Dev Weekly Newsletter

July 11th, 2025

Including a brief video presentation featuring:

A trophy with confetti coming out of it and the words simple site of the week weekly prize

Important Announcements of the Week:

➞ REMINDER TO UTILIZE OUR SELECTION OF CUSTOM WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS

The Dev Leads have created a variety of website development tools, ranging from a custom logo generator that uses AI to a widget that retrieves all images from a simple URL, to enhance your creations and maximize your efficiency. Click the link below and explore; there might be something new since the last time you checked!


If you have an idea for a tool or automation that could make your work easier, share it with the team! You never know; we just might be able to make it a reality.


EXPLORE CUSTOM DEV LEAD TOOLS >>>

*** If you need clarification or assistance with any of the above announcements, feel free to reach out to your Dev Leads. ***

Weekly Tips From Your Leads

Emma

This week our logo presented the common challenge of versatility. An ideal logo is one that looks good in various environments, whether that be a blank white page or as an overlay on an image. Oftentimes, designers create two versions (or more) of a logo for these exact purposes. It is helpful to remember this when creating your own logo designs.


However, in the case of a CP logo, there are some things you can do to improve the logo's visibility without sacrificing too much of the original design. To see how I approach this, check out a brief video tutorial:

Nick

The mobile version of your website tends to need a little bit of extra attention before turning it in for review. This week, I aim to discuss several strategies that can simplify the process of optimizing your website for mobile devices. Check out the quick walkthrough video below to see some changes I made to the mobile version of a site made by one of our amazing freelance developers, Thea K.!

Sophie

This week my tip is a simple reminder to double-check the styling/design of your navigation menus, especially the subpages on desktop and mobile. Please ensure the brand colors are updated to align with your client's business, instead of retaining those from the donor/template site.

Carissa

Simple 5-Step Guide to Building a Logo Carousel in Elfsight

  • Once in Elfsight, on the left side menu, scroll down and click "Logo Showcase."
  • Choose the "Infinite Carousel" option.
  • Upload the logos you want to display.
  • Click "Publish."
  • Click "Install" and copy the HTML code.

*After that, you'll be set to add code to your site through the HTML widget!

Visit Elfsight Now >

Joe

Optimize Your Meta Titles and Descriptions

When creating meta titles and descriptions, following a structured format can significantly improve your search engine visibility. Here's the latest SOP from your Dev Leads at Simple:


Meta Title Format:

  • Use: Keyword | Location | Business Name
  • Example: "Landscaping Services | Boise, ID | Fox Landscape"


Meta Description Guidelines:

Keep it under 150 characters to ensure full visibility in search results.


Remember to Include:

  • Company name
  • Location
  • Keyword


This simple structure can help your client's business stand out in search results!

John

Be Careful with Template Image File Names

It’s fine to reuse some of the images from the template/donor site, especially when they are relevant and work well with your established design and branding. But be sure to always check the file name before uploading.


Sometimes, the image retains the name of either the template site or its original source, which can result in it appearing in search engines and leaving a visible trace back to the donor site, which is detrimental for SEO and may lead to a dissatisfied client experience.


If the file name includes the name of the template site, it’s best to either save and rename it before use or to find a new image altogether that's guaranteed to be free of any template/donor/other traces that could work against the SEO ranking.


And as always, remember to use appealing, location- and content-relevant images that support the company and its brand and to keep your design choices looking intentional.

Site of the Week Winner

Thanks So Much to All of Our Amazing Devs!

This Week's Honorable Mentions:


Congratulations to Alex S. for:

Who is Lost Can Be Found Foundation


Congratulations to Jake Q. for:

Razed Barber Shop & Beauty Salon