Using audits to drive change, Mechanics Bank launched with a new CMS and an improved design that follows web best practices. Find out how. 

Thoughts from Blend Interactive

One of Blend’s core values is a dedication to advocacy and progress — to expand upon and give back to the community that fuels us. This is where those thoughts live.

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Episode 15: Determine System Requirements (w/ Joe Kepley) Off-site link

Corey and Deane discuss the three parts of selecting a CMS: requirements, tool, and development team. Then, Joe Kepley, chief technical officer at Blend Interactive, joins us to discuss the world of translating design and IA into code within a content management system — including balancing groundbreaking design with realistic engineering — and the need to tie high-level project goals into the real nuts and bolts of code.

January 17, 2023 | The Web Project Guide Podcast

Optimizely Release Notes — September-December 2022

The following release notes highlight major or interesting changes in Optimizely's products from September through December 2022.

January 9, 2023

Episode 14: Know Your Integrations (w/ Greg Dunlap) Off-site link

Corey and Deane discuss the four major parts of a content model. Then, Greg Dunlap, Director of Strategy at Lullabot, joins us to define a web integration, discuss the finer details of development risks and runtime risks — as well as real-time vs scheduled data — and praise the efficiency of using Google Docs as a workflow tool. Corey and Greg give Deane a music lesson, too.

December 14, 2022 | The Web Project Guide Podcast

The Web Project Guide joins Content Strategy Insights podcast Off-site link

The Web Project Guide’s Corey Vilhauer and Deane Barker joined Larry Swanson on the Content Strategy Insights podcast to talk about all things The Web Project Guide — how the book came to be, how it ties to the work of building websites, and what's next as the book expands into the podcast space.

November 30, 2022 | The Web Project Guide

How Code Rots (and What To Do About It)

Just like humans, animals, and opinions, websites age. This means — again, just like humans, animals, and opinions — websites need to be cared for. Here are a few thoughts on how to manage and prevent "code rot."

October 28, 2022

2022 OMVP Summit Review

The Optimizely Most Valuable Professional (OMVP) program is designed to promote collaboration and expertise among Optimizely developers. This year was Bob's first year as an OMVP — and these are his thoughts.

October 24, 2022

The Web Project Guide on Agile Digital Transformation Off-site link

The Web Project Guide’s Corey Vilhauer and Deane Barker joined Tim Butara and the Agile Digital Transformation podcast to talk about the process of writing the book, the web project process itself, and the role of agility when moving toward a successful launch.

September 29, 2022 | The Web Project Guide

Optimizely Release Notes — July/August 2022

The following release notes highlight major or interesting changes in Optimizely's products in July and August 2022.

September 21, 2022

Sunsetting Umbraco 7: Your Path to Upgrading

Content management systems — like all software applications — are living, breathing systems of code and design. Here's what to do to ensure your Umbraco install doesn't fall behind as Version 7 is sunsetted in 2023.

September 13, 2022

Internship Recap: Summer 2022

Summer is starting to wind down, and it's almost time to say goodbye to Blend's summer 2022 interns. Before the two head back off to college, hear what they have to say about their time here at Blend!

July 28, 2022

Beyond Blend.

Blend doesn’t just write here: we also write books, create videos, and dive deep into our individual disciplines. Check out some of our external sources of knowledge.

The Web Project Guide

A phase-by-phase look at the web design and development process, providing context to each step.

Coding with Bob

A YouTube series by our director of development, focusing on .NET coding and Optimizely development.

Eating Elephant

A blog about content strategy, information architecture, and understanding user needs.