Other codes

/* change excerpt more string */
function readMore(){
    global $post;
    return '<a href="'.get_permalink($post->ID).'" class="readMore"> read more...</a>';
}
add_filter('excerpt_more', 'readMore');

/* change excerpt character limit */
function myExcerpt(){
    global $post;
    $content=get_the_excerpt();
    $newMessage=substr($content,0,150);
    if(strlen($content)>150){
        return '<p>'.$newMessage.' '.readMore().'</p>';
    }
    else{
        return '<p>'.$content.'</p>';
    }
}
add_filter('the_excerpt','myExcerpt');

/* query page for template */ 

<?php
    $banner=new wp_query(array('pagename'=>"banner"));
    while($banner->have_posts()): $banner->the_post();   
        the_content();
    endwhile;
    wp_reset_query();
?>

Useful Wordpress Plugin
1. Wysija - newsletter, mailing list and subscriptions
2. Contact Form 7 - contact form
3. Social Sharing Toolkit - social media icons for post, page etc.
4. Next Gen Gallery - photogallery