As one of the most versatile programing languages, PHP is ideal for creating exciting websites and interacting with information on the Internet. In fact, PHP (a recursive acronym standing for Hypertext Preprocessor) has a variety of features that have endeared it to web developers. Some of these features are:

• PHP creates a webpage based on input requests.
• It is a mediator between users and databases.
• It helps allow a user to address a database through their browser and get a comprehensible answer back.
• Custom PHP is compatible with nearly any Internet server.
• It is an open source solution, so it is free to use and widely available on the Web.
• PHP has a simple syntax that is similar to C or Java.
• It has led to sub-disciplines like PHP web programming, PHP database programming, PHP object oriented programming and advanced PHP programming.
• There is a strong community of PHP users, so should you have any questions during part of the web development process you are able to get help online.
• PHP is not only free, but it is also secure.

Because of these features, and various others, many web developers are using PHP to create easily navigated, user-friendly websites. However, like any programming language, the functionality is only as good as the coding. So, if you have begun to experiment with PHP, or perhaps are merely considering it, here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Development style –  Keeping the development style consistent by using one development style (e.g. tabbing, double spacing, etc.) throughout the entire project will keep the programming on track and make it easier to correct or make changes when necessary.
2. Variables and function naming – This should be based on what the value of the variable is and what is accomplished by the function.
3. Commenting your code – This goes a long way toward organized, readable code and enhances usability. Comments can describe actions and functions; however, they should be brief rather than verbose.
4. Beware of copy and paste- While copy/past coding may save a few minutes initially, it is not always error-proof. Consequently, you can end up spending time later on correcting or trouble shooting your code-especially if you discover that something is not working correctly!
5. Recognize language limits- PHP can do many things, but there are still limits on its usability. Have a good understanding of PHP and what it can do.
6. Test your code often!-  Don’t assume that your scripts are error-free! Test coding frequently to catch any errors that may have occurred.
7. Built-ins versus building your own-Don’t waste time reinventing the wheel! Rather than re-designing a built-in function just to do so, let it be. This will increase performance and keep scripts clean from unnecessary code.
8. Don’t overdo it when splitting files– Yes, splitting code into several files aids organization, but if taken too far this can actually affect performance. Try to find a happy medium, perhaps by creating function fill versus splitting individual functions into individual files.

The more you explore PHP, the more you will recognize its versatility. Here at Page Progressive, we use PHP for a long list of website functions and designs. If you want to bypass learning the language on your own, but still want to see it used on your website, talk to one of web design pros today. We would love to hear from you.

Planning for a New School Website

Like many aspects of business, careful planning can make a job much easier to put into practice. And, when it comes to designing your school website  having a plan is one of the most important things you can do. In fact, whether you build the site on your own or have Page Progressive do it for you, having planned what you want the page to include will, in the long run, save you time and frustration later on (even if it doesn’t seem so at the outset!). Start with a group that includes school administrators, teachers, library media specialists, tech people, parents, community members and students. Ask the group the following nine questions regarding your plans for a school website:

1. Why do we need a website?
2. Who is our audience?
3. How will our resources be used?
4. What will make guest want to revisit the website?
5. What disclaimers should be posted for users?
6. What policies and procedures need to be in place?
7. What guidelines will there be for content?
8. Who will be the webmaster, the content coordinator, the writer(s) and the editors?
9. Are there any legal issues that need to be addressed?

If you find yourself questioning the need for an updated school website, then consider these reasons that people visit a school site. Here are a few of them:

• To get information about school closings, homework assignments, school news and activities.
• When relocating- Many parents today look up the school(s) their child(ren) will be attending before making a move. They are looking for info on the curriculum, technologies, mission and other aspects that make your school unique.
• To see school work/projects- As we no longer live in a society were one’s family lives in the same community. Oftentimes, extended family will visit their niece /nephew’s /grandchildren’s school website to see pics of projects or perhaps even read a report.
• To find out how to apply to attend the school.

Focuses of a School Website’s Homepage

Since most guests to your site will begin on the homepage, it is important that you make the most of this prime location. The homepage’s primary purpose is to promote your school. A great feature for your homepage would be a well-done video that tells site guests who and what makes your school special. Your secondary focuses of the homepage is what actions you want people to take after viewing the video or content of your homepage. Some of these actions may include:

• Checking out the school calendar of events
• Signing up for the school newsletter
• Selecting a call to action to get involved with the school or community events

By using content such as pictures, video or even recommendations from parents, students or community sponsors you will be able engage site guests and introduce them to your school. However, you do not want to overwhelm your guests with too much information.

Must Haves of a School Website

In addition to the homepage content, you will want the remaining pages to be engaging and contain a title, navigation tools and when applicable, an e-mail address where guests can request additional information. Other elements that are considered the must-haves of a school website are:

• Responsive design- Be sure it can be viewed on a mobile device or a PC.
• Good use of imagery and video content-Text, even on a school website, can get monotonous. Engage guests with videos of student events and activities and pictures of sports, debate, drama, etc. groups. However, don’t sacrifice content for images. Be sure that the pages incorporate the school colors and logo.
• Strong layout- Have a structured, easily navigated website with clean, clear appearance.
• Audience groups- Remember who will visit the site-prospective students and parents, current pupils, staff, alumni and outsiders. (Keep in mind that you don’t want to expose your student body to unwanted attention, so you should keep personal information-names, ages, etc. – out of the web content as much as possible. You may want to have signed release forms in order to include names.)
• Teacher Sites- While some may not consider this a must have, you will be surprised at how useful this page can be. A teacher site provides a place where each teacher can publish content, keep parents up to date, give tips for projects or assignments, etc. If you are designing your school website on your own, look into the Multisite plugin available through WordPress.

Ideas for Content on a School Website

As you design your school website, be sure that you keep these ideas in mind so that you can make your site all that you want. Talk to your planning team, listen to their input and before you know it, your school website will be all that you want it to be.

Designing a school website can be a bit daunting. If you are looking to develop a school website that engages and invites guests, why not give Page Progressive a call. You can view our portfolio of school websites here or our full portfolio here. We will be glad to talk to you and help you design a school website you can be proud of.

1. They understand how to run a successful pay per click campaign so that you get immediate results, a significant amount of data to help you determine if Google AdWords is a good investment for you and the ability to use Geotargeting effectively and efficiently.
2. An AdWords management specialist knows how to track the goals of your website, work across multiple domains, install e-Commerce tracking, track non-eCommerce objectives and explore internal site search for a variety of campaigns.
3. AdWords specialists know the best way to organize your campaign to make the most of your investment and save you money. They can also set up your Google AdWords account and payment information.
4. They know how to optimize AdWords results and understand AdRank, quality scores, landing page quality and click through rates and understand how they affect your AdWords campaigns.
5. They can help you select the best Google Display Network and search sites to display your ads.
6. They recognize the importance of testing and tweaking your AdWords campaign to make sure you get the most from your campaign(s).
7. A certified Google AdWords management specialist will help you design a campaign that results in high relevancy and quality scores.
8. They can teach you how to understand the monthly reports so you do not have to rely on someone else to do it for you.

Understanding your Google AdWords results, and then implementing them to build your campaign can be done by anyone. However, that does not mean that anyone can secure high quality scores each time they design an AdWords campaign. To get the greatest results, many find that hiring a Google AdWords Partner is best.

Here at Page Progressive you can not only have a well-designed web site that is up to date, we are also happy to monitor your AdWords accounts (depending on the size of your business or number of keywords) as well as teach you how to understand the monthly reports so you can monitor your site. Contact us today to learn how we can help you make the most of all your Internet business endeavors.

Getting Started Using the Google Keywords Tool

To make Google AdWords beneficial to your website’s SEO, it is necessary to understand the Google AdWords Keyword Tool. And, while using the Tool is not terribly difficult, understanding the results can be somewhat challenging—especially if you don’t use this Tool often.

The first thing to do when you use the Google AdWords Tool is to decide what terms are commonly used in your field, and then type them into the Keyword search box. Before selecting “Search,” mark the option, “Only show ideas closely related to my search terms.” Failing to do this will result in an extremely long list of items that may, or may not, have anything at all to do with your business.

Secondly, be sure to select the “exact”  option in the match type column, as this will change keyword result numbers to be realistic in search volume. Third, keep in mind that the search result numbers reflect local and global searches for the past 12 months. So, if you are offering a relatively new product/service there may be insufficient data on Google AdWords Keyword Tool. Once you have analyzed the data regarding the terms you want to use for your website and determine which ones will work best for your needs, you can begin search engine optimization on your site.

If you have already made use of the Google AdWords Keyword Tool, then you are ready to use the results in conjunction with your site’s SEO. Here are 3 steps for increasing your site’s SEO by using Google AdWords.

1. Analyze the most frequently targeted keywords. Keep in mind that what you view as your primary keywords are not the only words used to find your website. You may also want to take advantage of the Google AdWords Keyword Tool’s option to enter your site’s URL and note the words that are being used to search for your website. The phrases/words listed might be a surprise.
2. Note which words have the largest conversion ratio so you know which words will net the greatest results for your site. In addition, track which words or phrases gain the fewest results and eliminate those keywords. The words/phrases, in particular the one or two with the highest traffic, should be a part of your Google AdWords campaign.
3. Use Geotargeting along with SEO and Keywords results to get even greater results. Each month when you receive your report from Google Analytics, note what regions may be receiving better conversion rates then combine this knowledge with SEO and your ad campaign.

Using Google AdWords is one of the greatest tools available online to build your business. By combining it with other elements such as SEO and Geotargeting, you can improve your page ranking considerably. Talk to one of Page Progressive’s Google AdWords specialists to learn more about how you can make the most of these valuable tools.

WordPress 3.3.1 is now available. This maintenance release fixes 15 issues with WordPress 3.3, as well as a fix for a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affected version 3.3. Thanks to Joshua H., Hoang T., Stefan Zimmerman, Chris K., and the Go Daddy security team for responsibly disclosing the bug to our security team.

If you have only a passing knowledge of AdWords, then you may wish to learn more about how to use them to best benefit you. We’re an authorized partner with Google AdWords  and we can provide you with numerous management tips for using AdWords accounts efficiently and effectively.

The Basics of Google AdWords

Google AdWords is an online advertising platform that allows you to display ads for your business on Google’s search engine, assorted websites and services, search engine partners and websites all across the web based on a pay-per-click principle. However, there is a bit more involved the merely placing an ad. Other factors involved are the ad itself, the landing page, your product and your price.

1. The Advertisement – Perhaps the most important element of the ad is the wording; this can make the difference between a high click through rate (CTR) or a plummeting return on investment (ROI). Take some time to study similar ads and see how your ad compares. In addition, be sure information is accurate, pleasing and attention grabbing.
2. The Landing Page – The use of an effective landing page can be a significant boost in ROI. While the ad has a limited amount of space, an effective landing page can be used to direct guests toward the desired result.
3. The Product – Be sure that the product looks good on the landing page and that it can deliver on the promises made.
4. Price – Typically, consumers are looking as much at a solution or the potential of a product as they are the price; of course, that is not to say that price isn’t important. Making sure that you product is reasonably priced based on what it provides, can make a difference.
5. The Unknown – Like in anything else in life, Google AdWords does have an element of the unknown. So, with the unknown in mind, you may want to run more than one Google AdWords campaign then track which one does the best. We can help you set up and manage AdWords activity so you can determine which campaign is most effective. Our Google AdWords specialists will then help you make the best decisions regarding your Google AdWords campaign.

You should also be aware of how to bid on your Google AdWords advertisement(s). A high bid does not necessarily mean a high placement on the display order, nor is the converse true. Rather AdWords display order is based more on how relevant the ad is to the search item. The rank is based largely on a quality score, which protects against unrelated search results on keywords by evaluating the relevancy of the ad being considered for a particular keyword. There are many other elements of making the most of your Google AdWords ad, and hiring a Raleigh Google AdWords management specialist will ensure that your Google advertisement is what you need it to be to increase your business’ visibility on the Web.

If you are considering a Google AdWords campaign and want to know more, please give us a call. We would love to help you build your own Google campaign.

Ooma, like other VoIP providers, makes use of your existing Internet connection and a standard corded or cordless phone, allowing you to call anywhere in America for free forever. Appealing, isn’t it? Of course, if it sounds too good to be true, then consider these common Ooma FAQs to help you determine if Ooma is right for you.

1. Does free really mean no cost? Ooma allows you to make calls-both local and long distance-for free, anywhere in the US. For 411 calls there is a charge of .99¢ per call. You will, however, have to pay federal universal service charges, state and local taxes, fees and surcharges as well as regulatory and compliance fees each month. You can find out how much by visiting Ooma.com/rates. You should also keep in mind that calls to Hawaii (808 area code) carry a surcharge of $29.99 per year  per number, but if you sign up for the Ooma Premier system ($9.99 a month) this fee is waived.
2. What about my phone number? In most cases, you can keep your existing phone number, you just will need to pay a one-time processing fee of $39.99; however, if you sign up for an annual subscription to Ooma Premier, that fee is waived. Keep in mind, that porting (phone number transfers) can take up to 3 weeks.
3. Does Ooma support 911 calls? Yes. Ooma has E911 in areas that are supported. Your address is passed along to the emergency response personnel when you register your Ooma device online. As an additional precaution, the Ooma system is designed to work with a landline back-up, so your 911 calls are always routed to your landline. Keep in mind, that in the event of a power outage, you will need a mobile phone for backup.
4. Does my computer have to be on for my Ooma system to work? No. Ooma is a stand-alone, low power device that functions independently of your PC.
5. How much does Ooma cost? Both the Ooma Hub and the Ooma Telo bundle are $250 but basic monthly phone service is free in America (except for your 911 taxes, which for us is about $3) or you can opt for more features for the $9.99 Premier plan. The Hub includes Ooma Scout and a 60 day free trial of Ooma Premier; Ooma Telo only includes the free 60 day trial of the Premier service. We have the Telo and a telo handset, and we’ve been very pleased with the call quality. We’ve fond the quality to be superior to both Vonage and Skype although there is still a bit of delay, although not as much as we experienced with Vonage. The one bummer we found is most common security systems will not work with Ooma, although Vonage does work with many.
6. What features are available with Ooma? Free U.S. calling; voice mail, great voice quality, 911 service, free new phone number or the option to keep your existing one, easy installation, caller ID; call waiting, low cost international calling (as low as a penny a call) and voicemail notifications to your e-mail and mobile phone.
7. Are there any other adapters/extras for Ooma? Yes. Recently, Ooma introduced the Bluetooth Adapter, which not only allows you to go hands-free, but also lets you link your mobile phone or headset, as well as your home phone, in addition to transferring calls easily and having an earpiece to use with your home phone that has a 30-foot transmission range.

Also new to Ooma is the Wi-Fi adapter, which allows you to set up your Telo anywhere in your home as long as you have a wireless router.

If you are looking for an economical way to have phone service for home or business, giving Ooma a chance to wow you is time well spent. Here at Page Progressive, we have been looking into a variety of VoIP options. So, if you would like to hear/learn more, lease give us a call. We will be glad to share our experiences with you.

As we move into 2012 (Wow! Where did the time go? ;-) ), have you given any thought as to what your goals and resolutions are for the next year? If so, great! You are thinking ahead. If not, it’s a good time to begin. But you don’t have to decide on all of them by yourself. Here are 10 resolutions to get you started.

1. Be social – If you aren’t using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or other social media options, then now is the time to do so. Studies show that most Americans spend 40% of their day on Facebook. In addition, there is a user base of 200 million on Twitter and LinkedIn has recently broke 100 million. It is important to note that LinkedIn is quickly becoming the Facebook of business, so don’t overlook this important business resource!
2. Meet and greet – While social media is important, don’t rely on it completely. Make it a point to meet with customers and vendors face to face. E-mail and phone calls are good, but there is much to be said for the personal touch.
3. Be seen – Attend at least one major industry event. This will help you learn from the successes, and failures, of others, provide opportunities to network, attend classes/seminars, or perhaps brainstorm ways to be better at what you do.
4. Get mobile – If your website is not set up for a mobile device, what are you waiting for? This is one of the best things you can do to ensure that people find you.
5. What about SEO? – Even if you do have a mobile friendly site, is there anything you could change to make it rank better with Siri or in search engine results? This is also a good time to update your site’s SEO.
6. Be informative – If you don’t have a blog on your website, why not? A blog not only keeps people informed, but by adding new web content, Google recognizes your site as viable search result. If you don’t enjoy writing, talk to Page Progressive about their copywriting service.
7. Come apart or you will come apart – While it is important to go to conferences, promote your company online and other business building activities, it is equally and just as vitally important that you have some time away from work. Vacations are a good, healthy activity. Make it a point to spend at least one day of a vacation without being connected to your computer, so that you can take a total vacation from work. You will be more energized about work, when you allow yourself to “come apart” from the office and totally relax.
8. Recognize your employees – Unless you are a one-person company, chances are, your employees contribute long hours to make the company successful. In fact, most likely, they are the secret to your success. Be sure to thank them from time to time for the hard work.
9. Be repetitive – If you are going to have a newsletter, blog, marketing campaigns, etc. be consistent and not hit or miss. Don’t give up if the first one or two don’t seem to work. Critically analyze what you did, or if you use a newsletter service like awebber.com or mailchimp.com they have the tools to do this for you, so you can make tweaks where necessary, and keep posting until you find a formula that works well for you.
10. The New normal – Don’t complain about the poor economy and how it is affecting your business. Rather, look for new ways/strategies for marketing your business. Consider asking your employees to meet outside of work (perhaps you could close a couple of hours early one day?) to brainstorm new ways to promote your business.

Making resolutions every year is common, but unfortunately, so is losing sight of those goals. Make this year the best business year you have ever had by putting these 10 resolutions into practice. And, if you need help with elements like mobile web design, copywriting, SEO other web related aspects, be sure to give Page Progressive a call. We’re here to help!

Siri is not an app that you purchase, but rather an iPhone 4S smartphone feature. Its technology is actually still in beta, so it does have  some limitations, the biggest of which is language support. Currently, you can only use Siri when you are in the US and use American English. There are options for UK English, Australian English, French and German but these languages do not allow you to search for business or locations on a map. It should also be noted that Siri only works with the following apps: Phone, FaceTime, music, mail, messages, search (Safari, Maps, Google), Find My Friends, Wikipedia, alarms, World Clock, Timer and the English only Math elements of Wolfram Alpha. Perhaps, the most interesting feature of Siri is that the more it is used the better it becomes. This is because Siri collects data then assimilates it for the betterment of the program.

With Siri’s potential, it is vital that site owners do all they can to enhance their mobile SEO. This is especially important as some web experts feel that 30% of all searches of all searches could have a local component by 2015. So if you want to be sure that your site is Siri and SEO mobile-friendly, here is what you need to do. (If you prefer, here at Page Progressive we can do it for you.)

1. If you don’t have a mobile site already, now is the time to build one.
2. Be sure your company’s physical address, phone number and hours of operation are prominently placed on your homepage.
3. Remove obstructive elements such as JavaScript and Flash graphics; however, be sure that pertinent info is easily located and not “hidden” in PDFs or subpages.
4. Be known beyond Facebook and Twitter. While these are probably the best known social media sites and certainly important to promoting your business, they are not the only options. In addition to social media, be sure to set up a business profile on review sites and directories. Some of these are Google Places, Yahoo Local, Bing Local, Yelp, Foursquare, Savings.com, CitySearch, Yellow Pages and Urbanspoon.
5. Standout from the crowd by having your IT manager (or Page Progressive) by adding a Schema tag. A Schema tag allows your site to incorporate micro data such as local business, address, telephone number and business hours. This tweak, while it may seem insignificant, can have a big impact in helping your company to be found in a Siri search.

Siri appears to be here to stay. How will your website and business fair? The answer is up to you. Be sure your website is SEO mobile friendly so you can benefit from these advances in mobile technology.

Now, to make Skype even better is the FreeTalk home phone adapter. With the FreeTalk home phone adapter, you use a small adapter box ($40) that sits between your broadband router and your home phone, allowing you to make Skype calls to landline and mobiles via your home phone. In addition to being perfect for both home and business, the FreeTalk home phone adapter for Skype also means the following benefits:

• The ability to call people who aren’t on Skype at local rates
• More flexibility with instant messaging
• Being able to share large files with the click of a button
• Lower costs for landlines and mobiles, locally as well as globally (cost as low as 1.2 ¢ per minute)
• Group video calling, saving travel time and expenses
• The FreeTalk adapter can store up to 100 speed dials and 200 Skype contacts
• Initial setup requires minimal items- a broadband connection and if you choose, a digital GE cordless expandable phone integrated with Skype.
• The adapter comes with 300 minutes of international talk.

Even if you decide to only use Skype FreeTalk just for business, consider these communication advantages:

• Individual accounts for each employee that can be assigned credit based on use/need.
• Lower rates for international calling
• An online number that allows easy worldwide calling
• Skype manager, which allows you to control Skype features and credits

So, what types of prices are involved with Skype? Consider this, Skype offers unlimited home phone service for around $5 a month; other VoIP providers are 5 to 8 times more expensive. Making Skype even more attractive is the iPhone Skype app. This app allows calls to your Skype number without using any of your cellphone minutes.

There are some downsides to using Skype, however.:

• You cannot make 911 calls from Skype
• The FreeTalk adapter mentioned above does not support caller-ID
• Although the Free-Talk adapter and Skype did not have the delays that I get from Vonage, the line had a slight hiss in the background
• You cannot transfer your existing phone number over to Skype

If one of your goals for the upcoming year is to save more money, take some time to see what Skype has to offer. You may find that saving money is easier than you think. To learn more about how the Skype FreeTalk adapter can help your business, give us a call here at Page Progressive and see for yourself. We use Skype as well as other VOIP solutions like Vonage and OOma, and would be glad to share our thoughts.