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Timeless Lessons For People Who Run Websites

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Look Both Ways When Researching WordPress PlugIns

January 1, 2015 By TD

Plugin profile from Wordpress.org

Recently, I was doing a search for plug-ins to fix a specific problem. It was easy to find and install using Plugins and Add New from within WordPress. However, the info that displayed was a subset of what was available. In hindsight, I wish I had done the same search against https://wordpress.org/plugins/ because it would’ve saved me some heartache.  [Read more…] about Look Both Ways When Researching WordPress PlugIns

Filed Under: tips

Mixed Content Warnings and HTTPS Changes

August 12, 2014 By TD

Page rendered without CSS

I plan on doing a longer post on the process of switching over to HTTPS. As you might guess, it’s not as easy as you think. Until I resolve the remaining issues, you’ll most likely see some mixed content warnings in your browser. That’s because both “secure” and “insecure”content is being served. If the page doesn’t look correct in your browser, you can accept the “insecure” content and it will look fine.  I’ve posted some shots of how different browsers show the error.  [Read more…] about Mixed Content Warnings and HTTPS Changes

Filed Under: security Tagged With: SSL

Moving to HTTPS

August 9, 2014 By TD

https icon example in address bar

Google recently indicated that HTTPS will be a ranking factor. That started some discussion with folks as to whether that would be enough of an incentive for people to change. I think it’s a good move on Google’s part, but not sure it will move the needle. I think making the move is something to investigate. I thought this would be a good challenge for me. Will it be easy for me to move to HTTPS, or will I find it cumbersome? [Read more…] about Moving to HTTPS

Filed Under: security Tagged With: SSL

Lessons Learned Using Google Consumer Surveys

April 15, 2013 By TD

survey graphs are interactive
There are a lot of things I enjoy, but one that tends to make me smile is when I get to play with other people’s money. This is especially true if the donor is Google. Their coupon offer to use Google Consumer Surveys was one I couldn’t resist, but I should’ve waited. [Read more…] about Lessons Learned Using Google Consumer Surveys

Filed Under: tools Tagged With: competitive analysis, google, monetization, surveys

Slash the Duplicate URLs

March 31, 2013 By TD

Screaming Frog results showing similar URLs

It’s not even April and I’ve made another foolish mistake on this site. Call it my own version of “March Madness” and quasi duplicate URLs. It’s an error of my own making and I have no one to blame. Chances are it may be one that you have too. Fortunately, I’ve discovered this one early so it will be easier to fix. [Read more…] about Slash the Duplicate URLs

Filed Under: tips Tagged With: htaccess, server-errors, URLs

Where Else Has That Image Been Used

March 26, 2013 By TD

example of searching for stock photo

This tutorial relates to a previous article where I questioned if stock photos were the best. I’m not against stock photos, but I think people should consider the context and frequency of use. Below are two reverse image search engines that you can use to see where an image has been used on the web. This is useful in evaluating if a photo has been overexposed or if someone else is using your images without permission.

[Read more…] about Where Else Has That Image Been Used

Filed Under: tutorials Tagged With: images, search engines

Every Picture Tells Two Stories

March 22, 2013 By TD

You know what happens when you get 5 webmasters on a phone call and the subject of Google duplicate image penalties comes up? The answer is easy — an argument. Each of us had ideas as to what was happening after hearing this rumor. None of us knows what Google is doing and some didn’t think there was a penalty. [Read more…] about Every Picture Tells Two Stories

Filed Under: misc Tagged With: google, images

The Website Gatekeeper – Robots.txt

March 19, 2013 By TD

I got a call from a friend who was upset that his website traffic had dwindled, and sales were on a steep decline. My first thought was maybe he got caught up in some link scheme that got his site penalized. It turns out the problem was a simple mistake that many people have made including me.

[Read more…] about The Website Gatekeeper – Robots.txt

Filed Under: tutorials Tagged With: robots.txt, testing, webmaster tools

Learn From Your Competitors History

March 10, 2013 By TD

archive thumbnail

Do you ever wish you could go back and see website snapshots over time? Perhaps, you’d like to see how a competitor looked or even your own site. Although we don’t have a web time machine, there are two free resources that can provide you a historical perspective.  [Read more…] about Learn From Your Competitors History

Filed Under: tools Tagged With: archives, competitive analysis, images

My Kingdom for an Email Address

March 9, 2013 By TD

Once in a blue moon, this dragon does shop. I was reading an email newsletter yesterday when I saw an ad from an online retailer. Instead of continuing to read the article, I clicked through to learn more about the store and offerings. My expectations utterly changed when I got to the site. I wondered if this online tactic had been tested and then I saw it again. [Read more…] about My Kingdom for an Email Address

Filed Under: tips Tagged With: email, forms, testing

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