• Speak to a designer in Swindon
    Call today on 01793 239 239
  • Here for you weekdays
    from 9am to 4:30pm
  • 18 years creating websites
    in Swindon, Wiltshire

The O’Brien Media Digital Insider Blog

The O'Brien Media Insider

Welcome to the O’Brien Media Insider – Your Go-To for Digital Insights and Business Know-How

The O’Brien Media Insider is your behind-the-scenes look at all things digital, creative, and business-focused. From web design trends and SEO tips to small business insights and local Swindon highlights, our blog covers a bit of everything – just like we do at O’Brien Media.

Whether you’re a client, collaborator, or curious visitor, this is the place to catch up on the latest from our team, explore practical advice, and get inspired to grow your digital presence. Dive in and see what’s new!

a person using laptop and checking OBrien Media website
Business
Chris Grant (he/him)

A quick refresher about O’Brien Media

We’re an award-winning website design company with offices in Swindon, Wiltshire, and Shoreditch, London. We provide a range of website and web application design and development solutions to businesses and organisations across

Read More »
Etsy painting on a desktop
Small Business Spotlight
Chris Grant (he/him)

Small Business Spotlight: MLSPaintings

This issue of Small Business Spotlight focuses on the artwork and business of MLSPaintings, an Etsy based business you will love for the artistic flair of its owner, Morag.

Read More »
WordPress
Chris Grant (he/him)

WordPress 5.4.2 is now available, upgrade today!

WordPress 5.4.2 is now available to be installed and fixes a small mix of bugs and security issues – so we recommend installing it as soon as you can to keep your site running at its best. For O’Brien Media customers with support agreements, WordPress 5.4.2 will be installed as part of your monthly maintenance service,

Read More »
gray sheet logo
BigCommerce
Andy Smart

Making the move from Blueprint to Stencil based themes in BigCommerce

If you’re using BigCommerce, but are still on the Blueprint theme, you should get in touch with us today to discuss an upgrade.  Built on a rigid codebase, Blueprint is very much a “legacy”, out of date theme.  For instance, not only is Blueprint not fully responsive, but the Stencil upgrade contains many enhancements to configuration so it’s a lot easier to use.

Read More »
Google my business icon
News
Andy Smart

Want more website exposure? Get set up with Google My Business

You’ll notice when you “Google” a shop or restaurant, you’re often presented with a map showing results in your local area. What you might not know, is that this is entirely free – and is a way of advertising your business quickly and easily to people searching. It’s not only for people with something physical to sell, either!

Read More »
two persons sitting on a sofa, one checking his tablet and another person checking her laptop
Website Design
Andy Smart

Why use a web designer (in Swindon) over a DIY web builder

One of the questions we’re regularly asked when engaging in new projects is what makes us different from so-called “website builders” – web-based software that allow you to create your own website yourself.  What sets O’Brien Media apart?  Why spend the extra money (we don’t deny that yes, we may well be more expensive). 

Read More »
People (men and women) in a line / queue at the supermarket
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Alex Swabey

Back to business – What does post-lockdown business look like?

It has been over two months since the government asked us all to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With restrictions beginning to ease, businesses up and down the country are trying to figure out how to start welcoming customers again while minimising risk to themselves or their patrons.

Read More »