WordPress 2.9 unfortunately does not have similar functionality to the Generic Content Module, so I set out to see how I can develop one on my own. Version 2.9 does not make this easy, since custom post types are not easy to create. The database supports them, but you are on your own in terms of an easy to use UI screen.

WordPress 3, however, easily supports new post types. This is done via register_post_type().

Here is the code required to add the new post type for my generic content module:

register_post_type('Generic Content', array(
	'label' => __('Generic Content'),
	'singular_label' => __('Generic Content'),
	'public' => true,
	'show_ui' => true,
	'capability_type' => 'post',
	'hierarchical' => false,
	'rewrite' => false,
	'query_var' => false,
	'supports' => array('title', 'editor', 'author')
));

Once the new post type is registered, we need a way to reference the post id in our content. We do this by registering a content filter that uses a regular expression to do a search and replace of tags. Here is my content filter:

add_filter('the_content', 'bcGenericContentFilter', 10);

function bcGenericContentFilter($content)
{
	$newcontent = preg_replace_callback("/\(!(.*?)!\)/", 'bcTagMatchCallback', $content);
	return $newcontent;
}

Here is the regular expression callback function:

function bcTagMatchCallback($match)
{
	$title = $match[1];
	$post = get_page_by_title($title, OBJECT, 'Generic Content');

	if ($post->post_status != 'publish')
		return '';

	$content = $post->post_content;
	return $content;
}

Now, create some generic content, and give it a title of “My Generic Content”. Create a post or a page, and inside your post use (!My Generic Content!) anywhere in your content and it will be replaced with the contents of the “My Generic Content” generic content.

The entire Generic Content Module can then be registered as a simple plugin:

post_status != ‘publish’)
return ”;

$content = $post->post_content;
return $content;
}

function bcGenericContentFilter($content)
{
$newcontent = preg_replace_callback(“/\(!(.*?)!\)/”, ‘bcTagMatchCallback’, $content);
return $newcontent;
}

register_post_type(‘Generic Content’, array(
‘label’ => __(‘Generic Content’),
‘singular_label’ => __(‘Generic Content’),
‘public’ => true,
‘show_ui’ => true,
‘capability_type’ => ‘post’,
‘hierarchical’ => false,
‘rewrite’ => false,
‘query_var’ => false,
‘supports’ => array(‘title’, ‘editor’, ‘author’)
));

?>

Some clients have approached us to translate their print catalogs into eCommerce sites with the intention of never producing a catalog again. Their goal is to lower their costs by eliminating printing and mailing costs. Does this mean that print catalogs are becoming extinct?

Other clients have maintained a balance between their print and web offerings. One trend that is definitely apparent is that phone orders are down and web orders are up. It would be very easy to assume that the print catalog has become irrelevant especially if you weigh the costs versus the declining phone orders. However, a deeper examination into sales metrics has shown that the arrival of a printed product catalog causes a noticeable spike in online sales.

Where have all of the catalogs gone?

As a youth, I remember the arrival of the Sears and JCPenney catalogs. (My parents wanted to look at it before I had a chance to gum up the pages, creasing them along the toy section.) It was a big deal when these catalogs arrived. Our mailbox load today is noticeably lighter, in part because catalogs have become smaller and more targeted to their audience, but a lot of the once-major players have left the market. This can translate into a venue with less competition, which spells more opportunity for your business.

A coordinated one-two-three punch works best.

Our clients have found the most success by keeping their websites up-to-date with the freshest and newest offerings. Occasionally a printed catalog is designed and sent out to new and repeat customers, and a close eye is kept on the buying trends. And for the third punch, a monthly e-newsletter is sent out to those who have opted-in, showcasing a new product or offering an exclusive incentive.

From the unique perspective of the print and web marketer, I can say that the catalog still has merit in your marketing arsenal. We find that the right customers get excited when they receive a catalog. They will keep it around and casually flip through it, sometimes only throwing it away when the newest catalog design arrives. (not everyone can take their computer on the back porch or with them on a trip) This type of customer wants a handy reference nearby and if she has to take the action of going to her computer to find what she needs, she may just as easily end up on your competitor’s eCommerce website.

This custom website development involved writing over 1,500 lines of CSS code by hand (just for the main site design). Deep integration with the Sitefinity content management tool allows a flexible layout and design for each page.

Our task involved creating custom templates for the content management system, multi-language support, custom module development, integrated micro-sites and more.

We assisted Kiwanis in achieving workflow integration and helped them to reduce their overall website administration by allowing departments outside the IT team to participate in content updates, news releases and media uploads.

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The design for Hanger 3 (a play-on-words spelling, describing necklaces hanging) combines visual elements of airplanes and found materials to convey the vintage reused nature of the necklaces. Embracing the look of modern decay with heavy use of textured backgrounds throughout the site, we appeal to the young niche demographic of recycling-friendly, socially-conscious customers. The website tracks inventory, processes transactions, provides sales tracking tools, manages email communication with customers, and more.

Because this website needed to cater to three audiences, the client wanted to include a sitemap right on the opening page to direct that traffic.

To further emphasize this, we selected photography specifically aimed at these audiences. The Flash file on the home page pulls from all three groups of images, but interior page Flash files only pull from the targeted photo segment.

The design uses subtle highlights and gradients, such as the glowing effect behind the logo, and various “hotspots” of light in gradients throughout the design.

We designed the Allied Automation website and several print collateral pieces using their established logo.

The client then asked us to develop a friendly graphical spokesperson to be used in directional signage inside the factory. We took the star from their established logo and created StarTup, a smiling extension of their brand.

We designed several versions (pointing left, pointing right), and variations of each version that could be printed in different mediums from four color offset to single color screen printing.

Clay Hall is a concept for an office environment in which small businesses come together to share resources.

After helping them with branding decisions, including their color choice and font selection, we crafted this logo to include the heart of their business—the personal interaction. The characters shaking hands are at the center of the logo.

The challenge for this logo was to illustrate polarity while describing rare earth materials.

We took photos of a plasma ball (the touch-sensitive novelty plasma lamp with shooting rays of light inside). Changing the colors from the familiar pinks and blues to earth tones, and superimposing continents over the sphere, suggested the earth emitting polarity.

This brand image has become a strong identifier for Polaris in the rare earth community.

The W in this logo design represents the rising graph of progress. The E adds dimensionality and character, forming a blend of angular and round elements. The color choice suggests solidity and refinement.

This logo is illustrated by the letters T and M, forming a child at play. The color choice is fun, youthful and vibrant. The whole logo speaks of energy, and passion towards the mission of helping troubled youth.