My Blog Posts
Blog... Short for weblog. Blogs originally had a purpose when the few people who had them actually had exciting and informative things to say. These blogs still exist and are pretty enjoyable to read. However, the advent of cheap hosting and drag and drop website builders has changed this once meaningful application into self importance, allowing everyday boring people like me to write about their lives, industry and interest. Welcome to my Blog!
WordPress Websites for Small Businesses... Here’s What To Consider.
Lots of small businesses that need a new website or are looking for a fresh design choose WordPress, and with good reason. It’s estimated that nearly half of small businesses in the UK use WordPress. Marketing materials often emphasise the fact that it’s free, easy to use, offers thousands of plugins to meet business needs, and can have you up and running in a matter of hours.
read Post: WordPress Websites for Small Businesses... Here’s What To Consider.
Is Search Dead?
As a technical SEO specialist, I often see posts online or have conversations with people who say things like:
“ChatGPT and Perplexity are killing Google. Nobody uses search engines anymore, so why bother optimising for them?”
read Post: Is Search Dead?
What small business can learn from M&S
Marks & Spencer has faced its fair share of challenges over the years, but nothing quite like this. The retail giant, known for its British heritage and commitment to quality has found itself at the mercy of cybercriminals last month in a ransomware attack that sent shockwaves through its operations.
read Post: What small business can learn from M&S
There's a hard truth about SEO
The Truth is an obvious one that many business owners don't want to face...
The truth is, if you put less effort into SEO than your competitors do, THEY WILL BEAT YOU in the search rankings!
read Post: There's a hard truth about SEO
Is your slow website causing you problems?
Google hates slow websites and will rank you lower than your competitor if you don't take heed of this warning!
You know how annoying it is when a website you want to look at takes ages to load?
read Post: Is your slow website causing you problems?
DDD North Conference - February 2025
As I always say, anybody who knows me or has read my blog previously knows that I love the DDD conferences. They happen in a number of places in the country, the DDDNorth conference this year was held last week in Hull as it has been for the last few years and I love it because It's a totally free conference, has great speakers, great food and you get to hang out with like-minded tech people.
read Post: DDD North Conference - February 2025
Does Attention to detail not exist any more? Caffè Nero Email Marketing Error
Someone made a boo boo as we would have said a few years ago.
This is an email from Caffe Nero that I woke up to!
Personally, I am a stickler for checking, checking and double checking, especially when it comes to sending emails... Unlike a website, once an email is out there, it's out there, you can't change it.
read Post: Does Attention to detail not exist any more? Caffè Nero Email Marketing Error
Is Your Website Living in the Past?
Today is the 15th of January 2025, halfway through the first month so we can morally and correctly ask... "How quickly is this year going?!" 😉 to everyone we meet. The year is moving on but is your website living in the past?
read Post: Is Your Website Living in the Past?
Stop arguing about languages and just build!
I see so many posts and discussions on social media about how C++ is better than C# and Rust is faster than Java, or Javascript is... Well, the devil's 👹 own language (I must stop making those posts 😉) But why does it matter?
read Post: Stop arguing about languages and just build!
The Implosion of WordPress
If you're a fan of the biggest CMS in the world, you must be feeling a little queasy about your choice right now. Cracks are starting to show under the management of WordPress, WPEngine and Wordpress.org...
read Post: The Implosion of WordPress
8 Things Men Do When They Feel Like a Failure and How to Turn It Around
Men often feel like they have become a failure when they see the world around them seemingly bathing in prosperity when they aren’t, or if there is a marriage or family break up… Or most commonly, after losing a job. Something I am battling within my own life at the moment.
read Post: 8 Things Men Do When They Feel Like a Failure and How to Turn It Around
Plenty of Traffic to Your Website, But Not Many Sales? 4 Reasons Why...
Is this familiar to you? Google Analytics tells you that you’re getting lots of traffic, but you’re not getting lots of sales?
One of the most frustrating things for any business owner is to see that their website is getting a lot of traffic, but they’re not getting very many sales or conversions. If this is happening to you, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, it’s a problem that I see all too common!
read Post: Plenty of Traffic to Your Website, But Not Many Sales? 4 Reasons Why...
Dark Patterns. Online Tricks Designed to Confuse
You've probably encountered a "dark pattern." These are sneaky design tricks that make you do something you didn't intend. Imagine a website that makes it super hard to cancel a subscription. Or one that hides extra costs until the very end. These are dark patterns. They're like sneaky sales tactics, but online.
read Post: Dark Patterns. Online Tricks Designed to Confuse
16th July 2024 - Google Digital Garage Training Day in York
The City of York Council has an initiative to assist small to medium businesses, especially in the digital arena. This week, they teamed up with Google for the second year running to provide a digital skills training day in the heart of the city.
read Post: 16th July 2024 - Google Digital Garage Training Day in York
Abandoning Security and Accessibility to Save Money Is Like Stopping the Clock to Save Time
In the fast-paced world, websites and applications serve as the face of businesses, connecting them to their customers. However, some organisations make a critical mistake: they cut corners on security and accessibility to save costs. This decision is akin to stopping the clock to save time - counterproductive and ultimately harmful.
read Post: Abandoning Security and Accessibility to Save Money Is Like Stopping the Clock to Save Time
Time vs. Money: The Project Leader's Struggle
Ever feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done? That's the life of a tech lead or project manager, my friend. Deadlines are tight, resources are limited, and you're constantly juggling. And then there's the boss, that's not you... That's not your clients... That's not your line manager? Time is the real boss here.
read Post: Time vs. Money: The Project Leader's Struggle
Hiring by Numbers - A Tale of Job Application Rejection
My inbox is starting to resemble a graveyard of rejection emails. Each one feels like a tiny papercut, a nagging reminder that I haven't landed a job yet and time is running out. But you know what? I know I'm a rocket waiting to explode in the right role. I just need someone to see the benefits of my experience and light the fuse!
read Post: Hiring by Numbers - A Tale of Job Application Rejection
Apple Redefines AI... And not just by calling it "Apple Intelligence"
Apple has just made some big announcements regarding its forthcoming series of operating systems, every year it upgrades the OS on all of its devices adding lots of features that we'll ultimately end up using every day. Mostly these features have been numerous, small but useful. Nothing groundbreaking.
read Post: Apple Redefines AI... And not just by calling it "Apple Intelligence"
What's Your Leadership Style?
One of the delights of being "Open To Work" is that you get to chat with lots of "Recruitment Specialists", and having to answer the same questions over and again...
read Post: What's Your Leadership Style?
I Am Really Cool!
Most of you know I'm currently looking for a new position, and I thought I'd give myself a lift by finding out what people think of me, and in particular, did they think I was cool?!?! I didn't want to ask people outright on here because... Well, how vain is that!?!
read Post: I Am Really Cool!
Stay clear of using the F-Word in business!
Yesterday morning, I spent some time with local business people when I attended a Business over Breakfast networking event. One of the interesting things I learned was the inherent hatred for that F-Word!
read Post: Stay clear of using the F-Word in business!
Drowning in Spam: The Unsubscribe Experiment
Have you ever checked your email only to be greeted by an avalanche of unwanted messages? Stupid question, of course you have. My inbox has always been a digital landfill overflowing with spam...
read Post: Drowning in Spam: The Unsubscribe Experiment
If your website isn't showing on Google at all then this may be why
We all know that if we can get our website high in the rankings on Google, then that is our holy grail. It's simply the best online marketing we can do without lots of recurring costs.
Throughout the years I have had many potential clients and friends come to me saying that their website isn't appearing anywhere on the search engines. Usually there's no problem, it just takes time and patience...
read Post: If your website isn't showing on Google at all then this may be why
Microsoft Edge on iOS Now Converts Your WebSites to Dark Mode and How You Can Stop It
I have preferred to use Microsoft Edge ever since it was rebuilt using Chromium (essentially making it the same as Google Chrome). Not only do I use Edge on my Mac, but it's my preferred choice on Windows, my iPhone and iPad also. And all was good... Until that is, the iOS app updated to the latest version.
read Post: Microsoft Edge on iOS Now Converts Your WebSites to Dark Mode and How You Can Stop It
Umbraco Basics - GUID vs. Content ID
Umbraco is the leading .net c# content management system, and for good reason. It’s friendly to use, and friendly on developers too.
I will be creating a series of blog posts in the coming weeks addressing issues that a new developer to Umbraco may be confused about. In this post, I will tackle the somewhat simple question of whether it is best to use GUID or Content ID when referencing content.
read Post: Umbraco Basics - GUID vs. Content ID
A Day at DDDNorth Developers Conference in Hull - November 2022
It has to be said, the Developer Developer Developer conferences in the UK are highlights of my year, you get to spend the day listening to interesting talks, meed like minded tech people and have some great food! This weekend was DDDNorth in Hull and as always, was a great day!
read Post: A Day at DDDNorth Developers Conference in Hull - November 2022
Hashtag Hatred?
New Platforms such as Threads and Bluesky are Bucking the Trend and Signalling a Shift in Social Media
read Post: Hashtag Hatred?
DDD East Midlands - October 2023
Anybody who knows me or has read my blog previously knows that I love the DDD conferences. The latest one was this weekend. It's a totally free conference, has great speakers, great food and you get to hang out with like-minded tech people.
read Post: DDD East Midlands - October 2023
How Does the Instagram Algorithm Work?
Do you ever wonder how Instagram decides what to show you? In a rare hint of transparency, Adam Mosseri, the big boss of Instagram, explained how the app's magic works and how you can have some control over it.
read Post: How Does the Instagram Algorithm Work?
Why Don't You Have a Website?
Recently I've seen a strange trend of companies without a website. It seems that a growing number of small businesses rely on Facebook pages instead of having their own websites. This may seem convenient and cost-effective, but it limits your online presence and potential customers.
read Post: Why Don't You Have a Website?
18th May 2023 - Google Digital Garage Training Day in York
One great thing about living and working in York is that the city of York Council has an initiative to assist small to medium businesses, especially in the digital arena. Last week, as part of this, they teamed up with Google to provide a digital skills training day in the heart of the city
read Post: 18th May 2023 - Google Digital Garage Training Day in York
Time For a Refresh?
Does anybody else give their server a name?
I've had my own personal dev server for years, it chugs along running Windows Server 2016, which of course is around 7 years old now!
read Post: Time For a Refresh?
Who is Your Perfect Client? And How do you Find Them?
This is a question that I've been asking myself lately as I explore new opportunities. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to find another job but want to put my skills to good use to provide myself with a second income during these times when the cost of living seems to be going through the roof!
read Post: Who is Your Perfect Client? And How do you Find Them?
Is 'Being Nice' The Secret to Team Harmony and Productivity?
I'm a nice person!
At least, I like to think so. Sure, sometimes I get a little stressed and annoyed (particularly with service providers) but rarely with my team... Why? Well, I've always been like that, I've always believed in that old adage to "Treat people how you expect to be treated"
read Post: Is 'Being Nice' The Secret to Team Harmony and Productivity?
What Have We Learnt From Hackers?
Having worked in the financial sector for the bulk of my career, we always had to have an "ear to the ground" to understand the security vulnerabilities of the technology we were working with and to try to stay one step ahead of the nasty hacker types. I am pleased to say that in the 23 years I worked as technical director for a software development agency which focused on the financial sector, we never had any security breaches which resulting in financial or data loss.
read Post: What Have We Learnt From Hackers?
Am I addicted to data?
I learnt a lesson from a surprising source which makes me question if I really need all the data I constantly consume or if I am in fact a Data Junkie?
read Post: Am I addicted to data?
A Day at DDDNorth Developers Conference in Hull - November 2022
I do love a tech meetup or developer event, and the one I look forward to each year is the annual DDDNorth developer event, it has great speakers, you get to spend some time with fellow techies, great food and for the last couple of years it's being hosted in Hull... What's not to love!
read Post: A Day at DDDNorth Developers Conference in Hull - November 2022
Elon Musk - Making Twitter GREAT again!
Elon's final takeover of Twitter back in October has undeniably caused a massive stir. Everything that has happened at the company since has been documented to the minute degree, and opinions have been far from favourable about the whole process. I'm not Elon's biggest fan but I think he's going to make Twitter great again!
read Post: Elon Musk - Making Twitter GREAT again!
Replacing your creative staff with bots could harm your reputation, Isn't that right KFC!?!?
There are some tasks which can be easily automated using bots. For example, a bot can decide where a support call gets forwarded to or could determine which country someone is in to provide a correct address. Still, these are "mundane" tasks decided by a simple triage process, not creative marketing tasks.
Any company having the great idea of saving money by redirecting "simple" creative work to bots should think again, as KFC has recently found out.
read Post: Replacing your creative staff with bots could harm your reputation, Isn't that right KFC!?!?
How To Get Noticed as a Developer at Twitter (it seems)
Since Elon Musk announced he wanted to take over Twitter, there has been a "flutter" of interesting information revealed about how the company works, how it is managed, how the system is built and its inherent flaws etc.
Elon took over the platform in October 2022 and promptly sacked a large amount of the staff resulting in even more revelations but one ex-developer on Twitter made a post today which caught my eye for the wrong (but very interesting) reason
read Post: How To Get Noticed as a Developer at Twitter (it seems)
Hull Software Developers Meetup 7th November 2022
Hull has always been one of my favourite cities. Not only was I born there but every time I visit, I seem to be surrounded by people passionate about technical innovation. The city is hosting a digital expo this week so it was the perfect time to launch a new meetup group for tech and software developers.
read Post: Hull Software Developers Meetup 7th November 2022
Finally, face to face meetups could be back!
Before the lockdown, the Yorkshire meetup community was thriving, especially in Leeds, Hull, and York. Not a week would go by without a pizza-laden get together with like-minded tech friends.
Of course, these meetings moved to online video when the UK closed to socialising in 2020 and have mostly stayed that way since.
read Post: Finally, face to face meetups could be back!
Audio Books and the story of our everyday accessibility
Like most people walking or driving to work, I connect my phone to my car or headphones and listen to a good audiobook, but did you ever stop to think how this form of entertainment or knowledge gain is yet another example of how accessibility and the disabled community have nourished our everyday lives
read Post: Audio Books and the story of our everyday accessibility
Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 is a Shoot'em Up Fans Dream!
In my youth, I always preferred Sega games and consoles to Nintendo's offerings...
So when Sega announced a new version of the Mega Drive Mini, I just had to get my hands on it! What I didn't expect was just how good the Shoot'em up offering would be on this machine.
There are so many in-depth reviews of the mini console elsewhere if that's what you want, this is focusing on the greatest game genre of them all, the Arcade Shooter!
read Post: Sega Mega Drive Mini 2 is a Shoot'em Up Fans Dream!
Programming Guidelines I Have Followed Since 2001
In my last job, 23 years as Technical Director for a digital agency, I headed the development team through many different frameworks, systems and languages. We realised very quickly that we needed a set of solid programming guidelines to follow and in 2001 we set down to write them. I have tried to follow these guidelines ever since.
read Post: Programming Guidelines I Have Followed Since 2001
Diary of a game that will never be finished - Part 3
Part 3 of the series in which I try to make a 3D motorcycle racing and shooting game using unity. This is just a short post but exciting because I finally added a few lines of code to actually get my motorbike moving!
read Post: Diary of a game that will never be finished - Part 3
Diary of a game that will never be finished - Part 2
This is part 2 of the blog which will follow me trying to make a 3D motorcycle racing and shooting game using unity, a game development framework which uses c# as its core language. In the first part, I successfully installed the unity hub and created my blank project. Now, I have to actually do something!
read Post: Diary of a game that will never be finished - Part 2
Diary of a game that will never be finished - Part 1
Like most people around my age, my first love of computing was playing games on the exciting old 8-bit computers like the Sinclair Spectrum, Commodore 64 and the Amstrad CPC. I want to remake one of my favourite games from that time
read Post: Diary of a game that will never be finished - Part 1
You Should be Accessible! Here’s 6 things You Can Do
Web browsers and computer systems have had accessibility features built in for years, from screen readers to the ability to zoom fonts, so it’s curious why so many companies and website developers fail to implement accessibility well.
read Post: You Should be Accessible! Here’s 6 things You Can Do
E-Commerce in the Pandemic Era
The UK has been in lockdown now for as many weeks as we care to remember, we’ve got used to taking fewer food shopping trips because of the time and effort and wasted queueing it commands but food shopping is a necessity, what about the everyday items and luxury things we’d all like to buy if the other shops were open? Well, if you have an e-commerce website, then that potentially falls to you!
read Post: E-Commerce in the Pandemic Era
Pandemic Remote Working vs Working From Home
Everybody in the UK and pretty much the world has been flung into what seems to be the most surreal situation following the introduction of the COVID-19 Virus at the beginning of this year. Schools and shops closed with few exceptions, queueing for hours for your daily shop, the roads devoid of cars, staying away from family and friends who don’t live with us, homeschooling our children and office workers told to go home to work.
read Post: Pandemic Remote Working vs Working From Home
Day Out at Umbraco UK Festival 2018
It is no secret that .net developers love to build websites within the Umbraco CMS. Its ease of use for both development and for content editors makes it our number one choice. So every year I, have attended the country's biggest and best Umbraco get-together – The Umbraco UK Festival.
read Post: Day Out at Umbraco UK Festival 2018
Your website CAN collect Direct Debit payments digitally online!
There are very few briefs that come into a digital team nowadays that don't have some e-commerce or e-payment element to them. In most cases, online payments are made by credit and debit cards using traditional online payment gateways such as Sagepay, Worldpay and Paypal, but there is another way...
read Post: Your website CAN collect Direct Debit payments digitally online!
