Weblogs and the universe of social networking (MySpace) and link submission (Digg) sites are becoming an even more important part of opinion-forming and brand-building on the internet. We’ve developed dozens of weblogs for Chicago stalwarts. Here are two:

CTA Tattler

Helped develop the initial launch and subsequent redesign of the immensely popular CTA Tattler, with new community features that allow the site to pull in content and contributors from all over the web:

• RSS feed of photos from the Chicago Transit Authority group on Flickr
• CTA-based news from Yahoo!

Also added Google Ads to help support the site. A simple, effective relaunch using TypePad.

Reusable Bags

• Ported their news content management system over to TypePad to take advantage of RSS, community, and SEO features

Andy Kane Art

Created a simple, quick website for a great artist, Andy Kane Art.

• Site is built on WordPress and uses the Hemingway theme. Using flexible, feature-filled WordPress themes allows you to stand on the shoulders of giants and still make custom sites that meet specific needs
• Uses the WordPress Contact Form plugin– very simple to configure, but places in-line styles on every site page. Great for a quickie site like this
• Installed the FAlbum WordPress plugin, which uses the Flickr API to deliver images from a specific set in my Flickr account. The result are easy-to-update photo albums that are embedded into the main website but served offsite.
• Encourages people who’ve purchased art from Andy Kane to upload to Flickr and tag with “andykane“– using free, offsite tools to develop community, build interest, and increase search engine optimization
• Uses a free TypePad weblog to publish Andy’s poetry book, American Radio Waves. TypePad design mimics color, font, and other styles of the main site w/o needing a new WordPress install. The right tool for the right job