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Tired of handling all the housework? Meet the app that splits chores and balances the load.
Meet the App That’s Made Europe Talk

Since its September 2024 debut, this slick new app has whisked away more than a quarter‑of‑a‑million users in just ten months. That’s a bit like a runaway hot‑dog truck that leaves a trail of satisfied customers in its wake.

Why All the Glitz?
- Lightning‑fast Onboarding – Sign‑up takes less time than it takes to brew your morning coffee.
- Super‑User Features – From custom dashboards to AI‑powered suggestions, the app feels like a personal assistant that’s actually helpful.
- Community Vibes – Users can connect, share tips, and even challenge each other for fun.
How the Numbers Stack Up

25,000+ users in Europe in the first ten months? That’s roughly 2,500 new souls every single month. If you’re thinking about riding the wave, it’s a good sign that the platform’s gaining momentum at a rate that’s nothing short of impressive.

What Users Are Saying
- “I never knew an app could make my life easier – this is the real deal!”
- “Features are on a whole other level; feels like in 2024 we finally have the future in our hands.”
In short, the app’s rapid rise isn’t just a numbers game – it’s a testament to a product that hits the sweet spot of usability, innovation, and community. Europe’s already buzzing, and the next ten months will likely see even more cheerfully skeptical users jumping on board.

Meet Accord: The Swedish App That Turns Chore Turf Wars into Team Wins

Ever had a midnight showdown over who’s supposed to vacuum the living room? If you’re tired of the “you did it again!” drama, Accord’s here to rescue your sanity.

What Accord Actually Does
- It’s a digital chore board. Picture a shared playlist, but for laundry, dusting, and grocery runs.
- Setup is a breeze. Create a “family squad,” add tasks, and tag them off as you go.
- Automatic tracking. The app tells you who’s been crushing which chores, so no one’s left shouting “I did it last week!”
- Progress page. See stats and keep the work load balanced—pretty much like a scoreboard for housework.
Why It’s a Game Changer

Victor Fredrikson, one of Accord’s founders, calls it “a stress‑busting, harmony‑building sidekick.” The goal? No more arguments, the same old grind, just a well‑organized family routine.

Research shows the real impact: 79% of European women handle the daily cooking and cleaning, while only 34% of men pitch in. Accord tackles this mismatch head‑on. When chores are split evenly, stress drops, communication improves, and even relationships get happier—no magic spell needed.

What You’ll Get
- Multiple languages: Spanish, French, German, English, Swedish—so everyone can join the chore‑battalion.
- Transparency: Everyone sees a live leaderboard of who’s done what.
- Less drama: Say goodbye to mutterings and stands—hello to family teamwork!
Ready to Stop Fighting Over the Fork?

Download Accord now, add your household tasks, and watch the chaos turn into collaboration. Trust us—your fridge will thank you, and your partner might even smile back when you hand over the cleaning list.

Gender gap reduced by 60 per cent among users

From Dad’s Nagging to Household Harmony: How a Student App Is Redefining Family Life

Picture this: three college kids from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm built an app that, in just ten months, attracted over 25,000 European users. And all this teamwork started with a dad’s poor‑man complaint about a messy room.

It All Began with a Dad’s Complaint

“Two years ago, I was still crashing at my parents’ place, and Dad kept rattling me to clean up. One day he tossed a curveball: ‘Why don’t you program an app so I don’t have to nag you anymore?’” Frederikson joked.

Instead of shrugging it off, Frederikson pitched the idea to a classmate the next day, and the seed was planted.

Finding the Core Problem

They soon realized that families lack the same kind of workplace structure that companies use – a neat system for organising chores. “Why does this nagging stick around? Where do those arguments come from?” they mused. The answer was simple: a lack of clarity and responsibility.

Breaking the Gender Myth

One of the app’s biggest wins is narrowing the gender gap in chores. Before, women did nearly twice as much as men. Now, that deficit has shrunk by 60%. “That’s a massive improvement,” Fredrikson says.

User Stories: Real-World Impact
- Lina-Marie Lundqvist – part‑time special educator, mother, and pet owner – swears the app is a lifesaver.
- She explains, “Now chores are pulled by the calendar instead of my nagging. Everyone knows what’s on their plate.”
- “I’m no longer the eternal project manager, constantly asking ‘Can you empty the dishwasher?”, ‘Can you do this?’ or ‘Can you do that?’ Kids and partners do their part without me having to point the finger.”
What It Looks Like in Action

Families now share a clear distribution of tasks, letting each person take ownership. The result? Safer, happier homes where housekeeping is less an excuse for whining and more an organized, shared commitment.

Why It Matters

With an app that’s become “an integral part of” many households, the team proves that a couple of bright minds can turn a sarcastic dad remark into a tangible solution that brings real harmony to families.

More than a strict 50-50

Fairness in the Home: It’s All About Talk, Not a 50‑50 Spreadsheet

Fredrikson from the Accord team laughed when she explained their take on household fairness. “People get rattled thinking we’re chasing the holy grail of equal minutes spent on chores,” she said. “But real fairness is more like a chat over cereal, a clear vision of who’s doing what, and a shared appreciation of the effort each one brings.”

Beyond the Clock: Energy Matters Too
- Time vs. Feel. Fairness isn’t just a timer. Fredrikson pointed out that the feel of a task—whether it drains or revives—counts just as much.
- Effort Points. Introducing a system that lets you rate chores by how taxing they are. “It’s the same as giving someone a break on the dishes if you’re all about cooking,” she explained.
Like a clever game of “Who’s Chore Worth More?” the app uses energy‑based scoring to balance those draining tasks with the ones that actually energize the household.

Lundqvist’s Real‑World Test

Meet Anna, a part‑time worker balancing chores with a full‑time partner. Despite the uneven workload, Anna felt the team spirit through the app’s colorful dashboard.

She’s so impressed: “When I came home after a long day and saw the laundry folded and the dishwasher empty—no reminder needed—that’s the “hallelujah moment” a teen dreams of.”

Why Split Isn’t Strict

Anna says fairness isn’t a maths lesson but something you feel. “It’s about being seen, felt supported, and recognized for the tough bits,” she adds. The dashboard’s color scale literally shows how each catch‑up feels like a signal of mutual respect.

In short, Accord’s take: Fairness = Conversation + Clear Roles + Feeling Refreshed. No tedious spreadsheets, just a real conversation about chores and a little bit of energy hedging.
2025-09-22
Teja Potočnik’s nanotech breakthrough propels microchip energy efficiency
Energy‑Saving Nanotech Revolution

Meet Dr. Teja Potočnik, a Slovenian researcher who’s flipped the silicon production game on its head. Her new platform marries nanomaterials directly into chip fabrication, slashing energy use and putting a serious stop to data‑centre pollution.
- Lower power consumption – chips now run on a fraction of the energy, so servers stay cooler and quieter.
- Smaller environmental footprints – less heat, less carbon, more green.
- Future tech that’s lighter, cooler, and eco‑friendly – meaning faster, smarter devices that also care for the planet.
Bottom line: with Teja’s groundbreaking work, the next generation of microchips isn’t just faster—it’s cleaner.

Data Centers: The Electrifying Cracks in Our Planet

Picture this: every year, data centers gobble up roughly 460 terawatt-hours of electricity—enough to power 153 million homes. If nothing is done, their carbon footprint could hit 3.2% of global emissions by 2025. Not exactly a cozy scenario.

Meet the Game-Changer: Teja Potočnik

Teja, a 26‑year‑old Slovene researcher, is waving her genius flag in the tech arena. Her brainchild? An automated nanomaterial integration platform that streamlines the manufacturing of advanced semiconductor devices—chips that keep the servers humming.
- Energy‑efficient chips = less juice consumed by data centers.
- Nanomaterials make the chips smarter, not bigger.
- AI, quantum computing, and large data storage demand faster, sleeker chips.
“The problem we’re fixing is the insatiable thirst for speed and power in microchips,” Teja says. “Our platform throws nanomaterials into the mix, leading to huge energy savings,” she adds.

Why This Matters

Think of a chip as a tiny engine. If that engine runs smoother and uses less fuel, the entire data center—think a super‑fleet of servers—runs more efficiently. It’s a domino effect: smarter chips = greener servers = a healthier planet.

The Big-Deal: 2025 Young Inventors Prize

Teja’s pioneering project has earned her a spot among the innovators lauded at the 2025 Young Inventors Prize by the European Patent Office. Congrats, Teja! Your breakthrough isn’t just tech‑savvy—it’s eco‑savvy.

Turning nanotech into industrial tools

Spicing Up the Chip World

When it comes to making processors tinier and trickier, engineers are looking to the next‑gen toolkit: graphene, carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. They’re the shiny new stars in the lab, offering a lot of promise, but the real challenge is figuring out how to put them all together in a production‑grade way.

Potočnik’s Game‑Changer: LithoTag
- What it does: Grafts tiny, invisible markers inside semiconductor wafers.
- Why it matters: Those marks give the nanomaterials a GPS—enabling them to line up perfectly every single time.
- Bottom line: It closes the gap between cool lab experiments and real‑world factories.
Key Takeaway from Potočnik

“The industry cares about reliability, replicability, and integration into manufacturing processes,” she says. “No matter how good a technology is, it holds little value if it can’t be scaled.”

So What Does This Mean?

Imagine trying to put together a giant puzzle using pieces that keep sliding. LithoTag is the piece of the puzzle that locks everything straight in place. That’s the sweet spot between dreaming big and producing machines that actually work—every single batch.

From Slovenia to Cambridge and beyond

Meet Marija Potočnik: Slovenia’s Nano‑Ingenius

Think of the designer of a tiny crystal ball. Or the film‑maker who Latin‑sicaly turns every spark into a masterpiece. That’s exactly what Marija Potočnik does.

From Alpine Skies to Silicon Skies

Marija grew up in the lush valleys of Slovenia, but once she hit the notebooks, she decided to chase bigger—and smaller—goals. She swapped hikers’ boots for lab coats in the UK, diving head‑first into materials science and engineering at the University of Cambridge. It was there she had a “Eureka!” moment: nanomaterials are her new obsession.

The Spark that Labored into a Startup
- While juggling a PhD in nanofabrication, she co‑founded Nanomation.
- Cambridge Enterprise helped them get the jackpot—backing that turned a lab idea into a real‑world product.
- They filed a patent application and soon started connecting those mini‑machines to massive chip makers.
Beyond Commercial Gains: The Green Crusade

It’s not just about the profits. Potočnik’s high‑tech magic directly fuels the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 9—reinforcing industry, innovation and infrastructure. Imagine chips that are a lot smaller, but just as powerful. These micro‑technologies make consumer devices and data centers lighter on the planet, turning data consumption into a less energy‑hungry affair.

Why It Matters
- All that tiny, tiny power means less waste heat.
- Smaller components mean cheaper production, less waste, and lower costs for everyone.
- The ripple effect? A greener, smarter future where the tech we love doesn’t drive us to a bigger climate crisis.
So next time you flip on your phone or click that “switch” in a mega‑data‑center, remember that somewhere in a slot‑wide lab, Marija and her crew are squashing the limits of what a nanomaterial can do. The world’s getting a bit more awesome—one nano‑sized step at a time.

Turning discovery into standard practice

From Lab to Industry: Potočnik’s Nanotech Dream

Slovenian engineer Rosa Potočnik paints a bold picture of the future for her cutting‑edge nanomaterials tech. “We’re aiming to make our process the go‑to for every advanced electronic build,” she says, with a laser‑focused grin.

What Makes the Tech Tick?

Her approach is deceptively simple: wherever there’s a material, wherever there’s a circuit, this tech slips right in. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of nanoscale integration—tooling that doesn’t care about the board’s shape or the component’s flavor.
- Universality: Works on silicon, graphene, and even exotic metallic alloys.
- Scalability: From microchips to massive data centers, the same process scales without a hiccup.
- Flexibility: Suited for both traditional hardware and cutting‑edge quantum setups.
Beyond the Lab, She’s Got a Mission

“I want other dreamers to hear that this is real,” Potočnik urges. “If you’ve got a wild idea that can make a decent dent in the world, dive in.”

She wraps it up with a friendly pep talk: “Keep your brain open, and if you’re not afraid to get a little messy, the universe is ready to reward you.”

Bottom Line

Rosa’s tech isn’t just a lab triumph; it’s a ripple you’re meant to feel. Use it, boom—your next gadget just got a quantum boost.
2025-09-18
Dolphins Drop Raiders 34-19, Secure Back‑to‑Back Victory
tagovailoa threw for 3 touchdowns

Smith’s Crazy 57‑Yard Play Turns the Tide

During a Sunday showdown between the Miami Dolphins and the Raiders, rookie tight‑end Jonnu Smith pulled a finger‑popping trick that even the Raiders’ secondary didn’t catch until the moment it counted.

The Trick
- Smith ran a short chase. He slid down the field for a few yards, flailing his left arm like a “Get my attention!” flag.
- The Raiders? Unaware. Their defenders were busy checking other routes – until the Dolphins’ main man, Tua Tagovailoa, spotted him.
- “We locked eyes. That’s when the magic started,” Smith later explained.
Finish Line Drama

Tagovailoa hit the signal, and Smith sprinted 57 yards to the end zone while still clutching the ball, turning a simple reception into a textbook touchdown. His teammates – in a mix of joy and disbelief – cheered like it was the last touchdown of the season even before he crossed the line.

Smith’s Other Touchdowns

He wasn’t new to the carnage; earlier in the same game, Tua charmed him into a 1‑yard score during the first quarter.

The Game Result

Miami came out on top, winning 34-19. It was both their second win in a row and another show‑stopping showcase for the Dolphins as they fight to keep a full‑throttle offense alive, even if it’s not as explosive as last season.

Team Standings
- Dolphins: 4‑6 record. Current highlight – a recent gritty win over the Rams.
- Raiders: 2‑8 record. Currently on a sixth‑straight losing streak.
All in all, Smith’s rocket play was the story that wrote the day’s headline and left fans cheering for both the player and the team‑full‑of‑grit vibe of the Dolphins.

Orlando City Leaps Into the Eastern Conference Showdown vs. Atlanta United

When the lights dim and the crowd roars on November 23, the Gators will be itching to take on the Dawgs for the Eastern Conference semifinals. It’s the kind of matchup that has the genre‑changing potential of a blockbuster movie—except the drama unfolds on a pitch, and the “special effects” are goal‑scoring fireworks.

Key Game Facts
- Date: Nov. 23
- Venue: T‑acres stadium (or the designated neutral ground)
- Part of: MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals
- Why it matters: The winner’s got a golden ticket to the Western Conference play‑offs and a chance to chase the MLS Cup
Orlando City, known for their slick passes and passionate fan base, will need to keep one eye on the clock as well as the goal line. Atlanta United, on the other side, has been turning up the heat on the field, bringing a blend of flair and grit that has fans glued to their seats.

Think of it like a footballing telenovela, where every tackle, dribble, and goal could shift the narrative. Fans are rallying their chants, while the players gear up for an electrifying clash that could redefine the season’s trajectory.

For all the local feelers and soccer scribblers: keep your ears open for the latest updates, and remember—this isn’t just a game, it’s a saga. Check out Brevard County news for the full scoop and let the countdown begin!
2025-09-18
Alphonso Davies: Canada’s World Cup Star

When Alphonso Davies tore apart the left flank against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup and bludgeoned Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal past Dominik Livakovic, it seemed like a new dawn had broken. And now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on the horizon — and Canada is on board with the U.S. and Mexico as co-hosts — the question isn’t really if Davies will be a star, but if his leadership will propel the national team to its all-time-best-ever run.

The Burden of Home Ground Advantage

Having the World Cup held on home ground is both a blessing and a curse. While it has the potential to unify a home crowd and build momentum on home turf, it also places the host nation under intense pressure, where one misstep is magnified. For Canada, a country still in the process of being discovered as a soccer power, the 2026 World Cup is a trial.

Alphonso Davies, now a world star playing for Bayern Munich, is the central figure. His pace, ability, and unpredictability are threats to the opposing team on every pass they take, but it is his leadership that Canada will be counting on most. With a promising young core of talent around him in the form of Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan, and Stephen Eustáquio, Davies won’t have to do it on his own — but he will be the spark that is supposed to set their pursuit ablaze.

2025-09-16
Unleash Peak Performance: Smart Staffing Strategies for Sporting Events
Get the Right Crew on the Field

Imagine the chaos of a big sports event without a solid team backing you up. It’s like watching a game with a handful of out‑of‑shape fans—everyone’s just hoping someone will fix the scoreboard. The truth, though, is that every success factor—from tickets to security—hinges on well‑chosen people.

Why Do You Need Specialists?
- Expertise – Crowd‑conquering pros, hospitality wizards, and security savants all have the know‑how to keep things smooth.
- Efficiency – A focused crew knows their job and sidesteps the usual grind.
- Guest Experience – When staff feel confident, fans enjoy the game, leading to higher return tickets.
Key Roles on the Day

Below are the most essential parts of the staffing puzzle:
- Ticketing – Smooth gates, accurate numbers, and friendly smiles give fans a good first impression.
- Crowd Management – Keep lines from turning into a soap‑opera; professionals savor the drama.
- Hospitality – Food, merch, and seating all come together like a well‑tuned soundtrack.
- Security – Keeping the fun safe, while still friendly to everyone looking for a good time.
Put It All Together

Having the right people line up means the whole event runs like a finely tuned machine—no hiccups, clear communication, and a pumped-up crowd ready to cheer. In the end, a stellar crew turns a chaotic day into a triumphant celebration for everyone involved.
2025-01-26
From rotating cable cars to steam trains: Experience all of Switzerland with these classic journeys

Explore Switzerland off the beaten path with some of these immersive journeys taking you from dramatic Alps to peaceful valleys and lush meadows.

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Switzerland is one of Europe’s most beloved destinations, with dramatic Alpine landscapes, picturesque towns, lush valleys and peaceful meadows.
Travellers can bike, hike, swim, kayak and canyon in summer, and ski, toboggan and snowboard in winter, among other things, making Switzerland a true year-round holiday spot.

But how well do you really know the country and all it offers? For a more immersive holiday, pick some of these classic journeys on your next trip to Switzerland.

Travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz on the world’s slowest express train

The Glacier Express, widely known as the slowest express train in the world, takes you on an iconic Alpine journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt. The journey lasts about eight hours and covers 400 kilometres, with a scenic route through the Swiss Alps, with stunning views of valleys, mountains and picturesque villages.
The train has three classes: second class, first class and Excellence class. Passengers can travel in style with comfortable seats, digital infotainment, pre-ordered meals and audio guides. The Excellence class offers champagne, a welcome aperitif platter, a seasonal and regional 5-course menu, lounge seating with guaranteed window seats and a concierge, among other facilities.
Some of the stops on the Glacier Express include Andermatt, the Oberalp Pass, the Rhine Gorge, the Disentis Monastery and the Landwasser Viaduct, with the journey including 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Make sure you reserve your seats and keep in mind that the train service does not run between mid-October and early December.

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Ride on the world’s first rotating cable car

The Titlis Rotair, located in the Engelberg-Titlis ski area in central Switzerland, is the world’s first rotating cable car. Offering breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the Alps, it transports travellers from the Stand station to the top of Mount Titlis.
The journey to the summit takes about five minutes, with visitors being treated to stunning views at over 3,000 metres above sea level at the end of it, with craggy rock faces and sparkling snow fields.
Take the train from Lucerne to reach Engelberg. From here you can take the Titlis Xpress gondola from Engelberg to Stand, from where you can ride the Titlis Rotair to the top.
Once you reach the summit, you can walk along the Titlis Cliff Walk at the top of the mountain, believed to be the highest suspension bridge in Europe, or explore the Titlis Glacier Cave.

See the longest glacier in the Alps

The Aletsch Glacier Trail allows trekkers the chance to be up close and personal with the longest glacier in the Alps. The trek is 16.4 kilometres and usually takes about five and a half to six and a half hours, but is longer with the detour to the Eggishorn summit.
A two day trek option is also available, which includes a night stay at a hub like Konkordia Hut.
The trail offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding mountains, with part of the trek being walking on the glacier itself, although only with a guided tour. This ensures that the glacier, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is navigated safely and with the correct equipment.

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Marvel at unique ice formations, including icefalls, crevasses and meltwater pools and explore the alpine flora of the Aletsch Forest. Some viewpoints include Eggishorn, Bettmerhorn, Hohfluh and Moosfluh.
You can start this trek from either the Fiescheralp upper cable car station, reachable by cable car from Fiesch, or the Moosfluh mountain station, also accessible by cable car from Riederalp.

Get a glimpse into a lost era on a vintage steam train

The Furka Steam Railway allows travellers to indulge in a unique experience on a historic cogwheel line, with a journey through the Swiss Alps on a carefully maintained and operated vintage steam train. Some of the carriages and locomotives on this line are 100 years old.
The journey is about 18 kilometres long, lasting between two hours and two hours and 40 minutes, taking travellers from Realp, in Canton Uri, to Oberwald in Canton Valais, passing through Gletsch as well. With breathtaking mountain views and alpine pastures at over 2,000 metres, the journey includes wild gorges as well as views of the Rhone Glacier.
Other stops include Tiefenbach and the Furka Pass summit, with the route going through the Wyler Bridge, the Steffenbach folding bridge, which is dismantled in winter and the Steinstafel viaduct as well.
The Furka Steam Railway usually operates from late June to mid/end September and runs from Thursday to Sunday.

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Explore Swiss medieval towns by cycle

The Aare Cycle Route allows outdoor enthusiasts a great opportunity to explore Switzerland’s diverse landscapes and towns by bike, from dramatic alpine views to charming medieval towns and peaceful lakes.
The route is 320 kilometres long, but can also be done in separate smaller segments, with cyclists able to access different starting and ending points by train or bus. It starts near the Grimsel Pass and through beautiful mountain scenery to Meringen, with the Aare Gorge, taking in Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.
It also includes Bern, with its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town and the Swiss Mittelland, which has serene farmland and gentle hills. The route ends in Koblenz, where the Aare River flows into the Rhine, including historic castles like the Habsburg and Lenzburg Castles, as well as winery regions like the Aargau region.
With dedicated bike paths and quiet, well-marked roads, this cycling route is suitable for both experienced and beginner cyclists.

Take in dramatic passes and iconic lakes by Swiss PostBus

The Palm Express, a scenic Swiss PostBus route, allows travellers to go from St. Moritz to Lugano in a 130-kilometre journey which takes about three and a half hours. It goes along the winding roads of the Maloja Pass and the wild Val Bregaglia valley, before crossing over into Italy. Then there’s a stop in the charming Italian town of Chiavenna and views of Lake Como, before finishing in Lugano.
Other highlights include Lake Silvaplana and Lake Silser, as well as villages like Sils, Gera Lario, Sorico, Gravedona, Domaso, Menaggio, Donge and Monte Brè.
With Switzerland’s PostBuses being renowned for their comfort, the journey is a unique blend of Swiss and Italian culture, contrasting stark alpine landscapes with Mediterranean warmth.

2024-11-21
The hidden costs of websites

If you’re thinking about investing in a new website for your business, there’s more to pay for than just its design.

Read on if you don’t want to get surprised by ‘hidden’ website costs and if you want to find out how you can make sure your website remains an asset to your business for as long as possible.
Here’s a quick checklist of the elements you should factor into your website budget:

Domain name

Every website needs a domain name, e.g. “yourbusinessname.co.uk”. Owning your domain name is the first step and this is separate from your website hosting or your website itself. Your domain name needs to be directed to the place where your website files are hosted, in order to display your website under your chosen name.
Buying a domain name is quite inexpensive and there are various domain registrars to go to, but bear in mind that there is some technical work to do in managing the domain record and if you’re not comfortable with doing this, your web develop may also offer a domain management service where they will take care of everything for you.
We have had numerous queries from businesses who’s websites have disappeared because the domain name wasn’t renewed on time – obviously if your website isn’t available to view, that’s not good for business and if you have a good domain name, you don’t want to open the door for someone else to take it.

Hosting

The collection of files which make up your website need to be hosted – essentially what this means is that they are stored and configured on a server which enables them to be accessed on the web.
Hosting costs can vary enormously and there are some very low cost packages available on shared servers, depending on the type of website you have.
Typically, the more complex your website is the more your hosting will cost as large, complex sites take up more space on the hosting server and require more setting up to make sure they run well.
Reliability is important here, as you want to make sure that your website is available and doesn’t suffer too much “downtime”. External technology changes can lead to occasional periods of downtime with any hosting services due to maintenance and upgrades but what would happen in the event of an extended outage?
It’s important to have a clear means of communication in the event of any problems.
You can arrange your website hosting directly, but it usually makes sense to arrange hosting through your web developers – it will cost you a little more but will ensure that the hosting service is managed for you and any problems will be managed on your behalf.

Email

Email accounts will often be provided as part of a web hosting package although there are other services e.g. gmail, that you can use. In our experience, managing email accounts is becoming more difficult as people send and receive more and more mails, send photos and other attachments more often, and want to manage their emails on multiple devices (PC or lap-top, phone, ipad etc).
If you aren’t particularly technical – or perhaps you’re just too busy! You may need help with setting up your email accounts, managing them so that your mailbox doesn’t run out of space and configuring your mail programme (e.g. outlook) to send and receive your mails.
A managed hosting and email service may be a worthwhile investment as everything can be taken care of for you by one supplier.

Keeping your website up to date

When you initially created your website, you probably spent a lot of time thinking about how you wanted to describe your products or services and if you used the services of a professional web developer, they will have helped you to present the information well on your web pages.
But nothing stays the same for ever and your website needs to evolve with your business – which means making sure that the information is up to date and that new products and services are added as you introduce them.
Case studies, testimonials and articles or blogs are all good ways to include fresh content on your website, so you should factor in some time to do that.
If you have a content management system for your website, you may be happy to make changes yourself – if you don’t, or are short of time, you might need to use the services of your web developer or a marketing agency to write your web copy and make the changes for you.

Technical maintenance

Like many other business assets, websites have a limited life span. Internet technologies are changing at a rapid pace – just think about how you view websites now compared to just 2 or 3 years ago. Whereas in the past people typically viewed websites on a desk top or lap top PC, now they can use a range of devices including mobile phones – how good does your website look on a mobile device?
There are other external changes such as browser changes (Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome for example) and upgrades to the technologies used in building your website, all of which could affect the way the site displays or functions. Fashions change too and this applies to websites – what looked cool and contemporary a few years ago may look dated now and could give the wriong impression of your business. So some technical updating may be needed from time to time and you should budget for a possible rebuild every 3 or 4 years or so.

Marketing your website

Having a website built, hosted and maintained may not be the end of the story as, depending on how competitive your market is, you will probably need to think about marketing it so that you can attract visitors to and enquiries from your website.
There are several strategies you could employ, including Search Engine Optimisation, Pay-per-click, Email Marketing and Social Media marketing – there isn’t space to cover that in this article but suffice to say, it’s something you should take advice on, and factor into your budget.
How to sum this all up? Well it is quite possible to run a website very cheaply – but to maintain it as a valuable business asset will involve ongoing costs and the ability to react to external pressures.
It all comes down to return on investment and the potential gains to your businesses from managing and promoting your website effectively. A good web marketing agency should be able to help you to assess what’s needed for your business based on your market and your business goals so that you can set a realistic budget and increase your business.

2024-11-21