What to Build Your Website On?

I am sure you are familiar with blogging.  If you know what blogging is than you most likely know about WordPress.

What makes WordPress so Wonderful?

It isn’t just for blogging anymore.

WordPress is being used more often as a content management system (CMS) for Internet businesses.

Here are some of the things it can be used for:

• Integrating squeeze pages
• Building up a review website
• Creating sales letters with an SEO edge
• Designing a static website with regular content
• Establishing a membership site for passive revenue
• Making a site capable of running your very own affiliate program for products that you created.

There are plenty of content management systems to choose from; Drupal, Joomla, and a number of premium CMS providers.  (Side note:  premium means “pretty penny”!)

A content management system is really the best way to go for building your website.  The biggest reason is the ease of use.

I can build a website for you and would be happy to take on the webmaster roll.  Sometimes, that is even the best solution for you and your business.  Your time is often better spent on other things.  The time involved with building your website, managing, and updating it could be used to create new revenue streams for your Internet business.

Perhaps you prefer to manage updates and add new content after a web designer or webmaster gets you all set up.  The beauty of WordPress is that it allows you to do just that.  There are plenty of tutorials out there that will show you just how to manage your Wordress website.

Maybe you are the “do it yourself” type.  That’s great!  I highly recommend building your website using WordPress.

The big positive about the popularity of WordPress is that someone somewhere is always working on something that will make it do another really neat thing.  Those “somethings” are plug-ins.

Another plus for being popular is that many 3^rd party services such as email auto-responders, shopping carts, and the social networks strive to find ways to play nicely with WordPress.  It really  is in their best interest to do so.

What’s the reason someone would not want to jump on using WordPress for their website?

I think it is the same reason why many people end up choosing MACs over Windows.  Security.  When more people use something it becomes a bigger and easier target for those people that write malicious code.

Fortunately though, if you or your webmaster keeps up with the updates of your WordPress website, you can avoid security problems.  It is similar to using Windows based PC’s.  If you keep up with the security updates and educate yourself on what common threats look like, you can stay safe.

There is a Shortage of Good Customer Service

After you settle on a domain name it is time to choose a good hosting company.  Many places will provide hosting right along with the domain name you purchase.  They might even provide web design too!  That works for some people.  It doesn’t work for me though.  I look for different things in those areas and need the most flexibility.  The one-stop-shops always seem to have a drawback somewhere.

There are many hosting companies to choose from.  Everyone has their favorites.  I have tried out a few and learned that one with fast and responsive customer service is best.  The customer service must carry over into their ability to provide great technical support as well.

When I first started out in this business I thought it would be great to be a “one stop shop” for all of your web design needs.  I had to learn firsthand why that was a bad approach.  Yes, we all make mistakes or bad choices from time to time but the important thing is that we make it right ALL of the time!

A long time ago I was the customer of “one stop shop” and chose to host my website with a provider that was simply a reseller of web hosting.  They did not provide the in-house technical support that is pretty critical when it comes to hosting.  They decided to switch providers themselves which meant that they had to move all of their customer accounts to another server.

Long story short… the switch-over was a disaster.  My websites were down for days!  I was livid!  To top it all off, when everything was back up and running, they offered no apology or explanations for this MAJOR interruption in service.  My websites were not even functioning again 100%.

I moved ALL of my websites back to my current provider.  As a matter of fact, my MAIN money maker site was moved to my current provider before the old provider even resolved the issues.  I had no time to wait for those shenanigans to play out.

When people invest a ton of blood, sweat, and tears into their Internet business website they want it to have that 99.99% uptime.  Time is money right?  Anything can go wrong.

Sometimes, your site can be attacked by a virus.   I had a virus scare once too.  My chosen hosting company was there to help at a moments notice.

One little line of code could get messed up on your server and take your site down.  I was integrating a script into a website and something small caused a big problem in a database.   Again, my hosting company found the problem and had me back up and running within 30 minutes.

A good hosting provider will be accessible at the drop of a hat to get in there and help resolve your problem quickly.

It is hard to be all things to everyone.  When a company focuses on ONE thing then they can be the BEST at that one thing for everyone that needs it.

I highly recommend using Hostgator. Check them out and see for yourself.  Please be aware though that if you click through my link and set up an account through Hostgator, I might receive a referral commission for that.  I just put that in there to stay in line with the FTC guidelines.

Hostgator didn’t give me anything to tell you about them.  I have used them in the past and left thinking there was a better company.  I went back to them and I am now, once again, a HUGE fan of Hostgator.

6 Things to Consider in a Domain Name.

When choosing a domain name consider the following:

• Make it short
• Make it descriptive
• Make it memorable
• Make it with “.com”
• Make it out of your main keyword (s)
• Make it easy to say to someone without having to spell it out

If the domain name is too long then it becomes much harder for people to remember.  Plus, shorter domain names just seem to have more clout.  Honestly, I don’t have any data to back up that statement. It really is just my opinion. But think about it.  How many characters are in the websites you consider to be the best to spend your time on?

So, now you have a tall order here.  You have to choose something DESCRIPTIVE with as few characters as possible.  PLUS, make it memorable AND use your keyword or keyword phrase.

Sometimes your desired domain name is not available.  Other times you can get it but with a different extension on it such as “.net” or “.biz”.   I have included my opinion as to why you really want to get that “.com” domain.  Sure, snag up all the other extensions if you want but your main target should be that “.com” domain.

If your desired domain name is not available or you get news that it is available for a cool $2,500 then consider some other resources.  There are auctions available where you can bid on premium domain names that are already taken but you might really want.  Some of the available domains on auction could be closer to what you are looking for and more within your budget.  Two big sources for buying domain names on auction are eBay and Godaddy.

I always try to get a domain with “.com” because that is what people are most likely to remember.  One time I was looking for a pet sitter.  I saw their website.  It was a good website too.  I was very impressed with the owner’s Internet business strategy and website design choices.  A few days later, I was talking to a friend about this pet sitter website I came across.  We had access to a computer so I suggested we just go in there and type in what I thought the website name was.  It was the furry godmother something or other.  Anyway, I originally typed in “furrygodmother.com”.  What I got in return was not what I remembered at all.  It took me awhile to find the correct website but not every website visitor out there has the same persistent nature as I do.  It turned out to be a “.biz” domain PLUS it had a dash in between the words.

That brings me to another point.  You will see that my domain name has a dash between the words:  www.methodic-pages.com.  It is because I really wanted that name.  But, it is really difficult to explain to customers my website name with that dash.  It is not a very big deal if I am relying on search engine traffic.  But when relying on word of mouth or even having someone recall it from their memory, using the dash is not the best option.

After awhile my desired domain name became available without the dash so I scooped it up!  When I bought that domain name www.methodicpages.com I just had it forwarded to my original website.  Now, I don’t have to add in all that extra explanation when I tell someone my website address, problem solved.

If you are ready to start your search for the perfect domain name consider GoDaddy.  I am not a domain reseller but I am an affiliate of GoDaddy.  So, if you decide to buy your domain after clicking through my link to GoDaddy just know that I may receive a small commission for referring you.

Should You Hire a Professional Website Creator?

A lot of online business owners start on a shoe-string budget.  They try to be a “Jack of all Trades” and do everything themselves.  After awhile they find that it is best to focus on what they are good at.  As a bit of success starts to develop the new Internet business owner wants to expand.  Now, the home made website has some major problems.

Does this sound  familiar?   Chances are, you’re someone who started everything with no money too, so you’re pretty skeptical when it comes to giving away your money in exchange for something that you could have done yourself.   But, if you want to excel at the very thing you are good at which is the product or service you are offering, it might be best to outsource your web design project.

It is a bit similar to hiring an accountant to do your taxes or even a handy man to build an addition on your house.

Professional web designers will take care of all the little details and make your online business run much more smoothly.  What you get from a professional website developer compared to what you would see from an online “site builder” or even a replicated website are extremely different.  Most site builders just don’t meet your need for flexibility.  Replicated sites are just that, a repeat of something that is already out there.  A site from a professional developer will give you something unique, flexible, and effective.

If you are ready to stop working your business and start GROWING YOUR BUSINESS than take a look at the web design packages offered from Methodic Pages.

Great Title Tags are a Web Page Must!

When working with a web designer you will be sending them all sorts of information regarding your page content.  All of the content will essentially paint a picture to your visitors what it is you do.

Any professional web designer worth their salt will include title tags for each of your pages.  But it is a rare designer that will go that extra mile with the basic search engine optimization (SEO) and make sure that your title tags are congruent with the content on the page AND the exact phrases that you are targeting with your browsing market.

Many websites for life coaches and consultants lack good page titles.  They are often completely ignored during the design process or just poorly written.  There is no reason to beat yourself up over it though.  Afterall, you specialize in other things that really matter.  Thankfully, it is an easy thing to fix.

The best way to write your title tags are to include the main keyword phrases that you are targeting and make it hook the attention of the impatient web surfer.  When the search engines return results for keyword terms that people enter, and you are rising to the top of those results, the headline will read whatever you have coded in your title tag.  So, make it count!

Most of the web design packages Methodic Pages provides include a personalize keyword research report.  It is specific to your niche, website, and online goals.  The results are used to develop things such as effective title tags so that you get much more out of each page in your website.

If you would like to learn more about Search Engine Optimization particularly how to do it yourself, then register for your Free MP3 Download and learn how to Generate More Traffic, More Leads, and More Profits.

Starting an Internet business always seems to fall back on one major thing: PRODUCT.

What are you going to “sell”?  Many people only have a great service to sell.

Probably one of the most lucrative services to offer that some folks are really good at is coaching or consulting.  Notice I did not say “selling”.  Most coaches and consultants are not sales people.

Coaching or consulting is great because you are obviously doing something you are passionate about.  You have taken a lifetime of learning and experience and turned it into a structured program that essentially “gives back” to others in need.  You are helping other people to reach their full potential whether it be in business or life in general.  But, how do you get more clients?  Better yet, how do you get more quality clients?

I guess that is where the “selling” comes in.  But, most people don’t like to sell.  Personally, I prefer providing the information for my prospects making sure I include all of the key points outlining the value I can provide.  Most people choose my services because they have gotten to know me, like me, and trust me.  I never sold them a thing.  They decided to buy or invest in what I have to offer.

FEBRUARY 24th, 2010 UPDATE: The call has passed but the Ali’s program has not begun yet.  So, there is still time to learn about it and sign up.

There is this great Teleseminar coming up on Feb. 23, 2010 that will help explain many details on how to design, sell, and run a profitable coaching program.  I will be listening in and I am pretty excited about it.  No, I don’t run a coaching program myself but I prefer to work with life coaches and consultants on my web design projects.

Listening in on this call benefits me in a few ways:

• One, I can better understand how to put together a really effective website for consultants that are about to take their coaching Internet business to an elite level.
• Two, life coaches and consultants do a lot of good things for people and if I can support those end results than I feel like I am doing some good as well.
• Three, I take away something every time that I can apply to my life, business structure, and “selling” skills.  I soak up everything these profitable consultants have to offer.   Every free call, teleseminar, webinar, and free report offer some extremely valuable nuggets of wisdom.

What valuable nugget of wisdom will I pick up next?   I guess I should mention that the call is hosted by Ali Brown.  She is incredibly successful at what she does.  Her free Teleseminar on How to Design, Sell, and Run Profitable & Successful Coaching Programs should leave all who listen in with valuable knowledge that can be put into action right away.

Your website is not “user-friendly”

There are two kinds of visitors that your site needs to speak to; the human visitor and the search engines.

If you require targeted traffic then your navigation and content must be readable by search engines. In order to turn that traffic into quality paying customers or even loyal followers of what you have to share then your navigation better be easy to follow, related to what the visitor came searching for, as well as worth those first 2 seconds of their time or they will split fast and never return!

The best way for the search engines to “catch” keywords and phrases in the written content of your page, is to keep the design simple and the message sensible.

Search engines can only SEE words, so if your site design is too complex (using frames, image maps, databases, trailing cursors, animated GIFs, etc.) chances are the search engines will not be able to read your pages. This will render your site invisible to them.

Even if they happen to make it through a complex design, typically the deeper pages will not be read. If this happens, your site may as well not exist.

Often, I see Webmasters who put too much emphasis on making their sites appear to be what they consider cool, without once considering their largest audience – the all mighty search engines!

Not to mention, a complex design will drive your human visitors crazy.

Perhaps the most annoying thing is audio that plays as soon as a website loads without a way to turn it off.  If you don’t believe me, then I dare you to check out this really bad website:
http://www.angelfire.com/super/badwebs/main.htm

When you get design and layout right and you will be headed in the right direction to owning a successful website.

Getting it wrong could cause your site to fail.

Okay, now you know what NOT to do.

Let’s look at the “TO DO” Tips.

Usable Tips for Building Powerful Websites:

1. Use a practical font, size, and color.

• After all, you want what you write to be readable by the human eye.

• Here are things that will cause your message to be lost by the human eye: fancy font, font that is too small or so large that it looks obnoxious, and colors that don’t contrast with the background well and are virtually unreadable. It’s best to stick with black or dark grey text on a white background for maximum contrast.

2. Make your pages easy and logical to navigate.

• Most people drill down what they are looking for through categories in main navigation menus. Consider using a search tool if you have a lot of information to share.

• Leave lots of white space and use links to help people easily find what they are looking for.

• Keep your site neat. Advertisements are more powerful when they are relevant to the page content.

• Navigation menus should be kept simple. The average online user is growing accustomed to looking for certain navigation components in specific spots of a website. So, rather than re-invent the wheel, stick with something that is tried and true. The more simple and logical it is the better.

3. Use a common design and layout for each page.

• Think about it, when you go to large well known sites, you know exactly where to click to find the very thing you are looking for. If those sites used a different layout on every page, it would be much harder to navigate and not as nice to use. Humans are creatures of habit so put things where they are expected and it will decrease confusion leading to ease of use.

4. Content vs. Images

• Never confuse eye-candy with content. Yes, pictures are worth a thousand words but too many can not only distract visitors but also slow down how fast your site loads. Use images to complement your message and remember that the search engines read text and words, not pictures.

5. Test your pages for “load time”

• Studies have shown that if your page takes more than 4 seconds to load, then you lose visitors fast.

• Test your pages on a dial up network if possible to ensure everyone who visits your site can actually access it.

• To decrease load time, try reducing the number of files per page, along with the size and quality of your images. Web based images do not need to be as large as those meant for printing.

6. Use a *professionally designed* header graphic, logo, and/or template.

• While it’s true that nothing beats great content, if you can have excellent design it will complement your message.

7. Be very clear on what your site or web page is all about.

• Why would someone visit your website? When they arrive, how will they know they are in the right place? Web surfers are very impatient people, and if they land on your page but don’t immediately know what it’s about or how it will benefit them to stay, guess what…they will keep moving!

• They will click the back button quickly unless you immediately capture their attention and spark their interest.

• The best practice is to put all your important information, content, and navigation links, right at the top where it is seen without having to scroll the page.

8. Protect your virtual investment.

• It’s a shame, but well-meaning Webmasters and Internet entrepreneurs are under attack from those looking to take advantage of a “technicality” for their own selfish gain at other people’s expense.

• Always include a legal disclaimer and privacy policy on all of your sites to protect yourself and your business. If you place affiliate links and testimonials on your website make sure you follow the new FTC guidelines.

9. Include *visitor-friendly* features throughout your site.

• Provide your visitors with an excellent user experience by implementing cool features such as language translation, search tools, page personalization, related multi-media content such as videos or audio files, HTML sitemaps, polls, forums, and even help pages.

• The best way to get the above features in place is to use a content management system (CMS). A popular CMS is WordPress. But other powerful ones to consider are Drupal and Joomla.

Put your visitors first and your income will reflect the effort!
Successful websites are pleasant on the eye, easy to read, use, and navigate.

Website Development Customer:  Conductive Electrical Contracting, LLC

This local electrical contractor has been wanting to get a decent website for quite some time.  The company is very busy and did not have a ton of time to put into creating the content needed for the site.  So, throughout this project I have been providing image and content solutions.  I don’t just churn out a template based site and send you on your way just so I can build a portfolio.  I am more interested in providing some value.

Since this website is built on using WordPress to manage the content, it would be easy for the customer to upload new coupons or specials.   But, I am managing the website for them in the coming year in order to help build traffic, back links, and popularity.  That way Jeff can concentrate on providing the most comprehensive electrical services to his customers as possible.

Originally, this customer went with an HTML based website but saw that the content management system was definitely a better fit.  As new pages and excerpts are written that showcase the professional services of Conductive Electrical Contracting, this website will get bigger and bigger without a huge ongoing cost.

You have decided you need a website for either a personal web page or a small business.  But, where do you begin?  Would you prefer to “Do it Yourself” or hire a professional?  Do you want a complete content management system or a static, unchanging website?  My specialty is working with WordPress to design powerful websites using a content management system or even to create a basic static website.

If you were to come to me and ask for a 5 page static HTML website and were not interested in having me configure an advanced content management system complete with website promotion than I would most likely point you in the direction of another company that specializes in churning out template based websites fast and cheap. If you want something more, something that will grow with your business needs than keep reading.

I prefer using WordPress because it is flexible and expandable.  If you wanted to start with a basic static website for now and wait until you were ready to add other dynamic content such as customer relations management tools, ecommerce, or even membership functionality than WordPress is an excellent platform to build upon.

If you have the time, patience, and desire to create your own website than I encourage you to learn more about how to use WordPress for you Content Management System.  The blogging aspects can be used to boost website performance because active blogging content attracts traffic.  If you are not much for writing that is fine because you can still take advantage how WordPress helps to create a website highly optimized for search engines.

There are an endless amount of widgets and plug-ins available to give your website additional functions.  There are enough free options available for themes and extensions to help you get started with your website.  As your online business grows you can customize themes yourself or purchase one of many premium themes and plug-ins available for sale. But, if your business is keeping you extremely busy you might wish to outsource your website management to a professional such as myself.

Buy the $7 book to learn more about setting up your very own WordPress fueled website.

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How to set up a WordPress Blog on your own site
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This flexible, user-friendly Content Management System has saved me days of hair-pulling frustration and will help you too.

Website Management Client: Fur Kids Pet Services

This website uses WordPress and a free customizable theme from Atahualpa. All of the colors were customized to fit the Fur Kids Company colors. Many plug ins were chosen and installed to give this website added functionality.

Since this company has plans to publish a lot of articles related to dog obedience, training, pet sitting, and grooming, the content management system of WordPress was a perfect fit. I have committed to maintaining this website and keeping it updated as needed.

They are also in a great position for when they are ready to begin email marketing and sending out newsletters. That is another added benefit to hiring me for a project of this sort. Often people want to get something going online but just are not quite ready for all of the extra things like managing an email list or even selling products online. As Fur Kids rolls out unique pet related products and content rich newsletters, I will be able to easily put those things in place.

My company delivers value long term with website design and management. I am not interested in churning out a zillion websites. I prefer to take a handful from their inception and beyond. I commit to the projects and take care of updates in a timely manner.