Click Here to vote <- you will need to register (which you should anyway so you can vote and rate all the great plugins you use.)

My idea is simple. Currently you can only select ONE default role with wordpress. This means when a visitor registers on your blog they are set to  for example susbcriber.

You then have to manually change each user to their role in the admin section.

What if you created new roles (maybe you have a blog for VA’s and you want  the OPTION for user to register as a VA or a Business owner ) and you want the user to select the right one when they register.

My suggestion is for WordPress to:

instead of a ‘default role’ on the general settings page ;

allow admins to select either
a Default role
OR
select MULTIPLE user roles to be included within a DROP DOWN to be included on the user registration page

So please go vote for my idea – and if you are looking for a way to create CUSTOM roles in WordPress you should check out Justin T’s Member Role WordPress Plugin.

1) It will save you money on hosting.
2) It makes your site load faster.
3) It will reduce the load on your server.
4) It can help prevent your site from going down during high traffic.

WP Super Cache (by Donncha O Caoimh) is updated often (most recently just 26 days ago), its a great supported wordpress plugin that EVERY WordPress blog owner should be using.

As your WordPress blog generates more traffic you will need to address caching, so before your host calls you to do so, simply go to Plugins -> Install new and search for ‘WP Super Cache’.

WordPress is the ONLY content manager HerMedia endorses. Whether you are creating a BLOG, a corporate website, an ecommerce website, or membership website. WordPress has the ability to grow to meet the needs of an evolving web presence.

The interview with Chris is free click here to check it out.

You can listen on the site or download the mp3.

Though I like research, I also love it when a simple question can be answered by showing a reader a similar yet different situation they can relate to like this one comparing a Corporate site (web 1.0) to a Corporate Blog (web 2.0)

“Essentially, the ability to forget about your online presence. Once the site is built, everyone gets back to work, no longer worrying about not being able to point to a credible online presence. In other words, the corporate site is like a flag planted on the moon: Yes we have been there, but there is no other signs of life. Many corporate sites don’t even have the ability to capture an interested party’s particulars. So, come and look, but don’t let us know who you are. Seems strange – like what would you think if a stranger just showed up in your office, stared at you for a few minutes and then left?” ~SightLines Consulting

In the age of ‘blackberries and I phones, a static corporate website is nothing more then a glorified business card. How many business cards have you lost in the last two years ?

Your site needs to be dynamic. It needs to have fresh content every day and it needs to have value beyond selling me a product.

Enter WordPress. Need I say more? OK I will. WordPress will help you create not just a corporate blog, but an online presence. More then 75% of Americans are online. More then 60% research purchases online before they make a purchase. So we already know you need a website.

Here are reasons to use WordPress

1) built in SEO

2) user friendly admin

3) open source and free plug and play plugins (modules) allow you to extend your sites features

4) easy to add move and create content on the fly (widgets )

5) social media ready, your wordpress blog provides a place to direct all your new social media contacts

Still not convinced you need a blog and that WordPress is the Blog platform you should be using? Check out these articles:

5 Reasons WordPress is King

The Best CMS for Business

Thirteen reasons your business needs a blog

Get your WordPress blog started today – Hosting from $4.00 with one click WordPress Installation

Blackberry’s web browser will log into my WordPress Admin panel however it was time consuming and cumbersome. Of course WordPress has plugins for everything just as BlackBerry has applications for everything.

Here’s HerMedia’s list of WordPress blogging via your BlackBerry solutions:

Mo Snaps is a BlackBerry WordPress Application that allows you to upload photos and images directly to your WordPress Blog (and other networks as well).

Wphone is a WordPress Plugin that creates a BlackBerry friendly WordPress admin panel. Allowing your to blog with your BlackBerry. *not fully supported anymore though updated last month (3/09)

WordPress Mobile Edition is a blackberry friendly WordPress plugin – one of Alex Tangs great WordPress Plugins. It creates a mobile friendly version of your blog.

Imoblife has a BlackBerry Application that allows you to update your WordPress blog. It supports more then one blog. Watch it update a WordPress blog on a BlackBerry by visiting the Demo Page . This is a premium BlackBerry Application and it costs 17.99