E-Commerce for WordPress

WordPress is great - that much I’ve made known in many posts (and in conversations with anyone whose had the distinct frustration of listening to me ramble on about web design). Anyhow, WordPress is about MUCH more than just blogging. The platform has evolved and through the open source code availability has made it possible for end users and developers alike to quickly and affordably to add incredible functionality.

WordPress can be used, if done properly, as a turn-key web solution for nearly any business purpose. I started using it a few years ago as a blogging platform for my investment blog, the Logical Investor. As I explored more and sought out more functionality, I discovered just how incredible this simple and powerful platform can be.

Bottom line is WordPress can be more than a blog. It can be a store, an information-rich website, a community forum, ANYTHING your neighborhood coder (that would be ME) can put together. Below are a few examples:

• WordPress used as a content management system AND full-scale web store
• WordPress used as a community forum and content management system
• WordPress replaces tricky HTML and ASP pages for a professional business website

The true beauty of WordPress is how simple it is for my clients to maintain and update. How nice would it be to have a website that YOU can update without costly hourly fees to a web person? What about being able to add, subtract, and edit products?

I can do all of this for you - click here to get started!

NextGEN Gallery: Can’t Add New Gallery Solution

Many people, myself included, have been having issues with the newest version of NextGEN Gallery (NGG). Once they upgrade to WP 2.8, the updated NGG works just fine on existing images and galleries, but adding new ones is problematic. For 1&1 hosting and other shared-server structures, I’ve found a solution to the following issues:

• I can’t add a new NextGEN gallery
• NextGEN gallery only uploads a few of my images
• NextGEN gallery will not create thumbnails for my gallery images

The first thing you need to do is upload a file called PHP.INI to your root directory. In that file, place the following text:

memory=20mb

This may solve those nasty “Error 500″ messages you keep getting after adding a plugin or upgrading your WP platform.

The next step is to create a file called “.htaccess” (without the quotes of course). In that file, place the following text:

AddType x-mapp-php5 .php

This will force 1&1 to use PHP5.2 rather than the default setting of PHP4. Happy coding!

Wordpress 2.8 - Skip the Upgrade

Wordpress is known for it’s simple interface and lack of bugs. Wordpress 2.8 decided to go the way of Microsoft a little bit and was released too early - before all the bugs were worked out. It’s my recommendation to hold off on upgrading for now. If you do upgrade, MAKE SURE you back up your WP database through the aptly named WP-DB Backup plugin or something similar. Also, check to see if your current plugins have known conflicts or issues upon upgrading.

You can’t say you weren’t warned!

Why Wordpress ROCKS

Wordpress is, in our opinion, the best Content Management System available on the web. This platform has grown exponentially since it’s birth in 2003 and continues to expand and grow at a mind-boggling rate.

Initially a blogging software, Wordpress now has the flexibility to do almost anything and the best part? Well, it’s free and its super easy to maintain and add content once everything’s designed nicely!

Here are just some of the features you’ll love: