Here is a new website that Marteze just finished designing:
• Saturday, March 28th, 2009
Jan Warren contracted me to do her website. She is a soon-to-be published author. And let me tell you–it’s never too soon to start getting your name out in the public arena. She’s very smart to start getting active now. She does book reviews for Armchair Reviews, she writes articles for her local RWA chapter newsletter, and she now has her own website!
Check it out by clicking on the picture of her site below:
Category: News
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• Sunday, March 15th, 2009
I’ve had clients ask me–what’s the difference between WordPress.com and the WordPress that I install. Any WordPress.com site you start is free, but you have to have a URL that has yourname.wordpress.com. In other words, it has to have the word “wordpress” in the web address.
Too, with the free hosting at wordpress.com, you only get to choose from a limited amount of themes, or layouts. There is an option where you can buy your own domain, and you can buy storage and several other features. But I don’t think you get the service you’d get at goDaddy.com. Plus they nickel and dime you to death, and I’m not sure if the service provided is as quality.
There’s also the matter of signing up as a user. I can see how having a community like WordPress.com would be beneficial, because your blogs would be searchable with the right tags, and they advertise the most popular blogs. But I’ve heard of people having trouble with their passwords at wordpress.com. The independent WordPress sites–apart from the community of WordPress.com–have the tag feature which helps with not only visitors finding the articles or posts that they like, but also helps with the Google search engine.
Personally I like installing my own WordPress software so I can have better control over its features. And don’t forget, by installing WordPress through goDaddy.com, you get goDaddy’s excellent customer support–not to mention my help, too!
Category: WordPress
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• Saturday, March 14th, 2009
According to WordPress.org, “WordPress is a state-of-the-art publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability. WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.” And to me, this is sooo true! The developers also say “More simply, WordPress is what you use when you want to work with your blogging software, not fight it.” Aye, (had to get some of my medieval verbiage in here!), although this is much more powerful than just a blogging software.
The main difference between WordPress and other blogging softward is that you can make static pages that will always be on the horizontal bar or sidebar for easy reference. For instance, you can have a catalog of all your books on one page, which is nice for people to refer to–and you can update that page to keep it current. You can also have a bio or about me page, which tells of your background, which won’t change that much. It will be there mainly for newbies, those who are just learning about you.
I always like to have a page set up for people to contact me privately, whether I have my author hat on, or my web designer hat on, (well, I especially need a contact page for the latter!).
But the main reason I have now resorted to WordPress is because of the ease of using the admin panel, or what WordPress calls the dashboard. Think of driving a car; everything you need to operate the vehicle is on the dashboard, which is where I think the developers of WordPress came up with the term. It takes a little getting used to, but they have improved it so much over the years.
And I like WordPress because they have a dashboard widget that queries Google Blog Search so that when another blog links to your site it will show up here. And hey, if you link to my site, I’ll link to yours! 
WordPress is evolving all the time, and I plan to keep updating Marteze tutorials for my clients.
Category: WordPress
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• Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
I’m so glad you dropped by! I’m Gloria Harchar and I’ve been developing websites for years for myself, for friends, and for writers’ clubs. Recently a couple of authors have come to me, asking for help with their websites. They have been with other web designers who developed their sites, and who charged for content updates. The web designers suddenly quit, and left their former clients high and dry with no idea of what to do with their archaic sites. I know how frustrating such a situation can be! After all, what’s the use in having a website if you can’t update it?
Well, no more! I’m here to empower you–to teach you how to manage your website so you can take charge. Basically, I’ll design your site for a low fee, as long as you do some of the leg work. You’ll see what I mean–keep reading!
Two requirements I have–that you:
- Use WordPress to run your site, (which I’ll install for you), and;
- Buy your domain and hosting through goDaddy.com, (which I’ll help get you started).
By using WordPress, you can update the content yourself. It’s easy to use, and I’ll provide tutorials to get you going.
I require goDaddy because they are the best in customer support. They will help 24/7. They are patient and understanding, and don’t give you attitude because you don’t know code! I’ll get you started by helping you buy or transfer your domain. Then I will install WordPress for you, and together we’ll shop for the best theme, or layout for your needs/desires. Then I will have you shop for your own pictures, (I’ll give you sites to get your royalty free images). Once you find the look and feel that is right for you, I’ll take the pictures and put the site together for you by using my image software programs, with a customized template or theme that is just for you. I’ll also use designs I create myself–with your approval–to complete the project. Whatever you want is what I want. I’m a people pleaser, and I want you to be completely happy with your new site.
You will be in charge of your own domain and hosting through goDaddy, who is really good about notifying you as to when it’s time to renew.
Since I have you take charge by purchasing your own domain and hosting through goDaddy, and I have you find your own royalty-free images, I will be able to charge a rock-bottom price of $175, which averages out to about 10 hours of work on my part, or around $17.50/hour.
Marteze was created by moi. For more samples of my work, please go to–
I’ve been a teacher for a large part of my life–having taught middle school students for about 12 years. So I’m patient, and I’ve been told I’m good at explaining things. I’m also working on putting together mini videos on how to work with WordPress, and I will include step-by-step written instructions along with the videos, to appease both the audio and visual learners, (my teacher lingo).
Too, I’ll install Recaptcha to protect you against spam. I’ll help you set up Akismet, another spam protector. I’ll install a contact page for your visitors. Too, I can get you started on your links and categories.
What are you waiting for? Be empowered with my help, so you don’t have to depend on anybody else but yourself to update your content!
Category: News
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