Support and tutorials

Website management and content marketing support and tutorials for our customers including online training sessions and training documents. Learn how to effectively manage your website.

Free MKV to MP4 video converters

5 Best MKV to MP4 Video Converters for Windows and Mac

Working with videos for website projects requires the right tools, MKV (Matroska) formats are too large so need to be converted to MP4 (MPEG-4). You will require MKV to MP4 video converters.

MP4 is the better option to use on multiple Media Players, Mobile phones etc which is why it is worth converting MKV to MP4.

MP4 can be edited easily in video editing software.

If you are going to be converting videos for work you will probably invest in the purchasing some sophisticated program, for those just need to convert videos adhoc then one of the free ones are more than sufficient.

1. VLC media player

The VLC Media player has been around a while and I have used this many times on different personal and business projects.

This free open source software is for images, videos and audio projects but the tool can also convert MKV to MP4 in a few clicks.

  1. Download from the website
  2. Open and run VLC
  3. Go to Media > Convert/Save
  4. Add > select the file you wish to convert from your PC
  5. Select > Convert/Save
  6. Select the format i.e. MP4 (first one)
  7. Select download destination > start

2. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video is another great free video converter with options to convert to MOV, MP3. MP4, FLV, AVI and WMV,

This software offers to ability to turn images and audio into videos.

3. Handbrake video transcoder

Open Source Video Encoder is a free tool convert videos in mostly any format into a modern format that is easier to modify and use.

  1. Convert videos from virtually any format
  2. Free and open source
  3. Suitable for Mac and Windows platforms

4. Free video converter by Aiseesoft

Free Video Converter by Aiseesoft is free and easy to use. Convert video and audio formats including MKV/MP4/AVI/MOV/WMV and MP3 quickly and high quality.

5. Free-Make Video Converter

Finally, the Free Video Converter by Tipard allows you to convert videos from over 300 formats.

This tool also comes with editing functionality i.e. trimming.

Summary - converting videos for YouTube

This article is about converting large MKV files that are over 30 minutes of video, anything smaller you could use one of the online tools, there are plenty of online tools that will convert a video file format.

For larger files it does require a VLC video conversion tool that you can download to your computer.

YouTube does accept MKV files, but it took me over an hour to upload each video, much quicker to convert first then upload.

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Transfering emails

How to migrate emails from Blue Host to Cpanel

I recently ran into a problem migrating emails from Blue Host to CPanel as the servers handle emails differently.

In most instances you can upload the backups into File Manager, but the format for Blue Host emails is Maildir whilst our server use Mdbox format .

I tried to transfer using the export and import tool in Hordle but this created a Proxy issue. You can transfer emails manually if there are not too many, but this is not ideal.

Below is the Impsync tool that transfers the emails for you.

Using Hordle to import emails

1. Using Hordle to export emails - MBox file

In Cpanel go to emails and webmail and then select Hordle, if may default to Roundcube so click on Hordle (Roundcube does not have export and import facility).

Right click on each folder i.e. sent folder and select export.

Download MBox file or MBox zip file.

Download the back up to your computer.

Download MBox

2. Import emails using Hordle - MBox file

To carry out the move you will need access to the website, phymyadmin and File Manager.

Every host provider has a different control panel, or hosting dashboard, so find where you can access the database, phpmyadmin and gain access to File Manager.

Import MBox

3. Import individual emails - eml file

If the files are too large and the server hangs you can import files individually by downloading the email to you pc and uploading back into the new server using Hordle.

Export EML files

4. Mailbox Imapsync Online

The best way to import files from server to server is by using the Mailbox Imapsync online tool.

Select the box to check credentials first to see if you find any errors. Read the report for errors before proceeding to transfer.

Imap Sync Tool

Summary - transferring emails from host to host

If you are changing host providers then it is import you understand how your emails are managed prior to the move.

If you are using Outlook and download the emails using POP3 then you will be fine to change the server as you already have all the emails.

The issue arises when you are using Webmail or IMAP as the emails stay on the server, so when you switch server all the old emails stay on the old server. In this case create backups and pass the backups to your new host provider.

If you are experiencing a lot of spam or have had your website hacked and need someone to take care of it then get in touch today, we fix hacked websites.

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Move WordPress website

Moving WordPress website from one Directory another directory

Moving a WordPress website from one directory to another is a very common task when building websites. Here is a easy step by step guide to moving a site on the same domain.

I was doing it the hard way until I found this guide by Ask WP Girl.

Here are the 11 easy steps to move a WordPress website from one folder to another.

Backup

1. Ensure you have all the backups before you begin

Take backups of both the database and the files, you can do this in cPanel using Jet Pack, see below Jet Pack backups.

If you don't have Jet Pack then there are plugins you can use such as BackupWP but some are no longer free to use, so it is a good idea to use your host server to download the backups.

Jet Pack

2. Have access to phpmyadmin and File Manager

To carry out the move you will need access to the website, phymyadmin and File Manager.

Every host provider has a different control panel, or hosting dashboard, so find where you can access the database, phpmyadmin and gain access to File Manager.

phpmyadmin

Cache everything and de-activate the cache plugin

Make sure the folder you are moving files to is empty of any files

3. Go to settings in WordPress

In WordPress go to Settings > General and remove the subdirectory or add the subdirectory, depending on where you are moving the website.

If you are moving a development website to live, then I suggest adding a maintenance page on the website before you move it. There are a few things that need to be done before once it is moved and you don't want the owners to see broken links.

In WordPress go to settings > general and change the url to the new url i.e. remove the sub domain or add the sub domain.

Do this for both WordPress Address and Site Address.

Remove the trailing  /

Ensure the url ends with the correct domain i.e. https://website.org or https://website.org/sub

Click Save Changes (this updates the database).

WordPress Setting

4. Move the files to the new folder

Go to File Manager and move all the files to the folder you want the website to be in i.e. root or subfolder.

Ensure the folder is clear of any files/folders that are not needed.

The best way to move all the files is to select all then drag all the files to the new folder.

5. Login into WordPress using the new url

Now login to WordPress, it should automatically change to the new url, if not type in the new url.

Login as normal.

6. Change permalinks

To refresh everything, change the permalinks to update all the links on the site. If you don't do this you may find 403 pages on links.

Settings > permalinks

Permalinks

7. Install Velvet Urls

You now need to update all the urls so all the links work with the new url.

Changing urls

8. Manually update urls

Some url's will not get picked up by Velvet Url plug-in so go through the site and manually change url's.

Check widgets and go to page source and control F to find any url's that need changing manually.

9. Test the site

If you do get a blank screen 'white screen of death' turn off the .htaccess file but giving it a new name temporarily i.e. .htaccess_temp

Test the site is working correctly.

10. Turn caching back on

Turn your caching plug-in back on and clear the cache.

11. Add code to .htaccess for SEO continuity

If you are replacing and old website with a new one you will not want to lose your SEO ranking from the old website, so you should add a wild card redirect from the old url to the new one.

To do this add the code below to your .htaccess file in File Manager (it could be hidden to so to settings > select show hidden files. Add your domain in the code.

On the RewriteRule line use www or don't use www according to what you have set in WordPress Settings > General.

 

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^mydomain.com/subdirectory$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.mydomain.com/subdirectory$
RewriteRule (.*)$ http://www.mydomain.com/$1 [R=301,L]

 

Test it first using 302

It is always best to check redirections are set correctly by using 302 instead of 301 redirect.

Enter the URL make sure it rewrites to the new directory, if you are happy its redirecting correctly change to 301 permanent redirect.

Google does not recognise 302 redirect when maintaining SEO credentials.

Summary - moving a WordPress website

If you are managing or building websites then they are going to have to move them from staging to live effectively so the website does not end up with any technical issues.

This guide is a quick guide to help those moving a site from development in a sub folder to live, maybe replacing the old website.

Always take backups and take your time.

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Connect work emails to Gmail

Connect email to gmail

If you prefer to use gmail for work emails then here is a guide to connect your business emails to gmail in 7 easy steps.

Some freelancers and small businesses prefer to use gmail for emails because it does offer a lot of management options and is easy to use.

Step 1: Get work host server information ready

Preparation is key, so before you begin make sure you have the following information you will need for your host server:

  • User name i.e. work email address.
  • Email password, you will get this from your host provider.
  • Name of the host server i.e. mail.website.co.uk
  • Port incoming number i.e. 995
  • SMTP host server address i.e. mail.website.co.uk
  • Port outgoing number i.e. 465

 

Get this information ready prior to configuration.

Email Settings

Step 2: Add details to Gmail

In Gmail click on the settings cog:

1. Next  select Forwarding and POP/IMAP then select enable POP for all email (POP downloads emails from the server to Gmail whereas IMAP keeps emails on the server).

2. Keep settings as keep Gmails copy in inbox. Save changes to continue

Gmail settings

Step 3: Go to Accounts Import

Check email from other accounts: Add email account

Add Email Account

Step 4: Incoming email settings

Add the settings for incoming mail details here from step 1.

Email settings

Step 5: SMTP settings

Add the settings for outgoing (SMTP) mail here.

SMTP settings

Step 6: Verification

Google have introduced an additional verification step to check you have access to the server you are connecting to.

Google will send an email to the work email address for you to either click on or enter the code.

Verifcation

Step 7: Set as default

You can now make your work email your default email address but going back into Accounts and Import, go to send mail as and clicking of make default link.

If you do not make your work email your default all your emails will be sent using your personal gmail address.

gmail settings

Conclusion

Some people find it easier to have their work and personal emails in the same place, so in this sense using gmail is a good idea.

Using Google offers lots of additional benefits such as Google Drive, Google Maps, Google hangouts so find out more about Google Workspace.

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Categories and tags

Guide to WordPress categories and tags – how to use them

Here is a simple guide to Categories and Tags in WordPress, why we use them and how we use them correctly to optimise our website for visitors.

You have a brand new website and are eager to get blogging, blogging being one of the important factors for gaining interest in your business and your website. Blogging takes time so it’s important you don’t waste it.

Before you begin it is a good idea to understand how the taxonomies in WordPress work so you don’t end up in a muddle. Below are some examples of Categories and tags.

What are WordPress categories and tags?

If you decide to commit to writing a blog posts once a week, which is a good idea by the way, then that will be 52 blog posts. That will give your website loads of useful content but visitors will find it hard to find the information they want.

WordPress was initially designed as a blogging platform so it was built with taxonomies to help users organise and classify content to be easier to navigate.

Category example

An example would be a blog about finances, your categories could be pensions, savings, property and a blog about a pension could include a tag specifically relating to that blog i.e. SIPPs. You do not need a category for SIPPs, you just need it mentioned in a tag.

The tag can be a one off tag or a general tag but a topic that people may need specific info on i.e. widows or divorcees.

Category or tag? What is the difference?

Posts are put into a category, i.e. a group and you shouldn’t need to have too many categories, probably a maximum of 10 for a small blog. Here are some more difference:

  • You can have as many tags as you want or not use them at all, they are optional
  • Categories are main topics, but you can add some sub categories if it makes the navigation easier i.e. Money could be a topic, pensions and property could be a sub category of money.
  • There are no sub tags, just tags

If you do not define a category then your post will default to uncategorized and you don’t want that.

Give visitors a good user experience

The main benefit for using categories and tags is for your visitors to find posts that interest them, they don’t have the time or the desire to trawl through 52 posts to find what they are looking for.

This is also an SEO requirement as those categories and tags will get crawled.

Categories can be used as menu items in a magazine style website and the categories and tags can be displayed in the sidebar of the website for visitors.

Adding categories and tags to posts

To add your post to a category simply select the tick box on the right hand side of the page. Below add a quick tag that you feel is the most relevant. Create a new category if there isn’t a suitable one, but don’t add too many.

You can create the category on the post or in the categories section posts > categories. Here you can assign the category to a parent and add a description. Delete categories that you do not use.

The tag can also be typed in manually on the post itself, if its been used before it will pop up. You can create more than one tag but don’t go mad.

Categoreis and tags

Keep categories to an organised minimum but unlimited tags

One of my customers got incredibly excited when he discovered categories and ended up with over 100 categories, most of which should have been either tags or sub categories.
Another example:

Categories for recipes: Lamb dishes, chicken dishes, salads, pasta
Sub categories: meat pasta dishes, veggie salads, fish salads
Tags: Caesar salad dressings, goats cheese salads, salads with courgettes.

One of the best ways is to create the categories as your grow you blog so it evolves naturally so you do not end up with unused categories or tags not assigned to anything.

Category details

SEO rules for categories and tags

The quality of your website improves your SEO ranking so naturally a well organised website will improve your SEO. Google rates quality website, not those that have paid for back links.

The category should have its own url therefore the category will be crawled by Bing and Google bots.

The SEO rules state no duplicate content, so you must not have a word that is used as a category and a tag, this will be marked as duplicate content.
Posts and categories and tags can not compete for the same terms, posts have to have a longer description i.e. Pension planning for the over 50’s recommendations put into the pension category.

Summary

If you decide to opt for a WordPress website for your business then make good use of the features available to you. The categories and tags should be managed properly so take some time to think about what you will be writing about and how to group posts into groups that will be useful for the visitors.

Categories are essential, tags are optional but it is worth using them. Once you have put a post into a category don’t move it or it could create a 404 to the visitor.

Hopefully the tips in this post will help you better understand the usefulness of categories and tags and how to use them effectively to organise your content.

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