Bluehoop Digital

13/11/2025

🌟 A big shout-out to Outside The Box Cafe!

If you don't know them already, they empower adults with learning disabilities and autism to live fulfilled, healthy and active lives, providing opportunities that help people build confidence, develop new skills, make friends and become more independent.

They're an amazing example of how community-led organisations really can change lives.

Businesses and individuals can play a real part in sustaining their impact:

☕ Visit the café (there's free Wi-Fi and plenty of space if you're working on your laptop)
💼 Offer work experience or employment opportunities
📣 Simply spread the word

Every positive action helps keep their amazing work going strong.

We're really proud to have partnered with Outside the Box to launch their new website and help share the story of a remarkable organisation that's been changing lives in our community for more than 10 years.

Check them out: https://www.outsidetheboxcafe.com/

Ilkley Business Improvement District Discover Ilkley

19/04/2024

Looking for Free Website and Marketing Advice?

Delivered by Ilkley-based Bluehoop Digital, the digital clinics aim to provide free one-to-one advice and recommendations to businesses looking to improve their web presence and positively influence their marketing efforts.

No sales - just free actionable advice!

To get involved, simply give us a call on 01943 968262.

21/03/2024

Do you run a business based in Ilkley, Ben Rhydding, Addingham or Burley?
As a business based in Ilkley (and whose employees all live here too), we've been working on a mini-project - an independent business directory - Ilkley Loves Locals - designed to connect local businesses to customers right on their doorstep.
If you have a business based in Ilkley (or the immediate surrounding villages) from trades, business services, sole traders, retailers and more, we would love for you to take a look and create a free business profile https://ilkley.loveslocals.co.uk/ or follow at Ilkley Loves Locals

14/03/2024

Confused about Google Ads?

Running Google Ads can be a mystery, especially when clicks aren't turning into what you hoped. You start upping your budget, changing your ads and adding more and more complexity to your campaigns. You might be surprised to learn that it may not be your ads. With this in mind, we've listed below a few common mistakes that could impact your marketing but have nothing to do with ads.

Beyond the Ad: A great Google Ads campaign is like a catchy song. But if your website's confusing or frustrating, it's like the song cuts out right before the chorus. Make sure your landing page is user-friendly and guides visitors smoothly.

Transparency is Key: No one likes surprises, especially at checkout. Be upfront about pricing, shipping, and any return policies. Clear guides help avoid confusion and abandoned carts.

Frictionless Checkout: Have you ever got stuck in a checkout maze? Streamline your process! Simple forms, clear calls to action, and a smooth cart experience are conversion gold.
Finally

Review, Refine, Repeat: So, before blaming your ads platform, take a good look at your landing pages, pricing, and checkout flow. Optimise those areas, and review.

07/03/2024

We're excited to showcase our latest website design for local trade client LuxSolar! 🌞

LuxSolar is an independent solar panel and EV charging point installer serving homeowners in Ilkley and surrounding areas. As a growing trade business, they needed a professional online presence to attract more customers.

Our goal was to create a clean, modern website that builds trust in LuxSolar's services through excellent design and clear information. We developed a user-friendly site with:

✅ Attractive, high-quality branding and visuals
✅ Straightforward details on their solar & EV charging solutions
✅ Prominent calls-to-action for getting quotes
✅ Easy access to LuxSolar's contact information

The new website really shines a light on LuxSolar's expertise and credibility. With its polished look and transparent communication of service benefits, the site positions LuxSolar as the go-to solar and EV charging installer for local homeowners.

Check out their new website at https://luxsolarltd.co.uk/ !

Interested in a professional website design for your trade business? Get in touch with our team at Bluehoop Digital.

Ilkley Business Improvement District Discover IlkleyIIlkley Business Forum@

14/02/2024

Here's a little piece I wrote about one of the most underrated tools in Google Ads...Negative keyword lists.

Negative keywords - The unsung heroes of any Google Ads Campaign.

Often underestimated, negative keywords can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your Google Ads campaigns and should be viewed as your not so secret, secret power!

Most people spend a lot of time thinking of search keywords both long tail and short tail and ignore the simplicity of excluding terms that you just don’t want your ads to show for.
Spending time on this not only means that you sift out irrelevant searches but you avoid the pitfall of wasted spend.

Here's a simple example:

You sell walking boots.

You might have a keyword like "boots" to reach people searching for footwear.
But you don't want your ad to show when someone searches for "snow boots" or "football boots."
So you add "snow boots" and "football boots" to your negative keywords list.

Now, your ad will only show for searches like "waterproof hiking boots" or "best hiking boots for women," which are more likely to attract potential customers.

*They're your friend! Using them wisely and they can save you money and improve your ad performance.
*Think broad and specific. Exclude both general terms you're not interested in (e.g., "free") and specific searches that don't fit your product (e.g., "used hiking boots").
*Keep it updated. As your business evolves, so should your negative keywords list. I spend time everyday adding negative keywords into Google Ads accounts.

So, don't let your Google Ads be like a leaky bucket– use negative keywords to show your ad to the right people.

31/01/2024

Sometimes, local organisations need a web presence as quickly as possible. With this in mind, we’ve just completed a website for Ilkley Pool & Lido Community Partnership, who are working against the clock to develop proposals to secure the long-term future of the pool site. The group contacted us to explain that they needed a website which could be designed and launched quickly, to publicise their campaigning work before a funding consultation is completed by Bradford Council later this spring.

Please share and register your support at https://ilkleylidoandpool.co.uk/

Ilkley Chat Ilkley Business Improvement District Discover Ilkley

30/01/2024

Don’t step on one of Google's landmines when managing your Google ads!

Here are a few sneaky tweaks Google makes that might impact your budget without you even realising it.

As you might or might not know, Google makes most of its money from ads, and understanding how they do this can help you make informed decisions. Listed below are 3 subtle tactics Google uses to influence user behaviour and, of course, boost their own revenue:

1. Location Targets: When setting up your campaigns, don't forget to check your location settings. In the locations setting choose: ‘People in or regularly in your targeted location.’ Failure to do this will allow Google to default to this setting and serve your ads to people who have shown an interest in your targeted area. Don't let the default setting dictate your strategy!

2. Network: In search campaigns, be cautious with the default setting that includes the Display Network. It's easy to end up spending money on display ads when you thought you were running a search campaign. Uncheck the Display Network option to keep your budget where you want it – in search.

3. Remarketing: Last but not least, in remarketing campaigns, be aware of the "Optimised Targeting" setting. Google might turn it on by default, potentially nullifying all the effort you put into creating a specific audience. Remember to turn it off to ensure your remarketing efforts stay true to your targeting preferences.

Remember, understanding these settings will help you keep a grip on your spend and take charge of your account.

Don't be afraid to explore settings and make informed choices that align with your goals. 🚀💻

24/01/2024

If Google ads is something you might want to give a whirl.

Then it might be worth researching any current promotions or offers they have on the table.

22/01/2024

Eh up.... Google Ads people!

Keeping up with the latest news views and updates within our industry and specialism is really important. Google does like to keep us on our toes! One tool that we think is under used is Google Trends. It's such a great place to do some research and well worth a weekly visit.

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

17/01/2024

Are you considering selling your products online: Google Ads - Performance Max or Standard Shopping?

It's not just one or the other. Know the differences, set a budget and follow the data.

Look at your main options
Standard Shopping + Search - Old School
Feed-Only Performance Max - Hack
Full-Build Performance Max - New Kid On The Block
Only Standard Shopping - Old School
Performance Max + Standard Shopping - Experiment

It's worth remembering what works for someone else might not work for you. Your products, business, goals, and budget will help you figure out what's best. Then follow the data!

If this all seems a little overwhelming then get in touch and we can build a strategy together.

19/10/2023

Do you run a business based in Ilkley, Ben Rhydding, Addingham or Burley?

As a business based in Ilkley (and whose employees all live here too), Bluehoop Digital has been working on a mini-project - an independent business directory - Ilkley Loves Locals - designed to connect local businesses to customers right on their doorstep. We're currently at the stage of inviting local businesses (from trades, business services, sole traders, retailers and more) to add their business profiles before officially launching it to the local community.

So, if you have a business based in Ilkley (or the immediate surrounding villages), we would love for you to take a look and create a free business profile:

Supporting Ilkley businesses & enhancing our local economy. Find your local caterer, decorator, estate agent, web developer, hairdresser gardener, solicitor, interior designer and more…