For awhile now I have wanted to review some of my favorite websites that I frequently visit. This review is my honest and truthful opinion. If there’s something I love or hate about the site reviewed I will let it be known. I have not been paid by the reviewed website’s owner for this post.

iDesign Studios is a web design and development company owned and operated by Selene Bowlby. Selene’s original intention for her site was to use it as a showcase for her portfolio of previous work. From the moment that I first visited the iDesignStudio’s website I was impressed with the overall look and design of the site.

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I finally pulled the trigger and moved the site over to Top Hosting Center this evening!

I don’t know what I was so afraid of…everything went off without a hitch. My biggest concern with moving was figuring out how to navigate a new control panel, but H-SPHERE is almost identical to CPanel. Last week when Mig from Top Hosting Center left a comment on the New Hosting for GrandmasterB post, I contacted him about doing a test period with their hosting plan. They gave me 48-hours to test out their service and let me tell you what…I only needed 2 hours to make up my mind.  I got on their support chat and they walked me through everything there is to know about setting up new domains, databases, email and everything else. TOP NOTCH SUPPORT!

I know that many of you mentioned moving over to HostGator and to tell you the truth, after helping out Cuzzy this past week with his site I wasn’t impressed with them. He had tickets open all weekend for an outtage and his site was down over ten hours on Saturday…unacceptable. I am glad that I made the switch to Top Hosting Center…now I just need to move my other domains and I’ll be free of my old host. If you’re looking for a new host, you should definitely check them out.

~ GrandmasterB

Earlier this morning while going through my normal morning ritual (coffee, email, rss, etc) I noticed a new post by Matt Mullenweg regarding a new site design for his personal blog. I thought the old design was great, but Matt’s designer Nicolò Volpato has once again outdone himself with this new design for Spring. The new color palette is much brighter than the previous red and gray them from before, especially the header.

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I’ve just nominated GrandmasterB.com for Best Blog Design in the 2008 Blogger’s Choice Awards, and I need your votes. I know it may seem kinda lame to nominate myself, but I figured if I’m confident in my design than I should go ahead and push the nomination. So with this nomination in place I’m taking it to the streets. I am looking for all of my loyal readers to hit the campaign trail with me and vote for GrandmasterB.com for Best Blog Design.

I don’t know if there are any prizes involved with winning an award other than the recognition of the masses (which is fine with me); however, if there are some prizes involved I will donate them to a contest to be held at a later date. So if you think my site design is top notch…VOTE FOR ME! You can reach the Blogger’s Choice Awards site by clicking the link in my sidebar (NOTE: you will have to register to vote). Thanks to everyone in advance who votes for me…I appreciate it.

This could just be coincidence, but this is the second consecutive Sunday that I have received an email informing me that the site has been featured on a theme design site. Last week was WP-Premiums.com and this week I’m featured on CMSNerd.com. Don’t get me wrong…I’m not complaining one bit. I am so happy that the theme design is receiving such great reviews and receiving featured spots on some GREAT websites. I’ve always thought that I was a good designer, but hearing from my peers that they think my design is good (and even GREAT!) is an awesome feeling. It makes me want to create more top notch work and challenges me to do something even more fantastic my next go around.

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