Why do you need one?

How can you create a QR Code?

To kick off, you might want to take a look at an article I wrote on the subject over 2 years ago:

QR Codes, Internet Marketing and the mobile web.

Please bear in mind though that some of the information in that post may not be current.

Simply speaking, a QR Code is a simple square bar code type image. People can scan them with their mobile devices/mobile phones/cellphones and instantly capture the web address URL associated with the QR Code.

You can view a QR Code off to the right in my sidebar – scroll to see it.

Using a simple iPhone app (QR codes work with a variety of mobile devices – I just happen to have an iPhone) I can scan QR codes and get the web address without doing any typing. Besides saving time, it means that long and perhaps difficult URLs can be easily looked up on mobile devices.

Today, huge numbers of people are using mobile devices to access the Internet. QR Codes are about making it easier for people to capture your web address and thus visit your website/view your content. The key is to make life as easy for your visitors as possible.

So, what are the steps you need to take ?

Recently I installed (easy) the free QR-Code Tag Extension for the free Google Chrome browser.

The extension has some options (which you do not necessarily need to look at) – I left mine at the default medium and did not bother with Bit Ly:

Next, I visited my blog URL in Chrome: http://blackshaman.net and clicked the QR-Code button in my browser:

It’s the one in the middle.

I got this screen:

I simply saved the resulting image to my hard drive and then uploaded to my blog’s side panel. So easy!

You will note that there is no clickable hotlink behind the QR code in my side panel. A mobile device simply scans the image and saves the associated web address/URL, which then becomes clickable within the mobile device.

My favorite app for scanning QR Codes is: QuickMark. I chose QuickMark because it got the best write up here. There are other apps listed, including free, however it was a small price to pay for QuickMark which seems to the best of the bunch. I am very pleased with it.

After scanning my QR Code in tests I clicked on the link, on my iPhone, to visit my blog. My blog looks different than the version you see when visiting it on a computer however, because I use a special plug in which renders my site according to the mobile device used to view. The WordPress Plugin I use is called WordPress Mobile Edition. Again, my focus is on making things easy for visitors to my blog.

QR Codes – Essential For Websites – Quick Easy Creation is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. QR Codes, Internet Marketing and the mobile web.
2. What is the website suffix .mobi all about?
3. What you REALLY need to know about Content Management Systems (CMS) for Web Design, Web Developers and Websites

They have appeared because I am using a plugin to automate collating my daily tweets into a digest and there appears to a bug.

The plugin (Twitter Tools) has an experimental section; which is where I have set up the daily digest post, so a bug is not entirely unexpected (though I am not sure it is the fault of the plugin).

I have to log into my blog daily to delete the duplicate post. As the posts are created around midnight my time, I don’t always get the deletion done immediately.

Duplicate Twitter Digest Posts. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Apologies for double Twitter daily digest posts
2. Man updates Twitter from site of airplane crash!
3. How I Stupidly And Accidentally Deleted My Twitter Account.

Just what you REALLY need to know about Content Management Systems (CMS) for Web Design, Web Developers and Websites.

A Content Management System can be a fancy name for a website (or blog). Content Managed Websites is another name for them.

I say “can be”  because a CMS has a number of definitions, not all to do with websites.

Many web designers and developers push the idea.

One reason is that using a CMS for a website is a sound idea.

For you. AND for them.

A CMS is a good idea because non technical users can be easily shown how to create their own web pages using just a web browser – no special software or high technical skills required. It can be like using a word processor in a basic way (Word or similar).

Steps:

1. Web developer creates website using a CMS. This stage can be tricky and is generally best left to the professionals or technically competent/knowledgeable people.
2. Web developer shows client how to log in via a browser and add or change pages. Easy.
3. Client continues to update, change, remove or add web pages and web developer is not required. Cruisey.

Sounds good huh?

Yes, it is. To a degree.

Now we come to what you really need to know.

Would you build your house with bad foundations?

And would you pay much more money than you need to? On an ongoing basis too?

Here’s the catch. Now, it does not apply to every situation or web developer out there; but you want to be sure it is not happening to you – don’t you?

Cost steps and considerations:

1. You pay the web developer to build your website.  Sometimes significant work is involved – in some cases the work is minimal. Situations vary. You simply pay to get your site built.
2. A website requires hosting. This can be problem area number one. Do you really know what you are getting and what you should be getting? For example; websites directed at a primarily Australian audience should usually be hosted in Australia (except in special circumstances beyond the scope of this article). Your web designer might provide hosting (for a fee), BUT: is it the best for you and your site? And is it too expensive? Perhaps it is ‘included’ in a bundle price such as cost for hosting and use of CMS. These are just SOME of the questions you need to be asking. (Some questions are technical and I have kept this simple).
3. Use of CMS – some web designers charge you a monthly or yearly fee to use the CMS. This can be bundled with the hosting fee at times. To some extent this can cover ‘maintenance’ of the CMS, however the work involved in maintenance can be minimal and your monthly payment can represent a large amount of wasted money – year after year.
4. Some CMS are technically difficult and costly to move, should you need to change web host and/or web developer in the future. Some are even proprietary (or bits can be). You can get in a real jam down the track. Difficulties in changing can adversely affect your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). If problems arise you could have huge bills.
5. Some CMS are technically hard to work with which can create upward pressure on costs and scarcity of competency.
6. Do you honestly think most web developers are going to genuinely consider your interests; especially your long term ones? You need to find out at the START what is best for YOU. Get your foundations right. Don’t fall for slick marketing spiel, or appeals to take what seems to be ‘the easy road’.

So what should you do?

1. Be careful when seeking a web developer. (There are loads of other reasons besides the above).
2. Start with finding out what you really need for YOUR needs. Bear in mind that you cannot really expect the guy with 26 fridge models in stock to try to sell you a model he does not have available, but which is far better for you. Same goes for most web designers.
3. Split the process and analysis into component elements. 1) Domain name registration 2) Hosting, 3) Website design (CMS or one other excellent solution – will cover that later), 4) Ongoing support needs

More detail on the component elements:

1. Domain name registration.

If you have not already got your domain name and want to buy one, do not assume you have to host with the same company. It may be a good idea, but not always. I recommend registering the domain name yourself. I have heard too many stories about people who thought they owned a domain name (having paid for it) only to find that it was actually registered in the name of a web developer and….you guessed….things went bad and the problems started. Believe me, if you do not have control of a domain name it can cost you HUGELY.

For Australian domain names I recommend NetRegistry. Good prices, good value, reliable, slick, organized, quality – all the good stuff. I also recommend them for Australian web hosting.

For non Australian domain names and international web hosting I recommend Go Daddy. Like the previous example – good prices, good value, reliable, slick, organized, quality – all the good stuff. In fact, Go Daddy have even better value and customer focus than NetRegistry. I use GoDaddy for some of my hosting, however my sites are directed at an international audience, as well as Australian. You might notice that Go Daddy web hosting is cheaper than NetRegistry, and the features better; however if you have an Aussie website directed at Australians don’t be a cheapskate – having foreign web hosting will cost you in other ways (remember – I said I would keep this simple).

Remember to ask yourself this:

Do I want my web designer to provide my domain name, my web hosting, my website and the ongoing maintenance. Hey, maybe some SEO as well? Just think of all that control. I know it seems easy – a bit like going to the big supermarkets in a way – but is it sound? In some cases (simple brakes are on) wise people register domains in one place and host in another (but I will keep it simple and won’t go into why).

Before we go on….

Has your web designer told you any of this? Why not?

2.  Hosting

See comments under ‘Domain name registration’ above.

3.  Website design

Getting this decision right starts with the foundation. Here are my two suggestions:

a) CMS. If you want a CMS, use WordPress (the .org self hosted version – not WordPress.com – there are good reasons for not using the latter; beyond the scope of this article).

Make sure that your web designer uses WordPress. Besides being easy for you to update, remove or add pages/posts here are just some of the other reasons:

• WordPress is the ‘gold standard’ CMS.
• WordPress is common, popular and extremely well supported. Finding people to help you will not be hard.
• WordPress installs are quite easy to move.
• WordPress is free.
• Excellent themes (ready made designs) are available. The one for this blog for example costs USD $79. Look for WP-MediaMag by Solostream here. Support from my theme developer Solostream is excellent.
• WordPress has a huge amount of excellent plugins, most of which are free. Just one example is WordPress Mobile Edition. This free plugin “enhances your site’s interface for visitors using a mobile device. By automatically detecting mobile browsers, this plugin gives your blog a mobile/phone/PDA- friendly interface with progressive enhancement for advanced mobile browsers”. Take a look at my/this blog on your iPhone or similar device. You cannot afford not to have a mobile friendly version of your site today – this will become increasingly important in the future.
• WordPress is quite easy to learn.
• WordPress is slick and easy to use.
• You can use WordPress for a static website or blog. It is not just for blogging. That said, you really should be blogging – either with a separate blog or one combined with a website.

Please note that with a WordPress self hosted website/blog, there will be periodic technical maintenance required. That said, it is not usually a lot.

b) Website building software. If you want a powerful, and I mean powerful, easy to use (Approx 2 hour tutorial will have you building a website) non CMS conventional website builder, then I recommend XSitePro. Either use it yourself, or ensure that your web designer does.

Forget Expression Web, FrontPage, (both Microsoft) or Dreamweaver. Take time to review the XSitePro website and you will start to see why. Frankly, I consider the thinking behind XSitePro to be so good that it bears the marks of genius.

And ask yourself:

Why is XSitePro website building software so popular with Internet Marketers?

What do they know that many of us don’t?

What could I be missing?

One of the big negatives about XSitePro – if you are a web designer – is that it can do you out of a job!

Simply speaking, XSitePro enables you to easily add pages just like using a word processor. Sure, creating a website is more involved (but still easy), however you can always get your web developer to build it for you. The resulting single export file can then be imported easily into your copy of XSitePro, complete with publishing passwords etc and you are good to go for adding pages etc. It is very easy/cruisey.

Free support for the website building software is superb.

And the price? Currently $197 USD! For elite level software!

I built my website (plus many others of my own and belonging to clients) using XSitePro.

Check out my website here: http://www.blackshaman.com

Simple ‘prescription’:

• Buy your own copy of XSitePro
• Either build your own website or get someone to help you.
• Once site is built, import into your copy of XSitePro (if someone else built it for you) and start adding your own pages.
• Purchase a .mobi domain and point it to the special mobile device website that XSite pro creates. (Optional).

Here’s a cost saving tip: if you use XSitePro and want a site with loads of pages, then you can save money by paying a web designer to build the base website with just a few pages. Then you, or your staff, can add hundreds of pages easily without need of a designer.

PS: Spend the money you save on getting good ongoing search engine optimization (SEO). This is not all done during the site build stage.

Maintaining XSitePro is easy – it has a self updater.

4. Ongoing support needs

Periodic technical maintenance is required for WordPress self hosted websites/blogs. This is not usually significant and can be handled by technically competent non web developers if necessary.

XSitePro has a self updater (via button) and is easy to update. No hosting account access is required so even your grandmother could do it.

Conclusion

If you have ANY questions at all, please do get in touch. There is plenty more that you need to find out about building websites/blogs (and are probably not being told).

If you would like to find out more about how I can help you with building your website or blog please let me know. As you have probably realised by now, my focus is upon genuinely helping customers and focusing on what is best for them.

What you REALLY need to know about Content Management Systems (CMS) for Web Design, Web Developers and Websites is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Websites made easy! Blunt and to the point.
2. Website design software blues now have an antidote!
3. XSitePro makes building websites feel like blogging. Easy.

It looks fantastic.

Personally, I will wait a week or so (or more) before I upgrade.

Here are some of my reasons:

• Allowing time to pass so that I can be sure there are no major hassles or issues with the new release.
• Allowing the plugin developers to update their code. Some may be lagging behind.
• I host with Go Daddy. They have a special button within the hosting control panel for upgrading. This button does not appear for at least some days after every WordPress code upgrade. I understand the reason for this is to be certain the release is stable before installing. (Note: By using the Go Daddy button for upgrading, rather than the one built into WordPress, it means that if anything goes wrong then I would get more help from Go Daddy to fix – because it is their system).
• I can view feedback on other people’s experiences with the new WordPress version. I expect there will be some great articles produced. These often mean that I can conduct my upgrade and configuration accordingly – thus benefiting from better knowledge.
• My blog theme will be upgraded/updated by the developer

Key tips:

• BACK UP your files before upgrading
• Update your plugins before upgrading – and make sure that you refresh the plugin page to check for more updates – they may not all be visible on first look.

Check out the WordPress 3.0 video tour:

WordPress 3.0 “Thelonious” released – see my key tips is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Fed up with the 45 tag cloud limit on the standard WordPress install?
2. Fix (workaround) for WordPress “Failed to write file to disk” image upload error.
3. QR Codes – Essential For Websites – Quick Easy Creation

Currently I am developing a new website for a client.

We are brainstorming about the choice of domain name. This process has been going on for a couple of days.

Here is just one snippet that I emailed to my client:

Key thought…wear your customer’s head. It is not about you. It is about them. That is ALL most of them care about.

This morning they all tuned into WII FM on the dial.

What’s In It For Me = WII FM

This is worth considering for life in general too. It’s a fact. Ignore at your peril.

PS: Brainstorming can be helped by sleeping on ideas, and by switching off entirely and allowing the mind to focus (preferably deep focus) on other things. Hence the time it is taking in this particular case. With important foundational decisions it is imperative to get them right – without agonizing or any of the other negatives.

Brainstorming about a new domain name for a client…(tip) is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Be part of the IN crowd – register a .IN domain name.
2. Interesting, unexpected experience when helping client with mediation
3. Unsure what to do in life?

If your site lacks an eye-catching, targeted and topic-specific header graphic, it runs the risk of being ignored by untold numbers of potential clients and readers. But an attention-grabbing, well-designed header graphic does three things that are absolutely essential for your site to survive and thrive:

1. It lets people know what your site is about instantaneously.

Congratulations, someone has visited your Web site! Now, whether he stays to look around or immediately hits the back button to escape depends largely on your header graphic.

Your header graphic is the first page element your site visitors will see when they arrive at your Web site or blog. An effective header graphic assures site visitors that they have arrived at the correct destination and it confirms that your content or product is exactly what they are looking for.

If your header does not clearly communicate your site’s topic, visitors will leave in search of another site that fulfills their needs and expectations better.

2. It distinguishes your site as professional and authoritative.

Your Web site or blog visitors must trust your expertise, whether you sell a product or relay information, in order for your site to be successful.

A sloppy, fuzzy, boring or poorly designed header graphic indicates amateur site management and will earn you the skepticism of everyone who sees it. A polished, error-free header graphic with clear images, sharp fonts and site-specific art, however, will earn your visitors’ trust because it lends credibility and sophistication to your site.

If your site design looks professional, visitors will expect that you are, too.

3. It brands your site with a unique identity.

Identity recognition is everything when it comes to building a successful business or personal reputation. You want your site visitors to be able to recognize your site next week, next month and next year, even if they only visited it once before.

A strong, unique header graphic combined with a positive user experience at your Web site or blog will ensure that your site visitors never confuse you with someone else. If your header graphic is doing its job, your site will stand out from the crowd and convey the message that visitors can count on you for products, services and information they won’t find anywhere else.

How you can create excellent quality header graphics for your website or blog:

• Easily
• Cheaply
• Quickly

XHeaderPro, from the makers of the outstanding XSitePro website builder software….

Click here to check out this amazing new header design software! Released today.

Three Reasons You Need a Great Header Graphic for Your Web Site is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Online dating statistics – an interesting graphic and key trends
2. Fresh new look for Personal Development Magic website.(Too easy!)
3. Key social media site for finance, investing, and business topics

http://www.stimator.com

This website value estimator is useful for people interested in, or active in, search engine optimization. As the check runs you can see how various factors are increasing the value. At the end, you can click on a button which provides a detailed report.

My site – http://www.PersonalDevelopmentMagic.net, is rated as being worth USD $2028.

Here is a copy of the report:

As you can see, my site is weaker in some areas than others. So far, I have not implemented a search engine optimization campaign for this site and yet it is obtaining a higher value result than some other websites which have been around for years.

Real website value estimator is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Website design software blues now have an antidote!
2. Does YOUR website builder software developer offer this level of support?
3. The Complete Guide to Website Building – easy, professional, inexpensive..

This website, which as of February 2009, is not yet fully completed, has been created for one of the Gold Coast’s premier eye care facilities, which includes a day surgery.

Dr Roger Welch, the founder of Vision Centre Gold Coast is someone I have known both personally and professionally for some years. Dr Roger Welch, whom I know very well, is a remarkable person and is incredibly dedicated to the welfare of his patients and the provision of top quality eye care. Eye care is his consuming passion.

The calibre of the Doctors, theatre nurses and support staff at Vision Centre is very high – the practice has a key focus on retaining quality associates and employees.

Dr Welch does a great deal for the community (details here). Some of his work for society includes treating needy people in country NSW free of charge – Dr Welch even charters a private plane at his own expense so that he can arrive refreshed and spend more time helping people. Dr Andre Theron is also heavily involved with this community work.

For those interested in the technology behind the Vision Centre Gold Coast website you can find more details here:

www.website-software-made-easy.info

Whilst I cannot go into details of costs for the development of this website, which are client confidential, I can say that it was not expensive, despite being a large site. A key reason for this was the choice of website building software. Other website software programs, such as Dreamweaver and Expression Web are so clunky and slow to use in comparison – just one reason why I rarely use them nowadays – which drives up costs due to the time a web developer has to invest building a website.

Another key aspect about the deployment of this new website is that because the software it is built with is so easy to use, and learn, staff at Vision Centre Gold Coast will be able to add and/or edit web pages themselves. Vision Centre have their own copy of this inexpensive website building software and will therefore be able to avoid the time delays, hassle and associated costs involved with contacting a web developer to make amendments. In this day and age it is important to be able to operate very efficiently, thoughtfully and effectively, an attitude which permeates all of the activities at Vision Centre.

More details about my website developing activities are available here. And Internet Marketing.

Eye care – new website I have developed for Vision Centre Gold Coast. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Sushi & Yum Cha on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
2. Gold Coast Organic Food Store – where customers matter.
3. Does YOUR website builder software developer offer this level of support?

Did you know how easy it is to buy and register a domain name?

Did you know that you can buy a domain name from a top class domain registrar for a really good price and get loads of great free extras? Even a free email account and free electronic greetings cards. And the rare scheduled email – write an email and schedule for sending later!

Have you thought about registering your OwnName.com? I registered www.AlexWebley.com and one for my old* birth name www.LionelWebley.com . (*No wonder I changed it! Parents make such awful name choices sometimes.)

And did you know that the Indian domain suffix/extension .IN is now available?

The Indian .IN domain is useful for Indian people, businesses or anyone with a connection with India such as expatriates, lovers of Indian culture, and businesses that have Indian customers.

The domain .IN could also be used to denote being part of the “In” crowd for some situations, or perhaps used as a clever ‘play on words’.

Registering a .IN domain is currently USD $14.99 a year.

If you wish, you can register by going directly to Go Daddy or you can click on the banner below.

Go Daddy, the world’s best domain registrar and hosting company in my view, are one of my favorite companies – so customer focused, really great value and they provide very slick and easy tools.

Be part of the IN crowd – register a .IN domain name. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Websites made easy! Blunt and to the point.
2. New methods of job search – continued.
3. Your email address should belong to you, not your internet service provider (ISP).

Can this be possible?

Yes, with the right ingredients!

Relax! Building a website will soon be easier.

(Pssst……secrets: there is stuff in this post that your web designer, web host, or domain registrar might not want you to know!)

Some key ingredients to easy website building:

1. A good domain registrar. See my Domain Registrations page here. The easiest to use is Go Daddy.
2. A good webhost. See my Web Hosting page here.
3. Very good website building software. How does a couple of hours tutorial sound before you are ready to start building your own website sound? The software is so good I am actually amazed, and it takes a lot to really impress me. In fact, the designers of this software show the marks of genius.

Websites made easy! Blunt and to the point. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. What you REALLY need to know about Content Management Systems (CMS) for Web Design, Web Developers and Websites
2. XSitePro makes building websites feel like blogging. Easy.
3. Be part of the IN crowd – register a .IN domain name.