Alright, fellow North East business owners—let’s talk about one of the biggest headaches we hear about again and again: lead generation. Whether you're in tech, manufacturing, creative services, or trades, finding consistent, high-quality leads can feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
Here’s the good news: you're not alone, and you're not powerless. Let’s break down the common struggles, then look at what you can do right now with your website and email list—plus some modern tools that can lighten the load.
It’s tough out there. Some of the most common frustrations we hear from businesses just like yours:
A modern website shouldn’t just look the part—it should do the heavy lifting when it comes to lead generation. Here's how to make sure yours actually works for you:
Yes, design matters. But usefulness keeps people on the page. Too many business sites act like static brochures—nice visuals, vague claims, no real substance. If someone lands on your site with a problem, can they find an answer? That’s what builds trust.
Use your blog or content section to publish guides, “how to choose” articles, FAQs, and even behind-the-scenes posts about your process. You’re not giving away the farm—you’re showing you know what you’re doing. Whether you're a manufacturer, consultant, or creative agency, your content should prove you get your customer's world.
A good site doesn't just inform—it nudges people to act. Every page should have a next step. That might be:
The key is relevance. Match the next step to the content they’ve just read. If they’re reading about website mistakes, offer a free homepage audit. Don’t let good traffic go to waste.
Roughly 98% of your visitors won’t fill out a contact form—and that doesn’t mean they’re not interested.
Tools like Leadfeeder or Lead Forensics work behind the scenes to show you which companies are browsing your site. They use IP matching and behavioural tracking to turn anonymous clicks into real, actionable insights. You’ll be able to see:
Most leads don’t convert immediately. They need time, trust, and a few nudges along the way. That’s where your email list earns its keep.
People are busy. They forget. That’s why email nurturing matters. Even a monthly check-in with helpful info can make a difference. You’re not hard-selling—you’re reminding them you’re there when they’re ready.
Tip: Don’t overthink it. A short, valuable message sent regularly beats a perfectly-crafted email sent twice a year.
You’re already investing time in writing content, so make sure it reaches the right people.
If you keep showing up with something genuinely useful, you’ll stay top-of-mind when the timing’s right.
Nobody wants another bland newsletter. Personalisation doesn’t just mean “Hi [FirstName]”—it’s about relevance.
Use simple segmentation:
This helps you send the right message at the right time, without overwhelming your audience. Most modern email tools (like Mailchimp, MailerLite, or ConvertKit) make this dead simple once it's set up.
These aren't miracle cures—but they can make life a lot easier when plugged into your existing process.
All that work means nothing if leads get lost. A good CRM—like HubSpot, Pipedrive, or even Smartlead’s Unibox—keeps everything organised, helps you follow up properly, and avoids dropped balls.
Lead generation isn’t getting easier—but it is getting smarter. Focus on value over volume. Nurture instead of nag. And start with the assets you already have.
Build a website that works hard, nurture leads via email, and layer on tools that support—not replace—your human touch. From identifying visitors to personalised outreach, you’ve got more options than ever.
At Baltic Design, we don’t just build pretty websites—we build lead machines. If your current site isn’t pulling its weight, let’s have a no-pressure chat and figure out what’s possible. Get in touch to explore your next steps.
In the vast landscape of online commerce, your homepage acts as the digital welcoming mat for your customers. A well-designed homepage not only grabs attention but also effectively communicates your brand identity and values. With countless options available online, you have mere moments to make a lasting first impression. Therefore, your homepage must include key site elements that lead to a seamless user experience.
In this blog post, we will explore 10 essential must-haves for your online storefront, ensuring that your digital threshold reflects professionalism while inviting customers to explore further.
When customers land on your homepage, they should immediately recognize your brand. Clear branding includes your logo, tagline, and consistent color palette. By effectively communicating your brand's essence, you're not only making a first impression but also establishing trust. First impression design is crucial; think of it as a handshake that sets the tone for future interactions.
Additionally, consider the strategic placement of branding elements. Your logo should appear prominently, preferably in the top left corner, where the human eye naturally gravitates. Combine this with a succinct, punchy tagline that encapsulates your brand message. This combination creates an instant connection with visitors, who will appreciate your commitment to a cohesive brand identity.
Once visitors arrive, they need to know where to go next. Intuitive navigation plays a pivotal role in guiding users seamlessly through your site. A well-structured menu simplifies the browsing experience, allowing customers to locate products or services quickly. Avoid overwhelming your visitors with too many options; instead, prioritize key sections such as product categories, about us, and contact information.
Moreover, consider implementing breadcrumb navigation, which helps users keep track of their location within the site. This small addition enhances user experience by reducing confusion and frustration. When users feel confident navigating your website, they are more likely to convert, making intuitive navigation a must-have for your online store.
A picture speaks a thousand words, and when it comes to your homepage, high-quality visuals can significantly impact customer engagement. Invest time in selecting professional images that showcase your products in the best light. Clear, well-lit photographs from multiple angles create a sense of trust and authenticity, inviting visitors to explore your offerings further.
In addition to product images, consider incorporating lifestyle photos that demonstrate your products in use. Such visuals help potential customers envision how your products can fit into their lives. When users can see your items in action, they develop a stronger emotional connection—making high-quality visuals one of the most important homepage must-haves.
Every homepage needs clear and compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) that encourage users to take the next steps. Whether it’s Shop Now, Sign Up, or Learn More, these action-oriented phrases should stand out visually and be strategically placed throughout your homepage. Active voice makes your CTAs more engaging and persuasive, driving users toward desired actions.
Furthermore, different CTAs can guide customers through the buying journey—varying according to the visitor's intent. For instance, newcomers may respond well to a Discover Our Bestsellers button, while returning customers might appreciate offers like Exclusive Deals for You. By tailoring your calls-to-action to different visitor segments, you create a more personalized experience, effectively increasing conversions.
In an age where consumers expect instant gratification, implementing search functionality is a key site element that can significantly enhance user experience. A prominently placed search bar ensures customers can quickly find exactly what they’re looking for without endless scrolling. This becomes especially vital as your inventory expands.
Moreover, consider including advanced filtering options, allowing users to narrow their search results based on specific criteria, such as price range, color, and category. This functionality not only saves time but helps customers feel in control of their shopping experience. By prioritizing search functionality, you cater to your visitors' needs while improving overall site usability.
With an increasing number of customers browsing and shopping via mobile devices, mobile optimization is no longer optional; it’s essential. Design your homepage to be responsive, ensuring it looks great and functions seamlessly on all screen sizes. Test your site across various devices to guarantee a consistent and enjoyable experience.
Additionally, consider the loading speed of your homepage on mobile. Slow-loading sites can lead to high bounce rates as frustrated users navigate away. Optimize images and streamline code to enhance performance. By prioritizing mobile optimization, you create an inclusive shopping environment that caters to all users, regardless of their device.
Your homepage is not just a collection of products; it’s also a platform to convey your brand story. Engaging content—whether it’s an About Us section or a brief introduction to your mission—helps visitors connect with your brand on a personal level. Humans are inherently attracted to stories, and sharing your journey or values establishes relatability and trust.
Consider incorporating customer testimonials or success stories to add authenticity to your narrative. These elements provide social proof, reinforcing your reliability as a seller. By embedding engaging content, you invite customers to become part of your story, making them more likely to engage with your brand and ultimately convert.
Displaying social proof is a powerful way to enhance credibility and trust with potential customers. This could be in the form of customer reviews, ratings, or endorsements from influencers and industry experts. A dedicated section for testimonials or a rotating display of user-generated content can serve as potent affirmation of your brand’s value.
Furthermore, consider integrating social media feeds that showcase real-time interactions and reviews. This not only highlights customer satisfaction but also encourages a sense of community among your audience. When users see that others have had positive experiences with your products, they’re more likely to feel confident in making a purchase.
Finally, your homepage must lead to an easy and efficient checkout process. A complex checkout can lead to cart abandonment, negating all your efforts in attracting visitors. Streamline your checkout by minimizing the number of steps required to make a purchase and offering guest checkout options.
Additionally, clearly display payment options and shipping information, ensuring customers know what to expect. A transparent and simple checkout process can significantly improve conversion rates. By prioritizing a smooth transition from browsing to buying, you maximize the potential of your online storefront.
Even the most beautiful homepage will fall flat if it loads slowly or feels unsafe. Performance and security are critical yet often overlooked essentials for any online storefront. Your visitors expect fast-loading pages—every second of delay can reduce conversions and increase bounce rates. Tools like caching, image compression, and a quality hosting provider make a massive difference to load times.
Equally important is customer trust. Ensure your homepage displays an active SSL certificate (that reassuring padlock), and consider showcasing badges for trusted payment methods or third-party security services. For eCommerce sites especially, a secure and snappy homepage isn’t just nice to have—it’s non-negotiable. Performance keeps users engaged. Security keeps them confident enough to buy.
Designing a successful homepage for your online storefront involves strategic thinking and user-first design. From intuitive navigation to high-quality visuals, mobile optimisation, and well-placed CTAs—each component contributes to building a site that earns trust and drives action.
Incorporating these homepage essentials can significantly improve bounce rates and user satisfaction. For example, Google research confirms that mobile users are 5 times more likely to leave a site that isn’t mobile-friendly. Nielsen Norman Group also highlights how clear navigation directly correlates with conversion and time on site
By focusing on these essentials, you’re creating a digital welcome mat that captures attention, communicates value, and encourages customers to engage. As the foundation of your online business, a well-structured homepage reflects your brand’s credibility and care.
A strategic homepage is more than just a pretty storefront—it’s your digital first impression, sales funnel, and brand statement all rolled into one. By weaving together the ten essentials—from branding and navigation to visuals, mobile readiness, and robust performance—you’re creating a user experience that’s fast, functional, and conversion-focused.
At Baltic Design, we help businesses in Gateshead, Newcastle, and beyond build homepages that aren’t just pretty—they’re profitable. If you're curious how your site stacks up or ready to level up your digital welcome mat, let’s talk.
Let’s face it—most people visit your website on their phone first. If your site looks awkward or slow to load, they’re gone in seconds. Responsive web design ensures your website adjusts beautifully to every screen size, whether someone’s browsing on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
This isn't just about aesthetics. A well-built responsive website helps your SEO, keeps users engaged, and builds trust with potential customers. In this article, we’ll walk through the key benefits of responsive design, why it matters for small businesses, and what you can do to get it right.
Responsive design means your website layout reshapes itself automatically to suit the screen size. Text resizes, images scale, menus adapt—without needing a separate mobile version of your site. One website. Every device.
It saves time, money, and hassle. And it makes sure your content looks clean and works well everywhere.
Google prefers responsive websites. They load faster, reduce bounce rates, and make it easier for search engines to index your content. If you're looking to improve rankings, a mobile-friendly design is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
Search engines now look at mobile usability as part of their ranking signals. That means if your site doesn’t play nice on mobile, you’re losing traffic to competitors who made the switch.
User experience (UX) makes or breaks a website. If someone has to pinch, scroll, or squint, they're not staying long. A responsive layout removes those pain points. Navigation is easier. Buttons are tappable. Content reads clearly. People stay longer, interact more, and are more likely to take action.
Responsive design also means fewer support calls or confused customers. That makes life easier for you, and the user.
There are a few essential ingredients:
We also focus on performance—because no one wants to wait 10 seconds for your homepage to load.
A good layout is only half the battle. Your content also needs to adapt.
Short paragraphs, clear headings, and mobile-friendly calls-to-action help keep visitors engaged. Think bullet points, scannable sections, and imagery that enhances rather than distracts. It’s not about cramming everything in—it’s about prioritising what your visitors care about most.
If you sell products online, this is huge. Shoppers often browse on their phones and buy later on desktop—or vice versa. Responsive design smooths that path. Product images look crisp. The basket is easy to find. The checkout isn’t a nightmare.
We’ve seen bounce rates drop and conversions climb just by switching to responsive layouts that load faster and guide customers to action.
Responsive design isn’t just ticking a box. Common issues include:
These can be fixed, but it takes time and testing. That’s why a DIY theme tweak often doesn’t cut it.
We use tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, browser emulators, and real device checks to ensure your site works across the board. Regular audits and tweaks keep things performing well long after launch.
User behaviour changes. Devices evolve. Responsive design isn’t one-and-done. It’s a mindset.
Responsive web design isn’t just about following best practices. It’s about making your website work harder for your business. Better SEO. Happier visitors. More sales. Less friction.
If your site doesn’t feel effortless on mobile, you’re probably leaving money on the table.
At Baltic Design, we help businesses across Gateshead, Newcastle and the UK build responsive websites that convert. Want to see how your site stacks up? Let’s have a chat.
In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any trade professional looking to expand their business. However, building a complex website with multiple pages and features can be overwhelming and costly, especially if you're running a local trade. That's where a one-page, SEO-optimized website comes into play. It's a streamlined, effective solution designed specifically for tradespeople like you, focusing on what matters most: showcasing your services and making it easy for potential clients to find and contact you.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the benefits of a one-page website and provide actionable steps to create one yourself. We'll delve into each feature, explain how to implement them, and show you why this strategy is a smart investment for enhancing your local presence.
A one-page website condenses all your essential information into a single, easy-to-navigate page. This simplicity ensures that visitors can quickly find what they're looking for without getting overwhelmed by unnecessary details.
With everything on one page, users can scroll through seamlessly, engaging with your content without the need to click through multiple pages.
Building and maintaining a one-page website is generally more affordable than a multi-page site.
One-page websites are inherently more mobile-friendly since they involve scrolling rather than clicking tiny links.
Your website should reflect the professionalism and expertise of your specific trade.
Action Step: Choose a website template or theme that suits your trade. Many website builders offer industry-specific designs.
Include high-quality photos and descriptions of your projects to demonstrate your skills.
Action Step: Collect images and testimonials from past projects to feature on your site.
Ensure your website looks and functions flawlessly on all devices.
Action Step: Use website builders that offer responsive templates or test your site with tools like Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.
Organize your content with clear headings and sections.
Action Step: Structure your page with distinct sections for services, about you, portfolio, and contact information.
To attract more local clients, optimizing your website for local searches is essential.
Identify and use keywords that potential clients are searching for.
Action Step: Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find relevant keywords.
Include keywords in your page titles and meta descriptions.
Action Step: Edit your website's SEO settings to include optimized meta tags.
Set up and optimize your Google My Business (GMB) profile.
Action Step: Visit the Google My Business website to create or claim your listing.
List your business in online directories.
Action Step: Submit your business information to relevant online directories.
Display positive customer reviews prominently on your website.
Action Step: Integrate reviews from platforms like Google, Yelp, or Facebook onto your site.
Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews.
Action Step: Create a simple process for clients to leave reviews, such as direct links to your review profiles.
Making it easy for potential clients to reach you is critical.
Include a simple, user-friendly contact form.
Action Step: Use form builders or plugins that offer spam protection and email notifications.
Implement a floating "Call Now" button for mobile users.
Action Step: Add a click-to-call link using HTML or your website builder's features.
Make your phone number, email, and business address clearly visible.
Action Step: Double-check that all contact information is accurate and up-to-date.
Include an interactive map to show your service area.
Action Step: Use Google's embed code to add a map to your contact section.
Allow users to get directions to your business.
Action Step: Test the map functionality to ensure it works correctly on all devices.
Write concise descriptions of the services you offer.
Action Step: List all your services and write a brief description for each.
Naturally incorporate target keywords into your content.
Action Step: Review your content to ensure keywords are included appropriately.
Use headlines that grab attention and improve SEO.
Action Step: Revise your headings to be both informative and engaging.
Choose a hosting provider that ensures your website is fast and always accessible.
Action Step: Research hosting providers and read reviews before making a decision.
Keep your website content and software up-to-date.
Action Step: Set a schedule to review and update your website monthly.
Ensure you have backups in case something goes wrong.
Action Step: Implement a backup solution and test it to confirm it works.
Improve your online visibility and credibility.
Action Step: Compile a list of directories and submit your business information.
Receive instant notifications when someone fills out your contact form.
Action Step: Use form plugins that offer SMS notification features.
Use QR codes to direct people to your website or review platforms.
Action Step: Generate a QR code using free online tools and include it on your business cards.
Having both a website and a Facebook page maximizes your reach.
Action Step: Link your Facebook page to your website and vice versa.
Use Facebook for community engagement and your website for professional presentation.
Action Step: Regularly update both platforms to keep your audience engaged.
Action Step: Identify how your trade can uniquely benefit from a one-page website and tailor your content accordingly.
Select a website builder that suits your needs.
Action Step: Research and choose a platform that aligns with your skill level and needs.
Find a one-page website template tailored to your trade.
Action Step: Browse template libraries and select one that fits your brand.
Include all the essential information on your site.
Action Step: Gather all necessary content and organize it according to your site's layout.
Implement the SEO strategies discussed earlier.
Action Step: Review your site's SEO settings and fill in all relevant fields.
Ensure everything works smoothly before going live.
Action Step: Ask friends or family to review your site and provide feedback.
Keep your website fresh to engage visitors and improve SEO.
Action Step: Set reminders to update your site content monthly.
Use tools to track your website's performance.
Action Step: Install analytics tools and review the data regularly.
SEO is an ongoing process.
Action Step: Dedicate time each month to learn about SEO developments.
Consider these services to enhance your online presence further.
Action Step: If managing hosting is overwhelming, consider professional services.
Action Step: Hire an SEO expert or agency if needed.
Action Step: Utilize marketing tools to expand your reach.
If building a website yourself seems daunting, professional services are available.
Action Step: Consider investing in a professional service to save time and ensure quality.
Services start at affordable monthly rates.
Action Step: Research and compare service providers to find the best fit.
Building a one-page website for your trade business is an effective way to enhance your online presence, attract local clients, and grow your business. By focusing on key features like mobile optimization, local SEO, and user-friendly design, you can create a website that works as hard as you do.
If you prefer to have professionals handle it, our one-page SEO website package offers all these benefits and more. We provide tailored designs, comprehensive SEO services, and ongoing support to ensure your website remains competitive and effective.
Ready to elevate your trade business with a website that brings in more clients? Get started today and see the difference it makes for your local presence.
By following this guide, you're well on your way to creating a powerful online tool that showcases your expertise and attracts more customers. Whether you choose to build it yourself or opt for professional assistance, a one-page website is a smart investment in your trade business's future.
In the digital age, data drives decisions. For e-commerce store owners, understanding customer behaviour through analytics is key to tailoring shopping experiences and driving sales. But with great data comes great responsibility—especially when it comes to privacy.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) might seem daunting with its strict rules on data handling. Yet, it offers a unique opportunity to build trust with your customers. By aligning your WooCommerce store with GDPR, you're not just complying with the law; you're showing your customers that their privacy matters.
The integration of tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with GDPR compliance plugins marks a significant step forward. Before we explore this powerful combination, let's delve into the impact of GDPR on your e-commerce business and why it's a game-changer.
In this blog series, we'll explore the intersection of GA4's advanced analytics capabilities and the robust consent management features of GDPR compliance plugins. We'll demystify how they revolutionize data privacy for e-commerce sites and guide you through integrating these solutions into your WooCommerce store. Whether you're looking to enhance your analytics game or ensure your store meets GDPR standards, this exploration will arm you with the knowledge to navigate the future of e-commerce analytics confidently.
In the bustling world of online retail, the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) marked a pivotal moment. This comprehensive privacy regulation, enacted by the European Union, has far-reaching implications not just within its borders but for businesses worldwide that cater to EU citizens. For e-commerce and WooCommerce store owners in the UK, understanding and complying with GDPR isn't just a legal obligation—it's a cornerstone of customer trust and digital ethics.
At its core, GDPR mandates that businesses must protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens for transactions that occur within EU member states. This includes requirements for data consent, collection, storage, and transfer. For e-commerce sites, which inherently collect customer data—from browsing history to payment information—the regulation underscores the need for transparent data practices.
E-commerce businesses rely on analytics to understand customer behavior, optimize the user experience, and drive conversions. However, GDPR places strict guidelines on how data can be collected and used. This includes obtaining explicit consent from visitors before tracking their data and ensuring that the data collected is limited to what is necessary for its intended purpose. The challenge for store owners is to leverage analytics tools like GA4 within these constraints, ensuring compliance while still gaining valuable insights.
The implications of GDPR non-compliance can be severe, ranging from hefty fines to reputational damage. For e-commerce stores, this can translate to penalties of up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover—whichever is higher. Beyond the financial repercussions, non-compliance can erode customer trust, a critical asset in the competitive online retail space.
While GDPR is an EU regulation, its impact is global. UK-based e-commerce sites that offer goods or services to EU citizens, or that monitor the behavior of individuals within the EU, are also subject to these regulations. This global reach highlights the importance of GDPR compliance for all e-commerce businesses, regardless of their physical location.
Adhering to GDPR is not just about avoiding penalties; it's about building a foundation of trust with your customers. By respecting their privacy and data preferences, you demonstrate that your business values more than just profits—it values the individuals behind every transaction. This trust is invaluable, fostering loyalty and encouraging repeat business in an increasingly privacy-conscious world.
Introduction to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Its Advantages
With the sunsetting of Universal Analytics in 2023, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has taken center stage, heralding a new era in web and app analytics. This shift is not merely an update but a complete reimagining of Google Analytics, designed to meet the evolving needs of e-commerce businesses while addressing the increasing demands for user privacy. For WooCommerce store owners, understanding GA4's capabilities and advantages is crucial in leveraging analytics effectively in a GDPR-compliant manner.
GA4 introduces a user-centric model of data collection, focusing on the entire user journey rather than fragmented sessions or interactions. This approach offers a holistic view of how users engage with your e-commerce site, from first visit to post-purchase behavior. By tracking across platforms and devices, GA4 provides a more comprehensive understanding of customer habits and preferences.
In response to growing privacy concerns and regulations like GDPR, GA4 has been built with privacy at its core. Features such as IP anonymization, data deletion controls, and consent mode are integral, allowing store owners to manage data collection in line with user consent. This ensures that personal information is handled respectfully, enhancing trust and compliance.
GA4 leverages advanced machine learning to uncover trends and predict future user actions, such as potential revenue from customer segments. These insights enable proactive decision-making, allowing WooCommerce store owners to tailor marketing strategies, optimize the shopping experience, and increase conversion rates with data-driven precision.
Unlike its predecessor, GA4 does not rely on predefined event categories. Instead, it offers flexible event tracking, enabling the customization of events to match specific e-commerce activities. This flexibility ensures that every significant interaction, from product views to cart additions, can be monitored and analyzed for a deeper understanding of customer behavior.
GA4's seamless integration with Google's advertising platforms enhances the ability to use analytics insights for targeted advertising campaigns. By understanding customer behavior through GA4, WooCommerce store owners can create more effective ad campaigns, reaching potential customers with personalized messaging and offers.
For WooCommerce store owners transitioning from Universal Analytics to GA4, the change represents an opportunity to enhance their analytics strategy. While the learning curve may be steep, the benefits of GA4's advanced features, privacy considerations, and predictive capabilities make it a powerful tool in the e-commerce arsenal.
Understanding GDPR is just the starting point for e-commerce store owners. It's about turning what could be seen as a hurdle into a significant advantage. Compliance isn't just about avoiding fines; it's a chance to enhance your store's reputation, build customer trust, and ultimately, foster loyalty and increase sales.
In our upcoming posts, we'll dive deeper into how integrating Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with GDPR compliance tools can not only streamline this process but also unlock new insights into your customers' behavior, all while respecting their privacy. Stay tuned for practical tips on making your WooCommerce store a beacon of trust and privacy in the e-commerce world.
Ready to take the next step in aligning your e-commerce store with GDPR and driving your business forward? Keep an eye out for our next post, where we'll break down the nuts and bolts of GA4 and GDPR compliance plugins. In the meantime, why not review your current analytics and data privacy practices? It’s the perfect first step toward making your store not just compliant, but customer-centric and successful. Or you can use our GDPR compliance services!
Are you looking for the perfect eCommerce solution for your online business?
If yes, you may be trying to decide whether to build your selling site using Shopify or WordPress / WooCommerce.
As two of the most popular and influential brands in the world of e-commerce, both of these tools offer a great service, but that does not necessarily mean that they are both right for your e-commerce business.
Within the below blog, we will explain everything you need to know to choose the perfect ecommerce solution for your new business including:
Shopify is an ecommerce platform that is specifically designed to allow merchants to build and launch their own online store. It allows you to sell both physical and digital goods and can be customised to meet the individual needs of your ecommerce business. Shopify is a hosted solution, meaning that everything runs on Shopify’s servers, so you do not have to worry about web hosting.
Shopify is a SAAS, ‘software as a service’ tool, which means that you do not own a copy of the software, but instead you pay a monthly subscription fee to use the service. As a web application, Shopify runs in the cloud, so you need to have a web browser and the internet to run and manage your online store.
WooCommerce is an extension (plugin) that can be added to WordPress. There are two versions of WordPress available: Hosted WordPress and Self-Hosted WordPress.
Hosted WordPress
Hosted WordPress is an SAAS tool the same as Shopify. You pay a monthly fee and you get access to a wide range of features which enable you to build, maintain and grow your ecommerce site. To add e-commerce features to a WordPress site, you will need to use another tool such as WooCommerce – more about this versatile platform to come.
Self-Hosted WordPress
Self-hosted WordPress is a different type of software that you download yourself and then install on your own web server. This is an extremely flexible tool that can be adapted to meet the exact requirements of any web design project. As long as you know how to use it that is.
For the purpose of this article, we will be outlining the benefits and drawbacks of Shopify vs. a Hosted WordPress using the WooCommerce ecommerce platform service.
Before you start comparing different ecommerce platforms, you first need to know what you should be looking for when it comes to an effective e-commerce solution. Make sure that you keep in mind the below factors as you consider where Shopify or WordPress is the right platform for you and your business:
You need to work out how much you can afford to spend on your e-commerce platform, both in terms of the initial outlay and any ongoing costs.
Whether you are a beginner to e-commerce platforms or you have some experience in building a website, you want a solution that you can confidently use.
Think about what other tools and services you may need to integrate to grow your business. Does your preferred platform offer these?
You may need a platform that works with your existing bank or accountancy software, it needs to offer multiple payment options so that your customers have as much choice as possible, with the lowest fee per transaction.
Arguably one of the most important factors to consider, you need to know that your ecommerce platform of choice can grow with your business or be scaled down if needed.
WooCommerce offers the freedom of open source which means that you have complete control over the creation of your website. It also means you can adapt your e-commerce site as and when you want to with ease.
Shopify, on the other hand is a closed platform, so you only have limited product variations, no subcategories and no option to migrate.
WooCommerce is completely free to install and use, making it a great choice for small businesses and new business owners who do not have much spare cash to inject into their website. That being said, with so many plug-ins to choose from, WooCommerce is just as effective for larger, more established e-commerce businesses.
Furthermore, WooCommerce does not charge you a percentage fee of your transactions which will save you a significant amount of money over time.
Although it can be a bit of a learning curve, WooCommerce, as an e-commerce platform, is incredibly flexible. With over 55,000 WordPress plugins, you can add any function imaginable to your e-commerce site, allowing you to outshine your competitors and improve your website over time.
WooCommerce offers PayPal and Stripe payments by default, but it also supports many other popular payment services as well as some regional and less popular payment services. This not only enhances your site's overall user experience but is also a great option for targeting local shoppers in specific regions of the UK.
By using the geolocation feature, you can auto-detect your customer's location using their IP. This is useful if you offer certain products that cannot be delivered to a certain area within the UK or abroad. Through this feature, you can restrict pages, products and categories depending on the user's country or region.
If you need a multilingual ecommerce store, then WooCommerce is the obvious choice. All you have to do is install WPML (a WordPress plug-in, which has a very low yearly subscription) and you are good to go. Shopify is not very useful for multilingual sites, although they do have an app that offers a few languages and currencies, but this application comes with a high monthly subscription fee.
WooCommerce is highly popular choice with dropshipping business, predominantly because you can install extensions that make order fulfilment quick, easy and better for customers. Furthermore, you can easily find extensions that enable you to instantly import products and fulfil orders from your website. You can even build your own ecommerce marketplace and allow other vendors to sell from your site.
As a platform created on WordPress, you can choose from a wide range of mobile-friendly designs and themes which will make the user experience of shopping on your site from a mobile much more user-friendly. Plus, you can enjoy its emergent responsive web technology without having to create new websites.
It's also possible to convert your WooCommerce store into a mobile app, or connect it to anything you could imagine via its REST API.
WooCommerce is incredibly SEO-friendly as it runs on top of WordPress which in itself is standard compliant and good for SEO. You can easily optimise your product descriptions, enable breadcrumbs for internal linking and track your customers in Google Analytics.
As WooCommerce is not tided to any plans, you can add any free or paid extensions from its marketplace or other ones as and when you need to. However, if you choose Shopify, you are tied to their paid plans only. For example, if you want third party shipping rates, you have to purchase their Shopify Advanced subscription which does not come cheap.
As the world's most popular ecommerce platform, WooCommerce sites are easier and quicker to fix for developers, meaning that if you do have any issues with your site in the future, you know they can be dealt with without costing you a fortune or putting your site out of action for too long.
There are not many downsides to choosing WooCommerce as your ecommerce solution of choice, but there are a few things you should bear in mind before choosing this platform.
Not technically a drawback as updates mean better security for your site and its customers. However, some businesses do find the number of updates to be time-consuming and frustrating.
Generally the updates are smooth and quick to implement with no issues, but (like most platforms) on large ecommerce sites it becomes essential to have a developer ready to test and deploy.
If you are wanting to create your ecommerce site entirely on your own and you do not have any experience in web design, you may struggle to get your site up and running without any professional help.
However, with many web tutorials, readily available themes and page builders, the learning curve is not too steep. We feel it's the ideal solution for the start-up that wants to avoid mounting monthly costs.
One of the biggest differences when it comes to Shopify and WooCommerce is that with the former you can create and customise your online store without needing to know a single line of code.
That being said, if you are getting a professional web design agency to create your e-commerce site for you, this will not be an issue as they will be fully knowledgeable in all coding best practices.
There are plenty of built-in analytic features in Shopify that allow you to keep track of elements of your business such as customer behaviour, stock levels and conversion tracking. This enables you to optimise your site for better results.
Baltic Design will build in analytics to your WordPress dashboard, so this is not an issue using WooCommerce!
If you are planning to create your ecommerce site completely on your own without any professional help, Shopify provides great levels of support in the form of their customer service team.
Here at Baltic Design we like to provide great support for WooCommerce too!
WooCommerce offers PayPal and Stripe payments by default, but it also supports many other popular payment services as well as some regional and less popular payment services. This not only enhances your site's overall user experience but is also a great option for targeting local shoppers in specific regions of the UK.
Shopify is a commerce platform that offers a way to quickly launch your dream business and start selling to your customers, wherever they are.
If you already have an established product sales business, or start-up capital, it is worth considering as it's the fastest way to start selling online while just paying a monthly fee.
Any business that sells products as a side-line may also benefit from it's simplicity and speed.
The caveat is however, if your planning on your eCommerce side of the business to be your main revenue stream - you need to find out if Shopify will be flexible enough for your business and whether you will always be happy to be locked into the ecosystem of another big company.
We work with many small businesses that carry the notion of "Shop Small, Shop Local" so new life can be brought back to our high streets, and hopefully this should apply to the local service industry too!
There are a few downsides to choosing Shopify to build your ecommerce site, although you may be able to overcome these depending on your budget and how much customisation you need.
Shopify subscriptions start from as little as around £20 per month, but can increase considerably if you want a more advanced service. However, you also have to pay transaction fees if you do not use Shopify Payments, as well as a payment processor fee for PayPal or Stripe.
Although you can customise your ecommerce site to a certain extend when you use Shopify, it does have some limitations that WooCommerce does not.
Yes, each ecommerce platform has a learning curve, but Shopify's one is slightly steeper than others. This is mainly due to the complicated jargon on the site which can be confusing for those not in the know.
When it comes to building a site for your brand-new ecommerce business, it can be tempting to opt for the path of least resistance. This may be by choosing a platform provider that is cheaper or one that offers exactly what you need in the short term.
However, it is worth remembering that you are building a business with the desire for it to be a success, for it to grow and evolve over time, both to adapt to the needs of your customers and to be more profitable for you. Therefore, you also need to be thinking about what is best for your business in the long term. You need an e-commerce platform that will allow you to easily customise and scale your site as and when needed. You also need a service that will provide the support you need to help your ecommerce site reach its full potential.
Here at Baltic Design, we specialise in the web design and development of WooCommerce websites for businesses within the ecommerce industry. We have a wealth of experience in building successful and adaptable websites that will grow with your business and help you achieve your goals. We offer an all-inclusive service that will help you create your ecommerce site from start to finish and can work with you to evolve and maintain the site once it is up and running - our aftercare support is unrivalled.
Already using Shopify? We can quickly export your Shopify catalogue, import your products, orders, reviews and everything else and migrate your store to WooCommerce.
Get in touch here today to book a free personal consultation and discover how we can help you to enjoy success in your endeavours.
In this post, I'm going to share everything I know about attracting good prospective engineering clients into your business.
I've separated the post into 7 traits which contain the most important aspects of a professional engineering website. Improving any of these traits will help increase the productivity of your website - generating leads for your business.
Let's Get Specific
Specifically, I'm going to help you
Sound good? Let’s go.#
Authority
The work your firm does is technical requiring many competencies in skilled areas. It’s important your website demonstrates to visitors that your company is an authority in its field.
Showing Accreditations and Awards is a great start and essential if you have them.
Accreditations & Certificates should usually be in your footer close to your contact form. Awards can be higher up on your Home page if they are recent.
Move them down once they are 6 months to a year old.
This is one of the most visited pages on a website, it’s a great place to add a mission statement. Here you can add more technical detail about any certifications and company facts.
It's important to note you should be writing for your customer. Talk to them about the problems you can solve for them.
Include a Staff Section to show the qualifications of your team and any areas of expertise they have.
A staff section can also display the friendly human element of your company.
These are an essential part of securing client confidence in your company. Display testimonials across your whole site, positioning them in relevant places when possible.
Case Studies show how you have helped to solve other similar problems in a way leads can relate to. It’s best to use a four part structure to demonstrate your role in the project.
Add photos and video to give credibility to your message.
A relevant testimonial from the company will underline authority in your field.
Blogs are often tough for many companies – what should they write about? It’s essential to find out what your customers like to read.
This doesn’t always have to be content related your products, services or even your company.
Write helpful and informative content to benefit your customers.
Many subjects that interest your target client are worth writing about.
Company news such as new products, services, members of staff, or awards are an easy win for blog posts.
Write them in a way that draws in your clients, and explain how this update will benefit them.
Engineers are often too busy working to get involved in a marketing capacity.
To get the best stories, a staff member or copywriter should actively talk to your team.
Find out what they are proud of and what they are currently working on at the moment. This provides easy content for your blog.
However, these events don’t always happen often enough in one company. It’s important to generate other ideas that interest your clients enough to read and share.
Write about industry news to demonstrate that you keep current with technology and industry events.
The more you know your target customer the easier this is:
Use LinkedIn to strengthen relationships with clients and win projects. Share your case studies and posts with a wider audience, driving traffic to your website.
Facebook & Twitter are not usually a big consideration for an engineering firm, yet they provide an easy way to share your blog posts and case studies.
“Your client may not care about numbers of followers or likes, but Google does.”
You will find they are increasingly used by a wider section of the engineering industry.
Case studies and blog posts should encourage visitors to share them.
Connect your site to your social profiles and ensure they contain a link back to your site.
Your client may not care about numbers of followers or likes, but Google does.
Google uses social signals when ranking your website. These will influence your site's authority in search engine results.
If you have international clients, display a Google map showing their diverse locations. Use pins for each project you have worked on.
A promotional website is often a billboard as an ecommerce site is to a bricks and mortar shop.
An online shop needs regular updating, organising and maintenance combined with serious security measures and a means to accommodate and communicate with its customers.
Open Source Platforms such as Magento or Wordpress with WooCommerce are made ready to sell, so if your agency is building your website on a platform like this, your money should stretch a lot further than if they had built your online shop from scratch.
This means your budget can be spent where it counts. Ecommerce shops are significantly more expensive that promotional websites and they need the same considerations plus the following services and features which you should be paying for:
The default payment method set up on open source ecommerce software is usually PayPal and little else so if you want to process credit cards in another way you will need to find the relevant Payment Gateway. Sometimes these are freely available plugins, sometimes they cost a small fee or just exist as code that needs to be integrated by a suitably qualified developer.
If you’re wanting to accept and store credit card details, this is quite a serious affair and you will need an SSL Certificate which should only need to cost £100 or so but can be sold for thousands by some dealers.
It’s worth noting that some payment processing companies can store CC details for you and thus alleviate the legal and financial risks involved in holding CC numbers. However an SSL Certificate has been shown to improve customer confidence and also improve search engine ranking.
If your store needs hundreds or thousands of products adding, you should factor in an administration cost for adding all your products to your site. It’s GUARANTEED that this will be cheaper if you can train an employee in your company to do this or find an admin freelancer online.
However, if you can provide a correctly formatted spreadsheet to your ecommerce developer this should not equate to a huge cost as product details can be uploaded via the spreadsheet.
An ecommerce site has many necessary pages that need a focused design and layout to enforce branding, increase consumer confidence and guide customers to their purchase.
Product Cart, Checkout Page, Member Profile Pages are just some of many extra pages that are generated automatically but will need at least some element of consideration when building your shop.
The wording and design of Purchase Orders, Invoices, Newsletter and other email templates needs to be considered to provide a consistent element of professionalism to your customer interaction.
If you’re selling, for example, clothes available in several colours and sizes – there is probably a plugin to help you, but the more complex your product package is the more likely it is that this is where you might be spending a significant part of your budget.
E.g. A site sells bespoke furniture of which the style, colour and material of individual parts can be chosen to create a unique chair or table.
There are often ways around complexity that involves resorting back to more old fashioned sales methods such as email or telephone, so be sure your requirement is an essential one rather than one that could be placed on a wish list for a second or third phase of development.
Shipping Costs by weight and delivery costs by postcode, are all achievable and there may be a plugin out there that can help. More than likely though, if you don’t keep your delivery costs simple then you’ll need to pay for development of shipping matrices.
Ecommerce sites need a lot of bug testing before you unleash them upon your customers. It’s better to know everything works before you drive traffic to your site.
Like a real shop – there will be a few hiccups, abandoned carts and missing orders – it’s a question of keeping them to a minimum and under control. You want your site to run smoothly when it’s launched as customers probably won’t visit again if they come across an obstacle when trying to buy something.
It’s necessary to check the flow of your site towards your checkout – at the very least it should be intuitive and easy for customers to buy with no blocks or obstacles along the way. Ideally this flow should be monitored once the shop is open and further refined and streamlined.
It’s often a unique feature on an ecommerce site that makes it a success. A new way to interact, engage and benefit customers is exactly where the web gold rush begins.
Custom Greeting Card shops, Comparison Sites and Holiday websites have brought great innovation to the web and illustrated why ecommerce can sometimes be the best solution for a business.
This is where the development expense should lie for a site – you are paying for something uniquely yours that in theory you could package and resell to other vendors.
Bespoke code has a tangible value, what the developer creates should belong to you and therefore the developer rightfully deserves to be paid well for the creation of the code.
An agency can provide great assistance with creating and marketing your online presence. However not all agencies are created equally and it’s worth knowing what you can get for your money before you sign any contract.
Don’t get a third party to buy it for you; find a reputable domain vendor or hosting company to buy from directly.
It’s easy and your domain could be worth a lot of money one day; this will avoid any potential dispute with your agency further down the line.
While it often makes sense to be hosted with your agency, it’s worth checking out some online hosting to get an idea of how much hosting should cost.
The agency should be able to give you an idea of how much space and bandwidth your hosting will have which you can then compare.
If your hosting seems a little on the expensive side it may be worth asking why – do they include any free maintenance / upgrading to your website in their package?
It’s reasonable to expect an agency to charge a small premium on their hosing services to cover costs, but you should ensure you’re getting the most for your money.
If your agency proposes that they will host the site, make sure you have the mechanical and legal options to move your website in case your relationship with the agency dissolves in some way further down the line.
Check that you will have legal ownership of your site – you should own copyright for any created artwork, code and copy you have paid for to be created.
You should be given access to a hosting control panel and should be able to
Good control panels should offer much more such as an email account facility, domain forwarding and server statistics.
If you intend to create a new killer web app like Youtube or Facebook, development will be expensive. For everyone else who is using the web to promote or sell, there may be a stock solution to suit your needs available to buy or download for FREE.
A promotional or eCommerce website can be created using free, open source software such as Wordpress and Magento with almost any required feature you need.
It’s now quite easy to create your own website, so if you’re hiring professionals, you should be able to focus your budget on aspects of the website that make it unique to your business and not pay over the odds for commonly available functions.
A good web designer will give your website a professional appearance that fits your brand and ensure the website is coherent, well laid out and easy to use by customers.
Responsive design involves an extra coding element as well as a design one, ensuring your website looks good on tablets and smartphones. It’s a worthwhile investment and one that can be budgeted for when you aren’t paying over the odds for your basic site.
There are many free and stock premium ‘plugins’ and code snippets to add features to your site. Your developer should be able to add these at a minimal cost.
You may need some custom code for a feature unique to your site, or to improve upon an existing plugin. It’s worth paying for this kind of development as it adds a unique value to your website.
If you just need to sell a few virtual or simple products through PayPal, there are many ways to do this cheaply or for free. A developer can help add this functionality to your site at a relatively low cost.
If you’re serious about selling online, you will need to ensure your shop is competitive and this could cost twice to ten times as much as a promotional website depending on a number of factors including bug testing and maintenance.
Read 10 Features & Services worth paying for in an ecommerce website.
Hey Wait! Before you go why not download our 6 Fundamentals for Website Success PDF?
It's a great resource to ensure your site is performing in tip top condition!
With a special focus on e-commerce, web development, and UX/UI design, we are the go-to choice for businesses not only in Newcastle and the North East but also throughout the UK.
Located in Gateshead, Baltic Design is at the forefront of the digital landscape, offering expert troubleshooting, speed optimisation, and robust hosting solutions.
Hey Wait! Before you go why not download our 6 Fundamentals for Website Success PDF?
It's a great resource to ensure your site is performing in tip top condition!
With a special focus on e-commerce, web development, and UX/UI design, we are the go-to choice for businesses not only in Newcastle and the North East but also throughout the UK.
Located in Gateshead, Baltic Design is at the forefront of the digital landscape, offering expert troubleshooting, speed optimisation, and robust hosting solutions.
