Newlins Webspace Journal

Well that’s what my mind feels like right now.

I spend hours trying develop sites that work – and nothing happens. Trouble is, my clients don’t have the money to spend on their web sites – and to pay for back links and advertising – no way! Yes, I know about keyword strategies and good content, and finding links from good sites.

So what do I do?

1. I build the site well.
   I try to run as many HTML and XHTML validation tests so that no errors, warnings and comments are found
2. I use CSS for all my formatting – mainly to ensure consistency – and only use the attributes that a cross-browser.
   This can be a real pain – but in the end getting the DOCTYPE right and using consistent CSS does mean that the site is easy to maintain – and can easily be changed if the client has second thoughts about his/her design.
3. I try to make the site fast loading.
   All graphics (where used) are optimized to load quickly. I do not use graphical menus or tables unless I really have to. All in all, the sites load fast. I also place them with a host that will do the site justice – and seems to be reliable.
4. I eschew things like Javascript
   Some people dont allow it – and others use versions of Java that we just don’t want to think about! If I do any scripting I tend to do it in PHP. This still leaves me with some problems (like a Back button – but sometimes we just have to let the user use the Browser back button).
5. I create site maps
   This will be an HTML site map as well as a google site map.
6. I promote the domain and submit the google site map to google.

So there you have it. And people say that anyone can do it… Well they can – but have you seen some of the websites out there? And I have to say – it’s galling to find that they have got a better ranking than I have.

 Thats all for now… supposed to be doing the Vista bit – but who cares – every one else is doing it at the moment..

 Paul

The new culture of content

read more of this article…

I’m not overly sure about the content of some sites. I prefer targetted content that is easy to get at and view with the least amount of time wastage. I particularly hate websites that are loaded with tables and graphics that take an age to load. I may put up with it if it comes from an amateur site – but not from a business site. Yet I do want content.

If I am operating at 1024×768 I don’t want to see a lot of wasted space around the page – I want content. May be a larger font if you need to fill up the space – but I don’t want a lot of block colour around the place.

And if a site could load in 1 – 2 seconds why put graphics and tables that make it take 30 seconds to load – even on broadband? Lets get serious and use good content. Not lots a pretty advertising blocks – just a good read.

Anyway – read the linked article above and see what you think?

Paul

Tags: Internet, Design, Culture

I have been reading again – and that’s bad news. I will admit it – I hate designing for 800×600. But nevertheless I need to add a link to this blog entry:

Resolution by a Past Majority.

I guess it says everything – but still not sure that I can design all my websites for such a lowly resolution. On the other hand – I rarely maximize my browser window – I prefer to have umpteen windows open on my desktop…

Tags: Internet, Design, Culture

Not sure that I should be doing this…

But I feel that the article is of benefit…. so I have extracted it here… 

Entireweb Newsletter ( June 8, 2006 ISSUE #238)

Basic On-Page Search Engine Optimization

There are 2 different types of search engine optimization, on-page and off page. Here you'll learn the differences between them, and basic tips to getting your website optimized for the search engines.

(more…)

Who do you talk to? A perfectionist will say your design must be fluid and capable of being viewed at any resolution with any font size and any colour depth. Can you design a website like that? Possibly – do you want to design a website like that – unlikely. In the end we land up with compromises based on our own browsers and screens that we have installed on our computers. If it looks good then that often does. Should we do more? Perhaps. Can I suggest you read this IT World Article

Old-School Web Design – Fagetaboutit!

I enjoyed the article a lot – and found the content helpful – to the point that I think I will persue many of the items in it. Anything old – fagetaboutit!
Tags: Internet, Design, Culture

It's an ugly world when it comes to promoting your web site. Sometimes you just wonder whether it is really worth it. Of course it is – but when you try just about everything and get nowhere… but some of these tips might help.

1. Does your domain have enough clout? Consider the name and if necessary purchase a number of these and point them all to the same place. It may mean you can have a number of bites of the same cherry! Remember .com, .net, and .org have a lot more going for them than .co.uk and .org.uk names.
2. Get yourself a Google account and promote your site through sitemaps
3. Look at your keywords, description and content – do they contain what people are looking for?
4. Look at high ranking sites when you search for your site on Yahoo, Google, MSN et al – what are they using for keywords, description and content?

(more…)