Office closed for the Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Our office is closed for the holidays (Dec 24 - Jan 1). 

If you are having a website emergency, please email jameyb@yourplanb.com or leave a message on our office voicemail and we will follow up with you as quickly as we can.  

We will be back at the office on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 and ready to discuss your web projects and plans for the new year :)

Happy New Year!
JameyB and DavidB

Why we love Google!

Why we LOVE Google!

From Chrome to Google Analytics - how can you not love how much easier surfing and following your surfers has become thanks to Google.

Not to mention Google Docs or Drive!  or Gmail!

So how does Google help you?  And why should you love it to?

1. Google Search has a better AI algorithm than Yahoo and MSN, which serves up better results for you while you are looking for something online.  If you want to quickly find something nearby, use the Local Search option.  And then there are the maps - so helpful and easy to use (and you can save them for use later!)

2. Google Chrome

• it is fast
• it does one thing (browse the web), and does it well
• it's updated regularly

PLUS: it uses the same browser technology as your iPhone or Android.

3. Google Docs (Drive) let's you easily share (and set permissions), work collaboratively and find work at home or at the office.  You can quickly save documents as pdfs!

4. Gmail
Not only let's you have space to send and receive large files.  It also has a great address book!  If you are an Android user you can share this address book which makes keeping things current so much more efficient at your desk and on your phone.  Gmail tends to receive less spam, has built in chat, is secure and FREE!

5. Google Analytics
Need to know who is visiting your site, which pages, when and if there are errors?  Use Google Analytics.  From it's easy to personalize dashboard, to quick reports (and the ability to email them as pdfs) to great resources on how to increase visitors, Google Analytics is a one stop shop for website analytics.

And what can be next?
Improved Android, tablets, laptops, Google TV, social game network?

Check out - Google Glass: Users are able to wear the glasses and see a computer interface near their eye as well as take photos with a nod – the final iteration of this device may well be released inside 2013; we’ll just have to wait and see!

More Google:
http://googlization.wordpress.com/
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/internet/web/101-google-tips-tricks-and-hacks-462143
http://web.appstorm.net/roundups/tips-tricks/25-awesome-google-search-tips-and-tricks/
http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2009/06/expertise-in-google-search/
http://google.about.com/od/toolsfortheoffice/u/TipsAndTools.htm
http://lifehacker.com/339474/top-10-obscure-google-search-tricks

Motorbrains.com LAUNCH!

Working together with MotorBrains, we took an HTML/Flash combo site and designed a new responsive Word Press site! Images that pop, ideas that work and technology to keep the site on screens (no matter if it is a phone, tablet or desktop).


Visit motorbrains.com
Follow on Facebook and Twitter!

MotorBrains first came to us to work on their initial site back in 2004. Since then we have been working on their site, business cards and enewsletters. DavidB created the iconic robot who was the host on the old site and still can be found in the new version!

Give us a call if it is time to take the Flash off of your site and move to a Contact Management System like Word Press or Drupal. Call 773-665-2552

Kenilworth Press LAUNCH

 
KenilworthPress.com LAUNCH!

Full Color Off-Set and Digital Printing
Come visit us for all your printing needs.

From banners to business cards, stapled booklets to signs, calendars to Christmas invites, we can do it all! Just north of Evanston, a few miles from Chicago, Kenilworth Press has been supplying the North Shore of Chicago with custom printing solutions since 1973.

We have been working with Kenilworth Press for over 16 years! Many a print project for a client was handled by this capable crew in the near north suburbs.  And it was our pleasure to revamp their website into a content management system (Word Press) so Steve could keep the site current from the shop.

Working with GreensbyWhite.com

Respected in the interiorscape industry since 1973, Greens By White provides creative tropical plant rental, imaginative holiday and special events displays and floral designs to clients in the Metropolitan Chicago area. Known for our integrity and attention to detail, they are committed to listening to clients' needs, designing original installations of plants and flowers, creating a more healthy work environment and establishing a long-term relationship with their customers.

Please take a moment to visit their Photo Gallery of design projects. These photographs reflect their "passion" for their work, show green, healthy plants and flowers in beautiful settings and demonstrate why they have a reputation for outstanding interior landscape services. 

We have been lucky enough to collaborate together with the team at GreensbyWhite.com since 2007. Learning about plants as we go! Someday we will be able to brag about our green thumbs, but in the meantime, if you need office or building greenery give them a call!

If you need to spruce up your website, give us a call at 773-665-2552.
We look forward to working with you to grow your online presence.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
And remind you our office will be closed for the holiday weekend.

We are so THANKFUL for your continued support and friendship.
Looking forward to working with you and making great things together.

Enjoy a short clip from Peanuts "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving". Watching this is a tradition in my house!

What Thanksgiving traditions do you have?

JoanTruckenbrod.com LAUNCH

NEW SITE LAUNCH!  JoanTruckenbrod.com

The web is a dynamic, ever-changing place. New technologies are created all the time and sometimes a refresh is needed. Joan asked Chicago web design company Your Plan B to help her refresh her site. Upcoming events, books for sale, and other major announcements are found on the home page, greeting the visitor the moment they visit the site. 

A website, like some works of art, are never complete, so be sure to check back often to see more exhibits, gallery installations, and fresh ideas from the creative world of Joan Truckenbrod. “A pioneer in Digital Art, Joan Truckenbrod’s artwork has been included in exhibits at the IBM Gallery in New York City, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Museu de Arte Moderna in Rio de Janeiro, Musee d’Art Modern de la ville de Paris, Les Cite des Arts et des Nouvelles Technologies de Montreal, and the Villa Chianni in Lugano, Switzerland.” 

Learn more! We enjoyed working with Joan on her new Word Press website and look forward to seeing more great things from her and her work!