May Newsletter

For previous newsletters, tips and general support information visit: hour WhatsHappening page.

Topics:

1-Search Engines Priority #1
2-Virtual images
3-Hosting Service Update
4-Logo Design Service
5-New RapidWeb web sites

Search Engines- Priority #1

When you create your RapidWeb site (or any site for that matter) we ask you to compile a list of keywords that describe your products, services and marketing area. We also ask for a site title and description that uses those keywords. We then insert this info on your web page(s) as MetaTags. These words should be terms that people are likely to search, accurately reflecting the purpose of your site. In addition, the words should reoccur in the text of your site. These keywords should emphasize the what and where of who you are, rather than the how, when or why. The title should be keyword laden and the description compelling. That's a pretty tall order when the title and description need to be limited to less than 255 characters each.

MetaTag information is hidden and describes the purpose of your site to the search engines. This information is used to classify and rank your site. Search engines that need this “meta” information can’t see graphics, frames or Flash, and can not see much of what the browser presents to your viewers. They can see nothing but the text directly associated with your web address.

There are really two ways to look at your site...the graphic rich view visitors see when looking at your site with their browser, and the view that the search engines see. If you want to know how a search engine sees your site, select the “view source” from you “view “menu. It is important when building your site to be aware of this “duality” and be certain that both meta information and body text is viewable to both your typical visitor and the search engines. RapidWeb handles this task admirably. Building a site using graphic tools, frames, Flash, or a combination of those technologies, will result in the site being invisible to search engines, and not easily found on today’s growing Internet.

Virtual Images

As part of our photographic services we have developed the ability to create a “virtual” panoramic view of a scene. These views provide a unique way to present a visually compelling look at a product or place, and can often tell your unique story better than words. An example of a “prototype” virtual scene that we developed for the Village of Allegany can be seen at:

http://www.allegany.org/upload/images/allegpan.qtvr

Simply place your cursor on the image and click and drag your mouse in the direction that you wish to move. You will need QuickTime (available freee at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/) installed to be able to view the file.

A note of caution: These images are big and can only be easily viewed if you have a high speed connection to the Internet. Only 15% of all US individuals and 27% of US businesses have high speed access. While this number is growing at a very high rate, it will be several years before “virtual” photography can be easily viewed by the majority of the users on the Internet.

Hosting Service Update

We have contracted with an outside firm to provide a weekly snapshot of our hosting service uptime and response rates. We have been posting this information every week at:

HostingStats

You can use this information to verify if any problems that you were having with your web site were server related and to review our server reliability.

We strongly believe that you are best served by knowing as much as possible about the technology that you are using. Making this information public helps us improve our service, provides you with valuable information and demonstrates our commitment to these values!

Logo Design Service

If you are looking to update your web site or general logo to convey a new look to business communications, we can help. A typical design is priced at $400 when done with a web site. To see some samples of logos we have designed visit:

LogoSample

Welcome to new RapidWeb Sites

This month several new RapidWeb sites have come on line. Please take a moment to welcome new RapidWeb users and look at their sites as well. Jodi's has once again outdone herself!

http://www.jrmuseum.org/index.php - Junior Museum of Bay County
It was time for a site update and the Junior Museum in Panama City, FL turned to RapidWeb for their new site. If you are traveling that way stop in with your kids for indoor and outdoor interactive learning. As they say on the site: "You can search for aliens. Burp as loud as you can. Name your own bug. And best of all,...you can tell your MOM you're going to a Science exhibit!"

I worked on the new website some today while I was in Tallahassee...I love the editing software so far! I still have to read up on ....a few other things but it was very easy to use. Thanks for setting it up for me! -William R. "Bobby" Barton, Executive Director

http://www.sthcs.org - Southern Tier Health Care is just about ready to go live.
As a rural health cooperative serving the Southern Tier of New York their goal was to use their website to highlight their regional health & wellness programs, their members and a comprehensive database of regional service providers:

http://www.sthcs.org/index.php?SthcsProvider

They provided us with a logo designed by Studio 4 East and (our) Jodi and Donna Kahm from STHCS did the rest!.

I am so glad to be working with you on our website. You are honest, forthright and you deliver! - John Bartimole, CEO Southern Tier Health Care System

Mike Blumenthal