<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Rob Cipolla | Blog</title><description>Writing about web development, product engineering, and the craft of building user-facing software.</description><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/</link><item><title>5 Tips for designing a great user experience for your website</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/5-tips-for-designing-a-great-user-experience-for-your-website/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/5-tips-for-designing-a-great-user-experience-for-your-website/</guid><description>Learn how to design an enhanced user experience for your website with these 5 tips. From crafting an inviting homepage to implementing user feedback.</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Analysing UI/UX pitfalls in the new Warhammer website</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/analysing-uxui-pitfalls-in-the-new-warhammer-website/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/analysing-uxui-pitfalls-in-the-new-warhammer-website/</guid><description>A comprehensive UX/UI analysis of the new Warhammer website. This review provides insights into the site&apos;s navigation, hero section, product call to actions, community engagement, and newsletter signup. It also offers key takeaways and recommendations for improving user experience and engagement.</description><pubDate>Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Automating open graph images with NextJS 14, TailwindCSS and Typescript</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/automating-open-graph-images-with-next-js-tailwind-css-and-typescript/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/automating-open-graph-images-with-next-js-tailwind-css-and-typescript/</guid><description>Learn how to automate the generation of open graph images for your blog posts using NextJS 14, TailwindCSS and Typescript</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Choosing between a headless CMS and WordPress: a guide for your next website project</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/choosing-between-a-headless-cms-and-wordpress-a-guide-for-your-next-website-project/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/choosing-between-a-headless-cms-and-wordpress-a-guide-for-your-next-website-project/</guid><description>Explore the benefits and drawbacks of using a Headless CMS over traditional platforms like WordPress. Understand the key differences, and make an informed decision based on your business needs, resources, and future plans.</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Designing and building my full-stack web developer and designer website</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/designing-and-building-my-full-stack-web-developer-and-designer-website/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/designing-and-building-my-full-stack-web-developer-and-designer-website/</guid><description>Learn how a full-stack web developer and designer approached the process of designing and building their website. Discover tips for effective planning and insights into their tech stack.</description><pubDate>Sat, 21 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>How AI has changed my job (and why I&apos;m not mad about it)</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/how-ai-has-changed-my-job-and-why-im-not-mad-about-it/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/how-ai-has-changed-my-job-and-why-im-not-mad-about-it/</guid><description>A reflection on how AI tools have shifted what it means to be a developer, and why I&apos;m leaning into the change.</description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Rethinking website carousels: are they really effective?</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/rethinking-website-carousels-are-they-really-effective/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/rethinking-website-carousels-are-they-really-effective/</guid><description>This article discusses the user experience problems associated with using hero carousels on website homepages, including banner blindness and accessibility concerns. It offers alternative design strategies for creating an engaging and user-friendly homepage.</description><pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Step-by-step guide to building a custom newsletter subscription form with Astro, React, and ConvertKit</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/step-by-step-guide-to-building-a-custom-newsletter-subscription-form-with-astro-react-and-convertkit/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/step-by-step-guide-to-building-a-custom-newsletter-subscription-form-with-astro-react-and-convertkit/</guid><description>Learn to build a custom newsletter subscription form using Astro, React, and ConvertKit. This step-by-step guide covers form validation with React Hook Form, toast notifications with React Hot Toast, and form validation schemas with Zod.</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Switching from TRPC to NextJS server actions and why</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/switching-from-trpc-to-nextjs-server-actions-and-why/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/switching-from-trpc-to-nextjs-server-actions-and-why/</guid><description>Discover why a I opted for NextJS Server Actions over TRPC for my side project. Learn how NextJS&apos;s efficiency and Zod&apos;s type safety simplified my workflow and reduced mental overhead.</description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Beginner&apos;s guide to React components with TypeScript</title><link>https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/typing-react-components-with-typescript-a-comprehensive-beginners-guide/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.robcipolla.co.uk/blog/typing-react-components-with-typescript-a-comprehensive-beginners-guide/</guid><description>Learn how to correctly type React components using TypeScript, from basic examples to more complex concepts. Enhance your React development with the power of TypeScript for more robust and maintainable code.</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>