Resnodesigns

Many of you maybe wondering what those icons below each post are. Well, they are using “social bookmarking”. I found this video created by commoncraft show, which clearly explains how they work, using an example from one of the popular bookmarking websites. These techniques can help to increase the visibility of your website and gain your returns and thats the purpose of your website, right?

I recently started looking at the stats for my website and this blog. I have seen a barrage of all sorts of spiders on my site.

You maybe wondering, what is a spider? Well, the internet is commonly called the web, so you need spiders to see what on the web. They in turn send that information to their search engine, Google, yahoo, and others.

Therefore, since I have been receiving many different spiders I thought I would detail some of the ones I get and what they are.

1. Googlebot
   1. Is of course run by Google.
2. IceRocket
   1. IceRocket is a popular blogging spider.
3. Snapshot
   1. Takes a picture of your site.
4. There are several hundred other spiders on the internet. Most look for content so other people can find it.
5. Have you seen any spiders/ bots on your sites?

Splash pages are used to welcome people to a site. They are generally flashy animations. After the animation is completed, you are allowed to enter the site and see the content you really wanted. Generally, they showcase something pertaining to the site you are about to enter.

Do you really want annoying things on your page?

Although, they hurt your chances of having all your pages listed in search engines.

Search engines do not understand what a splash page is and will abandon trying search for more pages. Search engines only see one big image, or flash animation. Search engines love text, because that is all they can see.

Everyday I find more sites that are using splash screens. Why do web designers insist on creating extra steps for their customers.

In short, stay away from splash pages. They waste everyone’s time. And do not help your site.

I found information concerning Microsoft’s new browser, Internet Explorer 8.

As a web developer, we have a lot of problems making websites look the same everywhere. Currently, their are several different browsers companies, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc. Internet Explorer is often the most difficult to configure correct issues with. With the introduction of version 8 some these issues have been corrected, allowing sites design to become easier.

Microsoft emailed select individuals to beta test is software.

Microsofts new focus- Developers

Apparently, Microsoft has heard us and will adjust it practices to make us happier. Apparently, they are focusing on developers now, this approach is an appeasement for all the years of Microsoft doing what it wanted. So, now sites will look the same to people all across the world.

Standards Mode?

Internet Explorer (IE) is building in a new function called Standards Mode, where if you are finding a particular section is not working according to the standard, you can force IE to to make it comply. Although, all the details are still foggy, time will explain all the details.

Can your business afford to be not be on the internet?

That is the single biggest question a business owner must make. Everyone has a website in this day and age. The most unlikely businesses are getting websites, because the potential is limitless for company growth.

Once, you have decided you need representation on the internet there a few other things to consider.

1. What do you want your site to do?
   1. Online store?
   2. Source of information?
2. Will you design your website, or hire someone to do?
   1. If you hire someone:
      1. What is your budget?
      2. Are their designs attractive and how can help you?
      3. Do they know how to market your site?
   2. If you design it:
      1. Are you confident in web design practices or will you use a program?
      2. Will you market your website?
         1. How?
         2. Frontpage creates websites that are unappealing in design and navigation. How will you make a professional site?

Next, you begin to answer these questions.

Building a website can be one of the most important things you do for your business. If you do not put the time and energy required to promote it, you risk getting less than what you planned for.

Recently, I have been having alot of questions about what PHP and ASP.net are and how do they help on a site.

What are PHP and ASP.net? Why do I care?

1. What are PHP and ASP.net?

1. Well, when you want to use a shopping cart, forum, or anything outside of a static website it requires the server to do something. For example, this blog is written in PHP, because I can add blogs and I do not have to edit the html code.

2. What’s the difference between PHP and ASP.net?

1. PHP generally is used by people like us, who design and build websites.

2. ASP.net is generally used by big corporations. They like ASP.net because it is backed and supported by Windows.

3. Now, why do you care?

1. Does your business want to sell products online?

2. Do you want a forum or other social networking system? (Facebook, Myspace, YouTube, etc.)

3. These types of sites require the server to handle parts of your site because html can not do it alone.

Now-a-days the new buzz is search engine optimization. It seems almost over night people are concerned with placing their websites on Google and other search engines, as a way of generating attention.

1. What is search engine optimization?
   1. Creating a website that can be read and understood by search engines.
2. How can I optimize my website?
   1. Optimizing can be done by several methods, some which can result in being blacklisted by a search engine.
   2. Several things a website can incorporate to increase its search engine friendliness are to include a title on each page. First, title the according to the subject being covered, and then include keywords that pertain to the content being covered.
      1. For Example: On my Portfolio page. I made sure to include keywords including portfolio, PHP, web designing and other “hooks” that users may search when looking for help.
   3. Meta and description tags are very important to creating a search engine friendly site.
   4. Sitemaps are also important for search engines.
      1. Sitemaps are xml files, which outline the page structure of your site. It makes it easier for google to find all your pages. A good sitemap created is located here.

Well, that is a crash course in Search Engine Optimization.

Everyone is getting a website. Families, are bringing their photo galleries online to show to their families.

Websites like Facebook and Myspace has become the center of attention. Simply posting your website on the net will not guarantee your returns, its the first step to building your business.

When people began researching a business they follow a very easy hierarchy of tasks.

1. Google It!

   The most common way to research a company is to simply Google it. If your company is not visble by searching on the internet, you have already lost 50% of your audience.

2. Ask friends and family

   Word of mouth has become more important because people trust the experince of others. If you have a wonderful experince, you will tell others and those people will inturn return to that experince. Using proper controls for your business will help control customer disatifaction and create a long lasting positeve image for your business.

3. Yellow Pages

   As the internet gains steam and becomes more important, the yellow pages and other static soucres are becoming less used. The problem with the Yellow Pages is, information on it can become outdated.

   For example, technology is ever-changing, how often do you get a magazine which presents old and outdated information. You knowingly perceieve this information as relevant and up-to date. Resulting in you being 1 step behind everyone else.