Open thread: “Ask a web dude”

April 22, 2008 • Comments (4)

Got questions? I’ve got (hurried, unresearched) answers. Everyone wins!

The domains that I have muscle-memory ninja level skills in are CSS, HTML, typography, uncluttered graphic design, setting up WordPress blogs, and web technology in general. The domains I’m learning about are self-published art/music, new marketing, SEO, economics, traffic analysis, and disruptive business models. I also have 10+ years of useful bookmarks.

Ask me anything in the comments. If you need fresh perspective on your website I’ll even do a review in 140 characters or less. You’ll actually be helping me because this post is secretly research about what vexes potential clients.

Posted in: Technology
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4 Comments ↓

  1. Benjamin Reece writes:

    Nathan,

    Ben from New Orleans here- I really enjoy your blog! Can you do a critical/honest review of mine? I’m struggling to find a focus/goal with my blog…. http://www.thedeltree.org

    Thanks so much man,

    Ben

    June 23, 2008 at 8:15 am
  2. Nathan Bowers writes:

    Hi Ben. In no particular order:

    • Nice clean design, good work customizing an off the shelf theme to make it more readable and more “you”.
    • I read a few posts, really like your voice and subject matter.
    • Think: “what action do I most want a visitor to take and how do I persuade them to really want to do that action?” Good candidates for “things you want your visitors to do”: Subscribe, follow you on Twitter, Comment, Hire you/purchase something, and tell others about you.
    • You need a favicon
    • Hope your Flash headings are search engine friendly
    • No obvious permalink on each post. The post heading should be permalinked.
    • Your footer links are 404
    • I’d change “stuff” to “work” or “portfolio” or “hire me”. Maybe break out your video, photo, and tech/design work even in the main nav.
    • Make your WordPress stats tracker image style=”visibility: hidden”.
    • Run your site through http://www.websitegrader.com for some SEO ideas.
    • Sign up at Gravatar so you look nice in other people’s comments.
    • Really like your “about” sidebar area and your about page. Maybe some more though about how you came to be who you are. Tell us your “hero’s journey”.
    • Love your photo, video, and web portfolio work, would totally hire you, but not sure for what. You’re almost *too* talented. Make it clear what you want to be hired for (or if you’re even looking).
    • You’re already doing all the important stuff re: writing well, being interesting, and being authentic. Just stay consistent and stay good and you’ll go far. All the technical stuff is a distant second to that.

    Thanks for asking for help here. I came *this* close to almost possibly getting misty when nobody asked for advice. Like, “what? I can’t even *give* it away?”

    Finally, I’m not following some of my own advice above (yet). Consider me a bootlegging baptist ;-)

    June 23, 2008 at 1:18 pm
  3. Benjamin Reece writes:

    Nathan,

    Thanks for the reply! I might actually repost it on my blog w/ some commentary- if that’s okay with you….

    Still absorbing all this good info :)…

    June 23, 2008 at 2:06 pm
  4. Nathan Bowers writes:

    Sure, repost away!

    June 23, 2008 at 2:07 pm