John Benedict and I launched another website recently. Noelle Leone Designer Jewelry needed a sophisticate and modern design to compliment their new online store. This is a great example of well built eCommerce website. Every page can shared on popular social networks, customers can subscribe to an email newsletter or blog and products recommendations and customer reviews enhance the shopping experience.
Just launched a new website this morning. One of the 20 largest real estate companies in California, Premier Realty Associates offers substantial savings to over 750+ realtors and broker associates in California. They also provide better service and support than traditional real estate companies. The design was done by John Benedict and I took care of the programming and database.
For over 10 years I’ve worked as a freelance website developer. I was recently contacted by a client that I haven’t spoken with in a very long time. We worked together so many years ago (and hard drive crashes) that I no longer had their files or any memory of how the application worked. I was happy to hear the company was using the application everyday to manage their accounting, customer service and product lifecycle.
I didn’t have this company listed in my portfolio and I certainty wasn’t checking in with them to see if they needed additional website development. I typically work with a dozen new clients each year. In the past, once a client is happy and using the application, I move my attention to the next project often forgetting about the client unless they report a problem or ask for additional development.
I’ve changed my approach in the past few years to follow up with all clients at least once a year. I know everyone wants to get better each year and improving your website technology is a great way to increase sales, improve customer support and analyze business performance.
I’ve tried to put together a list of all the third-party API systems and open source applications I’ve worked with. It’s impossible to remember them all but this is the most detailed list I could put together.
Zend Framework
- Created platform for Search Optics to quickly deploy, maintain and track visitors to auto dealership websites.
- Created Office Guild, a website for buying and selling office furniture.
- Created automated debit and payment infrastructure for Smart Payment Plan. Created multi-level commission platform and technology to manage all customers, partners, accounting, email/direct mail marketing and payment systems.
- Broadcast Design International website development and content management system.
- Hyside website development.
WordPress and Joomla
Google
- I integrate Google Analytics (called Urchin back in 05) and Google Webmaster Tools into every website I work on.
- Developed reporting system for Search Optics that pulled advertising data from Google Adsense API.
- iSold It website redevelopment included a Store Locator powered by Google Maps and a video section powered by the YouTube API.
- Integrated Google Friend Connect into Campsite Photos.
PayPal, Authorize.net, Vanco Services
- A popular free RPG game I built in high school had a premium subscription where players could earn special in-game items.
- Retired.com used PayPal to pay affiliates and collect payments for online promotions.
- Donation and content management system for movie funded by fans online. Director/Producer was Brandon Fowler.
- Shopping cart and content manage system for microbiology company Mobio in coordination with Binary Jungle.
- Shopping cart and lead delivery platform for 1HomeRebate.
- Developed website and automated billing system for Office Guild using Authorize.net’s payment gateway.
- Developed automated debit and payment system using Vanco’s electronic payment solutions.
- Registration and payment system for Campsite Photos.
- Enrollment and payment system for a World Class Dog Trainer.
Facebook, Twitter
- Updated numerous WordPress and Joomla websites to syndicate news and promotions to Facebook and Twitter profiles.
Auto Credit Express, Detroit Trading, Car.com, Automotive Internet Marketing
- Development application to capture and sell leads to the highest bidder using various trading APIs.
- Developed websites for various lead generators like Driver Credit and Stone Bridge Auto Loans.
Salesforce, Sugar CRM, Netsuite
- Various projects for San Diego CRM integrating dozens of websites with Salesforce, Netsuite and Sugar CRM.
Integration Inc
- Developed automated welcome letter and document mailing system for client.
Yahoo, CallSource
- Developed reporting system for Search Optics that pulled advertising data and call histories from Yahoo Search Marketing and CallSource APIs.
Commission Junction
- Integrated largest advertising delivery platform into numerous client websites.
Amazon
- Retired.com was an affiliate of Amazon and used OpenAds (now called OpenX) to manage display advertising.
- Helped dozens of clients add Amazon products to their website and create additional revenue streams.
- iSold It website redevelopment included an Auctions page to see all Amazon and eBay inventory from hundreds of stores (utilized API).
- Moved several clients to backup solution using S3.
- Evaluated the EC2 platform for multiple clients.
eBay
- Developed invoice and reporting tools for iSold It using Trading and Shopping APIs.
- iSold It website redevelopment included an Auctions page to see all eBay and Amazon inventory from hundreds of stores (used API).
vBulletin, SquirrelMail, phpMyAdmin, osCommerce, OpenX, phpBB, Gallery, Drupal, Magento
I’ve installed and modified all the following software packages for dozens of clients over my 10 years of website development experience.
PHP, MySQL, Apache and Linux
I use at least one element of the LAMP stack on every project I work on.
UPS is reporting that the Logitech Revue with Google TV I won is on schedule to arrive tomorrow. I was surprised to see a package from Google arrive today.
What I opened appears to be a CR-48 notebook. This was part of a Pilot Program that I applied to at the same time at the Web Developer Giveaway. I was never notified that I won a CR-48 but I’ll take it.
I’m writing this post using the CR-48 now. The laptop booted up in a few seconds. It looks just like the Chrome Browser and imported all of my bookmarks from the Chrome on my Mac. It runs very fast, quite and isn’t burning hot like the bottom of my MacBook Pro.
There is a built in SSH client. Press “Ctrl-Alt-t” to pop open a new terminal. Web Developer tools can be access with “Ctrl-Shift-i”.
I have to admit the keyboard isn’t the easiest thing to use for someone with large hands. Selecting text is difficult with the touch pad. I sometimes click to use a tab and it thinks I want to move it.
Overall I would rather use the CR-48 than the iPad. I had an iPad for a few weeks, but for an everyday device, you need something with Flash, Rich Text Editors and a fully functional browser. I had all sorts of issues with the iPad browser not rendering sites usable. The CR-48 touch pad isn’t perfect but neither is the iPad touchscreen.
Earlier this fall, Google announced it was providing 10,000 free Google TV devices to help developers start building for TV. I submitted an lengthy application highlighting my experience working with Google Data APIs such as YouTube, Maps, Search, Friend Connect and Calendar. It took about 20 minutes but it was definitely worth it. I received an email this morning saying I was an Official Winner of the Logitech Revue™ with Google TV ($299 retail value).
Google TV is a new entertainment platform that combines TV, web, apps, and search all in one easy to use experience.
I’ll let everyone know how it works as soon as I can start playing with it.
