Tag: small business

How Sustainable Web Design Can Boost Your Brand AND Your Bottom Line
We have long known that a website is more than just a marketing tool—it’s a reflection of your brand’s values and commitment to the future. We’ve been proudly offering a sustainable web design service for over 5yrs now so businesses can reduce their environmental impact and still shine online. For us, it’s a no-brainer, for purpose-driven companies like yours, sustainable web design offers a unique opportunity to reduce environmental impact, enhance user experience, and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

In this post, we’ll show you how choosing a sustainable web design service, can boost your brand and bottom line.

Why Sustainable Web Design Matters for Your Business

The internet accounts for approximately 4% of global carbon emissions, and this figure is only set to grow. Every website visit, image, or video requires energy, and energy consumption leaves a carbon footprint. By adopting sustainable web design practices, businesses can reduce their environmental impact while showcasing their commitment to responsible practices—a value increasingly important to today’s consumers. We take a deep dive into the topic, so you can understand what is sustainable web design on the blog.

Enhancing Your Brand Image and Reputation

Today’s consumers prefer brands that align with their values. According to research, 88% of consumers want brands to help them live more sustainably. By adopting sustainable web design, your business demonstrates its dedication to the environment, resonating with eco-conscious audiences.

Example: Consider a small Sydney-based eco-friendly retailer that switched to a green hosting provider and optimised their website’s performance. By highlighting their sustainable efforts online, they built trust with their target audience, increasing both engagement and sales.

Takeaway: Sustainable web design is not just good for the planet—it’s good for your brand.

Cost Savings Through Energy Efficiency

Sustainable websites are designed to use fewer resources, which can translate to significant cost savings over time. By optimising images, streamlining code, and reducing unnecessary server requests, businesses can lower hosting and operational expenses.

Practical Cost-Saving Tips:

Switch to Green Hosting Providers: Choose servers powered by renewable energy. We use Crazy Domains to keep it Eco Friendly.

Optimise Website Speed: Faster websites consume less energy and improve user satisfaction.

Embrace Minimalist Design: Simple, efficient designs reduce data usage.

“Save money while saving the planet: Sustainable web design can lower hosting costs by reducing energy consumption through optimised performance and minimalist designs.”

Improving User Experience (UX) and SEO

A sustainable website is inherently user-friendly. By focusing on speed, simplicity, and accessibility, businesses can improve user experience and SEO performance. Faster-loading pages not only consume less energy but also lead to higher search rankings—a key driver of organic traffic.

Benefits of Sustainable UX/UI Design:

Faster page load times improve user retention.

Clean, efficient designs enhance usability.

Accessibility features make websites inclusive to all users.

SEO Benefits: Search engines reward fast, user-friendly websites. Incorporating sustainable practices into your web design can improve your site’s visibility for key terms like “web design services Sydney” or “sustainable website design.”

Meeting Regulatory Requirements and Staying Ahead

Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s a growing expectation. Governments and industries are introducing stricter regulations on energy consumption and digital sustainability. By adopting sustainable practices now, your business can stay ahead of these changes and future-proof its digital presence.

Competitive Advantage in the Sydney Market

The web design landscape in Sydney is competitive, but sustainability offers a way to stand out. Purpose-driven businesses are increasingly seeking web design partners who share their values. By positioning your brand as a leader in sustainable web design, you can attract clients who prioritise environmental responsibility.

Case Study Spotlight: Willow, A Sydney-based non-profit partnered with our sustainable web design agency to build an eco-friendly website. The result? Increased online donations and a stronger connection with environmentally conscious donors. See how we helped Willow Shine Brighter Online.

Conclusion: Aligning Profit with Purpose

Sustainable web design is more than a trend—it’s a business imperative. It offers tangible benefits, from cost savings and improved SEO to a stronger brand image and a competitive edge. For businesses in Sydney, adopting sustainable practices in web design is an opportunity to align profit with purpose.

Are You Ready To Join the Revolution?

Ready to create a website that reflects your values and resonates with your audience? Our Sustainable web design services in Sydney specialise in crafting sustainable, high-performing websites tailored to your goals. Let’s work together to build a greener digital presence for your brand. Contact us today for a consultation!
January 15, 2025
Affordable Web Design Without Compromise

How to Get Quality on a Budget

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. For many businesses, the website is the first touchpoint for their customers. If you get it wrong, it takes too long to load, or offers a clunky user flow, you could lose out on valuable sales, conversions, or leads. Like it or not, your website could be your most valuable digital asset, but for many business owners, the cost of creating one can feel overwhelming.

The good news? Affordable web design doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Whether you’re a start-up looking to establish your online presence or a more established business wanting a refresh, it’s entirely possible to get a professional, high-quality website on a budget. The key is knowing where to focus your resources and how to work smart with your web designer &/or digital content creators.

In this guide, we’ll explore how you can achieve affordable web design without cutting corners – from making the most of templates to understanding what really drives up costs.

Myth: Affordable Means Cheap

Let’s start by dispelling a common myth: affordable web design is not the same as cheap web design. While ‘cheap’ often implies low quality, ‘affordable’ refers to maximising value. In the world of web design, affordability is about finding the sweet spot between cost and functionality. It’s entirely possible to create a beautiful, functional, and fast website without an enormous budget – provided you make informed decisions.

Template vs. Custom Design: Which is Right for You?

One of the first decisions to make when planning a website is whether to go for a custom design or use a pre-designed template. While custom designs are highly tailored and unique, they can be more expensive. Templates, on the other hand, offer an affordable solution without sacrificing too much in terms of quality.

Why Templates Aren’t Always a Bad Thing
Templates have come a long way. Nowadays, you can find beautifully designed, responsive templates that can be easily customised to suit your brand. Platforms like WordPress or Shopify offer thousands of templates, many of which are affordable and optimised for both desktop and mobile use. The key is to choose a well-built, flexible and fast template that aligns with your business’s identity and future growth.

When Custom Design Might Be Worth It
That said, there are cases where custom design is the way to go. If you have highly specific requirements, such as unique branding elements or complex functionalities, custom web design may be necessary. However, you don’t need to choose full custom design from day one. Many businesses start with a template and then invest in custom features as they grow.

Key Elements to Focus On for an Affordable Web Design

Whether you’re working with a template or going custom, there are a few core areas where you can focus your resources to get the best results:

1. User Experience (UX)
One of the most critical aspects of a successful website is how easy it is to navigate. Prioritising user experience doesn’t have to break the bank. Start by ensuring your site is clean, intuitive, and responsive. Users should be able to find information quickly without unnecessary clicks.

2. Optimised Content
Content is king when it comes to engaging visitors and ranking well on search engines. You don’t need a large budget for quality content; you just need clarity and relevance. Ensure your key messages are front and centre, and that your content is optimised with SEO in mind.

3. Mobile Optimisation
With the majority of users now accessing websites via their smartphones, mobile optimisation is non-negotiable. The good news? Most templates are already designed with mobile responsiveness in mind, meaning this aspect of your site won’t need significant additional investment.

4. Fast Loading Times
No one likes waiting for a slow website to load. Ensure your images are optimised and that you’re using lightweight code to prevent your site from lagging. Investing in good hosting (more on that below) can also make a big difference.

How to Keep Costs Down Without Sacrificing Quality

Here are a few tips to get the best results while keeping costs under control:

1. Choose a Simple, Clean Design
When it comes to affordable web design, less is often more. Overly complex designs can require significant coding work, which drives up costs. By choosing a clean, simple layout, you can keep your website functional and easy to navigate without overcomplicating the development process. Minimalist designs are not only cost-effective but also align with current trends favouring simplicity and usability.

2. Use Quality Plugins and Integrations
If you’re building a site on WordPress or a similar platform, take advantage of free or low-cost plugins that can enhance your site’s functionality. Plugins for SEO, security, and contact forms are widely available and easy to integrate, saving you the cost of developing these features from scratch.

3. Don’t Over-Complicate Your Features
Focus on your website’s core purpose and avoid adding unnecessary bells and whistles. Features like e-commerce integrations, booking systems, and membership areas can add significant cost to your project. Consider whether you need these elements from the start or if they can be added later as your business grows.

4. Consider the growing number of AI options available.
AI is being used to automate mundane web development tasks, helping developers create more complex, interactive websites faster and with less effort, saving you time and money. Integrating AI into sites and applications brings a number of benefits, allowing us to empower users and optimise their experiences. AI can assist in data analysis and website optimisation, as well as improve user engagement and provide personalised customer experiences. Web builders like B12, Bubble and Wix can bosh out a website in minutes. They’re not always great stylistically but they’re getting better!

The Importance of Hosting and Support

One area that’s often overlooked when budgeting for a website is hosting. Your hosting provider will have a big impact on the speed and reliability of your site, so it’s essential to choose wisely. Affordable doesn’t mean settling for poor performance. Look for providers that offer fast speeds, solid uptime, and quality customer support. Many providers offer cost-effective packages that cater to small businesses and start-ups.

Equally important is support. Websites require ongoing maintenance, from regular updates to security patches. When budgeting for web design, consider the cost of ongoing support, whether from your web designer or via a maintenance package.

Case Studies: Affordable Web Design in Action

At Marzipan, we’ve worked with numerous businesses in Australia helping them achieve high-quality websites on a budget. One example is a local community support group in Adelaide that needed an online presence but didn’t have the budget for a full custom design. We used a premium WordPress template, made strategic customisations, and delivered a site that perfectly captured their vibe – all within a limited budget. Here’s the Sanctuary BPD Carer Support Group site.

In another case, we helped a boutique finance consultancy firm in Sydney by simplifying their original site, focusing on user experience and mobile optimisation. By cutting out unnecessary features and streamlining the design, we created a modern, professional site on WebFlow at a fraction of the cost of a custom build.

Affordable Doesn’t Mean Low Quality – Why Marzipan Can Help

At Marzipan, we specialise in helping businesses of all sizes get the most out of their web design budget. We believe every business deserves a high-quality website, no matter the size of their budget. By focusing on clean design, practical features, and sustainability, we help you build a website that works for your business without stretching your resources.

Whether you’re looking for a cost-effective template solution or a custom design that won’t break the bank, we’re here to guide you through the process. Our team has years of experience in balancing affordability with exceptional design, helping Sydney businesses stand out in a competitive market.

Affordable web design doesn’t mean cutting corners. With the right approach, it’s possible to create a site that looks great, performs well, and meets your business needs – all within your budget. By making strategic decisions about design, content, and functionality, you can build a website that reflects your brand’s identity without compromising on quality. We have more on the topic in our original affordable web design post here.

At Marzipan, we’re ready to help you achieve that balance, providing expert guidance and design that works for your budget and your business. Drop us a line today and see how we can get you started online for less than you think.

October 23, 2024
The Complete Guide to Web Design in Sydney:

What You Need to Know

At the risk of stating the obvious, having a well-designed website is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Sydney businesses, large and small, are recognising the importance of a website that not only looks good but also functions flawlessly. But with so many options available, how do you navigate the web design landscape in a city as dynamic as Sydney? In this local guide we’ll take you through everything you need to know about web design in Sydney – from emerging trends to choosing the right designer for your needs.

Why Web Design Matters for Sydney Businesses

Sydney is home to a diverse range of industries, from finance and real estate to hospitality and retail. Each sector has its own unique needs when it comes to web design, but one thing remains constant: your website is often the first point of contact for potential clients or customers. It’s not just about aesthetics. A well-designed site should communicate your brand’s values, provide seamless user experiences, and encourage visitors to take action, whether that’s making a purchase, booking a service, or signing up for more information.

In a city as competitive as Sydney, standing out from the crowd is crucial. Your website is a tool to communicate directly with your audience, reflect your brand’s personality, and build credibility. But it’s also more than just a digital brochure – it needs to be fast, responsive, and optimised for search engines to ensure that your customers find you easily. You may be a local business but the right web site can help place you on a global stage.

Current Trends in Sydney’s Web Design Scene

Web design trends are constantly evolving, and Sydney’s digital landscape is no exception. One of the most significant shifts in recent years is the focus on mobile-first design. With more than half of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, businesses must ensure their sites look and function beautifully on smaller screens. Responsive design is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s essential.

Another trend gaining traction is sustainability in web design. As more businesses, particularly in Sydney, become aware of their environmental footprint, there’s growing interest in creating energy-efficient websites. This can involve using lighter code, optimising images, or hosting with carbon-neutral providers. Not only is sustainable web design good for the planet, but it can also lead to faster loading times and improved user experience, both of which are favoured by search engines like Google.

Minimalist design is also on the rise, particularly among Sydney’s tech startups and creative agencies. The idea is simple: less clutter means a more straightforward user journey, where the focus is placed on what truly matters – your core message or product. Clean, open layouts with plenty of space help users navigate with ease, while typography and colour choices take centre stage to convey a brand’s identity.

Choosing the Right Web Designer in Sydney

Selecting a web designer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your business. In Sydney, you’re spoiled for choice, but not all web designers are created equal. It’s essential to look beyond the surface and dig deeper into a designer’s portfolio, approach, and technical expertise.

Start by considering your business’s specific needs. Do you require a custom design that sets you apart from competitors, or are you looking for a more budget-friendly template solution? For small businesses or start-ups, budget may be a driving factor, but it’s crucial not to cut corners when it comes to functionality and user experience. A great web designer will strike the right balance between aesthetics and practicality, ensuring your site looks professional without sacrificing usability.

Next, think about whether the designer or agency has local expertise. A Sydney-based web designer will be familiar with the local market, trends, and user preferences. They’ll have insights into how Sydney audiences interact online, allowing them to create designs that resonate. Local designers also understand the importance of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) for Sydney-based businesses, ensuring that your website is optimised to rank well for relevant local searches.

Another key factor is the designer’s technical skillset. If your site is built on WordPress – as many Sydney sites are – ensure the designer has a deep understanding of the platform. They should be able to customise themes, optimise performance, and integrate essential plugins without relying on heavy coding that could slow your site down. Moreover, they should stay up-to-date with the latest web standards and security practices to ensure your site remains functional and safe.

The Role of Local Knowledge in Web Design

Sydney is a city of diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character. The way a restaurant in Surry Hills presents itself online will differ from how a finance firm in the CBD does. Local knowledge is invaluable in tailoring your web design to suit your target audience. A designer with experience working in Sydney will understand the subtleties of communicating with your specific demographic – whether it’s young professionals, families, or retirees.

…and yes, we may be based in the Bondi Bubble but we’ve traveled extensively, sometimes even heading OTB! ; )

Local web designers are also better equipped to handle SEO for Sydney businesses. Search engine optimisation is an ongoing process, and having someone who understands the intricacies of Sydney’s business landscape will give you a competitive edge. By targeting local keywords like “web design Sydney” or “Sydney digital agency,” you increase the likelihood of ranking higher in local search results, bringing more traffic – and potential customers – to your site.

Why Marzipan is Your Ideal Partner for Web Design in Sydney

At Marzipan, we understand the unique needs of Sydney businesses. With over a decade of experience in WordPress and sustainable web design, we’ve worked with a range of clients across various industries, helping them craft beautiful, functional websites that reflect their brand identity. We pride ourselves on being more than just web designers – we’re your partners in building an online presence that works for you.

Our approach is simple: we listen, we collaborate, and we create. Whether you’re a local café in Newtown or an ASX-listed financial firm in the City, we take the time to understand your goals and your audience. From the initial concept to the final launch, we’ll be there every step of the way to ensure your website not only looks good but performs brilliantly too.

And because we’re committed to sustainability, we take great care in building websites that are environmentally friendly. By focusing on efficient design and carbon-neutral hosting, we help our clients reduce their digital footprint while still delivering an exceptional user experience. Helping you shine even brighter online.

Web design in Sydney is more than just a visual exercise – it’s about creating an online experience that captures your brand and engages your audience. By staying ahead of trends, choosing the right designer, and focusing on local expertise, you can ensure your website stands out in a crowded marketplace. At Marzipan, we’re here to help you every step of the way, crafting bespoke websites that not only look stunning but deliver real results for your business.

If you’re thinking about your own website and wondering where it can improve, get in touch today for a free consultation and together let’s make the web a brighter place to be.

September 27, 2024
Popology x Marzipan Web Design Colab

A web design based on speed and sustainability. In a long-lasting partnership, Marzipan have come together to launch a fantastic new website for our friends at Popology, designed to showcase the full breadth of their innovative work. Leveraging their unique strengths, Popology conceptualised and designed the site, while Marzipan brought it to life with ultra-fast, dynamic content. Together, they’ve created a new website that truly reflects the creativity and impact of Popology’s experiential projects.
With a shared passion for empowering brands, Popology and Marzipan have combined their expertise to create a platform that not only looks stunning but performs with unparalleled speed and dynamism. Popology’s visionary design sets the stage, while Marzipan’s technical prowess ensures the site delivers an ultra-fast, seamless experience, filled with dynamic content that captures the essence of their brand’s story.
“We believe that a brand’s online presence should be as powerful as its purpose,” said Ben Adams, Cofounder and digital lead here at Marzipan. “This collaboration with Popology has allowed us to push the boundaries of what a website can do, creating a platform that truly pops.”
The launch of the new website marks a significant milestone for both agencies, showcasing their commitment to innovation and excellence in the digital space. By combining Popology’s experiential design with Marzipan’s cutting-edge development, the site is set to become a benchmark for future digital projects.
For more information, visit popology.com.au or contact Marzipan today and see how you too can shine online.
About Marzipan
Marzipan is a leading digital content creation agency based in Sydney, specialising in building powerful online presences for purpose-driven brands. From web design to SEO and content strategy, Marzipan empowers brands to connect with their audience in meaningful ways.
About Popology
Popology is an experiential agency renowned for creating immersive brand experiences that resonate with audiences. With a focus on innovation and creativity, Popology designs experiences that leave a lasting impact.

August 14, 2024
Our Favourite Digital Marketing Trends

In the dynamic world of digital marketing, staying abreast of current trends is crucial for start-ups and SMEs to remain competitive and relevant. As technology evolves and consumer behaviours shift, businesses in Australia must adapt their strategies to harness new opportunities and overcome emerging challenges. This article explores the key digital marketing trends shaping the landscape in Australia, offering insights and practical tips for businesses to thrive.
Rise of Video Content
Video content has surged in popularity, becoming a cornerstone of digital marketing strategies. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok dominate the scene, with short-form videos particularly capturing audience attention. Videos are highly engaging, easily consumable, and have the potential to go viral, making them an effective tool for brand awareness and customer engagement. Businesses are leveraging video content for tutorials, product demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, fostering a deeper connection with their audience. Discover our video services here

Growth of E-commerce
The e-commerce sector has experienced unprecedented growth, largely driven by the pandemic’s impact on shopping behaviours. Consumers increasingly prefer the convenience of online shopping, prompting businesses to enhance their digital presence. This trend extends to social commerce, where platforms like Instagram and Facebook enable direct purchasing. For SMEs, developing a user-friendly e-commerce website and integrating social commerce features can significantly boost sales and customer satisfaction.
Personalisation and Customer Experience
Personalisation remains a powerful trend, with businesses utilising data analytics to tailor their marketing efforts. By analysing consumer behaviour and preferences, companies can deliver personalised content, offers, and recommendations, enhancing the overall customer experience. A seamless experience across all touchpoints—from websites to social media—ensures that customers feel valued and understood. Examples of effective personalisation include email marketing campaigns with tailored product suggestions and personalised website experiences.
Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing continues to grow, with a notable shift towards micro-influencers. These influencers, with smaller but highly engaged followings, offer authenticity and relatability that resonate well with audiences. For SMEs, collaborating with micro-influencers can be cost-effective and yield significant returns. Current trends include long-term partnerships and influencer-created content that aligns with the brand’s values, fostering genuine connections with potential customers. Marzipan can help you target and reach out to the best influencers for your campaign too.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Consumers are increasingly aware of environmental and social issues, favouring brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Businesses can integrate these values into their marketing strategies by showcasing sustainable practices, ethical sourcing, and community initiatives. Campaigns that highlight a brand’s dedication to making a positive impact can enhance reputation and customer loyalty. Successful examples include Patagonia’s environmental activism and Who Gives A Crap’s commitment to sustainability.
Utilisation of AI and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionising digital marketing. These technologies enable predictive analytics, customer segmentation, and personalised marketing at scale. AI-driven chatbots enhance customer service by providing instant responses and assistance, improving customer satisfaction. Additionally, AI can optimise content creation and distribution, ensuring that the right message reaches the right audience at the right time. SMEs can leverage AI tools to gain competitive insights and streamline their marketing efforts.
Increased Focus on Privacy and Data Security
With the advent of regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Australian privacy laws, there is a heightened focus on privacy and data security. Consumers demand transparency and control over their data, and businesses must adopt stringent data protection practices to build trust. Implementing clear privacy policies, obtaining explicit consent for data collection, and ensuring robust data security measures are essential strategies. By prioritising privacy, businesses can foster long-term relationships with their customers.
Digital Marketing trends wrap up…
The digital marketing landscape in Australia is continually evolving, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer expectations. Start-ups and SMEs must stay informed and agile, adopting these trends to remain competitive. Embracing video content, enhancing e-commerce capabilities, personalising customer experiences, leveraging influencer partnerships, committing to sustainability, utilising AI, and prioritising data security are key strategies for success. By adapting to these trends, businesses can meet current demands and anticipate future opportunities, helping you shine online in the ever-changing digital world.
Give us a shout if you’d like us to help with your digital marketing needs. Would love to help

July 13, 2024
How to Create Powerful Landing Pages that Convert
Landing pages stand as formidable tools crafted with a singular aim – to drive conversions. These dedicated pages are engineered to direct viewers’ attention towards a specific objective, urging them to take action by presenting a tangible solution, all before they navigate away. Typically, the end goal is to convert casual visitors into bona fide, paying customers or clients, thereby fulfilling various business objectives. Whether you’re promoting a digital or physical product, a webinar, a free demo, or any other offering, leveraging a landing page can be instrumental in achieving your marketing goals, especially for digital content creators.
In the realm of digital content creation, the cornerstone of a high-converting landing page lies in its persuasive and well-crafted copy. If the copy fails to compel users to take the desired action, it could severely impact your conversion rate. However, while the design of your landing page holds significant weight, incorporating appropriate imagery, colors, logos, and highlighting key elements like headlines and calls-to-action (CTAs), it’s the synergy between design and copy that truly elevates conversion rates.
Today, let’s delve into the art of crafting compelling landing page copy. Here are some invaluable writing tips to help you fashion a persuasive and actionable narrative for your landing page, geared towards digital content creators:
Avoid Reliance on AI: While AI tools have proliferated, aiding in various aspects of content creation, relying on them for crafting landing page copy isn’t advisable. Landing pages serve as critical assets for conversion, brand identity, and user experience. Entrusting this task to AI risks producing generic content that fails to resonate with visitors. Instead, invest effort into crafting authentic, human-written copy to make a lasting impression.
Craft an Attention-Grabbing Headline: The headline serves as the focal point of your landing page, capable of captivating or repelling visitors in an instant. Ensure your headline communicates a clear value proposition, succinctly highlighting the key benefits of your offer. Keep it concise yet compelling, enticing visitors to delve deeper into your offering.
Emphasize Benefits: Rather than solely focusing on the solution your product or service provides, prioritize highlighting its tangible benefits. Clearly articulate how your offering adds value to your customers’ lives, addressing their pain points and aspirations. Incorporate customer testimonials or quotes to substantiate these benefits, fostering trust and credibility.
Be Concise: In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, brevity is key. Craft concise, easily digestible copy that conveys your message effectively. Utilize bulleted lists or succinct descriptions to streamline information delivery, catering to the preferences of online readers who engage in speed reading or content scanning.
Remember, the success of your landing page hinges not only on its design but also on the quality of its copy. By implementing these writing tips, you can optimise your landing page to resonate with your audience, driving higher conversions and bolstering your digital content creation endeavors.
May 20, 2024
Enhance Your Small Business Website with These Top WordPress Plugins

As a small business owner in Sydney, establishing a strong online presence is crucial in today’s digital content driven landscape. With WordPress, you have access to a wide range of plugins – a piece of software that “plugs into” your WordPress site. These plugins can add new functionality or extend existing functionality on your site, allowing you to create virtually any kind of website, from ecommerce stores to portfolios to directory sites. But with so many options, where should you begin? In this blog post, we explore three of the best WordPress plugins that can empower your small business website and set it apart from the competition. Whether you want to improve your site’s design, boost its performance, or streamline your business processes, these plugins are sure to deliver outstanding results.

1. Elementor: Customisation Made Easy
When it comes to web design, customisation is key. Elementor, one of the most popular WordPress plugins, provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows you to create stunning and professional websites without any coding knowledge. With its extensive library of pre-designed templates and elements, you can easily customise your site’s layout, typography, colors, and more. Elementor and by extension, it’s ultra fast Hello Theme also offer advanced features like responsive design, animation effects, and integrations with popular marketing tools. By harnessing the power of Elementor, your small business website will be visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimised for conversions.
2. Yoast SEO: Boost Your Search Engine Visibility
In today’s competitive online landscape, appearing at the top of search engine results is vital for driving organic traffic to your small business website. Yoast SEO is a powerful WordPress plugin that helps you optimize your website’s content for search engines. With Yoast SEO, you can easily optimize your pages and blog posts by providing keyword suggestions, analyzing content readability, and generating XML sitemaps. The plugin also offers social media integration, allowing you to optimize your website’s presence on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. By leveraging Yoast SEO, you can enhance your small business website’s visibility and improve its chances of reaching your target audience.
3. WooCommerce: Transform Your Website into an Online Store
For small businesses looking to sell products or services online, WooCommerce is the go-to WordPress plugin. With over 5 million active installations, WooCommerce provides a robust and flexible platform to create and manage your online store. The plugin offers a range of features such as inventory management, secure payment gateways, shipping options, and customizable product pages. You can easily add products, set pricing, and customize your store’s appearance to align with your brand. With WooCommerce, your small business can effortlessly tap into the world of e-commerce, expand its customer base, and boost revenue.

In today’s era of rapid digital content creation, having a well-designed and functional website is essential for small businesses, in Australia. With WordPress and its vast plugin ecosystem, you can take your website to the next level. By leveraging the power of plugins like Elementor, Yoast SEO, and WooCommerce, you can enhance your website’s design, improve its search engine visibility, and even transform it into an online store. So, don’t miss out on these top WordPress plugins—give your small business website the competitive edge it deserves. Check out our web design services. We can get started today and watch your brand shine online!

July 4, 2023
The Secrets of Affordable Web Design
In today’s digital content rich era, having a captivating online presence is crucial for businesses regardless of size. Yet affordable web design can seem out of this world. Even before the current cost of living crisis kicked in, we noticed many entrepreneurs and small business owners find themselves facing a common challenge: budget.
The good news is that affordable website design in Sydney is not an elusive dream. It needn’t impact your smashed avo brunches, and will help you shine online : )
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore effective strategies and valuable tips to help you achieve an attractive and functional website that won’t break the bank.
Get ready to unlock the secrets of affordable website design and boost your online visibility!
The Importance of Affordable Website Design
Enhancing your online presence on a limited budget
How a well-designed website impacts user experience and conversion rates
Attracting and retaining customers with an affordable website
Planning Your Website Design on a Budget
Setting clear goals and objectives for your website: Why do you need a website, is it for brand awareness, leads, sales, data collection
Identifying your target audience and tailoring your design accordingly
Prioritising essential features and functionalities. Think eCommerce, lead capture, membership areas?
Choosing the right website builder or CMS (Content Management System). We use WordPress predominantly because we love using Elementor and find our clients can easily handle the updates but we are seeing an increasing number of WebFlow sites being requested too.
Budget-Friendly Design Tips and Strategies
Streamlined and minimalist designs: Helping with web speed, SEO and promotes sustainable web design
Utilising pre-designed templates and themes saves time and money
Optimising images and multimedia elements for fast loading times
Incorporating responsive design for mobile compatibility
DIY vs. hiring a professional web designer: Weighing the pros and cons
Selecting Affordable Hosting and Domain Services
Evaluating different hosting options and their pricing plans. Be careful as cheaper isn’t always the best. Ensure your web host can offer 99.9% uptime to avoid losing eyeballs. We always recommend Crazy Domains for this and all our new websites come with 12 months of local web hosting included in the price. Always.
Registering a cost-effective domain name even after the first year is up. Those domain name services can look cheap at first but after the first year expires costs can soar.
Considering bundled services for a better value. We often look at bundles for our clients including new website, SEO and SEM inclusions to help you save time and money.
Digital Content Creation on a Budget
Creating engaging and SEO-friendly content for your website
Leveraging free or low-cost stock photos and graphics from sites such as Unsplash
Utilising user-generated content to increase authenticity and extend reach. Be sure to get permission first and always tag the image creators. We may be affordable but we’re not jerks : )
Maximizing SEO for Affordable Website Design
Keyword research: Identifying relevant and high-value keywords
Optimising on-page elements such as titles, meta descriptions, and headings
Building quality backlinks through guest posting and content marketing
Harnessing the power of local SEO for targeted traffic, or a local SEO provider like us to help get you ranking.
DIY Website Maintenance and Updates
Don’t be afraid to learn basic website maintenance tasks
Regularly updating and optimising your website for peak performance
Understanding the importance of website security
Seeking Professional Help on a Budget
Freelancers and specialised agencies exist to find affordable solutions, with a lot of due diligence you can find an affordable web designer like us
Conducting thorough research when vetting potential partners
Negotiating prices and services to fit your budget
Web design students may also want to get involved at a discounted rate to help hone their skills
So there you have it, affordable website design is not a mythical creature; it’s a tangible goal within your reach if you’re willing to get creative and ask the right questions.
By implementing just a few of the strategies and tips outlined here, you can create a visually stunning and functional website without emptying your pockets.
Remember, the key is thoughtful planning, informed decision-making, and making the most of available resources.
So, don’t let budget constraints hold you back from creating a powerful online presence. Start your journey towards affordable website design today and unlock your business’s true potential!
For affordable website design services, feel free to reach out to the team at Marzipan.
We specialise in helping businesses shine online and are experts at create stunning websites on a budget for all wallet sizes. Check out our affordable yet Sustainable Web Design Services.
Remember, affordable website design is just the first step. Consistently updating and optimising your website, along with implementing effective digital marketing strategies, will further propel your online success.
Good Luck!
June 13, 2023
4 tips to speed up WordPress websites
Studies show that from 2000 to 2016, the average human attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to 7 seconds.
What does this mean for you as a website owner?
You have an ever-decreasing time span to show users you’re trustable, your content is relevant and to convince them to stay on your website.
As a digital content agency, we make a lot of websites. We work on multiple platforms but for many reasons, WordPress seems to be the most popular.
More and more frequently we’re opting to use a front end editor so that our clients can easily go in and manage their own changes. There’s a bunch of solid editors but one stands out for users with little no web design experience: Elementor.
Elementor is one of the most advanced page builders on the market. With regular updates, reliable drag & drop features, with a bunch of handy content creation shortcuts built in right out of the box, both the free and paid products are fantastic.
However it can have one drawback, its templates are so visually rich and dynamic they can sometimes be dangerously slow.
Fast loading pages improve user experience, increase your page views, and help with your SEO. A poor site load will push you down the ranks in Google and risk losing customers before they’ve even reached your website. According to a case study from Strangeloop that involved Amazon, Google, and other larger sites, a 1 second delay in page load time can lead to 7% loss in conversions, 11% fewer page views, and 16% decrease in customer satisfaction.
Test your website’s speed using Google’s Page Speed indexer.
How to improve your website’s speed?
First things first. Choosing the best host for your website is crucial. There are as many strong options as there are weak. Doing your research here is super important. We recommend Crucial. They provide 99.9% uptime, 24×7 Support and even offset carbon emissions through The Nature Conservancy. That’s why we trust Crucial with our web hosting.

Choose a lightweight theme
WordPress themes with a lot of dynamic elements, sliders, widgets, social icons and many more shiny elements are immensely appealing to the eye. But remember this: if they have too many elements and higher page sizes, then they will definitely cause your web server to take a thumping. A good theme shouldn’t slow down a site, but unfortunately a lot of themes do. A well-coded theme uses scripts and methods to reduce its file sizes. Switching between themes and seeing the effect might give you a good indicator if the theme is the culprit. Luckily Elementor have produced a theme that’s fast and versatile, called Hello Elementor. It’s one of the fasted around and provides a solid base on which to build.
Don’t just take our word for it. Kinsta has done the hard research for you on their blog here: 11 Fastest WordPress Themes
Optimise your imagery
Images are the major contributors to size increment of a given webpage. The trick is to reduce the size of the images without compromising on the quality.
Before you upload a photo directly from your phone or camera, we recommend that you use photo editing software to optimise your images for the web.
In their original formats, these photos can have huge file sizes. But based on the image file format and the compression you choose in your editing software, you can decrease your image size by up to 5x. Luckily, if you don’t have access to these tools, WordPress provides multiple optimisers for imagery and speed:
Optimole
WP Smush
EWWW Image Optimizer
Host videos & Podcasts elsewhere
WordPress is pretty flexible. You can directly upload huge audio and video files to your WordPress site, and it will automatically display them in an HTML5 player…
But just because you can doesn’t mean you should. In fact, we strongly recommend you DON’T do that!
Ever.
Firstly, hosting these types of audio and videos files cost you bandwidth. You could be charged overage fees by your web hosting company, or they may even shut down your site altogether, even if your plan includes “unlimited” bandwidth.
More importantly, the drag on server calls will dramatically slow your website down as it churns through the weight of your files in order to play it. Dramatically slowing your website down.
Lastly, these large media files will also increase your backup sizes tremendously, and make it difficult for you to restore WordPress from backup.
There are so many fantastic audio and video hosting services like YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud. Let these guys take care of the weight off.
WordPress has a built-in video embed feature, so you can copy and paste your video’s URL directly into your post and it will embed automatically.
If you are making a podcast website with WordPress, then your podcast manager will have a share function so can drop it right in. Like this completely unrelated podcast from Guy Raz below.
On most good podcasts, you’ll see an embed option nearly everywhere you’re able to play audio. The option will say “embed” or show a “<>” icon (the Web’s universal embed symbol).
Easy peasy.

Clean up your database
Deleting unwanted data from your database will keep its size to a minimum and also helps in reducing the size of your backups. To this end a regular clean up of your spam comments, fake users, old drafts of your content and maybe even unwanted plugins as well as themes will help speed up your website. Every little extra thing can cause drag, so keeping a clean site will reduce the size of your databases and web files, and thus speed up your WordPress site.

Chose an epic web design agency like us : )
There are so many tools, websites and resources designed to help you improve your website’s speed but if it all feels a little overwhelming, we’re here for you.
With over 10yrs experience creating websites for our clients large and small, we can get you running in no time. Shine online with a brand new website from Marzipan Media today.
Contact us today to find out more.

Let’s talk
February 3, 2022
Improve Your Website’s Conversion Rates

Did you know your conversion rate has an exponential impact on your overall revenue – a 1% increase in conversion rate might mean 50% revenue growth.
Site conversion rate simply tells you how effective your site is at converting visitors into paying customers. Look for this number in the analytics section of your site, or calculate it using the following formula:
SITE CONVERSION RATE = Number of Conversions / Total Visitors
Aim for a site conversion rate over 2.8%, which is the average for eCommerce stores.
Simple actions that improve your site functionality will help boost this number.
Here are a few simple, but effective ways to boost site conversion rate:
1. Increase your site speed
Slow sites kill conversions. Both WordPress and Shopify sites can start to slow down once you layer up additional plugins, images and scripts. Run your website through a tool such as GT Metrix of Google’s Page Speed Checker to gauge where your website sits for speed. If you don’t have a developer you can use an app or check to see if your shopping platform has a built-in tool to improve site speed. This site uses WP Rocket to lift its speed. Apps like this ensure we utilising smaller image files and above-the-fold simplicity for a quick loading landing page that lets our customers cruise the site without pause upon arrival.
2. Organise your site pages
Provide a clear hierarchy of content with the most important info at the top, this will make sure you grab your customers’ limited attention with the information that matters most and is most likely to drive conversion. Don’t be afraid to add multiple calls to action throughout the page to capture people at the point of decision making. Vary the way in which people make that action with a blend of buttons and text links and images.
3. Make it seamless
Get your customers where they need to be as quickly as possible. Make it super simple for your customer to navigate your site, browse products, add to cart, and checkout. Reducing the number of steps (or friction) to checkout or registration pages will decrease the decision-making timeline and the chance for second-guessing or cart abandonment. This step underlines why the first point above is so important.

October 11, 2021