New Elementor Performance Boosts Like Never Before!

Elementor team has been laser focused on website speed, especially over the last 5 versions, achieving multiple, game-changing performance improvements that not only make your website load much faster but also result in improved search engine rankings.

Mind-Blowing Speed stats

Versions 3.18 - 3.22 greatly improved loading speed with features like Element Caching. Visitors now enjoy 50% faster TTFB (time to first byte) and 40% faster LCP (largest contentful paint).

Cleaner Code

Updating to the latest Elementor version speeds up your site by removing unnecessary markup and minimizing widget code, resulting in a cleaner, more compact DOM.

Smart Image Loading Techniques

The heaviest content elements are often images, so prioritizing their load time is essential. Lazy loading of images as they appear in the user's viewport, greatly improving the visitor experience.

Check if your website is using the latest Elementor plugin to get the maximum seo advantage possible. 

FREE WEBSITE SPEED CHECKER

check your website speed and quality for free using our Page Speed Checker. 

Using Skill Meters/Expertise Indicator Progress Bars in Web Design: A Double-Edged Sword

skill-meter-use-in-web-design
skill-meter-use-in-web-design

In the world of web design, showcasing your skills and expertise is crucial for attracting clients and building a successful career. One method that has gained popularity is the use of skill meters, also known as progress bars, to visually represent your proficiency in various areas. This trend is not limited to agency websites; individual designers and freelancers are also incorporating skill meters into their portfolios and online profiles.

Skill Meters: A Visual Shortcut?

Skill meters are designed to offer a quick snapshot of a designer’s capabilities. They often list various skills relevant to web design, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UI/UX design, and graphic design, with accompanying progress bars indicating proficiency levels. The idea is to provide potential clients or employers with an immediate sense of a designer’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

The Allure and the Illusion

The appeal of skill meters lies in their simplicity and visual appeal. They offer a seemingly objective way to quantify and compare skills, making it easier for clients to assess a designer’s suitability for a project. However, this simplicity can also be misleading. Design skills are complex and nuanced, and reducing them to a percentage on a progress bar oversimplifies the reality.

 

Are Skill Meters Effective?

Whether skill meters are effective is a matter of debate. Some argue that they provide valuable information and help clients make informed decisions. Others criticize them for being superficial and potentially misleading. 

Potential Benefits:

Potential Drawbacks:

 

Alternatives to Skill Meters

If you’re a web designer considering using skill meters, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully. There are alternative ways to showcase your skills effectively:

 

The Bottom Line

Skill meters can be a useful tool for web designers, but they should not be the sole means of showcasing your expertise. Consider using them in conjunction with other methods to provide a comprehensive picture of your skills and experience. Ultimately, the quality of your work and your ability to meet client needs will be the deciding factors in your success.

Remember, web design is a dynamic and ever-evolving field. Focus on continuous learning and improvement, and don’t rely solely on skill meters to define your value as a designer.

 

Stay with your current custom built ERP or go with a New system?

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Stay with your current custom built ERP or go with a New system?

A critical management decision presents itself to companies that outgrow their custom made ERP systems or feel like they have! The way to navigate the decision around this topic can be tricky and therefore requires a framework to cover your bases.

Some of the overall considerations may include these:

  • Business landscape going forward – inputs/outputs

  • Client landscape going forward – evolving requirements

  • Future Compliance/legal requirements relevant to your industry (ISO 9001, 14001, 27001)

  • Future investment/investor outlook (transparency)

  • Board level requirements (justify why did we stay/go?)

  • Tech as a business support/admin function VS tech as a strategic growth enabler (digital transformation of the company to be a high tech business)

Pros and Cons of staying with your current system can be looked at in this fashion:

Pros:

  • Customization: Your system is tailored to your specific needs and processes, high flexibility and increased efficiency – do you have an industry best practice solution already in house without knowing it???

  • Control: Full control over the code (if it’s your in-house solution), data, and updates, allowing for quicker adjustments 

  • Costs: No recurring licensing fees associated with standardized solutions if its your in-house built solution

  • Integrations: no lock out risk from newer tech ecosystems

Cons:

  • Support: You are not in the IT business (non-core)…ongoing upkeep, bug fixes, and upgrades require dedicated IT resources who may leave and leave you in the lurch…(loss of knowledge)

  • Scalability: Adapting to future growth or changing needs might be challenging with a custom solution (This can be tested…)

  • Integrations: Integrating with newer technologies or third-party software can be challenging if tech is outdated (legacy environment)

  • Security: Loss of data and info risk, disaster recovery, maintaining robust security and data privacy measures might require significant expertise and resources (This can be tested…) 

Pros and Cons of leaving your current custom ERP solution can be seen as follows:

Pros:

  • Scalability: Designed to handle growth and adapt to changing business needs – cloud ready industry standard solutions 

  • Support: Dedicated vendor/MSP support for upgrades, troubleshooting, and security patches. Readily hire market professionals in-house if required. Low loss of knowledge/risk due to staff (key user and IT) leaving

  • Integrations: Pre-built integrations with various technologies and popular applications.

  • Compliance: Standard solutions have global appeal for transparency metrics

  • Security: Vendor invests heavily in robust security infrastructure and compliance.

Cons:

  • ROI: Mapping ROI of a new solution can be very difficult if not planned out carefully

  • Customization: Limited ability to customize workflows and processes to perfectly fit your needs. Need to go with standard (industry best practice) solution as much as possible 80%+ VS customization

  • Control: Vendor controls updates and upgrades, and pricing may change for these without notice

  • Change management: vital and overlooked as new systems change the way people work and can cause redundancies  

  • Costs: High cost exercise (budget and time overruns are common): recurring licensing fees, upgrades, implementation and maintenance costs add up over time (total cost of ownership – TCO).

  • Data migration: Often overlooked and underestimated – moving data from your existing system can be complex and time-consuming. (may be a one time exercise if done correctly otherwise there can be a lot of rework and data cleansing required) 

Whilst these points highlight a management case where you have a custom ERP solution made tailored to your specific industry and needs, a similar set of considerations can be applied if you have a vendors solution and have outgrown it and wish to change that solution. Where the points would defer are the cost and code considerations as a vendor would largely control those areas.

Composed by G. Fernando, ERP Services, www.erpservices.lk

5 Key Elements of Modern Web Design: Elevate Your Online Presence

The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and in the realm of web design, it’s no different. With an increasing number of businesses moving online, having a robust and modern website has never been more crucial. Here are five key elements of modern web design that can elevate your online presence:

  1. Responsive Design: In today’s mobile-centric world, your website must look and function seamlessly across all devices. A responsive design ensures that your site adjusts its layout based on the screen size, offering an optimal viewing experience for users, whether they’re on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone.

  2. Intuitive Navigation: A user-friendly navigation structure can significantly enhance the user experience. It should be easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for without getting lost or frustrated. Dropdown menus, breadcrumb trails, and a search bar can help guide users through your site effortlessly.

  3. Engaging Visuals: The use of high-quality images, videos, and graphics can captivate your audience and convey your brand’s message effectively. Remember, your website’s visual elements should complement your content and not overpower it.

  4. Fast Load Times: A slow-loading website can deter potential customers and harm your search engine rankings. Ensure that your site is optimized for speed by compressing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing the use of heavy scripts.

  5. Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Your website should guide visitors towards a specific action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting you. Prominent and clear CTAs can significantly increase conversion rates.

When it comes to crafting a website that embodies all these elements, it’s essential to work with experienced professionals. Mobiz International (Pvt) Ltd is a leading web design company in Sri Lanka that understands the intricacies of creating a modern, user-friendly, and SEO-optimized website. By partnering with experts like them, you can ensure that your online presence is not only beautiful but also effective in achieving your business goals.

In conclusion, modern web design is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about creating a user-centric platform that offers value, engages visitors, and drives conversions. By focusing on these five key elements and working with seasoned professionals, you can set your business up for online success.

What is Flutter ?

Flutter is an open-source UI (User Interface) framework created by Google for building natively compiled applications for various platforms, including mobile, web, and desktop. It was first released in 2017 and has gained popularity for its ability to allow developers to create high-quality, visually appealing, and performant applications with a single codebase. Here are some key aspects of Flutter:

 

  1. Single Codebase: With Flutter, you write your app’s code in the Dart programming language. You can use the same codebase to target multiple platforms, such as Android, iOS, web browsers, and even desktop operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. This approach is known as “code once, run anywhere.”

  2. Widgets: Flutter provides a rich set of customizable widgets for building user interfaces. Widgets are the building blocks of Flutter apps, and they allow developers to create complex and interactive UIs easily. Flutter widgets are highly composable, which makes it straightforward to design custom UI components.

  3. Hot Reload: One of the standout features of Flutter is its “hot reload” capability. This allows developers to see the immediate results of their code changes in the app without needing to restart it. It greatly speeds up the development and debugging process.

  4. Performance: Flutter apps are compiled to native ARM code for each platform, which leads to high performance and smooth animations. The framework’s architecture, known as the Flutter engine, ensures that apps run efficiently.

  5. Rich Ecosystem: Flutter has a growing ecosystem of packages and plugins that extend its functionality. Developers can easily add features like database integration, network requests, and third-party services through these packages.

  6. Community and Support: Flutter has a strong and active community of developers, which means you can find tutorials, documentation, and assistance easily. Google also provides extensive documentation and resources for learning Flutter.

  7. Open Source: Flutter is open-source, which means it’s freely available for anyone to use and contribute to. This openness has led to its rapid adoption and improvement.

  8. Adaptive UIs: Flutter supports the creation of adaptive user interfaces that can automatically adjust to different screen sizes, orientations, and platforms.

Flutter is a versatile framework that has found applications in a wide range of industries, from mobile app development to web development, and even in emerging areas like embedded systems. It has gained popularity among developers and organizations looking for efficient ways to build cross-platform applications with a consistent and visually appealing user experience.

 

 

can flutter used to generate android and iOS apps?

Yes, Flutter can be used to generate Android and iOS apps. Flutter is an open-source UI framework created by Google that allows developers to build natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. When you develop an app using Flutter, you write the code in the Dart programming language, and Flutter compiles it into native code for the target platform, including Android.

Flutter provides a rich set of widgets and tools for creating modern and responsive user interfaces. It also offers a wide range of plugins and packages that allow you to access platform-specific features on Android and iOS.

So, if you want to create an Android app, Flutter is a great choice because it allows you to develop a cross-platform app with a single codebase that can run on Android, iOS, and other platforms. This can save you time and effort compared to developing separate apps for each platform.

How to make your website load faster ?

Improving website loading speed is crucial for providing a positive user experience and ensuring your website ranks well in search engine results. In this article, we will explore various factors that affect website speed and provide actionable steps to optimize your website’s performance.

Understanding Website Loading Speed

Website loading speed refers to the time it takes for a webpage to fully display its content in a user’s browser. It is influenced by various factors, including:

Server Response Time:

The time it takes for your web server to respond to a user's request.

Large File Sizes:

Images, videos, and other media files can significantly slow down loading times.

Render-Blocking Resources:

CSS and JavaScript files that prevent the page from rendering until they are fully loaded.

Excessive HTTP Requests:
Sample Content.
Excessive HTTP Requests:

Numerous requests to load different resources can increase loading times.

Hosting Provider:

The quality of your hosting service affects server response times.

Website Code and Structure:

Well-organized code and optimized structure can boost loading speed.

Browser Caching:

Caching allows a browser to store some data, reducing the need for repeated requests.

How to find how fast your website is loading ?

Before you start optimizing, you need to determine your website’s current speed and performance. There are several tools available to help you with this:

Google PageSpeed Insights:

Provides insights into your website's speed on both desktop and mobile devices, along with actionable suggestions for improvement.

GTmetrix

Offers a detailed analysis of your site's loading speed, including page speed score and various performance metrics.

WebPageTest

Allows you to test your website's speed from different locations around the world.

Some quick tips to increase your website speed

Even though the overall website performance improvement process can be sophisticated and time taking, here are some common methods to improve any websites speed quicky.

Optimize Images and Media

Images and media files are often the biggest contributors to slow-loading websites. To optimize them:

Compress Images:

Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without compromising quality.

GTmetrix

Offers a detailed analysis of your site's loading speed, including page speed score and various performance metrics.

WebPageTest

Allows you to test your website's speed from different locations around the world.

USD to LKR – Currency Exchange Rate Calculator Sri Lanka

Welcome to our USD to LKR Currency Exchange Rate Calculator Sri Lanka! Whether you’re a traveler planning a trip or a business professional involved in international trade, our calculator is designed to provide you with accurate and real-time conversion rates for the United States Dollar (USD) to Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). With our user-friendly interface and reliable data sources, you can effortlessly convert USD to LKR, plan your budget, and make informed financial decisions. Say goodbye to the complexities of manual calculations and let our calculator simplify your currency exchange needs.

 

USD to LKR Exchange Rate Calculator

LKR to USD Exchange Rate Calculator

Why do you need to convert USD to LKR ?

Converting USD to LKR, the currency of Sri Lanka, is essential for several reasons. Firstly, if you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, knowing the exchange rate allows you to accurately estimate your expenses and plan your budget accordingly. By converting USD to LKR, you can have a better understanding of the purchasing power of your money in Sri Lanka and make informed decisions about accommodations, transportation, dining, and sightseeing.

Additionally, if you’re involved in international trade or conducting business transactions with Sri Lankan partners, converting USD to LKR is crucial. It allows you to determine the cost of goods or services in the local currency and negotiate pricing effectively. By staying updated with the exchange rate, you can make informed decisions regarding import-export activities, pricing strategies, and financial forecasting.

Furthermore, understanding the USD to LKR conversion rate is valuable for individuals and investors who want to capitalize on currency fluctuations. By monitoring exchange rate trends, you can identify opportune moments to exchange or invest your funds. Whether it’s for personal financial planning or investment purposes, converting USD to LKR empowers you to make informed decisions and maximize the value of your money.

In summary, converting USD to LKR provides vital information for travelers, businesses, and investors. It enables effective budget planning, facilitates international trade, and empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions. By utilizing a reliable currency exchange rate calculator, you can conveniently convert USD to LKR and navigate the financial landscape with confidence.

 

Building high-quality backlinks

seo process in a hand drawn diagram

Building high-quality backlinks is crucial for improving your website’s search engine rankings and driving organic traffic. Here are some practical strategies to help you build good links for your website:

1. Create Compelling Content: Producing high-quality, informative, and engaging content is the foundation of a successful link-building strategy. Develop valuable resources such as blog posts, tutorials, case studies, or infographics that others in your industry will find useful and shareable.

2. Guest Blogging: Identify authoritative websites or blogs in your niche and reach out to them with guest blogging proposals. Offer to write informative and relevant articles that provide value to their audience. In return, you can include a link back to your website in the author bio or within the content if it aligns naturally.

3. Broken Link Building: Find websites in your industry that have broken links. Use tools like Check My Links (for Chrome) to identify broken links on those websites. Reach out to the site owners, notifying them about the broken links, and suggest replacing them with your relevant content.

seo process in a hand drawn diagram
SEO Sri Lanka

4. Resource Page Link Building: Look for resource pages on relevant websites that list helpful links and tools in your industry. Contact the website owners, suggesting your content as a valuable addition to their resource page. Ensure that your content truly adds value and is relevant to the existing resources.

5. Influencer Outreach: Identify influencers, bloggers, or industry experts who have a significant following and credibility. Reach out to them and offer to collaborate on content creation or seek opportunities for co-authoring articles. By leveraging their influence, you can gain exposure and earn quality backlinks.

6. Participate in Industry Forums and Communities: Join online communities, forums, and social media groups related to your business. Engage in discussions, offer valuable insights, and share your expertise. By establishing yourself as an active and knowledgeable participant, you can build relationships and earn backlinks from community members.

7. Social Media Promotion: Leverage your social media presence to promote your content and engage with your audience. Engaging content can attract attention, increase shares, and potentially lead to natural backlinks from others who find value in your content.

8. Local Business Directories: List your business on local business directories and review sites. Many directories allow you to include a website link, which can boost your local search rankings and generate relevant traffic.

Remember, building high-quality links takes time and effort. Focus on creating valuable content, building relationships within your industry, and providing genuine value to your audience. By implementing these strategies consistently, you can gradually improve your website’s link profile and enhance its search engine visibility.