Zest in Bath are a firm of local estate agents established in 2008, by Glen Perry, who runs it with his wife Beth. They have since achieved a Gold award at the British Property Awards, three years running, and been voted as Business of the Year by Best of Bath.

Zest were very interested from the outset in what we could achieve for them, especially in light of the results we’ve achieved for Bristol based letting agents, Hopewell.

Zest Estate Agents homepage

The Challenge

This wasn’t going to be a small website design project as the site had to integrate seamlessly with Vibra Alto, Zests’ in-house property management software. Having used the fantastic Property Hive suite of plugins on previous projects this was our go to choice for Zests’ new website.

In addition Zest required additional functionality, including an integration with Locrating, a tool that displays local amenities, sold prices, transport links and local school information such as catchment areas and Ofsted reports.

Zest has an increasing portfolio of student properties to let, so it was important to be able to display these on the website clearly. To that end we created a separate section of the website aimed at students and with distinct branding.

After the website build, we were tasked with growing the website’s search presence across a number of property related keywords in Bath. In a highly competitive and lucrative property market like Bath, that meant a lot of work to do.

What We Did

The website was a custom design and WordPress build, based on Property Hive’s standard framework, that gave us the code with all of the hooks that we needed to integrate with their property management system. Once this was done we then set about importing the data and testing the site to make sure everything was working as it should.

With Zest’s local SEO strategy baked into the web build at the foundational level, all the initial keyword research and on-page optimisation was complete, meaning we were able to start writing additional content to go up on the new site, during the build phase.

Being involved at the web build stage allows us to really craft solid optimised websites that hold up really well and see immediate bounces in ranking when they launch (just of the many benefits of having an SEO agency build your website).

The Results

As well as creating their beautiful new website, the real benefit to Zest has come from our ongoing digital marketing work, specifically organic SEO and Google Ads. The results here have been excellent, with the site now ranking second for the coveted “letting agents Bath” keyword and getting onto page one for “estate agents Bath”.

Between the new site launching in August 2022 and January 2023, we saw a 60% increase in organic traffic, compared with the previous six months. Comparing the most recent data, from 2023 with 2024, we have seen these results really accelerate:

  • 1,316% increase in sessions on the homepage
  • 107% increase in organic search traffic
  • 227% Increase in organic search visibility
  • 71% Increase in organic search leads
  • 171% increase YoY leads from Google Ads
  • 60% Reduction in cost per lead

If you are looking to recruit a live events tech, Weston College can help businesses access fully funded* apprenticeship training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

There is still a post pandemic impact on the sector, resulting in disruptions to staffing, increased costs, and significant supply chain delays. As the industry strives to recover, this new apprenticeship provides a timely solution by developing a new generation of talented technicians capable of supporting the growing demand for live events across the UK and beyond.

The exciting Live Event Technician Apprenticeship program, designed to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the live events industry begins starts in November so dont miss out!

Live Event Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including concerts, festivals, theatrical productions, exhibitions, and conferences. Their core responsibility is to prepare, build, set up, and operate industry-standard equipment to deliver seamless live performances. In this dynamic role, technicians interact with a variety of professionals, including venue staff, production managers, designers, performers, and producers..

The Live Event Technician Apprenticeship offers a structured pathway for both new entrants and existing employees to gain the necessary technical skills and practical experience. Employers can use this program to recruit new talent or upskill current staff, ensuring that they are equipped to meet the high standards required for live event production.

For those looking to secure the future of their business and contribute to the growth of the live events sector, this apprenticeship is an ideal solution. To find out more, contact [email protected]

*For 16-21-year-olds and up to 25 if a young person has an Education Health Care Plan.

Community-based youth charity Young Bristol has become the third South West charity to win a place on the region’s Noble Deeds programme.

Set up in 2021 by Bristol-based SME Noble, the Deeds programme provides digital marketing training & support to not-for-profits, helping them deliver vital services in the area. Increasing in-line with Nobles’ own turnover, this year the support package stands at £25,000. Young Bristol will use this to upskill its marketing team and ensure its services reach the young people who need them the most

Supporting children and young adults aged 8-25 during their critical out of school hours in some of the most challenging areas of the city, Young Bristol’s mission is to provide innovative programmes that create a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of young people

With eight community youth clubs across Bristol, a mobile youth club on wheels, outdoor activity centres and an employment programme just part of what the charity offers, the support from Noble will help the Young Bristol team prioritise where its digital marketing efforts will make the most impact. As well as helping the team to learn new skills and maximise their knowledge of social media, SEO and other digital promotion techniques for a lasting impact beyond the Deeds programme

Lucy Saunders, Head of Fundraising & Development, Young Bristol, explains; “We are thrilled to be the selected charity for this year’s Noble Deeds programme. It is an incredible opportunity for our organisation to gain valuable experience and support from a team of experts. Their support will make a big difference, not only by up-skilling our team and improving our digital marketing, but also by helping us to further our reach and services to even more young people.”

With numerous deserving causes across the city that could benefit from the Deeds programme, choosing just one recipient is difficult. Previous winners have included homelessness charity Emmaus Bristol and South Bristol social enterprise Heart of BS13

Lorenzo Campbell, chair of Noble’s UK Deeds committee, said; “It’s not easy to choose between the many worthwhile entries to Deeds we receive. However, Young Bristol gives us the opportunity to work with a charity that reaches the communities right across Bristol who need their help the most. Making sure young people get the right start in life is so crucial and the passion the Young Bristol team has for that is inspiring.

“The impact the charity has can be life-changing for young people and leaves a real lasting legacy. Hopefully by helping the team enhance their own knowledge and digital marketing skills we can help them make that impact as long-lasting as possible.”

The Noble Deeds initiative was originally started over twenty-years ago by Nobles’ parent [KS1] company in Nevada, North America. Mirroring the US programme, the winning not-for-profit is chosen by an employee-led committee, with the UK Deeds programme opening every June at a free ‘Be Better Bristol’ event for local charities and businesses

The Noble team then work alongside the winning charity from September through to February each year helping them to achieve their specific objective

To find out more about Young Bristol go to https://www.youngbristol.co

To find out more about Noble go to https://nobleperforms.co.uk,

Running an e-commerce store isn’t just about selling online, it’s about understanding how your visitors are navigating and interacting with your site and how you can use that data to inform KPIs, optimise your website and determine your marketing strategy moving forward.

If you run an e-commerce shop, chances are you’ve got questions about metrics. Don’t worry – in this guide I’m going to walk you through the metrics you should be tracking, why they’re so important and what you can do with them.

What is a Conversion Rate?

A conversion happens when a website visitor completes a desired action on your site (usually by making a purchase, clicking on a pop-up or filling out an enquiry form.) Conversion rates are measured by calculating the percentage of visitors who complete said action in relation to the total number of visitors to that page. Tracking these conversions determines your business’s Return on Investment (ROI) – the higher your conversion rate, the more chance you’ll have a positive ROI.

For e-commerce businesses, a conversion is usually the completion of a purchase on your website. Think of conversions as being the final piece of the digital marketing puzzle – while driving website traffic is important, the puzzle isn’t complete without said traffic leading to an actual purchase.

Impact on KPIs and Strategy 

Conversion rates tell us a lot about what is going on in the minds of your website visitors. Measuring conversion rates is about tracking the performance of your e-commerce site and gaining an understanding of how potential customers are thinking and behaving so that you can shape your business strategy accordingly.

You might find you’re receiving a lot of traffic to your website but not seeing the conversions you’d like. Or maybe you’re receiving a lot of enquiries but no sales. The reality is that it doesn’t matter how much traffic you’re driving to your site because it’s worthless if visitors aren’t checking out.

If this is the case, it’s likely you have a conversion rate problem. In order for your e-commerce store to be a success, you need to think like a customer. What roadblocks are standing in the way of them making a purchase? Is there something wrong with your product or offering? Are you pitching to the wrong audience?

Identifying where the issue lies will help you to develop your business strategy to address the problems and inform your KPIs.

Key Metrics You Should Be Tracking 

Now you’ve got an idea of the importance of tracking metrics on your e-commerce site, it’s time to break down some of the key metrics you should be keeping an eye on:

Types of Conversion Rates 

Segmenting your conversion rates can give a more detailed insight into the efficacy of your marketing efforts. There are a few ways to segment conversion rates:

By Traffic Source: Looking at where your conversions are coming from can give you an idea of where to direct your marketing efforts. Where is your website traffic coming from? Are people visiting via Google, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn? This enables you to improve your advertising or messaging on these channels. It also informs budgetary decisions. If you’re spending a ton of money on Facebook ads but all your customers are coming from Google, then maybe it would pay to divert budget to SEO.

By Device Type: Understanding what device visitors are using allows you to tailor the user experience. With mobile commerce accounting for 66% of global e-commerce sales, it’s important that your website is optimised for mobile devices to guarantee the same customer experience is being had.

New vs Repeat Visitors: You’ll usually find that repeat customers are more likely to make a purchase than those visiting for the first time. This is due to increased trust and loyalty in your brand. Identifying the difference can help you calculate how your acquisition campaigns are performing and where you should be directing your efforts.

Conversion Rate Optimisation 

So how do you optimise conversion rates on your website? This is where Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) comes in.

Conversion Rate Optimisation is about optimising your website to encourage visitors to make a purchase. This is done by improving the user experience, messaging and design on your site to ensure they have a positive experience. The more user-friendly your site, the more trust you will build with your potential customers.

For e-commerce stores, this might be things like creating easy-to-navigate product pages and a seamless checkout experience – essentially removing any friction your visitors might face. Don’t forget to optimise your website for different devices, too.

These things may seem minor, but they make a big difference in how customers navigate your site. It’s also a pretty cost-effective way of increasing your revenue, as it allows you to lower your cost per acquisition by taking advantage of existing traffic on your site.

Don’t know where to start? Check out our free Conversion Rate Cheatsheet and we’ll give your site a health score so you can get started on improving your e-commerce website and boosting sales.

For more advice, book a discovery call with us today and find out how we can help.

Future-proof your website: migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10

As the end of Drupal 7 support looms, it’s crucial for businesses to take action and migrate to Drupal 10. Staying on Drupal 7 puts your site at risk of security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and could even damage user experience (and your reputation).

Stay tuned to learn the essential steps to assess and optimise your current Drupal 7 site, establish a robust Drupal 10 environment, and ensure a seamless migration. By following this guide, you’ll not only protect your digital presence but also position your business for future growth and innovation.

Step 1:
Assess and optimise your Drupal 7 site

Secure a comprehensive backup
Protect your existing Drupal 7 site by securing a full backup. This safety net covers both your database and files, ensuring you’re prepared for a smooth transition.

Content and module audit
This is your chance to streamline your site. Identify the content and modules that drive your business. We’ll help you eliminate outdated or redundant elements, clearing the way for a leaner, more efficient site.

Update for stability
Ensure your Drupal 7 site is fully updated to the latest version. This step not only lays a stable foundation for migration but also presents an opportunity to patch any vulnerabilities and optimise performance before the big move.

Step 2:
Establish a future-ready Drupal 10 environment

Choose the right hosting
Select a hosting environment tailored to support Drupal 10’s advanced capabilities. This stage allows you to reassess your hosting needs and choose a platform that can scale with your business, ensuring long-term reliability and speed.

Deploy Drupal 10
Our team will handle the installation of Drupal 10, setting the stage for your site’s evolution. This is your opportunity to start fresh with the latest technology, ensuring your site is equipped to handle future growth and innovation.

Initial setup and configuration
We’ll configure your site’s basic settings, aligning it with your brand’s unique identity. This is the moment to revisit your site’s core settings and make improvements that reflect your current business objectives and user needs.

Step 3:
Migrate with precision and care

Activate migrate modules
Leverage the power of Drupal 10’s Migrate modules. Our experts will ensure they’re installed and ready to work their magic. This phase is an opportunity to refine the way your data is organised, improving site efficiency and data integrity.

Seamless content migration
We’ll meticulously migrate your content – from nodes to users, and beyond – ensuring your data arrives intact and ready to drive engagement. It’s the perfect time to clean up your content, ensuring only relevant and high-quality information makes the move.

Configuration migration
Transfer your site’s configurations with precision. Whether it’s content types or views, we ensure your site’s core functions are not just preserved but optimised for better performance and user experience in Drupal 10.

Step 4:
Rebuild, redesign, and revitalise

Custom module rebuild
Rebuilding custom modules in Drupal 10 isn’t just a task – it’s an opportunity to innovate. We’ll ensure your modules are not just replicated but enhanced for improved functionality, security, and speed.

Theme overhaul
Elevate your brand’s digital presence with a redesigned theme that’s fully compatible with Drupal 10’s cutting-edge standards. This is your chance to modernise your site’s look and feel, ensuring it reflects your brand’s evolution and appeals to your target audience.

Feature testing
We rigorously test all features to guarantee that your site performs flawlessly. This stage is crucial for identifying areas where user experience can be improved, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction.

Step 5:
Launch with confidence

Comprehensive testing and debugging
Before going live, we conduct extensive testing across all platforms. Our commitment is to iron out any issues, ensuring a smooth launch. This is the final opportunity to fine-tune your site, making sure it’s in peak condition for launch.

Content accuracy review
We perform a detailed review of your migrated content, ensuring everything is aligned with your business objectives and looks impeccable. Use this stage to ensure your content strategy is up-to-date and resonates with your audience.

Go live and thrive
Once we’ve ticked all the boxes, we’ll seamlessly transition your site to Drupal 10. This launch is more than just a migration; it’s an opportunity to reintroduce your brand to the market with a stronger, more powerful digital presence.

The risks of staying on Drupal 7 – don’t get left behind

Sticking with Drupal 7 now that support has ended is a risk your business can’t afford. Without security updates, your site becomes vulnerable to attacks, risking data breaches and downtime. The lack of updates also means your site will fall behind in performance, leading to poor user experience and potential loss of business opportunities.

The clock is ticking – don’t wait until it’s too late. Migrating to Drupal 10 isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a critical step in future-proofing your digital presence. With Drupal 7 reaching the end of its life, now is the time to act.

Book your FREE consultation

Ready to make the move? Let’s talk.

Book a free consultation with our Technology Director, Steve King, and Marketing and Business Development Director, Sophie Harris. Together, we’ll map out the perfect migration strategy for your business, ensuring a smooth transition that positions you ahead of the competition.

To schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a more secure, high-performing website contact us today.

Drupal 7 is nearing end of life – could Webflow be your new CMS?

You may not have heard: Drupal 7 reaches end of life in January…

Just kidding. Of COURSE you have. It’s been the talk of the digital town for a while now. Not to mention the source of quite a few headaches as businesses scramble to work out what the next move is.

What it comes down to is this: if your current site runs on Drupal 7, you need to choose a new content management system (CMS). And preferably sooner rather than later.

‘Why the urgency?’ we hear you cry. Because when security and software updates stop, your site will be at increased danger of security breaches. And you’ll find the performance of your website becoming increasingly compromised. Staying on the old platform is a case of diminishing returns and increasing risks.

Surely an upgrade to the latest Drupal version makes the most sense? After all, it’s done you proud so far. And you’re familiar with it. Well yes, there are plenty of reasons that make it a great option.

But it’s not a total no-brainer. Let’s delve into why.

It’s not just a case of ‘Copy’ and ‘Paste’

You might imagine that a move to the latest version of Drupal would simplify the migration process. If it’s the same provider then won’t it be easier to just take your existing content and place it in the new system?

Not quite. Given all the new features and functionalities that have been added between version 7 and the latest iterations, it is still a major undertaking.

But migration has the potential to be a lengthy process whichever platform you choose. So it’s important to make your decision carefully.

Hold on, how long will migration take?

We’re glad you asked! This does depend on the size of your website and the number of assets to be transferred. But let’s break down the steps you’ll need to take to get your new website up and running:

1.        Partner with an experienced web-migration expert who can help streamline the process, suggest new features and test it all before the final launch.

2.        Audit your existing website and make a note of all your pages, site functionalities and content, including page URLs.

3.        Create a new site and design a repeatable migration process to transfer all the content over from your existing site.

4.        Carry out multiple tests to ensure your new site will run smoothly after launch, replacing the test content with the final content when you are happy.

5.        Prepare to launch – set up the new site and switch your web address to the new version. Make sure all your webform submissions are safely migrated and you’re good to go.

That might sound daunting, but not only will migration future-proof your site it also offers some exciting possibilities.

New CMS, new opportunities

Chances are, you’ll have experienced a few issues with your old site. Choosing your new CMS is a great chance to iron some of these out. Plus add additional capabilities so you can showcase what you do in a more effective/dynamic way.

And it might be that Webflow gives you more flexibility.

Why Webflow might be the one for you

Once you’ve conducted your website audit (see step 1 above), you and your chosen migration partner will have a much clearer understanding of your new requirements. And, depending on what you need, Webflow might offer the best performance.

Streamlined from start to finish

Webflow represents something of a one-stop shop: its low code/no code approach means you don’t need a development team (or front-end and back-end developers) to create your website, and you don’t need painstakingly built plugins or modules.

Each software element is designed specifically to run on the platform. And you can choose from a vast array of third-party integrations. All of which makes your website simpler and faster to build. And adds up to faster page loads as there are no external layers to run.

The Webflow application will also save you time by managing the maintenance of your site and all your integrations, take care of CDM delivery and ensure the website stays live.

Even better, any future changes can be made by one designer and developed on the platform at the same time.

A creativity first approach

Webflow sees itself as a ‘visual-first’ platform which puts fewer boundaries in the way of your imagination.

Code-based websites require multiple steps to build as each iteration or change bounces back between design and development teams.

Webflow allows a designer to build out your site as they go. And with millions of third-party integration options available, it’s easy to find what you need to make your ideas come alive.

Enhanced scalability and SEO

You might be concerned that the low code/no code approach means your site will face limitations. That’s simply not the case. Webflow allows you to address global audiences with native localisation, which is excellent for boosting your SEO and allows you to build strong domain authority with each localisation sitting under a single URL.

We know that’s a lot to take in. If you’d like help making your decision, talk to our experts today.

Our Google Ads campaign achieved a Return On Ad Spend (ROAS) of 16.09 and helped Holt Farm sell every pitch at their independent campsite for Glastonbury 2024. And all that in just eight weeks.

About

Holt Farm is a new luxury camping concept for Glastonbury 2024, created by one of our long term clients, Yurtel.

With guaranteed pitches just 200 metres from the festival’s main entrance and amenities such as clean toilets, hot showers, organic food vendors, and even a wild spa, Holt Farm is designed for comfort and community, allowing groups to camp together in a secure, well-equipped environment. 

The Challenge

Holt Farm was a brand new offering around one of the most famous and popular festivals in the world, Glastonbury. After a delayed start, the challenge wasn’t selling the festival but selling a large number of pitches in a relatively short window of time (just a few weeks).

With so much noise and buzz in the build up to the Glastonbury festival, standing out and making sales via Google Ads needed to happen quickly and effectively. This was a high pressure, high speed campaign.

We also had the support of this being a multi-channel campaign, with brand awareness being built by the client on Facebook and Instagram as well.

What We Did

The Results

Our results can be seen in the tables below:

Conversion Rate: 3.44%

When it comes to building a professional, customisable, and easy-to-manage website for a client, WordPress stands out as one of the most popular and versatile platforms available.

Whether the website is for small businesses, corporate enterprises, or personal projects, WordPress provides a robust set of features that make it an excellent choice for creating our client websites.

Here’s why the web design team at eckhoMedia think WordPress is so great:

https://www.eckhomedia.co.uk/why-wordpress-is-the-best-choice-for-client-websites/

WordPress is an open-source platform, meaning it’s free to use and constantly improved by a global community of developers. For clients, this translates into lower development costs and no expensive licensing fees. While the core platform is free, clients may choose to pay for premium themes, plugins, or hosting, which allows flexibility in budgeting.

Moreover, since WordPress is open-source, developers can build custom solutions without being restricted by proprietary software limitations.

If you are interested in finding out more about our services and what we offer please contact us today for a free quotation.

Social media expert and Bristol Creative Industries member Luan Wise recently delivered a series of BCI events focused on practical insights for using LinkedIn to make connections, boost your business and find work. The first was tips on optimising your LinkedIn profile.

Dan Martin summarises her brilliant advice. 

—-

LinkedIn is one of the oldest social media networks having launched in 2003. It now has over one billion members in 200 countries and regions worldwide.

LinkedIn’s mission is to “connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful”, with the vision of “creating economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce”.

Key questions to ask when building your LinkedIn profile

Luan advises asking yourself the following questions to ensure your LinkedIn profile is relevant and beneficial to what you are trying to achieve.

What will you be using LinkedIn for?

Who do you want to find your profile on LinkedIn?

How do you help solve their problems?

What keywords will they search for to find you?

Who would you like to be in your network on LinkedIn?

What do you want to be known for within your network?

Consider upgrading to a premium LinkedIn profile

Luan says that while there’s lots you can do with a free account, there are many useful benefits of paid accounts. Before upgrading to a paid account, think about whether the features will benefit you enough to justify the cost. LinkedIn offers a one month trial.

As a Premium Business user (currently £49.99 a month or £359.88 a year), the benefits are:

Think about settings and privacy

Luan advises to consider your privacy settings on LinkedIn and who you’re sharing your content with. Go to the visibility section to check your settings

One section you can switch off is allowing your network to see all your contacts. Luan says:

“Leaving it switched on would be like walking into a room and leaving all of my data assets, my connections, my business cards on the table. I don’t want everyone to see so I switch it off.

“I would suggest that you switch yours off, but if you’re looking at someone else’s profile, and you’re in a sales, or business development mindset, there’s nothing stopping you having a look if they haven’t adjusted that setting.”

Choose a great LinkedIn headline

Your LinkedIn headline appears on your profile and every time you post, so make it count! Luan says:

“By default it will be the job title and company name taken from the ‘experience’ section of your profile. But job titles can sometimes can be a bit vague, and company names don’t always communicate what you do, so add a descriptor.

“For example, if you’re freelance and offer a multitude of skills, you could change your headline to say ‘I help these types of clients by doing this.’

“Have a look around LinkedIn, and see what other people have done with their headlines. Think about making a good first impression, what will appear in search results and what will appear alongside everything you do on LinkedIn.”

Use the ‘experience’ section to show how you can help

The ‘experience’ section of your profile is the CV-like section of your profile, “but unless you are job seeking”, Luan says, “reframe it to be a description of your role and responsibilities and how you can help the person that you want to be viewing your profile.” She adds:

“I would also encourage you to include a small paragraph describing the organisation you work for. If you’re part of a team, all your colleagues should use the same paragraph. Tell people what your company does, its size, its client portfolio etc, so people immediately understand what you do and how you can help.

“You will naturally include keywords that people are searching for. You can also add assets such as website links, videos, PDFs etc.”

See the ‘skills’ section as a place for current keywords

In the ‘skills’ section, which allows you to get endorsements for your skills from other people, Luan instead has switched endorsements off and uses it a place to showcase current skills that people are searching for:

“I see the skills section as a set of forward facing keywords. I don’t include all the skills that I’ve developed throughout my career, because there things that I don’t want to do anymore and services that I don’t want to offer. There are also skills, such as AI, that I’m starting to develop and want to be found for over the next 12 months.

“As I’m keeping the skills section up to date, my personal thoughts are that it would take a lot of work to get endorsements and I think there are ways that I can show evidence of my work, my credibility and my skills elsewhere on my profile.

“So my advice is use the skills section, but think about your organisation, the services you offer and your personal skills. You can allocate them to other sections of your profile as well, such as the ‘about’ and ‘experience’ sections. I personally don’t do this but if you’re job seeking or starting out in a new business and want to show more evidence, you might want to showcase them in other sections.”

Recommendations: Quality over quantity

Testimonials about you from real people are a powerful way to showcase your skills. These appear in the ‘recommendations’ section of your LinkedIn profile. Luan says:

“Recommendations add credibility, endorsement, and social proof to your profile. Ask your peers, colleagues, and clients for recommendations. Go for quality and substance over lots of people saying that you’re great.

“Think about who you want to be named on your profile, and what they can say about you to add to your story.”

Use the ‘about’ section to tell your career story

Luan says the ‘about’ section is a brilliant place to bring everything together, tell your story and explain why people should connect or work with you.

“This isn’t a CV-style personal statement. I want to see your career story. I want your highlights. I want to know what you’ve done and who you’ve done it for. If you can name drop, then name drop. Tell me what you’re doing now. At the end, put a call to action.

“You will naturally include keywords, and you can keep it up to date to reflect why you are using LinkedIn at any given point. I change my ‘about’ section often, depending on what I’m looking for and what I’m working on.”

Key actions

In summary, Luan’s key tips for creating a great LinkedIn profile are:

You can connect with Luan Wise on LinkedIn here, follow Bristol Creative Industries here and join our LinkedIn group here.

BIMA star James Hobbs appointed Head of Tech at Aer Studios

Aer Studios, a leading creative technology studio in the South West, is thrilled to announce the appointment of James Hobbs as Head of Technology. Hobbs, who brings a wealth of experience from his time at Dyson and Great State, joins at a time when Aer Studios also announces a new trio of practice leads, including Max Waring (Front End), Jon Chard (Back End), and Aaron Bushell (DevOps).

Hobbs’ appointment comes shortly after the addition of Lucy Rees, Head of People and Culture, further strengthening Aer Studios’ leadership team. These strategic hires mark a significant step in Aer Studios’ growth, as well as its commitment to excellence and innovation in the creative technology sector. Last year it secured a coveted place on the BBC Digital Design Roster.

Notable career achievements for Hobbs include a six-year period at Dyson, where he successfully led the global digital technical team from its inception to over twenty members. At Great State, Hobbs was instrumental in driving the company’s technology strategy, leading an engineering team delivering multi-award-winning work.

In addition to his impressive career achievements, Hobbs has been recognised in the prestigious BIMA 100 for Sustainability, underlining his commitment to sustainable practices. This aligns perfectly with Aer Studios’ 2024 BCorp certification and its ongoing efforts to prioritise sustainability in all aspects of its operations. Aer Studios won its own prestigious BIMA Award in the Innovative App category in October 2023.

“James’ appointment comes at a time when Aer Studios is gearing up for growth,” said Tom Harber Managing Director at Aer Studios. “His experience and values fit perfectly with our ambitions. With James on board, we’re excited to amplify our efforts and lead the charge in transforming the tech industry into a beacon of sustainability for the future.”

“I’m delighted to have joined Aer Studios,” said James. “It was immediately clear from my initial conversations with Lucy and Tom that Aer Studios have a deep focus on people and planet, both of which are really important to me, alongside delivering outstanding work for clients.”

Hobbs’ arrival at Aer Studios is set to propel the company towards new heights, enhancing its technical capabilities and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices. With a cross-capability leadership team in place, Aer Studios is well-positioned to lead the industry in creative and sustainable technology solutions.

 

About Aer Studios

Aer Studios is an award-winning creative technology studio based in the South West of England. Its mission is to create meaningful digital experiences that have a positive impact on people & planet. Partnering with leading brands in the public and private sectors, its clients include Warner Media, Cartoon Network, BBC, Dogs Trust, Diabetes UK, CNN, History Royal Palaces and GOV.UK. With a particular focus on employee experience, Aer Studios ranked in the top 100 best workplaces and best workplaces for wellbeing by the Great Place to Work awards.

[email protected]

www.aerstudios.co.uk