👩🏾‍💻 Krishna Solanki

Hello new connections from #FSBScotland yesterday I'm running regular online events to help you make your website more successful, book your place here: polyspiral.com/events SEO You Can Do testimonial from Kate Kelly “Polyspiral’s excellent “SEO You Can Do” seminar on Zoom was a really helpful no-nonsense session, full of lots of clear explanations in ordinary language. I left with lots of answers, and a To Do list! I am a volunteer with a not-for-profit organisation (Stowmarket Carnival) & find myself having to manage a website with only the very basic understanding of the technologies involved. And all too often trying to get more information involves impenetrable jargon and unending sequences of abbreviations. Oh, and lots of dubious advice, often based on out of date information. This seminar was clear & straightforward, and I particularly liked the opportunity to ask questions at every stage, and the follow-up email with useful information. I would recommend this session for anyone wanting to understand how to get found on the web” – Kate Kelly, source Google Reviews

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Stop frustrating your website visitors by using things like mobile 3-line menus on desktop website layouts. Stop losing visitors by putting social media links at the top of your pages. Stop talking all about yourself in your copy and focus on the reader instead. The list could go on - these are three simple things that you really need to consider with your website - and if your designer or agency suggests otherwise, question whether they are the experts I'm sure they describe themselves as. What else should I add to this list of things to stop doing with websites?

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Have you ever heard your website designer use technical jargon and not have a clue what they are talking about? There’s a lot of technical words that fly around the website design world, which if you aren’t a designer you won’t understand what they mean. Yet us website designers throw them at you anyway! I was going to try cover the most common technical jargon in one post but once I got started there were WAY to many so I thought I would start a mini series and cover one per week. It feels only right to start with Cache… Pronounced – “Cash” (Apparently) 👀 You may also of heard people say things like “Cae-sh” “Cash-ay” or “Catch”. Cache are files that are stored in a temporary location so they can be accessed more quickly and make your website perform faster. Clearing the cache is website lingo for have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again whenever something doesn’t look quite right. This basically removes old files from the temporary storage location so that the cached files are the most recent version of your website. Think of it as a refresh as such! PS I pronounce it “Cae-sh”…

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Do you need help with business content but are unsure if 1:1 support is worth your while? Click here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eXJ-8WqA and I'll send you a link to book in for a free discovery call for The Studio. It's not a sales call, we only want to help anyone we think can actually benefit from what we do. Try it. There's nothing to lose. #videocoach #contentcreation #personalbranding

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Is your website a ticking time bomb? 💣 Many businesses neglect website care plans, leaving them vulnerable to security threats and outdated software. Our latest blog post explores 5 key questions clients ask about website care plans, explaining why they're essential for any online presence. Discover how regular maintenance can prevent costly downtime and ensure your website remains secure, optimised, and up-to-date. Head over to our blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/djpyWDBW #websitecare #webdesign #wordpress #onlinesecurity

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Web designers: Collecting high-quality website copy from your client is impossible. I mean, never say never, but the chances are pretty slim. Looking back over the last few years, have you EVER been given high-quality website copy, on time, that fit perfectly into the website design you were creating? Didn’t think so. So, imagine what it would be like for this to ACTUALLY happen with every one of your projects. You receive fully proofread, wireframed content in one document before you start. Your projects become quicker and easier. Your clients are over the moon with the result. And you have more time to focus on what you love; lead generation and marketing. Gibson Copy can completely solve your content problem. DM for a chat.

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Take a Glimpse Into The Diverse World Of Website Types. What kind of website do you want or need? https://lnkd.in/ejEhyqnG #webdesign #websites #websiteadvice #smallbusiness #ecommerce

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Something people don’t often realise about me… …is that I don’t use cookie-cutter templates for clients. Every single person and business is unique. The goal of your design changes depending on what you’re promoting and who to. Which is why I create designs from scratch that are made specifically for you and your audience. So when I’m creating all your launch materials to help you promote your new service, you won’t be seeing the same generic Canva design that your competitors have also used! 💥 Every single one of your designs, from social media graphics to resource collateral will be tailored exactly for you, your service and your clients.💥 To give you a cutting edge and stand out from the crowd! ⚡️ What’s one thing that people assume about your biz that’s not true? T xx ----- Want to know how to design standout social media graphics for your next launch? 💜 Download my FREE video series 💜 Full of actionable tips you can do in Canva 💜 Using the exact skills I use for my clients ⬇️ Link in comments

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Need some tips on what to look for when choosing a graphic designer? Check out my free checklist at Penline Graphic Design.

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Joomla, not WordPress. That's the CMS we use for all of our website builds. The choice of website platform can be very contentious, as everyone has their favourite or preferred option for various reasons. It's sometimes easy to assume that the popularity of WordPress makes it the only one to work with, however in the majority of cases, it only comes down to whether it provides what your business needs - and what your choice of designer, agency, or developer is sufficiently skilled in working with and supporting. Joomla is my own choice for several reasons. I've used it since it was not even called Joomla (anyone else remember the Mambo days?) - so use of the core platform is second nature to me. Now on version 5, it has come a long way since those early days. Its logic fits with my own, and every client I have who has come from another platform comments on how easy it is to use (mostly 'how much easier'). It has an excellent security strike team and fast release of updates to resolve any issues (which all similar platforms will have) and bring in new features, which is absolutely critical to maintain the integrity of a website. Out of the box, it also caters for so much more than most alternatives. From SEO features to schema markup, through to completely customisable user access controls and work flow management, even going so far as having a native cache feature for page speed benefits, there isn't much it can't do natively. We only add 6 extensions/plugins to most projects: Firewall software Backup software Design framework Page editing tool Enhanced page speed plugin 24/7/365 site monitoring tool connection That's it - and as many may know, the fewer plugins and extensions you add to a website, the faster it runs, and the more secure it is (as plugins can have security risks, not just the CMS). However, ultimately, if it wasn't easy to use for my clients, I would not be using it - however brilliant I know it is. With over 250 clients onboard, all with Joomla supporting their website and business, and almost 25 years using the platform (accounting for work with Mambo before the Joomla fork), not only does your website look fantastic, you have peace of mind that it's secure, protected, and future-proof!

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When prospective clients look at your website, see pictures of you and then realise you look a ‘bit different in real life’ (it’s the short hair), even though you have been thinking about it - you know it’s now time to update your brand images. And that’s just what I have done. I find having images of my brand vital for attracting and communicating what I do. Without it, I’d be forced into using stock images - that would not show off my brand or its personality. I know some people find it expensive to have brand photos done, but I worked out that the length of time I had the last lot done, it worked out at about £10 a month, but I also got £1,000’s back in work because it backs up my brand messaging and the trust for the brand. I highly recommend the experience. Thank you to Hanna at Bourne Photographic Studios for making me feel at ease, and for taking some amazing brand photos. If you are looking for some recommendations for great photographers try these: Hanna at Bourne Photographic Studios Emma Bunn, Toby Lee 📸 Headshot Photographer, Nicola Auckland Jacky Chapman. 📷 Image: Michael Hallam #VisualBranding #BrandPhotography #BrandPersonality

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Is your website all fur coat and no knickers? All beans and no toast? All puff and no pastry? When website owners take the Website Strength Test, it often identifies areas of improvement that slipped under the radar. It’ll then give you a personalised and actionable checklist of steps to take to start generating more leads and enquiries from your website. Curious? Join Carrie Markland and hundreds of other business owners who are using their website strength report to improve their website and boost their business! The test and report is completely FREE, check it out here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSZQSYyD 👈

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Our 'Quick Guide to Smart Objects' is out now, and it's the biggest, most detailed one we've released so far! It's packed full of genuine value that will help you harness the power of Smart Objects in your workflow. So whether you're a designer, social producer or even just a hobbyist, our Quick Guides aim to talk you through simple things you can do in Photoshop to take your graphics to the next level. The 'Quick Guide to Smart Objects' covers what they are, how you use them and the benefits of building them into your work flow. I can guarantee they'll save you hours in the long run and they're so easy to create. Grab your copy here, for free: https://lnkd.in/eMu57VtD We write our Quick Guides with two things in mind. 1. To ensure they really are quick to read. We know everyone is busy so you don't want a 100 page dossier that goes to a level of detail that's just impractical. Our guides are short, snappy and to the point. 2. They're written in plain english, no jargon and the tone of voice is conversational. You don't need any prior Photoshop knowledge to use them. They're aimed at those who haven't got a background in design, but that doesn't mean the tips aren't powerful! So why are they behind a membership wall? Well, simply put, we want to create a community within the social media world. We want to see who is finding these guides helpful and get feedback from those using the guides to see what else they want help with. All we ask is that you sign up with an email address. There's no fee, no need to give us any extra details, just a name and email and we'll simply get in touch to let you know when we add more freebies. Our primary goal is to share our 15+ years in the industry with those looking for practical help. We know job requirements are growing ever wider and those working in social are expected to have at least a good grasp of Photoshop, so we're here to help. We've worked with so many producers in social media who ask us if we have a spare 2 mins to fix a PSD for them or show them how something's done, so we've taken those conversations and put them into PDF format. We know video is popular, but in our opinion, having a library of PDF's at your finger tips allows you to quickly flick through to the bit you need without scrolling back and forth through a video to get to the good bit. You can also work through our guides at your own pace, so whether your a Photoshop novice or a seasoned pro, you'll find value in the tips and techniques that we share. So if you find our guides helpful, please spread the work. Send a link to your colleague, message your friends in the industry and send them our way. Together, we can elevate social graphics and make people's lives easier, all in one go! #quickguide #tips #tutorials #photoshop #playbook

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I know, your logo is important to you, but here's why it should never be anything but small and generally to the top-left of your website pages: Nobody else really cares. They know which website they are on because they clicked to visit. What they want to know, as soon as possible, is what you do and if you can help them. Repeating your logo and business name in the hero section at the top of the home page does not deliver this. What it does do is make the visitor have to work to find out the answers to the reason they are on your website. And people don't like to work - they want it easy, simple, clear. Otherwise many will move on, losing you a potential client or sale. Visual hierarchy is crucial to consider with your website. The first thing your eye should be drawn to is what you do and how you can help. Not your logo or business name. Nail your tagline, nail your value and benefits statement. Get your call to action right for the ideal next step the visitor should take. Make your website about your ideal clients (and not you) and things start to change :)

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Calling all fabulous female business owners who are ready (really, really ready) to oomph-up their website! Due to a client needing to postpone their custom website design project, I've opened up an extra website power-up day on Thursday 23rd May. Here's a few ideas for why/how you could use one: 🌟 Your website is missing the wow factor 🌟 Your website and SEO are not yet best pals 🌟 You need a couple of extra pages adding to your existing website 🌟 You need a landing or sales page creating to fit with your existing website and have the copy and images ready to go 🌟 You know Squarespace has great features but don't know how to use them 🌟 You've been on fire with writing blog posts but not got round to adding them 🌟 Your website looks great on desktop, but leaves a lot to be desired on mobile You can find out more details here: https://lnkd.in/ePXy-srN. And because it’s short notice, I’m offering this with a 20% discount. DM me asap if you have a website to-do list that's been on your to-do list for a while, and just want to get it the heck done!

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Designing your own content and social posts? Here’s how graphic designers use typographic hierarchy (type size and spacing) to get the reader to read things in the order we want them too. Pretty cool, eh? Give it a try. Synergy Design Branding + Design

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