Posts

Showing posts with the label Lake Norman

Lessons Learned from a WordPress E-Commerce Project

Image
Responsive WP e-commerce Project Responsive WordPress ecommerce website design for Valle Training Gloves Launched a WordPress e-commerce website yesterday.  The project was a conversion of an existing DotNetNuke website.  Here are my takeaways from the development process: The Good: Themes are inexpensive, plentiful, and super easy to install Plugins are copious, one-click activation makes life easy WooCommerce set-up is intuitive Dashboard navigation is straightforward Quality hosting providers are abundant The Bad: Theme documentation is sparse WP forums can be slow or unresponsive, so you will be on your own when troubleshooting Small changes to CSS can cause issues in responsiveness "mobile" view Media (images) can be a pain to upload and replace Performance can be sluggish In Summary: The development process was fairly straight forward.  But like every other WP site I have developed, it seems like there are always issues with managing media fi...

Responsive website developed for "Navigate the Exchange"

Image
Responsive website design with Google Sites cloud based CMS The Brief: Use the website as a means of educating consumers about the new healthcare exchanges Create a website that is informative and easy to use Integrate with Google Apps   The Method: Strategy: The main function of this site is to educate and guide consumers through the new healthcare exchanges. Web Design and Development: Navigate the Exchange wanted to be portrayed as professional and authoritative. The overall style for the website is contemporary and clean. Technology: Built using Google Sites CMS platform .  The CMS allows for easy management and updates – from anywhere in the world.   The Result: The Navigate the Exchange website has a custom look and feel which matches the existing customer brand. Visit the Navigate the Exchange website Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultan...

Business Card Design Techniques

Image
How to design your company's business cards Digital marketing is replacing traditional print advertising for many companies.  However, a professionally designed and printed business card is still a great way to show off your biz.  To "plant seeds" with potential customers and guide them to your website for more information. Here are some tips to help you on your way: It's important to use elements consistent with company branding.  Logos are a great starting point.  I like to use shapes or angles from the logo and incorporate into the card's background.  Be sure to include all relevant contact info including your website address.  Readability is important, so don't go too small with lettering. Dawn of the Digital Press A digital press enables printers to offer "small run" print jobs.  Because of this, set-up time and costs are less. This allows for experimentation, more color and diversity in your card layouts. Business Card Option...

Google Sites Web Launch for A Neu Design Interiors, Inc.

Image
Latest Google Sites design project launches A Neu Design Interiors, Inc. hired us to redesign their company website. Their primary requirement was to have an easy to manage website that showcased their home remodeling work.  Long-term they hope to attract quality leads by implementing a search optimization strategy, centered around social media and content-rich blogging. A Neu's new Google Sites features responsive architecture which adapts to fit the users device Technology summary: Google Sites (CMS) Picasa 3 (image management) SimpleViewer (gallery template) Google Drive (file hosting) Google Analytics (visitor engagement measurement) Google Webmaster Tools (SEO) Site features: Responsive web design (RWD) Social media hooks (Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest) Micro blog with RSS XML photo gallery Search optimization Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultant and sear...

Manage Google Sites Permissions

Image
One of the most powerful features of Google Sites is the ability to control user access.  For example, you can create a private site (hidden from the general public).  This private site can be accessed via a secure login as defined in the Sharing and Permissions settings. The workflow we use when developing a new Google Sites website is to initially set permissions to "Private".  This way we can freely collaborate with stakeholders without concern of a random visitor stumbling upon the work-in-progress. We rough-in, then refine the site's content as a team.  When ready to launch, all we have to do is "flip the switch". Here's a tech post on how to make your entire Google Sites visible to the public: https://lajuett.zendesk.com/entries/23826192-Make-your-Google-Sites-public Note, permissions can also be set on a individual page basis. Google Sites permissions - Ready for the world. Patrick LaJuett operates a website design an...

Logo Design for Custom Jewelry Co. in NYC

Image
Company Logo Design by LaJuett A New York city based custom jewelry manufacturer hired us to design and develop a new company logo. Logo design and branding for jewelry company in NYC. Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Salmon Creek waking up from winter slumber

Image
Android 4.2 panorama photo - Salmon Creek in Hilton, NY HDR Camera+ photo for Android 4.2 - Salmon Creek in Hilton, NY HDR Camera+ photo for Android 4.2 - Salmon Creek in Hilton, NY Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Responsive Google Sites Website Design

Image
Responsive Website Design with Google Sites New responsive design website deployed using Google Sites.  The new  Wild Cane Tours  site features an integrated Google Map, micro blog and e-commerce gadget. Utilizing Google Sites' responsive design framework, the site will also detect mobile / handheld devices and render the screens appropriately. What Is Responsive Web Design? Responsive web design (RWD) is a web design method which provides optimal viewing experiences across a wide range of devices (desktop computer monitors, smart phones and tablets). Custom Google Sites website design with responsive template. More Information Check out Google's recommendations for building smartphone-optimized websites: http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2012/06/recommendations-for-building-smartphone.html Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing ...

Logo Design Evolution: From Concept to Final

Image
Here's a new logo we designed with a brief summary of our logo design process: Start out with a few rough ideas from client (company name, colors and tagline) Put together a mock-up of 4 different concepts Work with sets of four and bounce around between them Limit to 3-4 different fonts Play off a word, idea or symbol and incorporate Generate a PDF and email to client for review Iterate and tweak Client decides on final version Output logo in high resolution (EPS, PDF and PNG) GIF created using CorelDraw, AKVIS Sketch and animated using Adobe Fireworks Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Logo Designs Created for Local Business

Image
We designed a couple of logos this week.  Logo creation is by far the most enjoyable work we do. Something about crafting a new brand identity and seeing it on public display is very rewarding. Check out our logo design portfolio to see the type of work we've done over the past decade or so. Hockey Goalie Training and Instruction Pizza Shop - (Sign at Batavia MuckDog's Dwyer Stadium) Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Logo Designed for Start-Up Biz

Image
Logo developed for a new health insurance consultancy company based in NY State. Logo designed using CorelDraw X6, with bevel and drop shadow added in Adobe Fireworks CS3. Patrick LaJuett operates a website design and marketing agency where he supports his clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

1,100 Projects Completed

Image
Some fun, some not...but all 1.1K are done! My project numbering system is fairly straight forward.  For every new job that comes through the door, increment by one and add a customer code (i.e., 1100_WEB).  This morning we reached a milestone.  Well its not a big deal, but I liked the number.  It gave me an excuse to paint graffiti on the side of the building.  Just kidding. Milestone reached: 1,100 projects completed. It took us 11 years, and we've been consistent.  Completing roughly 100 projects per year.  All varieties, shapes and sizes.  From signage design to complete e-commerce websites, it's been a wild ride. Meetings, phone calls, emails and texts.  1,100 projects down, and here's to the next!   Thanks to all of our customers who have trusted us with their web and marketing needs.

Wishing You a Healthy and Prosperous 2013

Image
My top Web design tools and innovations from year 2012. 2012 has certainly been an eventful year. Some good, some bad, and some outright ugly. Web design technology, internet marketing and social media have continued to evolve at a rapid pace. Staying current with the changing tide of SEO has been challenging. Reflecting back, I definitely saw my daily SEO routine change. I spent much more time doing "research". Keeping up on keeping up...my kids always tease me about that one. I am thankful for the generosity of the web development community, especially the "knowledge sharers". Reading their tech blogs and forums sure made my life easier when racing to meet another crazy deadline. For those of you out there...thanks for caring and sharing! My 2012 list of most useful web technologies & innovations OK, yes...a lot of Google mentions. And I know some of these technologies were around in 2011. But I have leaned on them a bit more than in previous yea...

Google Sites - A Viable Web CMS Platform

Image
If you need to author, develop, and launch a website quickly, consider using Google Sites. I'm all about efficiency...like most small business owners I am always on the lookout for new tools to help improve productivity. My preferred method of Website development is either hand-coding HTML, or using a Web content management system such as DotNetNuke or Wordpress.  Customer requirements such as budget, time frame and functionality is the major "driver" on which path I choose to take. The Google Sites platform has become be a good option because it allows me to deploy rapid website development solutions for my cost conscious customers. Below, I will summarize the pro's and con's of using Google Sites.   What is Google Sites: Similar to other website builders such as Wix, Yola or Weebly...Google Sites is a free Website CMS hosted in the Google Apps cloud. Benefits of Google Sites: Cost - Google Sites (as of now) is a free serv...

Google+ Communities

Image
OK, I couldn't resist.  I jumped on the early bandwagon and put together my first G+ Community page . Check it out here:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102545819347311378712 So far I like it.  Although I do see a need for some usability enhancements.  Would love to be able to "pin" a post to the top of a category.  The ability to toggle post content visibility (under the titles) would be nice too.  Lots of vertical scrolling as the community post timeline grows. I have yet to use the hangout feature, but will do so as the need arises.  I do believe this is a great feature, and will become more widely used as people begin to understand how it works. People have asked me what Google+ is.  My simplified explanation is that it's like a hybrid social network.  A cross between Facebook, Twitter and email. Here's the real question...will Facebook and Twitter loyalists give it a try?  With the number of Android bas...

New Web Site Launch: Priority Thinking

New web site launch: Priority Thinking

Project Milestone Reached

Took us over 10 years, but we have finally hit the 1,000 project mark.  Many thanks to all who have helped us along the way — family, friends, past and present customers and the generous Web community. Now it's back to work!

Our New Help Desk Is Up & Running

In effort to provide our Web marketing and design customers with a comprehensive support system, we have rolled out a new Online help and support portal. Please SUBMIT A SUPPORT TICKET for all issues related to your Website. Including: design modifications and content updates. Please be a detailed as possible so we can assist you in a prompt manor.

Comparison - SEO'd Websites VS, Yellow Pages Advertisements

We do not recommend abandoning your YP ads. But many businesses are saving on marketing costs by slimming down their YP presence and investing the money into a search friendly Website. Your marketing dollars can generate a much better ROI when you focus on providing relevant content that converts your visitors into customers. That's where we come in. Our Website design and NY SEO services can help your business by creating or improving your Online presence. View Comparison Matrix — Yellow pages ads VS. Websites with SEO Posted using ShareThis

NY Biz List — Spend Locally. Save Jobs.

Image
Help support locally run companies throughout New York State. We recognize that small businesses are the lifeblood of the NYS economy. Keeping money in our neighborhoods by shopping locally will help ensure a thriving small business community. We accept directory listings for legitimate small businesses in New York State. Are you a small business owner? Submit your request for a free directory listing. All NY Biz List directory submissions are human-reviewed for accuracy. Please wait 5-7 days for valid small business listings to appear in our directory . Do you know a small business that would benefit from a listing on our Website? If so, suggest a site, and we'll do our best to add an accurate company listing. Visit Website: https://www.nybizlist.com/