The custom web design of the main site of the Small Business Resource Center website has been converted to a CMS, Content Management System, and all 70 pages are done. The advice blog and podcast graphics conversion to match will be done soon so the entire site has a consistent look. This CMS system was selected after 2-3 years of research for a simple method of creating a web design with perfect XHTML and CSS with a tableless design.

The web design makeover to CMS follows the announcement of this new service 2 weeks ago here, and in 2 podcast episodes about CMS. The purpose of a Content Management System for web design is allowing small business owners the control to add, edit, or delete content to manage their website without learning how to code in XHTML.

Unlike most CMS software out of the box, our custom web design with matching graphics, and significant template modification, has been done to maximize aesthetics and allow SEO, Search Engine Optimization, of your small business website. Tired of paying your web developer each time you need a change? Follow this link to learn about a custom web design with CMS for your small business.

Interested in a tour of a working CMS web design? Visit my main site to view the 70 page web design and CMS makeover. Technically my blog and podcast are done in CMS, so the overall content of this website has more than 350 pages of information and advice for small business web design and related services.



TAGS: content management system cms launch news small business services web design

Labels: cms, general, launch, seo, templates, websites

                       

Great resources for do-it-yourself small business website owners using a Joomla content management system may be found at the recently launched Joomla articles website.This brilliant one-stop-shop for everything Joomla is the creation of Ric Raftis, a fellow custom web design expert in Australia.

For now the site is in beta pending the formal release, yet the site is already loaded with valuable information for Joomla based site owners. The official Joomla forum contains nearly 1.3 million topics. By comparison, www.JoomlaArticles.com features only the best and current resources for making the most of your small business Joomla 1.5 installation.

My advice for small business website owners is bookmarking JoomlaArticles.com to stay on top of the latest developments from a neutral expert with an eye for collecting only the best online resources. Best of luck to Ric Raftis with the growth of this site.



TAGS: advice cms content management system joomla joomla articles reviews small business advice

Labels: advice, articles, launch, reviews, websites

                       

A new custom web design featuring real estate vacation rental ads was launched earlier using CMS, a Content Management System, allowing the webmaster to add property without knowing HTML code. The site is a rent by owner USA vacation property ad directory for owners, property managers, and realtors to upload free or low cost ads for USA short term rentals.



As the site owner, another purpose of the site is to demonstrate CMS capabilities to realtors interested in real estate templates for a custom web design, also. The layout is suitable for property sales as well as rentals, or both.

Initially the site is in test mode with the first rental listing from Central Florida, and new USA vacation rental properties will be added in the coming days and weeks. Visitors may join as members to view vacation property details including rates, and save favorites, plus view bookings availability calendars.

Owners or managers of rental property may join as agents to immediately begin adding listings with up to 8 photos per rent by owner vacation ad. Ads for listings are available to upload or edit 24/7, and real estate agents or homeowners gain instant access.

In addition, the site features a Rent by Owner USA Vacations blog using Blogger and integrated with a matching color scheme which will provide advice and tips for tourists and owners. Both were done in XHTML with CSS for fast loading and streamlined code. Visit the main real estate vacation rental ad website here, and the rent by owner USA vacations blog here.



TAGS: blog template custom website design content management system real estate website launch

Labels: blogger, launch, templates, websites

                       

Another custom web design was launched earlier today for Shizz Entertainment, an indie artist recording studio in Philadelphia, PA. The simple starter website will expand over the coming months to add more details about their services, including featured artists, music downloads, and perhaps videos.

Shizz Entertainment specializes in recording, production, and promotional services for independent music artists. Genres include gospel, rap, rythym and blues, jazz, and poetry. Solo and group indie performers are welcome to inquire about low cost solutions for getting started.



The above screenshot of part of their website includes the custom logo design that I created for Shizz which is already being used for posters, printed marketing materials, and t-shirts. CD cover designs are in work.

Previously covering Philadelphia metro only, Shizz Entertainment is expanding with services for indie performers in most East Coast cities. New website content will be provided and added as their time permits, yet a free download sample CD with 21 tracks is scheduled for release soon.

The custom web design for Shizz Entertainment meets W3C standards for XHTML 1.1 and CSS2 with zero code errors, and content is optimized for seo, search engine optimization.



TAGS: launch custom logo design custom website design small business services news seo

Labels: examples, general, launch, seo, websites

                       

The Code Repair website was recently redesigned and turned over to my son, Roger Degerstrom, and the theme has gone from a design advice only website to commercial custom web design. The advice angle is not totally abandoned, as the redesigned site includes an integrated custom blog with web advice.

The CodeRepair.com website was originally launched in 2002, and with my current workload it was time to refocus my energy on loyal customers from this site, blog, and podcast. I will continue to mentor the growth of his website, yet with the gaining momentum of new clients the real focus for me is a higher level of service to new and existing clients.

The slogan for CodeRepair.com is "The next generation in custom website design" which relates to nepotism as well as the quality of advanced code using XHTML 1.1 and CSS2.



TAGS: blog news small business services website design website redesign

Labels: blogger, launch, websites

                       

A custom website redesign with matching blog was launched yesterday for The Gourmet Gift Shop, Inc. of Stockbridge, Georgia. The main website is an online store for this manufacturer of custom gift baskets for corporate accounts and individuals. The site meets W3C for valid XHTML 1.1 and CSS2 and features a new logo design, an integrated PayPal shopping cart, and a Gift Basket Expert Advice blog.



In addition, custom pages were created for 404 Error - Page Not Found, a customized thank you page for completed purchases, a cancel page for incompleted orders, and finally a custom htaccess file for 301 permanent redirects of all the old page file names. Key on page content and the streamlined xhtml code was also optimized for seo, search engine optimization.

Visit their new custom website and online store for gift baskets for a wide selection of unique gifts for Valentine's Day, all occasion, or fully customized gifts.



TAGS: blog blog template launch seo search engine optimization small business services custom website design

Labels: blogger, launch, seo, websites

                       

Following up on the Monday release of the SolarusUSA integrated blog, my design of their main awning products website launched earlier today featuring a unique 50 photo website gallery. Imagine a visitor viewing 50 large photos as shown below in this post, and being able to view every photo on one page without scrolling down the computer screen.



Each awning photo displays 495 pixels wide by 356 pixels tall, so viewing 50 without moving down the screen may sound unbelievable until you actually see it. The photo above is slightly larger because it includes a border and outline, plus a full text caption at the bottom of the photo. Search engines cannot index graphics, however, the text caption on their website is real text, not a graphic. The search engine optimization, or seo, value of this design is an added benefit of this custom website design technique.

Finally, some photo galleries can come close to this performance, but they depend on a script or flash to present the series of photos in one place, and those techniques have zero seo value. Search engines ignore scripts and they cannot read flash website content. The photo gallery that I developed for SolarusUSA is a breakthrough enhanced technique being offered as part of my custom website design services, and the layout is done completely in XHTML 1.1 and CSS2.

Despite the complexity, the page code complies as valid to W3C standards without errors. View the photo gallery for solid color awning fabrics here, and the striped pattern awning fabrics here.



TAGS: launch photographs photo gallery website design search engine optimization seo

Labels: examples, launch, photographs, seo, websites

                       

In preparation of the release of another integrated custom website design and blog, the design for the SolarusUSA Awning and Shade Advice blog launched today. This manufacturer and distributor of custom retractable awnings and screens ships nationwide and internationally, as well as installing retractable awning systems in the South Florida area. Do-it-yourself kits can be shipped to customers and dealers in the USA, Canada, and South America.

The following screenshot of this custom small business blog is shown smaller than actual size.



The new main site for SolarusUSA should launch within a week and will include product information, pricing, a photo gallery, and two galleries of awning fabric choices from over 400 colors.

The web design technique for the fabric gallery uses xhtml and css to achieve a mouseover effect without using scripts. Placing 50 fabric swatches and photos of each on one page is very efficient allowing visitors to view all 50 photographs without scrolling down their screen.



TAGS: blog blog template launch small business services website design

Labels: blogger, launch, templates, websites

                       

I finished the design of another custom website in xhtml with css, plus matching custom blog template, and both launched this weekend for Ultimate Riddles, a Christian site about spiritual truths and Bible study with an accompanying blog documenting Bible study progress. An integrated blog allows adding new content often which helps with SEO, Search Engine Optimization.


This graphic of the custom website design shown above is a screenshot from the site smaller than actual size and the design graphics include a golden sunset background and elegant script logo. Most of my clients know that my life and business are faith based, and www.UltimateRiddles.com is a personal venture to share results of studying the Bible going back to the languages of the original manuscripts. Visitors are invited to comment.



TAGS: blog blog template launch seo search engine optimization small business services custom website design

Labels: blogger, launch, seo, templates, websites

                       

With the release of episode 002 of the Small Business Website Mailbag podcast, feedback and customer reviews from listeners has been positive and encouraging. USA and international email comments were received from two professional web designers and existing clients which included the following:

Just listened to your podcast. I found it to be excellent, clear and informative; your voice inflection is awesome. I'll be tuning in regularly.

Excellent job, precise, direct to the point and informative. Who could ask for more?

Enjoyed the podcast very much. Actually I think it’s a much better idea than video in a way because it can be totally scripted and read. You just can’t do that with video.

Looks like a home run Jim!! I would like to set up something for people that have questions, too.

The podcast show topics cover websites for small business owners and each episode features a tip of the day, plus a catchy opening and closing theme song. One reply included a tutorial request for a new custom video production as featured on this blog, also.

Feedback is certainly appreciated, and I'll be sure to give serious consideration to listener requests taken from the website mailbag. Thanks.



TAGS: small business podcast podcast launch news podcast customer reviews

Labels: audio, examples, launch, podcast, reviews

                       

Today's announcement is the launch of the Small Business Website Mailbag podcast, a new feature with an audio version of small business advice so you can hear me rather than reading it. The first podcast Episode 001 is entitled Small Business Podcast Intro and includes the following outline in the show notes:

• My reason for starting this show
• The podcast content and outline
• Options for listener interaction
• My qualifications for offering advice
• Website quick tip of the day

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Small Business Podcast Introduction
0:09:38 Tip of the Day - Writing for Blogs versus Websites
0:11:01 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:32 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 001

For those who have viewed my custom website video productions, the podcast includes the same theme song which reinforces my market branding.

All podcast shows focus on websites for small business owners with expert advice that you may now hear online instead of tolerating my (sometimes) long-winded phone calls. Please visit this new advice podcast for small business and post a comment or email me with feedback or suggested topics.



TAGS: advice blog design launch news podcast promotion reviews seo small business websites

Labels: advice, audio, blogger, launch, podcast, websites

                       

I finished and recently launched a new one page custom website design for Accelerated Lending Group, Inc of Orlando, Florida including a special logo. The 3 separate line drawings of the custom logo for their website are shown to the left of their business card that I also designed, and were rejected.

Sometimes extracting the mental vision that a client wants in a web design or piece of matching artwork is a challenge!



The owner wanted a symbol similar to ancient Greek ruins with columns and decided they preferred a realistic building, so I created the near photograph effect which was approved. The logo was done in Xara Xtreme vector graphics software which is my choice for custom website graphics and matching artwork for print.

Once the logo and color scheme were approved, a matching 4 x 6 custom flyer post card was created, also. The website is modest yet allows them to have their www domain name on the printed materials, and new web pages will be added in the near future. A one page custom website may be perfect for other small business owners on a limited budget, or just starting up.



TAGS: artwork logo custom website design website launch

Labels: artwork, examples, launch, websites

                       

A custom small business website for CDA Alliance recently launched, and the owner has taken over managing the site which includes a matching private forum. This CMS, or custom Content Management System website design is another option for clients of the Small Business Resource Center.



The advantage of taking control of your small business website and freely adding content depends on your willingness to climb the learning curve that is involved. The site design fee is nominal compared to a fully custom website, yet the investment in time learning the functions may not be practical for all clients.

Another option to easily add original quality content is a fully integrated custom blog.



TAGS: advice blog template custom website design cms content management system forum launch website design

Labels: advice, blogger, launch, templates, websites

                       

Another custom website design with matching integrated blog launched this weekend for RR Accounting and Tax Services of Kissimmee, Florida.



The main part of the tax accountant custom website features horizontal top navigation using CSS, custom web graphics, XHTML with CSS for code, and cloaked email to avoid junk mail from spambots, plus a custom favicon with a single letter "R". The color scheme, header, and footer graphics of the accounting and tax advice blog matches their main site. Blogs are great for improving seo, search engine optimization, because they allow owners to easily add fresh content often.

Additional content including a list of services, online library, and bilingual versions of all web pages are being added during November 2007. Besides bookkeeping and tax preparation, RR Accounting and Tax Services can assist you with Incorporations, New Company Setup, Accounting Software Tutorials, Immigration Services, Tax Problem Resolution, Divorce Filing Petitions, Notary Services, Term Life Insurance, and Investments, plus more.

My core business is custom small business website design with matching custom new blogger templates, and the layout of this bilingual website site allowed us to go live while waiting for additional content including Spanish translations.



TAGS: blog blog template seo search engine optimization small business services custom blogger template

Labels: blogger, launch, seo, templates, websites

                       

A new custom website launched today for Mannion Custom Painting, LLC of Cumming GA with a matching custom integrated blog.



Here is some information about their Atlanta area home and business painting services taken from their home page:

Our Ultimate Goal is Satisfied Customers: When you entrust your property to Mannion Custom Painting, we go out of our way to create a positive experience. We offer free estimates, consultation for coating and color selection, detailed proposals, excellent craftsmanship, and a written warranty and guarantee on every project.

Learn more about new blogger custom template design here. Blogging offers advantages in SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, because regular posting allows you to add quality original content to your website often.



TAGS: blog blog template seo search engine optimization small business services custom blogger template

Labels: blogger, launch, seo, templates, websites

                       

A new custom website launched today for Adams Florida Homeowner Services with a matching custom integrated blog. This excerpt from their home page explains their business best:

We emigrated to Florida from the UK and understand the dreams of people wanting to start a new life in America, and why not? Florida is one of the most idyllic and exciting places in the world. However, vacationing and living in Florida are very different when holiday is certainly over!

Adams Florida Homeowner Services are in place to provide Florida homeowners with the satisfaction, confidence and above all peace of mind that their home or rental property is being presented and cared for to a high standard. Our information resources for new Florida residents will help ease the transition once you decide to move here permanently.

The new blogger custom template design features matching graphics, social bookmark service chicklets, and preloaded labels, plus a 15 page tutorial with illustrated step by step blogging instructions.

Blogging is a great way to add quality fresh content often integrated with your main website. The advantages in SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, are worth the time it takes to become a blogger.



TAGS: blog blog template seo search engine optimization small business services custom blogger template

Labels: blogger, launch, seo, templates, websites

                       

Another custom wesite with matching blog and forum was launched this week. The Silver Fox Society international social network is for mature men interested in leisure activities and helping others. This membership based site features a matching community forum geared towards men who are retired or nearing retirement, plus an online store with official logo merchandise.

The basic rule to join is you must be male with some gray hair or no hair. The site includes a news blog including advice for senior citizens and was designed with a custom blogger template and matching graphics. The organization's theme revolves around leisure and charity.

The matching forum has public and members only libraries of free PDF reports and ebooks of interest to men, and each contains original content written by Silver Fox Society members for members. The home page features a public copy of "How to Smoke Fish" by founder Jeff Spira, who also wrote another with complete plans for building a kayak for around $50 USD. The kayak project download includes the blueprints, too.

All PDF ebooks and reports are available to download for free, and those in the public library do not require registration or an email address. The forum boards cover a wide variety of topics of interest to men from the baby boomer generation who are ready to retire or already retired. Younger men with some gray hair or no hair are welcome, also. The main site meets W3C for XHTML and CSS.



TAGS: website launch custom website design forum online store blog blogger template

Labels: blogger, launch, websites

                       

Another custom website in xhtml with css launched with the preliminary release today of a site and matching blog for Masterson Construction, a licensed general contractor in Southern California. The site is bare bones at the moment with a home page and blog, and will grow quickly as additional content is provided in the next 2-3 weeks.

Here's an excerpt from the Masterson Construction blog:

New features in the next few weeks will include a more detailed list of services plus a photo gallery of projects. Our unofficial slogan is "A hands on general contractor with the experience you can trust". Our website is new... we're not.

Masterson Construction services customers for residential and commercial new construction, remodeling, and room additions in Orange County and Los Angeles County and some of the surrounding area of Southern California.



TAGS: website launch custom website design small business services blog template

Labels: blogger, launch, websites