Posts

CMS Site Launch: Advanced Technical Solutions - DNN 7

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NEW WEBSITE POWERED BY DNN 7 ATS The Brief (i.e., Requirements): Internet showcase for local IT services Reach new customers via Web search Define Online brand identity Establish credibility and authority and in IT space The Method: Design: Modified skin with custom graphics and CSS tweaks Platform: DNN 7 with add-on extensions (Blog, JotForm, Nivo Slider, JQuery) SEO: Author unique page titles/descriptions, XML sitemap, Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics Social: Integrate blog, add hooks to Twitter, add links to Google+, Facebook and RSS The Result: Marketing vehicle will reach potential clients in local area Clean UX parallels the feel of client's print collateral Content is managed via DNN 7 cloud hosted CMS Visit the ATS Website Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Summary of Webmaster Tools Search Appearance Overview pop-up

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A look at the new "Search Appearance Overview" pop-up window that appears in the updated Webmaster Tools UI. I didn't catch this until recently, but Google has added a nifty little tool to help explain search results elements, and how we can influence the data they contain. Next time you login to Webmaster Tools , look for the Search Appearance interactive pop-up tool. It's accessed via the information (i) icon located in the left-hand menu: Webmaster Tools Search Appearance Overview When you hover over and click specific elements, a bubble will reveal helper text along with clickable links over to Google's Webmaster Tools help screens. Source: Google Webmaster Tools Title Element Write informative, relevant descriptions in the HTML title tag for each webpage. In Webmaster Tools use the HTML Improvements feature to help optimize the title tags on your site. Snippet  Element Provide an accurate, succinct summary of the page’s content in its m

New websites developed using DNN portal solutions

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New family of websites powered by DNN 6 AutoCrafting Solutions in Rochester, New York The website redesign for AutoCrafting.com was recently completed. We took three existing html based websites and migrated them into a single installation of DNN 6 as "child portals". DNN (formerly DotNetNuke) is evolving rapidly.  DNN  has been my "go to" web CMS platform for a few years, and it's getting better with every update. Here are a few takeaways. DNN Strengths: Portals allow you to host and manage multiple websites under one CMS installation MS Office style editor seems to be more intuitive for corporate clients Vast library of add-on modules (plugins) Scalability for enterprise level websites DNN Weaknesses: Native blogging engine is not as feature rich as Wordpress No single-click updates Hosting is a bit more pricey ($20/mo versus $8/mo) Skins a.k.a. themes tend to be more "corporate" versus "creative"...but

New Google Sites for Stowe Law

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Stowe Law Firm website overhauled using Google Sites CMS New Google Sites website designed and deployed for local law firm The Brief: Internet showcase for local legal services Reach new customers via Web search Solidify Online brand ID The Method: Design:  Custom graphics designed in Adobe Fireworks CS3 Google Apps:  Google Sites framework with Google Docs and Google Maps Search Engine Optimization:  Author unique page titles/descriptions, XML sitemap, Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics Social Media : Integrate Google+, Facebook, and micro-blogging gadget The Result: Marketing tool will reach local audience and attract new business Site style is clean and professional which parallels the client's existing brand Content maintenance is accomplished via Google Sites browser-based Web CMS Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advis

ICON Creations Custom Google Sites Deployed

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The Brief: Online showcase for new bridal line of wedding rings and custom jewelry services Site needs to attract new wholesale customers as well as a motivated sales team The Method: UI Design:  Custom graphics developed in Adobe Fireworks CS3 Google Apps: Google Sites framework with Google Docs and Google Drive Photo Gallery : Implement SimpleViewer Flash/mobile HTML5 gallery linked to multiple Flickr sets SEO : Author unique page titles/descriptions, XML sitemap, Webmaster Tools, Google Analytics. The Result: Website features custom UI which ties into the client's cutting edge jewelry theme Site updates are facilitated via linked Google Docs, Google Drive and Flickr XML feed Marketing tool will reach national audience and help recruit top level sales force Visit the ICON Creations Custom website: http://www.iconcreationscustom.com Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web techno

Making the Cut - Karl Driesel's New Google Sites Website

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The Brief: Create a website that is easy to find via keyword search Site will attract new customers and sell products The Method: Design wood grain theme using Adobe Fireworks CS3 Utilize Google Apps platform: Google Sites, Gmail, Google Docs Implement E-Commerce: JotForm with secure PayPal backend Search optimization: Keyword rich page titles and descriptions, micro-blogging gadget, XML sitemap, Webmaster Tools, Analytics. The Result: Website features custom UI which ties into the client's wood crafting theme E-Commerce enables client an inexpensive method of reaching and selling to national client base Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Summertime Logos

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Here are a few summertime logos designed for clients. Folk Foto - Sports Photographer Usage: Facebook page, photo proof watermark Software: CorelDraw X6 Fonts: Highway Gothic American Legion Baseball Team - Hiscock Fishbaugh Usage: Uniform logo Software: CorelDraw X6 Fonts: Marketing Script ProMuscle Nutrition - Supplements, diet books and custom nutrition plans Usage: Brand marketing Software: CorelDraw X6 Fonts: Masque Team Valle - 14U Travel Baseball Usage: Baseball uniform, signage Software: Adobe Fireworks CS3 Fonts: MLB Tuscan Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Valle Gets a Responsive WordPress E-Commerce Site

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  Responsive website design with WordPress and WooCommerce The Brief: Create an ecommerce site that is visually appealing, stable and easy to use Integrate with social media   The Method: Strategy : Main function of site is to showcase and sell the Valle Training Glove line. Web Design and Development : Valle wanted to be portrayed as an innovative industry leader. The overall style for the website is "sporty" and fresh.  High-end photography is key. Technology : Built using WordPress CMS platform. Plugins: WooCommerce, WordPress SEO, WP Smush.it Theme: pk2012 Sold! Widgets: MailChimp, Twitter The Result: The Valle Training Glove website is responsive, easy to navigate, and matches the existing brand. Visit the website Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Local Business "Pitchin" Clients with Google Sites

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New Website: Fastball-U.com – Classes now in-session Local business gets new Google Sites powered website The Brief: Use the website as a means of attracting new pitching students Create a website that is easy to find via search   The Method: Focus on optimization for search and responsive mobile device rendering Light-weight and modern styling Utilize  Google Sites platform  to enable content maintenance via a web browser   The Result: Website features custom logo design, which ties into the business's educational theme Visit the FASTBALL-U website     Patrick LaJuett manages a website design agency : + LaJuett.com , where he supports clients as a Web technology consultant and search marketing strategy advisor.

Lessons Learned from a WordPress E-Commerce Project

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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 files.