With the release of WordPress® 3.0, the popular Blogging platform has taken another step toward becoming a full-fledged CMS (Content Management System) along the lines of Joomla® and Drupal®.

The first thing a user will notice about 3.0 is the new default theme. “Kubrick” has been replaced by “Twentyten.” Twentyten allows you to choose your own header image, and with the click of a mouse, you can determine whether a Page layout should be one or two columns. WordPress 3.0 also includes a greatly improved menu management system, so that a non-technical user can create customized menus on a Page-by-Page basis.

Version 3.0 has not changed the fact that WordPress allows you to choose from a wide array of plug-ins. Again, with a few clicks of a mouse, you can download and install a plug-in that will give you a contact form, manage comment spam, optimize your Pages for SEO, and even go so far as to provide you with an e-commerce solution.

The role of a website is changing. It is no longer the unique representation of a company or individual on the Internet. Today you can follow a company or individual on Twitter or and Facebook, connect on Linkedin, and post comments to a Blog.

For each Page you build in a WordPress website, you have to confront the questions–is this a Page or a Blog? Do I allow comments or not?  In a way, it provokes the question: what is now a Website vs. what is now a Blog? With modern tools available, a Website should no longer be just an online brochure. It should, similarly to the example cited above about the use and “conversational” aspects of Social Media platforms, encourage active dialogue with site users, including information seekers, consumers, those who are interested in what you have to say and what you show/demonstrate on your site, and more. Because WordPress started out as a Blogging platform, it is highly suited for this interactive world.

Mitra Creative has just produced a new website for Big Arrow Group, a New York-based full-service strategic consulting (branding, advertising and marketing) and communications firm.

SEE THE NEW BIG ARROW GROUP BY CLICKING HERE.

The new site is a refresh of Big Arrow Group’s interactive presence, reflecting an expansion of their brand and global capabilities. As with other recent Mitra Creative projects, in addition to introducing an uplifted design for Big Arrow, the site is supported by a custom-programmed/implemented content management system (CMS) and database framework. This CMS architecture will self-empower them to keep their offerings, case studies, media/multimedia and other information up-to-date.

Mitra Creative worked closely with Big Arrow Group’s leadership to ensure that the new website embraces their personalities and working style. It was important to reflect the genuine humanity of, and the spirit of collaboration in, the interaction between Big Arrow and their clients. Therefore, specific visual elements — such as Pantone colors reflecting the individuality of each member of the team — have been incorporated into the design to demonstrate Big Arrow’s true personal touch.

Mitra Creative is proud to announce the launch of a new website for DEEP RIVER TECHNOLOGIES, a Greensboro, North Carolina-based Microsoft® Managed and Certified Partner. Deep River’s specialization is in providing real-world business solutions surrounding the Microsoft® Dynamics® NAV ERP software suite to clients in the Consumer Packaged Goods, Industrial Equipment and Medical Device manufacturing, distribution, warehousing and sales disciplines, as well as others.

VISIT THE NEW DEEP RIVER TECHNOLOGIES WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE.

• Deep River’s new site was produced as part of a complete re-branding/corporate identity effort for the company, including a renaming (they were formerly known as SoftBytes LLC).
• Among the virtues of the rebranding is the highlight of the Deep River team’s core values, the ways in which they engage with their clients (creating true long-term relationships), their extensive knowledge of the vertical industries to which they provide solutions, the ways they use the Microsoft software suite to solve business problems by industry and by their clients’ roles.

Illustration of the SoftBytes LLC Website Home Page (the client’s former website)

• Mitra Creative collaborated on the entire initiative with The Nurture Institute™, an innovative, forward-thinking marketing solution provider and think-tank that founded and delivers the Microsoft® Partner Essentials marketing program and the Microsoft® Partner Marketing Roundtables.
• The new, fully Web 2.0-enabled website encompasses Deep River’s new name, logo, messaging, as well as uplifted, professionalized visual branding and fresh new written content, and is supported by a custom-programmed/implemented content management system (CMS) and database framework.
• While the Deep River team will continue to engage both Mitra Creative and The Nurture Institute for projects comprising the website (development of new graphics, new site modules, etc.) and other marketing, branding and promotional efforts, they will be self-empowered through the use of the CMS to keep fresh across the site text content, material downloads, embedded video and audio clips, simple graphics, and much more.

I had the opportunity to make the kickoff presentation at an important event on Web 2.0/3.0 for Business for the Long Island Software & Technology Network (LISTnet). The event was held on November 13, at the New York State Small Business Development Center on the campus of Long Island’s Farmingdale State College.

I spoke about the origins of Web 2.0 — Tim O’Reilly of O’Reilly Media coined the term back in 2005 — and delineated Web 2.0, and, thinking ahead, Web 3.0 platforms, that can be harnessed by IT Business professionals to more effectively build a living interactive dialogue with their clients, partners and the business community at large. These included Social Networks, Content-Managed Websites (built on licensed and open source platforms) and Blogs. I provided very detailed information about the ways that businesses can monetize these platforms and also extend their brand. This presentation was one slightly modified from another I gave in September and October for Microsoft Partners.

My fellow presenters at the event — both of whom are publishing and media veterans — Arthur Germain, Principal of Communication Strategy Group, and John McCormick, Chief Content Officer of the exciting, new, niche-focused social network, CIOZone, focused on context and the value of the content in social media and on direct application of the technologies to audiences and participants.

We were excited to learn that our talk was covered by Newsday and Long Island Business News. This undoubtedly demonstrates the buzz surrounding the topic for businesses both large and small.