Custom CMS and Writing Style

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 066 entitled Custom CMS and Writing Style comes from a conversation earlier this week with a cms web design client. They realized their style of writing for their website is too wordy, and after offering advice I decided to share key points with listeners. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Custom CMS Client and Writing Style Intro
• Website Visitors and My 5 Second Rule
• How People Scan Your Web Design Pages
• The Most Overlooked Website Writing Secret
• Website Tip of the Day - Resources to Improve Your Writing Style

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Custom CMS and Writing Style
0:06:07 Quick Tip of the Day - Resources to Improve Your Writing Style
0:07:43 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:08:13 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 066

Referenced Links
Wikipedia NPOV Article for Neutral Point of View writing

Key words are important when writing for the web. The decisions about how to present content will be easier to implement once you understand website visitor behavior as they navigate your website. The link to NPOV provides interesting writing advice from a technical standpoint, yet success writing for the web is less formal. The practical advice in today's episode is about being more conversational and "talking" to site visitors.

TAGS: advice cms writing seo web design

Church Custom CMS Design Idea

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 065 entitled Church Custom CMS Design Idea results from a forum post where a do-it-yourself website designer asked for a review of their church website. The old style of graphics and outdated code really needed professional advice for implementing a custom cms web design. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Introduction to Church Custom CMS Web Design
• Custom CMS and Do-it-Yourself Compared
• Custom CMS Web Design Qualifications
• Evaluation of the Existing Church Website
• Custom CMS Design Conclusions and Advice
• Website Tip of the Day - Why a Visitor Counter is a Bad Idea

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Church Custom CMS Design Idea
0:09:25 Quick Tip of the Day - Why a Visitor Counter is a Bad Idea
0:10:34 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:04 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 065

Referenced Links
Custom CMS Design PDF Download to learn seo and cms techniques (pdf, 50 pages)

Listeners with an existing static website for any business will benefit from the advice in today's podcast even though a church is noncommercial. The advice applies to site design quality, so anyone considering a custom cms web design should find value in the advice. Note: You do not have to register or reveal an email address to download the 50 page PDF guide to cms and seo shown above under referenced links.

TAGS: advice cms design seo search engine optimization web design

WordPress SEO and SEF Tutorial

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 064 entitled WordPress SEO and SEF Tutorial results from the recent launch of the custom-cms-design.com website with an integrated WordPress blog. The SEO or search engine optimization goals for the new blog were met with some interesting WordPress plugins and a little creativity. SEF stands for Search Engine Friendly. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Overview of WordPress Blog for Custom CMS Design LLC
• Search Engine Optimization Goals for the WordPress Blog
• SEF or Search Engine Friendly File Names Tutorial
• Enhanced SEO with the All in One SEO Pack WordPress Plugin
• Social Bookmarks Plugin Solution for WordPress Blog Posts
• Quick Tip of the Day - WordPress Default Admin User Workaround

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - WordPress SEO and SEF Tutorial
0:09:47 Quick Tip of the Day - WordPress Default Admin User Workaround
0:11:13 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:43 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 064

Referenced Links
Custom CMS Design LLC blog post reference example
WordPress All in One SEO Pack Plugin features and download page
WordPress Sociable Bookmarks Plugin features and download page

Listeners may want to open the first link above to the blog post example as they follow along with this WordPress blog SEO and SEF tutorial. Examples of SEO discussed include search engine friendly or SEF blog post file names, features from the All in One SEO Pack plugin, and adding social bookmarks in the post footer.

TAGS: advice blog tutorial seo search engine optimization WordPress

Web Design Services and Price

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 062 entitled Web Design Services and Price presents advice for novice web design professionals trying to break into the custom web design field. The tips apply to do-it-yourself web design for site owners, also. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Web Design Price vs Quality Tradeoffs
• Analogy of Website Design and Used Cars
• Best Practices for Search Engine Optimization
• Web Design Site Navigation and Visitor Experience
• Tips for Web Design Planning and Future Growth
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Web Design Standards for the Novice

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:37 Main Topic - Web Design Services and Price
0:06:11 Quick Tip of the Day - Web Design Standards for the Novice
0:07:43 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:08:13 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 062

Referenced links
CMS and SEO Tutorial Ebook to view and download. No registration required.

The tip of the day and referenced link to the pdf ebook provides valuable advice for novice web design students just getting started. The search engine optimization research and implementation advice at zero cost is equal to what many charge $1000s to learn.

TAGS: advice price quality podcast seo web design

Web Design Conversion to PDF

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 060 entitled Web Design Conversion to PDF is a review of an online tool for converting a web page to pdf including active hyperlinks and all graphics. This free tool provides an interesting approach for doing web design demos and communicating with clients. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Web Design Projects and Client Communication
• Web Design Page to PDF Online Tool Discovery
• Applying the HTML to PDF Converter in Web Design Projects
• Example PDF of the Web Design Home Page of This Website
• Quick Tip of the Day - Adding META Code to PDF Documents for SEO

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:37 Main Topic - Web Design Conversion to PDF
0:04:57 Quick Tip of the Day - Adding META Code to PDF Documents for SEO
0:07:03 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:07:33 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 060

Referenced links
Online Page to PDF Converter web designer tool
Sample page to pdf conversion of this site's home page (pdf, 391kb, 1 pg)

The majority of future podcasts episodes with web design related advice will be shorter than the 12-15 minute average. Less complicated subjects about web design will be covered in-depth for the benefit of web design developers and their customers. Exceptions that require longer episodes may be featured at times.

The tip of the day includes advice for META code to enhance PDF search engine optimization, or seo.

TAGS: advice pdf podcast tutorial seo web design

CMS Web Design Conversion Tips

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 059 entitled CMS Web Design Conversion Tips provides a review of a new project to convert an existing 98 page website to a custom cms web design. Factors to consider in the new web design includes smooth transition to minimize website down time. Here's the outline for today's program:

• SEO Factor Considerations in Site Redesign
• Comparing Web Design Long URLs to SEO Friendly URLs
• Redirecting Old Web Design File Names with HTAccess
• Using Draft Mode for Instant Web Design Conversion
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Custom 404 Error Page Advice

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - CMS Web Design Conversion Tips
0:07:58 Quick Tip of the Day - Custom 404 Error Page Advice
0:10:09 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:10:39 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 059

Referenced links
Humorous 404 Error Pages from sites with a sense of humor

The problems of converting an existing web design to a newly redesigned website can go smoothly with proper planning. The tip of the day about custom 404 pages adds another point to consider even if you are not redesigning a site. Testing your site with a fake page file name will tell you immediately what your site visitors will see. Like it? No. Listen to the tip of the day, and look into having a custom 404 "page not found" added to your web design.

TAGS: advice cms podcast redesign seo web design

Site Traffic Hits vs Visitors

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 058 entitled Site Traffic Hits vs Visitors takes a look at comparing website traffic hits versus visitors, and how some services exaggerate the difference. Some site owners mistakenly think 1000 hits in one day means 1000 site visitors. It does not as explained in this podcast episode. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Case Study of a Site Owner and Deceptive Statistics
• Understanding Site Hits on Your Website Server
• Understanding Website Visitors and Pageloads
• Feedback from New Prospects to Evaluate Site Performance
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Unique Visitors and Return Visitors Compared

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Site Traffic Hits vs Visitors
0:07:49 Quick Tip of the Day - Unique Visitors and Return Visitors Compared
0:09:39 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:10:09 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 058

Referenced links
StatCounter stats tracking for site traffic evaluation

Installing website tracking statistics and spending 15 minutes a day evaluating your web design and site performance is one way to keep your small business website up to date. If you depend on outside services to report data, knowing the meaning of terms used is necessary to avoid being deceived about site performance. The tip of the day provides more details comparing unique and return visitors.

TAGS: advice podcast traffic statistics web design

Twitter Power System Interview

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 057 entitled Twitter Power System Interview presents an interview with a highly respected member of the Twitter.com community, James Rivers. James is the creator of the Twitter Power System for learning how to maximize the value of Twitter in developing relationships for your small business. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Opening Remarks About the Twitter Social Network
• Introduction to James Rivers and the Twitter Power System
• Scheduled Timing of Twitter Power System Product Release
• Benefits for Marketing a Small Business on Twitter
• Closing Interview Remarks with James Rivers

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Twitter Power System Interview
0:11:22 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:52 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 057

Referenced links
Twitter Power Systems creator Twitter account of James Rivers
Twitter Power Systems site for more information including prelaunch signup

This episode did not include a Tip of the Day, yet listeners are encouraged to explore Twitter.com and consider the value of microblogging for your small business. The experience and success of today's guest is certainly proof that networking within the Twitter community can help promote relationships and your small business.

TAGS: advice podcast twitter twitter power system web design

Web Design in a Tough Economy

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 056 entitled Web Design in a Tough Economy takes a look at issues facing all small business owners during the economic downturn, and especially people doing custom web design. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Quality Web Design as a Silent Salesperson
• Web Design Options for Small Business Promotion
• Web 2.0 Participation and Impact on Reputation
• Impression of Twitter Web Design Professionals
• Critical Point in Web Designer and Client Relationships
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Thinking Outside the Box in Web Design

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design in a Tough Economy
0:10:54 Tip of the Day - Thinking Outside the Box in Web Design
0:12:57 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:13:27 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 056

Referenced links
Personal Twitter account so you can join and follow me

Relationships build trust and the potential for repeat business. The topic entitled "Critical Point in Web Designer and Client Relationships" discusses a strategy that is so basic, yet often overlooked. For a person doing custom web design, or any small business, this tip for sales success is a point I take seriously, and as a result do well in sales despite the economy.

TAGS: advice podcast online success web design

Web Design Stats Advanced Tips

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 055 entitled Web Design Stats Advanced Tips provides advice to use your stats to check trends, adjust product focus by revising content, and reviewing search terms that brought people to your site. Results allow you to track or adjust emphasis for your most popular products or services. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Introduction to StatCounter Site Statistics
• Referral Pages in Web Design Stats History
• Automatic Web Design Stats Emailed Reports
• Stats Log Data History Review Tips
• Interpreting Your Web Design Visitor Statistics
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Google Analytics for Site Stats

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Stats Advanced Tips
0:08:35 Tip of the Day - Google Analytics for Site Stats
0:09:41 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:10:11 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 055

Referenced links
StatCounter website visitor stats free online service
Google Analytics free visitor stats signup page
December podcast contest results and winner announcement

The tip of the day introduces Google Analytics, another free resource for checking visitor stats to analyze visitor behavior and determine web design adjustments to improve site visitor experience.

TAGS: advice statistics podcast visitor stats web design

2009 Web Design Predictions

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 054 entitled 2009 Web Design Predictions takes a look at forward looking concepts of web design, and what to plan for site enhancements in the future. Topics include web design trends for seo, cms, DIY web design, multimedia content, and page width standard for 2009. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Search Engine Optimization Trends in Web Design
• Content Management Systems or CMS for Web Design
• Ease of Use in Do-it-Yourself Website Owner Web Design
• Web Design Content Enriched with Multimedia
• New Standards for Web Design Page Width in 2009
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Time for an Annual Web Design Checkup

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - 2009 Web Design Predictions
0:11:46 Tip of the Day - Time for an Annual Web Design Checkup
0:13:28 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:13:58 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 054

Referenced links
Ebook download of 2009 Web Design Predictions (podcast transcript, 6 pages, 252kb pdf)

Keeping up with the changes in online technology, visitor behavior, and web design strategy is necessary for success in custom web design. The advice today provides pointers for do-it-yourself web design site owners with practical advice for web design best practices. Web design techniques that do not change with new technology could very well experience future problems when compared to a competitor's website.

TAGS: advice cms podcast seo search engine optimization web design

Website Title and Description

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 052 entitled Website Title and Description takes a closer look at the value of META code in seo, or search engine optimization. A quality web design combines multiple website and seo design strategies that add up to a site that will rank well in Google. Learn how a nearly perfect web design with poor META can fail. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Web Design META Code and Search Engine Optimization
• META Title, Description, and Keywords Compared
• Recommendations of Web Design Standards for META Code
• Current and Past Web Design META Tag Strategy
• Future Web Design Edits of Title and Description META Tags
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Website META and PageRank Relationship

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Website Title and Description
0:11:41 Tip of the Day - Website META and PageRank Relationship
0:13:40 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:14:10 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 052

Referenced links
Google webmaster tools for quality web design strategy
Google friendly site article for more web design advice

The tip of the day explains the mystery of having excellent website META yet ranking in Google search results below sites with poor META titles and descriptions. PageRank is a Google trademark for ranking website page importance. Search engine algorithms include 100's of factors for ranking well in search results, so search engine optimization is more than having a few optimized web design strategies.

TAGS: advice content podcast seo search engine optimization web design

Secrets of Web Design Content

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 051 entitled Secrets of Web Design Content describes the difference between web design with ordinary content and creating a quality site for visitors first that will also attract search engines. SEO, or search engine optimization of new and existing sites is featured in today's podcast, too. Here's the outline for today's program:

• SEO Secret of Add Original Quality Content Often
• Types of Web Design Content and Search Engine Optimization
• Web Design Site Structure in CMS for SEO
• Enhanced Value of Web Design Content for SEO
• Site Redesign to Improve Search Engine Optimization
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Double the Value of Blog Web Design Content

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Secrets of Web Design Content
0:10:02 Tip of the Day - Double the Value of Blog Web Design Content
0:12:21 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:12:51 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 051

Referenced links
Download pdf of cms web design and seo including site structure outline (50 pages)
*Note: Follow the PDF link to view online, or right click and save link as to download this free PDF. You do not have to register or reveal an email address to get your copy.

The topic of web design content compares SEO of older sites with simple text and graphics, and the emergence of newer web design technology with video and audio. The tip of the day has advice to double the value of content you write with full feature content on your main site and then an announcement of the new content on an integrated blog.

TAGS: advice content podcast seo search engine optimization web design

Backlinks and Web Design SEO

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 050 entitled Backlinks and Web Design SEO explores the web design strategy of backlinks and seo, or search engine optimization. While backlinks to your site are like votes when found by search engines, the value of your linking strategy for web design seo requires care. Natural methods work. Schemes will backfire. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Web Design SEO Value of Backlinks
• Links from Related Niche Authority Sites
• Backlink Format and Search Engine Optimization
• Link Scheme Negatives and Natural Linking Compared
• Ignore Those Dear Webmaster Link Exchange Requests
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Visitor Stats for Evaluating Backlinks

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Backlinks and Web Design SEO
0:12:22 Tip of the Day - Visitor Stats for Evaluating Backlinks
0:15:04 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:15:34 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 050

Referenced links
Web design and SEO report downloads of free PDFs

The topic of the value of backlinks and web design SEO has changed, and gaining backlinks proactively can be very time consuming. The tip of the day for using visitor stats for evaluating backlinks allows owners to compare link strategy to actual visitor traffic. Measuring the effectiveness of links can help in web design decisions including how much time to spend acquiring those backlinks.

TAGS: advice backlinks podcast seo search engine optimization web design web design promotion

One Tough Web Design Question

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 049 entitled One Tough Web Design Question is an expanded response to a brief reply earlier this week to a new web design client. Requesting a custom web design price quote will be more effective knowing how to judge web design quality and the right questions to ask. We'll help answer that today. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Contradiction of Quality Web Design and Low Price
• Matching Quality and Web Design Performance
• The One Tough Web Design Question
• Explanation of Web Design Checklist Items
• Budget Advantages of CMS Web Designs
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Case Studies of Amateur Website Redesigns

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - One Tough Web Design Question
0:12:22 Tip of the Day - Case Studies of Amateur Website Redesigns
0:14:19 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:14:49 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 049

Referenced links
Online xhtml code validation tool at the W3C
Online css validation tool at W3C

The tip of the day provides two case studies where amateur website redesigns resulted in decent quality aesthetics while ruining the quality of the code. Today's episode explains the right questions to ask to determine a designer's qualifications for quality. The case studies present what can go wrong when looks are accepted over quality, especially when done by an amateur.

TAGS: advice cms seo search engine optimization web design web design price

CMS Web Designs Make Page One

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 048 entitled CMS Web Designs Make Page One explores the false opinion that cms web designs have difficulty being indexed and ranked well in search engines. Based on a conversation this week with a cms web design client about their new website launch, their site made Google page one in just one month. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Update of CMS Web Design and SEO
• Comparing Web Design with SEF and Messy URLs
• Google Page One with New Website Design
• Another Client Web Design on Page One
• Update of Web Design Page One Statistics
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Another Look at DupeFreePro

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - CMS Web Designs Make Page One
0:08:29 Tip of the Day - Another Look at DupeFreePro
0:10:06 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:10:36 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 048

Referenced links (Google page one):
Fidelis Search LLC, Atlanta GA listed for search: atlanta area recruiters
SunShiny Florida.com, Stamford CT listed for search: orlando vacation homes

The tip of the day takes another look at free software from DupeFreePro for calculating keyword density as featured in the previous search engine optimization tutorial for cms web design clients. The results for these two clients, and my site, prove the value of cms and search engine optimization for ranking well with Google.

TAGS: advice cms seo search engine optimization web design

Web Design for Visitors First

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 047 entitled Web Design for Visitors First explores web design strategy to target visitors compared to search engines in providing content. Search engines can bring prospects, but original quality content is what converts visitors to buyers. This episode explores why web design for visitors first can satisfy people and search engines. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Marketing Messages in Web Design and Offline
• Web Design Content Created for Visitors
• Web Design Content Created for Search Engines
• Importance of Web Design for Visitors First
• On Page and Off Page Search Engine Optimization
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Web Directory Listings Update

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design for Visitors First
0:11:27 Tip of the Day - Web Directory Listings Update
0:14:14 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:14:44 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 047

Referenced links:
web directory link to DMOZ Open Directory Project

The tip of the day discusses web directories in general, and DMOZ or the Open Directory Project, in particular. After including the topic of web directory submissions in a recent podcast about outdated seo strategy, this update provides more evidence about how search engine improvements continue to weaken the popularity of web directory websites.

TAGS: advice design strategy seo search engine optimization web design

Web Design Quality and Price

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 046 entitled Web Design Quality and Price provides advice for small business owners considering a new web design. From experience, many clients approach me for a new custom web design without first planning the site and expectations. The cheapest price for a website design, or even DIY or do-it-yourself web design, may have some serious tradeoffs that we will explore today. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Web Design Planning Phase Advice
• Choosing DIY or Outsourced Web Design
• Web Design Quality and Price Tradeoffs
• Web Design for a Competitive Edge
• Budget for Future Website Expansion
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Domain Registration Whois Checkup

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Quality and Price
0:07:46 Tip of the Day - Domain Registration Whois Checkup
0:10:44 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:14 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 046

Referenced links:
Domain Whois online lookup for checking domain registration
Internic Whois search for domain registration info

The tip of the day emphasizes a recurring problem with small business website owners. Too often owners contract for a custom web design and allow the service provider to register their www domain. In some cases the license is not registered in the customer's name, or other mistakes create unhappy surprises in the future with dire consequences.

TAGS: advice planning web design web design price whois

Web Design Standards and IE8

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 045 entitled Web Design Standards and IE8 provides an update on the pendiing release of the new Internet Explorer version 8, or IE8, and the impact on small business websites. Information includes a history of announcements about IE8 and the delayed release as improvements are made, plus my comparison of compliance and compatibility. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Introduction to Web Design Standards and IE8
• Microsoft IE8 Announcements Dec 2007 and Mar 2008
• IE8 Release Delay and Compatibility
• Web Design DOCTYPE and Internet Explorer Hacks
• Latest Conclusion of IE8 and Web Design Standards
• Quick Tip of the Day - Resource for Testing Site Display in IE8

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Standards and IE8
0:11:21 Tip of the Day - Resource for Testing Site Display in IE8
0:12:54 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:13:24 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 045

Referenced links:
IE8 browser site display testing resource with JPG screenshots
IE8 official blog and compatibility view blog post

The tip of the day describes the IE8 display test on a high speed server for viewing the actual display to test your website pages without downloading the IE8 BETA, and before the release of the production version of Internet Explorer 8. You may test older versions of IE including IE5.5, IE6, the current IE7, and IE8.

TAGS: advice browsers ie8 Internet Explorer 8 web design web standards

Web Design Templates Compared

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 044 entitled Web Design Templates Compared comes after a web design review earlier this week for a client interested in custom graphics, and perhaps matching web graphics to upgrade the look of their small business web design. Their site gets very little traffic, and results of their recent attempt at search engine optimization, or seo, has been less than ideal. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Free Web Design Templates Review
• Standard Commercial Website Templates
• Custom Web Design Templates and SEO
• Web Design Skills Combined with Graphic Art
• Dynamic CMS Web Design vs Static Site Templates
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Web Design Navigation and Usability

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Templates Compared
0:11:49 Tip of the Day - Web Design Navigation and Usability
0:14:43 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:15:13 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 044

Referenced links:
CMS Template Outline and Ebook on my main site

The tip of the day explains the strategy of web design navigation and usability using a tree structure of internal links. Having your home page as the tree trunk with major branches linked from each page, and then subpages with expanded topics, allows site owners to easily grow their site. The web design and seo concept of "add original quality content often" that I recommend is easier to visualize using this tree structure for website navigation.

TAGS: advice cms review seo search engine optimization templates web design

Website Visitor System Stats

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Show Notes
Podcast episode 043 entitled Website Visitor System Stats comes after a question earlier this week about my choice of standard web page design width, and the importance of knowing visitor behavior. By viewing website visitor system stats your web design can keep up with the needs of the majority of website visitors. Using free stats tracking allows site owners to determine the browser brands and most common screen monitor width of their site visitors. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Visitor Browser Brands and Screen Monitor Size Intro
• Tracking Visitor Stats and Web Design Strategy
• Review of my Visitors' Browser Brands and Screen Size Stats
• Browser Brand and Web Design Cross Browser Compatibility
• Visitor Screen Monitor Size and Evolution of Web Design
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Online Resource for Testing Page Display

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Website Visitor System Stats
0:09:32 Tip of the Day - Online Resource for Testing Page Display
0:11:52 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:12:22 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 043

Referenced links:
Online Resource for Testing Page Display from BrowserShots.org

Referenced statistics from this podcast episode:
Browser Brand Usage of Visitors to My Site

34.0% FireFox3
27.4% MSIE7
17.0% MSIE6
07.0% Safari
06.6% FireFox2
03.0% Chrome
02.2% Netscape
01.6% Camino
01.2% MSIE Older
01.0% Opera

Monitor Screen Size of Visitors to My Site

37.10% 1024x768
33.47% 1280x1024
22.58% Unknown
04.03% 1152x864
02.02% 800x600
00.81% 1600x1200

TAGS: advice browsers pc monitors review statistics web design

Healthy Web Design Checkup

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 042 entitled Healthy Web Design Checkup provides advice for small business website owners to check the quality of their web design for search engine optimization, or SEO. Topics cover a comparison of healthy and unhealthy designs, and how to avoid problems. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Why Web Designs Need an Annual Checkup
• Case Study Uncovering an Unhealthy Web Design
• Question to Test Web Designer SEO Knowledge
• Update on Another Zero Traffic Custom Web Design
• Advice When it Comes to Changing Web Designers
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Web Design Online Project Management

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Healthy Web Design Checkup
0:11:26 Tip of the Day - Web Design Online Project Management
0:16:11 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:16:41 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 042

Referenced links:
PDF website comparison report of healthy and unhealthy web designs (pdf, 197kb, 2 pages)
Online project management services from TeamWorkPM.net

The tip of the day provides advice and a review of small business owner online services for project management including a review of the service I use at TeamWorkPM.net. A successful web design depends on good communication between the client and web designer, and online project management is an affordable and easy tool to use.

TAGS: advice project management podcast review seo search engine optimization web design website quality

Web Design Captcha Security

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 039 entitled Web Design Captcha Security takes readers through the maze of CAPTCHA security options and pitfalls, and provides an overview of spam and anti-spam efforts. The battle to prevent spambots from posting or entering malicious data on websites includes the latest strategy to circumvent CAPTCHA that may be impossible to solve. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Introduction to the CAPTCHA Method of Web Design Security
• Applications for Web Design CAPTCHA Security
• Evolution of Visual CAPTCHA Techniques
• Exploits in Circumventing CAPTCHA Security in Web Design
• The Ultimate Spammer Method to Circumvent CAPTCHA
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Response to Client with CAPTCHA and Getting Spam

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Captcha Security
0:12:30 Tip of the Day - Response to Client with CAPTCHA and Getting Spam
0:13:39 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:14:09 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 039

Referenced links:
The Official CAPTCHA website to learn more about CAPTCHA

The quick tip of the day includes part of a reply to one of my custom web design clients who still gets spam despite having CAPTCHA installed, and an alternate solution for interacting with website visitors.

TAGS: advice CAPTCHA spam anti-spam web design

Web Design Rights and DMCA

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 038 entitled Web Design Rights and DMCA provides information, education, and warnings about the implications of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act, as well as an action plan in the event of DMCA violations. As in any situation with legal implications, listeners must not rely on the general information being provided here, and are encouraged to seek the legal advice of an attorney if an out of court resolution cannot be achieved. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Web Design Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights
• Intro to 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA
• Actual Case of DMCA Web Design Violation and Resolution
• Website DMCA Takedown Notice Request Procedure
• More Extreme Action for Web Design DMCA Violations
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - DMCA Web Design Violations and Search Engines

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Rights and DMCA
0:11:46 Tip of the Day - DMCA Web Design Violations and Search Engines
0:13:00 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:13:30 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 038

Referenced links:
Digital Millennium Copyright Act article on Wikipedia
DMCA Violation Takedown Notice filing advice and text template

Using the creative intellectual property of others in your web design in violation of the law as spelled out in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act may be reported to search engines, also. In addition to legal costs and damages, the tip of the day discusses the potential for search engine penalties for DMCA copyright violations. The secret of web design and search engine optimization is still add original quality content often, and that word "original" is especially important.

Sep 7 Update: The podcast prediction of potential consequences already happened in the case study of a DMCA violation. Read the blog post Getting a Website Instantly Banned and view evidence including screenshots to learn more.

TAGS: advice copyright dmca search engine optimization web design

Web Design Email Link Tutorial

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 037 entitled Web Design Email Link Tutorial provides website owners a tutorial for avoiding spam with advice for website links. Advanced features in the email tutorial and pdf download include cloaking methods with working javascript and html code for protecting email links in your website design.

Note: Like some podcast episodes, listeners may want to download the PDF tutorial and follow along while listening to the audio as they view the text and code examples. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Web Design and the Risk from Email Spammers
• Case Study of Realtor Website Spam Problem and Solution
• Range of Web Design Options for Email Spam Protection
• Javascript Option to Cloak Website Email Links
• Web Design Email Tutorial PDF Download Review
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Procedure to Report Email Spammers

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Email Link Tutorial
0:10:11 Tip of the Day - Procedure to Report Email Spammers
0:11:16 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:46 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 037

Referenced links:
Web Design PDF download of the free Email Link Tutorial (pdf, 4 pages, 105kb)
* Note: Right click to download the tutorial or left click to open and view in a new window
Link to ASCII Converter online tool and alternate method of cloaking an email address

The free pdf email tutorial download includes javascript code for copy and paste with step by step instructions for adding this advanced email protection to your small business web design. You do not have to register or provide an email address to get your copy of this web design email link tutorial. Right click on the link to "save as", or left click to view online now.

TAGS: advice email website email spam tutorial web design

Web Developer Tools Review

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 036 entitled Web Developer Tools Review is about FireFox extensions that add functions with web developer tools for testing website design quality. In addition, other options allow instant review of web design page size and structure. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Reasons to Download FireFox and Other Website Browsers
• Introduction to Extensions for the FireFox Browser
• Overview of FireFox Web Developer Toolbar for Web Design
• Tab Options for Miscellaneous, Outline, Resize, and Tools
• Analyzing Toolbar Information to Enhance a Web Design
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - SearchStatus 1.2x PageRank Tool Review

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Developer Tools Review
0:11:32 Tip of the Day - SearchStatus 1.2x PageRank Tool Review
0:13:40 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:14:10 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 036

Referenced links:
FireFox Web Developer Toolbar download for website testing
Microsoft IE DOM Explorer Toolbar Internet Explorer alternate web developer toolbar
SearchStatus Add-on for Google PageRank button and Alexa

The graphic inserted below is from the FireFox web developer extension, and is for listeners to view during the review of these 4 menu options for web design related testing.



TAGS: advice browser addon web design tools review web design

Web Design Age and PageRank

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 034 entitled Web Design Age and PageRank follows questions by a listener about web design performance measurements. PageRank is a Google trademark for their method of ranking website pages on a scale of 1 to 10. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Introduction to Google PageRank and Web Designs
• Observation of Forum Discussions About SEO and PageRank
• Alexa Toolbar Measurement of Page Popularity
• Affect of Website Age for Attracting Search Engines
• Importance of Quality Content Web Design and Website Age
• Website quick tip of the day - PDF Web Design and DIY SEO EBook Release

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Age and PageRank
0:10:30 Tip of the Day - PDF Web Design and DIY SEO EBook Release
0:12:19 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:12:49 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 034

Referenced links:
URL Trends stats tracking of PageRank and backlinks
FireFox Web Developer Toolbar download for website testing
Microsoft IE DOM Explorer Toolbar download for website testing

The quick tip of the day follows the release today as promised last week of a new 50 page PDF ebook on cms web design and do-it-yourself search engine optimization tutorial. With the finished book, listeners may want to hear my take on the content as it developed and finally completed this week. Positive search engine traffic continues to grow, so the tip of the day includes comments and evidence the seo methods achieve positive results.

TAGS: advice PageRank podcast seo search engine optimization web design

CMS Web Design and SEO Results

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 033 entitled CMS Web Design and SEO Results provides evidence that a CMS web design can rank well with search engines. This update to July statistics reported last week includes a preview of the new PDF ebook being released next week. The expanded ebook is nearly complete and will contain around 100 pages including advanced seo techniques using natural methods of on-page optimization. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Recent Conversion to a CMS Custom Web Design
• Updated Target Phrases for Web Design
• Advanced SEO Techniques in the CMS Web Design
• SEO Benefits for Clients of CMS Web Design Projects
• Results with over 80 Google Page One Listings
• Website quick tip of the day - Preview of New SEO PDF EBook

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - CMS Web Design and SEO Results
0:09:54 Tip of the Day - Preview of New SEO PDF EBook
0:12:55 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:13:25 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 033

Referenced links:
CMS Web Design Tutorial outline for the new PDF Ebook
SEO EBook Download of the 12 page PDF short course for SEO

(Updated Aug 9) Note: The free 50 page pdf ebook on web design and DIY SEO was released as announced on the Small Business Resource Center Blog. As usual, readers do not have to register or provide an email address to download the PDF. SEO consultants would charge $1000's for the search engine optimization information being revealed. Website owners interested in do-it-yourself seo may download the new ebook with no cost or obligation. Listen to this podcast episode to learn my results and why these seo and web design methods work, and then visit my blog next week for your copy.

TAGS: advice cms podcast seo search engine optimization web design

Outdated Website SEO Strategy

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 032 entitled Outdated Website SEO Strategy compares search engine optimization strategy from two years ago, as well as current strategies, and then provides a review of what web design seo methods work and those that are outdated. Quality web design is still about adding new and original quality content and staying on top of web design and seo best practices. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Web Design Outdated SEO Advice from 2006 to 2007
• Critical Review of Current SEO Expert Advice
• Outdated SEO Strategies with Weak Results
• Two Questions to Measure Web Design SEO Methods
• CMS Web Design and Improved SERP Results
• Website quick tip of the day - Why Web Design Projects Never Get Done

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Outdated Website SEO Strategy
0:11:52 Tip of the Day - Why Web Design Projects Never Get Done
0:13:35 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:14:05 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 032

Referenced links:
Custom CMS and Web Design Services on my main site

Part of the evidence of search engine optimization methods in today's show includes 50 page one results in Google for this website during July 2008. Of those, 12 were #1 on page one, so designing a site for visitors first with quality content does attract people and search engines.

TAGS: advice podcast seo search engine optimization web design

Web Design and Site Redesign

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 031 entitled Web Design and Site Redesign is for small business website owners considering a site makeover. Site performance and keeping visitors on your site longer may be enhanced with a refreshing look including new and original quality content. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Reasons for Web Design or Redesign Site Makeover
• Planning the Redesign of a Small Business Website
• Decisions About Web Design Code Standards per W3C
• Upgraded Graphics in a New Custom Website Design
• Web Design and Search Engine Optimization Strategy
• Website quick tip of the day - 301 Redirect to Salvage File Names

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design and Site Redesign
0:08:30 Tip of the Day - 301 Redirect to Salvage File Names
0:11:28 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:58 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 031

Referenced links:
Web Design Quality Assurance manual for web design standards at W3C
Free PDF SEO Tutorial and audio version on my podcast

The quick tip in this episode includes instructions for doing a 301 redirect of old file names to new file names. This allows site owners to recycle website page file names during a redesign and is especially important for web design and search engine optimization puposes based on the age of recycled pages.

TAGS: advice podcast seo search engine optimization web design

Web Design Philosophy in Flash

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 029 entitled Web Design Philosophy in Flash provides feeback based on a recent new custom web design nearing its launch date, and unlike past objections to flash, I now offer flash options for small business owner web design projects. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Evolution of Web Design since 1996
• Advanced Web Design Techniques Using Flash
• CSS Solutions to Replace Flash and Javascript
• Decision to Reverse Web Design Philosophy in Flash
• Future of Flash in Web Design
• Website Quick Tip of the Day

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Philosophy in Flash
0:11:19 Tip of the Day - Advanced Web Design Features vs Perfect Code
0:13:09 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:13:39 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 029

Referenced links:
Web video production services and sample flash web design video
CSS gallery of cards and web design css alternative to flash

This episode recognizes the emerging advanced web design options available for small business websites using flash. Besides load time, my major objection in the past had been the difficulty of creating perfect code in xhtml to W3C standards. Using web design in flash entirely still has zero value for seo, or search engine optimization, yet today's program talks about flash used for the benefit of visitors.

TAGS: advice podcast flash search engine optimization seo web design

Web Design Client Interview

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 028 entitled Web Design Client Interview introduces an interview with a new customer and small business owner with a discussion of their CMS, or Content Management System, web design project. Here is the outline for today's program and interview:

• Introduction of Client for CMS Web Design
• Opening Comments and Web Design Project Overview
• Client Preconceptions About Web Design and SEO
• Web Design Project Development and Progress
• Closing Remarks and Web Design Project Launch
• Website Quick Tip of the Day

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design Client Interview
0:06:41 Tip of the Day - Benefits of a CMS Web Design
0:09:41 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:10:11 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 028

Referenced links:
Vacation Home Rental Website of Darin Vader at SunShinyFlorida.com
CMS web design overview and introduction to CMS benefits.

This episode provides insight into the expectations of a client for a new CMS web design project, and the process from initial contact to website launch. Listeners will learn about working closely with their web design team, and advanced strategy for seo, search engine optimization. Information about training and tutorials explains how a content management system allows small business website owners to add, edit, or delete content without learning html programming code.

TAGS: interview podcast cms content management system search engine optimization seo web design

Web Design SEO Audio Ebook

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Show Notes
The topic for this podcast episode Web Design SEO Audio Ebook is a short course on search engine optimization, or seo, for small business web design, and the show script of this audio ebook is being documented as a PDF for download, also. This tutorial may be used by any website owner, or customers who ordered a web design using my CMS, Content Management System, to learn SEO without further assistance. Here's the outline for today's program and the list of referenced links:

• Key SEO Factors in Web Design
• Web Design and Keyword Research
• Keyword Density and Analysis
• Free SEO Analysis Software
• Web Design and Implementing SEO
• Website Quick Tip of the Day

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Web Design SEO Audio Ebook
0:19:33 Tip of the Day - Ongoing Web Design and Optimization
0:22:00 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:22:30 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 027

Referenced links:
Episode 27 SEO EBook MP3 for this podcast audio ebook download.
Episode 27 SEO EBook PDF download of this podcast transcript. (zip, 444Kb, 12 pages)
DupeFree Pro software download page for analysis of keyword density

This episode documents strategy for do-it-yourself search engine optimization of keywords for a small business web design. SEO consultants charge $1000's in recurring fees for this same information. With diligence and patience, small business owners can reap the benefits by learning these basics for optimizing their website. Your only investment is your time. Listen now, or download this episode and the PDF ebook transcript to keep. Unlike the audio podcast episode limited to sound, this ebook contains illustrations.

TAGS: advice podcast keywords small business advice search engine optimization seo web design