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Expectations

Expectations are Everything

WordPress 5.0 is coming out tomorrow. You should make sure you’re prepared. Also, we can learn a lot about communication from the frustrations and confusions surrounding this software update.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on December 5, 2018January 16, 2019Categories Case Studies

How Websites are Like Porches (A Metaphor from CSS Tricks) [link]

How building a porch is like building a website.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on March 22, 2016March 22, 2016Format LinkCategories Understanding Web Design

Don’t Open Links In New Windows: Part II [link]

NO! Links that force new tabs.

More reasons to not force links to open in a new tab or window. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on January 28, 2014Format LinkCategories Best Practices

Check Your Assumptions [aside]

Too often, I find that a client and I can have a 30 minutes conversation before realizing we’re not talking about the same thing. Other times, something “obvious” to one person is incomprehensible to the other. Why does this happen?

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on June 25, 2013June 24, 2013Format AsideCategories Collaboration

Let Your Software Be Your Guide [aside]

A lightswitch at sunset

Software settings can only personalize so much. In the end, we must balance the need to find something that makes sense to us with learning how it’s intended to be used.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on April 16, 2013August 17, 2015Format AsideCategories Tools & Resources

The Worst Practice Cycle [image]

Four step cycle diagram

I think I’ve identified a common pattern for the way certain “worst practices”—as opposed to “best practices”—continue to live on well past their prime.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on March 26, 2013March 25, 2013Format ImageCategories Best Practices

External Links: Accessibilty and Control [link]

I know people have their reasons for wanting to make links open in new windows, but there are real problems with that. Here’s a link where someone does a great job explaining why we should stop.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on March 5, 2013March 5, 2013Format LinkCategories Best Practices

Labels Matter: “Blog” vs. “News”

A diagram of a watermelon, mistakenly labeled as an apple.

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.

Author Mark Root-WileyPosted on December 6, 2011August 28, 2019Categories Best Practices

Get to Know Me

Mark Root-Wiley, smiling in front of white background in collared blue shirtMy name is Mark Root-Wiley (he/him). I design and build WordPress websites for nonprofits.

About / Resume / Follow Me

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.

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Memberships & Certifications

Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) Member Approved Specialist - Nonprofit Resource Directory Member Washington Nonprofits Member