The Smith and Wise Blog | Web Wonders and More...

Google Analytics - Features Breakdown

14 Jan 2012

Google Analytics enables you to monitor who is visiting your website and see what they are using your website for, in turn, that helps companies like Smith and Wise to optimise you site for sales by developing website content, re-ordering features and speeding up important elements of your site so they are accessible across multiple formats, including desktop and mobile browsers.

New Client: CarWash.ie - Gough Bros

05 Jan 2012

Smith and Wise is proud to launch the new Gough Bros website, CarWash.ie. Gough Bros is Ireland's top supplier of car wash solutions and products. Our work included a complete redesign, content management system integration and graphic design, as well as online marketing and product listings. Check out the new Gough Bros website here.

Happy New Year

01 Jan 2012

Happy New Year from all at Smith and Wise

Communication is Key

28 Dec 2011

A client of mine recently asked me how they could reduce costs involved in updating their website. I examined all the facts and then asked them if they wanted to know the truth?

Putting A Value On Web Work

20 Dec 2011

Now it's the end of 2011, it is a good time to reflect on the year in business online. There have been great developments with companies like Facebook looking towards having a $5 billion income this year, and several Irish companies including Tweak.com looking to cash in on the next wave of social interaction with the internet, by offering something more to people.

New Client: The Bianconi Inn

19 Dec 2011

We are very proud to announce our new client, The Bianconi has recently launched their new website at www.bianconi.ie. Our complete redesign included a rebranding of their online booking system as well as a complete content management system and hosting and domain name services.

Free Adwords Accounts

03 Dec 2011

Smith and Wise is pleased to announce that for only €35 we can get you advertising with Google, with €35 free credit (enough to last for a month!). This offer is limited to only 3 clients, so if you want to get advertising online, get in touch.

Synchronise Files Across Multiple Devices

14 Nov 2011

We are all focused on becoming more efficient these days, and technology can both speed things up and slow us down. For a long time, sharing files between multiple computers, or several people in an organisation has been one of lifes experiences best forgotten.

Online Shopping - We're Open For Your Business

05 Oct 2011

Yippee! We have a new online shopping solution called Shopify now.

Check out www.supps.ie to see what we can do!

Alternatively, click here to find out more.

Your Domain Is Safe - 10 Year Price Guarantee

18 Aug 2011

Renew your domain names now for up to 10 years, and avoid international price inflation, and worrying about losing your domain, as well as saving some money along the way. Payments are made in full, not held, so it means once paid, your domain is secured for as long as you’ve paid for.

Host A Website - For Free

11 Jul 2011

I get asked a lot by friends and family members how to cheaply setup and run self build websites. It's not always the easiest thing to explain that hosting does cost cold, hard, cash, normally at least €50 a year, then you need to add on €10-€30 a year for a domain name to go on top of that. However, there is a cheaper, simple way to get around atleast the hosting costs.

Data Backup - Never Lose A File Again!

10 Jul 2011

We are very proud to announce that we will be offering full Online Backup and Restore systems to our clients from next month. Starting from as little as €99 for a once off installation we will ensure your critical data is totally secured. This means you no longer need to worry about losing private, personal, financial or business information is fully backed up, should you need it at a later date.To register your interest in these services, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 086 1780 743

Blocking Websites - First Hand Experience

01 Jul 2011

We are all guilty of it, browsing around aimlessly for hours without any real benefit to our company, organisation or even, in earlier days, our school or college work, however this can all change, and leading from the top seems to be the way forward.

 

How Much Does A Website Cost

16 Jun 2011

The most painful of all websites with clients is "How Much Does A Website Cost" - there never seems to be a fair answer, for either party. Often website designers are forced into a corner of, well I only have X amount, what can you do - our answers are never thought inspiring - but we do try our best.

 

Why Do Website Professionals...

25 May 2011

This is something I have been thinking about for quite a while, as a degree student of business management (and enterprise) and a website developer - why do Web Professionals act in certain ways, and what effect does this have on their clients, other suppliers and the perception of the industry as a whole. Some of my thoughts, although controversial to some, follow.

 

Facebook Marketing - Getting The Balance Right

18 May 2011

I keep on getting asked whether people should bring their business onto Facebook, and if it will actually work - both difficult questions to answer - both almost impossible to provide previous proof for.

 

New Client Website Featured In Local Press

28 Apr 2011

Smith and Wise is proud to announce the launch of our new client's website, www.churchtown.ie - The Churchtown Business Association.

 

Below is an article which appeared in the Dundrum Gazette on the 28th April 2010

A new website for CBA THE Churchtown Business Association has launched a brand new website. According to the organisation, the new site will allow local residents in the area, and those outside the area, to log onto the CBA site and contact local business for information on shops/stores/restauranst/ pubs/motors/ services/tradesmen and many other categories before making that purchasing decision.

The theme of this new formed Churchtown Business Association is, Think Local, Think Churchtown. The new site can be found on www.churchtown. ie This association is supported by DLR County Council, DLR Enterprise Board and DLR Chamber of Commerce.

 

To find out more, please go to: www.churchtown.ie

Online Gambling - The End?

20 Apr 2011

Ok, a little over the top, but certainly the fall of sites including Full Tilt Poker, an employer-in-kind of 700 people in Cherrywood, Dublin is currently under investigation by the FBI in the US for failing to pay taxes, money laundering, bank fraud and god knows what else.

 

Online Purchases - Leverage Dangers

13 Apr 2011

Buying online is great, and offers great value at times. It can also offer awful value at other times, when shopping abroad. Why is this, and why can something cost twice as much in the US one week, in comparison to the next? Let us explore and explain to save you several financial headaches.

New Client - Systematic Security

20 Mar 2011

We are very proud to announce the launch of a new website for our client, Sytematic Security Solutions. Systematic are one of Ireland's leading independent security firms and we really enjoyed developing an early web presense for their brand. We hope to grow with them into the future. Please visit their website at www.systematic.ie for more information on their company.

Email Marketing

07 Mar 2011

Email marketing can be a confusing thing for those not in the know - something we just figured out by going it alone. Most agencies tend to outsource their email marketing solutions - it is a lot more expensive, but does save a lot of time. There are, however, limitations to such solutions, including data protection and the retention of rights to use content.

New Client - Daly Kitchen Appliances

03 Mar 2011

We are very proud to announce the launch of a new website for our client, Daly Kitchen Appliances. The new website development includes a content management system, full redesign, Google Analytics, online marketing and eventual launch of a Facebook Marketing campaign. To check out the new Daly Kitchen Appliances website, go to www.dalykitchenappliances.ie

Upswing In Online Marketing Spends

16 Feb 2011

Just a quick blog post to mention that we are seeing a massive upswing in online marketing spends. This seems to be due to the lack of budgets for offline spends in traditional advertising. From asking several of our clients, we have received the following comments, hopefully they will be of use to others in the industry:

Happy Christmas From Smith and Wise

22 Dec 2010

If you didn't already get our Christmas e-Card, here is is below.

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

 

Avoiding Phishing - Our 10 Point Checklist

13 Dec 2010

We would like to reiterate the concerns of the National Consumer Association when they noted the increase in telephone scams, with apparent representatives of Microsoft calling up and saying there is a virus on your PC / Laptop / Mobile device. There is no way Microsoft or any other company can possibly track infections on computers, unless they themselves have infected your computer. Please always follow our checklist when it comes to phishing:

2010 Awards - And Predictions...

06 Dec 2010

It's nearing the end of 2010, and not that we have much sway in the Irish Market, but I would personally like to put forward my favourite sites of 2010 - from a design / management / development point of view, and a few short predictions for 2011. Comment and let me know if you agree!

 

Social Networks - By Numbers

06 Dec 2010

Next time you are thinking of setting up a social networking profile, keep in mind who are the biggest players in the market. At the end of the day, it's important you reach the biggest audience possible.

 

Snow - Managing Crisis - The Correct Way

04 Dec 2010

When you think of snow, a variety of thoughts come to mind. From the disadvantages of losing employee time and potential income, to the advantages of freeing up some well needed time to focus on core business tasks, like accounting, planning, or even tidying the office. However this is not all businesses should focus on during cold snaps.

Picking The Right Video Host

25 Nov 2010

When you want to put a video up on your site, what is the best option? - It all really depends on what you want your video to do, it's content and how professional you want things to look. Below are some options Smith and Wise recommends.

 

Are Website Designers Redundant?

15 Oct 2010

This a phrase which has been doing the rounds for a lot longer than you might think. Even in the late 1990's software was claiming that the website designers days were over. It is true that there is software which will build your website, which is good for small side projects, or a start-up business with no current presence, however there is more to web design than meets the eye...