Web and email hosting platform upgrades

Web hosting server

We are currently embarking on an upgrade to our existing high performance web hosting and email service. This work, scheduled to be completed over the coming weeks will ultimately improve further our service delivery and commitment to both our new and existing client base.

Our standard web hosting package is being redesigned to offer a range of value added services starting from an amazingly competitive price of only £90.00 + VAT per annum.

Standard features include:

– Unlimited blisteringly fast 100% SSD storage.
– Unlimited bandwidth – no restrictive monthly quotas to worry about.
– Online customer control panel meaning you can administer your services online 24/7 including mailbox password resets etc.
– 1GB MySQL databases on load balanced auto scaling cloud servers.
– Unlimited 10GB mailboxes with outgoing SMTP mail, antivirus and spam protection as standard.
– SSL certificates provided as standard at no additional cost.
– UK based data centre manned 24 x 7 connected by multiple ISP 40Gbps connectivity.
– 30 days backup of your website + MySQL database stored as standard.
– Fanatical support – access to our team of experienced staff.

Your service will automatically be migrated over the coming days and weeks however should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. We will also be updating our support articles and knowledge-base to reflect these changes.

Our domain registration and management services will also be migrated to this new platform – however clients should notice no impact to services. Renewal fees will be as follows and are charged on an annual basis unless otherwise specified:

– .co.uk, .uk, .org.uk   £20.00 + VAT
– .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz  £25.00 + VAT
– .scot, .co  £40.00 + VAT
– .ws, .property, .ws £45.00 + VAT

Please note as always – we require 45 days written notice prior to any renewal date should you require to cancel a domain registration otherwise renewal will happen automatically.

Masson Glennie Embracing Technology With New Interactive Window Display

We’ve recently completed an exciting project for Masson Glennie, who wanted to create an interactive window display that would grab the attention of passers-by.

Using their colourful new branding we put together an animated sequence which moves between each segment of their logo, displaying snippets of related information, such as the current mortgage rate, temperature in the local area and even featuring properties from their website.

placeit-1The new window display is integrated fully with the Masson Glennie website, displaying live data, and can be easily updated throughout the day by Masson Glennie staff members.

We have managed the project from start to finish including carrying out site surveys, putting together the hardware build including floor and wall mounts for the display and Mini PC, developing the interactive window display animations, and final installation.

See Masson Glennie’s new window display at their Peterhead office at Broad House, Broad Street, Peterhead AB42 1HY.

mg-exterior

Planning Your Website: Setting Goals

planning

A professional website is often a crucial factor in the success of your business, and could be one of the most important investments you ever make.

But if you don’t set clear goals, how will you know if your investment in a new website has paid off?

When we’re working with a client to build their website, one of the first steps in our web design process is to sit down and discuss your business goals (not just your website). This discovery session will help us get to know you better, and we’ll work with you to set clear goals for your website project.

What do I want my website to achieve?

This is the most important question of all. The clearer you are on your expectations and goals, the more successful your website will be. For example, some goals for an imaginary Aberdeen based clothing shop could include:

  • Attract new customers: by raising awareness of the shop’s offerings. The success of this goal could be measured through regular customer surveys and web statistics.
  • Increase customer numbers during typically quiet periods: by boosting sales through an email newsletter. This could also highlight Sunday trading hours, special anniversaries and other such occasions. The number of newsletter subscribers could be an indicator of success here.
  • Create a new stream of sales separate to the retail store by using online shopping. The success of this goal could be measured on the basis of sales figures.

Now let’s break down these individual goals and look at how we could achieve them:

New customersOptimize the website for search engines under the keywords “clothes shop aberdeen”. Create a Google My Business listing and a Yelp Page .
Increase customer numbers during quiet periodsIntegrating a newsletter subscription form , and encourage website visitors to sign up. A regular publishing schedule will help yu build a following, and connect with your customers.
Create a new stream of sales separate to the retail storeMake products available to purchase on your website. You should include pictures, product descriptions and indicative delivery costs. You can also ask customers to review your products, building further trust and credibility for first time visitors.
This article is part one in a four part series on planning your new business website. Further articles will be linked here.

‘Blueprint’ Training and Certification Program for Facebook

facebook-like-blueprint-patent-001-630x472Facebook has recently unveiled it’s Blueprint training and certification program. Blueprint is a new program that helps train agencies, partners and marketers on the best practices for advertising and marketing campaigns.

Our web developer, Craig Simpson, has successfully completed all 35 training modules covering a broad range of topics including managing ads, advertising objectives, targeting, campaign optimization, audience engagement and more.

More and more businesses are starting to advertise on Facebook, using it to promote their products, services and businesses to real people. On Facebook, unlike Google Adwords, it doesn’t matter what users are searching for, all that matters is who your customers are. You’re talking directly to real people with real interests, hobbies and jobs – not keywords.

Gain An Edge Over Your Competitors

As powerful as Facebook’s advertising platform is, it’s surprising how many businesses are still not using it, or at least not properly. As a result, if your competitors aren’t advertising, you gain a fantastic advantage and an opportunity to win business you might have otherwise lost out on.

We can help create engaging advertising and market your business on mobile and desktop devices. Using Ad Manager and Insights we can track your advertising spend, evaluate what’s working and what isn’t, and make informed choices that will bring value to your business.

If you’d like to know more about our web design services, or how we can help with your Facebook marketing, get in touch with us. Complete our contact form, or call our Aberdeen office number on (01224) 914800.