December 25th, 2009
Blogs, like any other software, require updates at times. WordPress is pretty good about providing updates and patches. In addition we install an ‘automatic update’ module for our clients that use WordPress to make the process easier.
The following is a quick review of running the updates:
When the message ‘Updates Available, Run Automatic Update’ appears in the Dashboard click the Auto Update link.
Follow each step displayed on screen.
Whenever the directions on a screen provide an option to ‘Skip’ a step select the ‘Skip’ link. Some steps are not needed on our servers, so just ’skip’ them.
The final screen will alert you that all updates have been applied.
To complete the process select the option at the the top of the screen to cleanup all temp files.
The screens displayed while running the patches is based on the type of update in progress. At times you may be automatically exited from the admin dashboard and need to login again. Other times the dashboard can display screens with just simple command buttons to click.
In general the process is straight forward and quick. WordPress blogs, like many other open source software, can be a frequent target of automated bots looking to insert malicious scripts and links. It’s best just to take a few minutes and run the Auto Update option we install.
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December 22nd, 2009
Email marketing, newsletters and other on-going client contact has become a standard. And why not? It is very cost effective and now perfectly acceptable, as long as you are not spamming.
The real issue is just how effective is your email? For several years we have used Constant Contact with our clients. They are not the only service, however they are the largest. This has helped getting Email past many strict spam filters in the past since they are a well known service.
We recommend CC because of the tools provided to monitor Email. Once an Email has been sent we can track how many were actually delivered, how many opened, and even the number of click-through’s to the clients Web Site or other links.
Tracking the actual responses quickly identifies strengths and weakness in a marketing campaign. Try a free trail for 60 days, send a small mailing, and track your results. I think you will find it interesting.
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November 20th, 2009
Anyone who has worked with us knows we always support the ‘Buy Before Build’ method. While Miva is a complete shopping cart solution all e-commerce software requires a build process.
Just recently we found the need to move a client away from an on-line service. Without mentioning a name, this shopping cart service has been considered best of breed and won many industry awards in the past. The price reflected this too. However, support totally disappeared.
At that time we revisited Miva Merchant. And I’m glad we did.
Miva includes all the standard features, plus more, you would expect from an established software firm with over 200,000 installations. The complete dashboard and development module even includes a built-in easy scripting engine for customization.
What we found to be the best of Miva was their support for third party add on modules. There are simple to install modules, 100’s of them, that covered most any requirement we have needed. For this project we added 6 modules, most of which did not cost over $ 35.00. Certainly less money then custom coding.
Most of the better hosting firms support Miva installations so there is no need for owning servers.
Now that we have completed this project and see the value of Miva our next e-commerce application, actually starting in a few weeks, will be another Miva site.
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