Website Guides & Help

Log into website

KEY INFORMATION - PLEASE READ FIRST

For the security and integrity of your website, you must follow this mandatory procedure if you wish to edit the site yourself.

Step 1: Secure Login URL – You will log in using a unique, secure web address that we provide. We do not use the standard, publicly known WordPress admin login URL as a security measure to prevent automated bot attacks. You must use only the custom login URL we provide.
Step 2: Strong Password – You will be provided with a strong, system-generated password. You are required to keep this password unchanged. Do not switch to a simpler, easier-to-guess password. For security, we recommend saving this password in a secure password manager and copying/pasting it to log in. This is a vital layer of protection against unauthorised access.
Step 3: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – You must install a free authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) on your phone. This app will generate a unique code required to log in, in addition to your password. This ensures that even if your password is compromised, your website remains secure.

Device for Editing: You must use a desktop or laptop computer to edit your website.
Do not attempt to make edits using a mobile phone or tablet, as this can lead to formatting errors and site issues.

Need login information?

If you have not already been given your login details to your website and you would like to self-edit, please contact us via the ‘Submit a ticket’ work request form above to request it.

Setup FREE 2FA Authenticator app

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the best way to protect yourself online. Defeat cyber criminals & avoid account takeovers with stronger security, for free!

We recommend Google Authenticator or Authy as two free, reliable options.

Download one of these apps onto your phone and use it to login to your website…and any other password protected applications where you have sensitive data.

Log into your website first time

Log into your website for the first time.

Use your email and password that has been provided to you. This video shows how to log into the website and use your 2FA app.

Basic tour of Website backend

Have a look at the website backend for the first time.

Set up on Google

Set up your Google Business Profile

Stand out on Google with a free Business Profile

Create a Business Profile at no cost
Manage your profile from Search and Maps
Add hours, photos, posts, and more

Note: Digital Beacon Marketing offer a Google Tools Setup & Optimise package for a £300 one time fee – read more here

Set up Google Analytics

Set up your Google Analytics by following instructions here.

When you have created the Google tags – either add the tag codes into your website yourself OR use the ‘submit a ticket’ form to send the <head> tag and <body> tag through to Bear Left Studio for us to add into your website (free of charge for this task).

Note: Digital Beacon Marketing offer a Google Tools Setup & Optimise package for a £300 one time fee – read more here

Submit your sitemap on Google Search Console

We use Yoast as a SEO plugin on your website.
Yoast create sitemaps for the various sections of your website. That makes it easier for search engines to understand your site structure. Yoast combines all of the individual sitemaps into a single sitemap index. This means you only have to submit the sitemap index link which is automatically updated as you add, remove, or change your content on the website.

Follow the instructions to submit your sitemap to Google Search Console.

Note: Digital Beacon Marketing offer a Google Tools Setup & Optimise package for a £300 one time fee – read more here

Basic Editing of posts and pages

Making basic edits to your website pages

Editing a blog post and creating a new blog post

MEC - Editing events and creating new events

Editing events and creating new events with MEC – The Modern Events Calendar

Global colours and fonts

Colours and Typography are the building blocks of any website. Elementor’s global colours & Fonts enable you to change your colors and fonts all in one place, and have it update everywhere you placed it across your entire site.

How to link Mailerlite to a website form

Learn how to connect Elementor with MailerLite to automate your workflow.

Advanced Editing of posts and pages

Landing pages

Landing pages builder in Elementor.
We will review how to create and manage landing pages from one dedicated location

✔︎ The landing pages section
✔︎ How to create a landing page
✔︎ Landing pages templates library
✔︎ Landing pages management

Elementor Theme Builder - Headers/Footers/404

In this video, we cover how to build a header on any WordPress theme using Elementor Theme Builder.
The same principle applies to creating footers.

404 is the standard response code that tells the user they reached a page that is unavailable.

Elementor Theme Builder - Blog posts

With Elementor Theme Builder you can control the Layout & Design of the Single Post Template – on any theme. A Single Post Template is made out of different elements: a Post Title, Post Content, a Featured Image, Metadata, Comments, etc.

Elementor Theme Builder - Woocommerce products

WooCommerce single and archive product page templates using Elementor’s WooCommerce Builder.

✓ Use WooCommerce with Elementor
✓ Create a custom design for your products and archive
✓ Save a single and archive template with conditions by category

Pop up builder

Learn how to use the Popup Builder to add customised, engaging popups to your website.

SEO - Elementor Pro and Yoast

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use the built-in Yoast SEO integration in Elementor. Taking care and increasing your website’s search engine optimization, or in short – SEO, is one of the most important things you can do to increase traffic to your website!

Elementor Pro Academy

For all how-to videos in one place

Use the search bar on this page to find instruction videos on every Elementor Pro tool.
Everything you possibly need to know in one place – these are for more advanced website changes.

SEO

SEO Optimisation Already Completed for Your Website:

Each page has a unique H1 tag that clearly communicates the main topic of the page.
H2 & H3 Subheadings are strategically used a clear hierarchy to improve readability and content structure for search engines.
Text is broken into smaller sections to improve readability.
Relevant keywords are integrated throughout your website content, including page titles, meta descriptions, headings and image alt text.
Meta descriptions for each website that summarise the content and entice users to click from search results.
All images are accompanied by descriptive alt text, improving accessibility and providing context for search engines.
Yoast plugin helps to optimise website content for search engines.
Your website is hosted on an ultra-fast cloud-based VPS server.
This contributes to a positive user experience and is a ranking factor for search engines.
Your website is responsive and provides an optimal user experience across all devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).
This is crucial for SEO as a significant portion of web browsing occurs on mobile devices.
The website’s code is well-structured and adheres to best practices.
This ensures search engines can easily crawl and index your website content.

This list above represents the SEO optimisation implemented during the website build process and forms a strong base.
SEO is an ongoing process, and further optimisation strategies can be explored moving forward…

Writing Regular Content / blog content:

Publish High-Quality Content: Publish informative, engaging content relevant to your target audience. This establishes you as an authority and keeps visitors coming back.
Target Relevant Keywords: Research keywords people use to find businesses like yours. Integrate these keywords naturally throughout your blog content. I recommend using answerthepublic.com
Publish Regularly: Consistent fresh content shows Google your site is active and relevant. Aim for a regular blog schedule (e.g., monthly, bi-weekly).

Building Backlinks with UK Online Directories:

Getting listed in relevant online directories can boost your website’s visibility and potentially generate backlinks.
Here are some popular UK options to consider:

Free Listings:

Google My Business: Essential for local SEO. Claim and optimise your free listing.
Bing Places: Similar to Google My Business, but for Bing search.
Yell.com: A well-established UK directory with a freemium option.
FreeIndex.co.uk: A popular directory with a large user base.
CYLEX-UK.co.uk: Offers free basic listings for UK businesses.
UK Small Business Directory: Specifically caters to small businesses.

Optional Paid Listings:

Thomson Local: A reputable directory with a high domain authority.
Yell.com: Offers premium listings with additional features.
Remember: Choose directories relevant to your target audience.

Social Media:

Promote Your Content: Share your blog posts and website content on social media platforms like Facebook, X, Linked-In and Instagram. This drives traffic to your site and can indirectly improve SEO.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and questions on social media. Building a community fosters brand loyalty and encourages sharing, which can lead to more backlinks.

Track Your Progress:

Monitoring your website’s performance is crucial for SEO success. Here’s how:

Free Website Analytics Tools: Use free tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics to track website traffic, identify top keywords, and analyse user behaviour.

Mastering Google My Business:

A well-optimised Google My Business (GMB) profile is essential for local SEO. Here’s how to leverage it:

Claim and Verify: Claim your free GMB listing and verify ownership through Google’s verification process.
Complete Your Profile: Provide accurate and detailed information, including business name, address, phone number, website, category, and opening hours.
Upload High-Quality Photos: Showcase your business with professional-looking photos of your storefront, team, and products/services.
Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your GMB profile. You can use the ‘Ask for Reviews’ link to help.
Respond to Reviews: Respond to all reviews, thanking customers for positive feedback and addressing any concerns raised in negative reviews.
Regularly Update Your Profile: Keep your GMB profile updated with any changes in business information, special offers, or events.

Other review platforms:

Facebook Reviews: Since many people use Facebook to research businesses, encourage satisfied customers to leave a review there as well. Facebook reviews can also build social proof and encourage engagement.
Trustpilot: Trustpilot is a popular review platform used across various industries.
Don’t incentivise reviews: Google and other platforms frown upon offering rewards or discounts for reviews. Focus on providing a great customer experience and organically encouraging genuine feedback.

Earning Backlinks from High-Ranking Websites:

Backlinks are essentially votes of confidence from other websites to yours. Getting featured on high-ranking websites can significantly boost your SEO. Here are some strategies to consider:

Guest Blogging: Reach out to established websites in your target niche and offer to write guest blog posts. This gets your brand in front of a new audience and earns you a valuable backlink to your website.
Local Outreach: Reach out to newspapers, magazines, and online publications in your area. Identify journalists or editors who cover topics relevant to your business and reach out with a compelling story idea or offer yourself as an expert source for upcoming articles. A mention in a local publication can generate a valuable backlink.
Industry Awards & Recognition: Participate in relevant industry awards or recognition programs. Winning or being nominated can lead to backlinks from award websites and news outlets that cover the event.
Remember: Building backlinks takes time and effort. Focus on creating high-quality content and building relationships with other websites in your niche.

SEO is a long-term strategy:

By consistently creating valuable content, building backlinks, engaging on social media, mastering your GMB profile, and staying updated on SEO trends, you’ll gradually see your website climb the search engine rankings.

Google Ads and SEO are complementary strategies. While SEO focuses on organic visibility, Google Ads allows you to take a more targeted approach to reach your ideal customers and achieve your marketing goals. We are now working alongside an experienced Google ads expert who can help you create your marketing plan.

Google Ads / PPC

We partner with Digital Beacon Marketing who specialise in lead generation-focused Google Ads management, where unlike some Google Ads agencies, every click is optimised for conversions, not just traffic.

Their goal? To lower your cost per lead (CPL) while maximising ROI and ROAS—so you get more customers, not just more clicks.

While SEO is a fantastic strategy for organic growth, there are many benefits to considering Google Ads alongside your SEO efforts.

Faster Results: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take months to see significant ranking improvements. Google Ads allows you to get your website in front of potential customers much faster, driving traffic and conversions almost instantly.

Target Specific Audiences: With Google Ads, you can laser-target your ideal customers based on demographics, interests, online behaviour, and even purchase intent. This ensures your ads are reaching the most relevant audience, maximizing your return on investment (ROI).
Complement SEO Efforts: Google Ads can support your SEO strategy by promoting content that targets high-value keywords you’re trying to rank for organically. This can generate initial traffic and backlinks, ultimately improving your organic ranking.
Run Targeted Campaigns: Need to promote a specific product, service, or event? Google Ads allows you to create targeted campaigns with clear goals and budgets. It’s a great way to test different marketing messages and see what resonates best with your audience.
Remarket to Website Visitors: Ever leave a website and then see ads for that same website on other sites? That’s remarketing! Google Ads allows you to show targeted ads to people who have already visited your website, keeping your brand top-of-mind and potentially bringing them back to convert.
Measurable Results: Unlike traditional advertising, Google Ads offers detailed analytics so you can track the performance of your campaigns in real-time. See what’s working, what’s not, and adjust your strategy accordingly to maximize your return on investment (ROI).

SEO specialists

We partner with Carrie-ann Sudlow, a results-driven SEO specialist recognised among top SEO companies for small business, dedicated to helping businesses grow through ethical, transparent, and effective search engine optimisation.

With a focus on long-term success rather than shortcuts, Carrie-ann and her Sudlow Marketing team share a commitment to honest marketing that delivers measurable impact.

Explore their plans here

Social media management

We partner with Carrie-ann Sudlow, who help Worcester businesses harness the power of social media with honest, results-focused strategies that build real engagement and long-term brand trust.

Explore their plans here

Recommended free or inexpensive Tools

Password managers

To keep your website safe, you need strong, unique passwords. A password manager is essential for this. You have two excellent options:

Google Password Manager is like a convenient, master-keyed lockbox that Google provides. It’s easy to use and built into the tools you already use.
KeePass is like a high-security safe that you own and control completely. It’s incredibly secure but requires you to manage the combination and location.

Both are far better than reusing passwords or writing them down on a sticky note.

Make your QR Code

Adobe Express QR code creator helps you create a QR code for your website, social media, business cards, and even product sales. No experience required.

Mailerlite - All-in-One Email Marketing Solution

MailerLite provides a comprehensive suite of tools to help businesses effectively engage with their audience. From creating visually appealing email campaigns and landing pages to automating workflows and tracking campaign performance, MailerLite empowers businesses to nurture leads and drive conversions with its user-friendly platform.

Calendly - Effortless Appointment Scheduling

Calendly is an online scheduling tool that streamlines the process of booking meetings and appointments. It eliminates the back-and-forth emails by allowing users to share their availability via a unique link. Others can then select a convenient time slot based on the user’s pre-defined schedule, automatically syncing with their calendar. This simplifies scheduling for both individuals and teams, saving time and reducing frustration.

Esignatures - Mobile Friendly contracts

Effortless, mobile-friendly contracts that impress your clients and streamline your workflow. Contracts issued by eSignatures are legally binding for nearly every business or personal transaction in almost every country in the world.

With eSignatures, recipients receive an email (or an SMS) with a unique link to open the contract. By clicking the “Sign” button the recipients accept the conditions and sign the document.

Instagram feed fix

Many websites display an Instagram feed using a plugin called Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed – Easy Social Feeds Plugin

It’s a great plugin, but it has a little issue – it often loses its connection and has to be reconnected by the owner (you).

Be sure that your Instagram is the business version
When it drops it’s live feed, please follow the instructions here to reconnect it.
If you run into difficulty please contact ted@bearleftstudio.com