Although the law came in last year (2011), website owners have until 26th May 2012 to comply, after which they could be fined up to £500,000.

So What Are Cookies?

Unfortunately they're not referring to the tasty biscuit that instantly springs to mind.

Cookies are small text files which websites place on visitors’ computers. They’re typically used to identify that particular visitor and provide them with a better experience. Cookies are a crucial part of many website functions which we all take for granted.

Almost all websites uses cookies.  A common use for cookies is online shopping. Cookies allow sites to remember what items you have in your basket. They’re also used to keep you logged in to a website such as Facebook, or to provide valuable usage statistics and information through tools like Google Analytics. They may also be used to display relevant adverts to visitors.

Here's a humorous video from @silktide to help explain: The stupid EU cookie law in 2½ minutes.

What Does This Mean For Me?

There’s still a lot of confusion about how the rules should be interpreted and what websites need to do to comply. As a result, many websites are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach.
In short, the new rules require websites to get permission from visitors before placing any cookies on their computer. Permission must be informed and overt, which means you have to ask visitors outright if you can put cookies on their computer, and explain clearly what the cookies are used for.

What Do I Need To Do?

Even with the May deadline fast approaching, hardly any websites have done anything obvious to comply with the cookie law. Some sites have started displaying pop-ups to get users to opt-in. Remember popups? Yes, everyone hated them so much, nearly ever browser now blocks them by default.

Even the governing body responsible for enforcing the rules (the ICO) saw a 90% drop in recorded traffic because visitors simply aren't opting in.

It’s looking very unlikely that many websites will have implemented a cookie opt-in by 26 May. In fact the ICO has suggested that the most important thing is to take steps in the right direction. If you can show you’re moving towards full compliance then you’re unlikely to be targeted.
As a bare minimum, it’s important to have an understanding of what cookies your website uses and plan how you might implement an opt-in. The only other option is to stop using cookies altogether, which isn't really a practical solution.

What Cookies Do You Use?

We only use cookies for Google Analytics to collect anonymous information about the pages viewed on our website. The analytics service from Google sets a number of cookies (default of 4). Third Party widgets like Facebook and Twitter widgets may also uses cookies. You can find out more in our Privacy Policy.

In Summary

Although there is still a fair amount of uncertainty around the new law, it’s fair to say that doing nothing is not a good option. In the long-term, people’s attitudes and understanding of cookies may change – and web browsers may include settings to help provide a consistent opt-in.

For now, if you need help complying with the law, please get in touch.

Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest information.

What do you think about the new Cookie Law? Let us know in the comments below.

Cover Photo

Pages have a 851×351 pixel photo across the top of the page to convey a brand message. Facebook wants to keep cover photos from looking like banner ads, however, so images cannot include price or purchase information, contact info, calls to action or references to Facebook features such as Like or Share. This may seem like a strange decision to remove bespoke default tabs (including "like gates" or forced like pages) but there are now alternatives (see below).

Timeline

Page owners can now add milestones and choose to make featured posts larger than others, similar to what users can do with life events on Timeline. Pages can also hide individual posts without deleting them. This allows pages to display only its most engaging posts without losing important data.

Hover over a post and use the star icon to feature, or the pencil icon to hide or delete, posts.

Using the star icon to feature a post creates what Facebook calls a “Milestone.” These expanded posts display at 843 pixels wide by 403 pixels tall, so keep that in mind when choosing which content to highlight.

Brands can now also pin a post to the top of their feed. Pinned posts can stay for up to seven days.

Applications

Page tab apps continue to function, but instead of listing apps down the left side of the page, apps are available on the right beneath the cover photo. Fewer tabs can be highlighted above a “See more” option, but all apps benefit from larger thumbnails. App images are 111×74 pixels instead of the 16×16 pixel favicons used previously. Apps themselves can now be up to 810 pixels wide. They render on a new page underneath a header with a link back to the page, a drop-down menu with other tabs and a Like button if users don’t already.

Facebook will no longer allow default landing tabs. The company recommends pages pin a post that links to a particular tab. According to cover photo guidelines, pages cannot add images that use arrows or text to direct people to visit tabs or take particular actions. The social network seems to be waning pages off of tab applications. The vision is for Facebook to be integrated into third-party websites and mobile apps, not to have applications running within page frames. Because many companies already invested in developing applications for their pages, however, the social network could not simply get rid of them at this stage.

Our new Fan Page has already been updated to timeline.

What do you think about the new timeline design and features?
Let us know your thoughts.

"Which social networks do I need?"

There is no straight forward answer, as every clients needs and customer base is different. The first step is identifying your potential online market. Chances are, you already know this if you've already made the step to move online or have an existing website.

If you're reading this, chances are you probably already have a social network account, or even several which you use on a personal level. If not, it's a great time to start. Play around and get comfortable. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube and LinkedIn can all be used for personal and business use.

Normally we suggest treating your website as a central hub as usually this is where you ultimately want to drive customers toward to boost sales. From there we usually suggest focusing on a few key areas/ networks - you can always add and expand on those later once you've got a fan base (and your head round how they all work!)

A good starting point is:

1) Your Blog (this is also a great way to boost SEO rankings for any website)
2) Facebook
3) Twitter

Surveys have shown that the public are much more likely to trust (and therefore buy) from companies who have active accounts - it shows them as "real people", not just some automated system.

Consider your content

It’s important to have content on your social media pages before you start adding friends and followers. When you try to find followers, they’re going to look at the page to see if they want to follow you. So you need to give them a reason to follow you first. Provide valuable information about the industry and don't focus solely on your products.

Currently the most commonly used networks are Twitter and Facebook and these are a great place to start. LinkedIn is increasingly popular but seen as the more "grown up and serious", more business side of things. Google+ is starting to take off, but it's still in relatively early days compared to the other networks and there are no shortages of others out there such as YouTube, Digg, Tumblr and many others.

Each network has their own merit, and specific use. For example, YouTube's primary focus is video, which isn't always key to every businesses success.

Facebook offers the ability to have bespoke fan page tabs (essentially mini-websites) to increase fan bases and promote products/ launch competitions, gain subscriptions and much more. You can add "like gates" which encourage users to become fans before they can see certain content - this effectively "subscribes" them to your posts, very much like becoming "friends" on the personal side of Facebook.
There is also some great Facebook functionality which can be leveraged to encourage users to share things with the friends within these tabs and apps. You obviously don't need to add these advanced features to start with. Many businesses choose to have a simple page, including information about the business, opening times, links and maybe some relevant images. Custom Fan Pages can always be added later.

Help with Social Marketing

There are a variety of tools out there to help make your life easier. We use TweetDeck (free from Twitter) which can be used to post to multiple Twitter accounts and Facebook accounts at once.
Hoot Suite is also very good - it really comes down to personal preference and what works for you.

It is worth considering your content though if posting to multiple networks at once. Different channels/ networks are better suited to different kinds of posts.

Twitter is limited to 140 characters, whereas Facebook is much more flexible and you can add inline images & videos to posts.
Social Networks can be used to promote blog articles, but consider mixing up other posts - think of it from the user perspective; many people use both Twitter and Facebook. You'll want to attract both - if someone is subscribed on Facebook, what is the incentive for me to follow on Twitter if the posts are all identical?

Your first priority should be building that relationship with people, not pitching your service or product.

We hope that gives a small insight into the world of social networking.

If you'd like to know more, or get things kickstarted for your business, get in touch for a chat.

How do I get the new Twitter?

Currently, you'll need to download the latest version of Twitter for iPhone or Twitter for Android to get access to the redesigned Twitter on your computer.

As the video above outlines, Twitter also introduced three new buttons at the top of the page — Home, @Connect and #Discover. @Connect shows who has mentioned you and suggests some accounts you might want to follow. #Discover shows what’s trending and points you to notable stories and videos.

For more information, you can check out fly.twitter.com

The new design has just been featured as one of the "Best on the Internet" by Focus Designer. Head over and vote for us if you have the time HERE.

We also have a new Facebook Fan Page - make sure you don't forget to "Like" us to keep up to date with all our latest projects. We've got some great new bespoke Facebook projects being built at the moment, so stay tuned!

iTunes LP and iTunes Extras are interactive experiences created to accompany music and movies. iTunes LP lets listeners hear an album and view lyrics, liner notes, band photos, performance videos, and more.

Stay tuned for more details on the release or 'Like' us on Facebook for all the latest news http://facebook.com/dcoedesigns

DCOE:D has moved over from the old Group page to a new Facebook Fan Page. If you haven't already, head over and take a look.

http://www.facebook.com/dcoedesigns

Make sure you LIKE us too!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Luckily we're here to offer a great service to do just that; build your very own bespoke Fan Page or tab.

Here are a few examples we've been working on recently:

http://www.facebook.com/Flirtomatic
http://www.facebook.com/evianUK
http://www.facebook.com/TropicanaJuices
http://www.facebook.com/mileskanemusic?sk=app_194837897220998

and many more Facebook Fan Pages in the pipeline.

If you'd like to discuss with us - drop us a line.

www.dcoed.com

We've also been busy recently doing a lot of other Facebook Fan Pages. Some notable brands including evian and Tropicana. If you would like a Fan Page for your business, drop us a line www.dcoed.com.

In other news, our very own DCOE:DESIGNS iPhone app is nearly ready for release and will be available for free! Watch this space...

Challenge and race your Facebook friends in the all new Death Race 2 Game to celebrate and promote the release of the new film! Enjoy!

We've got some other great websites, Facebook apps, online games, iTunes LP's and much more coming up in 2011 so stay tuned!

Also a big thank you to all our clients throughout 2010.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hello! For those that don't know... We are a Professional Web Design Company based in the South West offering high quality, affordable products all over the UK. Find out more about our expert web site solutions, freelance design, logos, company branding, content management systems, search engine optimisation, Social Network applications and multimedia products on www.dcoed.com

We've put together a handy little document to help us and our customers define exactly what they're after HERE.

Go and buy it- its worth every penny!

http://bit.ly/94TwKX

Steve Winwood - www.stevewinwoodrevolutions.com

Enjoy!

www.plowrightorganic.co.uk

Plowright Organic Vegetables, Fruit and Eggs. Fresh, local and on your doorstep. The website also features an online ordering system so go and get your 5 a day!

Check out this great little review for one of our recent projects for our friends over at The Creative Corporation - The Who Name That Riff Facebook App

Recently we have been busy with Social Network projects. So 2009? Maybe... We are looking forward to what comes up in the world of web design in 2010.

In case you missed it, here is the website we launched at Christmas for the lovely Corinne Bailey Rae http://bit.ly/5W14Yc

Enjoy!

To celebrate the start of 2009 we've just launched our brand new site with a completely new look. Let us know your thoughts! 

The Sun voted www.guillemots.com "Site of the Week".

Check out the article HERE

Our latest collaboration with The Creative Corporation on www.elbow.co.uk has just been voted WOTW by The Sun Newspaper!

Check the article out HERE