A Montana-based, nonprofit organization that provides gifts and services to ill or homebound people. We help rekindle their internal joy that may have been temporarily lost in the maze of illness or age.

After meeting with the founder, hearing her story and seeing her enthusiasm, I was happy to help out creating their web site.

As with most sites I create it runs on WordPress with a core set of plug-ins for features such as contact forms and random quotes in the sidebar. Operating on a limited budget with limited resources, the client chose to go with a stock theme (including a stock photo for the header) to which I added their logo. I went through the usual process of reviewing premium themes for WordPress, but most were simply too flashy or complex. The client felt they conflicted with the message of the organization and I agreed. Over time they will be adding more photos and content and I will provide ongoing support.

We talked and brainstormed for a while and I convinced her to ditch the current site design and infrastructure altogether and let me recreate it in WordPress. She is pretty savvy about the web in general and had the knowledge to make changes to HTML pages, but the ability to update pages on her site and add new content directly via a browser-based interface sealed the deal.

Since time was of the essence I suggested the Avisio premium WordPress theme. I made modifications to the header to adjust for the style of logo she had, and to make the navigation fit on one line with the logo. Other than a few tweaks to some of the styles and uploading a custom background, the design was finished.

The client was supremely organized and had all the content ready to go. We collaborated on the navigation and she provided all the images for the content pages, blog posts and homepage slideshow. Project completion took 2 weeks with all dealings between the client and I over phone and email. She took over editing and maintenance duties immediately. We followed up with a one-hour training phone call to address her questions and walk through the various parts of the WordPress Dashboard.

I tell everyone that the thing that makes web sites expensive is disorganization, lack of preparedness and lack of client buy-in. Stratevative.com is a classic example of efficiency and client buy-in on a project. It was an extremely  satisfying project experience.

I’ve been involved with this site in various capacities since 2002 when it was started by fellow Triumph motorcycle enthusiast, Robert Wade. Late in 2010 I took a much more active role in running the site, being promoted from moderator to administrator. When Mr. Wade expressed a desire to pass the site off to someone who could take a more active role than he had been able to in the past few years, I jumped at the chance. I’d been eager to upgrade it and replace the main web site with WordPress.

In January, 2011, I established a new Dreamhost account just for the site, Gmail account, Paypal account, savings account and migrated the whole thing, lock stock and barrel to a new home.

Using Dreamhost’s one-click install for WordPress, I quickly set up the new homepage, picked the free iNove theme and imported content from the old site.  I also changed the header graphic to match the forums. The only other modification planned to this design is to install a scrolling slideshow on the homepage, above the blog section. Eventually I will likely purchase a new design/theme with more advanced features.

I also migrated the existing forums over to the new server and will be upgrading that software in the near future.

Recent additions to the site include the following:

• In Memoriam section
• Static Links page converted to WordPress Blog roll with special plug-in for display
• Updated Audio/Video Page
• Updated Downloads Page
• Triumph Dealership Locations Page
• Updated Triumphs in the Spotlight section
• Showcase of the Official Triumph Channel on YouTube
• Weekly Featured Member Rides posts with  Submission page

Using their previous site as a rough guide, we’ve added quite a bit of new content including information on all their spa and salon services, costs and policies, Cafe Organica, information on their community outreach efforts, and their historic building. We’ve added links to local attractions and accommodations for those who are visiting Helena, as well as links to their local Friends (businesses).

New features include online gift certificates purchasing that works with their current credit card processing company, an email form, an interactive map by Mapquest, and a Store Tour gallery to go along with their enhanced Construction gallery from the old web site. I took the photos in the Store Tour but not the Construction gallery.

The client chose an excellent premium theme for WordPress called Unite, which I’ve really only modified to include their logo, the Aveda logo. Everything else on the site has been configuration and formatting and uploading content.

I’m continuing to assist the client in maintaining the site and tweaking the content to perfection. Eventually I will be training Hair Hair staff to maintain the basics of the web site.

That said, there is a fair amount of configuration and customization involved with a premium theme. I’ve decided to do that “live” as time allows. Check back frequently to view my progress. Just one caveat: it may take some time as this site is my lowest priority behind my client’s sites.

• ongoing maintenance of the site
• watching for certain kinds of news stories about the race for District Judge
• taking fundraiser pictures
• processing video clips from a judges panel hosted by a local community organization
• coaching Dennis on the use of social media applications from the site’s blog to services like Twitter and Facebook
• Recreated and tweaked the his signage to create a logo for the site

Other features include:

• Photo gallery
• Video gallery
• Event Calendar
• Paypal donations link
• Integration of the blog with Facebook and Twitter
• Random quotes widget for testimonials
• Contact form

Update: Dennis came in second in the primary and moves on to the general election in November.

Highlights include:

• The latest version of WordPress (2.9.2) installed on their ISP and completely configured custom for their needs.
• Phiworx Premium Theme ($27), updated with a modified version of their logo. The theme features:
  • Classy, glossy dark design elements with rich orange highlights
  • Animated slideshow on the homepage featuring a mix of content, including select floorplans.
  • Drop down menu navigation
• All content from their old site implemented on the new site.
• New content added from offline marketing materials.

Watch this space for a link to a more detailed write up.

Ahem. This is still very much under construction. I’m creating/updating my content for the business on the About page. You can take a look. It’s not a big secret. What you see there will form the basis for my business plan and marketing.

In the meantime, you can also find me other places online via my personal portal.