Top 10 Webmaster Challenges

Webmasters deal with a myriad of complex design challenges every day. This article will discuss the top ten challenges and provide solutions and tips for solving each problem.

1. Browser Compatibility You must design your Web site so that it is viewable on both browsers: Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). Netscape Navigator is very strict when it comes to HTML tag completion, but IE isn't. You need to view your site first using Macromedia Dreamweaver before publishing to the Web. Make sure you've run the command convert to ensure your site is version 3.0 browser compatible. If you're using Netobjects Fusion to create the layout of your site, make sure that all layer objects are converted into tables. This is highly recommended if you want to reach a broader and wider audience.

Online resources:
A) Dr. HTML, located at www2.imagiware.com/RxHTML/
B) Web Site Garage to check your links, located at websitegarage.com

2. Graphics Optimization

Web graphics play an essential part in your Web design, because it conveys the emotion and impact of your site. Always make sure that all of your graphics are in .gif and .jpg format. Unless your site deals with photography, minimize the use of the .jpg format. You can use Macromedia Fireworks to minimize the file size, especially the slicer feature if you need to place a large photo on your site. Another option is the export preview of Macromedia Fireworks. This allows you to remove unwanted colors in your graphics, thus decreasing file size.

You can also do this online by using one of these online utilities:

A) GIF Optimizer by Media Builder, www.gifoptimizer.com

B) JPEG Cruncher and GIF Cruncher, www.spinwave.com/crunchers.html

C) Windows-based graphics optimizer, CyberView Image Lite (JPEG Compressor), www.cyberviewcd.com/cvimage/index.html

D) Advanced GIF Optimizer, www.gold-software.com/ago.html

E) Photo Crunch (JPEG Compressor), www.imroncorp.com/photo.htm

F) JPEG image compression FAQ, www.faqs.org/faqs/jpeg-faq/part1/

3. Keeping the Site Fresh

I think this is the bulk of a webmaster's work, if you want your site frequently visited. You can keep your site fresh by really working on new content on a daily or regular basis and by making it interactive. As with content, you can make use of www.moreover.com, www.subportal.com, www.newshub.com, and other content syndication sites to provide the content for your site automatically. Let them do the hard work for you! If you place a tag, they will email you with new content. As for the interactivity, offer your visitors web-based email accounts, a message board with a chat room, a search engine crawler, and banner ad rotation. This is easy, and provided by Everyone.net. Searching your site is another way to easily provide information to your visitors. You can get a site search engine from www.picosearch.com and www.atomz.com.

4. Pushing Information to Your Visitors

A Web site is a "pull" promotion, but as a webmaster, you also need to be thinking about how you can "push" information to your visitors, users, or subscribers. You can publish an ezine on a weekly or monthly basis just to let your users be informed about the latest technology you've added to your site. As for the mailing list, you can get a free mailing list from www.egroups.com, www.topica.com, or you can choose a paid service such as www.aweber.com or www.getresponse.com. As for the content, you can get lots of articles from bbs.weblord2000.com, or try one or more of my articles that can be found on the same Web site.

5. Driving Traffic

Webmasters shouldn't forget to announce your Web site. Accomplishing this is easy for Web sites that already have a lot of traffic, but even sites that are starting out with 5 or 10 members can benefit from the viral marketing of online recommendation software. Services include www.Nabaza.com/refer.htm, www.evite.com, and www.ewomp.com.

6. Dealing with Spammers Unfortunately, the reality of the Internet is that people will spam and flame on a daily basis. Web-based email addresses like the ones set up by www.everyone.net are spam-proof. You can set up your account so that any emails sent without your address in the "to" box can be directed automatically to the trash or spam folder. However, flames and hate emails are a different field. You shouldn't try to get even or retaliate. These people are not a joke. It might cost you your ISP or your e-life. Instead, check out www.spamcop.net. It does the nitty-gritty work of automatically reporting misbehaving people to their postmasters. Usually, it's helpful to get the ISP, or at least the IP address of the suspected person.

7. Stickiness!

Webmasters are also faced with the challenge of keeping their site sticky. CBSMarketwatch.com is a good example of a sticky site. This stock/investment related site contains timely news and excellent company data. The vast amount of information results in a good number of page views per visitor. Plus, visitors return on a daily basis to get the latest-and-greatest market news and stock data. Lots of page views per visitor AND repeat visits. now that's what you could call really sticky.

Here are some additional suggestions:

A) Make your site a portal of information. It encourages your visitors to return and stay. Hotsheet.com is one example of a one-page portal.

B) Add games to your site. You can get some here: www.uproar.co.uk or at www.pogo.com/affiliates.

C) Make your site interactive with a guest book, forum, tell-a-friend link, webring, customizable news, contests, polls, e-card, and free for all links. Bizland.com allows you to sign up for an account and place the code on your site.

D) Provide links to freebies, get-paid-to-surf sites, contests, incentives, jokes, quotes, mp3, and gnutella. Just don't forget to opt in for at least their email address before they can actually download stuff from your site.

8. Find Your Web Host

It's critical to find the right Web host. Although you may need to get your own server when your site gets one million page views per month, most sites that are starting out do not require the complex and expensive task of managing your own servers. There are many Web hosting providers that are willing to provide starting at 40gb of Web space. You can also look and compare different Web hosting providers on these sites: www.webhostdir.com, www.hostfinders.com, www.hostindex.com, www.hostsearch.com, and www.findahost.com. I always recommend the advanced search, which allows you to specify your budget and the specific features you will need.

9. Think Globally

Keep the site international in its appeal. Babelfish.altavista.com allows you to place snippets of code into your site that will automatically translate your English site to a different language, such as Spanish, Italian, German, or Polish. As webmasters, we must remember that we cannot filter countries on our site. We must be able to communicate with them.

10. Search Engine Submissions

Webmasters love to promote their sites on message boards, newsgroups, link exchanges, and even email, but they often forgot the best source of traffic. Submission sites like www.Nabaza.com/traffic.htm, www.Nabaza.com/submit.htm, and www.beseen.com can be used to submit your site for free. You don't need to submit to all of them, only to the major ones, like Yahoo, AltaVista, Google, Hotbot, Infoseek/Go.com, Lycos, and Northern Light.

I hope that you have found these tips helpful. For more information, please visit my site www.MoreFreebies.info. Nabaza.com provides solutions to everyday webmastery task like search engine submissions, internet promotion, and sticking your visitors to your site. Become a member now for as low as U.S. $100.00 a year.

Nabaza.com specializes in building, designing, implementing, managing and maintaining corporate website to boost sales of your company. Email william@nabaza.com for information on functional, dynamic webpage designing with affordable packages. Subscribe for free!

http://www.nabaza.com/sites.htm
http://www.nabaza.net
GET YOUR FREEBIES HERE

---

The Secret Benefit Of Accessibility: Part 1 - Increased Usability

Web accessibility has so many benefits that I really do... Read More

A Web Site for Your Small Business: How to Set Up a Website

Your web site will be your window to the world.... Read More

In Business? 10 Reasons Why You Need a Website -- Now!

1) Word of Mouth The single most powerful form of... Read More

What Your Customers Say About YOUR Site! Part 1

The following is a list of patterns that many visitors... Read More

50 Ways To Use Your Website

A website is the most versatile and cost-effective marketing tool... Read More

How to Maximize the Value of Every Visitor to Your Website

While most marketers are beginning to understand the critical importance... Read More

Up The Sandbox!

Go to any internet marketing forum you want these days... Read More

Entangled in the World Wide Web

I am just a learner who likes to delve in... Read More

Website Conversion Rate: More Keywords Equals More Sales

Your website conversion rate should concern you. This simply refers... Read More

You Don?t Have to be Amazon.com to Achieve 12% Conversion Rates!

That's right. According to a recent study by Nielsen/NetRatings, Amazon.com... Read More

What and How to choose the Right Keywords for Mega Traffic

Keywords in Search Engine Optimizing and Search Engine Marketing are... Read More

Why Every Small Business Owner Needs Two Websites

Every small business owner knows that they need a website,... Read More

Give Your Business a Cash Infusion

Whether you have your own business already, or are looking... Read More

Build It and They Will Come

Build it and they will come is not always true;... Read More

Eight Deadly Web Site Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Creating and maintaining an effective presence on the Web has... Read More

Be Creative Before You Purchase Or Create A Website

Before you jump into spending coutnless hours on designing and... Read More

The Birth of a Professional Web Site

The Internet has opened a whole New World of opportunity... Read More

HTML Editors - How to Choose the Right One for Building Your Websites

There are lots of HTML editors on the market, however,... Read More

Trinkets, Lockets And Empty Pockets

It never ceases to amaze me how many people set-up... Read More

Making Your Website Shine! Attract and Keep Visitors at Your Site!

When you consider the billions of individuals and companies on... Read More

10 Simple Steps: Its Magic If You can E-Mail You can Update Your Web Page Dynamically

Dynamically Update Your Web Pages Via E-MailIf you can Send... Read More

Web Content: How Much Should I Pay?

When web content gets discussed on webmaster bulletin boards, the... Read More

Six Basic Reasons Why Visitors Stay On Your Web Site

1. The first page appears quickly.It's a good way to... Read More

7 Profit Producing Reasons Why Every Successful Service Professional Needs A Web Presence

Your business website is a critical aspect of being able... Read More

Benefits Of An Accessible Website: Part 2 - The Business Case

The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) states that service providers must... Read More

Ever Wondered What Challenges Other People With Their Web Site?

Have you ever wondered what challenges are faced by other... Read More

Direct Sales and Your Corporate Website - A Creative Marketing Plan that Works!

Creatively marketing your corporate site takes time in the set... Read More

Is Your Web Site Talking to Your Customer?

A while ago one of my clients approached me and... Read More

Why Your Brick-and-Mortar Biz Needs A Website

The internet has taken over our lives with a vengeance,... Read More

Earn On Offshore Web Design and Development

If you have some experience in web site design and... Read More

Web Accessibility: The Basics

What is web accessibility & why is it important?Web accessibility... Read More

Web Success Secret - Keep Your Visitors Interested

Visitors to your site come looking for information or solutions... Read More

3 Rules of Website Designing and Layout

Now that you have got your domain name registered, your... Read More