Archive for the ‘website design’ Category
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Michael Harrawood is the husband of a colleague of mine. They called me several months ago, asking for some help with Mike’s website. Mike had started a home repair and handyman type of business, and wanted a simple website to advertise his business online, and provide reference and legitimacy for those looking for more information about his business. He knew someone who had offered to create his website as part of a class he was taking, but this didn’t turn out well for Michael. The website was not attractive, had broken images and the layout was off on several pages. What they needed me to do was fix up the site and make it look and work how it was suppossed to.
As this was a simple site, and the layout had already been decided on, I created the site as a static HTML site using CSS and a template to control page layout across pages. Once this was done, loading the content and uploading everything to the server was simple and quick. I also incorporated a Wufoo form for Michael’s contact page, to give him more flexibility over future use.
Although most sites that I do these days are WordPress-based sites, it didn’t make sense to use WordPress for this website. This site needed only a few pages, and did not require a blog or the ability for the client to be able to maintain the site going forward. These needs combined with a limited budget made a static HTML/CSS site a perfect solution for his needs.
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
I was speaking with someone today about how using a Content Management System (CMS) can help them have more control over their small business website and was surprised to learn that she wasn’t familiar with the term. This was interesting to me as I thought it was a fairly well known term and was also sort of self explanatory. Alas, I was wrong. So it occurs to me that some of you might not be clear on the concept either, and I wanted to help you out with that confusion.
According to Wikipedia, a Web Content Management System “allows non-technical users to make changes to a website with little training. A WCMS typically requires a systems administrator and/or a web developer to set up and add features, but it is primarily a website maintenance tool for non-technical staff.”
I usually explain it by saying that a CMS helps to keep the content and design separate, so business owners can feel comfortable maintaining and updating the content of their web site without worrying about messing up the design or layout of the site.
A Content Management System is a great thing for small businesses to have incorporated into their website because it gives them more control over their website content without having to engage or track down a web designer every time they want to make a small change to their site. Sure, you should have one around for when you need the extra help, but as a business owner or manager, you should also be able to update content or add specials and new services/products without incurring a bill each time.
WordPress is a very popular CMS, used on over 22% of all websites (that’s a LOT!). Much of the reason that WordPress has become so popular is due to its low learning curve, flexibility and stability. beyond the office helps business move their current website to the WordPress platform, or create a new website based on WordPress. We also offer one-on-one coaching and video based training for those that want to learn more about working with this great CMS.
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
Problem
Chloe’s Adornments is an accessories boutique that’s run a little differently than most others, but her website didn’t reflect that. It was old, outdated and couldn’t be easily updated. Not to mention that the original web designer was hard to get a hold of when she did need something updated.
Solution
A WordPress website is the perfect solution for Chloe’s Adornments. This allows the owner to upload images of her new products herself, whenever she wants to, and to create great looking webspages to include in her email messages to her client list.
Part two of the solution is to integrate new product postings into social media outlets to give Chloe’s Adornments better exposure to current and potential new customers.
Results
Chloe’s owner tells me she is thrilled with her new website. She loves the colors and simplicity and, most of all, that she can manage it all herself.
“Terri has been helping me with my fashion accessories website and social media needs. She has created a website in a format that I can easily change myself while still maintaining an edgy, creative look. I love working with Terri, she is extremely patient, makes herself readily available to me and I always tell her that after each session, I feel so much smarter!”
- Marsha Murman, owner of Chloe’s Adornments
