"What website mistakes do small businesses make?" This was one of the many questions asked at the Small Business Tech Panel at the Warehaüs, a coworking space in Holland, Michigan in March 2014. Here's an expanded version of the answer I gave. The items (in no particular order) are as follows: Not optimized for sales Business websites exist to […]
"What does a small business website need?" This was one of the many questions asked at the Small Business Tech Panel at the Warehaüs, a coworking space in Holland, Michigan in March 2014. Here's an expanded version of the answer I gave. The items (in no particular order) are as follows: Effective content (text, images, video) Too […]
Getting Real: The Smarter, Faster, Easier Way to Build a Web Application by 37 Signals My rating: 4 of 5 stars The book is written for those who create web applications, but as a web designer who creates WordPress websites, I found plenty of relevant advice about planning, project management, client relations, hiring, and productivity. […]
When I talk to small business clients about creating or redesigning their websites, I usually encourage them to include a blog. Many reply with, "We don't see why we need one," or, "We don't have anything to write about," or, "We don't have time for that." I then proceed to describe the many benefits of […]
Many clients ask where they can find images for their websites. Others don't ask, and simply send images they found on Google Images. My experience is that many people aren't familiar with copyright laws. You aren't free to use every image you find on the Web. You may only use images to which you own […]
Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book tells creatives (designers, writers, artists, etc.) how to better manage their time to give priority to creativity. It's current and practical while still presenting timeless principles. It covers several […]
These are the best WordPress podcasts I've found. They have content for WordPress users (individuals or small businesses), designers, and developers. I prefer those that offer tips, recommendations, and tutorials over those that simply cover WordPress news. I listed them in order of preference. If you like these, you should read my other posts about […]
I led a WordPress for Small Business Websites Q&A panel at WordCamp Grand Rapids 2013. We discussed goals, strategy, content, analytics, speed and performance, social media, SEO, and generally making sites effective. Below is a video of the panel discussion, followed by paraphrased versions of the questions asked by the audience. I'm so thankful for […]
These are the best WordPress podcasts I've found. They have content for WordPress users (individuals or small businesses), designers, and developers. I listed them from most to least favorite. I prefer those that offer tips, recommendations, and tutorials over those that simply cover WordPress news. None of the WP Candy podcasts are active any longer, […]
I had the privilege of speaking to students of a high school for their Career Day 2013. First, an IT pro spoke about IT support and software development. Next, I gave the presentation below, which is an overview of careers in Information Technology (IT). How could I improve this presentation for next time? Tell me […]
I've recently been writing about my favorite podcasts about the business of web design. Here are my favorite business podcasts that aren't about web design, but do have great business content. I’ve listed these from most to least favorite. If you like these, you should read my other posts about podcasts. I’m always looking for […]
Last week I wrote about my favorite podcasts about the business of web design. There are a lot of web design podcasts that aren't specifically about the business of web design, but that occasionally discuss web design business topics. I've included my favorites below, ranked according to frequency of business content. If you like these, […]
