Category Archive: Uncategorized

1. That one time I saved a business over £40k in retainer fees

   November 1, 2023 12:01 pm Leave a Comment

   I can’t believe I haven’t been shouting about this way before now!

   I had been doing a bit of a browse through my portfolio from my time as a freelancer at KP Kreative and asked myself why have I kept this positive outcome so quiet. I guess because the visual side of the project wasn’t where the wins came from (more of a backend project), it was more difficult to present as a case study.

   The customer in question has been using Hubspot for their website and marketing needs. They had been using an agency that was charging around £4k a month regardless of any support needed or not, it was just one of those tied in contracts where there was a set fee.

   Now don’t get me wrong, Hubspot development and support can be costly, as its very niche, though there isn’t always the need for that level of support continuously from outside the business. I think an adhoc approach may have been better in my opinion.

   I was approached by the head of marketing who asked if I could help assist with making the backend of the website more accessible for internal staff,  so things could be added and edited much more simpler, without the aid of having someone else needing to pick up the changes.

   Approach

   Without a complete redesign of the website, I proposed to work on some custom modules and made some of the existing page templates flexible, so that they could be much simpler accessed and edited by the in-house team, not only to edit current pages, though add additional pages with the newly created templates and modules to choose from.

   Over a calendar year, this would save the business around £48k.

   Adding customisation and blocks of content that can be re-used and have flexibility to move, the team reduced their workload significantly to creating new content for their website.

   No matter if it’s a WordPress website or a Hubspot website, I build with the view to making it user friendly for the customer to make as many updates as possible themselves. This may sound like it’s an opportunity missed to make more income, though I feel there is more value in longer term trust with a client allowing them to save budget and spend it elsewhere in their business and come back to you when they need additional support from one of your other services, such as printed material, graphics etc etc.

   Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash
   Why have I used an image of a dog for this article? It was meant to represent a high five and also... I love dogs more than humans!

2. Out with the Old, In with the New: Why a Fresh Website Can Replace Your Dated One

   October 26, 2023 9:41 am Leave a Comment

   In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. A dated website can not only drive users away but also hinder your online presence and growth potential. In this blog post, I explore why investing in a new website to replace your dated one is a smart move, and we’ll discuss the many advantages it brings.

   Modern Design Makes a Strong First Impression

   First impressions matter, especially in the digital realm. A contemporary, visually appealing website design can captivate visitors from the moment they arrive. With the latest design trends, you can convey professionalism, trustworthiness, and relevance. A fresh design helps your website stand out in a crowded online landscape.

   Improved User Experience (UX) Boosts Engagement

   A dated website may struggle to provide a seamless user experience. Slow loading times, broken links, and non-responsive design can frustrate visitors and cause them to bounce. A new website can be optimized for speed, mobile responsiveness, and user-friendliness, ensuring that users stay longer and engage more with your content.

   Enhanced SEO Performance

   Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. A new website can be built with SEO best practices in mind, including clean code, keyword optimization, and structured data. This can lead to higher search engine rankings, increased organic traffic, and better online discoverability.

   Improved Security and Data Protection

   Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and an outdated website may lack the necessary security features to protect your business and user data. A new website can incorporate the latest security measures, such as SSL certificates and regular security audits, safeguarding your site and maintaining user trust.

   Better Content Management

   Content is king in the digital world, and a modern website can offer improved content management capabilities. With user-friendly content management systems (CMS), you can easily update and add new content to your site, keeping it fresh and relevant to your audience without the need for extensive technical knowledge.

   Integration of Advanced Features

   The online landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and features emerging regularly. A new website allows you to integrate the latest features, such as e-commerce functionality, chatbots, social media integration, and more, to enhance user engagement and meet your business goals.

   Mobile Compatibility Is a Must

   In an era where mobile devices dominate internet usage, a dated website that doesn’t adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions can alienate a significant portion of your audience. A new website can be designed with mobile responsiveness as a top priority, ensuring a seamless experience across all devices.

   Analytics and Data Insights

   Understanding user behavior and preferences is crucial for optimizing your online presence. A new website can be equipped with advanced analytics tools that provide valuable data insights. This information can help you make informed decisions, refine your digital strategy, and improve your website’s performance over time.

   Competitive Edge

   Staying competitive in your industry often requires keeping up with technological advancements. A new website can help you stay ahead of or at least on par with competitors who are investing in their online presence. It can also showcase your commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

   Cost-Effective in the Long Run

   While investing in a new website may seem like a significant upfront cost, it’s often more cost-effective in the long run compared to constantly patching up an outdated site. A modern website is built with scalability in mind, reducing maintenance and upgrade expenses over time.

   In conclusion, replacing your dated website with a new, modern one offers numerous advantages, from making a strong first impression and improving user experience to boosting SEO rankings and enhancing security. In today’s digital age, staying relevant and competitive means staying up-to-date with your online presence. So, if your website is starting to show its age, consider investing in a fresh, new website as a strategic move to position your business for success in the digital world.

   If you are considering a new website for your business, whether it’s your first website or a redesign of an outdated one, why not get in touch for a free consultation.

3. Planting for the Future: How We’re Making a Difference with The TreeApp

   September 29, 2023 1:14 pm Leave a Comment

   In a world where environmental concerns are taking center stage, KP Kreative has embarked on a journey to make a lasting impact. I’m excited to share our commitment to sustainability and our partnership with thetreeapp.org, an organisation dedicated to reforestation efforts.

   Planting the Seeds of Change

   My mission at KP Kreative extends beyond providing exceptional products/services. I recognise the urgent need to address climate change and preserve our planet for future generations. That’s why i’ve taken the initiative to plant ‘at the very least’, 10 trees every month through thetreeapp.org.

   Why Trees Matter

   Before delving into our partnership, it’s crucial to understand the incredible value that trees bring to our world.

   1. Climate Stabilisation

   Trees are nature’s carbon sinks. They absorb carbon dioxide, one of the primary greenhouse gases responsible for climate change, and release oxygen. By planting more trees, we can help combat global warming.

   2. Ecosystem Diversity

   Forests teem with diverse life forms, from animals to plants and fungi. By restoring forests, we support biodiversity, which is crucial for a healthy, resilient ecosystem.

   3. Clean Air and Water

   Trees help purify the air by absorbing pollutants and releasing clean oxygen. They also play a pivotal role in maintaining water quality by filtering runoff and preventing soil erosion.

   4. Habitat Preservation

   Countless species depend on forests for their habitat and survival. Reforestation efforts help protect these ecosystems and ensure the continuity of various species.

   Our Commitment to Reforestation

   Through my partnership with thetreeapp.org, i’m proud to contribute to reforestation efforts worldwide. Each month, we plant 10 trees, adding to the millions already planted by the organisation. These trees are strategically placed in areas that need reforestation the most, such as regions affected by deforestation or natural disasters.

   How You Can Get Involved

   I believe that making a difference is a collective effort. Here’s how you can join us in our mission:

   1. Support KP Kreative

   By choosing KP Kreative, you’re supporting my commitment to reforestation. Every purchase you make contributes to our monthly tree-planting efforts.

   2. Spread the Word

   Help us raise awareness about the importance of reforestation and the impact it can have on our planet. Share our story and the work of thetreeapp.org on social media and in your community.

   3. Get Involved Locally

   Consider participating in local tree-planting initiatives or supporting organisations that promote environmental conservation in your area.

   A Greener Future Starts Today

   At KP Kreative I believe that every tree that is planted is a step toward a greener, healthier planet. I am  committed to making a positive impact and hope you’ll join me on this journey. Together, we can sow the seeds of change and create a better world for generations to come.

4. Revving Up Your Digital Engine

   September 27, 2023 4:05 pm Leave a Comment

   In the fast-paced world of technology, a well-maintained website is your digital vehicle to success. Just like a car needs regular servicing to ensure it runs smoothly, your website also requires careful attention and maintenance to perform at its best. Let’s take a ride through the similarities between car servicing and building a brand new website in this exciting blog story.

   1. Planning and Design: Setting the Blueprint

   Before you roll up your sleeves and get to work, both car servicing and website development start with meticulous planning. When you buy a new car, it comes with a design, but your website’s design is up to you. Just as you decide on the car’s features and appearance, you choose the layout, colors, and functionality of your website.

   2. Gathering the Right Tools: Essentials for the Journey

   In a garage, you’ll find a variety of tools needed to service a car – wrenches, screwdrivers, and diagnostic equipment. Similarly, when building a website, you’ll need tools such as web hosting, a domain name, content management systems, and web design software. These tools are your roadmap to success.

   3. Maintenance and Updates: Keeping Things Running Smoothly

   Regular car servicing includes oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections. In the digital world, updating your website is crucial. Fresh content, security patches, and software updates are like the oil changes for your site, ensuring it remains efficient and secure.

   4. Performance Checks: Monitoring Your Vehicle’s Health

   Car servicing involves routine inspections to identify and fix issues before they become major problems. Similarly, website owners should regularly monitor their site’s performance. This includes checking for broken links, slow-loading pages, and optimizing for SEO to ensure your site ranks well in search engines.

   5. Responsive Design: Adaptability on the Road

   Just as a car needs to handle various road conditions, your website should be responsive. In other words, it should adapt to different screen sizes and devices. This ensures that users have a smooth experience, whether they’re accessing your site on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

   6. Safety First: Protecting Your Investment

   Car servicing includes safety inspections, ensuring that brakes, airbags, and other safety features are in top condition. In the digital world, website security is paramount. Implementing SSL certificates, strong passwords, and regular security audits protects your site and user data.

   7. Regular Audits: Keeping Everything in Check

   Both cars and websites benefit from regular audits. A car’s emissions system must meet environmental standards, just as your website should comply with legal regulations like GDPR. Conducting regular audits ensures you’re meeting these requirements and avoiding potential legal issues.

   8. Test Drives and User Testing: Fine-Tuning the Experience

   Before hitting the open road, a car goes through test drives to ensure it handles well. Similarly, user testing helps refine your website’s user experience. Gather feedback, conduct usability tests, and make improvements based on user insights to create a smoother and more engaging experience.

   9. Fueling Growth: Continuously Improving Performance

   Just as you monitor your car’s fuel efficiency, keep an eye on your website’s performance metrics. Analyze traffic, conversion rates, and user behavior. Use these insights to make data-driven decisions and optimize your website for better results.

   10. The Joy of the Open Road: Achieving Your Goals

   In the end, both car servicing and website development have a common goal: to ensure you reach your destination successfully. Whether it’s a smooth ride on the highway or a thriving online presence, both endeavors involve dedication, maintenance, and a commitment to excellence.

   So, as you embark on your digital journey and build that brand new website, remember the lessons you can learn from car servicing. By planning carefully, maintaining regularly, and prioritising user experience and security, you can rev up your digital engine and drive your website toward success. Just like a well-serviced car, a well-maintained website will take you wherever you want to go in the online world.

5. Boost Your Business FREE: How Setting Up a Google Listing Page can benefit your credibility

   September 19, 2023 1:05 pm Leave a Comment

   In the era of smartphones and constant connectivity, having a robust online presence is vital for any business. One of the most effective ways to enhance your visibility and reach a broader audience is by creating a FREE Google listing page. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of establishing and optimising your Google listing and how it can significantly benefit your business.

   1. Enhanced Online Visibility

   When potential customers search for a product or service online, they often start with a Google search. By having a Google listing page, you increase your chances of appearing in local search results, making it easier for people to discover your business. This heightened visibility can lead to more website visits, phone calls, and visits to your physical location.

   2. Access to Google Maps

   A Google listing page is integrated with Google Maps, allowing users to find your business location easily. This feature is particularly beneficial for brick-and-mortar businesses, as it provides potential customers with directions, store hours, and contact information. It’s like putting your business on the map, both figuratively and literally.

   3. Detailed Business Information

   Your Google listing page enables you to provide comprehensive information about your business. You can include details such as your address, phone number, website URL, business hours, and even photos of your products or services. This information helps customers make informed decisions, which can lead to increased trust and conversions.

   4. Customer Reviews and Ratings

   Google listing pages include a space for customer reviews and ratings. Positive reviews and high ratings can significantly impact a potential customer’s decision to choose your business over competitors. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, and respond promptly to both positive and negative feedback to build a positive online reputation.

   5. Local SEO Benefits

   Google listing pages are a key component of local search engine optimisation (SEO). When someone searches for a product or service in a specific location, Google uses information from these listings to determine which businesses to display. By optimising your Google listing with accurate and consistent information, you improve your chances of ranking higher in local search results.

   6. Cost-Effective Marketing

   Setting up and maintaining a Google listing page is free. This means you can enjoy the benefits of increased online visibility and customer engagement without incurring additional advertising costs. It’s a cost-effective way to market your business to a local audience.

   7. Insights and Analytics

   Google provides valuable insights and analytics for your listing page. You can track how many people have viewed your page, requested directions to your business, or visited your website through your listing. This data allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of your online presence and make informed marketing decisions.

   8. Mobile-Friendly and Accessible

   With the rise of mobile internet usage, it’s essential to have a Google listing page. These listings are mobile-friendly, ensuring that users on smartphones and tablets can easily access your business information and contact details while on the go.

   9. Competitive Advantage

   Many businesses are already taking advantage of Google listings. By creating and optimising your listing, you can gain a competitive edge in your local market. A well-maintained listing shows that you are committed to providing excellent customer service and accessibility.

   10. Integration with Google Ads

   If you decide to invest in Google Ads, having a Google listing page can enhance the performance of your ad campaigns. You can link your Google Ads account to your listing to showcase additional information, such as customer reviews, and increase the likelihood of attracting potential customers.

   In conclusion, creating a Google listing page is a fundamental step in building a strong online presence for your business. It offers numerous benefits, including increased visibility, access to Google Maps, detailed business information, customer reviews, local SEO advantages, cost-effective marketing, and valuable insights. In a digital age where consumers rely on online information, your Google listing page can be the key to reaching and engaging with your target audience effectively. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to boost your business—get your Google listing page up and running today.

   Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

6. Reasons why every company needs a website

   August 31, 2015 9:21 am Leave a Comment

   Does your company have web presence? Maybe you have a Facebook or a Google page?

   This is NOT  a sales pitch, but simply a guide to making the right decisions for you and your business.

   Below are a number of reasons why it is of the utmost importance to have a company website, which takes priority over your social media channels.

   • Don’t let your competition have the upper-hand –
     Most companies and individuals use internet to search for suppliers. If you do not own a company website, or have an outdated framework (not mobile friendly), your nearest competitors who do have web presence, have a gained advantage and are most likely to take over your potential business. Therefore, you should not wait any longer. Add to your customer base by setting up your own website to stay inline with competitors.

    

   • Customers will find you on the internet –
     Now that the majority of mobile phone users have smartphones, customers use internet to look for services and products on a daily basis whilst on the move. The internet serves as a tool for finding a relevant seller, who meets all buyer’s expectations – whether it’s price, quality or other criteria. This can save the buyer time and money in expenses, as well as give them a more open view to searching for and comparing products. A quality website saves your customers  time and makes their searching and shopping experience more enjoyable.

    

   • Time is key to reach first positions in search engine results –
     Top positions in search results is important for your business – it brings new visitors to your website, without additional costs incurred for advertising and promotion.
     However, your website will not reach first position overnight. It usually takes two or three months until your website (if it’s properly optimized for search engines) starts scoring high in the search results. Therefore, do not wait too long and invest in a professional website soon! Always consider these 2-3 months in advance if you are considering in promoting your business soon.

    

   • Your friends can promote your business –
     Think of your website as a business card, where you can fit more information. Your company information is displayed on your website. If a friend or a happy customer wants to recommend your company, they can recommend by passing on your website address, which can then be passed on again and again.

    

   • Website is cost-effective long term –
     Increasing number of customers contacting you through your website and low operating expenses are far more cost-effective than traditional means  e.g., contacting customer personally or participating on exhibitions.
     Considering the return on investment (the costs invested into development of a high quality website, less the profit your new website will generate), you will realise, that investing into the development of a professional website is very profitable.

    

   • Product catalogue on a website –
     There are two ways of having a product catalogue. A pdf printed version or an online store. The pdf version cuts down cost of printing and posting to customers, where the customer can easily print or view from the screen at home. The alternative, is to have an online store, where the customer can buy and compare products, without leaving the house or needing to visit your store.

    

   • Company presentation –
     Your website will build the best image of your company for potential customers. With web presence, you no longer need to call or visit a company first off to find out about them. At KP Kreative your website is presented so that visitor receives a positive impression about your company and they will do business with you or want to find out more.

7. Windows 10 is here! – What to consider

   July 31, 2015 8:49 am Leave a Comment

   So, the highly anticipated Windows 10 upgrade is now available. It’s the end of the road for the much dreaded internet explorer browser (from a developers perspective) and in with the new Edge browser.

   Since I personally am running off Windows 8 , I was eligible for the free upgrade to ’10’. Now instead of jumping in there and putting this upgrade into action straight away, I done a little digging to see if it is worthwhile switching over so early.

   Pros

   • The famous start menu is back!
   • Options refined in apps
   • OneDrive for storing your music, photos, videos, notes and documents, you’ll be able to easily access them from anywhere
   • Internet Explorer has been booted out and and replaced with shiny new Edge
   • Combination of new features and previous features that will dropped in Windows 8

   Cons

   At the moment, my reason for holding off for maybe a few more weeks is that there may be still some niggly bugs, this is my only con at the moment. It definitely seems like they have improved in a few areas design wise, though i’m pretty certain this version has rolled out with a few repairs required.