# Joel Gratcyk

> Always Learning,


## Posts

- [Client Feature: Fan Dads](https://joel.gr/2024/11/02/client-feature-fan-dads/): FanDads.com: A Fresh Take on Fandom and Fatherhood When Victor Aragon Jr and Gil Noriega first met at Waldenbooks, they had no idea that their shared love for comics and action movies would spark a friendship—and eventually, a popular blog. Over the years, Fan Dads has evolved into a dynamic platform celebrating the full spectrum of modern fatherhood: from comic conventions and movie premieres to parenting advice and local events in Chicago. Their unique voice has attracted attention from major outlets like Nbc Weekend Today, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and HuffPost. Recently, I had the chance to help revitalize […]
- [How Much Does A Website Cost?](https://joel.gr/2024/04/11/how-much-does-a-website-cost/): You're asking the wrong question. Here is what you should ask first instead...
- [8 Ways to Take Care of Yourself as a Full-Time Freelancer](https://joel.gr/2019/01/23/8-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-as-a-full-time-freelancer/): I spent 12 years there. Working 50-60 hours a week was “normal.” The job before that was the same. And the one before that. Yes, these were mostly desk jobs, but I stayed at each of them far too long because of promises never fulfilled, flexibility in my hours (so to speak), and finally an easy childcare solution. That ended a few months ago. The time to move on was there and it pulled me out of my rut. It wasn’t how I’d planned. I was going to wait until the busy holiday season was done so I didn’t leave them […]
- [Find a Brewery Job / Share a Brewery Job Opening (for Free)](https://joel.gr/2018/04/29/find-a-brewery-job-share-a-brewery-job-opening-for-free/): There are so many job sites out there it is mind-numbing. Only a few are focused on beer and none of them are dead simple to use. I started a curated brewery job board and weekly email list to cut through that noise and share the good stuff. What do you think of when you hear brewery job? Probably a brewer, bartender, and maybe a front of house manager. But there are so many more positions out there at breweries across the US: Graphic Designers, HR Managers, Electricians, Payroll, Packaging Technicians, Sensory Coordinators, Tour Guides, Brand Managers, Events Coordinator, Delivery Technicians, […]
- [Five Remote Job Sites You Should Be On Right Now](https://joel.gr/2016/07/21/five-remote-job-sites-you-should-be-on-right-now/): Looking for a Remote Position? Here are the websites you should focus on right now.
- [Joel’s Interstitial Plugin for YOURLs](https://joel.gr/2016/07/10/joels-interstitial-plugin-yourls/): I use YOURLs as a way to help keep my brands intact on various links and stories I use on a regular basis from my professional blog, dad blog and beer directory. I approached Ozh, lead developer on YOURLs, about creating a plugin to display an interstitial ad between users clicking on a shortlink and visiting the target site. He developed it for me and I’ve been using it for a couple years now. There are added featured I’d like to see made on the project, but Ozh has expressed to me that he is no longer interested in developing it. I’m releasing the code now via […]
- [A Timeline of the History of the World Wide Web](https://joel.gr/2013/09/20/timeline-history-world-wide-web/): A quick overview of the history of the internet has been posted on Web Directions. John Allsopp put together this list of key dates, browsers, technologies and ideas in an informative and easy to read online guide. Take a look and see if you learn anything new: http://www.webdirections.org/history/
- [JustDelete.me](https://joel.gr/2013/09/03/justdelete-me/): Joining the internet is easy. Quitting the Internet and removing your information can be a real headache. Ever tried finding the deactivate/delete area on Facebook? Exactly. JustDelete.me was created to help make quitting the Internet a little bit easier. It is a self-proclaimed “directory of direct links to delete your account from web services.” Now you can find that ever changing link location with a quick search and click. The site currently has dozens of services listed including Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and many more. If you see one missing you can also suggest that it be added. Enjoy!
- [Happy International Bacon Day!](https://joel.gr/2013/08/31/happy-international-bacon-day/): In celebration of International Bacon Day I’d like to present to you a “silly song” by some of the members of Five Iron Frenzy called “Bacon.” Five Iron Frenzy – Scott · Bacon Song
- [The Last Century's Worth of Telecommuications Technology Sounds Covered in 4 Minutes](https://joel.gr/2013/08/29/last-centurys-worth-telecommuications-technology-sounds-covered-4-minutes/): If you have ever wanted to see/hear the last century’s worth of telecommunications technology covered in just 4 minutes this video was created for you. This chronologically ordered mix includes carrier pigeons, typewriters, telegraph, rotary phones, instant messaging and dial-up sounds and more. Oliver and I wanted to tell this history, a century-long journey of man and machine (and pigeon) by drawing on the power of our associations with communication technology, and creating audio and video tracks that would alternatively interact or diverge, presenting parallel versions of the narrative. While compiling these sounds and images, sense-memories, funny stories, and hazy historical recollections were […]
- [Watch Retro Tech Makes Awesome Music](https://joel.gr/2013/08/26/watch-retro-tech-makes-awesome-music/):   Ever made music in a dry swimming pool with a SEGA Mega Drive, Commodore 64, floppy disk drives and other random objects from technology’s past? This guy has and he’s awesome for doing it! Polybius by James Houston. 2012.
- [The Cornetto Megamix](https://joel.gr/2013/08/23/cornetto-megamix/): I’m a huge fan of the work Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have done together with movies Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End. Remixes are also something I enjoy. Image how excited I was when I found out about the The Cornetto Megamix by Mike Relm. Clips from each movie have been mixed and remixed in with various high energy songs often used in films. Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy (as the three Pegg/Frost films have been come to be known because of the appearance of the ice cream treat and recurring cast in each) is completed with the official US […]
- [The History of Typography - Animated Short](https://joel.gr/2013/08/22/history-typography-animated-short/): This video by Ben Barrett-Forrest took over 140 hours to put together. He used almost 2,500 photographs and close to 300 paper letters. This designer, musician, and animator is studying Multimedia at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. I’m not sure about you, but I learned several things from this great little animated short. Take a look:
- [Google & Microsoft Let You Track Santa This Year](https://joel.gr/2012/12/24/google-microsoft-let-you-track-santa-this-year/): Google & NORAD have been tracking Santa together for years, but this year that isn’t happening. NOORAD has partnered with Microsoft for Santa Tracking. Google is going it alone. Take your pick, but only use one in front of the kids. The locations, status updates and number of gifts delivered are likely to vary by tracker. Hop to it, Santa has already begun his journey! Google Santa Tracker  Microsoft & NORAD
- [PRESS RELEASE: Chicago Couple Travels to 'Star Trek' World Premiere in Sydney](https://joel.gr/2009/04/21/press-release-chicago-couple-travels-to-star-trek-world-premiere-in-sydney/): April 21, 2009 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Chicago Couple Travels to ‘Star Trek’ World Premiere in Sydney Chicago, IL – With just two weeks until the official release of ‘Star Trek XI’ in the United States, one Chicago couple flew to Sydney, Australia just to see the world premier. That screening was at the Opera House and featured some of the cast and crew of the new film, including J.J. Abrams, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Eric Bana. No, this is not a celebrity couple, but Joel and Abigail Gratcyk are known to take last-minute international trips. Last year the Gratcyks took […]

## Pages

- [Portal](https://joel.gr/portal/)
- [Knowledge Base](https://joel.gr/knowledge-base/)
- [Learn](https://joel.gr/learn/)
- [Cidery Websites](https://joel.gr/cidery-websites/): Done For You Site Packages No matter the site of your website project you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got over a decade of expertise in the craft liquids space and nearly three decades of design experience on the web. Standard All The Basics Enhanced Everything You Need Custom Your Ideal Website Minimum Package Essentials Only Learn How To Do It Yourself: Age GateEnsure compliance with legal age restrictions for your products/services, such as alcohol related content. ShopCreate a seamless e-commerce experience with product listings, payment processing, shopping carts, and order tracking. Subject to local laws and regulations. AboutShare your […]
- [Bottle Shop Websites](https://joel.gr/bottle-shop-websites/): Done For You Site Packages No matter the site of your website project you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got over a decade of expertise in the craft liquids space and nearly three decades of design experience on the web. Standard All The Basics Enhanced Everything You Need Custom Your Ideal Website Minimum Package Essentials Only Learn How To Do It Yourself: Age GateEnsure compliance with legal age restrictions for your products/services, such as alcohol related content. ShopCreate a seamless e-commerce experience with product listings, payment processing, shopping carts, and order tracking. Subject to local laws and regulations. AboutShare your […]
- [Brewery Websites](https://joel.gr/brewery-websites/): Done For You Site Packages No matter the site of your website project you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got over a decade of expertise in the craft liquids space and nearly three decades of design experience on the web. Standard All The Basics Enhanced Everything You Need Custom Your Ideal Website Minimum Package Essentials Only Learn How To Do It Yourself: Age GateEnsure compliance with legal age restrictions for your products/services, such as alcohol related content. ShopCreate a seamless e-commerce experience with product listings, payment processing, shopping carts, and order tracking. Subject to local laws and regulations. AboutShare your […]
- [Winery Websites](https://joel.gr/winery-websites/): Done For You Site Packages No matter the site of your website project you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got over a decade of expertise in the craft liquids space and nearly three decades of design experience on the web. Standard All The Basics Enhanced Everything You Need Custom Your Ideal Website Minimum Package Essentials Only Learn How To Do It Yourself: Age GateEnsure compliance with legal age restrictions for your products/services, such as alcohol related content. ShopCreate a seamless e-commerce experience with product listings, payment processing, shopping carts, and order tracking. Subject to local laws and regulations. AboutShare your […]
- [Website Maintenance](https://joel.gr/website-maintenance/): WordPress has an amazing open source ecosystem full of developers, service providers, and website visionaries. That means updates are coming through all the time for increased security, performance, and speed. All those updates can be a lot for any small business or founder to keep up on while also attending to their customers, suppliers, and teams. Let me take care of it for you! A Monthly Maintenance and Support plan starts at $300 a month with 10% savings for paying a year at a time. What’s included? Premium plugin/theme costs are covered by the client. i.e. Elementor Pro, Mail Chimp, etc.
- [Distillery Websites](https://joel.gr/distillery-websites/): Done For You Site Packages No matter the site of your website project you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got over a decade of expertise in the craft liquids space and nearly three decades of design experience on the web. Standard All The Basics Enhanced Everything You Need Custom Your Ideal Website Minimum Package Essentials Only Learn How To Do It Yourself: Age GateEnsure compliance with legal age restrictions for your products/services, such as alcohol related content. ShopCreate a seamless e-commerce experience with product listings, payment processing, shopping carts, and order tracking. Subject to local laws and regulations. AboutShare your […]
- [Project Inquiry](https://joel.gr/project-inquiry/)
- [Support](https://joel.gr/support/)
- [Portfolio](https://joel.gr/portfolio/): CurrentWordPress Projects URL Index: Fried Egg BurgerDaddy’s GroundedQuit StreamingCraft LiquidsPenultimate BrewsFan DadsFive Iron Frenzy Fried Egg Burger WordPress agency specializing in non-profits and small businesses. Daddy’s Grounded Parenting blog with MSN channel online. Quit Streaming Helping consumers directly cancel their streaming services. Five Iron Frenzy That one 90s ska band you probably forgot about… Fan Dads Entertainment and culture reporters covering parenting, movies, TV, comic, and more. * Domain Transfer, Hosting, Maintenance, Backups, Custom WP Plugins, Custom Theme Development (new theme pictured launching soon), etc. Craft Liquids Locate craft liquids near you anywhere you go in the U.S. Craft Liquids currently […]
- [Domains](https://joel.gr/domains/): I’ve assembled a list of selected domains that I currently own on this page. Some are for sale. Some are not. Some are in active projects and some are not. For Sale: ArlingtonHeightsGuide.comBreweryFinder.orgBrewery.Work DrinkAtTheSource.com Current Projects: CraftLiquids.comDaddysGrounded.comFriendsBeer.CoffeeQuitStreaming.com Archived Projects:SkyWaitress.com
- [Booking Successful](https://joel.gr/booking-successful/): How to prepare for our meeting Steakholders Meetings like this are best held with decision makers or those who need to 1st vet vendors. Wants What is it that you want if you could have anything accomplished with the project. Needs What are the absolute have to haves in this project in order for it to be a success. Timeline Do you have deadlines that need to be met with the project? How about target completion dates? Budget What sort of budget range are you looking to stay within on this projects? Bonus Points Some Information You Could Provide Beforehand Domains […]
- [Process](https://joel.gr/process/): How it works The Steps We’ll Take Together Partnering with someone new can be an anxiety producing experience for some. This page, covering the process, aims to alleviate that anxiety and let you know exactly what to expect when working with me on a project. 1. Let’s Connect A quick call to see if we’re a good fit for the project. 2. Discovery Call A longer call to get to know your project more. 3. Proposal The goals, timelines, & cost of success. 4. Contract Signature(s) & deposit collected. STEP ONELet’s Connect – FREE An introduction call to see if we’re […]
- [Blog](https://joel.gr/blog/)
- [Request A Quote](https://joel.gr/request-a-quote/)
- [Skills](https://joel.gr/skills/): Work Samples WordPress Websites Fried Egg BurgerDaddy’s GroundedQuit StreamingCraft LiquidsPenultimate BrewsAwildanTransparent BrewingFan DadsFive Iron FrenzyMAX PT Software Development GitHubYOURLs PluginWordPress Plugins Shopify Puffer Hug Writing Samples Press ReleasesPersonal StoriesCase Studies Product Reviews MoviesTV ShowsBooksElectronicsLive Events Like What You See? Let’s schedule a call and talk about how we can work together on something. Soft Skills Communication ClearConciseWrittenSpokenInterpersonal Public Speaking Content WritingEditingVideoAudioPhotographyStrategyBloggingPodcasting Personality EnergyEnthusiasmCreativityProblem SolvingAdaptabilityConflict resolutionTeam PlayerConsistentFlexibility Management Team Management Diversity & Disability Awareness Leadership SkillsTime KeepingBudgeting Content Writing Hard Skills Software Adobe Creative Cloud– Photoshop– Illustrator– InDesign– DreamweaverMicrosoft Office– Excel– Outlook– PowerPoint– Access– WordGrammarlyWordPress– Themes– Plugins– Customizations– Management Hardware Apple– iOS– […]
- [Press](https://joel.gr/press/): Technology Wall Street Journal Any amount of advertising is a no-no to many. “If I have to watch ads, I shouldn’t have to pay for my entertainment,” said Joel Gratcyk, a 42-year-old digital consultant from Chicago—a lesson he said he learned from all those years watching Netflix. He decided not to renew his Prime subscription when he found out about the new ad-supported Prime Video.
- [Projects](https://joel.gr/projects/): I provide top-tier website design, maintenance, and content to my clients. I create websites from scratch, take over website management for existing sites, and do local SEO revamps of sites that need some TLC. Currently open to new clients. Let’s setup a call. NOW Art NOW Art is 360° public art agency based in Los Angeles, CA. They transform remarkable ideas into reality through strategic partnerships in Civic, Technology, Entertainment, Fabrication, and Engineering. The website features an Artist’s Portal for community connections, an interactive US map featuring work from their Community Mural Program, and an area dedicated to NXT Art Foundation [a […]
- [Featured Project: Fan Dads](https://joel.gr/featured-project-fan-dads/)
- [Featured Project: NTXBeer](https://joel.gr/featured-project-ntxbeer/)
- [Featured Project: Daddy's Grounded](https://joel.gr/featured-project-daddys-grounded/)
- [Featured Project: DavidTennant.UK](https://joel.gr/featured-project-davidtennant-uk/)
- [Featured Project: Quit Streaming](https://joel.gr/featured-project-quit-streaming/)
- [Featured Project: Fried Egg Burger](https://joel.gr/featured-project-fried-egg-burger/)
- [Featured Project: MAX PT](https://joel.gr/featured-project-max-pt/)
- [Featured Project: Craft Liquids](https://joel.gr/featured-project-craft-liquid-maps/)
- [About](https://joel.gr/about/): Hi, I’m Joel. I’m a Senior Digital Consultant with 25+ years of experience in delivering tailored online solutions for a diverse set of clients. I’m a passionate leader and technology educator skilled at taking complicated technical terms and making them easily understandable in the realms of SEO, Social Media, WordPress, Domains, Hosting, and Project Management.  For the past two and a half decades, I’ve been working with teams (and independently) to make websites better, faster, and more effective.  I also enjoy running crowdfunding campaigns, helping non-profits shine online, producing online content that generates traffic, and traveling globally as time and responsibilities […]
- [Services](https://joel.gr/services/): How I Can Help You Offerings Digital Consulting Let me take a look at what you’ve got going on and tell you how to optimize it so it works better for you and your customers. Want me to do it for you? Even better. WordPress Development, Optimization, & Maintenance  You want to show up first in the search engines. You want to not worry about backups, downtime, or load speeds. Let me take care of all of that for you so you can focus on your business instead of the tech stuff. Upgrade your website with me. SEO Management We’re experienced […]
- [Student Loans](https://joel.gr/student-loans/): This is my current running total owed in student loans. I was approved to have $20,000 of student loan debt forgiven (with over $23,000 total owed) under Biden-Harris Administration’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program in 2022 as a Pell Grant recipient. That was, of course, before SCOTUS blocked it. The one-time student loan forgiveness would have basically wiped out my total college debt and allowed me to continue attending school to earn my BA in either Information Technology or Computer Science. I don’t feel comfortable taking on additional student loans because of an unstable job market and an unpredictable U.S. Education Department […]
- [Resume](https://joel.gr/resume/): Joel Gratcyk Professional Nerd: – Growth & Automation Marketer – AI + No-Code Builder – WordPress Technologist SUMMARY Creative growth marketer and builder who blends automation, AI, and storytelling to drive audience growth. 10+ years managing and scaling websites, campaigns, and workflows using tools like GPT-4, Zapier, Python, and WordPress. Experienced at prototyping fast, experimenting boldly, and turning messy data into meaningful results. EXPERIENCE Full Pour Media — WordPress Developer & Automation ConsultantJune 2024 – Present (Remote) Fried Egg Burger — Founder / WordPress ExpertJune 2020 – Present Penultimate Brews — Founder / Growth Engineer2015 – Present 1909 Digital — Website Manager (Contract)Oct 2020 – Nov 2021 Union Church […]
- [Partners](https://joel.gr/partners/): Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you use any of these referral links to make a purchase. This involves no extra cost and benefits me as a content creator. Thank you for your generous support! Partners There are companies that I work with on a regular basis who I enjoy recommending to others. You’ll find a list of them on this page. These cover everything from hosting & domains, to online shopping, and more. Hosting & Domains Fastimize: 100% Uptime Guarantee. If your site goes down, you get a credit. Easy as that. Hostinger: Managed hosting, domains, AI, and more. […]
- [Contact](https://joel.gr/contact/): Together We Can Create Epic Websites Drop me a message Have a quick question? Not yet ready to book a call? Email Me Book A Call Need to talk it out? Let’s chat and see what we can accomplish together. Schedule A Chat Project Inquiry Ready to get moving on a project? Looking for a quote? Fill this out. Request A Quote

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