Forward_Web – Page 6

Three WordPress Plugins to Improve Performance

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Forward_Web

Sometimes (often) here at Forward Web we come across WordPress websites that are slow/bloated and although there are many things that can be done to improve the performance of a WordPress website (sometimes at the server level). Here are some basic plugins you can install (as a beginner) that will help improve the performance of your WordPress website.

Use Google Libraries

Use Google Libraries is a simple, easy to use plugin that allows your WordPress site to use the content distribution network side of Google’s AJAX Library API, rather than serving the files from your WordPress install directly.

To use the Google Libraries Plugin all you need to do is install the plugin and you are done.

Here are some of the potential performance benefits from installing the Use Google Libraries Plugin:

increases the chance that a user already has these files cached
takes load off your server
uses compressed versions of the libraries (where available)
Google’s servers are set up to negotiate HTTP compression with the requesting browser

Download Google Libraries Here: https://wordpress.org/support/view/plugin-reviews/use-google-libraries

WP-Optimize

Keeping your database clean and optimized will naturally help increase the speed of your WordPress website. Simple but effective plugin WP-Optimize allows you to extensively clean your WordPress database and optimize it without doing manual queries (usually done via PHPmyAdmin). In addition, WP-Optimize allows you to easily disable comments and trackbacks for all previously published posts and pages (which usually generate spam and can slow down your website).

Although Database cleanups are usually for the more advanced users, WP-Optimize allows the beginner/novice user to easily clean and maintain your WordPress database (like always, just make sure you back-up your database before performing your first clean-up).

Download WP-Optimize Here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-optimize/

WP Fastest Cache

WP Fastest Cache creates static html files from your dynamic WordPress website. This process helps save your website from consuming Ram (memory) and CPU which in turn, speeds up your WordPress website. Although WP Fastest Cache has a Free and Paid version, the Free Version will do plenty (in regards to speeding up you WordPress website).

Since establishing Caching systems are for more advanced users, here are some of the most general settings you can enable within the WP Fastest Cache that will speed up your website.

Download WP Fastest Cache Here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-fastest-cache/

Websites are not easy or free to build

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Forward_Web

As the title reads, websites are not easy or free to build. However this article is not intended to discourage you from attempting to build your own website (but rather to give you a more realistic approach to what it takes to develop a website) with or without the help of a professional.

With that being said, now that we are in the full blown digital age, there are many misconceptions about website development. Many of which are promoted by domain registrars and “free” website builder services (which can be very misleading to the consumer). Often times these misconceptions lead to wasted time and frustrations, leaving the consumer back where they started (without a proper web presence). Surely you have seen the ads, the slogans often times come in the form of “build your own website for free” or “build your website in minutes”. All great ideas that sound enticing to the consumer, however none of which are actually true or realistic.

To further elaborate, regardless of whether or not you decide to build your website on your own (or with the help of a professional). If you want to have a proper and effective web presence, you will need to take many items into consideration, such as:

What is the purpose of the website? Are you going to sell items online, is the website going to be strictly informative?
Who will your primary audience be? Business Professionals, Women, Men, Age Groups..ect
Once complete, wow do you plan on promoting your website? Organic Search Results, Paid Advertisments, all of the above?

The above are just a few items (on a very long list of items) that should be taken into consideration (before) you start building your website. As you can see, if done right, you are already going to spend a few hours on your project (not minutes).

Yet, if you are willing to put the time and effort into properly building your website (or at least to the best of your abilities). Developing your own website can be a very rewarding experience. Or at worst, you will walk away with a higher level of appreciation towards web development. Truth be told, if you are looking to build your own website, think hours/days vs minutes, along with preparing to spend a little money to get your website off the ground (as nothing is truly for free).

With the above mind, here is a short list of services you will need to establish your initial web presence.

Domain Name: There is no way around this, if you want to have a successful website, you will need to have a domain name). Average cost for a domain name on a year to year basis can range between $15-$20.00 per year. Forward Web does not recommend spending more than $20.00 per year on your domain name. You can register your domain name with Forward Web anytime for only $15.00 per year by clicking here.

Web Hosting: Probably the most overlooked service (yet arguably the most important) is web hosting. Without a proper web host, your website will either load slow or will be inaccessible all together. To learn more about web hosting, click here. Pricing for ideal shared web hosting (Forward Web)recommends cPanel Shared web hosting) can range between $50.00-$150.00 per year (however many service providers usually and should include your domain name in the yearly service fee). You can set-up your cPanel web hosting account with Forward Web (domain name included) for only $100.00 per year by clicking here.

Website Builder: At last, now you have your domain name and web hosting account set-up, you will need a website builder to build your website with. This is where you should choose very carefully because not all web site builders are created equal. Also, not all website builders allow you to transfer your website away from your web host (which is very important and unfortunately, where many of the free site builder services will hook you in).

Forward Web recommends using WordPress to build your website, however if not WordPress, please make sure your website builder is open source (where you are able to move your website freely) and not proprietary (where you are restricted to where you can move your website to). With Forward Web (assuming you have already ordered your cPanel web hosting service, you can easily install WordPress within a matter of minutes (using our One Click auto installer). If not, our friendly staff is always available and willing to assist where needed (at no extra cost).

Still have questions? Do not hesitate to contact Forward Web at your convenience, we are always here to assist you with all of your web development needs.

Is your business scalable?

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Forward_Web

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

For those who do not know who I am, my name is Fernando Alfaro (owner of Forward Web). From time to time I like to write tips that will help your current or future business succeed or overcome plateaus. After-all, even though we are a web development company, the success of your business is the success of Forward Web.

With that being said, today I am writing about scalability and how important scalability is to the success of your current or future business. If you are unfamiliar with the term scalability, in business we think of scalability as the ability to easily and effectively expand your product or service on demand. How do you know if your business is scalable?

Although the numbers will be different with every type of business. Ask yourself this, “Can my business realistically handle an additional 50, 100 to 1000 orders or clients per day?”. If the answer is no, or uncertain, your business is not scalable (and it should be). Having a clear game-plan in regards to scalability (even if incremental), can and will save your business time and money. Do not wait until you’re presented with what some refer to as a “good problem”. End of the day, there is no such thing as a good problem (at least not for your business). Always plan ahead.

WordPress Tutorial For Beginners (How to make a Post)

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Forward_Web

For new WordPress users, a quick video tutorial on how to make a post to your WordPress website. Click on the video below to begin.

WordPress Tutorial For Beginners (How to Edit/Add Text to your website)

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Forward_Web

For new WordPress users, a quick video tutorial on how to add or edit text to your WordPress website. Click on the video below to begin.

When Hiring a Web Developer (ask questions)

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Forward_Web

Most of what you see on the web today is point and click (as intended). The back-end however (the engine), like always, consists of very little point and click (coding and programming make the www go round). It is this basic understanding that essentially separates a true web developer from someone who is simply building websites as a hobby.

Before hiring a developer to build a website for your business, do not be afraid to ask questions. Some good questions to ask before hiring a developer:

– How do you plan to build our website?

– How long have you been developing websites?

– Do you develop websites for a living or part time?

– How many websites have you developed?

– What will happen to my website if you disappear or become unavailable?

The above are some great starting points and do not be afraid to trust your gut (end of the day, its your money and you should feel good about your investment).

The Topic of using “Templates”

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Forward_Web

Today we are going to cover the topic of templates, which are often times wrongly looked at as negatives by the consumer (especially when hiring a professional). Here at Forward Web (every once and awhile) we are asked, does your company use templates? Our answer is always yes, however this does not mean the development of your project will be restricted in anyway.

To further elaborate, templates, are an integral part of every web development project as there are many aspects to a web development project that do not need to be recreated every-time a new website is started. Having a template in place for these tasks not only saves Forward Web time, but also saves the consumer money as we are not wasting time re-creating an element that we can simply copy into the new project.

However there is a big difference between a template a developer has created to make their internal process more efficient vs a template used to re-create an entire website (without any customization’s or alterations). In short, every web developer uses some form of templates, however not all developers use templates for the same purpose (nor should templates place any restrictions on your project).

3 Reasons Why You Should use WordPress

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Forward_Web

3 reasons why you should use WordPress

1. WordPress is Free for you to use and not proprietary to any company (who doesn’t like free, literally).

2. You don’t have to know HTML/PHP or any other language to manage/create your website (its just like managing a Microsoft word document).

3. WordPress is open source (meaning developers like FernGullyGraphics can build and customize WordPress where needed). This also means you have thousands of developers contributing to the progress of WordPress on an ongoing basis (great for the longevity of your website).

Start Your Website Today, First Step is Registering your Domain.

Forward Web’s Data Center

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Forward_Web

Although Forward Web is based in Modesto, California. The primary servers which serve pages for over 2000 websites in 30 different countries are physically located in the old Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (400 South Akard St Dallas, TX). Safe, secure and strategically located to keep your data safe from the unexpected physical elements.