My Web Design Source - Blog

How Blogs In Websites Can Be Useful

2011-04-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

How Blogs In Websites Can Be Useful

HTML5 Gets an Official Logo From W3C

2011-01-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

HTML5 Gets an Official Logo From W3C

5 New Paradigms for a Socially Engaged Company

2011-01-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

5 New Paradigms for a Socially Engaged Company

2011-01-18T11:30:00.000-08:00

Soren Gordhamer is the organizer of the Wisdom 2.0 Conference, which brings together staff from Google, Facebook, Twitter and Zynga with others to explore living with awareness and wisdom in our modern age, at the end of February in Silicon Valley. He is SorenG on Twitter.

The age of social media is not just changing our personal lives, but is increasingly affecting how business is conducted. No longer satisfied with strictly top-down models that view employees as cogs in a system, businesses are quickly adapting to a new paradigm that emphasizes connection, collaboration and innovation.

When people in companies and teams feel engaged, the benefits are significant. Towers Watson (formerly Towers Perrin), the global professional services firm, interviewed 90,000 employees in 18 countries, and found “companies with high employee engagement had a 19% increase in operating income and almost a 28% growth in earnings per share. Conversely, companies with low levels of engagement saw operating income drop more than 32% and earnings per share decline over 11%.”

Companies are realizing that it is not enough to get people to show up to work; the real challenge is creating cultures that enhance creativity and innovation. Below you’ll find what leaders in the field had to say about this new age of innovation and engagement.

1. Culture

When I sat down with Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh at the company headquarters some time back, he talked about the company’s desire to build a brand where customer service was second-to-none. However, they Zappos realized that trying to force unhappy staff to treat customers with respect and joy was a losing battle. You cannot ask staff to give what they do not receive. What is inside the company will be felt by those outside it.

The answer was to create a culture of happiness that would naturally overflow into all of the company’s communication.

Chris Sacca, venture investor, formerly Google’s head of special initiatives and strategic advisor to Twitter (Twitter), emphasized the same idea, saying, “Employees will rise to the expectations placed upon them. If you treat them like children, they will act like children. But, show them respect and trust and they will respond to your expectation.”

The Old Paradigm: “Force people to do what you want.”

The New Paradigm: “Give people what you want them to offer.”

2. Mindset

It is a little known fact that the NBA coach with the most championship wins, Phil Jackson, had his teams do a short focusing meditation before games. Why? He knew that you can have the greatest physical athletes, but if their minds were not in the game, they would play poorly.

We all know that we can sit in a meeting for hours, but if people are not in the right mindset, nothing innovative occurs, and often people leave feeling even more drained and frustrated. The mindset people bring to the meeting matters greatly. If people are stressed or unfocused, little moves forward.

Zynga co-founder Eric Schiermeyer, when asked about innovation, touched on the need to engage from a place of creativity instead of stress: “One aspect is to allow for enough time to think from a place of relaxation. This requires a series of complementary components like the right amount of sleep, exercise, social activity and a good diet to name a few key ones.”

At the conference I organized last year, Twitter CTO Greg Pass echoed this, saying that with Twitter’s new hires, “The main principle I present in my orientation is that I ask them to pay attention to what they are doing.”

Old Paradigm: “Just put your body in the room.”

New Paradigm: “Show up with a creative, open mindset.”

3. Group Wisdom

It is no accident that the most innovative companies are generally those that engage and involve their staff and users. In fact, some of the most innovative functions of Twitter, like the hashtag, were created by users. Twitter management just had to pay attention. The same is often true for businesses.

The old paradigm was that the higher up the hierarchy you went, the more wisdom you had to share. Leadership was the ability to direct, not listen.

The new approach is likely best expressed by Cisco CTO Padmasree Warrior: “The one thing that over two decades of experience in the technology industry has taught me: never assume you know the answer. I find that the more I listen, the quicker I learn.” She not only does this internally, but also uses Twitter and other social media to “ensure that I’m inviting and absorbing the tacit knowledge that resides outside the boundaries of Cisco.”

Old Paradigm: “All wisdom exists at the top.”

New Paradigm: “Listen and make space for various voices.”

4. Environment

The people I spoke to also emphasized creating spaces that support collaboration and innovation. This includes physical space. This was likely best expressed by Eric Schiermeyer of Zynga: “If you have ever met with the same group of people in multiple rooms over time you may have noticed that the meetings feel more productive in one room over another.”

The old paradigm was to hold meetings while sitting in chairs and a desk in a conference room since, well … that is normal. In this new paradigm, the goal is not to be normal, but to be innovative, which requires finding the optimal space for a particular objective. A group walk may serve the needs much better than a conference room.

Old Paradigm: “Do what is normal.”

New Paradigm: “Approach space creatively to serve the purpose.”

5. Vision

A company is not likely to get much sustained passion from staff if its vision is to create yet another widget that does little to affect the world. People need a sense of purpose to drive their innovation.

Tony Hsieh likely put it best in an interview I held with him: “From a business perspective, if you have a greater vision beyond just profits or money — and that you can get employees to be happy about and believe in — and you combine that with a culture with committable core values, I think that is what will help grow businesses and brands in the long-term.”

Padmasree Warrior of Cisco emphasized the same idea: “Innovation flourishes in a culture of purposeful chaos. The operative word here is ‘purposeful.’” People need a sense that their work matters, both for the company and the society.

Old Paradigm: “Work to get a paycheck.”

New Paradigm: “Make your work about something bigger.”
Conclusion

While we cannot force innovation and creative thinking, we can foster these abilities, whether we work in a 20,000-person company or with one other person.

The old paradigm was individualistic and focused on thriving to be personally brilliant; the new one is much more social, and it involves creating cultures that enhance innovation in all those present. The companies and teams that can do this, that can create cultures that support innovation and engagement, will create the leading technologies and services that affect our culture.

Using Videos For Your Clients

2011-01-10T22:42:00.000-08:00

I recently made some videos for my clients. Correction, new clients! I always wanted some sort of game plan for all my new and inquiring clients on how to start their website project. As a web designer, I always find the same conversation with some basic themes.

1. What websites do you like and your competitors

2. Get your contents such as images and text

3. We will then make a mock website

4. We proceed with web development with an approved mock site

5. Launch your site in your hosting servers

6. Train you on how to manage your site

Visit My Web Design Source to see the video " New Client Tips and Resources "

Mobile browsers using your website - its here to stay

2011-01-04T12:17:00.000-08:00

1. Mobile Web Goes Mainstream

The mobile web has been the dominant subject in web design for the past 2+ years. A quick peek at Dribbble, a social media site where designers share their projects, will show you that many of us are working on mobile device apps and interfaces.

However, it’s still safe to say that most websites have given little to no attention to their mobile web presence. Most of the innovative mobile device web designs we’re seeing are on big, industry-leading, tech-centric sites such as Amazon.com, Google (Google), and Digg (Digg), or niche sites targeted toward web designers (such as A List Apart).

Where we’re not seeing mobile web design implementations are in run-of-the-mill company and corporate sites. Small- and medium-sized businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and government websites are sadly falling behind instead of in line.

However, companies are beginning to see the rewards of meeting the needs of mobile device users. In the years to come, there will be a significant shift in attention toward the mobile web presence in all websites.

There are already several mobile web tools you can use for creating a mobile web version of your site; it’s time companies seriously look into implementing these cost-effective and relatively simple solutions as either a stop-gap solution or a permanent one.

From : Mashable

How to put your business in Google Places

2010-12-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

www.places.google.com/local

Here are the basic information regarding Google Places.

Why add your listing with Google Places?

Once you've verified your listing, you can enhance the Place page for your business by adding photos, videos, coupons, and even real-time updates like weekly specials all on your Place page. Verifying your listing gives you the opportunity to share even more information about your business with Google.

How it works

Each business listing on Google is in fact a giant 'cluster' of information that we get from a few different places: Yellow Pages, for example, as well as other third-party providers. However, the basic information that you submit through Google Places is the information that we trust the most. This means that it will appear instead of any basic information that we get from anywhere else. To make sure the basic information you submit is accurate, we'll ask you to verify it first by entering a PIN that will be sent to either your business address or phone number.

You can add other information to your listing too — such as a description of your business, for example, as well as photos, reviews, or information about hours and parking costs — that will also appear above similar information from other providers.

Before you get started, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Right now, Google Places is available for businesses in only certain countries.
To find out if your country is one of them, click Add new listing when logged in to your Google Places account. Check the country drop down at the top of the sign-up page. You can also check country availability on the Mapping tool availability page.
It's free.
Adding your listing to Google Places is free, and Google doesn't accept payment to include particular listings or sites in our search results. However, we do offer locally-targeted advertising through our AdWords program.
Every business listing must have a mailing address.
This is the physical address where mail can be sent to your business. If you work from home or you are a mobile-only business you can specify service areas and choose to hide your physical address later on!
There shouldn't be more than one listing per physical location.
Even if you're a doctor who is a cardiologist and a chiropractor or a service that covers multiple towns, you shouldn't have two listings. Instead, use the description of your business or categories to explain the different services your business offers.
Its a good idea to read Google Places quality guidelines to make sure that your listing will be approved to appear on Google.

To start creating your free listing, go to the Google Places and sign in with your Google account. If you don't already have a Google account, click Sign up now to create a new Google account. You can also use an AdWords login and password, if you have one.

ecommerce site finally settle down - christmas online shopping 2010

2010-12-23T11:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas orders finally slowed down as we come to the deadline of 2-3 day priority shipping. It was another great season for our ecommerce stores.. www.toydistrict.net and www.americangiftclub.com

My Web Design Source designs ecommerce stores as well as consultation on ebay set up and sales in the Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Carson, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Lomita, Harbor City, San Pedro area. We specialize in web design, web development and ecommerce stores. Looking for a local web developer, call us at 213.268.0918. Our office is located in Torrance!

Making money of youtube

2010-12-22T13:47:00.001-08:00

I recently stumbled on the topic "how to make money on youtube" since I find myself at youtube for all kinds of stuff. Recently, when reviewing video games for the new xbox 360 that I bought recently. Being a web designer in Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena and surrounding areas of the South Bay in Los Angeles, I believe that local business has not fully embraced how powerful it can be to have your videos on the web to create credibility, exposure and attract new clients as they see your business establishment or get more understanding in your services.

Here are some great videos I have come across youtube which can benefit any start up to small business wanting to design and develop a website.

Our Services - Web Designer in Torrance

2010-12-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

Services

* Web Design & Development
* E-Commerce Services
* Web Hosting Services
* Logo & Branding Services
* Search Engine Optimization and Marketing
* Local Online / Onsite Website Training and Support

Do you have an existing website but can’t update it? Or do you have a new business idea you would like to start online? Our web development services work with a wide variety of business industries from real estate, consumer products ecommerce and organization sites. We will listen to your needs, study your target market and develop your website that will help you bring new business and most importantly, the ultimate goal of assisting you in the return in your investment. We have a diverse set of skills in the following areas that work in synergy to make your dream site possible.

* Flash
* Video
* Joomla
* Wodpress
* Magento Ecommerce

E-Commerce Services

Do you need an online store that you can manage yourself? We can build your e-store and give you the best solutions to manage your online shop using the widely acclaimed Virtuemart and Magento Ecommerce platforms. Our e-Commerce Web Designs and development allows you to add your own product images, descriptions, set your own prices, and accept a variety of shipping and payment methods. Tons of extensions are available that allow you to extend it even more to help make your job as the store owner easier.
Web Hosting and Domain Services

( www.MyWebDesignHost.com ) We offer high quality, affordable, and reliable web hosting services. Our All-Inclusive plan offers great features, fast and secure servers, and high quality customer service!

* Up to 350 GB web space
* Up to 3,000 GB traffic
* Unlimited Websites, Emails, & More
* 99.9% server uptime
* Excellent Support
* CPanel and Fantastico
* Starting at only $7.95/month!

Logo & Branding Services

Do you want your clients and customers to recognize who you are and have a memorable presence for your business? The key is to create an image that carries over in all aspects of your business. We can create a unified image for not only your website but your entire business…including business cards, brochures, advertisements, products, and more. We can help create an unforgettable logo that will help your targets think of you first when they need the type of services or products you offer. Initial logo designs delivered in 1-2 business day.
Search Engine Marketing

Let the customers find your online business! They are just a click away! We will help you promote your online business by helping you assess if direct advertising works such as Google Adwords or launching an Search Engine Optimization campaign so your customers can find you “organically.” Online Visibility – Includes both National and Local, so you can reach customers around the corner or across the country.

* Submission to 100 Search Engines, including Google® and Yahoo!®
* Search engine optimization report for your website by an expert
* Powerful Local Advertising including a Direct Submission to Google® Local and a Yahoo!® Yellow Page Premium Listing
* E-mail marketing

Website Pricing

Our basic websites start at $750 for simple and start up business. Adding custom design, content management systems (CMS), and Search Engine Friendly and compliant sites will have added cost. Here are some example price ranges.

* $750 – $1200+ : Starter website, unlimited pages, CMS (see resources page for info), flash header, forms and unlimited web admin training.

* $1,600 + : Ecommerce sites, Custom made websites with search engines, database and other more complicated websites (price inludes, custom flash header, logo redesign, CMS, unlimited pages, 1 month free support, and content management training.

Selling online during the holiday season needs an effective website design

2010-12-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

This is the most busiest time of the year for online merchants. Last minute shopping online falls about 7 business days before Christmas Eve unless you want pay extra for rush deliveries. My Web Design Source services numerous ecommerce stores including a few of its own so its important that our ecommerce website works flawless to make the visitor's shopping experience easy and simple.

Here are some ecommerce stores we have designed and developed among others.

www.mmstudiola.com

www.covertairsoft.com

www.climatronix.com

www.tritonmma.com

www.truckerdeals.com

www.petwowtique.com

www.robbiefrench.com

When starting an ecommerce store, its important to choose a company that has experience in shipping, customer service and actual store owners themselves and My Web Design Source is just that. We have owned and operated several ecommerce stores including several Ebay accounts with "Silver Level Star Status."

Check out current sites now.

www.americanluckybamboo.com

www.toydistrict.net

We offer in house web design, web development and internet marketing consultation to our clients starting their ecommerce store in the south bay area of Los Angeles including Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Harbor City, Lomita, Carson, Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale area. We are your local web designer.

Videos For The Web

2010-12-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

Just this past decade, online videos has emerged as a main stream source of information, entertainment and advertising. That is the reason why I truly believe that website should have some sort of videos as part of their marketing plan.

My Web Design Source offers consultation on how to best implement your web videos to your website. As a web designer located in Torrance and nearby cities such as Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Gardena, San Pedro and the greater Los Angeles area, we can make your website have a better chance in converting your visitors to customers.

We specialize in ecommerce and content management systems such as Joomla and Wordpress web development.

Visit www.mywebdesignsource.com or call us at 213.268.0918 for more information.

Non profit organization website with lots of information and recources.

2010-12-11T23:51:00.001-08:00

Non profit organizations usually uses websites to help in form their clients and visitors to what they do and gain supporters. With limited budget, staff members can then manage their own sites after we deliver them their website through content management systems using Joomla or Wordpress. This helps the organization keep their latest news fresh and easily managed.

Let's look some features that we did for the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden located in Manhattan Beach, california.

Here are some of our the other non-profit organization websites located in then Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Carson, San Pedro areas of Los Angeles county that we have designed a website for.

Www.neptutians.org

Www.ottp.org

Www.flchrch.org

Www.masadahomes.com

As a web designer in Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Gardena, Carson, San Pedro areas of Los Angeles county, we offer web design, web development, website design, search engine marketing, search engine optimization and other web services.

Visit us at www.mywebdesignsource.com

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Torrance, redondo beach, manhattan beach, hermosa beach, Gardena area

Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden - Non Profit Website in Manhattan Beach

2010-12-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden (MBBG) is a non-profit public education organization dedicated to promoting Earth-friendly gardening techniques, encouraging the use of drought-tolerant plants including California natives, and conserving our natural resources. The leaders of the organization wanted a website design that is both informative, fun and easy to navigate. As a web designer, I visited the site and had a great tour of the garden and had a long chat with the group to learn about their history, activities and how they wanted to use the website as their tool to market their cause and give their information to the website visitors. Their website visitors would most likely come from the surrounding cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Carson, Hawthorne, and Palos Verdes.

The organization also wanted to some control over their website as they update their information on a monthly basis. The solution was a website that is based on a content management system such as Joomla.

www.manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org

Features:

Joomla platform
Custom Forms
Content Management System ( CMS ) using Joomla
Custom graphic banners in flash
Graphics slide show – light box
Wildlife and Vegetation page details

My Web Design Source services includes web design, graphic design, web development, website design and search engine marketing consultation and optimization in the Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Carson, Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, San Pedro area of South Bay Los Angeles. If you looking for a local web designer / website designer in the Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Carson, Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, San Pedro area of South Bay Los Angeles, give us a call at 213-269-0918 or visit us at www.mywebdesignsource.com. Our office is located in Torrance, California.

Health and Fitness Website - Triton Mixed Martial Arts Training Center in Redondo Beach, California

2010-12-08T15:28:00.000-08:00

John Marsh, owner and founder of Triton Mixed Martial Arts Training Center located in Redondo Beach, California, came to My Web Design Source seeking to revamp his website. John wanted a site that is both family oriented and still keep that “MMA” theme with fitness and martial arts in mind. His gym is located at the Golds Gym in Redondo Beach which boasts some of the best fitness equipment and great location.

www.tritonmma.com

Features:

Joomla platform
Custom contact form
Content Management System ( CMS ) using Joomla
Custom graphic banners in flash
Graphics slide show – light box
Youtube.com video integration
Rotating instructor biography
CMS Calendar module
ecommerce function for Triton Products
Advertising modules that features his business advertising

Looking for a web design company in the Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance area of Los Angeles County? Web Designer Ryan Gagajena can help you from start to finish offering services from web design, web development, search engine marketing and search engine optimization. We specialize in wordpress, joomla and magento ecommerce open source platforms.

Open for business

2007-09-09T01:08:00.000-07:00

We are open for business!

mywebdesignsource.com

Ryan Gagajena, President
My Web Design Source, Inc.