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The Squeeze Plugin from Unique Blog Designs

28 Jul

The squeeze theme, a premium WordPress theme, was where the original idea of squeeze pages in WordPress begins.  Recently the guys behind Squeeze Theme decided to create a plug-in called Squeeze Plugin, a plug-in that allows you to create squeeze pages in WordPress.  If you want to read more about squeeze pages or you aren’t sure exactly what a squeeze page is then read an article I wrote about squeeze pages a little while ago.

Now, with this WordPress Plug-in you can create squeeze pages that aren’t specific to the theme you are using on your WordPress website and with this premium WordPress Plug-in.  Squeeze Plug-in works using a “widgetized GUI” that allows you to drag and drop elements into your own squeeze page from videos to forms and everything in between.  So what kind of things can you add into your squeeze page?  Here is a list of things that you can add to your squeeze pages using Squeeze Plug-in…

  • Forms
  • Videos
  • Headlines
  • Text
  • Disclaimers
  • Buttons
  • Lists
  • Testimonials
  • Images

The plug-in itself is a great tool for people looking to construct squeeze pages with a high level of customization simply by dragging and dropping the aspects of your squeeze page you want to use.  Unique Blog Designs is going to be launching this plug-in on August 3, 2010 so be sure to pick it up when it comes out.

OneStepCheckout releases a new version

23 Jul

OneStepCheckout is one of those rare plugins that so aptly meets the needs of ecommerce website owners out there.  I’ve talked about this product before and reviewed it as well and it’s a great add-on to any ecommerce website.  I received an email the other day from Asbjorn Johnsen, the CEO of OneStepCheckout who let me know that come August 1, 2010, OneStepCheckout is going to release a new version of its core product.

The release will include the following functionality when it’s rolled out on August 1, 2010…

  • This version fully supports Magento Enterprise 1.7 and above and Magento Professional with store credit and loyalty points
  • A much easier installation process that does not require any change to templates and just activates from the backend
  • Your customers have the choice of multiple addresses for customers who are logged into their account
  • Administrative setting for displaying pricing with or without taxes
  • Administrative setting to configure whether the email newsletter checkbox should appear “checked” or “unchecked” when a customer is checking out.
  • And some more fixes and tweaks to OneStepCheckout’s functionality

WordPress Theme Showcase – Summer 2010 Edition

17 Jul

Ah July! The summer here in Canada and just like the summer heat the WordPress Theme Development companies have been releasing some of the hottest WordPress themes that WordPress theme development companies like StudioPress, Templatic and WooThemes have been coming up with lately.  Depending on what you are looking for in a WordPress Theme there is a lot of choice out there so it’s time to showcase what’s the latest and greatest.


Theme Name: “Hospitality”

Theme Developer: Templatic Themes

Theme Type: CMS, Portfolio

Compatible with: WordPress

Cost: $65 for the single site license; $99 for the multiple site license


Theme Name: “Emporium”

Theme Developer: Templatic Themes

Theme Type: E-Commerce

Compatible with: WordPress

Cost: $65 for the single site license; $99 for the multiple site license

Theme Name: “Store Front”

Theme Developer: Templatic Themes

Theme Type: E-Commerce

Compatible with: WordPress

Cost: $65 for the single site license; $99 for the multiple site license

Theme Name: “News Flash”

Theme Developer: Templatic Themes

Theme Type: Magazine

Compatible with: WordPress

Cost: $65 for the single site license; $99 for the multiple site license

Theme Name: “Rejuvenate”

Theme Developer: Templatic Themes

Theme Type: CMS

Compatible with: WordPress

Cost: $65 for the single site license; $99 for the multiple site license

Theme Name: “Coda”

Theme Developer: WooThemes

Theme Type: Magazine, News

Compatible with: WordPress

Cost: $70 for the standard license; $150 for the developer license

Theme Name: “Inspire”

Theme Developer: WooThemes

Theme Style: Business, CMS, Portfolio

Compatible with: WordPress, Drupal and ExpressionEngine

Cost: $70 for the standard license; $150 for the developer license

Theme Name: “Education”

Theme Developer: StudioPress

Theme Style: CMS

Compatible with: WordPress 2.9.2 and higher

Cost: $24.95 for the child theme; $79.95 for the child theme + Genesis Framework

Theme Name: “Freelance”

Theme Developer: StudioPress

Theme Style: CMS

Compatible with: WordPress 2.9.2 and higher

Cost: $24.95 for the child theme; $79.95 for the child theme + Genesis Framework

Magento Commerce goes Mobile

15 Jun

I’ve long waited for the day when people would start to use mobile commerce in their businesses.  With people using more and more smart phones in everyday life it was only a matter of time until someone developed the architecture for the next wave of business… m-commerce.  M-Commerce or “Mobile commerce” as it’s known is the ability to buy and sell products and services using mobile devices like PDAs, smart phones and mobile (cell) phones.

Recently, Magento Commerce said that it now has the ability to commerce through mobile devices.  This feature has not been released to all users just yet but it’s only a matter of time.  So what does this mean to the average business owner?

  • A new way to conduct your business
  • The ability to reach more customers in a new way

So what does Magento Mobile have to offer you and your business?  Here is a list of features about the latest mobile commerce offering from Magento Commerce:

  • Integration with PayPal Mobile – Naturally if you are going to offer a mobile commerce solution you are going to need a payment gateway that is capable of processing payments made on mobile devices which is where PayPal Mobile comes into play with its processing power.
  • It’s Completely Customizable – That’s right!  You can customize your mobile commerce website as you see fit!
  • The Total Cost of Ownership is low – Ultimately a solution that is truly best should cost a small fortune and the total cost of ownership is something that Magento has focused on in releasing this mobile commerce solution to the masses
  • Manage Multiple Devices – In order for Magento Mobile to be successful in helping you grow your business you need the mobile website to work on many different types of mobile phones, PDAs and smart phones and Magento Mobile allows you to do this with a growing list of supported mobile devices under its belt.
  • And more…

So if you are interested in adding a new sales channel to your existing business or you want a way to sell through mobile devices then Magento Mobile might just be able to help you out with this!  Oh yeah, checkout this screenshot of how it looks on a iPod or iPhone.

Product Review: Going Green WordPress Theme

6 May

StudioPress_GoingGreen

Maybe it’s because its spring or maybe it’s because it was recently earth day but whatever the reason is behind StudioPress releasing its “Going Green” Premium WordPress Theme it’s just a really fresh and funky kind of website theme.  It was designed by one of StudioPress’ all-star designers by the name of Josh Byers.  Josh Byers comes to StudioPress with over 13 years of web design experience working with major universities, a-list movie stars and small businesses.

Big Selling Points of the Going Green WordPress Theme

Large Featured Post Area – This is something that theme development companies sometimes seem to miss or simply forget.  When you think about real estate on a website having a featured content area gives your content a lot of “eyeballs” on the page.

Widgetized Footer Area – Widgets are all the rage in WordPress theme development and I like the way that StudioPress has tied the three footer content areas into the overall look and feel of this theme.  That combined with the stylish fonts and visual effects bring it all together nicely.

Lots of variations on page layout – There are a number of page layout options available with the “Going Green” theme.  From “Content/Sidebar”, “Sidebar/Content”, “Content/Sidebar/Sidebar”, “Sidebar/Sidebar/Content”, “Sidebar/Content/Sidebar” and “Full Width Content” all allowing you options as to how you want to layout your website or blog.

Our Product Rating

Cost

10.0

Cost Comments:  The cost of the child theme is more than reasonable at $24.95 and the option to buy the theme with StudioPress’ Genesis Theme Framework at $79.95 is a great deal

Support & Documentation

8.0

Support Comments:  StudioPress provides access to its support forums which is great for those people who buy this theme and others that StudioPress owns however it would also be great if they included formal documentation with each theme.

Usability

9.0

Usability Comments:  I just like the navigation components, the font sizes and non-confusing jargon.  The theme is an eye catching and easy to use and read.

Web Browser Compatibility

7.5

Browser Compatibility Comments:  I personally had some issues with the theme in Internet Explorer but overall it’s a very solid theme

Overall Rating

8.6

SpicyWebDesigners.com rates products on a scale from 0 to 10 with 0 being the worst and 10 being the best. A typical product review includes looking at Cost, Support and Documentation, Usability, Web Browser Compatibility (using Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer).

Final Comments about this theme:

The “Going Green” Premium WordPress Theme is well worth the money if you are looking for a theme to start your blog that offers a lot or a website that you are looking to give a fresh style to.  If web browser compatibility is a big issue than you may want to conduct your own tests to ensure that this theme is for you.  Lastly, the support that is provided is good but offering a user guide with the sale of a theme could help newer and less experienced users customize their themes.

Website Theme Specs:

Framework: Genesis Theme Framework
Layout Options: 2 or 3-columns, fixed-width, theme-options, threaded-comments
Theme Vendor: StudioPress
Requirements: WordPress 2.9.1 or higher
Web hosting Requirements: Linux / UNIX based web hosting

How much is “Going Green” going to cost me?

The “Going Green child theme” option sells for $24.95 and includes access to the latest and greatest theme tutorials, limited customization and support available through StudioPress’ private forum. The child theme option requires the Genesis Theme Framework to function as designed.

Click here to buy

The “Going Green child theme & Genesis theme framework” option sells for $79.95 and includes the “Metric” child theme and all mentioned features above and the Genesis Theme Framework

Click here to buy