Get Ready for the Biggest Black Friday Sale at Elegant Themes!

Get Ready for the Biggest Black Friday Sale at Elegant Themes!

The countdown is on! In just 27 days, the much-anticipated Black Friday sale at Elegant Themes will kick off on Tuesday, November 26th at 7:00 AM PT. This year promises to be more exciting than ever, with incredible discounts, thousands of free prizes, and a chance to win a brand-new iMac!

What to Expect

Massive Discounts

Prepare yourself for jaw-dropping discounts on all Divi products. From Divi Pro to Divi Bundles, you can save up to 73%. Additionally, enjoy discounts of up to 70% on various products in the Divi Marketplace. Remember, these deals are available for one weekend only—after that, prices return to normal until next year!

Free Prizes Galore

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Elegant Themes is giving away tens of thousands of free Divi products this Black Friday. Every purchase qualifies you for a free prize. You could spend as little as £1.50 and receive something valued at over £150! With up to 9 free prizes available, you’ll want to make sure you’re there early to claim your favourites.

Exclusive Template Packs

In addition to the free prizes, customers will have access to exclusive Divi website packs available only during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These stunning layouts and template designs will help jump-start your next project, but they’ll only be accessible for a limited time.

Hidden Discounts

This year, there’s a hidden tier of discounts waiting for shoppers. By making a purchase during the Black Friday sale, you’ll unlock even bigger savings from top creators in the Divi Marketplace. Current Lifetime members will also have access to these exclusive perks.

Win an iMac!

As part of the festivities leading up to Black Friday, Elegant Themes is running a giveaway for a chance to win an iMac and fifty free Divi AI memberships. Entering is free, and the more raffle tickets you submit, the greater your chances of winning.

And I’m well placed to vouch for this as I won the iMac giveaway last year!

Important Details

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Welcome 2024 with Blue Gekko Web Design!

Embracing a Year of Creativity

As the calendar flips to a brand new year, Blue Gekko Web Design is filled with excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead. We are thrilled to embark on this journey with you, our valued clients and supporters, as we continue to deliver innovative web design solutions that exceed expectations.

Reflecting on Our Achievements

Before we dive into the future, let’s take a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. In 2023, Blue Gekko Web Design had the privilege of working with numerous businesses, organisations, and individuals to create stunning websites that truly captured their essence. We were honoured to witness our clients’ success stories unfold as their online presence flourished, and flattered by the feedback our clients gave.

Setting New Goals

As we enter 2024, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of web design even further. At Blue Gekko we are dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, ensuring that we provide our clients with cutting-edge solutions that not only meet but exceed their expectations.

Strengthening Client Relationships

Our clients have always been at the heart of everything we do. In 2024, we aim to deepen our relationships with each and every one of you. We will continue to listen attentively to your needs, collaborate closely throughout the design process, and provide ongoing support long after your website is launched.

Gratitude and Appreciation

As we embark on another year of growth and creativity, we want to express our deepest gratitude to all of our clients and supporters. Your trust in Blue Gekko Web Design is what fuels our passion and drives us forward. We are honored to be part of your journey and look forward to making 2024 a remarkable year for your online presence.

Let’s Make 2024 Unforgettable!

As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the opportunities that 2024 brings, Blue Gekko Web Design is ready to take on new challenges, create stunning websites, and help businesses thrive online. We invite you to join us on this exciting adventure as we make 2024 a year to remember!

Wishing you a year filled with success, joy, and endless possibilities.

Warmest regards,

Ben

Why I Use Divi for Designing Clients’ Websites

Why I Use Divi for Designing Clients’ Websites

When it comes to designing websites for clients, choosing the right tools and platforms is crucial. As a web designer, I have tried and tested various website builders and themes over the years, but one tool that has consistently stood out for me is Divi. In this blog post, I will share why I use Divi for designing clients’ websites and how it has helped me streamline my design process.

User-Friendly Interface

One of the main reasons why I prefer Divi is its user-friendly interface. Divi’s drag-and-drop builder allows me to create stunning websites without resorting to too much coding. The intuitive interface makes it easy to customize the layout, add elements, and experiment with different design options. Whether I’m working on a simple landing page or a complex e-commerce website, Divi provides me with the flexibility and control I need to bring my clients’ visions to life.

Pre-Made Templates and Layouts

Divi comes with a vast collection of pre-made templates and layouts that serve as a great starting point for any project. These professionally designed templates can be easily customized to match the branding and style requirements of my clients. With Divi’s extensive library of templates, I can quickly create visually appealing websites in a fraction of the time it would take to design from scratch. This not only saves me time but also allows me to offer competitive pricing to my clients.

Responsive Design

In today’s mobile-first world, having a responsive website is essential. Divi understands this need and ensures that all websites built with its platform are mobile-friendly. The responsive design feature in Divi allows me to preview and optimize the website for different screen sizes, ensuring a seamless user experience across devices. This eliminates the need for separate mobile versions of the website, saving both time and resources.

Advanced Customization Options

While Divi offers pre-made templates, it also gives me the freedom to customize every aspect of the website. From fonts and colors to spacing and animations, Divi’s advanced customization options allow me to create unique and tailored designs for each client. The ability to easily tweak and fine-tune the design elements ensures that my clients’ websites reflect their brand identity and stand out from the competition.

Robust Support and Community

Another aspect that sets Divi apart is its strong support system and community. Divi provides comprehensive documentation, video tutorials, and a dedicated support team that helps me navigate any challenges or questions I may have while using the platform. Additionally, Divi has an active community of designers who share their tips, tricks, and custom modules, further enhancing the possibilities of what can be achieved with Divi.

Conclusion

Divi has become an integral part of my web design toolkit due to its user-friendly interface, pre-made templates, responsive design capabilities, advanced customization options, and robust support system. It has not only helped me streamline my design process but also enabled me to deliver visually stunning websites that meet my clients’ expectations. If you’re a web designer looking for a powerful and versatile tool for designing clients’ websites, I highly recommend giving Divi a try.

Note: This blog post is based on personal experience and preference. Other website builders and themes may also offer similar features and benefits.

Why I Choose WordPress for My Clients’ Websites

Why I Choose WordPress for My Clients’ Websites

When it comes to building websites for my clients, there are several platforms to choose from. However, one platform that consistently stands out for its versatility, ease of use, and robust features is WordPress. With over 40% of the web powered by WordPress, it is clear that this content management system (CMS) has become the go-to choice for businesses and individuals alike. In this post, I will discuss the reasons why I choose WordPress for my clients’ websites.

1. User-Friendly Interface

One of the main reasons I opt for WordPress is its user-friendly interface. Even clients who are not tech-savvy can easily manage their websites without any coding knowledge. With a simple and intuitive dashboard, clients can update content, add new pages, upload images, and make other changes with just a few clicks. The familiar interface makes it easy for clients to take control of their websites and make updates whenever needed.

2. Extensive Theme and Plugin Library

WordPress offers a vast collection of themes and plugins that allow for endless customization options. Whether my clients need a professional business website, an e-commerce store, a portfolio site, or a blog, there is a wide range of themes available to suit their specific needs. Additionally, the extensive plugin library allows me to enhance the functionality of the websites by adding features such as contact forms, social media integration, SEO optimization, and much more. The flexibility offered by WordPress ensures that each website can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of my clients.

3. SEO-Friendly Structure

Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a crucial role in driving organic traffic to websites. Fortunately, WordPress is inherently SEO-friendly, making it easier for me to optimize my clients’ websites for search engines. The clean code structure, customizable permalinks, easy content management, and availability of SEO plugins make it convenient to implement SEO best practices. This helps improve the website’s visibility in search engine results and increases the chances of attracting relevant traffic.

4. Scalability and Growth Potential

As businesses grow, their websites need to evolve accordingly. WordPress offers excellent scalability and growth potential, allowing me to expand my clients’ websites as their needs change. Whether it’s adding new pages, integrating e-commerce functionality, or implementing advanced features, WordPress can handle it all. With regular updates and a large community of developers, WordPress ensures that my clients’ websites remain secure, up-to-date, and adaptable to future requirements.

5. Strong Community Support

One of the standout features of WordPress is its robust community support. With millions of users worldwide, there is a wealth of resources available to help troubleshoot issues and find solutions. Whether it’s forums, documentation, tutorials, or plugins developed by the community, there is always assistance at hand. This support network ensures that I can provide my clients with reliable and efficient solutions while saving time and effort.

In conclusion, WordPress has proven to be an excellent choice for building websites for my clients. Its user-friendly interface, extensive theme and plugin library, SEO-friendly structure, scalability, and strong community support make it a comprehensive solution for businesses of all sizes. By choosing WordPress, I can deliver visually appealing, functional, and easily manageable websites that meet my clients’ specific requirements.

Who are you going to choose to design your website?

Who are you going to choose to design your website?

Your website is your online storefront, and first impressions matter. If your website is outdated, confusing, or difficult to navigate, potential customers will click away before they even have a chance to learn about your product or service.

That’s why it’s important to invest in professional website design. A good website design company will work with you to create a website that reflects your brand and helps you achieve your business goals.

Not sure where to start? Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing a website design company:

  • What is your budget?
  • What are your goals for your website?
  • Who is your target audience?
  • What type of website do you need (e.g., ecommerce, informational)?
  • Do you have existing branding guidelines?

Once you have a good idea of what you’re looking for, you can start research web design companies. Read online reviews, check out their portfolio, and see if they offer any free resources, like website templates or tutorials.

When you’ve found a few companies you’re interested in, reach out to them for a consultation. This is a great opportunity to get to know the team, ask any questions you have, and get a feel for their process.

Finally, trust your gut. If you have a good feeling about a particular company, go with them. Building a website is a big investment, but it’s worth it if you end up with a site that you’re proud of and that helps you achieve your business goals.

The Five Things That Add Up To A Bad Website

The Five Things That Add Up To A Bad Website

​A well-designed website can be a powerful tool in engaging visitors, promoting a brand, and driving conversions. However, there are certain elements that can quickly turn a website from good to bad.  And a bad website, of course, is an under-performing website, which is just going to hurt your bottom line.

In this post, we will explore the five things that make a bad website, and how to avoid them.

1. Poor Navigation

One of the most frustrating experiences for users is navigating through a website that lacks clear and intuitive navigation. A bad website fails to provide easy access to important pages and information. Users should be able to find what they are looking for quickly and without confusion. Implementing a clear menu structure, using descriptive labels, and providing search functionality can greatly enhance the user experience.

2. Slow Loading Speed

In today’s fast-paced digital world, users have little patience for slow-loading websites. A bad website takes forever to load, forcing visitors to abandon it in frustration. Optimising images, minimising code, and leveraging caching techniques are just a few ways to improve loading speed. Remember, every second counts when it comes to retaining visitors and keeping them engaged.

3. Cluttered Layout

A website with a cluttered layout overwhelms visitors and makes it difficult for them to focus on the content they seek. Excessive use of flashy graphics, multiple fonts, and intrusive advertisements can confuse and frustrate users. A website should aim for simplicity, with clean and organised design elements that guide users’ attention to the most important information.

4. Lack of Mobile Responsiveness

With the rise of smartphones and tablets, well over half of all website visitors are using mobile devices so responsiveness is no longer optional; it is essential. A bad website fails to adapt its layout and functionality to different screen sizes, resulting in a poor user experience on mobiles. Designing a responsive website ensures that it looks and works well on all devices, providing a seamless experience for users across platforms.

5. Outdated Content

A bad website neglects to keep its content fresh and up to date. Outdated information, expired promotions, and broken links create a sense of unreliability and diminish trust in the brand or organisation behind the website. Regularly updating content, removing outdated elements, and fixing broken links are vital to maintaining a good user experience.

6. Broken Links and Error Messages

OK, I said 5 things. Here’s a sixth. Nothing is more frustrating for users than encountering broken links or error messages when trying to access information on a website. These issues not only disrupt the user’s journey but also reflect poorly on the credibility and professionalism of the business.

Broken links can occur when pages are moved or deleted without proper redirects. Error messages, such as “404 Not Found,” indicate that the requested page could not be found. Regular maintenance and monitoring are necessary to identify and fix broken links promptly.

7. No Calls-To-Action

Make that 7. Probably the most important, so I can’t leave it off.

Without well-placed CTAs, visitors may browse your website without any clear direction on what action they should take next. This lack of guidance can result in missed conversion opportunities. Whether your goal is to generate leads, make sales, or increase subscriptions, CTAs are essential for guiding visitors towards the desired outcome. By incorporating persuasive and strategically placed CTAs, you can significantly increase your chances of converting visitors into customers.

Having good CTAs on your website is so important, that will be the subject of my next post.

Impact on Business Success

The impact of poor performing websites extends beyond user frustration. It can directly affect a business’s bottom line. Research has shown that users are more likely to abandon their online purchases if they encounter difficulties with a website. High bounce rates and low conversion rates can significantly hamper business growth and success.

In addition, poor website performance can also negatively impact search engine rankings. Search engines prioritize websites that offer a seamless user experience, including fast loading times, mobile-friendliness, and relevant content. A poorly performing website may struggle to rank well in search engine results, leading to decreased visibility and fewer organic traffic.

In conclusion, a bad website is characterised by poor navigation, slow loading speed, cluttered layout, lack of mobile responsiveness, and outdated content. By avoiding these pitfalls and focusing on user-centred design principles, you can create a website that engages visitors, builds trust, and achieves its goals.

Remember, your website is the face of your brand online. Invest the time and effort into making it a good one!

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