Images are a crucial element of any website: without them, your website simply wouldn’t be able to do its job effectively.

And yet as crucial as they are, it’s unfortunately not just a case of choosing an image and loading it onto your site: there’s a bit of work that needs to be done in the backend of the process to ensure the imagery you use is web-ready. Unoptimised images can harm your site’s performance, leading to slower load times and frustrated users…

So you’ve got your Reel edited and ready to go, now all you need to do is find the perfect audio for it. There are literally millions of options on TikTok and Insta, so how do you know what to use? Audio plays a crucial role in capturing attention and conveying your message effectively and yet more effort is put into getting the visuals right. Here’s a guide to choosing the right audio that not only fits your content and brand, but also engages your audience.

Instagram has long been synonymous with the square image format, a style that defined its early years and contributed to its rapid rise as a visual-centric social media platform. However, in a move that reflects changing user preferences and the evolution of visual storytelling, Instagram has shifted its primary feed format from the traditional square (1:1) to a taller 4:5 aspect ratio. This change marks a significant departure from its roots and presents both opportunities and challenges for users and brands alike.

Creating a new website (or updating an existing one) can be an exciting (albeit daunting) task. And to celebrate the refresh of Shout + Co.’s own website, we thought we’d share with you the technical fundamentals that need to be in place in order for your website to be as effective and responsive as possible.