My First WordCamp

Craig Allen on June 14, 2015

I had a great time at WordCamp Philly 2015!  All of the speakers were excellent and the entire experience was well worth it.  I also met some really cool people and connect with a bunch more on Twitter thanks to the #wcphilly hashtag.

I have also been inspired to “get outside the WordPress bubble” by 10up CEO John Eckman, so I’ll be looking for other conferences in the area throughout the year.  There’s also a new WordCamp Scranton later this Summer which I’m planning to attend as well!

Desk Yoga with Erica Varlese.
Opening remarks.
Scott Wyden Kivowitz.
Erica Sterling.
Keynote by Aaron Jorbin.
Andrew Nacin.
Joe Casabona.
Justin Sternberg.
Sharon McMullen.

Sessions I attended

  • YOGA for Desk Jockeys by Erica Varlese
  • Start Selling Images With WordPress in Under 10 Minutes by Scott Wyden Kivowitz
  • Moonlighting With WordPress by Erica Sterling
  • Panel: WordPress in Schools (Content  Architecture was cancelled)
  • Getting outside the WordPress bubble by John Eckman
  • Advanced Topics in WordPress Development by Andrew Nacin
  • Building Parsec: A Fully Responsive Theme by Joe Casabona
  • Designeveloper – A Practical Designer’s Guide to Next-level Your Developexpertise by Justin Sternberg
  • Before You Quit Your Day Job by Sharon McMullen

Hello, World!

Craig Allen on June 12, 2015

This is the default post that comes with every new WordPress installation. I have a tradition of using it to introduce my website instead of deleting it as most people do.

So, here is my latest creation.

I have re-branded my freelance web design business to give it a more personal touch. Using my last name, I want people to know when they hire me they are getting me a person and not just a web designer. What this means is that in addition to helping create websites, I am also committed to education my clients on how to use their website to accomplish their goals, whatever they might be.

I love WordPress because it gives people control of their own content. It’s simple and intuitive to use when setup properly and if you are taught how to use it. I have found most people are very excited to learn how to update their pages and even start blogging.

Using WordPress gives me the ability to hand a finished website while maintaining a working relationship to make sure my clients’ websites stay secure and functional.

Janelle On Location

Craig Allen on May 31, 2014

Janelle On Location is a small business owned by Janelle Morrison that provides hair and makeup services to brides and their bridesmaids.

Project Details

We customized a WordPress theme from Elegant Themes by adding custom page layouts and sliders for the images on the home page and testimonials.

Janelle was very involved in the design process, and I appreciated how much she communicated what she wanted so I could create a website she would be happy with and proud to share.

Testimonial from Janelle:

After a move, I was starting my business from scratch. What better way to introduce my services to my new area than to launch a new website? Craig was recommended to me, and I have been thrilled to work with him! He patiently listened to my hundreds of questions {and ignorance of technology}, and was eager to make sure everything was just as I wanted it, and that I understood how things worked. He helped me think through the best way to reach my audience, and then delivered what we decided on!

I have received dozens and dozens of compliments on my new website, and every time I answer with, “Thanks so much- my web designer did such a great job. I love it too!” Craig made my website editable which has transformed my business. Now, with the click of a button, I can update or change information, wording, photos, etc. Those small things were always such a headache before, and it felt like it took forever to get one little thing changed!

Craig has made my website work for ME and MY business, and I am so very grateful.

The Frog Rock Foundation

Craig Allen on September 26, 2012

The Frog Rock Foundation is a nonprofit whose mission is to improve long-term outcomes for underserved children in Westchester County, New York.

Project Details

For this website I worked with a designer to build a custom WordPress theme from scratch. The theme features a sliding bar that follows your mouse under the menu and a slider of images and corresponding bullets off to the side on the home page.

The Rosewood Shop

Craig Allen on March 18, 2012

The Rosewood Shop is a small business owned by Alberto Marranzano in Port Chester, New York who builds custom furniture.

Project Details

This website was a collaboration with a web designer who provided me with a Photoshop design and I created a custom WordPress theme with HTML, CSS, and PHP.