Thursday, September 22, 2005
Rabbitry Websites
Why Have A Website - Websites are one of the best ways to let the world know that your rabbitry exists. To perform their very best function - to put you in touch with people who are looking for you - your website need not be complicated. Believe me, you don't have to spend 40 hours per week at the computer (like I do) in order for your website to be very useful.
A good website will let people know:
If You Want Something More In Your Website - There are many web hosting providers out there that offer hosting for a small monthly fee. I use two different ones currently.
Web hosting with your own domain name costs just a few dollars per month (roughly $6 to $12). People take your website more seriously when you have your own domain name (free websites tend to come and go, but domain name websites just seem more stable). Plus, it's a lot easier to remember www.thenaturetrail.com/ then "www.member.tripod.xxxx/geocities.com" and so forth.
Many web hosting companies have page development tools built in. There are many with templates available. You just choose one and start entering your information. The benefit of using a template is that your site has a professional, pulled together look and takes a lot less work to get started. The downside is that you may see that design or parts of that design elsewhere; you may not be unique. Or, you may not find a template that perfectly suits you.
I use FrontPage 2003 for my websites, but I do not use their templates.
If You Have Your Own Domain And Are Ready To Polish Your Site - I love to visit rabbitry websites that are updated often, provide good information, and have lots of pictures. You probably do, too. So will be the people who visit your website more often when you upgrade your site even further.
I highly recommend a set of free on-line classes for website marketing, search engine optimization, and website development training that I have been taking since July. They are conducted through a Yahoo! group. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SEO_Techniques/. The classes are intense and the instructor is tough (definitely not for everyone), but she provides an absolute wealth of information.
You Are Looking For Someone To Develop Your Website For You - I have decided to begin offering affordable website design and development services. Please check out my web site samples. Of course, The Nature Trail Rabbitry and Precious Pet Rabbits are also examples of my work (always works in progress). I should soon have another website up for yet a different rabbitry with a totally different look. Check out the web design section of my website for further information.
A Few Tips - No matter what size or type of website you have, try to follow a few basic rules:
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/
http://www.thenaturetrial.com/BLOG.html
Don't forget to visit Precious Pet Rabbits at www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/
¶ 10:14 AM
A good website will let people know:
- What you are (a rabbitry)
- Where you are
- Who you are
- What your breeds are
- How long you have been breeding and a little background
- How to contact you
If You Do Not Have a Rabbitry Website - What are you waiting for? You can put up a basic website or BLOG for free in 30 minutes. The difference between having none and having even a simple one is dramatic. Once you have a website, you can be listed on your national specialty club's member website list (many have them, the Holland Lop Rabbit Specialy Club has a great one). And, ARBA is working on making a list for ARBA members. Wouldn't you like to have a website to list?
Email me (Laurie@thenaturetrail.com) for a few pointers on how to get started if you do not know where to begin.If You Want Something More In Your Website - There are many web hosting providers out there that offer hosting for a small monthly fee. I use two different ones currently.
Web hosting with your own domain name costs just a few dollars per month (roughly $6 to $12). People take your website more seriously when you have your own domain name (free websites tend to come and go, but domain name websites just seem more stable). Plus, it's a lot easier to remember www.thenaturetrail.com/ then "www.member.tripod.xxxx/geocities.com" and so forth.
Many web hosting companies have page development tools built in. There are many with templates available. You just choose one and start entering your information. The benefit of using a template is that your site has a professional, pulled together look and takes a lot less work to get started. The downside is that you may see that design or parts of that design elsewhere; you may not be unique. Or, you may not find a template that perfectly suits you.
I use FrontPage 2003 for my websites, but I do not use their templates.
If You Have Your Own Domain And Are Ready To Polish Your Site - I love to visit rabbitry websites that are updated often, provide good information, and have lots of pictures. You probably do, too. So will be the people who visit your website more often when you upgrade your site even further.
I highly recommend a set of free on-line classes for website marketing, search engine optimization, and website development training that I have been taking since July. They are conducted through a Yahoo! group. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SEO_Techniques/. The classes are intense and the instructor is tough (definitely not for everyone), but she provides an absolute wealth of information.
You Are Looking For Someone To Develop Your Website For You - I have decided to begin offering affordable website design and development services. Please check out my web site samples. Of course, The Nature Trail Rabbitry and Precious Pet Rabbits are also examples of my work (always works in progress). I should soon have another website up for yet a different rabbitry with a totally different look. Check out the web design section of my website for further information.
A Few Tips - No matter what size or type of website you have, try to follow a few basic rules:
- Keep loading time reasonable. You can check the loading time of your web pages at http://www.websiteoptimization.com/services/analyze/ I try to keep my pages to 8 seconds or less at 56K. Make 15 seconds your absolute top limit. If your page takes too long to load, folks will just leave.
- Optimize photos. You can reduce the quality of a photo to 70% with no appreciable loss in quality, but they will load so much faster you will be amazed. Size photos outside of your website rather than just shrinking them down. If you don't have a program that will do this, download the free one I use at http://www.irfanview.com/.
- Don't put too much on one page. Divide subject matter and use as many pages as necessary.
- Don't make your page so wide that you have to scroll from side to side. Up and down is okay, as long as it is reasonable.
- Make it easy to find out how to contact you.
- Do not use an entry page. Just get started with the website right away.
- Have a links page and exchange links with other rabbitries. That's how many people will find you.
- Update something - even if it is small - every week. Give people a reason to come back and visit again.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/
http://www.thenaturetrial.com/BLOG.html
Don't forget to visit Precious Pet Rabbits at www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/
¶ 10:14 AM
