Update Your WordPress Software Regularly For Best Results

There's no doubt about it; WordPress is one of the best website creation tools on the market. And more often than not, when it fails, it's because of 'owner error' - in other words, you've forgotten to update your WordPress software!

Plugins are an essential part of the WordPress website, covering everything from security and speed to  customer contact forms and email marketing tools. They are used extensively in website development on the Sunshine Coast.

Security and Performance

The beauty of WordPress plugins is that they are designed specifically for WP sites, so compatibility is never an issue. Used properly, and regularly updated, they will keep your site secure, improve its performance, boost traffic, and make it easier to manage your site.

If you are considering a new website - or you wish to make improvements to your existing WP website - you should talk to web development professionals on the Sunshine Coast. They understand how particular plugins work, and can advise on the best choices for your business.

Keep Hackers Away

WordPress currently powers more than a quarter of the web, which is pretty impressive! And there are some specific plugins which you should probably consider, such as Yoast SEO. This very popular plugin takes your existing SEO strategy and makes it even better. Not only will it boost your search engine rankings, but it's also free.

iThemes Security is another must-have. As the name suggests, it is designed to protect your site from hackers and the like, and is very effective, so long as you update your WordPress software!

Better User Experience

W3 Total Cache will reduce the loading time of your website, and therefore enhance the User Experience, and convert more sales. And JetPack covers a great many needs, particularly analytics. Again, it is crucial to keep JetPack up to date to ensure you are still targeting the right market and delivering an awesome user experience.

There are many more plugins to consider - these are just a couple of examples, covering the key issues. If you plan to manage your own website, ask the professionals which plugins they recommend.

Web Development On The Sunshine Coast Is Getting AMPED

There's one thing I've learnt about Google over the years, and that's the company's obvious delight in throwing us a curved ball! Just as you think you've got their latest algorithm update covered, they come at you with something else altogether, like Google AMP.

No-one in web development on the Sunshine Coast is a stranger to AMP - or Accelerated Mobile Pages. And on the whole, everyone thinks it's a great project. AMP is designed to speed up the delivery of content to users, thus improving the whole UX, or User Experience. To do this, it uses a stripped down code, known as AMP HTML.

No surprise that Google mostly had mobile users in mind when it came up with this. AMPED pages deliver faster results, and seem to enjoy a higher ranking. Website development teams on the Sunshine Coast believe both users and businesses will benefit from this project.

Initially, Google AMP covered just 'top stories' but, guess what, Google has announced that it is now rolling out AMP to ALL organic listings! And yes, some panic has erupted! Especially as you've only got to the end of the year to do this.

But here's the thing, Google AMP is fairly easy to implement and, according to Google, is NOT a ranking signal. (Uhm, still pondering that one!)
If you're using a WordPress site, you simply need to download a couple of plugins, and access Search Console. If that doesn't immediately work, you may need support from your web hosting platform. Sounds easy, right?

There is also a dedicated Google AMP website - https://www.ampproject.org/ - that is jam-packed with information and tutorials, so that's also worth a look.

Alternatively, talk to a professional! While projects like this can be quick and easy for someone working in the industry, that can pose quite a challenge for the uninitiated! 

Website Design Services Lean Towards Interaction Design

One look at website design on the Sunshine Coast today confirms that mobile device usage is king and, if your website is not responsive, you're going to miss out on business. That's a very simplified explanation but the message is clear enough and, if you haven't yet made your website mobile-friendly, it's time you did.

That need for great responsiveness has seen a huge push towards interaction design. Once just a small part of web and graphic design, it is now a trend, and a skill, in itself. An interaction designer must be able to create every element of the website that a user will tap, type, swipe or click.

Engaging and Responsive

And that style of design is needed in order to make the website more engaging and responsive to the mobile device user, giving them everything they need, as quickly as possible. The Interaction Design Association describes the process as creating "meaningful relationships between people and the products and services they use, from computers to mobile devices to appliances and beyond".

Interaction website design services consider everything the use can do with their mouse, finger or stylus to interact with the device. They look at response rates, feedback, error messages and commands, to try and get more 'action' and better results out of every feature.

Changing the Future of Websites

You could describe the process as changing a website from a purely responsive creation, to a living, breathing entity that becomes an extension of the user's mind and finger. In the book, Human Computer Interaction, the usability of a website is broken down into three areas: Learnability - how easily can the user learn to navigate the interface; Flexibility: how many ways can they interact with the system, and Robustness: how are user errors supported?

Whilst to some this might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, it is where the website bus is going and, if you're not on it, your business is likely to suffer.