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TipMom.com

Built on the Genesis Framework using the Pretty Young Thing Child Theme.

Custom graphics (header, background, social media icons)

OIOPublisher plugin (to manage advertising)

is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

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While the site never went live, Resourceful Kitchen is an excellent example of customizing a WordPress theme. Built on the Genesis framework, the Going Green Child Theme was customized to give the blog the look of someones kitchen.

Because it is a WordPress site/blog, it is as easy to update as sending an email. Small business owners never need to learn complicated coding. And they never need to depend on a webmaster to make updates for them!

is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

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Pina, the owner of International Hair & Nail Styles was the perfect  candidate for a WordPress website. As she has little to no technical skills, building her site in the Genesis framework makes updating her site as easy as sending an email.

Built on Genesis framework using the Family Tree child theme.

is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

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The site that began my obsession with WordPress. Built on a magazine style theme with customized background and graphics. This site was, while active, a fairly successful affiliate marketing website.

is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

With my son back at school, I am taking some of my time to perform maintenance on JerseyGirlWebs. So if things seem to be out-of-place or missing, just bear with me.

But you can benefit from my “Spring Cleaning”. I’m going to share my checklists! I have two: Functionality and Content/SEO.
Let’s start with the Website Functionality Maintenance Checklist.

1. Download a copy of your website and back it up.  onto a CD Rom or DVD. Take a few minutes now and schedule to regularly download and backup a copy of your website throughout the new year. Schedule monthly or quarterly backups if you make regular changes and additions to your site, or, at the very least, bi-annual or annual backups. Having an archived copy of your website on hand is essential if you ever need to replace or reinstall your website and it gives you an on-going business archive of your website and the changes made to it throughout the year.
2. Review and update any copyright dates and/or time references throughout your website. Do a “find and replace” for last year’s date on your site, or better yet, spend a few extra minutes now to program your website to update all dates and time references automatically so that you won’t need to manually update them in the future.
3. Review your domain names. What domain names do you currently own and when do they expire? Is the registration information for your domain name up to date and correct? By keeping your domain name registration contact information up to date and correct (especially all email contacts), you will be sure to receive timely notices, announcements, and renewals and you will be better able to manage and maintain your domain name effectively and efficiently.
4. Review all company contact information on your website. All names, addresses, telephone #s and extensions, and email address should all be double checked to ensure they are up to date and correct. Double check that all email addresses listed on your website route to the correct person at your company.
5. Check the links (both internal and external) on your website. Broken links are a sure sign of a neglected and out of date website. They can also be a tremendous source of frustration to your visitors and make a (very!) bad impression. Check and double check all links, both on and off your website, to ensure all are working and up to date.
6. Test your website forms. Pretend you are a customer (or potential customer) on your website and complete and submit each form on your website. Ensure that the data submitted is received properly and is forwarded to the correct email address at your company. If your forms include automatic replies, check that the replies are up to date and contain correct information. If your site contains a shopping cart, test your cart functionality and all checkout forms.
7. Check Your Site’s Search Feature. Do you know if old content that you thought had been removed from your website is showing up in your search results? Or, if all your recent updates are showing up? I f you are not sure of the answers to these questions, you’ll want to test your website’s search feature to make sure it is functioning effectively and that it includes the right content.
8. Check 404 error pages. These indicate missing pages or pages removed due to changes. Visitors seeking such pages should be presented with a way to take action on the site. Correct 301 redirects or custom 404 pages help achieve this.
9. Check Sitemaps. Check the sitemap page to ensure that it is upto date and not having links legacy pages or broken links. Also ensure that it links to newly added and important pages. Also this also means that the sitemap.xml file should be updated and resubmitted to search engines as well.
10. Test Your Social Sharing Buttons. Does the right thing happen when you press the “like”/Tweet/share/+1 button? Is your RSS working properly? Act like a new visitor and fill out contact forms, email subscription forms, and any other bit of third-party functionality just to make sure it’s functioning as it is intended to function.Also, make sure the messaging is on point (e.g. does the notification someone gets when they are a new subscriber to your email newsletter need to be updated?)
11. Test Your Cross-Browser Compatibility. View your site in IE, Firefox, Netscape, Safari, etc.  Check your website statistics to identify which browsers your visitors are using, and use that information to determine how much effort to invest in making your site compatible with each.
12. Check your page load speed. Something strange happening on your site that is running up your page load time? Uh oh. Page speed is becoming increasingly important to Google’s algorithm (mostly because it’s becoming more and more important to Google users – the humans who get frustrated with slow-loading websites). Use Google’s Page Speed tool to gauge how quickly (or slowly) your site is loading. Speed counts.

Any malfunction on your website can be just as damaging to your business as a brake failure would be to your car. Ideally, you should set aside one day each month to undertake a major site review. It’ll keep your business online running as smoothly as a well-oiled engine.

Website Maintenance is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

What Is A Back Link

A back link, a.k.a. inbound link, is effectively a link from one site to another. One way links, i.e. they link to your site, but you do not reciprocate hold more value in the eyes of the search engine and benefits you much more. A one way link is basically telling Google that Site A likes Site B, so Google considers in it’s search engine ranking of Site B.

How To Get Back Links

There are many ways to get back links. It may seem like a lot of work, but just dedicating a few minutes a day will generate inbound links to your site and provide you with some “Google Juice”. Here’s an overview of how to get back links:

Writing & Submitting Articles or Press Releases
You write an article or press release and submit it to online directories for distribution (EzineArticles.com and PRLog.com). Doing so gives you a back link from the directory, plus another back link from each site that republishes your article or release.

Note: Don’t just write – you need to write beneficial, informative and relevant articles that are keyword rich.

Submit To Web Directories
A web directory is something akin to a huge reference library. There is a limitless quantity of directories that you can submit your url to for free. Directory submission is one of the best methods to receive one way incoming links to your site. This is one of the most significant parts when it comes to your link building strategies.

Note: Again I’m going to stress relevance. While you want to submit your site to lots of directories that get traffic, you also want to get listed in directories related to your industry or community.

Discussion Boards & Other Online Communities
If you’re involved in any chat-room communities, forums, video game clans or anything of the nature make sure to use the tools provided effectively. Obviously don’t spam people with your URL or affiliate links or whatever but if there is a place to add your profile then do it. If you can link to your web site in your signature then do it.

Note: Don’t spam people or act like a walking advertisement. If you’re a respected member of an online community people will check out your profile and then your web site. If your signature has a link to your site then every post becomes a one way link to your web site.

Blog Commenting
This is an easy, and sometimes fun, activity to generate back links. Search for blogs (Google Blog Search) that are somehow related to your community, service area and/or industry and leave a comment. Comment forms almost always have an area for your website.

Note: Again, don’t spam with comments like “Nice Post”. Provide input or your opinion. Always be relevant in your commenting so you don’t get “black listed”.

Social Media
Including your link in the profile pages of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and even YouTube, provides you with a back link.

Note: Don’t forget to use your keywords in your bio section. Take full advantage of your profile!

So there you have it- Backlinks In Plain English. There are several other ways to generate incoming links, but these mentioned above are what I think are a good start for small business owners new to internet marketing.

The Basics Of Back Links is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

This is an article I found that I hope can explain the benefits of pay-per-click advertising for local small businesses. I personally think it’s a FANTASTIC way to be in front of potential customers when they are searching for your product and/or business. The best part – it’s cheap! If they don’t click, you don’t pay. So here’s my tip: include your local phone number in your ad: get the prospect to call you instead of clicking!

I can help you set-up and write your pay-per-click ads. Contact me today if you’d like to discuss it
Cara

Your website can show up on the first page of the search engine pages when people search for what you sell. That’s a pretty bold statement, but it’s true.

Go to Google.com and type in your keywords. Look at the results. See the long box at the top and the small boxes along the right-hand side? You’ll also see something similar when you search Yahoo and MSN. These text ads are noted as “Sponsored Links” or “Sponsored Results”. Merchants have arranged to have their ads show up on those pages but they only pay for every visitor who clicks through to their website. These ads are called pay-per-click (PPC) ads.

You can get those positions too. These ads are shown only when people type in your keywords. Consider how they can fit into your advertising mix, even if you are marketing a local business such as a retail store.

Here’s what to do: For as little as $5, you can place an ad on a pay-per-click search engine. These are search engines where you pay to be listed on the first few pages. Two of the largest PPC search engines are Google and Yahoo.

Here’s a very important part many website owners don’t know: both Google and Yahoo are pay-per-clicks that supply results to other search engines. For example, if you buy an ad on Google, your site can show up on the first pages of Google in addition to showing up on AOL, Ask, Earthlink, Lycos and more.

Also, websites that offer large amounts of information (content) have arranged to show PPC ads from Google and Yahoo. For example, About.com shows Google ads. This is a “content partner”. You can also choose to have your ads show up on their content partners’ sites. You’ll get more exposure. You will pay only when visitors click from these sites too.

You decide how much you want to pay for each visitor. That’s your bid. Your bid determines where you show up in the listing. Generally, the highest bid gets the highest position. In industries that have low competition, you may pay only a few cents per click. In highly competitive markets you can pay dollars per click. For example, the keyword “car insurance estimates” is estimated to cost $34 PER CLICK at this writing.

Your costs will depend on a variety of factors, including:

-how many competitors you have at the time you run your ads
-which search engine you run your ads on
-which position you’d like – first, second, third, etc.
-what your daily budget is
-how long you want your ads to run

Wherever you place your ads, you’ll want to say something compelling in your ad to get people to click through. You’ll need to follow the advertising guidelines of each search engine. They usually don’t allow any language such as “We’re the best! Check us out!” Otherwise you can imagine their results will be filled with hype.

PPC ads are the fastest way to show up on the first page of search engines – even as quickly as today! Remember, JerseyGirlWebs can help you set-up and write your pay-per-click ads. Contact me today if you’d like to discuss it!

About The Author: Entrepreneur Raynay Valles is the author of 70 Website Marketing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them and the Fast Track Internet Marketing Method for Local Businesses. Visit her website at http://www.raynayvalles.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raynay_Valles

A Simple Way Your Website Can Show Up on the First Page of Search Engine Results Today is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

"Before"

"After"

Yes, I’ve installed and customized a new theme on my website! After two years of my original theme, I wanted something clean, fresh and professional but still have some personality. In fact, I like the design so much, I ordered matching business cards!

Let me know what you think of my new ‘sassy’ layout!

Cara

I've Had A Makeover! is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

Question: How often should I update my small business website?

This is a question that I’m sure every small business owner thinks about. As a small business owner myself, I know you’re busy! So you’re really wondering how much of your already-spread-thin time do you need to spend on your website?

If you are serious about using your website as a way to gain new customers (and keep in touch with current customers), you should add new content to your website at the very least once-a-week.

You do not want your site to get ‘stale’. The search engines, and specifically Google, like websites that are current and have fresh content. Furthermore, you want to keep visitors coming back to your site. Keeping them interested could convert them into customers.

Adding to your site, if it is WordPress based, doesn’t have to take a lot of your time – maybe an hour tops. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply write about a specific topic, product or issue that is relevant to your industry and/or business.

For example, if you own a retail store, you could easily add your specials and coupons to your site on a weekly basis. You can also announce new products.

But if you’re a service provider, it can be a little harder to come up with ideas on what content to write about. Here are a few examples to help you out:

• Recent News Stories: Let’s say your the owner of an organic market. With the recent news about the massive egg recall, you should comment on the recall, provide  and mention the fact that your market carries organic, safe eggs.
• Highlight Recent Work: You are a contractor that just finished building an addition for a customer. Post pictures and details of your work. If possible, include a few (positive) comments from the customer about your work.
• Public Relations: Last weekend there was a street fair in my area that had many local small businesses participating. I would suggest to those businesses to create a post about the street fair, include pictures, and provide details of what they contributed to the event. Highlight their business as part of the community.
• Tips: Everyone loves a good tip! Suppose you’re a handy man. You could post some DIY tips on how to keep a door hinge from creaking. Or if you own a beauty salon, post tips on the best ways to apply make-up.
• Q&A: Just like this post, answer one of your customer’s questions. By creating a contact form (which is included in my design package) you can encourage visitors to ask a question. And by answering it, you are providing customer service and establishing your expertise.

Small business owners don’t need a lot of time or creativity to continually update their site. Using the 5 ideas above, it shouldn’t take long at all. But remember that it is important to add content to your site – not only for the search engines, but for your keeping your visitors interested!

How Often Should I Update My Site? is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com

When your visitors can not easily navigate your site, chances are, he will not utilize your library in search for information and just go to other sites. Note that all sites are just a click of the mouse away. Hundreds of thousands of other websites that offer the same services or products as you are crowding the internet, making online searchers more selective and choosy when concluding whether to stay and continue their browsing or just leave.

The internet offers online searchers ample freedom and various choices; nobody will ever waste their time on a poorly constructed website. In order to provide web usability, you must think of your prospect clients in designing it.

Not like a traditional “brick and mortar” store, a lot of online stores or websites do not permit their visitors to “walk through” inside the site as they can in a traditional store set-up. While this may seem an unworkable task to accomplish, if done correctly, a “user-friendly” approach to web design will easily accomplish this task.

When searching online, all things must to be located where visitors expect them to be at. The practice of flooding a client with abundant item choices all at the same time and making them search for certain items that they need, is most definitely not the concept of web usability.

Your visitors must be taken into consideration all throughout your planning as well as designing process. Bear in mind that web usability must never be considered after the construction of a website.

According to surveys, here are top 12 reasons why visitors want to go back to your site:

Easy navigation 74%
Quick download time 65%
Frequently updated information 58%
Content quality 57%
Content quantity 30%
Content organization 40%
Prompt customer service 40%
Website search tools 25%
Layout of homepage 20%
Enjoyment 19%
Website appearance 18%
Inclusion of animated graphics 9%

Basing from these reasons, here are usability tips to help you design your website:

1. Create obvious and simple interface. The more apparent and recognizable the web interface is, then your visitors never have to undergo frustration in guessing how your site really works, and instead on concentrating on the interface, they should be concentrating on your site’s content.
2. Website readability. Create “easy to read” paragraph, not using small text or font size.
3. Quick loading. You need a fast downloadable page as visitors hate to wait.
4. Avoid hidden navigation, as your visitors need to know where and what to click in order to go someplace.

Remember that website usability is concerned to not just the appearance of a site, but more importantly how your site performs and particularly, it gives emphasis on the experience of your visitors.

The Importance Of Website Usability is a post from: jerseygirlwebs.com