Independent Website workshop, What Issues do you want to Discuss?

[The Bar Keep]

We are pleased to announce that The Crabby Host Forum will be running a series of Workshops for Independent websites. In this thread we would like to hear what issues you wish to be discussed in regards to Independent websites.

This thread will determine what issues are focused on first as well as categorize our workshops.


Thank you in advance for your participation.


The Bar Keep & The Tavern Wench

[QUILT]

Yeehah!  So happy to see this post, because one thing I know for sure Joe is that you have the great talent of putting things into words that the majority of us can understand.  Your ease of explanation makes things alot simpler for all of us.

I would love to learn about ssl and the ins and outs of simplifying the whole process.

[2boysandtoys]

As the numpty of the group, and possibly the only member without an e-Commerce site, I would 'love' to have intelligence from 'the start'.  By this I mean:

 - Where to get a domain name.
 - How to select a host.
 - Initial design/layout.
 - Key Words, SEO, etc.
 - Product Loading/Integration.
 - Check-Out and Payment Processing.
 - Inventory Management, Inventory Processing.
 - How to get indexed and improve rankings, search results, etc.

Now....I know you all are super, duper busy and I'm so behind the majority - it is not even funny.  So - if you all, as the experts, have preferred authors, preferred articles, etc. that you can share for slow-starters, like me - that would be awesome/outstanding.

Does this make sense?  Sleeping too late makes me 'think fuzzy'....

[QUILT]

I highly recommmend Joe & Deb.  They have helped me in more ways that anyone can imagine.  They will not toot their own horn, but I will.  You can PM me if you would like 

[Baysbeauty]

I'm in!   

I think we should talk about
Site Security
Error Messages (what they mean and how to fix them)
The Best way to get traffic to our site
Make our site more customer friendly (meaning that navigation through my site is easy)
Website Maintenance
Backing Up Your Site
Easy Populate
cPanel (What it does and what we need to know)

[Alana]

content writing
meta tags
404 redirect custom pages
CSS
Key Words, SEO,
Web tools and what they mean
backlinks
ASP
PHP


Honestly, I can keep you going for a long time.  LOL

You guys are offering what I have been going all over the web and back to find here and there.  You have already helped me a great deal.

I am so happy to hear this!

Alana

[kevinatgrannys]

I'm lurking and wanting to learn...

[chiquita]

Well most of the guess work on my site was eliminated due to the guidance of Deb and Joe
 

That said I still want to learn how to
1. Install new mods
2. Change the template without losing all the store set up
3. Advice on changing the main page both the pics and content to keep the site fresh, and possibly the best way to rotate inventory based on the seasons for those of us who sell apparel and accessories

Great idea Deb and Joe
 

[CrankyCanuck]

Well, I don't have a Zen cart site, but I'll hang around & learn a little!!

Shelley   

[Baysbeauty]

I do not think this pertains to just zen cart users so this will be an awesome workshop for us all.

[Alana]

I don't have a Zen cart either, but I have already learned a weeks worth in the last 24 hours that resulted in two total makeovers in both my websites.


So it is worth lurking......

[The Bar Keep]

I don't have a Zen cart either, but I have already learned a weeks worth in the last 24 hours that resulted in two total makeovers in both my websites.


So it is worth lurking......

Yes it is worth lurking and we will be setting up the workshops so as to accommodate all carts not just Zen. However most of the information that applies to Zen can be adapted to other carts as well.

[The Tavern Wench]

Well, I don't have a Zen cart site, but I'll hang around & learn a little!!

Shelley  

Bays is correct.  This won't be just about Zen Carts...it's about all websites in general.  


Sniped by that sneaky Bar Keep       

[2boysandtoys]

Kevin - as you and I are 'clueless' - do we sit in the front or the back of the classroom?   

[kevinatgrannys]

We sit the closest to the coffee maker...