Google is renowned for keeping its users on their toes and they’re at it once again with a big shift to their mobile-first index!

When we’re not making pets decide their owner’s fate or supporting the FA cup final, we like to get stuck into the latest SEO tips and tricks on how to cheat Google. Google recently announced that users are now searching on their mobiles more than any other device and will soon be pointing their algorithms at your mobile first rather than your desktop.

We’re experts when it comes to SEO and web-design (just take a look at some of the sites we’ve made) and we follow closely in the footsteps of the internet giant.

It’s not just about your website looking the prettiest and loading the quickest when it comes to getting that golden #1 hotspot on Google, but it’s about how it works. Google is already in the experimental phase of making their main algorithm mobile-first and so many websites just aren’t cutting it when it comes to mobile!

You might have (painfully) come across them before, but many sites have mobile versions of their current ones that normally feature a lot less content than the desktop version, and this can affect your rankings in a major way. We all know Google loves words.

The new mobile-first index will now favour your mobile site so it’s important your website is fully responsive to all devices, of any shape and size, be it a mobile, tablet or desktop. They want to be able to present its users with the best content on the internet, and if your website is holding you back then it’s time to step into 2017!

BrightEdge’s latest report shows that 57% of all online traffic is now coming from mobiles and tablets – meaning that nearly 6/10 consumers are now searching on a mobile device.

(Source: BrightEdge)Their press release sheds more light on the research; when searching the same query on the same search engine, it generated different ranks on mobile and desktop 79% of the time, which could suggest their mobile-first index is already in place.

If you’re on the hunt for a new, flashy website that will help you get those ever important CTR’s and ROI’s then get in touch with us today to see what we can whizz up.

Blue Cross are back at it again with their latest fundraising campaign Lazy Cat Crazy Cat!

We’re always up for a laugh and never turn down the chance to help out our fellow charity partners with their latest and craziest campaigns (just see their #MyPetMadeMe), and their Lazy Cat/Crazy Cat fundraiser is no exception.

With a similar idea to the ice bucket challenge, Blue Cross have created another wild campaign, introducing Lazy Cat/Crazy Cat! For the next week, Blue Cross are asking all pet lovers to help them raise money for homeless and injured pets by imitating the nations favourite felines – cats.

Ask yourself – are you a lazy cat or a crazy cat? Do you love an afternoon nap or are you the type that has far too many coffees and is buzzing through the office all day? Head over to their website and take their hair-larious quiz to see which cat you are.

Once you’re ready, draw some whiskers on or don your finest cat couture if you’re feeling brave, whichever you prefer.

If you’re a crazy cat, you must film yourself for one-minute finding three hidden items, and if you’re a lazy cat you must snap yourself snoozing in an unusual place – think on a window ledge, in a box etc. Then simply post your video or photo across your social media pages and donate £3 to Blue Cross and nominate three other people to take part!

You only have until August 12 to take part, so grab some cat ears and get filming!

We already know the impact of words on user behaviours. Headlines, SEO, tone of voice, and copywriting can all steer a consumer in the right (or wrong) direction. And words can essentially make or break a brand.

User experience is one of the hottest topics in the digital world right now. And how this affects conversion rates is the best way to monitor and test the effectiveness of your web copy.

So why is micro copy so essential to heightening your UX, and why does it pay to focus so much on those tiny bits of text?

Small words, BIG impact

We already know the impact of words on user behaviours. Headlines, SEO, tone of voice, and copywriting can all steer a consumer in the right (or wrong) direction. And words can essentially make or break a brand.

User experience is one of the hottest topics in the digital world right now. And how this affects conversion rates is the best way to monitor and test the effectiveness of your web copy.

So why is micro copy so essential to heightening your UX, and why does it pay to focus so much on those tiny bits of text?

What is Micro Copy?

Micro Copy refers to the small blocks of text found in highly trafficked areas of your site, including CTA buttons, instructive copy and error messages.

It tells users what to do (“Write your full name here”), directs your users through the site (“Sign up now”), and alleviates concerns (“Transactions are PayPal protected”).

But its power is all too often underestimated. Through A/B testing and close analysis of the performance of your micro copy, buttons and CTAs, you’ll no doubt discover that the slightest tweak in words, colours, size and location can all affect user behaviour.

Conversion rates

Small tweaks to your micro copy can instantly impact your conversion rates.

Content Verve clearly demonstrates how something as simple as adding three bullet points underneath their newsletter subscription button garnered an 87.75% increase in subscriptions, by explaining the benefits of signing up:

 

 

Likewise, The Daily Egg writes about this widely researched topic, and how phrasing can have monumental impact on the psychology, and therefore, behaviour of a user.

Take the call to action:  “Schedule a demo” , for example.

It triggers a whole host of questions, and therefore barriers to the user. It requires time – which, arguably, we’re all short on – and it requires the user to notify their calendar, find time in their schedule and arrange a demo. Too much like hard work, right?

A/B testing reveals the difference in conversion rates between ‘Schedule a demo’ and ‘Watch a 5-min demo video now’. The results of the test showed an 88% drop in conversion rates for ‘Schedule a demo’. That’s monumental!

If you’re in touch with your users’ thought process, it’ll be easier to eliminate these obstacles and know which variables cause your users to drop off. Which is probably why user profiles are becoming more and more effective at turning your visitors into leads, and in turn – customers.

Brand personality

Micro copy can be a perfect opportunity to inject some of your brand’s personality into the UX. Take Mailchimp for example, a simple error message that makes the user smile and try again, not scorn and leave the site.

Great microcopy has the power to make your users feel special, as though you know what their concerns and needs are. This is the pinnacle for brand loyalty and turning your customers into promoters of your brand.

Get testing!

So, now’s your chance to research, test, analyse and optimise the microcopy throughout your site. Whether you feel user profiles are necessary or not, it’s essential to have a sound understanding of the user’s needs and expectations. Tweak wording, think about size, location and colour and craft  your best microcopy yet that serves to multiple conversion rates and ROIs tenfold.

We decided to step the competition up a notch this year with our newly-devised Bluestep Lip Sync Competition for each of the charities to get involved with to win our grand prize!

Another year, another London Charity Softball League and we’re proud to have sponsored them for 2017’s event. Each year all the major charities based in London don their finest sports gear at Hyde Park for an eventful softball league over the course of the Summer, where each of the charities fights for gold.

This year, we decided to add another element of competition by introducing the Bluestep Lip Sync Challenge for all the teams involved. Each team is tasked with lip-syncing for their life to Justin Timberlake’s disco-laced ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ in the most creative and witty way possible, with the chance to win an end of season party including £1,000 worth of food and drink and a game of mini golf, all provided by Bluestep!

The deadline was last Friday so big thanks to all the charities who have sent their entries in. Our team has loved watching all eight entries and we’ll be announcing the winner at the Softball League Final at Hyde Park on Thursday 24th August.

The Bluestep team will be there again, and we’re literally buzzing with excitement as we prepare a series of carnival, fun-fair games for you all including a classic coconut shy and our Bluestep-themed grab-a-duck. So come and try your hand at our fair games and chat to one of our team members about some of the other work we’ve been involved with for other national charities.

In the meantime, head over to our Youtube channel to check out the other competition’s entries and see who might be shimmying their way to the grand prize!

Hailed as one of the country’s most well-known, successful fundraising events, it’s the biggest charity coffee morning in the world!

Since it all started back in 1990, the Macmillan Coffee Morning has raised over £138 million!

The concept is easy. All you have to do is sign up and Macmillan will send you a fundraising kit full of branded goodies to help promote your event.

Bluestep worked hard to secure the tender for Macmillan this year to produce all of the branded products for the kits that will be used nationwide at coffee mornings across the nation.

See the products making their debut in the Macmillan Coffee Morning ad for 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylWkVJ3LXRA

The order makes up a total of over 1.7 million units which are all stored and packed at Bluestep’s warehouse facility. Account manager Alice who is overseeing the order certainly has her hands full with the 6-month project, ensuring all relevant checks and quality standards are met without fail.

We are probably the MOST excited office in the country for this year’s coffee morning! Will you be hosting yours? Tag us in your pictures so we can see all of the fantastic products in the spotlight!

Bluestep’s responsibilities as a supplier of websites, software and other online platforms - often handling sensitive data - requires us to stay on the ball with changes and updates in regulations and procedures.

On the 25^th May 2018, one of the most important changes in data privacy regulations comes into place.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaces the existing Data Protection Act (DPA) and introduces changes and enhancements to current policies that will strengthen and unify data protection, whilst protecting individuals residing in the EU. Its main focuses are that of transparency and individuals’ rights. Are you prepared?

How important is compliance?

While ensuring compliance across all areas of your organisation may at first appear timely and inefficient, it will save you from detrimental implications in the future. Failure to comply to new procedures and updates can result in fines of up to €20million or up to 4% of annual global turnover which could be financially devastating for some organisations.

Who does it apply to?

If your organisation and its day-to-day responsibilities involves the handling or protection of data, you should make sure you’re educated on the GDPR and ready for its commencement.

What exactly constitutes as personal data?

Any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual. People can be identified through a number of identification elements including name, occupation, address, or physical characteristic.

Aren’t we leaving the EU? Why do we still need to comply to EU laws?

Yes, Brexit is very much still happening. But the government decided that the UK’s decision to leave the EU will not affect the GDPR’s commencement in May next year.

How do we prepare?

If you’re are already following existing approaches within the DPA, transition should not be too difficult…

Inform

Ensure all employees, key decision-makers, and stakeholders are aware of the GDPR and its implications. For larger companies, there could be effects on budgetary, IT, personnel, governance and communications. All departments should be provided with the knowledge to handle the changes efficiently.

Organise

All information you have should be documented. To make things simpler, you should consider organising an information audit. The GDPR requires you to know where the information came from and exactly who you share it with.

Review

We recommend an extensive review of all existing procedures to ensure they comply with the GDPRs privacy notices and individuals’ rights. Individuals’ rights include:

• – The right to be informed
• – The right of access
• – The right to rectification
• – The right to erasure a.k.a. ‘The right to be forgotten’
• – The right to restrict processing
• – The right to data

Accountability

If, for any reason, any of the information you hold is inaccurate, it’s your responsibility to inform any organisations you have shared this with so that their records can be updated accordingly.

Consent

It’s also your responsibility to review all consent procedures and ensure these adhere to the new GDPR standard. The falls closely in line with individuals’ rights so is high up on the list of priorities for you organisation. Read the detailed guidance to help review your current consent procedures.

Similarly, parental/guardian consent should be obtained if processing activity involves data belonging to those under the age of 13. Remember, the GDPR requires you to maintain records of all processing activity.

Employment

The introduction of stricter processes could require your organisation to designate new responsibilities to data protection officers – and if you don’t already have them, hire them. You should consider how these will sit within your existing company hierarchy and consider the impact of these additional roles.

Did you watch the FA Cup Final?

You might’ve noticed the thousands of branded flags in the pumped-up crowds.

Another incredible project with the Football Association under our belt. For a monumental event, orders from the FA are in the tens of thousands. But Bluestep are no stranger to orders of this magnitude.

Once the FA Cup finalists were announced we had two weeks to turnaround the order – without fail!

All merchandise had to be bespoke to either team – Arsenal and Chelsea. As well as flags, we had to produce team t-shirts and other branded merchandise, totalling over 20,000 additional items. Staff uniforms, cardboard cut-out trophies and staff uniforms.

Bluestep are now the go-to supplier for the FA events team after they received “the best flags yet.”

We’re excited to be teaming up with ‘Our Healthier South East London’ as a part of South East London’s Sustainability Transformation Programme. Something we’re particularly passionate about, we’ve been researching and reading everything we can get our hands on when it comes to NHS STPs, whilst we waited for the formations to take place.

This particular one sees the collaboration of x6 London boroughs, and is a result of the need for adaptation and change – integrating patient, public and clinical involvement.

We were approached to devise a digital Facebook campaign aimed at raising awareness of a series of upcoming patient events.

These events are being held so the public can attend and discuss the successes and shortcomings of local health services. STPs place an emphasis on the involvement of the public and this will be an excellent opportunity for voices to be heard, and ideas taken on board.

We are creating a campaign that will reach as many people as possible across the x6 London boroughs. London is such a fantastic challenge for our team because of its outstanding diversity. It allows us to implement demographic targeting techniques and tailor our communications to ensure we reach large cross-sections of various communities.

The social media campaign starts shortly and we’re keen to see the impact it has on the OHSEL and its events. If you’re interested in running a social media or digital campaign to raise awareness of a key message, email shanice.martin@bluestepsolutions.com and we’d be more than happy to talk through the possibilities with you.

Artistic, energetic and raring to go, Mia is the new 2017 Bluestep intern!

With enviable talent and passion, Mia was scouted by our designers at the Northampton University Degree Show. After spending a day in the office working on a brief we had set, it was clear we had to snap up this local talent ASAP.

We’ve all proudly watched on as Andrew has worked his way up the ranks since joining as an intern a year ago, to now becoming one of our go-to designers and idea generators, so we’re super-excited about the promising potential Mia brings.

Mia’s background saw her turn an interest in Photoshop and Illustrator into her artform, using tutorial platforms such as Youtube to teach herself the trade before studying at Milton Keynes College and Northampton University. After hitting it off with our design team, she wanted to begin her career at a close-knit, smaller agency where she can see a project through from start to finish. Bluestep

Like most graphic designers (without meaning to stereotype…) Mia is obsessed with stationery, organisation and tidiness!

A Message to my Younger Self...

National Osteoporosis Society are on a mission to get families talking about bone health, and their latest campaign: ‘A Message to my Younger Self’, was created to start those vital conversations. The campaign is aimed at passing vital information onto younger generations, including everything from nutrition, exercise and general self-care to prevent the chances of osteoporosis in later life.

The ‘206’ challenge was this year’s fundraising event, and it sees families and groups of friends from all over the UK walking 206 miles this year, together or between them.

The launch saw staff and lots of happy faces from multiple generations walking 2.06km around Tyntesfield National Trust, accompanied by TV celebrities Professor Alice Roberts and Diana Moran.

Bluestep supplied the branded T-shirts for the event. And as you can see from the photos, it was a happy and successful day!

https://twitter.com/OsteoporosisSoc

Yas, Carlene and Chris all joined the team this month. And each one of them brings something unique and exciting to the team.

Yasmin Ranasinghe

Yasmin joins the charity team with a creative flair and an eye for anything artsy. But with style to envy, she’s got the substance to back it.

A background in events means her professional approach is naturally organised, creative and imaginative. Idea generation is her bag, and she loves seeing her ground-breaking solutions come into fruition through her precise and top-notch project management.   

When not in the office, sociable Yasmin can be found dancing her way around a music festival, enjoying the great outdoors, or pursuing more charity work.

Christopher Mayes

Chris was snapped up after popping into the office for a ‘chat’. The team were quick to identify not only his potential and value to the business, but a passion to succeed – something that just can’t be taught!

Chris’ efficient and result-driven work ethic is a much-needed addition to our growing Corporate Accounts team and he’ll be picking up design briefs, website projects and marketing strategies for some of our top corporate clients.

In his spare time, a hidden talent for rhythm and notes sees Chris enjoying live gigs, or writing and performing music.

Carlene Macfarlane

Carlene has filled the spot for our much-anticipated PA/Administrator role. With business growing and a need for someone to step in and whip everything into shape, Carlene was our ideal candidate. Admin-savvy with a bubbly personality and a proactive attitude, Carlene has hit the ground running from day one.

Carlene has previously worked for brands such as BMW and McLaren, and carries a love and knowledge of everything automotive. When she’s not overseeing the running of the Bluestep office, she enjoys spending time with her doggies, or sunning herself on a beach somewhere exotic.

Not only has Carlene made a difference to the day to day running of Bluestep but MD Ben is a much happier boss now all of the paperwork is off his desk!

Dreamland Amusement Park re-opens today!

The retro-themed amusement park in sunny Margate reopens and fans are delighted, following fears that the park would never return after falling into administration.

This big opening sees a bit of a rebrand, tweaking their events strategy to target a more quirky, creative, and artsy audience.

One of the key aims for the park now is to transform it into a major music venue, making it to the go-to live music venue for gig-loving hipsters across the country.

We’re excited to see how things pan out for Dreamland, and have enjoyed supporting them with some quirky merchandise items ahead of the big opening! Take a look at some of the cool items including the infamous rubber duck!

The Neon Run! It pretty much does what it says on the tin…

Charity fundraisers gather in Poole Park to run, walk, and dance their way around the 5k route, in the dark of the night and head to toe in fluorescent attire.

Think Neon accessories, tutus, headtorches and all sorts of other bling!

Bluestep are proud to support Diverse Abilities: a charity that deserve way more recognition and limelight. Based in Dorset, the charity work to support children and adults with profound physical and learning difficulties across the county.

We supported the race by supplying all fluorescent gear to light up the Dorset night.
Watch it here.

We’re hoping to see more of the Neon Run in years to come, potentially in other areas of the country too. Regardless of age, gender, physical fitness of ability – pretty much anyone can get involved!

Find out more about the incredible work Diverse Abilities promote.

Dedicated pet lovers across the country unite for the #MyPetMadeMe movement!

Whether it’s fine-dining on all fours, bathing in jelly beans, or glugging cabbage smoothies, it’s clear the UK’s animal lovers will stop at nothing to raise vital funds for their friends in need.

Be it homeless, injured or abandoned pets, Blue Cross are here to help nurture pets back to good health. And their friendly, warm and comedic brand presence could not be truer.

The mass participation event saw pets and their lovable owners (😊) club together to raise funds AND awareness in a crowded fundraising market. We needed to communicate the campaign’s objectives effectively across relevant platforms, generating noise and excitement around the events.

The savvy Blue Cross team were a pleasure to work with, approaching Bluestep with a concept and a vision. They required all creative components to get the campaign off the ground, including logo and visual identity to slogan and copywriting.

To involve pets of all shapes and sizes, the campaign sees pets choose their owners’ fate, in a fantastic fundraising format that lets pets choose their fate.

The #MyPetMadeMe hashtag is dominating social media feeds across the fundraising community, with snaps and videos of questionable yet comedic content (think CEOs in tiger onesies. Check it out and get involved at: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/mypetmademe and remember, YOUR SHAME. THEIR GAIN.

Far from basic, this rebrand saw the invention of a relatable, snappy brand that reflects the affordable price tag. Moving away from their ‘basic’ reputation, the branding aimed to recharge communication of their value range.

The biggest change perhaps focusing on the notion of simplicity, the fresh, new branding uses humour and wit to imply empathy and heighten customer engagement.

We absolutely love the short, snappy product descriptions that tell it like it is.
Click. Open. Read. Share.
Simple.