WordPress Conversion
CSS/XHTML Web Development: Scott Marlow
A new WordPress Content Management System for AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma.
Designer Website
Graphic Design: Kelly Davis, Farm Girl Works
WordPress Web Development: Scott Marlow, Marketing By Marlow
A new website for residential designer Alexandra Immel. Powered by WordPress, the site features an editable image gallery that showcases Alexandra’s design work in large detail.
Scott was delightful to work with. He was always attentive to my detailed and numerous requests and questions. I was so grateful for his patience as I got exactly what I wanted for my website. I would love to work with him again and highly recommend him to everyone. He is a gem.
Alexandra Immel
www.alexandraimmeldesign.com
What’s the Best Web Host?
For WordPress web hosting, I recommend BlueHost. However, WordPress websites can be hosted by any provider that supports its minimum MySQL and PHP requirements.
For custom CSS websites, I prefer Newtek Web hosting – powered by Crystal Tech.
Web hosts that I do NOT recommend
(based on my personal negative usability and/or customer service experiences)
- DreamHost
- GoDaddy
- Media Temple
- Network Solutions
Features to look for in a web host
- 1Gb, or more, of disc space (note: host expenses are related more to bandwidth than disc space)
- Domestic (not offshore) support personnel
- Easy-to-use Control Panel
- Spam filtering, preferably that can be customized
- Toll-free phone support (live chat at a minimum)
- Unique IP Address
- Webmail, like SmarterMail
- And, for WordPress: Apache web server with .htaccess
Tips for Choosing a Web Host:
- Don’t buy the cheapest hosting plan offered; you’ll often end up on a server, possibly old and slow, with thousands of other sites.
- Don’t host your site with your friend, in your friend’s basement or garage.
- Don’t host your site with your domain registrar. Separating your domain registration from your web host makes it easier to move hosts in the event you are dissatisfied with service. Likewise, be careful hosting your site with your designer, developer, or anyone else who is not managing web servers for at least a few thousand domains.
In my experience, expect to pay about $10 per month for reliable shared web hosting with excellent customer service and tech support. If you need help choosing a web host, moving web hosts, or with other host administration, contact me.
P.S. For domain registration, you can register new domain names at my Registry Rocket account (a service of eNom, based locally in Bellevue, Washington).
Patterns Surfacing
WordPress Development: Scott Marlow
Graphic Design: Jennifer Cepeda
My latest WordPress creation for artist, designer and illustrator, Jennifer Cepeda. A fellow West Seattle neighbor, Jennifer is building a portfolio of surface & pattern designs. She is currently represented by Pink Light Designs, and her first four collections will showcase at the May 2010 Surtex Show in New York.
Scott was terrific to work with! He accepted a very short deadline and helped me stay within my budget by offering alternatives for me to consider. I really appreciated his flexibility in helping me design my site, answering a million questions and working with a new hosting service outside of his standard practice. His style of service and responsiveness are invaluable!
Jennifer Cepeda
Knowing When To Invest In Branding
If your business is investing in other businesses, then you have no shortage of customers. My latest WordPress website for Keeler Investments Group, LLC is short on branding and long on ease-of-use and functionality.
The site features a standard WordPress theme, with slight modifications to the typeface and header.
The Food Watchdog
When your diet is threatened by BHT and BHA; with mercury; with genetically modified, genetically engineered false foods – you need protection. TheFoodWatchdog.com provides original, investigative food journalism articles to present you with food facts.
My redesigned WordPress website for two-time Pulitzer winning former Seattle P.I. writer, Andrew Schneider. The food journalism blog includes special features and food alerts, as well as a Word of the Week.
Schneider just signed a deal with AOL (that’s not another Big Ag additive – that’s America Online) as Senior Public Health Correspondent.