Editorial image of a WooCommerce logo displayed on a computer screen

WooCommerce 10.2 Released: What’s New and What It Means for Your Store

Hello from O’Brien Media! We’re excited to share that WooCommerce 10.2 has officially been released (16th September 2025). This update introduces a range of improvements designed to make online stores faster, more flexible, and easier to manage. Whether we built your store or you manage it yourself, here’s a breakdown of what’s new and how to get ready for the update. 🚀 Key...
Read More
MacBook on a clean office desk representing modern web design and performance

Swindon WordPress Website Design and Web Development

WordPress Website Design & Web Development Specialists in Swindon, working UK wide We are specialists in WordPress website design & web development in Swindon, with customers across the UK. Contact us about WordPress Websites Moving from a website builder? We don't just work with WordPress, get in touch about your web design project today! WordPress will help grow your business! WordPress...
Read More

Brewing Up Success: Launching Blue Palm Coffee’s New Website

We’re excited to share that we’ve been working with Blue Palm Coffee, a family-run business with deep roots in Jamaica, to launch their brand-new website selling Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee online: www.bluepalmcoffee.co.uk. Blue Palm Coffee’s story began in Kingston, Jamaica, where Rachel discovered the unique taste and culture of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. It wasn’t just a drink...
Read More

Local SEO in Swindon: Get Found, Get Customers

If you run a small business in Swindon, being found by people nearby isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s the difference between an empty diary and a steady stream of enquiries. Local SEO helps your business show up when someone searches “near me” or “in Swindon”, especially in the Google Map Pack. At O’Brien Media, we design, build, host, and support websites that don’t just look the...
Categories: SEO
Read More

How Elementor Empowers Businesses to Take Control of Their Website Content

One of the biggest frustrations we hear from new clients is that they can’t update their websites without waiting on a developer – or worse, paying every time they want to make a tiny change. That’s where Elementor comes in. It’s a game-changer for business owners who want more control over their online presence without needing to write a single line of code. What is Elementor? Elementor...
Read More
A clean and modern flat lay of a creative workspace featuring a smartphone displaying an Instagram post focused on authentic content without hashtags. Surrounded by a laptop, coffee cup, notebook, and a small potted plant, the setup is bathed in soft natural light, creating a fresh and professional vibe.

Are Hashtags Dead on Instagram? Why SEO and Authenticity Now Matter Most

For years, hashtags were the go-to tactic for growing reach on Instagram. From #ThrowbackThursday to #InstaGood, businesses and creators relied on them to get their content seen by more people. But in 2025, the landscape has shifted. Hashtags aren’t driving discovery in the way they once did. Instead, Instagram has become more like a search engine — one that rewards well-optimised content,...
Read More

“Cannot send email” and “not valid email address” error on iOS

If you are experiencing problems sending email from an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, etc) with an error headed "Cannot Send Email" and error message of " is not a valid email address and has been rejected by the server. The message has been placed in your Outbox." then you may need to set up SMTP Authentication, to log into your email account before sending emails. Please see our support article...
Read More

How to Enable SMTP Authentication for Sending Emails

SMTP authentication is essential for securing your outgoing email and ensuring it is delivered successfully. Most modern email clients support SMTP authentication, and it's a necessary step for sending emails via mail.obrienmedia.co.uk. What is SMTP Authentication? SMTP authentication (or SMTP AUTH) is a process that email clients use to log in to an SMTP server before sending emails. It helps to...
Read More