17
Aug

new website launched – national hoarding and squalor conference 2012

This morning we launched a new website for the 2012 National Hoarding and Squalor Conference:

http://www.hoardingsqualorconference.com.au

This website utilizes the Joomla CMS, with the addition of the DTRegister module to handle conference registration and payments.

If you have any questions about our services, or would like to have a similar site built, contact us here.

16
Aug

Australian GST Calculator

While putting together a website for an upcoming conference, I realised that I needed to work out fee amounts minus the included GST amounts.

Not being mathematically inclined, I searched and found a quick and easy calculator that I thought I’d share:

http://www.gstcalculator.com.au/

04
Aug

new website launched – catholic community services

We have just launched a new website for Catholic Community Services, found here:

http://www.catholiccommunityservices.com.au

The site is powered using the Joomla! CMS, along with a number of plugins to enhance the appearance and functionality.

Shortly we will be setting up a Virtuemart powered online store on their “Shop” page, which will enable CCS to sell various products to their clients.

If you have any questions about our services, or would like to have a similar site built, contact us here.

27
May

Search engine optimisation – is it all about content?

It surely is.  Here’s a great article by Shanelle Newton Clapham, an Australian (Sydney based) expert in the field of online marketing and digital media:

http://blog.onlinexpert.com.au/search-engine-optimisation-seo/content-is-king-as-every-good-digital-person-knows/

26
May

mozilla wants the URL bar gone from firefox

Mozilla LabsIn the latest attempt by Mozilla to follow in Google’s footsteps, it appears that the new versions of Firefox will possibly have the URL bar removed by default.  Google’s Chrome already offers this as an option, however recent comments coming out of Mozilla Labs indicates that they intend to remove it completely from Firefox’s interface – or at least have it disabled by default on installation.

Post on Mozilla Labs here: http://mozillalabs.com/conceptseries/2011/05/24/community-concepts-ubiquitous-firefox-part-1-how-do-you-design-a-debris-less-browser/

There are plenty of reasons why this is a hilariously bad idea; the most pressing issue that comes to mind are  phishing sites and scams, and how to identify them in the browser without being able to see the URL.

The key argument for removing traditional parts of the user interface tends to be steered more towards reclaiming screen space, and reducing clutter.  However in a world where widescreen, 24″ monitors are now the norm (and generally available for less than $250), the idea of removing a 33 pixel-high  URL bar to get more screen space seems to be a moot point.

I truly doubt and hope this idea does not make it past the concept stage.

More reading here: http://www.conceivablytech.com/7594/products/mozilla-labs-the-url-bar-has-to-go

12
May

Rock-solid online stores available

Do you need to expand your business to start selling your products online? We have the answer.

There are many web developers out there selling “Hosted Solutions” – which are more or less an online store hosted on their servers, using their software, under their terms.

Some reasons why hosted solutions are typically a bad idea:

  • Most companies that provide hosted solutions take ownership of the intellectual property within the site.  That is to say, the design and content of the website are all owned by the company providing the so-called “solution”.
  • A great deal of these hosted solutions run on proprietary  software platforms.  This means that you have virtually nil opportunity to move your site away from the hosting platform, let alone transfer your data across to another provider.  Most hosted solutions do not allow you access to the code or database behind your website, leaving you stuck in the event of the provider going broke, or if you simply want to change providers.At smallbizontheweb.com.au, we use a combination of the Joomla! Content Management System and Virtuemart, which are platforms that are well known and used by thousands of developers worldwide.
  • They are usually not good value for money.  At smallbizontheweb.com.au, we  provide you with a functional, aesthetically pleasing website, with an easy to understand and use administration section.  All online store packages have on-site training and 12 months of hosting thrown in for FREE.
  • The provider sets the terms – not you.  The terms and conditions vary between providers, but at the end of the day, you are ultimately not in control of your site’s terms and conditions.  We provide websites where you can set and stipulate your own terms.

If you are interested in having an online store built by us, please send us an enquiry here: http://smallbizontheweb.com.au/contact/

Our consultant can come visit you at your home or place of business to have a quick chat about what is involved in getting your online store built and operating.  Using a combination of our built-to-measure websites and Paypal for payment processing, you can have a very cost effective online store solution set up for you at a minimum of cost (both initial and ongoing).

Our packages are fantastic value for money, starting from $2,000 for a complete package including hosting and onsite training.  Contact us today to start retailing online!