The Pros and Cons of Dreamweaver

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Laura

Dreamweaver remains one of the most popular HTML editors in the web community. So, is it an investment that you will be benefited by?

Advantages:

  • Dreamweaver is meant to be a management program for your entire web site. This goes far beyond simply editing or creating a web page. The program is designed to work with entire folders and directories of your web pages, images, scripts, and media.
  • Dreamweaver is used globally. This translates to many tools and resources to help beginners undertake the learning curve that comes with the software.
  • Easy publication. Dreamweaver has its own tools to upload and publish your files, no external FTP program is necessary.
  • CMS capabilities. The newer versions of Dreamweaver have the technology to allow you to intensively edit most major CMS platforms.
  • Mobile capabilities. The newer versions of Dreamweaver also are more mobile-screen friendly.

Here are some of the main disadvantages listed for Dreamweaver:

  • Cost. No matter where you get it, Dreamweaver will not be “cheap.” It’s a sizable investment and, as with any sizable investment, you should be certain you will benefit from the software.
  • Difficulty. Dreamweaver is not simple. There can be an extensive learning curve, depending on your intent.
  • Not Designed for Simplicity. Dreamweaver is not just an HTML editor. If you only want to create a splash screen web site, or just use a few pages in your web site, Dreamweaver probably isn’t for you.

It’s best to carefully weigh your options and what you really need when you purchase any software, and Dreamweaver is no exception.

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Our FIRST public Joomla extension!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Mark

JMS membership sitesWe finally did it! We got our first extension listed on the Joomla extension directory.

And boy what an experience it was. All in all it took us around 5 months to get the extension listed from the date of our initial submission, and it was a huge learning curve.

There were so many hoops to jump through I almost thought we’d never make it. I have a new found respect for anyone who has listed on the directory. And also for the directory itself. The good news for users of the joomla extension directory is that the strict listing criteria means that the quality of extensions is high.

The extension allows you to create a Joomla Membership site in a just few easy steps. You can find out all the info about it here: http://www.joomlamadesimple.com/jms-membership-sites

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Best CMS for Stores

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Laura

Many businesses have the desire to take their products and services online. This can be a boon to growth as well as financial success. However, this decision may have a downside. Which CMS program do you use? Do you use a CMS program or build a site yourself? The number of questions can quickly make you frustrated.

Fortunately, most of the major CMS programs (Drupal, Joomla, WordPress) have plug-ins for this purpose. Now, you just need to decide which CMS is right for you.

There are a larger number of systems for Joomla as far as storefronts and eCommerce options, but your personal taste should dictate which you actually implement.

Some small business owners, who may have experience with building web sites, might even choose to implement a standard CSS/HTML web site.  Paypal even offers a variety of buttons and payment banners that can help those with smaller product lines who only have regular HTML/CSS web sites.

Posted in Blogging, Dreamweaver, General, General internet tips, Joomla, SEO, Web design, Website Management, Wordpress | Leave a comment

WordPress Easy Install

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Laura

WordPress is the most popular blogging software in the world. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest to install. WordPress has what they term as a, “5-minute install.”

In order for the installation to be simple, you must have a few things. First, you must be an administrator, or have administrator privileges, on your system.

When you’ve uploaded  the WordPress files to your server, via FTP, and have your MySql database information set up, you navigate to your web address to begin installation. Be certain you keep this information secure, but available. You’ll need your database name, your username, and password to install the WordPress software. You may also need it in the future in case you want to make any major changes.

It is highly recommended that you  use a product called Web PI during this process. This is short for Web Platform Installer and will make your installation much easier. This is a free product from Microsoft.

The easiest method for the installation of everything from WordPress to Joomla is to navigate through your web host’s Fantastico panel.

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Starting Your Blog

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Laura

If you have a web site, you should also have a blog. This is particularly important for people who have their own business or who work in a field that can be complicated. Naturally, your web site will offer expert information and help for your visitors, but a well-written blog adds a touch of personality.

Blogs are personable. They are friendly and welcoming for visitors. The emphasis is on blogs, as well as web sites, for a variety of reasons. So why bother with a blog?

  1. You don’t have to be cold or impersonal on a blog.
  2. You can still remain a professional, but discuss goings-on in your industry, in layman’s terms.
  3. You can make announcements on new products or services and invite readers with a discount or special.
  4. You can further break-down the information contained on your web site to accommodate readers. If you own an accounting firm that caters to businesses as well as individuals, a blog would be a place where you would provide information suited to the typical consumer.

Does that mean you need to pay more for this service? Absolutely not. There are countless free blogging platforms across the internet that you can benefit from. All you need is to link your new blog with your web site’s homepage.

The key tips to a good blog:

  • Valid content
  • Regular Posting
  • Reader-friendly articles that do not “talk down,” to the reader or confuse them with overly-technical jargon.
  • Use any keyword or “meta” options your platform allows.

Just these few pointers can help you develop a blog following as well as a web site following. Some people have gone on to find their blog is actually more popular than their typical web site, but either way, it’s good for business. If you want to learn how to make a website then visit www.buildingwebsitesmadesimple.com

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Benefits of using Original WordPress Templates

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Laura

Many webmasters are surprised to find there are actually a number of advantages to using a free original WordPress theme. If you’re just starting to build your web site, you might want to utilize one of these templates for your web design. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. They’re free. Naturally, this is one of the best reasons for any webmaster or small business. You’re already pressed for time and resources and devoting thousands of dollars to a mere template can seem daunting. Instead, try a free template. It may be all you need right now.
  2. No time investment. One of the things we’re most pressed for today is time. Even if you have the capital to purchase a professional, custom template, how will you find it? The internet is filled with amazing designs and great web design companies. Maybe you just don’t have the time to check every company, research their portfolio, work with a designer, and wait for the final product. A free template eliminates all of this.
  3. Easy installation. Sometimes your purchased template will come with free tech support, sometimes not. Sometimes you might purchase a template and find it isn’t at all compatible with your version of WordPress and you can’t reach another person for answers.
  4. Easy to modify. Original WordPress themes are tried-and-tested. Most are completely flexible with your design wishes. Do you want two columns to the right instead of one on each side? Do you want to remove all sidebars? Original themes provide you with these options in an easy-to-understand format.
  5. Optimized for the search engines. Most original themes are ready for the web. They are polished and pruned for the search engines to quickly index. Most will tell you, as soon as you check the template details, if they’ve been validated, checked for errors, and many other tidbits of helpful info.
  6. Great Selection. There are a good number of original WordPress templates. You have templates to choose from that can make your web site look like a diary or, if you like, you can find complex, multi-columned, and multi-article magazine layouts.

Fortunately, there has never been a wider selection of templates so webmasters never run out of exciting designs.

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Build a Web Site in 0-60..?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Laura

One of the most intimidating realms of web site development and administration seems to be time. Many business owners see horror stories of bad experiences with professional designers, and even worse experiences with DIY web sites. What is left?

The fact is that even business web administration isn’t always so chaotic or tense. Most businesses can construct and maintain their own web sites quickly and relatively easily. First, and most importantly, you need to write these down and answer them:

  1. How much of my business will be done via this web site. Will you be selling anything directly on the site, as Amazon or eBay?
  2. How does technology relate to my business?
  3. How much content do I really need?
  4. How fast does my industry change?

They may seem off-topic, but these questions are imperative to your web site’s future.

Web sites that will implement eCommerce software or that will sell products through a web site will need the services of a professional. It is simply too much for a novice or beginner to tackle without years of training. There are too many top-rate professionals out there who do this daily and quickly.

Does your industry rely on technology? Are you in software development? Computer design or development? Graphic design? Do you need a web site that utilizes the latest technologies in order to be effective? If you need a site that keeps up with the latest-and-greatest, you’ll probably need the services of a professional who also does this.

The level of necessary content is a good question to gauge how much web site you need, right now. You will add and adjust as time passes, but how much is needed to get your site up and running. Businesses which operate web sites as a means of simple communication or advertisement, such as a splash screen or virtual business card site, will not need anything remotely like an information center which offers hundreds of articles. The smaller the site, the better odds that you can do this yourself.

Lastly, take an honest look at how often your industry changes. If you set up a site for a newspaper or periodical, that will be a high-demand situation for current content. If you already know you will need to update your web site by the hour, or even by the minute, seek a professional. If your industry changes more slowly, as with plumbing or landscaping, your web site will be far easier to manage.

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Joomla Installation: The Dreaded Connector #2

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Laura

With the urging of webmasters to upgrade and migrate to later versions of Joomla, there usually comes a host of issues. One of the most common errors that is so frustrating is:

“Could not connect to the database. Connector returned number 2.”

Before you panic, take a breath. This is actually a very common error. It simply means you’ve entered incorrect information for your MySql database. Recheck your information and if the page says it’s mandatory, there’s no workaround.

Recheck everything from your username and password to your database details. Many webmasters have the unfortunate luck to forget their username or password (or both), especially if you’ve had your web site a long time. If this happens, and you can’t get a copy from your host, consider creating another database in your Control Panel.

Recovering a lost password for a server can be a headache. If you’re in the position to add new users and databases, oftentimes this is easier.

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Web Design Classes

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Laura

Despite the growing use of CMS applications, the number of web design classes offered via the internet continues to remain high. For a webmaster, it can be very tempting to sign up assuming that you will be able to design your site when finished. This may not always be the case.

For those with small business web sites, it can be a hassle to go through weeks of training, only to discover your aren’t really going to be working in design. Many of these classes are, in essence, tutorials for popular software.

To help you avoid taking a class you may not benefit from, here are some helpful tips on evaluating the benefits:

  • How much does it cost? Will you get that returned in some way? The rates should be competitive with educational facilities in your area.
  • How long will you be in class? Typical, non-academic classes tend to go 6-8 weeks.
  • Can you easily fit it into your schedule? You should be able to study on your own time.
  • Precisely, what do the sessions cover? Your prospective tutoring facility should provide you with a syllabus or schedule PRIOR to signing up.
  • Will you have an individual to send your questions to, either by email or chat? You should, at least for the duration of the class.
  • Does the facility use dubious advertising? This is a definite warning sign. The web site should promote learning for the joy or practicality of learning. Not because you’ll “get-rich-quick” in any regard.
  • Will you actually study design?
  • If the course focuses on software, is it a program you already have? Ensure you aren’t paying for learning about a program that may or may not even work on your computer. Likewise, if it’s software that requires hundreds of dollars to purchase, you might want to seek alternative solutions. If you simply want to run a web site, all major CMS platforms are free.
  • Seek reviews for the facility.
  • Ensure the web site is legitimate and isn’t reported to be a scam site.
  • Most importantly, make sure it will benefit you.

There’s no need to waste money on a program you simply won’t benefit from. Know what you’re buying before you purchase.

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Joomla: Browser Installation

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Laura

Joomla is a wonderful CMS program, but it can be frustrating to install. Once you get all files transferred to your server, you still have to go through the installation process. It isn’t just a matter of moving files. Luckily, this can be done with a few simple steps.

First, you’ll visit your web site in your browser. You should see the Joomla Installer waiting on you. Newer versions of Joomla will give you a “Pre-Install Check,” to identify any issues you might have at this early stage.

If you see it, you’re already on track. Next, you’ll want to accept the license agreement. You must agree, otherwise, it won’t continue the install.

Next, you’re going to go through 4 steps. The first is where you need to enter the details from your MySql database. Also, if you’re fairly new to Joomla, you’ll want to install the sample data.

The second step is where you enter your web site’s name.

The third step is a confirmation of the data you’ve entered. This is also where you enter your information as the Administrator of the new site. You’ll create your login information here.

The fourth step is a final confirmation page. This is where you are warned to keep your administrator login and password by your side, as you won’t get into your Joomla backend without it.

The most important part of the fourth step is to delete your installation directory. Newer versions of Joomla will do this automatically, but you may need to go to your directory and delete it, manually. This can be done via your host’s Control Panel or via an FTP program.

Your Joomla site will not function without this deleting this directory so it is imperative to get rid of it as soon as possible.

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