Restored Fitness, located in Alexandria, Va., specializes in MAT, “a dynamic muscular assessment system that analyzes and corrects muscular imbalances.” I was introduced to owner Luke Davis through his then-girlfriend, now-wife Erin Lyddane Davis.  Luke was setting up his MAT practice and wanted a Web presence.  I originally designed his site using Dreamweaver.  I approached him late last year and asked if he would allow his site to be my guinea pig as I experimented with using WordPress as a CMS.  He agreed.

The Restored Fitness site is essentially the same as it was in Dreamweaver except we added a sidebar where Luke could post additional information about his business activities and we added blog functionality.  Luke uses the blog to share tips on fitness, nutrition and wellness.  Additionally, we’ve added links to his company’s Facebook page and included the ability to subscribe to his site updates via RSS or e-mail.

Now that his WordPress site has been running for a bit, I asked Luke to share his experience with managing it.

How do you feel about being able to update your site?

It’s great to be able to update my Web site on my own–I can quickly post a blog or make changes to pages on my site. Previously I used Yahoo Site Builder, which was complicated and required me to send edits or Web updates to Carolyn for posting on my site. Wordpress is easy and very user friendly–I like having the freedom to post blogs and new content at my convenience.

Was there a learning curve for you to understand how to update it?

So far the learning curve hasn’t been too steep in terms of posting to the Web site. Although I haven’t tackled anyting too complicated, Wordpress seems very user friendly for blog posting and simple text editing. I have needed some help learning additional new media applications like Feedburner and linking Wordpress to Facebook. Thanks to Carolyn setting me up with these applications (and teaching me how to use them), my Facebook page automatically updates everytime I post a blog–saving me time and helping get the word out.

We did your site in Dreamweaver/HTML before and now we’ve moved it to Wordpress.  And now you have a blog.  How are you going to use your blog?

So far I love the blog!  The main reason for my blog is to educate people about Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT).  Most people don’t even know what it is so I want to increase awareness and show how it can help positively impact daily life.  I also plan on commenting on any health/fitness/nutrition/wellness articles that I find interesting.  For instance, I posted a link to an article in the Washington Post about how high heels effect your body.

What other features do you think you’ll want to add to your site in the coming year?

This year, I would like to add some pictures and videos demonstrating MAT and showing how it works.  I would also like to offer an online payment system such as PayPal to offer more options for my clients.

What did you like about working with The Web Chic?

You exposed me to things I may not have found on my own such as Feedburner, Google Analytics and the linking between sites.  You also showed me new technology and how to incorporate it into the site. You’re very patient with showing me how to use everything and you quickly respond to my questions (and I have a lot!)

Thanks Luke! Be sure to check out his site and if you’re in the D.C. area, sign up for a fitness session.

Visit Restored Fitness

Derrick Young, owner of the MahoganyBooks online bookstore, used to have a blog using WordPress.  Unfortunately, while trying to transfer the blog from one hosting service to another, he lost all of his data.

Because he was in the process of setting up his online store, Derrick decided this was as good a time as any to start from scratch and make the blog do what he needed it to do.  He approached The Web Chic about designing his new blog and I took him up on the challenge.

“The blog needs to bring awareness to MahoganyBooks and help make our brand be a relevant, trusted source for information on the African-American book community,” said Derrick.  “I see the blog as the PR arm of my business.”

The MahoganyBooks blog, known as “WritersBloc,” is also part of the store’s social network.  There’s also a Ning-based site called “The Lit Lounge” where members can interact with one another.  The blog links to the Ning site and vice versa.  Derrick’s social media strategy is very intentional since each component helps drive traffic to the other.

After consulting with Derrick, I came up with a schematic for his site.  I decided to use the Thesis theme as the site’s framework.  I made adjustments to the code and stylesheet to fit Derrick’s vision for his blog. Derrick wanted visitors to feel as if they were in a soothing bookstore/lounge environment. I found nice shot of a bookstore from Flickr’s Creative Commons which I was able to use as the blog’s header.  If you go to the Thesis site and compare it with WritersBlock, you’ll see how I massaged the theme to give it a unique look.

“You got the idea right away and were able to run with it,” said Derrick.  “You got the feeling and the energy I wanted to evoke.”

In addition to a new design, Derrick wanted more functionality in the sidebar.  I added text widgets and incorporated editable HTML to set up his book recommendations, reviews and promotions. I found the Video Widget WordPress plug-in so he can insert whatever video he wants.  Derrick himself added Google ads which is a testament to how simple it is to update his site.

WritersBloc also has contributors so I added bio pages for them.  Just for fun, I also used a book image as the background for his post dates.

“This site gives us the ability to be high tech and high touch,” Derrick said.  “People stay on the site longer, they forward it to others who might enjoy it and they come back.”

The ultimate goal for MahoganyBooks is to be the go-to spot for African-American book enthusiasts.  In the meantime, Derrick continues to work his all of his sites and find new ways to present and link content.  He’s off to a great start.

Visit the MahoganyBooks blog

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