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Author: Christophe

  • LED advertising

    LED advertising

    Traditional advertising has seen more of upheaval in the past few years than at any time since the first business in mediaeval times decided to put a wooden plank above its door advertising Mrs McReedy’s Herbal Cure-All Remedies. The move away from physical wood, paper or plastic installation has been swift and adopted by many of the biggest organisations in the world such as Coca-Cola & Nike. An LED display or LED advertising hoarding is a flat panel display, which uses an array of light-emitting diodes as pixels for a video display. The brightness of this type of display allows them to be used outdoors where they are visible in daylight and direct sun for store signs and billboards. They have also become commonly used in destination signs on public transport vehicles, in recent years, as well as variable-message signs on highways. LED displays are capable of providing general illumination in addition to visual display, as when used for stage lighting or other decorative purposes.

    The main benefit of an LED screen display is the fact that they can be programmed and updated remotely meaning they can be real-time and do not require a technician to physically visit the hoardings. Traditionally, and certainly for the larger advertising hoardings you’ll find in bigger cities, you’d need someone with a ladder and bucket full of wallpaper paste to turn up and replace the signs. However, we can certainly see a time soon when nearly all large format advertising signage will be replaced with dynamic LED screens. Of course, one of the other main drivers behind this is the fact that the price of LED panels has fallen massively. You can now be at the cutting edge of advertising technology for the fraction of the price it once would have cost.

  • WordPress – Install Contact Form 7 and Minimise Spam Without Missing Messages

    WordPress tutorial – how to install Contact Form 7 with message logging, Google CAPTCHA V2 integration and extra anti-spam measures

    Step 1 – install the required plug-ins

    1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to the plug-ins menu and select ‘add new.’ Search for, install and then activate the following:
      1. Contact Form 7
      2. Really Simple Captcha
      3. Insert Headers and Footers
      4. Akismet
      5. Flamingo

    Step 2 – integrate the CAPTCHA

    Contact Form 7 is a simple plugin that allows you to quickly and easily include contact forms within your WordPress website. 

    Contact Form 7 also allows you to insert a CAPTCHA into your contact forms to prevent bots from submitting forms and therefore reduce spam. Contact Form 7 utilises Really Simple CAPTCHA as its officially-sanctioned CAPTCHA module.

    Insert Headers and Footers is a plug-in that provides you with a is a simple interface allowing you to insert code (like Google CAPTCHA code or Google Analytics) into to your WordPress site header and footer without having to edit your theme files directly.

    1. Open a new tab in your browser and go to the Google reCAPTCHA site
      1. Follow the instructions to log in, register your domain and generate a site key and secret key
      2. Copy the ‘site key’ and ‘secret key’ from the Google site to the Really Simple Captcha integration page before saving
    2. From within your WORDPRESS dashboard, go to CONTACT > INTEGRATION
      1. add the site key and secret key in the relevant boxes
    3. From within your WORDPRESS dashboard, go to SETTINGS > INSERT HEADERS AND FOOTERS
      1. Paste the script link below into the ‘header’ section then save changes
    4. From within your WORDPRESS dashboard, go to CONTACT > CONTACT FORMS
      1. Create a new contact form
      2. Right before the ‘SEND’ button of your form, paste the code below (don’t forget to add your unique SITE KEY where specified)
      3. Configure the form fully and save changes
    5. Create your contact page
      1. Integrate the contact form as normal within your site

    (step 4.1) Paste the following code into the header section

    <script src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js'></script>

    (step 5.2) Paste the following code into your new form just before the ‘send’ button (don’t forget to add your unique ‘site key’)

    <div class="g-recaptcha" data-sitekey="<<your unique 'site key'>>"></div>

    Step 4 – integrate the HoneyPot

    Contact Form 7 Honeypot is a WordPress plugin that adds honeypot anti-spam functionality to Contact Form 7 forms. Honeypot is a technique that adds a hidden field to a form that is essentially a trap set for spambots.

    1. go to CONTACT and edit your contact form
    2. within the contact form, before the ‘send’ button tag, use the TAG generator to add a ‘honey pot’ tag
    3. save the form

    Step 5 – activate Akismet

    Akismet checks your comments and contact form submissions against their global database of spam to prevent your site from publishing malicious content.

    1. Go to SETTINGS > AKISMET ANTI-SPAM and follow the instructions to create an account, generate an API key, and activate your site
    2. Enter the API key, choose your settings, then save changes

    Step 6 – test the message log

    Flamingo is a message storage plugin for created for Contact Form 7. When any message is sent to you via the contact form, it will also be stored in the Flamingo database allowing you to check for missed or deleted messages.

    1. test your contact form my sending yourself a message
    2. once this is working and the message has been received, go to Flamingo from your WordPress site dashboards and view the sent message

    — 

    If you have any trouble with any of the above instructions, get in touch with us via our main website

  • Picking the Right Business Sign

    If you’ve ever had to squint at a sign you’ll know just how important size and lettering is. It’s important for your new sign to be able to grab the attention of potential customers and get the desired message across. At Image Sign Studio in Sheffield and Rotherham, they help you to create the most effective, eye-catching and professional signage for your business. From assisting you in choosing the type of sign to the material, the size, shape and even the finer details such as the lettering options e.g. acrylic letters and acrylic cut out letters. They are here to help every step of the way.

    Important Considerations When Choosing the Sign Size
    First of all, the size of your sign makes a big difference, to help determine the most effective option for your specific needs have a think about the following:

    • The distance you want the sign to be seen from
    • The shop-front size (or size of the preferred location for the sign)
    • The available shape space

    What Material Should I Use?

    At Image Sign Studio, they offer a range of sign materials including aluminium, stainless steel, Perspex and wood and they are able to create a broad selection of styles. Below is a brief overview of some of the key sign materials that they use:

    Aluminium

    Aluminium signs are very popular. They are affordable, strong, professional in appearance and versatile. Aluminium is easy to customize making it a great option for your signage needs.

    Dibond

    Dibond is polythene encased in aluminium. It is lightweight, rigid and holds its shape.

    Stainless steel

    Signs made from stainless steel are highly durable, weatherproof and are an excellent option for use outside.

    Perspex

    Perspex is a very versatile material that creates signs suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is durable, lightweight and easy to cut into the desired format. Perspex is great for use in illuminated signs such as light boxes.

    Wood

    Signs made from wood are often heavyweight, can tolerate all weather conditions and are very strong and durable. They are also very versatile and look great.

    Choosing a Letter Style

    They offer a range of lettering options including acrylic cut out letters, 3D lettering, illuminated lettering and more. The lettering you decide on makes a big difference to the final look of your sign.

    Acrylic Letters

    Choosing acrylic letters is not only a great option for adding dimension to your sign but is also very affordable and fully customizable. The acrylic cut out letters are created with precision and are long lasting and durable.

    Letters for Illuminated Signs

    Choosing lettering for an illuminated sign such as halo lighting or illuminated letters is a great way to ensure your sign is advertising your business 24/7.

    Top Tips When Choosing a Sign

    A sign is a great way to attract customers to your business. It is important to use a professional sign maker to ensure your business has an effective, professional and well-designed sign. Below are some of our top tips when choosing a sign:

    • Remember your audience
    • Stay on brand
    • Simplicity goes a long way
    • Sign size and lettering are very important

    Call Image Sign Studio today on 0114 261 7617 or visit them online at www.imagesign.co.uk

  • Stand out with a professional business sign

    Stand out with a professional business sign

    Having great signage is a business essential but why choose a profession sign manufacturer? Read on to find out. Imagine Sign Studio is an expert sign manufacturer based in Sheffield and Rotherham. For top tips, expert advice and more information don’t forget to check out their latest blog posts. In this post, we take a look at why it’s important to use sign professionals and pay attention to detail.

    3 Reasons to Choose a Professional Sign Maker

    A survey carried out by the University of Cincinnati revealed that nearly 8 out of 10 people have entered a store they’ve never visited before based on their signs. Many businesses overlook signs or doubt their significance which is a huge mistake. Having high quality, well-designed signs gives your potential customers a glimpse into your business. Below are 3 key reasons why your sign and sign quality are so important:

    Increase Exposure of your Brand

    Your signage will work around the clock, showing customers where your business is and who you are. Your signs will encourage new customers and the return of old customers too. That’s why you need your sign to reflect your business, you want to impress customers from the start.

    Stand Out

    There’s no doubt that your business has local competition, by having clear signs that are unique to your business you can catch the eyes of potential customers. A professional sign manufacturer will be able to work with you to create the most effective and eye catching sign for your business and location.

    Cost Effective Option

    A sign is a cost effective way of marketing and by buying from a specialist sign maker you can ensure the quality and longevity of your signage. The last thing you want is for your sign to look old or worn before its time and you certainly don’t want it to look cheap.

    Don’t be Overwhelmed by the Options

    There are so many signage types and options available to choose from. Each has its own benefit and use, if you’re unsure simply ask one of our team and we’ll help you create the perfect signage for your business. One aspect people don’t tend to think about until the last minute is the lettering options. Get the low-down on the most popular lettering options below:

    Flat Cut Letters

    Flat cut letters are letters that have been cut from the material of your choice using CNC cutting machines in order to produce a three dimensional and more premium sign. Benefits of this type of lettering:

    • Provide complimentary detailing
    • Stand out & catch people eyes
    • Various fonts and shapes available
    • Modern
    • Various materials can be used to create the lettering including aluminium and acrylic

    Aluminium Letters

    • Very popular
    • Cost effective
    • Various fonts and shapes
    • Intricate detailing possible
    • Resilient & sturdy

    Flat cut lettering is very cost effective and produces great results. Sign manufacturer, Image Sign Studio, create everything in house meaning your made-to-order sign will be ready for your store-front in no time. If your business needs a fresh, new sign don’t hesitate to contact Sheffield and Rotherham based sign maker, Image Sign Studio today.

  • Reasons to get a virtual tour

    Not everyone is sold on creating a virtual tour for their business but the below reasons will show you why they are definitely worth your time. 360 Virtual View are a professional virtual tour company operating in and around Sheffield, Derbyshire and the Peak District and they’ve helped many businesses showcase their properties, businesses  and showrooms using virtual tours. Don’t shy away from this technology as it can provide you with so many benefits.

    Increase the likelihood of receiving bookings

    A virtual tour allows potential customers to get a more accurate feel for what you have on offer, increasing their confidence in you and your product and making it more likely for them to visit. Google shows that businesses who have a virtual tour on Google My Business experience an average increase of 85% in on-line bookings so by helping your customers get to know you better from the comfort of their homes definitely boosts your bookings.

    Increase interactions with potential customers

    It can be difficult to engage with new customers and attract people to your business using social media and on-line tools. This is where a virtual tour comes in. Virtual tours offer an excellent, natural solution as they provide an engaging post that can be accessed by anyone and at any-time. A virtual tour generates more interest and once it’s been created and posted on-line you don’t have to do anything else but sit back while potential customers enjoy the opportunity and experience of touring your business before actually visiting.

    Showcase your business around the clock on-line

    As mentioned above, once your virtual tour is posted it is available to potential customers at their convenience. This means even when you’re closed for the day your virtual tour can still be accessed and viewed 24/7. This increased exposure helps your business sell more and gain more customers.

    Reach more customers with little effort

    Having a virtual tour available is a natural draw for people, you’ll experience an increase in the number of customers visiting your site as well as your store. A virtual tour is an interactive experience and people will like, comment and share encouraging others to take a look too. Your customer reach will naturally increase and people will find the virtual tour a more personal and inviting touch.

    Give your business a competitive edge

    By having a 360 virtual tour you can get your business displayed on Google Street View allowing potential customers to find your location and take a look around your business before actually visiting. Many people take a look at nearby businesses using Google Street View so there is no doubt this will give you a competitive edge and will generate more custom.

    Find out more

    360 Virtual View is a professional virtual tour company, working around Sheffield, Derbyshire and the Peak District. If you’re looking for a Sheffield virtual tour or would like to find out more about our stunning virtual tours then do not hesitate to contact us. 360 Virtual View offer a range of services suitable for all business types.

    Call us today on 0114 383 0711

  • A Virtual Tour as easy as 1,2,3,4

    A Virtual Tour as easy as 1,2,3,4

    Virtual tours are becoming increasingly sought after as effective marketing material. With the realization of their online value for potential customers, many businesses are now investing in virtual tours. With the sudden growth comes misunderstandings and uncertainties about what you can expect from a virtual tour company. As an experienced and highly regarded virtual tour company operating in the Sheffield, Derbyshire and Peak District areas we wanted to help customers get the most from their virtual tours, so below are 4 questions to ask your virtual tour company before hiring.

    1) What equipment will you use for the virtual tour?

    It’s important to ensure the company you choose is experienced, there are a lot of amateurs jumping into the business and if you don’t use the right equipment you won’t get the high definition that is needed for a virtual tour. Ideally, a DSLR camera should be used in order to get the image quality that’s necessary. A gimmicky camera will not produce the same level of quality and will not impress your potential clients so make sure the virtual tour company is using high quality and professional equipment.

    2) Can I see some of your previous virtual tours?

    Find out how many virtual tours the company has done before and take a look at their previous work. You can often find some examples of the companies work on their website so it is definitely worth taking a look. You can get an idea of how experienced the company is and by reviewing some of their work you can know the standard of the tours they offer. Pay attention to detail as if you were reviewing your own business’s virtual tour.

    Not sure what to look for in their tour examples? Below are some top tips:

    • Lighting is very important for photos and this remains true for virtual tours. The lighting needs to be right otherwise you miss important details or your eye is drawn elsewhere.
    • Transition between rooms. You want the transitions to be smooth, it shouldn’t be clunky or feel unnatural.
    • Are your eyes being drawn to the right features?
    • Unwanted features. Are there features in the tour that take away from the experience? e.g. bins, faces, personal information etc.

    3) What rooms will be photographed?

    It is important to ask this so you can be clear on what will be included in the tour. This is an important question as sometimes photographers pick and choose which rooms to include, this can be for good reason and produce an effective end product but if the photographer isn’t experienced it could just be them trying to simplify the project.  

    4) Should the business be empty for the tour?

    The virtual tour company will be able to offer suggestions on whether staff or clients should be around for the virtual tour. More often than not, the virtual tour is more effective when there are no people so the focus can be on what your business has to offer customers.  There can be occasions where there are benefits to having people around so it’s definitely something to discuss with the photographer.

    If you’re looking for a virtual tour Sheffield, Derbyshire or Peak District then 360 Virtual View will be able to help. Experience is key to producing seamless virtual tours, if you’d like to see our previous work, get in touch by calling 0114 383 0711 or via www.360virtualview.co.uk

    If you’re looking for a virtual tour Sheffield, Derbyshire or Peak District then 360 Virtual View will be able to help. Experience is key to producing seamless virtual tours, if you’d like to see our previous work, get in touch by calling 0114 383 0711 or via https://360virtualview.co.uk

  • Sheffield Virtual Tour Company

    Sheffield Virtual Tour Company

    With so much marketing and promotion now happening online, businesses are looking for new ways to catch customers eyes and stand out from the competition. This is where the innovative virtual tour comes in, by bringing the best aspects of your business to the spotlight you can grab customers attention and increase sales with ease. Read on to discover what a virtual tour 360 actually is and the benefits for your business. If you are in need of a virtual tour company and you are based around the Sheffield, Derbyshire and Peak District areas contact, 360 Virtual View for more information today.

    Taking a closer look

    A virtual tour is basically a simulation of a location created using photography, 360 panoramas with the photographs carefully stitched together and narration, sound effects or text added in. This allows potential customers to see and experience your location before actually going there, giving them a sense of the location. The customer can explore the location as they’d like by clicking or dragging on the screen. This interactive take can benefit a range of locations from restaurants and hotels to estate agents to theatres. Hospitals have even used them to make kids feel less nervous about visiting the children’s ward. The goal of an interactive tour is to create a realistic representation of the establishment to truly immerse the customer in the experience.

    Benefits of getting a virtual tour

    Increase Exposure

    An interactive tour catches people’s attention, it generates interest and impresses potential customers. The virtual tour will bring more traffic to your website and your establishment will appear on Google Street View.

    Packed full of visual information

    A photograph simply does not do your business justice; a 3D tour immerses the viewer and allows them to appreciate what you have to offer.

    Around the clock “open house”

    Once your virtual tour has been created it will go online and can work its magic whenever someone goes on your website. It is a revolutionary marketing tool that is available for your potential customers 24/7.

    Cost effective

    By having this feature you are likely to increase sales as the more information you offer, the more confident the customer will be in your product. A virtual tour 360 is a cost-effective way to increase traffic to your website, increase sales and help grow your business.

    Interactive and engaging

    A potential customer will spend more time on your website if you offer a virtual tour. It separates your business from the competition and brings a unique interaction between your business and your customer.

    Why use a virtual tour company?

    On first glance, you may think you’ll be able to create your own virtual reality tour without going through a company but this is a very difficult thing to achieve. A virtual tour 360 requires professional photography, editing and mapping in order to work effectively. A virtual tour company will often use specialist cameras and software to create the finished tours you see. In fact, if you work with Sheffield virtual tour provider, 360 Virtual View, your tours will be made with 4K photography meaning they will be of the highest quality.

    Get in touch with 360 Virtual View today on 0114 383 0711 or via the website www.360virtualview.co.uk to get started with your virtual tour

  • The Perfect Wedding Dance floor

    Are you looking to add an extra sparkle to your wedding day? If you are hoping your guests will get up to dance and enjoy the happiest day of your life by your side, take a look at hiring an LED dance floor for the occasion. Weddings take a lot of time and effort to organize so take some of the stress away by letting us handle the dance floor. There’s no doubt that the dance floor is an essential part of the party and dance floor hire with Fun4Hire makes it even easier to guarantee a great dance will be had by all.

    What is an LED dancefloor?

    Perfect for weddings and events, an LED dancefloor is a fun and easy to fit portable dancefloor that twinkles with star lights. It creates a romantic atmosphere and the perfect area for dancing, no matter what the size of the venue. These dancefloors are low maintenance, quick and easy to install and look divine. They add a modern, stylish and inviting twist that people absolutely love.

    Why choose LED dancefloor hire?

    Hiring a dance floor is an affordable way to ensure your special day has a clean, appealing and eye-catching space for your first dance and for your guests to enjoy. The first dance is such a special and intimate moment, why not use the romance of stars underfoot to bring even more magic? This dance floor gives a beautiful effect for you wedding photos and can be enjoyed day and night. Dance floor rental is incredibly popular as it is easy, stress free and completely customizable. You choose what you like and what best suits your occasion and Fun4Hire will deliver it to you, it’s as simple as that.

    Benefits

    Dancefloor rental easily transforms any space into a sleek, stylish and wedding-ready venue. It’s become one of the latest wedding trends for a reason and all you have to do is glance at photos of a wedding with an LED dance floor to see why so many brides are over the moon dancing amongst the stars.

    • The versatility of the LED dance floor hire is incredible, the dance floor is made up of tiles which are secured together meaning you could use them to create a gorgeous walkway or dance floor. You can create the perfect dance floor to suit any space.
    • The tiles lock into place, are durable and very easy to clean so no shoes or spillages will damage the dance floor.
    • Creates a fun environment where the dance floor becomes a centrepiece and encourages the party.
    • Perfect for photographs – the effect the LED dance floor brings to wedding photographs is stunning. Couple even decide to place the wedding cake in the centre of the dance floor purely for the gorgeous photo opportunity the dance floor creates.

    Of course, these dance floors are ideal for any event. If you’d like more information or you’d like to book LED dance floor hire for you wedding simply contact Fun4Hire today on 07903 973 963 or via their website www.fun4hire.net. The team are more than happy to discuss the dance floor options with you and can deliver items across Yorkshire and beyond.

  • What is a backlit sign?

    What is a backlit sign?
    What is a backlit sign?

    An important consideration for any business, event or promotional drive should be signage. Signs can be used to not only help spread your message but also attract customers and set yourself apart from your competition. Investing in a sign is a significant step towards reinforcing your brand but it is not surprising that many businesses aren’t sure where to start when deciding on a sign that suits them. If you’re asking yourself what kind of sign is best for your business then we can help. There are various formats available in order to ensure you can create the eye-catching impact desired in every circumstance, but today we are going to focus on just one: the backlit sign.

    One of the most popular sign types (and one that we absolutely love) is the backlit sign. Ultimately, these are signs that are illuminated using a light source behind the design in order to draw peoples eye and spread the desired message loud and clear. The backlit sign is highly versatile and works in your favour around the clock, something many signs are unable to do after sunset which results in your business losing out on valuable marketing time.

    A backlit sign is great for use both inside and outside and are often seen in shopping centres, airports, bus stops and building signage. There are many benefits to choosing a backlit sign including:

    • Increased visibility at night
    • Clear and easy to read – even from afar
    • Colourful and eye-catching
    • Stand out from the crowd
    • Perfect for promoting your business or message

    The sign is created with a light source behind and the printed graphic over the top. LED lights are most commonly used as the light source due to their effectiveness. On top of this, they are also incredibly energy efficient; the LED lights provide an impressive level of brightness while using small amounts of energy, this makes them an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. Your design will not only stand out but will also be full of detail and clarity. The back lighting even helps your sign design to appear enhanced.

    Printing backlit signs is becoming more and more versatile thanks to the technology available today and this means you can literally create exactly the kind of sign you require without breaking the bank to afford it. The combination of the durability and the eye-catching vividness of backlit signs plays a vital part in their ever-increasing popularity.

    If you have an idea in mind for a backlit sign, contact Image Sign Studio today for professional, high quality and carefully designed signs that will help you spread your message in a loud, clear and refined way.  We operate in the Sheffield and Rotherham areas and pride ourselves on helping businesses realize their creative goals.

    For more informaiton on Backlit Signs, get in touch

  • 4 Ways Your Business Can Make a Great First Impression

    4 Ways Your Business Can Make a Great First Impression
    4 Ways Your Business Can Make a Great First Impression

    First impressions count. We all know it and we are all guilty of making split second judgements. We judge books by their covers and businesses by their signs, it happens and that is why we want to help your business make a great first impression. Positive customer experience brings with it; more sales, increased customer loyalty and the further building of your brand. If you’re in the Sheffield or Rotherham areas, Image Sign Studio can help your new customers feel welcome and satisfied from the get go (making them much more likely to come back to your business time and time again!).

    Read on to discover 4 key ways your business can make a great first impression:

    1. Have an outdoor sign that is easy to read and can be seen from a distance

    This allows you to attract customers who are passing by and lets them know that your business is close, however there is more to attracting customers than just ‘putting up a sign’. In order for the potential customer to want to use your business the sign needs to be aesthetically pleasing, easy to see from a distance and easy to read. Stylish simplicity is often most effective.

    2. Use lighting to give your business 24-hour advertising

    By lighting up your business signage you attract peoples eye no matter what time of day it is. This complete visibility gives you a huge advantage over your competitors, but it is very important you keep your signs well maintained. There is nothing more off putting for a potential customer than seeing an old, broken or half lit business sign. In order to reap the rewards, you need to keep your signs looking smart. Lit sign options include a backlit sign, lightbox sign, LED sign and using fret cut illuminated letters.

    3. Be welcoming

    A customer’s experience begins as soon as they hear about your business. Maybe they have been online and visited your website, maybe they were driving in the area and saw one of your signs – whatever way they found you, you need to make sure the experience is top notch from the start… Is your website clear? Are the contact details easy to find? Is your business sign clear and easy to read? Does the customer feel welcome at the door? Think about these things. What does your customer see when they are about to enter your business? Your customer doesn’t want to walk into a shop with big stickers on the door saying “NO” maybe you have door signs saying “NO DOGS” or “NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED”, this can give off a negative vibe early on so you may try to make the first impression better by simply changing the signs. Maybe you could use signs that say, “Come in, we’re open!” or “Yes we accept credit cards” to make customers feel welcome.

    4. Make sure the entrance is obvious

    By having a well-designed sign at your entrance, you can not only give clear direction to your shop but you also make a fantastic first impression. Your sales revenue could increase by close to 5% just from the use of one powerful sign. Your signs are all about first impressions and guiding potential customers to your door. By using signs to their full potential, you allow a customer to feel confident in your business and product before they’ve even stepped in the door. Always make sure your sign is easy to read for the best impact – there are many different material and lettering options available so find one that makes your message pop: your sign letters could be acrylic, flat cut, aluminium or perspex.

    Find out more

    For more information about getting a new sign for your business from Image Sign Studio – including backlit signs – give them a call on 0114 261 7617 or contact us through their contact page