LATEST ARTICLES

Why get your business online?

0
Nowadays, the world has become an interconnected digital playground. As consumers search for products, services, and solutions, businesses must evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape. So, if you’re a business owner still wondering, “Why should I get my business online?” – you’ve come to the right place. We’ll dive into why taking your business online is a crucial step towards unlocking success, growth, and reaching new heights. Reach a global audience: Gone are the days of being confined to a local market or limited to a brick-and-mortar shop. By establishing an online presence, your business can gain access to a global audience. The internet crosses geographical barriers, allowing you to connect with potential customers from across the world. Imagine the possibilities of reaching people from different cultures, time zones, and backgrounds – it’s like having a virtual shop that’s open 24/7 and caters to customers worldwide. Stay open for business, always: Imagine your business never closing its doors – that’s the magic of being online! Unlike the traditional 9am to 5pm, your website will ensure that your products and services are available round the clock. Customers can browse, enquire, and make purchases at a time most suitable for them, whether it’s early morning, late at night, or during their lunch break. Cost-effective and scalable: Establishing a physical store or office requires significant investments in rent, utilities, and staff. However, venturing online is cost-effective and scalable. With social media platforms, website builders, and e-commerce solutions, you can create a professional website without breaking the bank. Plus, as your business grows, your website can easily expand to accommodate the increasing demand. Building trust and credibility: A professional online presence helps build trust and credibility with potential customers. A well-designed website, active social media profiles, and positive online reviews boost confidence in your brand. Consumers are more likely to trust businesses they can easily find and engage with online, resulting in higher conversion rates and stronger customer loyalty. Data-driven insights: Understanding your customers is vital for success, and the internet provides an abundance of data-driven insights. Analysing customer behaviours, preferences, and buying patterns can help you make informed decisions to enhance your offerings and improve customer experiences. The more you know about your customers, the better you can cater to their needs and expectations. Compete and thrive: In today’s online landscape, businesses need to stay relevant and adaptable. By going online, startups and small businesses can compete with larger, more established companies. The key lies in leaning into your unique selling points, showcasing your brand story, and connecting with your audience on a personal level. Embrace changes that come your way, and you’ll soon carve out your niche. Adapt to changing behaviours: Customer preferences and behaviours change rapidly, and businesses must adapt accordingly. Online platforms provide the agility and flexibility needed to stay ahead of trends and respond to changing demands. By embracing the ever-changing landscape, you’ll position your business to meet your customers where they prefer to interact. The internet has transformed the way businesses operate and connect with customers. Getting your business online is no longer an option; it’s an essential step towards securing your spot in the modern marketplace. From reaching a global audience and staying open 24/7 to utilising data-driven insights and adapting to the ever-changing behaviours, the benefits of getting online are immense. Embrace the path to success and watch your business flourish in the vast and interconnected world of online opportunities. So, gear up and take your business online with Hosting Ireland!

.IE Domain Registry Announce a New Monthly Prize Draw

0
We have some exciting news to share with you! The .IE Domain Registry is launching a monthly prize draw* that gives you the opportunity to win €500. If you have a .IE domain name, this is your chance to be a lucky winner! How to enter: From 1st July 2023 up to 31st December 2023, anyone who renews their .ie domain name(s) will be entered into the monthly prize draw. It’s that simple! For example, if you choose to renew your .ie domain(s) in July, you’ll be included in the July draw. Entries are limited to one entry per domain holder. How to check your renewal dates: We don’t want you to miss out on this exciting opportunity, so it’s important to keep track of your renewal dates. Checking your renewal dates is quick and easy – here’s how: • Log into your Hosting Ireland Client Area. • Click on the ‘Domains’ tile. You will find a list of your domain(s) along with their respective renewal dates. The .IE Domain Registry’s monthly competition offers an exciting opportunity for you to win €500, simply by renewing your .ie domain name(s). Mark your calendars to make sure you don’t miss your chance to be a lucky winner. Check your renewal dates, stay connected with us, and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to not only secure your online presence but also have a chance at winning a cash prize. Good luck! Getting in touch with us: If you have any questions or need assistance with your .IE domain renewal, our dedicated team is here to help. You can reach us by calling 01 9020020 or by submitting a support ticket from within your Client Area. *Terms and Conditions for the monthly renewal prize draw are governed by the .IE Domain Registry. For full terms and conditions, please visit the .IE website here.

6 plugins for your WordPress website

0
If you’re new to WordPress, you may wonder what plugins are and how they can help you improve your website. Simply put, plugins are mini-applications that can be added to your website to enhance its functionality and user experience. With over 58,000 WordPress plugins available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones. In this blog post, we’ll highlight six WordPress plugins that can help you take your website to the next level. Yoast SEO Yoast SEO is an SEO plugin that helps you optimise your website for search engines. It provides a range of features such as meta titles, descriptions, keywords, and readability analysis that can help improve the quality of your content. This plugin also generates an XML sitemap, which makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index your website. Jetpack Jetpack is a powerful plugin that provides a range of features such as website stats, security, and social media sharing. It’s a great choice for customers who want a versatile plugin that can perform multiple functions. Jetpack also includes a content delivery network (CDN) for images, which helps to speed up website loading times. WPForms WPForms is an intuitive form builder that lets you create custom forms for your website. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, pre-built form templates, and advanced form fields that make it easy to create contact forms, surveys, and other types of forms. WPForms also integrates with popular email marketing services such as MailChimp. WP Super Cache WP Super Cache is a caching plugin that generates static HTML files from dynamic WordPress pages. This reduces the load on your server and speeds up your website’s loading times. WP Super Cache is a great choice for customers who want to improve their website’s performance and user experience. WooCommerce WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce plugin that enables you to create an online store on your WordPress website. It offers a range of features such as product listings, shopping cart functionality, and payment gateway integration. WooCommerce is a great choice for customers who want to sell products or services on their website. WPML WPML is a multilingual plugin that lets you create a multilingual website. It supports over 40 languages and offers a range of translation options such as manual, automatic, or professional translation. WPML is a great choice for customers who want to expand their business internationally and reach a global audience. WordPress plugins can make a significant difference in the functionality and user experience of your website. By using the six must-have WordPress plugins outlined above, you can improve your website’s SEO, speed, security, user experience, and eCommerce capabilities. These plugins are easy to use and can be customised to fit the needs of your website. With the right plugins, you can take your website to the next level and enhance your online presence. New to WordPress? Grab your copy of our FREE Beginners Guide to WordPress e-Book – we’ll guide you through taking your WordPress website from a blank canvas to a finished website

Hosting Ireland voted Best Web Hosting Company in Ireland

0
We’re thrilled to announce that Hosting Ireland has been voted the best web hosting company in Ireland by TopRated.ie – an online review platform that helps people find the best products and services in Ireland. At Hosting Ireland, we’re passionate about delivering the best web hosting services to our customers, and we’re delighted that our efforts have been recognised by TopRated.ie. We want to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their continued support and trust in Hosting Ireland. We know that there are many web hosting options out there, and we’re honoured that you’ve chosen us as your partner in online success. To learn more about our Web Hosting services, please check out our website.

Why should you build your website in WordPress?

0
Are you looking to build a website for your business? If so, you’re probably wondering which platform to use. While there are many website builders available, WordPress is by far the most popular. In fact, WordPress powers over 43%* of all websites on the internet, including some of the world’s biggest brands. So why should you build your website in WordPress? Here are just a few reasons: It’s easy to use: Despite being the most flexible platform, WordPress is quite easy to use. With a simple interface and a wide range of templates and plugins, you can create a professional-looking website in no time. In fact, many of the templates available are designed specifically for businesses, so you can create a website that looks great and meets your specific needs. It’s customisable: WordPress is highly customisable, which means you can create a website that truly reflects your brand. Whether you want to change the colours, fonts, or layout, you can do it all in WordPress. You can also add custom features to your website by installing plugins, which are small pieces of software that add functionality to your site. It’s SEO-friendly: WordPress is designed to be search engine-friendly, which means your website will be more likely to appear at the top of search engine results. The platform’s clean code and structure make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your website. Plus, there are plenty of SEO plugins available to help you optimise your content and improve your website’s search engine rankings. It’s secure: WordPress is constantly updated to ensure it’s secure from hackers and other cyber threats. In fact, the platform is one of the most secure website builders available, with a dedicated team of developers working to patch any security vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered. It’s scalable: WordPress is a highly scalable platform, which means it can grow with your business. Whether you’re starting with a small website or a large e-commerce store, WordPress can handle it all. Plus, as your business grows, you can easily add new features and functionality to your website using plugins and other tools. So why not build your website in WordPress with Hosting Ireland? With our range of WordPress Hosting packages and expert support, you can create a professional-looking website in no time. Sign up today and start building your online presence! New to WordPress? Grab your copy of our FREE Beginners Guide to WordPress e-Book – we’ll guide you through taking your WordPress website from a blank canvas to a finished website. * SOURCE: https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/cm-wordpress

Meet bunq

0
When starting an online business, you’ll need new tools and services – a tool to build your website, something to help your time management and maybe even a new business bank account. We want to support your online journey in whatever way we can, so we’re excited to tell you about any company that shares the same entrepreneurial spirit as us. Meet bunq… a sustainable bank that breaks free from tradition. About bunq Since 2014, bunq has been on a journey to make money management easy. Their super-simple banking app calculates VAT automatically, integrates seamlessly with your bookkeeping and takes the pain out of budgeting. Not content with re-imagining banking, bunq is also totally committed to sustainability and being green. Simply by signing up and spending, users have planted over 9 million trees in collaboration with Eden Reforestation Projects! Start planting trees Want to learn more? Take a look at what bunq can offer… plus, for every Hosting Ireland customer that signs up, bunq will plant an extra 20 trees!

Hosting Ireland clients shortlisted for prestigious award

0
We’re really excited that a number of our clients have been shortlisted for the Waterford Digital Awards 2022. This is a huge achievement that they can rightly be very proud of, and is a testament to how they have successfully harnessed the power of a digital sales platform. What are the Waterford Digital Awards? The Waterford Digital Awards are managed by Waterford Local Enterprise Office, together with Waterford City and County Council. Their aim is to promote the importance of online sales, by recognising and rewarding SMEs based in County Waterford who have developed innovative Ecommerce and digital platforms. An independent judging panel whittled down the nominees to just four per category, with the winning entrants due to be officially unveiled on Friday 28th October. Who are the shortlisted nominees? A big congratulations to all of our clients who were shortlisted: • Herdsy – Best Export Website • NC Consulting & Co – Best B2B Website • Veritas Chartered Accountants – Best B2B Website • Coffee House Lane – Best B2C Website • Monkey Cups – Best B2C Website • Murphy Larkin Timber Products Ltd – Best Ecommerce Website • Expat Taxes – Best Export Website • Finders Keepers – Best Export Website And all the other entrants of course! Waterford Digital Awards 2022 Shortlist

Get a professional email address from Hosting Ireland

0
We know what you’re thinking – you already have an email address with one of the free providers, so why pay for one with us? Just take a moment to consider the differences and benefits of an Email Hosting plan. Create a lasting impression Your email address with us will use a professional and personalised domain, chosen by you and completely bespoke to you alone. When people see an email appear in their inbox from you@yourbusinessname.ie it stands out far more than one from (for example) you1234@eircom.ie. In a crowded mailbox, it’s a great way of getting your message across. Improve your business reputation An email address at your own domain can help to enhance the reputation of your business. Prospective customers will see that you’re a professional organisation, which will lend credence to your messages and help to set you apart from your competition. Boost brand awareness Those who you email will see your business name on every message you send, improving recognition of who you are and what you do. As they’ll have seen the name so often, they’ll be more likely to remember it in the future and subsequently recommend you to friends or family. Word of mouth is the best, and most effective, method of marketing for any business! We hope that already you’re starting to appreciate just how powerful a business email address can be. As if all of those weren’t enough, there are also some additional benefits that are specific to Hosting Ireland: • Email that grows with you: With Hosting Ireland, you’ll get a fully scalable email plan that grows as your business grows. You can tailor it to suit your exact requirements, rather than paying for a fixed limit that might be either too small or too large for your needs. • Online WebMail: Access your emails from anywhere, at any time, with our user-friendly WebMail. Just visit it as you would a normal website, enter your login details, and away you go! You can also use an email app on your phone/tablet, or a dedicated email client on your computer if you prefer. The choice is yours. • Email management tools: Manage your emails whichever way you like, with a set of useful and intuitive tools that are designed to make your life easier. Forward your emails to another address, set up an “out of office” message, track delivery status, create contact lists and much more! All accessed and configured via the industry-standard cPanel control panel. • Spam & virus protection: You’ll benefit from sophisticated built-in protection that will block most common threats and minimise unwanted junk mail. Irish technical support And finally, it goes without saying that Email Hosting from Hosting Ireland will be fully supported by our local Irish support team. You’ll have the peace of mind that can only come from knowing that a friendly group of experts are always standing by and ready to help. Any time you need help or have a query you can call us on 01 9020020 or raise a ticket from within your client area. Get Irish Email Hosting today We think you’ll agree that both you and your business will really benefit from a professional email plan that is tailored to your exact requirements. So, what are you waiting for? Buy Email Hosting

A guide to choosing a domain name for your start-up business.

0
Your domain name is often what customers will use to identify your brand, so you need to be careful to select a name that reflects your company. Below are some tips on how to go about choosing a domain name for a new business start-up. Choose a keyword-rich domain name Prominent keywords are essential for your SEO and they are also vital to let your audience quickly know who you are and what you are all about. If you can, choose a domain name that contains a keyword related to your business in some way. Your domain should at least feature your brand name. It is also not recommended to be too vague with your domain name in other ways: for example, if you own a dog grooming company then ‘doggrooming.ie’ as your domain name isn’t really specific – it could be just an informative website about dog grooming in general rather than a specific business proposition. Are you nationwide or is your area important? Think about whether it is possible to incorporate your city name into your domain, to attract local clients. Be unique Being unique helps you stand out from competitors and makes it easier to market your brand. It isn’t always easy to be descriptive and unique at the same time, but although you should try to use a keyword you also want to be creative and distinctive. For instance, a dog groomer based in Cork, might try incorporating their location into their domain name, for example “corkdoggrooming.ie”. Keep your domain name simple Even though your business name might be long, it is best to keep a domain short and snappy – providing it is memorable. Although most people will access your website with the click of a button through a search engine result, some will still use the old-fashioned method of typing it in manually. Moreover, imagine having to spell it out to every caller you get! Don’t confuse your potential customers The same applies to spelling – make sure it is intuitive to spell so that it can be remembered and passed on with ease. Are you considering spelling words differently on purpose? While this may seem clever it can also become an issue. For instance, creating a pun on the canine-friendly word ‘tails’ by using ‘tales’ might cause confusion. Double letters also cause confusion when they occur in website names (“dogrooming.ie” versus “doggrooming.ie”). Secure your domain We do recommend that once you have found your perfect domain, you should lock it down straight away. Even if you are starting small but have big ambitions and expect your brand to grow, you should consider registering closely related names to prevent others from aping your site and profiting from your marketing. For example, if you have registered doggrooming.ie, perhaps you should consider registering doggrooming.com and doggrooming.eu, or even doggrooming.irish. Although strictly illegal, there are still plenty of “cyber squatters” registering names they hope to resell at inflated prices. Buy your domain from a reputable registrar.