Posts Tagged ‘websites’

I must admit it’s pretty satisfying having a tech-savy Mom in her 80′s who is active online with email, Facebook, instant messaging, and forums.

She wrote a recent update that reminds me of the dangers of social networks and transparency.

Mom has trouble grasping the prevalence of people, and especially the youngest generation of relatives, putting expletives in writing. I don’t blame her.

Private or inappropriate thoughts typed in haste remain online forever.

For those youngsters looking for better paying jobs, more and more companies will check out your posts on social networks, so you may not even get an interview if constantly…

1. Dropping the F* bomb or any expletive in your public posts
2. Writing gripes about a job, the boss, or ways to ditch work
3. Sharing experiences that demonstrate poor judgment or character

The future of social networking includes the risk of too much transparency for those people who aren’t careful. Law enforcement are already using social network data to locate fugitives and deadbeats. Divorce lawyers are finding gems written online by opposing spouses to improve cases for their clients.

Your social network is not a diary. Don’t type what you wouldn’t say in public or want repeated in a legal case, job interview, church service, or family setting. Imagine being quoted years from now in great detail about something you blurted out and immediately shared in writing only to regret that moment.

My Mom, your Mom, and most Moms have enough dirt on their family, friends, and relatives to write a dozen tellall books documenting scathing reports of poor judgment. Most don’t, won’t, and wouldn’t. People need to learn from their example and avoid the dangers of social networks and transparency that could come back to haunt them in the future.

That’s one lesson I learned thanks to the upbringing of “the bestest Mommy in the whole wide world”.

Current web design changes in Google search engine result pages, and more specifically the color used for the background of sponsored ad results, are both interesting and ingenious. The ongoing changes to Google’s home page design are more than a whim for entertainment value, and deserve closer study from a web design and marketing perspective.

The screenshot below taken on 30 Sep 2008 as placed in the background of this collage is being compared to another taken today and almost 2 years later on 3 Sep 2010, and displayed towards the front. You have to be impressed with the web design colors and Google ingenuity as they experiment with the layout of search results year after year. Some web design and layout changes are subtle and hardly noticed yet could have a dramatic impact on effectiveness generating revenue.

Search results appear near the center and down the entire length of the page. Sponsored results are the first 1 to 3 listings and people pay for those slots based on key words or phrases whenever a person clicks and follows those links. The rest of the search results are organic meaning they are selected naturally according to Google algorithms to represent the best and most relevant in importance. Sponsored results have a contrasting color for the background while the natural results match the white on the rest of the page.

The illustration displays 3 graphics in the collage: 2008 search results for “custom cms web designers”, 2010 search results for the same phrase “custom cms web designers”, and a small color chart of the hex codes for the 3 colors used in the page background. Why the phrase: custom cms web designers? That phrase summarizes my job description in 4 words, stats tracking confirms Google sends me traffic for that phrase, and I happened to have that 2 year old screenshot saved to allow this comparison.

In the 2008 results the sponsored ads (A) have a #FFFADD background which is obviously high contrast in a medium shade of yellow (B) compared to the rest of the page #FFFFFF white background (C). The 2010 sponsored ads have a #FBF0FA very light pink background (D) which may appear almost white depending on the viewing angle of your pc monitor. Let’s consider how a near white background of sponsored ads could affect user behavior.

The top natural search results (E) after sponsored ads happen to be my website at #1 and #2 worldwide both years for custom cms web designers. Comparing 2008 to 2010 and from personal experience, I tend to skip past the paid sponsor ads to the first natural results because those get listed based on merit and relevance. On my pc the 2008 background contrast is very obvious yet on the 2010 results the sponsored and natural results all appear to blend in with the overall white background which may make it difficult to tell if there’s 1, 2, or 3 paid sponsor ads.

The “pink” became apparent as my lcd monitor was tilted back and reached approximately 40 degrees, and then very apparent at 45 degrees. Maybe it’s just me, but I keep my monitor angle closer to 15 degrees. If it looks white on your screen use the tilt test to see the actual pink, yet use care you don’t break anything! Notice the contrast of the yellow becomes even more obvious when tilting the monitor, as well.

Google revenue from sponsored ads doesn’t come from simply listing advertisers at the top of search pages. Ad revenue is generated when visitors actually click through to the advertiser’s website. Will the current background color of sponsored ads affect traffic to your website if listed in the top 10 of natural results? It may. If you know seo and your page titles and descriptions are more interesting than paid ads, it may not matter.

Regardless, the ongoing testing of color and layout of their results pages is a fine example of web design colors and Google ingenuity. They could be getting more clicks and revenue from their experiment, yet I wouldn’t be surprised if the background color of Google sponsored ad results changed again, soon, or often.

Footnote: For those skeptics who wonder about my advice for online success with your custom cms web design, note that the #2 result worldwide in 2010 above is the blog post published yesterday revealing the web design secret to online success: add original quality related content often. The concept obviously worked for me. One day after it was published that blog post is #2 worldwide on Google page one for a phrase very important to my core business!

For years I’ve summarized the web design secret to online success with your custom cms web design as “add original quality content often”, yet it’s time for a revision. Creating lots of new content that is original and high quality may not be enough. To truly dominate search results with seo and site optimization you need to “add original quality related content often”.

At a glance you may not notice the word “related” added to that key phrase, but it’s an important update to the web design secret to online success. To rank on page one you need content that remains fairly consistent to the theme of your niche. Occasional off topic content is okay, yet keep the majority in line with the theme of your product or service.

Since I began offering custom cms web designs exclusively, the idea behind having a cms content management system has not changed. Owners want a website they can edit 24/7 without waiting or paying each time a site revision is needed.

Customers need a custom cms website designed so they can make changes without advanced technical skills. Finally, clients need a designer who can teach them how to get on Google page one! Trust the source who says they know how, and can provide proof that they did it.

The lessons I teach including custom cms and seo search engine optimization tutorials provide evidence that my natural methods work. The only investment is time learning and applying the techniques that I teach.

If you want to learn the web design secret to online success, start with a custom cms web design, and then delegate or make the time to add original quality related content often.

Everyone with an email address has experienced some type of email virus alarm or online post warning you to “forward this message to everyone you know” to protect them from dire consequences. It’s time to remind readers to take a trojan virus reality check and get the facts before forwarding any alarm email or message.

In most cases you can determine if the warning being passed on is real or a hoax in a couple of minutes. Otherwise, you could be wasting resources by perpetuating an online chain letter effect, or hurt your reputation for being like Henny Penny (“…the sky is falling”) if it’s a hoax and not real.

Here’s an example of a recent post on Facebook about the koobface virus.

Virus spreading like wildfire on FaceBook! It is a trojan worm called koobface. It will steal your info, invade your system and shut it down! DO NOT open the link Barack Obama Clinton Scandal! If SmartGirl15 requests you, don’t accept it; it is a virus. If somebody on your list adds her then you get the virus too! Please copy and paste to your wall.

There is a virus version of koobface circulating on Facebook (and MySpace), yet slightly different than described in the post. Here’s a link to details on Urban Legends at snopes.com which is always a great place to check out any alarming messages about virus threats.

After documenting details of the real threat, the last paragraph explains the Obama/Clinton and SmartGirl versions were each a variation and hoax of the real virus. The “do not open” advice given in the post is still excellent any time you encounter something suspicious.

Think twice and take that trojan virus reality check by doing a search on Urban Legends before you forward any email warning alert.

A quality web design with seo search engine optimization will help attract backlinks from other websites. Achieve links you earn and deserve naturally and avoid the dangers of being tempted to trade, buy, or sell links. I never accept link exchange requests.

Most emails for link requests go to Dear Webmaster, or something like that and very impersonal. Toss those emails without reading past the greeting. The best links are those links you earn and deserve without any correspondence or request between sites. A site that links to you voluntarily without contacting you or expecting something in return is the ideal backlink.

Two-way links are also called reciprocal links and those are more or less useless for boosting your seo ranking. Three-way link agreements may seem ideal, yet they are not best practice: Site 1 links to site 2 who links to site 3 who links to site 1. It gives the deceptive appearance of independent “votes” for sites worth linking to. The truth is Google supercomputers look for the 3-way link schemes and they get zero value or perhaps a negative penalty if widespread and blatant.

The best links to your site are those you earn and do not ask for, pay for, or solicit in any way. If your business is truly outstanding and a related site links to you (one-way only) then those have seo value when found by Google.

Years ago you could pay to have ranked sites link to you and Google would mistake those paid “votes” as voluntary endorsements and assign very high value for site reputation. The paid link schemes fell apart in 2007 when en masse Google banned those sites to oblivion who were using deceptive seo methods by trading in buying or selling links.

The phrase “add original quality content often” is still the magnet to attract natural links and positive Google search results. Provide an exceptional visitor experience and the backlinks from other sites will come naturally. For web design and seo success the best links are still those links you earn and deserve.

Recent completed web design work includes multiple cms and blog conversions done for the Mountridge LLC family of websites including: AdamsHomeownerServices.com, MainStreamMemorabilia.com, and AdamsFloridaServices.com.

Both Adams sites were converted from static pages to a custom cms content management system which allows the owner to add, edit, or delete content 24/7. The MainStream Memorabilia online store website was updated with a bolder look. All 3 Mountridge LLC websites include custom matching WordPress designs that were converted from Blogger.

Visit each blog for news or advice about products and services from the following links, and then use top navigation to view the matching look of their main websites.

Adams Homeowner Services handles Florida vacation or long term rental property, the MainStream Memorabilia e-commerce store offers movie and tv star autographed memorabilia, and Adams Florida Services specializes in residential or commercial Orlando area landscape and lawn service.

Inspiration for writing website content as part of web design, and especially the pressure for new blog post content, can be relieved somewhat if you recognize opportunity. Earlier today I had that type of experience involving web copywriting, and decided the topic was worthy of sharing here as the anatomy of a published article.

Ever help someone with a problem as part of your job by providing free advice? The good will generated is worth donating that solution with no strings attached, yet take it another step and document the story as a blog post so others know just what you did to make a difference in a person’s life.

If you’re away from the computer when inspiration strikes, jot down a short note as a reminder of the new blog post topic for later. Do that often during the day and you’ll never run out of ideas for blog posts. Here’s what happened today, and the timeline.

8:43 a.m. – Replied to an email with advice for writing effective blog post content
9:00 a.m. – Used notes from the tips I sent earlier to begin a formal advice article
1:15 p.m. – Article finished and began submitting it to my top 20 article directories
2:27 p.m. – Email confirmation received from EzineArticles.com acknowledging receipt
4:03 p.m. – Email message confirms EzineArticles.com approved and published my article*

Acts of kindness in business may be repaid by others who become new customers by observing or learning about how you treat people. I think of that whenever I’m doing custom cms web design and offering free advice.

What began as a helpful email reply to an acquaintance early this morning evolved into a full article submitted, approved, and published by the end of the day. That article will generate backlinks and site traffic because I recognized the opportunity to share expertise relating to web design.

Curious? Read the article entitled My Golden Rule Writing for the Web with advanced tips about writing website content.

*Footnote: For authors wondering about an article being submitted and then approved and published in just 96 minutes, those are true times down to the minute. EzineArticles.com gives expedited reviews to Platinum level authors like me. Read about another benefit of being a platinum author here.

This month marks one year since my son Roger launched the custom cms web design for Haggetts Aluminum in Florida. Just last month the owner mentioned how pleased they are with sales coming from the website. It makes my day to get happy web design client feedback since Roger chose a career in website design and took over the CodeRepair.com site.

The team at Haggetts is very busy and they credit the performance of their website as the key reason.

A quality web design with proper optimization will attract traffic from search engines. The real goal is to make a positive first impression so those visitors stay and become customers. It’s great knowing my son, who’s slogan is “The next generation in custom website design”, has made a difference for Haggetts Aluminum.

Check out the custom home page awning factory video tour showing how they manufacture custom aluminum awnings. That 2-1/2 minute video presentation is a dynamic sales tool 24/7 with the factory tour, background music, and narration.

Does your website attract search engine traffic and make a positive first impression? If not and you’re ready for a new custom cms web design or makeover of an existing website, contact us today for a prompt review and quote, or follow the link in the first paragraph to check out Roger at CodeRepair.com.

The rule for acceptable domain names allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and periods only. For corporations and especially attorneys who include the & symbol in their name, the ampersand you use on your letterhead must be written out as “and” if you want that in your domain name. Ampersand is not allowed in domain names.

The ampersand is a reserved character in html used in code for displaying special characters and symbols. While it may not be used in a domain name, it can be displayed as text on a web page. Most people type each instance of ampersand as a single character located above the number 7 on your keyboard which is pressed while holding the shift key.

To properly display the ampersand in web page text it cannot be typed as a single character. The code to indicate the single symbol to mean the word “and” is &. Otherwise, browsers encounter just the symbol & in the html code without the extra 4 characters and it signals a special character follows immediately.

To get the & to display properly in that last paragraph of this post I actually had to type & and post in html mode. Each time just & is used in the html it is a code error per W3C, so enter it properly where it is allowed and remember the “and symbol” is not allowed in domain names.

Bonus Tip: Protect your brand when choosing a domain name. Here’s a tip if your company name includes the ampersand & symbol and you decide to use the company name but leave out the word “and” in your domain name. My advice is using the one you like yet get both, as well.

To illustrate, AT&T originally chose just the ATT.com domain, and so a squatter grabbed ATandT.com likely thinking it was a gold mine. Follow this link to read the details and the ruling in the AT&T complaint filed 8 years ago. They prevailed. It took less than 90 days. Following atandt.com automatically forwards to att.com.

Squatters typically inflate the price to transfer a domain for less than the legal cost of arbitration. They’re hoping you do not have the inclination, budget, or attorneys on staff to fight. So while it’s true ampersand is not allowed in domain names, you may still want to register the company name using the word “and” to avoid potential headaches later.

In anticipation of the production release of a stable version of WordPress v3.0 soon I registered a new domain and launched a WordPress live demo website earlier today. The initial design uses the pre-production WordPress v3.0 RC1 version (release candidate 1) introduced one week ago on May 28, 2010.

The following bonus extras included with a custom WordPress theme design from us in our standard package have been installed, tested, and passed functionality on the new demo website:

All in One SEO to optimize posts for search engines, Sociable to insert social site icons and links automatically on every post, WP dB Backup to automatically backup your WordPress installation plus email it to you, and finally SI CAPTCHA to place an anti-spam code and input box at the bottom of every post to help fight comment spam.

Follow this link to the new WordPress Road Test website that will eventually allow privileges for new customers to practice making WordPress posts and let them study advanced blog and cms tutorials. The site is not for v2.x or older WordPress installations. The May 2010 RC1 replaces the BETA version and is the next step towards release of a stable production version v3.0 of WordPress later in 2010.

Other than adding the plugins named above and a footer link to the WordPress design services on this site, the look and layout of the WordPress Road Test site use the default out of the box theme from WordPress v3.0 RC1. All that may change as the www.wpRoadTest.com site evolves.