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5 Reasons You Should Be Using WordPress

While many other sites create a list of reason to use WordPress, this list will be kept short on purpose. Most people doing work to create and/or maintain their own web site are less interested in some of the reasons others will list simply to fill out a list. Here are the 5 biggest reasons I see to use WordPress over other self-hosted solutions or even many of the big hosted solutions.

Flexibility

WordPress, which is used on over a third of all sites, offers flexibility, both in terms of basic items such as themes and plugins, many available at no cost, while others are either free / paid or outright paid to use. In addition to these things, if one knows a little about coding with PHP for example, one could create child themes to allow for customization to happen without disturbing a parent theme's ability to update without overwriting changes. Also, one can hire someone to code a specific use plugin or theme features if no personal coding experience is available.

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Member Area Development

Combining two web sites, each with their own "member" area, one for clients of the web services provided and one for training resources is a bit of work. The framework for the training and resources are in place now, while the client section is fully built out to resemble it's previous incarnation. Both are accessible through the Member Area, a link at the top of the site only accessible by those with permission to access that area. This custom built area, combine both aspects is coming together nicely so far.

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Welcome

Welcome to the one stop shop for all things Web Design & Development. This project is born by combining over two decades of Web Design & Development services from Michael Mann Web Design with five years of training and Web resources from Frugal Web Guy. Please pardon the dust as these two amazing Web sites become one.

WordPress 5.4 “Adderly” Released

The latest core update to WordPress, version 5.4 code named "Adderly" in honor of Nat Adderley, was released yesterday. Each major core update will continue to add polish to WordPress and the Gutenberg Editor. This release pushes the editor into full screen mode by default, hiding the admin sidebar and top bars to provide more work space. This of course can be toggle off through the 3 stacked dots in the top right corner. Additionally, we have some new Gutenberg block elements, with the buttons item being one I see rather useful, as it allows for buttons to be placed side by side, without needing to use something like columns to do so. You can find out more information about this release on the WordPress.org's blog post for this release.

New Name, Same Great Service

Michael Mann Web Design became Michael Mann Web Design & Development in the interim, but is now just Mann Web Development. While I still provide design services, my main focus going forward will be development to encompass both design and development. The new site colors are blue and orange, with a revised logo. The site is in the process of being revamped, cleaned and thoroughly scrubbed.

Facebook Page Cover Graphic

Facebook pages are an amazing business tool. If your business has a page on Facebook, how does your Facebook page cover graphic look on mobile? Some business pages are missing out on optimizing across platforms. Each part of Facebook offers a different optimized size, with page covers size being:

  • 1200 pixels wide by 675 pixels tall on the Desktop
  • 1200 pixels wide by 457 pixels tall on the Mobile
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Benefits of a Properly Managed WordPress Site

WordPress is an amazing platform upon which to build a business or a community. Providing a central location for clients or customers to see what you are about and have to offer is amazing. However, maintaining a WordPress site, with themes and plugins can be a nightmare, but it does not have to be. This is why I offer a managed WordPress option.

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