A client recently launched a new Web site that had been designed by a volunteer agency, but has asked me to stay involved to help with technical issues. The new site looks and works fine, except for some poor front-page communication, but under the surface… The other guys put a different Google Analytics code...
Free Web Site Advice
SEO From a Client Perspective
I wrote a message like the one below to one of my clients today, whose Web site is about to launch. I’ve written about SEO before (see my fledgling SEO category), but this seemed worth sharing. My contract with this client does not include any serious Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for the new site,...
Graphic Programs
A friend/colleague sent me email recently, asking about programs for creating Web site graphics. Basically, he’s working on a low-budget labor-of-love Web site and needs something better than MS Paint. Don’t we all? Sure, the pros use Photoshop and Fireworks, but the cost is steep and the learning curve is steeper. So what’s a...
Creating A Joomla Web Site
Recently, I posted on WordPress setups, and since then I’ve set up a couple of Joomla sites. Same problem — I have to remember all the steps. In the ongoing spirit of sharing, here’s the setup checklist but for Joomla this time. I’m assuming you know how to set up a domain and install...
Do You Really Need a CMS?
In the past few months, I’ve been working a lot in Joomla and WordPress content management systems for various clients. I’m not quite ready to call myself an expert (yet), but it’s getting to be that way. Recently, a couple of my clients have either a) asked me to convert their current sites to...
When Good Customer Service Goes Bad
Two separate customer service issues today… both drove me a little nuts. Rant #1: Endless voice prompts. Called PayPal in regards to a transaction. After entering my account info, I get dumped into the voice prompting system — “you can say, ‘payments,’ ‘account issues,’ or ‘refunds.'” Aha… I’ve been in this trap before, and...
Getting Ahead of Clients
In my work as a consultant, it’s important for me to adjust to the speed of the client. If I go too fast, problems appear. Sometimes I lose them in concepts that seem pretty basic to me, but are new to them. Then later, I have to back up and go over the concepts...
Web Site Errors
I hope I’m not being snarky here, but even the big guys have Web problems sometimes. For those who care, the error is a Windows server error, probably from an asp.net application that they’re upgrading (or recently upgraded) and some essential bit of code is missing. It happens, but we’ll see how long it...
Shooting Photos for General Web Site Use
Among the first things young photographers are told is get close to your subject and fill up the frame. Good advice for framing photos to hang on your wall, bad advice for Web/design usage. The new rules, when shooting for general Web site usage: group your main subject, but shoot wider shots with plenty...
Creating a WordPress Web Site
I’m making a lot of WordPress sites right now for small clients, and every time I set one up, I have to remember all the steps. So, this post has a selfish goal: I need to create a list anyway, and figured I might as well share. I’m assuming you know how to set...