Archive for January, 2010
All about Flash Websites
A web site can be created totally in Flash, without the use of HTML, which is the traditional language for creating web sites.
There are cases where building a web site in Flash can prove to be a bad idea and should be avoided.
There are other cases where your website is best to be built using Flash only.
And finally, the best road usually is a combination of HTML and Flash, which gives us the opportunity to use the advantages of both of these technologies.
Reasons to Use Flash
a) Cross-platform compatibility
Flash is well-supported on something like 95-98% of the Web browsers out there, and if you build a site or application in Flash, you know that it will be viewed correctly by anyone who has the Flash plugin. It is operating system and browser independent.
b) Animations
Flash was originally used primarily as an animation tool, and that is what it is best suited for. It is easy to create animations in Flash, and then easy to view them.
c) Video
Video works well in Flash applications because it doesn’t require an OS-dependent plugin like QuickTime or MediaPlayer.
d) Games
Games can be fun, and Flash games don’t have the browser support issues of Ajax the bandwidth limitations of server-side games written in CGI.
e) Vector graphics
Vector graphics can look smoother and more attractive and Flash allows developers to create applications with smooth lines requiring that the customer have a vector-graphic tool installed on their hard drive.
f) Image replacement for special fonts
Web designers who need a special font family in their Web designs can use an image replacement technique called SIFR (or Scalable Inman Flash Replacement) which replaces text in the design with Flash to get specific fonts.
Flash applications can perform script actions, collect data, and do most of the same things that server-side scripts can do.
Drawbacks to Using Flash
a) Bandwidth and Speed Limitations
Unless the designer works very hard to optimize Flash most Flash applications and websites can be very large and slow to download. In many situations, the entire Flash site must be downloaded before it can be used. And while it is possible to add in graphical countdowns and other features to make the time pass more quickly, many people still won’t wait.
b) Usability is impaired
One of the most important buttons on a Web browser is the back button. It is used all the time by most people browsing the Web. But a Flash site typically removes that functionality. When a customer hits the back button after delving deeply into a Flash site,s/he is taken back to the website they were on before they visited your site. Then if they return to your Flash site, they have to renavigate to where they were. Some people might be willing to do their work twice, but most won’t.
c) Accessibility is also impaired
Because most Flash sites are based on images, and don’t generally have a lot of alternative text, they can be very difficult or impossible for a screen reader to read.
d) Search engines can’t read them either
Search engine spiders are a lot like screen readers, they can’t parse images. Plus, many of them have trouble following links that are not standard HTML links – and most links in Flash are not in HTML – they are in Flash. Because of this, many Flash developers have a very difficult time getting their Flash sites to rank high in search engines. In fact, most Flash sites that do rank well, do so because they have two versions of the site – one Flash and one HTML. And then they have to maintain two copies of the same website.
e) Flash requires a plug-in
While a large proportion of Web browsers have the plug-in pre-installed, the fact is that Flash does require a plug-in which some people and companies don’t allow.
f) Some people just don’t like Flash pages
Similar to sound and animated graphics, Flash has developed a reputation among some customers as being more of an annoyance than a benefit to a Web page. This is especially true when the Flash serves no purpose other than to decorate a page – such as an animated banner or splash page. While these customers may be less common than those who don’t care, they are often more vocal and more likely to sway opinion away from your site if you use Flash gratuitously.
Resolution
a) Should You Use Flash?
Only the designer and site owner can make that decision. Flash is a wonderful tool for adding games, animation, and video to your Web site, and if those types of features are important, then you should use Flash.
b) Use Flash Where It’s Effective
There are very few sites that benefit from using only Flash. The drawbacks to SEO, accessibility, and customer satisfaction make it impossible for me to recommend using Flash for your entire site. In fact, even Google recommends only using Flash in select situations:
c) Never Use Flash for Navigation
It can be very tempting to create Flash navigation because you can add exciting transitions, rollovers, and vector graphics using Flash. But the navigation is the most important part of your Web page. If your customers can’t use your navigation for any reason, they will simply leave – bandwidth and accessibility issues can both contribute to a Flash navigation structure being unusable.
You could reach our sales team at
email: sales@dquip.com
office landline: + 91 – 0250 – 2393025 / 6451155 / 6451166
office timing : 10 am to 7 pm Mon to Fri ; 10 am to 2 pm Saturday (IST)
online contact form : http://dquip.com/contact/
website : http://www.dquip.com
All about Dynamic Websites
Dynamic website advantages, getting the most from your website
Advantages of dynamic websites:
Much more functional website
Much easier to update
New content brings people back to the site and helps in the search engines
Can work as a system to allow staff or users to collaborate
In an earlier article, we focused on the advantages of a dynamic or static website. This article will go into more depth about what you could achieve with a dynamic website. We get a lot of requests to build dynamic sites, but what exactly is a dynamic website? Simply put, this is a website that has a database behind it which can send and receive and store data between the web page and the database. What this means effectively is that any data that you would like to store, be it your products, your members, your content or anything else can be built up and retrieved at will. If this is done correctly it can make for a useful website, not just for your customers, but also for you. So what kind of things could you do? Here are a couple of examples:
Content management system you have a lot of information about your company such as news, events or products that you’d like to be able to share with the world and update yourself without having to pay for updates this is a classic way to use a dynamic website.
E- commerce site could you sell your products through your website? This may be cheaper and easier than you think to use a dynamic website to update your products and take orders dynamically.
Members database allow people to sign up through your website and manage that information securely online using your administration interface.
Deliver information to a wider audience information stored in a database has more potential for delivering in an accessible format.
Dynamic Extranet use your website to share information, discuss and provide documents in a secure area of your website that only your staff can access.
Bin the paper or the Excel spreadsheet if you currently have an outdated paper based way of capturing and storing information or store things in an offline database or spreadsheet it may be worth considering streamlining and updating this process to make it easier for staff and customers to access this information.
Full Features List:
We can offer the following features:-
* Page Management
* File Collections & Photo Albums
* Search Facility
* User Management
* Multimedia Files Management
* Color Schemes and Font Management
* Header Banner Management
* Contact Forms management
i) Page Management
Easily add pages to your website change using a simple editor their content “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG).
You may embed links and images in your pages. You may also directly write or paste HTML code.
ii) Collections & Photo Albums
You may easily create collections made up from your uploaded files. Your users will be able to easily browse through your collections. The same file may be part of more than one collection. Each collection has a description, an access level and a validity period of time.
iii) Search Facility
Your website will have a search facility so that your users can quickly find the information they need. The search facility looks for pages, photos and files. You can see the quick search option at the bottom of the menus on the left.
iv) User Management
You may easily register and modify user accounts for your websites such that registered users may sign in your website. The first name, last name, title and email may be changed by the user himself.
vi) Upload Files
You may upload any file such as photos and documents and link to them from your pages for your users to see and download. You may give a description to your file to make it search-able. You may also define a period of time during which an uploaded file will be accessible.
vii) Color Schemes and Font
You may choose the color scheme and font of your website. The website comes with a few style-sheets to choose from. However if you do not like any of them, you may create your own style. You get to choose the following:
* The font and its size [here it is Verdana 12px]
* The color of the body text [here it is Black]
* The background color [here it is Very Light Blue]
* The color that separates the header, body, and menu boxes. This is also the color for the page title and menu box title text [here it is Dark Blue]
* The background color of the page title and the menu box titles [here it is Pale Yellow]
* The background color of the header and footer. This is also the background color of links when the mouse hovers over them [here it is orange]
* The color of the Links text [here it is a brighter blue]
* A background image and how it repeats. You may choose from any pictures that you have uploaded. [there is no background image here]
ix) Header Banner
You may change the header banner that appears on every page of your website. This can be done using a “WYSIWYG” like the one used to edit a page. You may embed any image that you have uploaded.
x) Contact Forms Management
The website comes with a predefined contact form through which your users may contact you. The users type in their email address and a query in the contact form. When one of your users submits a contact form, you will receive all the information to your email address.
Static Vs Dynamic websites – what’s the difference?
What are static and dynamic websites?
There are many static websites on the Internet, you won’t be able to tell immediately if it is static, but the chances are, if the site looks basic and is for a smaller company, and simply delivers information without any bells and whistles, it could be a static website. Static websites can only really be updated by someone with a knowledge of website development. Static websites are the cheapest to develop and host, and many smaller companies still use these to get a web presence.
Advantages of static websites:
Quick to develop
Cheap to develop
Cheap to host
Disadvantages of static websites:
Requires web development expertise to update site.
Site not as useful for the user.
Content can get stagnant.
Dynamic sites on the other hand can be more expensive to develop initially, but the advantages are numerous. At a basic level, a dynamic website can give the website owner the ability to simply update and add new content to the site. For example, news and events could be posted to the site through a simple browser interface. Dynamic features of a site are only limited by imagination. Some examples of dynamic website features could be: content management system, e-commerce system, bulletin / discussion boards, intranet or extranet facilities, ability for clients or users to upload documents, ability for administrators or users to create content or add information to a site (dynamic publishing).
Summary
Many sites from the last decade are static, but more and more people are realising the advantages of having a dynamic website. Dynamic websites can make the most of your site and either use it as a tool or create a professional, interesting experience for your visitors.
You could reach our sales team at
email: sales@dquip.com
office landline: + 91 – 0250 – 2393025 / 6451155 / 6451166
office timing : 10 am to 7 pm Mon to Fri ; 10 am to 2 pm Saturday (IST)
online contact form : http://dquip.com/contact/
website : http://www.dquip.com
All about Website Maintenance
While most of us are quite adept at surfing the internet, finding what we need, and buying what we want, there are still quite a number of people who find it difficult to understand some of the nuances of the internet. For those running an eCommerce website, these people are still potential customers, and a lot of them really do want to try buying off products and services from the internet, they�re just finding it a little difficult to understand.
� What is the process for website maintenance?
Being in the business for several years, we have standardized our process of web site maintenance and updates.
Each task takes the following steps:
* Discuss the task with you to make sure we all understand what changes are required
* Discuss all areas of the site which may be affected
* Give an estimate of time
* Check the website for broken links
* Make the changes
* Notify you the changes have been made and meet your expectations
� What are the Benefits?
* Personnel can spend time handling their own tasks
* Adding or editing complex functionality
* Updating your website
* Acting as if we are part of your company, answering short and long term solution questions
* No payroll, benefits, unemployment costs
* Costing a fraction of the cost for a full time employee
* Providing a top-notch experienced team
* Handling all administrative tasks for the website
* Reducing errors
* Reducing downtime
* Improving customer satisfaction
* Ensuring website information is accurate
� What are some example website maintenance requests?
Typical website maintenance changes may include the following:
* Temporary help while your developer is on vacation
* Adding new information about an employee
* Adding new pages to your site for new offerings
* Changing an address
* Changing the wording on a page
* Adding new pages to your website
* Changing dynamic code on a website
* Fixing bugs on your website
* Checking for broken links on your website
� What tips do you offer for website maintenance?
Because we maintain several websites, some for years, we have found the following tips useful for your budget and reduce costs:
* Choose a set days for site changes
* Create a list of the changes in a document
* Send the list of all changes to us and we’ll make the changes
* Coordinate updates during off hours
� What can we provide?
* Reduce Spam!
a. Protect the email addresses on your website from spammers!
b. Reduce the number of emails sent to your email accounts
c. 86 % of the addresses posted to web pages received spam
* Monthly check for broken links
a. This ensures that any changes to your site are corrected.
b. For example, we can fix links to documents your clientele would like to download.
* Search engine optimization for your website
a. Based on the monthly reports, we can make adjustments to the website to maintain and or obtain high rankings.
b. Monthly search engine optimization (SEO) reports
c. For example, we have clients that maintain several number one positions, do you?
* Pay Per Click Campaign management
a. If you participate in a pay per click campaign, we can help work with you and manage this process.
b. For example, do you use Google ?
* Changes to your website
a. Handle simple things such as an employee’s promotion
b. Handle complex functionality
c. For example, we can implement searches, form submissions, content management systems, etc.
* Guaranteed turnaround times based on tasks
a. Track and manage tasks based on priorities.
b. For example, you can view all of the information about the tasks in the portal created for you.
* Can handle domain names and changes
a. We manage your domain names. This way your domain name registration will not expire or if you switch hosting.
b. For example, do you know when your domain name expires?
* We can handle hosting questions or even host your site for you.
a. We can help you no matter where your site is located.
b. We may even have the ability to save you hosting costs.
c. For example, do you know how much you should expect to pay for hosting?
* We can make changes to a website no matter who hosts it!
* Can provide complex coding changes
a. For example, would you like to add a list of events to your site, ecommerce?
* Maintain and document information on your Website
a. For example, how many times have you had to search for information about your website, domain name, hosting company, usernames, and passwords?
* Email campaign management
a. We can help manage an email campaign for you
b. For example, do you send out monthly emails to keep in touch with your clients?
* We can handle all tasks such as coding, database, and image management
a. For example, would you like to add new images to your website?
* Website traffic analysis
a. If you do not have a website traffic program, we can help you. This allows you to find out how many people visit your website.
b. For example, how many people visited your website after you sent out the latest newsletter?
* Site modifications
a. We can make changes to existing pages
b. Add new pages
c. Add new functionality to pages such as forms, ecommerce, portals, etc.
* Keep you up to date on industry changes and solutions
* Place a link on your site for any webmaster questions
a. We can place a link on your website which will send an email to us if anyone finds a problem or has questions with the website.
b. This will allow us to fix problems
* Will always be there so there is no need to hire someone else
a. There is less costs in training and finding employees
* Internets and/or intranets
* Add or remove pages, navigation, content, etc.
* Verify the site is up and running
* Updating internal information such as emails, names, addresses, etc.
* Provide answers to website questions and capabilities
* Update news alerts
* Update press releases
* eCommerce updates
* Updating hyperlinks
* Validating all links work
* Update announcements
* Update services
* Experience, experience, experience
You could reach our sales team at
email: sales@dquip.com
office landline: + 91 – 0250 – 2393025 / 6451155 / 6451166
office timing : 10 am to 7pm Mon to Fri ; 10am to 2pm Saturday (IST)
online contact form : http://dquip.com/contact/
website : http://www.dquip.com
Reasons and Benefits of Creating A Website
Creating a website is an important step for any business. A website means that you’re serious about your online reputation. .If you’ve started your own business, you may be toying with the idea of creating your own website. Having your own website is a crucial tool for any serious business, even if your business is not web-based. These days, most people have access to the internet, and if you don’t have a website, you will be losing a potential client.
� It’s Professional
People trust companies with websites. If you do not have a website, you may come across as an amateur, or an unestablished business. Everyone figures that creating a website is easy, and it casts doubts on the validity and seriousness of a company that does not even have a rudimentary webpage.
� It’s Inviting
People like visiting websites because it’s a no pressure environment. A potential client can peruse the site at his own pace, without having to worry about a sales pitch or offending you. In face to face meetings, the same potential client will not be as free to interact with you. This is why websites are such an attractive force. Anonymity, lack of pressure, and information control are the driving reasons why people perfer websites over traditional interaction, at least initially.
� It’s Brand Building
When you have a business, you’re selling your service as something different than your competition in some way or another. Having a website allows you to further distinguish yourself in your market. With a website, you can explain and show your visitor what makes you different. You can emphasize your brand, which should be consistent with your offline business.
� It’s Wide Reaching
Potential clients will come to you, instead of you always going to them. Doing a quick internet search will introduce a potential client to your website and services.
� It’s Image Managing
Whether or not you have a website, people will still Google your business. If they don’t Google your business, they will Google your name. You want to take control of your online image. You don’t want to have your business identity intermingled with what you do online at leisure. Creating a website allows you to manage what people see when they Google you. You may want to use an alias for leisure activities, so that your name only has a clear association with your business.
You could reach our sales team at
email: sales@dquip.com
office landline: + 91 – 0250 – 2393025 / 6451155 / 6451166
office timing : 10 am to 7 pm Mon to Fri ; 10 am to 2 pm Saturday (IST)
online contact form : http://dquip.com/contact/
website : http://www.dquip.com
Steps to Create a Website
Step 1 � Web Design
What will your web site look like and what features will it contain?
Features List
Layout & Navigation
Keyword Analysis
Text
Artistic Preference
Step 2 � Bandwidth & Web Space Requirements Analysis
What will it take in terms of web hosting to accommodate the web design in Step 1 ?
Estimate the host disk space and monthly traffic requirements.
Our sales team will guide you with the same.
Click here to view Linux Hosting, Windows Hosting & Email Hosting
Step 3 � Domain Name Registration
Do you need one? Effective domain name selection and domain name registration procedures.
Price comparisons.
Click here to search & book Domains
Step 4 � Web Hosting
Choose a web hosting service that meets your web site design requirements in Step 2.
Click here to view Linux Hosting, Windows Hosting & Email Hosting
Step 5 � Web Development
Build the web pages. Method depends upon decisions reached in Step 2.
Our Design & Development Team will guide you regarding the same
Step 6 � Web Site Promotion
Get your web site indexed. Search engine promotion and submission strategies.
Proper keyword selection.
Search engine ranking and web site optimization rules.
About Search Engine Optimization
Is your website Search Engine Optimised ?
Are your on the first page in Google, Yahoo ?
Guide to Search Engine Optimization
Benefits of Search Engine Optimisation
Step 7 � Web Site Maintenance
Ongoing web site promotion, traffic analysis, web site performance, links testing, popularity testing, host performance.
View our flow charts for various website execution
� Static Website Development Flow Chart
� Basic Dynamic Website Development Flow Chart
� Dynamic Website / Application Development Process
� How to we work at Dquiq – see our complete Business Process
You could reach our sales team at
email: sales@dquip.com
office landline: + 91 – 0250 – 2393025 / 6451155 / 6451166
office timing : 10 am to 7 pm Mon to Fri ; 10 am to 2 pm Saturday (IST)
website : http://www.dquip.com