I just posted my web designer profile to a new (new to me) local service listing site called Thumbtack.
This is my listing page: Marietta Georgia Web Designer
I don’t know much about thumbtack.com, but the user interface is great, attitude seems friendly, they’re nation-wide (but specialize in local search), AND they connect you (help you list your service) on Craigslist. Maybe they’re “up-and-coming”!
4 Reasons to Upgrade Your Web Browser
1. Security: Old browsers are vulnerable to malicious attacks.
2. Features: As technology improves, the web changes. New browsers are needed to keep up with capabilities.
3. Speed: New features & apps require more bandwidth and speed to run well. Newer browsers run faster.
4. Innovation: Old browsers slow down innovation. Most people stay with their old browsers for too long. Web developers are forced to design for the technologies of the past, so that users with old browsers can view their websites properly. This slows down the process of development in a sector where keeping up with technology is key.
Ideas for this post are from a book / website called 20 Things I Learned about Browsers and the Web, which was created (presumably for google) by Min Li Chan, Fritz Holznagel , & Michael Krantz
http://www.20thingsilearned.com/old-vs-new-browsers/2
The irony is — you’ll need an up-to-date browser to view the site properly!
OK, I’m trying not to sound bitter or sarcastic here….
I just had a prospective client cancel our meeting because “her friend who knows some Photoshop will do a website for $300″.
This happens occasionally. It’s not surprising, really. Starter websites are priced anywhere from FREE to $10,000! Budgets and needs vary tremendously, too, AND you don’t always get what you pay for. So how do you know if you’re really getting a deal?
Here are some questions to ask your nephew / sister-in-law / interior designer / computer geek when they’re about to take a stab at your website.
1. Have you ever designed anything for print or web?
This one speaks for itself. You don’t want a website that looks like a third grader or a psychotic made it, do you? No offense to any third graders or psychotics out there…
2. Do you know what meta tags are, and how to use them for SEO?
Certain meta tags (in the HTML code) are used to tell the search engines what your website is about. This is the most basic form of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). No website should be without these, yet many, many websites have meta tags done incorrectly or not at all. Because website owners can’t see the meta tags from the “front end” of the website, they often lack this simple, critical form of SEO and don’t even know it!
3. Can you optimize images for the web?
All photos and graphics need to be reduced to appropriate size (both dimensions and file size) and resolution for the internet. If you use “print-ready” files, your pages will load very slowly. If your pages load slowly, your customers will go somewhere else. It’s that simple. Image optimization is not rocket surgery, but it does take some software and know-how.
4. Ever heard of cross browser testing?
Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Chrome: These are a few of the browsers that people use to view the web. Unfortunately, your web pages don’t look the same in every browser. If the bugs aren’t fixed, your pages may look fine on your computer, and horrible on someone else’s. For the most part, only professional web developers perform these tests.
5. Are you familiar with HTML?
HTML is the language that tells your browser how to display your pages. Believe it or not, it’s possible to use software to create websites without knowing any HTML. It happens all the time. Here’s what else happens:
It’s true that some people really do need to just “slap up a website”. But most smart small business owners are looking to make a wise investment in a website that enhances marketing efforts now and in the future. A professional web designer can help you get the most from your budget – it’s money well-spent!.
I don’t usually do this. In fact I’m already wondering if it can have – uh – consequences. But I think it’s important.
One of my clients has a real estate website that uses ListingWare as a web host, and also to access the MSL database (so their users can search nationwide for all available real estate). So far so good. It seems like a good tool.
Like any software, you sometimes need support. As a web designer, I often need to talk to the web host when specialized software makes it difficult for me to access the “guts” of the website. I rely on the good folks at tech support to help me out occasionally.
Here’s the thing about ListingWare: No one is home. Whether it’s tech support or customer support / sales, I can’t reach anyone. I’ve tried online chat: no reply or “leave a message”, even during business hours. Same with voice mail: ”We’ll call you back”. I even tried calling the main number as an “interested prospect”. It’s been two days and no return calls or emails. Nothing. Nada.
My client reports the same treatment. Maybe it’s a “glitch”, maybe they’re having a bad week, but personally I’ve never seen anything this bad from a company that’s still in business. So I thought it worth a mention.
When you’re looking for a web host, or any kind of hosted software, you really need to know that tech support is competent AND accessible. By phone, email or chat – preferably all three. During business hours or better yet, 24 / 7.
How do you find this out? Call them! Email them! And not just sales / customer service, either. Try to get past them with a question for tech support. Granted, some hosts won’t let tech support talk with you unless you have an account, which is understandable. But it’s worth a try. At the very least you’ll find out how accessible and responsive customer service is.
When is it too late? After you or your web designer has spent hours setting a website with specialized software hosted by your web host, it’s probably too late to make a change that’s not costly.
On the other hand, if you’ve just recently opened the account (and you’re not completely set up yet) , you may still be able to make a change that’s not painful. This is especially true with small or uncomplicated websites.
Don’t get stuck with horrendous customer / tech support! A little effort before you’re married to your web host is well worth it!
We’re pleased to announce the completion of the brochure website for On Schedule Consultants.
On Schedule Consultants works for building owners and construction contractors, creating and analyzing the complicated CPM schedules that are so critical to large building projects.
Martin McInnerney, VP / Senior Project Consultant, was a pleasure to work with. Our goal was to create a “one-click”, audience-friendly website; All important information is linked to the front page. Potential clients can quickly appreciate On Schedule Consultants areas of expertise, including past projects, services offered and software used, without even leaving the home page. Additional information on any of these topics is just one click away; hence the “one-click” website. For a small website that sells a service, this is a great format – which explains why it’s become so popular on the internet!
Best Wishes to On Schedule Consultants for a fulfilling and prosperous future in the ATL!
OK, it’s true that I don’t get out much. Working from home can turn an ordinary introvert into an uber-geek.
Yesterday I was forced from behind my and desk by the need to replace my car battery. While out spending money, I had three (yes, 3) very nice experiences with local businesses. As it happens, they are all national chains, but that’s beside the point. The point is – it got me thinking….
1. While waiting for my battery installation at Sears, I bought some clothing. Sears gave me $20 back for spending $75 – a promo they were running. They just took it off right the bill.
2. Houlihans gave me “side order” rates for appetizers that I was going to order anyway. When I got the bill, I noticed that I’d only paid $2 for my salad and $2 for the soup. Sweet!
3. Starbucks gave me a latte for buying 2 lbs of coffee (which they ground for me). I was just about to order the latte when the staff offered it to me – at no charge.
What do these 3 experiences have in common? Each was a simple “thank you” for my business. Each time it happened after the fact, so it was unexpected, and it didn’t influence my purchasing decisions. I didn’t even have to think about it! And best of all, there were no coupons, no special stipulations, not expiration dates, no rebates, and no ads. Just a small but meaningful, monetary gesture of appreciation. In times like these times, those small gestures go a long way.
It got me thinking – is there something I can do for my own clients? Some small gesture that would actually save them money (without much cost to me)? I think I’ll run a surprise, “no questions asked” special!
Google Places now lets you specify a business Service Area, as opposed to an address – great for small businesses or freelancers. You still have to provide a physical street address for your listing, but if you specify a Service Area, you can elect not to display your location.
Google is on a mission to revolutionize the internet. They also believe in collecting data – and lots of it. They provide so many high quality free services (Gmail, Buzz, iGoogle, Google Analytics, Webmaster Tools, to name a few), that some of us have completely sold out. Sure, we might be somewhat creeped out by the fact that Google’s virtually looking over our shoulder when we’re online. But with all the conveniences they offer, and the way the services are integrated, we can’t help ourselves – it’s worth it!
In the interest of “having a clue about what’s going on”, I’m posting to share some things I’ve learned recently about Google personalized search. Get ready to be creeped out – or sold out.
In about 2005, Google started experimenting with ways to use your Web History to influence your search results.
What’s that? You don’t know about Web History? You’ll be amazed. If you’re signed into Gmail (or any other Google account), and you use Google as your search engine, check this : https://www.google.com/history/ (NOTE: This works if the Web History service is enabled in yourGoogle Account Settings. Mine was enabled, though I don’t recall doing it).
Big Bro Google is watching you.
Anyway, this evolved into Personalized Search. Personalized Search uses Web History, geographic location and browser search preferences, among other things, to filter your search results. If you didn’t know it was working, that just goes to show how well it was working, doesn’t it?
So, what if you want to see the exact same search results everybody else sees? Well, you just make sure you’re not signed into any Google accounts. Right? RIGHT?! Well, see, that’s what I just learned. Apparently it’s not enough that you don’t have – or aren’t signed into – a Google account. As of December 2009, they’re doing Personalized Search for everyone who uses Google, whether you’re signed in or not. Wow. This is very bad. And very good.
As you can tell, I’m a bit conflicted about most everything Google. But for the reader’s sake, I’ll keep the love-hate details to myself.
OK, but what if you really really want to see the same search results everybody else sees? For instance, what if you did some SEO on your website, and you want to see what users see when they’re looking for you? Or how you’re doing in a search using a specific keyword? Well, here’s what I found out:
Google lets you disable the cookie that’s used for Personalized Search. While signed out of your Google account, click the Web History link at the top of any Google search engine results page. You should see this option/link: Disable customizations based on search activity. This will disable the feature until you go back and enable it, OR until you sign into a Google account.
Your browser may give you another way to accomplish the same thing:
And here’s how to remove Web History altogether:
On the web, as in other facets of life, there’s always been a trade-off between privacy and convenience. No matter where you stand on the issue,I hope this info is helpful.
Recently I completed a web site for Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association (CBHMA). CBHMA is one of several organizations that take a scholarly interest in the historic Battle of the Little Bighorn and the context in which it was fought, including the life and times of George A. Custer and the Plains Indians tribes of the day.
One of the founding members of CBHMA, Chief Joe Medicine Crow, was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. His photo was incorporated into the design of the web site, along with photos (all taken by members of CBHMA) of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
The main functions of the web site are to encourage membership in the organization, promote interest in its publications, and provide resources for study. The web site features a photo gallery and a news page, both of which can be updated by volunteer staffers.
It was a pleasure to work with this group of historians and be exposed to their passion for accurate knowledge regarding this period of American history.
