Rivard IT Solutions Portfolio
(from live site)
Client Sez:
Our website was something we had wanted to do for a long time. Jerry got it done in a reasonable time frame and made it easy for us to work with. We can quickly make all the changes and additions our business needs. Kate and Joan. Treasures Found Estate Sales.
Kate and Joan needed to be able to manage their own website, but they also wanted to keep it simple. They gave me the idea of picture frames against wallpaper, and they selected the frames and wallpaper pattern. I adapted the picture frames and created a simple WordPress theme that included all of their design elements. Now they can use WordPress to manage their content.
Client Sez:
I appreciate that you have been more than a programmer. You have thought of scenarios I hadn’t considered before, and found ways to handle them. Most programmers wouldn’t have taken the time to think about those things.
This website integrates a product database and shopping cart with a WordPress blog. The shopping cart requirements were very simple and specialized, so rather than use an off the shelf solution full of unnecessary bells and whistles, I made my own shopping cart & product/order databases. That includes both the part that you can see by exploring the site and the administration section, where the client can add and edit products, fulfill orders, and generally manage his online store.
The client also required both a blog and comments for each product, and WordPress was the obvious choice for both. WordPress is typically used as a CMS to control the entire site, but since the product database and shopping cart required custom administration, I needed to be able to include WordPress elements on pages controlled by my CMS. So this WordPress implementation doesn’t use a WordPress theme, but instead utilizes WordPress’s API.
The comments on each product page are WordPress comments. A “dummy” blog post is created for each product, and only its comments are ever displayed.
Note: the client now sells these products through zazzle.com rather than directly, so the shopping cart has been removed from this website.
Client Sez:
Being a graphic designer with some coding knowledge, I was in need of a programmer to help with the guestbook, mailing list and show calendar. Jerry was there at every step and very responsive throughout the project. He is extremely knowledgeable and will always solve the problems he faces. Finding Jerry was a blessing and working with him was even better!
Graphic artist Eileen Preston asked me to help her with a few of the features required for this website, specifically a mailing list, guestbook, and show calendar. The mailing list appears on the home page and interfaces with Mailman, which is hosted on my server. The guestbook, from the point that you click on the book, is Eileen’s visual design, but I wrote the underlying scripts that make it all work. The show calendar didn’t need to be an actual calendar, just a list of events; so rather than use a Google Calendar or something else with bells and whistles that were unnecessary for this website, I made my own calendar as well.
Each of the features also includes an administrative section where the client can manage the customer list, moderate guestbook entries, and enter/edit shows. Once the client enters an event, it will automatically appear until its date is past.
Client Sez:
This guy is thorough, flexible, a problem solver, a great communicator, and can meet a reasonable deadline.
The client has an extensive library of products featuring the flags and emblems of many countries and historical events available at zazzle.com. flagofarms.com increases the exposure of his products and allows him to collect an affiliate commission. Using data from both the client and Zazzle, I built a product database and an interface where each of his products are linked to the corresponding Zazzle page and searchable by a wide range of client-editable terms.
This website also features an affiliates section, where sellers of similar products can sign up to post product banners on their websites and collect the affiliate commission instead; and a client administration area where he can manage his products and website pages.
Client Sez:
I have worked with many freelancers over the last few years. RivardIT is by far the best. I would highly recommend him to anybody who is looking for a good freelancer.
The client has an extensive library of products featuring family crests and family coats of arms available at zazzle.com. His website familycoats.com increases the exposure of his products and allows him to collect an affiliate commission. Using data from both the client and Zazzle, I built a product database and an interface where each of his over 200,000 products are linked to the corresponding Zazzle page and searchable by name or nationality.
Client Sez:
I aimed to create a website that had nearly 20,000 pages. Not only that, I also needed the means to update all or any pages an efficient manner whenever I wanted. RivardIT delivered a solution that was perfect for me. I’m very pleased with the result. I also appreciate that he always took the time to communicate the progress of the project to me.