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Passwords

May 20, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

LockOver the past several months I have encountered at least half a dozen (if not more) prospective clients who have found out the hard way that failing to know your passwords can translate into having no way to access your website (and in some cases having to abandon a domain and start over).  And yes, you know what is coming . . . my recommendations:

  1. Always, always, always have all the passwords for your domain, hosting, ftp access, cms website access, social media sites and email marketing account.  You may have the best web person ever and what happens if something happens to them or they leave the business? (None of us like to think like this, and yes, it happens).  Even if you don’t know exactly how to use the passwords yourself, having them allows someone who does to assist.
  2. Your own account – Whenever possible be sure your domain, hosting, website, etc is in its own separate account with your name on it.  You don’t want to be left unable to access your account if something happens to the main account holder or payment becomes an issue.
  3. And if you find yourself in this situation, most reputable registrars provide a way to prove ownership – although you may not appreciate the hoops you’ll be jumping through.

This simple safeguard can save you time, money and headaches – know your passwords.

Filed Under: Blog, The Basics Tagged With: domains, hosting, Passwords, Small Business, website

Knowing . . . (The Trap)

May 20, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

Austin WordCamp 2012Saturday, May 19th, 2012 WordCamp!

6:30am > ALARM > Snooze

6:40am > Snooze

6:50am > Snooze

7:00am > Alarm off > Get up (I know where I’m going and I have plenty of time . . . )

COFFEE ~ clothes ~ teeth, hair & makeup

7:30am > Head to Wordcamp

I know just where I am going – and I do – it’s just that when I get there, it turns out that WordCamp is not where I think it is . . .

<panic> WHERE IS IT? </panic>

<action> CALL ORGANIZER ~ no answer > text organizer ~ no response > check website for address:  SUCCESS! </action>

Turns out the school has a second location in South Austin.  And because I knew about the North location, as soon as I saw the name of the location, I quit paying attention . . . because I knew.

I’ve done this before – no doubt will again.  And I do get the value of the things we know in life.  Without them we’d be lost in many ways.

What has my attention now is when knowing is more of a reaction.  I’m now looking at what is possible when I’m present in these circumstances.  And where knowing limits me in my creativity, business and personal relatonships.  What IS possible when I give up knowing in a reactive way . . . I’m committed to finding out.

Inspired by Leslie Hancock, a presenter at WordCamp Austin.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Creativity, Effectiveness, Knowing

The Mysteries of SEO

March 24, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

WebWith the possible exception of overall marketing, search engine optimization is probably the topic most written and speculated about online.  Carefully guarded by the search engines themselves, and changing all the time, there is clearly an evolution taking place that includes social media and attempts to interpret what we’re looking for beyond the keywords we actually use to search.  (Read more about Google’s Semantic Search here).

The best overall advice I can provide is to think organically – and remember what a web looks like:  the more connections you have, the stronger and more staying power you have (why do you think we picked this as part of our logo).

Basic SEO tips:

  1. Consider the search engines as well as name recognition as you choose your domain
  2. Add links to (and from) your blog/website everywhere you can – this should include all your social media pages, your email signatures, blogs you comment or guest post on, and all printed media – anywhere you can
  3. Use alternate text for all images to increase keyword density (as well as keeping your site available for the site impaired)
  4. Create listings and submit your website with all the search engines:  Yext or getlisted.org
  5. Keep information current – blog posts are a great way to do this
  6. Add (valuable) resources

SEO Resources:

Google Adwords Keyword Tool – free tool to research Google keyword usage

Filed Under: Resources, The Basics, The Plan Tagged With: DIY web, do-it-yourself web, domains, Full Service Web, Google, Keyword Tool, Mini-Serve Web, Search Engine Optimization, Self-Serve Web, Semantic Search, SEO, SEO Resources, web plan website

Domains: How Do You Choose?

March 24, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

DomainsConfused about selecting a domain? Consider that you want more than one.

Just because you want your name and/or your business name recognizable, neither of these may convey what you actually do to the search engines – a key factor.  So consider using a domain that does just exactly that for your main domain and hosting (for the search engines) and then forward (and use) other domains (your name and/or your business name) for marketing and name recognition.

Tips for domain selection:

  1. Pick more than one (see above)
  2. Never use hyphens or combinations of numbers and letters that are difficult to convey – remember you’ll be saying this over and over again – don’t make it difficult for you or them
  3. Short is almost always better than long
  4. Easy to remember is good too

Do you want to buy a domain?  Weborization is a domain reseller through Weborization.net.

Filed Under: Resources, The Basics, The Plan Tagged With: DIY web, do-it-yourself web, domains, Full Service Web, GoDaddy, Hostgator, Mini-Serve Web, web plan

Oh Yeah, Color!

March 24, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

Color

Color is another important facet of your site that you’ll want to consider carefully – both in how colors are perceived overall and – more importantly – how they resonate with you.  And – this is important – when you love the color palette you’ve chosen, you’ll want people to see it.

Color meanings from the “Ultimate Non-Designers Guide to Branding” (blog article, link broken so we can’t attribute)

  • White: Clean. Pure. Clarity. Simplicity. Innocent. Silent. Airy.
  • Black: Mystery. Powerful. Dramatic. Elegant. Expensive. Strength.
  • Red: Excitement. Energy. Danger. Sexy. Aggressive. Hot. Stimulating.
  • Pink: Romantic. Soft. Tender. Cute. Delicate (Light Pinks) Exciting. Happy. Youthful. Spirited. Trendy. (Bright Pinks)
  • Orange: Playful. Happy. Gregarious. Childlike. Vibrant. Whimsical. Friendly.
  • Yellow: Warmth. Enlightenment. Cheerful. Mellow. Alert. Rich. Comforting.
  • Brown: Stability. Earthly. Wholesome. Organic. Masculine. Woodsy. Warm. Durable.
  • Blue: Trustworthy. Reliable. Committed. Confident. Calming. Serene.
  • Green: Nature. Healing. Refreshing. Prestige. Healthy. Quiet. Traditional.
  • Purple: Creative. Spiritual. Sensual. Sophistication. Royalty.
  • Neutrals: Timeless. Solid. Enduring. Quality.

Color Scheme Resources:

Kuler by Adobe

ColourLovers

Great Free Graphics Resources:

Photoshop Tricks You Can Do Without Buying Photoshop

GIMP Image Manipulation Progam (free)

Inkscape Open Source vector graphics editor (free)

Fotor Online Photo Editing (free)

Our Stock Image Site Recommendations:

  • 123rf.com
  • depositphotos.com
  • dreamstime.com

Filed Under: Resources, The Basics, The Plan Tagged With: Color, Creativity, DIY Graphics DIY web, do-it-yourself web, Fotor, GIMP, Graphics, Graphics Editor, Inkscape, Online Photo Editing, Photoshop Tips, Self-Serve Web, web plan, website

What About Graphics?

March 24, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

DesignAlmost as soon as you begin creating your new site, you may realize that something you failed to take into account is the need for great looking graphics.  Having a visually appealing website is  nearly as important as the functionality.  A professional look is good.

The tips:

  1. If at all possible, have your logo designed by a professional
  2. Use stock images (see resource links below for affordable sites) to avoid problems with copyrights
  3. Resize your images – even though WordPress will “resize” them within it’s functionality, use this sparingly, otherwise you can end up with pages that take a long time to load because of the original size of the graphic

Great Free Graphics Resources:

Photoshop Tricks You Can Do Without Buying Photoshop

GIMP Image Manipulation Progam (free)

Inkscape Open Source vector graphics editor (free)

Fotor Online Photo Editing (free)

Our Stock Image Site Recommendations:

  • 123rf.com
  • depositphotos.com
  • dreamstime.com

Filed Under: Blog, Resources, The Basics Tagged With: DIY Graphics, DIY web, do-it-yourself web, Fotor, GIMP, Graphics, Online Photo Editing, Photoshop Tips, Self-Serve Web, Stock Image Sites, website

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

March 24, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm GladwellOkay, so I’ll admit I’ve been behind the curve on this one – I’m just reading this.  And this book more than any other is having me recognize and value my intuitive (blink) ability.  I recommend it highly.

From Amazon:
Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant-in the blink of an eye-that actually aren’t as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work-in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?

Filed Under: Recommended Books Tagged With: Effectiveness, Intuition, Malcolm Gladwell

Imagine: How Creativity Works

March 24, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonathan LehrerIn the book, Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonathan Lehrer, (a writer specializing in neuroscience) he says: “The brain is just an endless knot of connections. And a creative thought is simply … a network that’s connecting itself in a new way. Sometimes it’s triggered by a misreading of an old novel. Sometimes it’s triggered by a random thought walking down the street, or bumping into someone in the bathroom of the studio. There are all sorts of ways seemingly old ideas can get reassembled in a new way.”

Read an interview with Jonathan Lehrer here      Listen to the interview with Jonathan Lehrer here

Filed Under: Recommended Books Tagged With: Creativity, Jonathan Lehrer

Creatively Blocked . . . Take a Break

March 21, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

ImagineAs I make my way in life both personally and professionally, perhaps the biggest challenge has been to lighten up – to create space for growth and new ideas to flow.  I’ve begun to notice that “chewing on” (focusing on) whatever question or issue I’m dealing with never results in the answer.  It is only when I take a walk, or read, watch a movie, chant, or just sit – allowing my brain and my being “space”, that the answer shows up.

And of course, being human, I love when my experience is validated by science.  In the book, Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonathan Lehrer, (a writer specializing in neuroscience) he says: “The brain is just an endless knot of connections. And a creative thought is simply … a network that’s connecting itself in a new way. Sometimes it’s triggered by a misreading of an old novel. Sometimes it’s triggered by a random thought walking down the street, or bumping into someone in the bathroom of the studio. There are all sorts of ways seemingly old ideas can get reassembled in a new way.”

It is in the “reassembling” of outside influences that something new shows up.  And in the quiet that the intuition is allowed to speak to us in a way that we hear, as described in Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell.

So when you’re stuck, take a break.  Or better yet, take creative breaks before you’re stuck.

Read the entire interview here     Listen to the interview here

Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonathan Lehrer                  Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Creativity, Intuition, Jonathan Lehrer, Malcolm Gladwell, Neuroscience

Fonts, Typography and More Fonts

March 15, 2012 By weborize Leave a Comment

Free Font ResourcesSo, what are the rules about fonts? 

Once upon a time (before web), serif fonts were used for text and sans serif for headlines because they made for easier reading.  With the advent of the web, this has been reversed and sans serif is used almost exclusively for standard content while serif are employed in more decorative ways, such as use in headers or as emphasis.

Here are the rules I’ve assembled over time from a myriad of places:

  1. Keep it legible – even the most interesting font is completely ineffective if no one can read  it
  2. Three is the magic number – two is good and never use more than three different fonts on a site/page
  3. Increase your line height – this more than anything you do with text on your site will increase legibility and the “ahhh” factor – white space is good

Great Free Font Resources:

Google Web Fonts

Adobe Edge Web Fonts

Smashing Magazine Fonts 2012

The Next Web 2012

Filed Under: Blog, Resources, The Basics Tagged With: DIY Graphics, DIY web, do-it-yourself web, Font Rules, Fonts, Free Font Resources, Sans Serif, Self-Serve Web, Serif

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