Types of eyelash extension looks and styling tips every woman should know

Akash Chauhan
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Types of eyelash extension looks and styling tips every woman should know

The eyelash extension looks are in the trend for quite some time now. They tend to give a dramatic look to the eye and metamorphose a person’s entire personality. Mascaras are beautiful as well; however, the effect eyelash extensions provide cannot be achieved by mascara, and we all know that! You probably have seen pictures of eyelash extensions before and after, and evidently, it left you baffled with the outcome.  Though, there are varieties of eyelash extension designs such as the pen eye, natural eye, cat eye and the doll eye eyelash extensions. Many opt for a natural eyelash extension; however if you want to go for the doll eyelash extensions, it is cool.

Once you have picked your style, your lash artist would tell you about the length, thickness and curl type of the lashes in order to attain what you desire. For reference, you can go to Pinterest to find an eyelash extension style chart, so that you would know what your lash expert is talking about. Furthermore, eyelash extensions are pan free; all you got to do is to lie comfortably on a massage table and be relaxed. However, you have to make sure you are free the entire day as it is a good 2.5-3 hours of work. So do not make your lash artist do things in a rush.

Furthermore, to have your lashes done, you should have a little knowledge on the types of lash extension. From mink to silk to synthetic eyelashes, these have their own perks, and we are going to tell you each and everything about them:

Type of lash extension

Mink lash extension

Since the mink lash extension look so natural, clients more often get attracted towards it even more. Unlike mink lashes other lash extensions often make it seem like an artificial look, which is, by the way, is totally okay, as long as the focus is to accentuate what is naturally there. However, mink lashes give that softer and more elegant look, while providing that fuller effect simultaneously that the client requested. Because they are so thin & lightweight many clients ask their lash experts to add more of the mink lashes to their own lashes to intensify the volume of the lashes.

Silk eyelash extension

though they name it as silk in the lash industry, when in fact, this sort of lash is made up from synthetic material. Few like it natural while others do not want to go for a bold look. However, there is another category who love it something in between. For these kinds of clients, silk lash extension are a good option as they lay in between and offer a natural look that is natural however bit thicker & voluminous.

If we talk about its maintenance, silk lashes need minimal maintenance; moreover, you don’t have to take any extra precaution for your silk lash extensions while you shower, swim or play an outdoor sport. Another pro to this lash is that you don’t have to curl your lashes every day, unlike mink lashes.

Synthetic eyelash extension

when we are talking about ‘synthetic’ lashes, forget about ‘naturel.’  Synthetic lashes are all about that glam diva look with that full lash treatment; it may not sound much glamorous however the finish the quality of it is pretty high only if the products used are right and done by a professional lash expert.  Getting a synthetic lash extension is perfect when you have an occasion coming up. Though they do accentuate and completely changes your persona, these lashes can be little uncomfortable due to its extra weight, and they tend to stay for a little period than the lighter & thinner lash extensions. However, these are just some minor issues if you ask us.

If you are wondering what set of style would go for your eyes as per your eyes shape, don’t worry as we are here with the guide to eyelash extension training Australia for different eye shapes. Find out what eye shape you are blessed with:

Almond eye

almond eyes aka cat eyes are recognised in the beauty benchmark as the most beautiful eye shape. This type of eye shape can carry every look possible. The form of this eye shape is upturned and broader.

Wide eyes

As the name says ‘wide eyes’, it lies farther from each other. When applying lashes on these types of eye sets, the focus is on the inner corner of the eye to concoct the impression that the eyes are closer than they are. If you want to pull off a cat eye look, it won’t be a clever idea as cat eye look tends to stress more on the outer corner of the eyes.

Close-set

This type of eye set is exactly contradictory to what the wide eyes are. Close-set eyes emphasis on the outer edge of the eyes and this is where the lash experts put extensions the heaviest and the longest to lure attention away from the inner corners of the eyes.

Downturned

This type of eye could be stressful for few when it is about eyelash extension. If the lashes applied wrongly, they could be overemphasised and seem more downturned and drag the whole face with it. The only way to conceal the downturned aspect is by lifting the eyes; using a firmer curl at the outer ends, also placing the extensions as little as possible for the initial part of the outer corners would make sure that the downturned eye shape is not intensified. The focus shall be amid the beginning o the iris and pupil looking straight upfront.

Small eyes

This set of eyes often linked with hooded eyes. Small eye types can seem even smaller when they are paired with heavy lashes. You need to use a strong curl and focus on the midsection of the eye.

Hooded eyes

If you use heavy eyelashes on this type of eye set chances are your eyes may seem smaller than they are. To open them up, use much stronger curl and accentuate the mid part of the eyes.

So, did you find out what eye type you’re blessed with?

How to make a homemade slip and slide – Aussie Edition

Cillian Bracken-Conway
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How to make a homemade slip and slide – Aussie Edition

Whether you’re organising a kid’s birthday party or it’s time to let your inner child run wild, slip n’ slides are a great Australian summer tradition.

This water activity has always been an Aussie favourite. From water parks loaded with the best thrills and giant inflatable water slides, it’s no wonder that homemade slip and slides are a recognised part of many Australian childhoods.

For parents, investing in toys and activities that get the whole family having fun is important. And slip n’ slides cater. Keeping the kids entertained is priority, of course, but who’s to say adults can’t benefit from a man-sized slip n’ slide?

If you have the backyard (or beach/park) space and looking for hours of entertainment, then slip n’ slides can be the way to go. Knowing how to make a homemade slip and slide is a cost-effective alternative to get creative and have a little fun in the process. Here’s what you need to know to go DIY.

Supplies you will need

Before you start digging up the backyard, make sure you have the right supplies handy. A trip to Bunnings should sort you out with the following:

1. Plastic tarp or sheeting

As the main material for slipping and sliding on, you want to choose plastic tarp or poly sheeting that’s thick and less likely to tear. The higher durability, the more you can reuse the slide in the future.

This will most probably be your biggest expense, so don’t skimp on it by purchasing cheap thin plastic. Sheeting from six millimetres is best to minimise tears and offer protection from rocks and anything sharp underneath, which can still be cost-effective from the right hardware store.

Use white or black plastic, just be wary that black plastic will get hot between slip n’ slide breaks. The width and length of your chosen tarp is dependent on how big you want the slide.

2. Digging supplies and/or tent stakes

Depending on where you choose to make your slip n’ slide, you may need a shovel to level out the playing field.

If you’re making your slide at the beach, you can pile sand along the edge to hold the sheeting in place.

If you’re using a grassy space, use tent stakes to secure the corners of the tarp. It’s important these stakes are pushed as far into the ground as possible (a hammer will be handy here), especially if kids are using the slide, for safety precautions.

3. Pool noodles

Remember playing ten pin bowls as a kid with the gutter barrier up? Pool noodles act in a similar way for your slip n’ slide, making it easier (and safer).

They’re also a great trick for helping to hold water on the slide and serve as a soft bumper edge for the kids (or accident-prone adults).

4. Water proof double-sided tape

To secure the pool noodles to the tarp’s edges.

5. Lubricant

Slippery slides are no fun if you’re not sliding after you slip. Use dishwashing detergent, bubble bath or baby oil for best results.

6. Water

The most important ingredient – and plenty of it, if you want hours of fun.

Having access to a nearby (long) hose to trickle water down your slip n’ slide throughout the day is the easiest option. Alternatively, public spaces may mean getting the kids to do a bucket brigade. If that’s the case, invest in a few buckets so you don’t need to constantly fill them up.

Old fashioned lawn sprinklers with a sprinkler hose can also be useful.

 

How to make the slip n’ slide
Photo: Yobro, Bigstock

Now you’re armed with the right supplies, it’s time to get this ride underway.

Building the slip n’ slide is easy. You’ll need to:

1. Choose the perfect location

If possible, position the slip n’ slide near a hose. Flat surfaces are best, with a slight ‘runway’ on one end. A small downhill slope that peters out will provide the perfect sliding real estate.

Choose an area with soft grass and your desired amount of incline, depending on how fast you want to slide, as well as a safe landing area.

2. Remove rocks and sharp objects

Prepare the location by removing any rocks, debris or sharp objects that can pierce the tarp and/or injure players.

3. Secure your tarp

Tarps can be secured to the ground with small piles of sand, sand bags or tent stakes. If you’re at the beach, the sides may be buried into the sand too.

Roll out the sheeting and secure accordingly. Longer slides may need additional anchors in the middle.

Lay the pool noodles around the perimeter of the plastic, with a small space between each. You can pull the plastic over the noodles from the outside edge to secure the barrier if needed, or just use double sided duct tape the hold the noodles in place.

4. Apply water

To ensure a slick surface for slipping and sliding on, the slide needs to be wet thoroughly.

Give it a good watering and keep a lawn sprinkler next to the slide to help keep it wet.

5. Apply soap lubricant (generously)

Liquid soap, baby oil or bubble bath will help reduce friction on your homemade slip n’ slide. Keep the slide lathered throughout use, your sliders will spread it for you.

6. Have fun!

Smiling little girl playing outdoors on an inflatable bounce house water slide
Photo: Yobro, Bigstock

Now your homemade slip n’ slide is ready to rumble, make a day out of it with games and fun competitions. Get creative and make your own or be inspired through these ideas:

  • Slip n’ slide bowling: Use inflatable bowling pins and tubes for people to ‘roll’ in.
  • Make it part of an obstacle course: For an ultimate backyard water bonanza, create a course by combining the slip n’ slide with other water games.
  • Wave riders: Use an inflatable boogie board, lay on your stomach and slide down. Get someone to use the hose to spray under the ‘rider’ as you slide to create the wave effect.
  • Extra additions: For a true Aussie adventure, add a kiddie pool to the end of the slip n’ slide which can be used as a landing pool. Just make sure it’s inflatable.

Slip n’ slide safety rules

There’s a lot of fun to be had with slip n’ slides. However, for the ride to be a safe one, it’s smart to set a few rules.

  1. One person rides at a time: Allow enough sliding space between people to avoid elbows to the face and other potentially dangerous body parts coming your way.
  2. No standing: Trying to ride the slide with your feet will almost always end up in disaster.
  3. Don’t dive: Running and ‘diving’ to slide down the slide is dangerous and can result in permanent injuries. Instead, lay on the slide and use your hands to propel forward initially. If you’re sliding on inflatable objects, always ready the safety precautions on the packet.

Slip n’ slides are popular for providing hours of entertainment. They also encourage bonding and socialisation amongst children, as well as being a great party or summer afternoon activity for adults to join in on the fun too. If you create a homemade slip n’ slide, share your tips or photos below.

NRL competition heats up in the run to the finals

Christian Woods
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NRL competition heats up in the run to the finals

Following a dramatic Origin period, the NRL competition resumes regular service this weekend with the standard 3 games today. At 3 pm the Bulldogs will face the Rabbitohs at ANZ, the Sea Eagles will play the Storm at Brookie at 5:30 and the Raiders have the late game against the Cowboys in Canberra.

In the first game the Rabbitohs will be confident of crushing the Bulldogs. The Doggies best player, David Klemmer, has had an easier than expected load for the Blues, while Rabbitohs Origin trio Dane Gagai, Damien Cook and Angus Crichton will be more fatigued, but have also found some stunning form. Besides, the Bulldogs are demoralised by constant rumours of players being moved on as well as poor form.

The Sea Eagles vs Storm is a tough game to pick. Logic and the ladder suggests that the Storm have this one in the bag, but Manly beat Melbourne away earlier in the year, and form tends to be meaningless when these two sides play at Lottoland in the NRL competition.

Wally Lewis medallist Billy Slater will also almost certainly be missing, along with at least some of the Storm’s Origin stars, while the Trbojevic brothers will play. Manly continue their halves drama however, with both Dylan Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans under injury clouds. This game is very difficult to pick.

The Raiders and Cowboys have both been fairly unaffected by Origin, with Cowboys Coen Hess and Gavin Cooper the only players to take part who may play tonight. Michael Morgan is injured, which may free up Johnathan Thurston to take charge. The Raiders are at full strength and on a roll, with slim hopes remaining of playing into September. They should take this one, and if they don’t then they don’t deserve to play in the NRL competition finals.

Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion acquitted over travel expenses

Christian Woods
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Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion acquitted over travel expenses

An audit into the conduct of former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce found that he did not break any rules relating to travel expenses.

The period under investigation took place between May 2016 and February of 2018. The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) discovered that all trips except one had met the guidelines for appropriate use of taxpayer funds.

The audit of Mr Joyce’s movements began back in February when his affair with Vikki Campion came into public scrutiny.

The IPEA announced that Mr Joyce had been cleared of all charges, but added that they had used “particular scrutiny” regarding two aspects of his travelling.

It investigated his using of a hire care in 2017, but later found that it was in line with the framework for parliamentary expenses. The other element that was closely examined were the weeks Mr Joyce travelled to Canberra when Parliament was not actively sitting.

As of March 2017, the IPEA found that the time Mr Joyce spent in Canberra had increased significantly.

The audit report states that when the IPEA initially questioned Mr Joyce he cited a number of reasons for his travel, including an “immense workload” and portfolio responsibilities.

Speaking on the result of the audit, Mr Joyce said that it was time that people moved on.

In an interview with Channel Seven, Mr Joyce said that the audit has “looked up every crevice” and that “there’s not a dollar that’s been misspent”. He also said that he did not intended to sulk or brag about the results of the investigation.

The IPEA also conducted an examination of the travel of Ms Campion during the same period. She began working for Mr Joyce as a media advisor in May 2016 and then took on other jobs for the Nationals at the start of 2017.

The news of the relationship between Joyce and Campion prompted PM Malcolm Turnbull to announce a ban on government ministers sleeping with their staff.

Beautiful landscaping designs for tiny yards

Chloe Smith
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Beautiful landscaping designs for tiny yards

Not all of us are blessed with huge houses that include a front and backyard. That can sometimes be unfortunate, especially if you have a green thumb and love spending time outside in nature. However, there is no reason to worry as even tiny yards can provide you with everything you need – with just a few cleverly implemented design ideas.

Use perspective to your advantage

When it comes to small spaces, the trick is to convince the eye that the space is bigger than it actually is. In a backyard, this can be achieved by using long, straight lines. Try to incorporate a fence into the design. To create depth, you should make the fence taller in the back and a bit shorter in the front.

Don’t forget about the vertical dimension

Another way to make the yard look larger is by adding some elements that will draw the eye up. Depending on the layout and design, you can incorporate stairs and some elevated planting areas. When choosing the plants, go for a variety of heights. Opt for tall plants like sprawling ivy, shady trees and stoic perennials, but short plants as well which you can put in planters of varying levels.

Streamline for a calmer look

Adding a pathway to your backyard can help you achieve order and tranquillity. When choosing the material for the pathway, bricks or similar options are your best bet as they can be arranged in such a way that it visually elongates the path. The trail can lead to your focal point or connect several different areas. If you are really short on space, just put plants on both sides of the path and make sure there are not too many varieties or that they are all the same colour.

Create a focal point

As it was previously mentioned, you can add a focal point to your backyard. Such a feature draws attention and distracts from the lack of space. A focal point can be anything from a small pergola, a vine arch or a colourful trellis to a fancy fire pit or a miniature fountain. Most of these elements can be made without the help of professionals.

Separate your yard into areas

Just because your outdoor space is small doesn’t mean that it can’t have multiple functions. Separating the yard into zones will actually make it seem bigger. There are plenty of visual benefits to having several seating areas, adding a grill with a dining area, introducing a hanging vegetable garden etc. For such projects, it might be best to contact professional landscape architects as they can provide you with a bespoke garden design that will not look cluttered and messy.

Make it cosy

If you have no need for flowers and vegetables in your garden, you can just focus on making it cosy. You can make a pergola that will cover most of your yard and put different pieces of furniture there. Have a canopy bed and comfy sofas and armchairs. If you want to hide from the sun, find cute drapes for the structure. On the other hand, you can install a retractable awning on the side of your house, and use that for shade while having the rest of the yard open for sunbathing, swimming (if you can fit a small pool) and enjoying the fresh air.

Take advantage of colours and textures

Putting bright colours front and centre will draw the eye and the rest of the space will recede, which will make it seem larger. When it comes to textures, having various plants can help you achieve a lush feel. Opt for bold, tropical plants as their shapes and colours can make your yard more unique.

Utilise every nook and cranny

There are plenty of corners that we tend to completely ignore. Don’t let that happen. Plants flowers in every corner that you see is not being used. This way, you will have a garden while the rest of your backyard can be used for relaxing.

Omit the lawn

Sometimes, we only have the luxury of having a front yard. If that is the case with you, you can use your designated lawn space for planting beautiful flowers and plants. You can put a fence around it if you don’t want people looking in, or a pergola with drapes where you can have some privacy. Whichever option you go for, just make sure it makes you happy.

As you can see, it is not hard at all to make a tiny yard both useful and beautiful. Have these tips in mind when redesigning your space and don’t hesitate to contact professionals when necessary.

Keys to boosting your mental health and quality of life

Lerone Graham
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Keys to boosting your mental health and quality of life

When you’re thinking about making mental health an area of focus in your life, it takes some research and diligence. However, the benefits are worth it, as you’ll have clarity and focus that will improve your overall quality of life.

Mental health is an issue that affects 25% of Australians.

Your mental well-being not only dictates your everyday feelings, it dictates the map by which you see the world. If you’re living a life of mental fog and depression, there are a number of steps that you can take to get back on track.

With this in mind, keep reading so that you’re able to clear your head and bolster your mental health.

Remember That the Mind Follows the Body

People often separate mental and physical health, as they don’t work in synchronicity.

The truth is, the better you take care of your body, the better your brain will function. Take the time to exercise each and every day — even if it just means taking a 15-minute walk.

For best results, try your best to break a sweat and speed up your heart. You can do this with anything from cardio in the form of a gym membership or joining a martial arts studio.

The key is to get the blood flowing on a regular basis. This balances your hormones, allows your brain to function at higher levels and speeds up your metabolism. You’ll also enjoy an improved immune system and better digestion.

Since life today is mostly sedentary, you should go out of your way to move your body as often as possible. Getting outside is also great for taking in Vitamin D from the sun, which is excellent for your mood and mental function. Most people have Vitamin D deficiencies due to spending too much time indoors.

Getting Vitamin D straight from the source is ideal, and is better than simply supplementing with capsules and other boosts.

Rid Your Kitchen and Lifestyle of Poor Food Choices

Groundbreaking research shows a direct correlation between your gut health and brain health. So if you have harmful bacteria in your gut due to a poor diet, it not only can cause obesity and heart disease, it also hampers your cognitive function.

Clear your kitchen of foods that aren’t conducive to health, and make a point to stop eating out as much as possible. Instead, fortify your body with healthy plant based foods, such as leafy green vegetables like kale, which can make your brain function like it’s 11 years younger.

In addition to kale, make sure that you’re regularly taking in spinach, arugula, collards and others. You can get plenty of these vegetables by mixing them in a smoothie. You can also get brain health promoting omega 3 fatty acids by blending in some hemp seeds and chia seeds.

Take the time to hydrate by drinking lots of water. Many people experience brain fog when they’re dehydrated. Make sure that you get more than 2 litres of water each and every day as part of your regular intake. Your diet is half the battle when it comes to your well-being.

Seek Some Mental Health Counseling

It’s important that you also take some time to seek counseling whenever possible. No matter the cost, it’s a valuable investment into your life and will help you process your thoughts and work through mental issues.

Getting mental health counseling might cost you about $50 per session and could cost even less depending on your coverage. You’ll want to visit a therapist at least once per week in order to truly reap the benefits.

When matching up with a therapist, research their credentials and ensure that they offer the care that you need. Some provide individual counseling on a regular basis, while others are better suited for grief counseling and therapy for traumatic events.

If you use these tips you will be better able to enjoy a life of mental clarity and health.

Final round of Super Rugby

Christian Woods
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Final round of Super Rugby

Here we are – the final round of Super Rugby before the finals start. The structure of the top 8 is still yet to be decided, with results this week affecting the finishing order and finals structure. The only completely secure team is the Crusaders, who cannot be caught at the top of the ladder, while the Waratahs are also guaranteed a home quarter final whatever happens – although a win would give them a more favourable draw and a home semi as well.

The three teams that were in the race for 8th place last week (the Rebels, Sharks and Brumbies) all lost, so the Rebels remain in 8th with all three a mathematical chance of playing finals rugby. A win for the Rebels will secure their place, and if the Jaguares lose they could jump into seventh. A bonus point win for the Rebels will see them overtake the Highlanders and come either 6th or 7th.

The Sharks will be on a plane to Christchurch if they win and the Rebels lose, while the Brumbies need the Rebels to lose without a bonus point, the Sharks to just lose and to beat the Waratahs by at least 3 tries and 24 points themselves to sneak into the 8. The final round of Super Rugby really is volatile!

The Jaguares, depending on other results, can come 3rd, 6th, 7th or 8th thanks to the peculiarity of the conference system. If they win and the Lions lose they will take top spot in the SA conference, and 3rd overall. However, they cannot catch the Chiefs and Hurricanes for a wildcard spot – but they can overtake the Highlanders if they lose to the Rebels, or finish in 8th if they lose and the Rebels win.

The Lions will guarantee themselves a home quarter final by beating the Bulls, and if they win and the Waratahs lose they will take second place. A loss will make them vulnerable to losing 3rd place and the advantage of a home quarter final to the Jaguares, who play the Sharks. The final round of Super Rugby is still live, with three teams battling for finals spots while the makeup of the ladder and the finals draw is still to be decided.

Emanuel Exports sister company has licence suspended

Christian Woods
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Emanuel Exports sister company has licence suspended

The controversial live exporter at the centre of the current scandal has had its second exporting licence suspended by the Department of Agriculture.

Sister company to Emmanuel Exports, EMS Rural, applied to the Department of Agriculture for a permit to be able to ship thousands of Australian sheep to the Middle East.

It is now understood that the department roundly rejected the application, citing that EMS Rural was an “associated entity” of an exporter which currently has a suspended licence for breaches of animal welfare. Leaked footage showing thousands of sheep dying from heat stress on a 2017 trip to the Middle East prompted the original licence suspension.

The incident also prompted a Government review of the live export industry.

Animals Australia had also sought a court injunction against the shipping of any sheep to the Middle East if the Agriculture Department had granted the permit to EMS Rural.

The live export ship, the Al Shuwaikh, has remained docked at the port of Fremantle while it waits for approval to begin shipment of more than 40,000 sheep to the Middle East. A smaller shipment destined for the United Arab Emirates was set to follow.

Regarding the decision, the Department of Agriculture said that it was unable to go into great detail due to what they described as an ongoing investigation. In a statement, the department disclaimed that the sheep waiting to be shipped were currently remaining in a feedlot.

The statement said that the sheep were “inspected by the department’s veterinarians” and that they were “in good health” as well as “well-cared for”. It also said that the future fate of the animals was “the responsibility of the exporter”.

It also stated that the exporter was “responsible for ensuring they meet all animal welfare requirements”.

Emanuel Exports has since released its own statement saying that it would “cooperate fully” with the review by the Agriculture Department.

5 tips to design your website with an SEO focus

Christian Woods
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5 tips to design your website with an SEO focus

With billions of people using the Internet for almost every search imaginable, businesses absolutely MUST HAVE an online presence. But is a website even worth it if no one can find it? SEO strategies can help your website reach out to your target audience because they draw visitors and traffic. But it isn’t enough to just get them there.

You need to engage with them and delight them to convert traffic into sales. Having an SEO focus for your website design will help you accomplish your objectives. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

Focus on ease of use for readers

Ever visited a page and left it because of its complexity? Or have you clicked on a link only to find an error reading? Frustrating, isn’t it? For Google is important to have quality SEO campaign but also User Experience. Your ultimate goal is to entice readers to stay on your website and view multiple pages to convert them into customers. Consider the following:

  • Create pages that are easy to navigate through with clear instructions
  • Ensure internal links are present to get multiple clicks on different web pages
  • Always get external links to open in a new window so users don’t leave your website (if necessary)
  • Make sure call to action statements are easily readable and in prominent places on the web page
  • Ensure each page is not too content heavy because users are easily distracted

Readers want everything on a platter these days and websites are willing to give it to them. Make sure you’re one of them to retain loyal web traffic.

Pay attention to website visuals

It’s no secret that people retain visuals more than words, so if you want people to remember what you offer, you need to make sure your website is visually appealing. Text heavy websites are often exited quickly – even if they offer substance in the form of content. Consider the following:

  • Use images optimised to enable website speed with a focus on your content theme
  • Avoid pop-ups, autoplay music and ad overuse as they turn off users
  • Use boxes and colours to break up content and make words more visually effective
  • Always have bold call-to-action statements that are easily visible

Website visuals can boost SEO because people spend more time on your website and navigate through different pages, which Google loves.

Update content with fresh information

If your website has outdated content that is not valuable to users, then they will exit is quickly. Not only will you start to lose traffic, but you may find it harder to convert prospects into customers. Fresh content can raise and solve current issues people are facing, making them more likely to buy your product or service. Consider the following:

  • Old and outdated content is no longer useful to readers so they will look elsewhere for information and cause your SEO rankings to fall
  • Content should be on-point and relevant to your industry to offer value to website readers
  • Fresh content shows Google and other search engines that you’re paying due diligence to your website

Using content as part of your SEO-focussed web design doesn’t mean you have to change it every day. A couple of times a month is more than enough.

Design for mobile

Mobile optimisation has never been more important than it is today, so an SEO-friendly website must be designed for device use – especially if you’re looking to convert website visitors into genuine customers for your business. Consider the following:

  • Searches via mobile is now the single biggest way the Internet is used
  • People who find websites on search engines and are unable to load them will move on to another website quickly – causing drops in SEO rankings over time
  • Users want information easily and on all devices – they will abandon websites that are not designed for mobile

If you’re looking for a way to boost your rankings through wed design, make sure you develop a mobile-friendly website as a top priority.

Create a social web page

Apart from mobile, everyone is on social media. You can direct traffic to your website via social media and get more people to your website through social media friendly web pages. Consider the following:

  • Use plug-ins to connect to social media platforms and show off your latest posts and page likes for greater engagement
  • Put an excerpt of your company so people know you better
  • Use high-res images and relevant titles to better connect with social media users

This allows you to connect to more potential customers locally and across the globe.

Use these tips to design an SEO-focused web page for better rankings.

It’s not coming home: Croatia stun England to advance to the World Cup Final

Christian Woods
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It’s not coming home: Croatia stun England to advance to the World Cup Final

A fast-starting England were run down by Croatia 2-1 in extra time last night. The Croatian team will advance to the World Cup Final, where they face France, while England will have to play off against Belgium for third.

England scored in just the fifth minute through a free kick to Kieran Tripper and dominated the first half. In the second, however, momentum began to shift as Croatia’s attack began to find its rhythm. Ivan Perisic took advantage of the swing to equalise in the 68th minute.

After regulation time scores were level so Croatia, who like to do things the hard way, were forced into their third consecutive extra time period. In the 109th minute of play Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, virtually playing on one leg after a knee injury, scored the decider. This was the first elimination match of the tournament where Croatia has not been forced into a penalty shoot-out.

Croatia have been the surprise packet of the tournament, with their 3-0 rout of big players Argentina in the pool stages giving their profile a huge boost. They were the underdogs against England, who were better rested and had bigger names on their roster, but overcame this through sheer resilience.

France will be their World Cup Final opponent, after beating Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday night. The French team came into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, and they have survived the carnage that saw other favourites fall to less favoured teams (like Brazil losing to Belgium, Germany’s loss to Mexico and Argentina falling to Croatia).

France are heavily favoured to win their second World Cup Final, and they will be much better rested than Croatia, having not been pushed into extra time in any of their matches. Since the end of the pool matches Croatia have played the equivalent of an extra game more than France, with the extra time added up.

France should win the World Cup Final quite comfortably, but Croatia cannot be written off – they have had their backs to the wall for a long time now, and they have so far managed to keep winning.

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