Author: Mark Hitchcock

What is required for a us citizen to cross the mexico boarder on a motorcycle and back?

Posted on by Mark Hitchcock

Become a Mods Drysuit Diver

To cross the U.S.-Mexico border on a motorcycle and return as a U.S. citizen, you need the following:

Entering Mexico:

  1. Passport – A valid U.S. passport or passport card is required.
  2. FMM Tourist Permit – If traveling beyond the border zone (typically 12-16 miles), you need a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), which costs around $30 and is required for stays longer than 7 days. You can get this online or at the border.
  3. Vehicle Permit (TIP) – If traveling beyond Baja California or the border zone, you need a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TIP). You can obtain this at Banjercito offices at the border. A refundable deposit is required.
  4. Insurance – Mexican liability insurance is mandatory (U.S. insurance is not valid in Mexico). You can buy this online or at the border.
  5. Driver’s License – A valid U.S. motorcycle license is required.

Returning to the U.S.:

  1. Passport – Required for re-entry.
  2. CBP Inspection – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may inspect your motorcycle and belongings.
  3. Declarations – Declare any purchases or restricted items, like alcohol, tobacco, or fresh produce.
  4. Insurance – Ensure your U.S. motorcycle insurance is active again once back in the U.S.

Recommendations on border crossings that are more motorcycle-friendlyHere are some motorcycle-friendly border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico, known for smoother processes and less congestion:

Best Border Crossings for Motorcyclists

  1. Tecate, Baja California (California)
    • Why? Less crowded than Tijuana, scenic ride through the mountains, and easier processing.
    • Best for: Riders heading to Baja California wine country or Ensenada.
  2. Mexicali East (Calexico East), Baja California (California)
    • Why? Wide lanes, faster processing than the downtown Mexicali crossing.
    • Best for: Travelers heading toward San Felipe or the Sea of Cortez.
  3. Nogales, Arizona (Mariposa Crossing)
    • Why? Wider lanes, less wait time than the downtown Nogales crossing.
    • Best for: Riders heading to Hermosillo or the Copper Canyon.
  4. Columbus, New Mexico / Palomas, Chihuahua
    • Why? Low traffic, quiet crossing, friendly officials.
    • Best for: Riders looking for a hassle-free experience into northern Chihuahua.
  5. Eagle Pass, Texas / Piedras Negras, Coahuila
    • Why? Less busy than Laredo, easier customs process.
    • Best for: Riders heading to Monclova or Saltillo.
  6. Laredo, Texas (Colombia Bridge)
    • Why? Faster than downtown Laredo crossings, good for vehicle permits (TIP).
    • Best for: Riders going deeper into central Mexico.

Tips for a Smooth Crossing

  • Use the Ready Lane – If you have a passport card, it speeds up re-entry to the U.S.
  • Avoid Peak Hours – Early mornings (before 8 AM) or late evenings are best.
  • Have Documents Ready – Keep your passport, FMM, TIP, and insurance easily accessible.
  • Plan Fuel Stops – Some border areas have limited gas stations.

Let me know if you want route suggestions based on your destination!

Using AngularJS On Your Website

Posted on by Mark Hitchcock

Using AngularJS On Your Website

Adding AngularJS to your website provides a way for someone updating potentially repetitive information on a website, to streamline their work all from one source.  For example, if you have a price list of products which you would like to display on multiple web page, you can place a minimal amount of code on each page and pull the data from one source file.   When the data source file is updated, all of the content on every page will automatically be updated.

AngularJS Example

On USCutter.com AngularJS is used to update series of products like Oracal 651 which because of so many size options, colors and prices, there are many product pages.  AngularJS keeps all the ever-changing prices up to date but only requires one price list file to be modified.


Price list using AngularJS

Alternatives to AnglarJS

AngularJS is just one of many ways to accomplish the same task. Including or requiring a php file that can be called over and over as many times as you want can also do the same things. Looping through an array in JavaScript or just assigning variables that can be globally accessed could be another way.  No one technology is the right fit for all scenarios but it does have a place as handy, quick and easy to maintain solution.

Resources to Learn AngularJS

Here are some great links for beginners to learn more about how to use AngularJs.  Some HTML, JavaScript and programming knowledge is recommended before diving into learning this Library.

https://angularjs.org/
https://www.w3schools.com/angular/
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-angularjs

 

If you are interested in adding AngularJS On Your Website contact We Web Build.

Website Platform

Posted on by Mark Hitchcock

Website Platform is a loosely used term that refers to the software operating system, structure, framework, access of FTP, programming languages and more that put together your website.  Website platforms can include a variety of programming languages as well as content management systems (CMS.)    Your website platform may determine and limit how your site can be modified as well as performs.  With hundreds, if not thousands of choices, making considerations at the beginning stages of your website may save from unwanted realizations later down the road.  For example, many people do not know why their five page site does not rank organically and have traffic.   One factor in page rank is the amount of content on the site as well as specific content per page.  If your site is limited to five or ten pages, your site traffic will also be limited.

All Website Platforms are not created equally

Some website platforms do not give you access to edit or customize the CSS, HTML or other languages of the templates that are used.  This may not be an issue to start but if you want to add features, functionality or just customize the look, you may be stuck paying a higher rate for customization than you would if you had a system that were more friendly.  Do-it-yourself site builders can be a great tool to get a decent looking site up quickly but when it comes to adding functionality this platform can be one of the most limiting.  A WYSIWIG editor is great for someone who doesn’t know how to work with and position elements but if this it is the only option for adding or editing content, you are seriously limiting the potential of your website.  Should you ever want or need to edit source code, even the WYSIWYG editors that allow for HTML editing are subpar quality for any serious editing.   Some hosting plans are tied to a limited site builder where the number of pages is limited or available for an additional fee.  These platforms may seem quick, easy and affordable but often turn out as a way to get the least out of your website for higher price comparatively.

What to consider when choosing a website platform

If  you want to add or edit content yourself without having to learn how to code, you will most likely want to consider a CMS with a WYSIWYG feature.   You may want to ensure that the code of your website be accessible to a developer should you ever need assistance or add tracking code features for example to use Google Analytics.  You may want to choose a system where support can come from more than one source.  WordPress comes up in almost every recommendation for the top website platform because it is has features for more advanced developers but also has a user interface that is possibly the easiest and most intuitive for users with little or no coding experience.  Other things to consider when choosing a platform would be the support for the technology.  Do you have someone to call if your site is hacked?  Will the quality of code be easy for an a developer who inherits the project to read and understand.  Does the code represent the latest in coding standards and technology or is the system already a dinosaur that would be cost prohibitive to update?  Is the software open source so that yourself or anyone could learn and work on with out having to purchase additional product?

What is my website platform

If you are not sure what your website platform is you could answer as many of the following questions as possible.

Who is your web hosting provider?

What hosting plan do you currently have?

Are you using any Template builder or CMS?

If you are using a template site builder, is it proprietary to your host?

Has your website been build from scratch, and if so, what languages are used?

Being able to give information about your website platform is a great help when soliciting help from a web developer, designer or S.E.O. expert.  Whether its tracking the goals of your site, adding a bootstrap button or making a change to the CSS, getting a quote will be more accurate if you can provide some basic information on your website platform.

Moving WordPress to new domain name

Posted on by Mark Hitchcock

This is a great video tutorial on how to move your WordPress site to a new domain name by moving all of the files as well as the database. Here is a summary of the ten steps so you wont have to go back and watch the video again.

  1. Set up your new domain name and hosting.
  2. Backup all your wordpress files using an FTP service like WinSCP or FileZilla.
  3. Backup and export your database using cPanel and phpMyAdmin.
  4. Create a new database for the new domains WordPpress installation.
  5. Upload all files to new domain folder using FTP.
  6. Edit wp-config.php file with database name, user name and password
  7. Install search and replace plugin and replace old domain throughout site.
  8. Set 301 redirect in .htaccess file.
  9. Update webmaster tools of domain name change.
  10. Check and test everything on website.

Install wordpress to add on domain

Posted on by Mark Hitchcock

It may take a few days for your new domain to become associated with your account. Once your new domain is associated with your account, you can use install a new wordpress installation, after you start, you will be prompted to assign the a new directory, you can install wordpress onto the new directory.

SEO (Search engine optimization)

Posted on by Mark Hitchcock

 

SEO Don’ts:

  • Don’t have two domain names point to duplicate content using two separate URLs.
  • Don’t have a Keyword stuffed title over 70 characters.
  • Don’t use generic URL/ file names.

 

SEO Do’s:

Keywords:

Plan your keywords by analyzing your target audience.  Optimize your pages by using the language and lingo that your target audience will use.  For example, a doctor who wants to attract clients should use layman term phrases that patients would use.  If the doctor wants other doctors to read their articles, then using technical terms would be more appropriate.

File names:

Use descriptive file names.  (http://news.msn.com/us/senate-approves-debt-deal-house-vote-can-end-shutdown)

In the <head>

Make each page a topic of one focal keyword or keyword phrase.

Make each page keyword phrase unique.

Use the <title> with your keyword in the front. (70 character limit) each pages title should be unique.

Use <meta> description tag up to summarize page and encourage click from snippet (156 character limit).

Within the <body> tags

Use proper header tags <h1> and through <h6> in order.

Use <img> tags with descriptive file names, alt attributes, title attributes

Use good <a> tag text and have internal and external links on each page.

Body Content

Provide at least 300 words of content on each page.

Try to use keyword a total of 3% of the words in page but make sure the text reads normally.

Proofs read your content with a spell/ grammar checker and check your Flesch Reading Ease.

Make content easy for humans and search engines to read.

Make your website busy

Update and produce content regularly. Participate in blogs and social media.

Connect social media to your website with feeds that can display on your site.

Have your link placed on other websites in exchange to place a link to their site on yours.

Help Search Engines and humans navigate

Submit Sitemap and a site map.

Advertise

Get your domain name on business cards, signs, decals.    Use an email address that contains your domain name.

Monitor your website

Use Google Analytics, Google webmaster tools and Bing webmaster tools to monitor and track your website performance.  Analyze the market and adjust or increase your web pages accordingly.

 

SEO tools

http://www.google.com/trends/explore#cmpt=q

http://www.zippy.co.uk/keyworddensity/index.php

http://moz.com/tools

 

Here are some resources to learn more about SEO and to become an expert yourself.

http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=35291

http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=35769

 

You don’t have to rely on search engine placement to get your domain or business recognized.   Some of the best results come from word of mouth and networking thru people you know.  Request that partners, supporting businesses provide a link to your site on their site.

Transfer domain to new host

Posted on by Mark Hitchcock

How to transfer your website domain to a new host

Login to your account with your current host. Under DOMAINS, select the domain you want to transfer.  Select the name servers icon and change the name server to the new name server of the new host.  Then unlock the domain by clicking on the padlock icon and uncheck the locked box.  Then click on the domain name and click Send by Email under Authorization Code. The EPP code will then be emailed to the e-mail that is registered with the WHOIS database. Login to your new host and select Transfer Domain Authentication e-mail will be sent to the email address registered on the WHO IS database Follow the simple prompts and your done.