CMS Live Web Specialists

CMS Live Web Specialists Web Design Specialists and Superfast Web Hosting Specialists based in Lancashire We are specialists in Actinic/Sellerdeck eCommerce software.
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We are based in Barrowford, Lancashire and serve clients all over the North West including, Colne, Burnley, Barrowford, Rossendale, Blackburn and Manchester.

Shared, VPS, dedicated…If you’ve ever looked at hosting options and thought “I should probably understand this better”, ...
11/01/2026

Shared, VPS, dedicated…
If you’ve ever looked at hosting options and thought “I should probably understand this better”, you’re not alone.

These terms get thrown around a lot, yet they’re rarely explained in a way that actually helps business owners make a decision. Most people end up choosing based on price or whatever their current host recommends.

We’ve written a new post that clearly explains the difference between shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, without the jargon or sales fluff. It breaks down:
- What each hosting type really means in practice
- Where the risks and limitations usually show up
- Which option makes sense at different stages of a business
It’s designed to help you understand what you’re paying for, and whether your current hosting setup is genuinely fit for purpose.
👉 https://www.cmslive.co.uk/difference-between-shared-vps-and-dedicated-hosting

If your website matters to your business (and it probably does), having the right hosting foundation makes everything else easier.

Which website hosting is best?It’s a question we hear all the time from business owners.The problem is, most answers onl...
05/01/2026

Which website hosting is best?

It’s a question we hear all the time from business owners.
The problem is, most answers online focus on price, storage, or “unlimited” features.
That’s rarely what causes issues in the real world.

In reality, hosting problems usually show up as:
-Slow websites
- Security scares
- Downtime at the worst possible moment
- Or support that disappears when you actually need it

We’ve just published a new post that breaks this down properly – from a technical, real-world perspective – and explains what actually matters when choosing hosting for a business website.

No gimmicks. No hosting hype. Just a clear explanation of why managed, proactive hosting makes such a difference once your website is business-critical.
👉 https://www.cmslive.co.uk/which-website-hosting-is-best-for-business-owners/

If you’ve ever wondered whether your current hosting is quietly holding your website back, this one’s worth a read.

Can you transfer website hosting?Short answer: yes.Better question: can it be done safely without breaking your website?...
29/12/2025

Can you transfer website hosting?
Short answer: yes.
Better question: can it be done safely without breaking your website?
We speak to business owners all the time who feel stuck with hosting that’s slow, unreliable, or supported by people who don’t really know how their website works anymore.
Moving hosting isn’t just copying files from A to B. Done badly, it can mean downtime, broken email, or SEO headaches. Done properly, it can be one of the best decisions you make for your website.
Martin has written a practical guide that explains:
• when transferring hosting makes sense
• what’s actually involved behind the scenes
• how to avoid the common risks
• and what to look for in a hosting partner who understands every technical layer of your site
If your current hosting feels fragile or unsupported, this is worth a read.
👉 https://www.cmslive.co.uk/can-you-transfer-website-hosting-yes-and-heres-how-to-do-it-properly/

24/11/2025

Most business owners think SEO is “done” once the website goes live.
But the truth is, even a beautifully built, fully optimised site still needs ongoing SEO if you want to stay visible in Google and AI search.

Your competitors keep publishing. Search behaviour keeps changing.
Your website needs to keep up.

We’ve broken it all down here if you want the full story:
👉 https://www.cmslive.co.uk/what-ongoing-seo-really-means-and-why-your-website-still-needs-it/

Ever feel torn between focusing on your website or putting all your energy into social media?Here’s the thing… they’re n...
19/11/2025

Ever feel torn between focusing on your website or putting all your energy into social media?

Here’s the thing… they’re not meant to compete.
They’re meant to support each other.

Your social feeds help you get seen quickly.
Your website builds trust and converts that attention into real enquiries.
Put the two together and you’ve got a marketing engine that works round the clock.

We’ve broken this down in a new post — including a simple Venn diagram to show how it all fits.

If you want a clearer content strategy (without the overwhelm), have a read 👇
https://www.cmslive.co.uk/why-your-business-still-needs-a-website-even-if-youre-active-on-social-media/

❓ Why did we help a client verify their DKIM and Return-Path settings?✔️ Because good email delivery is non-negotiable —...
17/11/2025

❓ Why did we help a client verify their DKIM and Return-Path settings?
✔️ Because good email delivery is non-negotiable — especially when your business relies on post-purchase reviews.

One of our eCommerce clients recently introduced a review-request app to encourage customers to share feedback after buying. Great idea. But there was a catch. If the app’s emails weren’t authenticated properly, they could land in spam or fail entirely.
So we stepped in to get their DKIM and Return-Path fully verified.
The result?
Reliable email delivery, fewer headaches, and more reviews rolling in.
If you’re using any third-party email tools and you’re not sure whether everything is set up correctly, it’s worth checking. A couple of small tweaks can make a big difference to your deliverability.

Need help making sure your emails actually reach the people they’re meant to?
Just shout — we’re here to make the tech behave.

💬 Feedback Friday!Another lovely testimonial to finish the week on a high 💛We recently worked with Wells Electrical in P...
14/11/2025

💬 Feedback Friday!
Another lovely testimonial to finish the week on a high 💛
We recently worked with Wells Electrical in Preston to create their brand new website. From our very first chat, it was clear they wanted a site that reflected their professionalism and technical expertise — and we loved bringing that to life.

Here’s what Neil had to say about the experience 👇
“Liaising with Martin and Gemma at CMS Live Web Specialists around the creation of new website was a pleasure at every stage. From the initial discussions about what we were looking for, all the way through to making the website live, they were professional, creative, and thorough, making the whole process extremely easy. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anybody looking to create or amend their website.”
— Neil Ballantyne, Wells Electrical, Preston

We couldn’t ask for better feedback — a big thank you to Neil and the team for being such a pleasure to work with!

There are so many web designers, agencies, and platforms out there — how do you know which one to trust with your busine...
12/11/2025

There are so many web designers, agencies, and platforms out there — how do you know which one to trust with your business website?

That’s the tricky part. On the surface, they can all look the same — but dig deeper and the differences really matter.
Freelancers are often affordable and flexible, but many work solo. If they move on or stop trading, you’re left without support.
Large agencies have full teams but can feel impersonal. You might deal with account managers instead of the people actually building your site.
DIY platforms like Wix or Squarespace are quick fixes, but they don’t scale well — and you’re on your own when something breaks.
Bundled platforms such as Shopify or GoDaddy look convenient, but their “all-in-one” packages often hide extra costs and limited control.
At CMS Live, we do things differently. You deal directly with us — Gemma and Martin — every step of the way. We design, host, and maintain your website with ongoing care, not just a handover and goodbye.

If you’re choosing a web design partner right now, take a step back and ask:
👉 Who will still be there when I need support six months from now?
👉 Will my site grow with my business, or hold it back?

If you’d like a fair comparison of your options, my latest blog breaks it all down:
🔗 Choosing a Web Design Partner: How CMS Live Compares to Other Options: https://www.cmslive.co.uk/choosing-a-web-design-partner-how-cms-live-compares-to-other-options/

🖥️ Monday Support: Which type of website hosting is right for your business?Q: Isn’t hosting just the background bit tha...
10/11/2025

🖥️ Monday Support: Which type of website hosting is right for your business?

Q: Isn’t hosting just the background bit that keeps your website online?
A: Not quite. Your hosting affects your site’s speed, security, reliability — even your Google ranking. Choose the wrong setup and you might find yourself chasing support tickets or dealing with mysterious downtime.

Q: So what are my options?
A: Cheap shared hosting: Low cost, but crowded servers and slow support.
DIY builders (like Wix or Shopify): Easy to start, hard to scale or move later.
Cloud platforms: Great power, but you’ll need a tech team to manage them.
Managed hosting: The middle ground — technical care handled for you.

Q: What makes CMS Live Hosting different?
A: Every site we host runs in its own optimised environment. We handle security, performance, and monitoring ourselves — no resellers, no middlemen. You speak directly to Martin or me, not a call centre.

If your site deserves hosting that’s genuinely managed — not just marketed that way — take a look at our setup on our website

⭐ Five-Star Friday!Another wonderful bit of feedback to round off the week 💛We recently worked with BB Skip Hire to refr...
07/11/2025

⭐ Five-Star Friday!
Another wonderful bit of feedback to round off the week 💛
We recently worked with BB Skip Hire to refresh their website — it was long overdue for an update, and we loved helping them bring it back to life. The team were brilliant to work with from start to finish, and the collaboration between their marketer, designer, and our CMS Live team made this project run seamlessly.

Here’s what Joanne had to say: 👇
“We approached Gemma & Martin to revitalise a tired website, that was long overdue. We had an initial brainstorm meeting to assess what we wanted and needed and the guys cracked on with it! They worked with our marketer and graphic designer through the whole process to ensure we were always on the same page, offering advice and alternative solutions where required. Always available throughout the process to make updates, the finished project was a result of great teamwork, professionalism and great comms from the CMS Live team. We loved the results and it seems users already do too! More than happy to recommend Gemma & Martin.”
— Joanne, Marketing Manager at BB Skip Hire

It’s always a pleasure working alongside businesses that care about their brand and customers as much as we do.

If you’re cringing a little every time someone visits your website, you’re not alone. Styles move on quickly, and a site...
05/11/2025

If you’re cringing a little every time someone visits your website, you’re not alone. Styles move on quickly, and a site that looked great a few years ago can start to feel tired or clunky — especially on mobile.

But here’s the good news: you don’t always need to start from scratch.
Sometimes, a strategic refresh — better layout, clearer messaging, stronger visuals, and improved performance — can make your existing website feel brand new.

At CMS Live, we help businesses modernise their websites with thoughtful design, improved usability, and a focus on results. Whether it’s a full rebuild or a carefully planned refresh, we’ll guide you through what really needs changing (and what doesn’t).
👉 If your site no longer reflects your business, it’s time for a rethink — not necessarily a rebuild.

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03/11/2025

It’s a horrible feeling when you realise your site’s been compromised. Maybe it’s redirecting visitors somewhere strange, throwing up warnings, or just not loading at all. Most hosting companies will tell you there’s nothing they can do — that you’ll need to start over with a brand new website.

At CMS Live, we do things differently.
We specialise in hosting and repairing hacked or difficult websites that others won’t touch. Our team can clean up the damage, remove malicious code, restore lost functionality, and lock everything down so it doesn’t happen again.

In many cases, a hacked website can be rescued, not replaced.

If your hosting provider has given up on you, get in touch. We’ll help you recover your site, secure it properly, and give it a safe home with fully managed hosting and personal support.

Address

Chapel Grove
Laneshaw Bridge
BB87EX

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441282618210

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