# Claes Jonasson Design

> web design for the rest of us

Language: en
URL: https://claesjonasson.design/

All pages on this site are available as clean Markdown by adding the header `Accept: text/markdown` to any HTTP request, or via the REST API:
REST API: https://claesjonasson.design/wp-json/mescio-for-agents/v1/markdown?url={page_url}
REST API (by id): https://claesjonasson.design/wp-json/mescio-for-agents/v1/markdown?id={post_id}

## Pages

- [Contact us](https://claesjonasson.design/contact/): Contact me Web design | Copywriting | Writing | Creative Home base is Central Arkansas, USA Send us a message
- [Cookie policy](https://claesjonasson.design/cookie-policy/): Cookie policy and consent tool Tap here to review or change privacy cookie settings Cookie policy Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please click here to view the policy.
- [Login Designer](https://claesjonasson.design/login-designer/): This page is used by Login Designer to preview the login form in the Customizer.
- [Blog](https://claesjonasson.design/blog/)
- [Welcome](https://claesjonasson.design/): Some of the organizations I've delivered results for: The big "Why" Today, if you aren’t online, you don’t exist. Because that’s where people go to check us out and determine if we are for real. Yet there are over 1
- [Portfolio](https://claesjonasson.design/portfolio/): Portfolio
- [Recommended](https://claesjonasson.design/recommended/)
- [Work with us](https://claesjonasson.design/work/): Work with us Portfolio More portfolio
- [Website review](https://claesjonasson.design/review/): How is your website doing? Think it's alright, but I'm not really sure Could be improved, but I don't know where to start Some things are broken or outdated, but … it's too complicated I can't tell if the website
- [Website review form](https://claesjonasson.design/website-review-form/): Request your website review
- [Website Review feedback](https://claesjonasson.design/website-review-feedback/): Website Review feedback
- [In 90 days look forward to people connecting with you on your all-new website](https://claesjonasson.design/website/): In 90 days look forward to people connecting with you on your all-new website Is your website broken? Don't have a website? Or was it built by the teenage computer wiz-kid next door? Your mission, should you choose to accept
- [Project form](https://claesjonasson.design/project-form/): Web design project consultation form Please fill out this form to get started. We'll review the information you submit and contact you to set up an initial meeting (live or online) where we can talk about your project and the
- [About us](https://claesjonasson.design/about/): “Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like. People think it’s this veneer – that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make it look good!’ That’s not what we think design is. It’s
- [Resources](https://claesjonasson.design/resources/): Resources Build your email list with Kit A reliable mass email service is essential for building your email list and easily sending emails to people on your list. Kit is my favorite solution for mass emails. Easy to set up
- [Setting up your email list](https://claesjonasson.design/email-list/): Setting up your email list Mini-training on setting up email sign-up forms, thank you pages and automated welcome sequences. Also covers delivery of Lead Magnets. The same workflows apply for any mass email provider. In this training, I'm focusing on
- [Email](https://claesjonasson.design/email/): Get tips, tricks, and strategies for your online platform Delivered to your inbox, ready to make your life easier Regular email updates – latest blog posts and other content Tips, tricks and strategies – to help you be the hero
- [7mistakes](https://claesjonasson.design/7mistakes/): Are these mistakes causing you to lose website visitors and money? If you have a website or blog, you need this guide Why your website will be labeled "not secure" by browsers and search engines, chasing away visitors (page 4)
- [Is your website working hard for you?](https://claesjonasson.design/website-review/): Is your website working hard for you? valuable insights into your website from a fresh set of eyes This complimentary website review consists of 2 parts: Technical review (how does the website appear to search engines)The check covers key performance
- [Terms of use](https://claesjonasson.design/terms-of-use/): Terms of use Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please click here to view the policy.
- [Privacy policy](https://claesjonasson.design/privacy-policy/): Terms of use Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please click here to view the policy.
- [Disclaimer](https://claesjonasson.design/disclaimer/): Terms of use Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please click here to view the policy.
- [Share your feedback](https://claesjonasson.design/feedback/): Share your feedback
- [20 minute strategy call to build clarity](https://claesjonasson.design/strategy/): 20 minute strategy call to build clarity Fill out this form to get a free, no obligation 20 minute strategy call with me about your online presence. How it works: Fill out this form to provide me some background information.

## Blog Posts

- [Removing the (confusing) padlock](https://claesjonasson.design/removing-the-confusing-padlock/) (2023-05-25): The Google Chrome will remove the padlock icon that displays in the browser address bar. Why that's good and may cut down on confusion.
- [Why you (and I) should create evergreen content](https://claesjonasson.design/why-you-and-i-should-create-evergreen-content/) (2023-04-13): What evergreen content is and why it’s an important part of your content mix. After all, creating content is (hard) work and we want to provide value to our visitors and readers for the long haul.
- [When a good launch goes bad](https://claesjonasson.design/when-a-good-launch-goes-bad/) (2023-02-02): The eagerly awaited product announcement brought extra traffic to the website, which made everything ground to a halt. 5 steps to prevent spinning wheels and frustrated website visitors.
- [3 in ’23](https://claesjonasson.design/3-in-23/) (2023-01-06): Want your website to be effective for your business in 2023? The 3 key areas on your website to focus on now. With action steps, so you can move forward.
- [PHP 7.4 is dead — long live PHP 8](https://claesjonasson.design/php-7-4-is-dead-long-live-php-8/) (2022-11-02): As of November 28, 2022, PHP 7.4 will no longer be updated or patched. Which is why you need to prepare to update to PHP 8 now. Except that’s not as simple as just flipping a switch. Because updating might
- [Image formats and the end of PHP 7.4](https://claesjonasson.design/image-formats-and-the-end-of-php-7-4/) (2022-09-21): Image formats WebP and SVG and why you should use them. Plus, what the end of support for PHP 7.4 means for your website.
- [3 things for your website](https://claesjonasson.design/3-things-for-your-website/) (2022-07-27): The new image format you should be using now, a new way to build your WordPress website and vulnerabilities and security issues we must deal with.
- [WordPress and the built-in bomb](https://claesjonasson.design/wordpress-and-the-built-in-bomb/) (2022-07-05): Did you know that WordPress has the means to blow itself up built right into it? Here’s why that is and how to prevent it from ever happening on your website.
- [An image & a threat of a lawsuit](https://claesjonasson.design/an-image-a-threat-of-a-lawsuit/) (2022-06-07): What would you do if one day someone accused you of using their images on your website? Without permission! Could you prove that you have the needed rights? Years later?
- [The end of Google Universal Analytics is coming — action required](https://claesjonasson.design/the-end-of-google-universal-analytics-is-coming-action-required/) (2022-04-19): We rely on Google Analytics to learn how our websites are performing. Which is why it’s huge news that Google is sunsetting Universal Analytics. Action required. Now.
- [Redundancy — it’s actually valuable](https://claesjonasson.design/redundancy-its-actually-valuable/) (2021-08-17): Common sense and much business accounting tells us that redundancy is a really bad thing. After all, if things are working well, why would you need an entirely different way of doing the same thing?
- [Your website and Google’s mobile-first indexing](https://claesjonasson.design/your-website-and-googles-mobile-first-indexing/) (2021-05-21): Will people still find you in searches, now that Google went all mobile-first on indexing websites? This is a big deal and could determine your online future. Time to take action…
- [I like my website — why change it?](https://claesjonasson.design/i-like-my-website-why-change-it/) (2021-03-05): Monica likes her website. That she’s had for a long time. Except these days, that website is letting her down. And she doesn’t even know it.
- [7 must-take-care-of items to protect your website](https://claesjonasson.design/7-musts-to-protect-your-website/) (2021-02-17): Websites are supposed to just work. All the time. If they don’t, the consequences can be devastating. Here are 7 simple steps to protect your website.
- [Website editing news, plus dying Flash stops the trains](https://claesjonasson.design/website-editing-news-plus-dying-flash-stops-the-trains/) (2021-02-05): New version of Astra theme brings more flexibility. WordPress full site editing with blocks is here. Plus why not replacing outdated software will bite you.
- [News from online for January 2021](https://claesjonasson.design/news-from-online-for-january-2021/) (2021-01-07): It’s a new year and here are 5 online related news items that will affect how you show up online this year.
- [Will Google block your website in 2021?](https://claesjonasson.design/mobile-first-indexing-march-2021/) (2020-12-01): Come March 2021, your website may disappear from search engines. Poof. Gone. Unless you're ready for mobile-first indexing. What that is and how you can check your site.
- [7 news items from the world of online](https://claesjonasson.design/7-news-items-from-the-world-of-online/) (2020-10-01): 7 news items that you may have missed, but that all affect how you show up online and are found by potential customers. Plus online security issues.
- [Website therapy and a roadmap](https://claesjonasson.design/website-therapy-and-a-roadmap/) (2020-09-25): 23 Zoom research calls with small business owners and entrepreneurs in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe: Pain points and successes when it comes to their websites and what they really would like.
- [WordPress turns 17](https://claesjonasson.design/wordpress-turns-17/) (2020-08-26): It started as a humble blogging tool. Then it grew up. Turned out it could run full websites. For businesses. Nonprofits. Ecommerce. That don’t may not even have a blog.
- [Who is your website for?](https://claesjonasson.design/who-is-your-website-for/) (2020-05-20): Your website isn’t for the whole world. It would totally crash if they all came. But we do want the right people to come. And take action once there.
- [How to not have to rebuild your computer from scratch](https://claesjonasson.design/how-to-not-rebuild-your-computer-from-scratch/) (2020-04-29): I was working on my computer when an app glitched. If it happens once, chalk it up to gremlins. Multiple times, the computer likely needs to be erased and everything reinstalled. Ouch!
- [When the wheels come off the bus](https://claesjonasson.design/when-the-wheels-come-off-the-bus/) (2020-03-26): The part of business (and life) nobody seems to like is making a plan for handling the unforeseen. When Crisis hits. But that won’t stop a Crisis from hitting and then we still have to deal with it.
- [Your website — the beginning of a beautiful friendship](https://claesjonasson.design/your-website-the-beginning-of-a-beautiful-friendship/) (2020-02-21): Launching a new website is exciting! It’s also a beginning. We need the website to do well for a long time. But that won’t happen automagically.
- [What theme are you using?](https://claesjonasson.design/what-theme-are-you-using/) (2020-02-06): That’s the most common question I hear from people looking to get a website for their blog, business or organization. But it’s starting at the wrong end…
- [Feeding the content beast and surviving to tell about it](https://claesjonasson.design/feeding-the-content-beast-and-surviving-to-tell-about-it/) (2020-01-16): Content can be a beast that is continually hungry and will never be satisfied. At least if the approach is to wake up on Monday morning and only then decide what to write this week.
- [Creating that content](https://claesjonasson.design/creating-that-content/) (2019-12-13): Every website needs content. Of many different kinds. Then all those pieces have to be created. Which can be a daunting task.
- [6 ways stories help build your business](https://claesjonasson.design/6-ways-stories-help-build-your-business/) (2019-11-01): Stories stick with us. We remember them. For a long time. Are you making use of that connecting power in your business or organization?
- [The website Holy Grail: Content](https://claesjonasson.design/the-website-holy-grail-content/) (2019-10-03): Making sense of website content. 8 pages (or content sections) that every website needs.
- [Privacy, your website and you](https://claesjonasson.design/privacy-your-website-and-you/) (2019-08-23): There really isn’t a website around today that doesn’t collect personal information. Some people think that their websites don’t. But, to quote Igor in Young Frankenstein: “Well, they were wrong, weren’t they?”
- [Blue-skying your next website](https://claesjonasson.design/blue-skying-your-next-website/) (2019-07-31): Time for a new website. Both scary and exciting. Tempting to start with tools and themes. But definitely time to first take a hard look at what your next website really needs to do for you.
- [The website you always wanted (and need)](https://claesjonasson.design/the-website-you-always-wanted-and-need/) (2019-06-20): If you’re in business today, or run any kind of an organization, people need to be able to find you. Online. Because that’s where they’ll look. No website. Not found.
- [9 great reasons to keep your word](https://claesjonasson.design/keep-your-word-9-great-reasons/) (2019-06-05): “Honesty and integrity are by far the most important assets of an entrepreneur.” Say what?
- [The one with “Not Secure”](https://claesjonasson.design/the-one-with-not-secure/) (2019-05-10): Are you seeing more websites show up as “Not Secure” recently? The major web browsers now are “outing” websites that don’t use secure connections. For good reason.
- [Oops — did I do that?](https://claesjonasson.design/oops-did-i-do-that/) (2019-04-25): “Did I do that?” was the trademark phrase of the ever clumsy Steve Urkel on Family Matters. Blunders are for laughs on sitcoms. Not so much in real life. Yet we still find ourselves having to say “Did I do
- [The power behind 1/3 of the top 10 million websites](https://claesjonasson.design/top-10-million-websites/) (2019-03-27): Did you know that 1/3 of the top 10 million websites in the world are powered by WordPress? And the number keeps growing!
- [Suddenly gone — where’s my website?](https://claesjonasson.design/suddenly-gone/) (2019-03-13): The Swedish passenger train company MTR Express recently found themselves cut off from their customers. Their website, where people book travel on their trains, was gone.
- [7 ways limited funds can work in your favor](https://claesjonasson.design/limited-funds-work-in-your-favor/) (2019-02-26): The best way to start a new venture is surely to have all the funds you could possibly need. Because no worries. Or maybe it’s really a good thing to work with limited funds.
- [WordPress reimagined](https://claesjonasson.design/wordpress-reimagined/) (2019-02-13): WordPress has a new editor. How does that change things for how we add new posts? Why change in the first place? What about existing websites? Can they be upgraded or is a rebuild needed?
- [7 great reasons to give to charity](https://claesjonasson.design/7-great-reasons-to-give-to-charity/) (2019-01-29): Just starting out in business, giving may not be high on the list of priorities. Have to make steady money first! Yet maybe giving should be a focus from day one.
- [Why websites fail](https://claesjonasson.design/why-websites-fail/) (2019-01-16): There is an amazing reason that websites fail — and it’s not what you think. It’s not tech, SEO, products/services or the organization/business behind the website. Ready for the real reason?
- [The power of journaling](https://claesjonasson.design/the-power-of-journaling/) (2019-01-02): Journaling is the practice of capturing thoughts, ideas, insights, and reactions for future reference. Here are 6 powerful reasons for why we as business owners and entrepreneurs should journal.
- [Improve the security of your website in 8 steps](https://claesjonasson.design/8-steps-to-keep-hackers-out/) (2018-12-13): Is your website secure? What would you answer to that question? Maybe the real question is: Is your website secure or do you just not know that it’s been hacked yet?
- [Rest: The antidote for marginless living](https://claesjonasson.design/rest-the-antidote-for-marginless-living/) (2018-11-29): Ironically, the more progress-focused we’ve become, the busier we are and the less time we have for loved ones and ourselves. The list of things to do never diminishes.
- [Portfolios, stories and 10-10-10](https://claesjonasson.design/portfolios-stories-and-10-10-10/) (2018-11-16): The Tribe Conference brings 250+ writers and bloggers together in one room for a weekend. Things are going to happen. 4 takeaways to apply right now.
- [When your browser cache strikes and how to fix it](https://claesjonasson.design/when-your-browser-cache-strikes-and-how-to-fix-it/) (2018-11-07): So you go to a website and expect to see a page full of information and graphics. But instead you get all messed up images and text or obviously old information. What’s up? And how to fix it?
- [Time to get help in your business? 6 key questions to ask](https://claesjonasson.design/outsource-some-of-your-work-to-grow-your-business/) (2018-10-31): When starting a new business, money is often a big issue. So we try to do everything ourselves. But is that the best approach? And when should we let someone else handle functions or tasks for us?
- [Why deleting files doesn’t really erase them and what does](https://claesjonasson.design/why-deleting-files-doesnt-really-erase-them-and-what-does/) (2018-10-19): What happens to your data when your old hard drive dies and you recycle it? How about when you sell a computer/tablet/phone? You deleted things. So it’s all good, right?
- [5 strategies for effectively dealing with change](https://claesjonasson.design/5-strategies-for-effectively-dealing-with-change/) (2018-10-10): It’s been said that the only constant is change. While many people would like things to stay just the way they are, that doesn’t happen. So how do we deal with it?
- [Overcome your limiting beliefs](https://claesjonasson.design/overcome-your-limiting-beliefs/) (2018-10-04): Sooner or later we act out what we really believe. Too bad if that then keeps us from achieving what we really wanted and needed. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

## Project portfolios

- [Halbert Law](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/halbert-law/): Law firm serving clients with a wide range of legal needs in Eastern Arkansas
- [Izidor Ruckel](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/izidor-ruckel/): Izidor Ruckel, orphan advocate, author and speaker grew up in horrific conditions in Romanian orphanages before being adopted by an American family.
- [Legality Software](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/legality-software/): Software development company helping clients overcome operational challenges and focus on serving their clients
- [The Drug Store](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/the-drug-store/): Family owned community pharmacy committed to awesome customer service with staff that truly cares.
- [CityChurch Network](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/citychurch-network/): A relational network of pastors and Christian marketplace leaders uniting the churches in Central Arkansas to live and serve as the body of Christ in the community.
- [Robert Krupp](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/robert-krupp/): Blogger on a mission to inform and challenge Christian leaders with original insight and curated content from around the world.


---

# Full Content

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title: "Cookie policy"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/cookie-policy/"
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type: "page"
description: "Cookie policy and consent tool Tap here to review or change privacy cookie settings Cookie policy Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please click here to view the policy."
last_modified: "2026-04-27T21:46:05+00:00"
---

# Cookie policy

# Cookie policy and consent tool

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## Cookie policy

Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please [click here](https://policies.termageddon.com/api/policy/YldoSVRERmpLMjlxVUVGTFRXYzlQUT09) to view the policy.

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---
title: "Login Designer"
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lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "This page is used by Login Designer to preview the login form in the Customizer."
last_modified: "2023-07-28T19:17:43+00:00"
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# Login Designer

This page is used by Login Designer to preview the login form in the Customizer.

---

---
title: "Removing the (confusing) padlock"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/removing-the-confusing-padlock/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "The Google Chrome will remove the padlock icon that displays in the browser address bar. Why that's good and may cut down on confusion."
last_modified: "2023-05-28T20:42:29+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

Google is at it again. Changing things in the Chrome browser. This time they’re removing the padlock. You know, that little icon that displays in the browser address bar in front of the website address (URL).

![Chrome browser with focus on the padlock icon](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/padlock2-1024x273.webp)Google Chrome browser window with the padlock icon highlighted

The one that says the website is okay to visit. Because it’s safe or secure or something. 

And there’s a big part of the problem: Turns out many people think a padlock in front of a website means something it really doesn’t.

More about that in a minute.

## **Why is Google changing things now?**

For one thing, today a majority of websites display that padlock. The icon means that the connection from browser to server is encrypted. This is the new normal. Should happen all the time. It’s not something special and we shouldn’t display an icon for it all the time.

Because with things we see all the time, after a while it’s like we don’t even notice them. Which raises the risk that we won’t notice it or react if a website we visit doesn’t display a padlock.

A long time ago, there was nothing before the website address in most cases. So those few websites that did use a secure connection with HTTPS and security certificate got the little padlock. And stood out from the crowd. 

Today browsers display a padlock when the connection is secure. But they will also prominently display ‘NOT SECURE’ for a site that doesn’t encrypt the traffic. Not an icon. The words ‘NOT SECURE’ written out. A really hard-to-miss thing. 

Find more about what it means when a website shows up as ’NOT SECURE’ and why a secure HTTPS connection is important, in _[The one with “Not Secure”](https://claesjonasson.design/the-one-with-not-secure/)_ and _[Is Google marking your website “Not Secure”?](https://claesjonasson.design/is-google-marking-your-website-not-secure/)_

Because you should notice it when you visit a website on a non-secure connection. See a ‘NOT SECURE’ and at least think twice about visiting that website. If you do, definitely don’t enter any personal data there.

## **Safe does not equal secure, nor does secure equal safe**

According to Google, another reason for removing that padlock is that to many people a padlock means ‘safe’. As in that the website itself is ‘safe’.

### **Safe**

‘Safe’ relating to websites has to do with the content on the site. Is it safe for kids? Will something disturbing or inappropriate greet me? Or a scammer? ‘Safe’ could also refer to whether my information is safe when I provide it to that website. Or whether my computer might be infected with a virus if I visit a particular website.

The padlock has nothing to do with any of those items. Because it doesn’t in any way evaluate the website itself.

### **Secure**

‘Secure’ in this case has to do with if the information in either direction comes through without any interference or change. And nobody listens in to steal information. We’re also talking specifically about the connection from your browser to the website server. 

The physical distance from browser to server if often great and the data passes through many hands on the way. On that journey, is it protected from prying eyes and grubby hands?

A secure connection is like writing an important message on paper and then putting it into an envelope (one of those that you can’t look right through when holding it up against the light). Then of course carefully sealing that envelope before dropping it in the mailbox.

Having done all this, you rest assured that the recipient (and only the recipient) will get the information. Because the many people handling the envelope on the way from you to the recipient only see the outside of that envelope.

In the online world, this describes a website that displays a padlock: All traffic from your browser to the server is encrypted and any prying eyes only see bits of nonsense.

On the other hand, if you write the same information on a postcard and drop it in the mail, what you wrote is open for everyone who handles that piece of mail to see and read. Certainly not protected or hidden.

The online equivalent is a NOT SECURE connection (no padlock, unencrypted). Which means anywhere along the way from your browser to the server, someone can capture the info being sent. Or even redirect the traffic, now sending your data to an entirely different website.

That’s bad. We definitely don’t want that.

Which is why seeing that padlock and knowing it’s a secure connection is a good thing.

Keep in mind that a website could display a padlock and still give you malware or be dangerous for children (and adults). Conversely a site that says NOT SECURE could be the loveliest site in the world. Safe and secure are just not the same. 

Padlock doesn’t mean safe in this case. But if understood that way by website visitors, it creates a false feeling of safety.

That’s a good reason to remove the padlock icon.

## **It’s all about the connection**

We’ve established that the padlock in the web browser address bar really says nothing about how safe or not safe the website itself is. It only indicates that the connection browser to server is encrypted. 

In the new normal (that we’re now in), _all_ sites should use secure connections _all_ the time. There’s simply no reason not to. The necessary basic secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate is free from most hosts.

If a website doesn’t use a secure connection it’s flagged as NOT SECURE. The website owner needs to fix that situation by switching to using an encrypted connection.

I can see a future where browsers won’t load a website at all if it isn’t using an encrypted connection.

We already see that happen in cases where there’s something wrong with the security certificate. Then, instead of the expected web page, I’ll likely just get a big warning message that the site can’t be loaded.

That’s all good, because it prevents those man-in-the-middle attacks that would steal your information. 

Ultimately it’s also a good thing that the padlocks are going away. _A secure connection between browser and server should be the norm._ When that doesn’t happen, a big warning is in place. And eventually browsers not loading such pages at all.

So far this is all Google Chrome. Will other browser makers (Safari, Firefox, Edge, to name a few) follow? I truly hope so. Because this has been a confusing thing for years.

Here are 2 more perspectives on the upcoming Google Chrome padlock removal:

[![Browser window with Google's new icon](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/google-chrome-replaces-padlock-icon-feature-v2-698x419-1.jpg)](https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/google-to-replace-the-padlock-icon-in-chrome-version-117/)

### [Google to Replace the Padlock Icon in Chrome Version 117](https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/google-to-replace-the-padlock-icon-in-chrome-version-117/)

[Farewell, lock symbol: Google Chrome will retire the padlock icon as the next step in making HTTPS the default for all websites.](https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/google-to-replace-the-padlock-icon-in-chrome-version-117/)

### [Google is changing Chrome’s lock icon because nobody knows what it means](https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/google-to-replace-the-padlock-icon-in-chrome-version-117/)

[A new tune icon will replace it later this year to avoid misleading users about how ‘trustworthy’ websites are while browsing](https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/3/23709498/google-chrome-lock-icon-web-browser-https-security-update-redesign)

[![Google Chrome lock icon](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Google_Chrome_lock_icon.jpg-1024x683.webp)](https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/3/23709498/google-chrome-lock-icon-web-browser-https-security-update-redesign)

---

---
title: "Why you (and I) should create evergreen content"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/why-you-and-i-should-create-evergreen-content/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "What evergreen content is and why it’s an important part of your content mix. After all, creating content is (hard) work and we want to provide value to our visitors and readers for the long haul."
last_modified: "2023-04-13T21:26:17+00:00"
categories: [Blog, Content]
---

# Why you (and I) should create evergreen content

Which would you rather create?

A — Awesome content that is super relevant right this minute and gets a ton of clicks today, but is utterly irrelevant and forgotten tomorrow. Which means you need to create equally fabulous content tomorrow. And the day after and so on.

Or

B — Awesome content that is quite relevant for today and just as relevant in 6 months, a year or even 2 years from now. That gets clicks the entire time.

_I know, tough call, right?_

Except, creating content takes time and effort. So it makes sense to focus on what provides good value for a long time. Therefore let’s go with B.

Now flip the question around and look at it from the website visitor’s perspective:

You come to a website or blog. Look at what’s there and find that only the most recent post is relevant. Everything else seems dated. Old. Probably won’t consider that site very useful. Or worth coming back to.

But what if you come to a website or blog and find a recent post that’s relevant? Plus plenty of other (older) content that’s also useful. Clearly that site is helpful. Worth bookmarking and coming back to.

News sites, fashion blogs and many lifestyle blogs are all about today, right now. Posts from a year ago are so out of date and style and may even be full of broken links. Because the world moves on quickly. Which is entirely fine for sites like that, since they’re all about cranking out new content all the time.

That’s probably not the focus of _your _website and business.

## A mix is the answer

Let’s say there are 100 blog posts on a website. Does it matter if they are evergreen or had a short, passing relevance?

100 posts that were up-to-date 3, 4, 5 years ago and now are not. That does matter.

100 posts that are timelessly relevant. That would be pretty awesome. But might feel a bit like there’s nothing that truly speaks to right now.

On the other hand, a mix of evergreen, as well as today-relevant articles makes visitors feel that the website owner both has their finger on the pulse of things right now, and understands the larger picture of the particular topic.

So visitors are more likely to trust the content and come back.

As a blogger or website owner, you’re therefore wise to create some of both kinds of content: That which is relevant for a very short time. And that which is useful for a long time.

## **Evergreen content is timely and timeless**

We call it ‘evergreen’ because it’s like evergreen trees: green all year around. Not like those trees that are full and green in summer, but lose their leaves in autumn to be naked and dead-looking in winter.

Evergreen trees are always fresh and fragrant.

Who wouldn’t want content like that?

A ‘quickie’ approach to creating ‘evergreen’ content is to just remove all dates and timelines from it. Might even hide the publication date. Except that just makes the content feel a bit lost in space. Not anchored to anything. 

Removing all dates and timelines probably will also remove any urgency in the content. If it can seemingly apply any time, why should I bother reading and applying it today? Tomorrow or next year will be just fine.

In other words, good evergreen content needs to both be timeless _and_ timely. _A seeming contradiction._

**Timely **means that the reader sees the value of applying what they learn and discover _now_. Not someday. 

For instance, a blog post published in late November 2022 talking about the “3 things you must do to prepare your business for 2023” is timely and relevant when published. But once 2023 rolls around, it’s going to feel dated. Not timely. Even if the content actually is still very relevant.

Evergreen content can instead use a relative timeframe, such as “in the next 30 days”. 

Timely then becomes about helping readers see that they can achieve results for themselves by applying the lessons of the content in their life or business at the time when they read the content. And that doing so will have real results in the very near future.

It’s about imparting a sense of value and urgency for the reader, _whenever_ they read the content.

Another way to be timely is to create content where the reader will recognize themselves and their situation and see that “this is me, in the very situation I’m in right now.” Such content is now timely for that particular reader.

**Timeless** means that the content has application over a longer timespan. It’s not just for the day or month it was written, but will be valuable over a longer period of time. Could be a year or several years. Some types of content deal with issues and truths that don’t change even over decades and so stay relevant seemingly forever.

Almost every area of life or business has potential for content like that.

When creating content, ask yourself how long this will be relevant for. It’s okay to create content about things that change frequently. It just won’t make for good evergreen content. And we shouldn’t try to pass that content off as such.

Remember that evergreen content doesn’t just stay the same for a long time, but it’s also relevant to the present, whenever you read it. And you’ll feel that if you apply the lessons from it now, there’s a win in there for you. That’s an evergreen winner.

## **Evergreen is not set it and forget it**

There’s no such thing as evergreen content we can create and then just push out there and expect to work forever. It will need regular updates. Because things change. The world changes. Often it’s just little things. Sometimes bigger. 

So we should have a plan for reviewing material we’ve created and making revisions/updates as needed. Even take down an article or post that has become truly outdated.

That’s all part of keeping content truly evergreen.

Which is also why a lot of websites/blogs will include both a publication date and the date the article was last updated. To a visitor there’s a huge difference between seeing that an article was written in 2018 or that it was written in 2018 and updated in 2023. Guess which one will feel more relevant?

On the other hand, some bloggers and website owners try to make their content evergreen by simply not displaying a publication date. If there’s no date, the article won’t seem dated, the reasoning goes.

Except it might make people skip reading that content all together. Certainly for anything technical, I’ll look for a publication date _before_ reading. Because a 5 year old article probably doesn’t cover the latest tools.

## **Evergreen and SEO**

When the conversation gets to search engine optimization, a lot of focus is on creating content that ties into current trends. Because it will rank higher in the short term.

However search engines are smart. They recognize content that keeps getting views and is linked to over time. They see if content is shared and stays in demand. A site with that kind of content will be considered more trusted. 

Which means that you definitely want to have evergreen content as part of your SEO strategy.

## **Cornerstone content**

Websites should have articles or pages that provide cornerstone content. That’s content that is key to visitors understanding your business, who you are and what you offer. It builds trust so visitors can become customers.

Cornerstone content is by definition evergreen. It doesn’t change (or at least not very often). Other posts and pages link back to it. It covers the big ideas and helps visitors make sense of your website (and you).

A blogger I know has the usual usual things about himself on the About me page. But he also includes links to 5 or 6 key posts on the blog. Each one gives more insight into who he is and what he’s about. Together those articles provide a convenient, evergreen, way for new readers to quickly get familiar with his writing.

## **Evergreen inspiration**

It can feel daunting to come up with evergreen topics. Here are a few ideas to get started:

**What questions do you get asked a lot?** Write posts/articles answering those questions. Doing so will actually save you time. Because you can now send people to an article instead of having to answer the same question again and again.

**Certain how-to tutorials.** These should be about processes that don’t change very often. Because nobody likes outdated how-to instructions. It follows that these articles may need to be updated when tools or procedures change. But that’s okay. We just need to plan for it.

**Primers. Overviews.** It’s your equivalent of a college 101 course that introduces a subject and gives a general overview. This is good for evergreen content, because the overall principles tend to stay the same even as details change.

## **Examples of evergreen content**

**[_Setting up your email list_](https://claesjonasson.design/email-list/)** — I created this mini training in 2019 and it’s still relevant. The training video shows setting up the list in Mailchimp, but all the processes and principles work with any mass email service, like [ConvertKit](https://claesjonasson.design/resources/#convertkit), MailerLite or AWeber.

**[_6 ways stories help build your business_](https://claesjonasson.design/6-ways-stories-help-build-your-business/)** — A blog post about ways stories help us build our businesses. Humans have used storytelling as a major component of communication for ages. Still applicable in business today and will be years from now as well, even as the media landscape changes.

_**[7 for summer reading](https://claesjonasson.com/7-for-summer-reading/)**_ and **_[Movies for a long, hot summer](https://claesjonasson.com/movies-for-a-long-hot-summer/)_** — Yes, new movies and books come out, but that doesn’t mean these lists need to change. They’re still relevant. There are many other things that can easily be turned into lists that stay relevant for a long time.

## **Even evergreen has a best before date**

If there’s a lesson from evergreen trees in the forest, it may be this: Pines are beautiful evergreen trees. But their root systems don’t go very deep. So a big storm can knock them over while a deciduous tree nearby stands firm. Plus since the branches are full of needles all year long, when snow and ice comes in winter, branches bend and often snap. They grow fast, but don’t last forever.

Similarly, we can’t just create something, declare it evergreen and expect it to last forever. Even the best evergreen content has an expiration date. A point after which readers will feel it’s irrelevant.

Therefore it’s important to regularly review your evergreen content. By doing some careful updating and pruning, you can extend the life of the content. 

With truly outdated content, there are 2 options:

- Remove it and redirect the URL to something related and current. That way human visitors don’t get confused and you help your SEO. 

- Create entirely new content on the same or similar topic. Then take down the old content and redirect the old URL to the new content.

## **Summing it up**

Evergreen content should definitely be part of your online strategy. After all, it’s about creating content once and using it in many places over a long time. That one evergreen article can generate shorter versions for social media. Or a video version. There are many ways to use content. 

Just because we sent an article to our mailing list once doesn’t mean everyone read it. Or remembers it. Part of the evergreen concept is that we promote content again and again over time. Because it’s still relevant.

It takes a bit of extra focus and planning up front to create content that will be evergreen — both timely and timeless. It’s worth it tough, in the long game.

Remember that evergreen doesn’t mean forever. Regularly review your evergreen content for needed updates and remove items that are truly no longer relevant. 

Having evergreen content on your website will help visitors recognize you as an expert. As someone worth coming back to. It’s part of helping visitors get to know, like and ultimately trust you. Because only once that happens can they become your customers.

---

---
title: "When a good launch goes bad"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/when-a-good-launch-goes-bad/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "The eagerly awaited product announcement brought extra traffic to the website, which made everything ground to a halt. 5 steps to prevent spinning wheels and frustrated website visitors."
last_modified: "2023-02-02T15:03:19+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# When a good launch goes bad

This really happened. I watched it play out in real time.

One of my hobbies is model trains. You should know that model railroaders eagerly await new product announcements each year. Will this be the year the model I’ve been wanting for a long time will finally be released?

You should also know that the announcements are just that. The actual models won’t be in stores right away. Could be months or even a years. Production runs are often limited run, in which case, to get a particular model, preordering is essential.

New products from manufacturers were historically unveiled at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, in early February each year. Then the general public would find out about all those new products once store owners came home and passed out catalogs in their stores.

Of course the internet changed things. Digital flyers and catalogs started appearing online. First right after the fair. Then some before the fair.

When Covid hit, the Toy Fair had to be cancelled for a few years. Now all the new product announcements happened online. No problem there. We got used to it. Actually meant that consumers like me found out earlier than in the past.

This season the first announcement came during the last days of the old year. Because nothing like being first out of the gate. 

Then others followed every week or few days.

But one company didn’t even give a hint as to when they’d release their info. Rumors flew. 

Then the word on the street was that the company, Brawa, would release their new products flyer on January 27. Some folks waited by their computers until well past the stroke of midnight. Nothing. he

Morning came. Nothing.

Lunch time came. Still nothing.

## **The Announcement, finally, I think**

By early afternoon, someone posted on a discussion forum that Brawa now announced new products on their home page. I happened to see the notice and visited the home page. Sure enough. Big banner. “New for 2023”. I clicked the banner. Nothing. I opened a development tool and looked at the source code. The banner wasn’t linked to anything. It was just a big picture. 

Disappointing.

Someone posted in the forum that while there was no pdf flyer to download yet, all the new items (400+) were in the online product gallery, among all the regular products. 

Great. That will be a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

Problem. Brawa’s website has a big selection grid to help you narrow down just which products you’re looking for out of their full offering. On regular days that selector is rather slow. You have to really want to check out their products. Unless you just like watching the spinning wheel.

That’s on a good day. Now imagine what happens on a day when a lot of fans come to the website to look for those eagerly awaited new announcements. Higher traffic than normal. Everyone encountered the spinning wheel. Not just for a long time as usual. But without end. You could go for a coffee and make it back before it was done. That slow.

Meanwhile, on the home page, that banner was still not clickable for a few more hours.

Then finally clicking worked. Clicking opened a long page proudly introducing all the new products and, yes, with a link to download the long-awaited pdf.

## **Could it have been done better?**

Was this a good user experience? _Definitely not. _

Will Brawa go out of business over this? Not today. If the problems today are an indication of poor planning and execution of this particular announcement and the next time will be better, then they’ll survive. Today will be a blip on their radarscreen.

Besides, this was an announcement. No actual product sold on their website. You come there to look at their offerings and then buy from your favorite online or brick-and-mortar retailer.

What if this had been a case of actual sales not happening? As in people expecting to be able to pay money and not being able to? Then definitely lost sales and customers. Who very well might not ever come back.

There has to be a better way.

## 5 steps to a smooth announcement or launch

This experience brought up several lessons that we as website owners can learn and apply when we announce new products or services on our websites. 

### **#1 Get the key info to visitors without overwhelming your web server**

Visitors want the announcement fast. In Brawa’s case that meant being able to download the 92 page flyer. Fortunately, that can be done without overwhelming your web server.

A landing page with the download link right there cuts down on how long visitors have to remain on your website. On launch day, make the home page be a landing page. Let people come, click the link and get the flyer. Brawa did that eventually. Would have saved so much hassle if the banner was clickable from the first moment it went live.

Then have the flyer itself hosted on a service like Amazon S3, Dropbox or Google Drive. Those are built to handle multiple connections and serve file downloads. Plus your server’s precious bandwidth won’t be used up by all the downloads.

At the time of announcement, almost no one cares whether the new products are actually in the big product gallery. I’ve seen companies point out that their new products will be added in the regular online catalog later. That discourages visitors from hitting your product pages looking for the new stuff at a time of higher than normal traffic.

I know, any other day I’d say you want people to stay on your website and engage with it. Because that’s going to make them more likely to become customers. But if everyone stays on the site longer and it slows down to a crawl, that’s a bad experience. Instead, when visitors can quickly get what they wanted, they’re happy and actually more likely to come back (and eventually buy).

### **#2 Work on timing**

We all like to work regular office hours. But consider making that download available during the night. Think somewhere 3-4am when even the diehard fans have gone to sleep. 

Because if you release during the day, and people are at their computers waiting for the magic moment, your website will get a lot of traffic from hopefuls who just keep refreshing the home page, waiting for the announcement to appear. (Which may make your visit count tick upwards, but those are not useful visits.)

After all, we’re not selling tickets to a Taylor Swift concert. There’s nothing lost by the announcement being on the website when people get up and first check their computers in the morning. Which will be more spread out than mid-day or early afternoon when everyone can be sitting their waiting.

### **#3 Do things in the right order**

I already talked about making the pdf flyer available first. And that adding the new products to the product gallery can happen later, like the next day, when the initial fury has settled down.

But even with a pdf there’s a definite order to follow: Start at the end.

We want visitors to be able to download a pdf.

Step 1: Upload the pdf to Amazon S3, Dropbox or Google Drive. Test that the link actually works.

Step 2: Build and test the landing page that introduces the new products and that has the button linking to the pdf. When everything tests properly, take the page live. Since it’s not in your navigation, people won’t find it (unless they can guess the URL). Eventually Google will find it and then your secret is definitely out, so don’t take the page live days before you want people to find it.

Step 3: Create the banner for your home page and make sure clicking it links to the landing page. Publish the banner.

That’s it. The news is live. In a controlled manner. Up until that banner on the home page went live, visitors to the website wouldn’t see anything new or different.

Because visitors who want your new product flyer only have to (briefly) visit 2 pages on your site, the load on your web server is minimized. A mass of fans hitting the site at one time can and will still crash it, but that’s far less likely this way than if they have to spend time digging through your regular product catalog to fine the new goodies.

Plus the bandwidth for actually downloading the flyer comes from the service where you hosted it, which is not your server.

### **#4 Automate so you can sleep**

Plan ahead and you might be able to get a full or mostly full night’s sleep even while your new product flyer launches to the world.

Uploading the pdf can happen a day or two before the actual event. Just keep the download link secret.

The landing page can be built ahead of time and either scheduled to publish during the night (easy if you use WordPress) or taken live the day before the event. Because unless someone has the URL for it, they won’t find it. It’s not in the navigation on your website.

The banner on the home page can also be scheduled to display at a desired time. Or set up ahead of time and all you have to do hands-on at the magic hour is to take it live manually.

### **#5 One more thing**

Test. And then test again. Whether there’s one step in the chain or multiple, test them all. Repeatedly. So that you know it all works. Because the last thing you want to do is make a public announcement only to find that this or that link in the chain doesn’t work. 

Want to keep the fans happy.

## **If I had 6 hours to chop down a tree**

>
“_Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”_

_Abraham  Lincoln_

Turns out the words of Abraham Lincoln apply to web launches and announcements too. Because it’s all about planning. With the end in mind. 

Key question: What is the ultimate outcome? 

Then working backwards from that event, we can determine the steps involved and create them one at a time. Since we’re working backward, there’s no risk that website visitors will prematurely discover what we’re about to announce. And we also ensure that once we do let the cat out of the bag, website visitors can easily find what they (and we) want them to find.

Happiness all around.

---

---
title: "Halbert Law"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/halbert-law/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "project-portfolio"
description: "Law firm serving clients with a wide range of legal needs in Eastern Arkansas"
last_modified: "2025-11-21T21:13:44+00:00"
custom_fields:
  url_visual: "halbertlaw.com"
  url_link: "https://halbertlaw.com"
  scope: "web design / copy editing / strategy consulting"
  starting_point: "The old Halbert Law website was built on a proprietary platform and the client could not readily access key metrics or be confident that inquiries submitted on the website actually made it to the law office so they could receive timely responses."
  top_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/eastern-arkansas-hometown.jpg"
  home_page_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/HalbertLaw-home-page.webp"
  tablet_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/HalbertLaw-tablet.webp"
---

# Halbert Law

I worked with Chuck Halbert to explore website platform and hosting options to ensure he instantly received inquiries submitted on the website, as well as provide ready access to the site to update as needed.

Since Chuck was mostly happy with the core content on the existing site, I worked with him to update content where needed and edit to make it easily accessible for site visitors.

The new website is built on with modern, aggressively updated tools that ensure the website will work well for years to come.

I also provide ongoing website maintenance (regular updates and backups, as well as security and hosting) so that the website is available to visitors 24/7/365.

---

---
title: "3 in ’23"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/3-in-23/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Want your website to be effective for your business in 2023? The 3 key areas on your website to focus on now. With action steps, so you can move forward."
last_modified: "2023-01-06T13:56:26+00:00"
categories: [Blog, News, Recommended]
---

# 3 in ’23

It’s a new year, full of opportunity, wide open in front of us.

Before rushing off into that wide-open, here are 3 areas to review and take care of on your website, so it can serve you optimally in 2023:

- **Privacy**

- **Security and tech**

- **Current, relevant and aligned content**

![mom and daughter looking at computer screens](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/privacy-1024x597.webp)

## Privacy

Online privacy is a big thing in 2023._ Huge._

In the US, 6 states are adding online privacy laws in 2023. That’s in addition to states that already had them. 

Many other countries have privacy laws as well. In Europe, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) details how personal data can be collected and used. Australia and Canada have similar laws. To name just a few.

Before we continue, it’s important to understand a unique aspect of online privacy regulations. It doesn’t matter where your website or business are located._ The key is where your visitor is from. _

As an example, a US website that attracts (and does business with) European customers will need to comply with GDPR.

Similarly, a website in Florida will need to comply with California’s privacy laws, because site visitors could be from the Golden State.

Effectively that means most websites need to comply with online privacy laws from all around the world. _Not an easy task since those laws all differ._

### **The website privacy policy**

Every website needs a privacy policy. On some websites, that page seems to be a bunch of nice words about how they respect your privacy and don’t share your info _ever_. (That last part will likely not be true, even if it sounds good.)

A website’s privacy policy needs to state what personal information is collected and how it’s used. As well as how the website complies with all applicable laws in this area.

### **Personally Identifiable Information**

Privacy laws are all about personally Identifiable information (PII). The most basic definition of PII is any information that permits the identity of an individual to be reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means. Yeah, that could be a lot of stuff.

**Direct PII** — items like name, email, physical address, and phone number. You should collect what’s needed in your business for serving your customers. _Don’t collect info just because you can._

**Indirect PII** — items like IP address (the address a computer uses to connect to the Internet), geolocation data, gender, race, age. To name just a few.

But wait, there’s more:

Your website probably uses some 3rd party services. So you need to understand how they collect and use PII of your website visitors.

For instance, Google Analytics has landed in court in Europe over collecting PII as part of the analytics gathering. And Google fonts, which are used on many websites and often loaded from Google’s servers as needed, have been found to collect PII.

That means using services like that could get your website in trouble with some online privacy laws.

### **The new web design trend: Privacy first**

Until now web design really hasn’t paid much attention to privacy issues. That’s changing.

Any new website should be designed following a privacy first approach. Which means that attention is paid at every stage of website design and development to what PII is collected and how it’s used. Because the goal is to collect the right amount of information so visitors will have a great experience on the website and can do business with us. While at the same time not collecting anything that’s not needed and also not putting anyone’s privacy at risk.

### **Action points:**

- _Does your website privacy policy comply with all applicable laws in 2023? Does it need updating?_

- _Review what PII your website collects and how it’s used. Include both direct and indirect. The goal is to collect what’s needed and no more._

There’s much more to cover about online privacy laws and websites. You can look forward to additional articles on this subject as 2023 unfolds.

![woman in front of computer, with hands on her head in frustration](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/security-tech-1024x597.webp)

## **Security and tech**

2022 was a year with weekly security issues being reported. _2023 will be no different._

One business owner I talked with about her website’s security shrugged her shoulders and declared that if her website is ever hacked, she’ll just rebuild it from scratch. So to her no real problem.

_Except it is. At least if her business depends even a little bit on that website to conduct its business. _

A broken, hacked or totally crashed website will mean that customers can’t connect with the business online. That’s lost business. Lost income.

Plus, given her plan, she’s now be working on rebuilding that website with the business in upheaval. Cost with no or diminished income. _A recipe for disaster._

Of course she might be counting on that nothing bad will ever happen to her website. Thinking that hackers only go after large company websites and hers is way too small for anyone to care about.

I wish that was true. That said, I’ve watched the firewall of one of those “small, insignificant websites” being hammered by hackers. Clearly they didn’t care it was just a _tiny _website.

### **It’s up to you to provide a secure and smooth experience for visitors**

We simply can’t afford to ignore security and tech in 2023. We must keep our websites up-to-date and secure. It’s really not that hard. Other than it needs a plan and ongoing commitment.

It’s tempting to think that automatic updates will take care of any issues. However, it happens more often than we like to think of it that an update breaks something on the existing site. Or sometimes an update has an issue and needs to be rolled back

Maybe worst of all are plugins or software that are no longer supported. Because there are no updates, you might think they’re okay when in reality the plugin or software will just get more and more outdated and vulnerable.

By the way, when considering a website-as-a-service solution (like Wix, Squarespace and others), it’s tempting to think that they have all that update and security stuff covered. Which may be the case. Or may not be. I’ve unfortunately seen such solutions fail over the years. So you should definitely find out how they keep things updated and secure _before_ investing in building your website on that platform. We’re seeing with some online services that security was not their first priority.

As a web developer, I follow online security news and get updates as new vulnerabilities are reported. That helps me make informed decisions when managing websites and keeping them secure. If you manage security and updates for your own website, you need to do the same.

### **Action points:**

- _Decide how you will make sure your website is kept up-to-date and secure_:

_**Do it yourself** — Invest the needed time and resources in regularly (weekly) running updates. Install reputable security software and ensure it’s properly configured_.

- _**Done for you **— There are vendors who provide website maintenance and security. Be sure you understand exactly what’s included in the package and how the vendor will handle a security incident with your website._ 

![3 people in front of computer, discussing content](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/current-relevant-aligned-1024x597.webp)

## Current, relevant and aligned content

In 2023 it’s more important than ever that your website is in fact current, relevant and aligned.

- **Current** — Content on the site (text, images, video and so on) is up-to-date and doesn’t look or feel dated. 

- **Relevant **— The website and content is relevant for site visitors. For instance if you’re looking for a new electric car, a car dealership website that features only gasoline powered vehicles will not feel relevant. Event though it’s in the ‘car’ category.

- **Aligned** — Does the website represent the business well? Do I get a good understanding of what it’s like buying from or working with this business? Is my experience on the website essentially the same as when I talk with the business owner in person?

### **Review your website**

When was the last time you reviewed your website? I mean really checked it out. _Like someone who’s never visited it before._

Because building a website is a significant project, it’s understandable that when it’s all done, we want to be able to just focus elsewhere. 

Besides, the website is not going away. 

Or is it? Read about the downward spiral of doom that so many websites go through in _[Your website — the beginning of a beautiful friendship.](https://claesjonasson.design/your-website-the-beginning-of-a-beautiful-friendship/)_

That’s why I asked when you last reviewed your website. And if the website is current, relevant and aligned.

After all, things change in business. Our customers (actual and prospective) want to see new things when they come to our websites.

Even if that (older) website still brings in sales, it could quite possibly do better — if it truly reflected your business today and effectively connected with customers today.

### **When website age matters**

If your website is

- **Less than 3 years old** — The tech should be current. If all the content was created new for the website, it too is likely to be mostly current. It’s still a good idea to review the site at least annually to ensure that everything is truly up-to-date. Is that new product or service included? Is all contact info correct? Anything other recent changes?

- **3-5 years old** — Because businesses change and customer needs change, if your website is in this range, it’s time to do a thorough review of all the content. And make any updates needed so it feels fresh and inviting. Some of the tech may also need updating or replacement.

- **More than 5 years old** — That’s almost an eternity in internet terms. A lot of things will have changed in the underlying technology. This is where it makes a lot of sense to consider a complete redesign. Starting with a blank page, you can have a website built with the most current tech stack. Plus ensuring that every piece of content on the website truly reflects your business today. So that customers today will flock to it.

### **Standing out in a noisy world**

In 2023 there’s more noise than ever in the world, on- and offline. 

A business that wants to thrive can’t afford a website that is out of tune. Visitors need to clearly see who we are and what we offer. While on the website they must be able to get to know, like and trust us. And decide if the product or service we offer is exactly what will meet their needs and we’re the person they want to work with.

A website that is regularly updated can serve your business well for a long time. Visitors will come and come back, delighted that there are new things to discover.

A neglected website all too quickly becomes something you avoid and visitors use only if they have to. _Don’t let that be your website._

### **Action points:**

- _Block out time to visit every nook and cranny of your website in the next day or two. Take notes about what needs updating. Then ensure that also gets done. The sooner, the better._

- _Consider asking someone else to review your website for you. Someone who isn’t on the inside of your business. Someone who is able to look at the website with fresh eyes. Ask them to take notes and then act on those notes._

## Wrapping it up

3 key action areas for your website:

- **Privacy**

- **Security and tech**

- **Current, relevant and aligned content**

Take care of them and your online visitors will have a good experience on your website this year. Ignore them at your own peril.

Maybe you look at one or more of these key areas and conclude that you need some help. Additional insight. Fresh eyes. I can help with that. [Click here to schedule a free 20 minute strategy Zoom call with me.](https://claesjonasson.design/strategy/) You’ll come away with increased clarity and next action steps to move you forward.

---

---
title: "PHP 7.4 is dead — long live PHP 8"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/php-7-4-is-dead-long-live-php-8/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "As of November 28, 2022, PHP 7.4 will no longer be updated or patched. Which is why you need to prepare to update to PHP 8 now. Except that’s not as simple as just flipping a switch. Because updating might"
last_modified: "2022-11-03T00:31:00+00:00"
categories: [Blog, News]
---

# PHP 7.4 is dead — long live PHP 8

The facts are these: On November 28, 2022, all support for PHP 7.4 ends. No more updates. No more security patches. _Nada. Nothing. Rien._

PHP is the programming language that actually runs WordPress websites. As well as many other things online.

But many, if not most, WordPress website owners have barely heard of PHP. Because it’s not something most of them ever interact with. It’s just there.

PHP comes installed with a hosting a account. The only reason for a website owner to get hands-on with PHP is if they’re creating custom functions and coding for their website. 

Most website owners prefer to rely on plugins and themes for that and so never even see the PHP code.

## **What is PHP 7.x anyway?**

PHP 7 was released in 2015 and was a major upgrade from the previous PHP 5. On top of bringing extensively rewritten code, it was also 100% faster. Which matters for a website.

In November 2020, the next version, PHP 8, was released. It’s again a very major update with many significant changes from PHP 7 to increase speed and also security. 

As a result, many websites will break if we were to just switch them to PHP 8. Which is one reason the move to PHP 8 has been rather slow. Especially since PHP 7 has still been supported.

All that is changing now.

Because PHP 7 is now officially coming to the end of its life. After November 28, 2022, there will be no more updates or patches for it. Moving becomes much more urgent.

## **Finding out which version of PHP your website runs**

Log in to your website. In the WordPress dashboard, in the left sidebar, under Tools, click on Site Health. Next, select Info and expand the Server section. 

![Screenshot of Site Health listing](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/site-health-listing.webp)On the left the WordPress dashboard sidebar. Select Tools > Site Health. On the right the opened Site Health listing of Server information with PHP version circled.

The PHP version your site runs on will display. 

If it’s 8.x (some version of PHP 8), congratulations. You are up-to-date and can stop reading.

Everyone else, please keep reading. The fact that PHP 7.4 soon becomes outdated, also means that all older versions are really outdated. Read on. An update is in your future.

## **What does the end of PHP 7.4 mean for my website _right now_?**

First off, websites running PHP 7.4 won’t stop working when November 29, 2022, rolls around. 

There just won’t ever be any new features added. A person might be able to live with that. Until they want to install a theme or plugin that requires newer features included in newer versions of PHP. 

Eventually WordPress itself will require PHP 8.

You could say the good news is, nothing _has_ to be done this very minute. _Your website isn’t on the verge of blowing up._

The “bad news” is that you will have to do something. _Soon._

It’s a really bad plan to rely on outdated software for anything. _Including websites. _The bad guys will find security flaws and be able to exploit them at their leisure. So it is definitely time to plan for how to get your website to PHP 8.

## **Your hosting company and PHP 8**

Your hosting provider decides what versions of PHP they offer. You may have to request them to turn on PHP 8. If for some reason they can’t/won’t do that, I’d look for another hosting company. 

Likewise if a hosting company claims that it’s perfectly okay to keep using an old version of PHP, because they’ve “hardened” it, you should seriously consider moving to hosting that supports current versions of the software.

## **Proceed with caution — PHP 8 breaks things**

Since PHP 8 is known to break things because of the many changes in it from PHP 7, upgrading is not as easy as just throwing a switch. 

A website built in the last couple of years might do okay. Anything older is likely to have something break.

Since just throwing the switch to turn PHP 8 on for a live website is a bad idea, unless you really want to crash the site, I recommend first trying on an exact copy of the website. You can do that in 2 ways:

### **Staging server**

A staging server is simply another web hosting account that is separate from your live website. They’re an essential part of web development because they allow us to build an entire website and test it. When the website is finished, it’s a quick process to deploy it on the live URL.

The staging server should run the same configuration as your live server, except that it will have PHP 8 available. 

Make a full backup of your live website and install it on the staging server.

If your website is truly ready for PHP 8, it will work fine on the staging server. 

If it’s not ready, you will see error messages. Or your website may not display at all or with parts of the pages missing.

It is also possible that your website initially displays fine and only once you test the full functionality of it do problems start to pop up.

In other words, this is not a quickie thing, but rather something you will want to spend some time on, to ensure that the website is indeed working as it should in PHP 8.

Once the website is fixed and ready for PHP 8, you can either apply those same fixes to the live site or migrate the upgraded site from the staging server to the live URL.

### **Local server on your computer**

You may not have access to a staging server online. In that case, use a tool like Local ([https://localwp.com](https://localwp.com)) to install a web server on your computer. Configure Local to run PHP 8 and install the backup of your website.

Again, the site may be ready for PHP 8 and work fine. 

Or you may get some error messages, or broken site features.

Please note that Local’s environment won’t be an exact match for your online server. But close. Therefore it’s possible that some incompatibility with PHP 8 might not show up while testing the site in Local. So you’d still have to be careful when flipping the switch on the live server.

Again, spend the time to test the entire site and its functionality until you’re satisfied it works properly with PHP 8. Only then apply the fixes to the live site.

## **What if my website fails the test?**

Error messages mean that there are things on your current website that won’t work with PHP 8. All those items must be fixed for it to work.

For a relatively new website (one built in the last 5 years) it would generally be worth spending the effort to fix any issues. There likely won’t be many errors and the ones that are there should be pretty easy to fix. But you might still need to get some expert help if you don’t know anything about coding and PHP.

For an older website (more than 5 years old), seeing a bunch of errors and warnings might be just the push you need to consider a full website rebuild using the current best practices. Especially as the way we build WordPress websites has fundamentally changed in the last 5 years.

For more about those changes and current best practices, read my article [Future-Proofing WordPress: 2 Key Components](https://ithemes.com/blog/future-proofing-wordpress/).

## **Summary**

WordPress requires the programming language PHP to run. PHP 7.4 is at end-of-life status with no future updates or patches. For that reason it’s important for every WordPress website to update to run on PHP 8.

That transition can be complicated as PHP 8 changes a lot of things from PHP 7.4. For that reason careful testing away from the live website will be needed. So that any issues can be fixed before turning on PHP 8 on the live site.

Older sites may require rebuilding in order to move to PHP 8. Given how best practices for building WordPress websites have changed in the last few years a rebuilt and redesigned website will not only give you PHP 8 compatibility, but also a website that takes advantage of the latest WordPress features.

Whatever you do, don’t just ignore this issue. Doing so won’t end well. For you or your website.

If you need help or another set of eyes in the PHP 8 updating process, let’s talk. You can schedule a [free consultation here](https://claesjonasson.design/strategy/). 

---

---
title: "Image formats and the end of PHP 7.4"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/image-formats-and-the-end-of-php-7-4/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Image formats WebP and SVG and why you should use them. Plus, what the end of support for PHP 7.4 means for your website."
last_modified: "2022-09-23T16:25:06+00:00"
categories: [News]
---

# Image formats and the end of PHP 7.4

Change is a constant of life and websites. Here are 2 noteworthy changes: WebP images and the end of PHP 7.4. 

The first you _should_ embrace. The other you really _must_ embrace. Because you want your website to be around long past the end of this year.

Let’s start with the _should_ embrace one:

## **Website image formats: WebP and SVG**

### **WebP**

WordPress 6.1 coming this fall will use the WebP image format as the default format for core image sizes. **Please see the update note at the end of this section.**

In [my last news article](https://claesjonasson.design/3-things-for-your-website/), I wrote about the WebP image format and why we should be using it on our websites now.

The new twist is that WebP will become the default image format in WordPress 6.1, at least for core image sizes. 

If your website has custom image sizes defined or if you want more granular control over image compression, you’ll still want to use an image processing plugin, like my favorite [EWWW](https://wordpress.org/plugins/ewww-image-optimizer/).

Using WebP in core is still good news, because it will speed up image handling in WordPress out of the gate and should help deliver higher quality images at smaller sizes.

_**Takeaway:** If you want all the benefits of the WebP image format now, then implement it with a plugin. You’ll save space and see faster image loads, all while delivering great image quality. What’s not to like?_

UPDATE: According to the latest reports, WebP as default image format was pulled from the next WordPress release. It appears there were lingering issues with implementation. Not an issue with the image format itself — my recommendation is still that you move to using WebP for images on your website. Because it does produce better image quality with smaller file size.

### **SVG**

There’s another image format that isn’t currently natively supported by WordPress, but may be in the not so distant future: SVG.

SVG is a file format that handles vector images (think graphics and logos) very effectively. The files are very small. But much more importantly, they scale to any size while still remaining super sharp.

So what’s not to like?

Well, a SVG image is a text file that instructs the browser how to draw the image. Because it’s text, it’s also possible to insert malicious code into the file. So it could be an entry point for malware or hacking. 

That’s also why WordPress so far hasn’t natively supported the SVG format. Instead we’ve relied on plugins, like [SVG Support](https://wordpress.org/plugins/svg-support/), for this capability. And set rules for which users can upload SVG images, to prevent security issues.

Even with that limitation, I and many other web designers and developers have relied on SVG files for logos and graphics on websites for years. Because we like the small files and that the image is always razor sharp. _No more fuzzy logos._

When WordPress ultimately includes native support for SVG files, we expect there will be scanning of the uploaded file to keep malware out.

_**Takeaway:** Want logos and icons on your website to look stunning at any screen size? You should definitely use the svg image format for those types of images._

## **PHP 7.4 End Of Life in November**

Which version of PHP is running your website and why should you care?

PHP is the programming language that powers WordPress websites (and many other websites as well). Like any programming language, it can be subject to hacking or malware attacks. Because if someone can get to the PHP files on your website, they can totally take over and reprogram the site. _Which is very bad._

For that reason, every website needs to be running a current version of PHP. One that is regularly updated to patch any security flaws. The current version of PHP is 8.x (x because there are a few minor versions).

Currently PHP 7.4 is the most used version. But it’s _End of Life_ and security updates will end at the end of November this year.

After that date, there will be no more security updates. _Any vulnerabilities discovered will then remain unpatched and ready for some attacker to exploit._

So of course as a website owner, you should make sure that your website is on a server that supports PHP 8.x.

Here’s how you can find out which version of PHP your WordPress website uses:

- From your WordPress Dashboard, in Tools, find “Site Health”. Click on “Info” and “Server”. Check for your PHP version.
- Log in to your Hosting Control Panel. There should be a section showing what software is running on your server, allowing you to find out the version of PHP in use. It may also show other versions of PHP available to you.
- Contact your hosting provider. They can check your hosting account and tell you what version of PHP your website is using.

With all support for PHP 7.4 ending, our WordPress websites should use PHP 8.x. 

However, a lot of things are changed in PHP 8 and a website that runs fine in PHP 7.4 or earlier may well experience some broken features when upgraded to PHP 8.x. 

For that reason, I strongly recommend testing any PHP upgrade on a copy of the website. Not the live one. 

That way, when something breaks, you can fix it without the live website being down. Once you know that the copy of the website runs fine in PHP 8.x, you can upgrade the live website.

### **One more thing**

If for some reason your hosting company can’t or won’t make PHP 8.x available to you, it’s time to find another hosting company. I’ve seen hosting companies offer only old versions of PHP and claim that it’s okay, because they’ve “hardened” the PHP. _Don’t fall for it._ Find hosting with a current version of PHP. 

_**Takeaway:** Upgrading PHP to version 8.x is not really optional. Sure, hosting companies continue to offer old, outdated versions of PHP and your website will continue to work running one of them. But there are no security updates for those old versions. Ever. So you’ll be inviting hacking and malware. Not a good scenario._

## **Summing it up**

Updating image formats is an easy change. Although it might take the plugin a while to process your entire current image library. But once that’s done, new images will be processed when uploaded and you’ll enjoy the benefits of the WebP image format. And using svg for vector images such as logos and icons is also an easy choice, because you do want everything on your website to look its best.

Dealing with the end of PHP 7.4 may feel more challenging. Because it won’t actually totally go away or stop working come the end of November. It will still be there, but with no further security patches. 

That’s like opening all doors and windows to your house and just hoping nobody will come and steal that big screen TV, computer or any other goodies you have. Not a question of “if” but “when”. 

Which means now is high time to find out if your website will break when switched to run on PHP 8.x. While there’s still time to fix or rebuild.

---

---
title: "3 things for your website"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/3-things-for-your-website/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "The new image format you should be using now, a new way to build your WordPress website and vulnerabilities and security issues we must deal with."
last_modified: "2022-07-27T12:09:54+00:00"
categories: [Blog, News]
---

# 3 things for your website

- [The new image format you should be using now](#WebP)
- [A new way to build your WordPress website (it’s the future of WordPress)](#full-site)
- [Vulnerabilities and security issues we _must_ deal with](#Security)

## **WebP image format**

We’ve been used to jpeg images on websites for what seems like forever. With the right compression, images can be reasonably small and still look good. 

But there’s a new kid on the block. Actually, not that new. The WebP format was announced by Google in 2010 and then very slowly gained support. Because it’s not enough to have a new, cool image format. Browsers and mail clients have to support it. That’s been the main holdup.

As of mid-2022, 97% of browsers and email clients are compatible with WebP. 

If that’s not enough to allay any fears, it’s possible to have a JavaScript snippet on your website to detect an incompatible browser and automatically switching back to the original image format (typically jpeg).

WebP will likely be the default for images in an upcoming version of WordPress.

According to the feature proposal, image conversion will be automatic inside WordPress and may offer user defined options for which images/sizes to convert.

#### **Why the need for another image format** 

In 2010 when WebP was first announced, images on websites were still mostly on the small side. Because connections were slower and we wanted small image files that loaded kind of fast.

In 2022, websites use large images. Full window images in many cases. Images that even when carefully compressed result in large files. So it makes sense to switch to an image format that can deliver the same quality in about 30% smaller files. 

Since we use more images and larger images today, that size difference quickly adds up.

If you use an image optimization plugin on your WordPress website, check that the plugin works well with WebP. If not, consider looking for one that does.

If you don’t have an image optimization plugin on your WordPress site, you could carry on as usual. Eventually WebP conversion will be part of WordPress core. At which point you will want to make sure any preferences for image processing are set to meet your needs.

All new websites should be using WebP out of the gate, since it’s now the de facto new standard for efficient images on websites and in email. 

With most conversion happening on the website (currently in a plugin, in the future also in WordPress core), the change may not make much or any difference for how you get images ready for your website. 

On the other hand, if you want to use WebP in an email or on a website that doesn’t include any image processing, you’ll need to be able to optimize and save WebP files in your image editing software.

Final takeaway: It’s not about what image format you upload to your website. It’s about the format those images are in when delivered to your visitors’ browsers. At that point, WebP will often deliver a smaller, faster loading image than a jpeg at the same quality. That’s what counts.

More about the WebP image format on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebP) and [Google](https://developers.google.com/speed/webp)

## **WordPress keeps adding features to whole site block editing**

Block editing for posts in WordPress was introduced in December 2018. I was an early adopter, because I quickly discovered that the new blocks, even though still a work in progress, meant that I could format, final edit and publish a new blog post in 1/3 the time it used to take. With higher accuracy for catching typos and formatting issues.

Since then, block editing for posts has kept improving, constantly adding more refined and capable blocks and ways of styling those blocks. As a result, I haven’t built a website in years using anything other than blocks to do layout and formatting for the entire blog area. That includes the gallery of posts, archive and category pages, search results page and of course the single post page layout.

Pages built with blocks contain less code than the same page layout built using a page builder. As a result they load faster, which makes both website visitors and search engines happy.

#### **Full-site editing and blocks**

Earlier this year, WordPress rolled out full-site block editing. Meaning you can now build the entire website using blocks. No page builder required. Again, that means leaner code and pages that load faster.

Because full-site block editing is so new, it’s still maturing. In my client work that means I determine the best way to build each page individually. Sometimes I use a page builder. Sometimes the layout is created just as easily with blocks. For a growing number of pages I use a combination: The page builder formats some of the content and blocks add other content.

By a year from now, I fully expect to be using blocks only to build even the most complex page layouts.

#### **What does full-site block editing mean for your website?**

Since full-site block editing is the future in WordPress, new websites take advantage of it from the start. I wrote an article, _[Future-Proofing WordPress: 2 Key Components](https://ithemes.com/blog/future-proofing-wordpress/)_ outlining how to do that.

Themes as we’ve known them, with defined page layouts that we could add content to in designated places and do some changes here and there to the layout or styling are now definitely history. 

Page builders (Beaver Builder, Elementor, Divi to name a few) are about to become history. As I noted, I still use a page builder for many pages on a new website. But that will become more rare as full-site block editing matures and I can readily create complex layouts with blocks, ending up with a page that loads faster.

It’s an exciting time for creating uniquely styled websites in WordPress that are also easy to manage and update.

## **Website vulnerabilities and security concerns **

Summer may bring a change of pace for many things, but hackers and security threats never take vacation and seemingly never sleep either.

I subscribe to regular reports of WordPress and plugin vulnerabilities. Lists that are seriously long. Just this week I got a long list of plugins with vulnerabilities that haven’t been fixed yet. It’s bad enough to be notified that a plugin you use has an issue, but a patch is available to fix the issue.

It’s really serious when there’s no fix for a known issue.

At that point, there’s really only one option: Turn off the plugin in question and remove it from the website. Disabling a plugin is not enough, since the code remains on the website, ready to be attacked. That’s why a plugin that can’t be patched with a fix, must be fully removed.

Unfortunately, all too often I see websites with 10, 20 or even more updates available. For WordPress core and to plugins. That’s like parking your car in a bad section of town and leaving the keys in it. Having done that, don’t be surprised if you come back to an empty spot. Somebody will see the opportunity and act. 

It’s the same way with websites: Leave code un-updated and eventually some bad actor will capitalize on the vulnerabilities. 

#### **Protecting your website with a security plugin is a must**

For the same reason, every WordPress website should have a security plugin installed and properly configured. It’s an effective way to keep hackers and other intruders out, data secure and website working, so your customers and clients can find you.

We are also seeing an increasing number of intrusion attempts that are not from bots, but from humans somewhere in the world who will actually go to websites and fill out forms or try to log in. It’s a testimony both to the effectiveness of automated spam protection measures such as reCaptcha and the value bad actors can gain from getting access to even small websites. There’s money in it. So we must protect ourselves.

The threat level online has been heightened all year long. No indication that the threats will go away. So be proactive and protect your website now.

## In conclusion

A new image format may not sound like a big deal and your website isn’t going to explode or disappear if you ignore WebP. But given that we use more and larger images on our websites for visitor engagement, **WebP** is welcome, since smaller files load faster. _That makes for happy site visitors._

**Full-site block editing** may sound confusing and it’s tempting to keep going with your WordPress website using the old tech stack. But any new or redesigned WordPress site should use or be ready for full-site block editing. _Because it’s the future._ More flexibility for layout, less code, faster loading pages. _Pretty soon, we’ll all wonder how we ever got along without it._

“My site is so small. Nobody would bother hacking it” Too many website owners try to hide in obscurity. Ignoring **website security**. But hackers don’t care about site size. They attack vulnerable sites. It’s that simple. 

2 things that can make your site run faster, which visitors will love, and one thing that can ensure it stays safe and online. Which visitors also really like.

---

---
title: "WordPress and the built-in bomb"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/wordpress-and-the-built-in-bomb/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Did you know that WordPress has the means to blow itself up built right into it? Here’s why that is and how to prevent it from ever happening on your website."
last_modified: "2022-08-22T19:26:46+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# WordPress and the built-in bomb

Inspector Closeau’s famous line is “Zere is a böm in ze ruum.”

Which of course nobody wants. Because böms (or bombs) have a nasty habit of going off. At the worst possible time.

So why would WordPress have a bomb built into it?

It’s not an actual bomb. But it’s a function that has the capability to cause just as much damage to your website. In fact, all it takes is a typo or simple error — one tiny little comma or period in the wrong place — to knock out your website. And possibly lock you out forever.

I’m talking about the built-in code editor (theme or plugin file editor). Sort of hidden away in the dashboard sidebar under Tools (or in Appearances/Plugins). Many website owners don’t even know it’s there.

![WordPress sidebar with theme & plugin editor showing in menu](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/editor-menu-1024x597.png)WordPress dashboard sidebar. The Theme File Editor and Plugin File Editor can be reached from Tools (depending on your setup they could instead show up in Appearance or Plugins).

Because if you never actually edit code on your website, then you have no reason to go looking for the code editor. And there’s next to no danger of it ever being the cause of your website going down.

_**Just to be perfectly clear: Nothing in this article has anything to do with editing page or post content in WordPress. That’s something we definitely want to be able to do. Editing posts or page content involves entirely different editing tools. This article is all about protecting the underlying code that runs WordPress.**_

## **Editing the actual code underlying the website**

Many of us do edit the site code from time to time. Could be just a little tweak to the styling css. Or much more extensive customization.

When there’s a need to edit the code, it seems really convenient to be able to do so right from the dashboard in WordPress. After all, we manage everything else about the website from there. 

It is indeed convenient, right until there’s typo or error that the code gods don’t like. Could be as little as a comma or period in the wrong place. Or a missing semi-colon. 

The result is a processing error. Things don’t display anything like intended. That’s bad, but can of course be fixed. You just go back to the code editor and backtrack recent edits to find the mistake or offending code. Fix it and all will be good.

Honestly, sometimes when editing code, we have to try things to see if it all will work out as we envisioned.

But there is a worst case scenario: The error doesn’t just take down a page on the front end, but all of a sudden the dashboard is gone. Can’t be accessed. Just an error message in its place. Which means you now can’t get to the code editor to fix whatever the problem is in the code. 

Very fatal error. The bomb went off. The website died.

Which is why WordPress now comes with a warning when you click on the Theme File Editor: Do you really want to do this? They also remind you that you should make a backup of the site before editing anything here.

![WordPress theme editor warning](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/editor-warning-1024x597.png)The warning as you head into the file editor. Just remember, no warning will put things back the way they were if and when some code edit makes the site blow up.

While the warning is good, it’s not the whole story. If your site does blow up and needs to be reinstalled, that could be a lengthy process. Of course your website is down until the restoration process is complete. So major headache.

## **The safe way to edit website code**

There has to be a better, safer way. And there is: Access the WordPress code using a separate application. I use Nova ([https://nova.app](https://nova.app)) on my Mac. If you’re a Windows user, there’s Notepad++  ([https://notepad-plus-plus.org](https://notepad-plus-plus.org)).  Another option is Sublime Text, which is available for Linux, Mac and Windows ([https://www.sublimetext.com](https://www.sublimetext.com)). 

These apps use a FTP connection to give you access to the web server your website files are on (instead of logging into the website itself) and ultimately the site’s code.

Once the app is set up, you can edit away in an interface that is optimized for a good editing experience and with lots of helpful tools. You don’t even have to be logged into the website itself.

No matter how great of helpful the app interface, eventually you’ll type and save something that is wrong and makes the code blow up. (Trust me, happens all the time.)

Now instead of a webpage, you get an error message in the browser. 

The huge difference is that because you’re not editing code through the website dashboard, you will always have access to the code and can fix whatever went wrong. Even when the website dashboard is broken and an error message shows in its place, you can still edit the code in the app.

This ability saves the day at least once on many web projects I work on. Because when writing or editing code, typos will happen. Which is why we must take steps to prevent them from becoming catastrophic.

## **Disabling the built-in code editor**

If you’re the only person ever editing the website and you make a habit to do any code editing through an external app, then you could stop reading here. Your site will not irrevocably blow up. At least not because of the internal code editor.

But to really be on the safe side, we can disable the built-in code editor. In fact, we _should_.

Then there’s never a temptation to even think about “I’m already logged in to the website and I just need to make a tiny little edit”.

When you disable the theme and plugin file editors, there’s no option to edit code from the dashboard. You’ll have to use an external app to access and edit the website’s code.

The first step is to set up outside code editing access and make sure it works. Use one of the apps mentioned above and establish FTP access. You can now get to the website files without being logged in to the website.

## **Removing the built-in editor using the security plugin**

If you’re using a security plugin (and you totally should), it most likely has a setting to disable the built-in WordPress file editor. Make sure it’s set to disable. 

I run iThemes Security Pro on all my websites and the disable WordPress editing is a simple checkmark.

![iThemes Security — checkbox to disable file editor](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Disable-code-editor-1024x597.png)Your security plugin should have a setting to disable the built-in WordPress file editor

Now when you log in to your website, you will not see the file editor as an option anywhere in the dashboard sidebar.

Please note that should you ever disable or remove the security plugin, the built-in editor will once again be available in the dashboard sidebar.

## **Removing the built-in editor by adding code in the wp-config.php file**

You can also disable the built-in code editor by adding a couple lines of code in the wp-config.php file. Please be careful when editing this file as it controls a number of key settings for your website. If this file breaks, your site won’t load correctly or at all. 

If you know your way around the WordPress files and some basic code editing, it’s a quick process to add the needed lines of code in the wp-config.php file. [WPbeginner](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-disable-theme-and-plugin-editors-from-wordpress-admin-panel/) has an article with details on how to make that edit.

For reasons already mentioned above, you should do this in a code editing app via FTP access. Not the built-in editor (especially not since this operation will disable that editor). Also always back up your website before making _any_ edits in the code.

But because you should have a security plugin active on your website, I recommend that you disable the theme and plugin editors from the security plugin. 

## **Safer editing, keeping your website from blowing up**

I have never forgotten a website I built when I was just starting with WordPress many years ago. Happily used the built-in editor (with no backups) and yes, the _böm_ did go off. I found myself locked out and unable to figure out a way to get back in. Ended up having to start over from scratch. And don’t want to ever have to do that again.

So I learned about backups and never used the built-in editor again. 

Besides if it wasn’t a real and possible danger for your website, the security plugin wouldn’t include the option to disable the file editors. Frankly, some days the biggest threat to our websites isn’t some hacker in a faraway country, but ourselves. This is definitely a case where knowledge is forewarned and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Because nobody wants to lose their website to a random editing error. 

And since it’s such an easy tweak to disable the builder-in editors, there’s no reason not to do so. Then you never have to worry about this _böm in ze ruum_ ruining your website.

---

---
title: "An image & a threat of a lawsuit"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/an-image-a-threat-of-a-lawsuit/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "What would you do if one day someone accused you of using their images on your website? Without permission! Could you prove that you have the needed rights? Years later?"
last_modified: "2024-02-16T13:33:10+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# An image & a threat of a lawsuit

Jim (not his real name) has a website for his business. One fine day he gets an email. (Could just as well have been a letter in the mail.) It informs him that on his website are images belonging to this person he’s never heard of. Further it states that he has no permission whatsoever to use those images. Which is why he’s going to get sued to the full extent of the law. (And probably then some!)

The email is definitely scary. It does not end with “Have a nice day.”

Jim is confused. And worried. His website was redesigned not that long ago. He trusted his web designer to source images. Could the email be right? Are there actually stolen images on his website?

This is a true story. One that fortunately has a happy (and quick) ending. More about that later.

## “**It’s okay, the images are just for this one event**“

Here’s another true story: 

A nonprofit held a fundraising event. To better visualize their work, they decided to create a set of cards featuring stories of people this nonprofit helped. Each card had a person’s story and a matching portrait. 

To protect client privacy, the stories were all fictionalized (while drawing on real data) and the images were pulled from stock images and private photo collections. The materials were created for this one event, which played into what images were selected. Because time was short.

A while later someone in the organization decided to use these cards again. And again. Several years went by and the stories/photos were still being used, now including online. 

Then someone recognized a person in one photo and questioned whether the images could actually be used this widely. An internal review determined they couldn’t. _Oops!_

It was now necessary to figure out exactly where each image came from, to see if the proper rights to use them existed.

But how do you do that when images have been edited and renamed? When nobody can remember where they originally came from? And you know there were multiple sources.

The answer was lots of detective work. They had to find which images were stock images that the organization did have rights to use and which images couldn’t be used. Plus then select properly licensed replacement images.

That took a lot of work. But at least the problem was discovered internally and fixed. There was no threat of a lawsuit. And replacement images (legal ones) were found. Just a lot of time lost in the process.

## **Proving you have rights to use an image**

So what do you do to avoid finding yourself in either of these predicaments?

It’s all about making sure that you have proper permission (rights) to use a particular image in the way you want to use it. _That needs to happen before you finalize the design._

Then you need to be able to prove that you have the rights, should any questions arise later on. _Sometimes much later._

That means we must pay attention to where images come from (image source) and need some reliable means of tracking what images we use, along with their source, even years later.

## **The image source matters**

Photos you or somebody in your business took should be clear to use. Because they were created in the business. Unless of course there’s a person in the image. Like maybe a customer. Then you need a signed release from that person (or in case of minors, their guardian).

Do you want to use photos of yourself or staff done by a professional photographer? Make sure to get permission from the photographer to use the images in the way you wish, including online.

## **Stock images**

Now to photos you didn’t create yourself. Or have created for you. Ones that came from a stock library. Could be free or paid.

First off, let’s be clear: Not all stock images are equally licensed. It’s essential to understand what uses are permitted for any particular stock image. Doubly so when it’s “free” stock images.

Every stock image comes with a license that permits certain uses. For instance, there’s “editorial use only”. Or the image may only be licensed for use on the web, but not in print. Or the other way around.

Ensure that the use you plan is indeed permitted and covered by the image license. Do that before buying the image. Definitely before actually using it in any of your materials.

Far better to learn up front that the ever-so-perfect image won’t work, because the license terms won’t allow the use you have in mind. Certainly don’t want to find out much later through a cease-and-desist notice from some legal firm.

For images with people in them, you also need make sure there’s a proper model release. This is often included in the stock library license. But not always.

I recommend that you not only make certain that you understand the image license, but download a copy of it for your records.

## **What about _free_ stock images?**

There are sites that offer free stock images. Can’t argue with the price. Except again, be absolutely certain you understand the license terms. 

I’ve heard of cases where the license indeed covers use of the photo, but there’s no model release for the people in the photo. Which can create major conundrums, especially if the image is used to promote paid products. 

It’s also been reported that some free stock image sites contain images that are there without the photographer’s permission. Somebody just grabbed the image and uploaded it. Of course you wouldn’t know about that until a scary letter or email shows up.

Sometimes free just isn’t worth it. At the very least, be sure you read and understand the license offered by the download site offers. As always, does the license cover your planned use of the image? Does the license include model releases where needed?

## **I used images — then time went by**

Let’s assume that you did everything right when obtaining images.

That was then. This is now. 6 months later. Or several years later. We forget things. So will you remember where you got a particular image? Can you prove that it was properly licensed for how you’re using it?

If you’re a gambler, you might roll the dice and hope that nobody will ever question any of the images you use. That strategy works — until it doesn’t.

You can of course go back and find the image in question at the stock library you got it from. Except the image may no longer be available there. That happens. Then what?

You may not even remember what stock library the image came from.

Or it may be an image you took or had taken, but you now don’t know where the signed photo release went to.

Let’s face it: It’s not always possible to retrace things and find things again later.

Plus doing all that research eats up time and energy. Always at an inconvenient time.

And just rolling the dice and hoping for a win isn’t a strategy.

## **An ounce of prevention…**

Surely there’s a better way?

Let me suggest 2 options:

The minimum option: Keep the original file of any stock photo. So you always have the original file name (which often includes the name of the library it came from). At least you then know where the image came from. That may be enough to stave off a future challenge to your use of that image.

Better option: 

- Store photo originals (stock and your own), along with notes about the project(s) they’re used in. 

- Name the folders for the stock library or image source. 

- Include a copy of the license for each image. 

- Include the URL of the image from the stock library site. 

- Include any signed model/photo releases here. 

Now you have source documentation. All in one place. Should the need ever arise, it will be easy to check in here and find a particular image.

However you set up this storage, the key is being consistent in adding new images to this repository.

## **The legal angle and a disclaimer**

_This information in this article is not in any way to be construed as legal advice or legal opinion. I’m not a lawyer. You should consult with your own lawyer about what licensing you need for the image use(s) you intend and the best way for you to permanently document that you do indeed have the right to use a particular image._

That said, knowing where you got an image from and having a copy of the license under which you acquired it, along with signed model releases where appropriate, will be useful should your rights to use a particular image ever be challenged. And may be enough to settle a challenge right then and there.

## **Phishing and scammer angles**

What about my friend Jim who got that nasty email threatening all sorts of legal action for using stolen images?

Turns out Jim was in luck. His website was redesigned less than a year before. And he and I (his web developer) knew exactly where every image on the website came from and that he had the proper rights to use them.

Plus a little more research showed that this wasn’t even a real legal notice, but a phishing email. They wanted him to click a link to see proof that this other person owned the images. That link would of course have downloaded malware to Jim’s computer…

Sadly, in our ever more connected world, while there’s a flood of images, there are also plenty of scammers hoping to scare unwitting business owners into paying for alleged image rights violations. 

They’re counting on confusion inside the business and on sounding scary. An unwitting business owner without proper image use records, might just be tempted to pay for an infraction that never actually happened. Just to make the threat go away.

## **Forewarned is forearmed when it comes to image rights**

We are all visual creatures. A picture really is worth 1,000 words. Which is why we use images on our websites and in print materials. Because they help us communicate.

But with using images also comes responsibility. To use them correctly, including legally. And to protect ourselves for the future by keeping records of where we got those great images from and that we indeed have permission to use them.

It’s just good practice to first off only use images where we have permission to use them in the particular context and can document that fact.

Then it’s equally good practice to store records for images used, so that source and permission can be verified, even years later. Without massive detective work.

Jim in our story could rest easy, even when he got a threatening email. Because he _knew_ all images on his website were used with proper permissions.

Those folks at the nonprofit on the other hand spent a lot of time stressing to replace images that possibly should never have been used in the first place and certainly not for as long or as widely as they were.

_Which camp would you rather be in?_

---

---
title: "The end of Google Universal Analytics is coming — action required"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-end-of-google-universal-analytics-is-coming-action-required/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "We rely on Google Analytics to learn how our websites are performing. Which is why it’s huge news that Google is sunsetting Universal Analytics. Action required. Now."
last_modified: "2022-04-20T14:08:35+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The end of Google Universal Analytics is coming — action required

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but Google Analytics are a part of our website universe. At least if we’re interested in knowing if anyone actually visits our websites.

So it might be time to haul out the heart medication when Google announces the end of Universal Analytics. I mean, there’s a learning curve and you know how to find the info you need about site visitors in there. And run the reports you need to see how things are going over time.

And now they’re telling us it’s going to be gone. Soon. 

Okay, we had a hunch this was coming. It’s been some time since Google introduced Google Analytics 4 (insert fanfare here). 

But it seemed they were the only ones truly excited. Because frankly, reporting in GA4 has been, well, not helpful. Lacking. (okay, retract fanfare).

## Current best practice for analytics

So the best practice for the last year or so has been to make sure you have both the old UA and the new GA4 active and connected to your website. Think of it as the best of both worlds.

Because it’s cool to see who’s visiting your website right now, or yesterday or even last week. But what we really need is to be able to compare current with a bigger past, like year-over-year. For that we need history. The longer the better.

Google analytics of any flavor only collects history for a website once installed. There’s no magic button for when I’ve just installed analytics and now I want to see how things were a year ago. Or even last week. Analytics start building history only after up-and-running. That’s true for UA and for GA4 as well.

Plus, you need to be aware that there’s no upgrade path. No way to take all that glorious history from years of using UA and dropping it into GA4. Nope. None whatsoever. 

Installing GA4 is starting fresh. 

Which is why you need to install both. _Today. _So GA4 will have history collected for your website when we finally start relying on it for the entire analytics picture and reports.

Given that reporting in GA4 hasn’t been great so far, we’re pretty much just letting it collect data at this point.

That in turn hasn’t created any particular urgency to install GA4 on your site. After all, there’s always tomorrow. _It’s about to become a big deal._

## Why the future of Google analytics starts today

Google has now announced that as of July 1, 2023, the old UA will no longer collect new data. You’ll still be able to access the old data for another 6 months or so. But no new data.

That means as of July 1, 2023 we’re relying 100% on GA4 for the analytics data for our websites.

Okay, you say, that’s well over a year into the future. So what’s the panic today?

Simply this: No history transfer from UA to GA4.

So if comparing current data with historical data is important for your website and business, now is the time to make sure GA4 is installed and working on your website.

That way come July next year, you’ll have a solid year plus of history to compare to. And getting that year-over-year picture in live reporting will be at your fingertips.

We can’t make up for past years of missing analytics data in GA4. But we can make certain to collect it starting today and going forward. 

There will be more information coming over the next year about how to make the most of GA4 and get the reporting you need. But again, none of that will matter much if the historical data isn’t being collected. And that needs to start today. 

---

---
title: "Website review"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/review/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "How is your website doing? Think it's alright, but I'm not really sure Could be improved, but I don't know where to start Some things are broken or outdated, but … it's too complicated I can't tell if the website"
last_modified: "2025-05-02T21:38:53+00:00"
---

# Website review

# How is your website doing?

-  **Think it’s alright, but I’m not really sure**

-  **Could be improved, but I don’t know where to start**

-  **Some things are broken or outdated, but … it’s too complicated**

-  **I can’t tell if the website is okay or not**

-  **Fine, except nothing much happening there**

-  **Website is still there, so must be okay**

Don’t just keep guessing!

[Get free website review](#reviewnow)

## _What if you could stop wondering and get actual insight that’s helpful?_

**Because sometimes we don’t see the forest for the trees**

**4 things that are true for all websites:**

- **Updates are needed from time to time (“a bit of TLC”)**

- **Web standards change and what used to be fine could be hurting you today**

- **Sometimes things just break, even on websites**

- **How we use and interact with the web changes and websites need to update to stay relevant**

## I conducted a survey of website owners and managers

The results showed that most of them seriously underestimated what a poorly performing or broken website truly cost them.

They figured losses were maybe a few hundred $ here and there. In reality they were losing out on sales and leads worth 4 figures and more – each month.

Because they never saw the sales that didn’t happen or leads they missed out on, they didn’t think it was a big deal or had any real cost.

### _What you don’t know can hurt you_

**_And for some of these business owners, their websites were actually hurting their businesses._**

After all, your website is a key part of your business. If it’s not doing its best for you, it’s costing you money – every day.

Depending on the size of your business, that an ouch or an OOUUUCH.

## Let’s face it, we just want our websites to work

**You need**:

- **An honest, unbiased assessment of how your website is really doing: the good, the bad, the ugly**

- **Useful results that you (or your webmaster) can act on**

- **A check that actually looks at how your website works for visitors, not just a bunch of techy data points**

- **A report that goes deep, while also delivering easy-to-understand action points for right now**

- **A useful grade of the overall health of your website**

- **A review that will not try to sell you anything you don’t need**

## How judging 4-H photography provided the secret sauce for website reviews

Years ago, as a pro photographer, I judged 4-H photography at county and state fairs.

Young people in 4-H work hard on their photography projects and submit the best efforts to the county fair. From there, winners go on to compete at state fair. Getting a blue ribbon is awesome. Red is okay. Getting a white one is the kiss of death. I get that.

As the judge, I was most concerned with the young person growing from the experience. So always provided 2 sets of takeaways: Things done well and things that could be improved. Encourage and challenge.

### What does that have to do with your website? Simple.

In a website review, I check for all the things years of media experience tells me a website must do well. I could stop there and give you a detailed report. That you’d probably put away and never look at. Because overwhelming.

I could expect you to be overwhelmed, so you’ll just ask me to do whatever it takes to fix your website. Because I made it look super complicated.

More likely, you’d just do nothing. Because still overwhelming.

_The website would keep bleeding your business._

When I sat with those young people, looking at their photos, I wanted them to walk away with hope. Encouraged. With a way forward. I wanted them to create more pictures. Keep growing, getting better.

So for each photo, I highlighted things they did well with their photography. Then I also explained a few things I knew they could do differently to make their next picture even better. The boys and girls left encouraged.

### I’ll do the same for you with Website Review

_**You’ll get solid, actionable info that will help boost your website.**_

![Website Review logo](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/workreview.png)

## As easy as 1, 2, 3

![Number 1](/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/num1.png)

Request a free Website Review

![Number 2](/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/num2.png)

Get the report, with details and key action points

![Number 3](/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/num3.png)

Stop worrying. Move forward. Love your website again

All at no cost to you. Results in your hand in a few days

[Get your review now](https://claesjonasson.design/website-review-form/)

![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Ray-Williams.jpg)

_Each time he’s worked closely with us to make sure the website includes the specific features we need for our ministry to be effective._

_Claes has designed and built 4 generations of websites for first the Nehemiah Network and now the CityChurch Network. _

_He has especially helped us tell our story and integrating all our communication platforms._

_**Ray Williams – Network Coordinator, CityChurch Network**_

![Holly and Phillip Judd, owners of The Drug Store](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Holly-Phillip.jpg)

_Our old website hadn’t been updated in a long time. But the biggest problem was that the online prescription refill function wasn’t reliable. So orders got lost and customers were upset. It cost us real money every day! _

_Before doing anything else, Claes created a temporary website with a new process for online prescription refills that worked perfectly. We weren’t losing money and customers any longer._

**_Phillip and Holly Judd – owners of The Drug Store _**

**Website Review** is a very simple process. Just provide basic information on the request form. Then get emails with updates on the review status and tips for your online platform success.

In 2-4 business days, your custom report is emailed to you. (Your website is reviewed by an actual human – me. This is not an automated semi-one-size-fits-all thingy.)

The report shows you how your website rates for each item checked, and I also explain what each item is and why it’s important. Because you don’t need a bunch of data you can’t make any sense out of. You need information that will make you successful.

## Your report will include 3 sections:

### Technical review

This is how your website appears to search engines (Google and others).

It covers key performance points and also checks if your site is truly mobile friendly.

### Visual review

(human inspection of your website)

Using a multi-point checklist, I’ll create a video review of key pages and content of your website for things such as

- consistent navigation,

- appropriate calls to action,

- user interface quality,

- user friendly layout,

- logical content flow.

And more.

### Action summary

(executive summary)

- Overall grade of the website

- Things done well (so you know what’s working)

- Key items for improvements (fixes that have the largest impact).

You will know right away where to focus your efforts to take your website to the next level. Now you can love your website again.

Please note: I can only accept a request for a free website review if your email address is on the same domain as the website you want reviewed.

[Get free website review](#reviewnow)

What would you do differently if you knew the true state of your website?

You can keep hoping it’s okay or you can have the knowledge. The action points. You can build on what’s good. Fix anything that needs fixing. And move forward with confidence.

You can be happy to invite people to visit your website.

Often when I do a website review, it’s part of a larger project where I also upgrade or rebuild the website I’m reviewing. Or even scrap it and build a totally new website for the client.

But those projects always start with evaluating how the current website is doing. What’s working and what’s not.

Depending on the detail I go into, a website review costs from $150 – $500. The higher price involves diving more deeply into the back end of the website. A visitor perspective website review, like the free review offered here, costs around $150.

But you can get it for free just by requesting a website review now. Just to be clear, I can only do a limited number of free reviews each month. So request yours before the opportunity is gone.

[Get your review now](#reviewnow)

## FAQ

Is this not just a hidden sales pitch?
Absolutely not. I will do a review of your website and create your custom report, with action points you can take. Based on the review, I’ll suggest some products or services I can provide to help you be more successful online. It’s entirely up to you if you take me up on any of those. You’ll have the valuable report with key action points. You can implement yourself or have your current webmaster do it.

Will you just recommend that I get a new website, built by you?
No. Many websites do not need to be replaced — they can be fixed and improved. You’ll get an honest assessment of how your website is doing, with action points so you can take it to the next level. If a new website is recommended, I’d be happy to discuss that further with you to see if we are a good fit for each other.

How can you do these reviews for free? Where’s the hitch?
No hitch. By doing reviews for free, I give back, helping others be more successful online and in their business. Plus, I gain fresh insight into the state of websites in the real world and what their needs are. That will allow me to provide even more relevant services and products. However, I can only do a limited number of the free reviews each month.

This website review idea is great. Can I pay you do a more in-depth review of my website?
You certainly could. But let’s start with the free review. Once you have that result, then we can talk about what else you want me to check on (could be the back end or other things that require login access). Or you may want some one-on-one consulting with me once you have your free report.

How long will the website review take?
You should receive your report in 2-4 business days. Could be a little longer if I’m really swamped. Once I receive your request, I’ll send you email updates so you know what to expect.

Will this website review look at my SEO or the website backend?
The review covers things I can see and measure from publicly available information. Since I don’t have login access to your website or integrated systems (such as analytics), I can’t access that information to review and report on it.

I have a website with all or part of it requiring a user login. Can you review it for me?
The free website review can only look at info that is publicly accessible. If you need a review of a website or part of one behind a login or pay wall, I can do that as a paid service as it involves getting access from you, along with some other information to be able to provide a quality review.

---

---
title: "Blog"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/blog/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
last_modified: "2021-10-29T21:44:36+00:00"
---

# Blog



---

---
title: "Contact us"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/contact/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Contact me Web design | Copywriting | Writing | Creative Home base is Central Arkansas, USA Send us a message"
last_modified: "2026-09-28T16:06:20+00:00"
---

# Contact us

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

![Claes Jonasson Design logo - web design for the rest of us](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CJDesignlogo_tagline_OL.svg)

Web design | Copywriting | Writing | Creative

Home base is Central Arkansas, USA

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---

---
title: "Redundancy — it’s actually valuable"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/redundancy-its-actually-valuable/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Common sense and much business accounting tells us that redundancy is a really bad thing. After all, if things are working well, why would you need an entirely different way of doing the same thing?"
last_modified: "2022-04-20T14:08:44+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Redundancy — it’s actually valuable

Common sense and much current business accounting tells us that redundancy is a really bad thing. Because after all, if things are working well, then why would you need an entirely different way of doing the same thing? You’re then just paying for something else to sit around, on the (remote) possibility that you will need it some day.

## **The Zoom conference**

The 3-day, live Zoom conference was winding down to the last few hours. Which means the most important part of the entire 3 days: That time when key concepts from all the sessions get boiled down to incredibly valuable takeaways. Where all of us attending decide what we will do in the next week and month to apply the insights gained. Knowledge about to turn into action.

Then the power went off. Not for the conference host, but for me. 

It was in the middle of the afternoon on a sunny day when the power went out. Just like that. No lights in the house.

Because I’ve heard the old phrase about expecting the unexpected, I was at least somewhat prepared. Sort of.

I participated in the Zoom call from my laptop. With the charger connected to an uninterruptible power supply. Same for the internet modem. 

So while the lights in the house were out, my computer and internet connection were still there.

However, the battery backup only lasts for about 15 minutes. At least I had some warning. And being forewarned is vital. There was still time to act.

## **Time for Plan B**

Plan B went like this: Turn on hotspot on my mobile phone. Then connect the computer to the internet via that hotspot. The battery on the computer was fully charged, since it had been plugged in. So it would be good for at least 2 hours. 

We were in the next to last session of the day in the conference. So I might just make it. As long as the phone battery held up. I looked at the little icon and concluded that it probably wouldn’t. 

Some quick rummaging in a drawer yielded a USB power stick. One I hardly ever use. No idea when I charged it last. But it had power in it. So could extend the life of the phone for some unknown length of time.

In the midst of all this, I of course also contacted the power company to make sure they:

- Knew about the issue and 
- were busy fixing it.

In the end my laptop had enough battery power to see it through the end of the conference. The phone also lasted the required time, with the help of that USB power stick.

Finally, it turned out to be a short power outage as things go. Power came back on not that long after the Zoom conference was over. Life was back to normal.

Everything ended up well that day. I didn’t miss the key part of the conference. And power came back on before it was time to make dinner. Life was good.

But what if things hadn’t worked out? What if my laptop battery wasn’t fully charged, or in great condition to normally last for hours on end? What if I hadn’t had the ability to use my phone as a hotspot? Redundancy was a really good thing that day.

**Lots of ‘what if’s’.**

## **Cutting redundancy when all is well**

There’s a huge trend in business to cut redundancy. Because it’s, well, redundant.

Even the word itself seems to invite confusion as it has 2 meanings:

Redundant can mean something which is obsolete and no longer needed. Superfluous. In British English they talk about workers being made redundant, meaning they were let go, because their positions were no longer needed.

Redundant also means something that is not strictly necessary for day-to-day function, but is included in case of failure of another component. Think spare tire on a car.

It’s easy to see why accountants and those in favor of slim organizations go after any perceived redundancy. At least on a sunny day when the birds are chirping and all is well with the world.

So anything not needed for operations _today_ gets cut. 

Never mind that things out of the ordinary will happen. Sooner or later.

Because after all, the balance sheet looks better without that extra capacity sitting around. Wasted money. Until it’s not. Like when things go haywire and you really need that spare.

## **The virtue of always being prepared**

A business owner I know pays for internet service from 2 providers at his location. That way, when one of them fails, he can get back online by just unplugging from one and plugging into the other. Yet someone looking at his books might indeed conclude that it’s utterly wasteful to all the time pay 2 different companies to provide internet service to his business. When the focus is entirely on the ‘bottom line’, all too often, any redundancy is seen as wasteful.

Of course, if the internet is out, this business owner can do exactly nothing. Total standstill. And lost revenue will quickly far exceed any money saved by dropping one of the internet providers. 

For many years I worked in video production. Frequently on the road, in people’s houses or offices to shoot video. I made sure I carried with me everything I could possibly need to connect my lights to local power. Any adapter and plenty of extension cords so I could plug in my lights in a safe manner, without overloading the host’s circuits. No matter how crazy the house wiring was.

Also carried plenty of batteries to run the camera even for longest shoots. Because I didn’t want to have to ever connect the camera to sometimes fluctuating house power.

In other words, I brought redundancy with me.

Today, in my office, I have 2 computers on my desk. Most of the time I use them for different purposes. But they are also part of planned redundancy. If one were to go down, I can continue working on the other. With access to all my files.

If my house loses internet or power for a longer period of time, I can take my laptop and hard drives with any files I need and work from a different location, in a different part of the city that still has power and internet. I’ve done that.

## **Failure to plan is planning for failure**

Times like the above make it clear that we need to have plan B, C, D and possibly E and F. We need to prepare. With redundancy. Because when things already went bad, it’s just compounding the bad by then having to try to figure out what to do now. And it’s often too late to take any meaningful action by then without incurring lots of delay.

If my computer were to go down, I don’t want to be in the position of not getting any work done or not being able to access my files until it’s fixed. Or replaced if things went really bad.

Same thing with files stored on external hard drives. Which is why I have a regular backup plan (multiple backups actually).

Earlier this summer, the external hard drive array that contains all my in-progress projects died. Just gone one morning. I have backups, so actually losing data wasn’t much of a concern (+1 for redundancy). But I quickly found out that it would be a few weeks to get replacement hard drives in due to vendors not having the right drives in stock.

So while I could work from my backup, what was going to protect it from failure? 

Fortunately, I had an empty extra hard drive of the right size sitting on the shelf. Just for an occasion like this. So I could back up the backup and still be protected as I went back to work, while waiting for new hard drives to be delivered.

I know, it’s tempting for a small business owner or solopreneur to ignore all this. We tell ourselves that it’s not that big of a deal. That we’ll figure it out if the worst happens. (While crossing our fingers and hoping the worst will never happen.) Or we assume that we can just magically go on in spite of everything just having failed.

After all, things have gone well so far. We don’t think we need to spend money now to have redundancy for later (and something that just might never or only rarely happen).

Except it’s too late to figure out a plan B when something already went wrong.

### **Reflection:**

_What scenarios would prevent you from working? How can you prepare now to deal with those future unexpected and unplanned interruptions?_

---

---
title: "Izidor Ruckel"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/izidor-ruckel/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "project-portfolio"
description: "Izidor Ruckel, orphan advocate, author and speaker grew up in horrific conditions in Romanian orphanages before being adopted by an American family."
last_modified: "2025-11-01T19:26:35+00:00"
custom_fields:
  url_visual: "izidorruckel.com"
  url_link: "https://izidorruckel.com"
  scope: "web design / strategy consulting / graphic design"
  starting_point: "To build a platform for his book, speaking and movie project, Izidor needed an easy to manage website that would grow with his needs and allow easy updating from wherever he is at the moment."
  solution: "We custom designed a WordPress website to provide the right functionality and features for Izidor’s growing platform. Most of the site is public, accessible to all visitors.\nFor the movie project there is a password protected section where prospective producers and investors can receive project specific information.\nThe movie part of the website (public and login) can also be reached directly from a separate, movie related URL.\nIn 2021 it was time for a new generation of Izidor's website. Fresh design, updated to reflect changing priorities and even easier to manage."
  top_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Izidor-home.jpg"
  home_page_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Izidor-Ruckel-home-page.jpg"
  tablet_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Izidor-Ruckel-tablet.jpg"
  testimonial_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sarah_Padbury.jpg"
  testimonial_content: "Claes created our website from initial design to completion and continues to improve it with strategic advice and technical maintenance. Because our website features an international speaker and author, it needed to appeal to a variety of people groups. Claes was the perfect partner as he enjoys working “out of the box.”\nIf you’re looking for a designer who will keep his word about deadlines, offer ideas for improved products, and is easy to work with – Claes is your guy!"
---

# Izidor Ruckel

We custom designed a WordPress website to provide the right functionality and features for Izidor’s growing platform. Most of the site is public, accessible to all visitors.

For the movie project there is a password protected section where prospective producers and investors can receive project specific information.

The movie part of the website (public and login) can also be reached directly from a separate, movie related URL.

In 2021 it was time for a new generation of Izidor’s website. Fresh design, updated to reflect changing priorities and even easier to manage.

---

---
title: "Your website and Google’s mobile-first indexing"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/your-website-and-googles-mobile-first-indexing/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Will people still find you in searches, now that Google went all mobile-first on indexing websites? This is a big deal and could determine your online future. Time to take action…"
last_modified: "2022-05-06T20:01:04+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Your website and Google’s mobile-first indexing

How is mobile-first indexing affecting your website?

That’s is an important question, because we all want to (need to) be found when someone searches for us.

In 2020 Google announced that they would transition their web indexing to be mobile-first by March of 2021. 

March has now come and gone. So what actually happened?

Unfortunately, Google hasn’t said much. But that doesn’t mean things didn’t change. They’re just on to the next big thing, Core Web Vitals (more about that further down).

So we might be forgiven for thinking that maybe mobile-first indexing didn’t really change the world as drastically as we thought it would. 

## **What is mobile-first indexing?**

Mobile-first indexing is really pretty simple. It says all that matters is how websites show up on mobile devices. Doesn’t matter if there’s a desktop version of the site that has much more information and is much cooler. _It won’t be indexed. So search results will ignore it._

Here’s what I wrote in late 2020: **[Will Google block your website in 2021?](https://claesjonasson.design/mobile-first-indexing-march-2021/)**

Google made it quite clear: **Their end goal is that websites that are not fully mobile friendly will eventually totally disappear from the search indexes.**

And they did warn us that this was coming: **[Prepare for mobile-first indexing (with a little extra time)](https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2020/07/prepare-for-mobile-first-indexing-with?hl=en)**

## **The internet didn’t blow up, but…**

Now March 2021 has come and gone. The internet didn’t blow up. 

At first glance, it even seems like nothing much changed.

If you own a website that isn’t mobile friendly (as in it exists in a desktop version only), your website didn’t suddenly self-implode or spectacularly blow up. In fact, it looks just the same as before.

If you enter your business name (and maybe location) in Google, your website will likely show up as one of the first search results.

So it would be tempting to think that it was all a false alarm. Much ado about nothing.

Except not so fast. Because how Google indexes the web has fundamentally changed. It’s been changing for a while. This latest push was to switch to catalog all websites based on how they appear to mobile devices first and foremost. And content that only exists on desktop-versions of the website is being ignored. Or at the least will be very soon.

That’s not good news if your website is designed only for desktop computers.

## **Why is this important?**

Today, **over 2/3 of all web traffic is from mobile devices**. Trend growing. Phones of all screen sizes. Tablets. We can’t ignore that any longer. 

Therefore, someone visiting my website from a mobile device _must_ have as good a user experience as someone visiting from their laptop computer or even a desktop computer with a giant panorama screen.

_It didn’t use to be that way._

There was a time when mobile phones barely could load a website. So having a bare-bones mobile website was helpful. If someone wanted the whole story, we could tell them to visit the full website (aka desktop version).

The web became a 2-tiered world: Full information and experience on large screens only and something much slimmed down on those mobile devices. It wasn’t a good experience back in 2007 and it definitely isn’t in 2021.

_Google wants to put an end to that._

## **Our current state of semi-confusion**

Your desktop-only website didn’t not self-destruct. It will be there for as long as you keep it alive. People can go to it if they know the URL. Those viewing it on mobile devices will just not have the experience you intended for visitors.

If you search for your business name (and city), your desktop-only site will likely still show up as one of the first results. 

But what if someone doesn’t know your business name and are looking using more general terms, like “Little Rock dentist” or “plumber near me”? 

Desktop-only websites will no longer show up well in those searches. Eventually they won’t show up at all.

The thing is, you will not receive a notice from Google saying that they dropped your desktop entirely from the search index. People just won’t find you. Meaning lost business. 

## **The future is mobile and it’s here now**

Search engine indexing is now mobile-first. That won’t change. 

Desktop-only sites are on the way out in search results. But it can be difficult to determine just how fast for a particular site. 

Once you run a certain search, Google of course remembers that. To help you find it again. So for the owner of a website it can be really hard to know how well (or poorly) that site shows up in the same search done by someone who has never looked for those terms before.

That said, it appears to me that desktop-only sites are sliding downward in search rankings. Because a truly mobile friendly website that has comparable content, _will_ rank higher. 

So desktop-only websites will keep dropping further and further behind. Seriously, once you’re on page 5, 7, or, heaven forbid, 11 of the search results, you might as well not be there. _Nobody scrolls that far._ Effectively, that desktop-only website ceased to exist.

## **What do I do now?**

If your website is:

**Desktop-only, with no mobile version** — Do not pass “Go”, do not collect $200. Instead, get your website redesigned and rebuilt to meet current and coming web standards for a great user experience on all devices.

**Desktop website, with a separate mobile version** — Time for the honest truth: Is the user experience truly the same on both? Will I _always_ see the same content on any given page, regardless of if I view it on desktop or mobile? 

If ‘yes’, you may be okay, depending on how Core Web Vitals ultimately judge the user experience. 

If ‘no’, the website needs to be rebuilt to provide the same, consistent content and user experience for all visitors, on all devices.

**Responsive website** that adjusts to the device it’s viewed on — again, does the site truly display all the same content on all devices? If it does, then you should be fine. If not, the site will need to be updated to provide the consistent experience visitors (and Google) expect. 

Note that some older responsive websites were not built with mobile-first in mind. They were created to (mostly) seamlessly scale to display on different devices. So content and user experience may still not be equivalent when viewed on mobile and desktop.

The key is the focus on **Mobile-first indexing** — giving absolute priority to websites designed and built to perform well and provide a great user experience on mobile devices. 

Desktop-only content will not be indexed at all. Eventually entirely forgotten.

## **One more thing, Mr. Columbo:**

There’s a new kid on Google’s block: **Core Web Vitals**. Which is a fancy way to say that Google will now look at the website visitor’s experience on a web page. Several new metrics are being rolled out in 2021 to quantify that experience and include it in how a page and site ranks. Count on mobile-first websites having a leg up in that measurement.

I’ll have much more about Core Web Vitals as the picture gets clearer about what it truly means for page design, display and loading times.

## **Show up where our visitors are**

It all comes down to this: 2/3 of web searches are from mobile devices. User experience matters. If you don’t show up well, people won’t even find your site. Or if they manage to get there, they’ll leave as quick as they can.

What makes for a good website keeps evolving and our websites must adapt. Or be lost to those who are looking for us.

_Unless we do the work._

Because at the end of the day, we all want for the right people to be able to easily find our websites and have a great experience once they get there.

![African-American woman looking at website on her phone](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/african-american-woman-web-phone-1024x597.jpg)

---

---
title: "I like my website — why change it?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/i-like-my-website-why-change-it/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Monica likes her website. That she’s had for a long time. Except these days, that website is letting her down. And she doesn’t even know it."
last_modified: "2021-12-30T03:06:02+00:00"
categories: [The website process]
---

# I like my website — why change it?

Websites are interesting critters. A good amount of work goes into creating one. Then we launch it and decide we like it. Okay, we know it’s not perfect, but on the whole we like it. So stick with it. Maybe with the intention to tweak it or add more features later.

Then time goes by. Because it does.

Now we’re used to that website. 

## **Monica has a website**

I was talking with a small business owner. Let’s call her Monica. Her website is 8 or 10 years old. The business has changed a lot in that time. She’s trying to reflect at least some of that on the website, but finds doing so challenging.

In a large part that’s because web technology has changed massively in the last decade. As I write this, we’re on the cusp of another change as Google moves to only index mobile-friendly websites. Meaning websites that solely exist as a desktop version will be left out in the cold. May totally disappear from searches.

So good reasons to keep our websites’ technology updated. Or to change the website.

Back to Monica: She likes her website and how it works. Because it’s familiar to her. It’s like an old friend and you don’t give up on old friends.

## **The old family van story**

Her situation is similar to what my family went through with the van we had for many years. We purchased it almost new in 2001 (only about 20,000 miles on it). 

It was perfect for our family. It had an ideal seating arrangement and lots of cargo space.

We took that van on tons of trips, from the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains to the shores of Long Island. And anywhere in-between. In snow, rain, or sunshine, it got us where we needed to go, safely and in comfort.

The odometer kept ticking up higher and higher. But I pretty much wanted to keep that van forever. Because it was so versatile. We could load all our stuff in it. Camping or hauling home improvement things.

As the years went by, our family needs changed and the van got old. Things broke. Eventually the guys at the shop started hinting that maybe it was time we think about replacing the van. With something newer, more reliable. ([You can read the story of our old van here.](https://claesjonasson.com/when-not-doing-anything-ends-up-costing-a-lot-of-money-time-and-trouble/))

When we finally replaced it, the van was 15 years old. In its place, we got a smaller vehicle that better fit our current needs. One that has a host of features the old van didn’t have. Because cars changed massively in all those years.

Actually, for as hard as it was to make the decision to let go of the old van, you really couldn’t pay me to go back now. The old van was great in its prime. But we’d be walking everywhere now if we hadn’t replaced it. Plus the car we have now is just right for us today.

## **Websites age too and not always with grace**

It’s the same way with websites. They’re built for a particular season. 

As soon as they’re launched, they start aging. Time passes much faster in the online world though. We can reasonably expect a website to last 3-4 years. Maybe a few more if it was well developed and content is regularly updated. Less if the business changes or the website is left to fend for itself. [Read more about the life cycle of many websites.](/your-website-the-beginning-of-a-beautiful-friendship/)

Same thing with that old van. For several years it just ran. Regular maintenance of course, but no big repair bills. Then something broke. We got it fixed. Then another thing broke and we got it fixed. Before we knew it, at every oil change there was something significant that needed fixing. To the tune of $$$.

At first, you pay the bills. Because gotta keep the vehicle running well. Some repairs weren’t critical and we ignored them. Eventually, the cost of repairs got very similar to a new car payment and about as regular.

With websites, we tend not to directly see the cost of an aging website, one that isn’t aligned with our business, or one that is broken in places. 

After all, it’s extremely rare that someone will tell us directly: _“I was going to spend money with your business, but then I visited your website and can’t make heads or tails out of it, so now I’m going to somebody else.”_

They’ll just go and we’ll never know. So we won’t change the website.

## **The money you don’t see…**

For Monica that’s money she’ll never see. What she does see is the cost of spending money to build a new website. To her that’s a cost, not an investment, unless she becomes convinced that the old website is losing money for the business and a new one will actually help bring in more revenue.

She’s not alone. I asked small business owners and nonprofit managers what they thought the cost was of having a website that didn’t deliver for them or of having no website at all. Surprisingly, almost all of them thought there was either no cost (no lost opportunity) at all or that the cost was very minor (a few hundred $ here and there).

I kind of see how they would make that conclusion. Because many small businesses don’t actually have a shopping cart on the website. Customers don’t directly buy products or services on the website.

Rather the website gives information about the business and the products/services they offer. But any sales are made in person or at least off the website. So in their minds, the website isn’t really part of the sales process.

Except it is. 

## **Did he just check me out?**

I got a very vivid illustration of just how much so at a local Meetup a few years ago. 

Waiting for the program to start, I was talking with another meeting attendee. Turned out we both worked with web development back when it was all hands-on coding and so compared notes. Then he asked for my card.

The presenter started the meeting. A bit later, I noticed that the man I’d talked with was looking at something on his computer. Okay, people do that. Except, I realized that was my website on his screen.

So he had immediately gone to my website to check me out. _People definitely do that! _

Apparently he liked what he saw, because eventually that brief encounter led to web design projects. A new client.

Would that have happened if he didn’t resonate with what he saw on my website? Or if I had not had a website. Highly unlikely.

That is a vivid illustration of a major purpose of an aligned website: It helps visitors get to know us, trust us and ultimately like us, so that they decide to become customers.

Will Monica’s website visitors have the same reaction when they check out her aging website? Possibly (likely) not. It’s old and doesn’t reflect her changed business well anymore.

## **What’s that website worth anyway?**

The real question at that point isn’t what is the value of one lost sale. But rather, what is the value of a customer you never get. In business we often talk about the value of a customer over the lifetime of the relationship. Not just that one sale, but additional transactions over multiple years. 

Looked at in that light, one lost opportunity is easily far more than the investment in designing and building a website that truly serves your business/organization well.

Which brings us back to my old van. At one point it was just right. A good choice. Then time passed and for a whole host of reasons, it was no longer a good choice. It was actually unreliable and unsafe. But I hesitated to replace it. We often do. Mostly because we’re comfortable with how things are.

Of course, now we have our new car, there’s no question of wishing to be back with the old, broken one. But I did realize one thing: _“If we had traded cars sooner, it would have saved us expense and grief.”_

The right website will be like that too.

I hope Monica will ultimately come to the same conclusion about her website. Because she and her business deserve much better than a 10-year old website almost held together with duct tape.

When she does jump, she will find that the new website virtually pays for itself by helping bring in new business and opportunities.

---

---
title: "7 must-take-care-of items to protect your website"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/7-musts-to-protect-your-website/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Websites are supposed to just work. All the time. If they don’t, the consequences can be devastating. Here are 7 simple steps to protect your website."
last_modified: "2021-02-17T20:43:25+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 7 must-take-care-of items to protect your website

As soon as I picked up the phone, the voice on the other end blurted out:

_“I’m so glad you answered the phone. I was updating some content. And the website broke. Is there any way to get it back?”_

I checked the website in question while still talking to my very flustered caller. Sure enough, the home page looked nothing like it should. It was a mess.

I promised I’d get right on it and that, yes, there are backups, so we’d be able to restore the website if all else failed.

Less than 20 minutes later, I reported back that the website was again its normal self.

Turned out a very minor accidental edit caused the website problem. Quickly fixed in this case.

There have been other times when the issue wasn’t fixed so quickly and the website was down for a much longer time. Even some cases where the website had to be rebuilt from ground up.

None of us want that. 

So what can you do to protect your website?

## **#7: Never rebuild or redesign on a live site**

Because something will inevitably break. That’s the nature of building or designing websites. So even if it’s “just” adding one new page with a new design, the safe way to do so is on a staging site. 

A staging site is a copy of your live, public website that is in a location where people (and search engines) won’t find it. Often that’s a subdomain on the same server.

If something blows up spectacularly here, there’s no real harm done and you can take your time figuring out what went wrong and fix it.

We don’t do rebuilds or redesigns every day, but when it’s time, a staging site is a very simple and effective way to protect your website.

## **#6: Regular backups of your website, stored off-server**

You host may do backups of your hosting account. That’s great, but not that helpful for you, unless the whole hosting account goes down. And then you may learn that your hosting provider is fine with getting your account restored in a matter of days. When you really need it up in hours.

Instead, I’m talking about backups of your website installation itself, to protect your website. 

A self-contained backup of your website lets you port it to another server if needed. Or use it to create a staging site when making changes on the site. 

Backups should be regular. I recommend at least weekly. More often if you take orders online or content on the website changes very frequently. Some websites may even need real-time backups.

To be truly useful, the backups need to be where you can access them anytime. That’s definitely not on the same server as the live website. Because if that server goes down, then both live website and backup are inaccessible. Instead, use another, secure online location that you can get to, no matter where you are in the world.

Finally, be sure to test that the backup process really works by regularly restoring a random backup. Because a corrupted backup is of no value at all.

## **#5: All SSL, all the time**

Every page on every website should display with a padlock. That means the connection from browser to server is secure, keeping prying eyes out.

This is about basic trust — letting your visitors know that you care about them. And it does protect your website and reputation

Note that it’s not enough to just install a SSL certificate. The website must deliver _**all **_pages using a secure connection regardless of how the URL was entered. So clearly [HTTPS://claesjonasson.design](HTTPS://claesjonasson.design) is going to get a secure connection. Because the URL specifically requested a secure connection via HTTPS. 

But all other ways to get to your website must also be forced to use a secure connection. Even if it wasn’t specifically requested.

For instance, [HTTP://claesjonasson.design](HTTP://claesjonasson.design) is not a secure URL. Neither is  [HTTP://www.claesjonasson.design](HTTP://www.claesjonasson.design) If not handled correctly, the server might in these cases just display the page content over a ‘not secure’ connection. 

Poorly implemented SSL may present a secure connection when one is asked for and a non-secure connection in other cases. That’s a definite path to confusion and loss of customer trust.

The correct approach is for your website to force the use of a secure connection, regardless of the URL used to get to the page.

## **#4 Keep the website updated**

There never really was a time when we could build a website, launch it and let it be.

But today, when there are scripts, databases and lots more code involved, it’s even more important to keep all the technology updated, so that vulnerabilities are quickly patched and proper functionality maintained. Because you want your website to be there for visitors 24/7.

It’s all about protecting your website.

## **#3 Security software **

Hackers never sleep. And neither should your security. It doesn’t matter how small or seemingly insignificant a website is. Hackers are interested. Mostly in getting access to a server they can use to send out spam or to stage attacks on other websites. 

They don’t really care about your content or cause. They want processing power. And that makes every last website a potential target for hackers. Nobody can hide in obscurity anymore. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when”.

Good security software will protect your website by hardening it, effectively keeping many types of hackers out.

It can also alert you to other issues that might spell trouble for your website.

## **#2 Know where your domain is registered and the website is hosted**

This may sound silly, but a surprising number of website owners don’t know where their website is hosted. Or the domain is registered. After all, these are not things we deal with daily. May even have been set up a long time ago.

So when a letter arrives in the mail that looks like a bill for their domain or hosting, they pay it. Except it was from some company that’s made a business model out of fooling website owners into buying their services, thereby turning over website hosting or domain registration to them. 

Especially domain registration is relatively easy to ‘hijack’ like this. But ever so much harder to get undone. You might even end up losing your domain in the process.

The “best” outcome of this scam is if you “just” end up paying for a totally unneeded service that promised to get your domain into “domain registries” to give you lots and lots of publicity. Because in that case, the scammers are literally not going to do anything, except collect your money. 

Fortunately it’s easy to protect your website against these scams: Just make sure you and anyone paying bills know where your domain is registered and hosted. 

## **#1: Own your domain(s)**

That seems obvious. Yet it was just a few years ago that a large transportation company had to suddenly change their URL. And website. 

Turns out, they relied on the agency that created their website to also own their domain. When the company and the agency parted ways, the agency simply hung on to the domain. After all, they were the legal owner. Even if the domain was the company’s name.

In order to get back online, the company now had to change their URL. Plus spend a lot of money and resources to let new and existing customers know where to find them online.

All at the same time as they were super-quickly building a new website, including an online ticketing system.

If that can happen to a large company, it can happen to a small business. So protect your website by always owning your domain. You can allow your designer/developer to manage the domain for you, but you must be the owner. _Period._

Because if there ever is an issue, any legal process for sorting out ownership will take a long time, assuming you even win in the end. And you will have expended effort and money to start using a new URL. With lost business during the transition as a result.

You may also want to consider purchasing similar domains or spelling variations. And have them point to your main URL. Just in case. You don’t need to own every variation known to man and certainly not in every foreign country. But it might make sense to own some.

## It’s all about protecting your website

That’s 7 must-take-care-of items for every website. They’re not flashy or terribly exciting, but if skipped, the consequences can be devastating. _Don’t learn the hard way. _

If you don’t know how to take care of these items or don’t reliably have resources to take care of ALL of them, do yourself a favor and work with a trusted professional who will make it happen, on schedule. 

Also remember that none of these items are “set it and forget it” type items. They all require ongoing attention.

---

---
title: "Website editing news, plus dying Flash stops the trains"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/website-editing-news-plus-dying-flash-stops-the-trains/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "New version of Astra theme brings more flexibility. WordPress full site editing with blocks is here. Plus why not replacing outdated software will bite you."
last_modified: "2021-02-05T17:20:56+00:00"
categories: [Blog, News]
---

# Website editing news, plus dying Flash stops the trains

2021 marches on. Here are 2 news items that will shape our online experiences this year and beyond. Plus a cautionary tale about why it really pays to pay attention and plan ahead. 

## **Version 3 of Astra released**

A theme is the skin that determines what a website looks like and often also how well it works from a user standpoint.

So every WordPress website has a theme applied to it. Traditionally that was one of the challenges of setting up a new website: Finding the perfect theme. One that looked the way you wanted it to and had the layouts and features you needed. 

Given that there seems to be a nearly endless parade of themes, this wasn’t an easy task.

Plus, you never knew if there was ever going to be an updated version of that theme, to keep it working or even add new capabilities.

Astra is a very different kind of theme. It’s one that is very capable, doesn’t get in the way and can be just about what you want it to be. It’s also very light-weight, so doesn’t slow down the website at all.

It can start as a blank slate or work from a wealth of ready-to-apply templates. All to help get the next website up and running quickly.

As importantly, the Astra theme is aggressively developed. Version 3  just released, including a whole host of new features.

In other words, a website built with the Astra theme won’t be outdated anytime soon. 

That’s why Astra has been my go-to theme for several years now. Some websites were built entirely using Astra and some had a Page Builder added for even more granular control without coding.

## **Full site editing with blocks coming to WordPress**

A couple years ago, WordPress released a new way to edit and manage content — the Block Editor.

In the Block Editor, every heading, paragraph, list, picture, video or other content is contained in a block that is pre-formatted for consistent styling. Blocks can easily be added, deleted or moved around.

### The way editing used to be

It’s fair to say that nobody really loved the old editor that hadn’t changed for about a decade. It was sort of WYSIWYG, but not really, and rather confusing if you wanted to do custom formatting of the text.

For posts that was mostly okay, except proofing and editing was a slow process.

Creating engaging and nicely laid out pages was another issue entirely. Unless you were okay with putting a bunch of code right into the text, formatting options were limited.

Styling a page with multiple sections containing different pieces of content meant creating a custom template and writing code.

That was all laborious when first creating the site and really annoying later on when some content or part of the layout needed to change and you now had to try to figure out where that particular content or styling came from.

It meant that most website owners were limited to what their theme allowed them on each page.

Page builders, like Elementor, Beaver Builder or Divi brought a change. Now each page could be a blank slate and content and styling applied all in one place on the WordPress dashboard. So building a website got more intuitive. Plus it didn’t require coding.

Even so, a Page Builder adds another layer and may even slow down the website if it adds a bunch of hidden code.

### Blocks make editing simpler

All this started to change when WordPress released its new content editor a few years ago — the Block Editor. All of a sudden, formatting blog posts became easy. And so much faster.

From that beginning, the Block Editor has continued to gain more capabilities and the long-term plan is to let it take over editing the entire website — **Full Site Editing**.

In short, everything about how we have managed content in WordPress is about to change. Instead of adding another layer of complexity (a Page Builder), WordPress will have its own built-in Page Builder in the form of blocks.

Not only is the list of pre-defined blocks growing, but users can also create custom blocks, so the possibilities are unlimited.

Drag and drop editing will finally be native to WordPress, making it easier than ever to get a website to be exactly like you want it.

We’re already seeing some websites built entirely using the Block Editor. I expect the move towards Full Site Editing to gather speed this year, as it moves from early experimental to being a very real option for building a website. Themes and Page Builders will adapt to work with the new Full Site Editing (or if not, eventually fade away).

This transition means we need to keep our websites up-to-date as far as the content goes (as we always should). Plus also update the technology regularly. Also be sure to evaluate anything new (themes, Page Builders, plugins) for its readiness (or roadmap to readiness) for Full Site Editing. 

Doing so will put our websites in a good position for when it’s time to turn on Full Site Editing.

We should definitely not handle this transition like the folks in the next news story:

## **The trains are not running — because Flash is dead**

There are some things you don’t want to have to report on. And that shouldn’t even happen in the first place.

Because Adobe gave us notice several years ago that all support for Flash would cease at the end of 2020. 

Except, clearly some folks didn’t get the message. In the city of Dalian (population 6.7 million) in China, the end of Flash meant that the trains stopped running. Because apparently all the operations diagrams and schedules relied on Flash for viewing. No Flash, no way to see who worked when and what trains to run when and where.

It took the company about a day to “fix” the problem. Which they did by finding an old version of Flash (pirated) to keep the system running. For now. 

Okay, I might have done the same thing in their situation. Because had to get the trains running again.

The million dollar question is of course this: Will they now congratulate themselves on having things back to “normal”? Or do what they should have done 3 years ago: Install a new system for viewing diagrams and schedules? One that doesn’t involve Flash.

If you still have Flash on your website or use it in some other way in your business, don’t do a hack to keep things running. Replace the old security nightmare with one of the much newer and secure options for displaying content. 

Just do it. Now.

## Common theme today: Be ready

The world online is constantly changing. So a website that was fine even just a few years ago, probably isn’t totally fine today and needs some TLC.

Because none of us want to end up like the trains in Dalian: _Stopped for some stupidly simple reason that everyone knew about for years._

It might just also be that the new way will turn out to be better than the old way of doing things.

---

---
title: "News from online for January 2021"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/news-from-online-for-january-2021/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "It’s a new year and here are 5 online related news items that will affect how you show up online this year."
last_modified: "2021-01-07T17:28:31+00:00"
categories: [Blog, News]
---

# News from online for January 2021

## **Flash is dead**

As of the end of 2020, Adobe no longer updates **Flash**. Instead, they’re encouraging us all to remove every last installation of Flash from our computers and devices. 

Flash was once _the_ way to add video or animation to a website. Suddenly that web page was no longer static, but designs came alive in front of the visitor’s eyes. _Stunning. Amazing._ Which is probably why a friend who started into web design around 2007 was so thrilled with Flash and used it on every website he designed.

Of course, before the stunning spectacle could play out its glory, the page had to load. And that was always Flash’s weakness: It was and is a resource hog. So you sat there and watched the progress bar seemingly never move.

For that reason and because Flash didn’t work at all on the iPhone and not well on those mobile phones that did include it, I decided to skip on it when I started doing web design.

Because page loading speed mattered even back then. Definitely more so today.

And now Flash is officially no longer supported by Adobe.

_**What does that mean for you?**_

### **Flash on your devices**

Flash was always a security risk. Because hackers loved to find vulnerabilities in it (and there were apparently many) to gain access to computer systems.

Now that there will be no more updates, security or otherwise, it’s an even bigger security risk. Hackers are not going to stop trying to break it. They know it’s still around on too many computers. So they’ll keep exploiting its vulnerabilities.

There’s only one way forward for any of us: Remove Flash from any and all devices we own. Which means it’s wise to check every computer or mobile device just to be on the safe side. After all, Flash might have been installed at some point and forgotten about.

Adobe has removal instructions here: 

[Windows](https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html)

[Mac](https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html)

### **Flash on your website**

Does your website still use Flash to play video or animations? If so, you should remove those components now. 

Several recent browsers already won’t play Flash and more and more website visitors don’t have Flash installed (and certainly won’t once they uninstall it as per above).

That means a page with Flash on it will display a lot of nothing. Empty space. Not what you want visitors to see.

Or visitors may see an icon indicating that Flash is missing or broken.

Either way, that’s a bad user experience.

So just remove any Flash components. If it’s a video, replace it with a version that will play on all devices. Or leave it off and make the space collapse so there’s not empty space.

Also, consider that if your website uses Flash, the site itself is likely old enough it’s time for a redesign anyway, to ensure you have a fully mobile friendly website that reflects your organization well on all devices.

Today, HTML5 provides great tools for creating website animations that play nice on all devices. And don’t make your website load at a glacial pace. _A win-win._

## **Your website may disappear from search engines come March this year**

Google is switching to mobile-first indexing. Which means they will disregard websites that are not mobile friendly. Happening sometime in March this year. Which is why you must make sure your website is fully mobile friendly and doesn’t hide content that is available in the desktop version of the site from mobile devices.

_How much business will you lose if people suddenly can’t find your website when doing an online search?_

Here’s an in-depth article I wrote about the upcoming mobile-first indexing and what it means for us as website owners: [https://claesjonasson.design/mobile-first-indexing-march-2021/](https://claesjonasson.design/mobile-first-indexing-march-2021/)

With only a couple months to go, it’s high time to make sure your website will be ready for this major change.

## **Should you care about Google Page Experience Metrics?**

The short answer is: _Definitely._

In 2021 (actual date still unknown), Google will start including a new set of metrics in their ranking algorithm: **Page Experience Metrics**.

There are 5 components to the new metrics:

- **Core web vitals** — quickness of largest content piece’s loading time, responsiveness to user clicking, scrolling and typing, visual stability of page
- **Mobile-friendly site** — website plays nice and shows full content on mobile devices
- **Safe-browsing** — evaluation to determine if site contains any malicious or deceptive content
- **HTTPS** — website uses SSL certificate to provide safe browsing. [Here’s a post](https://claesjonasson.design/the-one-with-not-secure/) I wrote about HTTPS and why it’s important.
- **No intrusive interstitials **— punishing sites that make content hard to access, for instance by using full screen pop-ups, hard to dismiss popups or repetitive popups

This is very much a developing topic and I will bring additional information as through the year.

## **WordPress 5.6 released in December**

This scheduled release of a new major update for WordPress brought a number of welcome improvements and security enhancements, so all WordPress websites should be upgraded.

There are just a couple cautions:

You may know that WordPress uses a programming language called PHP. Specifically it’s ready for PHP 8 (which on some sites might break code that worked in previous versions of PHP).

PHP 7.2 is now the minimum version acceptable for WordPress.

Even so, there are still hosting companies selling hosting with versions of PHP as old as 5.x. And even worse, telling their customers that the old version is okay, because they’ve “hardened it”, suggesting that everything is still secure.

To ensure your site keeps working as it should, find out what version of PHP it’s running. If that’s below PHP 7.2, your really must upgrade to at least PHP 7.2. If your hosting company can’t provide that, it’s time to find a new hosting company.

WordPress 5.6 also made some older jQuery libraries obsolete. jQuery is used by many plugins to add functionality and if the plugin depends on an old library, then WordPress 5.6 will break things. 

The solution is to update to a plugin that uses a current jQuery library.

All this reinforces the importance of backing up a website before making a major update. With a backup, you can always roll back to the earlier version, should something break.

It’s also wise to create a staging version of your website (a duplicate site) and test major updates there before deploying them on the live website. That way any issues can be found and fixed and no damage is done to the live website.

## **New search engine** coming

Would you like an alternative to Google? One that isn’t all filled with ads?

[You.com](http://You.com) is a new search engine that promises a very different experience. It’s founded by Richard Socher and Bryan McCann. Richard started an AI company called MetaMind, which was eventually acquired by Salesforce. Bryan led natural language processing teams at Salesforce.

This is a new player, in the early stages, but definitely something to check out.

---

---
title: "Will Google block your website in 2021?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/mobile-first-indexing-march-2021/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Come March 2021, your website may disappear from search engines. Poof. Gone. Unless you're ready for mobile-first indexing. What that is and how you can check your site."
last_modified: "2020-12-02T13:04:37+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Will Google block your website in 2021?

Come March 2021, your website may disappear from search engines. _Poof. Gone._

Which. Would. Be. Bad.

Thank **mobile-first indexing**. Which when fully applied will change everything.

When Google (and other search engines) index a website, they crawl all the pages on the website, checking and grading content. Until recently, that focused on the desktop version of the website by default. Because at one time that was all there was.

So all our websites were indexed and showed up in searches online. Which is what we want. _Yay!_

Except now things are about to change fundamentally. It’s been brewing for some time — I first wrote about mobile indexing in 2018: **[Google mobile-first indexing and you — disaster or no?](https://claesjonasson.design/google-mobile-first-indexing-and-you/)**

## **It’s the mobile phones, silly…**

Back in the early 2000s, when phones got smarter and the first mobile web browsers appeared, those tiny screens and slow connection speeds could only handle simple websites and limited data. So we created special mobile versions of websites. With less content and functionality. That could load on a mobile phone in a reasonable amount of time.

If you wanted the full experience, there was a link to the full website. Once it loaded, you scrolled and zoomed to see the page content. Because the mobile phone screen was so much smaller than whatever desktop size the web page was designed for.

And if you did manage to see the entire page in your mobile browser, everything was so small you couldn’t ready any it. Until you zoomed in._ A lot._

## **2x the work for not much benefit**

Special mobile websites were a limited solution at best. Creating and maintaining a separate mobile version of a website was a major pain for website owners and developers. Now you had to make content updates in 2 places and keep track of what went on the desktop version and what went on the mobile version.

And for all that, the mobile site contained a very slimmed down version of the real thing. So pretty much nobody was truly happy.

## **Responsive websites to the rescue**

Therefore it was huge breakthrough when websites became responsive. All of a sudden the same website could be viewed on a small mobile phone as well as on a desktop computer with a huge screen, since it automatically adjusted the layout to fit the current screen size.

Everything could have been good now. 

Except there was still an issue of mobile connections being slower. Limiting design complexity and content. 

Because when you’re standing on a sidewalk on random street, waiting for a particular web page to load, it’s hard to be patient.

Even so, many designers really liked moving effects on the screen and heavier content. Taking a cue from the old separate mobile websites, enterprising developers figured out how to prevent select content from loading on slower connections and smaller screens. 

## A game of hide and seek

As a result, even though it was the same website and it was responsive, content got hidden or not loaded at all on mobile devices. In part because it was hard to fit everything onto a smaller screen. The designer might feel really clever for making one website not only be responsive, but show varying content based on what device it was displaying on.

If you visited a website like this on your mobile phone, then you saw a shorter version of the content than on a desktop computer. From the same page. Of course, you’d probably never know, unless you loaded the same page in both places and compared line by line.

Plus, since search engines only indexed the desktop version of websites (where full content was present), the website got credit for a bunch of stuff nobody could ever see on a mobile device.

Which might be okay-ish if only a few people visited websites from mobile devices. But now, in late 2020, around 2/3 of all website visits are from mobile devices. Trend increasing. 

_We can’t ignore mobile any longer._

## **Mobile**-first** indexing that totally excludes desktop-only websites**

Google showed the path forward when they started indexing websites based on the mobile experience. However, if there was no mobile version they indexed the desktop version. Like before.

So you weren’t really penalized in search rankings if your website didn’t show up at all on mobile devices. And which version of your site did Google really count if there were differences between what showed up on mobile devices and what showed up on desktop screens?

Now the next phase is about to kick in: Google has scheduled the full mobile-first index for March 2021. **After that date, all that will matter is what’s on the mobile website. **

That’s right. Google will index _only_ content it finds on the mobile version of any website. Any content that’s only on the desktop version will ignored. 

Let’s make that perfectly clear: _Google will crawl websites and index them only from a mobile user experience standpoint._ Doesn’t matter if the site is super responsive and has awesome content that it automatically displays once shown on a larger screen. Google’s bots will ignore that awesomeness.

This means that _all_ content must be reachable/seeable by a phone. Including comments, structured data, images, videos, audio and so on. Anything you would want indexed.

Let that sink in.

## What’s the state of your website?

This is a seismic shift that will affect how we approach web design from here on.

Depending on the state of your website:

- It could totally disappear from search engine results. Anyone searching for you will no longer find you._ You cease to exist._
- Only a portion of the content on your website will show up in the search engine index. _Making it harder for people to find you._
- If your website is already designed for mobile first display and indexing, then the change in how search engines index your site makes no difference. _You’ll continue to show up in search results, just like before._

## **Is my website ready for mobile-first indexing?**

The $64,000 question is “How do I know if my website is ready for mobile only indexing?”

The age of your website is a good predictor:

- If your website is so old that it’s not responsive (designed for desktop only), then it needs a complete redesign to make it responsive and designed for mobile first.
- If you have a separate mobile website in addition to your desktop website, Google may end up sending all your visitors to the mobile version. Even from the desktop. Pretty certain you don’t want that.
- If the website is older than 4-5 years, it likely it will need at least some work to play nice with mobile indexing.
- If it was built in the last few years and designed for mobile first, chances are good you’ll be okay.

A quick self-test is to open your website on a phone and on a desktop computer so you can compare. Go through ALL the pages. If you can’t see ALL the same content on both desktop and phone, then the website is NOT ready for mobile-first indexing.

Same thing if you have to pinch and zoom pages to see the full content on a mobile phone. _Not ready._

## The time is now…

The good news is that there’s still time to get your website up to speed for mobile-first indexing. But not much. Because creating a new website takes time. Not something to start come mid-February.

If you’re tempted to just wait for March to roll around and see what really happens to your website: Not a good idea. 

After all, once you fall off from Google’s index, there’s no telling how long it will be before they re-index your website, once fixed or redesigned. And that’s lost search engine history that you’ll never get back. 

Better then to fix that website or redesign now, while Google still includes the old website in search results. And people still can find you.

Because at the end of the day, this is all about our customers being able to easily find us online, no matter what device they’re using to browse the web.

For more about Google mobile-first indexing, check out these resources:

[Google Mobile First Index – Zero Desktop Content March 2021](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-mobile-index-news-from-pubcon-virtual-2020/384111)

[Prepare for mobile-first indexing](https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2020/07/prepare-for-mobile-first-indexing-with)

---

---
title: "7 news items from the world of online"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/7-news-items-from-the-world-of-online/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "7 news items that you may have missed, but that all affect how you show up online and are found by potential customers. Plus online security issues."
last_modified: "2021-01-07T16:50:34+00:00"
categories: [Blog, News]
---

# 7 news items from the world of online

Here are some news items that you may have missed, but that all affect your online business.

## **WordPress 5 released**

We may be in the middle of a pandemic and lots of things not working like they used to. Fortunately that doesn’t seem to affect WordPress development at all.

In August, [WordPress](https://wordpress.org) released a major update, 5.5, right on schedule. It brought improvements to the block editor, improved image editing, default XML sitemaps and more.

As always with a major update, there’s the potential that something on an existing site might break. For that reason, I recommend waiting for a point release to fix those almost inevitable bugs. 

WordPress 5.5 did in fact remove an old, outdated JavaScript library, causing a number of sites with old themes or outdated plugins to break. 

The moral of the story is to always be careful when applying a major update:

- Find out what issues others experience when updating
- Always, always make a full backup of the website before installing the update
- Ideally, install the update on a staging version of the website first. Only install on the live website after that update is successful.

That said, WordPress generally does a great job balancing the need to keep developing and changing with legacy support.

I have a couple websites that were built 10 years ago and that are still around. For each there are reasons for why they haven’t been rebuilt to a modern user experience yet. The point is that both, while built on a theme that was retired years ago, are still fully secure and run the latest version of WordPress. Because with each WordPress update, they’ve been tweaked as needed to keep them working. So it’s possible.

## **Confused about SEO?**

Maybe it should be “Who isn’t confused about SEO?”

Part of the problem is that everywhere you turn, there’s someone telling you they have the best plan for scoring massive SEO gains. Resulting in lots of traffic to your website. Or not when those schemes don’t deliver.

That’s why this guide is so helpful. It starts plainly enough: Why SEO matters and goes from there. It’s a guide in mostly plain English for those of us who aren’t aspiring to be tech gurus.

Every one of us what owns a website should read and apply. Unless of course, I really only want the website to be for me and me alone. Seriously, there are valid reasons for why a particular website doesn’t need to be found by search engines, but that’s the rare exception. Most websites are there to be found. Need to be found.

The article: [https://www.smashingmagazine.com/smashing-guide-search-engine-optimization/](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/smashing-guide-search-engine-optimization/)

## **Security news**

The now open source Have I Been Pwned project recorded 16 breaches over 2 weeks recently. With 95,850,490 records affected.

_Ouch!_

_What does that mean for you and me?_

Same advice as always: 

- Use strong passwords
- Use 2 factor authentication when available
- NEVER reuse passwords (as in using the same password in multiple places)
- Do use a password manager to keep track of your login information. Because that sticky note on your monitor or the list taped under your desk are just too easy to find and steal.
- Change passwords regularly and any time there’s a hint that an account might have been compromised.
- Use extra care when connecting to login websites/services on public networks (that’s anywhere away from your private home network). Being able to get online at the coffee shop, the library, street corner or random waiting room, is great, but you don’t know who’s listening in to that Wi-Fi traffic, hoping to grab some login data.

_Don’t be a statistic and don’t let the bad guys win._

More about website security: [**Improve the security of your website in 8 steps**](https://claesjonasson.design/8-steps-to-keep-hackers-out/)

## **Mozilla lays off 25% of its staff**

The makers of the Firefox browser have laid off over 300 employees this year. 

That appears to mean that while they’ll still focus on Firefox, they won’t work on its developer tools. 

Firefox’s market share has been steadily slipping for the last 10 years. Which makes me sad, because I’d hate to see it wither and die away.

**_Tip:_**_ Always have more than one browser available on your computer or mobile device. Because sometimes a website loads fine in one browser, but not in another. For no particular reason at all._

## **SSL: Trust is good, but only for so long**

Google, Apple and Mozilla have now (as of September 1, 2020) stopped trusting SSL certificates issued for more than 398 days.

_Say what?_

When you purchase a SSL certificate for your website, you’ve been able to select varying time periods for it to be valid. Like 1 year. Or 2 years. Even 5 years. Some vendors _really_ liked selling you those multi-year certificates.

Which seemed to make sense if you were planning to be around. Then you could just install the SSL certificate and forget about it. For a long time.

Turns out that’s not good for security in an ever-changing environment. Lots of things can happen over several years.

Companies go out of business, websites get hacked, certificates lost or stolen.

Now we’re effectively limited to SSL certificates being good for only about one year. 

If your website uses Let’s Encrypt, then certificates are issued for 90 days and automatically renewed. 

If you have a SSL certificate that needs to be manually renewed, do put that date on your calendar. Your website will either stop working or show up as “not secure” if the certificate expires. None of us want that.

## **End of the road for Flash**

On 12/31/2020 Flash, the tool that once animated so many websites and applications, reaches end-of-life. No more updates. 

We knew this was coming. Many of us haven’t used Flash in applications or on websites for years. 

The demise of Flash started back in 2007, with the launch of the iPhone, which popularized web browsing on mobile phones. Given that Flash always was a resource hog, it never played well with mobile devices, even the ones that really did try to accommodate it.

For years though, Flash was the darling of website designers who wanted to create stunning websites with lots of animation. That unfortunately also took forever to load. 

More importantly, there were ongoing security issues. As soon as one hole was patched, hackers found another one.

All together excellent reasons for moving on. It’s now several years ago that we were warned that the end of Flash would come._ This is the year._

If you’re still using Flash in an app or on a website, it might be tempting to just keep using it after the updates/patches stop coming.

_Given the past history of security issues, that’s a spectacularly horrible idea. _

Instead, please be safe and get rid of Flash now, if you haven’t already. There are still 3 months of the year left to accomplish any code changes needed. 

Worst case scenario: Just remove whatever was displayed by Flash and collapse the space. _Your customers will thank you. _Then get replacement content in place as soon as practical.

## **Chrome now warns users about insecure form submissions**

The web is increasingly shifting to using secure connections between browser and server, with the HTTPS protocol.

But you might still encounter some sites that are using HTTP (with no encryption), sending everything in the open.

That’s a real problem when you enter (personal) information on an online form, as someone snooping along the way could easily steal the information. Or change it. Or redirect you to a fake site.

Chrome will now warn users when they submit information on a not secure website. And also turn off autocompletion when the page loads using HTTP.

Since free SSL certificates are readily available, there is no reason at all for _any_ website owner to still run their website using HTTP. Especially as the warnings will scare away your visitors. 

Learn more about SSL and HTTPS in this article: [**The one with “Not Secure”**](https://claesjonasson.design/the-one-with-not-secure/)

***

## **Is your website your friend?**

If your website has been around for more than 3 years or your business has changed, it’s quite likely no longer serving you as well as it could and should.

Your **Ultimate Website Roadmap** is my brand new course where in 5 weeks you’ll create a tailored roadmap, empowering you to build, or have built, your next website with confidence — knowing that it is aligned with your business goals and effectively connects with your ideal customers.

Full details and registration are here: [https://roadmap.claesjonasson.design](https://roadmap.claesjonasson.design)

[![Woman looking at a roadmap, text about course](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/woman-looking-at-map-banner5-1024x650.jpg)](https://roadmap.claesjonasson.design)

---

---
title: "Website therapy and a roadmap"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/website-therapy-and-a-roadmap/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "23 Zoom research calls with small business owners and entrepreneurs in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe: Pain points and successes when it comes to their websites and what they really would like."
last_modified: "2020-09-25T15:14:39+00:00"
categories: [Blog, The website process]
---

# Website therapy and a roadmap

_“That’s website therapy.”_

I was in a Zoom call with a small business owner in the UK and had just explained my desire to create a tool, a course, that would help website owners have websites that deliver for them and are an integral part of the business. 

She was clearly excited.

Because far too many websites are _not_ — not helping the business, not connecting with customers, not paying for themselves.

They are however causing confusion and overwhelm. Plus are sometimes also money pits. Because there’s always another plugin, theme or service that will make everything _just right_.

## **Surveying small business owners and nonprofits**

A few years ago, I did a survey of small business and nonprofit websites. Some of the participants didn’t have a website. 

One set of questions focused on revenue loss for the organization if they either didn’t have a website or had one that didn’t work properly or deliver results for them.

A few respondents didn’t think it was a big deal for their organization to not have a website at all.

I asked how much money they thought they were missing out on from no website, a broken website or a website that didn’t deliver. Respondents across the board thought there was no loss or just very low figures.

_Clearly none of them actually counted on their websites as integral parts of how they connected with customers._

## **Research conversations from around the world**

This summer I embarked on another research project. Inspired by Ryan Levesque and his book _Ask_.

I conducted 23 Zoom calls, most lasting 30-60 minutes, with small business owners and entrepreneurs in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe.

Many had built their own websites and were more or less struggling with keeping them up-to-date. Not just for technology and security, but for content, always having something fresh for people to find when they get to the website.

A few candidly stated that they look forward to when they can turn over most or all of that to somebody else. Not worry about it. _Just know that their website is there, working for them._

## **Confusion and overwhelm**

I’ve seen clients’ eyes take on the deer-in-the-headlights look as soon as we start to talk about creating website content.

It feels overwhelming to think of all the many pieces that must come together. Sort of like being asked to put together a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle, without the picture from the box. So don’t know what it’s supposed to look like.

And there’s always the nagging feeling that maybe something got missed. Or somebody else has a cleverer design. _Back to the drawing board._

I only ran into a few people who actually felt confident about all this. And they were content creators or designers of some kind.

Many small business owners, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs build a website themselves primarily because they don’t think they can afford to hire it done. 

Or they want to retain control. And are afraid that if they bring in a web designer/developer, the resulting website won’t be anything like what they need. Won’t do its job.

There’s a truth in that, because who knows the business as well as you, the owner, do?

Unfortunately, I’ve rescued my fair share of web projects where the client spent time and money on something that either never materialized at all or never turned into a website that actually helped the business grow.

Each time I feel the pain of the website owner. They did what seemed right at the time, but it turned out to be a rabbit trail. And now they’re disappointed, frustrated and have less time and money to get it done right.

_Not a winning recipe._

## **What if there was a magic wand?**

When I turned the research calls to what a magic wand solution might look like, several people asked for some tool or guide that would help them cut through the confusion and not feel overwhelmed by the process. 

Some way where they could articulate what is important to them and their business and be sure the website would reflect that.

For some business owners, that magic solution actually does involve them doing all or a significant part of the work. They just want to know that they’re going to succeed.

For others, the magic answer is turning the entire website project (building and maintenance) over to someone else. As long as they have assurance that they’ll get a solution that works now and down the road.

And finally some want a website built turn-key and then be directly involved in content creation, keeping it going for the long haul. _But they want a plan. _A way to not forever feel behind, struggling to get relevant content up on the website.

## **Back to the beginning and beyond**

From the interviews, I saw that my basic premise of empowering website owners to make better decisions about their websites was good, but I wasn’t thinking back far enough. 

Because creating a truly aligned and effective website means going back to the actual business and its customers. It starts with an in-depth business review. Digging into goals, products and services, who the customers are and how they typically move from first discovering the business to becoming great customers. 

Because no website lives in isolation. It must reflect the business or organization. So that whether I talk with the business owner or staff in person or interact with the website, my experience is consistent. 

## **Where’s the content?**

The next big challenge for many website owners is content creation.

Far from everyone is a writer. Or photographer. There are many websites that overall look appealing, but don’t connect with visitors, because the content is lackluster and rather all over the place.

Fortunately, that is figureoutable. There are even multiple ways a website owner can get help with the content, be that bringing in a professional copywriter, working with an editor or actually creating it all themselves.

## **Let’s not forget the tech**

Finally that brings us to the place where so many website projects start: _The technology._

There are many parts that go into building an effective website. That all must work together flawlessly. Or there will be problems down the road.

This is where people I interviewed felt overwhelmed. Some told me how they’d happened to pick a platform for their website years ago, more or less randomly, and now are just not going to change. Because that would be painful. Even as they see limitations pop up and technology change.

The magic bullet interviewees want here is guidance on making future-proof decisions and checklists so they know nothing gets missed.

## **Putting it all together**

At the end of 23 interviews, I felt a bit overwhelmed. By how generous everyone was with their time in sharing pain points, as well as successes when it comes to websites. By how many insights I’d gained.

The end result is a new course. Built around this premise:

_In 5 weeks you will create a tailored roadmap, empowering you to build, or have built, your next website with confidence: Knowing that it is aligned with your business goals and effectively connects with your ideal customers._

This course is for every website owner and it works for every website platform. 

It’s about investing a bit of time up front to create a roadmap that will greatly ease the process of creating that next website — whether you build it yourself (with or without coaching), or someone builds it for you. 

Either way, roadmap in hand, you’ll end up with a website that can truly deliver for you, now and for a long time to come. 

The new course will be live, online, starting in October. Registration is open now and all the details are here: [https://roadmap.claesjonasson.design](https://roadmap.claesjonasson.design)

[![Woman looking at a roadmap, text about course](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/woman-looking-at-map-banner5-1024x650.jpg)](https://claesjonasson.design/roadmap)

---

---
title: "Legality Software"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/legality-software/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "project-portfolio"
description: "Software development company helping clients overcome operational challenges and focus on serving their clients"
last_modified: "2025-11-01T15:22:40+00:00"
custom_fields:
  url_visual: "LegalitySoftware.com"
  url_link: "https://LegalitySoftware.com"
  scope: "web design | copy editing | strategy consulting"
  starting_point: "The website for Legality Software hadn't been updated for a long time and still relied on Flash for key functionality.\nPlus it no longer represented what the business offered and how they worked with clients.\nBut none of the developers in-house had time or energy to take on updating the company website."
  top_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/legal-conference.jpg"
  home_page_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/legalitysoftware-home.jpg"
  tablet_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Legality-tablet.jpg"
---

# Legality Software

I worked with the Legality Software team to define how to best present their unique skills and offerings to their clients.

From that roadmap, I created the design concept and built the new website that on launch replaced not just one outdated website, but two.

Legality Software now has a website that will grow with them for the future and can easily be updated when new products and services become available.

To ensure that the website stays up, I provide ongoing website maintenance, keeping it updated, secure and backed up.

---

---
title: "WordPress turns 17"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/wordpress-turns-17/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "It started as a humble blogging tool. Then it grew up. Turned out it could run full websites. For businesses. Nonprofits. Ecommerce. That don’t may not even have a blog."
last_modified: "2020-08-28T16:56:22+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# WordPress turns 17

That’s right, [WordPress](https://wordpress.org) turns 17 this year. In that time it has come at least a light year from very humble beginnings as a blogging tool (back when hardly anyone knew what a blog was).

So you might think it’s time to look for something much newer, fresher, not so dated to build your next website on?!

_Not so fast._

Over those 17 years, WordPress has developed into something I seriously doubt that Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little could have even imagined when they unleashed the first incarnation.

I discovered WordPress in 2008, when I was just starting to build websites. 

## **The importance of CMS**

The old way to build websites was lots of code, with the content mixed right in. Which made it a total pain in the nether regions to make even minor content changes. You really had to have a developer do even the small changes on your website back then. Unless you enjoyed blowing it up.

WordPress was different: It separated the code running the site from the content. It was part of an emerging trend: **Content Management Systems** (CMS). 

All of a sudden, once a website was launched, its owner could log in to a dashboard and easily add or make changes to content. Without a computer programming degree. 

_Times were changing._

As soon as I saw WordPress, I realized that it could not just power blogs, but run entire websites. That didn’t look anything like a blog. That in fact behaved just like any other website. Except much easier to manage.

## **WordPress in numbers**

In 2020, WordPress powers 38% of all websites in the world. Trend rising.

If we look at websites using a CMS, WordPress has a 62% market share. 

Over 400 million people visit a website built on WordPress each month.

Clearly WordPress isn’t some random cute little piece of software anymore. It’s a very grown and capable platform that reliably powers anything from a very small site (the proverbial one-pager) to sites with 100s of pages.

The most complex website I built was for an organization with many branches. Each had their own sub-site as part of the main website. Those sub-sites had their own navigation and functioned rather like individual websites. Content could display on just one of those sub-sites, site-wide or on any combination of sub-sites.

## **Growing up**

At 17, WordPress is as aggressively developed as ever. With new updates coming on a regular schedule and a roadmap that is clear for the next few years. 

The latest major update released earlier this month, adding new capabilities and again strengthening security.

I have a couple websites that I originally built 10 years ago. In WordPress. So much has changed since then, but those websites still work today. To be sure, they’re not responsive and therefore don’t do well on mobile devices. But that’s a theme/design limitation (built before anyone thought about responsive design).

However they do run the latest version of WordPress. So are just as secure as the website I launched last week. Because through upgrades, WordPress keeps enough continuity that it’s been possible to make some small modifications  and keep the old websites going. 

That’s not possible with many other platforms. Instead a major code upgrade will break all old websites. Leaving you 2 options: Keep the old site, with no more updates, an ever-growing security risk. Or rebuild from ground up on the new code base. Which may not be at all on your schedule.

## **Starting small and growing**

When we launch a website, we often have no idea how things will grow over the next few years. 

A year ago, I redesigned a writer/blogger’s website. He’s been blogging for a good while and so had a large library of posts. His old website was in WordPress, so it was easy to keep all those posts, even while we totally changed everything else about the website. Including blog post formatting, organization and categorization.

Now his new site has a fresh look and is well placed to handle future growth. Like when he publishes the book he’s working on.

## **Extending capabilities with plugins**

Proprietary platforms (such as Wix) tout their ease of use: Just drag and drop and never worry about anything under the hood. They usually come with good feature sets. The trouble is that the full feature set is always there, in the code. Possibly slowing down your site, even if you don’t use most of those features. 

Plus you may just find that the feature sets don’t contain _everything_ you need to make your website truly unique. _Tough cookies._

In WordPress the answer is plugins. You want a new feature — there’s a plugin for that. 

Which can seem overwhelming, because there are so many of them. But you don’t need all or even most. Just a few. That add the functionality you need.

## **Security**

Some say WordPress has a reputation for not being secure. Prone to hacking.

Which is true in certain cases, when one or more of these are true:

- Outdated version of WordPress
- Outdated version of PHP
- Outdated plugins
- Insecure passwords (or ones used on multiple sites)
- No security software
- No spam filtering on forms and comments

Honestly though, any site running old code/plugins, with no security software or spam filtering, is an easy target. Because hackers are constantly trolling for vulnerabilities.

In practically every case where a website is hacked, it’s because something outdated (often with a known security issue) ran on the site.

Even a plain HTML/CSS website can be hacked. Because today we’re all adding functionality beyond that plain code — like forms or scripts. We need those for the website to be interactive or display in particular ways. But that opens potential holes for hackers.

Conversely, correctly set up, regularly updated and with a configured and active security plugin running, WordPress is very secure. While still easy to use and update content on.

## **That about wraps it up**

It wasn’t by accident that I landed on WordPress. I was looking for a platform that wouldn’t get in the way. That could be customized and scale. While remaining easily updatable.

I tried a few other platforms and found them confusing and not nearly as extensible. And I’m saying that coming from a coding background. I’m very comfortable writing HTML, CSS and PHP.

Plus, some of those others are no longer around. _Oops._ That would have been an inconvenient website rebuild.

With WordPress, I found a platform that has expanded far beyond its beginnings. Equally importantly, it continues to grow and promises to be there in the future. Since the core code is open source, it’s not likely to just up and go away or stop working tomorrow.

_That’s comforting in the fast-changing world of online._

All that to say that you’re in good hands with a [website](https://claesjonasson.design/your-website-the-beginning-of-a-beautiful-friendship/) built on WordPress. In 2020 and for years to come.

Happy 17, WordPress. And many more.

---

---
title: "Who is your website for?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/who-is-your-website-for/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Your website isn’t for the whole world. It would totally crash if they all came. But we do want the right people to come. And take action once there."
last_modified: "2020-05-21T02:11:35+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Who is your website for?

**_Your website isn’t for the whole world._** 

There, I said it. It’s out in the open.

Actually, that’s a good thing. It would totally crash if they call came.

One business owner was well aware that the website he built and wrestled himself, was a confusing hodgepodge of bits of stuff. And certainly didn’t inspire confidence in his ability to deliver on a project.

“But it’s okay,” he said. “My website isn’t selling anything. Clients don’t come there to buy.”

Eh, sure. Then why have a website at all? 

Seriously, I think he might possibly have been better off not having a website at all. There are excuses for that: “I’m working on it.” “Coming later this year.” And so on.

But a truly confusing, outdated-looking mishmash? That just _hurts_.

## **It’s about the audience**

So let’s talk about audience. Which is a whole topic on its own. Not just for the website. But for the business or organization. As in, who is your target audience. Your ideal customer.

Frequently even if that’s known for the organization, it’s not translated into website design.

Yet, it’s crucial that the website be tailored for the intended audience and that it connects with them.

The problem is often that there seems to be so many possible ways to group our audience:

- Consumers or businesses?
- Men or women?
- What age brackets?
- The website could be focused on people we directly invite there
- Or we count on people finding it, but then we need to define the service area:
local
- regional
- national
- worldwide. (But don’t claim that just because you could maybe, possibly deliver to Outer Mongolia)

The more we understand who our ideal customer is, the better we can tailor the website, improve the experience and meet their needs.

Each of the groups above has different needs, different things they’re looking for. Understanding that helps define what the website should contain — content, functionality/features included, typography, colors, images and video used.

## **Don’t forget SEO**

Who the website is for even affects the almighty search engine optimization (SEO). 

For instance, optimizing SEO on a site for a local audience is different from a regional audience. And totally different from one where visitors come from nationwide or even internationally.

Conversely, if your site is for an invited audience (one you will contact and give the link to), then SEO may be largely irrelevant.

## **Understanding our audience**

In addition to the above considerations, let’s keep in mind that our visitors are people (even for B2B). So we need to take into account age, gender, interests, education levels and a number of other metrics. That all comprises **demographics**. 

In addition, there’s **psychographics** (attitudes, aspirations, likes/dislikes, analytical/emotional). Often ignored, because not as easy to define or measure. But ever so important. Because they’re about what makes your ideal customer tick.

Together, demographics and psychographics give us a better picture of who our audience is and what is important to them. 

The result should be a detailed description of an **ideal customer**. Because we’re not very effective talking to everyone. We _are_ effective when we focus one person. When we do that well, website visitors will recognize themselves and feel like we “get them”. A connection has been made.

## **But I want to reach everybody**

Because this is hard work and because we feel like we’re excluding people from our offer (we actually are — the ones that wouldn’t buy anyway, the ones who are not the right fit for our offer), we often hesitate to narrow our focus. 

It feels better to say that we’re there for everyone. _Less judgmental_. Besides there’s the fear that I’ll miss out on sales.

Actually, it’s far easier to widen the targeting, should we somehow manage to narrow down too far, than it will ever be to rein in messaging that is too broad.

In the end, when we say we’re for _everybody_, we’re really for _nobody_.

Conversely, when it’s clear who the intended website audience is and what they need to do there to become customers, then and only then, can we build a website that helps turn visitors into customers and raving fans.

Ignore this groundwork and it may be a great looking website, but it will not do well in terms of conversion.

## **New visitors or existing customers**

Another big question is whether the website is for new visitors to discover you or for existing, returning customers. 

You might say “both”. Which is probably true. Unless it’s a sales page that people won’t go back to once they buy.

If the website is for both, then that reflects in design and content.

It _must_ welcome first-time visitors and help them find their way around. Provide key information they need. So they can know, like and eventually trust you. Only then will they become customers.

Existing customers also must find content that is relevant to their needs, making their return visit worth their time. If not, they won’t come back again. That means updating and changing content regularly so there are new things to discover. The website must be relevant to their situation.

None of that happens by chance. We need to understand our audience and be intentional in providing them the on-site experience they need.

## **A call to action**

Now that we know who the website is for, the question becomes what we want visitors to do once they are on the website. 

- How will the engage? 
- What actions can they take? 
- Are the options and offers relevant for them? 
For a first time visitor as well as someone who has checked you out a few times and is ready to buy? 

- Can they easily buy your product or service?

If they’re not ready to buy, can they learn about your area of expertise? Few deals happen in just one encounter. It’s like dating. You don’t propose on the first date. Or if you do, it’s unlikely to garner an enthusiastic “Yes, I will.”

Dating takes time. Website visitors need to get to _know_ you. _Like_ you. Eventually _trust_ you. That takes time and it affects how we design websites.

It is tempting to say that a website exists to create “awareness”. While that could be true, more often it’s a cop-out when we don’t want to do the (harder) work of creating relevant, relationship-building content and calls to action.

We simply claim we’re building “awareness”. Except how do you track or measure that? So we won’t know how the website is doing. _If it’s doing._

Sure, we can look at analytics, but what good are visitors if they never actually connect with your organization in a meaningful manner?

Most businesses and nonprofits really don’t need more awareness. They need raving fans. And those are two very different things.

## **Engaged followers**

Whether site visitors buy or engage with one of your cultivation offers, you want them to become your followers. Who find your website valuable and come back. Who let you get to know them, so you can keep in touch with them.

At the end of the day, a good website helps visitors get to know you. Once they know you, to like you. And once they know and like you, to trust you.

That’s essential for both potential and existing customers. When all 3 are present, things can happen. You have a new customer. You have a fan, who will tell others. 

That’s the real point and purpose of a website: It exists as a way to build a connection with other people: our customers, our fans, our constituents. So they know us and will come back. Then becoming our ongoing customers. Eventually wanting to tell others about our products or services.

When a website does that, it will more than pay for itself. Way faster than we think. It becomes an _essential _asset that helps grow our business or organization.

But it all starts with answering the simple question: _“Who is your website for?”_

---

---
title: "How to not have to rebuild your computer from scratch"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/how-to-not-rebuild-your-computer-from-scratch/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "I was working on my computer when an app glitched. If it happens once, chalk it up to gremlins. Multiple times, the computer likely needs to be erased and everything reinstalled. Ouch!"
last_modified: "2020-04-27T01:38:30+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# How to not have to rebuild your computer from scratch

I was working away on my computer when an app glitched. As in ‘didn’t do what it was supposed to do’.

If that happens once, like me, you probably chalk it up to gremlins. Or blame it on Murphy.

If it happens twice or the computer doesn’t seem to run right, we usually first go for the reboot. Shut everything down. Wait a couple minutes. Then power up again. 

That’s generally that’s all it takes. Because electronics get befuddled every once in a while too and can benefit from a reset.

But what if that doesn’t fix the issue?

In my case, it most certainly didn’t.

When I opened that app and tried the task again, there was the same error. _Crash._ 

No matter how much I hated to admit it, somehow that app had gotten corrupted. Something somewhere was broken. And staring at the screen wasn’t going to fix it.

## **When the backup goes bad** too

Now, I’m a safety guy. So I have backups. Daily ones. 

Only problem was, it was at least a few days ago that this odd behavior first happened. So my regular backups would be no help. Because whatever was messed up on the computer had been dutifully copied by the backup.

I tried some troubleshooting things, like uninstalling the offending app and its libraries from the computer. Then reinstalling them. _Didn’t fix the problem._

That only left one option. A clean install.

_**Hint:** For more about how and why you should be backing up your computer, check out this article: [What can you afford to lose?](https://claesjonasson.design/before-your-hard-drive-fails/) Because all hard drives will eventually fail._

## **Nuke and pave**

When all else fails, the recommendation is to totally start over from scratch with the computer. Do a clean install.

Clean and reformat the hard drive. Reinstall the operating system. Then reload every single app. Plus all your data. It’s the drastic option none of us really_ want_ to take. _Ever._ 

It involves several scary moments:

- It’s going to take a lot of time and while I’m doing all this work, the computer is out of commission.
- Do I have the operating system so I can reinstall it?
- Do I actually have or know where to get all the apps and other things that were on the computer so I can reinstall those, one at a time?
- Custom settings: In operating system, apps, mail. And anywhere else I could customize the user interface. All those are gone and will have to be recreated.

## **A long and slow process to recovery**

I stared at the recalcitrant computer, willing it to heal itself. Which clearly wasn’t going to happen. So I was left with the laying on of hands and getting to work rebuilding the entire installation.

First, I created a backup of everything on the computer. Because even though it was corrupted, I would need to be able to reload data. So having a backup was essential. Actually, I made 2 backups. Just to be _really_ safe.

Then I printed a list of all the apps on the computer. If the clean install was going to recreate the computer I was used to, I needed to know what all was on it.

List in hand, I verified that I knew where to get apps and installation credentials. Again, essential to do this while the old computer is still accessible. No good to need it later and not be able to get to it.

I finally verified that I had the proper version of the operating system downloaded onto a separate hard drive and knew the process for erasing the computer and installing a fresh copy of the operating system.

## **Pull the plug**

Now it was time to go for broke. 

Starting up from a temporary installation on an external drive, I erased and reformatted the hard drive and installed a fresh copy of the operating system.

That all done, I brought out my list of apps on the old computer and began installing them on the fresh computer. 

That’s a long process. Arm yourself with a good book, your favorite beverage and a comfortable chair.

Actually though, while time consuming, this is the easy part of the rebuilding. 

_**Hint:** Now that you’ve chased down all the software and various logins, passwords and other credentials for it, put all that info in a safe place. Then keep it updated when you add new apps. Just so you never have to chase down everything again._

Things get complex when it’s time to reload things like email and messages. Since I wanted the old emails and message threads, I had to find the correct files/libraries on the backup I’d made just prior to erasing the computer. Then copy those to the right locations on the fresh computer.

A few reboots later, I had my usual email folders and archives back, as well as message threads. _Yay!_

I also restored all my data files from the backup.

Finally, I got to reset a _ton_ of preferences as I opened each app for the first time in the new installation. Because we tend to customize user interfaces and not think about having done that. Until we’re looking at a fresh install and it doesn’t look like we’re used to.

All in all, that clean install took the best part of a weekend.

## **Never again**

I resolved that I didn’t ever want to go through the experience again. 

Here’s how: (this works for any computer and also for phones or tablets)

In addition to the regular, nightly backups of the computer (or even more frequent if you use a tool that runs incremental backups during the day), I started doing 2 new backups:

Odd and even month. 

The idea is that I create a full backup on the first of each month. Odd months go on one disk and even months go on another disk. That way I’ll always have a backup that is about a month old.

It’s one more level of safety. If something gets corrupted and doesn’t show up right away, I’ll notice before a month passes. And still have a backup to fall back on.

Each backup is a _full copy_ of everything on the computer. And _bootable_. Meaning I could run the computer from this hard drive. Or I can copy the contents of this hard drive to the drive in the computer and it will be ready to go.

Now when I need a clean install, things look very different. Instead of days, it will only involve a few hours.

All it will take is to erase the main hard drive and then copy the good backup to it. Boot the computer and presto, it’s back to the way it was a month ago. Settings and such intact.

From there, reload email accounts, messages and data to get the rebuilt computer current. 

You have however saved having to pull everything back from the four corners of the earth and going through the long ‘reinstall everything’ slog.

## **Peace of mind today and for tomorrow**

That’s a lot of peace of mind from doing 2 extra backups. Plus, hard drives are cheap.

If everything is working well today, awesome. Get a couple hard drives and create the first monthly backups. Then keep it up. Odd. Even.

While this covers the process on a computer, the principle is the same for a phone or tablet. Key is to have both recent backups and older ones, so there’s always something to fall back on.

No need for a clean install. Never having to rebuild everything from scratch again. I like the sound of that. How about you?

---

---
title: "When the wheels come off the bus"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/when-the-wheels-come-off-the-bus/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "The part of business (and life) nobody seems to like is making a plan for handling the unforeseen. When Crisis hits. But that won’t stop a Crisis from hitting and then we still have to deal with it."
last_modified: "2020-07-17T02:09:46+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# When the wheels come off the bus

When I took _Public Relations 101_ in college, there was one part of the course that made everyone groan. Because nobody wanted to deal with that one.

I’m talking about how to handle an emergency situation.

Everyone gets excited about how to promote the new product or initiative. How to get front page on Google. How to make headlines and be seen. How to go viral.

But how to handle a catastrophic event, not so much.

It probably isn’t going to earn brownie points with top brass. 

Likewise, we sit jam-packed in an airplane and mostly ignore when the cabin personnel go through what to do in case of an emergency. You know, where the exits are and how to get there. Mostly we figure the way the sardines are packed in, no way to evacuate everyone in 90 seconds. 

_We’re all gonna die!_

## **Gotta have a plan**

Yet the teacher in that _Public Relations 101_ course insisted that every business, every organization must be prepared for an emergency.

Because some day the wheels _will_ come off the bus. _Not “if”, but “when”._ Once that happens, it will be too late to spin up a plan from scratch.

That’s why my dad and the others in the volunteer fire department in my home town regularly practiced putting out fires by burning down houses that were to be torn down. So they all knew what to do when a real fire happened and lives were at stake. Too late then to read a copy of _Fire-fighting for Dummies_.

All this is strangely relevant all of a sudden.

Now we’re in the middle of a national crisis. 

## **When the isht hits the fan**

Around here in Arkansas, folks were going about business as usual up until about 2 weeks ago (as I write this). Each night, the TV news showed a map with ever more states in red, signifying they had the Covid-19 virus. But Arkansas was still white. No cases.

Even when all the surrounding states were red, people didn’t worry. 

_Then it all changed._ One case was reported. 

Which immediately shut down one school. Quickly followed by all schools in a several counties. People hit the stores to buy everything they could get their hands on. Especially toilet paper. Because that’s what you do when there’s a blizzard or ice storm coming. So must apply in other emergencies too.

From there, it’s escalated daily. My inbox is full of emails from businesses about how they’re handling the situation. And those responses seems to change from day to day.

## **The 3 stages of crisis**

There are actually several stages to a crisis:

### **Panic-time (aka Ragnarök or the end of the world as we know it)**

Cataclysmic. Right when everything changes. Clearly the old normal is gone and people don’t know what to do. Panic comes easy. Like grabbing a lifetime supply of toilet paper. 

Clear leadership is essential at this point. Just standing around, trying to figure things out is a sure fail. Minimizing or pretending there’s no problem also doesn’t work. Because, well, people see that things aren’t normal.

The world is shifting and it’s scary. 

So we need to be extra careful how we react. It’s ever so easy to make things even worse than they are by rash decisions.

Because while this happened suddenly, we’re in a long-term game. Like chess. We need careful strategy for moving forward. 

This is also a time for compassion. We’re all stunned, affected, suffering. Good leaders provide hope and stability.

The last thing we need are big decisions made when we’re all scared. Because those decisions are lousy.

Typically this stage lasts from 1 to 3 weeks after the beginning of the crisis.

#### **Business in the time of Panic**

Sales in many cases stop dead in their tracks. Because how do you sell a new car to someone who just lost their job because the company they work for had to shut down due to Covid-19?

The focus for everyone, individuals as well as businesses and nonprofits, becomes one of “what does the pandemic mean for us?” 

For many, it’s dried up business or forced closings. 

Other people are working harder than ever to continue to provide essential services or products in a very different-from-usual environment.

None of us really need sales pitches for stuff that isn’t essential right now at this point. What we all do need to hear and know is that we’re not alone. That relationships matter and that, somehow, we’ll all get through this together.

### **Slouching towards a new normal**

Then there’s a longer transition time. Towards a new normal. Making things work for now. With good leadership we can begin to see new opportunities and find our way towards a new way of doing life and business.

We probably have no idea how long the transition will take. Or where we’ll be when it ends. It’s a process. We know it’s started, but we don’t see the end yet.

Even so, we can now can start to think strategically.

- What is my plan going forward? 
- What is business/organization really about? (When things are going well, it’s easy to forget.)
- What do my customers/constituents need and want? Because when the dust settles, that may end up being quite different from what they used to need and want.
- How will I adjust? How will I present my offer(s) in the new normal? Will what I used to offer still be needed?

Time to be strategic and think long term. Not just how to get through the next few days.

During this transition time, we also work through the 5 stages of grief. Because the old way of life was lost in the crisis. Something new will come, but I still need to work through my feelings.

[Here’s a post on my other blog about personal adjustment in a time of crisis: _Potter is not selling — he’s buying_.](https://claesjonasson.com/potter-is-not-selling-hes-buying/)

#### **Business during the slouch towards a new normal**

As we begin to work through the crisis and finding a new normal, it’s not just a matter of pulling out the old services/products/sales pitches and unleash them again. Because things have changed. The old ways may not be at all relevant anymore.

So it’s important for us all to listen and dialog. To understand the new world emerging and seeing how needs are changing. So we can reconnect with and support each other. 

It’s a discovery process and we’re in it together.

### **A new normal**

Then finally, there’s a point when we reach what life will be from here on. Most likely, we’ll one day notice that the world has settled down. Things are no longer changing like crazy. Which is when we realize, the crisis is behind us and we’re establishing new patterns. New routines.

Keep in mind that anyone telling you that we’ll get through this and then things will be just the way they were before, as if this whole bad thing never happened, is lying.

Consider 9/11. Getting on an airplane hasn’t been the same since. Sure, there were security checks before. But nothing like what we have now, still 19 years later. The world changed.

There will be a new normal after Covid-19 as well. Just different from the old normal.

#### **Business once the new normal is reached**

Chances are not everyone is gong to make a comeback once the pandemic is over. But there will also be new opportunities. Many of us have the ability to pivot: To shift what we’re doing or how we’re doing it to better fit the world around us. Those who can and do will prosper as we enter the new normal.

Those who don’t will likely go the way of buggy whip makers and village blacksmiths when the automobile came around about 100 years ago. 

**_Not business as usual ever again_**.

When the crisis hit, the conversation changed. 

## **Right now, right here**

So we’re in a pandemic like none of us have seen in our lifetimes.

It’s important for us as individuals, as business owners, as nonprofit leaders, to keep well informed. To think strategically and look ahead.

Because even in the middle of all this confusion and medical uncertainty, there will be opportunities. If we see them.

For me, this time is about focusing more closely on what my business should be about and what’s truly important in it. Knowing that helps me look forward to where I want to emerge in the new normal.

The uncertainty also makes us scrutinize decisions we normally would have made with little thought. When everything is humming right along, it doesn’t matter so much if I made a silly or bad decision. I can usually afford to not have everything pan out. There’s always tomorrow.

## Investing forward

In a crisis, every decision carries greater weight. But there’s also more clarity. Because now it’s truly about how the decision I’m about to make will help position my business or organization to do well for the long haul.

During the crisis of 2008, a friend asked me how I was handling the depression. I replied that I was investing in new equipment to be ready for when business would grow again.

During this crisis, I’m again investing. This time in training and skill building. That will position me to be more strategic and meet clients’ needs better down the road.

Because, as the song goes, 

_There’ll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow, just you wait and see_

Lines from a simple song that gave hope to many people during the darkest times of WWII.

Today, we have hope too. The pandemic will eventually end and we’ll enter a new normal. Now is the time to think strategically forward and work together for the common good, so we will come out better on the other side.

---

---
title: "Your website — the beginning of a beautiful friendship"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/your-website-the-beginning-of-a-beautiful-friendship/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Launching a new website is exciting! It’s also a beginning. We need the website to do well for a long time. But that won’t happen automagically."
last_modified: "2020-02-21T17:08:03+00:00"
categories: [Blog, The website process]
---

# Your website — the beginning of a beautiful friendship

Launching a new website is exciting! Because a lot of work went into getting to that point. And now that it’s there for the world to see, all is well. We can relax!

Or maybe not quite.

After all, this is not the end. It’s a beginning. A new website to serve your business or organization well for a long time.

Which won’t happen_ automagically_.

## **A website is like a relationship**

A website is like a relationship. It’s going to take some ongoing work.

There’s dating to get to know each other. Which might lead to engagement. Then a wedding.

After the wedding comes the honeymoon. _Everything is pure bliss._

Eventually, day-to-day married life kicks in. Have to figure out how to make that work for the long haul. Depending on how well we do that, it can last for decades. Or might blow up spectacularly in a short time.

Or it may do fine initially, but eventually fade away from neglect.

The same thing is true for that new website.

When it launches, everything is as perfect as we could make it. 

But before too long, there will be code updates needed. Hackers come knocking on the door to try to wreak havoc. And content that was spot on at launch will get long in the tooth. 

Those are facts of life. Happens on every website. 

## **A downward spiral of doom**

![Website life-cycle graphic](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/website-spiral-1024x597.png)The website downward spiral: Gradual neglect leads to a website that doesn’t deliver. Until it’s replaced and the cycle starts over. Except each time we’re a bit less excited about the new website, because we pretty much know how this will end.

It’s easy to get into a downward, repeating cycle:

- We’re really excited about building a new website. Spend all the needed time and effort on it.
- **Launch it**!!!
- It sits there, doing its job. While we get busy with other things. Because life. And business.
- Eventually, that website isn’t so cool any more. We no longer feel excited about showing it off. It’s not pulling its weight in bringing in new business.
- But it was so much work and expense to build the website. So we keep it. Maybe deep down hoping that it will somehow get better on its own. Or we tell ourselves things like: “I’m not really selling anything through the website.” “It’s not mission critical.” “Besides, it’s not _that_ bad.”
- The end result is that we ignore it way past any “best before date.”
- Finally we conclude it’s high time to get a new website. Because the old one, is so old and totally doesn’t serve its purpose anymore.
- We get excited, pouring time and resources into building a new website.
- Launch it. 
- Enjoy having a brand new, really cool website. That we tell everybody about.
- But again, life gets busy and eventually this website starts to get long in the tooth too. 

It’s a downward cycle. That will keep happening. Over and over. Unless we do something different.

Not only is it frustrating. It’s costly. Because it means the website isn’t helping your business or organization as it could. That’s real opportunity and money lost.

## **A website is a relationship that needs work**

Back to the relationship analogy: Unless we work on a new marriage, it won’t be healthy and won’t last. We have to invest in continuing to get to know each other and build deeper connections.

For a website that means taking care of the technology and the content. Updating and upgrading.

## **3 ways to do the caretaking**

There are basically 3 options for maintaining a website:

- Do it yourself
- Have someone on your team do it
- Get an ongoing care plan from your web designer/developer/copywriter

### **Do it yourself**

Means exactly that: you do it. Might be an option if you built it yourself, and you can afford to schedule time on your calendar on an ongoing basis. May seem like a way to save money. But will you have the skills and knowledge to not only run some updates here and there, but to deal with anything that can and will happen to a website over time? 

### **Have someone on your team do it**

This assumes that you already have someone on your team who is interested and able to take care of a website long term. Again, it must get on the calendar on an ongoing basis.

The same things apply as if you were doing the work yourself: Is the person able and ready to deal with any and every bad thing that can (and will) happen to a website? And what other work, crucial to the team, won’t get done because the team member is trying to fix a broken website?

### **Get an ongoing care plan from your web designer/developer/copywriter**

You trusted their expertise to create the right website for you. Now you’ll trust them to keep it humming along for the long haul. This means your website is managed by someone who is up-to-date on changes, security threats and anything else that might affect your website’s health. 

Yes, you pay for the service. Consider it an investment. One that keeps the website well-maintained, enabling it to not only pay for itself, but provide real return on the initial investment to build the site, as well as the investment in maintaining it. 

**Ongoing website care is needed in 2 key areas:**

- Technology
- Content

## **Taking care of the website technology**

When the website launched, all the code and plugins were up-to-date. Then updates come along. And need to be installed.

There are also security threats to deal with. Because the bad guys don’t sit still. They’re always looking to break into websites and servers. Outdated code and plugins or unpatched security holes are a god-send to them. 

A website can crash for many reasons, like hacking, overload, server problem, or an update gone wrong. So it’s essential to have regular backups of the website and all its files. Because when it does go down, is not the time to find out that the most recent backup is several months old. Meaning there’s no way to recreate any updates to content that have happened since that backup. Or even know what those are.

This also includes dealing with the hosting of the website.

## **Taking care of the website content**

It may seem that if we create the right written content, images, video and graphics for the website once, it ought to continue to be relevant for years to come. In a sense it may be. If the website visitors haven’t seen it before.

But returning website visitors don’t want to come back to a website and find that nothing whatsoever changed. Because what’s the point in coming back then? _So they stop._

You may have one product or service that keeps them coming back. _Great._ Except, soon they’ll learn to just go to that part of the website and ignore the rest. So they’ll forget about all the other great things you do.

Also keep in mind that our businesses aren’t static. _Things change._ If our websites don’t reflect that, then website visitors are missing out. And we’re missing out on opportunities that could come from the website.

Finally search engines consider updated content on a website when ranking it in search results. No matter how relevant your content is, if it doesn’t ever change, your website is guaranteed to slide down in search rankings. _Nobody wants that._

## **Planning ongoing care**

Ultimately it’s all about knowing our strengths and where we as business owners should focus.

For many website owners, having their website designer/developer maintain the website is a no-brainer. They know they don’t have expertise in that area. Nor the time and energy to do the job well.

Managing content may require a different plan though.

I covered content creation in [this post](https://claesjonasson.design/feeding-the-content-beast-and-surviving-to-tell-about-it/). While it’s focused on creating content for a blog or social media, managing content for a website is not any different. The key to success is the editorial calendar. Because what gets on the calendar gets done. And what doesn’t, lands in the “someday pile” that we never get too. 

That’s true if you do all the content yourself or if a team member is responsible. The work still has to be done, regularly.

Turning all the content creation over to somebody else may seem scary. Because how will they reflect your voice and personality? Except that’s what a good copywriter does. Create content that is just what you would have said, if you’d said it. And you can keep your focus on doing what you do best: _Run your business._

Another option is for you to work in partnership with a copywriter. You draft the content. The copywriter edits and polishes. This may be a good place to start. 

However it’s done, it’s about making sure content _is_ created for your website. _Regularly._ So it stays fresh. Relevant and attractive.

With tech and content taken care of, you can relax and enjoy your website. Knowing that it will continue to provide return both on the initial investment and investment in ongoing care, making your business or organization shine.

You might even agree with these words from the movie _Casablanca_ as Rick and Captain Renault walk off into the fog:

> “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Rick Blaine, in the movie Casablanca

---

---
title: "What theme are you using?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/what-theme-are-you-using/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "That’s the most common question I hear from people looking to get a website for their blog, business or organization. But it’s starting at the wrong end…"
last_modified: "2020-02-07T13:01:32+00:00"
categories: [Blog, The website process]
---

# What theme are you using?

_“What theme are you using?”_

A common question from people looking to get a website for their blog, business or organization.

In a way, it makes sense. Most people don’t know coding or the details of how to build a website. But they have heard that _themes_ are what make websites look good. And that you can change the entire appearance of a website by switching themes.

So surely, this is the place to start on the road to a great, new website! To paraphrase the line from _Field of Dreams_: _Find the perfect theme and website visitors will come!_

Except maybe not.

## **In the beginning there were themes**

Picking a theme can be very frustrating. Overwhelming.

Because there are _gazillions_ of them out there. And how do you know which one is _perfect_ for the website you want to build?

There was a time when the choice truly was between buying a theme (or finding a free one) or spending lots of time coding the website from scratch.

Theme demos do look cool. Awesome pictures. Great icons and graphics. The right text in the right places. 

The first time I installed a theme, I was sorely disappointed. What I just put on my website didn’t look anything like the demo. Didn’t look like much of anything at all.

Because that theme didn’t come with any content or placeholders. Just lots of bare space.

## Placeholders and content

If you’re lucky, the theme you select comes with placeholders, so you can at least see what the theme designer had in mind for a given spot on the page. 

Now it’s up to you to load in your great content. Which you of course already have.

Probably more like _don’t have_. Plus you have to create content to fit into the given theme locations. If there are 3 slots for your services, what to do if you only offer 1 or 2?

Hopefully the theme does all you want. If not, there are plugins to extend functionality. Like adding galleries, slideshows or forms. But it gets confusing picking plugins that will work well with a given theme.

That’s why someone came up with “kitchen sink” themes. Everything you could ever need, right in one theme. 

The downside is that those themes are much bigger and you’ll probably only use a (small) portion of all the functionality. But the bloated code will slow down the website forever. Making for unhappy visitors.

## **Visual builders**

Feel constricted by themes? Then you’ll love the promise of a visual builder.

Start with a blank canvas. Drag and drop building blocks to create your unique website page. No coding needed.

A number of vendors offer accounts on their platform to build your website. Everything taken care of. No worries. Except, you’re captive to their technology and if they close shop or make a big change, your website may be history. I’ve seen it happen.

There are visual builders for WordPress as well. Called _page builders_. So you own the website and decide where it’s hosted. And instead of facing the constraints of a theme, you can drag and drop your way to a website.

_Sounds pretty perfect._ So what’s the problem?

Only that both themes and visual builders put technology first. And skip some important steps.

## The cart before the horse

You decide to build a website. So begin by choosing a theme. Or a visual builder. Once you find the one you want to use, you start building.

That’s like going to the lumber yard and getting a truckload of lumber, bricks, and an assortment of windows. Plus some doors. Take it all to the lot and start building your dream house.

Except that’s not how you’d do it. You’d get a blueprint first.

It’s the missing link.

A lot of websites get started. A few pages turn out pretty good. The rest not so much. Or they’re stuck “in construction”. Because, well, not really sure what to put there.

**A cool theme that looked awesome on the demo site does not mean much, if you don’t know what content needs to be where on your website to connect with the ideal audience.**

Same thing applies in visual builders. There’s no drag and drop that automagically fills them with great content.

## **A different approach**

All of the above is why I don’t start with a theme or visual builder when creating a new website. They come _much later_ in the process.

A better starting place is these 3 questions:

- **What** does the website need to accomplish?
- **Why** does it need to accomplish the _“what”_?
- **How** does _“what”_ happen?

Those 3 questions apply to the whole website, as well as to each page. When we answer them _before_ creating content and building pages, the result will be a website that is focused. One that does much better at connecting with the intended audience.

Immediately looking for a theme or starting with a visual builder, means skipping right to the _“How”_.

But to answer the _“how”_, we need to know the _“what”_ and _“why”_ first.

Going straight to _“how”_ is like jumping down a rabbit hole in Alice’s Wonderland. No idea where or if you’ll come out again.

With technology (_“how”_) off the table for now, we can focus on what the website must do. And why it must do it. Which leads to content.

Eventually the content will drive the choice of technology.

_Not the other way around._

(For more detail about everything to consider at this stage, read _Blue-skying your next website_.)

![whiteboard with wireframe notations](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/wireframes-1-1024x597.jpg)Early wireframes for a new website. Quick to do and easy to change until the website story flows like you want it to. Then snap a photo to capture the wireframes for posterity.

## From wireframe to design to build

A **mind map** of everything the website could do or you’d like to see on it is an excellent place to start. _The sky’s the limit. _

From that we can create a **wireframe**. This is a very simple sketch showing what content goes where on each page. A white board is perfect for this, especially when there are several people involved in the process. So easy to draw, erase and draw again. Until everything is where you want it to be.

We don’t need lots of detail at this point. It’s enough to know topics. And that text goes here. A picture or video there.

Once the wireframe tells the story well, we’ll build a list of what pieces of content are needed and where they go. 

Now we move on to **design**. Working on things like branding and colors. Fonts and what the website should look like in general. Letting the content and purpose of the website drive what it will look like.

At this point, if you want to use a **theme**, it’s time to go find one. Which will be a lot easier, because now you have a good idea of what the website will need to do and what to look for in a theme.

If I plan to use a **visual builder**, then I’ll create design mockups of most, if not all, pages on the website. Because it’s far easier to change a design on paper than it is to redo something on an actual website.

Only now, as design is complete and content has been created (all the text, images and video), does it makes sense to start **building the actual website**. 

Eventually we must deal with how to build that new website. It’s just not a good place to start. 

Because how can I choose the best theme when I don’t even really know what the website must do to be effective?

And building pages in a visual builder is real work. Time invested. Which may be all for nothing when I realize that the page is not working.

Sketches on a whiteboard or paper are, on the other hand, quick and easy and help us formulate our thoughts. Sharpen them. Figure out what we’re really trying to say.

It’s work that saves time (and headaches) in the long run. And we can all use that. Plus, when we create content first and build second, the end result is a much better website.

---

---
title: "Feeding the content beast and surviving to tell about it"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/feeding-the-content-beast-and-surviving-to-tell-about-it/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Content can be a beast that is continually hungry and will never be satisfied. At least if the approach is to wake up on Monday morning and only then decide what to write this week."
last_modified: "2020-01-17T03:33:33+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Feeding the content beast and surviving to tell about it

I was at a writer’s conference, talking with a fellow writer. Mentioned that I have a blog. His immediate response was “I could never do that”.

Interesting reaction from a writer. 

The issue for him was that a blog means writing new content regularly. He didn’t think he could do that.

He’s not alone. 

Many website owners have the same fear. Sure, that shiny, new website starts out [filled with content](https://claesjonasson.design/creating-that-content/). But then it needs to be updated. Have fresh items added regularly, so returning visitors will find new and interesting things to check out.

That’s where overwhelm kicks in.

What will I write next? 

Content can be a beast that is continually hungry and will never be satisfied. At least if the approach is to always hit Monday morning and only then decide what to write this week.

Here are 3 helpers that can make the content creation process much easier (and enjoyable):

- **Editorial calendar**
- **Batching**
- **Backtiming**

## **Backtiming**

I learned about backtiming when working in video production. Back then, I produced a TV series airing on public TV in Iowa during February and March.

Footage had been recorded during the preceding spring and summer. Scripts were written in late fall. 

But program editing happened much closer to the actual airdate for each episode. 

The airdate is non-negotiable and you can’t run a half-edited show. So I needed to figure out how long every step of the editing process would take and then work backwards from each program’s airdate to find when different milestones must be accomplished. 

To add complexity, editing of the shows overlapped. I wasn’t just working on one program at a time. 

At no point could I afford to get behind schedule, because the behinder you get, the harder it is to ever catch up. Especially since the final deadline is firm.

True, a blog post is very different from a TV show. But it too must get done on time.

### **The components of a blog post**

A solid blog post that engages readers isn’t written in just one pass. There are multiple drafts and edits. Ideally with some time in-between to let the story ripen.

Pictures need to be found or created. 

You may write a custom excerpt — that snippet that gets people to click and read the whole post.

Then there’s optimization for search engines (SEO). 

Next an email to let everyone on your list know about the new post. That email has to be enticing, so people read it and click the link to get to the actual blog post.

You’re probably also going to promote on social media. That means writing short intros to get people to click a link and read the post itself.

Those are the ingredients of a blog post. And they all have to be done on time. 

### **Backtiming creating a blog post**

Let’s say that I want to send out the email to my list on Wednesday morning. Since I value my sleep, I need to have the blog post either published or scheduled in WordPress on Tuesday. 

The email likewise must be set up and scheduled in my mass email program.

For me, blog posts turn out best if I can write over several days, returning to the post at different times. 

Doing that, I can work on multiple posts concurrently. It does not work well for me to write a post start-to-finish in one sitting. I need time to percolate. 

The ideal for me is to write a blog post over 5 days.

I then allow another day to load the post into WordPress and set up the email.

That’s 6 days. But let’s not include weekends. Because we all need recovery time.

So for an email scheduled to go out on Wednesday morning, the post has to be published or scheduled on Tuesday.

All that means that I’ll need to start writing that post Monday morning the week before. Then I can get it done, writing regularly every day.

Of course I’ll still need to work ahead for holidays and vacation times.

A schedule and routine that allows ample time to write a blog post removes much of the pressure of being creative on a deadline. 

## **Batching**

Even so, having to write on something every weekday and knowing that the deadline is coming up soon can still add pressure. And doesn’t provide much recovery time.

That’s where batching comes in. It might be half a day or a full day. But it’s time focused on creating content. Not just one blog post, but several.

For an example, let’s say I use the first Friday of the month for batching content. So I block out everything else on the calendar and go to it. 

Not just one blog post start-to-finish, but working on several posts. That way I can make progress on one and let it rest, while working on another. I can draft a post, edit another, finish a third, create email for another and so on.

The goal isn’t necessarily to have them all finished at the end of the day, but to have made significant progress on several posts.

Because we all work at different speeds, you’ll have to experiment. It may be that it takes 2 days of batching to create 5 or 6 blog posts. Or maybe you batch one day and then finish those posts a little each day for a week or two. Either way, you now have a month or more of blog posts ready to go and don’t have to worry about missing deadlines every day.

No more Monday morning panic and writer’s block.

Backtiming for social media works the same way: Figure out how long it takes to create one post. Decide how often you will post and backtime to find out when to start creating a new post to have it done on time. Or when to spend a block of time batching several posts.

## **Editorial calendar**

Once we have a plan for producing content and getting it done by when it’s needed (thanks to backtiming), it’s time to create the editorial calendar.

It’s important to have a calendar for the year available so you can see actual dates, holidays and anything else that should be considered.

If it’s your blog, the editorial calendar can be a quite simple. A spreadsheet works fine. One row is one piece of content.

Start with publication date for each piece of content in one column. Then enter the backtimed date when you need to start working on that piece in another column.

If you’re batching, mark on the editorial calendar when you’re batching and how many posts you plan to complete during that time. For instance, it might take 2 batching sessions to complete 5 blog posts.

You batch on the first 2 Fridays of the month. So the 5 posts to work on during that time should be for publication starting late in the month, because the 2nd Friday can be as late as the 14th. 

Now that you have all the publication times marked on your editorial calendar, you can fill them with what content you plan to create for each slot.

Doing so, see how publication dates align with holidays, seasons and anything else going on in the lives of your readers, so the content will show up at the right time for them. 

### **Deciding which posts to publish when**

Then start assigning topics or ideas to specific publication dates. Some posts are very time dependent. For instance, seasonal posts or anything Thanksgiving, Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Other topics can be published anytime.

I do take care I don’t plan for several posts in a row that are very similar. Because variety keeps things interesting for the readers.

For collecting ideas of what to write about, I use Evernote. It’s on all my devices, so always with me. I can quickly jot down an idea and know that I will find it later. 

My writer friend didn’t think he could come up with things to write about. I started with 3 posts and a few ideas. Several years later, I have more ideas now than ever before. If didn’t generate another idea from here on, I could keep the blog going for at least 2 years.

Not all ideas turn into great posts. Or multiple ideas become one post. The key is to get in the habit of capturing ideas as they pop up.

Creating an editorial calendar for a whole year at one time can be daunting. Especially when starting out. So try to create one for 6 months first. Or even 3 months. 

Finally, no editorial calendar is set in stone. Things do come up that call for replacing what was planned with something more relevant for today. But when there’s a calendar, it’s actually easier to respond to those needs. Because I’m not working in a panic.

## **Working encourages creativity**

Planning content months in advance may sound limiting. But it’s actually freeing. It gives direction and removes worry. Plus I have room to create deeper content that takes longer to research and write. 

I’m not under the panic of having to have something out tomorrow morning. And that is worth a lot.

Plus, a holiday, vacation or just getting sick doesn’t end up causing extra stress due to the need to still publish on the blog or social media.

In the end, what actually gets written may change. But with a plan and working from it, our content creation is on solid footing. And not scary. Or overwhelming.

---

---
title: "Creating that content"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/creating-that-content/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Every website needs content. Of many different kinds. Then all those pieces have to be created. Which can be a daunting task."
last_modified: "2019-12-13T15:11:21+00:00"
categories: [Blog, The website process]
---

# Creating that content

Every website needs content. Yet somehow, content all too often seems to get ignored when thinking about building that new website. Because it’s more exciting to talk about shiny, new themes or website features.

Content, on the other hand, seems a more nebulous concept. _Of course the website is going to have content. _Just don’t know what that looks like or how to get there…

Websites have multiple pages (or sections), needing different kinds of meaningful content. Check this post, _[The website Holy Grail: Content](https://claesjonasson.design/the-website-holy-grail-content/)_ for more about the specific kinds of content needed.

Knowing what content is needed is part of the battle. Now it’s on to _creating_ that content. Because words are not going to write themselves and pictures won’t magically appear out of thin air.

There are 3 approaches to coming up with content for your next website, regardless of whether it’s written, photos, video or graphics:

- **Create it yourself**
- **Collaborate with a professional content creator**
- **Have a professional content creator create it**

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each:

## **Create it yourself**

**Pros:**

- Nobody knows your business or organization better than you.
- You already know how to talk about your organization.
- You possibly already have a good amount of usable material in other forms that can at least form the basis for what you need for the website.
- The content on your website will definitely be in “your voice.”
- Saves the cost of hiring content creators.

**Cons:**

- Unless you are an accomplished writer with experience in copywriting, it’s going to be a long slog and some seriously hard work. Because writing well for an online audience and keeping search engines happy is not for the faint of heart.
- While you do know your organization, you may be too close to things to be able to present them in the best way for your online audience.
- Existing material wasn’t written for online use. What works fine in print, can easily come across all wrong when used online.
- While you no doubt have a “voice” that your customers recognize, it’s no secret that it often gets lost when trying to create in a new medium. Because you’re treading all-new territory.
- Creating your own content will take up lots of time. That you could spend doing what you really do best.
- You get what you pay for. It might be way more cost effective to bring in a professional content creator to either do it all or work with you.

## **Have a professional content creator create it**

If _create it yourself_ is one end of the spectrum, then _having a professional content creator create it_ is on the other end.

**Pros:**

- You don’t have to do heavy lifting at all. Everything, including fact finding, interviews, research, as well as creating the final content, is handled for you.
- You’ll get content that is carefully crafted to communicate the right things to your audience.
- A professional content creator will understand what communicates well with your audience. Often better than you do.
- You benefit from insight and experience from someone who communicates with online audiences on a regular basis.
- You get what you pay for. This solution requires the greatest investment of the 3 options, but also delivers the most carefully crafted and fine-tuned content for you.
- An excellent content creator will channel your “voice” possibly better than you do yourself in creating content.

**Cons:**

- If communication between you and the content creator isn’t excellent, you likely won’t get an optimal result.
- Some content creators may take a shortcut here and there and instead of optimized, present generalized (stock) solutions.
- It’s not totally a “hands-off” process for you. You still need to be involved in parts of fact finding and research. As well as be available to review drafts/mockups and eventually carefully consider and approve the final results.
- If not done well, your “voice” can get lost in the resulting content.
- You may feel that you lost control over the content creation process.

## **Collaborate with a professional content creator**

If the preceding options are at opposite ends of the spectrum, this is the middle-of-the-road solution. A blend that is perfectly right in many situations where  you still want the best result possible, but cost may be a concern.

**Pros:**

- Directly leverages your intimate knowledge of your organization, since you creating the drafts of everything.
- Your “voice” comes through since you’re right there in the creation process.
- You are not creating content on your own. You’re working together with a professional, so the end result will be much better. And accomplished faster.
- No plodding along on your own. There’s a proven path and timetable.
- Not as expensive as having the content fully created for you.
- Most likely less time invested than if you try to do it all start to finish. With a better result.

**Cons:**

- You are definitely involved at every step, so you must be available throughout the content creation process.
- You must be willing to take input (editorial criticism) from your content creator professional. Open, honest dialog is vital.
- More expensive in money than if you do it yourself.
- You may feel some loss of control of the process because it is collaboration.

## **Choosing the right option for you**

Which option you choose will depend on a number of factors. For instance, a very limited budget may dictate that you try to create content yourself.

Or you may be an accomplished writer, photographer, illustrator. In which case it can make perfect sense to create content in your area of expertise yourself. While still working with someone for content in other areas.

## **Getting reviews and feedback is crucial**

The one thing not to do: Create content yourself, and assume it will be perfect when dropped into a website. _It never is._

Any content needs at least one more set of eyes on it. For review and feedback. Because someone else will catch things that you didn’t. 

That’s why book authors have editors. Why movies go through test screenings before they’re finalized. _Because more eyes on the product will help make it better._

## **Different kinds of content and bringing it all together**

It’s easy to think of everything so far just in terms of written content for a website. But this applies equally to photography, graphics and video.

Just because we can grab our phone and do a selfie or shoot a video of ourselves, and use them on our website, doesn’t mean we should. 

In certain situations, a selfie or video done by yourself can be perfectly fine online. But all too often they’re not. _The key is to know when._

That’s where your website project needs an _art director_.

An art director has the skills to conceptualize and determine which different items will go together the best to create the look and message you want and need. And will work with copywriter, photographer, illustrator, video producer and anyone else involved in creating the content for your website to ensure quality and messaging consistency. So that content pieces created by different people will work seamlessly together.

You say that sounds like a lot of people involved. You don’t have the budget for that. Fair enough. _Key is to understand that some web designers are accomplished art directors. Some are not._ 

A web designer who is also an art director will know how to help you get the best content created, be it text, photos, graphics or video.

Even a modest budget website project can include great art direction, when done by the right web designer.

## **A final word (or 2)**

Any website is ultimately only as good as its content. The website itself is merely a vehicle to carry its content to the intended audience. Yet so much of the conversation about websites centers around technology, code, themes, effects, and various techniques to build audiences that the actual content often gets forgotten.

Then we settle for sub-par content. Some text and a stock image or two to fill space. The result is a website that doesn’t deliver on any of its promises. Maybe even is confusing. _Don’t let that happen to you._

Investing time and resources in securing the best content possible for your website will pay off in the long run. You’ll be proud of the website and eager to show it off. Likewise your customers will be happy to tell others about it. Plus a website with great content will do well with both search engines and actual human site visitors. 

---

---
title: "The Drug Store"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/the-drug-store/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "project-portfolio"
description: "Family owned community pharmacy committed to awesome customer service with staff that truly cares."
last_modified: "2025-10-27T19:01:18+00:00"
custom_fields:
  scope: "web design / copywriting / customer survey / photography / strategy consulting"
  top_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/team-group.webp"
  url_visual: "TheDrugStoreLR.com"
  url_for_link: "https://thedrugstorelr.com/"
  url_link: "https://thedrugstorelr.com"
  solution: "First, the old website was replaced with a new temporary one. Also, the online prescription ordering was fixed on day one to “stop the bleeding”. The process of restoring customer confidence had begun.\nAn online survey engaged customers and collected valuable input about what they needed in a new website.\nWith that information in hand, a new website was designed. It is of course mobile friendly (responsive design) and allows easy updating of site content. Since the new website came online, the prescription ordering system has been upgraded to even better align with workflow in the store."
  starting_point: "Not only was the Drug Store’s website old and outdated, but the online prescription ordering system didn’t work right any longer and actually lost prescriptions. That meant upset customers, lost income, and extra work fixing problems that should never have happened in the first place."
  home_page_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/thedrugstore-home.jpg"
  tablet_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MobileTDS.jpg"
  testimonial_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Phillip-Holly.jpg"
  testimonial_content: "Claes worked with us to design a new website that shows off our pharmacy at its best and is helping bring in new customers. As a result, we have seen our online prescription refills triple!"
---

# The Drug Store

First, the old website was replaced with a new temporary one. Also, the online prescription ordering was fixed on day one to “stop the bleeding”. The process of restoring customer confidence had begun.

An online survey engaged customers and collected valuable input about what they needed in a new website.

With that information in hand, a new website was designed. It is of course mobile friendly (responsive design) and allows easy updating of site content. Since the new website came online, the prescription ordering system has been upgraded to even better align with workflow in the store.

---

---
title: "CityChurch Network"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/citychurch-network/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "project-portfolio"
description: "A relational network of pastors and Christian marketplace leaders uniting the churches in Central Arkansas to live and serve as the body of Christ in the community."
last_modified: "2025-11-01T20:50:08+00:00"
custom_fields:
  scope: "web design / copy editing / custom Salesforce integration / strategy consulting"
  url_visual: "CityChurchAR.org"
  url_link: "https://CityChurchAR.org"
  starting_point: "In 2013 the then Nehemiah Network was dealing with a website that was outdated and didn’t meet their needs any longer.\nThey had also outgrown trying to manage their constituent list in a mass email service and were looking for a solution that could scale with the organization to include engagement and donation records."
  top_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CityChurch-Network-prayer.webp"
  home_page_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CityChurch-Network-computer.webp"
  tablet_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CityChurch-Network-tablet.webp"
  testimonial_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Ray-WIlliams1.jpg"
  testimonial_content: "Claes has designed and built 5 generations of websites for first the Nehemiah Network and now the CityChurch Network. Each time he’s worked closely with us to make sure the website includes the specific features we need for our ministry to be effective. He has especially helped us tell our story and integrating all our communication platforms.\nHe also continues to support us, making sure the website works, stays updated and is secure. When our needs change, I know he’ll listen and find the right solution for going forward."
---

# CityChurch Network

Based on other non-profits’ success with moving their constituent management into Salesforce, we ported the existing lists into Salesforce, while at the same time greatly expanding the scope of relational information that could be tracked. Salesforce is integrated with a mass email solution for collecting email subscriptions and sending emails to the right groups.

The website was redeveloped from ground up with a fresh needs assessment, design and functionality.

In 2017, this website was completely rebuilt, using fully responsive, mobile first design. Later the same year, the website was overhauled to reflect a new name and branding for the organization: CityChurch Network.

By 2019 the mission of the CityChurch Network had refocused and it was time for another website redesign. At this time, we also improved the site’s user interface. Plus it’s even easier for staff to manage content creation and updates.

The website was again completely redesigned in 2024 to best reflect ministry needs and changes within the CityChurch Network. Again we took the opportunity to fine-tune the user experience and ensure the site’s tech stack is using the current best tools and practices to ensure the site will work smoothly in the years ahead.

---

---
title: "6 ways stories help build your business"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/6-ways-stories-help-build-your-business/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Stories stick with us. We remember them. For a long time. Are you making use of that connecting power in your business or organization?"
last_modified: "2022-04-20T14:11:23+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 6 ways stories help build your business

Once upon a time… It was a dark and stormy night… It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

The beginnings of stories. That stick with us. As in, we remember them, or at least key parts, for a long time.

So the big question really is: Are you making use of the power of storytelling in your business or organization?

**_Here are 6 reasons why stories matter, in life and in business:_**

## **We are prewired to engage with stories**

Throughout history, storytelling has been _the_ way to communicate truth, principles, concepts, facts of life. It’s a key activity that sets us apart from other living beings: We grow our understanding of the world by learning from other people’s stories. I can learn key concepts today from a story that was first told 2,000 years ago. I’m not limited to only knowing what I directly experience or observe.

## **Stories are memorable, so we retain them longer**

Unless you’re a memorization expert, try looking at a list of 10 benefits of the ACME Widget2500 and then see if you recall _any _of them a few days later.

On the other hand, listen to a short story of how Joe used the ACME Widget2500 to solve a pesky problem that had been troubling him for a long time and you might recall that story for a long time. 

Case in point: If you watched TV in the 70s/80s, you probably still recall “handpicked by Juan Valdez” from coffee commercials? ([Watch one here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXDzkhtlaqQ)) I know I do, and I don’t even drink coffee.

## **Stories engage our minds to fill in missing parts**

There’s an [urban legend](http://www.openculture.com/2015/03/the-urban-legend-of-ernest-hemingways-six-word-story.html) of a short story that Hemingway wrote. Just one sentence:

_For sale, Baby shoes, Never worn._

You might say that sounds a lot like a classified ad — not a story. And it could be.

But when it’s presented as a story, we immediately start filling in the missing pieces: Who is telling the story? What happened to the baby that was supposed to wear those shoes and then didn’t? Why are they being sold? Flesh it out and we might have enough to fill an entire novel or movie.

That engagement comes naturally to us and we do it without really thinking about it. _With every story we read._ As we do fill in missing parts, we connect at a much deeper level than if we just read some stats about a product or a list of features. Deeper engagement means better retention and connection.

## **Stories enable us to hear things we otherwise might not listen to**

Because of the structure of a story and how we are wired to engage with stories, we’re more likely to listen to  information presented that way than we otherwise would. 

Have you ever dealt with compliance training? It’s usually seen as a pain to be endured. Attendees make it no secret that they are there _only because they have to be there_.

A company called [MetaMythic](https://www.metamythic.co) set out to change that. They approach compliance training through the use of story. Not only do they teach the dry, boring stuff in the form of an engaging story, but they let the employees (those unwilling attendees) become _active participants_ in the story. _Now everyone is engaged._ And learning.

## **Stories can paint a picture of the future that changes what we do today**

Future-focused stories can transport us into a future situation where we see how today’s actions (or inactions) played out and the difference it all made.

All in a way that a list of projections or goals will never do. Because a story can paint a vivid picture that makes us _feel like we’re there_.

## **Stories include people, making them relatable**

As humans, we need and want relationships. We get _emotionally invested_ in characters in books and movies. We see ourselves in them and so want to hear more about them. If we connect strongly enough, we want to emulate them. Again, something that a list of product features is not going to do for any of us.

**_That’s 6 ways stories can help your business. But only if you (or I) use them._** 

Maybe we’re afraid to take the time and effort. Or think that we’re not really good at this story-telling-thing.

Consider the benefits though: People actually interested in hearing about your business and products/services. People seeing themselves as benefitting from what you offer. Because you put them in the middle of the story.

That’s definitely worth exploring. Start small. Think back to how you got started.

What motivated you? What were the circumstances? Why did you make the change? How did life change for you? For your first clients? There’s a story in those answers. Once you start finding it, you’re not likely to stop telling it. 

That’s another reason why stories are so powerful: They’re contagious. Having heard one, we want to hear more.

---

---
title: "The website Holy Grail: Content"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-website-holy-grail-content/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Making sense of website content. 8 pages (or content sections) that every website needs."
last_modified: "2019-10-12T02:46:36+00:00"
categories: [Blog, The website process]
---

# The website Holy Grail: Content

What’s the most challenging part of creating a new website for many people? It’s one others feel really confident is super easy, because they “pretty much have everything they need already.”

It’s actually not technology.

It’s website content.

You know, the text that goes on the website. And pictures. Plus video. Icons and graphics as well. 

Coming up with the needed content can sound like a piece of cake. Until the web design process starts. At the concept stage we create a very rough mockup showing what content will be used to tell the website owner’s story. No actual words or pictures yet. But brief notes about what is needed in each area of the website. On every page.

That’s when confidence wanes. Because the list can get quite long and specific. 

Saying we need 20 testimonials to spread around the website is very different from a vague agreement that testimonials are definitely needed.

## **Roadblock and mistakes**

Since looking at a blank page can get discouraging, a new website owner often starts by selecting a website theme. And the theme demo invariably looks awesome.

Just like that new website should look. Except the theme didn’t come with the images and text I need to use. The process can quickly become focused on just getting _something_ into the boxes. We lose track of the big picture: What is this website all about? What is the point of this particular page?

It can also be a struggle to write 350 words on any topic for the new website. And that’s the minimum. Many topics will need a lot more words. 

Then there’s the issue of what ‘voice’ to use. We all have a way we talk with other people. But frequently that’s not even close to what we write. Instead the text gets full of fancy words and business-sounding sentences. Cold and formal. Because big businesses do it that way.

But we’re not them. For most small business owners, the owner _is_ the brand. Our name may even be in the company name. So why try to sound like some international conglomerate?

_We can do better. Our website visitors deserve great content. _

## The 8 pages every website needs

Here are 8 pages (or content sections) that most websites should have:

- Home (welcome or front)
- About us
- Contact us
- Blog
- Products
- Services
- Resources
- Legal (terms of use, privacy policy, disclaimer)
- 404

Plus 3 more essentials

- Header/Main Navigation
- Footer
- Call to action

Let’s look at the function of each and the content that goes there:

### **Home (welcome or front)**

Think of this as the front page of a newspaper. Your key stories and big news all go here., Yes, visitors will turn to other pages to finish reading the story, but it all starts here. 

Newspapers come folded, so that you see the top of the front page first. That “above the fold” area is the most coveted space, because everyone will see what’s there. Even before they pick up the paper.

On websites we also talk about “above the fold”, meaning the top part of the home page. That visitors see as soon as the site loads. This is where we put the one or two things that we absolutely want our visitors to see and interact with, right when they come to the website. 

Just from visiting the home page, I should know how to connect with you, what you do/offer, why I would want to work with you and something about who else works with you. 

### **About**

After the home page, this is the most visited page. Unfortunately, it’s often a sorely neglected page. Now that you know people _will_ come here, make it stand out. Because they go here to decide if they want to do business with you. To see what’s in it for them. Let’s not disappoint.

Think of this page as a face to face conversation with your ideal customer. Let visitors get to know who you are and what it will be like to work with you.

Consider writing your bio in first person. Because very few of us talk to somebody else in 3rd person. Be conversational. Casual. Definitely not pompous. 

A long list of awards or a full CV is probably not that important. Knowing that you will take good care of me as a customer and can actually deliver the transformation you promise means a lot more.

Do include pictures. Maybe even a video.

You should also include testimonials from real customers here.

### **Contact**

It’s amazing how hard we have to dig on some websites to find out how to contact the company. In the end, all you may get is a contact form. 

You should definitely have that contact form, but also include a physical location. Visitors want to know where in the world you are. 

Do include _all_ the ways that people can contact you. Just don’t write out your email, since listing an email exposes it to the bad folks who will then spam you forever.

### **Blog**

I know, you have a business or nonprofit to run and you’re not here to become a blogger. Fair enough. 

However, our visitors, as well as search engines, want to see fresh content on our websites. 

A blog is a really good place to put that. Over time you’ll build a collection of articles that will help establish your expertise.

### **Services (work with me)**

This is where you list all the ways customers can work with you. For instance 1-1, groups, speaking, events.

Depending on the service, it may only require a short explanation. Or its own sales page that gives much more detail. Either way, you must cover the all-important next step of how to get started working with you.

### **Products**

Items that go here: books, courses, apps, digital media, physical products.

It could be just a few items or enough to warrant setting up a full e-commerce solution.

Either way, for visitors to become your customers, they need your products presented well and in a way that makes it easy to purchase. 

### **Resources and FAQ**

A blog helps establish you as an expert in your field and so does a resource section.

Here you bring together resources you create, as well as links to other valuable resources on- or offline. And you answer common questions. 

All together this helps build trust and establishes that you are looking out for your customer’s best interests.

### **Legal (terms of use, privacy policy, disclaimer)**

Every website needs 3 legal documents:

- Terms of use
- Privacy policy
- Disclaimer

Together they protect you and your website visitors by spelling out specifics. You may also be legally required to have these documents in place.

Because words matter, especially when it’s about legal issues, you should only use documents that have been prepared and/or reviewed by a lawyer familiar with intellectual property law and online business. Here’s a [link](https://claesjonasson.design/resources/) to a package of all 3 documents, complete with customization instructions. Created by an intellectual property lawyer.

### **404**

The page no one wants to see. When someone searches for something that doesn’t exist on your website or types in the wrong address to one of your pages, they land here. That’s frustrating. A good 404 page helps the visitor find their way around your website, to get back on track.

## **Essentials to tie it all together**

Detective Columbo would always have “one more question”. Here are 3 more essentials for your website:

### **Header/Main Navigation**

Your website definitely needs a header on every page to clearly identify you. 

It also contains the main navigation. 3-5 items. No more. Just the important stuff.

### **Footer**

Site visitors come to the footer of a page for 1 of 2 reasons:

- They consumed all the content on the page and didn’t find what they were looking for, so now is your last, great opportunity to help them find it. Before they leave forever.
- They found what they were looking for on the page and are ready to discover more. So help them do that.

That’s why the footer should contain links to _everything important_ on the website. Plus social media links can go here. And you might want to put a call to action in the footer, so it shows up on every page of the website.

### **Call to action**

A call to action is simply _the next step_ you want a site visitor to take now that they are in this particular location on your website. Every page (with only a few exceptions like the legal pages) should have a clear call to action. Because you do want visitors to take action. To respond. Become customers.

It can be to sign up for your email list, download a free guide, contact you, or pick a service or product. Any next step you want your website visitor to take.

Some calls to action are big. Others are small or easy to ignore. For instance, on the Contact page, the next step you want people to take is to contact you. So make it really easy by providing several ways for them to do so.

## **Making the content happen**

When we first talk about creating content for a website, it can sound deceptively simple and lead to the “I’ve got that covered.” As is clear from the list above, there’s a lot of content that goes into a website. And we really don’t have it all covered. Because I don’t know anybody who truly sits around with _all _the content needed for a website already written.

So it’s going to take a bit of work. But there are many ways to accomplish creating the needed content for a website.

When it comes to text content, you can:

- Do it all yourself
- Work with an editor to share the load
- Have a copywriter handle the entire content creation

The same goes for pictures and other media.

Just remember, none of this is unnecessary or fluff.

It’s all there so website visitors will truly be able to connect with you and your service or product. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about helping those visitors get to know you, like you and ultimately trust you. Enough to become customers. 

---

---
title: "Privacy, your website and you"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/privacy-your-website-and-you/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "There really isn’t a website around today that doesn’t collect personal information. Some people think that their websites don’t. But, to quote Igor in Young Frankenstein: “Well, they were wrong, weren’t they?”"
last_modified: "2019-08-23T14:16:09+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Privacy, your website and you

If you’re not totally sure how your website handles visitors’ privacy, then _“Houston, we have a problem.”_ 

_(Disclaimer: I’m a web designer and database manager. Not a lawyer. This is not legal advice. You should seek competent legal counsel before making decisions about how you handle personal information on your website or in your business/organization.)_

There really isn’t a website around today that doesn’t collect some kind of personal information. Some people _think_ that their websites don’t. But, to quote Igor in _Young Frankenstein_: _“Well, they were wrong, weren’t they?”_ 

In fact, if a website really doesn’t ever collect any personal information, then we need to have a serious talk about what the website is doing for you and your business. Because there is clearly no way for website visitors to communicate with you.

At the very least any website today has a contact form. Letting visitors contact you. (Dropping that form to just display an email address doesn’t change anything — it only kicks the privacy issue downstream a bit. And welcomes SPAM.)

## **Personal information collected on your website**

Here’s a list of points on a website that collect personal information:

- Contact form
- Survey
- Poll
- Appointment booking
- Event registration
- Specialized form
- Information request form
- Freebie download form
- Email signup form
- User registration/login
- Product/service sales form/cart
- Payment/donation processing
- Analytics
- Cookies

While your website may not include all these options, you will have at least a few of them. Plus there may be other functions that can collect personal information.

## **Mass email list**

If you have an email list, that’s another place that stores personal information. Could be as little as just an email address. But probably there’s more information gathered about the contact. Plus data about what emails they were sent, which ones they opened, how they responded and so on.

Since people may choose to stop receiving your emails, that list must provide a way to unsubscribe in every email sent out. You must comply and stop emailing people who unsubscribe. As well as ensure that they don’t simply get added back in from someplace else (unless they themselves choose to resubscribe).

## **Personal information collected in your business/organization**

Then there’s the whole business backend:

**CRM (Customer relationship management)** — the database where you keep track of customers and leads, including all kinds of helpful information about your interaction with them, their favorite color and the dog’s name. CRMs are wonderful for helping build your relationships with customers and potential customers. But that’s a lot of personal information in there.

**Bookkeeping and financial processing** is another area that contains personal information.

**Job files** and **client records** created in the process of doing regular business work. You or I probably don’t have as big and extensive files as a doctor’s office, but it can still add up. And contain a plentitude of personal information tidbits.

The **address book **for your email service. Which could be almost anybody you ever emailed, even if just once.

The **phone book** on your mobile phone. For many of us a very eclectic collection of numbers. Many of which are no longer relevant.

## **Social media accounts**

Every social media account you use also involves personal information of your friends/followers. But since the social media platform is the actual holder of that information, rather than you, I’ll not spend much time on it here.

However, if someone requests that you forget them off your system, it might be a good idea to unfriend them or otherwise block them from following you on social media.

## **Managing that personal information**

For a long time we’ve treated all that information as something we owned and could do whatever we wanted with. So you might add someone to your bulk email list without actually getting their permission first. Or you collected any information about anybody that you could dream of for whatever reason.

That was then. _This is now._ You can’t have missed a large number of privacy scandals. Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. Amazon listening in on your conversations through Alexa. And many, many more. All leading some people to throw up their hands and just say that there is no privacy anymore, so why fight it?

But the fight for privacy isn’t over and there are regulations that we do need to pay attention to:

### **GDPR**

In 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect in the European Union. The most important change in data privacy regulation in 20 years. The stronger rules mean people have more control over their personal data and how we can use it. One big change is that it made consent much more explicit. We can’t just add someone to an email list and say “They can always opt out if they don’t want to be on there.” _Get consent first, then add._

The reason this is a big thing, is that GDPR covers all residents of the EU. Doesn’t matter that your website is outside the EU. If someone from inside the EU interacts with it, you have to handle their personal information in accordance with GDPR. In effect all websites need to be compliant.

### **CAN-SPAM**

Similarly, all websites and mass emailers need to be compliant with the CAN-SPAM act, which is not just about bulk email, but includes all commercial messages. Penalties can be quite severe. So don’t want to cross the line here.

### **CCPA**

In 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) goes into effect. It enhances privacy rights and consumer protections for residents of California. Again, it doesn’t matter where the website is located. The key is that your visitors are in California.

## **Dealing with personal data and privacy**

I am for privacy protection. Because self-regulation has been proven not to work, we do need regulation in this area. Too many businesses will do anything with personal information if there’s money to be made. 

Considering the lists above, do you truly know all the locations in your organization where personal information is stored? If I asked you to remove my information from everywhere in your system tomorrow, could you do so and be sure that you did in fact remove it all? 

When working through getting compliant with GDPR, I encountered a range of responses to the new privacy law:

- **Ignore it. **Usually on the notion that “I’m way too small fish. They won’t come after me. So I don’t have to worry.” Interesting take. I assume you take the same approach to paying taxes. _How is that working?_
- **Block visitors from countries/states with stricter privacy laws.** Intriguing concept. “I will choose not to do business in a particular area, so as not to have to comply with their laws.” Challenge is, how are you going to block those countries? That could easily become more trouble than just getting compliant (and all a sunk cost that isn’t helping the bottom line). — Note that just putting a notice on your website that you won’t deal with customers in a particular area is probably not going to be enough, if your website is found to contain personal information of people from that area.
- **Comply with applicable laws.** Turned out that getting compliant with GDPR wasn’t that complex at the end of the day. My websites now offer different email signup options, depending on where somebody is coming from (using geolocation). There was extra time and cost in setting things up, but I’m now ready to do business in all areas. 

## **The right to be forgotten**

One more thing: a feature of GDPR (and as I understand it CCPA) is the right of a person to know what information we store about them and to be forgotten. That’s where it becomes vital to know all the locations on your website and in the business where personal information is collected and stored. We need to be able to tell people what info we collect, why, and what we do with it. Plus we need to be able to remove it if requested. Documenting the fact that we did so.

## **Display a privacy policy**

Your website needs to have key legal documents, for your and your visitors’ protection: **Terms of use** and **Privacy policy** (also recommend a **Disclaimer** document to comply with other regulations). It’s important that you outline what information is collected, why, and how it will be used. Some tools offer basic boiler plate language and encourage you to add your own words to that. Might be cute, but don’t do it. Because you will have no idea if that language covers what a privacy policy really needs to cover to hold up if tested in court.

There are templates from a variety of sources online, that can be customized for your situation. [Here’s a link to a package](https://claesjonasson.design/resources/) developed by an Intellectual Property lawyer. It is unique as he includes video training to help you understand exactly what the document covers and where and how to personalize it for your business. It’s the set of website legal documents I use on my websites.

## **Going forward**

A website that delivers results will need to collect personal information. That’s part of the relationship we have with our customers. How we handle that information is key in building and maintaining trust.

- Be clear about what information is collected. 
- Know where personal information is stored.
- Collect only what is needed.
- Keep the information only as long as needed and have a system to purge outdated information.

As the business/website owner, please do take time to understand how various privacy laws affect you. Then make plans for how to manage the personal information in a responsible manner. Because neither you nor I want to be the next headline about a data breach that exposed personal information for a ton of people (or even just a few).

The real benefit of handling our customers’ personal information with care and integrity: We earn their trust. Which means they actually _want_ to do business with us.

---

---
title: "Blue-skying your next website"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/blue-skying-your-next-website/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Time for a new website. Both scary and exciting. Tempting to start with tools and themes. But definitely time to first take a hard look at what your next website really needs to do for you."
last_modified: "2019-08-01T03:09:37+00:00"
categories: [Blog, The website process]
---

# Blue-skying your next website

So it’s time for a new website (or a rebuild of an existing website). That can be both scary and exciting.

Exciting because you start with a blank slate. That new website can be _anything_ you want it to be. _Including that shining unicorn._

Scary because, well, you start with a blank slate. Nothing there. _Not even crickets._

At this point, it’s always very tempting to start talking tools and themes. Those are tangible and make you feel like things are progressing. Plus look at how beautiful the demo for that tool or theme is.

_Except that may not be at all right for you._

So it’s time to slow down for a moment. Take a look at what your next website really needs to do for you. Not for somebody else. But you.

![](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Mary-300x260.jpg)

Here’s an example: Meet Mary. She coaches business leaders, helping them achieve their goals without burning out.

## **The website and your business or organization**

Before building a website, she needs to have a very clear understanding of what that website is going to do for her. Not what Acme Inc’s website did for them. Or Big Retailer’s website. But Mary’s website for Mary.

So we start by probing for answers to a few questions:

Where do you see your business in a year from now? In 3 years from now? How will that impact your website plans?

What will a website that is truly aligned with your business and branding look, act, and deliver like?

What is the one thing your new website must do for you to be convinced it was worth the investment?

How about this?

_Each visitor knows exactly who you are, has crystal clarity on what you do and knows their next steps to become your best customer._

The goal is to firmly connect your website _and_ your business as _one_ in visitors’ minds.

Now is also the time to make sure the website will be aligned with your business and branding. [Branding is far more than just a logo.](https://claesjonasson.design/one-logo-does-not-a-brand-make/) It’s about how your business is perceived by others. The style and feel of it. How it connects with customers. How customers feel about it. 

For instance, if Mary is very professional and measured in her work with clients, a website that is all emoting, full of bohemian colors and patterns, would definitely not be right. It would probably scare away potential customers.

If in doubt at this point, it may be wise or necessary to take time out from the website building process to define your story, messaging and branding before proceeding.

Fortunately, Mary knows her story, so we continue on.

## **Functionality** 

Once we know what the website must do, we can look at different types of websites. Here are some possibilities:

- Sell product
- Sell services
- Ecommerce (which is very different from selling a few products)
- List building
- Call me
- Authority
- Portfolio
- Author

More than one may apply to you. But it’s important to know your business needs from the website.

In Mary’s case, she sells services (coaching), but they’re productized into packages. She offers a few options, but not a whole catalog. So not ecommerce. She definitely wants to build her email list and be seen as an authority. For right now though, the way she connects with people is by them calling her or booking a free discovery session.

That clears things up a bit. We now have more focus on what Mary’s new website must do. From that, Mary needs to decide which _one thing_ is the most important. _Because there can only be one main call to action._

Ultimately she decides that being able to compare coaching package options and signing up for the right one is the most important feature.

## **Integrations**

A website doesn’t exist in a vacuum, so it needs to connect with or include other things:

- Online payments/donations
- Shopping cart
- Social media
- Email
- Mass email
- Calendar/event scheduling
- Forms
- Quizzes/surveys
- Customer database (CRM)
- Membership/paywall

This is not a complete list and not every website will need all of them. But even a basic site typically needs a few. The time to determine what integrations should be included is before actual website construction starts. Just to be sure we don’t paint ourselves into the proverbial corner.

## **How to make it happen** 

Now is also the time to get a little technical:

Mary already decided on a domain name and got it registered. For many small businesses, the best course is to get your own name as a domain. _Because we are the brand._

This is also the time to (realistically) decide how involved you’re going to be in the website creation process. Maybe Mary can do all of it (or learn how to do it). She might even enjoy the process. But is it the best use of her time and energy? Because while building her new website, Mary is not coaching business execs. Can’t outsource that one.

It’s also not just the initial design and build of a website, but how content will be updated throughout the life of the website, as well as how the site itself will be maintained. Again, some website owners want to or have the resources to take care of these things themselves. Others prefer to have some or all of this taken care of for them. Knowing that it will just happen. Like clockwork.

Then there’s the matter of integrating your website with everything else. How will sales/donations actually happen? What about email list signups? Event registrations? Surveys?

How does the backend interface with your business? New order handling and fulfillment?

Is there a backend database to connect to?

Additionally, Mary needs to decide if the website will be on her own hosting account/server, where she truly owns all the parts of it or if she’ll use a drag-and-drop website creator platform. The appeal of the latter is that you just drag and drop. So easy. The definite downside is limitations on what you can do on the site and with integrations. Plus, do you really know what the server running the website is like? Or where it’s located?

Having your own website, on your own server, may be a bit more complex for starters, but gives the greatest flexibility for today and tomorrow.

Mary, who actually built her own website several years ago, decides that the best for her sanity and business is to get the new website built for her and then professionally maintained. That way, she can focus on giving the clients her full attention.

## **One more thing: COI and ROI**

Finally, let’s talk options: What’s the alternative to getting a new website that can and will grow with you and your business?

That brings up COI and ROI: **Cost of Inaction** and **Return on Investment**. You might not have thought of either in connection with a website. No worry, many small business owners don’t. But, to quote Igor in _Young Frankenstein_: _“Well, they were wrong then, weren’t they?”_

Let’s do some numbers. Mary’s typical clients will spend $3,000 with her in the first year. On the average, she signs up one new client per month. That’s after a fair amount of contact back and forth and a free discovery session or two._ Prospective clients have to move from not knowing her and what she can do for them, to being convinced that she can help them and taking the step to become clients._

Each prospective client has to get to _know, like and trust_ Mary. _Then they’ll work with her._

The right website will greatly help in that process, building trust much faster than Mary can do person to person. So let’s hypothesize that a new website will help Mary get just one more client every 4 months. That means 3 additional clients in a year. Or 3 x $3,000 = $9,000 of additional income per year. 

Mary has the capacity to handle those new clients, so it’s definitely a win.

For moving forward, Mary has several options:

**Do nothing** — just keep going with the existing (outdated/broken) website. Cost: $0. (But that’s not quite true, because no website or a broken/outdated website hurts Mary’s credibility. It’s going to be harder for her to get new clients. So probably costs her at least $3,000 (one client) in income that she will never see this year. Likely more next year and thereafter.)

**Build her own website** — Mary kind of likes tinkering and as noted, built her first website herself. But then found it hard to make time to keep it up-to-date. Or knowing if it was really doing what it needed to do. — She decides to do it right this time. So drops her efforts to find new clients and cuts back on working with existing clients to learn how to build a great new website. It’s a temporary slow-down, but it will all be worth it when the new, shiny website is live and attracting new clients. 

Of course the time she spends building the new website has a cost. Let’s say that Mary is a quick learner and manages to get her website done in 3 months. But she skipped getting new clients those months. That’s 3 x $3,000 = $9,000 in lost income. Ouch. (Plus cost of therapy because stress.)

In the end, Mary has the satisfaction of having built her own website. Now all she has to do is make sure she keeps it up. Month after month. If that doesn’t cost her actual money, it _will_ leave her tired and distracted.

**Get Website Done For You** — Mary is now the client. Working with me, an experienced designer, developer, and strategist. We work together to build a website that is just right for her and her business. She stops losing money. Actually makes more money, because the new website helps her connect with more clients. And she won’t need therapy to deal with website stress. 

Which one of these options would you say brings the best return on investment for Mary?

The final one, getting the website built for her, has an up front cost and an ongoing cost for maintenance. But it helps her bring in more new customers and frees her up to focus on what she is really good at. That’s a win on all fronts and in terms of actual money, the new website will generate more additional income than it cost to build it. In the first year. _Win on all fronts._

Remember, COI is avoided by taking the right action. Taking action has a cost, but unlike the cost of inaction, that’s an investment that will yield future returns. COI is just sunk._ Like throwing money out a window._

A well-aligned website will produce a return on investment, because it helps grow your business, making it stronger. It builds credibility with prospective _and_ existing clients. It helps turn prospective clients into paying customers faster. _That’s solid return on investment._

## **At the end of the day**

They say that Rome wasn’t built in one day. Neither is a good website. But it’s entirely doable to get there.

Mary started at a point of being ashamed to even send people to her existing website, because it was so outdated. She did her homework, taking time to figure out what a new website needed to do for her and how it must align with her business. She chose to work with a professional in this process, because she has a business to run. In the end, she got a website that meets (and exceeds) her needs now and with room to grow for years to come.

Had she chosen to build her own website again, the process would have been similar: Do lots of homework early on to figure out exactly what that new website must do. All before actually building a website. 

It’s never the right option to just pick a pretty (convenient, free, whatever) theme or platform and just start building. Unless you want lots of headache and frustration, rather than a win that helps your business prosper.

---

---
title: "The website you always wanted (and need)"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-website-you-always-wanted-and-need/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "If you’re in business today, or run any kind of an organization, people need to be able to find you. Online. Because that’s where they’ll look. No website. Not found."
last_modified: "2021-01-22T13:49:04+00:00"
categories: [Blog, The website process]
---

# The website you always wanted (and need)

I have a friend who is a small business owner. Gets his work by word of mouth. Obviously works quite well for him, since his business has been around for a long time. But he has no website. He thinks he doesn’t need one. Because for the most part, he has new projects coming in. Except when he doesn’t. Then he worries.

Would a website take care of that for him? Not entirely, but it would sure help. _A lot._

The reality is that if you’re in business today, or run an organization, people need to be able to find you. _Online._ Because that’s where they’ll look.

No website. Not found. Or you’re found because someone mentioned you online. Which can be a really mixed bag.

Point is: A solid website is your hub where you have control over how you appear online. You can (and definitely should) connect social media to the website, encouraging people who found you on social media to visit your website. So they can check out that you’re for real.

And that’s the key item my friend is missing out on: His customers provide great referrals. He talks to prospective clients. But there’s no place online for them to go find out more about him. To see some of his great work. And since there’s no way to track those missed opportunities, we don’t know how much he’s missing out on.

Here’s some quick math: My friend’s average project is about $3,000. Let’s say that because people can’t check him out without actually talking to him, he misses out on 1 project every other month. That’s probably low, but let’s be conservative. In a year, that’s $18,000 of income that didn’t happen for him. (6 projects x $3,000 each = $18,000).

Ouch. And that’s just this year. He’s been in business for many years. Now that adds up to really OUCH!

All because people who want his services couldn’t find him online.

Makes having a website (a good one at that) a much easier decision. Right?

Starting with this blog post, I’m going to dive deeper into the magic of websites. First, let’s do an overview of everything that goes into creating and launching a new (or redesigned) website. 

Coming posts will go into more detail about each step.

## **Make it clear: Connecting your business/organization and the web**

The example above illustrates the need to be present online with our businesses/organizations. Because how else will people find us? Or check us out once they’ve found us?

I was in a meeting the other day. Talked with a man sitting next to me. Gave him my card. A few minutes later, I saw that he had my website open on his computer. Because he was going to check me out before talking to me further. That was with me right there, in the same room!

Trust is essential in business. So are the 2 other things that go right with that word: Know and like. Before anyone will do business with us, they need to know us, like us and trust us. A good website does wonders for that process. It lets you tell your story. Those interested in you and your offer learn more about you and can begin to see if this might be a good match.

It’s all about building relationships.

## **Make them look**

Any website has about 3 seconds to convince visitors to stick around and explore more. _Seriously._ That’s less time than the attention span of a goldfish. 

I’m talking about what visitors see right away, before scrolling or going to another page. It has to engage.

Most websites consist of multiple pages:

- Home page
- About us
- Product/Service
- Contact us
- Terms/privacy/disclaimer
- Blog

Other websites use a one-page design. Content displays as different sections on one long, scrolling page.

Which type you use, ultimately depends on the amount of content on your website and what’s best for your audience.

Text content is good and your website should definitely have enough of it. There’s no award for using the fewest words. In fact, both human visitors and search engines will penalize a website with too little content. 

Images and video are a must to help visitors engage with your message and “get” what you’re about. Even online, it’s still true that an image is worth 1,000 words.

## **Make it sizzle**

So we’ve figured out what the content is that needs to be on that new website to make it stand out and really connect with visitors. 

Now it’s time to design the site to look awesome, presenting that content in the best possible way and to help visitors engage with us. Also, the site needs to do well with search engines, so it will show up in all the right places. 

Plus, the website must display well on devices of all sizes and at slower connection speeds. 

It’s all about making it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for and then take action. Because, that first impression has to be a good one.

## **Make it real**

So far, it’s been all about planning and designing. Now is the time to actually build the website. 

Unfortunately, all too often this is where the process starts. Especially when using “drag-and-drop” style services. Their selling point is how easy it will be for you to just drag and drop your content into predefined spots, or to build a website using a collection of building blocks for things like text, images, video, buttons and so on.

They assume you have the content. But without a solid plan, figuring out content while dragging and dropping will make the process take much longer. And the final product will not be everything it could be.

Much of what goes into making a website perform well (with search engines and otherwise) is also “under the hood”, in places you don’t necessarily see right away. 

All that goodness gets added in during the development process. Everything is optimized and tested to perform its best, every time. 

The last thing you need is content that is missing (broken links), links that don’t go where they are supposed to, and content that loads so slowly visitors will fall asleep waiting for it (or just go away).

And let’s not forget about making the website secure. Because hackers.

## **One more thing**

All too often our focus is all on building that new, shiny website. Then once it’s done, we ignore it. But a great website is never finished. 

Fresh, new content keeps the website relevant and gives visitors reasons to come back. 

The website code also needs regular updates, because the web is always changing and new security threats show up far too frequently.

Plus any website needs regular backups. So you’re ready, should something really bad happen one day.

By now the new/redesigned website should be launched, live for the world to see.

_In _[Blue-skying your next website](https://claesjonasson.design/blue-skying-your-next-website/)_, we dig into the purpose of a website, what it must do for you and important considerations for getting started on the road to a new (or redesigned) website._

---

---
title: "Setting up your email list"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/email-list/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Setting up your email list Mini-training on setting up email sign-up forms, thank you pages and automated welcome sequences. Also covers delivery of Lead Magnets. The same workflows apply for any mass email provider. In this training, I'm focusing on"
last_modified: "2025-04-25T00:27:26+00:00"
---

# Setting up your email list

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

Mini-training on setting up email sign-up forms, thank you pages and automated welcome sequences. Also covers delivery of Lead Magnets.

The same workflows apply for any mass email provider. In this training, I’m focusing on how to set this up in MailChimp.

[![Workflows for email sign-up, thank you page, lead magnet delivery and an automated welcome sequence. Download the pdf to have it handy as you go through the setup process.](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Mass-email-training.pdf)](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Mass-email-training.pdf)

_Workflows for email sign-up, thank you page, lead magnet delivery and an automated welcome sequence. [Download the pdf version](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Mass-email-training.pdf) to have it handy as you go through the setup process._

[](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GDPR-branching.pdf)

_Workflow of branching for different followup on new email signups depending on whether the constituent is inside or outside the European Union. [Downloadable pdf.](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GDPR-branching.pdf)_

Bonus video covering GDPR (European General Data Protection Requirements) considerations that affect all website owners, regardless of where located, if any website visitors (including email subscribers) are from Europe.

Also discusses the 3 legal documents every website must have – to build trust, meet legal requirements, and protect the website owner, as well as website visitors.

The website legal documents package referred to in the training is [available here](https://claesjonasson.design/resources/).

---

---
title: "9 great reasons to keep your word"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/keep-your-word-9-great-reasons/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "“Honesty and integrity are by far the most important assets of an entrepreneur.” Say what?"
last_modified: "2019-06-06T00:50:04+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 9 great reasons to keep your word

> “Honesty and integrity are by far the most important assets of an entrepreneur.” 

_Zig Ziglar_

## **Say what? **

Surely the Big Idea that will revolutionize the world and make the new business take off like a rocket is much more important! Or any of the assets that go on the balance sheet.

Actually, I do believe Zig Ziglar was right. Do you?

## **Are honesty and integrity really your greatest assets?**

Greater than business acumen? The new, shiny product? How about the massive mailing list or positively huge social media following? 

If he was here, I think Mr. Ziglar would make the case that none of that matters without honesty and integrity. Because nobody really likes being cheated or doing business with a crook.

**A major way to go about business (and life) with honesty and integrity is to keep your word:**

- **It’s the right thing to do.** Maybe I’m “old fashioned” but I don’t believe that the end justifies the means. There is such a thing as right and wrong. We all know in our hearts that this is true. And this truth reveals itself especially when we’re on the receiving end of being wronged. Keeping your word is the right thing to do.  
- **It builds character. **It’s easy to keep your word when all goes according to plan. But when you keep your word even when it hurts to do so, you are building strength of character. _“Integrity alone won’t make you a leader, but without it you’ll never be one.” – Zig Ziglar_
- **It builds trust.** When you give people what you promised, you’re making “trust deposits” in your account. People see you as reliable and honest. In our online businesses, it’s easy for someone to want what we’re offering, but without the trust factor, they may hover over that “buy” button and choose not to click it. Keeping your word and building trust takes that fear away. They know when they click the “buy” button they’re getting what you promised.
- **It retains customers.** People do business with those they know, like and trust. Keeping your word is vital for maintaining trust and keeping loyal clients. By contrast, if you don’t keep your word, customers will flee, and spread the word that you’re not reliable. 
- **It sets you apart. **In a world full of scam artists, it’s refreshing to find a business that operates with honesty and integrity. You earn a reputation for keeping your word and that sets you apart from those who don’t. _“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” — Proverbs 22:1._
- **It makes you profitable. **_“Profitability comes from loyalty, productivity, and having a character base from which to work.” – Zig Ziglar._ Keeping your word is foundational to building that strong character base. Integrity alone won’t make you profitable, but without it, any profits you make will sprout wings and fly away.
- **It helps you make wise promises.** If you establish from the outset that you’ll always keep your word, you’re more careful about the promises you make. Beware of making rash promises. Instead, make promises you know you can keep and even exceed. Customers are delighted to receive more than what you promised.
- **It protects your business.** In our litigious society, a broken promise could land you in court. Keeping your word is cheap insurance to prevent that from happening. _“With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity, you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt.” – Zig Ziglar_
- **It helps you sleep at night. **There’s nothing like a clear conscience to provide a good night’s sleep! By keeping your word, you can lay your head on your pillow at night with the satisfaction and peace of mind that you did the right thing.

## When Things Don’t Go as Planned

You may say, “That’s all good and well, but what about when stuff happens outside of my control?” Even with our best efforts, unforeseen events do occur and now we’re stuck having made a promise that we either can’t fulfill or to do so will cost us dearly. What do we do?

- **Keep your word despite the extra cost.** You might even want to share openly what has happened and what it will cost you, but that your integrity is more valuable to you than your profit. Such a response may come back to benefit you in ways you cannot now imagine!
- **Offer something better.** If it’s within your power to offer your customers something even better in place of your original offer, this too can sustain your integrity and the trust and loyalty of your customers.
- **Offer a full refund with apologies. **If the previous 2 options are not possible, be honest with your customers about what happened. Give them a full refund with a humble apology. But provide them with a positive glimpse of what you will have to offer them in the future. 

Keeping your word is no small matter. But it’s a great foundation to build your business on.

> “We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.”

_Michelle Obama_

> “Moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity, treating people with respect.”

_Stephen Covey_

> “I would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.”

John F. Kennedy

![Man and woman shaking hands](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/handshake-1024x597.jpg)

---

---
title: "The one with “Not Secure”"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-one-with-not-secure/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Are you seeing more websites show up as “Not Secure” recently? The major web browsers now are “outing” websites that don’t use secure connections. For good reason."
last_modified: "2023-05-28T20:52:37+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The one with “Not Secure”

Have you noticed a lot more websites displaying “Not Secure” in the browser address bar?

This spring, websites I’ve visited for years, have started showing up as “Not Secure” in my browser. It’s not because anything changed on those websites. _It’s exactly because **nothing** changed. _

![Closeup of computer screen with text "Not Secure" in browser address bar](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/not-secure-1024x597.jpg)

Our major web browsers have started “outing” websites that are still not encrypting the communication from your browser to the server.

Websites that do encrypt that connection display a padlock in the browser address window. And may also spell out “HTTPS”, the secure communications protocol used.

That’s what you should see for _every_ website you visit online now. 

![Closeup of computer screen with padlock and "https" in address bar](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/padlock-1024x299.jpg)

## **The website to server connection**

When you use your computer, tablet or mobile phone to visit a website, the web browser on your device communicates with the server where the actual website files reside. 

That could be nearby, in another part of the country or on the other side of the globe. Wherever the files are, your web browser has to connect with that server to get the data to display the website on your computer. But it’s not a direct connection. Rather it goes through a number of intermediate hubs on the way. 

In this communication between your web browser and the server, data flows both ways. And some of it can be quite personal.

It used to be all that data was sent in the clear. Like writing a letter on a postcard. While it’s on the way to the recipient, anyone who sees it, can read the content. Or even steal that postcard and replace it with another one, that you will think is the real one, but that has different content. 

Yes, that’s not a pretty picture. But that’s what a web browser to server connection looks like when it’s not secured. Anyone, snoopers in the coffee shop, hackers, your Internet Service Provider or a not-so-friendly government, can easily find out what info is going back and forth between your computer and that distant server housing the website you’re visiting.

For security reasons, we’ve long used encrypted connections from web browser to server when it comes to banking. Because you really don’t want your information stolen.

Over the last few years, there’s been a lot of emphasis on increasing security online. Google (and other search engines) now look at if the connection is secure when they rank websites. And browsers started flagging websites as “Not Secure” if they contained a form and didn’t encrypt the communication with the server.

## **The benefit of encrypted communication browser to server**

Maybe this whole thing mattered less back when we surfed the web from a desktop computer at home or at the office. All the data went through actual wires. There were also fewer people out there snooping for information they could steal.

But now, with over 60% of web browsing happening on mobile devices and even computers at home connecting to the internet wirelessly, it’s become much easier to intercept some of that data traffic. Just think who all might be listening in when you go online using the wi-fi at a coffee shop or in another public space.

So of course we want data from our browser to and from a website we visit to be private. Encrypted.

## **Flagging HTTP connections as “Not Secure”**

Securing the connection from web browser to server gets technical, so many website owners have ignored it, figuring that there’s nothing much worth stealing in that communication anyway.

But now we’re seeing websites labeled as “Not Secure” as soon as you go to them, simply because they’re using the old HTTP protocol and not the encrypted HTTPS protocol that makes use of SSL certificates to protect information going from your web browser to the website’s server.

Once upon a time, it was rather complicated (and costly) to set a website up to use HTTPS and SSL. Not so anymore. It can even be totally free. But the website needs to be set up properly so that all traffic is directed to use the secure connection.

Today there is therefore absolutely no reason for why any website, no matter how small, should still use HTTP to connect to the server, leaving your data exposed. The issue just can’t be ignored.

## **If your website is “Not Secure”**

If you own a website, it must be properly configured to always use encrypted connections (HTTPS and SSL). Because you really, really want site visitors to trust you. Your hosting company can help you get HTTPS set up. If they can’t or won’t, it’s time to find another hosting company.

Thanks to the Internet Security Research Group, that SSL certificate can be totally free. And automated, so you don’t have to think about it. It will just work. For most websites, that’s a perfect solution. 

One more thing: You must make sure that if someone tries to visit your site via HTTP, they are always redirected to the secure HTTPS connection. 

Again, all the setup is a one-time deal. So worth spending a bit of effort on, knowing that your visitors won’t be scared away by warnings about your website being “Not Secure” ever again.

## **If you visit someone else’s website that is “Not Secure”**

_First off, most certainly don’t send any personal information or buy anything on a website that isn’t using a secure connection. _

In the past, many websites displayed their products on pages that were not secure and only when it came time to check out, did you get taken to a secure connection to enter payment information. But you may already have entered a bunch of personal information (name, address, email, phone) before getting to the actual checkout. So that wasn’t a great idea back then and definitely isn’t up to standard today.

**_Demand that any website you make a purchase on use HTTPS connections throughout the entire shopping process. _**

If a website you visit displays “Not Secure”, do use their contact form to let them know that this is the 21st century and they’re losing visitors because their website isn’t using HTTPS on all or some of its pages.

Most website owners do care about people visiting their websites and will pay attention if they hear from visitors that their site is showing up as “Not Secure”. _If not, do you really want to do business with them?_

**For the website visitor, it’s a matter of trust:** If the website I’m visiting encrypts the communication, I infer that I can trust them. If they don’t do that simple thing, then how can I trust them with other things?

**For the website owner, it’s about making sure your website uses encryption (HTTPS and SSL).** It’s the new normal. Not optional. At least not if we want visitors to trust us. 

Plus Google and other search engines, along with the browser makers, have all decided that HTTP sites are less trustworthy. It shows up in rankings and how websites are displayed in browsers and search results. We all want to look good there. So using HTTPS and SSL is a no-brainer. Period. 

Even the simplest one page website now really must use HTTPS and SSL.

You want your website to stand out. Just don’t make it stand out for the wrong reason. Like being labeled “Not Secure.”

_Want more? Here’s another article about HTTPS and encrypting communication from browser to server: [Is Google marking your website “Not Secure”?](https://claesjonasson.design/is-google-marking-your-website-not-secure/)_

For the latest state on secure and not secure connections, read this article: _[Removing the (confusing) padlock](https://claesjonasson.design/removing-the-confusing-padlock/)_.

---

---
title: "Oops — did I do that?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/oops-did-i-do-that/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "“Did I do that?” was the trademark phrase of the ever clumsy Steve Urkel on Family Matters. Blunders are for laughs on sitcoms. Not so much in real life. Yet we still find ourselves having to say “Did I do"
last_modified: "2019-04-26T01:15:08+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Oops — did I do that?

If you’ve ever watched the sitcom _Family Matters_, you no doubt recall the nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel, whose trademark phrase was _“Did I do that?_” Always uttered right after something had fallen apart or come crashing down. Because he just had that effect on things. It seemed life was one major blunder for him.

Many blunders and oops moments are funny (at least afterward). Others not so much.

If you’ve been alive for a while, you can probably identify with some of these:

- Missing an appointment with a client
- Sending someone the wrong product
- Showing up late for an important meeting
- Calling someone by the wrong name
- Sending out an email with typos in it
- Confidently stating something publicly, only to discover later you were wrong
- Drawing a complete blank when meeting someone who insists they know you
- Failing to make a payment on time to an affiliate or contractor
- Finding out that you’ve offended someone

Sometimes much more serious blunders occur with significant consequences. For instance, in the Clinton—Lewinsky scandal in the ’90s, then President Bill Clinton committed a huge moral blunder in his sexual encounters with Monica Lewinsky. If those weren’t bad enough, what really upset the public were his blatant lies and twisting of the truth under oath. The more he lied, the greater the scandal became. Consequently, he lost respect, integrity, and trust with the American people, leading to investigation and impeachment proceedings.

While this is an extreme example of a blunder, there’s a lesson there for all of us. Committing a blunder and responding poorly can have catastrophic consequences.

## **Blunder causes and prevention**

Blunders occur for many reasons, but here are some of the common problems or oversights that lead to blunders:

- Cutting corners
- Rushing
- Inattention to detail
- Preoccupation with other things
- Stress
- Dishonesty
- Lack of a moral compass or failure to follow it
- Failure to put safeguards in place
- Failure to adhere to established safeguards
- Having too much on one’s plate
- Poor oversight or management of others
- Insufficient training
- Partnerships with those who don’t share your values
- Murphy’s Law

As you read through that list of causes, notice that all are avoidable but the last one. 

With diligence, honesty, integrity, attention to detail, demonstrating genuine care for others, having good systems and processes in place and following them we can usually avoid most blunders. Obviously, we want to do all we can to avoid mistakes and blunders from occurring in the first place. 

But whether we’ve taken the proper precautions or not, what do we do when a blunder occurs?

## **5 steps for recovering from a blunder gracefully**

- **Assess the damage.** Determine the extent of the damage. How many people does it affect? How serious is the damage? What will be its impact on your business? How will it influence the way people see you? Seek the counsel of others on this matter, so you don’t underestimate the potential damage.

- **Own up to it. **Often, your immediate response to an exposed blunder is to defend yourself, make excuses, or blame someone else. These responses come naturally, especially if the blunder was unintentional. But none of those responses will help you recover. Instead, own the mistake. Take full responsibility for it, even if it was committed by someone else in your organization. Owning up to it demonstrates integrity and honesty. You may even earn a higher level of respect and trust by doing so. Admitting fault also helps you and your constituents move on from there.
- **Make it right. **This may be as simple as offering a sincere apology. But other times, you may need to offer a refund, or something for free as an expression of goodwill. If in doubt, ask the person(s), “What can we do to make this right for you?”

- **Look for the hidden gem. **Quite often, if you make a mistake but seek to make amends graciously, you’ll find an unexpected blessing. Your gracious response to a blunder can demonstrate to others the depth of your commitment to them, the soundness of your integrity, or the extent of your care and concern. Look for that hidden jewel and capitalize on it.

- **Put safeguards in place.** If you’re unsure of how the blunder occurred, research it and discover what went wrong. Then, put systems and processes in place to prevent its recurrence. 

Mistakes and blunders happen to the best of us. To the extent possible, we want to avoid them. But when they do occur, seek to make them right and do so with all integrity. In this way you can recover from a blunder gracefully and both you and your tribe will be glad you did.

---

---
title: "Website Review feedback"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/website-review-feedback/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Website Review feedback"
last_modified: "2025-05-10T19:39:09+00:00"
---

# Website Review feedback

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Word of mouth is quite possibly the most effective way to make a product or service known. We all tend to value the experience of others who have been in similar circumstances as we’re facing.

We want to share the experience of our customers on our website and in other promo materials so that others can learn more about our products and services. We truly believe that we’re only as good as our reputation and relationships.

For that reason, Claes Jonasson Design LLC is collecting feedback from users of its products, services, and trainings. We intend to use the feedback/testimonial you provide, along with name, image, likeness, and other personal characteristics you provide below, as part of our advertising, promotion, and other commercial and business purposes.

By completing this form, you are agreeing to allow Claes Jonasson Design LLC to use your name, image, likeness, and other personal information for that purpose. You agree that the value you gained and will gain from the use of Claes Jonasson Design LLC’s products is sufficient to grant your permission for the use of your name, image, and likeness.

In a few sentences, please tell us about your experience with Website Review: What was the most helpful part of the review and why? What was the least helpful part of the review and why? How could we make the Website Review more useful? Please tell us how you plan to use the information in your Website Review:(Required)

I’ll do the work myself

My current webmaster will take care of it

I’d like to talk with Claes about next steps

I haven’t decided what to do yet

Not doing anything
Your name(Required)We need your full name on record for legal reasons. You can choose how we’ll display your name with your testimonial in a later step.

First

Last

Your email(Required)Your email is required for verification purposes. It will not be published.

Your title and company(e.g. Chief Creative at Claes Jonasson Design LLC)  How do you want to be identified in the feedback?(Required)

First and last name, title and company

First and last name

First name and last initial

Other

Feedback/testimonial waiver and release(Required)Claes Jonasson Design LLC (the “Company”) desires to use and publicize the name, image, and other personal characteristics and private information of the individual named above (“I” or “me”) for use as a testimonial for its product and/or services (the “Product”) as part of its advertising, promotion, and other commercial and business purposes. In exchange for the intangible value I gained and will gain from the Product and by participating in Company’s publicity programs and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I hereby acknowledge, I give Company my permission for such use and publicity for such purposes.

I hereby irrevocably permit, authorize, grant, and license Company and its affiliates, successors, and assigns, and the employees, officers, directors, and agents of each and all of them, the rights to display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, reproduce, record, photograph, digitize, modify, alter, edit, adapt, create derivative works, exploit, sell, rent, license, otherwise use, and permit others to use my name, image, likeness, appearance, voice, professional and personal biographical information as part of a testimonial for the Product.

I represent and warrant to Company that I am at least eighteen (18) years of age, and I have full right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement and grant the rights hereunder.

**Do you agree to the use of your name, image, and likeness as set forth above?**

Yes, I agree

No, I do not agree
We noticed you checked “No, I do not agree.” That means we can’t use your comments for promotional purposes. We’ll look forward to reading them if you click “Submit”, but rest assured, your comments won’t be made public.
Submit

---

---
title: "The power behind 1/3 of the top 10 million websites"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/top-10-million-websites/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Did you know that 1/3 of the top 10 million websites in the world are powered by WordPress? And the number keeps growing!"
last_modified: "2019-03-28T02:13:43+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The power behind 1/3 of the top 10 million websites

Did you know that 1/3 of the top 10 million websites in the world are powered by WordPress? And the number keeps growing!

Not at all bad for a tool that started purely for bloggers around 2003. WordPress and blogging got so closely connected in those early days that to many people, even a decade later (which in Internet years is like a century), WordPress is still for blogging.

_“I’m not going to blog, so I need a_ real _website platform.” _

Okay, you aren’t going to blog. Check. Real website platform. Check. How about WordPress? It’s definitely real.

I began using WordPress in 2008. Because I started a blog. To go with my html coded website. 

## More than a blog

I soon concluded that if WordPress could run a blog, it could surely run a whole website as well. After all, a blog is just a bunch of content, stored in a database and dynamically presented in some predetermined order, while also allowing you to search and find any one piece of content.

Early attempts at using WordPress as more than a blog, ,often didn’t really look like a website. Still felt and smelled like a blog. 

I wasn’t satisfied with that and dove into web design as well as data structures to create WordPress websites that looked like a website, with many pages of content, but where all that content was served up from a database, making it easy to update and maintain the website. 

To me, this was the future of websites. Because it’s all about being able to replace, update or add new content quickly and on a regular basis on a website. After all, visitors come to the website looking for relevant content that will help solve their need.

I wasn’t the only one. Many others started building full websites in WordPress. 

## 1/3 of the web runs on WordPress

Fast forward to today. 33.4% of the top 10 million websites run on WordPress. Most of those are not strictly blogs. Sure, many do contain a blog (or news/updates section). But their primary function is to be a website. To connect their owner with an audience online. To sell products. To raise funds for nonprofits. To provide services.

It’s way past time to drop the idea that WordPress is for blogs only.

## Best choice for powering your website

In fact, given that WordPress is so common, here are 5 reasons for why WordPress is the best choice for powering your website, today and tomorrow:

- **Continuous development.** Just a few months ago, WordPress released a major upgrade. It’s now on version 5. This time the upgrade included a brand new content editor that makes adding new content or editing existing content much easier and intuitive than in the past. The folks behind WordPress are committed to keeping on developing new versions, so we can rely on it being a platform that is current and safe. Which is a big thing in a security-challenged and ever changing world.
- **Backward compatibility.** I have a website that I built in 2010. It’s still around as an archive and looks just like back then, but it runs the very latest version of WordPress. So I know it’s not going to fall off the internet because of old code. Or be a big security risk.
- **You control it.** It’s on your server. There are other website tools that advertise how easy it is to build a website on their platform. Which may be true, as long as you fit into the options they give you. Or staying on that server/platform works for you. But what if it doesn’t? What if that company goes away? Then your website is gone too. A WordPress website can easily be moved to another web hosting company.
- **Search engine friendly.** WordPress at its core is built to play nice with search engines. Likewise, good WordPress themes, are designed to do well on SEO. There are good plugins for taking search engine friendliness even further. Some big companies that sell SEO services and make sure their clients consistently rank top in their niche, solely use WordPress as their development platform. Because it delivers.
- **Capable and expandable.** Need a simple, one page website? WordPress can do that. Need a website with 100s of pages and different parts of the website presenting themselves as their own little websites? WordPress can do that. Need to run an online training center with logins, courses and student tracking? WordPress can do that.

Plus, the WordPress core has always been, and continues to be, free. 

All solid reasons for choosing WordPress as the platform on which to build your website.

And you’ll also know that you’re in good company. 1/3 of the top 10 million websites. Pretty impressive. Especially as the number continues to grow.

## Complaints and objections

Here are some of the objections or complaints I hear about WordPress:

### WordPress websites get hacked.

Yes it happens. But honestly, all websites are targets for hacking. No matter how insignificant. When WordPress websites do get hacked, it’s often because the site wasn’t running the latest version of WordPress, or user accounts had weak passwords. One is taken care of by regularly updating the website and the other by using strong passwords and maybe adding login authentication for the website. Today, any website, regardless of platform, needs to use security software.

### WordPress is complicated to set up.

This can be true from the perspective of the end user.  There’s the core to install, then a theme and probably some plugins to customize appearance and functionality and finally content to figure out and place in the right locations. To be fair, any website that has more than one page will share this complexity, regardless of what platform it’s built on. A number of prebuilt solutions that advertise drag and drop ease try to remove this complexity (or at least hide it), but do so at the cost of limiting your design options and by locking you in to their platform. 

### Writing new posts and other content in WordPress is too complicated.

Maybe. First, it depends on how the site architecture was designed. It’s possible for one page to pull content from multiple posts, articles or widgets. Knowing where all those pieces live can be confusing. Secondly, what has been the standard content editor in WordPress was getting well past its prime. I agree that it was confusing. Fortunately, WordPress recently brought out an entirely new content editing experience, based on blocks. Editing a new post is now much faster, more intuitive and prettier. Likewise, a good page builder can simplify customizing pages on the website, allowing great control of both content and styling of that content.

### WordPress websites all look the same.

That might have been sort of true at one time, but certainly not today. First off, there are 1000s of themes that allow customization without having to write any code. Second, a custom built website will truly not look any different if built on WordPress than on any other platform. It will fully reflect the requirements of the organization it is built for. So it will be unique.

## A solid website is about content first

At the end of the day, we must not forget that a high performing website is far more about the right content, how that content is organized and the user experience on the website, than it is ever about what platform the website is built on. To put it another way: Despite the promises of some advertising, there is no platform in the world that is going to deliver an awesome website to you or me in 20 minutes, with just drag and drop. 

After all, you first have to have something to drag and drop: Content — text and images. For most website owners, that is by far the hardest part. And it has nothing to do with the technology powering the website.

But once we invest a lot of time and effort in creating great content for a website, we surely want it to be built on a platform that will work well, today and in months and years ahead. WordPress is that platform.

_[Learn more about WordPress’ growth to powering 1/3 of the web.](https://wordpress.org/news/2019/03/one-third-of-the-web/)_

---

---
title: "Robert Krupp"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/robert-krupp/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "project-portfolio"
description: "Blogger on a mission to inform and challenge Christian leaders with original insight and curated content from around the world."
last_modified: "2025-11-01T14:16:30+00:00"
custom_fields:
  url_visual: "RobertKrupp.com"
  url_link: "https://RobertKrupp.com"
  scope: "web design / copy editing / graphic design / strategy consulting"
  starting_point: "Bob had been blogging for several years, but didn't feel like he was gaining traction due to an old website that didn't meet his needs and didn't present the full scope of his work well to site visitors.\nPart of his challenge is that he has 2 very unique tracks going on his blog: Original insight in Lessons we can learn and curated content from around the web in Links to begin the week. Except they were getting lost in each other on his old website."
  solution: "Together we developed a strategy for presenting the 2 unique feeds and managing them in a way that makes each stand out on the website.\nThen we also included an effective system for encouraging website visitors to subscribe to Bob’s email list, including offering a downloadable guide that Bob wrote and I did the graphic design for.\nBob got a custom designed WordPress website that is easy for him to add and update content on, knowing that everything will show up in all the right places."
  top_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/bob-working-on-computer.jpg"
  home_page_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RobertKruppfront-1.jpg"
  tablet_image: "https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RobertKrupp-tablet.jpg"
---

# Robert Krupp

Together we developed a strategy for presenting the 2 unique feeds and managing them in a way that makes each stand out on the website.

Then we also included an effective system for encouraging website visitors to subscribe to Bob’s email list, including offering a downloadable guide that Bob wrote and I did the graphic design for.

Bob got a custom designed WordPress website that is easy for him to add and update content on, knowing that everything will show up in all the right places.

---

---
title: "Suddenly gone — where’s my website?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/suddenly-gone/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "The Swedish passenger train company MTR Express recently found themselves cut off from their customers. Their website, where people book travel on their trains, was gone."
last_modified: "2019-03-14T02:12:13+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Suddenly gone — where’s my website?

The Swedish passenger train company MTR Express recently found themselves cut off from their customers. Their website, where people book travel on their trains, was gone.

MTR Express is one of the passenger train operators between Sweden’s 2 largest cities: Stockholm and Gothenburg. Have been for several years. Tickets are mainly sold through their mobile app and their website.

But as of February 28 this year, when you go to their website at [mtrexpress.se](https://mtrexpress.se), you are met with a blank page. Absolutely nothing there. Except today, I get an error message there. Still not helpful.

The company notified the world via Facebook that users should remove MTR’s app from their phones, because it’s no longer working. They then directed would-be travelers to a totally new website at [https://mtrexpress.travel/sv](https://mtrexpress.travel/sv)  But Google still sends searches to the URL above. Ouch.

What happened to cause this drastic change? When a business has had a domain for several years and has built up search engine rankings, they surely wouldn’t abandon it just like that.

They didn’t.

The drastic change is the result of a conflict with their now former IT company. As it turns out, their domain [mtrexpress.se](https://mtrexpress.se) (and another domain they used) is registered by the IT company.

_**Key concept to remember: The organization that registers a domain, owns it and controls it. Regardless of if that’s the company or organization the domain really represents.**_

MTR Express had the folks that developed their website register the domain, instead of doing it themselves, in the IT company’s name. So in the domain records, [mtrexpress.se](https://mtrexpress.se) belongs to the IT company. Not MTR.

**_Let that sink in for a moment._**

This has led to MTR Express having to set up a new booking website literally overnight. Plus they’re now suing their old IT company. I have no idea why they parted ways to start with. It’s probably been brewing for some time. Not at all addressing who may be at fault in that disagreement, because I have no insight into the particulars.

But when things blew up, all of a sudden a company that relies on their website for doing business every day was instantly cut off from that website. They ceased to exist. People got a blank page at their web address. No redirection. No information.

That’s disastrous. Because how do you tell prospective customers you’ve moved when you can’t reach them?

I have no idea what it cost MTR Express to, in an extreme rush, set up a new domain, website and booking system. Or to try to get back in front of their target audience. Just know it’s definitely not cheap.

Especially not when about weeks after the fateful day, Google still sends search traffic to their defunct site.

An online presence takes time and effort to build. And can be ruined overnight.

But of course, this could never happen to you and me. Right?

Wrong. I’ve worked with an organization to do the cleanup when things went south with their former web developer and hosting company. Eventually we did get control of the old domain again, but not until well after a new website had been launched on a new domain.

How do you make sure this kind of devastating interruption doesn’t happen to your business or organization?

**Here are 5 absolutely key steps:**

## **Own your domains**

MTR Express for some inexplicable reason allowed their IT company to register their domains for them. Remember, whoever registers the domain, controls it. And legally owns it. A court may eventually decide that the domain rightfully belongs to the company it goes with. But that’s time and money lost. Damage done. 

So register your domain yourself. In your name. Now you own it. Period. Ever since I started building websites, that’s what I’ve told clients. I’ll gladly help clients register their domain. But I want them to own it. 

## **Never mix domain registration and website hosting**

It sounds so convenient and lots of vendors offer it: Get your domain from the company that also hosts your website. Just deal with one account. What’s not to like? 

How about the fact that having both in one place will cause a major headache if you ever for any reason need to change registrar or hosting company? 

It’s not unusual to do that either over a period of years. That hosting package that was perfect when you started out may turn out to be really limiting after a few years. Now you want to move. To another company. But your domain is registered at the hosting company. Things get complicated. You’re looking at some downtime for your website while things switch over. 

If registration and hosting are with separate entities, then switching hosting is a simple process of getting everything ready with the new vendor and changing where the domain points. Seamless. 

Likewise moving a domain registration to a new registrar is also easy, with little interruption, when that doesn’t involve changing hosting at the same time.

## **Get your name as a domain, even if you don’t plan to use it right now**

This especially applies to entrepreneurs and small business owners. When I started my company, it was called Film & Company LLC. Even so, I registered [ClaesJonasson.com](https://ClaesJonasson.com). Just because it was available. When the .design suffix became available, I registered [ClaesJonasson.Design](https://ClaesJonasson.Design) as well. By then, I was already working on rebranding. Eventually I went with Claes Jonasson Design LLC. Which was easy, because I already owned the domain.

If you don’t own your name as a domain, somebody else is probably going to pick it up, sooner or later. At which point, it may be really confusing for your customers.

## **Renew your domain before it expires**

When a domain expires, there’s usually a (short) grace period before somebody else can register it. But don’t rely on it. 

Do count on that if your website had any level of traffic, somebody out there will snap up your expired domain just to try to make a few $$ running ads on it. Because there was traffic coming to it. They may tire after a while and let it go again. But you can’t get it back in the meantime. Unless of course you outright purchase it from the new owner. Who may suddenly realize they’re sitting on a small gold mine. Needless to say, you won’t get it back for the $20 or so it would have cost to just renew the domain registration on time.

## **Use a domain registrar that is going to be around**

Not all domain registrars are created equal. Some are nothing more than repackagers of somebody else’s service. In that case, who is your domain really registered with? Who is going to be there for you if there’s a problem? While none of us can guarantee the future, doing some homework before selecting a company to register your domain with, can avoid issues later on.

Follow these 5 steps and you’ll truly be in control of your website domain registration. There are plenty of other things that can go wrong online. But you’ll know that your domain is yours and you own it.

Because at the end of the day, your website will represent who you are and be your connection hub with your audience. You definitely don’t want to lose search engine rankings over something as silly as changing the web hosting company or domain registrar.

You certainly don’t want to be in the position of MTR Express that is now working through the court system to get their domains back. That’s time and money neither you nor I have.

---

---
title: "7 ways limited funds can work in your favor"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/limited-funds-work-in-your-favor/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "The best way to start a new venture is surely to have all the funds you could possibly need. Because no worries. Or maybe it’s really a good thing to work with limited funds."
last_modified: "2019-02-27T03:28:58+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 7 ways limited funds can work in your favor

Years ago, when I started my company, I went to a Small Business Development Center seminar. A local banker discussed financing your new venture. One thing he said stood out to me: “Be sure to borrow _everything_ you will need for at least the first 2 years right up front. Because no banker will want to talk to you for additional credit inside those first 2 years.” 

Wow. That suddenly raised the threshold for starting a new venture. But what he said made sense: If I started a business, borrowed money and then in a year or so went back to the bank to ask for more, of course they’d worry about why I burned through that first round of funds and now needed more, while still within those first few years when a majority of businesses will fail.

It also convinced me that I didn’t want to start out with major debt. I’d seen friends start a business and eventually get out of it, but still be stuck paying off debt from that business for years to come. Didn’t want to be in that boat. 

So I followed the time-honored boot-strapping method: Start with a bare minimum. Reinvest all income possible. Grow as funds and projects allow. In my field you can do that. But it was still a challenge. For the first year or so, I was constantly borrowing and renting equipment to do video shoots. Eventually, one piece at a time, I purchased the equipment I really needed and I owned it outright. If I had a slow month, I didn’t have to worry about making a payment to the bank or them coming to repossess my tools of the trade.

Limited funds can also be a nail-biting experience. Because you’re wondering where money will come from to pay immediate bills, as well as feed expansion of the business.

Even so, for many small business owners and entrepreneurs, I see a real benefit in starting out with limited funds. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade that experience.

## Here are 7 ways limited funds can work in your favor

- **Limited funds can boost creativity.** If necessity is the mother of invention, then having limited funds is its father. When you don’t have much money, you have to figure out unique and creative ways to get things done. Lessons learned during this time can become absolutely invaluable as your business grows. You’re investing in your future. H. Jackson Brown, Jr. in _Life’s Little Instruction Book_, explained, “When starting out, don’t worry about not having enough money. Limited funds are a blessing, not a curse. Nothing encourages creative thinking in quite the same way.”
- **Limited funds teach you to live without non-essentials.** While this may sound harsh and minimalistic, learning to live with only what’s necessary can play in your favor in the long run. Setting up your business frugally makes you “lean and mean.” This translates to being more competitive in the future. You’ll be able to perform services at a lower cost to you than your competition. When you establish your business without those non-essentials, your processes tend to be simpler and easier to perform. With limited funds you’re not so tempted to get side-tracked or distracted by the newest gadget or software.
- **Limited funds can be a great motivator!** Obviously, if you start with limited funds, you don’t want to stay there forever. You’re motivated to get out there and drum up new business. You’re eager. As an ancient Proverb explains, “The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.” Or as Steve Jobs famously said: “Stay hungry!”
- **Working with less builds character.** Having limited funds builds character traits like: humility, perseverance, endurance, self-discipline, contentment, and gratitude. Limited funds can be the catalyst for building toughness into your life that will carry you through other difficult times ahead. That kind of toughness is never born out of an easy existence.
- **Limited funds help you form critical alliances.** Lack of funds generally prompts us to seek the help of others—not necessarily asking for money, but our lack magnifies the importance of strategic relationships. Establishing these relationships, especially in times of need, helps us put down deep roots with key people. The result is long-lasting, meaningful, and strategic alliances that benefit all mutually.
- **Limited funds open your eyes to other streams of income.** When funds are meager, it’s not uncommon to start out focusing on one stream of income, only to discover that a different stream is not only more prosperous, but more enjoyable as well. But without the benefit of those limited funds we might never have considered a different business focus or stream of income.
- **Limited funds give you a story to tell.** There’s nothing more encouraging than a “rags to riches” story. By working with limited funds now, you’re building your own personal story. And that story will serve you well in years to come. As you share your story, others will be able to identify with you. You’ll encourage others, and clients will be drawn to do business with you. In fact, you’ll probably find your story to be a key marketing tool in your future business plan.

If you’re working with limited funds right now, I genuinely hope you don’t have to remain in your present state for long, but that you prosper soon! At the same time, embrace your current financial situation and squeeze all the benefit out of it you can, because it won’t last forever. 

Plus, knowing that you can make it now with limited funds, builds confidence that you can weather slow times that _will_ come in the future.

And without a mountain of debt, you won’t be awake late at night worrying about how to keep the banker at bay.

---

---
title: "WordPress reimagined"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/wordpress-reimagined/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "WordPress has a new editor. How does that change things for how we add new posts? Why change in the first place? What about existing websites? Can they be upgraded or is a rebuild needed?"
last_modified: "2019-02-14T01:51:50+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# WordPress reimagined

Once upon a time there was a blogging platform called WordPress. A nifty little tool that you could install on your own server and presto have a blog. Posting new content was easy. So was organizing it in many different ways. Plus searching for it. What joy!

Those were the internet days when most websites were all hardcoded. Real websites for businesses and nonprofits, that is. Content and the code that defined the website all mixed in together. Making even a small change involved calling the developer.

Therefore, those websites didn’t get updated very often. It was not unusual for a website to be built, deployed for the world to see and never touched again for a long (far too long) time.

Into this state of the world came WordPress. It was built around a database. Content and website code were separated. Content could be updated without touching the code. By the website owner.

**_The web made simple!_** 

If you wanted to add new content, you just logged in and created a new post. An editor appeared that presented 2 options: **Visual** and **text**. 

### Text view

Actually, text view was a bit of a misnomer. You actually saw both the content text and the formatting code that made the text pretty. So it got cluttered pretty quick. But it was the best way to make a post do exactly what you wanted it to do — as long as you knew some coding.

### Visual view

The visual view was an attempt at creating an environment where _what-you-see-is-what-you-get_. Except it was a bit clunky and didn’t work as intended all the time. 

When I started using WordPress around 2010, it was still primarily used for blogging. But I was building websites where blogs were just a part of the overall website. I didn’t look at it that way, but I was pioneering a trend.

Today, WordPress powers something like 25% of all websites and the vast majority of them are not primarily blogging websites. WordPress is the engine behind business, nonprofit and educational websites — large, medium and small.

The one sore point on this platform that has matured and grown in power has now long been the post and content editor. Because it hasn’t changed for many years. Still a choice between doing it all text style, with content and code mixed, or using a visual editor that invites confusion and offers limited options for text formatting (or install some plugin to fix that shortcoming).

Until recently.

At the end of 2018, **WordPress 5** was released. A major upgrade that brought us a new content editor, known as **Gutenberg**. 

### Enter Gutenberg

Gutenberg brings a **new vision of content editing**, based on **blocks**. A text paragraph is a block. A heading is a block. An image is a block. And so on. Rich layouts can be formed by combining several different blocks and saved as templates. Blocks can be rearranged and have pre-assigned styling.

Creating a new post has become a lot easier and more intuitive. Add a block. Enter some content. Define what type of block it is. Maybe apply some formatting inside it. The editing layout gets close to the actual page. 

It used to take me at least half hour to post a new article on my blog. I’d drop in the already written and edited blog content into a new post in WordPress. That was the fast part. Adding the pictures was also quick enough. The slow part was proofing and formatting the text to make it look like I wanted. That part involved editing on the backend and frequent previewing on the front end.

With the new editor, I work in a _what-you-see-is-what-you-get_ environment. Adding blocks is quick. Drop in text dropped in. And a couple images. Add formatting if needed. Since it all looks so much like the final thing, I do proofreading on the backend. The process is much faster.

So what’s not to like?! Besides, this is the first iteration and things are going to get even better from here.

### To upgrade or not to upgrade

There is just one little caveat: The reason I’ve updated all websites I manage to WordPress 5 and then promptly disabled the new editor. Pending some updates to the themes of the websites.

Because the new editor includes new formatting options, as a result of all the new blocks. Especially for images. For instance, allowing them to easily expand beyond the text column width. Even to go across the full width of the viewport (window).

So an existing theme needs to be updated to properly render some of the new blocks.

If the **website was built in the last couple of years**, the best course is likely to update the theme to properly support all the new features in WordPress 5 and Gutenberg.

If the **website is older**, then so many other things have changed when it comes to best practices for website development that a redesign may be the best path forward. [Get the full picture with a  website review](https://claesjonasson.design/review/).

Certainly any **brand new website** going online must now be designed with full support for WordPress 5 and Gutenberg.

You may ask why I updated the websites and turned off the new editor instead of just leaving them in the previous version of WordPress (4.9)? 

Simple: WordPress 5 is much more than a new content editor. It also includes all the latest security updates. And I don’t want to go without those. Because security.

One beauty of WordPress is that its core is continuously being [updated](https://wordpress.org). I have a website I built in 2010. It’s not responsive (sorry all mobile users). It was state of the art when I built it. But that was an eternity ago in internet years. It needs a total rebuild into today’s technology. But even with an ancient theme on it, I’ve been able to keep the WordPress core updated and it’s running WordPress 5 (with the new editor turned off). So it stays operational and secure.

Clearly there are other platforms for building a website besides WordPress. That said, this is the little tool that could and still can. I can’t wait to see where it will go, now that it has a modern editor that is easy to use. 

I was talking with a client the other day about how to get their website up to taking full advantage of the newest capabilities. Did a very quick demonstration of the new editor. Both the client and his associate were immediately impressed. The choice to update their website to take full advantage of the new editor and its capabilities became a no-brainer. Just with that short demo.

Once you use the new editor, you’ll wonder how you ever got along with the old one. Posting might become fun again.

Welcome to WordPress 5 and Gutenberg. The future looks great.

---

---
title: "Website review form"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/website-review-form/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Request your website review"
last_modified: "2025-05-10T19:13:36+00:00"
---

# Website review form

# Request your website review

Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name(Required)

First

Last

Email(Required)

Website(Required) Comments We will treat your information in accordance with our [Privacy Policy](https://claesjonasson.design/privacy-policy/).
Submit

---

---
title: "7 great reasons to give to charity"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/7-great-reasons-to-give-to-charity/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Just starting out in business, giving may not be high on the list of priorities. Have to make steady money first! Yet maybe giving should be a focus from day one."
last_modified: "2019-01-29T03:09:32+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 7 great reasons to give to charity

Depending where you are in the development of your business, you may or may not have thought of giving to charity.

On the one hand, when we’re just starting out, we may be struggling just to get by. So giving isn’t really on the radar screen. Instead we think, “Someday, when I’m doing well, then I’ll start giving.”

On the other hand, when we’re doing very well, we tend to hold onto our money, finding it difficult to let go of what we’ve worked hard to obtain.

Whatever our situation, there are always arguments against giving to charity.

Interestingly, we discover that the poor tend to be more charitable than the rich. Such was the finding of Paul Piff, a psychology researcher at the University of California, Berkley, in a study he conducted in 2010.  Obviously, the wealthy have capacity to give more total dollars. But those who have little to begin with are inclined to give away a greater percentage of what they possess.

What does that study and giving to charity have to do with us?

Let me offer you 7 great reasons to give to charity:

- **By giving, we express love and kindness toward others.** You’ve heard the saying: “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” It’s true. We experience a tremendous sense of joy when we give to others. It’s fun to meet someone else’s need and “taste” the fruit of our generosity. We all want to be more loving. Giving to charity is a great practical way to express our love for others.

- **Giving keeps us humble.** For when we recognize others’ great needs, we realize how fortunate we are. When we’re successful, it’s easy to become proud and forget where we once were. Yes, we may have worked hard to get where we are. But typically, a lot of other people and circumstances had a hand in helping us achieve our current success. Giving helps us keep that reality in perspective and stay balanced. When we give, we’re reminded how fortunate we are.

- **By giving, we promote worthy causes.** Of course, this is one of the primary reasons we give. Our gifts might help drill a well to provide fresh drinking water for a village in Africa; or help a homeless family get on their feet again; or “adopt” an orphan in a foreign land, giving them hope for the future. The key here is to give to a charity that tugs at your heart and you feel passionate about.

- **When we give, we set a good example for others.** We want to be careful here. We don’t want to brag or flaunt our giving before others. But even when we give quietly, others take notice. If we have a family, our children catch the vision of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. We can even engage them in the fun. And sometimes our giving can go beyond a check and we can get involved in some “feet-on-the-ground” way to help further the cause that we’re supporting. Our example can profoundly impact others for good.

- **Giving builds community.** This principle can be expressed in so many different ways. You’ve no doubt heard the phrase, “No one is an island.” We’re all connected to and somehow dependent on others (in a good way). “We’re all in this together.” “We’re all a part of something much bigger than ourselves.” We want to find ways to “pay it forward.” No matter how we express it, when we give, we show kinship with our fellow human beings and help build a better “village.”

- **When we give, we show that money doesn’t own us.** There’s a huge difference between being a slave to money or using money to serve us. You can tell when someone is a slave to money. It’s an ugly state of affairs. Money owns them. They’ll do anything for money. Money trumps relationships, ethics, values, you name it. Being a slave to money creates greed, avarice, self-centeredness, and a host of other evils. But when we give gladly, we show money who’s boss. We’re not its slave. Money does not own us.

- **Giving helps our bottom line.** Though this might be the first reason that many choose to give, I saved it for last. Giving to a recognized charity may provide a tax break. But as we’ve seen, there are plenty of more noble reasons to give. At the same time, if the IRS is willing to reward us for doing what we wanted to do anyway, go for it!

### Where to start

If you’re not already giving to a charitable organization or needy individual, do some research. Consider what “turns your crank.” What are you passionate about?

Make a point to look for needs around you. They say that “charity begins at home”. The need you can make a difference for may be right in your town.

Do consider how what you give will be used. What difference will it make? Is the organization you’re thinking about giving to doing a good job meeting the need?

And, don’t give grudgingly. Rather give generously and with joy.

Finally, in my experience, when we decide to do something good like this and we follow through, inevitably we will be tested! Perhaps right after you write that check, an unexpected bill comes in; or someone asks for a refund; or the car breaks down. I warned you, so don’t be surprised. The question is, how will you respond?

Really think of giving as a long-term investment, not a short-term one. Keep giving and watch the difference your giving makes for a cause you care about.

The funny thing is that giving changes us. Connects us with others, with ourselves in new ways. Makes us better. And that will spill over into our business. Sometimes in quite unexpected ways.

---

---
title: "Why websites fail"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/why-websites-fail/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "There is an amazing reason that websites fail — and it’s not what you think. It’s not tech, SEO, products/services or the organization/business behind the website. Ready for the real reason?"
last_modified: "2019-01-17T04:08:10+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Why websites fail

There is an amazing reason that websites fail — and it’s not what you think.

Let’s start with what it’s not:

- Tech

- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

- Products or services

- Organization or business behind the website

Any or all of those can indeed be bad and sink a website, but that’s not the main reason why websites fail.

Ready for the real reason? Sitting down?

**The real reason is that the website owner, who was all excited when envisioning and building the website, lost interest.**

There’s a big push toward “set it and forget it” in our culture. We want to deal with things once and be done. Just have things work on autopilot going forward.

Early websites kind of worked like that. You know, the kind where a developer created every part of it pixel perfect and even the tiniest change, like fixing a typo, involved getting said developer involved again. So websites were built and then left alone, to just be out there on the internet.

It wasn’t a great idea back then. Definitely not a great idea now.

Today’s websites need, _require_, new content and TLC on a regular basis. Unless you really don’t want to get noticed. Unless you don’t want to be seen as relevant to website visitors.

And that’s where so many website owners drop the ball. It was exciting to get a new, shiny website built. But as time goes by, they don’t stay excited and end up neglecting the website. By not adding new, fresh and relevant content to it.

It’s not that they even necessarily set out to _intentionally_ neglect the website. It’s just not top of mind and there are other things that scream louder for attention. So we’ll get to it tomorrow. Or the day after. Definitely for sure the day after that.

Or maybe it’s the thought that the website was awesomely cool a year ago when launched. Everyone liked it then. I still like what’s on there. So why mess with it? Why would it not still be good enough now?

One business owner explained to me that since his customers really didn’t come in through the website anyway, it didn’t matter what it looked like. In his opinion, it was good enough, even though clearly dated. As in “1994 is calling to get their website back” dated. Ouch.

Now, by this point, you might conclude that I’m just trying to sell you on why you need to trade in your website every year. To always have the latest model. Kind of like a car or truck.

That’s not at all what I’m saying. In fact, I expect any website I design and build to serve its owner well for a number of years before major structural changes are needed.

What I’m talking about that’s killing websites is that the content on them never gets updated. Or only very rarely. That’s what gets forgotten.

Meanwhile, stores send us new promotions every week. Because they want to give us new reasons to visit them.

Websites are not so different. In many ways, a website is like an old-fashioned store window. The kind where products were displayed to entice passers-by to come into the store.

**It’s about having good, solid content.** That gets updated. Regularly. So it’s fresh and relevant. So it doesn’t look like nothing has changed from when I came here last time, 6 months ago.

**It’s putting content where visitors need it** and can easily find it. Where it connects with them.

**It’s having relevant calls to action** on all relevant pages. Calls to action are not just about “Buy” buttons. It’s any action someone can take that will connect them with you.

**_We want to make it easy for people to do business and engage with us._**

**It’s about personal connection.** All too often, we tread websites like megaphones. I have a message and I’m going to shout it at as many people as possible.

When it’s really like me talking to an old friend. But if every time we meet the conversation goes exactly the same way, that friendship won’t last for very long.

However, if we keep engaging in new ways, learning more about each other and what’s going on in the other person’s life, the friendship will grow and keep growing.

Your website is that conversation between you and your clients/visitors/constituents/tribe. Make it feel comfortable. Safe. Welcoming. A place where they want to come and stick around.

But all that requires input. Not just once when the website is first built, but on an ongoing basis. Review content. Update. Tweak. Improve. Change. Refresh. But don’t let it stay the same. Month after month. Year after year.

### 5 tips for keeping your website content fresh:

- Check that there are **no broken links** or links to outdated information.

- Actually **visit and read every page** on the website at least twice a year. Make note of and fix anything that is outdated. Or could be said differently. More clearly. Shorter. Better.

- Make sure all **calls to action are relevant** and presented in the best way. Update wording wherever needed. Reword entirely for a fresh appeal. Or change to another call to action.

- Review all **images on the website**. Replace any images that are outdated. Replace images that have been on there for a while, unless they show something that can’t be replaced. Images catch people’s attention — a good picture is worth 1,000 words. Unless of course, visitors have seen it umpteen times. In which case it’s just old and boring.

- **Rewrite text** to communicate in a fresh way. That may mean saying the same thing with different words and sentences from a new angle. But we do need to change things up.

- Don’t be afraid to **kill your darlings**. Really love your about me description? Or the photo on the front page? If they’ve been there for a while, it’s time to change them up. Just because time.

### Consistent truth:

Nobody likes to visit a website that never changes and just slowly becomes more outdated. Don’t let your website be one of them.

### Next step (because this won’t take care of itself):

Put it on your calendar. Block out time now to check over your website and while at it, set up another appointment 6 months from now for the next review.

---

---
title: "The power of journaling"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-power-of-journaling/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Journaling is the practice of capturing thoughts, ideas, insights, and reactions for future reference. Here are 6 powerful reasons for why we as business owners and entrepreneurs should journal."
last_modified: "2019-01-03T03:53:23+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The power of journaling

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are an interesting bunch. I should know, I am one. We’re constantly coming up with new ideas for business, blog posts, podcasts, videos, promos, trainings, products, and services.

Yet, all too many of those (potentially great) ideas are lost as quickly as they popped up. We’re going to write them down later, or we write them down on a Post-It or the proverbial napkin. That then gets lost.

Enter journaling. A great solution that is way more than just a written record.

Jim Rohn, business philosopher and author urges, “If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured, and unique individual, keep a journal.”

Okay, that’s a mouthful. But even if you only want to be one of all those things, keeping a journal is a great thing to do. Because it records (fleeting) thoughts and creates a lasting record.

### What is journaling?

Journaling is simply the practice of capturing your thoughts, ideas, insights, and reactions for future reference. It’s a log of what’s going on in your life. This record of your musings can be either electronic or physical.

A journal is very personal, reflecting your goals, aspirations, and innermost feelings. However, I’m not necessarily talking about keeping a diary. I think of a diary as more of an intimate conversation with yourself about your daily experiences and your reaction to them. While the lines may be blurred at times between journaling and keeping a diary, think of journaling as something you would more readily share with others.

### Why journal?

Here are 6 powerful reasons to journal:

- **Capture thoughts and ideas you would otherwise forget.** Perhaps you’re listening to your favorite podcast or reading a great book. Suddenly, you catch a killer quote or a meaningful statement that you want to remember. Write it in your journal and reference the source for future use.

Or perhaps you’re doing something totally unrelated to work and a great idea invades your mind. You can’t afford to go down this rabbit trail right now, but you know that if you don’t write this idea down, it will likely be lost forever. Make note of it in your journal, so you can come back later.

- **Record the history of your growth and progress.** This is important. We often forget the mileposts and accomplishments of the past. We forget about the hardships and obstacles that we had to overcome to get us where we are today. But when we chronicle those in a journal, we can reflect on our progress and on significant events in our lives.

Also, at times, we can all get discouraged. But when we review where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished and endured in the past, that can give us renewed hope. And finally, these stories provide potential material for blogs, podcasts, and videos.

- **Accumulate material for building your own reference book.** As business people, we’re always reading, listening, and talking with others. In the process, we’re exposed to countless quotable sayings and the wisdom of others. Write these down in your journal and you create an invaluable source for future reference. It’s like your own personal Wikipedia!

- **Hone your writing skills.** Obviously, the way to improve your writing skills is to write. Journaling is yet another opportunity to write. And writing in your journal allows you to experiment with styles and approaches that you may not readily use in your work. You become a better writer when you journal.

- **Clarify your thoughts.** There’s nothing like writing in order to gather and clarify thoughts. When you begin to express a nebulous idea in writing, you put flesh on the bones of that idea and it comes alive. And once you’ve clarified your thoughts, you’ll find it easier to express them verbally with others.
**Increase your productivity.** When you keep a journal, it helps you weigh decisions, prioritize tasks, establish goals, and order your life. Deciding something in your head is fine, but writing it down adds weight to the matter and helps you map out how you’ll get there.

### How to journal

Now that you’ve got 6 powerful reasons to journal, here are some tips on how to get started:

- Decide whether to use a physical journal or an app. There are advantages to both, so choose what works best for you. [Here’s a listing of some of the best journaling apps.](https://zapier.com/blog/best-journaling-apps/) I have used Day One for 4-5 years now and love how easy it is to just jump in and write something.

- Keep your journal handy and journal when the muse strikes.

- Date your entries for future reference.

- Reference the event, discussion, experience, or source that prompted the journal entry. Give credit where credit is due.

- Establish a daily routine with your journal. The time need not be long, but habitual. For me, the best time is usually in the evening as the day winds down. Others like to journal in the morning as they plan their day.

- If you use a personal form of shorthand or abbreviations, make sure you’re clear enough that you’ll be able to decipher it years or even decades from now.

2019 is young and still full of opportunity. What better time to start a journal than right now?

Let me leave you with a small prompt: What quote, thought, idea, or insight will you write in your journal today?

---

---
title: "Improve the security of your website in 8 steps"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/8-steps-to-keep-hackers-out/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Is your website secure? What would you answer to that question? Maybe the real question is: Is your website secure or do you just not know that it’s been hacked yet?"
last_modified: "2020-06-11T01:57:09+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Improve the security of your website in 8 steps

Is your website secure?

How would you answer that question?

You might say, “I haven’t been hacked”, therefore drawing the conclusion that the site is secure.

Or you figure that there is nothing worth stealing on the website. “My site is too insignificant in the scope of the web universe for the bad guys to pay attention to.”

Maybe the real question is: **_Is your website secure or do you just not know that it’s been hacked yet?_**

Several years ago, I took over management of an organization’s website. It was due to be completely redesigned, as it was was built on an aging framework. But it still worked and a casual inspection showed nothing wrong with the site backend.

Yet, visitors reported seeing content on some pages that definitely shouldn’t be on a family-friendly website. It was clear the site had been compromised.

The question became one of “How fast can you build a new website?” Because the only solution was to take down the old site, remove all files and build a totally new website on the server.

Because of course there was no clean backup that could be reinstalled. (I mentioned that I’d just taken over managing the website.)

Ouch, that was painful. You really don’t want that to happen to your website.

_But, you say, there’s nothing worth stealing on my little website._

Sure, you may not have scads of personal data stored on the website. You know, like people’s logins, credit card info, addresses, health info or other things we usually think of.

But your website is on a server. And servers have processing power.

It may not be your stuff that hackers want. (If you happen to have personal information or better yet credit card information stored on the website, that’s just a bonus.)

They might want the server capacity. To send out spam from it. The hackers want a server that they can configure to send out phishing emails. And if you never notice that you’ve been hacked, all the better.

That’s why small sites may actually be quite interesting to a hacker. Because the site owners are less likely to be tech savvy and the site may be poorly protected, making it an easy target. So “my website is too insignificant for hackers to care about” is really just wishful thinking.

Fortunately, there are some fairly simple things you can take to protect your website:

## Strong passwords for all users

Force all users to have strong passwords. Also educate them on why it’s a really bad idea to use the same password in multiple places. (Because if I get your password for one site, I then have an easy way in to any other site you’ve used that password on.)

Strong passwords mean that it will take a lot more effort for a hacker to get in by just guessing passwords. Yes, they’re harder to remember, but there are tools to help with that.

## No unneeded user accounts

Turn off user accounts that haven’t been used for a while, or even delete them. The more user accounts, the more opportunity to get into a website’s backend.

## No “admin” user names

Raise the bar for hackers. Don’t include the word “admin” in any user name.

I see brute force attacks on websites all the time, as in multiple times every day on one site. All of them trying to get in with the user name “Admin” and then guessing at the password. So why give the attackers a half win?

## Don’t display your actual user name on the website

Many blogs include the name of the post author. What shows up there, should not be the same as the user ID of that person. Because it’s all too easy to just take that name freely provided and now do brute force attacks on the website, trying to guess what the password is.

Besides, most blogs have only one person posting. So we all know who you are anyway. No need to display a name. And if you have multiple posters, it’s better to identify the poster with a byline (short bio) at the end of the post. That reveals nothing about any user accounts.

## Comments

I love comments on my blog posts. So would not disable them. But also not letting just anybody in.

One option is to require moderation on all comments. That means any comments left will not display on the website until you review and approve them.

Another option (a bit less work for you), is to require moderation on all new comments from posters who don’t already have an approved comment. Commenters who already passed your review once will be able to post comments and have them show up immediately. Totally new commenters must be reviewed by you.

Yes, it’s more work, but seriously, when someone comments on your blog, you should respond to that comment at least by saying “Thanks” anyway. So manually approving it is no real burden.

Do be vigilant in deleting spam comments. Leaving them sitting unapproved on the backend is not a good thing to do. There’s always the potential that the comment will get accidentally approved and put on the website for all to see.

## Identify spam comments

Does the comment itself make sense? “What you write here I search for long time. Very relevant.” Yeah, that sounds like spam. General praise, typos or strange word order. Nothing specific about your post.

While it’s tempting to have more comments show up on your blog, will comments like this really build your credibility? (The answer is “NO”.)

Plus it probably came from some odd name and has a link to a website with it. You really want to check what that website is (not saying to go there, but to look at the link carefully). Do you want to link to random/obscure website offering little pills that will supposedly make you do things you can only dream of? (Again, the answer is “NO”.)

Did you get a comment in language you don’t understand a word of? Maybe try translating a portion with Google translate to see if it makes sense. Definitely look at the links in the message. Absolutely never put anything up on your website for the world to see if _you_ don’t know what it is.

Remember that spammers may not even intend the comment to get published, but for you, the website owner, to click the link in it, so you can be compromised.

Getting too much spam from comments or forms on the website? Get a good spam filtering service. A few $ per month will filter out most of the spam and you won’t ever have to see it.

## Keep things updated

Should be self-evident, but do keep your website core and all plugins/apps on the server up-to-date. Including security patches. Because if you don’t fix something that is outdated or broken, somebody will find it and use it to gain access.

## Security software/plugin

Your website should have security software/plugin installed. That can protect against attacks in many ways, including by locking them out.

One day I watched a site I manage receive a rapid stream of spam comments, all from the same IP address in St Petersburg, Russia. I could delete the spam as fast as it came in, or block that IP address. I use a blacklist, so they’re on that list now. That’s of course no guarantee that they won’t try from another IP address. However, this process can be automated.

Same thing with login attempts. Every site login should have some monitoring on it for where logins come from. If you’re the only person ever logging in to your website, the entire world doesn’t need to be able to try to log in.

I manage Salesforce installations for clients and part of basic security there is the ability to whitelist a range of IP addresses so only those can log in to the particular Salesforce installation. Plus, exceed a certain number of login attempts and you’re locked out for a period of time. Those are simple things that will greatly reduce risk and they can be implemented on just about any website.

Finally, the security software/plugin should also run regular scans for malware of your server and files. If you’re doing the other things right, there won’t be any. But better check and be safe, than not check and wind up really sorry.

## What about the hosting provider?

You might wonder if the hosting provider shouldn’t take care of all this. The answer is that they generally provide (some) protection against hacking attacks at server level, but they don’t deal with anything directly on your website. For one thing, they don’t know the ins and outs of your website installation. At the end of the day, keeping your website protected is up to you.

These 8 basic steps can significantly harden your website and make it exponentially more difficult for a hacker to gain access. Which is important, because, remember, every website has something hackers want: A server that can run apps, processes and send email, all of which can be taken over or piggybacked on for spamming purposes.

_**Action point: Do a security review of your website and take any needed action. Timeline: Immediately.**_

Also check this post on cyber security: [4 keys to cyber security from James Clapper](https://claesjonasson.design/4-keys-to-cyber-security-from-james-clapper/)

---

---
title: "Rest: The antidote for marginless living"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/rest-the-antidote-for-marginless-living/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Ironically, the more progress-focused we’ve become, the busier we are and the less time we have for loved ones and ourselves. The list of things to do never diminishes."
last_modified: "2018-11-30T02:52:48+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Rest: The antidote for marginless living

If you are reading this blog post, you’re most likely an entrepreneur, living and functioning in a highly technical world that is racing forward at break-neck speed. Ironically, the more progress-focused we’ve become, the busier we are and the less time we have for loved ones and ourselves. The list of things to do never diminishes. It’s more likely ever increasing.

Dr. Richard A. Swenson, M.D., in his book, _Margin_, laments, _“The conditions of modern-day living devour margin.”_ Lack of margin has quickly become almost a universal problem. We’re stretched to the limit. We speak of being overloaded, overworked, overstressed, overextended, overburdened, overbooked, and overwhelmed.

We’ve come to view the ability to multi-task as a skill when it’s really a symptom of an already too-busy life. Especially as entrepreneurs, we gloat about our busyness, our full schedules, and piling deadlines. We push our lives to the limits.

As a medical doctor, Dr. Swenson is concerned about the lack of margin in our society because every day he sees the toll it’s taking on people’s physical, emotional, relational, financial, and spiritual health. Lack of margin is literally killing us.

### Rest is the antidote for a life without margin

Think about it: Rest may be the most difficult of all healthy disciplines to put into practice. Why? Because we’re driven. There’s so much to do and so little time to do it. Resting feels so passive, so unproductive! Hard work is virtuous, right? So why would I want to rest?

Remember the old saying, _“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”_? It’s true, when all we do is work, not only are we no fun to be around (probably the original meaning of that saying), but we’re also pretty dull (as in “not too bright”).

Fear and anxiety may also keep us from resting. We may harbor fears that if we let up for even a moment, the competition will overtake us. Or maybe we’re addicted to work. We’ve trained ourselves never to sit still. We’ve always got to be doing something. Everything we do has to be producing some tangible benefit. Maybe we’re just too proud to rest. Our motto is, “I got this!” And we say it without regard for all the other work stacked on our plate.

I don’t know what your view of God is but consider this: In the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2, it says that God created all the heavens and the earth in six days, and, _“On the seventh day he rested from his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”_ (Genesis 2:2-3)

But what we find in the biblical account is that God did not rest because he was tired. He rested for two other important reasons: To enjoy what he had created, and to provide us an example to follow. In fact, God saw our need for rest as so important that he included it as one of the Ten Commandments. He intended that rest commandment as a gift, but we’ve grown to see as a burden.

When we create margin in our lives by resting, we:

- Bring balance to our busy lives

- Recharge our batteries

- Reduce stress and its physical, emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual effects

- Gain a fresh perspective on life and the issues we’re currently facing

- Enjoy the fruits of our labors

- Invest in our relationships

### How to Rest

It almost seems silly to write about how to rest. All animals know how to rest instinctively. If you have a dog or cat, you know what I mean. But I know how much I and most others struggle with this issue, so I think that it warrants a discussion.

- **Rest is a mindset.** Rest is more than merely ceasing from work. We can stop working and our minds may still be planning, scheming, fretting, etc. The above example showed us that true rest is a decision to enjoy what we’ve created. It’s the conscious pursuit of loving relationships. Rest is seeking quiet, peace, and renewal.

- **Rest is a practice.** Rest is a mindset, but it’s more than that. To cease from work and take a day off takes discipline. Put it on your calendar. Make it a weekly, repeating entry. You decide how to spend your day of rest. But I challenge you not to answer work emails, return work calls, or engage in other work-a-day tasks. Instead, do things that give you enjoyment. Spend time with loved ones. If you’re married, make love. Read a book for pleasure. And by the way, get a good night’s sleep each night.

- **Rest is a talent.** If taking a day of rest is new for you, I can almost guarantee you’ll feel awkward at first. The ability to truly engage in rest requires practice. It’s an art, a talent that doesn’t necessarily come easily at first. In the beginning, you may find yourself treating rest like another project, but resist that temptation. We always think we need a list of things to do.

When starting out, it may help to associate rest with a location: a lakeside cabin, a park bench, a walk in the woods, or some place you know you can find peace and quiet.

Our society keeps getting more and more busy. We’ve squeezed margin right out of our lives. Rest is the antidote for lack of margin. Take time to rest each week—even every day. Let yourself reboot, refresh, renew.

And when you find yourself stuck in the whirlwind of frantic activity, let that trigger the response, _“Oh, yeah! I need to rest.”_

---

---
title: "Portfolios, stories and 10-10-10"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/portfolios-stories-and-10-10-10/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "The Tribe Conference brings 250+ writers and bloggers together in one room for a weekend. Things are going to happen. 4 takeaways to apply right now."
last_modified: "2018-11-16T15:54:14+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Portfolios, stories and 10-10-10

_How long do you keep doing something that’s going well?_

Recently I attended the annual Tribe Conference for writers and bloggers, held in Franklin, Tennessee.

This was my 3rd year. Each time has been valuable enough that I easily decided to come back the next year. In fact, I already have my ticket for next year.

Jeff Goins, the mastermind behind the Tribe Conference, reminded us that the original plan was to do the conference for 5 years. Next year will be year 5 and it will also be the last Tribe Conference.

The conference is doing well and might conceivably go on for another 5 years. Except eventually things repeated tend to lose their vitality and become routine.

Also, each of us has limited bandwidth, so when we do one thing, that means there’s another thing we can’t do. I’m encouraged to see Jeff be willing to “kill his darling” and boldly step out into unknown territory to do something new.

There’s a lesson here, because many organizations and businesses don’t operate that way. Instead they’re happy to keep doing things the way they’ve always been done (or at least for the last 5-6 years). But times change and we must change with them.

So one of the takeaway lessons from the Tribe Conference this year wasn’t really from the speakers, but from how Jeff decided to handle the whole conference thing and make sure to end on a high note.

Shortly after the conference, I wrote on my other blog about my takeaways from Tribe Conference this year: [_It’s about time ___________](https://claesjonasson.com/its-about-time-_________/)

Today I want to focus on a few things that are very relevant for us as business owners.

### Business cards

The first is a little thing: I was surprised at how many people didn’t bring business cards. Sure, business cards may seem really old school. Outdated. But, when you’re there, talking to people you’ve just met, how do you capture their contact info for followup? Having something that you can hand out with your preferred contact info on it still matters. Getting something in hand from the other person makes the encounter real.

What goes on that card? Definitely a picture of you. Along with the best way for people to contact you. Don’t need every way. Just the best. Plus something memorable about who you are or the transformation you offer clients. Because that’s what people care about — what you can do for them.

![Jeff Goins interviewing Heather Teysko at the Tribe Conference](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Jeff-Goins-interviewing-Heather-Teysko.jpg)Jeff Goins interviewing Heather Teysko about her 1,000 ideas for adding revenue in her business

### Build a portfolio life

Years ago, we could count on one stream of revenue for our business. As in, I do one thing and only one thing. All the eggs in one basket.

Today is different. Life is much more like juggling with a bunch of eggs, trying to not drop any. Cycles are faster now, so we can’t count on that this one thing will continue to provide like it did in the past.

Finding ways to do a variety of things that build on and complement each other is essential.

For a writer that might include branching out into speaking or creating courses. Or writing both non-fiction and fiction, to reach different audiences.

It’s about discovering multiple ways to create streams of income, so that your entire income doesn’t come from one product or service. The idea may sound daunting at first, but once we start thinking in terms of the entire customer journey, ideas pop up.

Heather Teysko detailed how she once brainstormed all the ways she could make money through her business and didn’t stop until she had 1,000 things listed! She now has a successful podcast that brings in income through a wide range of products and services connected with it.

You or I may not go that deep in the brainstorming, but just think what a few additional products or services that tie in to what you’re already doing could do for your income stream. As well as for establishing you as the go-to person.

![Janet Murray speaking at the Tribe Conference](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Janet-Murray.jpg)Janet Murray focusing on telling the stories that people want to hear

### Tell the stories that people want to hear

Janet Murray focused on our conversation with our clients and constituents. All too often, that conversation is  one-sided (us talking at them) and all about product features. But customers work with us because they connect with us. And people connect in stories.

So we need to let others know who we are. We do that by turning personal experiences into stories, because stories engage and are relatable.

The key thing is that when our customers see that we’re real people and we’ve struggled with the same issues they’re dealing with, they’ll be able to relate to us and are more likely to see us as actually being able to help them.

As we insert ourselves in the story, the focus must still be on the customer, our audience. We want them to see that we can solve their problem. You know you’re telling your story right when a customer goes “I need to know this.”

Janet reminded us to keep asking ourselves: “How can I make this about my audience?”

**Ask yor audience.** As in get input prior to releasing the latest new shiny object. Ask them what they are struggling with, what’s keeping them up at night. Then figure out how they can solve their challenge with your help. Now you’re the guide and they’re the hero. Everybody really likes that story.

Also be willing to step out on a limb. **“Here’s what I think.”** Because when something happens to you and you turn that into content, your audience will love it. Think of sharing a story of how you struggled with something and worked on it until you found a solution. It’s relatable. Makes you a real person. Brings people closer to you.

People relate to people. Not hi-fluting biz-speak. There are too many faceless corporations already. Don’t aspire to be one of them.

![Alli Worthington on stage at Tribe Conference](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Alli-Worthington.jpg)Alli Worthington: “If we keep waiting for the perfect situation, we’ll never get there.”

### 10-10-10

Starting anything new is a bit scary. So we procrastinate. Because tomorrow I’m really going to do it. Totally.

And then nothing happens. Ever.

Enter Alli Worthington with the **10-10-10 analysis**.

3 simple, but powerful questions:

**How will I feel about this in 10 minutes?

How will I feel about this in 10 weeks?

How will I feel about this in 10 months?**

**In 10 minutes**, I’ve just started on the actual, hard work. Nothing accomplished so far. Probably feeling overwhelmed. Life sucks. I want to quit and go home. See, that’s why I was procrastinating. I knew this would be hard and all.

**In 10 weeks** the hard work is behind. The product/project is launched. It’s not perfect, but there’s a sense of accomplishment. Of movement forward. Life is pretty good.

**In 10 months** it’s on a roll. That’s when the benefits are coming in and the hard work up front is paying off. Life is awesome.

We all procrastinate. Do yourself a favor and put these 3 questions on a card stuck to your computer. Then answer them every time you feel like putting off until tomorrow what you should have done yesterday. Doing that builds perspective and we need that to make it through.

I concluded the post on my other blog with “It’s about time _________”

I’ll finish the same way here: It’s about time _____________ — and we each have something to fill that blank with.

What is it that you’ve wanted to do for a long time, but have put off, waiting for a more perfect moment?

Today is that moment. So let’s do this thing. Let’s make it happen.

If it’s time to stop doing something (even if it’s going well), do so. Then move into the next phase of life.

Don’t put all the eggs in one basket. Find ways to have multiple streams of income. That helps you weather changes around you and makes life much more interesting.

Share yourself in the story you tell others. Help them relate to you and see how you can help them reach their goals and dreams.

Ask the 10-10-10 questions and move forward today.

Then fill in the blank. Because what you fill in there and then go make happen could be your next great stream of revenue. It could be the thing that moves your business or organization forward to the next step, where you really want to be a year or 5 years from now. But today it’s time to _______ (fill in the blank).

---

---
title: "When your browser cache strikes and how to fix it"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/when-your-browser-cache-strikes-and-how-to-fix-it/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "So you go to a website and expect to see a page full of information and graphics. But instead you get all messed up images and text or obviously old information. What’s up? And how to fix it?"
last_modified: "2018-11-08T03:34:49+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# When your browser cache strikes and how to fix it

Has this ever happened to you? You go to a website and expect to see a page full of information and graphics. You know, like it looks every other time you went there.

But instead you get

- A lot of text, images that are any odd size and all like a long list.

- Icons for missing images.

- Same content as last time, even though you know that the information on the site has been updated.

The internet is an amazing thing. And most of the time it actually works. As in, I’m able to type in a URL on my computer, tablet or phone and in a few seconds see a page full of content delivered from a server that may be half-way around the world. That’s beautiful.

Not so beautiful when you instead get any of the oddities I listed above. Or the page just doesn’t look like you know it should look.

This can especially happen when a website is being updated. So I’ll do an update to a client site and take it live. Except when the client looks at it, they still see the old version of the site, or some distorted version of the page.

### What’s going on?

Out first inclination tends to be to blame the stupid server. Something is broken on the website. FIX. IT. NOW.

Except, the answer is much more likely to closer to home. As in your browser.

Everything I’ve described can be caused by an old or incomplete cache in your browser.

### What is a cache?

Your browser stores the data that displays a web page in the cache. Any web page you’ve visited. Because your browser tries to be efficient. So if you went to Web Page A once today, it’s quite possible you might want to go back there soon. Since nothing will have changed on the page, why go through downloading all that data again? Let’s just store it for now in your local cache on your device.

Most of the time that works great and you’re rewarded with faster browsing and less data usage.

Sometimes, the actual files on the server have changed though. And your browser doesn’t notice. It’s usually really good at finding data that’s changed. A content change on the page will likely get through right away. Less good at noticing that something changed with a background, formatting or color on the page.

That’s when you get the odd results I mentioned above.

Sometimes if caching gets really confused, you’ll see the content of the page presented without any styling. Kind of making you think it’s 1994 all over again, when all the web looked that way all the time.

### Fixing the cache problem

Fortunately, cache problems are generally an easy fix.

You can:

**Go take a break.** Caching issues will eventually resolve themselves, as browsers only hold on to cached files for so long. Bad news is, it could be tomorrow until everything automatically clears up.

**Use another browser.** For instance, if the issue showed up in Firefox, visit the site in Chrome. Chances are good that the site will look as it should in the other browser. Unless of course, it also has a cache of the old version. I always have more than one browser installed on my computer.

**Force the page to reload.** Each browser has a way to force it to ignore any cache and do a reload from the server. Here are some tips for [bypassing the cache and forcing a reload](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Bypass_your_cache).

**Clear the cache in your current browser.** Doing this, you force the browser to reload everything from the server. You’ll see the site as it truly comes from the server. Exactly how you clear the cache is different for each browser. Here are some helpful links for more information for specific browsers. [This site](https://www.refreshyourcache.com/en/home/) has helpful information for a number of browsers. [As does Wikipedia here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Bypass_your_cache). You can also do a search for your browser’s name + “clear cache” (ie. “Safari clear cache”).

Once the cache is cleared or has had time to clear itself, everything should display properly. Life is good again.

Just one caveat: The same issues can also be caused by issues on the actual server. In that case, there’s nothing you can do from your end.

That said, many issues with a web page not displaying correctly or as expected are due to cache issues in your local browser. And can be easily fixed. So that’s always the first place to check. Plus the fix may be very quick.

---

---
title: "Share your feedback"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/feedback/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Share your feedback"
last_modified: "2025-04-25T00:59:18+00:00"
custom_fields:
  site-sidebar-layout: "no-sidebar"
  site-content-layout: "page-builder"
  theme-transparent-header-meta: "default"
  stick-header-meta: "default"
  site-post-title: "disabled"
  ast-featured-img: "disabled"
---

# Share your feedback

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Word of mouth is quite possibly the most effective way to make a product or service known. We all tend to value the experience of others who have been in similar circumstances as we’re facing.

We want to share the experience of our customers on our website and in other promo materials so that others can learn more about our products and services. We truly believe that we’re only as good as our reputation and relationships.

For that reason, Claes Jonasson Design LLC is collecting feedback from users of its products, services, and trainings. We intend to use the feedback/testimonial you provide, along with name, image, likeness, and other personal characteristics you provide below, as part of our advertising, promotion, and other commercial and business purposes.

By completing this form, you are agreeing to allow Claes Jonasson Design LLC to use your name, image, likeness, and other personal information for that purpose. You agree that the value you gained and will gain from the use of Claes Jonasson Design LLC’s products is sufficient to grant your permission for the use of your name, image, and likeness.

In a few sentences, please tell us about your experience with Claes Jonasson Design LLC and how we helped you with your online platform: What would you tell a friend/colleague about your experience with Claes Jonasson Design LLC? Your name(Required)We need your full name on record for legal reasons. You can choose how we’ll display your name with your testimonial in a later step.

First

Last

Your email(Required)Your email is required for verification purposes. It will not be published.

Your title and company(e.g. Chief Creative at Claes Jonasson Design LLC)  How do you want to be identified in the testimonial?(Required)

First and last name, title and company

First and last name

First name and last initial

Other

Would you like to upload a photo that can be included with your feedback?Upload a photo that can be included with your feedback. Recommended image size: At least 1000 x 1000 pixels. File formats: .jpg, .png or .tiff Accepted file types: jpg, png, tiff, Max. file size: 2 MB.  Feedback/testimonial waiver and release(Required)Claes Jonasson Design LLC (the “Company”) desires to use and publicize the name, likeness, and other personal characteristics and private information of the individual named above (“I” or “me”) for use as a testimonial for its product and/or services (the “Product”) as part of its advertising, promotion, and other commercial and business purposes. In exchange for the intangible value I gained and will gain from the Product and by participating in Company’s publicity programs and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I hereby acknowledge, I give Company my permission for such use and publicity for such purposes.

I hereby irrevocably permit, authorize, grant, and license Company and its affiliates, successors, and assigns, and the employees, officers, directors, and agents of each and all of them, the rights to display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, reproduce, record, photograph, digitize, modify, alter, edit, adapt, create derivative works, exploit, sell, rent, license, otherwise use, and permit others to use my name, image, likeness, appearance, voice, professional and personal biographical information as part of a testimonial for the Product.

I represent and warrant to Company that I am at least eighteen (18) years of age, and I have full right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement and grant the rights hereunder.

**Do you agree to the use of your name, image, and likeness as set forth above?**

Yes, I agree

No, I do not agree
We noticed you checked “No, I do not agree.” That means we can’t use your comments for promotional purposes. We’ll look forward to reading them if you click “Submit”, but rest assured, your comments won’t be made public.
Submit

---

---
title: "Time to get help in your business? 6 key questions to ask"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/outsource-some-of-your-work-to-grow-your-business/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "When starting a new business, money is often a big issue. So we try to do everything ourselves. But is that the best approach? And when should we let someone else handle functions or tasks for us?"
last_modified: "2018-10-31T15:11:10+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Time to get help in your business? 6 key questions to ask

When launching a new business, money is often a big issue. As in we don’t have any, or at least not enough to do everything we might want to do right away. There’s a common concept of bootstrapping a new business, meaning that you start it with little or no capital and grow the business only as revenue grows.

For many businesses, that is a very viable option. It keeps us out of debt, or at least keeps the debt minimal and if done right can let the business grow at a sustainable rate, rather than debt funded rapid expansion that may one day prove to have been an over-reach.

So we try to do everything ourselves. Aside from getting confused about what hat I’m wearing at the moment, trying to do everything myself may end up hurting the business. I made that realization many years ago filming a video series about home based businesses.

One business owner talked about how he designed and created teddy bears. He also packed and shipped them all by himself. He had figured out that he wanted to make $50 an hour for creating his teddy bears and was able to do that with his margins. But also knew that certainly didn’t apply to his time spent packing and shipping. The hourly rate there was more like $5 or 6 an hour.

The question then for him was, would he accept working x hours a week at that lower rate, or would he have someone else handle that for him, so he could focus on work that paid the higher rate?

Here are some other ways that not delegating or outsourcing some of the work in our business can hurt us:

- We end up wasting many hours trying to do something we have no skill, training, or interest in.

- We achieve second-rate quality attempting to do things we’re not good at.

- We add to our stress unnecessarily.

- We’re stealing precious time from doing the things we’re good at and enjoy.

- We hinder our revenue streams by focusing on things that don’t make us money.

The list could go on.

Fortunately it doesn’t have to end there.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help determine whether it’s time to outsource a function or task:

- **Is this function a core part of my business?** For example, perhaps you are a podcaster, blogger, copywriter, or write articles or curriculum for a living. If so, you probably need services such as editing, graphic services, web design, etc. Your core focus is writing. So, let someone else take on those important, but peripheral aspects of your business. Chances are, they’ll do a better job than you can and leave you more time to write.

- **Does performing this function make you money?** Maybe you’re a startup business offering online training. You are a gifted curriculum developer and promoter but admittedly a lousy graphic artist! Having professional-looking material is important, but customers are buying your content, not the art. The graphic design is necessary, but it doesn’t make you money. This is something that should be outsourced.

- **Can someone else perform this function more cheaply?** In the previous example, you might argue that you can wing it and make do with your own graphic arts abilities. However, in the process you discover that to perform this function, you need a specialized program that’s expensive. Additionally, there’s the cost of having to learn the program and spend hours each week on graphic arts rather than curriculum development. Through a referral, you find a gifted graphic artist who costs a portion of what your hourly rate is worth. This is a function that should be outsourced.

- **Is performing this function stressful for you?** Let’s say that in your business, you provide creative content. And your content is featured and presented in various forms on the internet. But to do that you’ve got all the technical aspects of maintaining your website, setting up your store and means for collecting money, etc. But you’re not skilled in web design and find it frustrating and stressful. Do yourself a favor and outsource that work to someone who is good at it and enjoys it. Outsourcing this work will relieve your stress and you’ll be so much happier with the end-product.

- **Is this function part of your wheelhouse?** This is similar to the previous question, but with a different twist. Perhaps you’re easygoing and don’t mind working on a task for which you have no training or skill. The point here is, why spend time working on things you’re not skilled at when you could be producing more revenue-generating content? Outsource those functions that aren’t part of your wheelhouse and free-up more time doing those things that generate income.

- **Do you enjoy performing this function?** If you intend to be in business for yourself for the long haul, you’ve got to be doing things you enjoy. No doubt you love being in business for yourself. But if you’re honest, there are some tasks that you dread having to perform each month. Perhaps it’s the accounting or some other necessary task that you just wish you didn’t have to do. News Flash! You don’t have to do it! Outsource it!

Certainly, there are other considerations regarding to outsourcing. But often, we hold onto functions and tasks we shouldn’t be doing for far too long. I encourage you to take inventory of your business. What tasks, functions or services could you outsource? What would outsourcing those services gain for you?

For the teddy bear maker, that meant paying someone else to do packing and shipping, so he could use the hours he previously spent on that task focused on designing and building more teddy bears. That way he was able to increase his production and sell more bears, bringing in more than enough additional income to cover paying for a person to pack and ship those bears. In addition to improving the business results and his own profit, he was providing a (part-time) job for someone else.

Win-win.

---

---
title: "Why deleting files doesn’t really erase them and what does"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/why-deleting-files-doesnt-really-erase-them-and-what-does/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "What happens to your data when your old hard drive dies and you recycle it? How about when you sell a computer/tablet/phone? You deleted things. So it’s all good, right?"
last_modified: "2018-10-19T14:44:03+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Why deleting files doesn’t really erase them and what does

What happens to your data when your old hard drive dies and you recycle it? How about when you sell a computer/tablet/phone?

You deleted everything, right? Maybe even reformatted the hard drive.

So it’s all good.

And that hard drive that died, was dead, so everything on it was gone. For good.

_Not nearly so fast._ Some of that data you thought was gone may very well be quite recoverable. Even from a hard drive that crashed.

I found out how recoverable data may be years ago when a hard drive crashed. It held a key database. Unfortunately, there was not an up-to-date backup. So I had to try to recover contents from the corrupted hard drive.

Turns out I got over 90% of the database back! In that case, a really good thing. Because I needed to rebuild all the changes since the last backup.

But that’s really, really bad if you count on deleted data actually being gone for good. Consider this: Data that is often the most sensitive (like social security numbers and other personal information) tends to be text, which is stored in small pieces, making it easier to recover.

Pictures and video from the same hard drive may be irretrievable, because those files are big and if just a little of the data in that file is missing or corrupted, it may not be possible to get any of that file back.

Text and numbers on the other hand don’t need many bytes of storage. In the case of the database, it meant that while I couldn’t get the entire database back exactly the way it had been, I could retrieve most of the little pieces of information that were stored in it.

Think of it as having (most of) the pieces of a puzzle in a plain wrapper box. It will be a challenge, but you can put it together and see the big picture. Maybe a few missing spots, but it’s still the big picture.

_Ouch. That’s bad when you want to get rid of data._

### What do you shouldn’t do with old hard drives/devices

You could:

- Ignore the potential problem. Just delete the files.

- Erase the drive and call it good.

- Find a big magnet and degauss the hard drive to jumble any data beyond recoverability.

- Hide the hard drive in a back room closet.

1&2 — Could work. If you’re lucky. You get rid of the hard drive and nobody finds it or bothers to try to recover files from it. That might happen. Or somebody easily gets to all your private information…

3 — Don’t. Even. Bother. You will not have a magnet powerful enough to truly degauss a modern hard drive. So you do a lot of work for no reliable result.

4 — Even back room closets run out of space. Plus the data is still here. Nothing resolved.

### Do this to old hard drives/devices to erase them

- **Hard drive crashed or device not working, but under warranty**

Your hard drive crashed and it’s under warranty. There’s not much to do here, other than trust that the company you send it back to for replacement will responsibly destroy the old drive.
Because it crashed, you may not be able to get it to spin up at all to even try to erase the data on the drive.

If you can spin it up, try to erase data. Try to write other data to the drive. Try to reformat it. Even if those processes fail, you may have messed up the data structure of the drive to make it harder to recover data.

If the data on the drive/device is (very) sensitive, forget about returning it for warranty replacement and see **_Working hard drive/device to be recycled_** or **_Very sensitive data below_**. Consider it a minor price to pay for keeping data secure.

- **Working hard drive/device to be sold**

Your hard drive or device works fine. You are just planning on parting with it.

Start with erasing all data. On a regular hard drive, doing so actually just deletes the index that points to actual data. Without the index, there’s no easy way to find the data. But recovery is easy until new data is written to the drive.

Instead do a **Secure Erase** that wipes data by overwriting the entire drive space with new data in multiple passes. Caution: This takes a really long time. I recently did this on a small 500GB hard drive and it chugged away through the night, into the next day.

SSD drives are very different in how they store data. You want to do a **Cryptographic Erase** which encrypts the the drive and throws away the key. That results in a drive that contains nonsense data, should anyone try to recover info from it. [Read more about securely erasing SSDs here.](https://www.macobserver.com/tips/how-to/securely-erase-macs-ssd/)

On an iPhone or iPad, select to **erase all content and settings**. This runs the device through a similar process to effectively get rid of all your personal information. [Apple Support article.](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201351)

- **Working hard drive/device to be recycled**

You have an external hard drive (or a device with an internal hard drive) you plan to recycle. If the drive works, take the time to securely erase it as detailed above.

If not, physically destroy the drive. The goal is to seriously damage it so that it won’t ever spin up again. A nice, big hammer or drill will do the trick (keep thumbs, pets and small children out of the way and always wear eye protection when being destructive).

A friend uses old hard drives for target practice prior to letting go of them. Some people elect to remove the disks from the drive and sand them to make it impossible to get anything off there.

- **Very sensitive data**

Anything that could cause damage if it got out into the wild. Personal/financial data. Trade secrets.

Consider having the hard drive/device industrially shredded. The concept is the same as for shredding paper: Turn it all into very tiny pieces. Yes, there is a cost, BUT the data is definitely gone.

All this may sound like a whole lot of work. Consider the alternative: Our hard drives are ever bigger. They hold more and more data. Much of it has little or no value for anyone else, but chances are also really high that you’ll have sensitive personal data somewhere on the hard drive. You really don’t want that to end up in the wrong hands.

Remember that if there is even a little sensitive data on a drive or device, the entire unit needs to be treated accordingly.

Do yourself a favor now, while everything is working fine. Make a plan for how to securely erase all functioning hard drives and devices before they leave your possession. Know how to do that for each different device. Then also plan for how to physically destroy/damage all hard drives or devices that don’t work before you get rid of them.

---

---
title: "5 strategies for effectively dealing with change"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/5-strategies-for-effectively-dealing-with-change/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "It’s been said that the only constant is change. While many people would like things to stay just the way they are, that doesn’t happen. So how do we deal with it?"
last_modified: "2018-10-11T00:25:26+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 5 strategies for effectively dealing with change

It’s been said that the only constant is change. While many people would like things to stay just the way they are, that doesn’t happen. Things change.

It’s inevitable.

Some changes we initiate and are even excited about. Other changes are thrust upon us.

Changes may be desirable or undesirable. All change is a step into the unknown.

Changes can come from many different sources:

- Family

- Aging

- Phases of our business

- Technology

- Market

- What were once tried and true practices

- Significant personal event or calamity

- Relationships

Regardless of if we choose a change for ourselves, or have it imposed on us, change demands that we leave what we know and move toward what is not yet clearly defined. For this reason, change offers us amazing opportunities for personal and professional growth—but we often miss those opportunities. Here are just a few reasons why:

- **We may buck or balk at the change.** When we actively resist change that is unavoidable, we’re prone to fight, kick, grumble, and complain about it. If the change is truly inevitable, then this negative response only serves to prolong our misery and hinder growth. This response also makes us difficult to live with!

- **We may blame others for the change.** If what we perceive to be a negative change is forced upon us, it’s easy to resent those who imposed the change. Our resentment can evolve into anger, holding grudges, and broken relationships. Our dark responses place us in a thick, gloomy smog that prevents us from seeing or dealing with the situation clearly.

- **We may retreat from the change.** We do this by passively avoiding the change, trying to postpone it, or deny its reality. This approach transports us into a fantasy world of our own creation where no real growth or forward movement can occur.

How do we respond to change in a healthy manner?

### 5 strategies for change

- **Accept the change and step into it with childlike wonder.** Have you ever noticed that when Americans travel abroad, there are really only two major types of tourists? On the one hand are tourists who want to experience their host country by retaining as much of America as possible. They eat at McDonald’s, they get coffee at Starbucks, they stay at places where everyone speaks English, and so on. Frankly, I’m not sure why they even bothered traveling abroad, when they could experience the same thing in a burrow of Detroit, New York, or Los Angeles.

 

The second kind of tourist studies the language of the host country before departing. They seek to stay in out-of-the-way places unfrequented by tourists. They wander around with childlike wonder attempting to soak up as much of the culture, its people, and its beauty as possible. I think you get the picture.
When change is thrust upon us, we need to approach it like that second tourist.

But you may object, “The tourist chooses to travel to a foreign land. I didn’t choose this change!” This leads us to the second strategy.

- **Anticipate change.** Okay, we may not have chosen a particular change, but often we can anticipate it and prepare ourselves for it. We already know that change is inevitable, so look around you. What changes do you see coming down the pike? In view of those changes, ask yourself:

What new skills will I need in order to embrace this change?

- What can I learn from this change, personally and professionally?

- How can I leverage this change for good in my life, my business, and the lives of those I love?

- **Assess the change.** If the change appears to be unpleasant or unwanted, discover whether it’s possible to reject or negotiate some aspects of the change. Then, embrace what you cannot alter and make the best of it. Stephen Covey lists “Fear of change and postponing improvement” as one of the seven habits of ineffective people.

- **Allow time to grieve.** While this may seem overstated, some changes warrant a time of grief. For instance, when we send a child off to college, we’re happy for them and their new experience, but we grieve their departure. We may also grieve losing a long-time client to a competitor. Or we may simply struggle with having to leave an old system or process behind. If that’s the case, have a funeral for it. Celebrate its past service, but put it to rest. Doing so will help you move on and embrace the new change.

- **Advance as a change-agent.** Whenever possible, initiate change instead of having it imposed on you. This puts you in charge. Constantly watch for ways to improve what you’re doing. Are you currently using two apps that could be replaced with one? You know that weekly or monthly task that takes so much time? How can you complete it more quickly and still do it well? When you hear yourself complaining about the way something works, why not improve it? Maybe there’s a routine task that you hate. Find someone else to do it!

Let’s face it, things would get pretty boring without change! Don’t let change get you down. Promote it, embrace it and grow by it.

---

---
title: "Overcome your limiting beliefs"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/overcome-your-limiting-beliefs/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Sooner or later we act out what we really believe. Too bad if that then keeps us from achieving what we really wanted and needed. But it doesn’t have to be that way."
last_modified: "2018-10-05T02:55:16+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Overcome your limiting beliefs

Someone rightly observed, “Sooner or later you act out what you really believe.”

That’s especially true of limiting beliefs. They are insidious parasites that leech your courage and diminish what you’re capable of.

Limiting beliefs may express themselves as:

- Self-deprecating language

- Moping

- Complaining

- Negative self-talk

- Damaging exaggerations

Examples of limiting or negative beliefs (and talk) include things like:

- “I’m such a loser!”

- “I’ll never be able to do this!”

- “I’ve failed yet again!”

- “I’m such an idiot!”

- “I guess I’m not cut out for this.”

- “I hate this job!”

- “I hate living here!”

- “I hate my life!”

- “I can’t do this anymore.”

Notice that without exception, limiting beliefs are gross exaggerations. And the word “exaggeration” is a euphemism for a “lie.” That’s right, limiting beliefs are a pack of lies! And when we believe a lie, it makes us do things we wouldn’t normally do and prevents us from doing things we should do.

### The dangers of limiting beliefs

Limiting beliefs are so dangerous because they restrict our abilities and potential. They’re like a kill-switch that shuts down our growth and motivation. Limiting beliefs are weeds that, left unchecked, take over a garden, destroying its fruit. Limiting beliefs demoralize, discourage, and distract us from our mission and goals. When we rely on limiting beliefs, we’re trusting and living a lie.

And limiting beliefs not only affect the one thinking and acting them out, but they are off-putting to others. No one wants to be around a nay-sayer. No one trusts a negative, self-deprecating individual. Limiting beliefs and language scare away customers and demoralize your team.

David Schwartz, in _The Magic of Thinking Big_, pointed out, _“Strong belief triggers the mind to figuring ways and means and how-to. And believing you can succeed makes others place confidence in you.”_ But negative, limiting beliefs undo all that, crippling the mind and destroying confidence of self and others.

### Where limiting beliefs come from

Dark, limiting beliefs come from:

- Naysayers and negative talkers around us

- Our own wrong conclusions resulting from a blunder or failure

- Just generally feeling poorly about ourselves

- Having established bad habits and patterns of self-deprecating talk

- A misunderstanding of humility (true humility and negativity have nothing in common)

- Spending time in the bad company of others who think and talk in a limiting or negative way

If you find yourself entertaining limiting beliefs, it’s important to pinpoint where those thoughts are coming from so you can avoid those triggers.

### How to overcome limiting beliefs

Limiting beliefs result from establishing a bad habit that we must consciously break. Here are some ways we can break those bad habits and avoid limiting beliefs in the future:

- **Discipline yourself to cultivate a can-do attitude.** Just like coaches who give their team a pep-talk before a game, we need to think and talk in a winning way. “I can do this!”

- **Speak positive things into the lives of others.** By speaking positively into the lives of others, we not only encourage them, but we realign our own thinking to the positive as well.

- **Resist the temptation to counter limiting beliefs with proud and arrogant ones.** Prideful, arrogant thoughts and language are also exaggerations (lies). Pride and arrogance are off-putting to others. In this sense, prideful thoughts and limiting thoughts are alike. Both are damaging. Instead, think and speak the truth humbly.


- **Keep getting back up.** In the movie, _Chariots of Fire_, there’s an amazing scene where Eric Liddell, an Olympic runner is knocked to the ground during the race. In an incredible show of fortitude, he not only gets back up to finish the race but goes on to win it! When something goes terribly wrong, train yourself to say, “OK, that didn’t work, so what will?”


- **Learn to laugh at yourself.** Often negative thoughts come from taking ourselves too seriously. Instead, learn to laugh at yourself. Share your mirth with others and give them a good laugh. In this way you’re being honest about what happened, but you’re giving yourself permission to move on. “No harm done!”


- **Take time to rest and reflect.** Rest and reflection are vital habits for maintaining a healthy mental outlook. When we’re all stressed out with deadlines we’re more liable to make mistakes and think poorly of ourselves.


- **Read positive, upbeat books and materials.** Both from a business standpoint and for pure enjoyment, read books and materials that feed your mind with the positive. This goes for watching TV and movies as well. We unconsciously adopt many of the attitudes portrayed in what we read, watch and listen to.

Establish positive habits and routines in your life like those above to avoid limiting beliefs and replace them with positive, action-oriented ones. As Zig Ziglar said, _“It’s your attitude and not your aptitude that determines your altitude.”_

---

---
title: "4 keys to cyber security from James Clapper"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/4-keys-to-cyber-security-from-james-clapper/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "When a former Director of National Intelligence and longtime veteran of the US Intelligence Community speaks about cyber threats and security, it's time to listen."
last_modified: "2020-06-11T02:00:24+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 4 keys to cyber security from James Clapper

James Clapper is a former Director of National Intelligence who before that worked in many other key positions within the US Intelligence Community for decades. So when he gives 4 key pieces of advice from cyber experts, I’m going to listen. Here are his 4 points:

- _**Patch IT software obsessively.** Most Chinese cyber intrusions are through well-known vulnerabilities that can be fixed with patches already available._

- _**Segment your data.** A single breach shouldn’t give attackers access to an entire network infrastructure and a mother lode of proprietary data._
- _**Pay attention to the threat bulletins that DHS and FBI put out.**_

- _**Teach folks what spear phishing looks like.** So many times, the Chinese and others get access to our systems just by pretending to be someone else and then asking for access, and someone gives it to them._

Let’s go through them one by one, looking at how that applies to a small business or nonprofit:

## Patch IT software obsessively

Keep software on your computers, tablets, phones and other internet connected devices up-to-date. Don’t run outdated or old software. You should use the current version of all software, with all major and minor updates installed.

When it comes to the operating system for your computer or device, if it’s not supported with regular updates, it’s time to kiss it goodbye.

Especially in the business world, that’s a problem, because there seems to be all these applications that only run on some obscure, way old version of the OS. Windows XP comes to mind. It was good in its day, but was replaced by more modern operating systems for a reason. Yet, businesses kept using it because of those old legacy applications. In the process they put their entire operation at risk.

An operating system or software that isn’t being updated is a problem. Not because anything changed in it, but because the world out there changed.

So when a computer can’t be upgraded to run the latest operating system, it’s time to replace it with a new one. (Probably time for other reasons too.)

Keep in mind that this applies to things like modems and your network infrastructure as well. They often sit off somewhere where we don’t see them every day, so we easily forget about them. Or we don’t know the first thing about how to update them.

For any of this, if you don’t know what to do to be up-to-date, get help from someone who does and whom you trust with your life.

## Segment your data

I wouldn’t put all my data on one hard drive. Because hard drives crash. Extend that to online storage: Don’t count on just one service, be it Dropbox or Amazon S3 to keep your data. Have a backup plan so that there’s always several copies in different locations.

If multiple people access your business network and storage, consider who needs access to what data and limit accordingly. Same applies for customer databases. Not everyone who is able to log in needs to be able to read and write everywhere in the system.

For instance, I do a lot of work with Salesforce. It has built-in options for limiting what parts of a given record any user can see. So finance can access info they need and a field worker can access info they need and neither needs to see everything. We’re limiting exposure and the potential for damage, accidental or malicious.

It does require planning and work to set up this kind of data segmentation and protection, however once disaster strikes, it’s way too late (but that’s when everybody will ask why there were no protections — “How could this happen?”).

## Pay attention to the threat bulletins that DHS and FBI put out

Probably neither you nor I get those bulletins. But we can pay attention to warnings of threats that come in regular media, industry group information and from trusted vendors and friends.

Key is to not just ignore information. So when you hear about a cyber threat or software/hardware vulnerability, investigate. Make sure you know for sure that it either doesn’t affect you or you have protection in place.

Don’t just assume that your business is so small and insignificant that nobody would want to hack it. Everybody is a potential target.

## Teach folks what spear phishing looks like

Common scenario:

You get an email from your bank, Apple, Facebook or other well-known company. It claims that something is wrong with your account and as a result, your access is about to be cut off. Unless you click on the link in the email to verify that you are you.

Invariably, you’re then asked for your login info and possibly other even more personal info.

Relieved to have dodged the bullet, you go check the account that email was about. Of course you can still login, because there was never any issue to start with.

But the bad guys now have your login info, plus any other info they got from you and they’re busy selling that or trying to use it on other accounts. Because many people use the same login info and password on multiple sites.

The thing is, your bank, Apple, Facebook or other well-known company never sent you an email to start with. It was all fake. Just to get you to part with sensitive information.

Your bank, Apple, Facebook and other well-known companies will however tell you that they would never ask for your personal, sensitive information in a random email. And yet people who should know better fall for it.

Phishing has moved out of just email into using tech support scams, malicious software and gift/prize scams. The goal is always the same: To get you to part with sensitive information that can eventually be used to steal money or cause other damage.

The common thread in all 4 pieces of advice James Clapper gave, is they are about things that happen online or to devices connected online and in each case your business or private life can be seriously damaged. None of us can afford to wait for a bad thing to happen. We must be proactive and protect ourselves.

We need to be careful about:

- **The places we visit online and what information we give out** — What is the information the site wants? Why do they want it and should they need it to deliver what you are requesting?
- **Where and how we get online** — For instance, unsecured, public Wi-Fi is not a good place to do online banking.
- **Where we put our data and who can get to it** — Set up good policies and stick to them. And always back up, in more than one location.
- **How we handle login information** — Don’t reuse passwords and don’t keep a printed list of all your passwords in, on or under your desk. Use strong passwords and 2-factor identification.

Spend some time now to review how prepared you are for an attack in any of the 4 key areas. If you’re not quite ready, get things in place to be ready.

Now you know the 4 big cyber threats according to James Clapper. After decades in the Intelligence Community, he’s seen a lot. So when he tells us to protect ourselves and our businesses, I’m going to pay attention. Because I want to be able to sleep well at night, knowing my business and my data are as safe as they can be.

---

---
title: "The cure for procrastination"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-cure-for-procrastination/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "“Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow.” For many of us, those words by Mark Twain pretty well cover how we approach things: We procrastinate. But does it have to be that way?"
last_modified: "2018-09-20T02:06:31+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The cure for procrastination

Mark Twain, always ready with some wit, said: _“Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow.”_

Many of us seem to take delight in that quip and happily put off anything we possibly can. We procrastinate. Truth be told, sometimes that pays off. As in, that thing you were supposed to do, gets cancelled and any effort put in would have been wasted. But that’s exceedingly rare. Much more common is that the end product is not nearly what it could have been, because we procrastinated and then once we did start in, there wasn’t enough time to get the job done properly.

Some of us feel like perennial procrastinators.

But wait! There’s hope. Procrastination is NOT a permanent personality trait. We can change!

Before we get to that point, let’s look at some of the pitfalls of procrastination and why it’s a problem to start with.

### Pitfalls of Procrastination

- **Missed deadlines** – Customers, clients, vendors, etc. are counting on us to complete a task or project. But when we put off completing that task or project, we fail to meet its deadline.

- **Hurried or sloppy work** – When we postpone a project and then rush to try and complete it, our work tends to be second-rate. We miss details and can’t give the project the attention it deserves.

- **Increased stress** – When we put off an assignment till the last minute, we sentence ourselves to a life of stress until that assignment is finished. Under stress like that, our health and relationships suffer.

- **Missed opportunities** – Entrepreneur Victor Kiam wrote, _“Procrastination is opportunity’s natural assassin.”_ When we put things off till the “eleventh hour,” we’re unprepared to take on new opportunities that present themselves. We’re stuck, trying like mad to finish the obligations that have been piling up and so these new and exciting opportunities pass us by.

- **Defeated attitude** – Eventually, the consequences of procrastination catch up with us and get us down. We feel badly about ourselves for all our missed deadlines, the stress we’ve caused ourselves, and for letting others down. We find it hard to climb out of this hole we’ve dug for ourselves.

- **Damaged reputation** – Almost without exception, when there are deadlines involved, other people are counting on us. But when we’re late or produce less-than-quality work time and time again, we get a reputation for being unreliable. And that can kill any business.

As you can see, there’s a long, compelling list of the dangers of procrastination. But what causes it? Why do we fall into the trap? Here are a few reasons why we procrastinate:

- Habit

- Lack of planning

- Misplaced priorities

- Distractions

- Lack of self-discipline

- Fear of failure

- Fear of the task itself

- Unsure of how or where to start on a project

All those reasons and more can lead us into the trap of procrastination. So, let’s focus on the cure!

### The Cure for Procrastination

- **Only take on projects that fit.** One of the things that promotes procrastination is taking on projects that don’t fit our mission, values, or what we enjoy. Accepting these makes us regret it later and we drag our feet. In the end, nobody’s happy.

- **Get it on the calendar.** Put your projects, tasks, appointments and any other crucial dates on a calendar that is easy for you to monitor. This is vital for breaking a procrastination habit.

- **Prioritize tasks.** Check your calendar often to determine what’s due when. Figure out which projects take priority and tackle them in their priority order. Make a list daily and weekly of what you need to complete to stay on track.

- **Anticipate and eliminate distractions.** This takes self-discipline. We especially must resist the temptation to run after those “shiny things” that present themselves to us and distract us from what’s really important.

- **Follow through with action.** Action is the antidote for both procrastination and fear. You’ve taken all the above steps, now follow through.

- **Get help when needed.** Sometimes a project ends up being much larger than we anticipated. Or perhaps the project involves an expertise that we’re short on. If so, partner with someone to help you and do this early enough that you’re not dragging them past a deadline as well.

Procrastination will ultimately kill our joy for our work, destroy our relationships and undermine our business. If you tend towards procrastination, don’t put off following through with these cures for procrastination!

---

---
title: "They named their business what?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/they-named-their-business-what/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Every business needs a name. That’s a given. The hard part is coming up with that super-perfect name that will make your new business launch absolutely irresistible. A name you want to stick with for a long time to come."
last_modified: "2022-01-27T14:51:35+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# They named their business what?

Every business needs a name. That’s a given. The hard part is coming up with that super-perfect name that will make your new business launch absolutely irresistible.

Part of the challenge is that many business names we’re used to seeing every day all seem so self-evident to us. We forget that their creators most likely struggled over naming a fledgling business too.

### Before starting out

Know and understand your business. You can’t name what you don’t know. Really.

- What is the company about?
- What are the products?
- What are the services?
- Who are the customers?
- What are they looking for?

### Brainstorm

Now brainstorm (and let this stage take some time). Start by gathering words from your industry/products/services.

Describe the benefits you bring to your customers. The transformation you bring. Get specific and don’t try to be everything to everybody.

There are several online tools that can help in the brainstorming phase. Check out sites like [VisualThesaurus.com](https://www.visualthesaurus.com) or [Namelix](https://namelix.com).

Just don’t stop there. They don’t guarantee naming perfection. So use them as a jumping off point and collect ideas.

Allow this part to take some time. Plan on a couple brainstorming sessions to explore more ideas.

### Narrow down the list

By now, you’ll will have a long, very varied list of names. Hopefully some good ones in there. Now it’s time to narrow the list down to worthy contenders.

**Use your name for the business**
For many small businesses, the key person really is the business. There’s a reason why Michael Hyatt’s company is named Michael Hyatt & Company, LLC. Might seem boring at first, but it’s a really good choice for many of us.

**Keep it simple**
Short is good when it comes to naming. Because Apple is much easier to remember than “The Jobs and Wozniak Computer Company Incorporated” would have been.

**Say it out loud **
Does it easily roll off the tongue or is it a tongue-twister? Can you say it with a straight face? Because if you can’t, nobody else will.

**Avoid hard-to-spell names**
Because people will misspell and get confused.

**Names that are too literal or narrow**
Many companies have found themselves rebranding and changing their name as business grew and new products and services were added. Suddenly the old name no longer reflected what the business actually did.

For some businesses, that meant a totally different name (and lots of educating their customers). Others were able to make just a smaller change. For instance, Apple started out as Apple Computer Inc. But with the addition of phones, tablets and services, they eventually dropped “computer”.

So seriously consider how soon that name you like so much right now will turn out to be limiting your new business as it expands.

**Trends**
When Apple launched the iMac, everyone else jumped on the bandwagon and we saw lots of product names starting with an “i”. Some not even related to computers.

There was also a time when it seemed every other hair salon was named something with “Kuts”. Because that was so much more memorable than “Cuts”. At first it was cute. Then it was just dated.

**Geography**
Naming the store “Main Street Bakery” is fine if you’re actually on Main Street. Until you relocate to Random Street. But you’re still named Main Street Bakery. Now it’s just confusing.

**Initials**
There are some big companies named with initials. Think IBM, BNSF, 3M, IKEA. But they’re big. They can get away with it. When just starting out, why go with a name that will have to be forever explained? Plus you just missed the opportunity to have a name that actually means something to your customers.

**Common words**
Using common words may seem like a good idea, but can actually make you harder to find.

When I started my company years ago, I named it Film & Company LLC, because I did video and film, plus a number of related things, like design and photography. It seemed like a good idea.

I didn’t consider how that would show in search results online. Hint: Not well. Because those are generic words, so it’s really hard to get good search results from that. Actually a search was more likely to bring up the competition. Oops.

**Foreign, made-up or obscure words**
Can be used effectively, with care. And probably some explanation.

IKEA shows their heritage by naming every product with a Swedish word. A few examples: Hemnes, Bestå, Liatorp, Ivar, Poäng. This works for IKEA. For the rest of us, it would involve a lot of customer education.

The car brand may have started in Sweden, but Volvo is Latin for “to roll”. So works good for a car, at home and in other countries.

Just be careful about what the words you think of using mean. The Swiss rail equipment manufacturer Stadler named a train they make KISS (an acronym). However, when marketed in Sweden, the train is called DOSTO (another acronym), because in Swedish “kiss” means pee. And you wouldn’t want your product named that.

Made-up words like Google or Xerox seem great, but will require a lot of explaining when you’re starting out. Yes, today, everyone knows that Google is online search and Xerox is photocopiers (to the point that we use those names as verbs), but it wasn’t that way when they started out. So how much explaining do you want to do every time you say your company name?

### Due diligence

Assuming that there are some strong candidates left after all the above vetting, now it’s time to look outside and do some real due diligence.

Put together a short list of 5-10 names to get a feedback from current and prospective customers. You can ask friends and family as well, but actual customers, even prospective ones, will carry more weight.

You also want to make sure no one else is using that new name you’ve picked. The last thing you want is to go through launching your new name, only to get a cease and desist letter from some high-powered lawyer. Because another company is already using that name.

Fortunately, you can (and definitely should) verify that your new name is unique.

Every state has an office that manages business registrations. In many states that’s the Secretary of State’s office. You may even be able to search their database online.

On a national level, do a search in the [US Patent and Trademark Office](https://www.uspto.gov)’s database. If that new name is in there, you’re best off finding something else.

But don’t limit your search to the official databases. Do an internet search. Because someone could be using the name without having bothered to register it. Check for similar names. Test it on Google Adwords.

Finally we get to the place where so many people start their new name search: With a domain name registrar to see if your desired name is available as a domain name. Because if it is not, you might want to rethink. Having a website domain that is significantly different from your business name can be, well, confusing.

As you search for domain names, find out if you can get the .com. And if the .com is taken, who has it? What will people find if they go there? Because many people will assume you have a .com.

That said, it’s getting much more common now to find businesses using other domains, so you may have good reasons for going with a domain like .biz, .me, .tv or one of the many others. Just be aware that you will have to do a bit more education so people won’t just assume you’re on .com and never find you.

This is also the time to consider what other, similar domains you may want to own, just to be on the safe side. For instance, I use [ClaesJonasson.Design](https://claesjonasson.design), for my business, but also have [ClaesJonassonDesign.com](http://claesjonassondesign.com), [ClaesJonasson.com](https://claesjonasson.com) and [ClaesJonasson.se](http://claesjonasson.se).

### Finish

Finally, take a long, hard look at the new name or names and decide if you still really, really like them. If so, register the business, buy the domain names, start using them, and get that trademark.

_C**ongratulations. You’ve made it.**_

Now all you have to do is get word out about your new business name. But that’s another story.

---

---
title: "5 pillars of great customer experience"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/5-pillars-of-great-customer-experience/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Quality of both service and product form the foundation of a great customer experience. Like a former boss of mine, we can offer a stellar product, but still chase people away if our customer service is lousy."
last_modified: "2018-08-20T13:17:05+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 5 pillars of great customer experience

I once worked for a boss and business owner who knew _everything_ better than anybody else. He had a habit not only of berating and upsetting his staff, but also clients and vendors. He’d say or do something that made the client or vendor upset, threatening to rip the working relationship apart. Then his long-time assistant would have to get on the phone or appear in person to try to smooth things over as best he could.

It was a toxic environment. Unlike the faithful assistant, I did not work long for this boss, but rather decided to part ways and move on to other opportunities.

The thing is, this business owner was capable of doing good work. Which I presume is why people were willing to overlook his outbursts.

Inarguably, quality of both service and product form the foundation of great customer service. Like that former boss of mine, we can offer a stellar product, but if our service is lousy, we’ll turn people away. Likewise, we can’t just eke by on wonderful service if our product stinks. This holds true for tangible product as well as a service business.

Whether you like it or not, _“The customer’s perception is your reality.”_ – Kate Zabriske, business consultant. In the end, it really doesn’t matter how we view our products and services if our customers perceive them differently.

But for the purposes of this article, let’s assume that you have a great product or service that people want. So, let’s focus on your customers’ experience. Below are 5 pillars on which the customer’s experience stands:

- **Do what you promised—and more! Honesty must be a basic given.** People do business with those they know, like and trust. If we can’t do what we said we’d do, people won’t trust us. And trying to win back broken trust is very difficult. And for some reason, dissatisfied customers are very eager to share their poor experience with others. So be careful what you promise.
However, just meeting basic expectations (what you said you’d do) doesn’t “wow” the customer. What does “wow” them is receiving unexpected service and bonuses. Under-promise and over-deliver. What are some ways that you can do this in your business?

- **Establish and follow great systems.** “Systems, not just smiles” retain customers. Having great systems in place enables us to provide predictable, consistent service and products. Basically, anything in your business that you want to be repeatable should have a system associated with it. Systems ensure that the same quality product and service will be delivered every time with every customer.

What great systems do you currently have in place? What aspects of your products or services are still lacking great systems? How can you remedy this?

- **Personalize service.** No one likes to be treated like a number or faceless person. Again, people do business with us when they know, like and trust us. The more relational we can be, the better. Systematizing your business may seem to fly in the face of personalizing service, but look for ways to ensure that the systems of your business allow you to interact with people in a relational, personalized manner.

Remembering a customer’s name and some detail from a conversation with them can go a long way toward making them feel that your service is very personal. What are some specific ways you can personalize service for your customers?

- **Establish repeat,** long-term customers. _“It’s much easier to retain a customer or client than find a new one.”_ That was the mantra of Carl Sewell of Sewell Cadillac. As amazing as it sounds, he found that over the course of a customer’s lifetime, the loyal customer would spend $517,000 with Sewell Cadillac! I recommend his book, _Customers for Life: How to Turn that One-Time Buyer into a Lifetime Customer_. What would it take to retain your customers, making them customers for life? Why would they want to do repeat business with you?

- **Make it easy to do business with you.** This must be an integral part of the customer service experience. Doing business with you should be both a delight and simple. Amazon has capitalized on this principle with their “one-click” purchase option. What are some ways that you could craft your business in such a way that your customers find you very easy to do business with?

Look back over these 5 pillars of great customer experience. Which of these pillars do you excel at? Which ones need more work? What will you do to improve your customers’ experience?

---

---
title: "5 ways to live as an example for others"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/5-ways-to-live-as-an-example-for-other/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Scenario: That person everyone has been looking up to turns out to be dishonest. We feel let down and wonder who we can trust. But we all need examples…"
last_modified: "2018-08-20T12:42:53+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 5 ways to live as an example for others

Have you ever admired someone for something they’ve achieved, only to find out later that their life is in shambles, or that they have left a trail of bodies in their wake? While this phenomenon seems more common among politicians, movie stars and pro-athletes, it happens among business people as well.

It often happens like this: an entrepreneur has made a ton of money. We’re drawn to them to discover the secret of their success. But when we actually meet them and spend time with them, we’re greatly disappointed by the person we encounter. Perhaps they’re rude, self-absorbed, liars or otherwise unethical in their practices. Such an experience exposes some of the dangers of not living an exemplary lifestyle.

### Dangers of not living an exemplary lifestyle

- We compartmentalize our life, lying to ourselves that it’s okay to live one set of values in one area of our lives, but operating by a different set of values in another.

- We come across to others as hypocritical as we live according to a double-standard.

- Others see inconsistencies in our life and begin to mistrust us.

- We end up letting people down and hurting them.

- Living this way destroys our integrity and ultimately our business as well.

### A Higher calling

Living an exemplary life changes the way we live for the better. Living to provide a model for others gives us a higher calling. Our very lives influence others around us for good. This is especially important with our children, nephews and nieces, mentees, or simply those who follow us. We not only want them to heed our message, but we back it up and strengthen it with a consistent lifestyle. With a clear conscience we want to be able to say, “Watch what I do and follow my example.”

Living as an example for others affects all areas of our lives, directing our motivations, goals and methods. Giving people a model to follow elevates people above everything else that is less important. But living an exemplary life helps our business too, because people do business with those they know, like and trust.

### How to live an exemplary life

- **Seek a balanced life.** This can pose a real challenge to an entrepreneur. We can be so focused and so driven that we neglect our health, relationships, or other important matters in life. One good way to find balance in your life is by identifying your personal values and establishing goals and a schedule around meeting them. By doing so, you’ll discipline yourself to find time for family and friends. You’ll take care of your health, getting enough sleep at night, exercising and eating right. “He who wants to keep his garden tidy doesn’t reserve a plot for weeds.” – Dag Hammarskjold

- **Cultivate integrity.** We refer to the integrity of a bridge or other structure when it holds up under pressure. Similarly, with people integrity has to do with strength of character. We do what we said we’d do. People can count on us. We’re honest. We don’t cheat. We pay our bills and we pay them on time. People do business with us because they trust us. “The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

- **Display genuine care for others.** Our culture has become “me-oriented” and narcissistic. But this self-focused lifestyle is very unfulfilling and repulses others. When we show genuine care for others, they’re drawn to us. We treat them with respect. We provide them with products and services that improve their lives and they’re grateful to us for them. They like us and want to do business with us. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Zig Ziglar

- **Extend trust toward others.** One of the best ways to obtain the trust of others is to trust them. This means that we must depend on others for things. This too can be difficult for entrepreneurs. We like to think that we’re self-sufficient, but nothing of real value is ever accomplished without the help of others. Trust is the currency of the entrepreneur. Trust is reciprocal, so if you want to be trusted, trust others. “If you want someone to like you, let them do you a favor.” – Abraham Lincoln

- **Show humility.** One of the great misunderstandings is that humility is somehow a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it takes great strength to be humble. Someone has aptly said, “People with humility don’t think less of themselves…they just think about themselves less.” Therefore, humility often expresses itself in simple acts of courtesy like opening the door for someone, letting others go first, or offering a genuine compliment. While pride inevitably leads to downfall, humility builds a strong foundation.

It’s easy to just complain that “things were better in the old days” and bemoan how our country is on a downward slide into total moral decline. And keep saying, “it’s just business” to explain our actions.

But those around us, young and old, strangers and friends, desperately need good role models to follow. We, as in you and I, can, through the individual choices we make in private and public take up the challenge to be that example for them.

---

---
title: "The importance of having thick skin"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-importance-of-having-thick-skin/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "We may serve 100 clients, most of whom are raving fans. But if a few or even one of those clients go negative, it can wear us down very quickly."
last_modified: "2018-07-19T02:00:39+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The importance of having thick skin

The human body is incredible in its design. If you take any inanimate object or material and subject it continually to abrasion, you’ll wear it down. But if you expose your hands continually to hard work, over time you’ll develop callouses. These patches of thick skin protect your hands from abrasions and other injuries—amazing!

But the same holds true in our business. We may serve 100 clients, most of whom are raving fans. But if a few or even one of those clients is caustic, abrasive and cutting in their evaluation of our products and services, that tiny minority can wear away at our morale. That’s why we need to develop “thick skin” or “emotional callouses.”

Purely from a relational standpoint, having thick skin prevents us from taking offense at others easily. With thick skin we give people the benefit of the doubt. We refrain from reading negativity into their comments and reactions. We let petty differences slide. With thick skin we’re easier to get along with.

### Dangers of Thin Skin

- Without those emotional callouses, we listen to the wrong people—the critics and complainers—and we grant them too much power in our lives.

- With thin skin, we become easily hurt and get side-tracked trying to defend ourselves or crawling off to lick our wounds.

- With thin skin, we try to protect ourselves by being everything to everyone—an impossible, counterproductive effort.

- We apply the band aid of diluting our vision, mission and values in a futile attempt to prevent future injuries.

Having thin skin makes us vulnerable and distracts us from what’s important. We need to acquire emotional callouses to prevent injury and make us more fit to wield the tools of our trade. Here are some tips for developing thick skin:

- **Get your hands dirty and deal with abrasive people and situations head-on.** Our gut reaction is to avoid the unpleasant. But remember, it’s through repeated, long-term use and abrasion that we form callouses. As a friend of mine used to say, “You can’t have the product without the process.” And in this case, the product is thick skin or callouses and the process is exposure to rough, tough situations. So, accept those abrasive situations. Recognize them as a normal part of life and deal with them head-on.

- **
Focus on the positive majority.** Don’t allow naysayers and those who talk stink to rob you of joy. It’s human nature to let that tiny minority ruin our day. Everyone else loves our products/services, but those one or two caustic individuals vie for our full attention. Without developing thick skin, we allow these critics, complainers, and naysayers to demoralize us. Instead, train yourself to discredit false or cruel data. Focus on the positive majority. Let them boost your joy and morale and press on. 

Abraham Lincoln made famous a quote by John Lydgate that still holds true, _“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”_

- **Don’t let callouses give you an excuse for being calloused.** A calloused hand can also be gentle. We don’t want to return abuse for abuse. Live above that. Having thick skin doesn’t mean that we are abrasive. Listen humbly to the contrarians. Make sure that you hear what they’re saying. You don’t want to miss any noble feedback. Then, be polite and kindly reject what’s not helpful. Don’t rub their nose in it. Just politely move on.


- **Reject fear and keep moving forward.** Some abrasive people can be very cutting. They may be so vocal and vehement in their negative remarks that we find ourselves becoming fearful. And we begin to wonder, “Does everyone feel this way?” Fear like this can cripple us. David J. Schwartz, in The Magic of Thinking Big, writes, “Fear is success enemy No. 1. Action cures fear.” That’s it; take action! Keep moving forward instead of giving in to fear.

- **Accept sound criticism regardless of its source.** Some people come across as angry or accusatory even when giving good advice. We develop thick skin by overlooking the caustic demeanor of the messenger and accepting the good in their message. Thick skin comes with humility rather than lashing back in kind.




You can tell an experienced carpenter by the callouses on their hands. In much the same way, we need to develop those emotional callouses that protect and enable us to wield the tools of our trade effectively and with skill.

---

---
title: "Google mobile-first indexing and you — disaster or no?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/google-mobile-first-indexing-and-you/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Google is rolling out mobile-first indexing now. But what does that really mean? Is this mobilegeddon? The end of the web as we know it?"
last_modified: "2019-10-16T01:22:35+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Google mobile-first indexing and you — disaster or no?

The email from Google informed me that mobile-first indexing had been enabled for one of my websites.

Maybe you’ve gotten that email too. Google is rolling out mobile-first indexing now. But what does that really mean?

There was the alarmist headline I saw — something about how Google mobile-first indexing is going to utterly and totally destroy your business. Because that stuff gets clicks. But is this mobilegeddon? The end of the web as we know it?

Hardly.

Here’s what Google switching to mobile-first indexing is about: Since 2015, more searches online happen from mobile devices than from desktop computers. Mobile accounts for over 60% of searches now and the trend is increasing. So Google wants to serve that audience the best it can.

But not all websites show the same content to all visitors. That’s the real issue. Back when we just started to access the web from mobile phones, the screens were tiny and connections super-slow. To deal with that, someone came up with a brilliant idea: Have separate websites for desktop and mobile. Because who doesn’t want to have more content to manage?

Fast forward to today: Web design has changed a lot. It’s possible to build responsive, mobile-first designed websites that deliver a great user experience on any device and screen size. And more people than ever are searching the web from their mobile devices. So it only makes sense to create search indexes from what all those mobile devices see, instead of from the desktop versions.

Up until now, the standard for Google has been to crawl and index the desktop version of a website. That means that if the ACME Explosives website has one version for desktop and one for mobile, it gets ranked based on the desktop site that has all the content and bells and whistles. But their mobile website may be a lite version with half the content and features.

So you do a search and based on the search results, you go to ACME Explosives on your mobile phone and instead of getting all the info about their latest fireworks, you get a very limited listing of what they offer. Hardly all that exciting.

Going forward, Google will look at that mobile site, index what it finds there and use that for search results when you go looking for ACME Explosives on any of your devices. Better search results on mobile. Possibly worse on desktops.

There are 4 key areas where this change may affect your website:

### Content

If the mobile site presents a lite version of your content, that will affect search results. The preferred way (for some time) has been to deliver the same content to all devices.

### Page speed

Mobile sites were built very slimmed-down because mobile surfing was often on slower networks. We have better connectivity now than even a few years ago, but with the same content going to all users, it’s very important to make sure pages are properly optimized to load quickly and don’t contain things that needlessly slow down the user experience.

### Internal links

If you have 2 versions of your website — a mobile and a desktop, then the mobile links are different. Google won’t like that so much. It also doesn’t like if some content is hidden on mobile devices, but shown on desktops.

Going forward, internal links should be the same across the board. That of course actually makes it easier for you and me to manage our websites.

### Structured data

When the mobile site was all about slimming down and hiding content, structured data that tells search engines what a page is about and the elements it contains was often stripped out. You guessed it, Google won’t be happy about that and it will likely negatively affect your search ranking.

Those are key areas of impact. Fortunately, there are fixes for going forward, so we can do well with mobile-first indexing in the search engines.

Here are 5 scenarios, based on your current website situation:

### Current, responsive website that was designed mobile first

Best case scenario. You’re good to go. Changing to mobile-first indexing won’t affect your SEO, since there’s no difference in what Google sees when crawling the mobile version of your site compared to the desktop version. Because it’s all the same website that just shows up optimized for whatever device it’s being viewed on.

### Responsive website that is older and not mobile first designed

This was the first generation of responsive websites. Essentially a desktop site with added on code to display responsively on mobile devices. Content should be okay here (unless your code hides some of it from mobile devices). The underlying code may need restructuring because every device has to load the desktop code first and then the mobile code, meaning more data is transferred, potentially slowing down the site.

### Separate desktop and mobile websites

Just say “No.” Save yourself the ongoing headache of trying to manage 2 separate websites and build a new, responsive, mobile first designed website that will deliver a great user experience on all devices.

### One website that shows full content on the desktop and hides much of it from the lite version on mobile devices

It’s a headache to manage and keep track of what content shows up when and where. Plus Google will not like this. Save yourself the pain and build a new, responsive, mobile first designed website that will deliver a great user experience on all devices.

### Desktop only website

You know this type of website. It was built several years ago and designed strictly for desktop viewing. To access it on a mobile device means you see only part of the website at any time and have to do a lot of scrolling and zooming to get to all the content. Still plenty of those sites around. But the world has moved on. It’s time to bite the bullet. Redesign. Get a new, responsive, mobile first designed website that will deliver a great user experience on all devices. You’ll do your site visitors a huge favor.

At the end of the day, Google changing to mobile-first indexing is not a sinister plot to destroy the web as we know it. No need to panic.

What is important, is to know and understand how this change will affect your website and search results and then take proper action. Ignoring this change won’t make it go away, but it could make you fade away in search results.

There’s little to no impact for websites designed to current standards. For older websites, fixes may be possible or it may just be time to build a new, fresh website that better represents your business or organization.

---

---
title: "5 strategies for boosting persistence"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/5-strategies-for-boosting-persistence/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "There is always some measure of success in persistence. But giving up guarantees zero success."
last_modified: "2018-07-04T20:41:35+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 5 strategies for boosting persistence

Life and business can be tough. There are plenty of times we want to just pack it in and go home. Or go play some other game.

Some people call it quits as soon as they run into problems or challenges. Other push on, persisting in moving forward, even when it seems like one step forward is two backwards.

There is always some measure of success in persistence. But giving up guarantees zero success.

Regardless of the outcome, persisting through tough times and overwhelming odds becomes part of the victory. Here are just a few reasons to persist:

### Persistence gets results

Few things in life worth achieving are gained without persistence. Nearly all successful people we look up to have a long, hard trail of failures and severe challenges behind them, through which they persisted. Had they given up along the way, they would have experienced failure just before their breakthrough occurred. The harder you work, the luckier you get.

### Persistence sets you apart from everyone else

Anyone can quit. Quitting is the easy way out. Quitting is the coward’s way out. Quitting becomes addicting. Persisting puts you in a whole different class of the elite.

### Persistence builds character

Giving up takes no effort. Giving up gives one a false sense of relief that ultimately feels more like defeat. Any growth of muscle or character requires resistance training. It takes courage and strong character to persist, and in persisting, your character becomes even stronger.

### Persistence always offers some measure of success

Just by hanging in there, you’ve accomplished more than most. But in quitting there is no success. Abraham Lincoln, a man all too familiar with failure, said, “If you are resolutely determined to accomplish some thing, the thing is more than half done already. Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.”

But when the bills are piling up and everyone is telling you to hang it up and get a “real job,” it’s hard to persist. How do you maintain persistence in the face of so much apparent failure and resistance? Here are 5 Strategies for Boosting Persistence:

### Believe in yourself and what you have to offer

This requires a realistic, but optimistic view of yourself, not to be confused with flippant arrogance. Sylvester Stallone was rejected by more than 600 casting agents before developing his Rocky screenplay. His first film took in $117 million (in 1976 dollars) and made him more than $5 million. If you have something worthwhile and valuable to give to others, keep believing in yourself and never quit.

“Belief is the thermostat that regulates what we accomplish in life. A person is a product of his own thoughts. Believe BIG! Adjust your thermostat forward. Launch your success offensive with honest, sincere belief that you can succeed. Believe big and grow big.” – David J. Schwartz, _The Magic of Thinking Big_.

### Keep trying new things

Maybe you’re not sure yet what your product or service is, but you desire successful entrepreneurship desperately. Then keep trying new things. The Wright Brothers experienced thousands of failed experiments before getting it right. Discover your niche. Experiment. “The way to succeed is to double your failure rate.” – Thomas J. Watson, founder of IBM.

### Redefine failure

View minor failed experiments as learning experiences. Now you know one more way not to succeed. Instead, view quitting as failure. As long as you persist, you haven’t failed.

### When you fall, keep getting up

If you have ever watched a baby learning to walk, they fall a thousand times before they can walk. You’re no infant, but your business may still be in its infancy. Expect to fall, trip, and stumble, but keep getting up. And soon you’ll find that your business is not only walking but running like a gazelle!

### Don’t listen to naysayers

When Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield wrote the _Chicken Soup for the Soul_ series, they were rejected by 140 publishers. Publishers told them the book wouldn’t sell. Those publishers were professionals. They’re supposed to know what they’re talking about, right? But when the two authors finally landed a contract with a publisher willing to take a risk, their books sold over 100 million copies! Don’t listen to naysayers. Instead, find and spend time with those who believe in you, support you, and encourage you.

Persistence is a key ingredient for success. So, keep at it. Don’t give up. Persist, because success is right around the corner. As the song from the movie _Chitty Chitty Bang Bang_ goes: “From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success.”

---

---
title: "7 dangers your website faces"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/7-dangers-your-website-faces/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "7 things you need for your website. Magically, they could all be provided by the hosting company. For one low price. What’s not to love about that? Several things, actually…"
last_modified: "2019-04-10T13:36:18+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 7 dangers your website faces

The promotion landed on my desk. 7 things that you need to have in place for your website. And magically, they could all be provided by this one hosting company. For one low price. What’s not to love about that?

Actually a couple red flags popped up as I read on.

You see, these 7 things are quite important for a well-functioning website. But should they really all come from one place? There are good reasons for why they shouldn’t.

Let’s go down the list and look at each in a more detail:

### Domain name

Of course you need a domain name. The important thing about it is, you need to own it. Not your web designer, website hosting company or Uncle Joe. You. Here’s why:

He who controls the domain name, controls your online presence.

Several years ago I worked with a client who had used his previous web developer to host and register the domain. When things went south in that relationship, my client actually lost access to his domain. Eventually got it back, but not until we had a new website designed and ready to go at a new domain name.

That’s why it’s a good idea to register your domain name with one company and get hosting from another. Then if you ever need to change hosting companies for any reason, pointing your domain to the new hosting company is a simple switch. No risk of the hosting company trying to hold your domain hostage (which has happened).

_**Recommended:** Register your domain with a domain registrar, separate from the hosting company._

### Website hosting

Choose hosting based on your actual needs.

When just starting out, price is often a significant concern.

A new blogger can probably do fine with shared hosting (the cheapest kind), as long as it comes with [HTTPS](https://claesjonasson.design/is-your-website-secure/). It’s not like the world will end if the website goes down for a day (or even two).

Shared hosting is however the equivalent of seeing how many college kids you can stuff into a VW. Or like using a party line for your phone. You pays your money and you takes your chance.

When the website is an important part of your business, the concern isn’t the monthly cost, but rather how much you’d lose if your website goes down.

For a business or nonprofit, being down for a day could cause signifiant damage. Fortunately there is hosting that is price conscious and still guarantees specific resources at your disposal at any time. A private server is ideal, but you may not need all those resources and so a Virtual Private Server is a better deal.

Either way, you’re guaranteed specific storage space, memory and processing power, so you know there will always be enough power to run your website with the traffic you expect.

_**Recommended:** Get your hosting from a hosting company, separate from the domain registrar._

### Website backups

Absolutely. Backed up. Must be. Thing is, not all backups are the same.

Your hosting company creates backups (so they can rebuild your server, should something bad happen). But because it’s the whole server installation, that backup isn’t helpful for reinstalling just your website, or copying/moving it to another server. For that you need backups of just your website in a portable format.

If you have more than one website in your hosting account, then each website needs its own backups.

These backups must run automatically on a preset schedule and be stored in the cloud, somewhere other than your hosting company. If a meteor hits the server farm where your website is hosted, you want to have a copy of that website someplace that didn’t get hit by the meteor. [Learn more about website backups here.](https://claesjonasson.design/is-your-website-backed-up-are-you-sure/)

_**Recommended:** Know how your hosting company backs up your server installation and run your own backups of the actual website, in a portable format._

### Support

Good support is a must. If you manage your own website, then you interface with the hosting company. Many hosting companies still think that submitting a ticket, where they’ll get back to you in a day or two or three, is okay. But that’s not very okay if your website is down!

If you work with a web designer/developer and have a maintenance contract, then you just contact your designer/developer and they handle everything from there.

_**Recommended:** Check out how support works before signing up for service._

### Domain privacy

In a regular registration, your name and contact info will show up as the owner of the domain. Anyone can do a Whois search and get that information.

It’s likely you’ll get some spam email because it is easy to get your info and know that you just registered a domain. So domain registrars offer private registration where your name and contact info is kept hidden. You don’t get the spam emails.

However, search engines may love you a bit less, thinking that maybe you have something to hide. After all, take a look at any well-known company: Their registration info is public.

Plus your contact info should be on your website anyway, so what good is hiding it in Whois with domain privacy?

_**Recommended:** You can skip domain privacy, especially if it costs extra._

### Spam prevention

Nobody wants spam on their website. Spam shows up on forms, exposed email addresses and blog post comments.

For starters, don’t list email addresses on your website, but use forms for contacting you instead. If those forms get spam submissions, there are several things that can be done to deal with that.

Spam in blog post comments. First decide if you will accept comments at all. If you do decide to let people comment on your posts, the simple act of requiring anyone who hasn’t posted before to have their comment approved before it shows up will take care of most spam, while not unduly inconveniencing your actual blog readers.

_**Recommended:** Start with simple, free steps to cut down on spam._

### Custom email address

If you want to be taken seriously, you need to use an email address from your domain. Almost all hosting plans include some kind of email, but spam filtering and ease of use may leave a lot to be desired.

That’s why I recommend G Suite or Microsoft Office 365 email services. They cost money, but you get email plus other benefits like online apps and storage. Most importantly, it’s email service that is world-class and easily available on all your devices.

If your email accounts are separate from the web hosting, changing the hosting platform is much easier.

_**Recommended:** Use G Suite or Microsoft Office 365 for your email service._

That’s 7 key items to consider when setting up a new website. Along with good reasons to not just let your website hosting company handle all of them. That might be convenient up front, but is likely to come back to bite you in the future.

Instead make an informed decision about each item and do get them from more than one vendor to be sure you’re protected for the long haul.

---

---
title: "10 ways to increase your creativity"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/10-ways-to-increase-your-creativity/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Creativity is like a muscle. If we don’t use it, it will get weaker. But just as we can build muscles with regular use and exercise, we can foster creativity as well."
last_modified: "2018-06-20T16:53:12+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 10 ways to increase your creativity

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m not a creative person”? Don’t believe it! We were designed to be creative. Each one of us is unique, but creativity is in our DNA.

When you think of a really creative person, who comes to mind?

• Steve Jobs?

• Paul McCartney?

• Albert Einstein?

• Jim Gaffigan?

• Steven Spielberg?

• Vincent Van Gogh?

• Tom Hanks?

• Francine Rivers?

• John Carlton?

• Tina Fey?

• Jeff Dunham?

Every one of those individuals is creative in their own right, even though each one expresses their creativity differently. The point is, creativity expresses itself creatively and you don’t have to be like any of those people in order to be creative.

When we create, we experience joy and personal fulfillment. When we create, others benefit in some way from our creativity. And creativity breeds prosperity. If you want to help people and earn a good living along the way, then keep creating. But there’s the rub … how do we keep creating? How do we keep those creative juices flowing?

David Campbell had the following to say about the devolution of creativity: “At age 7, we ask, ‘Why?’ At age 17, we ask, ‘Why not?’ At age 37, we insist, ‘Because!’”

Creativity is like a muscle. If we don’t use it, it will get weaker. Under pressure (“Have to come up with something right this minute!”), it will frequently cramp and do nothing. But just as we can build our muscles with regular use and exercise, we can foster creativity as well:

### 10 ways to be more creative

What you’re about to read isn’t necessarily a system, but each action serves as a launch-pad for creative ideation:

- **Cultivate a playful spirit of curiosity.** Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, be inquisitive: How can ducks hold their breath under water for so long? Where does wind come from? How can you transmit electricity wirelessly? At what temperature does sea water freeze? Some of those questions won’t interest you but look around you and find the answers to questions that puzzle you. Feed your curiosity.

- **Abandon old routines and put new ones in place.** Have you imposed artificial structures in your life that stifle creativity? We’re creatures of habit. Good habits can serve us well. But sometimes our routines promote mindless wandering through life. We buck the idea of changing our routines. They’re familiar and we convince ourselves that we work best within their confines. The problem is that we rarely discover anything new within the walls of the familiar. Abandon an old routine or two, try something new and see what you discover. Visit new places, try new things.

- **Read voraciously.** Reading books, articles, blogs, etc. feeds our minds with creative thoughts. We learn new things, apply old ideas in new ways, and see things through a different lens. Read all kinds of books. Broaden the scope of your interests. Read for business and read for pleasure.

- **Tap into the minds of others.** Pull some friends together over a cup of coffee or glass of wine and brainstorm a problem, topic, or idea. Case in point: Do you know that while one draft horse can pull 3,000 pounds dead weight, two draft horses teamed together can pull 8,000 pounds dead weight?! That’s the synergy of working with others. Just imagine what you could do if you teamed up with others.

- **Brainstorm.** Brainstorming isolates the discipline of creative ideation from analytical or critical thinking. You probably already know how to brainstorm: a) Anything goes; b) Reserve judgment or critical thought; c) Write down all ideas; d) When you think you’re stuck, keep going. Also, try mind-mapping a problem, blog, or podcast you’re creating.

- **Cross-pollinate with other disciplines.** We’ve already demonstrated this skill above. If you’re trying to solve a problem and brainstorm a solution, consider combining dissimilar sciences, arts, history, philosophy, medicine, or religion.

- **Remove yourself from whatever it is you’re trying to solve.** Have you ever been driving your car, taking a shower, jogging, or playing with your dog and all of a sudden the solution to a problem hits you? If you feel stuck, leave the problem on your desk and go for a walk, or do something totally different. Even if an idea doesn’t come to you while you’re away, you may come back with a different perspective.

- **Let ideas incubate.** While similar to the previous point, the idea here is that sometimes an idea has a “gestation” period. We need to allow an idea time to form and mature in our minds. Just like having a baby, you can’t rush the process. Mull over it, meditate on it, and let it simmer in your mind. “Creativity in a business cannot be ordered like breakfast at the Waldorf. Instead, it must be stimulated, motivated and induced.” – Roy Ash

- **Embrace hardship.** “Necessity is the mother of invention,” we’re told, and it’s true. There’s an amazing scene in the movie _Apollo 13_, where the ground crew spreads out a pile of seemingly random objects on a table with the urgent task to design a filter that will save the lives of the crew in the space module. It’s often in the face of lack or need that creativity presents itself most powerfully, so don’t be too quick to eliminate all hardship or need from your life. Instead, leverage it to your advantage. H. Jackson Brown, Jr. in _Life’s Little Instruction Book_ wrote, “When starting out, don’t worry about not having enough money. Limited funds are a blessing, not a curse. Nothing encourages creative thinking in quite the same way.”

- **Borrow shamelessly.** Grab ideas from other sources, combine them, change them, give them a new name and capitalize on them. Don’t plagiarize. Give credit where credit is due. But allow the creativity of others to serve as the raw materials for your creative ideas as well.

Remember, you are a creative person. In the words of Sylvia Plath: “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

Believe that you are creative. Discover how you are uniquely wired to express creativity. Follow the above tips to cultivate it. And like a well-watered garden, may your creativity flourish!

---

---
title: "Work with us"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/work/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Work with us Portfolio More portfolio"
last_modified: "2025-05-18T03:05:57+00:00"
---

# Work with us

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

## Work with me

![Website Review logo](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/workreview.png)

### Get a free website review

How is your website doing, really? Let us take a look. We’ll give you a complete report, finding the things your site is doing well and giving you actionable items to improve. For free.

Get your review now >

[](https://claesjonasson.design/review/)

![Graphic: computer, tablet, mobile phone](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/workcustom.jpg)

### [Your new website done for you start-to-finish](https://claesjonasson.design/review/)

The website you need, aligned with your business, effectively connecting with your ideal customers. Done for you.

Get started >

[](https://claesjonasson.design/website/)

![Compass on an old world map](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/compass.jpg)

### Get clarity and action steps

Free, no obligation 20 minute strategy call with me about your online presence. You’ll come away with increased clarity and next action steps to move you forward.

Schedule now >

[](https://claesjonasson.design/strategy/)

## Portfolio

-

[![large group of people in prayer](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/large-group-prayer-768x432.webp) ](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/citychurch-network/)

## CityChurch Network

A relational network of pastors and Christian marketplace leaders uniting the churches in Central Arkansas to live and serve as the body of Christ in the community. [](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/citychurch-network/)

-

[![Izidor Ruckel](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IzidorRuckel-768x432.jpg) ](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/izidor-ruckel/)

## Izidor Ruckel

Izidor Ruckel, orphan advocate, author and speaker grew up in horrific conditions in Romanian orphanages before being adopted by an American family. [](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/izidor-ruckel/)

-

[![The Drug Store website](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/portfolioimageTDS-768x432.jpg) ](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/the-drug-store/)

## The Drug Store

Family owned community pharmacy committed to awesome customer service with staff that truly cares. [](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/the-drug-store/)

-

[![Legality Software website image](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/legality-768x432.jpg) ](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/legality-software/)

## Legality Software

Software development company helping clients overcome operational challenges and focus on serving their clients [](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/legality-software/)

-

[![Halbert Law website](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/HalbertLaw-sm-768x432.webp) ](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/halbert-law/)

## Halbert Law

Law firm serving clients with a wide range of legal needs in Eastern Arkansas [](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/halbert-law/)

-

[![Robert Krupp website screenshot](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Bob_Krupp-768x432.jpg) ](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/robert-krupp/)

## Robert Krupp

Blogger on a mission to inform and challenge Christian leaders with original insight and curated content from around the world. [](https://claesjonasson.design/project-portfolio/robert-krupp/)

**[More portfolio](https://claesjonasson.design/portfolio/)**

---

---
title: "What can you afford to lose?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/before-your-hard-drive-fails/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Tips and steps to plan for when the inevitable hard drive failure happens so you don't lose your data."
last_modified: "2020-04-26T16:59:56+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# What can you afford to lose?

Just a morning like any other. I hadn’t rebooted my desktop computer for a while, so started the day doing that. When it came back on, one of the external drives was missing. As in not showing up on the computer. As in not accessible. That’s 6TB of data (6,000GB). A whole lot of files.

It turned out to be really annoying since I needed to work on some of those files that morning. So had to change plans. It was however not a panic moment, because I have backups of everything! The inconvenience was in copying those backups to a drive where I could use them. I keep a large empty hard drive on hand should something like this happen.

This could have been a major disaster. 6TB is a lot of data. But no matter the size of the hard drive, if a computer won’t turn on or an external drive doesn’t mount, it’s a real problem. If there is no backup, chances are all that data is lost. Forever.

If the backup isn’t recent, that’s another problem. I do nightly backups, so won’t lose all that much data. Painful to lose a day’s work, yes, but not nearly as painful as losing everything.

_The burning question is:_

_**Do you have a backup plan in place and is it working?**_

It’s of course all about what you can afford to lose and how long you can be down when the inevitable hard drive failure happens.

## What can you afford to lose?

Probably less than you think. We tend to get a bit nonchalant.

Sure, nothing has happened so far. But all hard drives will fail eventually. Just a matter of time. Kind of like Russian roulette. Not a game you want to lose at.

## I could always reload or rebuild if needed

Seriously, when was the last time that you reloaded everything from scratch on your computer? That takes a _lot_ of time. In business that means missed deadlines and lost productivity.

And what if you can’t rebuild it? Software can be reloaded, but there are many files that just can’t be replaced. Things like the book you’re working on. A photo library. Family videos. Or maybe financial and tax records.

## How long can you afford to be without a working computer or access to files on an external drive?

For my business, I rely on getting work done each day. That’s why I have more than one computer. So if one is out of commission, I can use the other.

The external hard drives I use will take a while to restore from backup. In the recent mishap, I didn’t have access to the files on the dead hard drive for a day while copying them out of backup. I could deal with that. If that been a few days, it would have been really bad.

Be really honest when figuring how long you can be without computer or file access. The cost of a hard drive is tiny compared to a day of lost income or a project deadline missed.

## All backups are not the same

Know that you’re backing up your computer or hard drive the right way for your needs.

A backup that can’t be quickly accessed is not helpful at all if the files on it are ones you need right now to do your work.

Some automated backups are incremental. That means the system does a full backup and then only backs up changed items from then on. If you go to restore such a backup, it could take a long time for first the full backup to be restored and then all the incrementals, up until the most recent one.

Some backups store your backup data in exactly the same format as on your original drive, so you can easily go in and find the particular file you need access to. Others must be decompressed before you can even see the data.

## Test that your backups are actually good

An amazing number of people back up their computers, but never test how to restore from a backup.

So when disaster hits, they don’t know how to get their files restored.

Plus, if you haven’t tested restoring from a backup, it’s possible that your backups won’t work. What if there’s an error in the backup process and the backup files are corrupted? Only way to know is to actually restore them from time to time.

## Use reliable backup software that verifies data accuracy during the backup process

Anytime data is copied, it could get corrupted. Use software that doesn’t just copy files, but compares original and copy to ensure they’re identical, to help prevent corrupted files.

## Online backups

Online backups sound great. Automatic, from anywhere, and not in your house (should it burn down or be picked up by a tornado).

**Potential downsides:**

Depending on how fast your internet access is and how much data you have, online backups could take from a while to a really looooong time.

Also, is the online service you back up to reliable and safe? Or is your data going to get hacked? What if the vendor goes belly up tomorrow?

## Local backups

The data never leaves your hands or your network. So it’s safe (unless someone gets into your house or hacks your network).

The danger of course is fire, flood, tornado or anything else that would catastrophically damage your house. To avoid that, keep one set of backups in a different physical location (for instance office backup stored at home)

## Configure a backup plan to work with you.

For some people the best solution is an automatic, incremental backup, like Apple’s Time Machine. It just happens and you don’t have to think about it. (But from time to time, do check that it’s actually doing its job.)

If you’re backing up to an external hard drive, your backup software should remind you to connect it after a time period you set and should be able to automatically back up to it as soon as it’s connected to the computer.

Use another computer as the backup hub. All your devices send their files for backup over your local network to that computer. This can be fully automated and can be set to alert you if something isn’t working right.

## If something goes wrong, I’ll just use a recovery service to get my data back.

Good luck. Not only is data recovery very expensive and takes time, but more often than not, you will not get anything (or very little) usable back from it. It’s not a plan. It’s a very last resort, when all hope is lost and gone.

## Plan your backups based on your needs and risk tolerance.

No backups is not a plan. Computer and hard drive failure will happen. Often at the worst possible time.

A full backup once a week is better than no backup at all.

A full daily backup (usually run at night) works well in many situations. That’s my preferred solution.

Hourly, incremental backups can ensure that you never lose anything.

## How many backups should you have?

At least one backup of everything. (Anything less is no backup at all.)

For important files that I really can’t afford to lose, I keep at least 2 backups and don’t store them together. (One could be local on a hard drive, one could be online storage.)

Nightly backups are often sent to alternating storage. One backup location for odd days and one for even days. The benefit is that if a file should get corrupted, you have more time to find out and recover a good backup.

## Hard drives are cheap, especially compared to the value of your data (and time)

The hard drive that failed for me recently turned out to still be under warranty. I never was able to get any data off it, but that didn’t matter since I had a solid backup. When the replacement hard drive arrived, it was a simple matter to move files back onto it and get it into the system.

## What software should I use?

I use Carbon Copy Cloner to run and manage backups for all my Macs. It’s a workhorse that has done well for years.

I don’t have any Windows computers, so can’t offer any suggestions there.

## Summary

Back up your files. Because like me, you can’t afford to lose them.

Make a plan and stick to it.

Spending a little money now for a few hard drives and backup software beats lots of agony when a hard drive crashes later on.

And yes, this all applies to phones and tablets as well. Because they crash too.

---

---
title: "Recommended"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/recommended/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
last_modified: "2021-12-24T02:42:56+00:00"
---

# Recommended



---

---
title: "The power of the tongue"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/power-of-tongue/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "You may be familiar with the childhood rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Sounds good, except for not being true at all …"
last_modified: "2018-05-31T02:12:36+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The power of the tongue

You may be familiar with the childhood rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” For a child, that may seem like a great comeback toward a bully with a sharp tongue, but the statement is undeniably false. Words can and do hurt! In fact …

**The tongue has the power of life and death.** – Proverbs 18:21

The tongue — our words — can be used for good or bad, to build or destroy, to commend or cut down. With our tongues we can express: gratitude, love, joy, truth, hope, encouragement, trust, kindness, gentleness, humility, wisdom, and purity.

Or, the tongue can be: destructive, caustic, divisive, unloving, harsh, deceitful, boastful, self-serving, hateful, demeaning, foolish, and obscene.

### What influences our words?

The things we say are the fruit, cultivated and growing out of the environment with which we choose to surround ourselves. And these factors fall on us. We must take responsibility for this environment. Our words are formed by:

- **Our thinking and beliefs.** Generally, we speak what we believe and think. If we think cruel thoughts, more than likely, they’ll spawn cruel words. If we think kind thoughts, they produce kind words. What we think and believe determines how we speak.

- **Who we hang out with.** The company we keep has a profound impact on who we are, what we think and what we say. If the people we’re around are positive and upbeat, their mood and words rub off on us and we tend to act and talk like them. But if we hang around those who are negative and obscene, our words will begin to reflect their mood and behaviors.

- **What we watch and listen to.** The movies, video games and programs we watch and listen to can also have a huge effect on us. We really can’t walk away unscathed by a constant barrage of violence, sex and obscenity. Whatever we fill our minds with will work its way out in our behaviors and words. Don’t be fooled by thinking, “it’s just entertainment.”

- **What we read.** The books we read also frame our thinking and our words. We want to fill our minds with the kind of things that we should be thinking about and want to express with our words.

Those 4 factors influence our words in a big way. We don’t want to opt for “garbage in, garbage out.”

### 4 tips for guarding the tongue

To take greater control of your tongue, engage the following tips together and not just individually. Ask yourself:

- **Is it truthful?** Is what I’m about to say accurate? But be careful. We don’t want to say something hurtful under the guise of speaking “truth.” Just because something is true, doesn’t require that we say it if it’s going to harm others. Also, are we representing truth in our promotions and advertising? “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.” (Proverbs 21:6)

- **Is it loving and kind?** Relationships are one of our most precious commodities. An unkind word can destroy a relationship quickly and thoroughly. “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

- **Is it beneficial for the person hearing it?** Will my words be appropriate and build up this person? How will they benefit from what I’m about to say? Is what I’m about to say prudent, or am I better off keeping my thoughts to myself? “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

- **Am I talking too much?** We have two ears and only one mouth for a reason. Listen much, talk little. “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” (Proverbs 17:28)

### One more thing

For some reason, we seem to be able to curb our tongues fairly well when it comes to dealing with clients. But when we’re at home, we often fail miserably in our words with those we love. Allow me to challenge us especially to follow the above tips when we’re with our family and friends and to do the same when speaking with clients.

---

---
title: "9 Reasons You Need a Book-Reading Plan"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/9-reasons-you-need-a-book-reading-plan/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Is reading dead? Are books yesteryear’s left-overs? People on the street don’t seem to be able to even name a single book any more. So why bother reading?"
last_modified: "2018-05-24T00:27:13+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 9 Reasons You Need a Book-Reading Plan

Can you name the last book you read? How about any book? Does anybody read anymore? You certainly wonder after watching what Jimmy Kimmel’s team found out on the streets of LA:

With so many options for getting content and information washing over us in a never-ending wave every day, it’s easy to think that books are old-fashioned and no longer relevant.

Yet, there is power in the written word. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business person, or simply someone who wants to continue to grow, reading books is an effective way to continue your personal development.

### Here are 9 reasons you need a book-reading plan:

- **Reading helps keep you current.** Books can help keep you current on business trends and strategies. You can either spend thousands of dollars flying around the country going to seminars and masterminds or spend a few dollars on a book! And after finishing it, there it is within arm’s reach for ready reference. Consider reading Michael Hyatt’s book, _Your Best Year Ever—A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals_.

- **Provides material for your own writing and podcasting.** Reading books offers you fresh information, strategies for presenting that information, and great stories to share with your readers. Read Chris Ducker’s book, _The Rise of the Youpreneur_.

- **Reading books exercises your brain.** Joseph Addison wrote, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Believe me, in this competitive environment, you don’t want a “flabby” brain! Reading gets the blood flowing to the brain in unique ways and keeps your brain and thinking clear and crisp. I challenge you to read a book like,_ Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy_ by Eric Metaxas. I guarantee that book will give your brain a workout!

- **Expands your worldview.** Let’s face it. Most of us live and work within a fairly small bubble of relationships. Our market is defined by what and who we know. What if there are other markets out there that we haven’t even thought about or touched? Reading can broaden our perspective. Consider reading, _The Power of Leverage_ by Anthony Robbins.

- **Stimulates new ideas.** Frequently, I’ll be reading a book and the content I’m reading launches me into a totally new idea. Reading does that! If you need some fresh ideas and new thinking for your own business, read a book. Try reading, _The 4-Hour Work Week_ by Tim Ferriss.

- **Increases your vocabulary and conversational skills.** Whether you realize it or not, when you’re reading, your mind assimilates new words and phrases. These new modes of expression become part of your vocabulary and find their way into your conversation without your conscious effort. Read Peter Mahle’s delightfully funny book, _A Year in Provence_.

- **Makes you a better writer.** Akin to the previous point, when you read a book that’s well written, your own writing begins to take on the qualities that you admire in others. Here’s a book that focuses on writing skills, but also features writing at its best: _On Writing Well_ by William Zinsser.

- **Corrects and/or corroborates your thinking.** Reading what others think about a topic can either correct our misconceptions or confirm what we’ve held to be true. A best-selling classic that will either challenge or confirm your beliefs is Lee Strobel’s _A Case for a Creator_.

- **Enriches your life.** So far, we’ve been talking primarily about growing our intellect and our business. But reading for pleasure offers many benefits as well. Reading a book before bedtime is a great way to wind down and relax. Recreational reading opens a whole world of history, intrigue, humor, adventure, and fantasy. Reading kicks the borders off your imagination. And you may even be surprised by an unexpected idea from an unusual source. Mark Sullivan’s epic historical novel, _Beneath a Scarlet Sky_ is sure to provide you with an enriching experience.

### Create a reading plan

Consider designing a reading plan customized to your schedule and interests. A great place to start might be a commitment to read a book a month. Create a list of books that you want to read. That way you won’t finish a book and wonder what to read next.

You can either read on an e-device or paper. Many who are reading a book to study it, like the option of paper for highlighting and scribbling notes in the margins.

Also, consider finding a reading buddy — someone who will help keep you accountable. If the two of you read the same books each month, you gain the added benefit of discussing that book and vocalizing what you learned and how the book impacted you.

Finally, if you’re one who really struggles with reading, there are plenty of opportunities to listen to audio books. But be careful! The retention rate for listening to a book drops significantly over against reading it.

So, what’s the next book on your list?

---

---
title: "Email"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/email/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Get tips, tricks, and strategies for your online platform Delivered to your inbox, ready to make your life easier Regular email updates – latest blog posts and other content Tips, tricks and strategies – to help you be the hero"
last_modified: "2025-04-15T21:45:32+00:00"
---

# Email

# Get tips, tricks, and strategies for your online platform

## Delivered to your inbox, ready to make your life easier

- Regular email updates – latest blog posts and other content

- Tips, tricks and strategies – to help you be the hero to your audience

- Exclusive freebies – free stuff just for my email subscribers

- Favorite products and services – sometimes I find something that can really make life easier and I think might help you grow your business

- Heads up – on books, events and other cool items

We’ll treat your information in accordance with our [Terms of use](https://claesjonasson.design/terms-of-use/) and  [Privacy Policy](https://claesjonasson.design/privacy-policy/).

[Yes, sign me up!](#137984-c71)

---

---
title: "The perils of debt"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-perils-of-debt/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "When I started my company, I determined not to get into debt. Only much later did I learn that I had picked the “bootstrap” method. But I didn't want to build a pile of debt that might long outlive the"
last_modified: "2018-05-17T14:38:31+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The perils of debt

Years ago when starting my company, I determined not to get into debt in that process. It wasn’t until later that I learned that I had picked the “bootstrap” method. True, the growth curve was slower than a fully funded start-up would have been, but things grew as current projects funded expansion.

Given that all new businesses are playing the odds of most of them failing in the first few years, I didn’t want to create a potential situation where the business was gone and all I had left was a pile of debt. I’ve seen people around me go through that and the effects can be devastating for a family.

Apparently I’m a minority. In 2017, American consumers hit an all-time high of more than $1 trillion in credit card debt! That’s scary! Total debt, including mortgages, auto loans and student loans is also at an all-time high.

Debt, while seeming to satisfy an apparent and immediate need, later denies us future financial freedom. Thousands of years ago, a wise man wrote, “The borrower is slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7) That truth seems more relevant today than ever.

### The lure of debt

The problem is that it has become so easy to get credit and go into debt—especially using credit cards. You can hardly walk into a store these days without being offered an immediate discount on your purchase if you apply for their credit card. That’s tempting, almost appearing wise. Paying by credit card has become a way of life. And credit card payments have become a fixed entry in our budgets.

But credit card debt and its perils are not limited to personal use. As business owners and entrepreneurs, we get sucked into the mindset that “you have to spend money to make money.” As a result, we rationalize putting that new computer, desk, or software package on the credit card. And before we know it, we’re working to pay off debt. We have unwittingly sold ourselves as a slave to our creditors.

### Lack can be your friend

You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Many of us are successful in business today because we recognized a need and created a solution. So, let’s apply that saying to the matter of debt. Couldn’t we also argue that need or lack is the mother of creativity?

What I’m getting at here is that we can often find a way to avoid debt if we’re willing to solve our need in a unique and creative way. For example, many successful bloggers and podcasters started their business on a shoestring. Instead of going out and buying the latest equipment and software, they used what they had to get started and only purchased more expensive “professional” tools when the money was there.

But we look at their success and assume that we have to own the tools they now use in order to be as successful as they are. So we go into debt. But you can’t borrow your way to success.

### Questions to ask before going into debt

Instead of just reaching for the credit card, here are some questions to ask before going into debt:

- **How crucial is this purchase — really?** If we’re honest, is this item more of a want than a need? Or, what would be the consequences if I postponed this purchase until I could save up for it?


- **Can I find a creative alternative instead of making this purchase?** How else can I meet this need?


- **To what extent will incurring this debt hurt my future ability to grow?** We’re tempted to think about debt only in terms of whether we can afford the monthly payments. We forget that over the length of the payoff we may be paying for that item many times more than it’s worth.


- **Is my spouse in full agreement with me about this purchase?** In marriage, one spouse is often wired very differently from the other and that’s a great thing. Because of this, we can offer each other a more balanced view when it comes to decision-making. In large purchase decisions, agree that you need to be in harmony about the purchase. This will not only save you money, but perhaps your marriage as well.


- **What does my business partner, my business coach or mentor advise?** Again, getting the perspective of another individual can be invaluable. Their viewpoint or advice can provide other alternatives to debt and save us a lot of heartache.

### How to get out of debt

If you’ve gotten yourself into debt—especially credit card debt, decide to free yourself from slavery to your debt as quickly as possible. One of the best ways to eliminate debt rapidly is by using a technique called the “Snowball.”

With the snowball approach, you pay off your smallest credit card (or other debt) as fast as possible. Then you take the amount of money you were using to pay off that debt and add it to the payment on your next smallest debt. This will accelerate that debt payoff. You keep doing this, paying off each successive debt faster and faster by “snowballing” or growing your payments.

Snowballing debt is an extremely effective way to pay off debt quickly. While you’re aggressively paying off debt, it’s vital that you refrain from incurring any new debt. Take the credit cards out of your wallet or purse. Then, once debt-free again, either cut up your credit cards or commit to paying them off each month.

You’ll be amazed how free you feel without debt! And just imagine the things you can do in your business if you have no debt!

---

---
title: "Resources"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/resources/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Resources Build your email list with Kit A reliable mass email service is essential for building your email list and easily sending emails to people on your list. Kit is my favorite solution for mass emails. Easy to set up"
last_modified: "2026-06-23T16:25:44+00:00"
---

# Resources

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

## Build your email list with Kit

A reliable mass email service is essential for building your email list and easily sending emails to people on your list.

Kit is my favorite solution for mass emails. Easy to set up (one or many signup forms), easy to segment the list, easy to create and send email broadcasts.

There’s even a free plan that lets you get started with landing pages and building an email list. To get all the features, including automations and sequences, upgrade to a paid account anytime.

[Get Kit ](https://convertkit.com/?lmref=Tx6Qcw)

_Note: This is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase from Kit, we will receive a commission. That said, we’re only recommending this email service because we use it ourselves._

---

---
title: "Disclaimer"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/disclaimer/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "Terms of use Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please click here to view the policy."
last_modified: "2026-04-27T21:42:15+00:00"
custom_fields:
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  site-content-layout: "default"
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# Disclaimer

# Removing the (confusing) padlock

Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please [click here to view the policy](https://policies.termageddon.com/api/policy/TjJ4RVozbEJjM1JqTUc1UWRsRTlQUT09).

---

---
title: "5 ways discontent kills ambition"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/5-ways-discontent-kills-ambition/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "You’d think that being discontent drives ambition for change. After all, if we’re content with status quo, why would we change it? But there’s more to it than that …"
last_modified: "2018-05-10T02:54:20+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 5 ways discontent kills ambition

One of my uncles was very vocal on politics. Never happy with the current state of things. Always had opinions about what was wrong and what they should do to fix things. Because, as he pointed out, “You should never be content.”

Yet when it came time to vote, he always voted for the same party, the very one running government in Sweden for many years. When we asked him why, he’d mutter something about that there’s nobody else you can vote for.

It was much later that I gave serious thought to his situation: He’d been injured in a work accident and never worked again. Could he have done something else — retrained, refocused, reinvented himself? He had a disability, but it didn’t keep him from many daily activities, so probably he could have found a 2nd career of some sort.

It would have been good for him if he had. He wasn’t content with his current situation, but neither did he have ambition to change it to something entirely different.

What was it that kept him from making a change? I think there’s a case that his very vocal “You should never be content” kept him from seeing or making any change.

That sounds odd at first. You’d think that being discontent drives ambition for change.

After all, if we’re content with the status quo, why would we change it? But there’s more to it than that. In fact, it’s actually discontent that derails ambition.

### What is contentment?

Contentment is an emotional state of well-being. It’s a confidence that all is well. Contentment seeks to extract and appreciate everything that’s good in any situation. We experience peace when we’re content. Contentment is a joyful resolve to appreciate our current circumstances.

### Why discontent derails ambition

- We spoil what we have by constantly chasing after what we don’t have. If we can’t learn to enjoy what we currently have, the irony is that we’ll never be satisfied. We’re looking for happiness and fulfillment in the wrong place. If we’re always striving for more and more in order to be happy, when will enough be enough? So discontent turns ambition into something ultimately frustrating and harmful.

- Discontent fosters self-focus and a woe-is-me attitude. When life becomes all about us, life becomes very shallow. We grow introspective and narcissistic. This grossly limits our outlook and ability to see and grasp future opportunities.

- We mope, complain and stoop to negative self-talk. Complaining and whining only serves to preserve our current miserable state. By rehearsing it and broadcasting it we actually give it power. It now owns us, and we become too weak to overcome it.

- Discontent makes us difficult to live with. No one likes being around a nay-sayer. No one. People — even our friends — find us boring and unpleasant. But this lack of outside input and camaraderie makes it difficult for us to improve and break out of this vicious cycle.

- When we’re discontented, we’re unthankful and ungrateful. These unappreciative attitudes breed more discontent and negativity. There will be no progress forward through that mire of an existence!

For all those reasons and more, discontent hamstrings, derails and undermines ambition and progress, getting us nowhere fast!

### Setting the record straight

So, let’s set the record straight about contentment. First, erase the image of the proverbial “contented cow” from your mind. That motionless cow standing in a pasture chewing its cud is not the condition we’re after! That’s not the brand of contentment that we’re talking about. It’s the wrong image. True contentment is not passive and motionless.

Instead, contentment puts us in a frame of mind to extract and enjoy all that’s good in our current situation. This frees us to see and pursue new and exciting possibilities. Contentment fills us with positive attitudes about life and people. Others see our contentment and are drawn to us. They want what we have.

Suddenly, people are seeking us out, wanting to do business with us or to partner with us in some new venture. And we discover that contentment is ambition’s closest friend.

### How to cultivate contentment

- Look for the positive in every situation. I’m not suggesting that you trick yourself into believing all is well when you’re experiencing genuine calamity and sorrow. But there’s both a noble and an ignoble way to experience grief. Choose the noble path.

- Express thanksgiving and gratitude often. In a poem, Helen Keller, who was born both blind and deaf, wrote, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” There’s always something that we can consider ourselves fortunate about. Be generous in giving thanks and appreciate what you have.

- Speak and act positively. A confident, joyful attitude puts us in a place to both enjoy our current situation and to discover ways to improve our circumstances and those of others.

- Enjoy what you have. Spend time with your loved ones enjoying each other and the moment.

If you want to give ambition a leg up in your life, seek contentment. Practice the skills above to cultivate contentment in your life, and ambition, progress and more good things will soon come your way.

_**Reflection**

Review your day, your world right now and find some things that are positive.

Express gratitude for them and let others around you know. _

---

---
title: "What you don’t know will hurt you – GDPR and your website"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/data-privacy-gdpr-and-your-website/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "It’s been said that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. NOT TRUE. It certainly will affect you. On May 25, 2018, to be exact, which is when GDPR kicks in."
last_modified: "2019-10-16T01:22:39+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# What you don’t know will hurt you – GDPR and your website

It’s been said that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. NOT TRUE. It certainly will affect you. On May 25, 2018, to be exact.

“You” being anyone who owns a website. And emails people. There, that covers a lot of us. It especially covers those of us with websites and email lists, doing online marketing. Selling goods or services online.

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation and is hailed as the most important change in data privacy regulation in 20 years in Europe.

_Oh, I’m not in Europe. So that doesn’t apply to me. You had me worried for a moment._

Yeah, not so fast there. It most certainly applies if you process data about individuals in the context of selling goods or services to citizens of the European Union (or monitor the behavior of said subjects). ([Official website for GDPR here.](https://www.eugdpr.org))

Here’s the rub: If you have a website and market online (including an email list with freebie offers), that’s certainly visible to people in the EU and they can sign up for that email list or buy from you. So you have to comply with GDPR. No matter if you’re in Kansas, Australia, Antarctica or any other place on Earth.

That has some online marketers wish this law had never been passed. They see that we all will have to change how we do things. Some a little. Some a lot.

However, a marketer I spoke with today commented that ultimately this law is only about making sure personal data is handled they way it should have been handled all along. Because we all know the horror stories of personal data ending up where it definitely shouldn’t. Cambridge Analytica, anyone?

The EU is not an outlier. Canada will probably follow soon. And California now has a method for regular folks like you and me to report websites that fail to have a proper website privacy policy that meets California law. This is way closer to home than you might think.

Back to GDPR. I plan for all my websites to be fully compliant ahead of the May 25 deadline. I’m reviewing how personal data is used on each site and the compliance status of my email list service providers.

Since I’m not a lawyer and don’t play one on TV, I’m going to refer you to the best source for straight talk on GDPR. Amy Porterfield is on top of everything that affects online business and covers GDPR in this [episode of her podcast](http://www.amyporterfield.com/2018/04/gdpr/). She goes into great detail of just what GDPR is and what it means for us all doing business online. Her guest is Bobby Klinck, entrepreneur and intellectual property lawyer.

Start with Amy’s podcast to get the skinny on GDPR in plain English and then dive deeper with Bobby’s free GDPR course.

So far, I see 3 key things to focus on:

- On all websites **required documentation** must show up in the right places. That’s terms & conditions, privacy policy and disclaimer.

- **Segment email lists** to know who is from the European Union, who is definitely not and who we don’t know where in the world they are located (in which case we have to assume they could be in the EU). For the first and last groups, we need to ensure that we have compliant email list signup info and if we don’t, they need to be removed from the list prior to May 25.

- Have procedures in place on **email list signups** to ensure full compliance with GDPR going forward.

There’s more to it than that, but this is a starting place. Ultimately, you need to review and understand how GDPR affects your particular website/email list/business and create a plan that is right for you.

GDPR is a big change, and it will take some effort to understand how each particular website or business is affected, but ultimately it is about protecting our customers’ privacy and we should all be fully behind that, no matter where that customer lives. Because our commitment to protecting our customers’ privacy helps build their trust in us.

So go check out Amy’s podcast [GDPR For Entrepreneurs: What You Need to Know](http://www.amyporterfield.com/2018/04/gdpr/) and take action now. You’ll be glad you did.

---

---
title: "2 must do things in 2018"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/2-must-do-things-in-2018/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "When it comes to websites in 2018 there are 2 things that MUST be true about your website. Yes, there are others that would be really nice and will help. But these 2 things must be true. Otherwise, “Do not"
last_modified: "2022-05-06T20:34:38+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 2 must do things in 2018

“Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.” We all know that famous phrase from the Monopoly game. And dread it. Even if we never play Monopoly.

When it comes to websites in 2018 there are 2 (count ’em: TWO) things that MUST be true about your website. Yes, there are other things that would be really nice and will greatly help your success. But these 2 things must be true. Otherwise, “Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.”

![Thing 1 - hand holding a key](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/thing1.jpg)

## Thing #1

**HTTPS.** You’ve most likely heard about this before. But maybe you figured that surely it doesn’t apply to you. Your website doesn’t handle secure info. It’s not a bank. You don’t even have a shopping cart or a membership login. Just a plain vanilla website (or blog). Surely you don’t need to worry about HTTPS.

Want the truth? **_You do._**

It’s 2018. All the major browsers now in some way highlight what they call “not secure” sites. That’s websites that don’t use HTTPS encryption to protect the communication from browser to server.

![Not secure website as shown in the Chrome browser](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/not-secure1-1024x213.png)HTTP website in Chrome browser: Displays as “not secure” as soon as you enter any text in any form, even just a search box. Soon Chrome will always display HTTP sites as “not secure”.

![Firefox displaying HTTP site with broken lock](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/not-secure2-1024x213.png)Firefox displays HTTP sites showing a lock with a red slash through it

![Safari shows HTTP site as "not secure"](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/not-secure3-1024x213.png)Safari will clearly label a HTTP site as “not secure” if you try to log in to it

Do you really want visitors to your website to see a display in their browser telling them that your website is not secure? Of course not.

_Why does it matter?_

I’ve written more about the whole secure connection from browser to server [here](https://claesjonasson.design/is-your-website-secure/).

The short recap is that if the connection is not secure, ANYTHING sent from your browser to the server (and back) is sent in plain text for everyone to possibly see. In 2018 there’s more snooping online than ever. Plus we’re using our devices to get online from all over the place, frequently on networks where we have no idea who else is on that network or how it’s managed.

If that’s not enough to convince you that your website needs to be using secure connections, consider that browser makers will only heighten the warning levels. For instance, early this year, Google let us know that any time you entered any info into a form on a not secure website, they’d flag it as “not secure.” That’s bad. Just type one letter into a search box and the site will display “not secure”.

But it’s about to get worse for HTTP. Starting in July 2018, Chrome will display “not secure” as soon as you just visit any HTTP site. Ouch.

If this was a brick-and-mortar store front, this would be like someone standing in front of the door with a bat, telling anybody trying to enter “You really don’t want to do that.” Of course people will move on.

Switching a website from HTTP to HTTPS is in most cases pretty simple. Contact your hosting provider and request an upgrade to HTTPS. It may cost something extra for the SSL certificate or they may want to move you to a higher plan that includes HTTPS.

Over the past year, I’ve moved every one of my websites to HTTPS, as well as all my clients’ sites. Was even able to move everyone to faster and more reliable hosting in the process. If you have questions about how to get your website to HTTPS, [contact me today](https://claesjonasson.design/about/#contact). Don’t put it off any longer.

![Thing 2 - person holding a mobile phone](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/thing2.jpg)

## Thing #2

**Mobile.** Did you know that over 60% of all web browsing now happens from mobile devices? So any website that isn’t built to display its best on a mobile device is losing out.

As recently as a few years ago, some web developers would still recommend a separate, mobile website that was typically a lighter (dumbed down) version of the real website. The result was bound to yield frustration for website visitors and for website owners (who now had to manage 2 websites on the back end). But at least you could count on the search engines to look at the main website when ranking it.

Not any more. Google has announced that they are moving to looking at how a website appears on mobile devices first when it comes to determining SEO rankings.

Put another way: If your website

- isn’t responsive (meaning it automatically adapts to different devices to always look its best)
- isn’t mobile first design (meaning it was built first for mobile devices and then adapted from there for larger screens)
- doesn’t show the same content on all devices

— it’s time for the old call: “Houston, we have a problem.”

Your website rankings will suffer. People won’t find you when looking for you. Bad for business. Sad face.

How do you fix that? Get an honest evaluation of your website to start with. It may just need some tweaking. Or it may be that it’s time for a complete redesign. You can request a complimentary [Website Review](https://claesjonasson.design/website-review/) here.

That’s it. The 2 key requirements for websites in 2018. It of course goes without saying that not one single new website should be launched without meeting both these requirements.

And yet, I still see folks selling website hosting that is HTTP only and website design that only partially meets the mobile first requirements. As always, know exactly what you’re buying before signing the dotted line.

If you have both Thing 1 and Thing 2 covered, then in Monopoly speak, you’re good to pass Go and collect $200. Give yourself a pat on the back.

If not, [contact me](https://claesjonasson.design/about/#contact) for a free consultation about your website and what it will take to get it to where you too can pass Go and collect $200.

---

---
title: "Aim for progress, not perfection"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/aim-for-progress-not-perfection/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Perfect is good, right? Sure seems good when we strive to deliver the best product or service we can. We want to be a market leader. So, we aim for perfection! And maybe we miss the boat in the process!"
last_modified: "2018-04-11T16:44:08+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Aim for progress, not perfection

I admit it. I’m a recovering perfectionist. Because perfectionism is really both a blessing and a curse.

My mom was a seamstress. Very good at making the perfect garment to fit its wearer just so. All she needed was a picture and fabric. Then she’d get to work. Created a pattern from scratch, to the exact measurements. There’d be fittings and eventually, a final garment. That looked stunning. Perfect!

But she would admit that she wasn’t all that fast, since it took lots of time to make sure everything was perfect. And that affected how much money she made.

So is there a balance?

I learned well from her and would totally go for perfection. Because is perfect is good, right? Perfection seems good when we strive to deliver the best product or service we can. We want to be a market leader. We want to be successful. We want to be unsurpassed. So, we aim for perfection!

### The downsides of perfection

- **Perfection is elusive**

It’s a moving target. Absolute perfection is unattainable. Just when you think you’ve hit the mark, the goal moves higher.

- **Pursuing perfection can paralyze us**

We may spend so much time, energy and money getting everything just right that we can never finally pull the trigger and deliver.

- **Aiming for perfection is very costly**

While chasing after perfection, we lose sight of what it’s costing us. Only too late do we realize that our expenses and the time we’ve invested is taking its toll on our business.

- **Straining for perfection is stressful**

For the above reasons and more, when we’re bent on total perfection, it stresses us out. We’re never finished; we’re never satisfied; we can never rest.

### Aiming for progress

By contrast, when we aim for progress we experience the following:

- **Focusing on progress is freeing**

Progress frees us from the burden of perfection, yet promises continuous improvement.

- **Pursuing progress is motivating and stimulates action**

Making progress a little at a time, we think, “That’s not hard! I can do that!” And we do. We forge ahead, making improvements.

- **Aiming for progress fosters creativity**

It frees our minds to ask great questions, consider new possibilities, and seek new solutions.

- **Going after progress is incremental**

Progress allows us to make small improvements every day. Those little advancements add up over time to yield huge dividends!

### How to progress

To aim for progress, we need to keep asking ourselves questions:

- **What’s one thing I can do today to improve my product?**

How could I add more value? Where could I purchase it more cheaply? How can I get it faster? It may be just a little thing, but what a difference it could make!

- **What’s one way I can improve my service today?**

What simple change would improve my customers’/clients’ experience? How can I add more value to my current services? In what way could I enhance my service? What would make it more affordable or desirable?

- **Who could I contact or connect with today?**

What new or forgotten individual or business could I contact today to promote my business? Who do I know that could introduce me to a new client?

- **What’s one improvement I could make to my sales approach today?**

Perhaps it’s been awhile since you’ve tweaked your sales approach. Freshen it up! Improve on it!

- **What one roadblock or challenge can I eliminate or solve today?**

Or perhaps just address one small element of a current challenge. How would that make your life easier? What will you do?

- **What incremental improvement can I make to one of my processes today?**

Chances are you have numerous processes in your business. Choose just one. How can you improve it: make it easier, faster, more user-friendly, etc.?

When we aim for progress, there’s no need to attack all six of those areas each day. But what if you tackled a different one each day, or even one per week? Even if you only made progress in one area each week, that would be 52 improvements in a year!

As you read those six questions, they may have sparked other ideas that you can explore. That’s the beauty of pursuing progress. What will you improve today?

Aim for progress and your business will excel!

---

---
title: "You only get one body!"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/you-only-get-one-body/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "We can only neglect and abuse our bodies for so long before we pay for it. And when I say, “pay for it,” I mean in many more ways than just physically or financially."
last_modified: "2018-04-05T02:10:01+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# You only get one body!

When I was 20-something, I could work a night shift, go home, do all kinds of stuff, catch a nap in the afternoon and go back in and work another night shift. Stopped being able to do that a long time ago. And just as well. Because, it was never a good idea.

Look at a cat or dog. They take every opportunity to catch some shut eye. They play hard and they sleep hard.

Thing is, as humans, we’re not so good at taking care of ourselves. Many times business owners and entrepreneurs are even worse. We tell ourselves all kinds of fibs about why we need to burn the candle at both ends, getting up before the crack of dawn and staying up late.

We skip breakfast, grab fast-food for lunch, and eat packaged food for supper. We drink gallons of coffee or other sweet drinks.

Exercise? Don’t have time!

Maybe I’m not speaking for all of us, but I know of a great many for whom this is true.

But here’s the thing: we only get one body! We can only neglect and abuse our bodies for so long before we pay for it. And when I say, “pay for it,” I mean in many more ways than just physically or financially.

**5 Things a Healthy Body Can Do for You:**

- Gives you more energy to work more efficiently.

- Helps you think more clearly.

- Makes you look and feel better.

- Protects you from flus, colds, and other diseases.

- Provides you and your loved ones more years to enjoy.

### 5 Ways to Keep Your Body Healthy

Following are five chief ways to establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle:

### #1  Get adequate sleep

Medical professionals warn us that most Americans don’t get enough sleep. I’ve heard people (especially entrepreneurs) brag about how little sleep they need, claiming they can get by on four or five hours per night. Nonsense — sleep deprivation is a form of torture!

Studies confirm that adults need between 7 and 9 hours of good sleep each night. Here are some ways to help you do that:

- Stick to a consistent schedule.

- Establish a bedtime routine that’s conducive to sleeping, like reading before going to bed.

- Don’t eat or drink excessively or late.

- Create the ideal sleep environment for you: dark, cool, quiet room, etc.

- Exercise regularly. Exercise promotes a good night’s sleep.

### #2  Establish a healthy eating plan

Here again, we Americans typically eat way too much food and we eat the wrong foods. Below are some pointers to eat in a healthy manner:

- Take time to create a meal plan and shop accordingly.

- Eat whole, fresh foods: meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, etc.

- To the extent possible, eat three meals a day at regular times.

- Eat until you’re satisfied, but not stuffed.

### #3  Drink lots of water

Once again, the medical community tells us that many of us are dehydrated. Dehydration depletes our energy and hinders clarity of thought. Try these tips:

- Drink 8 glasses of water per day.

- Limit your coffee and tea consumption.

- Don’t drink alcohol every day, and when you do drink, don’t drink to excess.

### #4  Exercise regularly

A regular exercise routine can help you: sleep better, digest food better, drink more water, give you more energy, and improve the way you look and feel. Here some tips for exercising:

- Engage in one or more exercises that you enjoy.

- Choose exercises that fit your schedule and lifestyle.

- Exercise at least three times per week for at least 30 minutes.

### #5 	Take time regularly to rest and recharge

A regular routine of rest and relaxation is as important to your health and energy as a good night’s sleep. By taking a day off, you’ll find that you become more productive in your work. Try these suggestions:

- Establish one day a week to be your day of rest.

- Plan your rest day ahead of time and design it to be a day you look forward to.

- Don’t engage in any of your normal business work on your rest day.

- Spend your rest day with loved ones.

As business owners and entrepreneurs, we work hard. Long hours. We push ourselves. We’re driven. We’re task-oriented. We’re desperate to see our business grow and succeed. With all that focus on our business, it’s easy to neglect our bodies. And when we neglect our physical health, inevitably our business and everything else dear to us will suffer.

If you want to breathe new life into your business, take care of your body. After all, you only get one body!

---

---
title: "Can You Sing?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/can-you-sing/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Heroic accounts of survival always capture my attention. Something about the adventure, great peril. Survival against all odds. The hero’s journey. And in many cases, morale plays a big role in story."
last_modified: "2018-03-28T23:19:54+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Can You Sing?

Heroic accounts of survival have always captured my attention. Something about adventure, great peril, survival against all odds. The hero’s journey. Because deep down, we would like to be Indiana Jones or Luke Skywalker. Triumph against all odds.

Have you noticed that in many of these stories, morale plays a big role in the survival and success. In many cases, morale seems to trump every other strength, skill, or advantage.

Let me give you an example. In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton interviewed prospective candidates for his trans-Antarctic expedition. He was so keen on the issue of morale that one of his interview questions was, “Can you sing?” He wanted to know whether his crew members could maintain a positive outlook in the face of danger and extremely harsh conditions.

In the context of doing business, hopefully we’ll never be subjected to extremes like those of war veterans or polar explorers. But, in their own right, the challenges and trials of building and running a business can be grueling at times. The question then is, “Can you sing?”

**Here are 5 sure-fire ways to keep up your morale and that of others:**

### Continue to work on meaningful tasks

Under severe trial, it’s easy to crawl away into a corner and feel sorry for ourselves. Even if not that extreme, suffering often paralyzes us. But retreat and inaction are some of the worst possible reactions in such a situation.

An old proverb states, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” When we’re idle, we brood over our situation. We tend to focus inward and lament over our miserable plight. To combat these tendencies, we need to stay busy. But not just for the sake of keeping busy. There is great reward in seeing a task completed or creating something worthwhile or beautiful.

Therefore, keep pressing on even when your work seems futile.

### Refuse to speak negatively, complain, or whine

The spoken word is very powerful, especially when we hear ourselves say those words. This is why verbal pledges, vows, and commitments carry so much weight. When we talk negatively about ourselves or our situation, we believe what we say. And what we believe, we act upon. So we act out our negativity.

Occasionally, I hear people argue that if they didn’t complain they wouldn’t be honest. This is foolish thinking. Honesty does not require expression to exist. A meal may taste awful and be recognized as such by all the guests, but honesty does not require that we humiliate the cook by telling him so.

Replace negativity with positive talk, thanksgiving and gratefulness.

It’s not enough just to refrain from using negative talk. Speaking positively — even in the middle of a dire situation — can do wonders for our morale and that of those around us.

In fact, even if you have to fake it, speak positive words instead of negative. For if you do this long enough, your heart and head will catch up with your mouth. Expressing thankfulness and gratefulness in tough situations offers us great methods for positive talk.

### Look for ways to serve others, even in small ways

When we’re suffering or experiencing severe trials, we tend to focus exclusively on ourselves. Someone has observed, “I had no shoes and I complained, until I met a man who had no feet.”

You may be suffering, but consider others around you in the same or worse conditions. When we look beyond ourselves to the needs of others, we improve both their and our condition. Often, it’s the smallest of kind gestures that lift others’ spirits. And when we lift someone else’s mood, we elevate our own. Pour someone a cup of coffee, rub their shoulders, compliment them, seek any excuse to serve another person.

### Employ appropriate fun and humor

Comedian Victor Borge would say, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” Laughter may also be the quickest route to a positive outlook! It’s notable, that in horrific situations, those who survived often did so by living on rations of humor.

By the way, don’t wait until things get bleak to practice these five strategies! Keep your morale positive by following these actions every day. Also, by practicing these strategies daily, you’ll be fit to endure whatever comes your way. Oh, and don’t forget to sing.

---

---
title: "Is your website backed up? Are you sure?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/is-your-website-backed-up-are-you-sure/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "I’d worked for a day to build a custom website, while learning coding. It was starting to look the way I wanted it to. Then the internet hiccuped. When I got logged back in, my pretty website wasn’t there. Gone."
last_modified: "2022-05-06T20:36:10+00:00"
categories: [Blog, Recommended]
---

# Is your website backed up? Are you sure?

It was early on in my web design pursuits. I was learning my way around the structure and code of a database-driven website, while making it look totally the way I wanted it to. So there I was, changing code, adding, taking away, inserting images, content and generally having a geeky time. Felt like I was making great progress.

Well on my way to a custom WordPress website that didn’t look at all like any of the blogs out there.

Then the internet hiccuped. Or the hosting company burped. Not sure which, but when I logged back into the server, my pretty website wasn’t there!

I poked around a bit. Sure the hosting company ran backups, but turned out that was only for their convenience. Like in case a reptile chewed through all their cables and fried the server. Then they’d roll out their backups and reinstall the 1000s of websites on that shared server. To whatever state those sites were at the random time point when the last backup was run.

Totally out of my control. Sure, I could submit a ticket and maybe somebody would look at it and maybe do something to help me. A few days from now.

But I needed my website up and running now. So I rolled up my sleeves and went to work, recreating what I’d so laboriously built. Fortunately still had the images I’d created on my computer. But all the custom coding was gone.

In the end, I got the website rebuilt. Only took me a day or two extra to get there.

## What sounds too good to be true…

I learned a huge lesson: You can’t rely on your hosting provider for backups of your website. I had to find a way to make backups when I needed them and be able to restore them as well.

The website snafu taught me to always check to see exactly what a host promises for backups. That host had promised backups, but it turned out that they were unreliable at best since I didn’t control the frequency. In all likelihood, their backup would have been too old to contain my hard work.

Plus what happens if the server totally goes down and any backup is stored on the same server? Yup, it’s gone too.

Or what if the hosting company holds the backup and you decide to move to another hosting company? Will they release said backup to you?

Also a hosting company backup will be of the entire account. You might have a multiple websites on there and only one needs restoring. But since the backup is of the entire account, it’s an all-or-nothing deal.

## All by myself…

To keep things safe, day-to-day, I set up automated backups.

A site that adds new content all the time may need real-time backups for every change. Most sites though do fine with a nightly backup of the database (= updated content) and a weekly full backup of the entire site. That way I can always get back to the way things used to be.

Those backups are created automatically and sent to another, remote server immediately. After all, the backup is no good if it’s on the same server as the website itself. Automated rules control how many backups are kept and backups can easily be downloaded if needed.

With this setup, I’m covered. Should something happen to any of my websites, there’s a recent backup that can be used to restore the website. In minutes, not days or weeks.

And I still make sure my host makes regular backups of my entire server. Just in case the whole thing blows up. That’s double insurance.

## Time to change things up…

There’s another scenario when backups are extremely handy. That’s when making changes on a website or updating the core code or plugins.

Instead of working on the live site, risking a total crash when some code inevitably has a typo in it, the better approach is to use a backup of the website installed on another server on- or offline. Then changes can be made, tested, reviewed and approved — before they’re pushed to the live website.

Having learned the hard way, I don’t install any updates on a website without making a backup of it first and downloading that backup to my computer. Now that I know I can return to the way things used to be, I’m okay to upgrade the live website. Once I’m done, I’ll make a fresh backup and download it to my computer as well.

There’s just too much at stake to risk a whole website going down because of a simple little update of a plugin (I’ve had that happen) to not have a fall back.

## The plan…

The key in all this is understanding. We must understand exactly what the host means when they say that things are backed up. Is it the server or account as a whole? Is it your website by itself? How do you get access to the backup? Where are backups stored?

I have a great relationship with my hosting company. They’re extremely responsive. They do run backups of my server. Even with that, I also run automated backups of each and every website on that server. Daily and weekly. Those are immediately sent to another server online.

And every time I do something to the website, I back it up and download to my computer.

Overkill? Maybe, but not really. In the years since I started doing this for all my websites, I haven’t had to spend hours or days trying to get a website back from the dead. I have however been able to easily fix issues that came up.

Most website owners don’t want to deal with any of this. I understand. We have businesses to run!

But that’s also why websites don’t get backed up or updated, until it’s too late. It doesn’t have to be that way!

Spend a little time today to prepare, so when disaster happens, you’re ready. It will save you massively in the long run.

_Need help? I’d be glad to help you find the best strategy for your needs, so your website is safe and you can sleep well at night. [Contact me now.](https://claesjonasson.design/about/#contact)_

---

---
title: "4 keys to making the most of your time"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/time-4-keys-to-making-most-of-yours/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "168. 7x24. The number of hours in a week. We all have the same number of them. More or less. Because some of us are always behind and some seem to have time left over…"
last_modified: "2018-03-15T02:32:10+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 4 keys to making the most of your time

168.

7×24.

The hours in a week. We all have the same number of them. No more. No less.

So we’re all on level ground, right? Or maybe not. Some people are always short on time and not getting things done. (And I’m not talking about impossibly overstuffed schedules here.) Others get things done. Even have time to sleep.

Let’s look at a few things that can help us make the most of the time we have for work, so when we’re off we can really be off.

Here are 4 keys that can really affect what happens with our time:

### Planning

Not much important happens without planning. When there’s no planning, time flitters away like a bird. Planning is both a discipline and an art. We discipline ourselves to sit down and plan out our day, week, or month. We plan for a launch, product development, a meeting, or whatever. We must discipline ourselves to apply planning principles that we learn through training and experience. And we figure out processes and get tools to help.

There’s also an art to planning. For instance, you may plan to write a blog or create a podcast. How long will it take? We know from experience that it takes x amount of time to write a blog post. But each post is different. On one post the thoughts fly from brain through fingers onto computer screen. Another time we labor over every word, taking much longer than we’d hoped.

This is where time management as an art form comes in. Perhaps we allotted only two hours to write that blog, but it took four. Now what? The rest of our day was planned out and now everything is piled up, or falling off our calendar.

We have to anticipate these things and build in extra time. We can also get creative with the remaining tasks and regain “lost” time by reorganizing the tasks that we have yet to perform.

### Persistence

When it comes to optimizing time, persistence is another needed friend. Persistence overcomes laziness, procrastination, and setbacks. We may have a plan, but if we’re not persistent in carrying it out, even the best-laid plan will fail.

We can apply persistence in a variety of ways. Returning to that blog post. Let’s say that you set aside two hours in the morning for writing it. You planned and you’re doing your best to stick to your plan, but the words simply aren’t coming. You glance at the clock and an hour has flown by and you’re nowhere on your post. What to do? You can apply persistence by staying with it and trying a new approach to stimulate your thought, but knowing that you’re going to exceed the two-hour allotment.

But you can also set the blog aside for the time being and push on to the next task on your agenda. You know from experience that sometimes during the course of a day, suddenly you’ll experience an epiphany and the blog content will rush into your thoughts. In this way, you’re persistent with your tasks and time allotments, but flexible and creative with when and how you complete them. Persistence is still required, but it shouldn’t always be rigid and inflexible.

### Patience

This may seem unusual in terms of optimizing your time. Yet, persistence and patience go hand-in-hand. Persistence without patience can frustrate us and work against us both in time and relationships. Without patience, pure persistence can make us seem like an uncaring jerk. Without patience, persistence alone blinds us to our own shortcomings and the inevitability of setbacks in any project.

Exercising patience gives us a more realistic view of the tasks before us and the uncertainties of life. Believe it or not, you (or I) can’t control everything!

Some old sage quipped, “A carelessly planned project takes three times longer to complete than expected; a carefully planned project will only take twice as long.” Patience also gives us insight into new possibilities that we would otherwise have written off as roadblocks and setbacks.

### People

Other people actually offer us a way to multiply out time. The only one I know of. Because we don’t have to do everything ourselves. By delegating tasks that others can perform — often better than we can — we optimize our time. When we engage the help of others, we greatly increase our capacity. We stretch time.

Also, when we coordinate the assistance of others, the whole is usually greater than the sum of its parts. This means that we’ll be able to accomplish more as a team than its individual members might have accomplished on their own.

For many small business owners or solopreneurs, the immediate objection is, “I can’t afford to hire someone else.” Maybe that should really be: You can’t afford not to. How valuable is your time? What is your hourly rate? If you’re with a client you make $$. How many clients could you see instead of filing papers, answering the phone or running to get supplies? Probably enough to more than pay for the assistant.

The work gets done and you get to focus on what you’re really good at!

That’s 4 keys to making the most of our time. Because while there are 168 hours in a week, you don’t want to spend all of them running your business.

---

---
title: "Getting the most from the journey"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/getting-the-most-from-the-journey/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Are you a goal setter? Focused on making or surpassing the goals? What about the process of getting there? The journey? Could it be that the journey is just as important as the goal…"
last_modified: "2019-10-16T01:27:28+00:00"
categories: [Blog, Recommended]
---

# Getting the most from the journey

When I produced and edited broadcast TV, I’d figured out exactly what needed to happen at each stage of the production for everything to get done and delivered to the TV station on time, every time. Wasn’t always fun to be on a clock, but without focus and goals, the project would never get done in time for that airtime slot.

That meant I knew how long we needed to spend on a farm to do an interview and get the right b-roll. And if I had to have one of my content specialists fill in as grip to hold down that barn door that kept flapping in the wind so we could have quiet on the set to do the interview, that’s what happened.

When it came to editing, I knew exactly how much finished show I needed to create in an editing session. I’d be all over the show, editing a segment here, a segment there, but at the end of each session I knew exactly where I was at. Had to as it was a tight schedule with barely any recovery-time built in.

As entrepreneurs and business people, we have to focus on goals. But sometimes being too fixated on a goal can hurt us, our business, and even the goal itself. Because if we focus exclusively on the goal, we miss everything else that’s going on around us.

That can cost us relationships, business and our health.

We absolutely need goals—big ones! But setting a goal also requires stepping into a journey to get there. In fact, to a great extent, a goal determines the journey we’ll take. You can’t set a goal and pursue it without also embarking on a journey.

### The Journey

The journey is

- where we experience life

- what shapes our character

- where we engage with people

- where we experience adventure

Yes, the goal is vitally important. This goes without saying.

But so is the journey. Without the journey, we can’t reach the goal. Yet, if we focus exclusively on the goal, we tend to look at the journey as just a necessary evil to get where we want to be. For this reason, we need to consciously step into the journey as well.

### How to Get the Most from the Journey

**1. Discipline yourself to be fully present in the journey.** We’re driven. We’re so focused on what’s next that we miss what’s going on around us. All we can think about is the goal or task before us. We’re oblivious to people, conversations and circumstances that at the time seem trivial. But all too often, the “noise” around us is far more relevant to our goal than we can possibly imagine.

When we truly live in the present, we experience chance encounters that may be life-changing. Perhaps you’ve had an encounter like that and know exactly what I’m talking about. Read [**A Moment that Changed Everything**](https://claesjonasson.com/a-moment-that-changed-everything/) for the story of a chance encounter I had that made a huge, lasting impact.

Living in the moment, we also see things that we would have otherwise missed — to our loss. We learn things that we could not have learned in any other way. Often, by being fully present, we make astounding discoveries that help us refine and eventually achieve our goal to a greater extent than we originally thought possible.

**2. Reign in your expectations.** When we focus totally singularly on a goal, we want _everything_ to go our way. We expect all to fall neatly into place to assist us in pursuit of our goal. But life seldom works that way. The problem is, our unreasonable expectations tend to discourage us, frustrate us, and cause friction in our relationships.

When we allow our focused pursuit of a goal to dictate our expectations, we will be disappointed along the way. Contrary to our deepest desires, we are not in control of everything that goes on around us. And this leads us to the next tip…

**3. Embrace hardships.** When we encounter hardships in pursuit of a goal, we invariably view them as unwanted obstacles. Our gut reaction is to remove them or bypass them as quickly as possible.

Instead, accept them as challenges and opportunities for growth and learning. There’s no better teacher than an obstacle or challenge.

I was on a train from Little Rock to Los Angeles when I discovered that I’d left my computer charger at home. And I’d planned on getting lots of work done on the train. Change of plans.

I did focused work while the battery in my Mac still had juice. Then I switched to using my phone (which I had a charger for). Doing different tasks than planned, but ones that needed doing.

Eventually met a couple with Macs and they lent me a charger to get back up to full power. Got more work done. Once in LA, my first stop was an Apple store to get a charger. In the end, the work got done, and my time was spent in a more varied manner than if I’d had my charger with me. So not all bad. Plus I met some nice people…

As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade…

**4. Make up your mind to enjoy the journey.** Think of the journey in terms of a road-trip. Let’s say you’re on your way from Chicago to Denver. Long drive through Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska to even get into Colorado.

You can choose to either:

- a. Glue your hands to the steering wheel, stay awake drinking Red Bull, don’t stop for restroom breaks, set the cruise control for 10 miles over the speed limit, and chant, “I can hardly wait to get through these boring states!” while driving straight through OR…

- b. You can listen to your favorite tunes or podcasts, carry on meaningful conversations with your passengers, and make some fun stops along the way at places like Dixon, IL (boyhood home of Ronald Reagan), the Mississippi, Des Moines (come during State Fair time), Council Bluffs, IA (eastern terminus of the first transcontinental railroad), North Platte, NE (visit the Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard there – the largest railroad classification yard in the world, with visitor center) and so on.

Choice A may get you to your destination quicker, but at what cost? It’ll take you two days to recover from that intense marathon!

Choice B will take a bit longer, but you’ll build memories, deepen relationships and make the journey more pleasurable. And who knows, you might even forge some strategic connections along the way.

You and I are entrepreneurs. We’re goal-oriented, but we don’t want to miss the journey as we push toward those amazing goals. And conversely, while you’re enjoying the journey, don’t lose sight of your goal!

---

---
title: "Picking an email service provider"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/picking-an-email-service-provider/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Inbox full of spam? Thinking of changing your email service? I was there and went through the process. Then walked through it again with clients. Here’s what I learned."
last_modified: "2022-08-01T22:00:45+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Picking an email service provider

The scene: Me on a train somewhere in Texas, headed for the West Coast. Working on my computer and checking email on the phone when a slew of clearly spam messages appear in the inbox. I scroll through them, careful not open any of them, trying to find the ones that are legit so I don’t miss anything important.

Why am I getting all this spam? Oh, that’s right, I turned off the computer at home since I was going to be gone on this trip for 2 weeks. And that’s the computer that runs the spam filter software for my email accounts. Bad move.

So I call home and ask my wife to turn the computer back on.

When I check email on my phone later that day, there is decidedly less spam showing up. Not totally spam free, but less of it.

On that trip I decide there has to be a better way to handle my email.

## Why free email from your hosting provider isn’t particularly free

For many years I did what so many other small business owners and nonprofit managers do: Used the free email accounts that come with website hosting packages. After all, it’s free. Who wants to pay for email?

That worked well enough, except for lots of spam, and often difficult setup of new accounts. I even had email accounts where I couldn’t delete emails from my phone. Only from the desktop computer. Go figure (actually, I couldn’t figure it out, so just gave up).

As for the spam, I finally gave up on the excuse for spam filtering that came with the free email accounts and installed a spam filter on my office computer. It filtered all my accounts and as long as it checked incoming email before the mobile devices, they benefitted from spam-free email too. Then I turned off that computer and went on a 2 week trip. Bad idea.

## Separating hosting and email provider

So I decided there had to be a better way. Plus, I was about to migrate to new web hosting for faster service. That meant the old email accounts would go away and have to be set up again on a new hosting server. And there would be a service interruption while that changeover happened.

That’s when I decided I needed to separate my email service from the hosting provider. For all the good reasons above.

Because email should pretty much just work. From anywhere. On any device. And not be complicated to set up. Plus who has time (or is geeky enough) to forever fiddle with spam filter settings to get good emails through and keep all the bad ones out? Not me and I don’t have an IT staff with nothing better to do.

So I researched options. I was managing web and email services for a client using Google’s G Suite with around 100 user accounts. Not much of an issue with spam there and easy access on all kinds of devices.

Same story for a client using Microsoft Office 365 email.

### Options for email service

The great thing is there are options for email service. Here they are, the good, the bad and the ugly:

#### Ugly

**Any random email account.** Definitely not professional and yet I see that on business cards from time to time. Email on your own domain is a must to be taken seriously.

Tell me, which looks more professional?
_Joethecarpenter@hotmail.com_ or _Joe@themastercarpenter.com_
Case closed.

**ALSO UGLY (for other reasons, if you’ve paid attention to the news)**
**Your own server.** Yeah, you totally control it. Unless you’re hacked. Seriously, don’t even consider unless you have an IT team that has lots of time for that stuff. _Lots of time._

#### Bad

Email that comes with a web hosting plan. What I used myself and would set up for clients.

Spam filtering is _very_ basic and requires a _LOT_ of work from you to be effective. I ended up running spam filtering on my office computer. May or may not work on all your devices.

Plus: Included with hosting plan, so no extra cost
Con: Tied to hosting plan, so if you change website hosting provider, email has to change as well. _Did I mention the spam thing?_

#### Good

Specialized email service provider
[**Google Workspace**](https://workspace.google.com)
**[Microsoft 365](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business-f?)**
Both have super spam filtering and are accessible from any browser and on any device. Easy to use and set up for the most part.
Monthly cost (may be free for qualified nonprofits)
**[Rackspace Email.](https://www.rackspace.com/email-hosting/webmail)** Haven’t used their service, but it comes well recommended and would be worth checking out.

### Making the transition

A concern with changing email service provider is of course “What happens to the old email?” Because none of us can bear to lose any of the 25,793 unread emails in our old email inbox. _Seriously, it is a valid concern._

There are different models for handling the migration. When I moved my email accounts from my old webhost to Google Workspace, I archived all the old emails (inbox and sent) on my desktop computer. Then started with fresh, clean accounts at Google Workspace. Note: I kept the same email addresses. Just didn’t migrate the old emails into the new accounts.

A few months after the migration, I found that it was quite rare for me to look in the archived emails. If you’re working on a zero inbox model, you’re already used to the concept of archiving read emails.

Then I guided a couple clients through their email move from the webhost email service to in one case Microsoft 365 email and in the other case Google Workspace. Both wanted access to old emails in the new accounts, so we did full migrations. Once that was done, everything worked just like they were used to with all the email history at their fingertips.

### My conclusion

I decided it was time to give up the “free” email (that cost me dearly in having to deal with spam all the time) and start paying for reliable service. The old saying “you get what you pay for” is true.

In the case of Google Workspace (or Microsoft 365 email) there’s a per user/account fee each month, BUT I have email that works. That truly can be accessed from anywhere. All built for ease of use. Totally worth the peace of mind. Plus with Google Workspace (and Microsoft 365 email), there are other things that come with the subscription that are useful.

A side benefit of having separated email and web hosting is that I can now change web hosting without any fear of email downtime. If both are in your future, the trick is to switch the email first. Then once that’s all working, change the web hosting.

### Your conclusion

If your current email setup works well, then probably no reason to mess with it. Unless you’re not using your own domain for the email. Then you need to upgrade right now. To be professional.

If your current email is giving you fits and filling your inbox with spam, look at your options and select what’s best for how you use email in your business/organization.

Some people truly only ever check email on one computer. Others use a number of devices throughout the day and need that flexibility.

Some people prefer to check email in an app. Others always use their browser to access email.

For clients, I recommend either Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 email as they are easy to set up and scale as the business or organization grows.

At the end of the day, we need email that works. All the time. On all our devices. Because timely communication is important.

---

---
title: "Why you need both leading & lagging indicators"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/why-you-need-both-leading-lagging-indicators/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Leading and lagging indicators. Why you need them and chocolate chip cookies."
last_modified: "2018-03-10T21:34:26+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Why you need both leading & lagging indicators

Okay, this is going to sound really technical. But it will make sense. At least when we get to the cookies. Let me start by explaining what leading and lagging indicators are.

### Lagging indicators

Lagging indicators are the ones we’re most familiar with. The easy ones. When we measure our business performance and report on how we did, that’s a lagging indicator. For instance, we measure things like:

- Open rates by percentage of those who open a sales letter or email

- Conversion rates by percentage of people who make a purchase in response to sales copy

- Total number of sales in a period

- Customer satisfaction

- Total revenue, etc.

We measure (or should do so) all kinds of things as indicators of how we’re doing.

Lagging indicators provide us with a scorecard on our performance. We need lagging indicators both for reporting reasons and to gauge our progress from month-to-month and year-to-year.

But lagging indicators have a weakness — a HUGE one! They only report what happened in the past, so we cannot manage lagging indicators or even manage from them. Oh, they may wake us up to do things differently, or maybe to try something new, but what? How do we know that what we’re going to try will improve last quarter’s performance? What if our efforts worsen performance?

### Leading indicators

This is where leading indicators come into play and this is where many of us struggle. Leading indicators are those measures or metrics that we have laid down in the form of processes that we know work. We know for instance that if we follow an established process, we’ll get a predictable result.

It’s vital that we document our procedures. We need to know exactly what our leading indicators are and follow them religiously to produce the desired outcome (favorable lagging indices).

Another reason leading indicators are so important is when we need to change a process. As our business grows or changes, or the market changes, we need to change with it. As a result, we don’t want to hold onto processes that are no longer effective. But if we attack our business processes helter-skelter or tornado-like, who knows what the outcome will be? Even if the outcome is good, how would we know which change improved it?

But if our leading indicators (our processes) are well documented, we can focus on one leading indicator, change it and measure its effectiveness (with lagging indicators). If the results are favorable, we can establish this new way of doing things as our new protocol. And if we sense that other procedures need to be changed, we can tackle them too. But we do so in a systematic, predictable way.

![Chocolate chip cookies on marble surface](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/chocolate-chip-cookies.jpg)

### Baking as an illustration

Let me illustrate the interplay between leading and lagging indicators using a simple baking analogy. Perhaps you love chocolate chip cookies. In fact, you’re a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies, so not just any old chocolate chip cookie will do. You won’t even look at a store-bought chocolate chip cookie, much less eat one.

Fortunately, years ago, your grandmother passed down her amazing chocolate chip cookie recipe to your mother and now you’re carrying on the tradition. You always carefully follow her recipe to the “T” in order to get a predictable outcome—delicious, mouth-watering, chocolate chip cookies.

Both the ingredients and the instructions found in her recipe provide you with your leading indicators. You know that if you follow her recipe exactly as she handed it down, you’ll always get the same tasty result. And that tasty result is your lagging indicator—your scorecard—mmm, warm, mouth-watering chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven!

But what if someone in your family has developed an intolerance to gluten. For that person, the original recipe for grandma’s amazing chocolate chip cookies is no longer acceptable. So, you set out to find alternatives in the recipe to make the cookies glute-free, yet still delicious. You start by only replacing the flour with an appropriate substitute. In so doing, you’re only changing one leading indicator at a time and then testing the outcome.

If the end-product is what you hoped for, then you’ve got your new solution—delicious, gluten-free, chocolate chip cookies. But if that one change didn’t work, you can tweak one of the other ingredients or processes in the directions to see if that works.

I think you get the picture! Your leading indicators are like the ingredient list and instructions for baking faultless chocolate chip cookies every time.

To both maintain and improve on good performance we need both leading and lagging indicators. The one shows us how we did after the fact. The other helps us while in the process of doing so we get results every time.

_**Exercise:**

Take inventory of your current practices: What are your leading and lagging indicators? How well documented are they and how faithfully do you follow them?  _

---

---
title: "8 ways to lower your stress"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/8-ways-to-lower-your-stress/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "We all need some stress in our lives to function well. But too much bad stress can wreak havoc on our health and harm our business. Here are 8 effective way to lower your stress levels."
last_modified: "2018-02-15T16:21:42+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# 8 ways to lower your stress

The other morning I woke up at 4:30am. No, I’m not that early a riser. Normally. Just woke up and my brain was spinning. Happens every once in a while, typically when there’s a ton of stuff going on and I feel like even if I run full speed, I won’t get it all done this week or month.

Obviously a bit stressed out.

The thing is, stress isn’t always bad! We need a certain amount of stress in our lives in order to function well. For instance, a desire to excel in our business; the drive to please customers; and the practice of goal-setting and goal-completion all impose a level of stress on us that is good and productive.

That said, stress _is_ a leading cause of stroke and hypertension.

Too much stress, or the wrong kind of stress can:

- Kill creativity

- Cause irritability and harm relationships

- Squelch fun and our enjoyment of life

- Damage our physical, emotional, and spiritual health

Stress can either come from outside of us, or be self-imposed. Either way, we can take steps to greatly reduce and/or manage our stress levels. Here are 8 effective ways to lower stress:

### Set reasonable goals for yourself

Here’s where you really have to know yourself. Or, if you’re married, your spouse can provide you with great feedback. We need a certain level of stress in order to stretch and grow. But too much stress places unreasonable demands on us that render us less effective.

Think of this in terms of a sport like surfing. The surfer wants waves big enough to give them a thrill and increase their skill. Waves that are too small are boring. But waves that are too big for the surfer’s skill and comfort level are dangerous and frightening. Find your stress sweet-spot in goal-setting and “ride that wave!”

### Exercise regularly

When we’re under stress, regardless of the cause, our bodies secrete stress chemicals like adrenalin and cortisol. These are both important chemicals in a fight-or-flight emergency. But many stressful situations don’t allow for fighting or fleeing. Over time these stress chemicals damage our health.

The best way to flush the body from these stress chemicals is to exercise. Often, I’ve experienced and heard others say when exercising, “I can feel the stress melting away!” You don’t have to become a “jock” to get the benefits of exercise. Just get out and be active regularly.

Plus there’s the awesome benefit of stepping away and doing something physical that my brain gets time to relax. I’ll feel stuck and stressed and go for a 3 mile fast walk to come back with fresh insight and ready to again go at the task I was stuck on!

### Eat less and fast intermittently

Eating too much food and too often makes us lethargic and can cause all kinds of metabolic issues and diseases. These add to and even cause stress. Intermittent fasting is a great way to discipline yourself to cut back on the amount of food you eat. You can fast intermittently in a variety of ways:

- Fast 24 hours once a week.

- Don’t eat between 7pm and 7am.

- Fast for a whole day once a month.

- When you fast, always stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

### Laugh a lot!

Laughing really is good medicine. Laughing gives us a more measured perspective of reality. When we laugh, we usually do so in the context of healthy relationships.

Laughing also prevents us from taking ourselves too seriously.

### Cultivate healthy relationships

Nothing is more stressful than relational conflict. Don’t hold grudges. Forgive others their faults. Do all you can to invest in healthy relationships by loving on and spending time with others.

### Slow down

Do you find yourself gripping the steering wheel tightly and bearing down on that slow driver in front of you? Slow down; take it easy; don’t be in such a hurry! When we hurry we make mistakes and that too adds to our stress levels. Relax, and enjoy the view.

### Avoid debt

Debt is a hard task-master! When we bought that new car on credit, or made that purchase on our card, we thought we could handle the payments, no problem. But situations change, and that new car or purchase may now feel like a prison sentence. Take steps to get out of debt if you’re in debt; and if you’re out of debt, cling to the freedom it offers.

### Take time to relax and get plenty of sleep

Your body and mind need down-time. Do something enriching and enjoyable: read a book; pursue a hobby; watch a good movie; play games with friends; go for a stroll with a loved one. And while you’re at it, be sure to get a good night’s sleep! An afternoon power nap can also be a good thing and the best spent 20 minutes all afternoon.

Too much of the wrong kind of stress can steal our joy and our health. Put one or more of these stress-reduction strategies into practice today and experience some relief! Then manage your stress as a way of life.

_**Reflection**

Think about your day. What are the things that cause you to feel stressed?

What are the things that wake you up in the night?

It may not be something that can be resolved immediately, but what is one thing, no matter how small, that you can do today towards resolving what is causing the stress?_

---

---
title: "20 minute strategy call to build clarity"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/strategy/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "page"
description: "20 minute strategy call to build clarity Fill out this form to get a free, no obligation 20 minute strategy call with me about your online presence. How it works: Fill out this form to provide me some background information."
last_modified: "2025-05-10T19:49:32+00:00"
custom_fields:
  site-post-title: "disabled"
  site-sidebar-layout: "no-sidebar"
  site-content-layout: "page-builder"
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  theme-transparent-header-meta: "default"
  stick-header-meta: "default"
---

# 20 minute strategy call to build clarity

## 20 minute strategy call to build clarity

Fill out this form to get a free, no obligation 20 minute strategy call with me about your online presence.

How it works:

- Fill out this form to provide me some background information.

- When you submit the form, you’ll be taken to a calendar where you can schedule your 20 minute time slot.

- You’ll receive an immediate email confirmation, including Zoom login details for your meeting.

- At the appointed time, we have a Zoom video meeting and talk about your online presence.

**You’ll come away with increased clarity and next action steps to move you forward.**

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---
title: "The beauty of brevity"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/brevity-beautiful/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "If one word in time is good, two must be better and a whole page absolutely wonderful. Right? Or maybe not! Why brevity may be the best policy."
last_modified: "2023-06-07T12:10:17+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The beauty of brevity

>
“In every long lecture there is a short lecture trying to get out.”

_Anonymous_

If you’ve ever bought a home, you’ve no doubt been overwhelmed by the deluge of documents begging to be signed. Often on legal-size paper, the stack of documents can be measured with a ruler! Who reads all that stuff?

I got a lot of looks from the folks handling the closing when I took time to speed read all the papers I was initializing or signing. Whether I read it or not, once I signed, I was responsible so better have at least some clue as to what was in there! None of that was written to be brief or easy to understand!

Consider these timeless documents and speeches that truly qualify as being brief:

- The 10 Commandments (There are just 10 of them!)

- The Lord’s Prayer – 66 words

- The Declaration of Independence – Less than 3 pages

- The Pledge of Allegiance – 31 words

- The Gettysburg Address – 272 words (a little over half-a-page)

Now that I’ve got your attention, I’d better be brief! So, here are 3 strong reasons to be brief:

- Brevity makes things easier to grasp and remember (like those five bulleted examples above).

- People are more likely to read or listen to something brief.

- Brevity forces the writer/speaker to be succinct and economical with their words.

## How to cultivate brevity in your writing and speaking

When writing or preparing a talk, ask yourself these 3 questions:

- **How can I say this more simply?** When possible, avoid the passive voice, and use your words economically. (If I had written the first phrase of that sentence in the passive voice, it would look like this: “When possible, the passive voice should be avoided.”) Also, consider setting a goal not to exceed a certain length.

- **How can I say this more clearly?** Use words that most people will understand. Don’t repeat yourself; say it clearly the first time. When in doubt, read it aloud. If you stumble through it, chances are you need to find a way to say it more clearly.

- **What “fluff” can I eliminate?** After writing, read through your work through the eyes of someone who has never read it. Eliminate unnecessary adverbs and adjectives and anything else that isn’t vital to get your meaning across.

_**Do this and you’re most of the way there!**_

Now let’s apply it:

## Brevity and emails

One idea/issue per email. Use as few words as possible. Chances are the recipient won’t read more than the first few lines anyway.

## Brevity and websites

Short sentences and short paragraphs help readability on screen.

Keep in mind that 60+% of your website visitors are visiting your site on a mobile phone. On a small screen a long paragraph will fill the entire screen. _Visual overload means people move on._

Effective SEO requires a certain length to content, often around 300 words. It doesn’t require _War and Peace_.

Keep pages focused. Don’t overwhelm visitors with lots of options and buttons. Provide a few, relevant options. Make calls to action clear and engaging.

Anything else can be placed in the footer where visitors will naturally go if they don’t find the desired content on the page.

In the end, **brevity is about being clear and concise**: You want to say all that is needed and no more. But you do need to say what’s _needed_.

Brevity isn’t necessarily easy. Easy is to just ramble on and let the reader figure it out. _Except they probably won’t. _Then it’s back on you.

>
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

_Proverbs 25:11_

## Chat GPT will fix it (not)

The current “magic solution” for writing is AI and Chat GPT.

Just give Chat GPT a few prompts, tell it how many words, and it will spit out text for you.

Yes, it will happily put words together. They may even make sense and be relevant. Although since there’s nothing intelligent or ethical about current AI and Chat GPT, what it provides may also be quite wrong. Most likely a mix of both.

What Chat GPT can help with is the first part: Getting that first draft down. It can be great for that purpose.

You might also ask it to rewrite the text it gave you in different styles or lengths.

But in the end, it’s up to you to fact check and rework the text into finished, ready-to-publish content.

## It’s quality and quantity

Which words we use makes a big difference. As does how many we put into the message.

More words doesn’t mean what we say matters more. Often quite the opposite.

The trick is to use the right words and the right number of them: As many as needed to say what’s needed in a way that the intended recipient will understand. No more, no less.

### _**Exercise:**_

- _Review an email you sent last week._

- _Review a page on your website._

For each, ask yourself:

- _Is the main point clear?_

- _Does the reader get the information they need to make a decision/take the next step?_

- _Is there a logical next step presented?_

- _Could this be said with fewer words?_

---

---
title: "Failure — and then what?"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/failure-what-next/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "Failure — that's bad, always bad, isn't it? Or do we have the wrong idea?"
last_modified: "2018-02-02T02:40:01+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# Failure — and then what?

Okay, nobody likes to fail. I don’t like to fail. Yet, I’m hard-pressed to think of anything worthwhile that was ever accomplished without some measure of failure first.

Consider Thomas Edison. As an inventor, Edison failed something like a 1,000 times at combining the right materials to create the light bulb. But when a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?”, Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

**_Was Edison unique? Or delusional?_**

Apparently not; check out these others with plenty of experience at failing:

- “Failing is one of the greatest arts in the world. One fails toward success.” — Charles Kettering

- “Failure provides the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.” — Henry Ford

- “The fastest way to succeed is to double your failure rate.” — Thomas Watson Sr.

- “Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly.” — Robert F. Kennedy

- “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games, and 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot … and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. That is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan

- “I never learned a thing from a tournament I won.” — Bobby Jones

_**Does that mean failure can actually be good?**_

Let’s take a closer look at failure and why it’s so vital to success.

### Wear failure as a badge of honor!

You took a risk. You made a heroic attempt at something. You acted. It may not have worked, but you tried! Congratulations! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

There is no shame in failing. Shame comes from sitting on your hands and doing nothing. The fact that you failed indicates that you had the courage to try. You stepped out, overcoming your fears and tried. Way to go! High fives!

The real losers are those who never tried at all!


### You learned something new!

Mark Twain quipped, “A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.” I knew a man who took a shower with his cat. He too learned something he could learn in no other way!



Like Edison, you now know what won’t work. That puts you one step closer to success. You’re closer than ever to knowing what _will_ work. In this way, failure teaches you valuable lessons. And you learn those lessons viscerally, experientially and not just vicariously from a book, or from someone else’s experience. In this way, the lessons you learn through failure are so much richer and more memorable.

### Failure builds character!

Failure and the “suffering” we experience from it “produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4, the Bible)

Character or integrity is so important! Strength of character sets the man or woman apart from others. 

Think of failing in terms of a cross-fit workout. The workout is painful, but it’s good pain. We endure the pain, because we know that it’ll strengthen us.

And as we grow stronger, our confidence (hope) grows too. So, we persevere and keep trying. Each time we fail is like that workout, we’re getting stronger and stronger, preparing to succeed.


### Failure sets us up for a grander success!

Success without failing first is cheapened. Nothing gotten easy makes the effort seem worthwhile. Success without having first failed makes us lazy, complacent, and shallow. But when we’ve failed, perhaps over-and-over again, oh how sweet success tastes then! We savor it. We appreciate it. We celebrate it for what it is.

Washington Irving said, “Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.”

So how do we handle it when we fail? Give up and go home? Or get right back up and get going?

Have you heard of Heather Dorniden Kampf?

She is a middle-distance runner who fell down during a 600m race in 2008. It’s what happened next that made her remarkable:

_**When was the last time you failed?**

Don’t fret over failure. Instead, fret if you’re not failing! It may be that you’re not trying hard enough!_

Featured image: Photo by [Robert Wiedemann](https://unsplash.com/photos/d9yOg5zP-oQ) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com)

---

---
title: "The website design process"
url: "https://claesjonasson.design/the-website-design-process/"
lang: "en-US"
type: "post"
description: "“What’s involved in building a website and how long does it take?” So glad you asked."
last_modified: "2019-10-16T01:22:53+00:00"
categories: [Blog]
---

# The website design process

_“What’s involved in building a website and how long does it take?”_

So glad you asked.

The process of creating a website is best divided into 3 major phases. Typically it takes about 90 days from start to launch.

![web design stages](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017/02/web_design_template-1024x383.png)

![Kayla holding a cat on her shoulder](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Kayla-holding-a-cat-300x238.jpg)Let’s start from the very beginning and walk through the process with imaginary client Kayla.

I’ve met with Kayla who wants a website for her new cat grooming business. She has a brick and mortar store, but also does courses for cat owners anywhere online.

We’ve figured out what she needs the website to accomplish for her business, agreed on the budget and are ready to start.

### Concept

This is the blue sky phase where we dream and push the limits to find the best way to organize and build this website.

At this point, it’s all sketches on paper and post-it notes, so change is super easy.

Kayla and I meet to go over how the website will fit into her business and branding and extend them in fresh ways. We dive deep to learn just what her customers are looking for and how to best meet their needs.

We consider user interfaces, ways to organize content, what content to include, possible imagery and video, the actions we want people to take on the site and so on.

From all this, I develop a wireframe of key pages of the website. A wireframe is a mockup that uses placeholders instead of actual content (that probably doesn’t exist yet).

![Wireframe web page mockup](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/wireframe-748x1024.png)

This way Kayla can see what it will look like on a phone, tablet or computer, actually scrolling pages up and down.

We also define what content will be needed and start developing it. Kayla has chosen to have me do the copywriting, so we talk through, in detail, what each piece of content needs to accomplish. She also provides additional background info for me to work from.

We look at and decide how to handle her online courses (promotion and the actual courses), as well as how her website will integrate with social media.

Throughout the concept phase, we make lots of changes and at this stage that’s easy. The goal is to have a solid concept for the site and be started on developing the content as we move to the next phase.

### Design

We now move to determine the overall site look.

This includes colors and fonts, and matching existing branding, all to create an attractive website that effectively gets the message across and inspires action from visitors.

Kayla reviews and approves selections made and then a page is mocked up for phone, tablet and computer, using a mix of actual and placeholder content.

![Design build of a web page](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Design-view.jpg)Design build of a web page  using mostly actual content

![Design build of a web page](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Design-view.jpg)Design build of a web page  using mostly actual content

I created a first draft of the site content and Kayla reviews it. Another draft and a few more tweaks later, we arrive at the final copy for the website.

We also scheduled a photo shoot to create exactly the images she needs for the website, of herself, cats being groomed and some of her course participants.

Because we’re working closely together, everything flows mostly according to plan. And that’s good, because as the design process goes forward, it becomes harder and harder to make changes. Sure, small changes are possible, but this is not the time to suddenly find out that you really wanted an online store as part of the website.

Fortunately, Kayla and I talked through all the details back in the concept phase so now we can focus on creating exactly the look, feel and functionality she needs in the website.

### Development

Now it’s on to development.

In the concept stage, Kayla and I connected a lot about the site. Not quite as frequently in the design stage, but just as importantly.

Now all the decisions have been made and it’s time to turn design into reality.

I build the actual website, based on the design mockups. At first the site is built totally offline. Later it goes up on a staging server so that Kayla can access it and see how it’s coming together and begin to check out functionality.

Since we communicated well and did our homework during the first 2 phases, the work now is about making the plan reality. The decisions have all been made. Goal now is to make it work well on the server and look beautiful in the web browser.

![lines of website code](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/coding.jpg)

Under the hood are thousands of lines of code and elements linking to each other. Site changes now quickly get complicated and time consuming. Too big of a change and we won’t be able to meet the launch deadline.

I also install all the backend technology to keep the website working smoothly for a long time to come.

All through this process the website gets tested in different browsers and for different devices so we know it will display as intended once launched.

### Launch

**The big day is here.**

The website is ported to the production server and after all the work, the new website is finally live for the world to see.

Kayla can starting enjoying the benefits of her new website and begin taking registrations for the first round of course offerings.

I complete final backend installations and since I’ll handle ongoing website maintenance for her, set up schedules for that and regular backups.

There’s also training for Kayla on managing content on her website so that she can make content updates any time she wants to.

### 2 months later

The new website is working great. We just did a quick review and tweaked a few things now that the website has been live for a while.

At the brick and mortar store foot traffic is up thanks to the new website helping people discover Kayla’s business and she’s just completed holding her first online course.

![Kitten peeking up behind pillow](https://claesjonasson.design/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cat-peeking.jpg)

---