What a year! Take few minutes to relive 2011 along with me. It has been a good 12 months for MRW Web Design with projects across the U.S., the world, and the web! Bear with me as I share the technical, professional, and personal milestones from this year.
Google Analytics can feel overwhelming the first time you use it. So many data points! So many filters! So much jargon! In this post, I’ll define the most common jargon-y terms, take you to a few of my favorite reports, and suggest strategies for efficiently using Google Analytics.
Labels make a difference. If you say to someone “Here, have this delicious apple,” and then hand them a watermelon, confusion ensues. Obviously, the name of the frequently-updated section of a website is a little more ambiguous. It’s also more important.
I’ve watched this video more times than I can remember, and it’s one that informs how I view my daily work and collaborations with clients and colleagues.
This year, I’ll be adding a new tradition to my year-end giving: open source “thank you” donations! Join me!
The slider isn’t just a small hamburger, it’s a rampantly-popular way of showcasing content on a website, and it’s one that sometimes gets used with little thought toward effectiveness.While I still believe there are a few instances where it’s appropriate, I think we all could afford to slow down, take a deep breath, and think about what we’re doing with sliders on our websites.
I’d like to give a warm welcome to the newest MRW Web-built website, Archipelago Consulting. Archipelago Consulting is the new website for conservation consultant Kent Redford. If you fancy, take a moment to read about the Archipelago Consulting project in my portfolio or visit the Archipelago Consulting website to see the result for yourself!
WordPress uses a technique called child theming to create a new design based on an existing theme (a set of files that defines a WordPress design). In June, I gave a presentation to the Seattle WordPress meetup about child theme uses and techniques. This post contains the slides of that presentation and an example of one recent project in which I used the child theming technique.
WordPress websites use “themes” to give them custom designs. Picking the right theme, though, is quite challenging. You can purchase themes, modify themes, or hire someone (like me) to design and build a custom theme. Each strategy has pros and cons which I’ll walk you through in this post.
This article is almost a manifesto for the various principles of inclusion, universal design, and accessibility, topics I recently blogged about. It’s very short and geared toward web designers, but anyone who uses the web at work would benefit from reading this. Plus, it’s in a fun statement/response format! Luckily for us, web designers are … Continue reading “Make Websites Accessible for Visitors You’ve Never Met [link]”
On the internet, websites are used in many ways and by many people that web designers may have never considered. In order to build a website that is accessible everywhere to everyone, it’s important to think about some of the privileges that many web designers share. In this post, I’ll share some common privileges and recommendations for best practices to keep in mind.
When looking at user statistics for your website, you might be left wondering, “how does my organization compare to similar sites?” GroundWire’s fabulous 2010 report shows the analytics landscape for environmental nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest, valuable data for everyone.
Many small nonprofits turn to volunteers in hopes of getting a free website. My experience suggests a better way forward. I’ve found a way that works for me and results in better websites and fairer compensation.
Thanks to an engaging session at the InfoCamp Seattle conference, I’ve clarified some ideas on successful collaboration and how to achieve it. I want to share it here in hopes of hearing other stories of collaboration. Do you agree with my thoughts? Got a better idea?
Most nonprofit organizations collect data on outcomes and stakeholders in order to write effective grants and fundraising pitches. How that data is presented, though, makes a huge difference in its effect on others.
By “visualizing” data in creative and engaging charts, infographics, maps, and more, you can really add some “wow” to what is otherwise a simple table of statistics.
It’s been a busy month for me. Alongside the launch of this refreshed website, I also launched UnSectored.net and built some badges for SlashOpen.net. UnSectored You can read more about UnSectored on its page in my portfolio, but, simply, it’s a multi-author blog about social change in the Washington, D.C. area created by my good … Continue reading “Two New Projects: UnSectored.net and Slash Open”
