From a site visitor perspective, the site should look professional, and be easy to use. But what about for the administrator or site owner that needs to maintain it? What would make it perfect for them?

While all these things might take place individually with the proper systems in place and a lot of effort, there really hasn't been an all-in- one solution that could please nearly everyone. It's not hype. In fact, it's why blogs are so popular. Until now, this wish list of things that a perfect website should have wasn't realistic, until blogs came along.

Yes, it's tempting to start a new weblog on one of the services that offer free accounts. It's easy, it's quick, and it's obviously cheap. But it only costs $8 per year to get your personal domain name and own your own future. Having a weblog address ending in blogspot.com, typepad.com, etc. will soon be the equivalent of having an @aol.com email address or a Geocities website: the mark of a naïve beginner who shouldn't be taken too seriously. The longer you stay at someone else's domain name, the higher the cost of going independent.

There's a limit to the value you can provide with a short comment. Such postings are good for generating short-term traffic, and they're definitely easy to write. But they don't build sustainable value. Think of how disappointing it feels when you're searching for something and get directed to short postings in the middle of a debate that occurred years before, and is thus irrelevant.

For most blogs, daily updates are probably best, but blogs take a lot of work to maintain. You shouldn't post when you have nothing to say. It might take you only an hour to write a blog posting, but thousands of people can do that too. Sometimes a single paragraph holds the idea that can increase a site's conversion rate, such as mentioning guest bloggers, or new additions to products, like you've done. But generally your posts should be considered a resource, and not a news flash.

What matters is that the comprehensive treatment of a topic. The beauty of the blogosphere is that it's a self-organizing system. Whenever something good appears, other blogs link to it and it gets promoted in the system and gains higher visibility. Thorough content's added value can rise above the threshold where customers become willing to be separated from their money. This is the true measure of a sustainable business.

Why are paying customers (the people who matter) attracted by detailed information? Because systematic and comprehensive coverage is more actionable. It also protects them against the risk of losses caused when something important is overlooked.

Tell people where they're going and what they'll find at the other end of the link. Provide information on link mouseovers that fits with your content. Quality links from external websites will help get more of the right people to your website. Well written links within your website will ensure your readers can act in a way you want them to. Linking is about driving action. It’s about getting the right people to the right content as quickly as possible.

Quality links within your website is very important. Here are some tips:

Anonymous postings have less influence than something that's personal.

SOLUTION

Readers want to know more about you, and your business is based on connecting on a personal level with customers.

A photo is important because visitors relate more easily to somebody they've seen. The brain is better at recognizing faces, and that often works better than logos. Also, if you expect to be quoted in the press, you should have high-resolution photos available for download.

Visitors should get a good understanding of what the article talks about, by reading its headline. Avoid cute or humorous headlines that make no sense out of context. Descriptive headlines are important for search engines and whatnot.

Sample bad headlines:

Sample good headlines:

A timeline is rarely the best way to find information, yet it's the default way to navigate blogs. Use the category feature so users can see all postings on a certain topic. Ten to twenty categories are appropriate.

The Developer will burn one copy of final project into a CD if desired, at no charge. Additional copies of the CD are available for $25.00 each.

Our agreement contemplates the creation of a Web site viewable by both Internet Explorer and Mozilla based browsers. Compatibility is defined herein as all critical elements of each page being viewable in both browsers.

Client is aware that some advanced techniques on the Internet, however, may require a more recent browser version and brand or plug-in. Client is also aware that as new browser versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape are developed, the new browser versions may not be backward compatible. In the absence of a Maintenance Agreement time spent to redesign a site for compatibility due to the introduction of a new browser version will be separately negotiated and in addition to the base price of our agreement.

If a shopping cart is required for the Client's site, HostMySite will be the host. Primary reason, is the domain control panel has methods to install and configure them. Therefore, this lowers the cost to the client.

Otherwise, developer will be flexible in working with an existing store, if the client has no desire to change the functionality of what they have. The charges for eCommerce functionality are competitive clearly stated on the website HostMySite.

If the Client's Web site requires the ability to accept credit cards, the Client will need a Merchant Account, PayPal, or Google Checkout. The Client understands that any charges necessary to secure the Merchant Account are not covered by this agreement. However, the Developer will assist in any means necessary to set up and configure these options for the project.

Comes with the hosting package. For privacy reasons and cost control measures, It is recommended that the Client contact HostMySite directly to set up the basic package, and secure the domain name. Once this is done, Client can forward the Developer the login information, without risking sensitive information.

[FOR THIS SOLICITATION, THERE ARE NO CLAUSES IN THIS SECTION]

HTML/CSS/Javascript code needed to complete the project will be provided, for the agreed upon size of the site. If additional pages/templates are necessary to accommodate screen resolutions, platforms, or increasing content requirements, additional charges may apply on a per page/template basis.

Flash is always an option to the Client's of the Developer. Flash work is charged by the hour, the Developer warrants to protect the client by advising against "splash screens" or "intro pages" which serve little purpose. In either case, The Developer warrants to work earnestly to come in under the maximum charge.

Sites requiring database design are considered software, and are beyond the scope of this document. This includes scripting which falls under the file extensions PHP / ASP / CFM.

[FOR THIS SOLICITATION, THERE ARE NO CLAUSES IN THIS SECTION]

The Developer will optimize the Client's website with keywords, descriptions, text, HTML Tags (title, ALT), and submit the Client's website. The fee for this is $275, due to the care and time it takes to optimize pages.

The Developer also offers advanced search engine optimization and site promotion services that are performed by sub-contractors. If advanced search engine optimization and site promotion services are desired, they are beyond the scope of this document to discuss.