I create custom blogs and websites on the WordPress platform (“self-hosted” meaning it’s hosted on your own domain and not WordPress.com if that means anything or makes a difference to you).
I’ve done a lot of research and have amassed a decent amount of experience about what’s effective on a blog and what’s not, and so most of my projects include the following so you can be successful in your own blogging endeavors…
- Web Host Setup and Configuration
Web hosts are not terribly expensive, but they can be a little confusing. I’ll help with setting up your web host and branded email accounts if you need it (or if you already have a web host, most often I can work pretty easily with it). - Guidance on “Information Architecture”
I’ll help you figure out what content pages you need and how to organize them on your site. - Custom Design
We work together to co-create a custom design for your site so your site is a reflection of you as well as a connection to your visitors. This involves a “get to know your style” process culminating in up to 3 design options. - Latest Version of WordPress
Wordpress is not just for blogging any more. Whether you intend to blog to reach your audience or not, WordPress is a fantastic content management system that lets you have so much more control over your web copy. - Better Visitor Experience and Engagement
I’ll set up and configure a suite of add-on features (called plugins) that enhance your visitors’ experience and engagement, on-site search engine optimization (SEO), and social networking integration with sites such as twitter, facebook, linkedin, etc. - Traffic Monitoring
I’ll get you set up with Google Analytics (a free service) so you know who your site visitors are, where they’re coming from and where they’re going. - The All-Important Optin Box
If you’re using one of the major services like Aweber or Mailchimp to collect email addresses and build your marketing list, you’re on the right track. I include design and coding of a signup form to appear “above-the-fold” for your email marketing service to help you build that list. - Training and Screencasts on How to Make Your New Site Work
Once you’ve got a shiny new website, you’re going to want to know how to use it. I provide training in the form of always-accessible video screencasts on how to create blog posts and pages and navigate behind the scenes. I consider this last piece to be one of the most critical because I don’t want to help you create this phenomenal site and then not know what to do with it or how to grow it.
