Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website.

# The Smart Bear Websites and Digital: Smart Website Help for Smart Businesses

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [What Is Scope Creep on a Website Design Project?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/what-is-scope-creep-on-a-website-design-project/): Welcome to scope creep, the silent budget killer that affects website projects (and designer/client relationships) across the UK, particularly hitting small businesses and charities who can least afford the financial impact.
- [Best WordPress Donation Plugin Options for UK Charities and Not-for-Profits (2026)](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/best-wordpress-donation-plugin-options-for-uk-charities-and-not-for-profits-2026/): This guide cuts through the noise. We've evaluated the leading WordPress donation plugins on the criteria that matter most to UK organisations: price, convenience, functionality, security, and ease of use - with particular attention to Gift Aid compatibility and GDPR compliance.
- [Rebuild or Start Fresh? How Small Businesses and Charities Can Make the Right Website Decision](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/rebuild-or-start-fresh-website-decision/): Your website is underperforming. Maybe it looks dated, loads slowly, or simply no longer reflects who you are. Whatever the trigger, you're now facing a question that trips up countless small business owners and charity directors every year: do you rebuild what you have, or start from scratch with a brand-new website?
- [WordPress Maintenance: The Unglamorous Work That Saves You Money](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/save-money-with-wordpress-maintenance/): Nobody gets excited about WordPress maintenance. It's not glamorous, it won't transform your business overnight, and you can't show it off at networking events. But ignoring it? That's the expensive mistake UK small businesses and charities make every single day.
- [Vibe Coding for Small Businesses: The Benefits, the Risks, and Everything In Between](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/vibe-coding-for-small-businesses-the-benefits-the-risks-and-everything-in-between/): If you've been anywhere near the world of tech or digital marketing recently, you may have come across the term "vibe coding." It sounds a little abstract - perhaps even a little intimidating - but the concept is actually quite straightforward, and for small business owners, it could be both an exciting opportunity and a potential minefield. Here's everything you need to know.
- [Why Your Website Loads Slowly (And Why UK Customers Actually Leave Because of It)](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/why-your-website-loads-slowly/): Your website might be losing you money right now. Not because your products are wrong or your messaging is off, but because potential customers are leaving before they even see what you're selling. The culprit? A website loading slow enough that visitors click away before your homepage finishes rendering.
- [How to Conduct an Ethical Website Audit: A Practical Guide for UK Small Businesses](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-conduct-an-ethical-website-audit/): Your website represents your business values to the world. But does it truly reflect your commitment to doing business responsibly? For UK small businesses, freelancers, and charities operating on tight budgets, the good news is that making your website more ethical, accessible, and sustainable doesn't require a complete rebuild or thousands of pounds in investment.
- [Are You Treating Your Website Like an Afterthought?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/are-you-treating-your-website-like-an-afterthought/): You care deeply about your mission and goals. Whether you're running a social enterprise, a small business, or a charity, you're driven by values and purpose. You've spent hours refining your approach, ensuring your work genuinely makes a difference, and building relationships with the communities you serve.
- [Green Hosting Explained: Does It Actually Matter for Your Small Business Website?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/green-hosting-explained-for-your-small-business-website/): You've probably seen web hosting companies advertising "green hosting" or "eco-friendly servers," and if you're like most UK small business owners, you might be wondering: is this genuine environmental responsibility, or just clever marketing? More importantly, should you actually care about where your website is hosted when you're focused on getting customers through the door?
- [Does Your Service-Based Business Actually Need a Blog? The Honest Answer](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/does-your-service-based-business-actually-need-a-blog-the-honest-answer/): If you're a freelance consultant, coach, therapist, accountant, or any other service provider, you've probably been told countless times that you need a blog. "Content is king!" they say. "Blogging is essential for SEO!" they insist. But here's the truth that nobody seems willing to say: not every service-based business actually needs a blog, and for some, it's a complete waste of time and energy.
- [The Rise of AI and Semantic Search Optimisation](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/the-rise-of-ai-and-semantic-search-optimisation/): The way people search for information online is changing dramatically, and if you're running a small business or charity in the UK, you need to understand what this means for your website. We're moving beyond the era of typing keywords into Google and hoping for the best.
- [Making Your Website Accessible: When Not to Use Tables and What to Use Instead](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/when-not-to-use-tables-and-what-to-use-instead/): When building or updating a website, it’s tempting to use tables to organise content into neat rows and columns - we're all used to the layout of spreadsheets so tables seem the obvious answer. They look tidy and seem like an easy way to display things like contact details, staff lists, or services.
- [What is Website Accessibility? A Guide for UK Small Businesses](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/what-is-website-accessibility-a-guide-for-uk-small-businesses/): Website accessibility might sound like technical jargon or a 'nice to have', but it's actually one of the most important considerations for any business owner looking to reach their full customer potential. Simply put, website accessibility means designing and developing your website so that everyone can use it effectively, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
- [The 5 Website Mistakes That Make Freelancers Look Unprofessional (Even When Their Work Is Brilliant)](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/5-freelancers-website-mistakes-that-look-unprofessional/): Your work is excellent. Your clients love what you deliver. You've built a solid reputation through referrals and word-of-mouth. But when potential clients land on your website, something isn't quite clicking. They're leaving without getting in touch, or worse, they're choosing competitors whose work isn't as good as yours.
- [How Accessible, Sustainable and Ethical is AI?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-accessible-sustainable-and-ethical-is-ai/): In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, UK small businesses and charities face important questions about whether AI adoption aligns with their values. If you're hesitant about incorporating AI into your operations due to ethical concerns, accessibility challenges or sustainability issues, you're not alone. This practical guide explores the sustainability and ethics of AI to help you make informed decisions.
- [Influencing Factors for Website Build Costs with ‘By-the-hour’ Projects](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/influencing-factors-for-website-build-costs-with-by-the-hour-projects/): We often do website builds 'by the hour' which can save the client a lot of money on package costs when they have all the content ready and know exactly what they want to achieve, with the functionality and the design.
- [Is Your Small Business Missing This? The Mentoring vs. Coaching Debate](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/small-business-mentoring-vs-coaching-debate/): We've offered a mentoring service for some time - both for start-up businesses and for small businesses. We've provided hundreds of businesses with support; to start their business, grow their business, and digital support to help with their website/SEO.
- [The Difference Between a Tech VA and an Online Business Manager](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/tech-va-vs-online-business-manager-obm/): In the rapidly evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, you might need some help with everything digital - whether it's your website, setting up a CRM, creating a newsletter list and automating emails - but who do you go to for help? There are some jobs that can be completed by a general Virtual Assistant and some jobs that might need someone with extra skills. Understanding the nuances between a Tech Virtual Assistant (Tech VA) and an Online Business Manager (OBM) can be pivotal for small businesses, to be able to find the right person. Both roles offer invaluable support, yet they cater to distinct needs and challenges. Let's delve into the intricacies of these two positions and explore what they mean for small businesses aiming for growth and efficiency.
- [How to Write Ethical Sales Copy for a Website](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-write-ethical-sales-copy-for-a-website/): In an age where consumers are more informed and discerning than ever, ethical sales copy is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage. Ethical sales copy builds trust, fosters long-term customer relationships, and aligns with the growing consumer demand for transparency and integrity. And so, here’s my guide on how to craft ethical sales copy for a website in the UK that resonates with your audience and upholds your brand’s values.
- [Calculate cost to build a business website in the UK](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/cost-to-build-a-business-website-in-the-uk/): If you're just starting out in business, and you're thinking of hiring a website designer or website developer, you might want to know a rough cost before you start. But, not all website designers or developers will tell you the price, even a rough one, without having a brief document and you may not want to contact them for fear of it being way out of your budget.
- [How to Start Building Your Own Website: A Guide for UK Startups](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-start-building-your-own-website-a-guide-for-uk-startups/): Building a website for business or for a charity can be a daunting task for a startup, but it's a crucial step in establishing your online presence. A well-crafted website can be a powerful tool for attracting customers, building brand awareness, and generating leads. But how do you know where to start, and how do you know if this is the right route for you? Here's a blog to help you make the decision on whether to build your own website or not.
- [Should you build your own business website?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/should-you-build-your-own-business-website/): At some point in your business website’s life, you may need to look at changing hosting; use our hints and tips guide to help you.
- [How to Choose the Perfect Domain Name for Your UK Business or Charity](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/perfect-domain-name-for-uk-business-charity/): When you're starting a new small business or charity website, the first thing you'll need to consider is your domain name - the url/address of the website itself. Choosing the right domain name is a critical decision that shouldn't be taken lightly; should you use your business/charity name even if it doesn't contain the vital keywords that explain what you do/offer. And, should you pick a .com or a .co.uk?
- [Consumer Law Changes Coming Into Force and What Businesses Need To Know](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/consumer-law-changes-2024/): Firstly the Act is thankfully being shortened to (the “DMCC”) but the law it goes about changing is a little more complicated than that. But luckily, the wonderful K&K Legal Consulting has agreed to set out the changes, with small businesses in mind, in a much simpler and easy to understand form. So this is where I hand over to K&K Legal Consulting…
- [5 Things to Think About Before Choosing a WordPress Plugin](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/5-things-to-think-about-before-choosing-a-wordpress-plugin/): Not all plugins are created equal - anyone, no matter their experience can create a WordPress plugin albeit The WordPress plugin directory does have guidelines developers should be following. User reviews and ratings can be a valuable source of information:
- [How to Write a Website Development Brief Document](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-write-a-website-development-brief-document/): If you’re looking to hire a web designer/developer or put the work out to tender, you may want to write a website brief document which is the key to putting your vision into words and giving the design team the information they need to create an amazing website.A well-crafted brief ensures clear communication with your web designer or developer, ultimately leading to a website that truly reflects your brand and achieves your business objectives. Plus, it can also help achieve an accurate quote prior to signing any contracts or handing over a deposit.
- [Copyright your website content the right way](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/copyright-your-website-content-the-right-way/): At the beginning of each year, a lot of clients look to change the copyright date at the bottom of their website. There’s a consensus that this is beneficial for showing visitors that the website is current and relevant but this isn’t the best way to copyright your website content. What is copyright, anyway?
- [Should you put your prices on your website?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/should-you-put-your-prices-on-your-website/): It is not necessarily more ethical – but the company could be conceived as being more ethical or trustworthy by being transparent with their pricing from the start. Some may think the company is not confident with their pricing, or even their product/service, by not being up front about how much they charge for it.Of course, to genuinely be more ethical and trustworthy, the company must then stick by those prices and not add in any extra hidden charges.
- [How Being an Affiliate Rocks, for Small Businesses](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/advantages-being-an-affiliate-for-small-businesses/): Although sometimes the word affiliate has some negative associations, for me, I only become an affiliate if I believe in the product or service, not just for the sake of it or for earning money - it's usually because I’m already recommending them to my clients, small business mentees, and associates so it makes sense to earn a referral fee.
- [Diverse imagery on your website matters](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/diverse-imagery-on-your-website-matters/): Diversity matters  because it reflects the reality of the world we live in. When people see themselves represented in stock imagery, it helps them feel seen and valued. It also helps to break down stereotypes and assumptions about different groups of people...and it can help your business, too;
- [How to get a website built quicker](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-get-a-website-built-quicker/): If you are looking into getting yourself a shiny new website by hiring a website developer, you may wonder how long it actually takes to get one built from quote to go live. And, depending on the size and scale of your website, the answer from your chosen developer may vary.
- [Enhancing Your Website Reach: A Guide for Smaller Charities](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/enhancing-your-website-reach-a-guide-for-smaller-charities/): In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any organisation, and that includes charities and not for profits. A well-designed and easily accessible website can significantly enhance a charity's reach, helping them connect with a wider audience, increase donations, and further their mission. In this blog, we will explore some key strategies that smaller charities can implement to improve their website reach and amplify their impact.
- [Harnessing tracking links to unleash the power of data](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/harnessing-tracking-links-to-unleash-the-power-of-data/): Also known as Google Campaign URLs, these can be used anywhere and will tell you if your marketing strategy is working, and where your website visitors are coming from. 
- [What is responsible spending?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/what-is-responsible-spending/): If you're in charge of a budget for your business, or in charge of part of a budget for a charity, social enterprise or not for profit - then you might have heard of the term 'responsible spending'.
- [Ideas and planning for your business](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/business-ideas-and-planning/): Recently on our social media, we’ve been talking about business plans, new ideas and being in charge of your own destiny as a business owner. Yes, we know, it’s all a bit deep! But given the situation we’ve had with Covid and the financial crisis, all of us who are in business need to be flexible. We thought now would be a good time to remind ourselves about planning in our businesses.
- [What is an Ethical website?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/what-is-an-ethical-website/): You may have heard it in the press, or during your research for a website designer/developer, but what does the term mean - what exactly is an ethical website? 
- [How to get your website finished when you’re a perfectionist](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-get-your-website-finished/): So, here are some tips on how to get your website finished without overthinking every tiny detail: 
- [Guest blog your way to more traffic](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/guest-blog-your-way-to-more-traffic/): If you’re a small business owner or freelancer, you know that website traffic is the lifeblood of your online presence. Without it, potential customers will never find out about the amazing services or products you have to offer. So how do you go about getting more website traffic and build your backlinks at the same time? One of the most effective methods is guest blogging. Let’s break down what guest blogging is and how it can help increase your website traffic.
- [How ethical is your website platform?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-ethical-is-your-website-platform/): This article might be of particular interest to small eco, sustainable or ethical businesses who care about their supply lines, including where they put their website and who they pay for their website services. 
- [Everything you need to know about emails](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-email/): Spam emails are unwanted emails, either trying to sell you something you don't want or need, trying to trick you into something, or they could be absolute nonsense.
- [Christmas Gifts for Entrepreneurs](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/christmas-gifts-for-entrepreneurs/): After setting up Xmas and branded products on some of our customer's website, I thought it was a good time to get my own. So here it is - Xmas gifts for small businesses owners!  If you're not sure what to buy your entrepreneurial loved one at Xmas - or any other time of the year for that matter - then here's my two suggestions.
- [What is the right length for a blog?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/what-is-the-right-length-for-a-blog/): If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we love a blog; not only because you can have a good chat but you can also do wonders for website SEO.  Many people struggle to get started with blog or are confused about how long or short blogs should be. Hopefully, with this blog, we can help.
- [How to choose who will build your website](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-choose-who-will-build-your-website/): 8 steps to picking the right website designer to build your business website, without getting ripped off.
- [10 Ways to help save money on web developers](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/10-ways-to-save-money-on-web-developers/): And, with the cost of a professional web developers averaging out at around £75 per hour (plus VAT) - with some having a high minimum fee as well - it’s not necessarily going to be cheap but here we have some tips to help you save some money along the way.
- [10 Simple Steps to Improving Website Accessibility](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/10-steps-to-improving-website-accessibility/): Whilst making sure your website is accessible is part of The Equality Act 2010, as it’s not actively monitored, many businesses don’t ensure compliance.
- [How to use power words to create engaging content](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-use-power-words-for-engaging-content/): This blog is called 'how to use power words to create engaging content' but I could have extended it to 'how to use power words to create engaging blogs people want to read'
- [How to come up with blog ideas for your business](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-to-come-up-with-blog-ideas-for-your-business/): We all lack inspiration sometimes, especially if writing copy is not really your thing and you’d rather be doing something else entirely. Or perhaps you’re a year or so into writing blogs and you’ve now run out of ideas for engaging articles.
- [What does your Personal branding look like?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/what-does-your-personal-branding-look-like/): The latest buzz-word in marketing is ‘Personal branding’ and although originally coined in the late 90s in self-help books, it has become more prominent in today’s world of entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers and influencers where a unique, personal, brand is more desirable than a big business faceless brand like Apple or Coca-cola.
- [Locked out of your WordPress website?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/locked-out-of-your-wordpress-website/): If you have another administrator registered on your website, ask them to login for you and either change your password, or see if the security software has locked out your computer’s IP address. Usually locked out IPs are shown on the security plugin’s dashboard.
- [Woocommerce Paypal Payments Upgrade](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/woocommerce-paypal-changes/): The new extension is called Paypal payments and you may be prompted to upgrade on your plugins dashboard. Or if you are setting up paypal for Woocomerce for the first time, here is the download link for the Woocommerce Paypal payments plugin.

## Pages
- [Sitemap](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/sitemap/)
- [How much maintenance does your website need?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/how-much-maintenance-does-your-website-need/): Are your curious as to how much monthly maintenance your website is going to need? With this calculator, it will tell you how much and what type of thing you need to consider when looking after your website.
- [Accessibility statement](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/accessibility-statement/): Suzi Brown T/A The Smart Bear is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards.
- [Unlock Your Website’s Potential with a Power Hour of Expert Guidance](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/unlock-your-websites-potential-with-a-power-hour-of-expert-guidance/): Is your website buried in search results, making it hard for potential customers to find you?
- [PAYGO Website design and development](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/payg-website-design-development/): If you're on a tight budget for a new website, or you don't need a full-redesigned website - or you just prefer to do some of the work yourself but get stuck sometimes with the more complicated parts - then a 'pay by the hour' option might be a good choice for you.
- [Pre-payment Pay-as-you-go Website Help Options](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/prepaid-website-help-options/): If you’re in the middle of building a website, or building something like a lead page for a campaign, but you know you’re going to need some assistance along the way, then a prepaid solution might be the answer for you.
- [The Smart Bear Links](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/links/): The Smart Bear Websites and Digital, Tameside Manchester Join tHE WEBSITE CLUB for free! The Smart Bear: Read the latest blog GET Website help when you need it Marketing donut: Five steps to converting website visitors blog KKB Services: The Benefits Of Outsourcing In Business blog Google: Set up a free ECOMMERCE listings account on Google Referral: Join Ecologi and get free trees Take a look at our website packages Raise a support ticket (existing customers) Contact The SMart Bear Leave us a review
- [Terms and Conditions](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/): Please read these terms and conditions if you're purchasing any products or services from The Smart Bear. For more information, you may want to read our FAQs
- [Products](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/products/): Select sorting option Sort by latest Sort by title Sort by price (low to high) Sort by price(high to low) £10.00 Website Planning from Concept to Launch Book View Item £100.00 The gift of a Power Hour with a Digital Mentor View Item
- [Checkout-Result](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/stripe-checkout-result/)
- [Website Budget Options](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/website-budget-options/): If you’re on a tight budget, our website design packages might not be the right fit for you right now but you may still want professional help to get your website up and live. The good news is, we provide a range of options that are budget friendly for those who are just getting started, want to learn more skills or who just want to save some money - we can even help with Do It Yourself websites!
- [Sustainability and Environmental Policy](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/sustainability-and-environmental-policy/): If you want to discuss our ethical, sustainability or social policies, feel free to get in touch with us - we’re always happy to have a conversation.
- [Book Training](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/book-training/): Book and pay for website training or digital mentoring sessions. We can cover subjects like making the most of your website, improving traffic, using your website, SEO/ SEM, or other digital tools and issues We'll need to do the training and mentoring via an online meeting so we can share screens. We can use a variety of software like Zoom and Skype- our choice is Zoom but we can use whichever platform you prefer. Choose how long you want your session to be, below. Book 30 Minutes Book an hour book 2 hours Book your Power Hour Session
- [Digital Consultancy Services](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/digital-consultancy-services/): We’ve been working with businesses just like yours, for a long time, by helping them build a new website, improve their SEO or social media and implement social media strategies. But you may not want someone to do it for you, maybe you just need some advice along the way…. and so, we’ve introduced several business consultancy services which are at an affordable rate for charities, freelancers and micro/small businesses.
- [WordPress Landing Page](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/small-wordpress-website/): Start-up businesses or micro organisations sometimes don’t have the budget – or a need – for a full, all-singing all-dancing, website and so we’ve come up with an alternative option to get you going on the website ladder.
- [Woocommerce and Ecommerce tips](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/woocommerce-and-ecommerce-tips/): If you have any questions or would like a consultation with us, please do get in touch or if you’re interested in some bespoke WordPress training, take a look at our options for individuals and businesses.
- [Can we save you money?](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/can-we-save-you-money/): Time are hard for everyone at the moment with prices going sky high in all areas. Why not book in with us for a FREE costings review and we will go through everything you're currently paying out, to see if you still need all those license fees or if there are free/cheaper alternatives.
- [Training workshops in Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/training-workshops-in-manchester/): Learn what you need to know about your website to manage it successfully without bespoke training sessions. You set the agenda and the length of the training session.
- [Website graphics, photos, video or animation for small businesses](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/content-creation-social-media/logo-design/): We work with a team of creative brand strategists, illustrators, logo designers, videographers and photographers to get your media and brand images on point.
- [Free Resources](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/free-resources/): What subject do you want to read about today?
- [IVY WordPress Brochure Website Design Package](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/small-business-wordpress-website-design/wordpress-brochure-websites/): We’ll build it using WordPress, a content management system which makes it easy for you to update the website with your own content without paying a web developer, including easily adding your own pages, blogs posts or other features in the future. And, we’ll make sure your website has a security plugin set up to help prevents hacking.
- [Website Design Packages for Small Businesses](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/small-business-wordpress-website-design/): We’ve helped dozens of extraordinary entrepreneurs and charities boost their online presence with beautiful functional websites that are easy to use, update and maintain, using WordPress.
- [Logos, Branding and Graphics](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/logos-branding-and-graphics/): Here at The Smart Bear, we are able to offer our customers branding services from full creative strategy and the creation of logos to other business graphics like custom icons or banners.
- [Squarespace Small Website Design Package](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/squarespace-small-website-design-package/): Yes, we are WordPress experts but we do have experience in other platforms like Squarespace, too. We love Squarespace for it’s simplicity and it’s great for brochure sites and start-ups. Read more about the differences here.
- [Search Engine Optimisation Packages](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/small-business-search-engine-optimisation-packages/): And, so, we do things differently here - we charge for our reports because we spend time manually looking at your website and digital marketing, using our expert eye, to see what you could do to improve your Search Engine Ranking…..and then, provide an actionable strategy plan with explanations of what each part means.
- [WordPress Website Amends and Edits](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/wordpress-website-edits-amends/): What is an edit or amend and what is development?
- [WordPress Website Maintenance and Support](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/wordpress-website-maintenance-support/): A company website is a business asset so they need to be looked after and maintained. But, we know that you’d probably rather being doing something else; so, join us where it’s as warm and fuzzy as a bear’s underbelly and let us look after your WordPress website.
- [About The Smart Bear](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/about-the-smart-bear/): The Smart Bear is a WordPress website design and development company based in Stalybridge, Tameside after moving from Urmston, Trafford in 2024 - covering Manchester and the North West (although as we’re digital we do have National and International customers!).
- [SEO Hints and Tips Guides for Small Businesses](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/seo-guides-for-small-businesses/): Our goal is to demystify SEO for the small business owner and enable them to make small but important changes to their website to help them move up the ranking for their chosen keywords.
- [Google Analytics Beginners Guides](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/google-analytics-beginners-guides/): There are books available on Google Analytics and Google themselves offer a few guides but often these are aimed at technical people or quickly go out of  date as technology advances.
- [Emergency Help for Hacked WordPress Sites](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/emergency-help-for-hacked-wordpress-sites/): Yes! And, it doesn’t take long. In as little as an hour, depending on the size of the site and how badly it’s hacked, The Smart Bear can get you back in, clean it all up and help you stop it from happening again.

## Products
- [The gift of a Power Hour with a Digital Mentor](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/asp-products/digital-power-hour-gift-voucher/): Times are difficult for entrepreneurs at the moment, many face a cross-road, needing to pivot to make their business work and some just need a guiding hand to help their business grow. This gift voucher option is perfect for start-ups and existing businesses, alike.
- [Website Planning from Concept to Launch Book](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/asp-products/website-planning-book/): If you need to build a website for your small business or charity - whether you intend to build it yourself, or hire a professional - this planner is designed to guide you through the process from the initial concept to the launch of the website, and 6 months beyond.

## portfolio
- [Clear Steps Plus Education Ltd, Trafford](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/clear-steps-plus-education-ltd-trafford/): A new WordPress website to reflect their change of operations into a alternative school for SEND children, as well as continuing private tuition.
- [Re-Generate, London](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/re-generate-london/): A comprehensive rebuild and rebrand of a charity website on Squarespace.
- [LES Tree Services, Preston](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/les-tree-services-preston/): Sister company to LES Pest Management, this WordPress build was to follow a similar layout to the Pest Management website but focusing on Tree Surgery. We kept the theme the same on both to make editing easier for the client, and using the other site as a design template reduced the costs.
- [Fraendi, London](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/fraendi-london/): This was a rebuild of an existing WordPress website after some organisational shifts. The old site was built on Divi theme but the customer found it difficult to use and so we swapped it to Avada. With a new look and a service refresh, the new site looks more modern.
- [Chromia Collective, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/chromia-collective-manchester/): Rachel wanted to rebuild her existing small website to reflect her new direction and services. The original site was built with Divi and so we used that to build the new design. Bright and bold styling with lots of wonderful imagery, the site features events as well as sales funnels.
- [LES Pest Management, Preston](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/les-pest-management-preston/): A WordPress website rebuild for a company who has changed their main marketing message and main income stream. The old website concentrated on Clinical Waste Disposal but now it's all about disrupting the Pest Control Industry by educating their clients to help prevent pests, and finding more sustainable ways to eradicate pests.
- [Strongwomen, Spain](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/strongwomen-spain/): A WordPress website for a company that offers yoga and boxercise classes/ retreats in Spain. The main goal of the site is to advertise classes and events, which can be booked directly on the site. The option of translation was vital as the company has a mix of English-speaking clients and Spanish-speaking clients- being based in Spain.
- [It Takes Two, York](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/it-takes-two-york/): Julie and Emma wanted a website for their new business helping business owners to grow, scale and free up their time by coaching and training their second-in-command. Julie had a clear vision for the brand and website which made the site easy to create. We chose a WordPress theme built for speed and SEO so they can build on it as their business grows.
- [Social CEO, Salford](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/social-ceo-salford/): Hazel wanted a sales funnel website for her coaching and mentoring business where she can add blogs easily.
- [Northern Sweep, Urmston and Matlock](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/northern-sweep/): A local Chimney Sweep who wanted a website to increase the credibility of his business and promote his services in two different locations. Built on Squarespace so they don't have to manage any software, this website can grow as their business grows.
- [Female Business Festival, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/female-business-festival-manchester/): Originally built as part of Female Business Network's website using the GoDaddy Builder, it was time to give it its own space and have access to more advanced features. At this stage it didn't need a lot of pages but we did want to enable buying tickets directly from the website rather than redirecting to a third party supplier.
- [Spring Clean, Greater Manchester and Cheshire](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/spring-clean-greater-manchester-and-cheshire/): Spring Clean have a few different locations of their dry cleaning/laundrette shops around Greater Manchester and Cheshire so they needed a website that could feature them all so their customers can find opening times/ offers etc.
- [Emily Lisbeth Jewellery, Sale](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/emily-lisbeth-jewellery-sale/): Emily had a website built on Wix but did most of her sales on Etsy. She wanted to create a more professional shop-front website, and so we created a Shopify site for her, based on her branding and fabulous jewellery. She had a sale within a week of the site going live and hopes to be able to move away from Etsy over time.
- [Property Finder Altrincham, Cheshire](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/property-finder-altrincham-cheshire/): Carolyn originally built her website on Wix but found it difficult to manage and didn't feel like it was polished enough. We recreated it on WordPress, changing some imagery and after having a rebrand. It will now grow with her business as she'll be able to add in more pages as she goes and has started writing a blog.
- [Laurel Farm, Bath](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/laurel-farm-bath/): Laurel farm's website was outdated and couldn't be updated easily and so we replaced it with a Squarespace version. Not only is it now up to date, and responsive, it can now be regularly updated with new photos or news. The main feature of this website is their lovely bespoke illustrations which weren't displayed optimally before, showcasing the uniqueness of the location and premises.
- [BCS Render, County Durham](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/bcs-render-county-durham/): A company who needed a strong web presence to look professional - we built this WordPress website to showcase their previous work and to promote their services which include retrofitting, plastering and insulation.
- [Peacock Cleaning, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/peacock-cleaning-manchester/): A simple website to advertise the services of a domestic and commercial cleaner based in Manchester - it can be built on over time if needed as it's built on WordPress.
- [Zoë Gardens, Shipley, West Yorkshire](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/zoe-gardens-shipley-west-yorkshire/): Small brochure website stemming from just a couple of pages to showcase Zoe's Garden Design services and portfolio - this WordPress website can grow with the business.
- [Julie Harris Photography, Cheshire](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/julie-harris-photography-cheshire/): A portfolio website built on Squarespace to replace an ill-performing website on Yell. Julie needed a site that more represented what she offered as a brand photographer but that didn't require lots of maintenance. With strong branding and a lot of images of both Julie and her work, we created this site that helps support the ongoing marketing of her brand photoshoots.
- [British Taekwondo, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/british-taekwondo-manchester/): British Taekwondo had a really old website which had come to the end of its lifespan, out of date and very slow.
- [TUF*C, Trafford](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/tufc-trafford/): The Urban Fitness Collective cic (Tuf*C) is a not for profit social enterprise based in Trafford that had a clear brand design but didn't have the time to build their own website.They wanted something that was mobile friendly and easy to manage. They have a mixed audience of young people, corporate/investors and parents.
- [Surviving Work, Cardiff](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/surviving-work-cardiff/): Dr Elizabeth Cotton writes academically about employment relations and wanted a stripped back site for her content and resources.
- [Showcase Studios, Urmston and St Ives](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/showcase-studios-urmston-and-st-ives/): We helped look after the website, which we didn't originally build, of this long-standing client…until we discovered the original base theme was no longer supported and like a domino-effect, the software was needing constant fixing. Alongside that, the client found it difficult to edit as much of it was hard-coded.And so, as the client was opening a second branch in St Ives, we decided to completely rebuild whilst keeping much of the original look and feel intact.The new site has a landing page for the group and individual pages for both locations, separating it all out was quite complex to set up, initially. However, the biggest issue for this build, was to build it alongside a live site that was constantly being updated with new content and then merging them both on go live so no data/content was lost.
- [Laura Borland, Scotland](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/laura-borland-scotland/): When Laura's site started to break down, and no longer reflected the services she offered, she came to us for a rebuild. We stayed with WordPress but changed it so it was easier for Laura to edit, and for her to add video-based resources for her clients.
- [Get Clarity: Let Go, Bath](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/get-clarity-let-go-bath/): A fabulous woman who helps parents of children with Autism needed a website to show how she can help with a range of resources, including a Facebook community. The website reflects her calm branding inspired by nature.This is a Squarespace website which is low maintenance and easy to look after for someone who is busy being awesome.
- [Psychological Therapy Northwest, Bolton](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/psychological-therapy-northwest-bolton/): Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Suzanne Glendenning needed a modern rebuild of her website as the builder it was build on was being deprecated. We chose the Squarespace platform for her as it's a no-fuss, easy to manage builder, similar to what she was used to.Her new website is responsive and safe as well as easy to edit because she's too busy with her important work to want a website that takes hours to use.
- [Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/ahmed-iqbal-ullah-race-relations-resource-centre-manchester/): A brochure website to showcase the work the resource centre do and to advise how people can volunteer or donate to the centre.Based in the Central Library, Manchester, the centre holds a lot of archive material documenting local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community history. They also publicise events and exhibitions, provide downloadable resources and sell a range of books.
- [PARENTFOLK.](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/parentfolk/): A magazine website for a printed magazine for parents. When covid hit, PARENTFOLK. had to cease their popular events and stop the distribution of the magazine (temporarily) and so decided to revamp their website to make it work harder for them, going forward.They already had a WordPress website full of content so our job was just to make that content look better and make the website be more in keeping with their funky brand.Now it reflects the quality of their publication and is ready for them to take the magazine nationwide.
- [Danielle White Coaching, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/danielle-white-coaching-manchester/): Dr Danielle White needed a website to showcase her services and examples of work previously carried out using media like video, pdfs and presentation slides. She also provides resources to her clients who have attended one of her training workshops.
- [LC Psychology, Urmston](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/lc-psychology-urmston/): We were commissioned to create a website for a local Clinical Psychologist leaving the NHS and moving to a private practice in Urmston, Trafford.
- [Anna Scarisbrick Financial Management, Trafford](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/anna-scarisbrick-financial-management-trafford/)
- [Trafford Roofers, Urmston](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/trafford-roofers-urmston/): We created this easy-to-maintain Squarespace website for a client who is busy being away from a computer - in fact, they're usually on top of roofs!
- [Garden Aspects, Cheshire](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/garden-aspects-cheshire/): Our client wanted a new website which reflected their services as they had changed since their original website had been built. They also found it difficult to update regularly.
- [Goodness Zero Waste, Urmston](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/goodness-zero-waste-urmston/): Goodness Zero Waste is a zero waste shop based in Urmston, Trafford. When they first approached us, they didn't need a big website, and so we suggested a simple landing page but built on WordPress so they could build and develop as they grow should they want to make it an ecommerce website further down the line.Being also based in Urmston town centre, we were very excited to be apart of this project and welcomed the new store to our little town.
- [The Blend Centre, Sale](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/the-blend-centre-sale/): The transfer of an existing website with clear branding, to Wordpress to allow the client to easily update content and develop functionality to increase interactivity.
- [Mutznutz Creative Design, Urmston](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/mutznutz-creative-design-urmston/): We made a simple holding page for Mutznutz Creative Design - graphic designers based in Urmston. They've not had a website for a long time so we created a simple landing page with examples of their work and links to their social media alongside vital contact information.
- [Orchid Indulgence, Manchester and Rochdale](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/orchid-indulgence-manchester-and-rochdale/): Offering both online and offline courses in massage and holistic therapies, Orchid Indulgence needed a website which allowed people to book and pay online and access course information if needed through the blended learning LMS.
- [Deborah Bulcock, Colne](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/deborah-bulcock-colne/): Deborah Bulcock is a coach and a nutritionist offering services to both individuals and organisations. Right from the start Deborah wanted a bold, 'non-corporate' look which we think she achieved with fresh branding and a vibrant colour scheme.
- [Country and Eastern, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/country-and-eastern-manchester/): Paula Darwish from the Country and Eastern band wanted a website to showcase the music, videos and the events. And, it had to be multilingual.
- [Charlotte Graves Psychotherapy, Leeds](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/charlotte-graves-psychotherapy-leeds/): Charlotte Graves wanted a minimal, clean and very calming site where clients facing anxiety issues could learn more about Charlotte and her services, before making an appointments online.We used a combination of WordPress and appointment making software which linked to Facebook easily, ensuring another route to accept bookings and market the business
- [TD Plumbing, Urmston](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/td-plumbing-urmston/): TD plumbing wanted to update their website which they found, although had served them well, hard to edit. With a new team member they wanted to make sure their friendly and approachable attitude came across on the site. They had professional photography commissioned to add flare to the website and chose a modern look to show off their portfolio of work.
- [Promoting Local, Trafford and Stockport](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/promoting-local-trafford-and-stockport/): Promoting Trafford is a community hub and directory of local businesses, groups and events built on WordPress. Businesses can purchase a listing or buy advertising space and social media posts.
- [Jean Jackson Couture, Urmston, and the Northern Quarter](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/jean-jackson-couture-urmston-and-the-northern-quarter/): Jean Jackson Couture's old site no longer reflected the brand and wasn't responsive. The client had a clear idea of what they wanted, keeping the site minimal to ensure the dresses were shown in all their glory. With two venues, we were able to let their customers know which venue stocked which dress and let them contact the appropriate place to book an appointment.
- [Fairfax Bespoke Furniture, Cheshire](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/fairfax-bespoke-furniture-cheshire/): Fairfax Bespoke Furniture had a rebrand and needed a new website to reflect the new modern logo and colour scheme. They wanted to be able to show the quality of their work with a portfolio whilst keeping the look and feel of the site very minimal.
- [Brooktech Maintenance, Stockport](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/brooktech-maintenance-stockport/): Brooktech Maintenance, based in Stockport, needed a new website to reflect their updated branding. Not only to showcase their work and services, it allows customers to submit a job request directly via the website.
- [Support 81, Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/support-81-manchester/): An e-commerce website with a members area for Support 81 Manchester - this site offers members discounted merch, member forums and exclusive events. As well as offering merch and events for the general public and publicising the club's good work for the community.
- [Ink Edibles Manchester](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/ink-edibles-manchester/): A WordPress ecommerce website which allows the end-user to customise the innovative product online before ordering with a drag and drop editor. The design is then straight to the printer in a format they can use.Ink Edibles had a one-page non-commerce website originally and we used that structure whilst creating new content to increase the functionality and improve the SEO, overall.We used the original logo design and a pre-designed leaflet for inspiration for the new website look and feel.
- [Service with a Hug! Wiltshire](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/service-with-a-hug-wiltshire/): An e-commerce website specifically for selling books and promoting the author. With links to an Amazon affiliate link and selling a variety of other products. The shipping was complex with different rates per item and per country.Andy Collett wanted a website that clearly showed the benefits of the book whilst also keeping inline with the branding and letting his personality shine through.
- [Ian Ball Art & Decorating, Davyhulme](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/ian-ball-art-decorating-davyhulme/): Combining two websites into one, offering more concise services and making it easier to administer.
- [North London Waste Plan](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/websites/north-london-waste-plan/): A WordPress website to provide data to the public about the project, providing news and downloadable documents.

## Downloads

## Categories
- [Affiliates](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/affiliates/)
- [Blog](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/blog/)
- [Blogging](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/content-creation/blogging/)
- [Branding](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/branding/)
- [Building a website](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/building-a-website/)
- [Charities and non-profits](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/charities-and-non-profits/)
- [Content](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/content-creation/)
- [Digital Marketing](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/digital-marketing/)
- [Digital Sustainability](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/digital-sustainability/)
- [Diversity](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/diversity/)
- [Ecommerce](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/ecommerce/)
- [Emails](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/emails/)
- [Ethical businesses](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/ethical-businesses/)
- [GDPR](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/gdpr/)
- [Google Analytics](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/tutorial/google-analytics/)
- [Guest Blog](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/guest-blog/)
- [Hosting](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/hosting/)
- [Legislation and Regulations](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/legislation-and-regulations/)
- [Mobile First](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/mobile-first/)
- [News](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/news/)
- [Newsletter Marketing](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/digital-marketing/newsletter-marketing/)
- [Online Facilities](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/online-facilities/)
- [Responsive](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/responsive/)
- [Security](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/security/)
- [SEO](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/seo/)
- [SEO Tips for Beginners](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/tutorial/seo-tips-for-beginners/)
- [Shopify](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/shopify/)
- [Small Business](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/small-business/)
- [Social Media](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/digital-marketing/social-media/)
- [Social Media Tips for Beginners](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/tutorial/social-media-tips-for-beginners/)
- [Squarespace](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/squarespace/)
- [Tutorial](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/tutorial/)
- [Website Accessibility](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/website-accessibility/)
- [Website Design](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/website-design/)
- [Website development](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/website-development/)
- [Website Security](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/tutorial/website-security/)
- [Website speed](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/website-speed/)
- [Website Tips](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/tutorial/website-tips/)
- [Woocommerce](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/ecommerce/woocommerce/)
- [Wordpress](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/)
- [WordPress fixes](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/wordpress-fixes/)
- [WordPress Maintenance](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/wordpress-maintenance/)
- [WordPress Plugin Reviews](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/wordpress-plugin-reviews/)
- [WordPress Themes](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/wordpress/wordpress-themes/)
- [WP Theme Customisations](https://www.thesmartbear.co.uk/category/tutorial/wp-theme-customisations/)