April 2, 2020 — Spend time talking with a group of web business owners and the conversation will inevitably include someone’s unfortunate experience with a terrible client. Most web pros have a story or two (or eight). While bad clients can’t be completely avoided, there are strategic steps any business owner can take to contain the impact of a bad client. In this session, we will explain the how to create a system that preserves workflow and keeps problem clients in check.

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April 2, 2020 — This talk provides an overview of coding best practices with a focus on the WordPress coding standard. We’ll discuss how to use tools to easily automate your coding environment, project repositories, and processes to write code that complies with established standards. We’ll cover Javascript, CSS and PHP linters and formatters with tried and true tips and tricks to getting these tools setup to work for you.

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April 2, 2020 — You wouldn’t believe how far malicious actors will go to take over websites for profit. Kathy believes it; she’s seen it all as she’s helped hundreds of WordPress site owners recover after getting hacked. As WordPress now powers more than one-­third of the web, it’s a big target and attracting the attention of more hackers. Learning to think like a hacker in the security realm is a big part of keeping your assets safe, plus there are additional benefits. In this session, we will hear stories of how defeating hackers can help you make better security decisions. The hacker mindset is much more than protecting your site and information; thinking like a hacker can also help you break through perceived limitations, overcome obstacles, and capitalize on opportunities to innovate.

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April 2, 2020 — Podcasting has become an important tool to consider in your media and marketing strategy; it’s a powerful tool in building your brand. If you have been thinking about starting a podcast or have just started one, this session is for you. We’ll uncover ways to overcome the barriers to podcasting, how to get started with limited resources, microphones, editing tools, and tips for creating and repurposing great content.

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April 2, 2020 — This talk is all about planning a content strategy that drives fresh, evergreen pieces, and plot effective related social media. With simple, actionable takeaways, you learn how to add value to both blogs and businesses by incorporating campaigns and launching effective LIVE social pared with curated partner content.

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April 2, 2020 — With the explosive adoption of Smart Speakers, the primary interaction with your content will become auditory instead of visual. On the world wide web, our brand revolves around a URL, logo, tagline, color palette, font, images, etc., but when your audience is no longer engaging with your content through a screen, traditional brand elements become invisible. When your audience asks out loud for what they want, they expect the answer to be returned verbally. In a voice­-first world, what does your brand look like (I mean, sound like)? In this talk, I explore the components of a verbal brand, how to prepare for the shift from written content to verbal content, as well as the future of voice technology and how to prepare for it.

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April 2, 2020 — You’ve made the investment to create an accessible website, but do you know what it takes to keep it accessible? Website accessibility is not a one-¬and-¬done activity. It requires discipline to make sure that new and edited content meet accessibility requirements. This session is designed for anyone who creates content or oversees content design and creation, such as writing copy that meets accessibility requirements, image management, graphics, and testing tools. Content creators are a key part of keeping your website accessible; come find out how.

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April 2, 2020 — Everyday, site owners are wondering how to improve their site’s speed. Have you implemented caching and all the usual technical tips related to performance but still feel something is lacking? In this talk you’ll learn what makes a page fast, the 3 biggest enemies of speed, how to assess your site and how to build your pages with performance in mind.

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April 2, 2020 — Come hear how a community of downtown business owners in small-town Michigan joined forces to combat the big box stores with their own eCommerce Marketplace shop. They needed a way to collectively work together, highlighting each of their store’s unique qualities, while allowing them to individually manage all parts of the eCommerce shop. We captured the features they needed to create the best shopping experience for customers, as well as all the management tools for each individual business. You’ll hear how they handle aspects like shipping, orders, and inventory, all while running their own retail store fronts.

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April 2, 2020 — If you have a blog that is gaining traction or you want to launch one the right way, this talk is for you! We’ll share tips on how to build a blog that is prepared for success, including how to design your blog for viewer retention, how to boost your SEO, how to monetize your site, turn it into a business, and keep it fast and safe. Whether you’re trying to turn your hobby blog into a source of income or to use your blog to support a business you already have, it’s easier than ever to implement professional tools on your WordPress site.

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