I’ve run into clients and prospects  who are under the misguided assumption that images on the web are free for the taking.  Not so.  In fact, if the stock photography companies find that your site is using pirated images you could be fined hundreds or thousands of dollars. And they will find you.  I’ve had clients who have loaded images onto their website (that were unknowingly pirated from an online source) and eventually they get a call from Comstock or some other Stock photo house demanding payment for the use of their image.

Always make sure that you have the right to use images that you place  on your website (or any marketing materials).  There are many royalty free stock photos you can purchase for use on your website for fairly low cost.  IStockphoto.com is one that we use frequently to purchase stock photography.

Music is another component that people like to pirate.  It is not legal to use a song you’ve purchased and downloaded onto your IPod as background music for a video you post to YouTube.  Sorry.  SoundDogs.com is a good source for music and sound effects.

I don’t have to tell anyone that it’s plagiarism to copy text from another site.  Do I?

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Happy and Successful 2012!

Although the big kick-off shopping weekend is over, I’m sure there’s more shopping to be done.  If you prefer to avoid the mall hubbub and feel like staying home in your jammies and doing some on-line shopping this holiday season, here’s a list of clients who are small business owners that sell or show products online.  They’re all reputable honest people with great products.  The * indicates you may need to call to purchase.

Art

• ColbathColors.com *
• CowsByDesign.com

Astrology Calendar & Services

• AstrologyBooth.com

Books

• Not My Mother’s Wedding
• From May Sarton’s Well
• The Good Financial Advisor
• Montessori Madness and other Children’s Books
• Octavian Chronicles
• Beyond Location, Location, Location…A Systematic, Promotional Approach to Marketing Commercial Real Estate

Food & Beverage

• Bloody Bold Cocktail Mixers
• The Spice Mill

Health & Fitness

• Pedometers from EveryBodyFit.com
• Massage – MyHandsYourHealth.com*
• Personal Training – JudithScottFitness *
• Chair Massage & Wellness Programs - http://totalbalancelifechoice.com *

Jewelry

• AlisonDesignsJewelry.com
• Lapistree.com (see the BellaSanté section for online sales)*

Motorcycle & Auto Accessories

• EzShadow – The easy way to cover your Toll Pass
• GoodGuysPowerSports - Motorcycle Gear & Accessories
• Uni-Go Motorcycle Trailers

Travel Services

• MogoTravelService.com*

Museum Store

• Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum Store & Holiday Events in Wethersfield (no on-line shopping but Black Friday hours at the Museum Store and many holiday events through December) *

And Finally, Santa Claus

• SantaVisitsCT.com to schedule a Santa visit to your holiday party. *

Happy Holidays!

I laughed.

“How did that happen?” I asked and then I chuckled some more.

Apparently my client  had accidentally hit the combination of keys that’s the shortcut for flipping your display.  Yeah, that’s a handy shortcut. Thank you Microsoft.

“It’s not funny,” she said. “Not only is the screen upside down, but the mouse is backwards”.

I laughed again.  “Did you try turning the mouse upside down?” I asked.

Meanwhile, while poking fun at my client I did a quick Google search for “upside down display screen”  and I quickly found a forum where others had run into the problem.  Scanning the forum I saw one that  began with “I’m 13 years old and I have the answer to the problem…”

The 13-year old recommended going to the display settings where you will find the option to flip your screen.   Who knew?  I’m 53 years old and I didn’t know that option existed, but Google and the 13-year old kid made me look like a hero.  Thank you Google and unknown 13-year old (you little smartie-pants).

This morning I had two different clients ask how to insert a link in the text on the WordPress website.  This short video demonstrates how to insert a link to other pages within your website and to a web address outside of your website.

Custom WordPress website with marine focused theme.

 The website has multiple portfolio sections to display jewelry collections.  View the website at LapisTree.com