Brittain and Matt of I Love My Bike Book wanted a website to help promote the book, their tour, and add some photos of people who follow the mantra stated in the title. As with most of the solutions offered here at Manifest Development, I used WordPress to give them a quick, easy to use, and easy to update site.

They needed something that could be done quickly and affordably. Using the Stylez WordPress theme from Theme Forest I made some simple customizations, installed a few key plugins, integrated Facebook and Twitter, and added the pages. Full development time took under 10 hours and spanned a week from start to finish. Brittain and Matt are very happy with the site, regularly using the blog and photo gallery.

This website is part of Manifest Development’s WordPress Quick Site Series. If you’re interested in a WordPress Quick Site for $540.00, You can contact me here.

There were several main functions to this large site (50+ pages), the important ones being converting the graphically intense site into a web-friendly design, the ability to upload sermon podcasts, and make the entire site easy to update. Without delving too much into the technical details, I made sure each function of the site was scalable while still providing the visual enhancements Lena created. I mocked it up with a single webpage, and then converted that to a fairly in-depth WordPress theme. I created custom pages for calendars, news/blog, and the sermons. With the help of Podpress, Google Calendar, Nextgen Gallery, and several other plugins, I was able to create an easily updateable site for  the church that anyone involved can update.

A big challenge was organizing the information in such a way that was easy for their end users to navigate. With the mind map they provided and the use of drop down menus, a sitemap, and search, I think we made it pretty easy for users to find what they are looking for.

All-in-all, Holy Shepherd and I are very happy with the way the site came out. A lot of work went into it from the church, Lena, and myself, and I think it really shows!

These are the three sides of the project triangle- Good, Fast, and Cheap- and these three sides are things that every client wants. But, there are trade-offs to each one, and many people outside the development world don’t see that. The catch is you can only pick two.

Let’s start with some definitions:

• Good: Your project is done and done right. Maybe it took a little longer or was a little more expensive, but those costs will pay off in the long run because you now have a flexible piece of software that is easier to update and upgrade later. If you’re wondering why there is a cost difference in project bids for the same project, it’s probably because one developer will do it, and the more expensive developer will do it right.
• Fast: Your project is done to meet a tight deadline. It could mean some corners are cut to make the deadline, or (more likely if the developer is as OCD as me) longer hours are put in to make sure your deadline is met. Again, it might be a little more expensive, but you have a solid project in a very timely fashion.
• Cheap: Let’s say cost-effective here. Either the developer doesn’t feel he should be charging pro rates (usually if he is just starting out), or a generous developer is giving you a discount. It could also mean that he is taking some liberties here to cut down on time, and for you, cost. Maybe it won’t work exactly as you’d like, but it works just fine and you got a price on it.

Now let’s look at why only two of the three can be picked:

Good and Fast

Good and Fast means it’s not going to be cheap. Your project is made the priority, which means others are put on hold or not accepted, longer hours are put in, and the costs add up. The developer needs to offset those costs. Bottom line: You will have a project that’s done right in a timely fashion, but it probably cost you a lot more than if it was just “Good” or just “Fast.”

Good and Cheap

Good and Cheap means it isn’t going to fast. Just like the developer putting off projects for a higher paying one that has opted for “good and fast,” good and cheap means when the developer has a free moment, he will take the time needed to make it good while keeping costs down. But keep in mind, it may be several months before getting around to it, and he may stop and start based on how much work is rolling in. Bottom Line: You will have a great project, but what you didn’t spend in money, you spent in time.

Fast and Cheap

Fast and Cheap means it isn’t going to be good. Remember in both my definition of “fast” and of “cheap” I mention the developer may cut corners to help you out. Here, he definitely will. You need to meet that tight deadline on a tight budget, and the developer will get it done, but the proper planning won’t go into it, and a lot of corners will be cut. Bottom Line: You’re going to get a final product, but it will be bad. It will be the bare minimum, and future work on it will be a nightmare.

If I had to choose one of the three, as a developer, I would choose Good and Fast. I don’t like doing sub par work and attaching my name to it, especially when I know I can do better. As a client, I would probably pick Good and Cheap, but that’s assuming there is no deadline. Ideally, you should pick one to get something worthwhile that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If that’s the case, no matter what side of the fence I’m on, I’d pick Good. A good website or project will speak volumes for what you stand for and how you want to be seen. Remember, especially with websites, these projects are an extension of your store front. If it’s not good, your users will know.

Bottom Line: Spending a little more to get a quality product isn’t a bad thing, especially for your business. In the long run, the quality will far outweigh the cost, whether it be due to the mileage you get out of it, the reduced cost in bug fixes, or the less time it takes to update or upgrade.

With a Profile Site You will get:

• A home page
• 4 informational pages
• A contact page
• A custom banner with your logo
• Minor customizations to template
• 15% off of a Manifest Development Hosting Solution

A site like the could cost between $600-850. So start the year off right with a Profile Site. Contact me for more information.

With WordPress Tune-Up, you pay a one time fee of $150.00 and I will go in and:

• Update and Upgrade WordPress and plug-ins
• Fix any settings that appear to be misconfigured (URLs, dates, etc)
• Search Engine Optimize your WordPress installations
• Make a backup of the files and database
• Make sure the site is running quickly
• Check for Security Updates

Once I give your WordPress site a one time tune up, I will be up-to-date, more secure, faster (if improvements can be made), and you’ll have a complete back up. Contact Me now to set something up!

*I also offer a support package where you get a WordPress Tune Up once a month for $42/mo. Read more here.

“Google It”

The information age is in full swing, and with 64% of households in the US having internet access and more adding to that with internet-enabled cell phones, the obvious answer to most questions is, “Google it.” What does this mean?  Having a website for your business will dramatically increase your chances of being found. People today use Wikipedia for research instead of Encyclopedia, Google Maps for directions instead of a printed map, and search engines to find businesses instead of a phone book. Why should you be left out?

Reach A Global Market

Phone books, billboards, and print ads are limiting; they can only take you so far geographically. But put yourself on the World Wide Web and your possibilities are endless- your reach is the entire globe. I am a web developer based in New York, yet I’ve had clients in Texas, California, Russia, India, and Australia because of my website. Make it easier for a visitor to find your restaurant or someone new to the area to find your body shop; get a website!

Limitless

Ads and billboards only tell part of your story. You’re paying several hundreds of dollars for a limited amount of space.  Your website is limitless. Post hours and information, photos, promos, and a means of contact. Garner feedback and sell your products. Change it whenever you want. It’s your virtual storefront and you’re free to do what you want. The possibilities are endless.

Download the Flyer

Quick Site: $540.00 Includes Choice of WordPress theme with logo added, and set-up of content. No extra plugins, no design customizations. (See Shred Out Cancer) Your Savings: $110.00

Custom Quick Site: $990.00 Includes Customized WordPress Theme, set-up of content, and plug-ins for added functionality. (See Wallkill Body Shop) Your Savings: $210.00

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!

I’ve added a new site to my portfolio: Wallkill Body Shop. They are a mom and pop body shop located in Wallkill, NY  and run by Carole Ann and Mike Paquette. They came to me looking for a clean, informative site that they’ll be able to keep up to date and easy to use.

I gave them a WordPress powered site with some custom design work. This site truly showcases the power of WordPress as we are able to leverage several plugins to make adding a lot of great functionality a breeze. It’s also much easier to update and maintain the site.

The biggest player on the site is NextGen Gallery, which allows us to quickly and easily create photo galleries. Using it, we can showcase their work, post photos from community service events, and even create a slideshow tour of their facility.

I was also charged with designing the site in such a way that made it easy to navigate a good amount of information they wanted to add, and make it scalable enough to add more information to that in the future.

Services Received: Design, WordPress Set-up and Development, Hosting, Logo by Andrea Aldridge.

This could be as simple as you telling someone about my Services or actually convincing them to get a website through me. Just tell them to let me know you sent them! And to help you out, throughout the week I’ll be posting resources on what exactly I do, and the importance of a website for you to pass along.

If you have any questions, I’m more than happy to assist! And I want to Thank You in advance for your help. I built Manifest Development on referrals and word of mouth and I’d like to give back a little bit for your continued effort and support.