Questions from a numbty

I Need Help
#1

Hi Bloc-heads.
I re-design my site every year or so, and have done is in Blocs since Blocs 1.xx was out (from Freeway).
apswoodwork
I’m no coder, but I can fumble my way through most issues with the help of you guys.
I’m now going to gradually update my site from scratch in B3, and have a few questions.
The first regarding galleries has been partly answered by @casey1823. Image galleries
I have more;

  • The first being how do I create a https site, and what are the pros and cons?
    The main reason revolves around using a recaptcha.
  • Also am I correct I’m thinking the general rule for a good design currently is more image content, light on the animation, nothing too dark and stripped back text?
  • Finally, I don’t understand anything about SEO, apart form it’s important.
    I don’t need to generate work as I have a full years bookings, but I like to keep things f-f-fresh.

Thanks

#2

I’ve added https to all my sites. Chrome and now Safari shows “not secure” when you log in to a website. Most web hosting companies now provide the https free with hosting services.

There are many ways to do this but one simple way is to just add some redirect code on the website server. @Flashman provided me with this code and it has worked well for me.

I just log into my hosting company, go the site directory and search for the .htaccess file.
I then just edit the file and add the following. If you don’t have a .htaccess file you can create one.

"Rember if you have a current file to always back up that file before changing"

I’m sure there are other ways that this can be done but it has worked well for me

Casey

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.(.)
RewriteRule ^.$ https://%1/$1 [R=301,L]

RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R,L]

#3

Starting or rebuilding a website is always fun and challenging. Trends are continually changing.

Just do a search for website design trends, there is a lot of good information to read.

Search for website color trends also, lots of good resources,

Search for a business similar to your company. I like doing this just to see what others are like. I might find one feature on several sites that I can use on mine. You don’t have to copy exactly but it gives you ideas.

Look at some of the great websites from this community.

For me, readability is #1. I’ve seen some great designs only to have them hard to read. Shorter paragraphs, Fonts size and color contrast really help make a good site.

Hope this helps get you going, I’m sure others will have some input.

Casey

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#4

Thanks for taking the time to reply @casey1823

#5

You will need an htaccess redirect code and that has proven very solid for me, but you will also need to install an SSL certificate on the server itself. Most web hosts provide Let’s Encrypt with one click installs and automatic renewal as standard now.

I have since enabled HSTS on my own sites, but that is a bigger step in the sense that there is no going back from https after that and it applies to every level, including sub domains.

#6

Thanks @Flashman.
I don’t trade through my site or gather data so I don’t think I’ll worry about it yet.

#7

HSTS is a more advanced step for sure and you don’t need to worry about that. My point was simply that the htaccess code is not enough by itself to have a secure https website. You will also need to install an SSL certificate or all traffic will be flagged as a site pretending to be secure.

Https offers advantages in security, seo and speed, so for me it’s a no brainer on any site.

#8

Ok. If you think it’s important, but I guess there’s a cost so I’ll contact TSOhost to ask how much.

#9

Most web hosts use Let’s Encrypt. It’s free with a one click install in cPanel. It looks like you are covered.

https://www.tsohost.com/blog/cloud-update-free-lets-encrypt-ssls-now-supported

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#10

Your a star, thanks.
I’ll start setting up my new pages with this and as it develops I’ll migrate over.

#11

Well @casey1823, @Flashman, that was easy thanks, hppps site secure :heavy_check_mark:
Now I need to understand SEO and wait for a decent slider in app to match the one I use for my head bloc and feedback

1 Like