Category: WordPress

Wordpress tips, how-tos and informative blog posts

Is a WordPress Maintenance Plan Worth It? 7 Benefits You Didn’t Know

A WordPress maintenance plan might sound like something only big companies worry about. But the truth is, it’s the smartest way to protect your website investment. Without it, small problems can quietly turn into big ones.

Once a WordPress site goes live, many business owners shift their focus elsewhere. The assumption is that the site will keep running smoothly on its own. But that’s rarely how things go. WordPress maintenance is not automatic. If you leave your site without regular care, it begins to suffer slow load times, broken contact forms, outdated plugins, and worst of all, exposure to security threats.

Now think about how many potential customers may have clicked on your site, encountered an error, and left without contacting you. That’s lost revenue. Broken features and poor performance affect your sales, reputation, and Google ranking.

This blog breaks down seven specific benefits that make a maintenance plan worth every dollar.

Peace of Mind With Security Checks

WordPress is a fantastic platform, but it comes with its own problems if you’re not watching it. Because WordPress powers over 40% of websites online, hackers see it as a nice target. They know many website owners forget to update plugins or ignore those annoying “update available” notifications. That’s where the problems begin. A single outdated file can quietly open the door to intruders, and you won’t even know until something goes wrong. This is why having a WordPress maintenance plan is possible.

Regular security checks can save your business from plenty of stress. With a proper maintenance routine, your site is scanned for threats regularly. Firewalls are updated. Suspicious activity is flagged and blocked before it gets serious. It’s like having someone always watching your back while you focus on running your business.

You don’t want to wait until your site has been hacked before you act. Most maintenance teams catch known issues early and apply the right fixes quickly.

Faster Website, Better User Experience

No one likes a slow website. If your WordPress website takes forever to load, people will click away before they even see what you offer. This is bad for business. It affects your bounce rate, your user experience, and even your ranking on Google. A maintenance plan can help fix this problem.

Speed is a necessity. With regular clean-up and performance checks, your website stays light and fast. Things like caching, image compression, and database clean-up may sound technical, but what they really do is make your site load faster and run smoother.

When your pages load quickly, people stay longer. They browse, read, they click. And they’re more likely to buy or reach out. A fast website gives your visitors a better experience, and that alone can increase your chances of turning them into actual customers.

Consistent Backups Save You From Nightmares

All your content, your images, and your settings will be gone if your WordPress website crashes or gets hacked, and there’s no backup. And recovering from that kind of loss is frustrating, stalls your business and costs you money.

Not every hosting company offers reliable or frequent backups. Some only do it once in a while. Others may store backups in the same place as your site, which defeats the whole point. That’s where a proper WordPress maintenance plan comes in.

With scheduled backups stored safely in another location, you are covered. If anything goes wrong, you can quickly restore your site without starting from scratch or waiting endlessly. Less downtime means your customers barely notice anything happened. And you won’t be left panicking.

Plugin and Theme Updates

One of the most overlooked parts is updating your plugins and themes the right way. While it might look simple, it’s rarely that straightforward.

Sometimes, a plugin that worked perfectly last week can suddenly clash with your theme or the WordPress core files after an update. This kind of conflict can break your site or even lock you out entirely. And once that happens, fixing it is not always quick or cheap.

A proper WordPress maintenance plan helps you avoid this mess. Updates are tested first on a staging version of your site before anything touches the live version. That way, if something is going to break, it breaks in a safe space where nobody sees it and nothing is lost.

This process gives you access to new features, security fixes, and performance improvements without gambling with your live website.

SEO Boost From Technical Upkeep

Google always prefers websites that are easy to use, fast, and secure. This is why technical upkeep plays a big role in your SEO efforts. When your site has broken links, 404 errors, or takes forever to load, visitors leave and search engines notice. Poor mobile responsiveness turns off both users and Google alike.

A solid maintenance plan checks for these issues regularly and fixes them before they hurt your rankings. This includes running audits to find problems like dead links or slow-loading pages and then correcting them. It also means making sure your site looks and works well on all devices.

By keeping your website in good shape with these technical fixes, you give Google no reason to push you down in search results. You stay visible, relevant, and ahead of competitors who might ignore these details.

6. Ongoing Support and Reporting

Having ongoing support for your website means you don’t have to handle technical problems alone. When something feels off or breaks down, you can quickly reach out to someone who understands the issue and knows how to fix it. This kind of help brings peace of mind and saves you from unnecessary stress.

Regular reports show you exactly what has been done behind the scenes. No more guessing or wondering if updates were made or issues addressed. These updates keep you in the loop and allow you to track progress clearly.

With this kind of support, you move from constantly putting out fires to staying ahead of potential problems. Instead of reacting to surprises, you get to plan and maintain a smooth, stable website that works for your business every day.

You Can Focus on Business

Time is one of the most valuable things in business. When your website has issues, fixing bugs and glitches can eat up hours that you could spend growing your company. That is why having someone handle the technical upkeep frees you to focus on marketing, sales, or improving your product.

Leaving the technical side to skilled developers means you won’t be distracted by sudden crashes or slow loading times. Instead, you can pour your energy into building your brand and reaching more customers. Knowing that someone is constantly watching over your site gives peace of mind. This assurance means fewer surprises and less scrambling to fix urgent problems.

With this kind of support, your business runs more smoothly. You get more predictability in how your website performs. That makes it easier to plan your next steps and keep your customers happy. Ultimately, when your site is stable and cared for, you can invest your time fully in growing your business without worrying about bugs stealing your focus.

Conclusion

A good WordPress maintenance plan keeps your website safe, fast, functional, and ready to convert visitors into customers.

When your website runs well, you spend less time fixing problems and more time focusing on growing your business. The right maintenance plan offers peace of mind, knowing that your site is cared for every day.

If you want to stop worrying about updates, backups, or unexpected bugs, Mactavis Digital can take those tasks off your hands. Schedule a free consultation today and find out how we can support your website month after month, keeping it in top shape while you focus on your business.

May 12, 2025
How To Build A Successful E-commerce Store 2

Building an E-commerce store is not difficult. But building a successful one can be very challenging.

In our previous post, we discussed the fundamental principles of Building a successful e-commerce store. We talked about the importance of understanding the market, designing a user-friendly website, creating compelling content, and establishing trust and credibility. These steps are critical for laying a solid foundation and ensuring your store attracts and maintains customers successfully.

However, knowing the fundamentals is only the beginning. In this follow-up post, we’ll focus on the technical know-how required to build your store from the ground up.

Step 1: Decide Which Content Management System (CMS) to Use.

The success of your e-commerce store depends on choosing the right platform and hosting provider. Your platform is the foundation for functionality, scalability, and ease of use.

Begin by assessing different content management systems. These include Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento and many more. Each of them have distinct advantages. Shopify is known for its easy-to-use interface and large app store. WooCommerce, a WordPress plugin, offers versatility but requires more technical knowledge. BigCommerce has powerful built-in features, whereas Magento is very scalable, catering to huge organizations with complex requirements.

Consider your company’s size and ambitions. For small to medium-sized businesses, Shopify or WooCommerce may be sufficient. Larger businesses might prefer BigCommerce or Magento.

Scalability is critical. Make sure the platform can expand with your company, managing increased traffic and extended product catalogs seamlessly.

Does the platform enable you to build a distinct brand experience? Look for theme customization, design flexibility, and the option to add new capabilities via applications or plugins. Your store should reflect your brand’s identity while providing a simple user experience.

After you’ve decided on a platform, start looking into hosting options. Reliable hosting makes your website accessible, fast, and safe.

Speed and uptime are crucial. A slow or regularly down website frustrates customers and lowers your search engine rankings. Look for hosting providers that offer high uptime guarantees and reliable performance indicators.

Step 2: Choose a Template or Theme for Your E-Commerce Store

Selecting the ideal design or theme for your e-commerce store is critical. It influences your online store’s look and functionality, as well as the consumer experience and conversion rates

Start by determining your brand’s visual identity. Is it modern, traditional, playful, or sophisticated? Your template should reflect your brand’s individuality. Color, font, and design consistency help to establish brand identification and trust.

Next, prioritize the user experience. An intuitive user-friendly design allows users to easily explore your website. Look for templates that have obvious navigation menus, well-placed call-to-action buttons, and easy-to-use search functions. A streamlined shopping experience encourages customers to stay and make purchases.

Also, responsiveness is a must. Your store must look and work properly across all devices, including PCs, tablets, and smartphones.

Select lightweight templates that load quickly. Avoid complex/heavy designs, which might lower performance. A visually appealing template is pointless if it slows down your website. Speed is an important consideration for both user experience and SEO.

Budget matters. Templates come in a range of prices, from free to premium options. Free templates can be appealing but often lack advanced features and support. Premium templates usually offer better design quality, more features, and reliable support. Invest in a template that provides the best value for your money and meets your business needs.

Step 3: Customize Your Store and Create Web Pages.

Now that you’ve picked your platform and template, you need to personalize your e-commerce website and develop eye-catching web pages. This is where your vision comes to life, defining the look and feel of your online store.

Begin by personalizing your website’s design components. Customize the colors, fonts, and artwork to match your brand’s identity. Consistency across your website strengthens brand awareness and builds trust with your target audience.

Next, concentrate on developing compelling web pages. Make the most of your site, as it will be visitors’ initial impression of your store. Highlight essential items, specials, and company messaging to attract attention and encourage research.

Every product page should be informed and convincing. Provide high-quality photos, full descriptions, and pricing information. Highlight significant features and benefits so that clients can make informed purchasing decisions.

Don’t overlook important sections like About Us, Contact Us, and FAQs. These pages provide useful information about your brand, boost credibility, and reassure clients. Display security badges, client testimonials, and guarantees prominently to establish trust in your brand and increase conversions.

Step 5: Test, Test, Test: Ensure Functionality and Performance

Thorough testing is required to ensure optimal functioning and performance. Begin by evaluating your website’s operation across several browsers and devices. What works well in one browser may appear incorrectly or contain issues in another. Test on different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, as well as on a variety of devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Test your website’s performance under various load scenarios. To analyze page speed and identify optimization options, use tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix. A slow-loading site might repel visitors and lower your search engine rankings.

Perform security audits and vulnerability scans. Ensure that sensitive information, such as client data and payment information, is encrypted and secure from potential attacks. Implement security best practices to protect against cyberattacks and data breaches.

Do not forget to test your website’s responsiveness. Resize your browser window or utilize device emulators to test out different screen sizes and resolutions. Your website should adjust seamlessly to enable the best viewing and engagement across all devices. Consider performing usability testing with actual people to get valuable input on the user experience. Observing how users interact with your website can provide previously unknown insights and opportunities for improvement.

Document and prioritize any bugs, issues, or enhancement opportunities discovered during testing. You may need to work with a development team to quickly address and resolve these issues. Regularly update and maintain your website to ensure its continued functioning and performance.

By devoting time and effort to extensive testing, you may uncover and resolve any issues before your e-commerce website goes live. A well-tested website not only instills trust in your clients but also lays the groundwork for success in the competitive online industry.

Why DIY isn’t Always the Best Option For Your E-commerce Store?

Going into the process of creating an e-commerce website from scratch can be daunting. While the temptation of a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach may appear enticing, there are numerous aspects to consider before jumping in head first.

1. The Time Factor

Building a functional and visually appealing e-commerce website takes time, dedication, and experience. From designing the user interface to creating the backend operations, every step requires meticulous attention to detail.

Even with so many website builders and templates available, personalizing and fine-tuning your site to match your requirements can be time-consuming. DIY projects can need an extensive learning process, particularly for people with no prior experience in web programming.

2. Hidden Costs And The Value Of Professionalism

While a DIY method may appear to be cost-effective at first look, it’s important to be aware of the hidden expenses and opportunity costs. The time spent studying and troubleshooting could be better spent on your main business operations.

Furthermore, DIY projects may lack the polished and professional appearance of a professionally created website. Investing in a qualified web developer or agency may have some initial fees, but it can eventually save you time, frustration and potential revenue loss in the long run.

Professional web developers have the knowledge and creativity to design websites that are specific to your brand’s identity and target audience. Their understanding of industry best practices and upcoming trends guarantees that your e-commerce store remains competitive and relevant in an ever-changing market.

Why Mactavis Digital Is the Ultimate Solution

When it comes to creating an e-commerce website from scratch, selecting the proper partner is crucial. At Mactavis Digital, we stand out as the ultimate e-commerce solution, providing a full array of services to ensure your success.

We take pleasure in our experienced developers and designers. With years of industry experience, our experts have the knowledge and expertise to make your vision a reality.

From implementing new features to creating visually beautiful designs, our team goes above and beyond to provide great outcomes. We keep up with the latest trends and technologies to keep your website relevant and competitive.

We understand that each business is unique, so we provide tailored solutions to meet your requirements. Whether you’re a small startup or an established business, we collaborate closely with you to understand your aims and objectives.

Ready to Take the Leap into E-Commerce Success?

Contact us today to discover more about how we can make your e-commerce idea a reality.

June 29, 2024
How To Build A Successful E-commerce Store

Did you know that e-commerce sales are estimated to exceed 6.3 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide, and this figure is expected to reach new heights in the coming years. In fact, e-commerce sales are expected to surpass eight trillion dollars by 2027, so having a successful e-commerce store cannot be over-emphasized.

So what is E-commerce? This is simply the buying and selling of goods online.

In today’s digital age, physical stores are not the first place that come to mind when people think about shopping. Rather, people instinctively reach for their smartphones, laptops, and tablets to search for products they want to buy. They google the items they are interested and hope they see a website they can “window shop” or purchase the item. Asides Google, they also search on social media platforms like Instagram and check the seller’s bio for a website where they can search through a proper catalog.

Today, consumers demand even more than just a website, they crave immersive shopping experiences, seamless transactions, and unparalleled convenience. Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or a startup, understanding the intricacies of e-commerce and mastering the art and science of online retailing is paramount to success and profitability.

Every facet of your e-commerce endeavor demands careful thought and execution, from carefully developing your brand identity to optimizing your website for optimum visibility and conversion. We’ll go deep into the world of e-commerce in this blog, covering tried-and-true tactics, useful insights, and professional advice to assist you in building and expanding a successful e-commerce business that sticks out in the crowded market of today. So grab a seat, for this is where the journey to the pinnacle of e-commerce starts.

Understanding The Market

1. Identify Target Audience

In the world of e-commerce, knowing your audience is like having a treasure map in hand. Every successful online business starts with a thorough grasp of who your target audience is, what their characteristics, interests, and behavior are. By doing this, you’ll gain invaluable insights that pave the way for tailored marketing strategies and personalized shopping experiences. So, taking the time to decipher their wants and needs is the first step towards e-commerce success.

2. Market Research

Comprehensive market research must be carried out. By looking closely at your market, you might find hidden treasures such as new trends, potential rivals or competitors, and unrealized possibilities. Equipped with this information, you can optimize your product portfolio, hone your promotional messaging, and maintain a competitive edge.

3. Keyword Research

Researching keywords is more than just adding a few popular terms to your content; it’s about understanding what your customers are searching for online, this opens doors to better search engine ranking and more visibility. Equipped with this understanding, you can enhance your website’s discoverability, polish its content, and draw in a consistent flow of visitors.

Designing a User-friendly Website

1. Importance of Responsive Design

Imagine a situation in which the website you browse on your tablet or smartphone appear to be a disorganized mess. It’s hardly exactly a happy experience, is it? This is where responsive design comes into play. The key to ensuring your website works and looks great on all platforms, from the smallest smartphone to the biggest desktop monitor, is responsive design. When you utilize responsive design, you’re not just building a website; you’re also building a smooth user experience that increases engagement, delights users, and encourages conversions. So, bid goodbye to jagged layouts and pixelated photos, and welcome to a website that looks fantastic from every device.

2. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX)

Your website may become an interactive masterpiece by utilizing the dynamic combination of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. Consider user interface (UI) as the visual elements that captivate your attention, such as colors, fonts, and layout. What about UX? The smooth interactions, clear calls to action, and easy navigation are the unseen magic that entices users to return time and time again. You’re not simply building a website when you combine beautiful graphics with flawless functionality—you’re building an experience that makes an impact on every visitor.

3. Mobile Optimization

Your e-commerce store is like a digital showroom in today’s hyper-connected world, and mobile visitors are your most valued clients. As more and more consumers purchase on smartphones and tablets, mobile optimization is becoming an absolute must. The secret to winning over the hearts (and dollars) of customers who are always on the go is to optimize your website for mobile devices, from lightning-fast load speeds to finger-friendly navigation. Therefore, embrace mobile optimization and make sure that every user, regardless of device, has a flawless and enjoyable browsing experience. Don’t allow your e-commerce store get left in the digital dust.

It is also important to know that to have a user-friendly and successful E-commerce store, you need a development agency. They ensure your website looks great and functions flawlessly across devices. With their expertise, you can focus on growing your business while staying ahead of industry trends.

Creating Compelling Content

1. High-Quality Product Descriptions

Picture yourself browsing through an e-commerce store in search of the perfect footwear, you get to a product page that hardly explains to you anything about the shoes and has a boring, uninspired description. Will you click on the “Add to Cart” button? Probably not. Choice of words are absolutely important when trying to convince a customer to make a purchase. You need to have excellent product descriptions because they are standing in gap as store attendants explaining the products to customers. Thus, instead of settling for generic descriptions, use creativity and detail to make your items stand out online and watch them sell quickly.

2. Engaging Visual Content

They say a picture is worth a thousand words—but in the world of e-commerce, it’s worth so much more. In a world where attention spans are shorter than ever, engaging visual content is the secret sauce that captures users’ attention and leaves a lasting impression. Whether it’s stunning product images that showcase every angle and detail or captivating videos that bring your products to life, visual content is the key to turning browsers into buyers. So, invest in high-quality photography, experiment with eye-catching graphics, and let your visuals do the talking.

3. Incorporating SEO Techniques

Search engine optimization (SEO), is your navigating compass in the digital space that is the internet; it directs prospective customers to your door. SEO involves more than merely cramming keywords into your writing and crossing your fingers. It involves careful preparation, smart thinking, and a dash of digital magic. Not only can you increase the exposure of your E-commerce store by using pertinent keywords, optimizing meta tags, and creating content that is engine-friendly, but you can also take control of the search results page, one click at a time. Thus, take charge of your SEO approach, dig into the data, and watch as your E-commerce store soars in the search results and draws in a crowd of interested visitors.

Building Trust and Credibility

1. Customers and Testimonials

Customer reviews and testimonials are the lifeblood of your business. Think about it: when you’re considering buying something online, what’s the first thing you do? You probably head straight to the reviews section to see what other people are saying. And you’re not alone, studies show that over nine out of ten customers (95%) read product reviews before they choose to purchase something. Additionally, 58% of these shoppers say they are willing to pay more for products that have good reviews. That’s why positive reviews and testimonials are important. They’re not just proof that your products are worth buying, they are social proof that builds trust, credibility, and confidence in your brand. Encourage your satisfied customers to share their experiences and showcase those reviews, and watch as customers flock to your store.

2. Secure Payment Options

When it comes to online shopping, security is non-negotiable. Your customers want to know that their financial information is safe and sound. By offering trusted payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe, you’re not just processing transactions, you’re giving your customers peace of mind. Don’t cut corners when it comes to security—invest in robust payment solutions, display trust badges proudly, and show your customers that their safety is your top priority.

3. Transparent Policies

Transparency is the base of any successful business relationship. That’s why it’s crucial to be upfront and honest about everything from pricing to shipping policies to return/exchange procedures. Nobody likes surprises, especially when it comes to their hard-earned money. By laying all your cards on the table and making your policies clear, you’re not just avoiding misunderstandings. You’re building trust, loyalty, and confidence in your brand. So, be upfront about your prices, spell out your shipping timelines, and make your return/exchange process a breeze. Your customers will thank you for it, and you’ll earn their trust for the long haul.

How Mactavis Digital Helps Businesses Build Successful E-commerce Stores

Now that you’re armed with the knowledge and insights to take your e-commerce game to the next level, it’s time to take action. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to revamp your existing E-commerce store, our team at Mactavis Digital is here to help. With our web design and mobile app development expertise, we’re your one-stop shop for all things e-commerce. So, why wait? Contact us today for personalized assistance or explore our range of services to see how we can help turn your e-commerce dreams into reality.

April 2, 2024
How to Increase Your Fashion Brand Profitability and Grow Your Business With E-commerce

Electronic commerce is the general term used to describe companies and people who do their business on the internet; including a fashion brands. In e-commerce, personal computers, smartphones, and other digital devices replace physical stores.

Almost all goods and services like books, music, clothes, shoes, bags, airline tickets, and financial services such as stock trading and internet banking are accessible through online transactions.

E-commerce has aided businesses, especially those with a limited audience like small businesses, in expanding their reach and establishing a substantial market presence by offering less expensive and more effective distribution channels for their goods and services.

For instance, Woora supplemented its physical showroom with an online store that allows customers to purchase everything from women’s dresses; to gowns, blouses, skirts, and even accessories from the comfort of their homes.

The internet enables fashion brands to launch e-commerce businesses or expand already successful ventures. Through websites and social media channels, companies can sell directly to consumers.

Zalu Nua, an e-commerce store, built and managed by Mactavis Digital said its best with a quote culled from independen.co.uk:

“When a piece of jewelry is displayed in a shop, surrounded by hundreds of other designs all dazzling you at the same time. It can be hard to pick out the right thing. Take that process online and you are presented with a well-chosen selection of pieces tailored to your budget and style preferences – all in a few clicks.”

Most customers see online shopping as convenient because it allows them to shop whenever and wherever they choose. However, consumers are not the only people who enjoy this convenience. The convenience of running an online business allows you to do so without any geographical boundaries.

Technology Opportunities in Fashion

A shift in the generation of consumers

The taste and fashion demands of consumers are gradually changing as the market becomes younger. More importantly, however, is how the new generation of consumers chooses to shop for fashion.

An e-commerce store provides by far the best ROI compared to any other platform or channel for selling your pieces, and it is the channel of choice for the emerging generation of consumers.

Technology-driven customers

A significant number of shoppers prefer the convenience that comes with better technology over a lower price – this does not mean that running a discount from time to time should be ignored.

About 71% of consumers are more willing to shop with brands that have incorporated technology into the shopping experience; Websites, Web apps, and Virtual try-on tools that help them see how well a design fits without them getting out of their clothes.

These are areas to consider as they provide convenience, engage consumers, meet their shopping desires, and personalize their shopping experience.

Technology-driven cost savings

Having an e-commerce store with insightful features such as inventory management and inventory analytics is very essential. This allows you to produce or procure only pieces that are low in stock and also evaluate the demand level per piece.

Website, Social Media or Jumia/Konga

A very common misconception among businesses is that there isn’t a need to have a website because of the prevalence of third-party marketplaces such as Jumia and Konga, and social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook. As essential as these are for every business, they are not in any way a replacement for a website.

The benefits of having a website that is supplemented by social media and marketplaces are:

Better brand positioning

A business with a website is more readily trusted than one with just social media pages. Aside from selling your products, your website is where your audience goes to understand the story behind your brand, the people behind it, and your muse.

You can tell stories behind the products and the collections much easier than on any other platform. This gives you more opportunities to drive brand loyalty and also to curate touchpoints for new customers.

Deeper insight into customer data and behavior

Email addresses, contact numbers, and other personal details are usually effortlessly collected on an e-commerce store rather than on social media or marketplaces like Jumia. On your website, you have several chances to gain insight into customer and their preferences. With this, trading online via a website will offer you several chances to gain knowledge about customer information.

These data are accessible through cookies, personal information from sign-in/sign-up forms, and surveys. The information may be put to different uses by your brand, including contacting customers, enhancing customer experience, retargeting customers with shoppable adverts, and making tailored product suggestions.

Reduce cost per sale

Any marketplace you sell on like Jumia will charge a percentage for the use of their platform. While building and managing your own online store might seem expensive, you realize in the long run that it reduces costs, pays for itself, and increases your profit once you drive a higher volume of sales through it.

If you can reach a customer directly through your website, you’ll be able to reduce your average cost per sale.

Simplifies scaling & inventory management

One more significant advantage of having an e-commerce store is that it simplifies business expansion and inventory control.

Technically, all you need to launch an e-commerce store is one person and one website initially. As your sales grow, you can broaden your service line and level up your brand with low operating costs, thereby increasing your profitability.

Your customers’ eyes for you only

Social media is easily distracting, and so are marketplaces like Jumia/Konga, where your products are displayed with those of other competitors.

With your website, your customer is engrossed in a digital experience that is all about your pieces and products. All recommended and related products are yours. All comparisons are within your offerings.

What can Fashion Brands Do To Grow?

While there is no magic word that will ensure you successfully grow your brand, there are some tips that can help you navigate the e-commerce waters successfully.

Optimize Your Website

If you already have a website, you need to know that today’s consumers have high expectations for e-commerce platforms. To meet the demand, you require a stable and scalable website that can withstand traffic without crashing. Appearance and usability should be the foremost considerations.

It should be mobile-friendly since mobile devices now account for the bulk of web traffic. Regardless of the customer’s device, you want them to get what they’re looking for conveniently.

You can research the best UI/UX design practices or work with professionals like us to optimize your brand’s online presence and ensure that your website meets all standards.

Additionally, be sure that your website adheres to search engine optimization (SEO) best practices. SEO makes it easier for your brand to be found on Google and other search engines, and this in turn increases website traffic.

Ensure Repeat Sales On Your Website

Regular discounts, sales, and promos will help bring repeat customers to your website. You can do this by creating coupons, and giving them to first-time customers, or customers that purchase above a certain amount.

Ready to take the bold step towards establishing and advancing your fashion brand? Contact Mactavis Digital now to kickstart the growth of your fashion brand.

December 12, 2022
How to create GDPR compliant forms in WordPress
In an earlier article, we talked about the new GDPR policy. On May 25, 2018, the European Union (EU) enacted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy. Its aim is to give website users in the EU complete control over how their data is being used. It was also enacted to change how companies and businesses handle data privacy around the world.

A typical WordPress website collects what is known as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from users in a number of ways. A form is one of such ways, be it at the point of registration or confirmation of an action. With this knowledge of GDPR in mind, your forms should be compliant with this regulation.

This article highlights how you can easily create these GDPR compliant forms on your WordPress website.

What makes a form GDPR compliant?

Getting to make a form GDPR compliant is quite easy, though you must know what it means for a form to be compliant. Not all forms meet this requirement, so it is important to know the key features or requirements of a GDPR compliant form. A form is said to be GDPR compliant when:
- Users have the option of giving explicit consent for using and storing their PII.
- Users can request the deletion of their data from your website at any time.
- Users can request access to their own personal information shared on your website.
Let’s see the step-by-step process of creating a GDPR compliant form. Come with me.

How To Make A GDPR compliant form

For its easy-to-use interface, we recommend that you use WPForms. If you don’t have this plugin activated already, you will need to install and activate it. Go to the Plugin repository on WordPress to download or click on “Plugins” to search for it from your WordPress dashboard.

After activating, visit WPForms >> Settings.

Scroll down to the GDPR section. Check the box next to GDPR Enhancements. After clicking on it, two new optional settings will be revealed namely “Disable user cookies” and “Disable user details”.

The former stops WPForms from storing user sessions. A cookie is a small bit of text that is downloaded to a computer or other device when a user visits a website. When a user visits the site again, the browser sends these cookies back to the website. It recognizes the user and ensures that they pick off where they left off by simulating their preferred browsing experience.

Each cookie contains a unique identifier that helps the plugin add features such as form abandonment, geolocation & related entries. Disabling these option means you also disable these features.

The second option is “Disable User details”. It will stop WPForms from storing user IP addresses and browser information. You can check them if you feel you don’t need these features. Remember to “Save Settings” to store your changes.

To create a form, go to WPForms >> Add New. You will be required to enter a title for your form and select a template. You can use these templates (ready-made forms) as a starting point. We will be creating a simple contact form for the purpose of this tutorial. Click on ‘Simple contact form’.

This will launch the WPForms builder interface. On the right column, you will see your form overview while on the left, you get to see all the fields that you can add to your form.

On this left column, click on ‘GDPR Agreement’ to add it as a checkbox to your form. It will appear at the bottom. You can edit the form by changing the title, agreement text and use the description box to add details such as Privacy Policy or Terms and Conditions pages.

Please note that you can only add one GDPR agreement field to each form. The agreement field is always a required field and cannot be pre-checked in accordance with the GDPR law.

Click on the Save Button on top to store your settings.

How to add your GDPR compliant form to WordPress posts and pages

The ease of WPForms is that you can add forms anywhere on your website. You can create a new page/post or edit an existing one.

On the post edit screen, click on the ‘Add Form’ button, wherein a popup appears.

On this popup page, you can select the form you created earlier. On the bottom right section of the popup, click on the ‘Add Form’.

Click on Save to publish or save as draft. You can now check your post to see the form in action.

Using WPForms to manage data access and deletion

Like we highlighted earlier, a website that is GDPR compliant is one where users can request for access and also request for deletion of their data. To get WPForms to help you manage data access and deletion, you have to create a Data access/delete form.

This form will give users the medium to request for data access and deletion if they wish to do so. You can add it as a link to your Privacy Policy page. Users who wish to access or delete their stored data can use that form to send you a request.

To access all form entries, visit WPForms >> Entries page. Do note that you need to be a Pro user to be able to do this. On the top left corner of the screen, you can select the form you wish to view. WPForms will show you all entries submitted using that form. If you have a large number of entries, you can filter your search by entering a name, email address, IP address, or keyword. You can also export a single entry as a CSV file.

One Last Thing ……

GDPR is a very important regulation for all websites that collect information from EU residents. It is important to understand what it entails and how to make sure your website doesn’t fall foul of its laws. You can know what is there to know about GDPR by reading an article where it was discussed at length.

We hope this article helped you understand how you can easily create GDPR compliant forms in WordPress. Do you wish to make your website GDPR compliant and you don’t know to go about it? Get in touch with us and connect with us across social media platforms @MactavisDigital.

We have carved a niche for ourselves when it comes to web design and development, content production and copywriting, SEO and other digital services. We would love to hear from you.
September 18, 2018