Web Publishing Group

There are several good content-management systems or publications, such as Vignette, that will satisfy just about any content-management need that a publishing company could come up with. The problem? They’re expensive—both to set up and to maintain.

These are definitely not solutions for small publishers. A friend of mine worked for a publisher who installed Vignette, and his company spent tens of thousands of dollars for the software and then tens of thousands more on consultants to help them install and configure it.

An Open Source Solution
That being the case, wouldn’t you like a solution that’s proven and powerful, but most of all cheap? Well, how about free? I’m talking, of course, about one of the many open-source (read: free) content-management systems currently available.

My favorite is Drupal. I’ve used it on several sites, including the IEEE Southeastern Michigan website and the ARRL, Michigan Section website. Unlike many open-source projects, Drupal has a lot of momentum behind it, the developers are continually improving it, and it’s relatively easy to get support should you need it.

theONION is a magazine that uses Drupal to publish an online version.

Several magazines already use Drupal to publish online. They are:

• Linux Journal
• Snowboard
• theONION

Drupal even a module that is geared towards making the basic content-management system into a publishing system: E-Publish. E-Publish lets you organize a group of nodes into a publication, your publication can have multiple editions, and you can organize each edition by topic. I haven’t used E-Publish yet, but it looks very good. One of the sites that currently uses E-Publish is PR Watch.

Camping Out
Another open source package—one specifically designed for publications—is Campsite. It has features specifically needed by publications, including the ability to accomodate multiple contributors, editor review, issue publishing, and subscription management.

A site currently using Campsite is the Post-Herald Online, a publication in western NY. Another is el Periodico, a Spanish-language newspaper in Guatemala.

I haven’t used this software, either, but I’d love to give it a try. One project I’m currently considering is establishing a community-based online newspaper here in Ann Arbor, and I think this software would fit the bill nicely.

System Requirements
Both Drupal and Campsite are built on LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) technology. These are all open-source software projects, and many web hosts support it. What this means is that you can easily find both a web hosting company to host the site. And since many developers (including Web Publishing Group) also support this technology, it should be easy to find a web developer as well.

Of course, as Heinlein pointed out, “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch (TANSTAAFL).” You will have to pay a web developer to install and customize the software, and you will have to allocate resources to maintain the website. In the end, however, you’ll be way ahead of the game. These solutions are easier to install and easier to maintain—and a lot cheaper, too.

If you’d like to explore one of these options, please feel free to phone me at 734-930-6564 or to e-mail me at danr@webpublishinggroup.com.

I was recently asked to quote on a project that involved determining a person’s:

1. ZIP+4 code from a street address and five-digit ZIP code and
2. the Congressional district from the ZIP+4 code.

My first thought was to contact the U.S. Postal Service to see what they offered. They offer something called the ZIP+4 Product, which is a big text file, that you’d have to import into a database to use properly. It costs $900 for a one-year subscription.

The client thought this was kind of expensive, so they suggested that we make the user responsible for inputting the appropriate ZIP+4 by adding a link that would pop up another window with the appropriate USPS.Com page. This is definitely a low-cost solution, but it might turn away people who would otherwise complete the form. It’s also more prone to human error.

Both of these approaches require yet another database to determine the person’s Congressional district.

Another solution is the ZIP+4 database from Zipcode Download. For $250, they’ll sell you the current data. For $400, they’ll sell you a one-year subscription, including quarterly updates. The cool thing about this database—at least as far as this project is concerned—is that it also includes the Congressional district number. A very similar product is ZipInfo.Com, although for a slightly higher price ($500 for a yearly subscription with quarterly updates).

Both ZipCodeDownload and ZipInfo also sell zip code databases with latitude and longitude information. With this information, you can calculate distances between zip codes or find zip codes within a certain radius of a zip code. These are very useful functions for many Web applications.

Despite my earlier bad experience with Firefox, on the PC, on the Mac it runs great.  So much so that I might start using it as my default browser.

One reason for this are the cool extensions that are available for it. Here are two of them, written by Kevin Freitas, that are very simple to use, yet are also very useful for website developers:

• MeasureIt. This extension lets you measure the area in pixels of any area on a web pages. Very useful for measuring the height and width of images.
• LinkChecker.T This extension, as the name implies, will check all the links on a page and color code them: green=good, red=bad, yellow=forwarded. This tool will save you a ton of work and really improve the quality of your websites.

Thanks, Kevin!

The August 2006 issue of Internet Retailer includes the article, “When web hosting turns into a disaster.” This article documents problems that can occur when an Internet retailer chooses a Web hosting company with less than stellar customer service. They then go on to describe how to choose a Web host and how to get the most out of that relationship.

What they fail to mention is using a third party like the Web Publishing Group (WPG). WPG does not provide web hosting, per se, but is more than ready to provide services, including:

• helping you choose the right Web hosting company,
• updating the website in a timely manner, and
• interfacing with the Web host when problems do arise.

Because we’re familiar with Internet technology, we won’t let Web hosts bamboozle you in to buying more service than you need, nor will we let them get away with sub-par performance. If you feel you’re being taken advantage of, or if it’s time to choose a new Web hosting company, call us. We can help you.

We’re all familiar with the websites of big businesses. But, the World Wide Web works for small businesses, too. Your small business can enjoy the same benefits that the big companies enjoy, helping you attract new customers and better serve the ones you have.

So why don’t more small business have websites? One reason many small businesses don’t have their own websites is that they’re afraid it will cost them a lot. This need not be the case, though.

One way to keep costs low is to work with an independent web developer, such as the Web Publishing Group. The Web Publishing Group is a “virtual company,” consisting of freelancers who come on board for a particular project and contribute only to that project. This helps us keep costs down, but since these freelancers are experienced professionals, the quality of their work is high. The result is that you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Another way we keep costs down is to use open-source software wherever possible. There is no charge for open-source software, and it can be as good or better than software that you’d have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for. Since there is no charge for the basic software, we can put those funds to work on making it work better for your business.

A good example of open-source software is Phorum discussion group software. Discussion group, or bulletin board, software lets your customers communicate with one another or with your company via your website. This software is not only free for the asking, but also supported by dozens of developers and users around the world. We have it installed on several websites and find it to be both full-featured and solidly dependable.

Using low-cost or no-cost open-source software and professional freelancers allows us to keep costs low. You don’t have to worry about your website becoming a “black hole” into which you’ll pump funds with no payback. In addition, we’ll consult with you early on and help you determine what features will work for your business and what features won’t. That’s another way we help you keep costs down.

Features That Work for Your Business
So, what features should your business website have? It all depends on the type of business you have. For example, if your business is a consultancy, you probably don’t need shopping cart software. If you’re running a bookstore, however, a shopping cart may be essential. Below are some features that the Web Publishing Group can build into your website:

• Product and services catalog
• Online store
• Coupons
• Design portfolio
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ )
• Request for quote form
• Bulletin board
• Articles of interest
• Links to industry websites
• E-mail newsletter
• Newsroom
• Demonstration videos

Product and services catalog.
If you’re offering products or services, your website should include a catalog. If you have only a few products or services, a simple catalog built with static pages may be sufficient. If, however, you have a wide range of products, then a database-driven solution might be the best way to go.

Database-driven catalogs are easier to maintain than those built with static pages, and you can use the data in more ways, but the up-front costs are higher. The Web Publishing Group can help you choose the type of catalog that’s right for your business.

Online store.
If you sell directly to customers—or want to sell directly to them—then an online store could help you sell more. The online store will allow your customers to browse your product catalog and then order those products directly through your website. If you accept credit cards, the website will also verify the card and present you with all the relevant information. If you accept PayPal, your website will handle all the interactions with PayPal.

Coupons.
One way to attract customers to either your online store or your “bricks and mortars” store is to offer discounts coupons. Website visitors could print out the coupons and bring them in to your store, or if ordering online, type in a coupon code at an appropriate point in the checkout process. In either case, you get a new customer!

Design portfolio.
If you are a graphics designer, interior decorator, or home remodeler, then a design portfolio is a feature that your website should have. The design portfolio will allow you to show potential customers the work you have done for your existing customers, giving them the confidence that you can do the job for them, too. This section may also include testimonials from your existing customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ ).
A list of frequently asked questions is a common website feature and is appropriate for any business. The FAQ list could include common questions about the products and services you offer, the hours that your retail store is open, how best to use the products you sell. The FAQ gives your customers easy access to the information they need, while saving you and your employees time you would normally spend answering the same questions over and over.

Request for quote form.
If you’re business is providing custom products or services, such as gardening services or furniture upholstering, then you might want to include a request for quote form on your website. This form will allow potential customers to quickly get quotes on your products or services. It would include spaces for all the information you need to properly quote a job as well as spaces for customer contact information.

Bulletin board.
This is a popular feature for those businesses that need to provide customer service after a sale. Customers can ask questions on the board, and other customers or your own support personnel can answer those questions. When used in this way, the bulletin serves as a knowledge base that both you and your customers can draw on. It will help your customers use your products better, as well as help you gain valuable information about your customers by interacting with them.

E-mail newsletter.
Another way to keep in touch with customers and potential customers is via an e-mail newsletter. The newsletter can include information about new products, applications of existing products, projects that your company has recently completed, and industry information. Newsletters can enhance the relationship your company has with its customers, making the relationship more valuable for both parties.

Articles of interest.
If your business relies on your expertise, you may want to write and publish a series of articles on current issues. For example, if you’re an intellectual property attorney, writing and publishing an article on the latest copyright law could help establish your credentials with prospective clients. If you’re a concrete contractor, an article describing the basics of paving will help educate and attract potential customers.

Also keep in mind that it’s possible to reprint articles from other sources, such as newspapers and trade magazines. You may have to pay a fee for this service, but often these fees are reasonable and do make your website attractive to potential clients and customers.

Links to industry websites.
This is another way to attract people to your website. Developing an interesting and useful set of links will help draw potential customers to your website and help educate them about the types of products and services you sell.

Newsroom.
In the newsroom, you would publish news and other information about your company. You would, for example, put press releases describing your new products in the newsroom. You would also include contact information for the person responsible for media relations. That way, when editors come looking for information about your company, it’s all in one easily accessible location.

Demonstration videos.
There are some messages that are better conveyed with a video than with text and pictures. For example, if you have a painting business, you may want to show prospective customers how you apply textured surfaces to walls. Sure, you could describe the process, but wouldn’t it be better to show them?

The Web Publishing Group can arrange not only to film your video, but to also adapt it for the Web. Visitors to your website will be able to download it and then play it in either the Real player or Microsoft Media Player.

WPG Offers Maintenance Services, Too
Finally, consider that a website is only as good as the information that it contains. Websites that are not maintained and updated regularly can quickly become public relations nightmares. That’s why the Web Publishing Group also offers website maintenance services.

By taking advantage of our maintenance services, you avoid the expense of having to train someone on your staff to do this work, and they can continue to do what they do best, be it accounting or marketing or engineering. Our maintenance services are professional and prompt because taking care of our customers is high on our priority list.

For More Information
For more information, and a free consultation on your website needs, call Dan Romanchik, Principal of the Web Publishing Group at 734-9390-6564, or send him an e-mail at danr@webpublishinggroup.com.

Chances are your magazine already has a web site. They can be a great reader service, as well as a source of revenue. The chances are also good, however, that your website could be better. Below, are ten features I think magazine websites should have.

1. ARTICLES!!! Content really is king. The articles you publish on line are the main attraction for your readers. Content is what draws them to your site and what brings them back. That being the case, you should post as many articles as you can. Post not only every article from the current edition, but as many articles from back issues as you can afford. But don’t stop there. You can make your website even more useful by posting related information that just wouldn’t fit into the into the print version, such as links to websites or additional illustrations.
2. Classified ads. Classified ads can be both a reader service and a revenue source. For example, you can offer free position wanted ads to readers seeking jobs in your field, while charging companies to post help wanted ads.
3. Subscription info/forms. Make it easy for readers to subscribe to your magazine. If you’re a trade magazine, make sure your website includes your current qual card. If readers must pay to subscribe to your magazine, make sure that the subscription form can accept credit cards. And be sure not to hide the subscription form. Make sure there’s a link to it on your home page.
4. Reader forums. Reader forums give your readers an opportunity to share ideas with one another and with your editors. While not for everyone, they do appeal to many readers and serve to bring readers back to your website, increasing your overall traffic.
5. Feedback forms. Feedback forms are another way to get feedback from readers. They can be very simple forms that allow readers to enter messages or more elaborate forms designed to gather demographic information from readers. In either case, they are very simple to set up and provide your editors with valuable information. Be sure to include a checkbox to allow readers to subscribe to your e-mail newsletter.
6. E-mail newsletters. E-mail newsletters are another way to bring readers back to your website. They deliver industry news and news about the magazine to readers. By using the mailing list to inform readers when you have posted new articles, you give them a reason to come back. E-mail newsletters can also be a revenue source, as often you can find an advertiser to sponsor them.
7. Submission guidelines. Use your website to inform potential contributors of the types of articles and press releases you accept and which get thrown in the trash. If you put these guidelines online, you’ll save time by having to field fewer requests for this information. And who knows? You may even get higher quality submissions in the end.
8. Contact info. I’m always surprised when I can’t find the editors names and e-mail addresses on a magazine website. A trade magazine lives and dies by how relevant its content is to readers, and what better way to stay in contact than by e-mail? Don’t worry that you’ll be bombarded with a lot of irrelevant messages; it’s my experience that the good greatly outweighs the bad.
9. Industry directory. If you publish an annual industry directory or buyers guide, be sure to also post it to your website. On the web, you can make the guide even more useful by putting the information into a database and then writing a simple web application to serve that data. Readers can then search by product category, service type, or company name and location.
10. Tools. Offer tools that help your readers do their jobs better. For example, one website that I maintain offers its readers a spreadsheet that helps them compute the cost of quality. If it’s appropriate for your audience, also consider setting up a software download section. This section can contain shareware and freeware that is freely downloadable as well as demo software from advertisers in your magazine.

How did your website score? If you scored less than 10, it’s time to call the Web Publishing Group and get a quote. Call us at 734-930-6564 or e-mail danr@webpublishinggroup.com.