I refreshed my branding for 2012 because I converted OptimWise from an IT services business to a web design business. The branding refresh included a new logo and color scheme, so I redesigned my web design business site, OptimWise.com. Besides branding, the other impetus for the redesign was to use responsive web design, so the […]
I redesigned OptimWise.com to feature a new color scheme and a responsive design that adapts to fit your screen size, so it works on smartphones, tablets, and traditional computers. My friend Todd Karsemeyer of DESiGNTEK Graphics created the new logo which represents the Web and optimization, and hints at the letters "O" and "W" for […]
You can never be too security-conscious with WordPress, so let's look an excellent security plugin: WP Security Scan. I found out about this plugin from the WordPress 3: Developing Secure Sites course on LinkedIn Learning. This plugin does several things, but I especially like the initial scan, permissions scanner, and database prefix changer. Initial Scan […]
I like to replace the default search functionality in WordPress with Google Custom Search. While recently redesigning a site using a child theme of the Twenty Eleven theme for WordPress, I found that Google had discontinued the IFrame option for Google Custom Search. Fortunately, I found this post: Integrating a Google Custom Search Engine into […]
These are my favorite audio podcasts about WordPress. I posted a list of the 9 best WordPress podcasts in March 2011, and decided it was time to update the list. Maybe some day I’ll write a review for each one, but for now, I just pasted the description from each podcast’s site or iTunes page. […]
Note: CONGA is now offline. Looking for a technology group or event in West Michigan? CONGA maintains a list of these groups, as well as a calendar of events. I added this calendar to my personal Google Calendar so I don't miss any events. I've met some brilliant people doing innovative things through these groups. […]
WordPress All-in-One For Dummies by Lisa Sabin-Wilson, Cory Miller, Kevin Palmer, Andrea Rennick, Michael Torbert My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is the broadest, most comprehensive WordPress book I’ve read so far. It covers more than WordPress for Dummies, because it deals with everything from administration to design to development. I skimmed the first […]
Note: IDrive for WordPress is no longer available. Use ManageWP, Solid Backups, or another solution. I have a new WordPress backup plugin recommendation: IDrive for WordPress. I previously recommended the Backupify plugin, but my backups have been failing, and Backupify told me its plugin is no longer supported. I've used IDrive for backing up PCs […]
WordPress Bible by Aaron Brazell My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a comprehensive WordPress book; topics include getting started, plugin development, theme development, content management, and maintenance. I’m a web designer who creates WordPress sites for small businesses, so I focused on SEO, plugin recommendations, and theme development, and skimmed plugin development. My […]
I thought my post 9 best WordPress podcasts for WordPress tips, reviews, news included all the active WordPress podcasts, but Dustin R. Hartzler left a comment recommending his podcast, Your Website Engineer. I've listened to several of the recent episodes, and so far I'm impressed! There've been 31 episodes since it started in December 2010. Give […]
Notes: the Defensio Anti-Spam, Bad Behavior, and Growmap Anti Spambot Plugin (GASP) plugins are no longer available. I recommend Antispam Bee instead. The Defensio Anti-Spam plugin for WordPress is a free alternative to Akismet (Automattic's popular anti-spam plugin). Akismet works great, but it's only free for personal sites; for business sites, you need to pony […]
Head First WordPress by Jeff Siarto My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book is short and very high-level, dedicating only 1 or 2 pages to most topics. It's best for beginners or intermediate WordPress users. It covers styling a theme, managing users, managing categories and tags, embedding video, podcasting, security, and performance. I liked […]
