest, and makes it more likely that people are going to remember your brand. The most important thing to remember, though, is that this is really dependent on your company and what you’re trying to promote – a lawyer’s website might want darker and more professional-looking colours, whereas an events site that organises festivals can go wild with a rainbow of hues. Make sure you are accurately representing your brand to avoid a sense of disconnect between your site and the services you provide.

screenshot of Cyclemon homepage

Cyclemon use a bright yellow background with a complementing red for their brand title, but the rest of the text is in muted colours.

Gradients and duotones

Still thinking about colours, now we’re talking gradients! For those who spent hours deliberating on which colour gradients to use in their powerpoint presentations in IT class at school, it has a retro feel. Now though, these gradients are getting a modern twist with futuristic colour themes, like blues, purples and hot pinks. 

Play around with radial (circular) or linear gradients, or have more than one colour like Spotify. This is a simple and effective look, as you don’t need super high-quality images; the colour does the work for you.

Screenshot of spotify homepage

Spotify’s homepage uses a radial gradient from left to right that fades to black at the bottom. 

Enhanced images and filters

Images are extremely important when it comes to websites. They have to be good quality, well composed and represent your brand, but for 2020 you can go a little further. 

To make your images stand out, you have different options. If you’ve already got a vibrant colour background, why not make your photo monochrome to make it stand out? Another trend is images that are in a shape, like a circle or a triangle, that you can layer with other elements on your page. 

The simplest way to get your image to stand out is to add a filter. You can overlay the image with a colour – the colour of your brand, perhaps – or just a colour that represents what you do most.

We love this Go Sitebuilder website example, where Polly Evans Hypnotherapy have put a muted filter on a vibrant image to emphasise the sense of calm their hypnotherapy will bring to clients. 

screenshot of a hypnotherapy website

Polly Evans Hypnotherapy does a great job of adding a filter to an image to represent her brand.

Dark mode

It’s not as scary as it seems! Dark mode, simply put, is having a dark background with light text, as opposed to the standard mode on your phone or laptop that usually has a light background with dark text. Dark theme on screens reduces eye strain and extends a screen lifespan, and as more devices are giving users the option to enable the dark theme, people are getting used to it. 

The good news is that using a dark mode colour theme will help your design elements stand out more by making them contrast more. Black and white is an obvious choice, as displayed beautifully here by design studio Wonderland, but feel free to play around with it – what about a navy blue background with pale cream text?

Screenshot of wonderland design studio homepage

By having contrasting white text against a dark background, Wonderland’s message really stands out. 

Extended white space

Another trend that is really gaining traction this year is the use of space. It’s easy to think that an area of white space looks unfinished, or messy, but in fact it adds to a minimalist charm that is growing in popularity. 

Rather than using five photos, really think about what you want to show your users and try and limit it to just one or two on the homepage. This shows that you’re not trying too hard and that you’re confident that these pictures show the quality and style of your work. It will also prevent the user becoming overwhelmed when they arrive on your site. You can do this with our website builder; have a look at MND Tee that does a great job with managing white space. 

Screenshot of MND Tee website]

The white space on each side of the images draws the eye to the centre of the site. 

We hope this has helped you with some ideas on how to make your website look on trend for 2020! With Go Sitebuilder, we have ready-made themes to help you choose which one represents your brand best, colour palettes to help you create a stylish look, and an in-site image editor so you can really make your images pop!

Try our 14-day free trial today to see how our website builder can make your website building experience quick, simple and – most importantly – on trend.

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How financial advisor websites turn visitors into clients

Financial advisor meeting with a customer in his office, he is explaining a contract document and policy to the woman sitting at his desk

The most successful financial advisor websites have effective methods of turning visitors into clients for their business. In an increasingly online world, having an effective website which showcases your services is key to engage clients and encourage them to contact you for your services.

In this article we will take you through some of the most important aspects to think through when trying to gain clients through your website. 

Building Trust in Client Relationships

One of the most important aspects in any business is to build successful, trusting relationships with clients. This leads to long term business partnerships that result in high satisfaction on both ends.

One way to do this through your website is to include credentials. By including credentials in your website the visitor is more likely to view your business as professional and trustworthy. 

Some types of credentials you could include are: 

  • Honours or awards gained by the company or personnel
  • Mentions of your firm or company members in the press 
  • Links to articles in major publications authored by your employees 
  • An infographic or statistics showing your company’s growth

These different types of credentials showcase your ability to work in a professional manner, showcasing the positive strengths of your business. 

Having Multiple Contact Options 

Another important feature of your website should be the contact options for visitors. Having a professional website will be wasted if there is no way for a visitor to contact you should they wish to. 

Making your contact options clear will lead to more customers to contact you. Most websites place these at the bottom of every webpage, so as to make them as easy to find as possible. 

Some examples of contact options are:

  • Email
  • Phone number 
  • Address 
  • Message Boxes – these often correspond to an email, but allow visitors to directly message from your website. 

Showing your Services 

With any business it is important to showcase the services you are providing, this is especially important for financial advisors. Clearly showing the type of financial advice you are offering will help gain clients and give them a better understanding of your business. 

This can be done through a range of methods. Creating content is one effective way; by showing case studies or videos clients can see the success stories of your work. Testimonials are extremely important; according to Vendasta, 92% of people look at reviews when considering a purchase. Alternatively, detailed descriptions of each service can be effective in communicating your services. 

Marketing Strategies

Different forms of marketing can help bring more visitors to your website. Certain strategies such as using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can increase the number of times customers come into contact with your business. The more visitors become familiar with your company the more likely they are to become a client. 

Another way to market your business can be through advertisements on sites such as Facebook and Google. This increases the number of people you are reaching and therefore can increase your client base.

An Easy to Navigate Website

Having an intuitive website encourages people to spend time engaging in your content. By laying out your website in a simple format visitors can clearly answer questions they have surrounding your business. 

When trying to turn visitors into clients it is important that visitors can find information easily. When using your website builder, you can choose to lay out your website in a number of ways, but the most important guidelines to follow are to make sure you are answering the core questions that your visitors will have when they arrive on your website:

  • Who are you?
  • What do you do?
  • Why should I choose you?
  • Where can I contact you?

These simple headings are just a starter, but already the visitor would have an understanding of your business. Make sure your navigation is simple and clear, and that in one or two clicks, a user can find the answers to all the questions above. 

Create Incentive

In such a competitive market having a feature which entices customers is important. One way to encourage visitors to become clients is to offer an incentive. This could come in the form of an offer or discount on your services. When framed correctly, an offer can bring in many new clients and not have negative impacts on your costs. These discounts can bring in new customers who may become long term clients. 

If you are looking for a website builder for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional looking website up and running in minutes, helping you turn visitors into clients. Try our 14-day free trial today.

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Step by step guide on how to install an SSL Certificate

Female in smart casual wear working on laptop while sitting near window in creative office or cafe

Although you might not know what an SSL certificate is, you probably see one every day. An SSL certificate is used to show that the site that you’re using is secure, ensuring that your credit card transactions, data transfers and logins all remain protected. You can tell if the website you’re using is securely encrypted if there is ‘https://’ in the first part of the webpage’s link, meaning you can share your details with the site safe in the knowledge that your information is properly protected. 

Having a SSL certificate is therefore of paramount importance for your online business. Not only does it show that people can trust you, but it also ranks you higher on Google’s search engine, as it tells Google that your website won’t put users at risk. 

What type of SSL certificate to get

There are multiple types of SSL certificates to choose from, and thus it is important that you choose the right certificate for you. 

– Domain Validation SSL (DV) certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificates. They are simple and easy to get – all you need to do is show the Certificate Authority (CA) that you’re the owner of the domain that was applied for. It is a quick process – the certificate can be issued only minutes after purchase, and installed shortly after. This is a fantastic option if you need to secure a personal website, blogs or small online store, as it is a quick and easy way to secure your site.

– Organisation Validation SSL (OV) certificates require slightly more graft: your company must meet several requirements to pass the test. However, once validated your website is able to show that it is fully secure as, like the DV SSL,  the green HTTPS and padlock in the address bar will show users that your site is legal and has been approved by a trusted 3rd party.

– The highest level of SSL certificate that you can have is an Extended Validation (EV) certificate or, in other words, the Green Address Bar SSL. This inspires the highest level of trust amongst your customers by triggering the globally understood green address bar. As this is recognised worldwide, anyone around the world can see that your site is very safe. Although this process takes a few days, it can be sped up by ensuring all your organisation’s records are up to date. 

Check out TechRadar’s post on Best SSL certificate services to buy from in 2020 to get the cheapest price!

How do I know what SSL certificate is right for me?

A DV SSL is the cheapest and fastest way to secure your website, as all you need to do is prove that you own the domain. The process is generally automated and doesn’t require you to fish out extra documents to verify your business, so you could be protected in just a few minutes. However, they are not as secure as other SSL certificates. Although Google won’t rank your website lower if you have a DV SSL, some visitors may not trust your site as much as if it had a more secure certificate. This is more likely to become an issue if your online business depends on ecommerce, as potential buyers may not feel comfortable inputting their payment details into a site with a DV SSL. 

An OV SSL shows not only that you own the domain, but also that you own the company that it is linked to. It may take a little longer, but it could mean that visitors to your site think that you are more legitimate and make it more likely for them to make a purchase. 

The EV SSL proves that you own the domain and the business linked to it, but also shows that you have legally registered your company as a business. This high-level SSL takes longer to get and requires more paperwork, but it is the most secure. However, it is unlikely that you need the EV SSL unless you have a large and well-established business that manages large numbers of online payments. 

Renewing your SSL certificate 

Before your SSL certificate is due to run out, you should receive an email alerting you to this. It is vital that you renew your SSL certificate before it runs out: even if you go a day without being certified, Google could push you to the bottom of the search engine. It could also block others from visiting your site. This means that all the hard work that you’ve done to push your ranking up will be lost – Google won’t recommend a site which they believe to be untrustworthy.

Is there an easier way?

Although this might seem all a bit complicated, Go Sitebuilder offers a completely free SSL certificate. This means you don’t have to pay for your certificate, and you also don’t need to go through the laborious process of obtaining one. Our easy to use website comes with a ready-to-go SSL-protected web domain, meaning you can get your online business up and running from day one.

If you’re still uncertain, then our 14-day free trial gives you time to see just how easy it can be to run a secure website – try it today!

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Why Do I Need a Blog For My Business?

Middle aged blogger updating her business blog via her smartphone while working remotely in a cafe.

Although blogging may seem like a hobby only suitable for teens who dream of becoming social media influencers, it is an invaluable tool if you want to expand your business. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, blogging is essentially writing an online journal or informational post which is then uploaded to your site – a bit like an article that you might read in a magazine. 

Although blogging might push you outside of your comfort zone, it’s pretty easy to get the hang of it. Remember, your blogs will be there to boost your online business, so it’s likely you’ll be talking about something that you’re familiar with. A blog also doesn’t need to be pages long: anything between 300-2000 words can be helpful. As long as you post blogs regularly, you’ll soon see the benefits that blogging can bring to your business. 

It improves SEO ranking 

Adopting a search engine optimisation (SEO) strategy is paramount to ensure your online business is visible. Blogging is a great way to improve your visibility: by using keywords in your blogpost which people are searching for, Google is more likely to see that your content is useful, meaning it will rank it higher in search engine results. 
Being on the first page of Google is absolutely vital: considering that 75% of users don’t scroll past the first page of search results, ranking highly ensures that visitors will click on to your blog post for answers. And, once people are on your site, they are more likely to want to explore what you have to offer – Hubspot has revealed that businesses which use blogs as part of their marketing strategy get 67% more leads than those who don’t. By having a high SEO ranking, you can market your services completely free of charge, as blogging means you are more likely to have a large traffic flow through your website. 

It is important to remember to continue blogging: although you might have one blog post which becomes really popular, don’t let the success of your online business rest on this one blog. Every time you write a blog post, Google indexes your page, ensuring that your online business is constantly being shown on Google’s search engine results. 

It builds trust 

There are a lot of dodgy websites out there, meaning that it can be difficult to know what and who to trust. Writing blog posts shows visitors to your site that you really know what you’re talking about. If, for example, you’re a lawyer offering legal advice, then a potential client is going to want to be reassured that you’re well practised in the area. Writing a blog post about your achievements and accomplishments is a great way to advertise yourself to this client. 

You can also opt to write informational blog posts: not only is this good for SEO, but it shows site users that you really want to help them, and that you have the knowledge necessary to do so. Considering that blogs are in the top 5 of most trusted online sources, blogging is a great way to build a relationship between your business and the site user. 

If your business has an ecommerce section, then providing a step-by-step guide on how to use the product that you’re selling is a fantastic way to market your item: people are much more likely to want to buy something if they feel reassured that they won’t be left wondering what to do with it once purchased. 

It provides better exposure 

Social media can be a goldmine when it comes to increasing visibility on the web. By linking social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest etc. to your blog posts, you are giving people the opportunity to share your content, and potentially spark discussion around what you’ve written. The more people who want to join in on the conversation about your content, the better – if people start commenting and tagging their friends into the post, then more people are going to be able to see what services you offer. 

Just as social media can give your blog posts more exposure, blogging can improve the number of people who visit your social media sites. By adding a link to a recent Instagram post to your blog, you are increasing your visibility and encouraging people to engage with you on social media. This is a great way to ensure that people don’t forget about your online business once they’ve clicked off: by encouraging them to follow you on social media, you can keep them updated with the latest information or offers within your online business. 

Building a website 

Of course, you will want to have a sleek, attractive website to publish your blog posts on. Go Sitebuilder is a one of the best site builders in the UK for those who might be a bit daunted by the prospect: their services are incredibly easy to use, and they offer one of the cheapest ecommerce add ons in the UK. Unlike other website builders, they have a free blogging platform within their software, meaning you won’t have to learn how to use a whole new software just to upload a blog. Their 14-day free trial means you can explore all they have to offer completely free of charge, allowing you to build the perfect online business for you. 

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How can I make my website look more professional?

Working woman on laptop trying to make her website look more professional with her son reading a storybook. Both sitting on a grey sofa in a living room.

Although you might think you have relatively good concentration, on the internet this is likely to be a lot shorter: the average attention span is around eight seconds. This means that you have a limited amount of time to make an impression on the site user: if your online business looks unprofessional and visually unaesthetic, then most people are likely to click off your website, without really looking at the content you offer. A professional web design ensures that the traffic flow to your website will want to remain, exploring what else you have to offer. With a strong web design, it is easy to make your online business appear all the more professional. 

Image is everything 

Having a visually appealing web design is paramount if you want to draw potential customers to your site. Although it is tempting to cram your website with anything that you feel would be of benefit to your users, in the website world, less is more. Google conducted a huge study, revealing that visitors are put off by visual complexity: by keeping your website design minimal, you can create a sleek, attractive appearance, which draws visitors to other parts of your website. 

This also shows to visitors that your business is professional: you have taken the time to ensure your web design is of a high quality, which tells the visitor that you’re not an amateur, and that you can be trusted. 

Using images is also a great way to add to your professional image. Uploading photos onto a photo gallery really helps people get a good idea as to what you can offer them – they should be well lit, and of high quality to maintain a standard of professionalism. 

For example, if you’ve got a website for your restaurant then posting images of your food can really draw people in: by physically seeing the high-quality delights you offer, they are more likely to want to come and dine in your establishment. Or, if you’re a corporate business, posting images of your employees within your firm, or any events you’ve attended adds a personal touch to your online business. 

Optimise your website for speed and compatibility

Having a site which is optimised for internet use is essential. Having a poorly optimised site can really put a visitor off your website, prompting them to click off almost immediately. According to Kissmetrics, 47% of customers expected a website to load within 2 seconds; most of us expect a fast website, and if we feel a website is too slow, this can prompt us to look elsewhere. 

This also weighs heavily on your SEO – search engine optimisation – ranking. If Google sees that your website has a high bounce rate (in other words, it notices a lot of people clicking off your website quickly), then it is more likely to index you lower on its search engine results, meaning that your website has poor online visibility. 

By optimising your website so that it loads quickly, people are more likely to stay on your site for longer, which tells Google that your website is a reliable website, and that it should be ranked higher on search engine results. 

It’s also important that your site can be accessed both on computer and mobile devices. Considering that BrightEdge have reported that 57% of traffic is from smartphones and tablets, it is key that your website can be easily used, no matter how it is accessed.. Indeed, it would be damaging if over half of the potential visitors to your site couldn’t see what you have to offer because you haven’t optimised your site effectively. 

Don’t overlook social media 

Social media is an invaluable source to use to add another edge of professionalism. By linking social media with your website, you can create a link between the two, enabling site users to follow your social media accounts, meaning that they stay updated over the latest news and offers that your business has to offer. 

With social media you can also get creative: holding a live stream on Facebook or Instagram is a great way to generate interest around your business. Considering that Forbes have reported that people spend up to three times longer watching a video which is live, rather than pre-recorded, live streaming is a great way to market yourself. Whether you’re sharing your expertise on the latest bit of news, or demonstrating how to use a product that you sell, live streaming can add a unique, individual edge to your business. 

Of course, Facebook or Twitter is also a great tool to use if you want to post quick updates on the go, or encourage people to ask you questions. The success of Old Spice after they started up a video response to questions is a sterling example of how social media can open up endless doors: within one week of the response campaign, the number of views on their Youtube channel went up to 40 million, and by the end of the year sales were up by 125%.

Whilst it might seem difficult to know where to start when building your site, Go Sitebuilder is a great option for those who are daunted by the prospect. We offer ready to go professional web designs, which can be fully customised to your liking, and optimises your website so that it can be accessed on any device. An incredibly easy-to-use site builder, which gives you all the flexibility you could need with our 14-day free trial.

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What are the best free tools available for web design?

Female sat at a coffee shop high table using her laptop to update her Go Sitebuilder website. She is wearing a sleeveless white blouse and has curly hair

Why is web design important?

In the modern age, it is vital to have a website with high-quality design. Shoddy web design will no longer cut it with users: according to Stanford’s Web Credibility Research report, 75% of us will judge a business’ credibility based on their web design alone. It is also important to have an original and unique design: there is an endless number of online websites, and thus standing out from the crowd is a great way to distinguish yourself from others.

Can I design my own website?

Yes! Whilst you may believe that you need to be a whiz at coding or a professional web designer, this is simply a misconception. The brilliant thing about the internet is that there are lots of free tools out there to help you craft your website into your envisaged design. 

Furthermore, your site doesn’t have to have an intricate and complicated design to blossom. In fact, the Interaction Design Federation has written about the importance of Hick’s Law in web development. The idea of Hick’s Law is that if you present your users with a lower amount of choices then they reach a decision about your website faster. In other words, when it comes to web design, simplicity is key. 

Where do I start?

When creating a website for your online business it is crucial to nail the design of the main aspects of the site. Logaster is a good resource to use when creating your logo. If you want a bit of inspiration for a new colour scheme then Coolors is a handy tool as it comes up with a new colour scheme every time you refresh the page. Vector icons are also a great way to add a personal touch to your website: we suggest Flaticon, the world’s largest search base for free icons, all created by graphic designers.  

Is there an easier alternative?

If you still feel daunted at the prospect of designing your own website then Go Sitebuilder has you covered. Its knowledge and expertise in this field means there couldn’t be a simpler way to build a website for your online business. It has a whole range of customisable ready to go web designs, providing you with the right materials to design your website. Their 14-day free trial allows you to test this for yourself – why not try it today?