Wordpress not only makes a great blog, but its also a top notch CMS (Content Management System).  It allows me to design the site, and allows a user to easily go in and make changes to the content without having to touch a single line of code.  Its a great option for those who want to maintain their own site, but dont want to touch, or even look at code to do it.

Even though Fawn had a tight budget, her needs were very simple and the process was straight-forward from start to finish.  I was able to complete her site within budget, and she decided to also include a store.  Even the ecommerce aspect of this site is completely managed within Wordpress, so Fawn is able to maintain the shop as easily as any other content on this site.

Please visit Power of Pink, and if you’d like to lend a helping hand, order a copy of the book!  It would make a great gift of inspiration for supporters and survivors alike!  Power of Pink

1. Log into your GoDaddy account, and choose “Domain Manager” from the left hand menu.
2. Locate the domain name you wish to point and click the “Details” link.
3. In the top menu, select “Nameservers.” A dialog box to set nameservers will appear.
4. Select “I will host my domains with another provider” and enter the new nameservers provided by your host in the first two boxes Nameserver 1 and Nameserver 2.
5. Hit OK and youre done!

It can take up to 48 hours for your nameservers to properly propigate throughout the internet, but in my experience with GoDaddy, the changeover happens within a couple of hours.

1. Click on the “Add Photo” logo directly next to “Upload/Insert”

2. From the next screen, chose “Select File”, then browse to and select the photo you wish to display.

3. Once the photo is uploaded, a preview of the image along with options to place an image caption, description, link, align or rezise the image. Click “Insert into Post” and the image will appear in your blog post ready for you to publish.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each full sized photo you would like to enter into your blog.

2. Enter your wordpress login name and password (case sensitive)

3. From your Dashboard, dlick “Posts - Add New” from the left side navigation.

4. Enter a post name, and post content.

5. Make sure to choose the categories your post belongs to, or choose “Add New Category” to create new categories for your post.

6. Choose “Preview” to see how your post will appear to make sure everything looks fine, or directly hit “Publish” to save and publish your new blog post.

Done!

Optional before you publish:

Categories - These are like navigational links for your blog to directly link you to posts of the same topic. For example, a blog about a tour to Texas with photos may have categories such as “Travel” “Photos” “Live Shows”

Tags - Entering tags for your posts is a great SEO tool. With tags, you can make mention of every single topic, name or any other words that directly relates to your blog. For example, this same blog about a tour to Texas may have tags that include very particular details about the blog like places visited, people of mention, etc such as “travel, roadtrip, flights, tour, photos, Texas, Dallas, El Paso, House of Blues, Bob Donalds, Evan Paul”

Trackbacks - If you copy a quote from another blog, enter the direct link to that blog here. For one, it gives them credit for originally writing the piece, and for two, a link back to your blog will appear to their readers, which gives you exposure.

Discussion - Check or uncheck if you would like to allow/disallow commenting or trackbacks on your post.

I designed a “Coming Soon” splash page for potential retailers and customers to get in contact with inquires. There is also a sign-up form for their newsletter and launch announcement. I chose the self-hosted PHPList newsletter software to make it easy to keep track of sign-ups. Its capable of managing several different lists so that Deez Nuts may send out announcements targeted to customers, vendors and sales reps without risk of duplicates. As it is self-hosted and not through a 3rd party, they have complete control over all the email addresses, and there is no risk for spam or any other unwanted emails to the addresses entered in the database.

As the designs are still currently in development, the logo I was provided with is still only in black & white format. I colourized and added texture to the logo to really make it pop. Along with a strategically placed flesh-toned gradient and some “lip gloss” the new logo design is complete.

Please make sure to check it out and sign-up for the launch announcement and other exciting updates! DeezNutsApparel.com

Provided Deez Nuts Logo

DeezNutsApparel.com

I coded the initial design layout he gave me into a website, and from there customized the design further. I changed out the javascript slideshow on his main page to a flash based gallery slideshow. The navigation is a css “sliding doors” design which changes on mouse-over and highlights the current page.

Previously, Patrick was using Blogger for updates, but for SEO purposes, I installed WordPress and moved all his content over to his new blog customized to coordinate with the site design. The calendar consists of his existing Google Calendar integrated into the site, so its super easy for Patrick to update the calendar at any time, same as he did before. Also included is a flash multi mp3 player with song samples for prospective clients.

Patrick is great to work with…gave me all the information I needed and was clear and upfront with what he liked or didnt like during the design process, and so in the end, he loved how his site came out. YaY!

Please make sure to check out the Before, Concept and After photos. Now, if you’re ever in need of a special events band, be sure to check out Xpresso…South Floridas #1 Interactive Party Band! XpressoMusic.com

Original Xpresso Website

Concept Image for Redesign

Current Xpresso Website

Now, I can learn how to do a customized layout with the new coding rules…its entirely possible..Im just saving delving into that for a rainy day. In the meantime, Ill work on making a DJ Flashy Flash (yeah, Im that corny) header for them.

Like I said, I wish I had an incredibly exciting new design layout update, and I didnt dissapoint…I truly dont have one. What is exciting though is what Raging Geisha themselves have been up to. Theyve started opening for the Michael Jackson tribute band called “Who’s Bad”, and in the last month they have played at the House of Blues in New Orleans, Dallas and Houston.

As if that wasn’t enough, their first single “The Way That He Wants Me” reached top 10 in nationwide airplay on the FMQB charts, and their current single “Shoot” is tearing it up on rhythmic radio in Florida.

Anytime you want to check out Raging Geisha for yourself and see if they will be playing near you, make sure you add them on MySpace, head to their website for the full show schedule and sign up for their newsletter to be kept up to date on exciting updates at they come along.

Myspace.com/RagingGeisha -  RagingGeisha.com

As these capris are geared towards ladies, Brabo wanted a site design that was cute, fun and feminine that would still link seamlessly with their other product lines.  Interestingly, just a few months prior, I made this design for a client who felt it was too cute and feminine for her needs…  After a few colour and layout changes,  I tested the idea out on Brabo and they loved it!

Please take a look at the Magic Capri Pants. If you are interested in purchasing them for yourself or carrying them in your store, just head to their contact form and shoot them a message.  MagicCapriPants.com

They were really great with giving me some great ideas and giving me the details to their vision of how they wanted the site to look. They wanted a lot of movement, so there are moving waves, fishies swimming in the ocean, international flags waving on a make shift clothesline, a sparkling sun, and colourful parrots that “scare” off if you hover your mouse over them, or simply fly around whenever they feel like it.  There is also a music player showcasing their latest music, and on the contact page, you can choose which band member you’d like your personal message to go out to.

At this point, the site is still something of a work in progress, as there is a very cool detail about the site involving cartoon animation that Im still working on figuring out how to complete.

I have to say, this was a particularly exciting site for me to work on because I had to learn nearly every aspect of it as I went along .  I love a challenge, and this project gave me plenty of that…a few bruises from hitting my nead on my desk at times too but hey, just cause I have a desk job doesnt mean there arent any hazards!

Please take a look, and make sure you check out the gallery and videos of their latest tour through Australia.  InnerCircle-Reggae.com

I’ve done a few more projects, and have a few on my plate still in the works, trying and not doing so great at not burning myself out, but I am doing much better at taking on more than I can handle and keeping myself organized.

So then, lets do some updates shall we?! I completed my first full flash website for the Jamaican reggae band Inner Circle, and I also created a sub-catalogue site for a new line of products, the Magic Capri Pants for Brabo Inc, a manufacturing company of novelty and apparel items based in Miami, FL. Ive modified the MySpace page for Raging Geisha, who have some exciting updates of their own.

Stay tuned for all the details in my upcoming updates…!