Archive for Wordpress

Jan
30

How to Set Apart Your Backlink Profile in Your Footer Links

(This article is for website designers and web developers.)

Are all your backlink profile’s the same

in footer links of websites you’ve designed?

Mine are!

However that is going to change after reading Using Footer Links to Diversify Your Backlink Profile by Matt Morgan at SearchEngineWatch.com

You see, every so often Google has an algorithm update (about 500-600 a year!), some minor, and every few months some are major, which can be a BIG headache to website designers, high ranking sites, search marketers, and more importantly your search results.

As a website designer, understanding the Google updates can assist you with search engine optimization (SEO), especially when it pertains to you or your client’s.

I need to confess – I don’t always pay attention to these updates when it comes to my own website (client’s/students are a different matter) – so sad yet so true for many website designers that are busy – like the shoe cobbler and his kids.

However Matt’s article, with regards to backlink profile’s in the footers of websites I design made me sit up, take notice, and begin taking action! (Which by the way, I have found, can be a very long and tedious process – so I’m hoping it will pay off for both myself and my clients.)

And you know it really makes sense and I’m not sure WHY I never even thought of this before as “I know better” that when it comes to your anchor text (your link) that it should NOT always be the same on other’s sites. I was taught and teach you EDUCATE (them) and NEVER tell other sites that might link to you (such as an article, affiliate program, or a resource) to use the SAME anchor text.

I just NEVER thought about it for my backlink in the footer of websites I’ve designed.

KNOCK KNOCK!

Hello?

Have you?

In Matt’s article he writes:

“Web design by…” As SEO professionals and webmasters, we must ensure that our link building efforts create a natural and diverse backlink profile, but how?

The age old link in the footer of a website appears to Google as if webmasters are trying to manipulate the search engine rankings for a specific key phrase – and having too many links that point to their site from non-relevant websites may severely hurt you on Google. The irrelevancy is misunderstood.

Webmasters should be able to take credit for the amazing design and development of the websites they produce. It’s relevant, because they really are the one’s who designed the site.

The Problems

In order to overcome the problems that come from webmaster footer links, we need to make a simple change to these four issues:

Zero relevancy.
All links pointing to the homepage.
Too many links with the same anchor text.
Too many dofollow links from the same domain.

Well, now website designers, website developers, and web masters need, and should, begin to think about this and begin to change how they are going to add their backlink profile to their client’s footer area, and Matt’s article has just the FIX!

Fix: Zero Relevancy

The trick is to establish a relationship between the website you’re linking from to your website. You can bridge the relevancy gap by creating a website design portfolio page and optimizing your page utilizing your client’s key phrases and your key phrases. Here is a formula that might help make the connection.

Client’s Industry + Your Service

Fix: All Links Pointing to the Homepage

The next part of the puzzle is to adjust the way you program your footer links on your client’s website.

Now that you have a portfolio entry on your website that is relevant to your client’s website, your footer link can point to your portfolio page instead of your homepage.

Fix: Too Many Links With the Same Anchor Text

The common anchor text for a webmaster’s footer link would look something like “web design by…” You can diversify your the anchor text in your backlink profile by using anchor text using the formula “client’s industry + your service“. For example “Travel and Tourism Website Design by….”

And so my journey has begun to fix all the footers of all the websites I’ve designed!

First I’ve moved my portfolio page from under About to Web Design (which I renamed from Web Development) on the navigation menu.

As of this writing, the only thing on the portfolio page is rotating images of websites I’ve designed, that will change.

Then I created my first “show case” page of a web site I designed according to Matt’s instructions (please read the full article for some other fixes and image examples, Using Footer Links to Diversify Your Backlink Profile)

I went to the client’s website and changed my backlink profile in the footer.

Backlink Profile Before:

Backlink Profile After:

While I was there I ALSO separated the name of my company, as I use to string it all together (KickStartWebSites vs. Kick Start Web Sites), and a member of my team, Jason Saeler, told me last year I should separate the words – working on it Jason!

One footer and “show case page” down – about 30 more websites to change my backlink profile and create their pages – stocking the shelves correctly!

Categories : SEO, Web Design, Wordpress, WordPress Training

Dec
11

Don’t Update WordPress Until You Take These 8 Steps

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

A new version of WordPress, WordPress 3.5, is now available to download or automatically update on your site in your Dashboard.

BUT Before you update to the newest version of WordPress please do the following:

Back Up your site! I highly recommend BackUpBuddy and it’s being discounted until Dec. 21st at 35%!
Once you have installed BUB and do a full backup, either download to your computer or send to your cloud storage.
Update ALL your plugins!
Deactivate ALL your plugins.
Install the newest version of WordPress.
Once installed turned on (activate) ONE plugin at a time and then go look at your site, if it’s ok and still there, go activate the next plugin and then go look at your site, if it’s ok and still there, keep repeating this process until ALL your plugins are activated again. DO THIS because you might have a plugin installed that doesn’t work with the newest version of WordPress. If you activate them all at once you won’t know which one “broke” your site. It can take some time depending on how many plugins you have installed.
If you have plugins installed and you don’t use them, this is a good time to delete them.
After everything is updated, and everything is working properly do ANOTHER backup and download that or send off to the cloud.

Repeat this process every time a new version of WordPress is released – because if you don’t – this might happen to you:

Your site gets hacked or you get blacklisted by Google!

If you need help doing this I’m available for you by calling 410-586-9440 or emailing.

Categories : BackUp Buddy, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins

Nov
1

Has Google Blacklisted Your Site?

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

Google Blacklist:
The Big Red Screen of Death

If you’ve ever visited your site and seen this (or visited someone else’s site) it can make your heart sink and scare the heck out of you.

I know – it happened to me on THREE sites in two weeks!

And worse yet two of my associates called me to say they too had the Google Big Red Screen of Death!

Well I knew that the problem “might” have been that we were ALL guilty of not keeping our WordPress updated to the current version – opps – and we all know better – just was busy doing other’s work – so the updating lapsed – which happens to the best of us.

Clicking on the “Why was this page blocked?” can be a little overwhelming and downright confusing to a novice!

One client kept calling me, “I don’t understand! What are they asking me to do? What do I need to do?”

Here are some of the tips I gave her:

Update everything; WordPress and all your plugin’s (take a Backup first!)
Run a Malware scan, either using BackUpBuddy’s built in Malware scanner or a free scan through Sucuri.
(Please note: in two of the cases, hers and mine, the sites were not WordPress, they were FrontPage sites – OLD sites. So I suggested, and did myself, upload the latest backup to see if that would take care of the problem of the malware, which it did.)
Log in to Google’s WebMaster Tools and ask for a review of the site.

Now Here’s the Catch!

If you have never added your sites to your Google account and/or are not using Google Webmaster Tools no reports will be there and you have no place to ask for a review.

Google WebMaster Tools

Chalked full of information and tips – you really need to add your sites here and it’s easy! Sign up for it – it’s FREE – and start adding your sites:

Here you have several reports, such as Site Health! And this is where you can also get notified if you have been blacklisted and ask for a review once you clean up your site.

How to Keep Your Site Clean

Let’s go a little deeper, although because of the “mean-nasty-I don’t have anything to do except to see if I can hack your site” people out there, there is no guarantee; HOWEVER doing some of the suggestions below will put you at less risk and give you more peace of mind.

Dre Armeda, founder of Sucuri, did a training for iThemes and here are some of my take a ways I’d like to share with you – and don’t just read them – go DO them after you’re finished reading this article!

It all starts with your computer – not your web site!

Keep your computer and software up-to-date
Install and keep updated your anti-virus and firewalls (I use SystemSuite Professional – Small fee and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware – FREE)
Run your anti-virus at least weekly
Use a password manager and keep all your passwords in a safe place, such as KeePass Password Safe – it’s FREE!)
Change your passwords often
Don’t share your passwords

WordPress Security Tips

As of this writing there are 57,269,277 WordPress sites in the world! (See http://en.wordpress.com/stats/ for more stats)! WOW!!!

Keep WordPress updated
Research plugins and themes before installing
Keep plugins updated
Delete plugins and themes you are not using
Don’t install WordPress using Fantastico (the five minute install) – Have it installed SECURLEY!
Before installing WordPress, change your wp-config file, making sure you enter in the secret salt key (https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/ ) and changing the table prefix from wp_ to something else!
Don’t use a FREE WordPress theme unless it’s in the WordPress Directory. These themes and premium themes that you pay for (I highly recommend themes by iThemes) have high standards and need to meet certain criteria before going into the directory. Free themes that you found on Google can have several things embedded in them: encoded text links to promote various products and links to places you do NOT want your visitors to go to. Example: I was first starting out and a Spa I was working on found a free theme and had me install it. Well in the footer was a masked link that took one to a gambling site – and it could not be removed! The spa owner did not want her site to be represented that way. Eventually I installed iThemes Builder and built her site. To learn more, here is an article that Dre recommended: Why You Should Never Search For Free WordPress Themes
Don’t use ADMIN as a WordPress user name (If you are using Admin as a log in user now, log into your WordPress Dashboard and go to Users. Add a new User that has Admin privileges. Log out and log back in with the new log in and then go back and delete the User Admin).
Create and use a STRONG WordPress log in password
Check to see how safe your web hosting company is. In your browser’s address bar type in: google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=YOURHOSTINGCOMPANYWEBSITE.com I use Host Gator so my URL would look like this: http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=hostgator.com

These are just some of the items Dre Armeda, Founder of Sucuri touched on. To view the presentation, begin the video below:

How to Clean Up Your Site

After doing all the above there still is no guarantee that your WordPress site might not get hacked or blacklisted by Google or other browsers.

And if you don’t know HOW or have the TIME to clean your site and ask Google to review it, then I HIGHLY recommend using Sucuri Scanning Services. That is whom I turned to.

What I liked about them is they are FAST – with in four hours my site was cleaned and they even submitted it to Google to review. And I found that Google seems to review your site faster than when you ask for a review (which could take 2-3 days). Mine never took more than a day using Sucuri.

PLUS Sucuri continues to scan your site(s)! An ongoing service that is well worth the cost and peace of mind!

Sucuri has a variety of plans to choose from – so go and see what’s best for you!

And if you need any other help or training, please contact me via phone 410-586-9440 or email – Happy Security!

Categories : BackUp Buddy, Wordpress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Training

Jun
28

Latest Project Just Released: Columbus Bike Tours & Bike Rentals

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

ColumbusBikeTours.com just completed!

I wanted to share my latest web design project and tell you a little about it – I hope you enjoy it!

ColumbusBikeTours.com Design and Plugin Information:

Used Builder by iThemes and customized the child theme called Adept

Home Page: Used PluginBuddy’s DisplayBuddy Rotating Images

Side Bars: Installed three widgets and installed the WP Wunderground plugin and customized the colors

Installed three widgets on bottom of pages

Customized the footer

Uploaded Banner created by Andre Hawkins of Kenosisdi.com

Created a custom navigation menu

Customized Style Manager

Installed Gravity Forms with PayPal add on onto the Bike Tours and Bike Rental pages

Installed Gravity Forms on the Contact Page

Installed Q and A Plugin by Raygun for the FAQ’s on the Bike Tours and Bike Rental pages

Other Plugins installed:

BackUpBuddy by PluginBuddy Team

Builder SEO by Chris Jean of iThemes

Builder Style Manager by Chris Jean of iThemes

Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades by Chris Jean of iThemes

MapPress Easy Google Maps by Chris Richardson

Simply Show Ids by Matt Martz

TinyMCE Advanced by Andrew Ozz

Widget Logic by Alan Trewartha

WP Super Cache by Donncha O Caoimh

So what do you think?

Darren, the owner of ColumbusBikeTours.com grand opening and ribbon cutting is July 10th, so if you live in Columbus, OH, stop by and tell Darren Janet says hi!

Or if you ever visit Columbus, OH, consider taking his historical bike tour or renting some bikes to cruise around the city.

Do you need a web site? I’d be happy to speak to you about your needs. Call 410-586-9440 or email me.

Categories : BackUp Buddy, iThemes Builder, Web Design, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Training

Feb
16

What are WordPress Plugins?

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

WordPress Plugins Make Your Web Site, Work, and Life Easier!

If you’re new to WordPress you might have noticed in your Dashboard (your administration area) a plugin icon (looks like an electrical plug) and the word Plugins – and you just might be scratching your head wondering what the heck WordPress Plugins are and why you need them.

What are WordPress Plugins?

In simple terms a WordPress Plugin is a “mini” software program, if you will, that someone wrote to make your web site, work, and life easier.
WordPress plugins are added (installed) into your WordPress application (your WordPress site).
WordPress Plugins can add customization, features, and services to your WordPress site; such as adding video, adding an events calendar, adding rotating images/text, adding a shopping cart, an email list, and the list goes on and on!
Some WordPress plugins have settings and some don’t.
Some WordPress plugins are free and some are for a fee, referred to as Premium Plugin’s.
Some WordPress plugins are used in the editing area of a page or a post and some are used in the widget area of your WordPress site.
Some WordPress plugins will appear, after installing, in your Settings in the Dashboard that will have their own “clickable” area in the Dashboard under Settings or somewhere else on the left of the Dashboard.
Currently the WordPress.org depository has over 18,330 plugins to assist you in almost anything you can imagine or need for your WordPress web site.

How to Find WordPress Plugins

You can find WordPress Plugins in the Administration Panel (Your Dashboard) > Plugins > Add New panel, or directly via the Official WordPress Plugins Directory and download them, and then FTP them up to your site.

Tips BEFORE You Install a WordPress Plugin

Know the version of WordPress you have installed on your web site. You can find this out by logging into your Dashboard and on the home page it will tell you what version of WordPress you have installed.
Before installing a WordPress plugin make SURE it is compatible with your version of WordPress. When you find the WordPress plugin you want or “think” you want read the details FIRST before clicking Install Now! You’ll see something like this – generally on the right side of Plugin Details: Requires: 3.1 or higher (This means your WordPress version MUST be above 3.1), Compatible up to: 3.3.1 (This means it will work fine with WordPress versions up to 3.3.1), Last Updated: 2011-12-5 Downloads: 947,083
When you click on Details read this stuff or take a look at the plugins: 1) Description, 2) Installation, 3) FAQ, 4) Screenshots, and 5) Changelog.
Also check out the ratings that people have given the WordPress plugin and any reviews you might find.
BACKUP Your WordPress Site!

I Can’t Find a WordPress Plugin for My Needs!

You’re in luck! You can write your own WordPress plugin if you know how!

Updating WordPress Plugins or Updating WordPress – Warning Tips

Do a full backup FIRST before you update a WordPress Plugin!
Do a full backup FIRST before you update WordPress! Before you update your WordPress version FIRST Deactivate (turn off) ALL your WordPress Plugins!! Once your WordPress version is updated activate (turn on) ONE plugin at a time, check your site in a new tab in your browser and make sure it WORKS! Why? Because if you update WordPress and a plugin you have installed is NOT up to date or compatible with the newest version of WordPress you will BREAK your SITE!!! I know – this has happened to me – thank goodness I had a backup to restore the site!!!!
I HIGHLY recommend you purchase BackupBuddy by PluginBuddy. BackupBuddy is a premium plugin that not only backs up your WordPress site (and will send it to S3, Dropbox, FTP, your email, or Rackspace Cloud) BUT has a built in Malware Scan.

Some WordPress Plugin Questions for You:

What else do you need to know or learn about WordPress Plugins?
Do you use WordPress Plugins?
What are your favorite WordPress Plugins?
Is there a WordPress Plugin that you need some instructions on how to use? (Which ones?) I’ll do my best to make a how-to video for you!!

Please leave your responses, comments, or questions in the comments area below and make sure you sign up for our blog posts and newsletter!

Categories : BackUp Buddy, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Training

Feb
10

Web Site Titles are the Handshakes of Your Web Site

by Contributing Author: Connie Spruill, Content Management & Making the Customer Connection Expert

How to Create Web Site Titles

Captivate, excite and lure visitors with hypnotic keyword rich titles. You want the printed word to transform your visitor’s thought process into the probability of their problem being solved. I like to begin with questions that a visitor might ask.

Keep in mind that people are busy. They don’t care about you specifically. Visitors to your site just want their problem solved. Your page has to trip them. It has to interrupt them. A great headline and a great opening line can grab their attention.

Spend a LOT of time crafting your post title, home page or landing page message. Write and re-write, trimming unnecessary words. Remember, use active verbs. Get rid of the “to be’s”, “have to’s” etc.

Hypnotic writing takes time. You must study your audience, test your landing page responses,

Build desire by knowing their hot buttons. Use the language they use when describing their concerns.

When you know this, then weave your copy around a solution to your prospect’s problem.

Practice, practice, practice! Eventually you will get the hang of it.

**************************************

Connie Spruill – Content Management & Making the Customer Connection Expert, has over 30 years’ experience directing businesses in powerful ways of connecting with their customers. The last 10 years has been focused on transferring that concept to internet-based businesses. Writing content for your websites becomes easy as Connie reveals keywords that sell, words that hypnotize and connect with your prospective customers. If you need help or assist please email us at info@kickstartwebsites.com or visit http://website-clarity.com

Categories : Content Management, Wordpress, WordPress Training, Writing Copy