When it comes to sustainability and climate change, we’re all pretty aware of the obvious contributors such as coal-powered electricity and fossil-fuel heavy transport. But what about your online presence?

If the internet was a country, it would be the sixth biggest polluter in the world, but most of us aren’t aware of the carbon emissions our digital presence is contributing.

This lack of understanding is something True Green founder Ray Pastoors is on a mission to change. An environmentalist from a young age – Ray started selling stickers to raise money for koala conversation at the tender age of 7 – he’s now committed to helping founders and small businesses in Australia reduce their online carbon footprint.

“The average carbon footprint for an average small business website is 211kg of CO2 a year – the equivalent of around 26,000 smartphones being charged. And that’s for a site following best practice principles – so most sites are even higher,” says Ray.

“Most of us think about obvious things like vehicles using petroleum and the energy we use in our homes, but we forget about the impact we can have online. Every online file, image and video needs to be stored, and datacentres consume huge amounts of water and electricity, especially offshore facilities that don’t rely on green energy.”

Unfortunately for most of us, it’s out of sight, out of mind. If we could see the amount of energy being chewed up by every single online activity, we might be more committed to auditing our digital footprint.

“This isn’t about shaming or blaming. Most people simply aren’t aware of the impact of their digital activity and it’s complex to fully capture all the factors involved. As someone who’s worked in tech for years, I get it. Small businesses and startups in particular, don’t have time to explore every option for their online presence; it’s about getting online at speed. But small tweaks can make a big difference,” says Ray.

The good news is, there are simple steps we can all take to reduce the amount of energy our website and online activity is producing.

How to reduce your digital carbon footprint

• Clearing out website files and deleting files you no longer need
• Sizing images correctly – use a free tool like tinypng to compress any images on your website before you upload them
• Host videos on platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, rather than directly on your website (bonus – this will also improve site speed and user experience)
• Delete unnecessary emails and unsubscribe from emails you no longer read
• Choose a web hosting service that uses green energy, local datacentre locations and offers transparency around its sustainability policies

“Be wary of greenwashing,” says Ray.

“Many web providers out there make claims around being carbon neutral, but they just plant a tree and hope that will be enough, rather than investing in green energy, educating their customers on how to reduce energy consumption, or giving back in any way. So try to do your research and find a provider that is transparent about their sustainability credentials.”

As a business on a mission to champion all aspects of sustainability, True Green is also committed to donating 1% of all revenue to the Solar for Schools program as part of the Its Time Foundation – helping remote schools ditch fossil fuel generators for solar energy.

Find out more at www.truegreen.au

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It seems the only constant in the world of SEO (search engine optimisation) is change. But in an industry that is known as much for its clever strategists as it is for its cowboys, Remi Audette stands out as a woman building her own path.

Recently named the 2023 Semrush Young Search Professional of the Year, Remi’s journey is not just a tale of professional success but a testament to her commitment to advocating for ethical, brand-led SEO. The kind that builds trust with customers and translates into real business results.

As the founder of Sunday Best Digital Agency, Remi brings her marketing knowledge from former corporate roles with big brands like Kmart and Officeworks to the evolving landscape of SEO, and acts as an extension of her clients’ marketing teams, rather than an afterthought.

Remi’s love for SEO is built on her fascination with consumer behaviour: “While SEO stands for search engine optimisation, I believe it’s about much more than trying to optimise your website for Google. It’s about understanding how people search for information online,” she explains.

This intersection of creativity and analytics, coupled with a dash of psychology, allows her to craft bespoke strategies for diverse businesses.

Championing women in SEO

Audette is a strong advocate for more female representation in the SEO industry. She believes that the unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches women bring are invaluable.

“​The marketing industry benefits significantly from diverse perspectives, and SEO is no different. Women bring a unique set of perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches, and are often the influencers in consumer households, which can only benefit the businesses that need SEO and the agencies that serve them,” says Remi.

Predictions for SEO in 2024

Looking ahead to 2024, Remi acknowledges that tightening marketing budgets are going to make SEO even more crucial. Rather than operating in isolation, SEO will become more integrated into marketing strategies, and be seen as a critical tool for brand-building.

The industry is also going to have to be a lot more creative, to stay abreast of changes like AI, social media platform developments and algorithm updates.

“The tactics that once worked won’t work anymore. SEO needs to draw inspiration from all parts of the marketing mix. Ultimately, brands should aim to be searched for by their ideal customers, not just randomly found,” says Remi.

Getting strategic about your SEO

If you’re keen to make SEO part of your marketing strategy in the new year, here are three things to consider:

1. If you’re working with an SEO agency, choose one that truly understands your business and tailors your strategy accordingly. Generic, one-size-fits-all strategies and tactics won’t cut it anymore.
2. Start with a solid brand strategy and always refer back to it when doing SEO (or any marketing). And shift the focus from mere optimisation to building a strong brand presence online.
3. Don’t put all your marketing eggs in one basket – SEO included!  Cultivate a loyal audience through various channels to future-proof your business.

For Remi, 2024 is about growing her agency further – with new clients and a growing team, while staying committed to ethical and transparent SEO practices, and helping to educate the wider business community on the power of SEO.

“Too many businesses have been burned by shady SEO tactics or results that didn’t make sense for the business and its priorities. But when it’s done well, SEO can be a solid business pillar and help you connect with your ideal customers to build reach and loyalty. I’m excited to see what the new year brings,” she says. Connect with Remi Audette on LinkedIn or find out more about Sunday Best Digital Agency

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Tech for health: it’s more than just online fitness classes and tracking your steps. Here are our fave tech tools for everything from back pain to sleep.

When it comes to health and wellbeing, technology for your home and body can help you track your stats, inform your daily movement and support your aches and pains. Here are some of our favourite tools to help you feel better on the daily and get smarter about looking after your health – from the inside out.

Support your sore back

La-Z-Boy recliners are legendary for a reason. Not only do they look great in any room, but they also offer whole body support and a number of mechanisms to help you relax in comfort, without aggravating your sore back. When pain impacts your mobility, you can even choose a lift chair which not only allows you to recline more comfortably, but also helps take you from sitting to standing. Kick-back and relax, while supporting your back and creating the position that’s ideal for your body.

Find your inner calm  

If life is feeling overwhelming and you’re struggling to focus, try a meditation app to clear your mind and recentre yourself. There are a range of apps on the market, some free, some paid, designed to help you sleep better and stress less, it’s like having your very own meditation teacher in your back pocket. Look for apps with daily meditations and sleep stories to help you drop off to sleep, plus meditation lessons, nature sounds and masterclasses. Whatever suits you – from the tone of voice you like to the length of guided meditation, you’re sure to find one that’s right for you.

Track your stats

Think smart watches are just about tracking your daily steps? Think again. These days smartwatches look stylish and do a whole lot more than just count those steps. Modern features include tracking your sleep, your breathing patterns, heart rate, and even your menstrual cycle, for a complete picture of your daily health. Plus, many watches now have location settings meaning you can stay safe when you’re exploring further afield and need to share your exact location quickly.

Massage your muscles

If you’re struggling with aches and pains, a portable massage gun could be the ideal solution to help relieve your sore muscles on the go, rather than having to book in for that expensive and time-consuming massage. Look for one of the compact options on the market, so you can take it with you for when cramps, tension, pain or knots strike, and use it for instant relief on your problem areas. Another option is to bring the ultimate relaxation of a professional massage right into the comfort of your own home, with massage chair such as La-Z-Boy’s Oslo Luxury Lift with Massage Chair.  Featuring the latest in massage technology, you can set the type of massage you prefer and the zone you want to target – the perfect way to deal with niggling aches and pains.

Get your teeth (really) clean

Take your tooth-brushing to a whole new level with an advanced electric toothbrush that really gets to know the intricate workings of your pearly whites. These days you can find electric toothbrushes that remove more plaque and stains than manual brushing, with some also syncing with a phone app and providing guidance on your brushing pattern and technique. Time to find your very own (smart) tooth fairy.

Rise with the sun

Forget the blare of an alarm clock. There are several clocks now that replicate the gradual and fading light of the sun to encourage a regular sleep pattern. These clever lighting effects mean a sunrise can help energise you in the morning, and sunset effects can help you relax and feel drowsy in the evening. Some of them include ambient sounds to help you really set the sleep mood, and these clocks are also ideal for anyone who struggles with Seasonal Affective Disorder in the cold, dark winter months.

Analyse your body

Health isn’t just about the number on the scales, so smart scales don’t just check your weight, they also analyse your body composition – from your bone density to your muscle mass. Smart scales give you a full picture of your daily body health, and some of them even go as far as to sync with a WIFI powered app to help you set goals, track progress and get smarter about your bodily health.

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