Changing your old website to WordPress

January 2nd, 2012
sheilaahite.com

sheilaahite.com wordpress conversion by Tom Stier

When some of my clients first approach me seeking to make changes to their website, I find that their current site was made at a different time time in web history, when it was customary to create a website and then consider that particular task ‘done.’

Meanwhile, discussion, information and news about the work of their business or organization continued to be created in the offline community, perhaps on a daily basis, but this information was not visible to any online customers because it resided mostly on paper and then later, in emails and online via 3rd party sources.

The business website would not reflect these discussions.

Now these discussions are also held on social media sites ~ Facebook, Twitter, etc. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Promotion | 4 Comments »

Will Google ‘discover’ DiscoverLenox?

November 30th, 2011

http://discoverlenox.com/ is the Town of Lenox Massachusetts’ new website.

According to this article  the site is part of a $56,000 contract with Bodden Hamilton Partners in New York City.

On looking at the code for this site, one sees the following:

<html>
<head>
<title>Discover Lenox </title>
</head>
<frameset rows=”100%,*” border=”0″>
<frame src=”http://windowsnweb.com/wordpressdev/” frameborder=”0″ />
<frame src=”../EXPO PLUS/UntitledFrame-4″ frameborder=”0″ noresize />
</frameset><noframes></noframes>
<!– pageok –>
<!– 07 –>
<!– –>
</html> Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Politics | No Comments »

I Don’t Want a YouTube Logo on my Video

September 18th, 2011

We have had several requests from time to time from clients who want video embedded on their site pages, but without a YouTube logo or link away from their site appearing on it.

To include a self-hosted video on your home page, without any branding on it is, unfortunately, not an easy thing to do. Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion | 2 Comments »

What Should I Do With My Old Record Albums?

September 8th, 2011

Recently, a friend wrote to ask me what she should do with her old record collection. Since it’s OK with the management if this blog is used to discuss topics that might only be tangentially related to web design, promotion or hosting, I have decided to share. Here is my slightly abridged answer: Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion | 10 Comments »

Driving through domains and hosting

June 17th, 2011

I have recently been helping some clients manage their domain names and the question has come up once again:

“Tom, what is the difference between domain hosting and web hosting?”

This got me to thinking that what might be needed is a real world analogy to picture the relationship between the two. Something like the computer/real desk ‘desktop’ analogy we are all so well familiar with these days.

I think one could find the domain/hosting analogy right in your own backyard.

In your car! Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion | No Comments »

Privacy on the Web

May 23rd, 2011

We were recently contacted by someone who wanted to know how much it would cost to remove mention of himself from Google and another website. The references were not really derogatory, but still this caller wanted to know how he could control what he saw as an intrusion into his privacy.

We told our caller the facts of life in this hyper-connected world. Without access to the site folder and files of this other website, it was not possible to remove the offending material. It is possible to request Google remove items from their search results, but it  can be a continuing process and take some time. Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion | No Comments »

Get your ‘place’ on Google Places

May 14th, 2011

Next time you do a search in Google, notice that cluster of listings at the top of the page with the A, B, C, etc. markers?

That’s Google Places, and it’s a FREE method for you to get your business placed on the first page of search results for your business keyphrases!

All you need to do is sign in or sign up for your free Google account (Is there anybody left that doesn’t have one?).

Then go to Google Places and just fill out as much information as you can. Google is going to verify your address, for your own protection and to make sure you really are where you say you are. Go right ahead now, you can trust Google!

One neat feature is that you don’t have to exactly show where you are on the map, just the general area your business serves. This is great if you work out of your home or want privacy.

This is something that you have to take advantage of sooner rather than later, because your competitors can also sign up and get their little marker on the map, too.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion | 5 Comments »

What is SEO and how do I get more visitors to my website?

May 3rd, 2011

Website re-design by tomstier.com 2010

Two questions we web developers are asked most frequently (after the initial “What will it cost“) are:

1. What is SEO and
2. How can I make my site more friendly and accessible to users and visitors around the world?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization – which means setting up your website in such a way that you’ll be accessible and enticing to as many search engines and search terms as possible. (This is important in garnering eyeballs to your site; it’s not so necessary if you’re using your web site as a business card that you only hand out to a select few people who you ‘invite’ to visit your site.) Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion | No Comments »

Search engine success story Part 1

April 20th, 2011

Above is the Google Analytics Dashboard for one of my WordPress makeover web site design clients. It shows daily visits hitting peaks of about 9,000 visitors a day. You may wonder “How is this done, and can you do this for me?” Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion | No Comments »

Novice Client Questions & Answers

December 15th, 2010

I recently answered some questions from a potential client about the whole website development process, and I thought it might be helpful to post my slightly abridged answers here.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted in Internet, Promotion, Support | 2 Comments »
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