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Why Having Your Own Website is More Important Than Ever (Even If You’re on Social Media)

Chris Grant (he/him) April 14, 2025 0 Comments

It’s 2025, and you’d be hard pressed to find a business that isn’t on social media. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or LinkedIn, having a social presence is almost expected. But here’s a truth bomb: social media alone just isn’t enough. If you’re running your business purely from your Facebook page or Insta profile, you might be missing out on the chance to really connect,...

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How SEO benefits builders, and gardening businesses

Andrei Ghimpu April 10, 2025 0 Comments

Hello there! Today we're diving into the not-so-mysterious world of SEO and how it boosts businesses like builders and gardening businesses. Have you ever wondered how your competitor is raking in customers while you're waiting for the phone to ring? 📞 Well, I might have the answer, and it's simpler than you think! This article explores the magic wand that is Search Engine Optimization (SEO),...

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Google Says the Disavow Tool Isn’t for Routine Use

Andrei Ghimpu April 09, 2025 0 Comments

Here’s What You Need to Know If you’re regularly disavowing links as part of your SEO maintenance checklist – Google says you might be wasting your time. At the recent Search Central Live event in New York, Google’s John Mueller clarified the role of the Disavow Tool during a Q&A session, and his comments might surprise some in the SEO community. In short: for most website owners, the...

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Tea Break Read – Respect Our Feathered Friends: Protecting Wild Birds This Spring and Beyond

Chris Grant (he/him) April 09, 2025 0 Comments

As the days grow longer and the air fills with birdsong, it's clear that spring has arrived—a crucial time for our wild birds. Nesting season is one of the busiest and most vulnerable periods for birdlife across the UK. Here at O'Brien Media, we want to highlight the importance of treading carefully and respecting nature, not just now but throughout the year. Understanding Legal Protections The...

MacBook on a glass table near a person, representing a modern website in development

Why We Use WordPress and Elementor to Build Small Business Websites

Chris Grant (he/him) April 08, 2025 0 Comments

At O'Brien Media, we specialise in building websites that not only look fantastic but also empower our clients to take control of their online presence. For most of the websites we create for small businesses, we use WordPress combined with the powerful Elementor visual editor. This combo gives our customers the freedom to manage and grow their websites without needing to call a developer every...

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How We Use AI at O’Brien Media (and Why It’s a Game-Changer for Our Team and Clients)

Jenny O'Brien April 07, 2025 0 Comments

AI is everywhere these days—from powering the apps we use daily to transforming how businesses operate behind the scenes. At O'Brien Media, we’ve embraced AI not as a buzzword or a replacement for creativity, but as a powerful tool to support our work and enhance the services we provide to our clients. Whether you’re working with us on a web design project, SEO, digital marketing, or...

Yellow smiley face cookies on a tray, representing emojis and messaging

Fixing Emoji Display Issues in Android Texts: A Quick Guide

Jenny O'Brien April 03, 2025 0 Comments

Emojis are a fun and expressive way to communicate, but what happens when they stop showing up in your Android text messages? Whether you’re seeing blank boxes or missing characters, it can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Here are a few ways to get your emojis working properly again – and they’re all things you can do yourself, no tech wizardry required. 1. Clear Your Messaging App’s Cache...

Google Play’s Alternative Billing Systems: What Parents Need to Know

Chris Grant (he/him) April 01, 2025 0 Comments

If you're a parent whose child uses an Android device, you may have noticed something new when they make purchases in their apps. Google has introduced what they call alternative billing systems for in-app purchases on Google Play. But what does that actually mean? And how does it affect you and your family? Let’s break it down in simple terms. What is an alternative billing system? When you or...

Top-down view of a laptop on a desk featured in the blog “Putting Fairness First”

Putting Fairness First: Our Commitment to Treating Customers Fairly

Chris Grant (he/him) March 28, 2025 0 Comments

At O'Brien Media, we’re all about transparency, respect, and doing right by our customers. That’s why we have a dedicated Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) policy — a promise that’s built into everything we do, but something that not everyone knows about. So, what is Treating Customers Fairly? It’s a set of principles that ensure every interaction you have with us — whether you're just...

The £19.99 Pricing Dilemma: How a Penny Could Be Costing Your Amazon Sales

Jenny O'Brien March 26, 2025 0 Comments

In the competitive world of Amazon UK, pricing strategies can significantly impact a seller's success. A common tactic is charm pricing—setting prices just below a round number, such as £19.99 instead of £20. While this approach traditionally appeals to consumers by making prices seem lower, it may inadvertently hinder sales due to Amazon's delivery policies and consumer purchasing...