Contact Form 7 Custom Field Colors

November 6, 2012 by

Contact Form 7: Color Input Fields

When using Contact Form 7 and trying to add a background color other than white, try inserting the following code into your CSS and customize it from there:

input, select, textarea {
 border: none;
 width: 380px;
 color: #aeb2b7;
 font-size: 13px;
 background: #1d1e21;
-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 1px 0px rgba( 255,255,255,0.05 ), inset 1px 1px 2px rgba( 0,0,0,0.3 );
padding: 8px 10px;
 border-radius: 5px;
 -moz-border-radius: 5px;
 -o-border-radius: 5px;
-webkit-transition: background 0.3s ease;
 -moz-transition: background 0.3s ease;
 -o-transition: background 0.3s ease;
 transition: background 0.3s ease;
margin: 3px 0 5px 0;
 }

 

Filed Under: Techie

PayPal Subscription Website

November 4, 2012 by
paypal

Monthly Paypal Payments Thru Your Website

Last year Paypal added the ability to accept subscription payments, where customer’s credit card is automatically billed monthly; but this was not available for use on your website through a plugin. And then in June of this year, WooCommmerce came out with a subscription addon to the already excellent WordPress plugin WooCommerce – Excelling Commerce Plugin. This addon makes it so that you can additional features to your existing shopping cart.

Recently I added this monthly subscription feature to Nadya Massages website. There was already the Woo Commerce shopping cart plugin within the website, so it was simply a matter of customizing the website further to include the subscription feature.

This was done by including a new service. Nadya already had hourly massages and package massages. But by adding a VIP Membership she was able to add the following:

  • One massage per month
  • A Birthday Massage
  • A Gift Massage
  • Considerate Scheduling
  • And a rate lock

All of this for less than her normal massage rates. All by having Paypal bill her client’s credit card automatically. By having the VIP Membership plan, she assures that she will receive a reoccurring monthly amount, and the client gets more than they could by paying for a regular priced massage. This kind of eCommerce plugin makes it a win win for both company and customer.

What could you do with this kind of reoccurring monthly fee? Use it for a classifieds website, have a website created that offers subscription content for your blog, upload content and either have customers by individual virtual products or offer a subscription plan. This isnt a new idea, and many websites have been using it for years. But it is the first time it has been brought smaller companies and at a very affordable cost.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Shopping Cart, Web Design Essentials

Are cheap websites cheap?

November 3, 2012 by
canned-website

Cheap Websites – Canned vs Quality

Craigslist if full of dirt cheap websites, websites anywhere from $99-$299, and they all promise a great turnaround time. These type of websites are termed “Canned” websites, as in ready right out of the can. But are they worthwhile and will they work for you? After all, getting the best deal on a website can help with other costs when starting or running a business.

Let me give you a little more information about canned websites and then we can draw some conclusions. Canned websites or template themes are available at places like Elegant Themes or Themeforest. Some times the person advertising them with ask for the basics like your logo, images, and text; and put it all together for you into the template theme. Other times, they simply sell the theme by itself.

If you know how to install WordPress hosting on your server, then installing a theme is a pretty simple process. Most WordPress themes have fairly basic options, such as the ability to upload a logo, and choose your theme color. Other advanced options might include setting up menus and maybe an image slider. From there, all you need to do is write your content and publish the pages to your site. And if everything goes according to plan, you can have a canned website up and running in a few days.

All good right? Well there are several other considerations to take into account.

  • How important is a unique website to you?
  • Are you technically minded or do issues with your computer make you have to get a new one, because the last “technical issue” you had resulted in it being thrown the stairs?
  • Is the lowest priced website your main motivation?
  • Do you need additional functionality like a shopping cart?
If you answered, No, Yes/No, Yes, and No – Then I suggest getting an el cheapo canned theme website. But I want you to consider the following train of thought first.  To succeed in business, you have to invest in your business. You have to invest in your image, in your products and services, and your public relations. We call that your Brand. Your brand represents everything good and bad about your business’s reputation.
 The flip side is a cautious balance. You dont spend money and time where you dont have to. Its not important that you buy name brand everything for your business, and some things dont have to be the highest quality. Its your call to invest in your business where it can make the most influence.
Now lets talk about the bad side of canned websites. Canned websites are built like modular homes; every piece fits together with everything else, and that means limitations. Just a few of the limitations are:
  • Learning how to use the Canned theme so that your theme looks like their demo theme can take weeks.
  • Your new website may not do everything you want it to do, and there is no way to change that.
  • Your Website will look very similar to someone else’s.
  • Some WordPress plugins just wont work with your theme.
  • You may still get frustrated and throw your computer down the stairs.
Your brand is the most important thing about your business, its how potential clients perceive your honesty, stability, and quality. Is your website the place where you have decided to cut costs? Bad Idea. A competent web designer will actually save you money. In addition to having experience in designing websites, your web designer can make it search engine friendly, create a flowing and unique website that blends with your brand. In addition, Your web designer does it all from the site setup to transfer until the website goes live. Any issues with WordPress plugins or addons, are taken care of. Just the money you save from not having to replace the computer you threw down the stairs will make it worthwhile.
The result of hiring a professional web designer instead of the do it yourself canned websites, is simple. You get to focus at what you’re good at, and you get to let your web designer put your website together to work for you. It has always been my opinion that you get what you pay for. If you believe in paying for quality, trading value for value, hiring a professional web designer is the best move you can make for your business and your brand.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, My Opinion

New Website New Name

November 2, 2012 by
paperpasture

New Website – In Good Company Web Design

The change is complete, the new and improved website is live, with the new name. Portland PDX Website is no more, the name has been changed to In Good Company Web Design. When I first moved to Portland, I wanted a domain name with local recognition for SEO purposes. So I went with the name Portland PDX Web Design. I have since, built a solid reputation as a local web designer, creating unique and custom websites for a variety of local businesses. I intend to continue the same prompt, courteous, and professional business; just under the new moniker. Any and all services rendered or ongoing website design projects are still under the service agreement with me, Tom.  Contact me if you have any questions.

Approved Website

This message has been officially approved by In Good Company Web Design.

Tom

Filed Under: Blog