The Holewinski Group

In the last post, we discussed Google’s Website Optimizer and the script application to Thomas Creek Concepts.

Well, we changed up the project specs a bit. A new layout was in order, and we went with the Apricot theme, designed by Aradmis.com. It is a minimalist theme with powerful search engine optimization within Google. This theme did not have a navigation header above the image, so we added that feature. It gives the entire theme a better feel.

As for plugins, we added:

1. Get Recent Comments-Read the last x comments on the sidebar.
2. WP-Polls-Ask your readers questions and get their input!
3. Google Website Optimizer Plugin-Allows the user to test webpages by using Custom Fields within a Page.
4. cforms II (Contact Form)-Allow a reader to email you through a form, keeps the spam to a minimum.

We will continue using the Optimizer to test pages, headers, and sidebars to identify the right combinations. Much more soon.

The Holewinski Group has recently been contracted by the Portland, Oregon based Thomas Creek Concepts. Now, if you have checked out the website, you will notice the WordPress platform and the site is up and running. So what possibly will our group be working on?

The current project is in the realm of Google AdWords, but more specifically in the Website Optimizer section. It allows the owner to experiment with an infinite amount of variables in a multivariate environment, thereby determining what pages convert readers. Does a certain header attract more users? What about a specific theme? What types of colors convert more visitors? These questions are just the beginning in a project of this magnitude. The experiments are endless, but will need to be directed accordingly to make sure we are on track. A continuous experiment can prove disastrous, because data takes precedence over content.

The biggest concern with this project is the non-XHTML complaint coding Google has you embed into your WordPress pages. It is a temporary adjustment and the coding can be taken out at a later date, but this should be a fix on their end. Subsequently, we are going to research this XHTML issue and post our findings at a later date. So be on the lookout.

As the first experiment is still running (and is only a few hours old), no data has been collected. But we will keep you informed.

The Holewinski Group website has been officially launched. Just a few minor changes here and there, but with a bit o’ time, they will be complete as well.