Cookies? I Thought They Were Food!
You have probably noticed that the majority of websites will now draw your attention to their cookie policy when you first visit the home page. This is because, in May 2012, a new EU law was introduced requiring all sites using cookies to request the express permission of each website user if they wish to store and retrieve data about your browsing habits.
When someone mentions the word ‘cookies’ what is the first thing that pops into your head? Don’t worry, it’s exactly the same with us! However, in the world of computers and the internet, cookies actually mean something very different.
Often portrayed as being either an intrusive spying mechanism or something completely harmless designed to make your online life easier, opinions and thoughts about cookies are varied. Below we highlighted some of the important information to help you form your own opinion.
Basic Files
First and foremost, contrary to many reports, cookies are NOT programs. They are simple ’text files’ which anyone can read using the ‘Notebook’ program on your own 
PC. They typically contain just two pieces of information, a site name and unique user ID.
How Do Cookies Work?
Each time you visit a website for the first time that uses cookies, a cookie will be downloaded onto your PC. This information will be used the next time you visit that site. When your PC checks to see if it has a cookie that is relevant (that is, one containing the site name).
The website will then be able to use the information that you have visited before to tailor your experience by choosing which adverts are displayed for example.
The Positives
Although containing only limited information, cookies are becoming more sophisticated. They now have the ability to record further details such as how long you spend on a particular page, which links you choose to click on etc. They can also be used to store data on what is in your ‘shopping cart’, adding items as you click.
The possibilities are absolutely limitless. As such, the role of cookies can prove to be highly beneficial when trying to ensure that each user receives the best possible experience.
There can be little doubt that without cookies, online shopping would be much harder.
The Negatives
For a variety of reasons, many people have mixed feelings at best about the ability of any type of organisation to store information about you.
Whilst there are no personal details stored, it is certainly understandable if you do not like the idea of having your name being added to marketing lists. This information can even be used to target you for special offers or having a browsing profile constructed about you.
The Law!
It is important to make sure that you are not put off by this as the chances are you were probably sharing details with the website before without even knowing it. In many cases, you can click to say you understand the cookies policy but in many instances, you can simply ignore the announcement and continue browsing as normal.
If you choose, you can actually change the way cookies are stored on your computer by clicking on the ‘Tools’ menu in your internet browser. Hopefully, you will already find that implementation of the new law means your concerns about privacy and your personal data have been addressed.
We hope that this answers some of your questions.
Further Information
Footprint Web Design have been at the forefront of web design and development for nearly 20 years. If you are looking for a website that truly represents your business, or advice on how to make your site stand out, then contact us today on 01883 372 488, or via email at info@footprint.co.uk.
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5 Ways WordPress Plugins Can Improve Your Website
Just when you thought that WordPress couldn’t get any better, we’re here to tell you that it can. If there were not already enough benefits to help separate this exceptional CMS from the pack, the constant ability of its community to keep coming up with ways to improve its experience really does elevate it to another level.
The user friendliness of the platform alone should be enough to help persuade you that WordPress is the way forward for your website but if that is not enough on its 
own, there are literally tens of thousands of WordPress plug-in, themes and widgets out there, just waiting to take your website to a higher level.
To help narrow down your choices, we have worked together to come up with our current top 5 favourites.
So, in no particular order, welcome to the top 5 Footprint WordPress plug-in recommendations.
WordPress SEO by Yoast
“Improve your WordPress SEO: Write better content and have a fully optimized WordPress site using the WordPress SEO plugin by Yoast.”
There are many pretenders to the crown but the truth is that there is only one king when it comes to credible and successful SEO plug-ins.
Amazingly simple to install and use, this plug-inis as comprehensive as it gets and even better – its free!!
Akismet
“Akismet checks your comments against the Akismet web service to see if they look like spam or not and lets you review the spam it catches under your blog’s “Comments” admin screen”
One of the very few drawbacks of WordPress is the spam that can be pointed in its direction. Fortunately with the creation of Akismet, you can say goodbye to this problem as well!
Akismet is a free plug-in which offers the ability to block almost every spam comment directed to your website. Installation of this plug-inwill ensure that you never again have to waste countless hours sorting though 100s of pointless spammy comments.
Better WP Security
“The easiest, most effective way to secure WordPress. Improve the security of any WordPress site in seconds.”
Online security should be of the utmost importance for all webmaster and with the creation of the Better WP Security plug-in, you will have access to a plug-inwhich is not only easy to install and set up, it is also incredibly effective.
Offering an effective solution against all manner of attacks, this needs to be right at the top of your list.
Yet Another Related Posts Plugin
“Display a list of related posts on your site based on a powerful unique algorithm. Earn money by including sponsored content!”
Bounce rate can be the scourge of many online businesses but the addition of this plug-in will give you the best possible chance of keeping your visitors on your website by displaying the perfect articles to the perfect user at the perfect time!
The ‘Yet Another Related Posts’ plug-in does a truly excellent job of doing exactly what it says on the tin and its customisation options ensure that it is very easy to fit the related posts in with the design of your site.
Digg Digg
“Your all in one share buttons plug-in. Add a floating bar with share buttons to your blog. Just like Mashable!”
Unless you have been living in outer space, the importance of social networking simply cannot have passed you by. As such it is essential that you offer you web visitors to the easiest possible way to share your content and Digg Digg is one of the best sharing button plug-ins around.
Digg Digg is a social sharing bar that slides gracefully down your posts providing your web visitor with the chance to share whatever they like, wherever they like!
Have We Missed Anything?
These are just a tiny percentage of the free plugins that are currently available and which represent some of our current favourites. Do you have any favourites of your own or do you feel as though something should have forced its way into our top 10? Get in touch to let us know what you think.
Further Information
Footprint Web Design have been at the forefront of web design and development for nearly 20 years. If you are looking for a website that truly represents your business, or advice on how to make your site stand out, then contact us today on 01883 372 488, or via email at info@footprint.co.uk.
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Good with social media? If so, we want you!
Social Media Manager
We are always on the look-out for top class people to join our growing team.
We are now looking for another Social Media Manager to create social media content on our key client’s social media channels.
At the heart of the role is social media content writing, creating and implementing social copy-writing for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ etc.
You will be collaborating with editors, SEO Managers and the clients directly to deliver interesting editorial content on social media that resonates with their audience, and represents the client’s tone of voice. This is a good time to join as you will play a crucial part in the success of the social media content strategy for our clients. To be considered for this position, please demonstrate your relevant skills including:
*Social media content writing/copy-writing for various industries
*Understanding of agency dynamics
*Knowledge of social media campaigns for high profile clients
This position is likely freelance but possibly an employed basis. You will have the option to work remotely too.
If you are interested and can demonstrate the above please contact ant@footprint.co.uk
