WordPress Consultant

StudioPress Genesis Services

Brian — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:24:48 +0000

I’ve been a preferred StudioPress customizer for over three years now. I’ve handled every type of customization imaginable at this point. You can be sure the work I do is quick and correct. Here’s some of the basic services I offer. If you’d like a full site design contact me and we’ll rock out a sweet site for you.

Otherwise fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you within 12 hours.

StudioPress Genesis Customization

Logo Upload – Send me your logo any size / file format and I’ll upload it to your site for $50.00.
Favicon – Customize the small icon in the address bar $50.00.
Lite Customization – Upload your logo and make color changes to any StudioPress/Genesis child theme for $150.00.
AgentPress Setup – Upload your logo and make color changes to any StudioPress/Genesis child theme. Add your five search criteria & add your six main service areas $500.00.
AgentPress Setup + Lite Customization – Setup and color matching the site to your corporate colors $650.00.

Training

Many times when I do custom work the follow up question I receive is do I offer training? The answer is YES! Training is offered in two different sessions basic and advanced. Training is done over Skype screenshare. This allows me to show you my computer screen while I’m talking to you (over Skype or phone). Training is $100.00 per hour. I will also do on location training in the Chicagoland area for $150.00/hr.

Basic Training – Learn the WordPress basics that allow you to add and modify content.
Advanced SEO Training – You have a great website. Now learn how to drive traffic to it. Advanced Training is all about search engine optimization.

Here’s some more information on the training sessions I offer.

Request Service

Add A Unique Sidebar to the Genesis Home Page

Brian — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:19:53 +0000

A unique looking home page is often a desired look. This tutorial will be similar to Jen Baumann’s tutorial How to Show a Different Sidebar on Specific Pages only specific to the home page. One other sidebar quick tip, if your looking for unique sidebars elsewhere on the site you can also try Genesis Simple Sidebars plugin (which does not work for the home page).

In order to accomplish this, you will need to:

Register a new sidebar in your child theme functions.php
Create a new sidebar file for your child theme
Add a function to your child theme functions.php

Step 1 – Register a new sidebar in your child theme functions.php

In this example, we want to replace the Primary Sidebar with a new Primary Sidebar on the home page. Since these pages are home page related, we will name our new sidebar widget area, “Home Sidebar”.

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// Register a new sidebar
genesis_register_sidebar( array(
'id' => 'home-sidebar',
'name' => 'Home Sidebar',
'description' => 'This is the home sidebar widget area.'
) );

Make sure that you name your sidebar something appropriate to where your new sidebar will be located.

Step 2 – Create a new file inside your child theme directory called sidebar-home.php

Paste the following code into that file, making sure the name of the sidebar is the same as the one you registered in Step 1.

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Step 3 – Add a function to your child theme functions.php

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add_action( 'get_header', 'child_sidebar_logic' );
/**
* Add Home Sidebar
*
* @author Brian Lis
* @link http://dev.studiopress.com/add-unique-sidebar-to-home-page.htm
*/
function child_sidebar_logic() {
if ( is_home() ) {
remove_action( 'genesis_after_content', 'genesis_get_sidebar' );
add_action( 'genesis_after_content', 'child_get_home_sidebar' );
}
}

/**
* Retrieve our unique home page sidebar.
*/
function child_get_home_sidebar() {
get_sidebar( 'home-sidebar' );
}

Genesis Layout Options for Custom Post Types

Brian — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:37:27 +0000

This will add the Genesis layout options to custom post types.

Only tricky part is change “your_custom_post_type” in the code below to match the name of your custom post type.

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/**
* add Genesis layout options to custom posts types
*
* @author Brian Lis
* @link http://dev.studiopress.com/genesis-layout-options-for-custom-post-types.htm
*/

add_post_type_support( 'your_custom_post_type', 'genesis-layouts' );

*** Tip, if your unsure what you called your custom post type you can find it by clicking it in the WP admin menu. You’ll go to a link similar to this, http://domain-name.com/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=my-cpt. In this example “my-cpt” would be what I’d use for “your_custom_post_type”.

Six Basic Website Mistakes

Brian — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:45:40 +0000

Over the years I’ve learned a few things about what makes a website successful. Here are six basic mistakes people make.

Cluttered Home Page – I’ve seen my share of websites that feel like Encyclopedia Britannica threw up on them. These days seconds make the difference between success and failure of your home page. Does the end user get directed quickly to where they want to go? Or are they frustrated they can’t find what their looking for quickly? Frustrated experience leads to a higher bounce rate, percentage of visitors who enter the site and “bounce” (leave the site) rather than continue viewing other pages within the same site.

Awkward Navigation – People need to be able to easily find what they are looking for before they bail out of your website. I’m surprised by the number of companies that are not able to clearly communicate their 3-6 main products or services.

Aggressive Animation – Say away from flash. Yes its cool but its awful for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) because all a spider sees is the file name of the flash file. Also flash takes a longer time to load. Overall make sure your animation doesn’t over shadow your content.

Dead Links – A recent survey says 60% of users who click on a deal link won’t use the back button. Instead they’ll leave the site completely. Also dead links count against your SEO score! No Beuno.

Long Scrolling Pages – If your potential customer can’t see it, it’s not there. Long pages can actually be helpful for SEO at times. However, if your ultimate goal is convert visitors into sales. That happens with the kiss (keep it simple stupid) principal. Unless your in a research field its a good chance long pages are a turn off. Besides if you have a product or service that needs that much space to convince someone to invest in your company, its probably better the customer contact a live sales person for information.

Long Load Times – Optimize all your graphics to load as quickly as possible. Stay away from Flash. Keep your home page clean and elegant. Don’t believe less is more? Ok lets look at Apple’s home page. Apple just reported the most successful quarter of business of any company any where! They have 6 images and less then 100 words on their home page. I’m pretty sure Apple has more services and products then your company.

Fontana Flavors

Brian — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:44:33 +0000

Fontana Flavors recognizes its products compete in an industry that focuses on consistent high quality and service. We are striving to be the leading supplier of savory flavors in the food industry by providing wholesome, quality products to our customers, in compliance with their specified needs. To achieve this we embrace principles of teamwork, technical, and ethical professionalism, employee involvement and an ongoing dedication to superior service and quality.

Features
Slider
Contact Form
Brochure Site

45+ Professional WordPress Themes, One Crazy Low Price (For a Limited Time)

Brian — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:38:27 +0000

Here’s an incredible offer, jump on the framework I build all my sites on, Genesis. On January 31, 2012, the price goes up to $349.95. That will still be a great deal, but everyone hates to miss out on a better deal, right?

The next few days, get it all for a one-time fee of $299.95.

Oh, I almost forgot … if you use the code TEN at checkout, you’ll get 10% off the already crazy price. That’s saving you close to another $30.

Questions About StudioPress?

If you’ve not yet heard, StudioPress makes the industry standard design framework for WordPress and currently has 44 striking turnkey child themes to easily skin your site.

Here’s a glance at what you get “out of the box” when you hook yourself up with the Pro Plus All-Theme Package:

All the SEO, security, and support that come with the Genesis Framework.
44 current child themes, and all future child theme releases.
Multiple page layout options for each theme
Quickly change color schemes without touching a line of code
Logical navigation & category layout helps readers get what they want, fast
Unlimited updates, domains you can use the theme on, and support (you’re not on your own)

A Price That Will Never be this Low Again

So, if you were to buy each part of this bundle of digital hotness separately, you’d see the price come in at a whopping $1,187.75. Worth every penny, too.

Until January 31, 2012, however, you can get sterling search engine optimization, rock-solid security, tons of turn-key designs, and unlimited sites, domains, and support … all for the insane price of $299.95.

And don’t forget … use the code TEN at checkout, and keep another $30 in your pocket.

Click here for all the details on the Genesis Framework Pro-Plus package.

Find out why it’s the smartest (and sanest) way to build as many fantastic WordPress sites as your heart desires.

UHoops.net

Brian — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:23:57 +0000

UHoops.net, inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides public basketball courts around the U.S. with brand new, high-quality basketball nets; works with other organizations that are also committed to cleaning-up and renovating neighborhood basketball courts, making for a better basketball experience, and a safer place for kids to play.

Features
Lightbox pop-up video
Lightbox player cards
Blog

Hillside Library

Brian — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:14:34 +0000

Hillside Library is a local Chicagoland Library serving the Hillside community. The website serves library information and programs to the community.

Features
Slider
Blogging
Various Search Indexes
Wireless Printing

Mededits

Brian — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:57:41 +0000

The MedEdits team comprises a group of medical professionals committed to clients’ success. They focus only on medical admissions and therefore have unique expertise. MedEdits has over 6,000 followers on Facebook.

Features
Video integration
Opt-in to Constant Contact
Facebook & Twitter widgets
Various custom forms

Yin Chang

Brian — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:05:30 +0000

Yin Chang has recently made her film debut as “Mei Kwan” in Walt Disney’s PROM. Aside from her movie, she is most recognized for her role as ‘Nelly Yuki’ on CW’s Gossip Girl. Prior to that, she has made numerous appearances on TV shows including NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Love Bites, and ABC’s Six Degrees. Currently, Chang stars in Lifetime’s new original movie The Bling Ring as “Natalie Kim”, inspired by a true story.

Woot woot! Working on my site w/ @brianlis! Very happy camper!!
Yin Chang via Twitter

Features
Slider: Featured Story Plugin
Photo Gallery with light box
Video Gallery with light box