By Tyler Houts
Don’t let your business get left behind. If you’re not on the web already, what are you waiting for? There are plenty of reasons for your company to get online. A website provides an instant visual presentation, is always available, is easily updated and improves customer relations, just to name a few benefits. There are a couple of options for your company, though, when planning your website design. Should you use pre-designed templates or have a professional design a custom website?
Pre-Designed Templates
A website template is pre-designed by a professional. Once the template is designed you can add or change any content you like through an easy to use Wizard. Templates are time savers. With templates you don’t have to wait to get a hold of your web design company if you want to make changes to the site. Also, the cost of a template is considerably less than hiring a firm to create and maintain your site. No HTML coding or graphic design knowledge is required to maintain your own templates. You can customize most aspects of the templates but they can look somewhat generic, not be search engine friendly, or become too time consuming to manage.
Custom Design
If your business doesn’t have the time to manage their own website, hiring a professional may be the right road to take. Building and maintaining a great looking website takes a great deal of time and effort, not to mention knowledge of different coding and design skills. What business has time for that? Yes, hiring a professional web design company does cost a little more money. This isn’t the only thing your business should consider. You should consider all the time and effort that will be saved by hiring an outside company. Another benefit from hiring a professional is service. With templates, you may be left in the dark if you get into some trouble. Or, you may have to pay for costly service calls to fix the problem. Also, you can be sure to have a fully customized site, completely unique, that looks professional and increases your business!
Both customized websites and templates have pros and cons. Basically it comes down to your company’s budget and spare time. If you’ve got the time to manage your own website a template may be the right choice for you. If time is something that your business doesn’t have a lot of and you value a professional’s expertise, a fully managed and customized website will work better for you. Whether a template or a customized website is best for your company, you can’t lose!
About the Author: Tyler Houts is the Public Relations and Online Marketing Director for Kinetica Media, an internet marketing company that works to harness the power of the internet for businesses of all sizes. Visit http://www.kineticamedia.com to see how their proven online marketing campaigns can enhance customer loyalty and attract new clients.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Houts
Thursday, February 22, 2007
How to Save Money on Printing and Website Designing Job
By Sandy Bamford
Background
Print & Web was conceived to address the print and web development needs of SMEs, micro businesses, not for profit businesses, charities, sole traders, partnerships and the general public who until now have been ignored or overcharged by the traditional print and web development suppliers. Combining offshore supply chains, local knowledge and globally resourced skills, we are in a position to offer very competitive prices, generally within short time frames using the industry's spare capacity.
Our developers have created and currently host over 1500 websites. Graphic designers have created numerous logos, leaflets, flyers and other documentation for companies and events.
With no City advisors and institutional shareholders to pay Print & Web can produce products and services using old and new media and help you to leverage your organisations growth and competitiveness through the power of the Internet. Until now these benefits were confined to large well established organisations with the necessary financial resources. Now Print & Web has created the means for businesses and organisations of all sizes and individuals to enjoy the same benefits at truly affordable cost.
Printing
Print & Web is a print broker and uses the philosophy of “find the most appropriate expert” for the job at that particular time rather than operating on a one size fits all basis.
In this way spare printing capacity is used by Print & Web extensive panel of print providers during periods of what would otherwise be unproductive and underutilised downtime. This approach engenders loyalty with our printing partners who benefit from the extra work through operational scale economies and the additional revenue that in a real sense represents found money.
In addition our customers, both corporate and private, get their work done quickly and efficiently in a dedicated printing environment where our printing partners can focus their whole attention on the task in hand.
Finally, using a network of printing partners enables Print & Web to undertake a very much wider range of work than would otherwise be possible with a single printer or firm. The combination of highly developed negotiating skills and knowledge of the capabilities of each component member within Print & Web's printing panel is a powerful one. When this is allied to years of experience at managing outsourced relationships and actually running as a global outsourcer the result is a highly competitive and appealing proposition.
Website Design, Creation & Hosting
Through Print & Web customers can also commission websites and receive ancillary guidance on marketing to either make the website “sell” products and services on an automated basis or provide a means to enhance conventional marketing arrangements. With the experience gained through sister companies of developing and hosting over 1500 websites, we can develop websites quickly and efficiently to your exact specifications.
Where sophisticated shopping carts are required Print & Web uses PayPal and 2 Checkout as preferred payment mechanisms but can also offer a wealth of knowledge about merchant acquisition facilities, credit cards, credit cards and affinity based propositions.
To achieve higher browse to buy ratios websites can be improved through metatags and the use of non-web based marketing to drive enquiries into the website. This can often be more effective than costly search engine optimisation for organisations which lack the global reach and “footprint” of a multi-national or household name.
Some of the conventional marketing could of course utilise printed point of sales materials, leaflets and brochures developed and produced by Web & Print Solutions' printing partners. In this way we can be viewed as a one-stop shop solution with true 24/7 follow the sun capability.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Bamford
Background
Print & Web was conceived to address the print and web development needs of SMEs, micro businesses, not for profit businesses, charities, sole traders, partnerships and the general public who until now have been ignored or overcharged by the traditional print and web development suppliers. Combining offshore supply chains, local knowledge and globally resourced skills, we are in a position to offer very competitive prices, generally within short time frames using the industry's spare capacity.
Our developers have created and currently host over 1500 websites. Graphic designers have created numerous logos, leaflets, flyers and other documentation for companies and events.
With no City advisors and institutional shareholders to pay Print & Web can produce products and services using old and new media and help you to leverage your organisations growth and competitiveness through the power of the Internet. Until now these benefits were confined to large well established organisations with the necessary financial resources. Now Print & Web has created the means for businesses and organisations of all sizes and individuals to enjoy the same benefits at truly affordable cost.
Printing
Print & Web is a print broker and uses the philosophy of “find the most appropriate expert” for the job at that particular time rather than operating on a one size fits all basis.
In this way spare printing capacity is used by Print & Web extensive panel of print providers during periods of what would otherwise be unproductive and underutilised downtime. This approach engenders loyalty with our printing partners who benefit from the extra work through operational scale economies and the additional revenue that in a real sense represents found money.
In addition our customers, both corporate and private, get their work done quickly and efficiently in a dedicated printing environment where our printing partners can focus their whole attention on the task in hand.
Finally, using a network of printing partners enables Print & Web to undertake a very much wider range of work than would otherwise be possible with a single printer or firm. The combination of highly developed negotiating skills and knowledge of the capabilities of each component member within Print & Web's printing panel is a powerful one. When this is allied to years of experience at managing outsourced relationships and actually running as a global outsourcer the result is a highly competitive and appealing proposition.
Website Design, Creation & Hosting
Through Print & Web customers can also commission websites and receive ancillary guidance on marketing to either make the website “sell” products and services on an automated basis or provide a means to enhance conventional marketing arrangements. With the experience gained through sister companies of developing and hosting over 1500 websites, we can develop websites quickly and efficiently to your exact specifications.
Where sophisticated shopping carts are required Print & Web uses PayPal and 2 Checkout as preferred payment mechanisms but can also offer a wealth of knowledge about merchant acquisition facilities, credit cards, credit cards and affinity based propositions.
To achieve higher browse to buy ratios websites can be improved through metatags and the use of non-web based marketing to drive enquiries into the website. This can often be more effective than costly search engine optimisation for organisations which lack the global reach and “footprint” of a multi-national or household name.
Some of the conventional marketing could of course utilise printed point of sales materials, leaflets and brochures developed and produced by Web & Print Solutions' printing partners. In this way we can be viewed as a one-stop shop solution with true 24/7 follow the sun capability.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Bamford
Building a Site Like MySpace or Digg: Slow Down Cowboy
By Brandon Cornett
I volunteer at the advice forum AllExperts.com, and advice-giving forum and part of the About.com network. My specialty is Internet marketing for small businesses. Recently, I was asked how to go about building a website such as DontDateHimGirl.com.
First off, I think the website mentioned above is sexist and mean-spirited, but that's another article entirely.
I would classify the "Don't Date Him" website as part of the social revolution known as Web 2.0. Specifically, it is a user-driven website where the site visitors create the content and fuel the interaction. In that regard, it's similar to MySpace, Digg, YouTube, and a variety of similar sites.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of books that talk about building those kinds of websites. The reason is that they're a relatively new development, and the traditional publishing cycle takes months or years to produce a new book. Of course, you can find some e-books here and there, but even those are scarce.
Personally, if I were looking for inspiration and education on how to create a user-driven site, I would look online.
But learning about this kind of website is only a small first step. Building the site and attracting and audience is another step entirely. Many people who get the urge to create one of these sites have no idea as to the amount of work involved. I'm not trying to be negative here ... just realistic.
With that said, if you're still serious about creating the next MySpace or Flickr, here are three primary ingredients you'll need.
1. You Need a Big Idea.This is perhaps the most important ingredient for a Web 2.0 site. The big idea! All of the social, user-driven websites mentioned above are built around a big idea.
Examples: Create a profile and network with others (MySpace). Post and rate news items by popularity (Digg). Put your videos online and have them ranked by popularity (YouTube). Etc.
The big idea is what gets people talking about these websites, visiting these websites, and sticking with these websites. Without a useful and unique idea, a user-driven website will be doomed to fail from the start. The idea is the seed from which everything grows.
2. You Need a Talented Web Team.Another thing most of these sites have in common is that they're all easy to use. The developers have worked hard to create a highly usable experience for visitors. They are designed for simplicity and function, with complex database-driven "engines" that do what they're supposed to, when they're supposed to.
So if you don't have this kind of talent yourself, you'll need to hook up with a talented web developer, as well as a designer who understands usability.
3. You Need a Buzz Machine.Once your website has been built, tested, and is ready to meet the world, you'll need a way to make that happen. You could promote your new site in a number of ways, such as press releases and other announcement channels.
But what you REALLY want to do is get the bloggers talking about it. Nothing spreads faster online than blogger-driven buzz. This ties back to ingredient #1, the big idea. If your website is truly unique and useful, you'll have a much easier time building the buzz. People are more inclined to remark on things that are … well, remarkable.
Of course, if you want to give your buzz campaign a boost, you could also pay for the privilege. These days, websites like PayPerPost.com and LoudLaunch.com offers ways to pay bloggers to blog about a new product or service. Yes, there's an endless debate about this strategy, but I'm not passing judgment on it -- I'm just making you aware of it.
So there you go. A big idea. A talented web team. A buzz machine. Once you have those three things, the rest is just hard work. Lots and lots of hard work. If you were looking for an "easy button," I'm sorry to disappoint.
* You may republish this article online if you retain the author's byline and the active hyperlinks below. Copyright 2007, Brandon Cornett.
About the AuthorBrandon Cornett is a real estate marketing specialist and SEO consultant. You can visit the author online at http://www.armingyourfarming.com/realestatemarketing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Cornett
I volunteer at the advice forum AllExperts.com, and advice-giving forum and part of the About.com network. My specialty is Internet marketing for small businesses. Recently, I was asked how to go about building a website such as DontDateHimGirl.com.
First off, I think the website mentioned above is sexist and mean-spirited, but that's another article entirely.
I would classify the "Don't Date Him" website as part of the social revolution known as Web 2.0. Specifically, it is a user-driven website where the site visitors create the content and fuel the interaction. In that regard, it's similar to MySpace, Digg, YouTube, and a variety of similar sites.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of books that talk about building those kinds of websites. The reason is that they're a relatively new development, and the traditional publishing cycle takes months or years to produce a new book. Of course, you can find some e-books here and there, but even those are scarce.
Personally, if I were looking for inspiration and education on how to create a user-driven site, I would look online.
But learning about this kind of website is only a small first step. Building the site and attracting and audience is another step entirely. Many people who get the urge to create one of these sites have no idea as to the amount of work involved. I'm not trying to be negative here ... just realistic.
With that said, if you're still serious about creating the next MySpace or Flickr, here are three primary ingredients you'll need.
1. You Need a Big Idea.This is perhaps the most important ingredient for a Web 2.0 site. The big idea! All of the social, user-driven websites mentioned above are built around a big idea.
Examples: Create a profile and network with others (MySpace). Post and rate news items by popularity (Digg). Put your videos online and have them ranked by popularity (YouTube). Etc.
The big idea is what gets people talking about these websites, visiting these websites, and sticking with these websites. Without a useful and unique idea, a user-driven website will be doomed to fail from the start. The idea is the seed from which everything grows.
2. You Need a Talented Web Team.Another thing most of these sites have in common is that they're all easy to use. The developers have worked hard to create a highly usable experience for visitors. They are designed for simplicity and function, with complex database-driven "engines" that do what they're supposed to, when they're supposed to.
So if you don't have this kind of talent yourself, you'll need to hook up with a talented web developer, as well as a designer who understands usability.
3. You Need a Buzz Machine.Once your website has been built, tested, and is ready to meet the world, you'll need a way to make that happen. You could promote your new site in a number of ways, such as press releases and other announcement channels.
But what you REALLY want to do is get the bloggers talking about it. Nothing spreads faster online than blogger-driven buzz. This ties back to ingredient #1, the big idea. If your website is truly unique and useful, you'll have a much easier time building the buzz. People are more inclined to remark on things that are … well, remarkable.
Of course, if you want to give your buzz campaign a boost, you could also pay for the privilege. These days, websites like PayPerPost.com and LoudLaunch.com offers ways to pay bloggers to blog about a new product or service. Yes, there's an endless debate about this strategy, but I'm not passing judgment on it -- I'm just making you aware of it.
So there you go. A big idea. A talented web team. A buzz machine. Once you have those three things, the rest is just hard work. Lots and lots of hard work. If you were looking for an "easy button," I'm sorry to disappoint.
* You may republish this article online if you retain the author's byline and the active hyperlinks below. Copyright 2007, Brandon Cornett.
About the AuthorBrandon Cornett is a real estate marketing specialist and SEO consultant. You can visit the author online at http://www.armingyourfarming.com/realestatemarketing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Cornett
Building a Site Like MySpace or Digg: Slow Down Cowboy
By Brandon Cornett
I volunteer at the advice forum AllExperts.com, and advice-giving forum and part of the About.com network. My specialty is Internet marketing for small businesses. Recently, I was asked how to go about building a website such as DontDateHimGirl.com.
First off, I think the website mentioned above is sexist and mean-spirited, but that's another article entirely.
I would classify the "Don't Date Him" website as part of the social revolution known as Web 2.0. Specifically, it is a user-driven website where the site visitors create the content and fuel the interaction. In that regard, it's similar to MySpace, Digg, YouTube, and a variety of similar sites.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of books that talk about building those kinds of websites. The reason is that they're a relatively new development, and the traditional publishing cycle takes months or years to produce a new book. Of course, you can find some e-books here and there, but even those are scarce.
Personally, if I were looking for inspiration and education on how to create a user-driven site, I would look online.
But learning about this kind of website is only a small first step. Building the site and attracting and audience is another step entirely. Many people who get the urge to create one of these sites have no idea as to the amount of work involved. I'm not trying to be negative here ... just realistic.
With that said, if you're still serious about creating the next MySpace or Flickr, here are three primary ingredients you'll need.
1. You Need a Big Idea.This is perhaps the most important ingredient for a Web 2.0 site. The big idea! All of the social, user-driven websites mentioned above are built around a big idea.
Examples: Create a profile and network with others (MySpace). Post and rate news items by popularity (Digg). Put your videos online and have them ranked by popularity (YouTube). Etc.
The big idea is what gets people talking about these websites, visiting these websites, and sticking with these websites. Without a useful and unique idea, a user-driven website will be doomed to fail from the start. The idea is the seed from which everything grows.
2. You Need a Talented Web Team.Another thing most of these sites have in common is that they're all easy to use. The developers have worked hard to create a highly usable experience for visitors. They are designed for simplicity and function, with complex database-driven "engines" that do what they're supposed to, when they're supposed to.
So if you don't have this kind of talent yourself, you'll need to hook up with a talented web developer, as well as a designer who understands usability.
3. You Need a Buzz Machine.Once your website has been built, tested, and is ready to meet the world, you'll need a way to make that happen. You could promote your new site in a number of ways, such as press releases and other announcement channels.
But what you REALLY want to do is get the bloggers talking about it. Nothing spreads faster online than blogger-driven buzz. This ties back to ingredient #1, the big idea. If your website is truly unique and useful, you'll have a much easier time building the buzz. People are more inclined to remark on things that are … well, remarkable.
Of course, if you want to give your buzz campaign a boost, you could also pay for the privilege. These days, websites like PayPerPost.com and LoudLaunch.com offers ways to pay bloggers to blog about a new product or service. Yes, there's an endless debate about this strategy, but I'm not passing judgment on it -- I'm just making you aware of it.
So there you go. A big idea. A talented web team. A buzz machine. Once you have those three things, the rest is just hard work. Lots and lots of hard work. If you were looking for an "easy button," I'm sorry to disappoint.
* You may republish this article online if you retain the author's byline and the active hyperlinks below. Copyright 2007, Brandon Cornett.
About the AuthorBrandon Cornett is a real estate marketing specialist and SEO consultant. You can visit the author online at http://www.armingyourfarming.com/realestatemarketing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Cornett
I volunteer at the advice forum AllExperts.com, and advice-giving forum and part of the About.com network. My specialty is Internet marketing for small businesses. Recently, I was asked how to go about building a website such as DontDateHimGirl.com.
First off, I think the website mentioned above is sexist and mean-spirited, but that's another article entirely.
I would classify the "Don't Date Him" website as part of the social revolution known as Web 2.0. Specifically, it is a user-driven website where the site visitors create the content and fuel the interaction. In that regard, it's similar to MySpace, Digg, YouTube, and a variety of similar sites.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of books that talk about building those kinds of websites. The reason is that they're a relatively new development, and the traditional publishing cycle takes months or years to produce a new book. Of course, you can find some e-books here and there, but even those are scarce.
Personally, if I were looking for inspiration and education on how to create a user-driven site, I would look online.
But learning about this kind of website is only a small first step. Building the site and attracting and audience is another step entirely. Many people who get the urge to create one of these sites have no idea as to the amount of work involved. I'm not trying to be negative here ... just realistic.
With that said, if you're still serious about creating the next MySpace or Flickr, here are three primary ingredients you'll need.
1. You Need a Big Idea.This is perhaps the most important ingredient for a Web 2.0 site. The big idea! All of the social, user-driven websites mentioned above are built around a big idea.
Examples: Create a profile and network with others (MySpace). Post and rate news items by popularity (Digg). Put your videos online and have them ranked by popularity (YouTube). Etc.
The big idea is what gets people talking about these websites, visiting these websites, and sticking with these websites. Without a useful and unique idea, a user-driven website will be doomed to fail from the start. The idea is the seed from which everything grows.
2. You Need a Talented Web Team.Another thing most of these sites have in common is that they're all easy to use. The developers have worked hard to create a highly usable experience for visitors. They are designed for simplicity and function, with complex database-driven "engines" that do what they're supposed to, when they're supposed to.
So if you don't have this kind of talent yourself, you'll need to hook up with a talented web developer, as well as a designer who understands usability.
3. You Need a Buzz Machine.Once your website has been built, tested, and is ready to meet the world, you'll need a way to make that happen. You could promote your new site in a number of ways, such as press releases and other announcement channels.
But what you REALLY want to do is get the bloggers talking about it. Nothing spreads faster online than blogger-driven buzz. This ties back to ingredient #1, the big idea. If your website is truly unique and useful, you'll have a much easier time building the buzz. People are more inclined to remark on things that are … well, remarkable.
Of course, if you want to give your buzz campaign a boost, you could also pay for the privilege. These days, websites like PayPerPost.com and LoudLaunch.com offers ways to pay bloggers to blog about a new product or service. Yes, there's an endless debate about this strategy, but I'm not passing judgment on it -- I'm just making you aware of it.
So there you go. A big idea. A talented web team. A buzz machine. Once you have those three things, the rest is just hard work. Lots and lots of hard work. If you were looking for an "easy button," I'm sorry to disappoint.
* You may republish this article online if you retain the author's byline and the active hyperlinks below. Copyright 2007, Brandon Cornett.
About the AuthorBrandon Cornett is a real estate marketing specialist and SEO consultant. You can visit the author online at http://www.armingyourfarming.com/realestatemarketing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Cornett
Web Site Creation - Creating Your Own Internet Website
By Sean Ray
With all the interest in the Internet, everyone and their grandmother has a site available for viewing. Well maybe everyone but you? Perhaps you have considered creating a site, but found the task too daunting. By using the following tips, your personal site will be up and running in no time at all.
1. Create your domain name – Not only should a domain name be easy to remember, it should in some way assimilate with the contents of your site. After choosing your domain name, you must register it online. Once you choose your server site, (see step two) they will be able to give you information on how and where to register.2. Select a server – There are hundreds, if not thousands of servers available. Sites like Yahoo offer both paid and free sites. Take some time to research various offers to see which is the best option for you. 3. Choose a design program – As with web servers, there are hundreds of options when it comes to choosing software to design your web pages. Several sites (Yahoo included) offer free downloadable programs, however, many of these have limited design choices. Microsoft FrontPage is another favorite option. It enables the user to create their site without ever knowing how to write HTML code. 4. Consider your layout. How many pages will your site have? What is the main message you want to include. Will you use a template or design it from scratch? How will the user navigate through your site. In this important step, it might be wise to visit some of your favorite websites and consider what you like or do not like about their layout. Keep in mind these important considerations as you are planning your design and remember a cohesive look will add credibility and appeal to the overall appearance of your site. 5. Upload your site!! Once your site is live on the Internet, it is time to consider how you will draw traffic to your website. Take some time to learn about Internet marketing techniques and utilize them in promoting your little piece of the World Wide Web.
Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, ‘Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide‘
Download it free here: Secrets of Article Promotion
Do you want to learn how to build a massive list fast? Click here: Email List Building
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Ray
With all the interest in the Internet, everyone and their grandmother has a site available for viewing. Well maybe everyone but you? Perhaps you have considered creating a site, but found the task too daunting. By using the following tips, your personal site will be up and running in no time at all.
1. Create your domain name – Not only should a domain name be easy to remember, it should in some way assimilate with the contents of your site. After choosing your domain name, you must register it online. Once you choose your server site, (see step two) they will be able to give you information on how and where to register.2. Select a server – There are hundreds, if not thousands of servers available. Sites like Yahoo offer both paid and free sites. Take some time to research various offers to see which is the best option for you. 3. Choose a design program – As with web servers, there are hundreds of options when it comes to choosing software to design your web pages. Several sites (Yahoo included) offer free downloadable programs, however, many of these have limited design choices. Microsoft FrontPage is another favorite option. It enables the user to create their site without ever knowing how to write HTML code. 4. Consider your layout. How many pages will your site have? What is the main message you want to include. Will you use a template or design it from scratch? How will the user navigate through your site. In this important step, it might be wise to visit some of your favorite websites and consider what you like or do not like about their layout. Keep in mind these important considerations as you are planning your design and remember a cohesive look will add credibility and appeal to the overall appearance of your site. 5. Upload your site!! Once your site is live on the Internet, it is time to consider how you will draw traffic to your website. Take some time to learn about Internet marketing techniques and utilize them in promoting your little piece of the World Wide Web.
Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, ‘Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide‘
Download it free here: Secrets of Article Promotion
Do you want to learn how to build a massive list fast? Click here: Email List Building
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Ray
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