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Understanding Web Design

WordPress for All: Formatting Accessible Content

WordPress for All: Formatting Accessible Content. Mark Root-Wiley. WordCamp Seattle: Beginner Edition. October 24, 2015.

Saturday, October 24, 2015, I was at McCaw Hall at Seattle Center, presenting at WordCamp Seattle: Beginner Edition about web accessibility’s importance for all website users and four specific techniques that beginning WordPress users could implement on their sites.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on October 27, 2015January 4, 2016Categories MRW Web News Understanding Web Design

Design Control is a Feature

Empty Windows Notepad program

I don’t know why it took me so long, but it just hit me that requests for controlling website design are feature requests just like just like an events calendar or Twitter widget.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on October 11, 2015June 22, 2016Categories Understanding Web Design

The Sweet Spot for Website Features & Content [link]

Venn diagram with central overlapping point highlighted

Every idea you have for your website has to meet these four criteria.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on September 22, 2015September 24, 2015Format LinkCategories Understanding Web Design

Videos of Assistive Technology and Accessible Websites in Action!

To understand web accessibility, it’s important to understand all the ways a computer can be used to visit your website. Here are six short videos of “assistive technology.”

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on May 19, 2015September 3, 2020Categories Understanding Web Design

Who Sees Your Home Page?

12.5% pie chart

What percentage of users view a home page? Is it as high as the name might imply?

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on May 12, 2015September 7, 2017Categories Understanding Web Design

Buy Expertise

The dangers of a DIY website and a suggestion for making better websites on the cheap.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on April 14, 2015September 24, 2015Categories Nonprofit Websites Understanding Web Design

“Doing Your Part” Presentation & Two Short Assistive Technology Videos

"Doing Your Part" Presentation Title Slide

This past weekend, I attended and presented at WordCamp Seattle: Experienced. Even if you don’t understand the code behind the techniques, take a moment to watch users of “assistive technology.”

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on March 31, 2015September 4, 2015Categories MRW Web News Understanding Web Design

The New Yorker Explains HTML5 and the W3C

You’ve probably heard at least a passing reference or two to HTML5, but do you really have any clue what it is? The New Yorker recently wrote a fun primer on what HTML5 is, how it came to be, and the messy arguments and competing standards that popped up on the way toward becoming a formal … Continue reading “The New Yorker Explains HTML5 and the W3C”

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on January 20, 2015Categories MRW Web News Understanding Web Design

When To Use PNG, JPG, and GIFs. [image]

Do you know your JPGs from your GIFs? How do you say “GIF” anyway? Answers to those questions and more in today’s episode.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on December 17, 2014Format ImageCategories Understanding Web Design

Tips For Picking a Good WordPress Theme (Free or Paid)

The WordPress theme landscape is vast and wild. It is a terrifying place, really, with lots of hidden dangers and dark corners. There are many things to consider when looking for a WordPress theme for your website. Here are some of the pointers I often give when the topic arises.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on December 9, 2014July 12, 2018Categories Understanding Web Design

Taking a Step Back to Laugh [link]

Client: "I've looped my mother into this conversation. She designed a bake sale flyer back in 1982, so you could say she has an 'eye' for design." Mom: "The design you put together needs some brighter colors, it's too gloomy. Perhaps a little pink? Throw in a kitten, too. EVERYONE LOVES KITTENS!"

Some humor to take solace in during a tough design project.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on October 14, 2014Format LinkCategories Understanding Web Design

What are We To Do About Hover Drop Down Menus?

Two states of a drop down menu

Hover-triggered drop down menus have long been the standard, but they come with loads of problems that have emerged over time. It’s time to drop them and move to something better.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on July 22, 2014August 26, 2016Categories Best Practices Understanding Web Design

Vetting Your Website Developer [link]

A great resource to help you make sure your developer will be addressing your full needs on a new website project.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on May 27, 2014May 22, 2014Format LinkCategories Understanding Web Design

Talk to A Developer

Mark Root-Wiley & Scott Marlow

I gave two talks last week about WordPress for nonprofits and a common thread arose. Let me tell you about it. It’ll save you time and money if you’re getting started on a website.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on May 20, 2014June 3, 2014Categories Understanding Web Design

Ease, Power, and Cost

Power Each Cheap Venn Diagram

Many people know the Free/Cheap/Good trade-off, but I think there’s a similar Ease/Power/Cheap one. Understanding it helps people make better and more-informed decisions about their projects.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on April 29, 2014April 29, 2014Categories Understanding Web Design

Thoughtful Forms and Interfaces [link]

Last week’s post discussed how some practices and people—mostly straight white men—can blatantly make women feel unwelcome in the technology sector. This week’s post links to two articles about much subtler ways in which website interfaces themselves can marginalize people.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on April 15, 2014April 15, 2014Format LinkCategories Understanding Web Design

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Get to Know Me

Mark Root-Wiley, smiling in front of white background in collared blue shirt

My name is Mark Root-Wiley (he/him). I design and build WordPress websites for nonprofits. About/Resume

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Free WordPress Guide for Nonprofits

Nonprofit WP

I maintain Nonprofit WP, "The Start-to-Finish WordPress Guide for Nonprofits" building DIY or low-cost websites. Visit NonprofitWP.org for time-saving tips and best practices.

Latest Blog Posts

  • How do I proactively make sure my website is accessible? May 31, 2023
  • Low-vision and blind screen readers users do not use accessibility overlays May 25, 2023
  • Poll results and question themes point to nonprofit website struggles May 19, 2023
  • 2023 Washington State Nonprofits Conference Field Notes May 17, 2023
  • 23NTC Field Notes (Days 1-3) May 5, 2023
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Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) Member Approved Specialist - Nonprofit Resource Directory Member Washington Nonprofits Member