Client Spotlight: Hearing Health Center’s new website launch happened this week! When a new web design was in order, HHC turned to Bear Web Design. We are proud to partner with a company enhancing hearing in Wilson County and Middle TN since 1982!
Tag: Nashville Web Design
With modern websites becoming more and more sophisticated in both look and behavior the expectation that a standard web hosting company will take care of everything your website needs is simply not correct. The game plan of hiring a web designer that builds a new website and then moves it to a hosting company to sit indefinitely is no longer a viable plan for you or your website. Today you really need a webmaster.
The new block editor, also known as Gutenberg, stands to change the way you create and update content on your WordPress site. It’s likely you have experienced the classic WordPress editor. You might use it to post a blog, for instance. It’s also likely that you had to look up how to complete complex tasks like style changes, adding buttons or changing the background color. (You may have also asked your friendly agency for assistance.)
Have you heard about WordPress? You may be considering it for your new website. You may need a website; you know how important it is, you just “don’t have the time”.
Have you recently heard the term “Digital Profile”? It is becoming a key focus area for companies as well as individuals that provide services that are searched for on the internet. That means just about any company that operates today should be paying attention to their Digital Profile.
You have a website that has been up and running for a number of years. In actual fact many organizations have had 2-3 generations of websites now a days. It looked great when the website was launched (they always do). However, over the years, it has become less and less of a focal point in your companies marketing plans. You don’t really know how much traffic is coming to the website. This is because the reports you used to get stopped coming. Additionally, the big part that bothers you is that you don’t seem to get any inquiries from your website any more.
So you are surfing the internet on a bright sunny day. The kids are playing in the back yard with Bucky the Golden Retriever. Your wife is in the kitchen baking cookies. All is good with the world. If Norman Rockwell was around, this could have been his next American Classic – “Dad On The Internet.” However, there are new security standards.
Joomla Components, Modules and Plugins can have a great influence on your final website design. They can enhance your website design ranging from interesting content such as blogs to desired action items such as purchasing a product. Some of you may already know what these additional pieces of Joomla are… But for those clients or future clients that are new to Bear Web Design and Joomla! lingo, here’s an introduction.
What Is a Component in Joomla?
A component in Joomla! is the most complex add-on. This usually adds a completely new, or different, function to your site. A component handles data input and storage into the database.
Some Examples:
- An Online Store System
- A Blogging System
- A Business Directory
- An Advertising System
- A Slideshow or Photo Gallery
What Is a Module in Joomla?
A module in Joomla! is usually an add-on to the site that extends the functionality of another part of the system. It usually has fewer options and most of the time does not handle any storing of information into the database. A module usually supports a component by allowing more options on how to display data from the component. Modules are the most commonly referred to in a design meeting environment at Bear Web Design. Many modules can be customized to fit your color-scheme and style.
Some Examples:
- A module that shows a visitor their account info, shopping cart, and or login/logout info. (Works with a store component.)
- A recent blog area or featured blog listing. (Works with a blog component.)
- An advertisement area that holds an advertising banner. (Works with an advertising system component.)
- A mini calendar. (Works with an Events component.)
- Customized Quick link buttons. (Works with Joomla! menus.)
- A slideshow on the homepage. (Works with a slideshow component.)
- Search Box (core Joomla!).
What Is a Plugin in Joomla?
A Plugin in Joomla! will manipulate output already generated by the system. It typically does not run as a stand-alone element but retrieves data from other sources like content on your site.
Some Examples:
- Search Plug-in (works with components, to make some of their data able to be searched within the entire site)
- Simple Image Gallery – pulls images from a folder in a database and displays those images when called into an article.
- Article Editor Plug-ins – allow for embedding of special media such as iframes, videos, etc.
How Plugins, Modules, and Components Work Together
It is also good to know that modules and components are great ways to provide interaction with your website visitors.
These items are important to know when starting or redesigning a Joomla! website. In a design meeting these will help express how you would like your site to look and function.
Have questions?
A question that is often asked in our EasyBlog class is “What is the best writing environment?” It was a topic of discussion again this week. So I thought it would be fun to investigate and here is what I found out.
Of all the areas of web design and development that I enjoy the most – our Web Design meetings really rank highly for the part they play in ensuring a great website result for the client. The key to great web design is the success of those meetings starts with analysis & research before the meeting, which can include reviewing the client’s business and marketing models , their current website, and industry leading websites for comparison and samples. Key communication actually starts in the sales cycle and should be in full “voice” – during the design meeting. Clients should be engaged in identifying their needs, aims and outcomes and the whole team (client and designer) should establish a collaborating process to ensure a successful outcome.