I have been kicking this idea around about changing my static website for sometime now. Ever since I started blogging, I really never give that site much attention. I mean really, why do I need to have it? Well, for starters, it's another place on the internet for someone to find you. It has a Page Rank of 4. If you use it right, you can use all of these little sites to help your other sites gain popularity in your search rankings. If you notice one thing about my blogs and websites, I try to mention them on each of the other sites with some quality back links. And by that, I mean don't just mention your website like this... "You can visit my website at http://gotbob4homes.com and start your home search." You have to really use all that HTML will give you. Bold letters, alt tags and some descriptive anchor words. Like this... "When you are looking for real estate in Frederick MD, I would say stop by my website to start house hunting." Hover over the links...see that little gem? It's call "alt tag" you have it here when you highlight your words and click the Hyperlink tool (or ctrl-K for you power users) and put something in the description area. It helps Google define your website.
Back to me changing sites... In this whole process, I have been looking to learn Joomla, Mambo or Drupal to actually make my site. I know, you're like Joo-pal what? When you sign up on Bluehost, you have a free tool to install various website software called Fantastico. (If you are going to self host your websites, I highly recommend Bluehost. CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP FOR BLUEHOST.COM NOW.) Wordpress is one of them and that's the platform I use for my blog. Anyways, Joomla and friends are various open source CMS (Content Management Software.) They have a lot of components that you can really tie a lot of items up neatly in one place. It just takes some time getting used to and can be overwhelming to learn. But I wasn't giving up, I was just running out of time and also tired of paying for Advance Access to host my site, since I have all of this space. The traffic wasn't there to justify the expense.
One of the finer things about Twitter, is when you think out loud on there, people are listening. I was throwing out some of my concerns and thought about what I was doing. Mostly asking everyone if they knew an easy CMS application. Jeff Turner kept ribbing me, why would I even want to fight with Mambo or Joomla... CAUSE I WAS BOUND AND DETERMINED, that's why!!! (his suggestion was a wise one...use Wordpress for Content Management.) Believe me, I did that too. I have created multiple sites with that too.
But then came along, @Virtuallin, she approached me about my problem and offered to help. That she did...she offered to put something together for me to look at and then gave me the keys to break it. Not quite like that, but just as dangerous. Turns out she is the Joomla Queen. Go ahead and search for something related to Joomla, I am sure one of her many sites will show up. We have been working on it for a while now (mostly her.) And almost ready to unleash it on the world with my old domain on it. I will let you take a look at it shortly...I am not done tooting Cheryl Allin's horn. Yes, that's her real name. @Virtuallin is her Twitter name and also the play on words for her company. Cheryl is a Virtual Assistant. Whenever you think you're too busy to get stuff done, but not confident enough to hire a personal assistant for the office, you'll need to think about a Virtual Assistant. There are quite a few out there waiting to help. Cheryl does more than websites, but that is her specialty. Her prices are very reasonalable, even for a cheap skate like me. Not only did she put together a fine website, for a very reasonable price threw in her new Drip Mail program. (you need some like this to help maintain new leads.)
If it wasn't for Twitter and me thinking out loud amongst my followers, I would still be racking my brain. Cheryl has helped alleviate my problem and free up my time to look for business instead of maintaining my business. That's only one of the many benefits of a Virtual Assistant.
As promised take a look at what I used to have and what I will have soon.
OLD Advance Access Site New Joomla Site
Again, if you're looking for some great website help, think about calling (or Twittering @Virtuallin)
Yeah, that's coming from me...Mr. "I'll do all that techie stuff myself"
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I'm not into building my own site -- the Real Estate Tomato built mine -- Bucking the Real Estate Trend. However, I am all for VA's and am getting into Twittering a bit more. Time is the problem of course. Will look for your virtual friend and follow your reports on how your net site evolves. I blew my static site up months ago -- that was a no brainer after I dug my claws into research. Thanks for your post!