Mark Cloyd Designs

SEO Timelines

Mark Cloyd — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 4:03:06 GMT

I've been hearing more and more from either new clients or people with websites that aren't clients of mine at all about the SEO company they are working with.

I find it interesting that while SEO companies send, "reports" to website owners on a weekly or bi-weekly basis reporting the results of search engine results, then of course they take some action that is supposed to improve things over the next week or so.

The reason I find that interesting is that search engines don't spider websites but once a month! So, how can your SEO company constantly make changes to your SEO plan without waiting, at the very least, a month or more for the changes to take affect in the Search Engines? Now, under stand too, that if a Search Engine spiders on the 1st of January, then again on the 30th of February, that is still considered once a month, but it is nearly sixty (60) days!

Now, even though your website is spidered once a month, that doesn't mean that your results will be nearly what you think they might be; assuming you have great content, perfect titles, keywords and descriptions for your website, you have to consider age and popularity as well.

That's right, if you have a brand new website in a competative market, your site will need to gain poplarity and a little age before your efforts may be realized! It's a little like a child, although they are perfect at doing something, if they live in a community of extremely gifted children, it may take some time for everyone to realize that the child is slightly better than the rest! And even if that child is better than and older child, everyone knows the older child, and too, the older child is proven where the younger perfect child, because of their age has to prove the can deliver consistanltly over time, the older child will still be a favorite! (I of course don't condone putting pressure like that on children, it's just an example.)

So, to my exhausted warning: Please make sure to educate yourself concerning SEO before you commit yourself to a lengthy and expensive contract that may have you seeing benefits, but benefits you can realize for MUCH less, or even FREE!

SEO All Promise, No Delivery

Mark Cloyd — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 6:03:24 GMT

Why is it that SEO companies like to lead in with, “We'll look at your competitors Key Words, and add the same one's to your website”? The truth of the matter is that your competitors Key Words may have absolutely nothing to do with your content. So, they become ineffective at best.

Imagine this... Everyone in the world had a website, and they are all selling lawn mowers, if every website were identical, and they all had the same Key Words and content, how in the world would they all be number one in search engines? Well the truth is they couldn't, so, some of it becomes, “Those with the most money win”, while some of it is shear popularity, and others will success above others because of change... that's right, breaking out of the norm and actually modifying content and Meta information that is unique.

So, how does SEO work? First of all, let's not confuse SEO with Page Rank, Page Rank was developed by the Stanford University who granted exclusive rights to use the algorithm for over $300 million dollars in shares. Page Rank is a different animal and will not be discussed here.

So, on to SEO.

You basically have four major aspects to consider with SEO:

Good, solid, relevant content
Page titles
Meta Description
Meta Keywords

Then you have other minor, but very important minor, (not really minor, let's say other instead) considerations:

Internal links
Link titles
Alt tags
Non-abusive CSS

Let's dissect the major aspects first.

Content:

Most important for any website is to deliver relevant content, how do we do this? First, decide what page you are considering, because each page of your website is a potential landing page for visitors. Next, you need to consider what Keywords or Phrases you expect people might search for to find your content.

Make a list of those Keywords and Phrases, then build your content around them. Remember, that content closer to the top of the page is considered more relevant, so don't drone on, write like a Scott's man, short and to the point. But remember not to be too mechanical either. Try to repeat your Key Words or Phrases a couple of times where possible, don't force them in there though, make it real content.

Page titles:

Now that we have good, relevant content on our page, we can now look at creating a title that also works with our page content. Again, try using your Keywords or Phrases in the title, but make it human readable, don't just plug-in your Keywords.

Meta Description:

You can now write a short synopsis of your page, (try to confine it to 200 characters where possible) using your Keywords or Phrases.

Meta Keywords:

Finally, take that list of Keywords and Phrases and plop them in the Keywords Meta Tag.

In doing this you have created well formed, relevant, continuous information on your website that is easy to crawl and becomes even more relevant to search engines. The better the information matches across the board, the better you will fare in your SEO efforts.

What you are doing is creating a targeted search. For example, if you asked someone where to find the red haired girl who lives on a side street in the town next to your who is about five feet tall, they would just shrug their shoulders and walk away. However, if you asked about Sarah Red, who lives at 1234 Home Lane, in My Town, USA, even if they don't know her they might be able to give you directions. You don't want a general search, you need to target.

Now, make sure you do the same thing for every page on your website.

Okay, now let's look at the other considerations:

Internal Links:

Some people may tell you that links within content are ugly or they do little for you, well, search engines disagree. They like so see that there is more content on your page and if your navigation is the only thing that a “spider” can crawl to find information, you are the one losing. With that in mind, if you have the words, “Contact Us” in your content, and you have a Contact Us page, by all means, make it a link!

Link Titles:

Also, make sure that all your links have titles; if you have ever been to a website that when you mouse-over a link you get at tiny little beige, (maybe some other color for you) “pop-up” with a word or two in it, typically the same words as the link, those are Link Titles, don't underestimate their power!

Alt Tags:

Images on your website should all contain an Alt Tag. An Alt Tag can contain the name of the image, but a better use would be to throw in a Keyword or other relevant words for your page, just one more avenue of being seen by search engines. An interesting technique employed by some, (at the risk of looking like you have made a mistake) is to mis-spell your alt tag. For instance, if you have a page on Apples, and you have an image of Apples, you can mis-spell the Alt Tag to read, Aples. This can actually help, because if people are in a hurry and mis-type, you may reap the benefits of their being in a hurry!

Non-abusive CSS:

A common mistake if for developers to try to hide content by using, display:none; in their CSS, search engines are getting smarter and if a block of code is found with display:none; it can have a negative impact on your SEO. While that is a valid attribute used in CSS, it should be used only when needed and not to try to hide contents from view.

So there you go, you low-down and dirty SEO tips. There is some merit obviously to paid advertisement, but honestly, if you are going to spend money on ads, rent a billboard, or make a radio or T.V. commercial. Focus your dollars on traditional advertising and not on Pay-per-Click schemes. Even with everything mentioned here, popularity does not hurt either!

SEO Overkill

Mark Cloyd — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 5:07:00 GMT

Okay, let's face it, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), while EXTREMELY important, has not only become a “Buzz Word”, it's just flat out confusing! In this article, I hope to share some information that may save you a great amount of money and grief, and of course confusion.

SEO companies, love to confuse people with terminology and placing importance on Meta Tags is definitely a favorite tactic. So, lets break it down.

There are really only four, (two if you live in the US) recommended Meta Tags:

Meta Content Language (non-US English Only)
Meta Content Type
Meta Description
Meta Language (non-US English Only)

There are eight optional Meta Tags

Meta Abstract
Meta Author
Meta Copyright
Meta Designer
Meta Google
Meta Keywords
Meta MSN (No ODP)
Meta Title

Finally, there are seventeen Meta Tags that are NOT recommended

Meta Content Script Type
Meta Content Style Type
Meta Distribution
Meta Expires
Meta Generator
Meta MS Smart Tags
Meta Pragma No-Cache
Meta Publisher
Meta Rating
Meta Refresh
Meta Reply-To
Meta Resource Type
Meta Revisit After
Meta Robots
Meta Set Cookie
Meta Subject
Meta VW96.ObjectType

Why are there so many NOT recommended Meta Tags? Because there are better ways to accomplish the tasks they represent, i.e. robots.txt file, they server no purpose, search engines may penalize you for their use or they have been discontinued.

Please research all Meta Tabs before using them, some of them really do server a purpose, while others can have a negative effect on your SEO, while others, just take up space.

Remember, it's not a contest to see who can have the most Meta Tags, it's just best to have those that work for you. Don't be fooled by a long list of impressive looking, official sounding items on your website, make sure, just like your content, that they work for you, not against you!

Source: WebMarketingNow

Are Your Parts All Present?

Mark Cloyd — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 4:43:57 GMT

Much discussion and all emphasis seems to be focused around what a website looks like, but how does it measure up behind the scenes? Every website has basic needs, and if those needs aren't met, much like a small child, (or teenager) things you thing are happenink, don't get done.

What I'm taking about is basic website architecture. From head to foot, there are pieces of your website that are needed for not only best practice, but also to make sure your website performs as you might expect it to in Search Engine Optimization. Let's take a look.

Document Type Declaration:
At the very first, your website should have something called a Document Type Declaration (DTD), the DTD helps web browsers determine what layout mode to use. Used incorrectly, your website may not display correctly for many potential viewers... that's bad.

An example of a DTD looks like this and is typically the very first thing you should see in your website Source Code, (you can view your website Source Code by right clicking on the screen and selecting, “Veiw Source” or select, “View” in your menu bar, then select “Source Code”):

While there are many different DTD's and only a handful are really ever used; they are however a very important part of a properly structured website.

XML Namespace:
XML Namespaces provides a method to avoid element name conflicts, the .HTML validator at w3.org typically does not complain when the xmlns attribute is missing in an XHTML document, this is because the namespace "xmlns=http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" is default, and will be added to the tag even if you do not include it. However that is not always the case and to avoid issues for a properly validated website, it's best to include the XML namespace.

The HEAD tag:
This is where some immediately viewable information lives in the form of your tag. You can view the result of your <TITLE> tag simply by looking at the very top of your browser. You will see some text then a hyphen and the name of your browser, for example: This is my website – Mozilla Firefox. The, “This is my website” is what is between the <TITLE> tags for that page.

It is VERY important that all your pages have a unique , if not, Google and other search engines will, “ding” you for having duplicate titles on your website. META information: Ah, my favorite! Here is where SEO companies, like to mystify your mind! Meta tags are a snippet of informational code that is been located between your <HEAD> </HEAD> tags that are apart of your HTML document you've generated. Typically abused and all but ignored by Google, the Meta Tag is an enigma that SEO companies use to coax a LOT of money out of their clients. (Please read my article on SEO Overkill for more information). The BODY tag: This is where the heart of your content lives. What you see on your web browser, is written here. That's pretty much it, and while I know that you may not understand what these tags are used for in their entirety, if you find that ANY of these items are missing, you might want to contact your web developer right away and have them address these potentially serious issues. </article> <article> <h1>Developer Interview Tips</h1> Mark Cloyd — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 3:53:57 GMT There's a lot of talk about how to find a web developer, and I myself am always talking about the very same thing; interviewing the developer, talking to their clients, etc. But that only reaches so far, so what can you do besides that? Let's take a look at some things your web developer should know and apply to the development of your website. He are some links that can help you can look into that might in putting together a list of interview questions for potential web developers: Accessibility: Making sure that all people can access your website, including people who use assisted technologies, i.e. people with vision or hearing problems and people with motor skill deficiencies. <ul> <li><a target="_blank" title="W3C" href="http://www.w3.org/">http://www.w3.org/</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" title="WAI" href="http://www.w3.org/WAI/">http://www.w3.org/WAI/</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" title="U.S. 508 Compliance" href="http://www.section508.gov/">http://www.section508.gov/</a> </li> </ul>Usability: Making sure people can find information on your website without getting lost, or having to dig too deep. <ul> <li><a target="_blank" title="Usability" href="http://www.netmechanic.com/news/vol7/design_no4.htm">http://www.netmechanic.com/news/vol7/design_no4.htm</a></li> </ul>Layout: Assist in Accessibility and Usability by using CSS correctly and avoiding tables for layout of non-linear data. <ul> <li><a target="_blank" title="Layout" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascading_Style_Sheets">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascading_Style_Sheets</a></li> </ul>Cross Browser Compatibility: Ensure that people using Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari and other web browsers can view and use your website. <ul> <li><a target="_blank" title="Cross Browser Compatibility" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-browser">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-browser</a></li> </ul>Cross Platform Compatibility: Ensure people using Windows, Macintosh, Linux or other Operating Systems can view and use your website. <ul> <li><a target="_blank" title="Cross Platform Compatibility" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-platform#Web_applications">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-platform#Web_applications</a></li> </ul>This is a short list of information that, while may require some reading, will equip you to make a better informed decision regarding the web developer you would like to work with. This information can help you not only ask intelligent questions regarding the web development industry, it can also help you identify web developers that are not keeping up to date on standard web development techniques. Don't look at the information on these pages and get frustrated, in order to make a well informed decision, and not be surprised when your website is completed, it's best to go in with as much information as you can. Cheers! </article> <article> <h1>Custom vs Pre-Packaged</h1> Mark Cloyd — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 3:03:08 GMT The great debate... should I have a custom developed website, or should I purchase an, Out of the Box solution? It's like most other things in life, while there are some really great opportunities that are free, and others, “You get what you pay for”. Unfortunately, there aren't many, or any at all, free website opportunities out there that will cater specific needs, so Open Source options are out, leaving you with a pre-packaged website. Let's examine for a moment a Custom Website: With custom development, you can have anything you want. Of course there is a price tag associated with custom development, and there of course is a consideration of finding a reputable and talented developer, but with a little homework you can have a website / web-based application suited for your specific needs, without a lot of unwanted features and system overhead. Misnomers: Many people who don't commonly develop custom Content Management Systems (CMS) will automatically shout out that any changes to a custom CMS will be costly and time consuming. <div style="margin-left: 40px;">While this statement can be true, if the website or web-based application is developed correctly, the need for changes to the CMS are rare or unnecessary. Proper planning of an application can take some time and consideration. Many people have the, “give it to me now” attitude and will sacrifice quality for speed. In instances like that, of course changes will occur and you will be charged for them. For the well thought out application, with a longer planning phase, the forethought and complete understanding, including growth can be built in to the system allowing for a natural growth without the need for additional development. </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px;">Additionally, it ultimately falls to the client to effectively communicate your exacting needs, though time and research do benefit the developer, the clients knowledge of their particular industry is key in the successful planning of any project. Without that knowledge, a developer can think forward and backward about the usability of a system and still miss; let's be careful where we place the blame. </div> Many people complain that, “You can't trust 'Custom Developers' they are hard to work with and once the project is done you can never get a hold of them.” <div style="margin-left: 40px;">Unfortunately in the web development industry, there are many people who feel like making websites, thinking they can make a quick buck, and then discover that it's more work than they had initially thought, so they disappear, leaving the client in a lurch! I have stressed over many different articles the importance of interviewing developers, and doing some research to find out what is involved in the development of a solid website or web-based application. No, you do not need to learn how to program, but you can learn about Web Standards, Open Source and Proprietary development languages, read reviews, search for complaints against a developer, contact some people on developers portfolio, make sure all links in a portfolio are still active, etc. So simply throwing your hands in the air and saying, “I just don't know” is a great way to get yourself into an unhappy relationship. PLEASE do your research! </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px;">To that end, support, maintenance and upgrades of a properly developed application by a reputable developer is typically unparalleled. You will find that once you find someone worth working with, you will develop a relationship with your developer that is irreplaceable and trust is definitely at a premium in our industry. Please expect to be educated by your developer in a few things that you may not understand, but ALWAYS verify what you have been told! </div> So, there are a few things to seriously consider with regard to custom development: <ul> <li>Price</li> <li>Planning vs. Speed</li> <li>Proper Research... before working with a developer. </li> </ul> Okay, now let's examine an, Out of the Box application: With an out of the box application, you are ultimately working with a group of developers that have gotten together for some long-term planning of their own. Their goal? Develop an application that can be used by the masses, regardless of overhead and unwanted features. The applications are typically not designed with your company needs in mind, although you can make it do what you want, consider the following: <ul> <li>Are you stuck with a design that compromises your desires because the application is developed on a framework that will not allow for custom layout?</li> <li>Is the company willing to support you in the development of, or changing of the application to suit your particular needs?</li> <li>Does the application offer upgrades, and support of an upgrade fails?</li> <li>Can you easily hire another developer to easily modify the code within the application in the even you would like to change something the application developers wont?</li> <li>Are you limited to your hosting options?</li> <li>Can you always contact the same person, in the United States, that is familiar with your project so you don't have to spend valuable time recounting your project to catch them up to speed for your final request?</li> <li>Is the CMS easy to use and does it mirror your application so you can easily identify where things will show-up in your application?</li> <ul> <li>If you thought custom development was expensive, ask about modifying the application if your needs change. Then not only have you purchased an, Out of the Box application, now you are back where you didn't want to be, custom application, but now you have little or no choice in your developer!</li> </ul> <li>Will your application be developed withing current Web Standards with Cross Browser and Cross Platform compatibility?</li> <li>Is the architecture of you application compatible with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) requirements? </li> </ul>There are a lot of questions that need to be addressed, and many times the answers offered are vague, or non-existent. The other side of the coin is this, the salesperson you speak with will tell you that all is well and you have nothing to worry about... until you purchase the system, well, where is that wonderful easy going salesperson? Now when you call, you are directed to support, and they live in the real world and typically have very different and disconcerting answers. For many people an Out of the Box solution is fine, but if you are in the market for a custom application, and you see an Out of the Box, “solution” that promises much, research what they actually deliver. Because may people believe that the development of a website can be accomplished by High School students, that the cost should be low and turn around time fast. However in terms of quality, architecture, support, and longevity and development knowledge, the High School student typically falls way short. High School students can learn CPR, but I wouldn't want one operating on me; it's medical training, but not detailed enough to make a doctor. The same holds true with web development. I will soon write an article outlining some research tips that can allow you to make a well informed decision regarding our website development options. In the mean time, please don't be swayed by price, sacrificing quality can be a costly mistake. </article> <article> <h1>Linux, the New White Meat</h1> Mark Cloyd — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 1:58:24 GMT Change is good! For many years, like so many other people, was, “stuck” using Microsoft Windows. Wanting a change, I looked into Macintosh, and while Macintosh offers almost exactly everything I wanted in a change, the price of Macintosh systems is a very big deterant, so I was still, “stuck”. Until some years ago, a client had asked me about Linux systems; my initial response we to tell him that unless he was pretty computer savy, Linux might be something to avoid... I couldn't have been more wrong. Being blinded by Microsoft, I had ignored Linux for many years. My early attempts at installing and using Linux left me somewhat confused and frustrated. Although Linux has always, for the most part, been free and offers many advantages I look forward to as a developer, the learning curve expected to use it was always a little to much for time I had alloted for researching a new Operating System. Well, those times have definitely changed! I have been using Ubuntu Linux (Gnome) for some time now and could not be happier. As an alternative to Microsoft and Macintosh it is, “slammin'”! Ubuntu free, I mean truly free, if you want to try it, they will send you an installation disc, for free; you don't even pay for shipping, and they encourage you to make copies and give them to friends. Are you tired of paying for software, then having to pay for upgrades because your newest OS upgrade does not support your current software? No worries, Ubuntu has a VAST repository of FREE software developed for Linux that can easily replace most Microsoft software. For example, if you are using Microsoft Office, consider using <a title="OpenOffice.org" href="http://www.openoffice.org/">OpenOffice.org</a>, it is a full office suite comparable and in some areas superior to Microsoft Office. Need a new email client because you like Microsoft Outlook? Consider using Mozilla Thunderbird! The list is endless, and you have other choices beyond those listed above. There are other options as well. If you are unhappy with the high cost of Macintosh, consider installing Ubuntu, it's Gnome interface is very much like a Macintosh and you are sure to feel right at home. Windows users, don't fret, Kubuntu is for you, the KDE platform looks and feels very much like Windows, so you too have a home away from Microsoft! Want more advantages? How about freedom from viruses? While of course it is possible to receive a virus on a Linux machine, it is pretty much up to you if you do. What do I mean? Well, on Linux, you have to give permission for a new program to run, so if you see or download and execute something you are not sure of, it's possible to receive a virus, but even then, it typically won't affect you. If you pass on files to a Windows machine, it's possible to infect that machine, so care should still be taken. If you are worried, there are anti-virus softwares available for Linux, and their main purpose is to help ensure you don't spread viruses, not really dealing with viruses on your machine! Want more? Ever want to try expensive software like Adobe Photoshop but can't afford the $600+ price tag? The GIMP is an image manipulation software that stands VERY close to Adobe Photoshop. I will admit that the change for me took a little time, and I still miss some of the, “take for granted” features of Adobe Photoshop, the FREE price tag associated with The GIMP makes it worth while. Ubuntu, also comes in other flavors. Are you more concerned about media? Try Medibuntu, it's designed specifically for people who are media minded. I initially installed a dedicated Ubuntu system out of frustration and necessity when my primary development machine, (running Windows) decided it didn't want to work anymore, (the machine was less than a year old). Why didn't I return it? I didn't want Windows Vista! So, taking a chance, on the very same machine, I did a full install of Ubuntu, and have NEVER regretted it. In fact, it's the best change I have made with regard to computers in my life. Not ready to make the change but would like to check it out anyway? You can do that too. You can install Ubuntu as a dual-boot system on your current Windows machine, OR, you can run it directly from the CD before making any decision to install at all, (running from the CD will not allow you to save some information and each time you reboot will reset to the default configuration, but it's a great way to view the OS without committing). Okay, so let's review: <ul> <li>Free, review without install</li> <li>Install as dual-boot (option)</li> <li>Full install (option)</li> <li>Free software (many if not all applications you are currently using can be replaced)</li> <li>Different kernels;</li> <ul> <li>Gnome (for Mac-like appearance)</li> <li>KDE (for Windows-like appearance)</li> </ul> <li>Freedom from viruses</li> <li>Free shipping of CD, including free postage </li> </ul> What in the world could be better? There of course is a little learning to do, things will not be in the same place you are used to as they were on either your Windows or Macintosh system, but come on, if you are looking for a great easy change and freedom from the hardships associated with proprietary software licensing fees, and of course the freedom from crash-prone Windows systems, you can not let a little thing like learning stop you from enjoying a truly great operating system. Don't wait, explore the possibilities! Save money and make your life easier! For more information, visit: <a title="Explore Ubuntu Linux" target="_blank" href="http://www.ubuntu.com/">http://www.ubuntu.com</a> </article> <article> <h1>Cross Platform Compatibility</h1> Mark Cloyd — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 1:19:03 GMT For many a term that is very common is Cross Browser Compatibility, ensuring that a website is compatible with other web browsers such as Mozilla, IE, Opera, ect; while a somewhat less known or less emphasized, (or defined) term is Cross Platform Compatibility, ensuring your website is compatible with other operating systems. For many, concentrating on Microsoft Windows seems to be enough, others will include Macintosh, which is a great step, but there is definitely a third consideration that many people are either unaware of, or don't care to address; Linux. Linux has been around for a very long time and has always been accessible as an Open Source, (FREE) alternative to Microsoft Windows, and even Macintosh. The very name of Linux surprisingly scares people and brings to mind, “Uber Geeks” sitting around hacking away in some foreign programming language that is known only to them. That's not true however, and I will address that in a separate article. Although many programs, especially web browsers, take care of many of the issues that developers may consider as being important to differences between platforms, there are many small differences that need to be addressed. For example, while Linux sports the ability to run different web browsers natively, the way they display some form elements are slightly different; so as a consideration, form field sizes should be styled for width instead of using the default .html size attribute. Before you start shaking your head thinking, “Oh, great, we have to do something different for another platform” consider that Microsoft Internet Explorer is the forerunner in breaking compatibility; from developing their own version of Java Script, to continually ignoring Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) standards support, to developing their newer browsers with built-in Microsoft developed, hacks or “Workarounds”. The truth about website development goes much deeper than just creating a great looking website. The idea is to develop a great looking website that works on, at the very least, Current Major Platform releases and Current Major Browser releases. The development of a website or web-based application is a responsibility, and responsibility to clients does not end with making something pretty. Web developers should education their clients with regard to Standards, Compatibility, Usability and any possible issues that requested features may cause. Additionally, some websites are developed in proprietary languages can suffer greatly. For example, I have seen many websites developed in .ASP that will not work with any browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer. To be fair, I have seen may websites developed that seem to know that they don't support Linux, because I have received messages, very nicely formatted, that inform me that my browser is not compatible with their website... but the links provided always take me to browsers that I currently have on my system. How is that possible? It's simple, Linux is either identified as being not supported, or Linux is not even considered in compatibility. This article may sound like a rant, but as a web developer, I spend a great deal of time trying to develop websites and applications that work for everybody, and those developers who don't and continue their efforts in development and then tell their clients to limit their client base to only people using a specific browser, well, it “Chaps my hide”. Developers, please take a little time and investigate different Operating Systems so you have a good working knowledge about a key element of your industry. Clients, please do your homework before working with ANY web development company and if you are told that you need to exclude anyone from browsing your website, hang up the phone, and call someone else. </article> <article> <h1>Do NOT be a Scam Victim</h1> Mark Cloyd — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 5:34:32 GMT It is common knowledge that the web is not only a wonderful resource full of free information that can be very useful, but also a it can be a veritable breeding ground for filth and scammers, (which I guess are pretty much the same thing). Sadly as it turns out, many people using the name of, “Web Development Company” have less than desirable business practices, which in my opinion are just as bad as other scams that are currently being run, but that is not the focus of this article. Recently, one of my clients, a dog breeder, was contacted by several, “people”, two using the guise of being hearing impaired; the calls actually came in from a TTY service. One other came in as a general inquiry, stating that he was a Dr. Over the years a pattern has emerged, one that should help others quickly identify a scammer before it is too late. I would like to take a moment to demonstrate some of the items that should throw red flags for the potential victim and suggest a couple of things that may help alleviate receiving such annoying and potentially disastrous contacts. Some potential “Flags” are listed below: Poor Grammar While it is true that many people in the United States have very poor grammar, the sentence structure is still pretty recognizable and should readily identify someone who may be native to the United States. I do understand that there are many people who live in the U.S. have broken English and I certainly do not carry any prejudice with regard to foreign languages or peoples, it is just a fact that if you receive an inquiry from someone with clearly broken English, or very poor sentence structure, it should raise an initial flag. Consignment Companies Typically, unless you are handling merchandise of extreme value, volume, or are shipping overseas, you will have little use of a Consignment Company. Many scam communications mention the use of Consignment Companies. Acceptance of Offer As we all know, if you are selling something, either from a Brick and Mortar establishment, or via the Internet, the acceptance of an offer is understood to be the selling price of the item, (plus any applicable taxes or shipping) this of course is different for software and various other items, but for basic product, there should be no need to accept an offer. Offer for Overpayment Many scammers will use greed to ensnare their victims, especially in this economy. If you are selling limited items, please don't be fooled by an offer to pay MORE than the asking price... let's face it. If they purchase an item, there is no need to offer more than you are asking. Also, if you require a deposit, it should be accompanied by a sales agreement or contract of some sort. If you use contracts for business, I would suggest having them reviewed by an attorney and that once approved, you do not deviate from that written agreement, unless it is a recognized addendum. Western Union While Western Union is a reliable source for the transfer of monies, (at least in my limited experience with them they have been) a lot of scammers like to use the name of a reputable company to help set your mind at ease in the “transaction”. Payment that deviates from your normal purchase and shipping policy should be avoided! Recognizable Email Addresses If you receive an email from someone that is representing a company, please take a look at the email address that it came from. If they are suppossedly a representative of ABC Marketing, their email should NOT be mary @ gmail.com. Reputable companies know the importance of continuity and trust in business and would never allow such a thing to happen. Also, look to see if the email was addressed specifically to you. Many times scammers will send you an email, but instead of your email address showing up, it will be addressed to, “undisclosed recipient”, or your name, which is not normal. Okay, now that you have an idea of some of the things that may “raise flags”, what can you do about it? Forms First of all, get with your web developer and have them add a Captcha code to all the forms on your website. A Captcha code, or security code, are those funky little letters and numbers you may have seen on the internet when you log in to some of your online accounts. These help you receive less junk mail from bots and assure that a human being is at least sending the form submission. Don't Rely on Javascript Ask your web developer about alternative form checking that will work if the javascript is disabled in a browser. This is easy for developers to implement when using a scripting, or compiled language, such as PHP, Python, ASP, etc, While it should be something done as general practice it may not be, if not they will more than likely charge you for the additional coding, but it's worth it in the end. Learn to View Email Headers Often times you can send email headers to your ISP and they can block email coming from specific locations. This can be difficult however because scammers use a multitude of different avenues to send email. It can however reveal a potential security hole in your ISP's email server, and they may be happy to know about it. Additional Information One thing that a scammer would like to avoid is to give out additional information. If your business warrants the need for additional information with regard to your product or services, have a form that asks specific information of the potential purchaser and insist that they fill out the form. This option is really very industry specific and in most cases will not apply, it is used many times by animal breeders; if you are selling T-Shirts, don't bother your customers with a form to ask them what sports they are interested in, or if they have ever returned a T-Shirt. I have a feeling your sales might fall! If you have a suspicious inquiry, don't be afraid to ask for clarification of a name or location. You may easily find discrepancies in the course of communication. Most low-end scammers are looking for a quick buck and do not want to mess with too much trouble for a low amount of money. Keep it Professional Never give out information that is not readily available on your website. More than likely you already have you contact information posted, Business Name, Business Address, Phone, Fax and Email. If additional information is requested, there should be a really good reason for them to ask. Once you invite unknown “customers” to have access to your personal information, you are asking for trouble. Oldie but a Goodie With some more sophisticated sams, you may receive a phone call or email from a supposed family member requesting monies because of some disaster, or because they are traveling and have become stranded somewhere. Have a “Family Code” available. If your family members are in need of assistance and they can give you the proper code, then chances are the request is legitimate. I would however change the code randomly from time to time just to ensure the “Code” is not compromised. Because we as Americans have become so complacent, we are eager to accept new business without much thought to the darker side of life. Don't let your hard-earned money and reputation become the victim of scam. Do your research before giving away information. It has been said before, and people are slowly coming the realization that it's true; “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. Here are a couple of resources that can provide additional information: <a title="Fraud Bureau" target="_blank" href="http://www.fraudbureau.com/"> http://www.fraudbureau.com/</a> <a title="FTC.gov" target="_blank" href="http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech/scams.shtm">http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech/scams.shtm</a> I wish you all safe and happy “Webbing”! </article> <article> <h1>What is an SEO Company</h1> Mark Cloyd — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 5:33:28 GMT While your web design company may be REALLY good at developing your web site, you may want to be careful about having them take care of your SEO needs. Web development is still a relatively young and unique industry. When it comes to web development, people often times have a skewed image of what is, or should be offered by their choice of web design company. Unfortunately too, there are many individuals who purchase a copy of a What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editor, get server space on a hosting company and deem themselves a web developer. Web design is not rocket science, however, there is a lot of knowledge that goes into the development of a properly constructed web site, and while I abhor WYSIWYG editors, they are not the problem. I have worked in many web design shops that use some very nice high-end WYSIWYG editors, (I'm not advertising here, so I will not mention the ones I think work well), it's typically the "developers" that are the issue. Obviously for the would-be client, what would be ideal would be to have one company, or individual service all their internet needs, from web site to Search Engine Optimization, (SEO). It wasn't so long ago that for the most part, that was possible, but with the search engines becoming more complicated and with ever changing algorithms, this is really no longer the case. Can a web design company offer effective SEO? Certainly, but they really need to have a full-time staff with dedicated content writers available to review and hone content directed at a specific industry as well as qualified web experts to review your web site architecture. Why? It's simple, SEO is not just a matter of submitting your web site to search engines and continually changing your meta tags to reflect what your competition is using. A reputable SEO company will focus on a few things that really matter for the health and longevity of your website. Before a reputable SEO company will start working on submitting your web site anywhere, they will scrutinize the following aspects of your web site: ARCHITECTURE: This includes a review of items such as, title tags on all your links, alt tags on all your images, and making sure you have the correct HTTP content-type header. Additionally your site should be validated against current web standards including, Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), Word Wide Web Consortium (W3C), US Section 508 (for users of assisted technology), and of course validation of well formed CSS, XML, and HTML. CONTENT: Your content is crucial! You can have a beautiful web site with all the meta information you want, but if your content isn't relevant, you may be very disappointed with your SEO results. META CONTENT: There are many meta tags available for use, however many are not really recommended for use... for example, the ROBOTS meta tag is better served by a robots.txt file. This actually falls under architecture, but because “Meta tags” is such a buzz word, I figured I would add it separately. Finally, after all of these potential issues have been addressed, then, and only then can your site effectively be “Marketed” via SEO. As consumers, we have either forgotten or are unaware of all the safety checks and product testing that is involved in many of the products we purchase or use on a daily basis. Consider this, would you buy a car that has not been safety checked, or would you travel on an air plane that failed basic testing but still flew? Why should your web site be any different? The back-end architecture and testing is more important than the speed in which your web site is completed. Rapid development of web sites was originally conceived both because of client pressure and of course in an effort to get as many clients as possible into a web design company's portfolio. When done correctly, rapid development is a great thing, but the product should not suffer for lack of care or at the expense of shortcuts. If your SEO company takes the time to consider all the above areas of your site and insists that they be corrected prior to any submissions are started, they are definitely the company you want to work with. If however they look at your web site, give you their well practiced speech regarding the importance of Meta Keywords and suggest running a report to find out what the number one listings are doing, you may want to continue your search for an SEO company. Consider this, if you are in a market place, and all the products look slightly similar, but they all have the exact same description (Meta Description), and each time you as for directions to a product (Meta Keywords) you get the same response (Content), how will you ever find out where the best product at the best price is to be had? On the surface they all look the same, so you will search for the best looking package (Web Site) and go with that. What a shame, because across the isle, in an obscure, dimly lit booth is the superior product, offered by a new retailer that has improved the product after years of research and improved materials. Alas, here is the crux, superior web sites with, lesser products and GREAT advertising often win in the battle of sales. What many SEO companies will not tell you is that although they can spend a little time running your website through their “special programs” and give you all manner of reports after automatically submitting your web site to different search engines under specific criterion, that age is a pretty big factor in web site ranking. Just because you can find your web site on a focused search for, “My best product” does not mean that you will show up in a search for, “Best available products”. Targeted SEO is a trick of many SEO companies to prove quick results... don't be fooled! Additionally the longer your web site is on the internet, the better your chances of solid page ranking, be patient; effective SEO may take time. Can your efforts be fast-tracked if you dump money into the advertising? Certainly, if you have the advertising budget of let's say, Pepsi, you can drop millions per year into commercials, and billboards, and T.V. ads. that drive people to the internet to look for you, you will absolutely drive results to your web site. Popularity is a HUGE factor in search engines. Even with all their fancy algorithms, they can't prevent the most sought after web sites from being number one. Notice though that many of the advertising techniques were, “traditional” advertising. Search engines do offer the purchase of key words, but in the fine print, they have a disclaimer that tells you they will not guarantee results. The end result of your SEO efforts should be a solid blanket coverage of your web site that will stand the test of time, not just for you to be near the top of the rankings as long as you are paying an SEO company, just to see your site fall of the edge of the world once you stop their services. Time, patience and proper planning is necessary for successful SEO. Now. Ask yourself this, “When my web development company is doing my SEO, are they spending any real time evaluating all aspects of my web site, or are they just feeding me reports and fancy speeches geared toward narrowly targeted SEO?” My advice... have your web development company develop your web site. Ask questions about architecture and make sure they do what they can to make your site solid and that it is prepared for SEO. Next, go find a good SEO company. Now the hard part... if you think finding a good reputable web design company is was hard, that was nothing compared to your search for a good SEO company. But with the information in this short article, hopefully you can arm yourself with questions that will assist you in your search. Above all, educate yourself! There are a lot of web sites on the internet that have information that cover all you will need to know about what you should expect from good web site architecture and real SEO companies. One web site that offers excellent information is WebMarketingNow located at <a title="WebMarketingNow" target="_blank" href="http://www.webmarketingnow.com/">http://www.webmarketingnow.com</a>, they only offer information so they can be honest, they are not trying to lock you into an SEO contract. Take a look, read and learn before you spend your hard earned money on SEO efforts that will leave you disappointed. You have taken the time to get your business started, take the time to make it succeed! </article> <article> <h1>Common Frustrations</h1> Mark Cloyd — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 5:32:27 GMT For potential clients the meat grinder of confusing and often times conflicting web developer lingo, opinions and pricing that make up the website development industry can be very frightening. This may be so for many service-based industries, but the Internet is still a black hole for many people and making an informed decision can be difficult for those with little to no knowledge of how the Internet works. So why does it matter and were does responsibility lie for consumer education and solid development practices? Let's take a look. The responsibilities of any reputable web developer include keeping abreast of current technologies, avoiding trends and developing towards the highest possible Web Standards available, while those seeking to “grab clients” wherever and whenever possible to make a quick buck should be left to those who choose to purchase a copy of Dream Weaver, Front Page or some other such tool and call themselves a web developer. Whereas pricing should be standardized to accommodate a feature-rich development process that allows flexibility in design and client requested options. It is inevitable that in any development process there comes a time where additional functionality requires additional fees, but this is typically done in custom programming or development and should not be considered a normal pricing strategy for website development. While would-be web developers charge for “features” such as contact forms, the standardization of application development pricing is among the benefits of working with reputable web developers. It can be troublesome too when website development is charged based on page count since a website should never really be considered complete; websites should be able to grow based on a clients ever changing needs. Understandably however, giving free reign over server space is a bad idea, but prices and services can be pared down into manageable “packages” that will allow for effective control of available resources and allow both developer and client to make an informed decision regarding needed server space and associated hosting fees. But what about those hosting fees? Why does a site that houses a database cost more than a site that is static in nature? A database is easier to maintain than a static website and is included in the price of the server fees paid by the development company, while a static site costs more to maintain and is prone to more errors due to code duplication. Unless a company has on-site hosting servers, and with it a full-time database administrator or IT staff, they typically incur no additional fees associated with a website using a database. Co-located server companies make up the vast majority of developers hosting services and any maintenance costs are absorbed by the server company. In defense of development companies however, there are a few that maintain multiple servers, some with database capabilities and some that host only static sites, in this case additional fees for a dynamic site may be justified. As for development, with the myriad of programming languages available, dynamic page creation should inevitably remove the need for per-page development fees and should focus more on feature development. Dynamic website development should be readily available to those looking for an easy to maintain system with functionality that supports the dynamic creation of pages and information without the need to contact a developer to maintain content. That is not to say that good, reputable developers who specialize in the development of static websites are not needed, but care should be taken in which sites should be developed as purely static. Clients should understand the while static sites may initially be less expensive than a dynamic site with a Content Management System (CMS), recurring maintenance fees can add up quickly. So what does all this mean? For the Client: <ul> <li>Websites should be an exciting and rewarding experience; you are paying a contractor to develop a system that reflects either you, your business, or both. Make sure they deliver on their promises. </li> <li>Be wary of would-be web developers and, “the son of your friends uncle” who is currently a junior in high school who offers to develop your online presence. Chances are they lack the experience to guide you in important decisions regarding the architecture and forward momentum of your website. </li> <li>Interview prospective web developers. You will find commonalities in statements made between different developers but this is to be expected as there are many irrefutable facts associated with web development. </li> <li>Ask for references, their current clientèle should be willing to testify to their abilities and the experience they had with them. </li> <li>Inquire about the dynamics of the website they are offering to develop for you. </li> <li>Does the site come with a content management system of some sort? </li> <li>What are the hosting fees; is there a difference between hosting a static website, (one without a database) and a dynamic website, (one with a database... typically needed for a CMS)? </li> <li>If the site comes with a CMS, do they offer free training and support? </li> <li>If you register a domain with them and then later decide to move your hosting to someone new, is there a charge for releasing the domain? The answer to this should be no, it's your domain, you paid for it. </li> <li>Do they offer web-based email and is it included in the price of your hosting? </li> <li>Do they offer web statistics, such as Urchin reporting with their service and is it included in your hosting? </li> <li>If you have additional questions, will you be charged to speak to them over the phone? </li> <li>Be very careful of any company that offers Search Engine Optimization services along with web site development, specifically if they promise that you will be rated high in the search engines. </li> <li>Reputable Full Time SEO companies will typically outline a service that may take months to employ; while they can be difficult to find, a really good company will focus more on site architecture, site content and back-link strategies. </li> <li>An effective SEO strategy may not be easy, time consuming and in some cases very expensive, please choose wisely. </li> <li>Don't expect your web developer to be an SEO company, this misconception has forced many web developers into a position where they feel they need to offer these services to be a “Full Featured” development company, this often ends in disappointment. </li> <li>Above all, please consider your motives before hiring a web developer. Understandably as a consumer you will have questions and be a little leery; consider however that often times web developers also have been “taken” by less than desirable clients. </li> </ul> For the Web Developers: <ul> <li>Remember that your clients have chosen to hire you from the many different companies available to them. Usually this is done by location, local companies will get a larger share of clients from their geographic area because people still feel that a local company will better serve their needs, don't disappoint them. </li> <li>If you have not already done so, consider the advantages of dynamics in web development. </li> <li>Consider structuring your prices around features instead of pages. Normalization in the web development industry would benefit everyone, both consumer and developer. </li> <li>Be careful about educating your clients. If you are their first experience with a web developer, what you say will carry a lot of weight and if your information is based on opinion versus fact it can have a negative impact on both their experience with you and the web development industry as a whole. </li> <li>In an effort to become a Full Service development company, focus on web development. Offer services as standard features that will assist your clients in understanding their website activity and communication needs. </li> <li>As a valuable service to your clients, partner with a reputable SEO company and refer your clients to them, let them do what they do best while you focus on what you do best. </li> <li>Unless completely qualified to do so, don't offer SEO services. The purchase of a software that harvests meta information from like industries and adding common data to your clients website leaves a lot to be desired in the overall development of effective SEO strategies. </li> <li>Don't hold your clients domains hostage, if you offer domain registration, register the domain in your clients name, not yours, it should be their domain to move if they so choose. </li> <li>Never charge your clients to speak with you. If you feel the absolute need to do so consider going to law school. </li> <li>Finally, although competition is healthy and often times fierce, don't operate under the “best gun for hire” mentality. Each of your clients is a valuable asset to your company and your relationship with them should start during the initial interview process. They may be coming to you for your services, but if you are not qualified, or you feel that the client is not right for you, don't be afraid to refer them to another company or tell them that you are unable to work with them. </li> </ul>So, while web development should be conducted by qualified professionals and separated into available services maintained by those best qualified to offer each respectively, clients should understand that a feature-rich website developed by qualified professionals will often times cost more initially, but will save time and money in the long run. </article> <article> <h1>Server-side vs client-side</h1> Mark Cloyd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:16:00 GMT "Yes, Mrs. Smith, I realize your site isn't available. I am doing what I can to get a hold of the Server Company now. No, the power here is fine, and so are my computers. No, I cannot access your site either. It is hosted on a server in Virginia." Have you ever fielded a call similar to this one, or have you actually been a Mrs. Smith? After all, for some, the idea that a web site that was developed by "Joe's Local Web Company" isn't on Joe's computer and Joe can't seem to access it is a little confusing. The same holds true for some scripts or scripting languages. It's not an uncommon thing to have people ask questions regarding server-side and client-side scripts, and if you don't know, there is nothing wrong with asking. Okay, so just for fun and to expand our knowledge-base, let's define them. Server-side scripts Scripts that are parsed (read) and executed on the server and then passed to your browser via the Internet or an intranet. Client-side Scripts that are parsed (read) and executed by the plug-ins or modules associated with your browser without the need for an Internet or intranet connection. Still a little lost? Well, let's go ahead and take a closer look. The Client-side Application Client-side applications are dependent on your browser. They use modules or plug-ins that are able to read a script and do what it says. The version of the browser can make a difference in parsing these scripts. Older browsers are not able to interpret some of the code used in newer scripts. Your choice of browser can also make a difference. Internet Explorer (IE) and Mozilla do not always interpret code the same nor do Macintosh browsers such as Opera and Safari. This holds true for newer formatting techniques like Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) as well. More information regarding compatibility for browsers and JavaScript is available at <a target="_blank" title="Any Browser" href="http://www.anybrowser.com/">http://www.anybrowser.com/</a>. Client-side applications are used to enhance a users experience on a particular site, scripts such as Java Script will allow a quick response from the page without the need to reload the page itself, this is often used for form checking, or to display additional information based on an option a user selects on a web page. The Server-side Application Server-side applications are dependent on additional scripts or modules that live on the server. They interpret the data on the server and send a result back to the browser. Browser compatibility for data is rarely an issue because once the information is parsed by the server and sent to the browser, it is coming in as format native to your browser. Server-side applications are for the most part "engines' that interpret specific programming languages that are used by web developers today, some of these languages include, but are not limited to, PHP, Python, Cold Fusion, ASP and JSP. The choice of programming language is up to each programmer; some languages like Cold Fusion and ASP are proprietary, meaning they have a high cost associated with the development environment. While others like PHP and Python are Open Source. This allows programmers to easily write pages without the monetary overhead associated with proprietary software. This article was not designed to describe all the potential "Goods and Bads of any particular language or script, it is merely a brief explanation of a couple of terms that some of my clients have asked me about. I hope this information helps a little if you have ever wondered. </article> <article> <h1>The Absence of Management</h1> Mark Cloyd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:15:00 GMT It's a terribly long debate in the web application development industry; knowing how to properly provide clients with a proposal for work without it costing money. The reality is, there is no way to do that and stay true to your self as a developer and provide the client a quality product. Without a solid scope of work project development is prone to scope creep and the wishes of the client for the perfect site. Provided with only a general understanding of what a site should be and how it should function, often referred to as an "Outline", you have given the client all the room they need to claim mis-interpretation. You will cost yourself a lot of time and money trying to please your clients because what they, 'Understood' and what you thought you agreed to will be two different things. In my nearly 14 years of developing web-based applications, I have had the pleasure of working with people who at one time or another have created a static web page or two using .html. In doing so, they seem to think themselves experts in the area of managing web development. Any developer worth their salt will tell you that they simply don't know everything and that staying abreast of emerging technologies and how they should or shouldn't be applied to application development is an everyday endeavor. That being said; let me present you with a few things to consider: The interview When approached by, or approaching a new client, at least 2 hours should be immediately considered irrecoverable in terms of monetary compensation. The purpose of an interview is to gather information and during this process a common mistake is underselling talents. Let's for a moment consider doctors or lawyers. They spend about ten to twenty years acquiring and developing their skills before "selling" them to the general populous. Knowing that, how many doctors or lawyers offer discounts to their clientele because they are worried that someone with less experience will do the job cheaper, well? If you still haven't figured out the answer, it is this, NONE. The interview process should be guided by a seasoned developer, one who knows the industry and the extent of their talents and the capability they have of quickly learning new technology that may help achieve a process that the client may want to incorporate into their internet application. Clients often times are not very well versed in their own industry, let alone ours, so the job of a developer is to harvest information, a page count (views, not actual pages), requested features, i.e. e-commerce, forums, dynamic administration, etc. A common list of items to consider during the information harvest is as follows: <ul> <li>Purpose of the site</li> <li>Demographics</li> <li>Languages (for localization, if applicable)</li> <li>Colors (palate)Font choices</li> <li>Features (some mentioned above)</li> <li>Pages (views, not actual pages, because effective application development works best without redundant coding)</li> <li>Form options (if they would like forms, if so, what fields should be required)</li> <li>Contact information</li> <li>Email needs</li> <li>Hosting requirements</li> <li>Domain registration</li> <li>Hosting requirements</li> <li>Get accurate contact information, not only for the site, but for reliable communication with the client.</li> <li>Explain that site content will need to be provided by the client. </li> </ul>This list is not absolutely complete and some projects will require more consideration, but these are some pretty common items. Before the interview is over, make sure to explain to the client how the site will be developed. Be careful not to talk over their heads, but inform them of languages and techniques that will be used, a general statement will be enough; lengthy explanations will confuse the client and make them uncomfortable. Explanations are afforded to assist later efforts if needed in explaining hosting requirements. Scope of Work Herein lays the heart and sole of success. A Scope of Work (Scope) will contain information for every detail of a given project. Ideally a Scope should by accompanied by a wire-frame that will allow the client to visually understand what is happening. A wire-frame can be as simple as a graphic site map, or as detailed as a working skeleton of the site that the client can actually click through (highly recommended). The Scope will be a well thought-out document that explains in detail the development process from beginning to end, including graphic design, site development, feature development and implementation, content development (if required), content integration, beta testing, finalization of development, launching and follow-up work. Did I mention detail, if not, let me mention it. Make sure your Scope is written in FULL DETAIL. The Scope should also include Development Benchmarks (Benchmarks). These Benchmarks are the developers' assurance that the client will not change their mind, and the clients' assurance that development is progressing as promised. Each benchmark should have a date assigned and a place for client sign-off. Timelines are important to include in the Scope as the client will inevitably want to know when the application will be complete. Care should be taken to allow time enough for unforeseen instances of delay, and should overlap start and end dates of other projects as they apply to a development schedule. Meeting your timelines is paramount to your credibility. I could go on for a few more pages regarding the importance of a proper Scope, but I will leave it there for now. The Proposal This is where lawyers and doctors have it made. If someone hit you in the head with a baseball bat, you are at the mercy of their pricing structure if you expect to get adequate care, and they are not afraid to bill you accordingly. Neither should you be afraid to present your pricing to your client. If a client thinks the bottom line is too much, be prepared to offer options. Present to the client the possibility of developing the application in phases, (properly planned, a secondary proposal and Scope should be available for presentation) this way the client may not immediately have the full application they want, but they can have the beginning of something that can be added on to later. After all, any well designed application should be scalable and modularized for easy expansion. Explanation of services and solid development practices may be required, but presented properly and with confidence, you will win a new client and the prospect for referral work later. Make sure to include overhead in proposals, time has been spent to interview the client and to develop the Scope and the proposal. Additionally the client may require additional explanations and may call several times to ask questions. Effective communication will require phone calls and reviews and Benchmarks will take time; all of these things should be accounted for in your pricing. Deposits and payment schedules are the responsibility of each developer and I will not recommend pricing. Charge what you are worth. Development As for Graphics, the only thing I can offer is this. Based on your initial interview, the Scope and the Proposal, if a client wants a pink giraffe with green spots then later decides that they want a purple giraffe with orange spots, give it to them. If however the client wants a pink giraffe with green spots then later decides they want a brown elephant with beige stripes, bill them. Site development, you know what it takes to develop a site and with enough information from the initial interview, the Scope and proposal, difficult elements should have been taken into consideration and should be accomplished within proposed time-lines. It is not the clients' fault that the provided information was not analyzed and compiled correctly. Cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility should be taken very seriously. Many different browsers are constantly being used, so thorough testing should be performed. Content Content is the responsibility of the client, unless a content developer is used. Even with a content writer however, the client still needs to approve the content prior to it being applied to the application. Make sure that one of your Benchmarks includes receiving completed content from the client. Additionally, you should allow thirty to sixty minutes per page (actual, not viewable) for content integration. Pages often need additional formatting and tweaking can be time consuming. Project Beta A test platform should be available to the client to preview the site. It can be as simple as a directory on their server called "preview" that they can "bang" on the site looking for potential problems. We all know however that applications usually launch with no unforeseen issues and Beta's aren't really necessary (HA, HA, HA, HEE, HEE, LOL). Sorry. Once the client has had the opportunity to test the site and any bugs worked out, (without mention, the developer has gone through the application fourteen different ways) the application can then be moved into the live directory. Thorough testing should once again be completed by the developer and client as path changes may affect the performance of the site. Follow-Up work Let's be adult about what we have created. Those of us who have kids all know that just because we made kids doesn't mean they don't need to be watched for, oh, the first thirty-five years of their life. While thirty-five years is a little excessive for a guarantee, I suggest at least a three month guarantee to ensure that the application is a success. During this time, if something happens that is obviously not supposed to happen, fix it. Maintenance contracts can be offered to support the site for additional work and content changes if the client does not want to make the changes. Surprisingly, no matter how much time a developer takes in making a comprehensive administrative section, many clients still would rather pay the developer to maintain the site. If this is the case, I suggest a monthly or quarterly or even annual contract for a specific number or hours. Otherwise, the maintenance will kill production of additional projects. Conclusion I hope this information is helpful to someone, and although it is really only scratching the surface of project management, I wrote this as a rant because of management practices in the industry. Developers, please take this information and run with it, take the time to learn to manage yourselves and your development practices well and be successful. </article> </main></body></html>