Why wordpress is the bomb!

Mar06

WordPress is the most widely used Content Management System used (2013) built using the most widely adopted program language (PHP). It’s currently running more than 68 MILLION websites as I type this.

Let that sink in for a moment. 10 years ago, there were only 70 million internet users. That is just an epic statistic.

68,000,000

But it’s not the numbers that should convince you to use wordpress, it’s the following 3 reasons.

1. It’s free

Well you can’t beat free, and such is the case with wordpress. Because of it’s open source nature, it’s free to use by all.

2. It’s got loads of plugins

WordPress has a vibrant plugin community. If you are a small business, you can get some amazing plugins that will increase your sales and drive more users in your doors. A few of my favs? Gravity Forms Ninja Popups WordPress Super Cache

3. It’s super easy to learn

Towards the end of a project I train all of my clients on how to use wordpress, and guess what? It only takes them about 30 minutes to get the hang of it. If you know what a mouse and a keyboard is, than you’ll pick it up quickly.

How to write a great proposal

Aug14

As a web designer in today’s market, if you can’t write great proposals, you won’t be able to sell your services, and in turn you won’t eat. I like to eat. Eating keeps my wife and I alive.

Let’s face facts: we’re in a buyer’s market when it comes to web design services. For every job I bid on, I’m competing with five, ten, or even more other freelancers or agencies.

When you’re stuck in a crowd like that, you’ve got to find a way to set yourself apart, or face 20:1 (or even longer!) odds on winning that contract. The best way to set yourself apart is to build a personal relationship with a potential client before you ever pitch your business, but writing a good proposal comes a close second. Even if you have a prior relationship, a good proposal helps reinforce your ability to deliver. The truth is that a good proposal can push you to the top of the stack.

How do I do it?

1. I understand (and flatter) your target.
I make sure that I know what the business is, who the person I’m sending this proposal to is, and every small detail I can google. The more you know the potential client the better.

Make sure you say things that make them smile, like “I want this website to be awesome, just like YOU”. That’s always a deal clincher.

2. Keep it simple.
I make sure that I use short descriptions, space everything correctly, and get to the point quickly. No one wants to read a 10 page proposal

3. Make the document look great!
This document is the first thing that a client is going to see that is specifically tailored to them. Make sure that it looks great, and gives them a taste of what they would get if they paid for your services. Which brings me to the final point

4. Price is right.
If you bid too high, than might as well not spend your time doing it. The price HAS to reflect the level of services that you will provide. If the proposal looks like $10,000 than the client will be more apt to believing and ultimately paying that price. But if the proposal looks and feels like it’s not worth the time spent to view it, you’re out quicker than you realize.

Would you like a proposal?

If you would love to see these four awesome steps in action, than wait no longer! Head over to our contact page and send us your details. I would love to send you a custom solidGIANT proposal!

Leveraging WordPress for the Small Business

Feb10

It’s no surprise that wordpress is the #1 Content Management System on the planet right now. If you are surprised than checkity check out the reasons why it is.

1. It’s free
2. Widely suported by developers everywhere
3. Huge list of plugins that do everything
4. Complete creative control on the look of a website
5. You can install it on your own server
6. Massive community of Themes
7. Easy to understand content editor

There are way more reasons that I could list here, but I’m sure you probably already know what wordpress is, because you are reading this article right now. And guess what? The article you are reading is built on WordPress.

Surprise!

Now that we have a basis for why WordPress is awesome, lets get started on how to leverage it for your business. And keep in mind, business can be swapped out for nonprofit, startup, church… anything that you need a website for.

Read more

Gain the Power of Persuasion

Jan22


Words on Steroids

Most businesses and organizations know the value of a great website. A rockin’ color scheme, and super shiny web ‘2.0’ buttons, will attract customers to your product or service. A good logo doesn’t hurt either.

But just as good design grabs the attention of a potential customer, bad content has the ability to turn them away.

Does powerful copy really make such a difference?

You bet your socks it does.

What does it do then?

Read more

What to expect from this Solid Giant Journal?

Jan20

Journal is the new Blog. In case you were wondering. Blog is totally 2010, and “Journal” is 2011 and beyond.

This journal will be a place where Solid Giant in general, and Josh Starr (me) specifically, will be writing:

  • Design advice and pointers
  • Development insights
  • WordPress tricks and tips
  • Photoshop UI tricks and tips
  • Business lessons learned
  • Business lessons not learned
  • Copywriting tips and ways to sound reel smart. ;)
  • HTML / CSS tricks and tips
  • Funny Pictures

If there are any other topics that you would like to see here let a brothah know. Also if you don’t want to see anything than be sure to not let me know. Kidding.

Finally version 3 of Solid Giant is live!

Jan19

Since it’s 2011, I thought it would be nice to re-design the Solid Giant website to reflect where I’m taking this business this year. So here it is! If you like or don’t like it, sound off in the comments below. As you can see this whole shebang is built upon WordPress, out with Tumblr! Tumblr turned out to be an abomination, and is down probably 10 times a day. So not very useful from a business perspective.

This new site uses League Gothic as it’s main font, being served up by fontsquirrel, and uses Thematic as it’s hardcore foundation. Everything is completely designed by me (Josh Starr). I’ve slaved hours and hours into this new site, so if you have something mean to say, keep it to yourself. Just kidding, go ahead and say it in the comments.

I tried really hard to make this site different than other sites, and wanted to add little things here and there that would surprise and reward the user for finding them. Check out the big G in the header. It floats and the shadow is realistic. Once you click on it, it takes you back home. It’s rocking jQuery. It’s the small things that matter right?

Oh and you can comment with Facebook or Twitter. More options to sound off in the comments. You’re. Welcome.

Anyway, it’s good to be new, and I hope you like this version.

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