About This Website
The earliest versions of this site
The first version of this site was created in 1999 using basic HTML written on a Mac with SimpleText. It had a green and cream color palette and used tables to position the page elements. Since creating HTML code for tables in a text editor was difficult, I developed a method that allowed me to create the tables in Excel, using empty columns as placeholders for the table tags. Then I would use various search and replace or paste steps to fill in all the tags. This reduced error and speeded up the process of modifying or creating new pages.
In 2002 I began experimenting with rollovers and more advanced text styles such as dropcaps. The color scheme and basic layout didn’t change for several years, though, and the site remained table-based. Behind the scenes, I tried incorporating open-source databases (calenders and contact management tools) to make the site more useful for myself when I was at client locations, but found they were often poorly written or subject to hacking, so I eventually removed them.
jolanders.com circa 20022007: Finally, a much needed update
In 2007, with the site looking seriously dated, I did a major overhaul. Functional changes involved utilizing SEO techniques in my file naming conventions, re-writing head content, switching from table-based layout to CSS and adding a site search. From a design standpoint I changed the color scheme and eliminated the graphic rollovers. I also simplified the text styles and made the content wider, to reflect the fact that almost no one was viewing the page on a 13" monitor anymore. I played with Javascript, converting an Excel document I used with my bookkeeping clients into an interactive web page anyone can use to see what an employee really costs after taxes and benefits and how that compares to a subcontractor’s rate. I also added a Frequently Asked Questions section, modifying WordPress to create a searchable database that fit the look and feel of the rest of my site.
jolanders.com circa 2007The current site
In 2009 I did another major overhaul, completely changing the look and feel of the site. I had been dealing with an increasing amount of content by adding “More Information” links to the bottom of my pages. However, many pages required the user to scroll down to find those links or the search box located in the bottom left, and they weren’t always making it that far. I knew I would be adding quite a bit more information because of the IRS changes to the form 990, which affected several bookkeeping clients. I had also been doing more typesetting work and wanted to add information regarding how to set up long documents in Microsoft Word, and decided to finally take the time to put up at least a minimal typesetting portfolio. All this meant re-thinking how the site navigation worked, since the navigation problems the 2008 version had would only get worse with more content if I didn’t make some major changes.
The current site is PHP-based. Although the search and FAQ’s pages depend on databases, the rest of the site doesn’t. All pages share common elements and code, but each is written individually. This allows me to modify code as needed for specific content instead of being limited to a few standarized templates in a site-wide content management system. The variable site navigation in the upper right is based on a single line of code in each file and updates automatically when I add or move files. A shared function does the same for links within page content; so long as the file name doesn’t change, links within a page automatically update if I move a file. I also rewrote the code for the FAQ’s pages, replacing the WordPress system with a more streamlined one that doesn’t include bells and whistles I don’t need. Finally, I split longer pages into multi-part articles. I hope the shorter pages, in combination with the more visible navigation, will help users find exactly what they’re looking for without being overwhelmed by long screens of text.
Looking to the future
Although almost all the content on my site is text-based, I would like add images to create more visual interest. I’ll also be adding more content, incorporating more resources, tools and general information for the viewer as well as highlighting the services I provide (such as payroll) which are barely on the radar right now in the existing site. Pages like the What's the Real Cost of an Employee? and What’s the Massachusetts WorkShare Program? receive hundreds of hits every month; they meet a genuine need for information whether or not they ever bring me local clients. I want to add content that is as useful to other sections of the site.