Building a big complicated site for a large membership organization

Mass-ALFA (The Assisted Living Association of Massachusetts) needed a new web site that did a better job at integrating their membership base (over 800 businesses/facilities and 2000 people) into their online activity. The new site needed to use a website content management system (CMS) to make it easy for them to create and manage their own content. And they also wanted to completely integrate all of their membership management tools into the website CMS so that they could create dynamic content relationships online and offer their members the ability to log-in and manage their own personal information via the website. As the Interactive Media Director for FirstTracks it was my task to plan, manage, design and develop this beast.

The Solution:

Because of the complexity Mass-ALFA’s database relationship needs presented we decided to build the new site using Joomla as the CMS. This allowed us to have complete freedom when it came to integrating all the custom database management components into the back end of the CMS System. This also presented us with the opportunity to create a lot of really smart functional data relationships on the website. For instance, using their sponsorship management component they can create sponsorships with multiple levels of cost and then pick specific events that have been added to the system to tell the website where those logos should be displayed within the site, and it’s all accomplished with simple checkbox selection tools in our admin components!

Here are some feature highlights from the new site:

• Fully integrated member residence search
• Fully integrated member vendor search
• Job Openings Search
• News / PR database and Search component
• Events Database and Search Component
• Products Database and Search Component
• Dynamic featured content JQuery sliders on all major sections of site and homepage
• Auto content population on homepage of website for news, events, and vendors
• Fully Integrated Global Site Search
• Social Media Sharing Tool using “ShareThis” application

Better construction means better search engine optimization:

For all of the website projects we tackle here at FirstTracks one of our first steps with new site overhauls and redesigns is to run the current site through Hubspot’s Website Grader application to get an idea of how their current website property is performing for them. In this instance the old Mass-ALFA website was graded at 45 after launching the new site their website grade is now a 97! So what does that mean? It means that their content is more than twice as useful to search engines and users when it comes to sharing, linking and indexing their content. What’s your website grade? Use the link above to find out, if it’s below a 70 you should call us.

Contact me over at FirstTracks Marketing Group

Could your business or organization benefit from being able to publish, manage, and manipulate your digital footprint? YOU BET IT CAN, AND WE CAN PROVE IT! We can guarantee you that you will be amazed at how much functionality and flexibility we can provide even with the tightest of budgets. Why not fill out our online request form and find out for yourself, or better yet give us a call at 603-924-1978 right now and ask us. We look forward to hearing from you!

2Toms Website: The Challenge

Working as the Interactive Media Director for FirstTracks Marketing Group, I won the contract to build a new website with an easy to use content management system for 2Toms. This new website needed to incorporate a fully integrated e-commerce shopping cart and purchasing tools along with social media sharing, blogging, dealer locator, and events calendar component.

The 2Toms Website Solution:

FirstTracks identified the WordPress CMS as the best solution for this website because of it’s ease of use, security features, plug-in structures, and customizable e-commerce features. Included in this website implementation and design are the following features implemented by FirstTracks:

• Custom WordPress Theme Implementation
• Cu3er Homepage Image Rotation Scripting
• WP E-Commerce Shopping Cart Implementation
• Store Locator Customization
• Events Calendar
• Blog organization and design
• Facebook Like Box Integration
• ShareThis Social Media Tools
• Multiple Contact Forms

This new website for 2Toms was designed to make it easier for them to be more fluid with their online audience. Their previous website was difficult to update and costly to maintain. Now that we have redeveloped their site using WordPress, 2Toms can now post events, dealer locations, products and navigation items. 2Toms has the ability to easily edit using the WordPress CMS controls. This new site also features integrated e-commerce, so now visitors can browse the site and fill their shopping cart as they learn about the products. All check out and processing for the site is handled using Authorize.net and is fully tracked and measured from within the WordPress admin panels. All this additional control provides 2Toms the ability to now use their website as an active marketing platform as they build community and interest around the skin care products they produce.

Looking to have a website you can easily work with?

Could your business or organization benefit from being able to publish, manage, and manipulate your digital footprint? YOU BET IT CAN, AND I CAN PROVE IT! I can guarantee you that you will be amazed at how much functionality and flexibility we can provide you with, even with the tightest of budgets. Why not fill our a request form over at FirstTracks Marketing Group and find out for yourself, or better yet give me a call at 603-924-1978 right now and ask me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Monadnock Family Services Website: The Challenge

Monadnock Family Services needed a website that was easy to work with, optimized well with search engines, connect to social media outlets, accept donations online, and allow them to dynamically relate and manage all their organizational content. Working as the Interactive Media Director for FirstTracks Marketing Group it was my job to plan, manage, design, and implement a solution that would meet the needs of MFS.

The MFS Website Solution:

Using the Joomla open source CMS, FirstTracks built a brand new website for MFS that features the following integrated components:

• Services Database
• Success Stories Database
• Events Calendar Database
• Sponsorship Management Database
• Online Donations
• Homepage Slider Editing Component
• Social Media Sharing Tools using “ShareThis”

The new MFS website features an integrated database design that allows MFS staff to cross-reference their services, events, success stories and sponsorships dynamically. Need to relate a group of specific sponsors with a particular event on the calendar? No problem, simply create the event, load up the logo, and then check off the events where you would like the logo to appear. Success stories work the same way. By themselves these are great pieces of content that share the great work that MFS does. FTMG took these to the next level and provided simple admin controls that let MFS simply check to which services they want the success stories to relate so they show up in the proper sidebar positions throughout the site.

In addition to all the custom database design work FTMG did for MFS we also developed a secure online donation form using Authorize.net and a management component that makes it easy for MFS to track all their online donations. Add to that the full integration with the Joomla CMS website platform and MFS now has a quick, simple and efficient way to manage and publish all of their content online.

Looking to have a website you can easily work with?

Could your business or organization benefit from being able to publish, manage, and manipulate your digital footprint? YOU BET IT CAN, AND I CAN PROVE IT! I can guarantee you that you will be amazed at how much functionality and flexibility we can provide you with, even with the tightest of budgets. Why not fill our a request form over at FirstTracks Marketing Group and find out for yourself, or better yet give me a call at 603-924-1978 right now and ask me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Better construction business marketing online

This is the new site for Joe Serpa, owner of JM Serpa Construction in Hudson, NH. Three years ago I built Joe’s second website for JM Serpa Construction, when Joe called looking to make a significant amount of changes and upgrades to his previous site I recommended he convert his old site over to a new WordPress CMS website to give him FULL CONTROL over his online content.

Why WordPress?

Three reasons: Fast, Secure, Easy to Connect and Share. Most of the changes and edits that Joe has prepared for me were mostly minor text edits, tweaks and some new photo uploads, all tasks made very easy to manage through the CMS admin tools that WordPress provides right out of the box. We looked for a theme that would allow him to highlight new project JM Serpa Construction was working on, and some plug-ins that would make it quick and easy for him to create specific project photo galleries. These tools allow JM Serpa Construction to stay up to date with all their current projects, showing work in progress blog posts, as well as dynamic photo galleries of all the wonderful completed work they have.

Specific Project Highlights

• Dynamic JQuery Slider on the homepage that is fed using post content from the site
• Dynamic homepage content feed for all testimonials and available homes
• Recent Projects Gallery Overview Pages fed with dynamic image scripting
• Custom contact email form
• Quick and easy to use photo gallery plug-in module
• Drastically improved search engine optimization
• RSS feed integration and full social sharing link functionality for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more.

Ready to change the way you do business online?

The Internet is a constantly changing place, and the days of boring static brochure websites are over. To have any success online in today’s market place you need to be able to take control of your online properly and make sure your bringing fresh new ideas and content to the table on a regular basis. Your customers will thank you and Google, Bing, and Yahoo will thank you. If your interested in having a WordPress CMS website built for your business give me a call at 603-325-2429 or fill out my request form and I will get back to you shortly with some project estimate ideas.

Siege Technologies approached me about designing their corporate brand as well as developing a website platform that would be easy for them to manage and grow. For this project we identified WordPress as the best solution to meet their needs and budget. WordPress provided the simple, flexible, and extensible tools that will allow Siege Technologies to grow and build their business through their new online channel.The new Siege Technologies website was developed off the Agivee Premium WordPress theme. Developing new sites off of currently existing themes is a very efficient way to create lots of functionality options while keeping tight budgets intact. If you view the starting point of the theme above you will notice that many significant visual adjustments and upgrades have been made to transform this system into something that works best for marketing Siege Technologies products and services. Below you will find some of the functionality highlights associated with the project….

Project Highlights:

• Homepage JQuery slider component – completely optimized for SEO and controlled via an admin on the back end of the website. This gives Siege Technologies complete freedom to populate this real estate with whatever they like using the WordPress editor controls.
• Homepage News Highlight Slider – in the bottom half of the homepage I have implemented a rotating JQuery content column slider that allows Siege Technologies to easily control what post content they decide to feed into this column simply by selecting a category from the database.
• Full Featured Blog – Being that this is a WordPress website it features a comprehensive blogging tool for the site. Siege Technologies now has the freedom to write, post, and share any and all information they choose that will help to better sell their product offerings and help to better position themselves as experts within their industry.
• Complete Editing and Management Control – Every piece of content placed into this website is editable by Siege Technology staff. WordPress provides very simple and easy to use content management controls that provide even the most entry-level staff the ability to create links, add photos, and even embed video into new post and page content within the site. The accessibility of the editing controls for WordPress means that more people can get involved with supporting the site making it easier to make regular content updates and edits. This will result in increased traffic numbers because all search engines like to see regular new fresh content that is relevant.
• Search Engine Optimization – Siege Technologies is also able to customize all of their own search engine optimization efforts for every piece of content within the new site. Page titles, URLs, keywords, descriptions, links, you name it they can optimize it to be sure they get the absolute most out of every piece of content to their website.

These are just some of the highlights that I can build for you and your business using the WordPress platform. Every business is very different and requires different implementation strategies and plug-in structures to ensure their continued success and ease of use. My experience in working with many different companies, industries, and extensive experience with the WordPress platform ensures that your site will be the best solution to meet your online goals and challenges. Why not fill out my contact form and find out how? Or you can give me a call at 603-325-2429 if you want to talk it over. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Monadnock Community Hospital approached FirstTracks Marketing Group (where I am currently employed at Interactive Media Director) about creating a new website that would allow them to be more connected to the community centered around their Bond Wellness Center facility which provides physical fitness and rehabilitation services. To create a site that is easy to update, support, and manage we decided to build this site with the WordPress Content Management System (CMS). Using WordPress as the CMS engine made it easy for us to provide dynamic post commenting, website content feeds, and some fun dynamic post scripting animations.

For the Fitnotesnh.com project FirstTracks has partnered with Chris Halvorson as the primary writer and editor of the content. Chris is a wonderful writer and blogger who is also a member of the Bond Wellness Center. She is a perfect match for the project as she will be drawing inspiration and content directly from her personal experiences and the best way to generate traffic to any website is with timely, relevant content. This new site features a number of exciting design and coding techniques that make the site fun and accessible for all users……see for yourself.

JQuery Home Highlight

On the homepage of Fitnotesnh.com you will notice the fun image slider we have implemented. This navigation element ties directly into the content posting database and allows the content creator to easily feed new images with a nice tool tip hover that dynamically displays an excerpt from the new post. This homepage slider is tied to a specific category making it fast and simple for content creators to feed new information and highlights into this element regularly. This keeps the homepage fresh and interesting.

Featured Content Feeds

Fitnotesnh.com also features multiple ways for blog contributors to feed content into the homepage. Each main column AND the colored block at the bottom of the page are all individually tied to a specific category within the website database that the content editor can set simply by selecting them from a drop down menu. Super simple, super flexible and very easy to learn and use.

Social Media Integration

To help spread the word and create conversation on Fitnotesnh.com quickly and easily, we have scripted in “Share This” social media sharing tools into all of the posting content. Social media is here to stay and the easier you make it for visitors to share what they like the better your website will be. This content sharing plugin provides the ability for visitors to easily share all the content on the FitNotes Blog via Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Reddit, and even email! But wait, there’s more…..the best part about this sharing component is that you can track it! Yep, we get daily reports from this that tell us what’s being shared and through what service providing us and the client insight into which social networks their visitors choose to use. This allows the Bond Wellness Center to understand where they want to start spending more time building their on line community.

Plugins That Make This Site Sing

One of the best parts about WordPress are the plugin structures. There are literally THOUSANDS of free plugins available for WordPress. The trick is knowing which ones are the best for your site. FirstTracks has extensive experience with WordPress which provides us with the skill to scan the multitude of free plugins available to ensure we are providing our clients with the absolute best solution. For this project some of the exciting additions we made included a WordPress Live Search using JQuery, Google Analytics Integration, Google XML Sitemap Generator, Comment Subscription, and a comprehensive SEO package. This allows the user to enter custom page titles, meta data, and URLs for all posts. This is just a sample of we put into the site, but all of them serve to create a more complete and useful browsing experience while keeping the site information accessible and optimized for all search engines.

Looking to have a website you can easily work with?

Could your business or organization benefit from being able to publish, manage, and manipulate your digital footprint? YOU BET IT CAN, AND I CAN PROVE IT! I can guarantee you that you will be amazed at how much functionality and flexibility we can provide you with, even with the tightest of budgets. Why not fill our a request form over at FirstTracks Marketing Group and find out for yourself, or better yet give me a call at 603-924-1978 right now and ask me. I look forward to hearing from you!

I had posted the first version of this video a few months back on my companies website. What follows is the new and improved version that has been updated with all new information and stats since the previous video was released. This is a short but very powerful and insightful video that will shock you. The video is only 4:25 and does a great job at describing the magnitude of what Social Media really is, why it’s important, and how deep and extensive these networks really are.

Some of the more interesting figures from this new version:

• Over 50% of the world’s population is under 30 and 96% of them have joined some social network
• Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic totals in the US
• 1 out of 8 couples in the US that are married met via social media
• Facebook added 200 million users in less than a year
• If Facebook were a country it would be the 3rd largest
• Generation Y and Z consider email Passe’
• 25% of search results for the world’s top 20 largest brands are links to user generated content
• 90% of people skip TV advertising using TiVo/DVR

Social media isn’t a fad it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. Not sure where to start or how to effectively leverage this new technology to communicate better with your customers? I can help you craft your social media presence and help you plan your content strategy. I am available for onsite training and consulting, simply fill out my contact form and let me know what your goals and challenges are.

Brand new blog launched to showcase and discuss all the exciting things going on in and around Mystic Country Connecticut. I was contracted to build this site with the objective to create a website that could be custom designed, easy to update and manage, scalable for future growth, and easy to track and share online. Phew, no small order but I believe we hit this one out of the park using the WordPress CMS.

My client had a VERY tight budget for this project and a particular aversion to the Typepad blogging platform because she already manages a sites using that system. Unfortunately with the requirements for this project it became apparent very quickly that Typepad would not be able to get the job done because of lack of template options and relatively strict code customizing options available to developers. So to pull this off within the budget, time frame, and meet the client’s design and feature needs WordPress turned out to be a much better solution because of the vast selection of themes, customization options, and array of plug-ins available to extend the features of the finished product.

Theme Design and Customization

This new blog started out by using a WordPress theme called Hemsida. I selected this theme as the starting point because it featured a clean article focused layout along with some nice JQuery integration elements for the global site navigation and sidebar tabbed panels component. I worked with the client closely to develop a color palette and design that would best fit the region and audience who would be using the site. I also tweaked some Major elements to the site like the header which now includes a rotating image fade using Javascript and custom Social Media icons that link to the accounts associated with the organization. I added a custom message to the homepage of the blog and also integrated a custom ShareThis button set that appears with every post published in the system that allows anyone to instantly share any information they like on the site through their favorite social media networks.

Some of the plugins that really make this site shine

One of the best things about WordPress (aside from it’s very easy to pick up and use admin interface) are the plug-ins available to enhance and extend your website. There are always the usual standbys that I use for every WordPress site I build (All in one SEO pack, Category Order, Contact Form 7, Google Analytics, Google XML Sitemaps, WP Database Back Up, Login Lockdown, and Technical Support) all designed to better optimize the site, and make it easy for the site owner to secure their platform, manage their information, and get assistance if they need it.

Aside from those there was one plug-in I used on this project that I had not tried before which turned out to be PERFECT for an area tourism website, it’s called Post Google Map. This cool little plug-in lets the post creator add a location to the post they are writing (they can add as many locations per post as they like) and then that places a pin location on a Google Map that display on the website. For this site project I placed the map in the sidebar of the design using a Widget, but you can also embed a larger map in the actual post using a short code. What I really found cool about this plugin is that it changes depending on what your looking at. So if I am viewing an archive list of posts in a category the map in the sidebar will change to show the pins of the locations from ALL of those posts being displayed at that time. AND those pins displayed on the map when you hover over them show a link to the post on the website along with a photo an details about the location. Simply put, very cool.

Do you need a dynamic website for your business?

WordPress is a simple, efficient, easy to use platform that can be designed and implemented to suit just about anyone’s needs. If your tired of not being able to do much of anything with your website and are looking for a way to take control of your online real estate you should contact me today. Tell me about what your looking to do with your site and I can definitely come up with a solution that will meet your need.

Better construction business marketing online

This is the new site for Dan Nardelli, owner of Nardelli Builders in Chepachet, RI. Three years ago Dan’s first business website for Nardelli and Brossman Builders Inc (www.trustnbb.com) was built. When Dan called looking to make a significant amount of changes and upgrades to his previous site I recommended he convert his old site over to a new WordPress CMS website to give him FULL CONTROL over his online content.

Why WordPress?

Three reasons: Fast, Secure, Easy to Connect and Share. Most of the changes and edits that Dan has prepared for me were mostly minor text edits, tweaks and some new photo uploads, all tasks made very easy to manage through the CMS admin tools that WordPress provides right out of the box. We looked for a theme that would allow him to highlight new project Nardelli Builders was working on, and some plug-ins that would make it quick and easy for him to create specific project photo galleries. These tools allow Nardelli Builders to stay up to date with all their current projects, showing work in progress blog posts, as well as dynamic photo galleries of all the wonderful completed work they have.

Specific Project Highlights

• Dynamic JQuery Slider on the homepage that is fed using post content from the site
• Dynamic homepage content feed for all testimonials and available homes
• Recent Projects Gallery Overview Pages fed with dynamic image scripting
• Custom contact email form
• Quick and easy to use photo gallery plug-in module
• Drastically improved search engine optimization
• RSS feed integration and full social sharing link functionality for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more.

Ready to change the way you do business online?

The internet is a constantly changing place, and the days of boring static brochure websites are over. To have any success online in today’s market place you need to be able to take control of your online properly and make sure your bringing fresh new ideas and content to the table on a regular basis. Your customers will thank you and Google, Bing, and Yahoo will thank you. If your interested in having a WordPress CMS website built for your business give me a call at 603-325-2429 or fill out my request form and I will get back to you shortly with some project estimate ideas.

New Video: Old School NEO GEO Action People!

Just spotted this on GameTrailers this week posted by ScrewAttack. If you have been to a pizza place or arcade in the last 20 years I know you have seen one of these machines. I just thought this was a fun and funny little video that kind of took me back a bit….

NEO GEO was always one of those things that you always heard about as a kid but could never have…..I mean the damn system cost a bundle and I believe games were up over $200 bucks a piece (this is back in the early 90′s mind you)! Anyway please enjoy the video, the way they shot this video was actually really fun, and the guy singing the song really commits to his character here, I thought it was a riot!

Great stuff, keep up the great work Keith!