Building Websites. Building Success.

Disqus Comments

Disqus Comments is my commenting application of choice. I have just added here and love the ease of intregration and the way it looks.

There are two other css layout to choose from but I like the look of the default. It can be installed on just about any platform, such as Wordpress, Blogger, Tumblr, Movable Type, Drupal and of course Joomla.

Give it try and let me know what you think.

Newsletters - Who, What, When, Where and Why

This is part one of a two part post. I've been reading about newsletters since setting one up on a joint project Rosedale Farms & Vineyards with Abacab Designs.

Brian of Abacab Designs is one of the most talented graphics people I know.  He really knows how to say a thousand words with a picture. He created a header for Rosedale's newsletter, The Grapevine, get it, as in Heard it through The Grapevine - Vineyards.  When you see the header in the newsletter you know exactly who it is from, what it's about, when and where things are happening, and why you should enjoy what's available at Rosedale Farms & Vineyards.

I have a list of 10 items a newsletter should have in my opinion to be effective, here are four.

Read more: Newsletters - Who, What, When, Where and Why

Content Marketing

Content Marketing is slowly replacing the interruption advertising that we have come to know. You know what I mean, website pop ups, banner ads, tv commercials, newspaper ads and anything that is meant to distract you while you are engaged. So what is Content marketing? Read on to see if you can figure it out.

I have recently found a great blog, Junta42 written by Joe Pulizzi, which put a fire under me to learn about content marketing and how it is the foundation of any good website. Content is what visitors are looking for and keeps them coming back to a site. Giving them relevant content makes your site useful and solves their problem.

If your are a business that sells a product or service, your content will do more for your marketing that a post card, newspaper ad or television spot. Good content will give visitors the perception you are an expert in your field, which is not to say you are not. If they feel you are a expert they will trust you. Building trust will keep website visitors coming back and eventually turn them into customers. After all isn't that the bottom line, you offer a service, they buy and everyone makes out in the end.

If you do not think you can write well enough hire a copy editor. I have a great guy who has been in the business for 25 years right in my home town. If you need help send This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it an email and see what he can do for you, I know he can help you with any type of writing, tell him John form Tri-County Web sent you.

I bought the book "Get Content, Get Customers' which was co-authored by Joe Pulizzi. I'm only on the third chapter right now. When I'm done I'll give you my thoughts and how it can help you rethink the way you spend time and money on advertising your business.

BreezingForms 1.6.5

I've been experimenting with a few different form application for Joomla. I decided on BreezingForms by Markus Bopp.

I bought the 1.6 version, installed without any issues. The learning curve was a little steep but after a week or so I created my first form. It was usable but I wasn't ready to go live with it on my site. Then about a week and a half later an email arrived in my inbox letting know about the upgrade to version 1.6.5.

I immediately downloaded and upgraded.

What a difference! I watched the 17 minute video once and jumped right in using the new Quick Mode option. The Request a Quote form was made in about 2 hours or so. Most of the time was spent deciding on which questions should be put into the form. This a must have for any Joomla website developer.