Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Give Your Website A Chance

I often wonder how serious people are when it comes to their websites. I thought that most everyone knew that the phrase "Build it and they will come" no longer applies on the internet but I'm not sure how many people really believe it. I look at sites everyday as part of my sales strategy and I can't tell you how many of them violate the obvious elements of good website design and submission.. . .

How Web Design Can Affect Search Engine Rankings

Uniquely built web sites can create unique issues when promoting your site on the search engines. From a basic 3 page brochure site, to a corporate site with hundreds of dynamically generated pages, every web site needs to have certain design aspects in order to achieve the full effects of an SEO campaign. Below are a few points to take into consideration when building or updating your web site. . .

Open Source Free Software De-Mystified

Did you know that the most powerful software and web applications are all free? Yes that's right, just about every commercial software or web application you know of is most likely available as a free Open Source project/clone."Why haven't I heard of this Open Source stuff???" There is good reason for not seeing advertising for open source software in ppc search engines, if you had a free pro. . .

Now you have a Web site. Have you ever heard of accessibi...

An accessible Web site is easily approached, easily understood, and useable for all. There are accessibility standards set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium, which all sites should adhere to as much as possible.Web site owners should be aware of accessibility standards, because most designers and developers often ignore them. It is a waste of your investment to develop a great site that ma. . .

Choosing the right web host

Whatever type of website you want to host, choosing the correct host can be tricky. Most hosting companies offer you more than you will ever use, their sales staff recommend high-end packages for small websites. Be careful when choosing, you will need room to expand but before you contact a company’s sales department; take a look at the size of your website. If it’s 10MB you wont need 1&1s Home. . .

PHP and Cookies; a Good Mix!

IntroductionCookies have long been used in PHP scripts, and are a very useful function. But what exactly are cookies? Maybe you have used then, but you still don't know exactly what they are. Or you are completely new to cookies? It doesn't matter, because in this tutorial I will show you exactly what cookies are, and what they are used for.Cookies in a nutshellCookies are small pieces of infor. . .

Screen Scraping Your Way Into RSS

IntroductionRSS is one the hottest technologies at the moment, and even big web publishers (such as the New York Times) are getting into RSS as well. However, there are still a lot of websites that do not have RSS feeds.If you still want to be able to check those websites in your favourite aggregator, you need to create your own RSS feed for those websites. This can be done automatically with P. . .

Don't Get Fooled by the Web Hosting Wolves in Sheep's Clo...

When looking for a good web hosting provider to look after your website, it is easy to get confused. There are thousands of companies around, and they compete fiercely for your attention. Some are good, some are wolves ...Are you looking for web hosting? If you want to set up a personal website, or a modest commercial one, you are probably in the market for an inexpensive shared hosting plan. T. . .

Basic Design Principles Part 1

There are some very basic design principles that are important to know whether you’re a graphic designer, web designer, or even a photographer. Certain very basic design principles apply to all artistic fields and are necessary for the artist and valuable information for the consumer.Line (s)The world we live in is three dimensional but when we try to represent that world in art we use lines, a. . .

The Benefits Of Outsourcing

The year 2005 is expected to be the year of "outsourcing".In case this word is new to you, then prepare yourself to the fact that this will be the buzz word of 2005.Outsourcing is the act of exporting jobs to 3rd world countries, for the benefit of saving on production and administration costs.The most popular form of outsourcing to this day is IT outsourcing, and the most popular countries whe. . .

The Secret Benefit Of Accessibility Part 2: A Higher Sear...

An additional benefit of website accessibility is an improved performance in search engines. The more accessible it is to search engines, the more accurately they can predict what the site's about, and the higher your site will appear in the rankings.Not all of the accessibility guidelines will help with your search engine rankings, but there are certainly numerous areas of overlap:1. ALT descr. . .

The Secret Benefit Of Search Engine Optimisation: Increas...

A higher search ranking is what many website owners dream of. What they don't realise is that by optimising their site for the search engines, if done correctly, they can also optimise it for their site visitors.Ultimately this means more people finding your website and increased sales and lead generation. But are search engine optimisation and usability compatible? Aren't there trade-offs that. . .

The Secret Benefit Of Accessibility Part 1: Increased Usa...

Web accessibility has so many benefits that I really do wonder why such a large number of websites have such diabolically bad accessibility. One of the main benefits is increased usability, which according to usability guru, Jakob Nielson, can increase the sales/conversion rate of a website by 100% and traffic by 150%.At which point you must surely be asking, “So if I make my website accessible. . .

An Editor Spins Her Thoughts about Web Content

A glossy magazine placed an advertisement on its Web site, targeting the publication’s upscale subscribers. The expensive ad emphasized how perfect the tiniest detail would be for guests who stayed at a certain, very fancy hotel.There was only one small problem in the ad, but it was big enough to undermine the credibility of the hotel’s claim to perfection. The headline blared, When Everythin. . .

Color’s Mighty Power of Persuasion

Color is everywhere. It surrounds us. It’s with us every time. It does not only provide crucial visual cues but also influence our feelings and thoughts. It captures our emotions thus can persuade us. However, up to what level can it influence us?Color exudes character and identity. In fact it has been associated with a lot of things. Blue means male, water, peacefulness and sadness on the othe. . .

Extracting Color Functions

Colors are as powerful as words. It can communicate though without the use of words. It can be as welcoming as a smile yet can be rude as a smirk. We have different perceptions about colors. They can tend to affect our emotions, memories, imagination especially our vision. Designers often neglect the importance of choosing the right colors. As a result, they’re not getting what they are suppose. . .

Express Your Eccentricity with Corel Draw

Individual differences teach us that we have diversities with other people included in this diversity is our sense of craftsmanship and artistry. To express this eccentricity in design we can rely on Corel Draw. Corel Draw includes features like manipulating graphics and images, user-friendly interactive tools which allow the creation of fills, vector extrusions and envelopes. It also has new s. . .

The Advantage of Printing Software

As the world advances in its way of living plus the invention and innovation of different technologies, almost everyone are using various facilities that would enhance their out put and they could get their desired result.This printing software allocate the users coming from different ages to create and craft all kinds of tickets, greeting cards, business cards and invitation cards using their . . .

Creating Data-driven pages in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX

With the Macromedia’s release of the new version of Dreamweaver, the Dreamweaver MX 2004, creating data – driven pages have several requirements before you can begin making them. Unlike Dreamweaver 4, a previous version of Dreamweaver, wherein you can just dive in and everything you need are there in the application already, Dreamweaver MX requires some bits and bobs that should be in order and. . .

New-fangled CD Label Printer

Have you been exposed with the conventional way of having your CD labeled? Well, that old way of printing labels especially for CD’s were very labor extensive. It requires long working hours, enough man power to do the pasting and cutting plus the high cost of labeling it. With the old method, one had to print onto the sheets first the special label paper afterwards another person should remove. . .

Learning the Adobe Software

Students, professionals and interested persons are always interested in learning news stuffs especially when it comes to computer technology and its software. There is always a room for learning new things that would add up and generate expansion on one’s knowledge. Adobe software takes a miniscule effort to learn it, compared to what benefits you can get from it. It can simply start from learn. . .

How to Choose a Web Hosting Company?

Nowadays, anybody can afford to order a feature-packed web hosting plan for next to nothing; however, affordable price is not the only criterion which should be considered when purchasing web hosting services. In this article, I'll explain the basics of what you should look for in choosing a web hosting company, not just concentrating on the best price and features, but also on reliability and . . .

Small Prints Matter

What is the main purpose in getting your work printed? The purpose is for others to read them and get something out of them. By getting something out of these prints, there lies the basis for your printing job to become the success that you have intended it to be. Business wise, these prints are the money generators that these owners have the great need for. The smallest of printing material ca. . .

The Numbers In Colors

Printing companies sole purpose to properly execute any printing job that the customer has put into their hands. This would also mean getting it done without encountering any problems that might have aroused if done by these people themselves. The people get the printers to do the job for them; this includes thinking of the process needed in the printing job.Color into prints is one of the majo. . .

Guide to Internet Business - Website Setup

After planning the design and content of your website, it's time to actually physically set up your website. This is the step where you put all your designs and plans into action, creating a website that will attract visitors and earn income.a) WEBHOSTINGA webhost is a company that stores the pages and pictures and other files of your website. When a person visits your website, they will reques. . .

How to Seize Design Essentials?

Design is a world of both art and science. It needs skill and technology in order to succeed. In addition, you can achieve success in this field if you are knowledgeable of the important basics of design. Design is a process. It has to be purposeful, arty and informational. You need to be meticulous with its essentials. Design essentials include color, fonts, shape, texture, dynamism, animation. . .

Hi-Tech Poster Reigns!

Modern world equates to greater involvement. But we cannot involve our body with lots of socialization, functions and other activities all at the same time. To maximize involvement we extend our personality and facility. We do this with the help of advertising and marketing materials like posters, flyers, billboards, business cards and the likes.Nowadays, poster printing is very in demand. Post. . .

Building Community Websites = Success Online

In this article I will discuss how important is it to build community websites rather than straight forward sales pitches. Selling online is about bringing people together, not about stuffing products down your visitors throwts and expecting them to buy from you.We have conditioned our minds all of our lives to accept advertising billboards, radio ads, newspaper ads, commercials, and all sorts . . .

Using QuickSub To Make It Easier For Your Visitors To Sub...

You can make it easier for your visitors to subscribe to your RSS feed. With a free and easy to install javascript function you can add the QuickSub feed button to your webpage in just a few minutes. Let me show you just how easy it is.QuickSub is a javascript mouseover function that produces a list of RSS feed readers that you can use to subscribe to your RSS news feed with one click. You can . . .

The Search Engine Secret That Is No Secret At All

It's common knowledge - we all know that it is important to rank well in search engines. Doing so can bring qualified, interested visitors to the web site you create. And, those visitors come to you believing that you know what you are talking about, since you showed up in the search engine results.All the time, people ask "How do I get my site to show up first when I type 'whatever' into the. . .

How to Build a Website

Many businesses and companies are finding it hard to build their own websites. Nevertheless, it should not be daunting as they envision it to be. In fact, it’s easy. You just need your basic knowledge in computer, internet, a free HTML editor and space in the web. And off you go with your new web site!The first thing to do is to plan your objectives. They must be reflected in your web site. You. . .

Web Designers Beware

As a web designer, I have a personal interest in a new trend which threatens to put me and my kind out of business. That “threat” is Web Design Templates. In short they are ready-made web design products which can be used as a basis for a fast and high-quality website. You usually receive a Photoshop file (.psd), Flash file (.fla), HTML files with your tables and initial scripting already compl. . .

What Makes a Site Lucrative?

People ask too many things about websites. They ask about the key points to remember in order for their website to conquer the Web as well as to boost their sales. They ask about the right colors to use, layout, content and the likes. So many queries but it all sums up to one thing – a profitable website. To boot, in order for your website to be lucrative, it must exude total equilibrium with a. . .

Shopping Carts For The Weary

To choose the means whereby we put our products on the world-wide-web, we proceed by a process of elimination. The chief criteria for judging a shopping cart is the number of credit card processors and shipping services it supports, and the number of people that support *it*.Why? Because credit card processors and shipping services mutate all the time, and thus your cart will require updating. . . .

Website Basics

The BasicsYou have a flourishing business – everything is in its place. You just miss one important piece of marketing: an Internet Presence a website. Like everything in business, getting a website needs planning. Getting an effective website needs even more planning. Here are some basic things to know and plan:The WWWWhat is the www or the internet? Basically a network of websites from all ov. . .

Macromedia Dreamweaver MX Snippet: Create It and Use It!

The Macromedia Dreamweaver MX have these powerful new addition to its toolset – introducing, Snippets! Do you often use blocks of code? Well, snippets make it easy to save it or put it over the same conversion on a block already written on your page. It also allows you to save and reuse chunks of code over and over. Snippets save you time and effort in maintaining a large Web site. You can use . . .

Speed up Your Application Development in Macromedia's Col...

Macromedia announced their release of Coldfusion’s latest version on February 7, 2005. This latest version is ColdFusion MX 7.0 clearly offers several important new features and useful improvements on its existing ones. A major focus of this release is to target new ColdFusion developers and get them up to speed even faster than before.Before we go on about the solid and massive set of new capa. . .

How to Manage Your Extension through Dreamweaver MX

The latest version of Macromedia Dreamweaver, Dreamweaver MX works with a standalone program that is a wonderful assistant in managing your file extension. Macromedia Dreamweaver MX offers extensions to improve the functionality and scope of Dreamweaver. This program is the extension manager that can be relied upon to install and remove your file extensions. Through this program, you can turn y. . .

Top 10 Ways To Irritate Your Visitors

Let's face it. It is really hard to come up with new ways to fully irritate visitors to your site. I thought I would share some ways that I have found to irritate visitors and drive them away, thereby saving you money on your hosting bills. These tips are not in order according to their effectiveness, however #1 is by far the most effective. For 100% effectiveness, use any three of these techni. . .

Are You Choosing Your Website Colors Safely?

Many designers are overlooking the vitality of colors in creating a web site. Why is it vital? It is because it creates a mood – it can annoy, irritate or interest and uplift the spirit of the visitors. Your site can end up plain and boring or chaotic if you don’t take a look at your colors minutest details.If you are not an expert in colors, you can consult the color wheel to achieve safe colo. . .

How To Save Money on a Website

Know what you wantMake sure you know why you want a website and what you want your website to do for you. Write down some short term and long term goals. Establishing an Internet presence for your business is an important step – make sure you do it right! You need to have a clear vision before you start.Surf the internet Compile a list of websites that appeal to you in aspects of: colour schem. . .

How to Republish RSS Feeds On Your Website

In this article I am going to cover some tools that you can use that will allow you to publish RSS feeds on your site. This will allow you to have fresh, updated content on your site and you have control of what sort of content you display and how often it is updated. First off if you do not know much about RSS or feel you require more information take a look at this RSS publishers FAQ and then. . .

What to Publish on Your Website: Content Development

Many businesses want a simple website where they tell people what their business is about, some information on the products they offer and a means of contacting them.However, content is vital in the growth of your Internet presence. Information is your asset and all you need to produce it is the knowledge you attain over time.For some, they simply don’t know where to start. Here are some things. . .

How To Run A Successful Link Exchange Program

Link Exchanges are a very time consuming project. The time it takes to find the sites to exchange with, contact them and place a link on your page can seem like an eternity. The hardest part about link exchanges isn’t the research, it's the waiting. This article will give you some tips to help speed response time to your requests. "How long does it normally take?" you ask. The average wait ca. . .

Create Huge Income From Your Web Site - 10 Easy Ways

The cost of setting up a web site is dirt cheap nowadays. You can register a domain for less than $2.00 as I write this (for .info domains). Hosting is also very cheap, and getting cheaper all the time.So why are so many web sites springing up? Obviously somebody's making money besides the hosting companies, so here's some idea starters for you:1. Sell your own products or services. They shoul. . .

How To Turn Leads Into Sales With Autoresponders

It is an established fact that autoresponders can boost sales. Customers tend to buy, and buy more, from people they are familiar with. But as the web is a faceless arena, how do you create familiarity then? The answer is an autoresponders. After a customer has answered to your advert or notice on the web, you can create a situation of familiarity automatically with auto responders to convert t. . .

3 Proven Ways You Can Boost Sales With Autoresponders

Many people associate autoresponders with emails. They are not mistaken anyway but for this piece of auto pilot programs are more than emails. Autoresponders are tools that can be used in a variety of ways to grow and skyrocket the sales of a business. Remember that, sale does not only involve the mounting of an ecommerce site, putting up a shopping cart and then getting buyers to make choices.. . .

4 Ways To Achieve Online Success With Email Autoresponders

An email autoresponder should come as natural to every business. Web surfers stopped looking at ordinary websites years ago. Now every internet visitor wants a website that is caring and will build a positive relationship with its visitors. It is for this reason that online companies are investing huge millions into Customer Relationship Management programs. But if you are a start up businesses. . .

How To Write Compelling Autoresponder Messages That Recip...

An autoresponder can send emails but the essence is that those emails get read and acted upon by the recipients. There is less benefit to a business if emails that get sent at the cost of bandwidth, just get deleted because they fail to convey the essential information the receiver needs.We take a look at the factors that will create a conducive atmosphere for a message in an autoresponder emai. . .

Things That You May Want To Know Again About Your Site

Before starting to write anything for your site, you should have a definite concept on what you want to achieve with your site. Everybody has one, why not you is not a reason enough. In case you do not know, websites are quite expensive to build much less to maintain. Although it surely says a lot about your company and people can access them easily if they with computers part of the households. . .