Website 101 Podcast

In this episode Sean and Mike discuss red flags to be aware of when looking for a web developer. Conversely we also talk about things that clients do that are red flags for web developers. A lot of what we talk about is common sense things like not interrupting people and appropriate response time, but common sense is not always as common as we would like. Show Links Web Jargon part 1 Web Jargon part 2 View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

Learn how to effectively communicate with your web developer, setting expectations and measuring success. Tips for both clients and developers on navigating the relationship. How much does a website cost?Think about what you want from your websiteHow to measure success of a websiteHave realistic expectationsNot all feature requests are equalFree isn't free!Agree on how you'll communicate throughout the project. Good communication is crucial.What constitutes an emergency?How to tell a developer "something's broken!"What platforms will your website support?"Make the logo bigger" - Provide objectives, not solutions.Key TopicsDefining success in terms of client goals and business objectives (05:24)Understanding the need for realism when discussing website features and budget (10:04)Effective communication strategies, including using a centralized platform for project management and tracking issues (20:12)Providing specific details when reporting problems, such as the URL, error message, and sequence of a

In this episode of Website 101, Sean Smith and Mike Mele discuss the importance of avoiding the phrase 'click here' in link labeling and its impact on SEO and user experience. Mike gives a brief history of where Click here comes from.Mike has advice on how to make your links stand out so that click here is not necessary. we also go over the negative SEO impact of using click here.We also talk about how the the internet body that determines and publishes about web standards: The W3C has decided to use Craft CMS to publish their website.Timestamps[00:00] Intro[00:20] Topic begins[01:20] Reasons for avoiding "click here"[07:07] W3C guidelines for link labeling[09:36] W3C guidelines continued[12:25] Accessibility considerations when labeling links[14:43] Accessibility continued[15:01] Encouraging listener feedback and guest suggestions[15:30] Upcoming episodes for season 4 Show Links Mike's Blog: Don't Say 'Click Here'

In this episode, learn why having your own website is crucial for businesses in today's digital age, and how to leverage social media to promote it instead of replacing it. What are some benefits of having social media accounts at all?What are some drawbacks of making social media accounts your primary Web presence?Having your own website gives you full control over your content.Don't be bound by social media algorithms. Social networks are satellite sites, not your home planet. Sharing content to social media sites.Social networks make you look exactly like your competitors.How people tend to find you online.Social networks can limit your audience to members only.Social networks come and go. Remember Myspace? Show Links Use social media to promote your website, not replace it. Own Your Digital Content What's The Best Home For Your Content? View Episode Tr

Learn why you should conduct a content audit on your website to improve SEO, optimize content, and streamline your site structure. Get expert advice and practical tips in this episode. A discussion of what is included in content audit including orphan links. A content audit is a good opportunity to prune outdated content.Mike explains how to use a spreadsheet and common columns to include when doing your content audit. Show Links Airtable How to Perform a Website Content Audit to Guide Your Content Marketing Strategy Screaming Frog WordPress All Export How to conduct a website content audit for your nonprofit View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn

Sean and Mike discuss the benefits of having a regular maintenance plan for your website, and having a Web developer on a retainer contract. What is a maintenance plan / retainer?Retainers can help with budget limitationsPotential forms that maintenance plans can takeBenefits of having a developer on retainerDrawbacks of not having a developer on retainer Show Links Why Your Website's CMS Should Be Updated View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

In this episode, Sean and Mike discuss the importance of using custom email addresses for your business. They explain how to set up CNAME records to connect your company domain with Google Suite or other email services like Gmail and Hotmail. Why shouldn’t I use a free email address that ends with @hotmail.com or @gmail.com?How you can use a free email service while keeping your company domain name in your email address.Free email options provided by cPanel in shared hosting accounts.The plus ("+") hackEmail address naming best practices Show Links Gsuite View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

Do you have a backup strategy for your website? If you value your website content, you need to have regular backups. In this episode, Sean and Mike discuss what a backup strategy is, why you need one, and what options are available to make it happen. What is a backup? Why do you need a backup solution? Backup service options How does a backup service work? Be sure to test your backup solution. Examples when backups saved the day. Show Links cPanel JetBackup Backup Pro CodeGuard BackupBuddy Dropmysite SimpleBackups Ottomatik A Website Backup Strategy is Essential Do you have a backup solution? View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast!

Mike and Sean discuss the pros and cons of extending a content management system with plugins. What is a plugin?Why might a website owner use a plugin?Why might a developer use a plugin?Some of our favourite pluginsThe dangers of using pluginsWhat to consider when choosing a pluginHave a strategy for when plugins fail Show Links What is a CMS? Veto Ctrl+S Field Manager Template Comments Structure The Dangers of Over Reliance on Plugins in Website Builds View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of vacations for web developers and their clients, offering advice on how to prepare for potential emergencies, setting expectations, and effective communication. web developer should have a system in place for vacationslogins/passwords available for backup personDefine emergency workPlan important work for before or after vacationswhen the client goes on vacation what are their responsibilities? Show Links View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

In this episode of Website 101, guest Peter Kelly explains the benefits of using video for small businesses and shares tips on creating effective videos that boost SEO, build relationships with customers, and increase conversions. it's good for SEOImproved conversion rate on landing pages with videoThe most important part of video is audio qualitytranscribing video Show Links Tips for making videos with your smartphone Rev Transcription View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

A special out of sequence episode of the Website 101 Podcast where we talk about being nimble and adapting during an emergency Recording on Sunday April 26, 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 self isolation.We discuss how business is going and the impact that the Covid-19 epidemic and social isolation is having on us and our businesses. We then discuss some ideas and strategies to use for the future.Timestamps[00:00] Intro [01:03] Mike's personal impact of COVID-19 [04:30] Recording the episode and Mike's wife's unemployment news [05:28] Discussion on how to pivot during an emergency [06:43] Building and maintaining relationships with clients and customers [25:27] Outro Show Links Ecommerce with Shopify Building Trust in Trying Times View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn

In this episode Sean and Mike talk about WordPress with Gregory Hammond - plugins, security, themes and everything you want to know about WordPress What is WordPress, who owns it and what does open source mean? The difference between wordpress.org and wordpress.comDo WordPress sites always get hacked? yes and no.How to choose the best plugin out of the myriad options availablePros and Cons of WordPressKey TopicsUnderstanding what WordPress is and why it's popular ([00:58] - [02:11])Choosing a hosting service for your WordPress site ([05:52] - [06:33])Security measures for WordPress websites ([08:17] - [09:51])Finding and choosing the best plugins for your WordPress website ([12:27] - [16:43])The impact of plugins on site speed ([21:28] - [23:36])Theme builders and site builders in WordPress ([23:53] - [31:14])Getting help with a broken WordPress website ([31:56] - [34:00])Choosing the right CMS for your website ([34:53] - [38:21]) Show Links Hosted W

This episode delves into why some businesses might not require a website and offers tips on how to measure the success of your site in helping your company grow. What are the reasons you are building a website? Is it because everyone is doing it? What do you want your website to accomplish? You need a good business reason to have a website.AnalyticsConversionsReasons why your business doesn't need a websiteSocial media should your satellite sites and your website should be your home planetBuilding authority by giving away knowledge for freeTimestamps[00:00] Intro[00:22] Discussing the question of whether every business needs a website[01:12] Measuring the success of your website[05:12] Examples of businesses that may not need a website[10:06] Importance of owning your online content[17:03] Positioning your business as an authority on your website Show Links Google Analytics Home Stars Own Your Digital C

In this episode we do a brief recap of Season 2 and discuss upcoming episodes and guests in Season 3. Show Links View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

In this episode we talk with Mark Poppen, owner of Funky Moose Records, about running a ecommerce website with physical product using shopify. Mark provides some history and background into his decision to run a used record businessTalks about his decision not to use Opencart.Wordpress and WooCommerce - not as simple as ShopifyIt's better to use Shopify payments as there is no extra charge, but if you use a different payment gateway such as paypal you pay the paypal feel plus an addtional 1% fee.Shopify ThemesSteps involved in setting up shopify for a new business.People underestimate what's involved in ecommerceHow to manage your inventoryOverselling and shipping guaranteesShipping costs, weight etc.ReturnsWhat is a payment gateway and a merchant account Show Links Funky Moose Records Opencart Shopify Big Commerce Merchant Account Vs. Payment Gateway: Wha

In this episode Sean and Mike discuss the ins and outs of photography and stock photos for your website. How to choose imagery, where to find it, how to edit it and more. How to choose the correct imagestyle of photo - illustration? black and white? bright? dark? mood?Be aware of authenticitycropping photosWhere to find images or photosTips for taking your own photoslicensing and model releasescomments from Lyndon Johnson, John Morton, and Ben Parizekhow to edit photos How to use some native tools on your Windows or Mac computer to make basic edits to a photo.The rule of thirdsfocal points and cropping Show Links Headset Hotties Sean's Photo Blog Istock Photo (paid) 123 RF (paid) Adobe Stock Photos (paid) Unsplash Burst Shopify Pixabay Public Domain Archive

In this episode we talk with Guarav Iyer all about copy editing and writing. Guarav has extensive experience with professional writing including a background in journalism, including writing for the Motley Fool. Guarav discusses the difference between a copy editor and a copy writer. We also get into the Oxford Comma. Next we address why you woul.d want to hire a copy writer instead of writing your content yourself and the curse of knowledge. Guarav also provides advice to DIY website owners on how to improve their copy. Show Links The Motley Fool Capital Communications The Elements of Style George Orwell’s Six Rules For Great Writing Fight Club The Necessity of the Oxford Comma (MEME) View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast!

In this episode, learn about the MVP approach to web development. Hosts Mike Mellus and Sean Smith discuss the benefits of launching a website with minimal features and gradually adding more over time. We discuss what an MVP is as well as the pros and cons of taking an MVP approach to your company website. We also talk about examples of MVP sites we've worked with including this very podcast site. Show Links The Why and How of Developing a Website MVP What is an MVP Website? How to Redesign Your Website Using a Minimum Viable Product MVP (Wikipedia) Thomas Yu View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn  

In this second episode on web jargon Sean and Mike explain web terminology that every website owner should be familiar with. This will help when working with a developer or when DIY your website. Jargon that we explain include: HTML, CSS, JavascriptThemeUser testing / usability testingCTA / Call to ActionConversionfaviconCache / cache bustingwireframe / mockupDiscoveryAbove the foldCookieRemarketingGDPRThe Cloud / Cloud basedSEO / Search Engine Optimization404, 301, 500 Error Pages URL Show Links Web Jargon Part One - season 2 episode 5 Theme Forest Above the Fold - Sean's blog post I Am The Fold SEO 101 - season 1 episode 5 GDPR - wikipedia View Episode Transcript More Website 101 Podcast Email the Podcast! Twitter Sean on LinkedIn