Training and Launch
Good morning Sandy,
As we discussed a couple weeks ago, the website looks on target to launch by Easter. Quite honestly, we should be able to launch before then.
Training
As you have said, you are a volunteer that works from 8-5 (EST). In order to go through the training, we can set one up for after hours. You are already familiar with WordPress, so it shouldn't take too long. Nonetheless, I ask that you find 1-2 hours in the next two weeks that we can schedule a training. I can do a training starting at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Simply let me know. Also, are you the only one that I will be training?
Changes/Launch
Right now, the website (http://stcasimir2017.diocesanweb.com/ ) is nearly complete. We are still working on smaller things, such as the homepage calendar display. Also, right now the USCCB's Daily Reading automatic feed is down. This is something that is on USCCB's end, but should be fixed soon.
If you see anything else that we need to fix/discuss, please let me know. Also, feel free to show Father, or whoever else is a part of the official decision process.
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Sandy Enness
Actually, I will be off on Friday the 16th. Could we do a 10:00 to noon? Yes, I'm very familiar with WordPress. I will be the only one to do the training as I'm the only volunteer the parish has to do this.
As far as changes, I have a few:
Can you use the images on the current site as the revolving images? The image of the empty inside of the church is ancient and it doesn't look like that any longer. The image of the people facing forward is blurry and I've never cared for it. I need to get some new images of the inside of the church and during a Mass, which I'll do in the coming weeks.
Would you please change the following buttons on the home page from/to:
IM New to Join Us! and Our Parish to Parish History
and then please reorder the buttons to:
Join Us! Becoming Catholic Parish History Faith Formation Online Giving
I noticed that the hyperlinks are not visibly indicating the text is indeed a hyperlink on all of the pages. Can those be corrected to show the standard color of a new and used hyperlink (blue/green)?
Can the Search box be moved to the top navigation bar, placing it after Links?
Can the Categories/Bulletin link on the bottom of pages be removed? I just don't think users would know what to do with them and the hyperlinks are not clearly indicated to know to click on them.
Can the Facebook Posts area contain our posts in one box and others' post in the other two? For example, It would be nice to have the Diocese's feed there as well as Faith Magazine, if possible.
Can the Daily Feed area be pulled together to eliminate so much glaring white space?
Those are the things I've noticed.
Fr. Bill has left this all up to me, so I essentially have final say. I'm trying to get him to direct our flock to the website more when he's mentioning parish events, classes, activities rather than always telling us to see the bulletin. I cross post everything related to our parish from the bulletin to the website and our parish Facebook page. I also cross post other relevant events in the diocese, so driving traffic to the website is my next goal.
Please let me know if the 16th from 10 to noon works for you.
Thanks so much for everything you've done to get this new site going. I'm so happy with the way it is turning out!!!
Sandy
As far as changes, I have a few:
Can you use the images on the current site as the revolving images? The image of the empty inside of the church is ancient and it doesn't look like that any longer. The image of the people facing forward is blurry and I've never cared for it. I need to get some new images of the inside of the church and during a Mass, which I'll do in the coming weeks.
Would you please change the following buttons on the home page from/to:
IM New to Join Us! and Our Parish to Parish History
and then please reorder the buttons to:
Join Us! Becoming Catholic Parish History Faith Formation Online Giving
I noticed that the hyperlinks are not visibly indicating the text is indeed a hyperlink on all of the pages. Can those be corrected to show the standard color of a new and used hyperlink (blue/green)?
Can the Search box be moved to the top navigation bar, placing it after Links?
Can the Categories/Bulletin link on the bottom of pages be removed? I just don't think users would know what to do with them and the hyperlinks are not clearly indicated to know to click on them.
Can the Facebook Posts area contain our posts in one box and others' post in the other two? For example, It would be nice to have the Diocese's feed there as well as Faith Magazine, if possible.
Can the Daily Feed area be pulled together to eliminate so much glaring white space?
Those are the things I've noticed.
Fr. Bill has left this all up to me, so I essentially have final say. I'm trying to get him to direct our flock to the website more when he's mentioning parish events, classes, activities rather than always telling us to see the bulletin. I cross post everything related to our parish from the bulletin to the website and our parish Facebook page. I also cross post other relevant events in the diocese, so driving traffic to the website is my next goal.
Please let me know if the 16th from 10 to noon works for you.
Thanks so much for everything you've done to get this new site going. I'm so happy with the way it is turning out!!!
Sandy
Veronica Alvarado
Sandy,
Since you covered a lot of ground in the email, I will cover them in sections, haha.
Training
I'm so glad you have a day off that we can work with! Unfortunately, I have a training from noon to 3:00 pm in Allendale with a large group, but I could do 9:00 - 11:00 am, or 9:30 - 11:30, if that works for you. If 10:00 am - noon is what works for you, I can get one of our other trainers to do it.
Content
We can go over all of these things during the training, since they are all small things that should be fairly quick/simple.
- Homepage Slider
The images on the homepage may be changed as you see fit. If you get these images beforehand, we can even upload them during the training. - Homepage Buttons
We will reorder and rename these buttons, as requested. - Hyperlinks
This is something we change last, and will be changing to the purple/blue that is in the menu bar to stay in theme. - Facebook Posts
Unfortunately, this is not something we can do. When we try to add another account to display, it takes over and does not let us show both on the same page. As a - Search
The search button (magnifying glass) is in the menu area of all pages, but was also at the bottom. Removed from bottom. - Categories/Bulletin Link
Was at the bottom of each inner page. Removed.
Other Changes
I was curious as to if you were okay with us changing some of the pages layout (not content).
- Sacraments
If you click on Sacraments on your current site, it only covers some of the Sacraments, and then for more information or information on other Sacraments, you have to go to their specific page. Instead, I think we should move all important Sacrament information (contacts, deadlines, requirements) to a single, main page, with links to pages with the background information. - Unclickable Menu Items
Menu items such as Our Parish, Ministries, Religious Education & Formation and Events will be unclickable buttons that have dropdown menus. This limits the amount of places that you will need to update information, plus this way visitors know that "Our Parish" is actually the parish history and not just an expandable menu.
Let me know what you think about this.
Also, I apologize for getting back to you so late. I left at noon yesterday and today has been crazy busy. Would you believe that I began this email at 8:30 am?
Thanks so much for your patience!
Also, I apologize for getting back to you so late. I left at noon yesterday and today has been crazy busy. Would you believe that I began this email at 8:30 am?
Thanks so much for your patience!
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Veronica Alvarado
Sorry Sandy,
I didn't finish my thought on the Facebook posts. What I was going to say was that we could link to the desired Facebook pages from your Links page.
Additionally, we may want to create pages under Links, such as:
- Local Links
Immaculate Heart of Mary/St. Casmir School, Diocese of Lansing, Faith Magazine, Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation, Michigan Catholic Conference, and Catholic Engaged Encounter of Lansing Michigan - Daily Resources
This page would have links to Daily Readings, Saint of the Day, and Prayer of the Day - Social Media & News
This page would have links to Busted Halo, Vatican News, Diocese of Lansing Facebook and Faith Magazine Facebook.
This would keep the page from getting too word heavy and hard to read
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Sandy Enness
Veronica,
I understand completely. So...
Training
I'm so glad you have a day off that we can work with! Unfortunately, I have a training from noon to 3:00 pm in Allendale with a large group, but I could do 9:00 - 11:00 am, or 9:30 - 11:30, if that works for you. If 10:00 am - noon is what works for you, I can get one of our other trainers to do it.
*** 9:30 to 11:30 am will work fine. I'll put it on my calendar. Will be just be doing this over the phone, then, with my laptop in front of me?
Content
We can go over all of these things during the training, since they are all small things that should be fairly quick/simple.
1. Homepage Slider
The images on the homepage may be changed as you see fit. If you get these images beforehand, we can even upload them during the training.
***Groovy.
2. Homepage Buttons
We will reorder and rename these buttons, as requested.
***Groovy.
3. Hyperlinks
This is something we change last, and will be changing to the purple/blue that is in the menu bar to stay in theme.
***Groovy.
4. Facebook Posts
Unfortunately, this is not something we can do. When we try to add another account to display, it takes over and does not let us show both on the same page. As a
***Bummer, but I understand the issues.
5. Search
The search button (magnifying glass) is in the menu area of all pages, but was also at the bottom. Removed from bottom.
***Groovy.
6. Categories/Bulletin Link
Was at the bottom of each inner page. Removed.
***Groovy.
Other Changes
I was curious as to if you were okay with us changing some of the pages layout (not content).
* Sacraments
If you click on Sacraments on your current site, it only covers some of the Sacraments, and then for more information or information on other Sacraments, you have to go to their specific page. Instead, I think we should move all important Sacrament information (contacts, deadlines, requirements) to a single, main page, with links to pages with the background information.
*** Agree.
* Unclickable Menu Items
Menu items such as Our Parish, Ministries, Religious Education & Formation and Events will be unclickable buttons that have dropdown menus. This limits the amount of places that you will need to update information, plus this way visitors know that "Our Parish" is actually the parish history and not just an expandable menu.
***Perfect!
Everything is falling into place. Maybe we can do the change over the week of Palm Sunday?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandy
I understand completely. So...
Training
I'm so glad you have a day off that we can work with! Unfortunately, I have a training from noon to 3:00 pm in Allendale with a large group, but I could do 9:00 - 11:00 am, or 9:30 - 11:30, if that works for you. If 10:00 am - noon is what works for you, I can get one of our other trainers to do it.
*** 9:30 to 11:30 am will work fine. I'll put it on my calendar. Will be just be doing this over the phone, then, with my laptop in front of me?
Content
We can go over all of these things during the training, since they are all small things that should be fairly quick/simple.
1. Homepage Slider
The images on the homepage may be changed as you see fit. If you get these images beforehand, we can even upload them during the training.
***Groovy.
2. Homepage Buttons
We will reorder and rename these buttons, as requested.
***Groovy.
3. Hyperlinks
This is something we change last, and will be changing to the purple/blue that is in the menu bar to stay in theme.
***Groovy.
4. Facebook Posts
Unfortunately, this is not something we can do. When we try to add another account to display, it takes over and does not let us show both on the same page. As a
***Bummer, but I understand the issues.
5. Search
The search button (magnifying glass) is in the menu area of all pages, but was also at the bottom. Removed from bottom.
***Groovy.
6. Categories/Bulletin Link
Was at the bottom of each inner page. Removed.
***Groovy.
Other Changes
I was curious as to if you were okay with us changing some of the pages layout (not content).
* Sacraments
If you click on Sacraments on your current site, it only covers some of the Sacraments, and then for more information or information on other Sacraments, you have to go to their specific page. Instead, I think we should move all important Sacrament information (contacts, deadlines, requirements) to a single, main page, with links to pages with the background information.
*** Agree.
* Unclickable Menu Items
Menu items such as Our Parish, Ministries, Religious Education & Formation and Events will be unclickable buttons that have dropdown menus. This limits the amount of places that you will need to update information, plus this way visitors know that "Our Parish" is actually the parish history and not just an expandable menu.
***Perfect!
Everything is falling into place. Maybe we can do the change over the week of Palm Sunday?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandy
Sandy Enness
Yes, organizing the Links is a brilliant idea. Please move ahead with doing so.
Sandy
Sandy
Veronica Alvarado
Sandy,
Training
I will schedule you for Friday, March 16 at 9:30 am.
Yes, the training will be over the phone and I will remotely connect to your laptop screen so that we can go through things together, but on your own computer.
Content & Other Changes
Wonderful, I will implement these changes asap. I really think that these changes will help create a user-friendly website for parishioners!
Launch
I will pencil in March 22 as the launch date for now and we can confirm this launch date after the training.
Until then, let me know if you have any questions!
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Sandy Enness
Yay!!!!!
Veronica Alvarado
Good morning Sandy,
Our training is today at 9:30 am and I was wondering if you were going to call me, or if you had the number that I should call.
If you would like to call us, our number is 877-923-0777 and you can simply ask for Veronica.
Thanks Sandy,
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Sandy Enness
Please call me at 517 420-0735.
Veronica Alvarado
Sounds great.
I look forward to talking to you soon.
I look forward to talking to you soon.
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Sandy Enness
Hi Veronica,
Is the St. Casimir site going live this morning like we discussed during our call last week?
I need to let Fr. Bill know for his announcements at Masses this weekend.
Thank you!
Sandy Enness
Is the St. Casimir site going live this morning like we discussed during our call last week?
I need to let Fr. Bill know for his announcements at Masses this weekend.
Thank you!
Sandy Enness
Veronica Alvarado
Sandy,
I was just about to email you, because as Michael began setting up for the transfer and got in contact with Tucows, your domain manager, but since Pat Harper is out of the office, we could not get it done.
We have been trying to find information on who else we may contact for the Tucows login, but we have gotten stuck.
Since Pat is out today, I think we are going to have to wait until Monday.
I am so sorry we don't get to go live today, but we should most definitely have that up and running next week.
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Veronica Alvarado
Also, several days ago, I emailed Pat about getting the Tucows login and beginning the domain transfer, but did not get a response. Do I have the correct email? I have been emailing: harper@stcas.org
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Sandy Enness
WOW - Tucows is a name I haven't heard in ages. I hope Pat knows since this stuff all flowed through her desk. I honestly cannot think of anyone else. We've had a couple of different websites in the past - before using you all - but I don't know who set them up, who managed them, etc.
I'll let Fr. Bill know that we're in a holding pattern until next week due to the Tucows matter.
When you get that info, can you please share it with me so that I have it and can create so basic info for the parish office to have on hand?
Thanks!
Sandy
I'll let Fr. Bill know that we're in a holding pattern until next week due to the Tucows matter.
When you get that info, can you please share it with me so that I have it and can create so basic info for the parish office to have on hand?
Thanks!
Sandy
Sandy Enness
That's her email address. She also looks at the office@stcas.org (mailto:office@stcas.org) email, but her harper address is her primary account.
Sandy Enness
I've sent her an email asking for the Tucows login info so hopefully she gets that to me Monday morning.
Sandy
Sandy
Veronica Alvarado
Sandy,
It says it is hosted with Tucows, but ATT is listed as their IT contact, with Pat's name as the owner/contact. So regardless of if she knows her login information, she will have the ability to contact tucows and ATT to either reset her password or get them to change the information for her in order to move the website.
I also messaged her, so hopefully we aren't too annoying, haha.
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Veronica Alvarado
Sandy,
Yesterday afternoon we were able to launch the new site.
Let us know if there is anything that you need help with or anything that needs our attention.
Thank you and congratulations!
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Veronica Alvarado
Sandy,
It has come to my attention that since the website is now routing to the new website, you may have some issues editing pages for the first week or so.
What I mean is that when you click "Edit Page" or go to "Dashboard" using the black bar at the top, it may come up with the Error 404 Page Not Found.
To get around this, go to https://stcas.org/wp-admin/ to get to the dashboard.
This will retrain your internet browser to log into the new website instead of trying to go to the old website (which is not longer found at the stcas.org domain).
Let me know if you need anything,
Veronica Alvarado
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
877-923-0777
Sandy Enness
Yay!!!!!
I'll go through and see if there are any issues and let you know.
Thanks so much!
Sandy
I'll go through and see if there are any issues and let you know.
Thanks so much!
Sandy