Web Sites
When first faced with the challenge of keeping a small business website fresh and updated, while relying on webmasters to make the edits, I vowed that there had to be a better way.
There was such potential in being able to use the website as a marketing tool, to launch campaigns based on current events and trends and to do so in-house, regardless of the size of our budget.
It was a slow and frustrating process, but in time I learned how to make these edits myself, rather than pay the webmaster. I also chose to use open-source tools to maintain the website and keep costs low. Looking back, this would not have been possible without some serious mentoring from a close friend.
Jumping forward to the present day, I’m now helping other small business owners, individuals and organizations empower themselves to take control of their websites with open-source solutions that keep more cash in-house, provide easy control panel updates (no geek speak or secret handshakes required), while retaining the ability to morph and change with time using several clicks of the mouse – YES!
The tool of choice is Word-press, which just received the 2009 Open Source CMS Award for Overall Best CMS (CMS is content management system and in short it makes your life easier when it comes to creating, maintaining and publishing your website).
My joy happens in the process of bringing together pieces of information, images, content, comments, ideas and client yearnings to create a compelling and effective internet presence for people who are making a difference in the world. A second ripple occurs when I offer orientation for the administrator and see them empowered to maintain and update it on their own and a beam of light shines down from the sky (individual results may vary) as I hand over the ‘keys’ to the website and doors are opened to let the world come in and play!
Curious? Check out a sampling of these sites under breadcrumbs!
