Calico Marketing – Design & Marketing Blog

What is user experience web design?

April 16, 2024April 13, 2024 by Calico UK

User experience design, or UX, UXD or UED, is a web design and development principal that places full importance on design practices that are centred around the user. This involves using specific techniques that aim to result in a design that adheres to the common behavioural practices of the intended target audience of the website. Good user experience web design should meet both the goals and desires of the users, as well as the goals of the company or entity behind the website.

The user is the central concern when it comes to UX. It greatly assists designers and clients in working together when it comes to making changes and new developments to a website. When both parties agree that the design should focus on the user, personal preferences can be put aside in favour of a more common sense and logical approach.

Rather than coming up with a web design that simply looks pretty, as can so often happen when a new site is designed either with or without input from the client, a UX design approach means that the design comes together based on the problems that have been identified in the planning and research process. This means that the overall purpose of every aspect of the site should be considered and thought about in detail before any aspect of the design is undertaken.

Avoid These 3 SEO Tactics That Will Flag You As A Spammer To Google

April 16, 2024November 12, 2023 by Calico UK

In the race to get to the top of Google’s rankings, many techniques and tactics can be utilised. The vast majority of them are legitimate and whether it is you who implement them or an SEO agency like SPE, none of them should cast you in a bad light in the eyes of Google. In fact, they are more likely to give your rankings a boost.

Unfortunately, not everyone plays by Google’s rules, and instead of following an SEO campaign that is whiter than white, they instead use blackhat tactics that seek to create a shortcut to high rankings. Frustratingly, some of these underhand SEO techniques work, but only temporarily, and as Google’s algorithms are so advanced, SEO spammers being caught is almost a certainty.

When Google does catch spammers it has several ways of punishing them, ranging from a drop in their ranking to delisting a website from their search results completely. if you are wondering how severe that is, it is the equivalent of a retail store being removed from the mall, or a commercial lawyer’s office being locked permanently, and the key being thrown away.

We must point out that there are occasions when a business will use SEO spamming inadvertently because they were either misinformed or simply were not aware that what they doing was wrong. Unfortunately, as with criminal law, Google’s law means ignorance is no defence, so to enlighten you somewhat, here are three SEO spamming tactics which you must avoid at all costs.

Importance Of Effective Branding To Enhancing A Divorce Lawyer’s Income

July 26, 2023 by Calico UK

Divorce lawyers are not likely to be the first that comes to mind when considering business sectors and professions that you would immediately associate with marketing and branding. You might see the occasional local ad, but when it comes to the internet and online marketing, a divorce lawyer and their law firm will rarely dominate Facebook or Google.

This begs the question, “Why not?”. We ask that because, given that almost all divorce lawyers operate within a finite local market, the internet and online marketing are primed for divorce lawyers to promote themselves and, more importantly, brand themselves within their local catchment area.

The point we are making is, just as local businesses like restaurants, landscapers, removalists, and pressure cleaners use digital marketing to build an online audience, augment their brand, and as a result, generate more leads, prospects, and clients, local divorce lawyers can do likewise.

Further, the nature of what divorce lawyers do and the fees they earn for representing their clients give them an even greater incentive to brand themselves locally using digital marketing. For example, whilst someone visiting a restaurant might run up a bill of $200, a divorce lawyer’s fee from a single client could be $2,000 and more.

7 Tips For Law Firms To Secure The Best Results From PPC Advertising

March 30, 2023March 13, 2023 by Calico UK

For any law firm seeking a digital marketing strategy that is one of the most targeted and quickest ways to generate traffic to their website, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising has to be one of the prime options. PPC can assist in increasing the brand awareness of your law firm in your local catchment area, it can target leads so that they are more qualified when they first make contact, and most significantly, it can produce leads that convert better.

We are sure every lawyer reading that would agree those are very attractive benefits of running a PPC campaign. However, the fly in the ointment is that PPC ads have to be planned and created properly. Unfortunately, many PPC campaigns fail because the requisite planning has not been done. Thereafter, the optimisation required to make the ads perform even better is missing too.

For any law firms who wish to ensure that their PPC ads work as well as they hope and thus create a satisfactory return on ad spend investment, there are some relatively simple tips and tactics you can employ to achieve those. Below we have outlined seven of those tips which are proven to improve the results of PPC campaigns for law firms.

Find The Best Keywords: For any PPC ad to be successful, you must find the right keywords. These must be relevant to the legal services you offer and include associated terms and phrases. Use synonyms and longtail keywords to add to the potential numbers of keywords and keyword phrases you can target.

Include Applicable Negative Keywords: This tells Google what keywords you do not want your ad to appear for. For example, the search term “law firm in Perth WA”, you would want, but “commercial law firm in Perth WA”, you would make a negative keyword if you were a divorce or wills lawyer.

Why Commercial Storage Units Can Be A Huge Help To Retail Businesses

February 14, 2024February 13, 2023 by Calico UK

Managing inventory can be challenging for retail businesses, especially smaller retailers. We want to examine how commercial storage units can greatly help retail businesses.

Commercial storage units come in many sizes, and the services offered therein can vary depending on each storage facility. However, most reputable storage facilities have various options and services that virtually all small to medium-sized retailers could benefit from. This blog post will explore those benefits and why retail businesses should seriously consider them.

Increased Storage Space For Stock

The most apparent benefit of using a storage facility is that it provides additional space. Retail businesses require ample storage space for their inventory, and a storage facility can offer just that, especially in circumstances where the retail unit the business operates from has limited storage space. By renting a storage unit, retailers can also free up valuable space in their store, which can be used to showcase products, expand the store’s layout, or accommodate more customers.

More Secure Storage Of Inventory

Security is a top priority for retail businesses, especially when storing valuable merchandise, such as electronic equipment, jewelry, quality furniture, and antiques. Storage facilities offer a secure storage solution for retail businesses with concerns that their current premises lack robust security.

Most modern storage facilities are equipped with surveillance cameras, security gates, and high-quality locks on units to ensure the safety of stored items. Additionally, some facilities have digital keypad locks and may even have security staff on-site to provide even greater peace of mind for retailers using those storage facilities.

Why Great Content Is Essential For Marketing Family Lawyer Businesses

March 30, 2023December 7, 2022 by Calico UK

Family lawyers have numerous ways to market themselves and their family law practice online. These include social media, PPC advertising, and SEO, to name but three. However, there is one kind of marketing that might not grab the headlines in the same way these do, but which many expert digital marketers believe is not only highly effective but essential.

The marketing we are referring to is content marketing, and it first begs the question, “What is content?”. Arguably, anything you publish online could be considered content which would include everything from a 100-page eBook to a 10-word post on Facebook.

However, when it comes to genuine content marketing, there are specific forms of content that are used, and they are used for different purposes. That being said, your first task is not deciding what content you should use but answering an even more crucial question.

10 Office Chair Types And The Reasons For Buying Each Of Them

March 31, 2023November 3, 2022 by Calico UK

If there is one item of commercial furniture from Atama Furniture that gets purchased more than others, and where there is the most diversity in terms of product choices, it is hard to argue against that being the office chair. Many items of office furniture could be regarded as useful, but not essential, but surely the office chair is one which every business needs, whether that be one chair or hundreds.

We mentioned that the choices surrounding office chairs are considerable, and that applies not just to specific types of office chairs but also materials, sizes, styles, and prices. It is understandable that, when it comes to the point where you have to select which office chair or chairs you are going to purchase, you might be somewhat perplexed as to which is the right one for you and your business.

To attempt to allay some of that confusion we thought it would be useful to highlight ten of the most popular office chair types and provide you with a brief explanation of their features and their uses. We hope this helps you make a more informed choice when selecting the office chair most suited to your needs.

Office Chair #1 – Executive: These are premium chairs that will primarily be used by CEOs and senior managers within a business. They are usually made with high-quality materials, are well-cushioned, and can be adjusted in several ways.

Why You Should Call In Professionals If Your Office Carpets Are Wet

November 22, 2023August 31, 2022 by Calico UK

Your office’s carpets can become wet due to many causes, and if they do, your priority should be having your carpets dried and professionally cleaned. Carpets left wet, or even damp, for a prolonged period can incur all kinds of problems, including mould, smells, large stains, and damage beyond repair, meaning that the carpet or carpets must be replaced entirely.

As we mentioned, wet carpets can occur for many reasons, and knowing what type of water your carpets are soaked with will play a significant factor in determining the course of action your cleaning company will take. Advised by the carpet cleaning professionals Brilliance Carpet Cleaning Perth, here are the three main types of water.

“Black” Water: This is not necessarily a reference to its colour but more to the fact that this type of water can be highly toxic and a danger to the health of anyone in its vicinity. The sources for this type of water include sewers, which have become backed up and contaminated standing water.

7 Signs Your Business Needs To Hire A Professional High Pressure Cleaning Company

March 31, 2023August 10, 2022 by Calico UK

If you run a business and you either own your business premises or are responsible for their upkeep, there are numerous ways that it can be done, and when it comes to looking after the exteriors, high pressure cleaning is often the most effective option. Not only can it be the most effective cleaning method, but it can also prove to be an investment rather than a cost, due to the benefits it generates.

For those business owners and CEOs reading this who have never considered the use of high pressure cleaning services, it could be that you are not sure whether your business premises need them. That is reasonable given that, in any scenario, unless you are aware of the problems, you are going to be even less aware of the solutions.

For this reason, we have outlined seven signs that business owners should be looking for, and which will tell them that their need for a high pressure cleaning company to resolve the issues that are occurring on the exterior of their business premises is upon them.

Your Business Does Not Own Any High Pressure Cleaning Equipment

It might seem an obvious point but, if your company does not own high-pressure cleaning equipment, nor has anyone skilled enough to use a high pressure washer, then the only option is to hire a professional pressure cleaning company.

3 Business Sectors That Use Hydraulic Torque Wrenches

March 31, 2023July 27, 2022 by Calico UK

If you take a moment to think about all the structures, machines, and industrial apparatus around the world that are held together in some way or another by nuts and bolts, then the count must be billions, and many of those nuts and bolts will have been tightened by a hydraulic torque wrench. It is just one of four of the main industrial torque wrenches that are widely used.

Torque wrenches that can be purchased from robotictools.com.au, came into being just over 100 years ago when a New York City Water Department employee named Conrad Bahr realised he needed a tool more appropriate than normal wrenches for tightening the bolts on water pipes. Since then torque wrenches have been responsible for ensuring the safety and structural integrity of many things that can be found in business and industrial settings.

Four Types Of Industrial Torque Wrenches

Hydraulic

The hydraulics for these torque wrenches are generated either by an electrical or a pneumatic pump. Used where powerful torque limits are required, they are often required to tighten extremely large bolts and nuts. One other main benefit is that as a hydraulic torque wrench is separate from the pump, it can be used in tighter spaces than electric or pneumatic torque wrenches.

Electric

Powered by electricity there is therefore a need for a power outlet to be available where the torque wrench is being used. They are more accurate than other types of torque wrenches and often have data readouts that allow engineers to monitor their use.

Your 10-Step Guide For Ensuring A Successful Office Relocation

7 Office Relocation Mistakes You Cannot Afford To Make

November 22, 2023June 23, 2022 by Calico UK

Regardless of the size of your business, if you decide to relocate, it has significant consequences. Thankfully, the vast majority of those consequences are positive. However, there can also be negative consequences of relocating, which tend to occur due to mistakes made leading up to the move and on the day of the move. You want to avoid those mistakes, so here are seven of the most common, which also happen to be the ones that can be the most costly.

Not Hiring Professional Removalists: If we were asked what is the worst mistake a business can make regarding relocating, it would be this one. Trying to do it yourself or using cheap labour is simply not going to work and will more likely lead to chaos. Professionals from Brilliance Removalists Melbourne can help plan your move, provide the correct packing materials, offer a packing service, and be insured against mishaps.

Insufficient Planning And Preparation: This applies to any project you undertake, but the fallout from little or no planning can be enormous in the case of relocation. Planning will help the move run smoothly and allow time for hitting removalists and office cleaners. Without a plan or proper preparation, the day of the move will be chaotic. You will undoubtedly annoy many people you do not wish to, such as your staff and current and future landlord, and your customers could be adversely affected, too.

How To Turn Ambitious Employees Into Future Leaders Within Your Landscaping Business

April 5, 2023June 21, 2022 by Calico UK

Just like the landscapers who are running their own landscaping business, if you have the goal of growing your business, there are certain key principles that you must follow for those ambitions to be realised. Many will relate to marketing, enhancing your brand, increasing sales, offering world-class customer service, and taking steps to ensure that the first landscaping business anyone in your area thinks of is yours.

What all of those have in common is that they directly impact the profits that your landscaping business makes, and it should go without saying that a business that does not make a profit is unlikely to be growing. However, not all your focus should be on your bottom line, because there are other elements and assets within your landscaping business that will make huge contributions to the success and subsequent growth of that business.

At the forefront of these are the people who work for you and with you and without whom it is probable your business would not be able to operate as successfully as it does. We are sure you treat your employees well, pay them a fair wage, and try to create a great working relationship with them. Despite all of that being laudable, a question you must ask yourself concerns what steps are you taking to develop your employees.

All You Need To Know About Using Hot Water Extraction To Clean Office Carpets

April 12, 2023June 14, 2022 by Calico UK

If you are a business owner who has concluded that the carpets in your premises require cleaning, then you have several options open to you. Commercial cleaning by gleamcleanwa.com.au for carpets can be done in many ways and one of them is hot water extraction. Hot water extraction may sound like a term you would associate with a dentist than with carpet cleaning, but rest assured it is a highly effective way of cleaning the carpets in your offices and other areas of your commercial premises.

In this article, we are going to briefly explain what hot water extraction is, how it gets your commercial carpets clean, and the benefits of using it. One point before we start though is that if you want the best results from hot water extraction, then we recommend you only use professional commercial carpet cleaners rather than you or your staff trying it yourself. Using the pros means you are guaranteed clean carpets.

What is Hot Water Extraction?

In truth, hot water extraction, or HWE, is not as technical an operation as it sounds. It works by injecting hot water, which is under extremely high pressure, into carpets. Under these conditions, the water, along with small amounts of mild detergent, comes into contact with the fibres of the carpet with such a force, that it can dislodge dirt, dust, and stains.

10 Questions You Must Ask Before Entering Into A Franchise Agreement

April 1, 2023January 18, 2022 by Calico UK

Franchise businesses are one of many ways in which commercial law allows someone who has money to invest, to start a business. Some of the most recognisable business names in the world are run on a franchise basis such as McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, and Hertz. Beyond these global giants which require an upfront investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars, there are thousands of smaller franchise opportunities that can be purchased for a lot less.

However, simply because a franchise opportunity does not cost a six-figure sum to get started, it does not mean that every one of them is the right choice for you. even Small franchises will set you back a sizable sum, so you must ensure that before you make your final decision to invest, that you carry out several checks on the franchise. In particular, there are ten questions to which you want answers from lawyers before signing on the dotted line.

What Is The Success Rate Of Franchisees?

Probably the first question you need answering is how well are the current franchisees are doing and what is their success rate. If you can, speak to the current franchisees yourself to learn of their experiences thus far with the franchise.