1. Go to the Facebook Developers page for the Like Box
2. Copy the entire URL of your Facebook page  (example, https://www.facebook.com/#!/DesignbyThauna)
3. Change the Width to fit your sidebar. I used 260.
4. I also unchecked the “Show Header” because I am using a title on my sidebar widget.
5. Click on “Get Code”
6. There are three options across the top of the pop-up window. I use the iFrame because it has been the easiest and I’ve never had any trouble with it. Copy the code in its entirity.
7. Go to your WordPress Dashboard to Appearance >> Widgets.
8. Drag a Text Widget to the Primary Sidebar and copy in the code. If you want to use a header to match your other sidebar items type in a Title.
9. Save.
10. Check out your blog and view your awesome work and congratulate yourself.

Design Notes: Before contacting me for the blog design Vanessa had already been working with another graphic designer for the header and buttons, those where provided to me. The site is a customized version of the StudioPress Serenity Child Theme.

Blog Page:

Tutorial Gallery Page:

Design Notes: This site just makes me happy. The project is a Blogger to WordPress transfer and includes a shop. The circle logo was provided to me and I created to the header to show it off because it’s seriously adorable. I also created the custom background of a map and compass with a vintage feel. Used the StudioPress Blissful Child Theme

Blog Page:

Shop Page:

Design Notes: StudioPress Fabric Child Theme - basic theme customizations and custom header.

Design notes: Ellie created her header using some of her design work. I came up with a color scheme to coordinate with the header and while still providing a neutral background that would show off her design work and posts.  StudioPress Fabric Child Theme

Design Notes: Custom design with home page slideshow highlighting and linking  category pages. Custom logo/header and social media graphics.

Blog page:

]]> http://designbythauna.com/2012/02/14/foxy-after-fifty/feed/ 0 http://designbythauna.com/2012/02/14/foxy-after-fifty/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DesignByThauna/~3/0Nxn83JDAMY/ http://designbythauna.com/2012/02/13/sew-craft-create-2/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:06:23 +0000 Thauna http://designbythauna.com/?p=757 [Continue Reading]]]> Sew.Craft.Create. – the name says it all. Heidi will inspire you to get out the craft supplies and the sewing machine. She inspired me!

Design Notes: Heidi chose the Blissful theme from StudioPress and designed her own header and button graphics. I created the post title images to coordinate with her main categories. The finished site has a customized slideshow on the home page, advertising space, and a no-advertising sidebar option for certain pages. Blogger to WordPress transfer.

Blog to grow your business!

Whether you are selling handmade bits of wonderfulness on Etsy, have a local boutique or business, or manufacture trailers to sell across the country…you need a blog.

Why?

Blogging builds your brand and brings traffic to your site. Each time you blog you create a page that Google adds to the magic that brings Web customers to your site. The more pages with relevant content the better you do when you future customers type in “handmade goodies” or “ATV trailers.”  The better you do in Google (and other search engines), the more people find you on the Web.

And let’s be honest, these days if you are looking for a product or service where do you go first? Google. Or insert other favorite search engine.

Even if you know of a product or business that you would like to try where do you go to learn more about the business? Find their address, phone number, price of that doodad you need? Google. Personally, if a business doesn’t have a Web presence I move on. In this day and age  if a business isn’t on the Web I’m not really interested. (Again, I know the Web is my life)

Blogging gives you a chance to toot your own horn. Show your customers your latest doodad or gadget. Demonstrate to them that you know your stuff. And show them why you are the best in the business.

OK, I’ll step off my soapbox now.

Go check out this awesome post on 5 Reasons Why Your Business Should Have a Blog by Brian Gardner.

And then start blogging!

Here are 3 of my favorites:

JetPack

JetPack is a package of several cool plugins and features, my favorites are the Stats and the Sharing. You need to have or set up a WordPress.com user account to use JetPack…it’s free and fast, if you don’t already have one.

The stats are pretty much real time (Google Analytics are previous day) and show you how many visits and where those visits are coming from. As well as what links in your site are being clicked. The only thing that would make the stats feature better would be a map like in Google Analytics.

Adding Sharing icons to the bottom of your posts and pages are so easy to set up with JetPack. Just turn it on and drag the social networks you want to the activate section. This will be abosolutely perfect when (if) they add Pinterest to the mix of available networks.

CommentLuv

CommentLuv displays the latest post of a commenter and gives your visitors a little incentive to leave a comment. Leave a comment and check it out.   I love this plugin both as a blogger and a blog reader. When visiting a blog I really like the way the plugin shows a commenters last blog post title and often sends me visiting other blogs.

Thank Me Later

Thank Me Later will send your commenters a nice thank you note after leaving you a comment. It’s very customizable. You write your own thank you note and you can set the time your thank you sent anywhere from immediately to days later. You also can set it up so commenters are only thanked once or have a couple of notes to be sent at various times.

Word of Caution: Plugins vary in their code and integrity. And too many plugins can slow your site down. So add plugins wisely and cautiously. If there is a funtionality you would like you add, there is probably a plugin for it. Just do a quick search in the WP Plugin Repository. However, check the rating and how many people have rated the plugin and if the plugin does not perform the way you want it too deactiviate and uninstall it. After you install a plugin check your site for any glitches or changes in speed or behavior. The tipping point where too many plugins start to slow down your site is different for everyone. If you’re site starts to slow down you will have to decide if which plugins are the most important to you. It’s a good idea to periodic evaluation of your plugins and delete any that are no longer useful.

What are some of your favorite plugins?

Design Notes: Vicki wanted a clean, uncluttered design that would showcase her work and projects. She choose the Blissful theme by StudioPress. Vicki designed her logo and coordinated the site design. I love the white with the black and pops of red.

Blog Page: