The journal.
Here you will find recent commissions, written up in full by the person who carried them out, and plain answers to the questions asked before a website is chosen: who owns it, what it is built on, and what happens when something goes wrong.
Every post, newest first.
- It is the little things that make a shop sellA handful of small corrections to one online shop, from where an offer sat to a button that did not look like one, and what happened to its orders in the eleven days that followed.
- Betsy's Raw Food: the website, the freezer and everything in betweenBetsy's has a new website, but most of the work went into the part customers never see: repeat orders written in plain English, a feeding calculator, barcode packing, and freezer stock that at last matches what the website says.
- Should you buy your website or lease it?Owning a website is much like owning a house, and leasing one much like renting. This is what each really means, and the questions to ask before you commit to either.
- Duda, WordPress or bespoke: which suits your business?Duda, WordPress and a bespoke build are three very different arrangements, from renting a well-run flat to building a house from an architect's drawings. This is what each one really means for your business.
- PHP2Shell: if I host your website, it is already patchedTwo serious flaws in PHP, the language WordPress runs on, were made public on 21 October. If I host your website, it was patched that evening, and there is nothing you need to do.
- Two websites rebuilt in a day, in Duncan's office in BurwellHow I rebuilt Cambridge Electrical Services and Cambridge EV Points in a single day in the client's office, and took both new sites live safely.
- Six Google certifications, and what they mean for youI have passed six of Google's own examinations, from Search and Shopping ads to Analytics and Search Ads 360. This is what each one changes for the businesses whose advertising I run.
- Business Brew: laid out like the breakfast tableEvery networking group says it is friendly, so the new Business Brew website shows it instead: the real breakfast, the real room, members' own photographs and words, and live dates from the members' app.
- The Studio Littleport: a holiday let that takes its own bookingsOur annexe in Littleport now takes its own bookings and card payments, and keeps its calendar in step with Booking.com, as it could with Airbnb. This is how it works, and who else it would suit.
- Ferrie Electrical: the proof was already on his phoneAn electrician with photographs of a lit medieval angel roof on his phone, and a website that showed none of it. Most of this commission was archaeology rather than design: bringing years of real work out of WhatsApp and onto a site he can keep adding to himself.
- Reco Heart: most of the work was not the shopNobody goes shopping for a post-surgery bra, so most of this rebuild went into the parts that are not the shop: a route through each operation, a recovery hub arranged by stage, and a page that points people to help the business does not sell.
- Coach You: a coaching website built to create clarity and momentumHow I turned Jill McCulloch’s decades of coaching and business experience into a confident, human website that helps the right visitor recognise themselves—and take a clear next step. Client: Coach…
- Local SEO for Cambridge Businesses: A Plain-English GuideWhat local SEO actually is, why it matters in Cambridge, and the five things that genuinely move the needle. No jargon, no tricks, written by a local.
- How to Get Your Business Into Google’s AI AnswersA plain-English guide for local business owners on getting picked up in Google's AI Overviews, from answer-first writing to schema, reviews and Google Business Profile.
- What £2k, £5k & £10k Actually Buys You in a UK WebsiteThree worked examples of what a £2k, £5k, and £10k website actually delivers in the UK in 2026. Honest, plain-English, no jargon.
- Working at the Ely Work CollectiveToday, as my fiancée was working from home and Eric had a dog sitter, I decided to venture out into the world like a proper professional. Ely Work Collective, a…
- HDR Images on WordPress: Which File Type Should You Actually Use?A practical guide to HDR image file types on WordPress. Which formats work, which don't, and how to stop WordPress stripping HDR back to SDR.
- WordPress 7 Now Talks to Claude and ChatGPT. Here’s What That Means for Your Business.WordPress 7 introduces built-in AI connectivity, letting your site link directly to Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini through a single setup called Connectors. Instead of juggling multiple plugins and subscriptions, one…
- How a friend’s 5-year-old’s birthday party became an iOS app: building GiftSnapHow GiftSnap (an AI thank-you note app for parents) got built solo in Cambridgeshire. The tech stack, 7 Apple rejections, and lessons from shipping V1.
- Logo & Branding: Greenshoots Photography – Cambridge Headshot StudioHow I designed the logo and brand identity for Greenshoots Photography, a professional headshot and portrait studio based in Cambridge.
- Logo & Branding: Jill McCulloch – Public Speaker CoachThe story behind the logo and brand identity I designed for Jill McCulloch, a Cambridge-based public speaking coach — and how her love of rowing shaped the design.Tags: logo design, branding, cambridge, public speaking, coaching
- The Slippery Slope of Scope Creep: Tales from a Web DesignerHave you ever started a simple project that somehow snowballed into something massive? As a web designer and SEO expert, I’ve been down that rabbit hole more times than I’d…
- The Importance of Responsive Web Design for SEO SuccessDiscover how responsive web design boosts SEO rankings and enhances user experience. Learn why a mobile-friendly website is essential for your Cambridge business with Lord Knows Web Design & SEO Agency.
- Pricing a Website ProjectLearn the pros and cons of fixed pricing, time and materials, and value-based pricing for web design projects. Discover a flexible approach to pricing that balances client needs and profitability.
- How to Improve Your Local SEO in CambridgeshireIf you’re a business owner in Cambridgeshire, you know how important it is to attract local customers. One of the most effective ways to do this is through local SEO…
- Free vs Professional Websites: Is the Price Worth It?Discover the hidden costs of free website builders and the benefits of investing in a professionally designed website. Learn why a custom website can be a valuable long-term investment for your business.
- Elevate Your Ely Business: The Power of Web Design and SEOAre you looking to increase your online visibility in Ely? Our SEO agency offers top-notch web design and SEO services tailored to local businesses. Let's help you reach your target audience and drive more traffic to your website.
- The Importance of Alt Tags in SEO: What They Are and Why You Need ThemWhen it comes to optimising your website for search engines, every little detail counts. One often overlooked yet crucial aspect of SEO is using alt tags for images. Alt tags,…
- Understanding SEO: A Beginner’s GuideLearn the basics of SEO with our comprehensive guide for beginners. Discover why SEO is crucial for your business and how to get started with essential strategies. Boost your online presence with tips from Lord Knows, your trusted web design and SEO experts.
- Discovering the Future with Apple Vision Pro: 30-Minute In-Store DemonstrationEarlier today, I was lucky enough to have a 30-minute demonstration of the new Apple Vision Pro with George, the Apple Genius, at the Apple store in Cambridge.
- Introducing Our Latest Project: Elizabeth Catchpole Home OrganiserWe are thrilled to announce the launch of Elizabeth Catchpole’s new website. Elizabeth Is a professional home organiser dedicated to helping individuals create serene, clutter-free living spaces. Working on this…
- The Importance of Regular SEO Audits for Small BusinessesConducting regular SEO audits helps ensure your website remains optimised and effective. Lord Knows SEO Ely
- New website for Soham Based Flat Roofing CompanyLast month, we responded to a cry for help on an Ely business Facebook group from a local flat roofing company looking for a web designer. DB Flat Roofing, based…
- Interactive Parking Maps for WebsitesMap of Ely showing the location of car parks and their restrictions.
- Time to Say Goodbye – The Off-Boarding ExperienceFirst of all, I apologise for the lousy photo. An explanation for this can be found in my blog post about AI images. I recently tried to unsubscribe from a…
- Why Does AI Think Bald Men Should be Heavily Tattooed?I needed an image for a blog post about having difficulty unsubscribing from a service. I decided to make the man in the photo look a bit like me, so…
- Logo Design Process for The Old WarehouseI recently created a new logo for The Old Warehouse in Ely. The Old Warehouse is a group of apartments offering accommodation in the centre of Ely. The first step…
- Mastering SEO with Lord Knows: Elevate Your Website’s Rank and VisibilityDiscover our expert approach to SEO and the use of advanced tools to ensure your website reaches and captivates your target audience.
- Does AI Generated Content Harm Your SEO?AI-generated content can have both positive and negative impacts on SEO, depending on how it's used.
- Pay Monthly Websites for Businesses and Residents of LittleportI'm looking to work with residents and businesses of Littleport in Cambridgeshire who would like a website and wish to pay monthly.
- Tis the Season for Swift Websites: Unraveling the Psychology Behind Christmas Web LaunchesAs a web designer, I’ve noticed a fascinating phenomenon at this time of year – a surge in clients during October and November who express an urgent desire to have…
- Do I need a website for my business?Today, we’re addressing the question: “Do I need a website for my business?” You might be aware of the importance of websites but believe they’re optional for your specific type…
- Does Google punish plagiarised content?This blog post explores the question: Does Google punish plagiarised content?
- The Impact of AI on Web DesignersExplore the potential of AI on web designers. Discover how automation, personalisation and collaboration will shape the future of web design.
- Are Impressions a Good way of Measuring SEO?Impressions are the number of times your website or webpage appears in search results, regardless of whether users actually click on it...
- My First Try of Photshop’s New AI FeaturesMy First ‘Tinker’ With the New Adobe Photoshop AI Features on the Latest Beta Version. I’ve just downloaded the new Photoshop Beta version that comes with some exciting new AI…
- Harnessing the Power of Local SEO: Boost Your Business’s Visibility and ReachBy optimising your website for local searches, you can improve visibility, attract nearby customers, and drive more traffic to your business.
- The Lengths We Go To For SEO.The ideal lengths of meta titles, descriptions, page titles, and page content for SEO can vary, but here are some general guidelines.
- Beyond Appearance: Why Hiring a Professional Web Agency is Crucial for Business SuccessThe true measure of a successful website lies in its appearance and ability to attract visitors, generate leads, and drive revenue.
- You Should be Blogging for SEO SuccessWhen it comes to improving your website's visibility and attracting organic traffic, blogging should not be overlooked.
- What Makes a Good Website?A good website is a powerful tool that can engage visitors, convey your brand message effectively, and drive desired actions. While the specific requirements may vary based on the nature…
- Scope Creep on Website Projects: Taming the Ever-Expanding BeastHere we'll delve into the world of scope creep, exploring its causes, consequences, and strategies for effectively managing it.
- How do I Get New Clients via LinkedIn?LinkedIn is a powerful social media platform for B2B businesses. Here are some strategies you can use to get new clients via LinkedIn.
- How will Using AI for Copywriting and Creating Blog Posts Impact on SEO in the Future?AI for copywriting has the potential to significantly impact SEO in the future. Here are some ways AI-powered copywriting can affect SEO.
- Blocking Annoying Spam Emails and Improving ProductivityIn this article, I will explore how to set up email rules to automatically send spam with certain keywords and phrases straight to your bin.
- SEO CambridgeSEO for Cambridge small businesses by one specialist, twenty minutes from the city. Local, technical and on-page SEO with honest fixed prices. Est. 2001.
- What are the Benefits of Using WordPress for my Website?WordPress is a popular content management system. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of using WordPress for your website.
- How to Give Your Web Designer Useful FeedbackBe clear and concise in your feedback so that your designer can understand your vision and create a website that meets your expectations.
- What are the Benefits of Good SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) for a Small Business?Having a website with good SEO (search engine optimisation) can provide several benefits to a small business; here we explore them.
- Web Hosting (Slight) Price IncreaseAs a website owner, I know that keeping my prices competitive and affordable for my customers is of utmost importance. That is why it is not easy to inform you…
- Taking Over an Existing WebsiteWith careful planning and a strategic approach, it is possible to successfully take over an existing website and make it your own.
- The Advantages of a Blog Over Social MediaWhile social media platforms offer many benefits, there are still many advantages to having a blog. Here I list the advantages of a blog.
- Why Should I Write Regular Blog Posts?There are many benefits to blogging regularly. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the reasons why you should blog regularly.
- Web Designer in ElyIn this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of hiring a web designer in Ely and offer tips for finding the right designer for your needs.
- Advantages of Using SVG Graphics Over PNGs on Your WebsiteWhile PNG has been the traditional choice for web graphics, there are many advantages to using SVGs over PNGs on your website.
- What is CSS Grid and Why do We Use it For Building Websites?CSS grid enables web developers to create complex and responsive layouts with ease. In this post, I'll discuss the benefits of using CSS Grid
- What to Tell Your Web Designer Before Starting a New Website ProjectWorking with a web designer to create a website for your business can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, before you begin, it’s important to communicate your needs and…
- Why is Ongoing SEO so Important?The goal of SEO is to attract more traffic to your website and increase your website’s visibility, leads, conversions, and revenue.
- Why Use a Web Designer Instead of a DIY Website Builder?While DIY website builders like Wix or Squarespace may seem like a cost-effective and easy way to create a website, there are several benefits to using a professional web design…
- How SEO can Benefit Your BusinessFind out why SEO is important and how it can benefit businesses in several ways in this blog post.
- New Website and Branding for Rwanda Based Beauty SalonLord Knows recently had the privilege to create a new brand and website for Coco Skincare, a startup beauty salon based in Kigali, Rwanda.
- Renewable Energy Web Hosting ServiceAt Lord Knows, we believe in providing reliable web hosting services while also doing our part to reduce our carbon footprint. That's why we use 100% renewable energy to power our servers.
- Why Web Design is ImportantWeb design is a critical component of building a successful online presence. Here we'll explore some key principles of web design.
- Business Cards for the Modern Business WorldThis is a guest post from Damian Langan, Damian is a freelance graphic designer based in Ipswich. You can see more of Damian’s work on his website The Creative Guy…
- SEO and Business NetworkingThere are similarities between getting your website listed on Google's results pages with organic SEO and business networking. Find out why.
- Web Design and SEO ClientsWe’ve been building websites and providing SEO services for over 20 years. We have built a long and varied client list, including the NHS, Cambridge University, local SMEs, charities and…
- New Fittocks Stud Logo Design and BrandingNew logo design and branding for Fittocks Stud. Fittocks Stud are a Newmarket based stud farm.
- New website for Cambridge Garden StudiosThis week we launched a new look website for our long-time clients Cambridge Garden Studios.
- Does it matter if you use ‘&’ or ‘and’ for SEO?& (ampersand) and the word 'and' are treated similarly by search engines but they can show different search results.
- What is an SSL certificate?An SSL certificate is displayed for websites in the form of a padlock icon in the address bar and a URL that starts with https://
- The UK plan to scrap cookie consent pop-upsThe Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) says the government intends to scrap cookie pop-ups.
- Does organic SEO work?The answer to this is yes. It may not be instant but with the correct methods applied it will make a huge difference to your company.
- Email SecurityPhishing is an attempt to collect your personal information by posing as a reputable organisation. Phishing emails are often disguised as something non-malicious to trick the recipient into clicking on…
- The importance of ongoing SEOAt the beginning of the year, we started working one day a month on a client’s SEO to get them found on search engines for the services they provide and…
- SEO – The TruthA lot of people believe that when you perform SEO on a website that success is both quick and guaranteed, but I’m afraid it is neither. If you need instant…
- Wants and NeedsEarlier this morning I was on one of my 1N business networking Zoom meetings. A question came up about which is more important, wants or needs. It got me thinking…
- Submitting your new web page to GoogleIf you add a new page or post to your website, there is a very good chance Google will discover it… eventually. It could take a month or two or…
- What do I blog about?Ideas for blog content when you have writer's block.
- Optimising images for SEOThis article shows you how to reduce the file size, add geotags, and add keywords and phrases to your images to help with your SEO.
- When did I join LinkedIn?Find out when you joined LinkedIn.
- New website launch – Ely Rowing ClubLast week Lord Knows launched a brand new website for the Isle of Ely Rowing Club. Ely Rowing Club required a website that they could update themselves both quickly and…
- Looking for companies local to Cambridge who want more businessCambridge B2B is looking for new members to refer business to. We meet every Tuesday at 7:30 am at the Quy Mill Hotel. We are currently looking for HR professionals,…
- Hosting Powered by 100% Renewable EnergyI’m excited to inform all our clients that all our hosting is now officially powered 100% by renewable energy. This means that if we host your website, it is now…
- Google Search Tips: How to Use Quotation Marks, Hyphens, and More to Search More Efficiently on GooglePlain-English guide to Google search operators: exact-match quotation marks, the minus sign, hyphens in URLs and site: search. With examples you can copy.
- Make your website’s first impression a good oneAt some point you will click on a link to a website, then after the quickest of glances, you know that either you don’t like or it is not what…
- Websites and MeA blog post about my website journey, from experiementing with FrontPage and learning Flash to building bespoke WordPress themes.
- The Importance of Photography on WebsitesAs a web designer amazing photography makes my job a lot easier. Whether it's headshots, products photography or buildings.
- Improve your web typographyGood typography is a key factor in a successful website. If your copy is clear and easy to read then it is more likely to get read by your visitors.…
- How to Add an HTML Signature in Mail in macOSStep by step guide on how to add a html signature in macOS Mail. For some reason Apple do not make it as straight forward as you may like.
- Using Zoom for MeetingsBefore Corvid-19 I had never used Zoom. Now it is part of my day-to-day life. It saves time, travelling, money and most importantly it ensures social distancing.
- Typography on the webUser experience is crucial on the web. If reading your website involves putting some effort in, they will likely head straight for the back button and look elsewhere. One vital…
- Britain’s Hunkiest MaleBritain's Hunkiest Male. Showcasing my SEO skills in the unlikeliest of ways to prove a point to a friend.
- CoronavirusWell, it’s been a strange week. Having suffered from symptoms of Coronavirus after returning from a recent snowboarding trip, I have been self-isolating. Work-wise I’ve got a lot done. I work…
- Google Mobile Site CertifiedI’m delighted to announce that I have passed my latest Google examination and am now fully certified by Google for developing mobile websites. For the certification, I sat a 90 minute…
- Why Google PageSpeed is importantThe time it takes for a webpage to load can dramatically impact where your site features in Google’s search results.
- Do you know your numbers?Do you advertise your business in different places such as your website, flyers, business directories and magazines. Find out how each one performs.
- Basic Top 10 SEO Checklist RulesFriendly and easy. Your basic guide from LORD Knows will help you optimise your web pages. Search engines will love you and your website. Website URL: Get your primary keywords…
- QR codes with added featuresQR codes certainly are everywhere these days. And massively easy to create. Just type ‘QR code creator’ into Google and, whoosh, a host of websites that will create a QR…
- This year’s 25 worst passwords – is yours amongst them?Password management provider SplashData has released its 25 worst passwords of the year ordered by how common they are. Unsurprisingly ‘password’ is number one on the list. SplashData created the list…
If something here bears on your own website, tell me about it.
It begins with thirty minutes on a call, or a note in the form telling me about the question a post raised, or what your website should be doing that it is not. Every message is read and answered by me no later than the end of the next working day, and if I can help, a written proposal follows within two working days.
Or write to enquiries@adamlord.co.uk. For a fuller picture, the project brief takes about ten minutes.
Tell me about your website
Thank you. Your message is with me.
It has come straight to me rather than to a queue, and I will reply by the end of the next working day.