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Web Design Blog

Welcome to the Cotswold Web Services web design blog, containing our latest web design, web development, SEO and E-commerce articles. Please feel free to give feedback using the comments form at the bottom of each article. Should you wish to post an article here, please contact us.

What do I need to know about Cookies?

Business Tech, Knowledgebase, Web Development

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small, often encrypted file that is stored on a computer or browser directory or in program data files.  They don’t usually contain much information except for:

  • the URL (the unique address for a file that is accessible on the Internet)
  • the lifetime of the cookie and;
  • a value (usually a random generated, unique number).

Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Luke Yates

How can E-Commerce help your business

Business Tech, E-commerce Web Design

Running an e-commerce business opens the door to exponential sales. In Britain alone online shoppers spent £68bn in 2011, a whopping 16% more than the previous year and further rapid growth is expected in 2012 due to increased functionality and the use of tablet devices and smartphones. Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Richard

Why is up-to-date content crucial for websites?

Website Design

Long gone are the days when just having a website indicated you were a progressive company and set you aside from your competitors.   In today’s world the internet is without doubt, the most important, cost effective and advanced communication and marketing tool available. Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Richard

Focus On: Payment Gateways

E-commerce Web Design, Knowledgebase

Want to set up an ecommerce site but not sure of how to arrange the payment side of things? There are a number of payment gateways that you can choose to implement, all with proven security measures and are easy to set up. Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Gemma

Focus On: Cashback cards

Business Tech, Knowledgebase

Businesses are keener than ever to attract your custom. With what seem like continual sales on the high street, retailers don’t want to miss out on your online purchasing either.  Cashback schemes are becoming increasingly common, with many retailers offering schemes to entice you to buy from them and reward you for your custom. Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Gemma

Ideas to keep your ecommerce site fresh

E-commerce Web Design

Your website should never have time to become stale or boring.  After all, your products keep you in business, right? Wrong. No matter how great your products may be, an outdated approach to your website can cost you profit and customers.

Customer needs are changing and competition is growing ever fiercer. You can’t afford to assume that customers will keep coming back to you. Why not give some thought to implementing new ideas and approaches to keep your ecommerce site fresh? Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Gemma

What’s on your eCommerce To-Do List?

E-commerce Web Design, Website Design

Many of us start a new year armed with a purposeful To-Do list. Revamping your ecommerce website may have been at the top of your wish list, but what can you do when faced with the reality that you can’t achieve the overhaul you may have had in mind?

Websites and ecommerce are ever-changing and improving, but this doesn’t mean you need to be all-or-nothing in your approach. Perhaps you can implement an evolutionary makeover, rather than a revolutionary revamp? Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Gemma

New Year, New Website?

Website Design

We often think of fresh starts or making resolutions for ourselves at this time of year, such as setting new business targets or achieving higher sales. But what if your website design is crying out for a fresh start itself? If your website is in need of a new lick of paint for 2012, then perhaps you should consider the following web design basics: Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Gemma

Five quick tips to get your website on the road to success

Knowledgebase, Search Engine Optimisation, Website Design

Tip 1: Good website design

Make sure your website is clear, concise and is informative to customers.  Products should be easily found and clearly labeled, with enough supporting information to ensure that a buyer is fully informed before committing to a purchase.

Navigation is important, so ensure product categories are intuitive. Avoid burying information in too many clicks – visitors don’t want to find themselves on a treasure hunt looking for clues on how to buy what they came to your site for.  Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Gemma

Bringing it all home…

E-commerce Web Design, Website Design

Creating an effective homepage is often the basis for a successful website. The homepage has the power to convince visitors that your business is professional, specialized and well-organized.

As your homepage is the starting point for users, you should make sure that it conveys your company accurately. Visitors to your website need to know they have arrived in the right place and should immediately recognize what it is that your company does. Continue reading

Read More Posted by: Gemma