Website Design – hoopergraphics.co.uk

Articles about Website Design

EU Cookie Directive

Friday, May 18th, 2012

To conform with EU Law On 26th May 2012, all UK websites will need to comply with the new EU E-Privacy Directive 2009/136/EC. Cookies are only a small part of this directive, and whilst you are still allowed to use cookies on a website, it must be made clear to visitors to your site that cookies are being used. A message or warning must be displayed so that the visitor is aware of them.

What this means to you.

Most websites have a cookie installed on it called Google Analytics which gives you information on the number of people visiting your site, which country they are from and the browser they use to view your site. To collect this information a small file of letters or numbers (a cookie) is installed on the viewer’s computer, which relays information to Google to collect this data. Other cookies store information that make browsing a site easier especially on another occasion as it will remember your details from a previous visit.

If you find this information useful and wish to continue using cookies then you must inform each visitor that these cookies will be downloaded to their computer and they must be given the option to refuse or accept. Along with this acceptance a page must be included detailing the policy regarding cookies on your site.

You are responsible to ensure that this directive is implemented on your own site and failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £500,000.

We have used two options which can be viewed:

1st option at www.janehooper.com
2nd option at www.hoopergraphics.co.uk

If you do not require Google Analytics or use any other cookies then they can be removed and this directive will not apply.

For more information on cookies read the following from the BBC

To date the Government is gong to miss the 26th May deadline in updating all their websites!!!

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Testimonial from Girlguiding Cornwall

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

We received a lovely testimonial the other day from Girlguiding Cornwall. We have worked with Girlguiding Cornwall for over 20 years, helping them with the printing requirements, but this is the first time we have helped them with their website. So it is great to know they are happy.

Here is what Mary Eddy (County Commissioner, Girlguiding Cornwall – 2006 to 2011) had to say

Girlguiding Cornwall wanted a completely different, updated website and approached Jane Hooper to do this. We had a vague idea of what we wanted and Jane has done an excellent job in carrying out our wishes and designing the new website for us. It is now more user friendly and good to the eye with lots of photos of our Girlguiding members. We also wanted a secure ‘Members’ Area’ and Jane has set this up for us. She has shown us how to edit the site and to enter information ourselves, which is so very helpful and she or Mark are there to help at all times. Nothing has been too much trouble for Hooper Graphics and I would recommend them to anyone wanting assistance with their website. Have a look ours – www.girlguidingcornwall.co.uk

Tags: girlguiding cornwall, website
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Strong passwords

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

I found this really good article today by Hewlett Packard all about Strong Passwords. It gives some excellent advice about how to make a password both memorable (in other words you don’t write it down anywhere), and also not easy for hackers to guess.

I have lots of different passwords for lots of different uses, so I will definitely be taking this advice on board.

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Using WordPress

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Making the most of your Content Management System

A lot of websites nowadays are built using WordPress, as it has a really good a simple Content Managemet System (CMS), and gives you the ability to edit your own website. It works really well but in order to keep it looking good and resembling the original design or theme, I would advise the following steps.

You probably have the ability to stylise the content and have a content panel that looks just like Word. This makes it really simple but you could make it even simpler.

For example if you have a heading, rather than make it bold, or perhaps change the colour, simply select a pre-formatted heading. This will probably be found in a dropdown menu, look for the words Paragraph and see what other options you have.

Tips on using this drop down menu

Don’t use Heading 1, that will probably be the title of your page, and should only be used once.
Heading 2, should be your second most important heading.
Heading 3, your third most important heading, etc.

Hidden away amongst the code of your website Heading 2 will be pre-formated for a specific colour, typeface weight etc, and by following this, you will retain the Design or Theme of your website and keep it looking professional.

Incidentally although I have mentioned WordPress, any website that uses a CMS, whether built using WordPress, Joomla, Drupal etc, purchased through Vistaprint or other online systems, or a bespoke CMS, will have these automatic styling sheets.

If you need more help with your Content Management System, we offer a service that assists people to make the most of their system, and you can hire us on an hourly basis. Interested? Give us a call to talk it over.

Tags: Content Management System, WordPress website
Posted in Website Design | 1 Comment »

Adobe CS5.5

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

I am loving my newly updated Adobe CS5.5 software, but the best bit so far has to be Dreamweaver.

It now includes a live view, so you can see exactly how your website looks as if it were online, but also you can opt for a Multi-view, so you can see at a glance what it will look like on different devices and screen sizes!

Very very helpful, this is really going to make a difference to building usable websites.

Although on the downside it means I no longer have a good excuse to buy an iPad.

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New website for Ryan Martinez

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

As a start-up company Ryan Martinez, an award-winning PR and marketing consultant who offers cost-effective PR and marketing services, knew a website was of paramount importance and decided a one-page website would suit his initial needs.

He approached Karen Jackson Design to design his brand identity, stationery and website.

Karen then approached Hooper Graphics to build and host the website.

This is the start of a new venture for Ryan and we wish him all the best.

Posted in Recent work, Website Design | No Comments »

Cornish Leaf and Coil Club website

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

The Cornish Leaf and Coil Club is a local club who enjoy 4×4 off roading and generally driving their Land Rovers and the like through mud. Their website had become outdated and was due for a revamp, and they approached Hooper Graphics as they a local company so that any support or training could be provided quickly and easily.

The Club wanted something that looked good and was easy to navigate. They also to be able to update information themselves, allow members to post items for sale within a Classified Ads Section, and whilst Access to the Content Management System was required, it was important that this was restricted to certain people and that restrictions were such that only certain people (or 1 person only) could edit specific pages.

To fulfill the brief we built the website using WordPress, customising the design of the TwentyTen Theme. Using WordPress allows various editing restrictions to the website, and by using the plug-in ‘Advanced Access Manager’, the level of access for specific pages could be controlled.

To cope with the Classified Section the plug-in ‘AWPCP’ was used, this allows any member to add an item for sale directly from the classified page without going through any complicated routines.

The site is up and running www.clcc.uk.com and the club are finding it useful and easy to operate. Steve Traill, one of the Directors sums it up

Jane interpreted our requirements perfectly and has produced a very simple to operate website that looks good and also gives us the security that we needed.

Tags: WordPress website
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Murphy brings Pumpkin to the office

Friday, October 28th, 2011

Well it has been a busy week and I haven’t had time to blog about anything this week, but I must just share this with you.

Murphy has been very impressed with how Concrete5 works as a really efficient Content Management System, so he brought along Pumpkin (his brother), to demonstrate to him how it works.

What Murphy really likes is the ability the customer has to edit the whole page, not just the text or images, but the layout as well.

If you are interested in a demo just email or give us a call and you can look at our demonstration website.

Tags: concrete5
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Website for Girlguiding Cornwall

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Girlguiding Cornwall have been customers of Hooper Graphics since 2004, and before that I worked with them at Cornwall Litho, so I have an association with them that dates back nearly 20 years.

It was for this reason that I approached them when I was looking for a suitable charity candidate to learn a new OpenSource Content Management System (CMS) called Concrete 5.

I have been using WordPress for nearly two years now and I am very impressed, however recently Web Designer magazine did a review on other CMS systems and they recommended Concrete 5. I am always keen to look to offer cost effective solutions to my customers, so decided to trail it on a “real” project.

Girlguiding Cornwall were keen to have a website that they could update themselves, it also needed a Member’s area that was Password protected, so we teamed up and it was a good learning process. A problem arose whilst working on the project when their old website had a security problem that resulted in Norton Utilities blocking it. So I was happy to resolve that issue for them as well, and the website has now gone live, check it out on www.girlguidingcornwall.co.uk.

As a CMS Concrete5 is much more intuitive than WordPress, it uses “blocks” on each page and you actually edit the page as you see it, rather than within a “backend” system. I have been impressed and will certainly use it for other projects, as it allows a lot more flexibility for adding pictures, text, forms, surveys, videos, outside of the main content area in a simple manner, as well as controlling who has access to individual pages. If you want a demo of the CMS, then let me know and I can send you a link.

I will now be offering a Template version of this website to other areas and regions of Girlguiding throughout the country. The Girlguiding movement offers girls an environment to have fun, learn new skills and make lifelong friends and they need a website that reflects that.

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New wordpress website

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

It is important in the ever changing role of websites on the internet to try and keep up to date with what is happening, so because of this I undertake my own Personal Development programme.

A recent undertaking in the last few months as been to look into e-commerce websites, most particularly using WordPress. WordPress is an excellent inexpensive content management system so I had look at some of the e-commerce plug-ins that are available. I have used my own website that showcases my watercolour paintings for this.

It has been a very useful learning experience because not only have I learnt a different aspect of WordPress but also the complexities that accompany an e-commerce website and ensuring it meets all the correct rules and regulations of online trading. For that reason the e-commerce section is not yet ready!

If it was my main business then it would certainly have a high priority but at the moment my updated website has gone live, so I can blog about any work that I have done, I have a gallery that showcases my paintings, but I still have to sort out how I can deliver Framed Paintings to the UK.

If you have limited products to sell online then WordPress is a good solution, and my newly acquired knowledge also means I will have a good insight to what is involved to any individual or small business looking to start selling online.

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