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Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 5:55 pm
Post subject: More observations
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Since my first posting, I have been doing alot of Google searches on the keywords I will be using.
Most of the top 10 listings, my competitors, have really flashy websites, I don't mean actually Flash, but rather clearly designed with Photoshop, graphics, nice menu buttons, and some even fully database driven.
So are we saying, nevetheless, that people would prefer to ignore all of that in favor of a nice, simple site, with half a dozen pages and only one graphic, the logo? Would the simple site have more credibility?
Thanks agai. |
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Charlie
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Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 9:36 pm
Post subject: Re: More observations
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Hello again.
| Quote: | | Most of the top 10 listings, my competitors, have really flashy websites |
Are your competitors companies rather than individuals? Many companies feel compelled to project an image. They are prepared to pay someone to do this, often at expense of good SEO and end user experience, but at least the board are happy, when they see the design.
| Quote: | | So are we saying, nevetheless, that people would prefer to ignore all of that in favor of a nice, simple site, with half a dozen pages and only one graphic, the logo? |
Let's leave out the question of how many pages, and stick with the look of the site...
I like to compare offline shops. The big chains have fancy displays, but the stall owner in the market probably doesn't. Yet different people prefer shopping in each place.
| Quote: | | Would the simple site have more credibility? |
I'm not sure about more, but certainly as much, in my eyes. I think it's often a matter of personal preference as much as credibility.
If you go to far and just host a .txt file, many people will probably think things look "a little spartan", but if you are presenting serious info, I wouldn't expect any gimmicks.
Crisp and clean is what I like to see. Look at Debs' site to see how she uses CSS to combine pleasing design with good SEO.
All the best,
Charlie.
_________________
"Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx |
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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:41 pm
Post subject: Re: More observations
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| Charlie wrote: | Hello again.
Crisp and clean is what I like to see. Look at Debs' site to see how she uses CSS to combine pleasing design with good SEO.
All the best,
Charlie. |
Is there a URL for Debs site we can take a look at?  |
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Debs
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 6:14 am
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My site is in my profile  Take a peek at the source code and css files if you like.
Debs
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Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!" |
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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 3:00 am
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| Since this thread is about web design, I have a question. When surfing, I see some sites that have an address like www.mysite.com/yes.htm. I also see sites like www.mysite.com/yes/, without htm at the end. Does this matter, and, if it does, how do I make my sites end in htm? |
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Debs
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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 4:48 am
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What you see when you go to a main site ... www.domain.com isn't just the domain, you see their index.html (or whatever extension they use) ... however, because you didn't click on a link coded with the actual page name of index.html, or type it in your browser, the server will auto direct you to the default page for that directory, in the above case, index.html
The same thing happens with subdirectories such as ... the ending / indicates directory as opposed to a page ...
www.domain.com/yes/
the server is configured to look for a default page to load
www.domain.com/yes.html is simply a page in the main directory called yes.html
I don't know what you mean about having an ending of .htm ... all pages have names, and extensions, in order to be viewed.
In some cases you may also see something like
www.domain.com/yes
usually what this means is it is a cloaked link of some kind and is set through a script of some kind and it will refer you to the appropriate page when you click ... which can be on your domain, or somewhere else.
Hope this helps,
Debs
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Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!" |
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Charlie
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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 10:22 am
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| Debs wrote: | In some cases you may also see something like
www.domain.com/yes
usually what this means is it is a cloaked link of some kind and is set through a script of some kind and it will refer you to the appropriate page when you click ... which can be on your domain, or somewhere else. |
As an aside...
If you need to add a query (?) or hash (#) to the end of a URL which ends with a directory instead of a filename, there can be problems with certain browsers, if you do not include the trailing slash.
For example...
www.domain.com/yes/?123
www.domain.com/yes/#123
...should always work, but...
www.domain.com/yes?123
www.domain.com/yes#123
...may not always track correctly.
I'm not sure if this has been sorted out with the latest browsers, but I understand it still is a problem with some affiliate links, for example.
All the best,
Charlie.
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- Groucho Marx |
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Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 1:24 pm
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| Quote: | | usually what this means is it is a cloaked link of some kind and is set through a script of some kind and it will refer you to the appropriate page when you click ... which can be on your domain, or somewhere else. |
Bottom line, then, it's okay if my pages don't show the htm or html at the end, as long as they load properly?
Thanks for your help, I wasn't sure if this would affect my ranking in any way.
Kevin |
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Charlie
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Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2003 12:06 pm
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Hello Kevin.
| Quote: | | Bottom line, then, it's okay if my pages don't show the htm or html at the end, as long as they load properly? |
Yes. As long as you have a file in the correct directory that your server can recognise to be used as default, there is no need to end a URL with a file name.
You can also set up server redirects using the .htaccess file in any directory on your server. (Ask your host, if you're not sure how.) In these cases, no file need be included in a directory used to redirect, and indeed this is usually the best way to handle things - faster and more SE friendly than javascript or HTTP meta refreshes from within a web page.
Hope this helps,
Charlie.
_________________
"Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx |
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 1:01 am
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A followup on the subject of site color schemes.
Do the low-key, pale, neutral colored sites, again, like James Martells sites, which are mostly the three table layout, with light gray and white colors, better than more complex sites in brighter colors like oranges, blues etc.?
In summary, are we saying simple, pale and low key color sites, with plenty of useful information, and no graphics are what visitors respond to in the context of getting the affiliate link click-through?
Thanks. |
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Debs
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 3:33 am
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I wouldn't say pale vs. vibrant ... color invokes feelings ... not to mention having symbolism in different cultures.
Think more along the lines of the feelings you want your visitors to have while at your site, that blends with your content and site purpose, then take it from there to find the color combinations and tones like pale = soft, relaxing or vibrant = exciting, solid ... that are best for your target market and your site objective.
Here are some resources on color theory in web design:
http://www.marketingtops.com/marketing/marketing103.html
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/color_concepts_in_web_design.htm
http://www.logotree.com/html/color_psychology_logo_graphic_design.htm
http://www.pepfx.com/design/articles/webdesign_colors.php
I also wouldn't go so far as to say no graphics. Some sites seriously need graphics to enhance the content, or show a point. Graphics should be optimized to be fast loading, as well as enhance the content and structure of the site, not overpower them.
I definately agree "with plenty of useful information" and the more unique that information is, the better. White background with black text is best under useability standards, as well as appropriate "white space" around sections of the page, content and images so you don't give your visitors a feeling of being crowded.
Debs
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Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!" |
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Guest
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:03 pm
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remember many people are still on dialup modems as slow as 14.4k
most dialup service max out these days at 56k, if you are running win98 that can mean CRASH if there's FLASH! 
cable internet can slow down very badly, such as in the evenings when many in the neigbhorhood are watching cable tv. dsl has it's drawbacks. there are corporate networks which are vERY SLOWWWWW.
all said, if there's a dancing mice or two that can be great. However, if the site doesn't still load fast then don't bother. The people razzle dazzled by dancing mice are less likely to stick around than the die hard info seekers if the site is SLOW TO LOAD.
keep it clean .... and simple so it loads fast. The way so many webmasters seem to ignore this maybe i should write a book on it
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