Monthly Archives: September 2013

Web Design Resource for Non-Profits
Web Design Resource for Non-Profits avatar

 in Content and Format by

Before launching Black Cap Design, Pat and I both worked for not-for-profit organizations.  We also have experience as volunteers on fundraising committees and on non-profit Boards of Directors.  This gives us insight into the unique challenges social service agencies face when it is time to design or redesign their websites. We developed this PDF checklist for our not-for-profit clients to help them identify some of the common decisions they will need to make.  This list also includes steps that will […]

What is this “Hosting” thing and why should I care?
What is this “Hosting” thing and why should I care? avatar

 in Hosting and Domain Registration  tagged dedicated hosting / Hosting / Internet Service Providers / ISP / My SQL / PHP / server / shared hosting by

What is Web hosting? Every site you visit on the Internet – including this one – is stored on a computer somewhere. And all of those computers link together to weave the fabric of the World Wide Web. Web hosting companies exist to store website files and make them available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – for a fee. If you want a website to profile your business, show photos from your latest trip, or publish your […]

Domain Registration vs Hosting: What’s the Difference?
Domain Registration vs Hosting: What’s the Difference? avatar

 in Hosting and Domain Registration  tagged domain name / url / web hosting by

What is domain registration, exactly?In our previous blog post we discussed Web hosting. If your Web host is the physical location where your website files are stored, your domain name is the address needed to find those files. A Web address (also known as a URL) looks like www.yoursite.com. If you are in the process of setting up a website, you will need both Web hosting and a domain name. If you don’t have Web hosting set up already, consider […]

What is SEO? How to Get Found By Search Engines!
What is SEO? How to Get Found By Search Engines! avatar

 in Search Engine Optimization (SEO)  tagged alternate text / Bing / Google / HTML / keywords / meta tags / organic search / reciprocal links / robots / Search Engine Optimization / Search Engines / SEO / site redesign / text / web crawlers / web design / web developer / WordPress / XML / Yahoo by

What is SEO? SEO is an acronym for Search Engine Optimization. It’s nerd-speak for making your site accessible to search engines. Popular search engines like Google, Yahoo! and Bing are massive catalogues (think the phone book on steroids) of information about the websites that comprise the Web. Just how many sites are out there? As of October 2013, there are an estimated 767 million active websites! (Source: http://news.netcraft.com/.) No wonder it’s tricky getting your favourite search engine to find your […]

Web Page Layout – How To Create a Welcoming Web Experience
Web Page Layout – How To Create a Welcoming Web Experience avatar

 in Content and Format  tagged branding / copyright / navigation menu / responsive design / web content / website design by

Are you considering having a website designed or re-designed? Page layout is something most end-users seldom think about. People are likely to have a “yuck!” or “hmmm nice” reaction to a given website, and don’t give it much more thought. Good page layout keeps visitors at your site. Nothing gets people running for the exit doors faster than bad layout. So, what is page layout? Simply put, it’s where stuff is placed on your site’s Web pages. It’s a bit […]

5 Reasons Why Your Site Should Be Standards-Compliant
5 Reasons Why Your Site Should Be Standards-Compliant avatar

 in Website Management  tagged assistive technology / Cascading Style Sheets / CSS / Flash movies / Google Chrome / HTML / Opera / operating systems / PDF / Safari for Mac / standards-compliant / Unix / W3C / WaSP / Web Browser / Web Validator / Windows / World Wide Web Consortium / XHTML by

Web Standards: Test Before You Buy! The last time you purchased a vehicle, it’s a safe bet you took it out for a test-drive first. After all, you’re not buying it just to have it look good sitting in your driveway! In the early days of the Web, the only way to test-drive a website was to visit the site, look at it, and test the links to make sure they worked. The Web has come a long way since […]

5 Things to Consider When Planning a Website
5 Things to Consider When Planning a Website avatar

 in Content and Format  tagged target audience / websites by

If you’re like most people, you’ve been thinking about having a website developed for a while. And, like most people, you’re wondering where to start. We’ve compiled a list of 5 important things to consider to help you get started. Answer these questions and you’ll be well on your way. Make sure to jot down your answers. It will help when it comes time to consult with us about planning the construction of your site. 1. What is the purpose […]

Can I Update My Own Web Site?
Can I Update My Own Web Site? avatar

 in Website Management  tagged CMS / HTML / self-managed websites / SEO / software / websites by

One of the most common questions we get from our clients is “will I be able to update the site myself?”. The short answer is “Yes!”. We can add a customized, browser-based Web Editor to your site that you can access from anywhere with an Internet connection or you can select a powerful Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress providing you the ability to manage every aspect of your site independently. Having said that, there are a number of things […]

Finding the E-Commerce Solution that Works for You
Finding the E-Commerce Solution that Works for You avatar

 in Website Management  tagged E-commerce / online sales / Payment Gateway / PayPal / Plugins / selling / shopping cart / WordPress by

If you’re in the business of selling goods or services, or looking to raise funds, the Internet can be a powerful tool. E-commerce provides you with instant access to a global marketplace at a fraction of the cost of a brick-and-mortar store.  If you already have a storefront, an e-commerce site will allow you to expand your reach and offer your customers an alternative. But just having an online store isn’t your ticket to instant success. Like brick and mortar […]

Web Security: 5 Tips for Protecting Your Site
Web Security: 5 Tips for Protecting Your Site avatar

 in Website Management by

Identity theft. Online fraud. Phishing. Spam. If you’ve been following the news lately, these are terms you’re familiar with. It’s no secret that the Web is all about the sharing of information. If information is power, plugging into the Web is a good thing. Right? Unfortunately, the Web has proven an effective tool for criminals and people engaged in unethical business practises. So how can you actively participate online and protect your website from spammers, hackers and other bad actors? […]

Creating Effective Web Content
Creating Effective Web Content avatar

 in Content and Format by

Writing Web content is easy right?  Actually, one of the most common challenges people face when creating or updating their website is the written content. Here are some tips to help with crafting effective written content for the Web. Before you begin writing ask yourself: Who will be visiting my site? What is the likely purpose for the visit …what are visitors going to be looking for? How can I make it easy for them to find the information they […]

Client Questions
Client Questions avatar

 in Black Cap Design - An Introduction by

Traditionally, the Black Cap Design team has responded to our client’s questions by email; providing information and instruction.  Over the years, we have come across many common themes. People often ask functional questions like: Should I use a content management system like WordPress or ZenCart (for e-commerce) or do I go with a static site? What steps do I need to take to prepare? How do I register a domain name? Does it matter where my site is hosted? What […]