Ranking or Looks?

Obviously, if someone offered your site either a great ranking or a great new look (assuming you had neither), you would probably pick a great ranking. Why? Because it is a lot easier to build a great looking site than to get a great ranking!

The thing is, most likely you are not going to get that kind of offer. I mean, lets be real, its not like someone can just ‘give’ your website a great ranking! Sure, maybe they could give your site a better look, but not a better ranking!

Let me explain, there are ways you (or someone else) can improve your ranking on Google. These things consist of signing up for Google Webmaster Tools, running a blog, getting on social media, and doing a little link exchange. However, none of these things will get you a great ranking. They will improve your ranking, but not by a whole lot. Don’t get me wrong, doing these things are extremely important ways to market, but they won’t give you the highest possible ranking on Google.

The most effective way to rank on Google (like I’ve said a thousand times before) is to get more links pointing to your site. This can be done with link exchange, but Google doesn’t pay near as much attention to link exchange links as it does to links given to you by someone without your link in exchange. These kinds of links can only be received by running a trustworthy business and acquiring trustworthy clients who will recommend you on their blogs and web pages.

To get to this point, you will probably need to advertise by other means. This doesn’t necessarily mean through TV, radio, or billboards. No no, some of the most effective advertising is still the age-old word of mouth method! Just tell others about your business, as they find how good you/your products are, they will start recommending you to others, and posting links to your site.

That is how SEO really works. However, there is still one thing missing here, your site design. Yes, no one could rightly say that looks are more important than ranking, but it can be really hard to get ranking (or even customers, for that matter) without looks! A good looking website will make people more interested in your business, which will make them more ready to both buy your product(s) and link to you on their blogs/websites.

So, ranking is more important, but looks have their place on the web. A very important place!!

Written by Tim on August 22, 2010
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GoDaddy vs DreamHost

In my mind, the two best hosting companies is GoDaddy and DreamHost. Of course, the question must be asked, “which should I use?” Although this question is easily answered, that answer may not be the same for everyone.

GoDaddy is by far the most used hosting company (and domain registrar) out there. It supports virtually anything and everything you need to get your website up and running. They offer very good phone and email support. Domains from GoDaddy generally cost around $10 a year. GoDaddy offers three plans: Economy, Deluxe, and Ultimate. The Economy plan offers 10gb of space and is available for a mere $5 a month. The Deluxe plan is by far GoDaddy’s best offer with 150gb for only $7 a month. The Ultimate plan offers unlimited hosting for $15 a month.

DreamHost is not as popular as GoDaddy, but it is definitely growing! It also supports pretty much everything you need for your website. DreamHost does not offer phone support, only email. DreamHost offers a free domain as long as you use their hosting. Each additional domain (you can have as many as you want on one account) is available for $10 a year. DreamHost only offers one plan. This plan offers unlimited space for your website +50gb extra for backups or whatever else you want to use it for! This plan is only $9 a month.

Both companies have very low rates. However, DreamHost’s $9 unlimited plan totally beats GoDaddy’s $15 unlimited plan. So, if you are planning on using more than 150gb of space or will be having lots of website traffic, DreamHost is probably the best choice for you. If, on the other hand, you will only be needing a little bit of website space and won’t have too much traffic, GoDaddy’s Economy or Deluxe would be a better value. One other thing you might want to consider is DreamHost’s lack of phone support. Although they still offer email support, sometimes that just won’t cut it for people. If you’re new to the web, you may consider choosing GoDaddy just for the 24/7 phone support.

I hope that helps! Like always, this article only reflects my opinion. If you don’t agree with me, that’s fine! I’d love to see what you think about this subject.

Written by Tim on August 15, 2010
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Flash vs HTML5 – The War Continues

In this deadly war between the ever popular Adobe Flash and the new HTML5 alternative, web developers all over are frantically trying to keep up with the new changes. I have covered many of the basics of HTML5 vs Flash in some of my previous articles. For lack of time, I will not go into the details, but if you are interested, I suggest you read my article entitled HTML5 vs Flash.

At the time of writing the before mentioned article, I was pretty confident that Flash was dying fast. Now, I’m not so sure! In the last few months, several things have changed. Number one is the release of the Apple iPhone 4. Number two is the release of the HTC Evo 4G from Sprint. Number three is the plan to release Android 2.2. Number four is the simple fact that Internet Explorer still doesn’t support most aspects of HTML5. Number five is the announcement of the Windows Phone 7 series.

First is the release of the iPhone 4. Out of all five of these major changes, this is the only one that supports HTML5 in its war against Flash. Let me just start by saying that people really love Apple products (especially the iPhone). Even though there are phones out there that can do a lot more than the iPhone can, people still love the iPhone simply because it has the name “Apple” on the back! Rightly so, I mean Apple does make good products, but lets face it – they’re not the best! Anyway, the new iPhone 4 gives a lot of people a good reason to buy. The reason this is so good for HTML5 is because the iPhone doesn’t, and probably never will support Flash. HTML5 is a big push for Apple (heck, they practically invented the thing), and the fact that people love the iPhone so much will really help that push.

The second change is the release of the HTC Evo from Sprint. This is really huge for Flash because the HTC Evo is the first popular smartphone to support it! A lot of people like the HTC Evo even better than the iPhone. I mean, the camera is better, the display is bigger, the monthly price is better, the internet speed is better, and it supports Flash!! HTML5 is also supported, but that is not something Sprint is trying to advertise.

When Google announced the release of Android 2.2, web developers all over the world stood in awe because Flash is available (and not just Flash lite). Although it may take some time for all of the Android phones out there to get the update (some may never get it), once it is fully implemented, Android 2.2 may very well kill HTML5.

Microsoft Internet Explorer has never fully supported HTML5 and although it promises to, I doubt they ever will (at least not without a fight)! After all, supporting HTML5 will pretty much ensure that it will win and will eventually cause millions (that were previously skeptical of the lack of Flash support) to flock to the iPhone! Might I remind you that Apple and Microsoft have never been on happy terms and the last thing Microsoft wants, is to help Apple out. They also want to get all phone users to buy the new Windows Phone 7 (which brings me to my last change).

The fifth (and last) major change in this painful battle is the announcement of the Windows Phone 7 series. This phone may very well be the first success of Microsoft as it regards the mobile industry. Apple knows (and has known for many years) that in the next decade or so, browsing the web on a computer will be unheard of. No no, people will have tablets and phones, but the average person won’t even own or care to own a computer! Apple knows this, but Microsoft is no fool and knows this also. In fact, they have tried and failed more than once to create a smartphone that everyone will love. Up to now, people have given up on Microsoft as a mobile producer. However, they may just win out with the release of the new Windows Phone 7 series. We still don’t know much about this phone (or series of phones) coming later in the year. But what we do know is simple. It will support Flash and it won’t support HTML5. I think the reason for this is obvious and the same as the reason Microsoft won’t support HTML5 in the Internet Explorer browser.

Personally, I think that HTML5 is a better option in the end. I realize that it won’t be too easy for us developers in the beginning. But seriously – was anything?! We must understand, however, that this is not a war of which web component is better. This is a war of what the people want. And, right now it looks like the people may still want Flash.

Written by Tim on August 1, 2010
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Bing on Yahoo

Yes, you read correctly. Yahoo is now partnering with Microsoft’s new search engine – Bing! Soon, you should start seeing search results from Bing when searching Yahoo.

During the testing stage, up to %25 of organic search results (the ones that aren’t ads) displayed in Yahoo will be powered by Bing. About %3.5 of paid search results (the ones that are ads) will also be powered by Bing.

“The primary change for these tests is that the listings are coming from Microsoft,” said Kartik Ramakrishnan, the vice president of Search Product Operations. ”However, the overall page should look the same as the Yahoo Search you’re used to – with rich content and unique tools and features from Yahoo. If you happen to fall into our tests, you might also notice some differences in how we’re displaying select search results due to a variety of product configurations we are testing.”

Right now, you must understand that Yahoo and Bing are still in the testing stage. However, they expect to be done as early as September. When their testing has completed, all search results from Yahoo will be powered by Bing.

This is really big for Bing. Even though this search engine is barely a year old, it is on the road to possibly one day overtaking Google! Please understand, Bing still has a long way to go before they conquer Google. However, this new partnership with Yahoo will really increase traffic to Bing.

What does all this mean for the website owner? Well, it basically means that you need to start thinking more about Bing when optimizing your website for search engines. One way to do this is to sign up for Bing’s newly updated Webmaster Tools. There, you can submit sitemaps and URLs. This is a good way to get started. Other than that, keep doing what you always should. Blog often, build backlinks, get on social media, etc.

Written by Tim on July 25, 2010
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4 Jazzy Icon Galleries

Most websites you see today are full of small pictures that are usually linked to something the picture represents. These small images (as you probably know) are called icons. Icons can be a great way to jazz up any website.

For instance, when setting up text links on the top or side of a website that say “HOME”, “ABOUT”, “CONTACT”, etc., some web designers consider placing a simple icon next to the links. Another major use for icons is for social media. A lot of sites have links to their pages on different social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Buzz, etc. However, instead of simply placing the text names of these sites, many web designers will use icons to represent them.

For a lot of people, making great looking icons for their website is simply out of the question. That is why I have compiled this short list of free online icon galleries for you to browse:

1. IconsPedia is probably the largest icon gallery that I’ve ever seen! IconsPedia is full of user submitted icons that are constantly being updated.

2. Web Icon Gallery isn’t quite as large as IconsPedia but has amazing icons just the same! This icon gallery is also user submitted and updated regularly.

3. IcoPedia has some pretty neat looking icons available! Everything appears to be user submitted. However, unlike the others mentioned, IcoPedia doesn’t have a place one may submit an icon they’ve created. You would possibly have to email the admin if you wanted to submit one.

4. Free Icons Web is full of more icons than you probably could ever imagine! You’ll love this free user submitted icon gallery.

Written by Tim on July 18, 2010
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Google AdWords?

It is not uncommon for people to mistake SEO (search engine optimization) for advertising on Google. Just to make things clear for you, Google AdWords is not SEO! Please don’t misunderstand me. Google AdWords isn’t bad; it just isn’t SEO. I guess I should start by explaining to you what Google AdWords really is!

Google AdWords is how Google makes its money. Have you ever been searching for something and seen ads on the side and top of Google’s search results? That’s Google AdWords. Website owners can pay for this advertising per click. Technically, it’s free to set up an ad with Google; you just pay once your ad is clicked by someone. The amount you pay depends on many different factors.

A lot of people like Google AdWords simply because it gives you instant ranking without you having to do any work. That is true. However, studies show that only a small percentage of people actually pay attention to ads on Google. Of course, getting a high ranking with little attention from Googlers is much better than getting a very low ranking with no attention!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with advertising on Google AdWords. But, please get the idea out of your head that AdWords is the same as SEO!

SEO is where someone actually works to get a higher ranking on Google. That ‘work’ consists of getting on social media, blogging, link building, etc. Obviously, if you have the time and energy to work for your ranking through SEO, that would be the better way to go. On the other hand, don’t let some SEO freak try to convince you that AdWords is bad and you never should invest in that sort of advertising!

One thing that makes SEO much better than AdWords is simply that SEO is free. Yes, I know that you can pay for someone else to do SEO or you can buy SEO tools. But, in the end, it is possible to get a high ranking with SEO without paying a dime. Whichever way you decide, getting a high ranking on Google will really help market your website.

Written by Tim on July 11, 2010
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