How to Hire a Web Developer

Posted on March 2, 2012 by nate

Selecting the right web developer or marketing company is critical to a successful outcome.  How does a business owner make the right choice?  Whether you rely on an internet search or a referral from someone you trust, being informed is the ultimate advantage.  Once you have researched various web designers, programmers and developers, you will have a few questions.  To save you time, see the questions and answers below:

What is Content Management?

If you haven’t heard, content is critical.  If your new website won’t effectively accommodate your content – don’t bother making the investment.  A web developer takes the time to determine why you need the website, how you will use it and who will be maintaining the content.

WordPress, Joomla or Expression Engine?

These CMS platforms are open-source (i.e. many developers are familiar with the technical aspects of the CMS).  This means if you want changes made down the road you won’t be “held hostage” by the original web developer.

There is a downside.  If you need unique features built into your website, it will require the use of a “plug-in”.  Then, 10 months down the road, say you decide to add more powerful (complex) features to your website.  At this point in the project, the same “streamlined” website that you selected is now restricting the capability you need.

A skilled web developer can significantly customize an open-source cms, just the way you need it, which is an ideal situation, except that it’s probably the most expense option on the table (it’s a supply and demand issue – skilled developers being in demand and unskilled developers being available by the thousands on Craigslist).

Custom CMS?

A custom CMS can work really well for you and stay within a reasonable budget.  It’s built just the way you need it to work.  Hopefully, your developer will be around next year when you need some changes made, because that custom work is most efficiently completed by the original developer.  If not…that’s why some clients insist on open-source.

Key Takeaway:  Hiring a reputable company is a good idea regardless of your strategy and which cms you choose.

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Mixing Things up With Cauliflower-Crust Pizza

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Sanna

I’m deviating from the usual blog post on internet marketing, content and design to instead share a recipe for yummy cauliflower-crust pizza.

It sounds a bit weird, I know.  But it is delicious, and has a couple of other perks as well (gluten-free, low-carb, easy to make).

The flavor is surprisingly pizza-like, but with an earthier tone.  It also isn’t as heavy on your stomach as a traditional crust pizza, which may inadvertently lead to gluttony. ;)

This recipe made enough for me and my hubby.

Here’s what you’ll need:

CRUST INGREDIENTS

  • A head of cauliflower (Note: a full head will yield roughly 3 cups of cooked, riced, cauliflower.  This recipe calls for only 1 cup.  So if you have 1/2 a head, that will be enough).
  • 1/4 c. of white wine
  • 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt

SAUCE INGREDIENTS/DIRECTIONS

  • I used this scrumptious homemade pizza sauce recipe from AllRecipe.com.  You could also go easy on yourself and use pre-made sauce.  My favorite is Mids Homestyle Pizza Sauce, available at Rainbow Foods, sometimes at Costco and I’m sure elsewhere.  Mids does authentic Italian sauce with none of the extra chemicals, additives, artificial flavorings, and other stuff.  They have great sauce.

TOPPINGS:

  • Your choice – but a heads up; the toppings are only broiled for a few minutes, so chop them tiny, or pre-cook them.

DIRECTIONS FOR CRUST:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Note:  I preheated my pizza stone to 450 as well.  I think it helped prevent a soggy-bottomed crust.
  • Rice the cauliflower.  Start by tossing the stems and leaves; chop the florets into small chunks.  Use a food processor or the pulse-function on your blender to rice the cauliflower.  If you don’t have either of these, you can use a cheese grater, although I don’t recommend this route.  It is tedious and dangerous to your fingertips and manicured nails. ; ) Be careful not to create a mash.  The texture should be like it sounds; riced.  It’s ok if you have a few larger (i.e. pea size) chunks.
  • Cook the cauliflower.  I chose to cook it in a nonstick pan.  Add 1/4 c. of white wine (water also makes a fine substitute), cover and cook on med to med/high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring every once in a while.  The cauliflower has moisture in it naturally that will help it from drying out.

  • Find a tiny-chef if possible (see above).  Tiny-chefs are good for this step.  In a mixing bowl, stir together 1 cup of cooked, riced cauliflower, 1 beaten egg, mozzarella cheese, oregano, and garlic salt.
  • Brush a bit of olive oil onto pizza stone and then pour crust-mixture onto the stone and shape into a 9″ round (see below).

  • Cook at 450 degrees for 12 – 14 minutes.  Crust should be lightly browned.
  • Add sauce, cheese and other toppings.  Broil for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.  Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!!
  • ENJOY!

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Beware the Trap of On Line Marketing Solutions

Posted on January 29, 2012 by nate

Most business owners have learned the hard way that blind trust is not good for business.  Employees, vendors and even customers can be trusted – to a point.  Trust, but verify is the mantra.   Yet, it’s surprising how many business managers are willing to relinquish control of vital corporate assets.  Specifically, this post addresses the increasingly common business practice of hiring online, subscription-based marketing companies to build the corporate website and content management system.

Why Hire an Online Marketing Provider?

Companies like web.com and hubspot.com offer a tantalizing pitch to small business owners: easy; cheap; pay-as-you-go; and of course the oldest trick in the book… free.  Of course, like every good pitch, elements of truth are included.  But business managers that take a longer-term view see the sinister reality of hiring subscription-based online services.

Own Versus Rent

You need to own your website and content management system.  Trusting any person, government or private company to do the right thing with your corporate assets is fraught with risk.  Here’s just one example of what could go wrong:  They increase your monthly subscription cost by $1,000 knowing that you rely on the website.

Would you remodel a house that you don’t own?  Probably not.  Why then, would you invest time and money into developing a website, creating business practices that sell and producing important content – that you don’t own?

Using the Best Online Marketing Tools

Fortunately, if you haven’t hired a subscription-based provider, you still have excellent options available.  Today, hundreds of powerful tools are available to small businesses.  Some of them are sure to produce great results for your business.   If you prefer some direction and guidance a reputable internet marketing company can help you select the tools to grow your business using online channels.  No matter what happens, you remain in control of your business’s online presence.  Contact Aristotle Development for advice on selecting online marketing tools that you control.

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