Drupal 7 End of Life: What It Means and How to Prepare

Chris Grant (he/him) November 19, 2024 0 Comments

As of 5 January 2025, Drupal 7 will officially reach its end of life (EOL), bringing over 14 years of service to a close. This milestone signifies the cessation of community support, security updates, and official maintenance for Drupal 7. Website owners and administrators using Drupal 7 must act promptly to ensure their sites remain secure and functional. At O'Brien Media, we’re ready to help...

WebP Explained: Faster Websites, Better Images

Chris Grant (he/him) November 17, 2024 0 Comments

Why WebP Images Are Revolutionising Web Design In the ever-evolving world of web design, delivering high-quality visuals while ensuring fast website performance is a constant challenge. Enter WebP, an innovative image format developed by Google to address this very issue. Offering efficient compression without compromising image quality, WebP is a win for both website designers and visitors. A...

How to Balance Quality, Speed, and Cost Without Sacrificing Your Website’s Potential

Andrei Ghimpu November 15, 2024 0 Comments

In the world of website design and development, there’s a phrase that’s become notorious over time: “Good, Fast, Cheap – Pick Two.” It’s a tempting idea, suggesting that a client could choose two out of three options: high quality, quick delivery, or low cost. But as O'Brien Media has observed in our years of experience, this notion is more of a myth than a reliable guide. In many...

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The Debate Over “Above the Fold” in Web Design: A Balanced Perspective

Chris Grant (he/him) November 11, 2024 0 Comments

The concept of “above the fold” in web design has long been a cornerstone of layout strategy. Originating from the print industry—where key headlines were displayed on the top half of the newspaper to attract buyers—“above the fold” has maintained a prominent position in digital design. But in today’s evolving web environment, how relevant is this concept? Below, we explore both...

How Much Should a Web Designer Cost? Web Design Pricing in 2024

Andrei Ghimpu November 06, 2024 0 Comments

For many businesses, investing in a professional website is a significant decision. The cost of web design can vary widely, with options ranging from DIY builders to bespoke, fully customised sites crafted by skilled web designers. But with so many factors at play, how do you know how much a web designer should cost and what you’re actually paying for? In this guide, we’ll break down the...

Rising Website Design Costs: How O’Brien Media are Keeping Prices Low Amid Increases

Andrei Ghimpu November 04, 2024 0 Comments

In recent years, the website design industry has seen significant cost increases due to various factors, including technological advancements, rising labour costs, and the growing complexity of digital projects. As more businesses recognise the importance of a professional online presence, demand for high-quality website design has surged, and so too have the costs involved in meeting that...

Utilising Robots.txt to Optimise Crawling Efficiency

Chris Grant (he/him) June 13, 2024 0 Comments

Google recently reiterated the importance of using the robots.txt file to manage web crawlers effectively, particularly for blocking action URLs such as "add to cart" or "add to wishlist" links. This reminder is crucial for web administrators looking to optimise server resources and enhance user experience. Understanding Robots.txt The robots.txt file is a text document placed in the root...

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The Psychology of Colour in Web Design

Chris Grant (he/him) June 08, 2024 0 Comments

Colour plays a vital role in our perception of the world, we've written before, way back in 2014, about what your choice of brand colours mean for your business. Colour can influence emotions, behaviour, and even decision-making processes. In the realm of web design, understanding the psychology of colour is essential for creating engaging, effective, and aesthetically pleasing websites. At...

Cheap vs Value: The Key to Successful Website Design

Chris O'Brien March 25, 2024 0 Comments

In the digital era, your website often forms the first impression potential clients have of your business. It's your digital shop front, a salesperson that works tirelessly, and most importantly, a platform that represents your brand's ethos, vision, and professionalism. This pivotal role demands careful consideration when choosing a partner for your website design project. At O'Brien Media, we...

Why O’Brien Media Still Champions the Classic WordPress Editor

Chris Grant (he/him) October 22, 2023 0 Comments

In the ever-evolving world of web development, choices abound. One such choice that has garnered attention in recent years is the selection between WordPress's Classic Editor and the newer Gutenberg Block Editor. At O'Brien Media, we've made a conscious decision to stick with the Classic Editor for our website design and development projects. Here's why: 1. Simplicity and Familiarity The Classic...

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