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

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

Low Budget Podcast Production

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 041 entitled Low Budget Podcast Production presents a phone interview with Fred Greenhalgh of FinalRune Productions based in Portland, Maine. I met Fred through the social network at Twitter.com, and was very impressed with the quality of his audio productions. Fred agreed to an impromptu interview to offer advice about low budget podcast production. Here's the outline for today's program:

• Introduction to Pro Podcaster Fred Greenhalgh
• More About Audio and FinalRune Productions
• FinalRune's Audio Recording Equipment
• Equipment Suggestions for Amateur Podcasting
• Advanced Equipment for Professional Podcasts
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Ways to Promote Small Business Podcasts

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Low Budget Podcast Production
0:10:46 Tip of the Day - Ways to Promote Small Business Podcasts
0:12:28 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:12:58 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 041

Referenced links:
Radio Drama Revival Fred Greenhalgh blog and podcast
FinalRune Productions by Fred Greenhalgh
FinalRune Twitter link to Fred's Twitter home page
Podcast audio recorder and mic info from Sweetwater.com as mentioned in podcast

Follow the first link in the show notes to listen to professional audio production of old time radio style drama productions at Radio Drama Revival. Read the background information on their site about current voice talent gathering for audio production that is more like a movie set than a recording studio.

TAGS: advice audio equipment interview podcast review

Site That Answers One Question

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 040 entitled Site That Answers One Question is about the strategy of having your website answer one question. A site that does that very well is Twitter.com, and today's episode introduces the Twitter social network site and a few of the many talented professionals working in web design related businesses. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Web Design Strategy of a Website to Answer One Question
• Introduction to Twitter's Question "What Are You Doing?"
• More Insight Into Twitter Social Networking
• Commercial Value of Twitter Real or Imaginary?
• Advanced Features, Tutorials, and Twitter Advice
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Twitter Goldmine for Blog Post Ideas

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Site That Answers One Question
0:11:10 Tip of the Day - Twitter Goldmine for Blog Post Ideas
0:13:45 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:14:15 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 040

Referenced links:

tywebbin Twitter id for Ty of TyWebbin.com
lchad Twitter id for Linda Chadbourne of Maine-ly Web Design
snickers1 Twitter id for Nicki Hicks of Maine-SEO.com
jdegerstrom Twitter id for Jim Degerstrom, your podcast host

The quick tip of the day highlights one of the many benefits of joining Twitter and addresses ideas for small business bloggers. Imagine easily interacting with 100's of people in your industry to stay on top of current trends, and then developing blog posts based on real time market needs. To get a feel for the informal nature of Twitter, follow the profile links in the show notes to some current member home pages.

TAGS: advice social network Twitter review 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

DIY Desktop Blog and Ping

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Show Notes
This podcast episode 035 entitled DIY Desktop Blog and Ping provides listeners with an exciting zero cost method to announce new blog posts with a desktop blog and ping software application. This allows bloggers to directly ping blog tracking services instantly without needing a middleman. Here is the outline for today's program:

• Basics of Blog and Ping Blog Post Promotional Services
• Research of Blog and Ping Online Service Trends
• Overview of PDF Tutorial Download for DIY Blog and Ping
• Review of Free Software for a DIY Desktop Blog and Ping Application
• PDF Tutorial Review and Step by Step Blog and Ping Service Setup
• Website Quick Tip of the Day - Creating Categories using Labels in Blogger

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - DIY Desktop Blog and Ping
0:22:53 Tip of the Day - Creating Categories using Labels in Blogger
0:25:10 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:25:40 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 035

Referenced links:
DIY Blog and Ping PDF Tutorial to view online or download now
Wayne Horkan's weblog: eclectic with FAQs and blog/ping software download

The free do-it-yourself desktop blog and ping pdf tutorial is 35 pages fully illustrated and includes a custom list of 8 top blog tracking services, plus the default list of 72. Listeners may want to download the 35 page pdf before launching this podcast episode, and then listen to the audio while viewing just the illustrations as I take you step by step through the process of easily creating a free desktop blog and ping application.

Kudos and a big thanks to Wayne Horkan of Sun Microsystems for his custom "free as in free beer" blog and ping software application that he released on 22 April 2008.

TAGS: advice blog blog and ping review software

Blog Format Case Study Review

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Show Notes
Today's podcast Episode 022 entitled Blog Format Case Study Review compares using Blogger and WordPress for creating a small business integrated blog. In a test case study of WordPress as an alternate to Blogger, I chose a personal site to update before adding WP as an option for custom blog design. Here's the outline for this podcast show:

• Review of Blogger and WordPress Blog Format
• Blog Design and Valid Code per W3C
• Case Study and Test Blog in WordPress
• Plug-in for WordPress Automatic Version Upgrade
• Review of Free Plain Text WP Blog Theme
• Website Quick Tip of the Day

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Blog Format Case Study Review
0:09:34 Tip of the Day - Installing WordPress on GoDaddy Hosting
0:11:13 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:11:43 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 022

Referenced links:
Test blog in WordPress format on my personal genealogy site
Free Plain Text Theme download from PlainTxt.org
WordPress Version Automated Upgrade Plug-in from Techie-Buzz.com

The referenced links in today's podcast provide two interesting options for people considering a WordPress blog for their small business website. The free plain text theme is highly functional with an uncluttered approach to blog post presentation. The automated upgrade plug-in provides an easy way to update your WordPress blog to the latest revision without having technical expertise.

TAGS: advice blogs podcast blogger small business advice wordpress

Google Webmaster Tools Review

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Show Notes
Today's podcast Episode 021 entitled Google Webmaster Tools Review takes a tour and explains the advantages of free resources for small business website owners. Diagnosis and analysis of your website stats, linking, sitemap, and tools provides great insight into search engine optimization. Here's the outline for this podcast show:

• Introduction to Google Webmaster Tools
• Online Tour of Webmaster Tools
• Diagnostics, Statistics, Links, Sitemaps, and Tools
• Key Advantages for Small Business Websites
• Analyzing Small Business Website Defects
• Website Quick Tip of the Day

0:00:00 Podcast Theme Music and Introduction
0:00:45 Main Topic - Google Webmaster Tools Review
0:10:20 Tip of the Day - Resource for Improving Google Results
0:12:06 Podcast Outro Theme Music and Credits
0:12:36 End of Small Business Website Mailbag Podcast 021

Referenced links:
Google Webmasters Central introduction to Webmaster Tools
Webmaster Tools Online Tour step by step overview
Reasons for Reporting Paid Links advice from Google Support

Natural linking from related websites provide the best quality backlinks to improve the importance of your website. Our tip of the day and bonus tool offers small business site owners advice for reporting sites involved in the deceptive practice of buying or selling links. Today's tip explains how this can affect and improve meaningful Google search results.

TAGS: advice webmaster tools podcast search engine optimization small business advice web design

Small Business Podcast Intro

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Welcome to the launch of the Small Business Website Mailbag podcast, a new feature for readers who prefer listening to small business advice rather than reading it. Each show features the same theme song used in my custom video productions on YouTube for a consistent and familiar market identity. The word "mailbag" chosen in the title simply means that advice is based on feedback from customers and listeners to this podcast.

Show Notes
Today's podcast Episode 001 entitled Small Business Podcast Intro announces the launch of this new multimedia feature of the Small Business Resource Center website. The main theme in each show will be advice for small business website owners with what it takes to get online, manage, plus promote a website, blog, or podcast. Here's today's outline:

• 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

Future shows will each focus on websites for small business and may include topics about blogging, podcasting, seo, plus news and reviews, and of course help learning about websites. Stay tuned to hear more expert advice already proven to educate as well as save time and money.

TAGS: advice blog design news podcast promotion reviews seo websites