AZ-Web Newsletter - November 2009
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In This Issue:
Build For Tomorrow
The Tradeoff of Space and Graphics Vs. Text
Top Ten Web Terms You Should Know
Does Your Web Site Make the Grade?
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Build For Tomorrow
by David Prescott
Thinking about building a new website? Or, maybe you're considering upgrading your current one? No matter what your goals are, there isone important piece of the puzzle to keep in mind, one that seems to be constantly overlooked. That missing piece overlooked is editing in the future.
When building your website, or redesigning one it's easy to become shortsighted. Too many times we get caught up in the design to the point where future editing gets forgotten or not considered enough.
The problem with this is it can cost you money to do simple edits if your site is setup incorrectly, like when an important button was left out.
The first question that you should ask yourself when considering any kind of design change is: How am I going to be able to edit this later?
In most cases, a page should have a designated area for editable content. You and your designer should consider the decision before any work is done. A good design team will plan ahead and advise you on what can and cannot be done.
The simplest edit is a "text" edit. However, you need to be careful that when designing your site that you have the key areas as editable text and not as a graphic. If you have text embedded into a graphic, then you will not be able to edit it yourself with a simple text editor; you'll need Photoshop.
Besides the text on a graphic being a problem, you also need to consider length of your text. If you want editable text in a small area such as a box, column or header. If you add too much text, eventually you will disturb the design of the page.
Finally, Flash can be another problematic area. Don't get me wrong, I love Flash. I think Flash can add a lot of excitement to a page. However, making changes in Flash can be costly. Flash designers generally charge a premium fee for their services, and what may seem like a simple change to you, can easily cost up to several hundred
dollars and up.
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The Tradeoff of Space and Graphics Vs. Text
The Tradeoff is with designating a lot of your space to editable content is that you may end up sacrificing some design ideas. Of course, the ultimate goal would be to where you have the design and edit ability without sacrificing anything, but on those occasions where you don't have a choice, choose the ability to edit.
The Upside
Having the ability to change content (and actually doing it) is a huge benefit to you site. If you make the effort and keep your content fresh, you'll be able to keep your visitors coming back while bringing new ones in.
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Top Ten Web Terms You Should Know
Here is a list of Ten Web Terms you should know, when speaking to a web firm. Or, you may want to read this list just to keep up with today's Internet lingo.
1. Domain:
A domain is your web address or URL. In most cases it is something like: yourcompany.com
2. Dreamweaver:
This is the most popular "pro" program for building websites. If you are having someone develop a website for you, make sure that this is what they are using and not FrontPage
3. Flash:
The premier programming language used for animation, moving\ graphics
4. Form:
An online fillable text form, the most common form is an online inquiry form
5. Hosting:
Every website has to be hosted somewhere, on a physical computer/server. Hosting is a type of Internet service that allows individuals and organizations to "house" and to make their website accessible via Internet access. Web host companies, such as AZ-Web, provide space on a computer server and lease hosting space to their clients.
6. HTML:
An abbreviation for Hypertext Markup Language; a cross-platform text-formatting system for creating web pages, including copy, images, sounds, animation and more. Dreamweaver is based on HTML programming.
7. Hyperlink:
An icon, graphic, word or phrase that, when clicked with a mouse, it automatically opens another picture, web page, or file for viewing.
8. SEO:
Search Engine Optimization, the use of various techniques to improve a web site's ranking in the search engines and thus attract more visitors
9. Shopping Cart:
Software used to create an online "storefront," or e-commerce web site. It acts as a virtual shopping cart, keeping track of the items visitors have ordered and allowing them to add or remove items when placing an order.
10. Web Text Editor:
A content management tool that is usually built into the backend of your website which allows your to make minor changes for your web browser. This is provided free for AZ-Web hosting customers.
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Does Your Web Site Make the Grade?
Let AZ-Web evaluate your website and provide you with a comprehensive report and where your website stands in the way of design, functionality, Google placement and much more. Does your web site make the grade?
Here is what someone said about the AZ-Web Website Report Card -
"Thank you for your web report card. For the past year I have been working on this site all by myself. I appreciate your suggestions."
With Every Website Report Card, we check and evaluate the following, giving you suggestions in many categories: Overall Design; Logo; Page Size; Colors; Page balance; Pictures and graphics; Programming Errors and more.
To order your Website Report Card and evaluation from AZ-Web by clicking here: http://az-web.com/report_card.html (only $24.95, for a limited
time)
Call AZ-Web at 1-866-429-9322
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Website Report Card Offer
When you order and receive a Website Report Card, it will be full of comments, this includes where your website is lacking, plus suggestions on ways to improve your website. The Website Report Card will also give your website an overall grade. From there, you may make the improvements yourself, or ask for a quote from AZ-Web. Get your own Website Report Card for only $24.95, Click below to get started:
http://az-web.com/report_card.html
You can get your own website report card and evaluation from AZ-Web for only $24.95 by clicking here: http://az-web.com/report_card.html
