Home Group Financial is a Wiltshire-based Mortgage Broker and Advisor, providing advice and recommendation on mortgage, protection and insurance products to clients nationwide. Home Group Financial tasked 4D Digital with managing a new logo design, branding and website design for the company. In addition the project was to include digital marketing consultation and ongoing services for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising.
Branding, Copywriting, Web Design and Marketing
The Home Group Financial brand reflects the bold, professional, yet approachable outlook of the company.
The logo is designed to be minimal, creative and versatile. Importance is placed on it’s ability to be used in a wide variety of digital and print environments
The website design builds on the Home Group Financial brand and logo, and further reinforces the main principles of simplicity, clarity and minimalism. Website content is subject to a thorough copywriting assessment during website build.
Initial research and analysis is carried out in preparation for ongoing marketing via SEO and PPC campaigns, managed by 4D Digital.
Client CRM integration
A key element of the website development is integration with the clients existing sector-specific CRM software. All new enquiries from the website automatically feed into the CRM, notifying advisors and providing feedback to potential customers.
Update – February 2024
Following its launch in September 2022, the brand and website developed by 4D Digital has enabled Home Group Financial progress and now to look forward to its next phase of growth. 4D Digital are delighted to partner with HGF to continue this expansion by offering ongoing marketing and website development services.
4D Digital have been extremely helpful in designing and producing a fantastic website for my business and supporting the initial digital launch of the site. Chris is knowledgeable, has a wide-reach of contacts to support small to large projects and most of all trustworthy – very important in a digital market where I have little knowledge. I would recommend 4D Digital without hesitation.
Miles Robinson – Founder & Director, Home Group Financial
Balloon Letting Co. are a letting agent based in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Founded by proud Bristolian Ben Giles, the company has rapidly grown it’s ethical brand over the last two years to become one of Bristol’s up-and-coming rental agencies. In a hugely competitive market, Balloon Letting Co. needed to upgrade its online presence in order to maintain growth and build its business.
Website Design & Development
Working closely with graphic design agency Bara Studio, 4D Digital integrated the existing client property CRM with the new website design and marketing strategy. Particular emphasis was placed on ease of use for the internal Balloon Letting Co. team, with automatic upload of new property information to the website an important factor. A fully bespoke website search was built in order for website users to quickly find suitable properties in their location.
SEO Marketing Strategy
Alongside the website build 4D Digital worked on a marketing strategy, with SEO optimisation a key area. Building on a strong existing social media presence, 4D targeted key areas that would benefit ongoing investment.
Aiding Growth
Launched in Spring 2022 the Balloon Letting Co. website has provided a successful platform to aid and maintain growth for the company. SEO progress in the first year is already showing benefits, with regular enquiries being generated for the team.
“4D Digital have been absolutely fantastic throughout our work together over the past 12 months. Chris is incredibly knowledgeable and professional and 4D have launched themselves in to our project with a huge amount of enthusiasm for what we’re trying to achieve. I would thoroughly recommend.”
Ben Giles – Managing Director, Balloon Letting Co.
Designing and building a new website, or redesigning an existing website, can seem like a daunting task. To small business owners a new web design is often something that gets put off due to the thought of tackling the project whilst already running a demanding business.
With nearly two decades of experience in developing websites for small businesses, we have the experience in what it takes to create an engaging and successful business website. Whether a startup or an existing business, getting the results you are looking for can depend on a number of key steps and factors, which we outline below.
Register a Domain Name
There are many factors to consider when choosing a website domain name. Some of the most important factors include:
1. The domain name should be easy to remember.
2. The domain name should be short and simple.
3. The domain name should be relevant to your business or website.
4. The domain name should be available.
There are many places to buy website domain names. Some popular options include GoDaddy, Names, and Ionos. Should you wish to, 4D Digital can quickly check availability and register a domain name for you.
Website Hosting
A website host is a company that owns and operates servers that are connected to the internet. When you create a website, you need to store the files that make up your website on a server. Website hosting provides space on a server for your website, as well as the technology needed to connect your website to the internet.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a website hosting provider. Some of the most important factors include:
Price: How much does the hosting provider charge?
Reliability: How often is the website down?
Customer support: How responsive is the customer support?
Features: What features does the hosting provider offer?
Consider your goals
Some goals that your website might have are to increase sales, to get more leads, to increase brand awareness, or to generate more traffic.
More general aims for your new website should include the following:-
To be user-friendly and easy to navigate
To have a clean and modern design
To load quickly
To be responsive (to work well on mobile devices)
To be optimised for search engines
To be secure (with an SSL certificate)
To have contact information and a contact form
To have a blog or news section
Create a memorable and engaging website
The best way to create a memorable and engaging website will vary depending on the type of website and the audience you are trying to reach. However, some tips to create a memorable and engaging website include using high-quality visuals, telling a story, and making it easy for visitors to navigate and find the information they are looking for.
At 4D Digital we work with each client to design a website that engages the user and provides clear access to all website content and information. We believe that the content of a website has to take priority when designing layout and structure. This then enables website visitors to navigate through the website more easily and access information quickly.
Optimise for search engines
There are many things you can do to optimise your website for SEO. Some important things to consider are:
Making sure your website is accessible to search engine crawlers
Creating keyword-rich content
Using relevant keywords in your titles and headings
Creating backlinks to your website from other high-quality websites
Optimising for SEO will vary depending on your website’s context and application. For more in-depth information we are happy to advise and talk through your requirements. At 4D Digital we offer full Website and SEO Audits as part of any SEO service.
Implement a maintenance plan
A website maintenance plan is a service that provides regular updates and security for a website. This can include things like updating the website content, adding new features, and keeping the site secure.
Should your website be based on the WordPress platform, it’s important to keep up-to-date with plugin, theme and framework updates.
Promote your website
There are many ways to promote a website. Some of the most common include SEO (search engine optimization), social media marketing, and content marketing.
For Social Media some common methods include creating accounts for the website and sharing links to the website on these accounts; creating promotional content such as videos or blog posts about the website and sharing this content on social media; and running social media ads that link to the website.
There are a number of ways you can use content marketing to promote your website. You can use blog posts, infographics, videos, and other forms of content to attract attention to your site and encourage people to visit it. You can also use social media to share your content and drive traffic to your website.
Commonly asked questions
Does my Small Business website need a content-management system?
A content management system (CMS) is a website framework that allows you to create and modify digital content. Most websites are built with a CMS which allows the business owner to modify and add content themselves.
If you want to create a Small Business website, you will most likely need a CMS.
What is UX and how does it affect my website?
UX, or user experience, affects your website in that it determines how easy or difficult it is for users to interact with your site. A good UX will make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for and navigate your site, while a poor UX will make it difficult for users to use your site.
Should I use WordPress for my website?
WordPress is a good choice for many websites, but it may not be the best choice for your specific website. At 4D Digital we specialise in developing for WordPress but will advise on the framework that we fell can best help your business reach its goals.
As a small business, do I need to be ready for e-commerce?
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. This can be done through a variety of different platforms, including online marketplaces, online stores, and mobile apps.
If your business has any plans in the future to sell products or services online, then good advice is to build the website framework with e-commerce enabled from the outset.
Do I need to add to my small business website every month or more frequently?
As a general rule, it is a good idea to add new content to your website on at least a monthly basis. This will help keep your site fresh and relevant, and will give your visitors a reason to come back.
How much does it cost to create a website for a small business?
The cost of creating a website for a small business can vary depending on the size and scope of the project. Generally, a simple website can cost anywhere from £500 to £2,000, while a more complex website can cost upwards of £5,000 or more.
Do you have to pay monthly for a website?
Should 4D Digital produce a website for you, you do not have to pay monthly. You may be required to pay for hosting with us, but that is separate from your website itself.
Summary
At 4D Digital we aim to use our experience and knowledge to ease the process of building a new website and, hopefully, even make it an enjoyable task. Please get in touch with us if you would like to talk further about your business website.
“4D Digital have been extremely helpful in designing and producing a fantastic website for my business and supporting the initial digital launch of the site. Chris is knowledgeable, has a wide-reach of contacts to support small to large projects and most of all trustworthy – very important in a digital market where I have little knowledge. I would recommend 4D Digital without hesitation.”
Miles Robinson – Founder & Director, Home Group Financial
Founded by ex-professional rugby international Matt Perry, Transition 15 combine world-class sport and business methodology with corporate coaching expertise. Transition 15 earlier this year asked 4D Digital to develop a new website, which was to include new video content and photography of their team.
Clean, responsive website
Using the WordPress framework for speed of build, 4D worked to migrate existing content into the revised design. A clean, modern feel to the website was to be key, keeping the information on methods and programmes Transition 15 provide easily accessible.
Video & Photography
Supported by Matt Doherty and his team at Bara Studio in Bristol, we were delighted to provide superb new video and photo content for the website. Helping clients feel and act naturally whilst in front of the lens is a skill not to be underestimated!
Ease of use for client updating
After training for the internal team on updating and managing the content, the website was launched in August this year. Additional support will be provided post-launch in marketing and maintaining the website.
“4D Digital have been superb in helping us develop our new website – from defining key requirements with a website audit to bringing new ideas to life. The level of support, advice and guidance has been fantastic. It’s a real pleasure working with 4D Digital.”
NVH International are a leading Noise Vibration & Harshness (NVH) testing and software supplier based in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. Formed following the acquisition of the division from Anthony Best Dynamics, NVH are looking to continue building on their 38 years of industry experience.
Brand, logo & website design
Having approached 4D Digital in the spring of 2022, NVH required new branding and website design in a relatively short time frame for the launch of the new company. 4D worked with the team at NVH to develop a brand guidelines, logo and website design. Clear access to technical information was key to the success of the website project.
CMS Integration
A core element of the website included integration into internal client CMS tools. NVH needed seamless progression of prospective enquiries to fit their sales processes. Particular emphasis has been given to all email form and contact enquiries as part of ongoing lead generation.
Further support
Over the coming months 4D Digital look forward to working with NVH International to continue development of the website, reinforcing its position as a key marketing tool.
In June this year Google began rolling out a major change to the way its search engine rankings are displayed. This is important because in the UK over 93% of all searches use Google, and many businesses rely on search engine traffic to generate new enquiries through their websites.
Although Google already had user experience factors within its algorithm, the new update was to include a revised Page Experience ranking method. Previously websites were encouraged to be mobile- and tablet-friendly, and to enable secure browsing through use of HTTPS connections. The Google Page Experience update, however, included a number of new ranking factors, and after some delay was rolled out from mid-June 2021.
What are the new ranking factors?
A core focus of the update was to include metrics involving how fast your website page loads. Firstly, Google checks to see how long it takes for the most important content on the page to load. This largest contentful paint timing (LCP) is key to a good user experience, and if your website takes over 2.5 seconds to load then its ranking can be adversely affected. Large and too many images, slow scripts and poor website hosting are among the main factors that cause a poor LCP rating.
The next loading factor included is a measure of how the page loads visually. If you’ve ever noticed the elements on a page moving around and changing position as a page loads (often caused by too many adverts on the page), then you’ve seen what Google refers to as Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). A low CLS score is indicative of a website that loads smoothly and allows the user to start viewing content without too many interruptions.
If you’ve ever had to wait for a page to load before being able to complete a form, such as a contact page enquiry, then you’ve suffered from First Input Delay or FID. This delay is another sign of a slow loading page, as website code is required to load before your browser lets you enter form details. Frustrating to the user, and another usability factor that Google looks at.
Non-intrusive advertising
The last major metric Google has introduced is around the use of advertising on website pages. Not considered to be an issue in itself, the problem can arise (and we all know the media/newspaper websites that are the worst offenders) when a page has so many adverts and popup messages that the page content itself becomes difficult to access. Again, within the theme of keeping usability at the forefront, if adverts are used on a website they need to load quickly and efficiently, with minimal interruption to the main content. If not, the website will start to lose importance as far as Google is concerned.
How can these Page Experience factors be measured?
Helpfully, Google has added to its Search Engine Console tool a section for Page Experience. This includes data on Core Web Vitals as well as a report on the mobile usability of your website. Building over time as Google measures how users interact with your website, the data provided indicates which usability areas are performing well, and those that need attention.
Google Search Engine Console – Mobile Usability Report
Existing ranking factors still matter
Although these new Page Experience ranking metrics are seen as important by Google (and give an indication of how its algorithm may alter over the next few years), the existing reasons why your website will rank highly on search engines still very much remain. If your page has content that is relevant to the search term and is regularly updated, within a website that is easy to use and well presented, then you are going a long way to ranking highly for that search term.
If you think your website would benefit from some work on the points we’ve raised above, or would just like a view on what may be needed to improve it’s performance, please email us on contact@4d-digital.co.uk or call our office on 01249 561010.
Stronghold Global are an established and growing supplier to trade of workwear and business goods throughout the UK. Stronghold required a new website to be quickly deployed in order to react to market changes – specifically to provide PPE supplies due to the second wave in the UK of the COVID pandemic. A short deadline of four weeks was needed in order to be able to offer both quoted goods for trade volumes and paid orders for new customers.
4D Digital recommended existing branding for the Stronghold Global to be used as the company is well known within it’s target market, but subtle amends were used to enable the Stronghold Healthcare website to have it’s own identity.
Stronghold Healthcare within the Stronghold Global brand
The WordPress framework was used in conjunction with WooCommerce as an ecommerce module to enable fast development prior to product and content entry. Management of the website content, orders and products by the internal team was to be a key requirement post-launch.
4D Digital worked swiftly with the team at Stronghold to specify the website requirements and deliver the website ready for launch earlier than anticipated. Orders and quote requests were active within a day of launch. Particular importance has been placed on continual development of the website, with marketing channels set up with the internal CRM for access by the UK sales team.
Ongoing support is in place with internal CMS training and website maintenance. 4D Digital continues to work with Stronghold on SEO and paid ad campaigns to progress the website.
For our third offer of 2018 #blogmas, we’re offering the chance to have a Free Local SEO Assessment. This report looks at how your website ranks for a given set of keywords, in your area. Local search results can be a useful tool to gain traffic and enquiries.
All we ask it that you use our contact page to get in touch before the end of January and within 2/3 working days we’ll send you a report to let you know what could be improved and those aspects that are being done well.
Local search results are a great way to market your business through Google or other search engines. Many businesses are suited to local marketing, and with a Local SEO Assessment we guide you through the latest techniques.
As the New Year festivities fade and we all head back to work, inevitably thoughts can turn to plans for 2019 and how to progress your business. One of the main factors in a sales and marketing strategy has to be to optimise your company’s online presence. We might well be a bit biased – but there are a number of ways we can help you and we’ve outlined some options below.
New website
Most companies and organisations will have a website in place, so mainly we’re looking at a website redesign. Unless branding and logo have changed, typically a second, third- or fourth-generation website just needs to be refreshed, with perhaps a look again at the focus of the content. Responsive design is often a key, to ensure focus is given to mobile and tablet view. Depending on the industry sector, over half of traffic to a website will be on mobile. This also guides us into making sure the content is as clear as possible, with key action points as a focus.
Website Audits & Consultancy
From our basic website audit to a more in-depth consultancy role, we try to use our experience to help you ensure your website or mobile app is delivering the results you need. Focus is given to planning improvements and then measuring the performance over coming months and years.
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing, which includes a wide variety of areas such as SEO, Social Media and PPC campaigns, is the method of marketing your website or app online. With such choice of channels to use, it’s key nowadays to ensure the most effective route is used, and most importantly, to measure the success of the campaign. With analytics and insights metrics available to measure the finest detail of traffic source and flow, it’s possible to accurately show any return on the investment.
2019 and beyond
If you feel that any of the options we outline above may be of use please contact us, we’re always happy to chat through any enquiry. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading some of our #blogmas articles this year, and wish everyone good fortune in 2019.
When ASOS issued a profit warning just prior to Christmas due to poor online sales in November, many feared that this year was going to be a tough period for eCommerce retailers. With Black Friday falling in that November period, did this mean that other retailers would reflect the performance of one of the UK’s leading eCommerce lights? Was the Brexit effect having a tangible effect on sales and profits?
A good indicator of general retail performance is always how early stores, in the high street and online, switch into the sales period. Long gone are the days of sales starting on Boxing Day. Even in stronger economic times of a few years ago, many online retailers (Amazon in particular), would launch massive promotional campaigns on Christmas Day itself. No sooner had presents been opened than we were busily seeking bargain replacements!
But with some of the big guns such as Next and John Lewis holding off launching sales some confidence grew that the general economic concerns weren’t hitting online sales as much as predicted.
Reports from Next and John Lewis however, have both showed good online sales over the period. Next overall sales were up 1.5% on 2017, but online sales were up a whopping 15.2%, taking many ecommerce analysts by surprise. John Lewis’ figures were up 4.5% in the week to 29th December, but as no separate online figures were released, it’s less easy to assess.
So what can we learn? That online sales, done well, are forging ahead despite uncertainties in the economy and high street concerns.
