Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Web Hosting: 4 Factors in Choosing a Hosting Company

When choosing a web hosting company there are a whole lot of different factors that should go into your decision making process. One of the biggest factors should be: Phone support. Email support is nice, but email occasionally falls in between the virtual cracks. Getting someone on the phone when your site goes down can take a lot of mystery out of the entire process. A lot of the bigger web h. . .

Is Your Web Site Too Hard?

Take the “Easy Test” to see if your website is as visitor friendly as it should be! Websites often fail to produce the desired results. This can be because visitors find them too hard to understand or navigate. Here are some potential usability problems to avoid. 1. Hard to find Is your website easy to locate? Do you promote it everywhere, (i.e. business cards, invoices, envelopes, etc.) and is. . .

Be the King of Your Domain

So there you are. You’ve got a topic that you really love. You’ve done your research. You’re ready to start your new website. As good as it is, you’re certain to get traffic and tons of sales. All you need to do now is register a domain name and start designing the site to end all sites! The only problem is, what do you call your site? It seems like such a throwaway decision. But stop for just . . .

Making Your Website Work for You: Attracting Visitors

Just building a website is not enough. You need to get people to visit it. And just submitting to the search engines won’t do much. Here is a brief overview of 3 effective strategies to get people to your website: 1) Search Engines, 2) PR and Marketing and 3) Email Newsletters. Here is a quick list of do’s and don’ts for each:Search Engine DO's: DO Optimize Your Web Site: Make sure your webs. . .

Building a Church Website

Have you been asked to build a website for your church? Building There are thousands of people building websites everyday. It is becoming increasingly important for many small organizations and groups to build their online presence. This helps in getting their ideals, goals, and mission out to the general public. Therefore at an increasing rate many of us with computer skills are asked by . . .

Blogging for Profits

Bloging (the act of writing to a blog) has become one of the fastest growing trends this year and many internet gurus believe that this is the new biggest trend. Well, you might ask yourself what is the big deal I don't even know what a blog is?To put it simply a blog is a big deal because it can mean a lot of money for you. First, lets define what a blog is then I will get to the good stuff . . .

Create your own Audio studio for under $100.

Creating your own audio studio has never been easier. There are so many great products around today that will allow you to produce high quality audio for a fraction of the price it used to cost.HARDWAREThe first thing you will need is a compatible computer. Today every new computer is already set up with everything you will need. A basic sound card with a mic and line in jack. If you do not hav. . .

What Constitutes a Complete and Effective SEO Campaign?

Unfortunately, not many Search Engine Optimization companies know what this involves. You may see a "one size fits all" package, link popularity development in the form of submitting to link farms, or even the dreaded "Submit Your Site to 1000's of Search Engines" scam. While the basic premise of each of these ideas is true, the execution of them is extremely important.First of all, your web si. . .

Why Optimize Your Site For Search Engines?

Sometimes a search engine optimization company will miss that glaring question posed by potential clients and assume the benefits of search engine optimization are obvious to everyone. While shelling out a couple thousand on an SEO campaign is common sense to some, others may find it hard to part with the cash unless they know it is an investment in their business that is sure to bring a good r. . .

How to reach #1 in Yahoo! Part 2

KEI - Keyword Effectiveness Index. The value of a keyword or keyword phrase that helps a web site reach the #1 position in search engines by comparing how often the keyword or keyword phrase is used and comparing it to how many web sites are using that keyword or keyword phrase to market their site.In part one of this article I discussed how you can thoroughly research and pick the right keywor. . .

The Proper Way To Use The robot.txt File

When optimizing your web site most webmasters don’t consider using the robot.txt file. This is a very important file for your site. It let the spiders and crawlers know what they can and can not index. This is helpful in keeping them out of folders that you do not want index like the admin or stats folder.Here is a list of variables that you can include in a robot.txt file and there meaning: Us. . .

The Top 3 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Website's Search En...

Getting your website up and running is hard enough. After spending hours getting the HTML code just right and trying to make sure that you provide a great user experience, the last thing you want to do is change everything around in order to get your site ranked higher on the search engines. Follow these tips from the beginning and you'll see the benefits.1) Not changing the title tag from pag. . .

"I'm just me" - An Overview of an Web er.. Designer, Deve...

"I'm just me" - An Overview of an Web er.. Designer, Developer, Consultant and Friend. I am going to give you a breakdown of my ... er ... work ... playtime .... income .... I'm a UK based Web Designer, Web Developer, Internet Consultant. I build websites, content management systems and internet solutions for anybody who can afford me. I am a prostitute!! Yes! A prostitute - I use my website to. . .

Building Your First Web Site?

Creating your own site can be a satisfying experience. Here are some tips to help get you up and running.Before doing anything on the technical side, you need some kind of basic idea to work with. I suggest first getting some paper and a pencil. Start by sketching a layout of how you would like your web page to appear. For example, a simple title at the top, the area in which you would like any. . .

Web Hosting Basics

So you're about to embark on your first web project and you're wondering where on earth to start? Well, one of the first things you'll need is a web hosting package. There are so many out there it can seem daunting to try and choose one. In this article we'll teach you the basics to help you make an informed decision.What is Web Hosting?For people to actually view your pages on the web, you mus. . .

The Smallest Is The Best!.. As Long As It Serves Its Purp...

It is true! In graphics optimization, seen as a part of website optimization, the smallest is the best. Of course, the element in question should still serve its purpose of being the expression of an idea. Furthermore, it should be understandable, clear, suggestive and good-looking. Let's see together which could be the right choices (in terms of web graphics optimization) when we decide what t. . .

Developing a Login System with PHP and MySQL

This article is written by daBoss. daBoss is the Webmaster of Designer Banners. daBoss can be contacted at sales (at) designerbanners (dot) com.Developing a Login System with PHP and MySQLMost interactive websites nowadays would require a user to log in into the website’s system in order to provide a customized experience for the user. Once the user has logged in, the website will be able to pr. . .

Should you Purchase a Turnkey Site or Build Your Own?

You see them all the time, pre-packaged websites selling everything from acorns to zinc. Most of them have a nice professional look about them, with good pictures and graphics. Of course, the sales literature with the offer telling you how you're going to make a gazillion dollars! Most of them are one page mini-sites devoted only to selling their particular product and that's where the problems. . .

The Basic Facts About Business Web Hosting

There are a number of hosting options, from free to dedicated servers. Let’s spend a few moments and look over the options. Free HostingThe first and not recommended is free hosting. Remember what they say, there is nothing free. Well it’s the truth about this also. Your webpage on a free hosting server may have banner ads from companies that may not compliment your business or page theme.Anoth. . .

Custom Hooks in TierDeveloper

Custom Hooks is another powerful and most demanding feature provided by TierDeveloper. Custom Hooks work like database triggers. It could be your own business logic that you can activate before or after performing some database action(s). PreHooks and PostHooks are two ways, provided by TierDeveloper, through which you can embed your own logic in the generated code. Pre hook methods are called . . .

Colors for Your Website

Oh Yes ..Colors! There are hot ones, cool ones, earthy colors, spiritual colors and every other shade in the rainbow! What colors should you use for your website? Though color combinations that would work for many decorating ideas are pleasing to the eye, it doesn't mean they will work on the web. The reason is that the combinations you use have to serve a twofold purpose: They should impart a . . .

The Benefits Of Having a Country Top Level Domain (TLD) Name

Most new websites tend to look for a domain name with a .com or .net tld (Top Level Domain). They feel this gives the site a more professional appearance and will appeal to a more international audience and in many cases this is true. However, it can also be beneficial to look at purchasing a domain name with a country specific tld.There are a number of benefits that can be gained from choosing. . .

How to Select a Web Site Host

So, you know how to create HTML files (web pages) and want to start a website. You have a domain name but don't know where to store the files (web host). You find countless web hosting companies offering a wide range of products but you can't make heads or tails of all the features to decide which plan is right for you.Does this sound like you?If so, this article was written for you. Hopefully . . .

Common Website Mistakes

Is your website ailing?It used to be that simply having a website meant that your organization was ahead of the curve. Those days are long gone. Today more that ever, organizations need to fuel business and their bottom lines through savvy internet tactics.What separates the savvy from the just getting by? If any of these symptoms are true of your organization or your website, you may need t. . .

If you need More Targeted Visitors to Your Site this Will...

If you don't know by now one the best ways to attract free traffic to your site is with articles. You find them in your email. You find them on any website that provides useful content. Take a look and you will see they are all formatted the same way. Attention-getting headline Body of article ( usually offers tips or how to information) Resource box - That is at the end and involves a blurb to. . .

Web-site designing Pillars (part2)

USABILITY Usability is what makes your WS pleasant to deal with. While everyone defines personally for her(him)self how to make design nice to look at, memorable (in respect to branding) and serve customer/business needs in the best way possible, the technical side of usability can and should be corrected using the standard requirements. SOURCE CODE OPTIMIZATION Firstly about the four problems . . .

Difference between Shared and Dedicated Web Hosting?

This article will explain the key differences between 2 web hosting services available today: shared and dedicated web hosting.What is shared hosting?Shared hosting is very popular and the most common type of hosting used by websites on the Internet today.Shared hosting is very cost effective, because you are sharing hosting with maybe 100 other websites on a single, powerful server.Shared host. . .

Are You Getting The Most From Your Meta Tags?

As any Web Business startup knows, creating a Website is a bunch of work! You have to bother with content, layout, graphics and HTML links, just to name a few. What about your Meta Tags? Meta Tags are words that are placed in your web page to provide a title, description and keywords to the Search Engine spiders or crawlers. They are not visible to visitors. To see a sample, open any website an. . .

Why Web Hosts and ISPs Need Web Site Monitoring

If you have spent much time earning a living on the Internet, few things will surprise you. However, I am always amazed with how many companies and individuals make astounding claims without backing them up.Web hosts and ISPs make such claims all the time: 99% uptime. Some web hosts post on their site live results of their uptime from a third-party web site monitoring company. However, those. . .

How to Choose a Web Host - Frequently Asked Questions

In this article you’ll be provided with helpful information about how to choose a web host. There are several things to look for when choosing a reliable web host. Below, you will be provided with frequently asked questions and the answers to common questions.Q. How reliable is the service of a web host?Most surveys indicate that reliability is an e-businesses main concern. You should look for . . .

Choosing your Meta-Keywords

IntroductionThis article assumes you already know what a ‘meta-tag keyword’ is and know a little about their importance to search engines. In this article I will attempt to explain the art of choosing the most appropriate and best performing keywords for your web pages.As you should already know keywords contained within your websites’ meta tags are extremely important in allowing search engine. . .

Selling Merchandise On Your Website

A viral marketing tool and a potential money-spinner. Suzanne Power looks at the options and believes Spreadshirt can take over the Cafepress mantle If you take away poker, dating, and naked ladies, custom merchandising is the big success story of the Internet. The ultimate combination of e-commerce and affiliate marketing, millions of websites around the world turn to online merchandising comp. . .

Choosing a Right Hosting Solution

You have done all the hard works for developing your website but when it comes selecting your host you may face trouble that it does not have all the features which is required by your site. It is important to do some research before choosing a right hosting solution.A website is an important identity of yours and it is the responsibilities of the host make it visible at World Wide Web. Selecti. . .

Hosting Your Own Web Server: Things to Consider

Are you disgusted or disappointed with your current web host? Have you switched web hosting companies too many times? Have you thought of hosting your own website(s)? Do you have the ambition to control and manage your own web server?If you answered 'yes' to the questions above, then you may be ready to host your own sites. This article will give you things to consider while making the switch. . . .

The 8 Most Important Website Design Principles

Building an Innovative and Effective Website, by making full use of available technologies, is crucial for the future success of your current or future online business. There are literally 1000's of great ideas out there, but finding the right ones and applying them to your website, is where the real trick lies.Applying the best tips, tools and other design principles to your website, can bring. . .

Combined Hot Multimedia Practical Tips

In the site, http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/99/26/index1a.html?tw=multimedia Francis Preve’s article on Hot Multimedia Tips, he emphasized that, “As web designers, we don’t want to get caught flat-footed when all our favorite videographers, record producers, and best boys start setting up camp in our backyard. After all, aren’t these some of the folks who inspired us in the first place?”I. . .

Virtual Death Memorials

On March 27, 2005 at the Big Easy’s charmingly bizarre Barrister’s Gallery, artists will experience what afterlife will be in a virtual death memorial group show – Hydriotaphia: New Orleans Artists Design Their Own Funeral Urns. Barrister’s Gallery owner, Andy Antippas will act as curator with artist, Dan Teague. To spice up the show and heighten enthusiasm for it, Antippas declared, “What are . . .

Streaming Media: Why It Works

Isn’t it more interesting to pay attention on a kind of medium that is complete with valuable data and presented on a creative way with audio-video quality to match? That’s the kind of media we sometimes look for before becoming compelled enough on certain products or service offers. Content delivery over the Internet is really never guaranteed.Given this, it is easy to understand why streamin. . .

Book Review: The Non-designer’s Design Book, Second Edition

One of the books I strongly recommend for non-designers like me is Robin Williams' "Non-Designer's Design Book". It is a must for dummies who want to have a career on graphic designing even without the formal education. The book is a good primer for novices and amateurs to help them produce layouts that can catch attention. The Book provides a practical introduction to the basic principles of. . .

The Google Sandbox Explained

IntroductionThe Google Sandbox is a metaphorical term to explain why most new websites have very poor rankings in Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS). Very few people know for sure if the 'sandbox' actually exists, but it seems to be a filter added to the Google algorithms sometime around March 2004.What is the function of the Google Sandbox?The generally accepted principle behind the Go. . .

Most Effective Search Engine Marketing

Most effective search engine marketing strategies consider a few key aspects of search engine optimization.1. The target market: It's important to make certain that your key words target the market you wish to visit your site. Having an extremely high ranking on a certain key word that brings tons of visitors to your site, with very few sales (low conversion rate) is not effective search engine. . .

What is Good Content?

I’ve read that a good web site is all about content, content, and oh yes content. Now if you’ve managed to design your site so that you can fill it with great content, what next, how do you know what good content is?This may be one of those things that you know it when you see it kind of thing but I think that there are a few basic points to make in regards to having good content on your site. . . .

The Proper Way To Use The robots.txt File Update

In my last article about the robots.txt file I had spelled it wrong. It should have been robots.txt instead of robot.txt. The article should read like this:When optimizing your web site most webmasters don’t consider using the robots.txt file.This is a very important file for your site. It let the spiders and crawlers know what they can and can not index. This is helpful in keeping them out of . . .

Do-It-Yourself Web Design

Twisting your handle-bar mustache, you think to yourself....I'm pretty good with computers and I'm a smart guy/gal. I even have some web software. Who needs a web designer?...Let me tell you. Being that I am a web designer, I like to feel needed....By everyone. However, I'm willing to admit that maybe a few of you (seriously.... like 3 or 4) don't need me. Just be smart about your decision. Muc. . .

Rethinking Linking - Link Exchange Back to Basics

In the old days of the internet, links were the primary communication path between web sites. Search engines were not as sophisticated as today, and search results rather crude. Actually, even today links are reported to be more used than search engine results; but the latter are increasing their share. In a way, this began to change when Google entered the scene. In an effort to make search re. . .

Web Site Content Ideas for Webmasters

Many years ago I began creating web sites that began as photo albums for friends and family and then turned into travel guides for trips I took to Jamaica , Napa Valley and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Soon I created web sites related to cars, dogs, and motorcycles. Later I was turned on to Google's Adsense program which allowed me to generate enough income from my hobby web sites that I . . .

How Does Your Website Make Me Feel?

When people think about the Internet, they think about technology. When people hear that I am a Website strategy expert, they see me as a "techy type". But for me, the most intriguing aspect of your online business isn't about the technology. It's about human connections, and how you can create these in a virtual environment.It's commonly understood that "people buy emotionally, not intellectua. . .

Password Protection with PHP, MySQL, and Session Variables

One of the great promises that actually came true when our Internet-enabled world reached the twenty-first century is efficient customer-to-business interaction. Each day, I find a new way to go through life's errands without ever waiting on hold for a bank teller, a pharmacist, or an insurance agent. I do it all online.Internet savvy consumers are coming to expect such web empowerment. And whi. . .

Accessibility... The Basics.

An accessible website is one that allows as many people as possible to access the infomation contained within it. An inportant subset of accessibility is allowing people with visual, aural, or physical disabilities full access to the information and services available in the same way as able-bodied people. Ensuring that your website is not dependant on particular hardware or software is also an. . .

Logo in the Browsers Address Bar - Favicon

Several people have asked me about logo branding with an image that appears in a users address bar. While I personally removed the Favorite Icon from most of my hosts (In the process of creating a more presentable graphic), it is an important factor for establishing a branding for your Website. There are primarily two benefits achieved with using a favicon.The most prominent benefit is when a u. . .