This has to rank as one of the biggest stressors out there.  You go to your site and it is not there!  You get one of many messages.  You panic.  You wait on hold for the hosting company ‘s tech support to answer.  You message your tech.  You call friends and ask them if they see your site.  Here is what you should do first.  Just go to this site (and be sure to bookmark): DownforEveryoneOrJust Me Now wasn’t that easy?  At least you know if the problem is on your end or global!

This site has a great deal of information in the form of downloadable pdfs, and the addition of many video categories.

Visit Advocare Tips.

RedShoeWay, a many faceted blog, brings you wit, wisdom and whimsey!

Yes, we have to be connected at all times.  We must be available when our client has a website issue, or just needs a quick fix, but it really can be a drag to lug around that 15″ MacBook Pro and related accessories when traveling.  Not saying that I don’t love the Beast, but it can weigh you down.

Recently, I finally succumbed to a MacBook Air.  I resisted for a long time because I thought the slower processor and lack of a CD/DVD drive as well as only 2 GB of RAM would cramp my style.  I had no idea how I would cram my files and programs onto such a small hard drive.

Well, I am pleased to report that the experience is beyond my expectations.  My Air has the following specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1066MHz frontside bus
• 2GB Memory
• 128GB solid-state drive
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

The Pros

• The solid state drive is so speedy that programs open and close in an instant.
• It is tiny, and can fit into other bags when traveling.
• It is a sexy computer that is fun to use.

The Cons

• The small size of the hard drive was troubling.  No way to fit the iTunes Library.  I had to use VMWare Fusion with Windows so I could use my VPN and exchange email, and the smallest I could get the virtual machine down to was 38GB.
• No way to watch a DVD while traveling.
• No built in ethernet (there is an adapter) or SD card reader, and only one usb port.

I figured out a way to utilize this beauty and be extremely  happy with my purchase.  In my next post, I will tell you how I solved some of the dilemmas mentioned in the Cons, and what accessories and apps I use to stay connected.

“I have worked personally with Customized Marketing on two separate websites now (Joggers Life & Letters to My Body) and she has also helped me with side projects along the way.  We’ve been working together for about a year at this point.

I have been nothing but amazed by her dedication, timeliness, and genuine care for my needs and goals.  She always has great input for me that goes well beyond just the site design.  She is very helpful with ways to improve my sites, and has always been able to provide me with  resources outside of my own knowledge base.  She even provided her services to help me through a website hacking nightmare, and my sites emerged unscathed.

I can do nothing but offer high recommendations for Customized Marketing.  Personally, I wouldn’t do business with anyone else!”

- Elisabeth Armstrong

These are some favorite and suggested tools for web design:

• WordPress Training Videos – 46 videos you can download
• Bluehost – Inexpensive, reliable hosting with unlimited space, transfer, and free domain
• Email Program – Auto-responder with many additional capabilities
• Email Opt-in Program – Free Trial can send 500 emails to test
• Woo Premium Themes – Best site for premium and free themes for WordPress
• Affiliate Theme – Many varieties of themes that are easily customizable for affiliate marketing
• Thesis Theme – Customizable theme framework
• Wishlist Plugin – Use this WordPress plugin to create a multi-level membership site
• Shoemoney Tools - Internet marketing tools to help you analyze and improve your site
• SEO Automatic – In depth reports and suggestions for improvement
• SEOmoz – Test how accessible your site is to search engines
• Color Scheme Designer – tool for color schemes for your site
• SEO in Practice – DIY book on search engine optimization
• Shoemoney Free 12 Week Course

For information on how we can assist you with your website or blog, please contact us.

This purple and pink site is about collector’s editions of retired dolls.  Integrated videos of the dolls and outfits help bring the site to life.

Visit American Girl Doll Collection.

This business site showcases products and photography.

Visit The CamStand.

“We needed a professional blog appearance to compliment our web  site.  We have a technical team in house, but they didn’t have the  expertise or the time to work on this project, so I decided to outsource it.   We met Customized Marketing through Twitter, when we sent out a request for help –  she immediately responded with recommendations and a plan for us.  Her  pricing was reasonable, and she did a very effective job managing us to  acquire feedback, settings, color schemes, and overall layout and design  questions answered, and worked rapidly and fluidly.  She also helped  with our SEO efforts by getting us listed in a prominent blog index.   Even though the engagement is complete, she still offers suggestions  and assistance – she invested in us.  The result is a very attractive  and well-organized blog that has helped enhance our online effort.  She’s a  very knowledgeable professional and a social media expert – I’ve already  recommended her to several business colleagues!”

Joe Stubblebine

JobCircle.com

Since we are Customized Marketing, specializing in the Extreme Theme Makeover, it was only appropriate that we do an overhaul on our own site.  We had lots of fun customizing the Aperture theme, thanks to the group at Woo, especially Mark Forrester.  And yes, Aperture is our latest heartthrob.