Lyz Cordon @ Diligent Design

10 creative design agencies in Leeds

Lyz — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:40:17 +0000

A while ago I wrote a white paper about how to choose the right web designer for your business. In it I talked about the different types of web design companies that are out there - the first type of web site design suppliers I mentioned were large design agencies that offer services other than just digital including creative, PR, direct mail and graphic design. Here are 10 such agencies you could choose from in Leeds:

Picasso: Peace + Freedom in Liverpool

Lyz — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:12:10 +0000

This week I visited the Picasso: Peace and Freedom exhibition at the Tate in Liverpool. The first thing I learnt was that Picassso died a year after I was born - I'm ashamed to say I had no idea he lived so recently. I guess I'd placed him around the same time as Monet, Renoir, Manet, Van Gogh and Degas in the mid-late nineteenth century.

Guest Posting Rocks

Lyz — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:19:37 +0000

Today I am re-reading 'Guest Posting for Quality Links and Targeted Traffic' - an eBook by Chris Garret from his Authority Blogger course. Mr Garret knows his stuff - check out the AB course... you won't regret it!

How to avoid being stung by SEO sales people

Lyz — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:38:27 +0000

You hear tales of SEO agencies taking money and not doing anything. SEO is surrounded in mystical terms and technical jargon that even the computer-savvy don’t understand. When you try to research it on the internet, you can pick up conflicting information. The truth is that the search engines and Google keep their algorithms (the computer programming they use to determine where a website ranks) a secret and they’re constantly changing. Everyone will tell you to research before signing up to an SEO agency, but sometimes that just isn’t enough, so here are my top tips to make sure you don’t get stung by a dodgy SEO sales guy:

450g of Pure Gold – the online marketing book you have to read

Lyz — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:28:41 +0000

If you haven’t read Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media and Blogs by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah then you and your business are already at a disadvantage. This is a book worth its weight in gold. I read it cover to cover in just a few evenings and I recommend that you get a copy before your competitors do! This is a book that ignites your passion for online marketing and gets you motivated and inspired to invest time working on your business.

Learn how to write headlines that sell

Lyz — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:53:44 +0000

Last weekend, I had that moment we all have when standing at a supermarket queue. My bored eye was meandering over the rack in front of me and it was caught by the headlines of several magazines. They sort of just jumped out at me. Even without caring whatever drama a certain celebrity couple is going through, I found myself reading the headlines and even reading their subtitles. This got me thinking about how valuable good headlines are...

10 rules for writing AdWords that make people click

Lyz — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:59:55 +0000

Chances are that if you’re trying to make money from your business, you’re using some AdWords advertising. Pay per click (PPC) advertising can be time consuming and hard to get your head around, particularly if you’re writing all your ads yourself. There’s a lot of information out there on this subject and I’ve been asked by a few of my clients recently for a few pointers on how they can write ads that make people click.

Professional website designer versus do-it-yourself

Lyz — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:50:42 +0000

Website design is like a lot of things; anyone can do it but not everyone can do it well. Technically you could design and make yourself a new suit but you probably wouldn't dream of it because you know it would never look as good as one you'd bought... or had custom made if you're very lucky! A Saville Row tailor has years of training and experience to know exactly how to make a suit just for you, how to recommend the fabric and cut that makes you look the very best you can. A professional website designer will do the same job for you online. A top-notch web designer can portray you and your business in the very best light to maximise on sales and conversions. So before you decide to make you own website consider my top three reasons why you should employ a professional website designer...

B&Q vs Wickes: when ecommerce goes horribly wrong

Lyz — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:36:24 +0000

The other week I finally got around to replacing an interior door in my house. Being as I don't have access to a van large enough to transport a door I thought I'd buy it online and get it delivered. What could possibly go wrong?

Nespresso designers prove there’s no need to sacrifice beauty for usability

Lyz — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:11:09 +0000

"Good designs will have it all - aesthetic pleasure, art, creativity - and at the same time be usable, workable, and enjoyable." I have a favourite gadget - it's beautifully designed and yes something that actually does what it supposed to do and makes my life easier! It's a well designed object that's easy to interpret and understand - we didn't need the instruction manual to operate this one.