Web Developer Role
eSterling is looking for a self-motivated, focused individual who is passionate about the industry, to join our busy Development Department.
The role would be ideal for someone who has a few years of experience developing content managed websites. We are not hung up on degree-level qualification, preferring a candidate with commercial experience instead. You should show an attention to detail and ability to uphold your work to the highest standards.
You’ll be working directly with clients so being confident in presenting your work and talking with people in a non-technical manner is a must.
If you’re someone who isn’t deterred by a challenge and has a passion for new web technologies you’ll fit right in. The ideal candidate will be able to slipstream into the team with a minimum of training, bringing their experience into the mix and deliver code of a high quality.
We’re looking for someone who has experience and interest in the following:
- Practical experience with PHP
- Experience with Classic ASP would be a bonus
- You should have practical knowledge of OOP principles and techniques
- You should be more than comfortable working with HTML, CSS and Javascript
- MVC web framework experience would be ideal
- Experience of working with version control systems
- Interest in ‘programming the web’ and web services
Full time.
Permanent.
Salary range: £16,000-£24,000pa (dependent on experience)
eSterling joins Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professionals
eSterling is pleased to announce that the company has been awarded Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional status. Two members of our eMarketing team, Scott Hunt and Jon Jauncey, successfully completed the Microsoft adCenter examination to gain this accreditation.
This qualification demonstrates that the eMarketing team at eSterling is highly trained in all aspects of pay-per-click advertising through Yahoo and Bing. We are able to professionally manage and optimise adCenter campaigns and pass on expert advice to our customers about how to use pay-per-click adverts to drive traffic to their website.
Our new Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional status is another step towards offering our customers a wider range of internet marketing services, and we can now provide Bing and Yahoo pay-per-click campaigns alongside our Google Adwords services. If you would like to find out more, please contact us on 0121 766 4080.
Cookie Law FAQ
What are cookies?
Cookies are also known as browser cookies or tracking cookies and are small, often encrypted, text files located in browser directories. They are used to help users navigate a website efficiently and perform certain functions.
Some of the most common functions using cookies are:
- Logging into a website
- Buying goods online
- Personalised adverts
- Tracking data using Google Analytics
Why has the law been changed?
The law has been designed to protect the privacy of internet users – even when the information being collected about them is not directly personally identifiable. The changes are a response to increasing concern about online tracking and the use of spyware.
An example of this type of tracking is personalised advertising – where a retailer can use data about what you have looked at online to advertise related products to you when you are visiting a different website.
How does the law affect my website?
The new rules are not designed to restrict cookies as such, they are intended to prevent cookies being used to store information on people’s computers and recognising them via the device they are using, without their knowledge and agreement.
Using cookies is therefore not prohibited by the new regulations, but they do require that people are told about cookies and given the choice as to which of their online activities are monitored.
All websites are now required to offer users the chance to opt out of cookies. This is what the legislation states:
“a person shall not store or gain access to information stored, in the terminal equipment of a subscriber or user unless the requirements of paragraph (2) are met.
(2) The requirements are that the subscriber or user of that terminal equipment-
(a) is provided with clear and comprehensive information about the purposes of the storage of, or access to, that information; and
(b) has given his or her consent.
Regulation 6 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR)”
The use of cookies and similar technologies has been commonplace for some time, and cookies in particular are important in the provision of many online services. Therefore there is an exception to obtaining consent where the use of the cookie is:
(a) for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network; or
(b) where such storage or access is strictly necessary for the provision of an information society service requested by the subscriber or user.
This means that e-commerce websites will be able to carry on using cookies for transactions without consent. Other cookies that are likely to be exempt from the legislation include security cookies (e.g online banking) and cookies that speed up loading of data.
Shortly after the new legislation was announced, the regulations were amended to allow ‘implied consent’ for other cookies, such as first and third party advertising cookies, cookies used to recognise a user when they return to a site (in order to display personalised information) and analytical data cookies, e.g Google Analytics.
What do I need to do next?
You will be required to display a message on your site asking users if they wish to opt-out of cookies. The message must:
tell people that the cookies are there,
explain what the cookies are doing, and
obtain their consent to store a cookie on their device
This can be in the form of a pop-up banner that appears as soon as a user clicks onto your homepage, or you can request ‘implied consent’ from users by updating your terms and conditions and/or privacy policy to include the information listed above.
What happens if a user opts out of cookies?
Due to their core role of enhancing or enabling usability or site processes, disabling cookies may prevent users from using certain parts of a website. This is why e-commerce sites and websites requiring a log-in are exempt from the regulations.
It is crucial that any opt-out message you decide to display will make users aware that cookies could affect how they use your website in a negative way. You may also need to be prepared to deal with some additional customer enquiries from users that have opted out of cookies and are now finding it difficult to use your website. Please note that users can re-enable cookies by changing their browser settings.
It is possible that Google Analytics tracking data could be affected by users opting out of cookies, and visits may appear artificially low. We anticipate that Google will work to resolve this and the eMarketing team will inform users of any long term changes to Google Analytics policy.
Web Developer wanted to join our team
eSterling is looking for a self-motivated, focused individual who is passionate about the industry, to join our busy Development Department.
The role would be ideal for someone who has a few years of experience developing content managed websites. We are not hung up on degree-level qualification, preferring a candidate with commercial experience instead. You should show an attention to detail and ability to uphold your work to the highest standards.
You’ll be working directly with clients so being confident in presenting your work and talking with people in a non-technical manner is a must.
If you’re someone who isn’t deterred by a challenge and has a passion for new web technologies you’ll fit right in. The ideal candidate will be able to slipstream into the team with a minimum of training, bringing their experience into the mix and deliver code of a high quality.
We’re looking for someone who has experience and interest in the following:
- Practical experience with PHP
- Experience with Classic ASP would be a bonus
- Practical knowledge of OOP principles and techniques
- More than comfortable working with HTML, CSS and Javascript
- MVC web framework experience would be ideal
- Experience of working with version control systems
- Interest in ‘programming the web’ and web services
Salary range: £16,000-£26,000 pa. Please send a CV to hrservices@esterling.co.uk to apply.
How will you make the most of the Diamond Jubilee?
As Jubilee-fever sweeps the nation are you doing your bit to make sure you capitalise on it this summer? Retail outlets are FULL of Union Jacks and little crown-shaped trinkets. There is a resurgence in teapot sales and macaroons are EVERYWHERE!
Whether or not you plan to wave a little flag of your own, there is definitely money to be made on the back of the Jubilee and for savvy business owners the opportunity is too good to miss. Here are our top tips:
- Run a Jubilee-inspired competition on your web site and spread the word using your Social Media links such as Twitter and Facebook.
- Turn your usual seasonal special offers into Jubilee special offers, decorating your site with red, white and blue to jolly it up.
- Give out Jubilee voucher codes at checkout to existing customers encouraging a return visit by offering a discount.
- If you’re in the market, stock a specific Jubilee range to entice buyers. Create packages or sell items on an individual basis.
- Get involved in community activities. Offer to sponsor a tea party in your local area and get the press involved.
However you choose to spend the Jubilee, don’t miss out on a chance to increase your sales opportunities. Boost British Business! Hoorah!
Popularity rules: The power of social media
A recent post by Lloyd Shepherd on the Guardian books blog serves to highlight the step-up of importance in social media over the last few years. Lloyd’s book, The English Monster was released in March and his article compares the influence that both traditional sources (newspapers) and unofficial sources (such as reader reviews on Amazon) have had on the sales of his book.
It would seem that official reviews in newspapers are a hugely powerful tool in exposing your work and for a debut writer this is good news, whether the review is positive or negative. Online reviews are a different beast but the negative impact can be catastrophic with one writer citing a 70% drop in sales after a negative review. Social approval or disapproval is exerting a huge influence on book sales and the same can be said of other business sectors.
We have been advising our customers to get on board with social media for a while now, and it appears this will become increasingly important as Google adjusts its position yet again on the way it values web sites and ranks them. The key aspect of social media is that your web site, product or service is receiving an unbiased review from an impartial source. This is seen by Google as being more powerful than a self-endorsement and it follows that the more positive points you get from other people, the more Google will like your site.
It is worth speaking to your SEO provider about pushing your social media campaign forward if they haven’t already. eSterling offers competitively priced social media packages to suit all budgets. Your SEO team will discuss the best methods for you and get you started. You’ll get out what you put in, so be active and concentrate on making those customers happy.
Could Google be losing its grip on the internet?
Google has been given a deadline of “a matter of weeks” by Europe’s antitrust chief to explain how it will end concerns about abusing its dominant position. The search engine giant has been criticised favouring its own products in the search engine results pages over those of rival advertisers.
The investigation was sparked by complaints from several companies; British shopping comparison site, Foundem; Microsoft-owned Ciao, the French legal search engine justice.fr, and the German maps company Hotmaps. These companies complained that their services appeared artificially low on Google’s general search results – an indication that they were being penalised for being competitors.
The European Commission commissioner, Joaquín Almunia, has warned Google that if nothing is done in response to his letter, the EC will begin a formal investigation which would lead to large fines amounting to billions of pounds. Google disagreed with the commission’s conclusions, but responded that it was happy to discuss the issues further.
With Google controlling 86% of the EU search market; it will be an interesting battle should a formal investigation take place. Rival companies will certainly be hoping that Google’s search engine monopoly will be broken during the fight and that balance will be restored to the market.
Some of the whistle-blowing companies aren’t particularly popular rivals (I hadn’t even heard of Foundem before today!), so is this just a case of sour grapes? Or could it be argued that ‘penalisation’ by Google could effectively end a brand before it’s even started? Either way, it shows that Google has a power which generates fear among its rivals – and is this really healthy for the internet?
LP Hydraulics – Our Latest Success Story
We’re glad to hear happy news from our lovely customer Paul from L P Hydraulics. After a recent web site refresh and a concentrated SEO campaign, the rewards are starting to come in with the web site now inviting interest from new customers.
The team has worked closely with Paul to develop a targeted eMarketing strategy which is now bringing him orders. Getting to know Paul and the ins and outs of his businesses has been a pleasure, and we believe that this has helped us understand his requirements and make tweaks along the way to improve our service.
eMarketing services from eSterling can make such a huge difference to what you get out of your web site. We would be happy to offer you an obligation-free meeting to discuss what we could do for you. Our team of friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff will listen to your aims and help you to achieve them.
Well done to Paul and well done to the eSterling eMarketing team!
Frumoo stocked by Tesco!
Congratulations to our wonderful client Frumoo who now have their delicious range of fruit and milk drinks for kids stocked in Tesco stores. Owner Maria Leavesley, herself a mother of five, invented Frumoo smoothies ; delicious and healthy drinks for children.
With no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives – in fact nothing artificial at all – Frumoo smoothies offer a tasty alternative to sugary drinks. They are packed with fresh fruit and whole milk to give kids a great start. Thanks to Maria’s inventive ideas and her practical experience of being a mum, the Frumoo packaging is re-sealable meaning no more sticky spills and the smoothies are even freezable. Great stuff!
Choose from Blackcurrant, Pear and Apple or Raspberry, Pear and Apple – or why not try their very latest flavour Strawberry, Cherry and Blackberry – released just in time for the Jubilee!
Check out the Frumoo website, built and marketed by eSterling for the latest information. Go on – have a Frumoo day!
How does Google Penguin affect my website?
Penguin is the latest algorithm update from Google designed to eradicate spammy websites from appearing in the search results. Essentially another step forward from 2011’s Panda, Penguin’s main targets are out-of-date content and backlinks from bad neighbourhoods.
In the past, a website could get good rankings from using ‘black hat’ SEO techniques, such as spammy content, keyword stuffing and buying poor quality links from questionable sources. This resulted in a bad experience for Google users, who often found that sites using unreasonable SEO techniques were filling up the search engine results pages with nothing but spam.
Since these early days subsequent algorithm updates such asFloridaand Panda have attempted to root out these bad practices. The changes in Penguin aim to penalise any remaining offenders that are still lurking in web space.
In my previous blog post; ‘Why does Google update its algorithm?’ I discussed how Google updates are ‘for the greater good’ when it comes to improving the quality of search engine results. Penguin isn’t anything to fear as long as you are prepared to make any necessary changes.
No update is perfect and like its predecessor Panda, Penguin has had its fair share of criticism over the last few weeks. The teething problems have included complaints from legitimate companies that had been removed from search rankings. However, these issues have already been addressed by Google and the majority of eSterling clients have had no major problems with Penguin.
So what can you do to avoid your search engine results dropping as a result of Penguin?
- Update your content. Re-write old or keyword-stuffed content on as many pages as possible. You can read some guidelines for this here.
- Get a blog. This really is the easiest method to add fresh content to your site on a regular basis and is also a great way for your visitors to find out more about you.
- Source links from reputable websites. Build your own links by submitting to online directories, or signing up for quality online advertising. Link building services from eSterling have shown no adverse reaction from Penguin as we source only quality links.
- Remove anything that could be regarded as spammy – invisible text or keywords stuffing has been a huge no-no for a while now.
These points will come as no surprise to regular readers of the eSterling blog. A successful website is about providing fresh, relevant content to the user and adhering to Google’s guidelines on links. As long as you focus your attention on this, you will survive the Penguin update and many more to come. Who knows, you may even benefit from the next update…