We have compiled a handy checklist for schools to fill out so you can see what you need to do to ensure ]]> Have you heard about the new OFSTED guidelines that affect the information you should be displaying on your school website? These measures were introduced in September 2012 and are now a mandatory requirement.

We have compiled a handy checklist for schools to fill out so you can see what you need to do to ensure that your website is OFSTED compliant. You can run the check here: http://www.clickcreations.com/schools-ofsted-checklist

This checklist outlines the ESSENTIAL changes you may need to make on your website to meet the new OFSTED requirements. We also have desirable and suggested guidelines from OFSTED as well, if you would like further information on this please email us back or call us on 0115 960 2222 to request a full website appraisal.

Here at clickcreations we can help you to ensure that your school website complies with the information requirements of OFSTED.  We have 10 years of experience working with schools and other public sector organisations helping them to make their websites meet criteria required by regulation, whilst ensuring the design continues to reflect their image. We can quickly rebuild your school’s website in WordPress which is an easy to use and simple to update industry standard web package. It will also cost a lot less than you might imagine.

Make your school website OFSTED compliant now!

The office is now closed for the holiday season. We wish everyone a very happy christmas and a prosperous new year.

If there is any emergency or urgent matter ]]> We would like to thank everyone for thier suport this year – we have had a great year here at clickcreations. We hope you have too.

The office is now closed for the holiday season. We wish everyone a very happy christmas and a prosperous new year.

If there is any emergency or urgent matter over the holiday period we will be checking voicemails so leave us a message or email us.

Have a good one everyone and see you next year!

Usually if someone asks me that, my hand is in the biscuit barrel before the lid is off – result – very sore knuckles.  However, you may have noticed recently that every time you go to a website you are asked to click a button to accept that the site will store a cookie ]]>  

Usually if someone asks me that, my hand is in the biscuit barrel before the lid is off – result – very sore knuckles.  However, you may have noticed recently that every time you go to a website you are asked to click a button to accept that the site will store a cookie on your computer – result – less painful for the consumer but potentially a job of work for the website owner.  This has happened following an EU directive coming into force that requires websites to advise users that this is happening, and to obtain the users specific consent for this.  The reason for the legislation is primarily related to the protection of user privacy by ensuring that users of websites know that cookies are being stored, and, by clicking on the ‘accept’ button that the user is giving their consent to this happening.

So, what’s a cookie?

If you weren’t quite sure what a cookie is or what its purpose is, this might help.  A cookie is a tiny file (usually letters and numbers) that a website places on a user’s computer which enables that website to identify certain things about the users who are browsing the site.  The types of information that the website typically stores via cookies are (for example) the user’s location in the world and their device (i.e. phone, laptop, Mac). Some cookies only sit on a user’s computer for the length of the particular session that they are browsing the site, whereas others reside permanently on the user’s computer.  There are first party cookies – which are placed by the specific website that the user is visiting and there are third party cookies – which are placed by another website that (for example) advertises on the primary site.  The EU directive has been set up to ensure that users of websites actively consent to their data being captured – and stored – in a multitude of ways.

What’s this got to do with me?

From the perspective of the website owner you have a responsibility to make sure that you inform users that your site will store a cookie on their computer and that you have their consent to do so.  This is being done by most sites via a somewhat annoying pop up window that asks the user to ‘accept’ (or in the case of The Daily Mash who ask you to click on their ‘whatever’ button…) that their cookies are being stored. To support this consent being obtained, you should have a clear and easily understandable privacy policy that the user can access which explains what you will use the cookies for.  The legislation applies to all new AND existing websites, so perhaps it is time for a check on your site to make sure that you are complying.

In summary, as a website owner you need to:

• look at how your cookies are set up – what type they are and what they are used for
• check how understandable your privacy policy is, making sure that you explain how you use cookies
• decide how you are going to manage obtaining informed user consent to the use of cookies, and how you manage those users who don’t want to accept the cookies.

Clearly, we aren’t legal advisors and this is our interpretation of this new legislation but we hope it’s a useful post.  For more in-depth explanations about the legislation you can see the full, detailed, (but still accessible) guidance on the Information Commissioner’s Office website here

If you have any questions or concerns about your website’s compliance with this new directive, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We can update your WordPress website to make it cookie compliant for the special price of only £50.  We can also advise on cookie audits, ensuring your privacy policy is accessible on your site and help with creating an informed consent pop up on non WordPress sites.  Contact us here to find out how we can help.

Here is a small list of things you should be considering for your new site:

Domain names ]]> Setting up a website can feel like a daunting task, how do you know whats involved? Have you made sure all the bases are covered? What is the best platform to use? The questions are endless!

Here is a small list of things you should be considering for your new site:

Domain names

Domain names are the address you type into a browser to find a website on the internet – ie www.clickcreations.com

They can end in .com .co.uk .net .org – a good choice for a UK based website is .co.uk

Try to pick a domain name that describes your services concisely, perhaps include your business name in the web address. If you use descriptive words for your web address then there is more chance of your site getting ranked for good search terms relating to your business.

Web Design

The design of your site is very important, it is your 24 hour shop window to potential clients, so setting up an attractive and easy to navigate site is crucial. When you first set up a website it is helpful to look at what your competitors are doing and make notes of the things you like about their website.

Structure your content so that it is easy to find, if people have to try to hard to find the information they want they will get bored and leave your site.

Have bold calls to action on your website to encourage people to get in contact with you. Have lots of contact forms and incentives to help people feel confident they want to get in touch.

Content Management Systems

A content management system the software platform websites can be written in to allow the owner to edit and add content to their website. Not all websites are built with content management systems so its worth asking if the package you are thinking of buying comes with one.

There are a lot of content management systems on the internet, our preference is WordPress because it is easy to use, and performs exceptionally well on search engines. The scope for more complicated designs and functionality is easy to implement with WordPress as well.

Hosting

In order to have a website live on the internet, it needs to sit on a computer called a server, that is always switched on. Hosting packages are the space you rent on these servers so that your website is accessible to people searching on the internet.

There are a lot of options when it comes to hosting. The one thing I would say to look out for would be that your hosting package is compatible with the programming language you choose to build your website in.

All of our website packages come with hosting and support.

SEO

Its all fine and dandy to have a great looking site but if no one can find it on search engines then you aren’t going to get as much business from it as you could be.

SEO stands for search engine optimisation, in order for your site to appear in relevant searches on the internet google has to know that it is worthy of doing so. Google only wants to return good results so that people use their search engine. After setting up a website it is well worth investing some money in optimising your website to perform well in relevant searches.

Conclusion

The list above is in no way conclusive but it gives you a good starting point to work from when setting up a new website.

We try to make the process of setting up a website simple and easy. We give you all the tools you need to get a great looking, high ranking website for your business. If you are thinking of setting up a website give us a call to see how easy it can be! 01805 603 326

There are a lot of new terms to understand such as Huddles, Circles, Sparks and Hangouts. Here’s what they all do:

Circles The easiest way to share some things with college buddies, others with your ]]> Google are launching a rival social media network to facebook, it looks really good from what I’ve seen so far.

There are a lot of new terms to understand such as Huddles, Circles, Sparks and Hangouts. Here’s what they all do:

Circles
The easiest way to share some things with college buddies, others with your parents and almost nothing with your boss.

Hangouts
Let friends know that you’re free for a video hangout, any time, anywhere. Then catch up, watch YouTube or… just hangout.

Sparks
A feed of only the things that you’re really into, so when you’re free, there’s always something waiting to be watched, read or shared.

Huddle
Huddle is a new way for you to easily stay in touch while you’re on the go. With Huddle, you can text groups of people or individual friends in Google+ Mobile. When you receive a new message in Huddle, Google+ sends a push notification to your phone.

At the moment it is still in beta phase and you can’t get an invite to join for love nor money! However I don’t think it will be too long before the doors are cast open and the world is invited in to play.

For the moment though, here is a video to give you an idea of what its all going to be about!

Google +

I get the distinct feeling, facebook will be sleeping uneasy for a while until they see the impact that google plus is going to have on their business …

Its a little button with +1 written on it which comes up when you’re logged into google, people can click on search results, or on a button on your website if you’ve got one ]]> This month sees the global launch of the new google +1 social media button feature on google.

What is google +1?

Its a little button with +1 written on it which comes up when you’re logged into google, people can click on search results, or on a button on your website if you’ve got one installed. This then tells google that you are worthy of social attention! Or at least a thumbs up.

Google says:

Social media activity is becoming more and more important in SEO these days, google are letting people vote with their feet, so its a great idea to get one of these buttons on your site sooner rather than later. If you need a hand adding one onto your site get in touch!

More information on google +1 can be found here http://www.google.com/+1/button/