Happy Safer Internet Day

Initiated by the European Commission, today is the sixth annual Safer Internet Day, highlighting issues to help keep your children safe online.

Around the world are a number of events goingon today to help raise awareness of the issues that could affect you and your children and how best to stay safe.

Teifion Davies, BSS' MD, was asked to contribute to an article in the South Wales Evening Post, which sparked this article and top tips to stay safe.

Do you have any suggestions?

Here are some scary security facts courtesy of www.getsafeonline.org:

23% of internet users were the victim of a phishing attack in 2008, compared to 8% in 2007

15% of internet users had their identity stolen or severely compromised in 2008

23% of internet users admit to posting details about themselves on social networking sites

66% of people use the same password for more than one website

There was a 66% increase in the number of computers that were infected with unwanted software in 2008

44% of small businesses in the UK have been the victim of cyber crime

Companies Act 2006

A quick guide on what your website needs to contain to comply with the Companies Act 2006.

In short, you must include your company name, in legible lettering, along with the registered company number, place of registration and registered office address. Plus, you must also state if the company is being wound up.

Example Text

Business Systems Services (UK) Ltd is registered in England & Wales.
Company registration number 3804012.
Registered Office: Systems House, Phoenix Way, Garngoch Industrial Estate, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 9WF

Don't forget your e-mails

This information should also be included on e-mails when the e-mail could be considered a business letter if in paper form.

This information was taken from http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/promotional/busStationery.shtml

Page 2 for Web Design Swansea

I hadn't forgotten about the Great SEO Project, but I have been a bit distracted lately looking at legislation and we have had a fair bit of work to do. So I haven't made many amendments to the website, apart from updating for February and adding to the blog, news and Twitter....so when I did my quick SEO checks today I was very pleasantly suprised!

web site design swansea from position 95 to 51
website design swansea from 52 to 20!
web design swansea from 51 to 17!!!
swansea web design from 118 to 37
web designer swansea from 66 to 19
web development swansea from 61 to 13

It has taken longer than expected, and we're not on page 1 yet, but at least it proves that we do know what we're doing, that content does make a difference, as do regular updates!

What legislations apply to websites?

As with anything, it seems, your website is not free from having to comply with rules and regulations of some description. And once you start looking it can be a bit of a minefield. I have started a list of regulations, legislations, guidelines and acts that should at least be considered. This is by no means an exhaustive list and I won't be able to go into them all in detail, but I will do my best to provide you some information on them. This also doesn't look at industry specific regulations.

Legislation & Regulation

• Data Protection Act 1998
• The Privacy & Electronic Communications Regulations
• The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)
• E-Commerce Regulations 2002
• W3C Validation (XHTML, HTML & CSS)
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2
• Companies Act 2006

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2 is released

On December 11th 2008 The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) launched version 2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
http://www.w3.org/News/2008#item210

Following a number of years in draft status, version 2 of the guidelines is intended to make it easier for developers to adhere to the standards, make them easier to follow and test, therefore making websites much better for people with disabilities or alternative methods of using the Internet. Here it is hailed as A New Era for Web Accessibility

In brief the guidelines are:

• 1.1 Text Alternatives: Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.
• 1.2 Time-based Media: Provide alternatives for time-based media.
• 1.3 Adaptable: Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout ) without losing information or structure.
• 1.4 Distinguishable: Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.
• 2.1 Keyboard Accessible: Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
• 2.2 Enough Time: Provide users enough time to read and use content.
• 2.3 Seizures: Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
• 2.4 Navigable: Provide ways to help users navigate, find content and determine where they are.
• 3.1 Readable: Make text content readable and understandable.
• 3.2 Predictable: Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
• 3.3 Input Assistance: Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
• 4.1 Compatible: Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.

All websites produced by Picseli will aim to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.

February is Legislation Month at Picseli

I can't believe it is February already! It's been very busy at the Picseli offices and January has just flown by. One thing we have noticed more with the people we talk to is an increase in questions about the regulations and legislation regarding websites, e-commerce and online marketing. So we have made it our mission to find out about it and post our findings here throughout February. Not only will it help you make sure your website is compliant but will make sure we are living up to our promises and making sure that all websites we develop comply to legislation relevant to your industry.

Where do we start?
When it comes to the Internet and websites there are plenty of laws, legislation and regulations that must be complied with. However, there are lots of organisations and groups that have made recommendations that have become an industry standard for good practice. For example, there is no law that states all websites must use valid XHTML and CSS, but it is considered good practice and goes a long way to helping you comply with the other standards out there.

What will we look at?
As the month goes on I will look at the basic legislative requirements, for instance the Companies Act and each Friday will do a little 'How To...' guide to explain how to comply. We will look at some tests and checks you can do to find out whether your website uses valid code or whether it complies to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. We will also take a look at specific industry codes, such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and online areas like the e-Commerce Regulations.

I want to know now!
if you can't wait to find out if your website complies to these codes and regulations give me a call on 01792 222302 or email rhian@picseli.co.uk to get a free, no obligation report. We'll take a look at your website and let you know if it uses valid code, whether it complies to the Disability Discrimination Act and more.