Internet Host Services Blog - Web Site Design

When to Use Flash on Web Sites

nospam@example.com (Sarah Chantigian) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:23:00 +0000

Incorporating Flash into your web site can work if done properly. Some of the basic rules to consider when designing or hiring a web designer include:

Give the visitor a way to skip the Flash presentation.
Avoid having your index page entirely made of a Flash presentation. Utilize a navigation with an embedded (smaller) dose of Flash.
Make sure there is text on the home page if you do include a Flash presentation.
Flash in general is not search engine friendly. A site designed entirely in this method will guarantee no rankings organically.
Avoid creating your navigation entirely in Flash. If you must use this method, add a text based footer.

Elements that can turn off your web site visitors

nospam@example.com (Sarah Chantigian) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:49:00 +0000

Take a good look at your web site. There could be elements on there that are turning away your visitors.

Some of these items include:

Excessive pop-ups
Broken Images
Dead (broken) Links
Slow Loading Pages
Old Text (such as rates for 2005, when it's mid way 2007)
Lack of Contact Information- Having to scroll through pages to find a phone number or even an email address will surely irritate any web site visitor.
Lots of rotating graphics, icons, fading pages or anything else that's 'free javascripting'. This can not only turn off a customer, but search engines as well.

If you are unsure about your web site's design, or interested in a new look, feel free to contact us for a FREE web site review.

What is the Right Web Design Software for Me?

nospam@example.com (Sarah Chantigian) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:31:10 +0000

Many clients ask what kind of software should they use for designing their own website or maintaining a website we create for them.

Most of us who professionally design use software such as Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Photoshop to create the great looking sites you see in our portfolio, however software such as these can run hundreds ($600 +) of dollars.

The 'cheaper' software such as Front Page from Microsoft is widely used by many of our clients. Is it a good choice for you?

The first question to ask is how much updating or modifications do you plan on making on the website? If we designed the site and you have an older version of Front Page, there is a good chance Front Page will not correctly update the site and may throw tables out of whack. We also design in CSS and Server Side Includes (SSI). Front Page may not be as friendly of a software to handle such elements in our designs.

Should you need to update on a regular basis and Front Page is the only option, we can modify the site at the time of the design to make sure Front Page will work properly.

If you are designing on your own, and funds are limited, Front Page or Adobe GoLive is another great option. Both come with templates for quick layout choices, or you can take a stab at your own creation.

All hosting with HostServices comes with Front Page installed, so you can easily create, modify and publish sites using this method.

It's a Good Time to Winterize Your Website

nospam@example.com (Sarah Chantigian) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:57:00 +0000

With the holidays rapidily approaching, now may be a good time to think about 'winterizing' your website. Unless you are an e-commerce website (if that's the case, I don't think you even have time to breath let alone read blogs), this could be a good time to review your existing website and make some modifications that may help your business once the holiday has passed.

Some items to consider when winterizing the site:

Are there any broken links or images on the site now that can be fixed?
Review your web statistics; are you reaching your target audience? Are more people leaving at your price page rather than calling for a quote?
Could you add more value to your site? Tips, reviews, more product(s), general information? A blog perhaps?
Is your site appealing? Is it time to ditch the cheap software for a professional web site design?
How is your site ranking in the search engines? Is this even a moot question?

All these questions are helpful in determining whether or not your website is doing what you intended.

Also consider (here we go another plug) a FREE web site review by Internet Host Services. We can and will help you find a better path to website enlightenment.

What is Frame Web Site?

nospam@example.com (Sarah Chantigian) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:53:00 +0000

For over 10 years, a common question asked by our clients is what exactly is a frame site? Why is it we frown upon such a design and constantly tell our current and potential clients to redesign a frame site? Being seen on the search engines is the most important reason why.

Let's first address what a frame site is. A frame site allows you to display more than one html document or 'page' in one browser window. Many people like to link to sites but do not want their customers to leave theirs. So they create a frame of their site around the middle of a different web page. Using this on a very small basis can be OK as long as you don't base the entire website on this method.

The reason search engines typically cannot rank sites in this design are the mulitple frames that have to make up the page. They usually reach the first main frameset and cannot find any navigation or content.

Sometimes a portion of a frame site will be indexed in search engines. When this does occur, typically the main frame target or middle of the page is the only one that indexes. This causes a lost page; no navigation, no links, no logo. This is just as bad as no rankings at all.

Redesign of Inground Pool Site Lauched Today!

nospam@example.com (Sarah Chantigian) — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 22:49:00 +0000

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new and improved swimming pool and spa website for Anthony & Sylvan Pools. It has made an amazing transition. With the flash introduction on the home page to the pool gallery and pool services area. Check it out: http://www.anthonysylvan.com