There is a reason wordpress has been so successful as a blogging platform.  It’s easy, and the wordpress creative team actually listen to and implement ideas for changes to the platform.

The layout and functions of wordpress itself was created by bloggers just like you.

But as powerful as Wordpress is as a blogging platform, what makes it even more powerful is its versatility.

The Versatility of Wordpress

With it’s powerful plugin feature and it’s easiness to be modified via the actual open source code, wordpress can be used as more than a blogging platform.

It can be used as a CMS (Content Management System) for a static company website.

By simply modifying the themes style sheet and some of the open source code, you can have a fully functional website developed in a day with the only thing left being the adding of the actually page content (of which the client can do).

The Benefits of Using Wordpress When Building Websites

• Websites that used to take weeks to build can now be built in a matter of 2-3 days.
• Clients can edit the content of each page by themselves very easily rather than having the developer make every word change.
• The plugins offered allow for faster development of key website components such as web forms, newsletter subscriptions, search engine optimzation, and so much more.
• It makes the client feel like they are more in control of their website.
• It causes the client to feel better about the development since they actually get to have a hand in the process.
• And so much more…

Real World Example

I actually used Wordpress to build a website for the first time this past week for a client, and what would normally have taken 2-3 weeks ended up only taking 2-3 days.

The client had previously been with a web development company that fought with them on changes and development for over a year and no CMS.  So imagine their surprise when I have a fully functioning website for them in 3 days, content added and all.

If you develop websites, I highly recommend you start using wordpress.  You will impress your clients with how quickly you finish the work.

Here’s a screenshot of the website which was built on the default wordpress theme with very minimal stylesheet and code changes:

How do you feel about using Wordpress to build websites?  If you have any other benefits I’d love to hear them.

You may have noticed that I’ve been no where to be found for the past 2 weeks.

I’ve not been on any social media sites, there’s been no blog posts, no commenting, etc.

It’s not because I’ve given up on anything… because I haven’t.

It’s because I’m trying to expand by getting smaller.  Or more like, going local.

The Results Of A Split Personality

It seems I have two passions in life when it comes to what I want to blog about.

1. Making Money Online
2. Helping others find interesting things to do where I live.

The first passion is something I’m already doing with this blog.  I’ve managed to successfully make money online and I love helping others do the same.

The second passion is something that I wasn’t currently doing… until now.

My Newest Blog

I’ve been really working hard to set up and get a new blog running that is targeted toward my local hometown area.

Not many people around here are interested in blogging and making money doing it, so there was never really a great way to connect with any of the local community through this blog.

My ultimate goal with blogging has always been to better connect with others.  I can make money online in so many other ways than blogging.  In fact, I’m already doing it.

So creating a blog where I can really connect locally was very important for me.

It’s not loaded down with content yet, but it’s slowly building up.

If you have some time, check out my newest blog geared toward my hometown of Western KY.

www.helloKY.com

Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

I know it’s been preached to you more times than you care to admit.  I’ve even done it.

Shouldn’t you put your focus onto only one blog and really try to build it?

For most, the answer is yes.

If you have trouble running one blog and keeping it maintained, then you probably only need to stick with one blog.  But for those that can make the time to put 100% effort into 2 blogs, then go for it.

If you can handle multiple blogs, remain passionate about them both, and keep fresh content flowing on each, then it’s very easy to double or even triple your income (depending on the popularity of your niche, and you expertise).

I’d love to know what you think of my new blog.  Let me hear it with a comment.

It looks like the 4th was with us yesterday because my wife and I now have a brand new baby girl.  Her name is Aurora Madeline Grace Sanders.

It was a very long day which started at 2:00 am when we left our house to go to the hospital, and ended at 9:39 pm when the baby was born.  Well, I say it ended, but for anyone who has experienced a new baby, you know it never end from that point forward.  But it’s well worth it!

Here are some pictures of the experience, the new baby, and my 2 year old spending some time with her new sister:

The Give The Gift of Hope fundraising event for Hope Unlimited went okay, but I didn’t get the results I had hoped for.

Hope Unlimited is an amazing organization that lends itself to helping expecting mothers in desparate need.  Whether that mother is thinking of abortion, adoption, or having the baby but has financial situations that cause complications with having and raising a child.

Hope Unlimited does nothing but constantly give of themselves to the community day after day, but because they are a non-profit organization, they rely on the charitable donations of others to help support them.  And when you think of it in this way, you start to realize that those women that are getting that help, are being helped by you.  The person who donated money, items, or your time to help them.  Hope Unlimited is simply here to make that job a little easier on all of us.  And they do an awesome job at it!

If you want to learn more about Hope Unlimited or the fundraising event, you can visit my recent post here.

How You Helped

The fundraiser was an ongoing event that spanned from April 6 to April 27, 2009.  It’s main purpose was to help raise much needed money for Hope Unlimited and all of the expecting mothers in need that reach out to them every day.

I thank each and every person that made an effort to help in the best way they could.  You’re contributions to Hope Unlimited help in so many ways.

• I had 325 visitors to the Hope Unlimited blog post, resulting in only 32 unique comments and 5 donations being made in the total amount of $85.00.
• I contacted 605 of my Facebook friends to join the Hope Unlimited Facebook Group to help show their support for Hope Unlimited, resulting in only 36 members, and 390 people turning their back on showing their support by saying “No”.

I don’t understand why so many refuse to help in any way, but will turn right around and ask for help from others.

I understand that because of the economy and many people’s financial situations, making a monetary donation wasn’t an option.  But leaving a comment to show your support, or by saying yes, I’ll join this group to help support expecting mothers in need, is FREE, and it only takes 2 minutes of time.

I am happy we raised $85.00, and I hope through this fundraising event, that Hope Unlimited became better known.  I hope that this will lead to more donations and support from others outside the community.

Children are our future, and we should do everything we can to protect them and see that they are given the tools and chances in life they need to be safe and happy.

The $100 Giveaway Winner

Since only 5 people donated money, the odds of winning this $100 giveaway were very good.

I took the names of each winner, loaded it into the website random.org, and a name was chosen.

The winner of the $100 Give the Gift of Hope winner is:

Debra Sneddon

Congratulations Debra!  I will be getting in touch with you.  Thank you for your generosity in giving to Hope Unlimited.  Your willingness to give has rewarded you many times over.

How You Can Still Help

While this fundraising event and the $100 giveaway contest is over, you can still contribute to Hope Unlimited.

Leaving a comment to show your support is extremely encouraged.  Please leave a comment!

They are always in need of pregnancy and baby supplies as well as money to continue their efforts.

You can send any donations to:

Hope Unlimited Family Care Center and Medical Clinic
1101 Jefferson Street
Paducah, KY 42001

Thank you Hope Unlimited for the opportunity to help give back to expecting mothers in need, and thank you Izea for giving me this opportunity and challenge to help support a local cause in my community.