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Two Favorite Free WordPress Photo Gallery Plugins (ones that you may not be aware of)

Marc — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:38:00 +0000

For many years I used NextGen to create, manage and display photo galleries in WordPress. It was and is a very good gallery plugin. But then WordPress’ native image tools became much much better following the version 3.1 and subsequent updates. And I like being able keep all the images together in WordPress’ native media manager and use just one media library system. It also makes it easier to maintain optimal image SEO across all of a website.

For that reason I use NextGen much less these days and instead reach for either Shiba Gallery or Gallery To Slideshow. Now a little about each.

Shiba Gallery:

“The Shiba Gallery Plugin allows you to display a variety of javascript galleries within your WordPress blog. All you need to do is specify the type of gallery you want in your regular WordPress gallery shortcode.

The Shiba Gallery is very flexible and can render post, page, and gallery objects, in addition to image attachments.”

You gotta love Shiba Gallery’s flexibility, plus the huge library of included javascript galleries, particularly the ease of use of noobslide (a favorite), and that is can present even pages and posts in a slider. All within the native WordPress media manager. In using this plugin over the last almost two years, I have yet to be presented any conflicts caused by Shiba Gallery. It is a very tight well crafted gallery plugin. I wish I was in the WordPress plugin repository, but it is not. So you don’t see it all over the WordPress website universe, which can be good if you want to make your galleries look a little unique.

Gallery to Slideshow:

“Gallery to Slideshow converts the built-in gallery into a simple and responsive slideshow. It uses the FlexSlider jQuery image slider, and requires zero configuration from the user.”

For 2012 I am trying to make all my websites fully responsive to the device and display used by the visitor. With the huge growth of all types and sizes of mobile devices, and mobile users increased likelihood of purchasing, and Google’s advice to use only one domain (no mobile domains or subdomains) I believe responsive design is the best way to go! So the relatively new Gallery to Slideshow is getting a lot of use on the sites I am creating for photographers and others. It is simple and easy to use. And presents a good-looking fully functional gallery for Windows, Mac, Android or iOS visitors regardless of the browser and display size.

Although Shiba has many great and attractive features and is very reliable, the growth of mobile and the related marketing advantages has made Gallery to Slideshow my current “reach for first” WordPress gallery plugin. And I hope that Shiba will someday add responsive css.

Below are a couple of quick screen shots from the same site/page using Gallery to Slideshow, one with the browser at about 1140px width, and one at less at 400px width. You are welcome to visit the webpage gallery yourself and test it on different devices. If you have any display or sizing comments or other favorite responsive image gallery plugins, please let me know in the comments.

You’re going to love WordPress 3.3′s new media uploader

Marc — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:37:21 +0000

WordPress 3.3 should be released in a very few days. It is a great version and I reccomend upgrading to it. I have been using the beta releases of WordPress 3.3 for a few weeks now and have found it almost trouble-free. The attention to detail of the WordPress team is better than ever.

The best new feature is the HTML5 media uploader which allows multiple image uploading from almost any type of device; desktops, laptops, tablets (including iPads) and smartphones (including iPhones).

Here is what the WordPress team has to say about the new media uploader features:

File Type Detection

We’ve streamlined things! Instead of needing to click on a specific upload icon based on your file type, now there’s just one. Once your file is uploaded, the appropriate fields will be displayed for entering information based on the file type.

Drag-and-Drop Media Uploader

Adding photos or other files to posts and pages just got easier. Drag files from your desktop and drop them into the uploader. Add one file at a time, or many at once.

More File Formats

We’ve added the rar and 7z file formats to the list of allowed file types in the uploader.

In my judgement what really makes it a major improvement for many of my clients, particularly photographers, is the Drag-and-Drop Media Uploader. It is major improvement to WordPress making it easy and reliable to upload multiple images at a time and works in all types of devices, even iPads! While it looks like some older uploaders that use Flash or Java the new WordPress uploader is a creation of HTML5. Rather than try to describe how it works, let me show you.

This makes it even easier to add images to WordPress galleries than Flash sites like Bludomain.

Upgrading to WordPress 3.0 on Bludomain hosting

Marc — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:41:32 +0000

WordPress recently released a major upgrade, WordPress 3.0 and many Bludomain website owners also use their website to self-host WordPress. Unfortunately upgrading to WordPress 3.0 on Bludomain hosting can sometimes present a frustrating problem, it freezes or you get an “memory size exhausted” error. The upgrade is important due to better security, speed and some great new features, but most Bludomain hosting accounts have a 32MB PHP memory resource limit which can prevent the upgrade. WordPress 3.0 has grown large enough with the new features and the new Twenty-Ten theme that it requires a larger PHP memory resource limit to upgrade. But once you can get it upgraded, WordPress 3.0 will make the needed adjustments.

Fortunately there is a plugin that you can install in your current WordPress site that will bump the memory resource sufficiently to overcome the limitation and allow you to upgrade to WP 3.0 simply. The plugin is called WP memory bump and it was created by the WordPress development team to deal with the issue.

So here is how you can upgrade to WordPress 3.0 with Bludomain hosting:

1) Backup your current WordPress files (the wp-content folder is all you need to copy) and backup your database. If you don’t have the WP DB backup plugin installed now is a good time to do it. It makes the database backup a cinch.

2) Deactivate all your plugins.

3) Upload, install and activate the WP memory bump plugin. It should be the only plugin that is active.

4) Proceed with the WordPress 3.0 automatic update.

5) When the WordPress 3.0 update is complete, proceed to update your plugins in their current deactivated status.

6) You can now begin to reactivate your plugins. Most widely used plugins now support WordPress 3.0, but if you make use of any relatively obscure plugins it might be best to activate them one at a time. That way if there is a problem, you will know which plugin to suspect.

7) Deactivate and delete the WP memory bump plugin. You will not need it again.

You should now have a completed fully up to date operational WordPress 3.0 site installation. But, feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or problems.

Black Studios Photography – Success Improving Bludomain Search Results and Site Traffic

Marc — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:53:47 +0000

Mike and ElizaBeth Black of Black Studios are always working to enhance their services and business. So recently Mike set out to further increase the search results rank and site traffic of his Bludomain website (which is also hosted by Bludomain). Mike had worked meticulously to improve the search results of his standard Bludomain site following all the advice he came across. Some it it worked, for a while, and he would see his search rank improve a little only to then begin slipping after a a few days/weeks.

Then he came across my blog posts on the “structural” way to greatly improve Bludomain by adding a WordPress based landing page to replace the standard Bludomain splash. And then adding new content using WordPress posts and pages for things like a better blog and price, contact and about pages. Taking advantage of his existing domain and Bludomain gallery site, but putting the rest of the content into a from which is much much better for search engines.

So we went to work. Mike had me add the Kertesz II for Photographers WordPress based site to his Bludomain hosting account. This allowed hem to work on adding content and moving logos and things to the WordPress based site while leaving the existing Bludomain site uninterrupted. The when he was ready, as part of the services I includ, I switched his new landing page to replace the old splash page, did some other adjustments, menu changes and tweeks including setting up the new contact form and voila the new Black Studios website.

The results -

Within days Mike’s search results rankings moved up 2-3 pages in Google, and continues to improve. Mike also reports his site traffic is up about 200 visitors a month. And this is the site’s new main page -

Send me an email and let me see if I might do the same for your Bludomain site.

Introducing the new Kertesz2 with limited time savings

Marc — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:56:19 +0000

Announcing release of Kertesz² our new WordPress based full dialog website for Professional Photographers. Featuring an easy to configure landing page and impressive dynamic image content gallery Kertesz² offers style and ease of use. Kertesz² is an excellent full featured stand alone website, or ideal companion configured to enhance and increase the search rank of Flash based photographers’ template sites like Bludomain. Kertesz² is provided to you fully setup, tested, SEO optimized and integrated on the webhost of your choice. It can even allow your existing site to remain in place, while your new site is being completed.

Take advantage of our introductory special between now and July 20th For this limited period you can buy Kertesz² for only $297 not the regular $397. Be quick this offer expires 11:59pm 7-20

Click here and use coupon code KERTESZ2INTRO

Photographers have long been considered visionaries of our industry in terms of internet marketing. They were among the first on the web and the first to see the value in the heavy use of images in marketing to brides. But in choosing their website platform they have faced a dilemma, select a Flash template like Bludomain for its optical appeal or choose a standard HTML type site sacrificing optics but getting much better search engine traffic. They know they need a visually beautiful site to show off their images and talent. But the brides, over 90% of whom use Google to help plan their wedding, never see the photographer’s website in the search listings. Kertesz² is the remedy

Building on the inputs of our clients and the advancements in WordPress over the last year we have totally reinvented Kertesz, with Kertesz². The code base is all new! (and 30% larger.) Fully compatible with WordPress 2.8 and using all the 2.8 features. Compatible with the past and even better, it takes advantage of today’s new features in an even easier to use and customize theme. If you are currently using WordPress it is easy to add Kertesz².

Using the technology of Kertesz² we have increased our clients website traffic 500% in less that 4 weeks. We have even taken brand new domains to front page Google search search results, also in less than a month.

Kertesz² retains all the features of the old Kertesz, updated. Better, more interactive, easier to design main page options, improved photo galleries and contact forms. Easier to style and with more impressive graphics. If you already have a Flash based website, like Bludomain, with the inherently poor search potential, Kertesz² can easily replace your splash page, making it easy to add search friendly content, integrate your blog and Twitter and Facebook feeds and rapidly move your existing Flash site towards the front of Google.

Regardless of your situation Kertesz² will increase your site traffic and prospective clients. If you have any questions just send me an email.

Building a new website and domain? Replace your temporary landing page with a simple WordPress LAUNCH page for SEO and SEM jumpstart.

Marc — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:42:47 +0000

When starting a new domain name and related website I like to use a simple WordPress blog as the landing page. This makes the old style landing page more of a launch page. Often typical practice has been just to put up a single static HTML page announcing the coming website. In some situations is is even worse, just an image, a pretty image, but virtually un-indexable.

By putting up a simple WordPress blog launch page of 2-3 posts you can create a 1 page “launch page” to:

announce the coming website and its purpose
provide potential customers progress updates
test your “60 second elevator presentation”
evaluate your site design elements
initiate strong search engine recognition
attract RSS subscribers
provide contact information
share your Facebook and Twitter links

and perhaps even convert a few early prospects to customers.

When your website is ready to go live, just import any content from the launch page into your site. Replace the index page and setup any needed redirects.

It is even easier if you are creating a Bludomain type Flash website. Just update the WordPress based launch page to be your new website’s new Splash page. Keeping all your search recognition, and RSS subscribers.

Brad Frost also has a good blog post on the “launch page” approach and its benefits.

Put it into action and you will be pleased by the results. If you want to put it into place on your new site, I would be pleased to assist. Just send me an email.

Ultimate Bludomain Flash website SEO enhancement. Proven 300% search marketing increase in just days.

Marc — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:36:27 +0000

There is no doubt that Bludomain provides a beautiful platform for showcasing your photography on the web. Unfortunately they are not good websites for internet marketing. Bludomain describes their websites as “portfolio websites”. Heck, even Bludomain’s own website isn’t Flash. So they are great websites for portfolio galleries, but bad for internet marketing.

How to improve? The key is to keep the strength of your Bludomain portfolio website, and add to it making an even stronger site … replacing the Bludomain splash page with a custom landing page, new html based information pages for contact, about and rate info, together with an embedded WordPress blog. All in an easily managed configuration hosted on the same server with your Bludomain site, using the same domain name you have established and made recognized. And it is then, a very search engine friendly website.

Recently we did this for Ambiance Studios Photography in Wisconsin. They have had a Bludomain website that was all but ignored by search engines. Wisely, they wanted to keep the Flash site portfolio galleries, but recognized that they needed better search results ranking. To accomplish this we installed and customized our new Kertesz II WordPress based template using the existing Bludomain style backgrounds for continuity. We replaced the Bludomain splash page with our much improved landing page allowing better focus on their services, unlimited menu options, multiple dynamic links to recent blog posts, links to social media like Twitter and Facebook and even a large interactive Flash banner. Other additions included new; about, investment and contact pages as well as importing their Xanga blog into self hosted WordPress.

But what about the results? The day we replaced the Bludoman splash page with our new landing page the website’s search marketing score went from just 23 (typical for Bludomain sites even with a large number of link backs) on their basic Bludomain website to a score of 69 with our new Kertesz II template combined with the Bludomain website. A full 300% increase, almost instantly. And that’s a large enough increase to make a difference in just days! That is SYNERGY!

Kertesz II is based on WordPress so it allows the site owner to use the full featured WordPress administration interface to make all site changes and additions. Kertesz II is fully WordPress 2.8 compatible supporting threaded comments plus other great new features and is even SEO optimized.

And here is how their site it looks now -

Ambiance Studios with Kertesz II landing page

Before -

Old Bludomain splash page

You can add Kertesz II to your Bludomain website for as little as $347 installed on your hosting account and configured by me ready for you to customize and add content, or for just $997 we will fully customize the template images and content for you, matching your Bludomain site … also fully installed and configured. Just send me an email (or use the contact form to the right) to begin making the best internet marketing decision for your Bludomain Flash website and your business.

2007 Photo of the Year

Marc — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:24:14 +0000

Photo of the Year for 2007

According to the votes of the volunteers who spend the most time updating the Wikipedia, this photograph of Broadway Tower in Cotswolds, England, UK is the best photo added to the wiki in 2007. Click on the image to see it full size.

Here are links to see all the winners for 2006 and 2007

Voting will start soon on the Photos of the Year for 2008

A New Year’s Blogging Resolution

My CameraDojo podcast with expert photographers Kerry Garrison and David Esquire on website search optimization/marketing and getting the most from your blog

Marc — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:51:36 +0000

If you haven’t been taking lessons at the CameraDojo, you probably should take the time to visit. It could only help you gain the skill to survive and thrive in meeting any challenge … even this economic recession.

Created by well known and respected photographers, Kerry and David, it is an excellent website to assist professionals in all areas of photography. All areas, and even in the non-imaging areas towards gaining the success (and comfort) that comes from effective marketing.

Recently they have recently had podcasts by such notables as Dane Sanders and … to my surprise … now even me. The podcast we did right before Christmas is now up and ready for your ears and thoughts. Let me know if you have any comments or questions. Click here to listen to the podcast.

And to become a master, browse through the rest of CameraDojo’s terrific site including other podcasts, resources, specials, news, forum, etc. Learn to take better pictures and make the most of your photography budget. Camera Dojo has tips, tutorials, and product reviews for Canon, Nikon, and others.

Another perspective on SEO for Wedding Photographers

Marc — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:11:58 +0000

This is one of the most accurate and complete discussions of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that I have read lately.

SEO Is Not Just For Wedding Photographers Anymore

Plus it mentions a number of helpful specific action points to improve most site’s search ranking.

(Although I do think he is a little optimistic on the likely possibility of flash sites being in the top ten for most markets using general search terms)