Rich Sage dot com is in the final stages of migrating to a new server, launching a brand new theme and several sub-domains. Today I’ll discuss with you some of the logic and ideas behind the changes, and the benefits I expect from them.

There are 3 key elements to my changes –First the hardware, the new theme and finally the interaction with my readers.

The hardware benefit is faster speed navigating the site as well as data security. Having several layers of redundancy cannot hurt.

The new theme allows a lot more advertisers areas, while several new sub-domains add a lot more reader interactivity. While migrating to the new theme, I am also upgrading WordPress.

The sub-domains break down the areas to give priority to interactions from readers. For example, the forum now running allows free ads. There is a new lesson area. As well as a new gallery and so on. All this “new real-estate” aides reader interaction.

Click the continue link below to see how I am addressing the hardware, theme and reader interaction issues as the site migrates.

Addressing the Hardware:

Rich Sage dot com first ran on a virtual private server (VPS). The domain was one of about 80 on the vps. I negotiated with my hosting company, Webintellects, Inc. the best vps, but it’s still not capable of handling the traffic that started to build on the site. Having seen the slow navigation, I ‘moved up’ to a dedicated server that was used as a backup for the entire network. That server was running on a celeron processor with just 1 gig of ram.

That too has come to a point where things are getting slow. On top of that I am expecting the server to handle my lessons, a forum, a membership site, mailing list, etc., etc. I am just asking for trouble. Part of the migration is to upgrade to a new dual Xeon processor powered server with SCSI drives (with RAID) and 4 gigs of ram. I am sure the Linux server will be able to handle things for the next year before that too gets slowed down.

Addressing the Theme:

The first theme I started with didn’t have any custom features. It was just a two-column theme that was handy. Then came a three-column setup that I am running now. It was designed by “DesignGuru Kasia” and setup about 5 months ago. However, it does not present the full capability to present advertisers. The more columns, in my opinion, the more advertisers I can work with to monetize the site. I will always run Adsense. However, for display ads there are many more advertising networks that will pay very well for me to run their client’s ads.

I believe my theme upgrade is just right presenting a balanced number of advertisers and a good amount of room for content. I remind myself that newspapers usually have 60% ads and 40% content. In my case, I think its about 40% ads and 60% content. Furthermore, the amount of sub-domains allow much more advertising space, so, I’ll have to remind myself not to get too carried away with the number of advertising spaces.

Converting WordPress from 2.x to 2.5.1:

I am also taking this opportunity to upgrade WordPress from the tried and true older 2.2.3 version to the new, more web2.0 looking WordPress 2.5.1. If it was just the latest major release I would not touch it. However, since releasing version 2.5 the WordPress community had a bug fix release and I am confident that the latest can do the job. Anyway, the testing on the new theme is running on an IP address for three weeks. I hope WordPress lives up to the task.

Here are some of the points you need to watch out for when you move WordPress…

Tun off ALL plugins: The problem with moving WordPress without shutting things down is that often plugins cause errors in a WordPress migrated site, and you’ll have no idea what is causing an error like no pages getting displayed in admin or data having errors in syntax. A lot of this is caused by not taking care to shut things down.

Your back up: Make sure that you follow all the directions given by WordPress in their back up tutorial. Follow the directions exactly. Or you might cry when there are database problems later.

Next, give this a consideration: Running a dozen plugins on your WordPress installation is like running several programs on Windows. You know what happens when you run 2 or 3 dozen programs on Windows, right? Well, on WordPress, if you are not using a plugin, make sure to deactivate it. IF you can “hard code” the actions of a plugin, by all means, do so. For example, I have been using an SEO plugin. Not in the new setup. I am inserting all the details by hand and not leaving it to the plugin to do the work. This goes for other plugins –unless the plugin is doing a job that I cannot handle, I will get the actions done manually.

By following these simple steps and the advice of WordPress.org, you’ll have a pleasant migration experience.

Lastly, Addressing the Sub-Domains:

As you may have already seen, there is a free ad forum running at Rich Sage dot com. What you haven’t seen is that I am in the process of adding an Academy (learning area) where my Rich Sage Underground will be accessible. I am also testing a Rich Sage Marketplace. The gallery will also move to a sub-domain, as well as, a contest area and investment area.

In total there will be about 7 sub-domains that will provide spaces for reader interaction with the Rich Sage! Basically, I am building a Rich Sage Community.

Apart from the gallery, all the areas will help solve a problem for my readers. What will the gallery do? Well, I am allowed to have some fun! I will present pictures and videos from meeting people, readers, Affiliates and just some pictures from my various travels. I also plan to features Rich Sage Divas (ladies) and Rich Sage Prodigy (men) from around the world who dawn a Rich Sage t-shirt and upload their picture.

One problem that I ran into is that sub-domains cannot be tested (or run) when an IP address is used to access the site. At this time, on the testing server, there is no domain that is “pointed to it”. It just has an IP address to make the site/server accessible. This was a major set-back to my testing. I have no choice now other than to make the site live and have the sub-domains up and going one by one as soon as I can. I don’t think this is too difficult of a task because I can re-install all the programs that are running, make a back up of the old databases and then restore the database in the new installation. I think this is a standard practice. I am not worried about that part of the migration.

The launch for the hardware and theme is just a few days away. The sub-domains –well, that is a work in progress and I am sure will take the rest of the year to fully see it’s potential. For example, I put up the free ad forum a few weeks ago. There are less than 10 registrations. Usually, the modes operandi for such a start is to hire someone to feed forum postings for a month or so. That is not my style. I will post my own postings, however, I will not let a hired hand put up things to make it look like it’s a roaring success right from the start. Good things take time. I am here to do good things. Always keep in mind that the tree that grows slowly bares the sweetest fruits!

Now to my busy day. Wish you a great weekend!
Carpe Diem,
Rich Sage