The Importance of a Store Locator: How It Can Boost Your Business

 

A #StoreLocator allows customers to find the nearest physical store or location of a business. It is a crucial element of any business’s #OnlinePresence, as it can help increase foot traffic, enhance customer experience and ultimately boost sales.

Benefits
A store locator offers several benefits to businesses. First, it can increase foot traffic to physical stores, as customers can easily find the nearest location. Second, it can enhance the customer experience, making it easier for customers to find what they are looking for. Finally, it can increase sales as customers who visit physical stores are more likely to make a purchase.

Features
Store locators come with several unique features that can enhance the customer experience. One of the most critical features is the ability to filter search results based on location, product, or service. Another feature is the ability to provide driving directions or public transportation options to the nearest store. Finally, businesses can leverage #UserGeneratedContent and ratings to provide customers with additional information and social proof.

Trends
One of the most notable trends is the increasing importance of #MobileOptimization, as more people are accessing the internet through their phones. Another trend is the use of location-based marketing, where businesses use #GeolocationData to provide #TargetedOffers and #Promotions. Finally, there is a growing trend towards providing additional services through the store locator, such as online ordering and pickup.

Take Advantage of Store Locator with Sekel Tech
Sekel Tech specializes in helping businesses take advantage of store locator tools. Their platform provides businesses with everything they need to launch and manage a successful store locator, from location-based marketing and user-generated content to analytics and reporting. With Sekel Tech, businesses can streamline their operations, enhance the customer experience, and increase their revenue.

In conclusion, a store locator is a powerful tool for businesses looking to increase foot traffic, enhance customer experience, and boost sales. By leveraging store locators, businesses can provide a seamless online-to-offline customer experience and stay ahead of the competition. With the help of platforms like Sekel Tech, businesses can easily take advantage of #StoreLocatorTools and maximize their potential.

Businesses can benefit from Store Locator and achieve their growth goals by working with Sekel Tech.

Chat with us at!
info@sekel.tech
https://sekel.tech/

 

Advanced Web Design: A Primer

 

Making a Web page is easy. Given a good software package, any beginner can create a Web site in less than a day… sometimes less than an hour! Given a little more time, your average computer user can probably pick up a good understanding of HTML too, giving added control over the look and design of the site.

What comes next, though? As soon as any fledgling Web author sets her sites beyond the limitations of modern HTML, she is faced with a daunting barrage of acronyms (CSS, ASP, PHP, and XML, to name a few) and advanced technologies (such as Dynamic HTML, JavaScript, Cold Fusion, and MySQL). How is one expected to make sense of it all?

In this article, I’ll attempt to do just that. I’ll begin this week by drawing a line between the two main categories of advanced Web technologies: client-side and server-side technologies. I’ll talk about what makes them different, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Then I’ll take a stroll through the client-side technologies, providing a plain-English description of what each of them does and a couple of links to where you can learn more. Finally, I’ll do very much the same thing for each of the server-side technologies.

By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of how it all fits together. And hopefully, you’ll be equipped to decide for yourself what to learn next based on what any given technology can do for you.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the distinction between client-side and server-side technologies in web design, which primarily differ in where the processing occurs—either on the user’s device or on the web server.
• Explore client-side technologies like JavaScript and CSS that operate within the browser, enhancing user interaction and page styling without constant server communication.
• Delve into server-side technologies, such as PHP and ASP, which handle dynamic content generation and database interactions on the server, ensuring consistent performance across different browsers.
• Recognize the role of databases in advanced web design, particularly in managing dynamic and content-rich sites efficiently through server-side scripting.
• Acknowledge the necessity of mastering both client-side and server-side elements to optimize web functionality, user experience, and cross-compatibility.
• Emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to new web technologies to keep up with evolving design trends and technical requirements.

Waiters and Customers: Clients and Servers

As I mentioned above, advanced Web design technologies may be divided into two broad categories: server-side and client-side. Understanding the difference between the two requires a basic understanding of what goes on when someone views a Web page on the Internet.

You’ve done it hundreds, if not thousands of times before. You’ve typed a Web address (URL) into your Web browser’s address field and it has loaded and displayed the corresponding Web page. But what’s really going on behind the scenes?
In the simplest sense, there are two computers involved in this process: your computer, where you Web browser is running, and the computer somewhere on the Internet that serves up the Web page in question. In this arrangement, your computer is known as the client and the computer providing the Web page is known as the server. Think of the server as a waiter in a busy restaurant, and the client as one of the customers clamouring for his attention. Just like in the real world, one server (or waiter) is responsible for fulfilling the requests of many clients (or customers).

In our busy restaurant, the waiter takes orders from the customers, and then brings them (hopefully) what they ordered. This is surprisingly similar to what goes on between the client and server computers on the Web. The client computer, as you know, runs a Web browser that allows it to view Web pages. This software, when provided with a Web address, sends a request for that address over the Internet to another software program running on the server computer. This program, known as a Web server, responds to that request by sending back the Web page corresponding to the address. It is then up to the browser to interpret that Web page, converting it into human-readable format and slapping it up on the client computer’s screen.

The retrieval and display of any Web page on the Internet proceeds along the same general lines I have just outlined; however, it’s not always quite as simple. Most advances in Web design lately have come with the cost of additional steps in the above process. Whether the additional steps come before or after the waiter hands the customer his order is the difference between client- and server-side technologies.

In most restaurants, the waiter isn’t the one responsible for preparing the food; that’s the cook’s job. The waiter just takes the order, and relays it to the cook. The cook prepares the order, and then gives it to the waiter to give to the customer. In a way, the cook assists the waiter in his work: giving the customers what they ask for. In the same way, the Web server software running on the server computer can have ‘helpers’ that let it do more than just serve up ready-made meals–err, Web pages. These helpers are server-side technologies for advanced Web design.

Now, when the customer finally gets his order from the waiter, the logical thing for him to do is eat it, right? But sometimes it’s not so simple. Consider, for instance, if the customer ordered French toast. Typically, he will also be given a little cup of maple syrup. If the customer were to just eat his meal as-is, taking a swig of maple syrup after every few bites of French toast, he might get a funny look or two. Instead, the customer is expected to spread the syrup on his toast before eating it – a small part of the task of preparing the meal has been left for the customer to do. By the same token, some Web pages are more complex for the browser to display than simply taking the HTML and converting it into a picture on the screen. Sometimes additional tasks must be completed by the Web browser for the Web page to be displayed. Anything that requires the browser to become a more active participant in determining what to display on the screen is a client-side technology for advanced Web design.

Client-side Technologies

Let’s now take a look at the currently available client-side technologies. Remember, the one thing all of these technologies have in common is that they require the browser to do something other than read pure HTML to display a Web page.

JavaScript (also: JScript, ECMAScript)

This is a programming language that Web browsers understand. Originally developed by Netscape under the name LiveScript, JavaScript is a relatively simple programming language that may be embedded in Web pages. Like most simple programming languages designed to run inside another program, JavaScript is known as a “scripting language”.

An HTML Web page can also contain JavaScript code, which the Web browser runs once the Web page has been received from the Web server. JavaScript lets a Web page author do things like make page elements responsive to user actions (e.g. changing an image when the user moves the mouse cursor over it) and conditions on the user’s computer (e.g. displaying “good evening!” on the Web page if the computer’s system clock says it’s after 6PM and before midnight).

JavaScript can do a lot of fun things, but for security and privacy reasons is limited in many ways. Cross-browser compatibility is also an issue, as the JavaScript support in some browsers is not the same as the JavaScript support in others. For this reason, some features of JavaScript that only work on Internet Explorer or Netscape (but not both) are rarely used.

Microsoft actually calls their version of JavaScript “JScript”, to explain these slight differences between the language in Netscape and Internet Explorer. Both of these browsers (and others, such as Opera), are gradually moving to make their implementations compatible with the ECMAScript standard – a browser-independent definition of what should work how in these languages.

JavaScript is often confused with Java, when they are actually two different programming languages, suited to different purposes. The reason for their similar names is generally attributed to the fact that they are both used in Advanced Web design; however, the languages themselves actually do look quite similar. If you’ve ever written computer programs in C, C++, or Java, you won’t find JavaScript hard to learn at all. Even if you’re completely new to JavaScript, though, it’s not that difficult to learn.

Resources:

• JavaScript 101 on Sausage Island
• Thaus JavaScript Tutorial on Webmonkey
• JavaScript Primer on Website Abstraction

VBScript

Internet Explorer browsers support another client-side scripting language similar in scope and purpose to JavaScript, called VBScript. Since VBScript can do little that JavaScript cannot, it is usually best to stick with JavaScript unless you have some special reason to use VBScript.

Resources:

• VBScript Overview on Windows Scripting Technologies

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

Cascading Style Sheets sound a lot scarier than they really are. CSS is a language for describing how you want the elements of a Web page to look. Whereas before you would do this with tags like <B>, <I>, and <FONT>, CSS allows you to use HTML to define just the structure of the information being displayed on a Web page and then tell the browser how you want that information to be presented.

For example, instead of using <FONT FACE="arial"> all over your site to set text inside of <P> tags to an Arial font, you can just use bare <P> tags, and create a CSS file that instructs Web browsers that all <P> tags should be displayed in an Arial font. Making changes to the look of your site becomes much easier, since you can make a change in one place and have it affect your whole site at once, and your HTML code becomes much less cluttered.

Again, different browsers support CSS to differing extents, and there are in fact entire swaths of the CSS language dealing with how a Web page should sound when it is read by software for the blind that have yet to be supported by any browser at all. Nevertheless, there is enough support available already to save yourself a lot of time typing <font> tags, and you may actually find that CSS saves you more time than it takes you to learn it!

Resources:

• Mulder’s Stylesheets Tutorial on WebMonkey

Dynamic HTML (DHTML)

Not actually a language in and of itself, the term “Dynamic HTML” refers to the practice of using the various features of modern Web browsers together to make Web page elements change and respond to user input without help from the Web server. In most cases, this means using HTML, JavaScript, and Cascading Style Sheets together. Dynamic HTML would be a very powerful tool if it weren’t for the differences between Web browsers’ support for these languages. While many exciting effects are possible using Dynamic HTML techniques, in most cases these take a lot of experience to do in a manner that will work on both major browsers.

Resources:

• Beginners Guide to DHTML on WebmasterBase

Java

Java is a full-featured programming language like C++, but simpler and more tightly structured. Java programs, instead of running directly on a computer’s operating system, run on a “Java Virtual Machine”, which itself is a program that runs on the computer’s operating system. This means that, in theory, any operating system that has a Java Virtual Machine (pretty much all major operating systems these days) can run any Java program. Since the production of Java Virtual Machines is highly standardized, incompatibilities between the various platforms are minimal. The disadvantage is that Java programs tend to run slower as the Virtual Machine has to convert Java program instructions and pass them to the operating system on which it is running.

What does all this have to do with advanced Web design? Well, modern Web browsers usually have Java Virtual Machines embedded within them. This allows a Web designer to embed small Java applications (called Applets) into Web pages. While learning Java and programming Java applets is far from simple, Java applets can do just about anything a regular program can do, except they can do it in a rectangular area inside a Web page.

Common uses of Java applets include chat programs and online games. For security reasons, however, Java applets cannot access files or other potentially sensitive information on your computer, and they cannot connect to computers other than the Web server that sent them.

Resources:

• The Java Tutorial from Sun Microsystems

Server-side Technologies

Server-side technologies for advanced Web design are largely the result of users’ desire for Web sites to serve as large, dynamic, interactive, and customizable sources of information that is kept constantly up to date. When these goals fall on your lap as a Web designer, you quickly realize that your trusty HTML editor just isn’t up to the task.

Consider the official Olympics Web site, which at the time of this writing is providing event results and other coverage of the Summer Games in Sydney, Australia. If you live in one of the lucky countries that is getting live TV coverage of the Games and have checked out the site, you were probably impressed by the fact that results on the page are so up-to-date that they often feature headlines such as “At the halfway mark, the race leaders are as follows…” that are as fresh as what you’ll be watching on television!

How is this possible? Does IBM (the company responsible for producing the site) have reporters editing HTML on laptops at each of the events? Of course not! Not only would this be a management nightmare, but it would be impossible to produce results of the quality and reliability that can be found on the site without a lag time of several hours (consider the mess of updating the medal tally pages when several events are occurring concurrently!).

No, plain HTML pages are definitely not up to this kind of task, and neither are any of the client-side technologies we saw last time. With the possible exception of Java, which can do just about anything a software program can do (but then IBM would have been just as well off making people download a full-blown program to view Olympic results), client-side technologies are all either too unreliable (in terms of browser support) or not powerful enough.

As we have mentioned, server-side technologies are the solution here. While basic Web server software simply sends HTML files in response to requests from Web browsers, server-side technologies expand on the capabilities of the Web server to allow it to dynamically generate HTML web pages by running programs, connecting to databases, and doing other fancy stuff in response to a browser request.

The big advantage of server-side technologies is that they don’t rely on any special features of the Web browser making the request. A dynamic Web page created using JavaScript (a client-side technology) requires that the browser understand the JavaScript language that the page was written with. A dynamic Web page created using PHP (a server-side technology), however, can be viewed in any browser that understands HTML, since the PHP code is run and converted to plain HTML on the Web server before it is sent to the Web browser. Thus the term: server-side.

Since only the Web server itself needs to support any given server-side technology used to build a site, there are a lot more options out there in this area. In this article, we’ll cover the most widespread of these to give you a good idea of what’s out there.

Common Gateway Interface (CGI)

The Common Gateway Interface, or CGI, is a standard that allows a Web server to execute an external program and send its output to a Web browser that requested it. Thus, a CGI-capable Web server, when receiving a request for, say, “medalstandings.exe”, will not simply send that file to the browser. Instead, it will recognize the file as an executable program and run it. The Web server captures the output (which is usually an HTML document, but could be anything from a GIF image to an Adobe Acrobat document) and sends it to the Web browser in response to the request.

CGI was the original method of creating dynamic Web applications. You can write a program in C/C++, Perl, or whatever language can run on your Web server computer, and tell the Web server to treat it as a CGI program. CGI has become very unpopular lately with the rise of server-side scripting languages (which we’ll look at in a moment), because with CGI the Web server has to launch an external program for every request. A site that gets 10,000 hits an hour will result in a lot of these CGI programs running at once, placing a tremendous strain on the Web server computer and slowing down access times to the site.

Resources:

• CGI Scripts for Fun and Profit on WebMonkey

Server-Side Scripting Languages

Server-side scripting languages, such as PHP, ASP, and PerlScript, are all intended to fulfill the same role as CGI (allowing the Web server to run a specialized program in response to a browser request) without the burden of launching an external program for every request.

By installing a plug-in, you can “teach” Web server software how to do things like run programs written in Perl or PHP (see below for descriptions of these) all by itself, instead of having to ask the operating system to run them as separate programs. When a Web page containing one of these languages is requested, the Web server uses its internal plug-in to run the code in the page, then send the results to the Web browser.

The distinction here is subtle, but very important. If, for instance, a Web server knows how to interpret Perl code all by itself, it doesn’t have to waste the time and resources involved in launching the code as a separate program to generate a dynamic Web page with it. In addition, the Web server can do smart things like realizing that a particular dynamically-generated page will change at most every 5 minutes, so if it runs some Perl code in response to a request from one Web browser, it’ll keep a copy of the resulting HTML on hand for 5 minutes so that it doesn’t have to re-run that same Perl code if another identical request is received within that time.

Resources:

• See descriptions of individual scripting languages below

Perl (also: PerlScript)

Perl is a programming language that excels at manipulation of text. As such, it is ideally suited to the development of dynamic Web pages. This isn’t to say that advanced Web design is the only application of Perl – it is heavily used in the automation of administrative tasks on Unix-based systems, for example.

Perl programs (or “scripts”, as they are commonly known) can be installed either as CGI programs or as server-side scripts using the mod_perl plug-in for the Apache Web server (in which case they are sometimes said to be written in “PerlScript”).

Resources:

• www.perl.com from O’Reilly
• Introduction to Perl for CGI on WebMonkey
• Intro to Mod_Perl on WebMonkey

PHP

Personal Home Page, PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, or simply PHP, is a somewhat less flexible language than Perl, but is more specialized towards the creation of dynamic Web pages. This focus means that you can do pretty much anything you can do with Perl using PHP when it comes to advanced Web design, but with simpler syntax (making PHP easier to learn).

Designed for use as a server-side scripting language (whereas Perl was not originally designed for use on the Web), this language bears similarities to other common languages (Perl, C/C++, Java, JavaScript), to make it easy for existing programmers to use.

Resources:

• Building a Database-Driven Web Site using PHP and MySQL on WebmasterBase

Active Server Pages (ASP)

Active Server Pages (ASP) is a framework for running scripting languages like VisualBasic and JavaScript as server-side scripting languages. Developed by Microsoft, this is mainly supported by Microsoft-brand Web Server software. As a solution for creating dynamic Web sites, ASP basically fills the same role as PHP, but with some degree of freedom in your choice of programming language. The trade-off is a loss of freedom in your choice of Web server software.

Resources:

• 4GuysFromRolla.com
• ASP Today

Cold Fusion

A Web server with its own built-in server-side scripting language in one product, Cold Fusion is designed to be easy for inexperienced users to set up and learn. Unlike some of the above-mentioned solutions that are free, Cold Fusion is a commercial product. It does come with a helpful authoring environment, but with PHP, ASP, and others becoming more and more easy to learn and use, Cold Fusion is losing popularity.

Resources:

• Allaire Cold Fusion Web Site

Server-Side Java (Servlets, JavaServer Pages, etc.)

We already mentioned Java in the client-side portion of this article as a language for creating “Applets” – small programs that run in Web pages using a “Java Virtual Machine” (JVM) embedded in the Web browser. Java, as a full-blown programming language, however, can run just about anywhere – including on the Web server computer. In the past few years, plug-in JVM’s for Web servers have endowed them with the ability to run Java programs as server-side scripts.

While this technology has been growing in leaps and bounds in areas where complex and bulletproof functionality is expected from a Web page (in eCommerce applications, for example), Java on the server side is just as intimidating to learn as Java on the client side (if not more so). If you’re an experienced programmer, then server-side Java is an extremely powerful tool to add to your repertoire; otherwise, you’ll probably want to steer clear in favour of a simpler solution like PHP or ASP.

Resources:

• Java Servlet Technology Web Site
• JavaServer Pages Web Site

Database Servers

A database is, in basic terms, a repository of information. Looking back at the Olympics Web site, for example, all of the event results, medal standings, and athlete biographies that appear on the site are actually stored in a database someplace. Databases are not good at displaying information in an attractive format (such as a Web page), but they’re really good at keeping track of large quantities of related information.

A database server is a program that lets another program retrieve information stored in a database. Just like Apache and OmniHTTPD are Web servers that serve Web pages, programs such as MySQL and Oracle are database servers that serve databases.

A “database-driven Web site” is a Web site where all of the actual information is stored in a database, and the Web pages themselves are produced by server-side scripts that connect to a database server to fetch that information and “plug it into” the attractive Web page design that is then sent to your Web browser. Such sites can provide access to vast quantities of information with surprisingly little maintenance overhead, because if you make a change to the information stored in the database, all the Web pages on your site that display that information are automatically updated as a result.

Resources:

• Building a Database-Driven Web Site using PHP and MySQL on WebmasterBase

MySQL

A free database server, this program runs on a computer to provide access to and manage one or more databases. Just as browsers use HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) to request and download Web pages, programmers can use SQL (Structured Query Language) to communicate with a MySQL server and request information stored in a database. Since it is free for most uses, MySQL is a very popular solution for creating databases for content-driven Web sites.

Resources:

• Building a Database-Driven Web Site using PHP and MySQL on WebmasterBase

Which is Better?

If, until now, you’ve mainly dabbled in HTML, you may be asking yourself, “Which is better, client-side or server-side?” While this is a natural question to ask, the fact of the matter is that neither is better than the other. Instead, they each have advantages and disadvantages, and it’s up to you to determine which is the best choice for any given application.

Client-side technologies such as JavaScript and DHTML tend to be very “nimble” in terms of their ability to affect what is displayed on the user’s screen. These technologies, running right inside the Web browser itself, have direct access to things like browser windows and Web page elements, and can modify these in response to user actions such as mouse movements and clicks. The weakness that all client-side technologies share is their reliance on browser support, which rarely turns out to be the same on different browsers.

This limitation is completely surmounted by server-side technologies, which run entirely on the Web server, and thus only need to work properly on that one computer to produce identical results on every Web browser in the world. Server-side technologies, however, removed as they are from the web browser, cannot do anything to modify a page once it has been sent to the Web browser for display until the Web browser requests another page (usually when the user clicks a link or submits a form). Server-side technologies also tend to be more complicated to set up, as they require you to make modifications to your Web server software’s configuration.

For these reasons, most modern Web pages are created using a combination of client- and server-side technologies. Server-side is used wherever reliability, cross-browser compatibility, and direct access to resources like databases are required. When a server-side technology isn’t “nimble” enough to produce the desired results, a little client-side technology can often be added to the mix to provide the right balance of power and responsiveness to user input.

Wrap-Up

Is your head spinning yet? There really is a lot to learn in Web development, and it often seems like the possibilities are growing faster than your ability to take advantage of them all! The trick is to keep in mind what you are trying to accomplish, and focus on learning those technologies that will help you better meet those goals.

Are you considering an advanced Web design project of your own? Need some advice from the experts? Questions and discussions related to this article, as always, are welcome in the SitePoint.com Forums. See you there!

Frequently Asked Questions on Advanced Web Design

What are the key elements of advanced web design?

Advanced web design goes beyond the basics of creating a visually appealing website. It involves a deep understanding of user experience (UX), search engine optimization (SEO), responsive design, and the latest web technologies. Key elements include a clean and intuitive interface, fast loading times, mobile-friendly design, and effective navigation. It also involves the use of advanced coding languages like JavaScript, PHP, and Python to create dynamic, interactive elements.

How does advanced web design differ from basic web design?

While basic web design focuses on the aesthetic aspects and layout of a website, advanced web design delves deeper into the technical aspects. It involves creating a seamless user experience, optimizing for search engines, and ensuring the website is responsive across different devices. Advanced web design also involves the use of complex coding languages and technologies to create interactive features and functionalities.

Why is user experience (UX) important in advanced web design?

User experience is crucial in advanced web design as it directly impacts how visitors interact with your website. A good UX design ensures that visitors can easily navigate your site, find the information they need, and complete desired actions. This not only improves user satisfaction but also increases the chances of conversions and return visits.

How does SEO factor into advanced web design?

SEO is a critical component of advanced web design. It involves optimizing your website so it ranks higher in search engine results, thereby increasing visibility and attracting more traffic. This includes using relevant keywords, optimizing meta tags, ensuring fast loading times, and creating a mobile-friendly design.

What is responsive design in the context of advanced web design?

Responsive design is a web design approach that ensures your website looks and functions well on all devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. This is crucial in today’s digital age where people access the internet from various devices. A responsive design improves user experience and can also boost your SEO ranking.

What coding languages are commonly used in advanced web design?

Advanced web design often involves the use of complex coding languages like JavaScript, PHP, and Python. JavaScript is used to create interactive elements on your website, PHP is used for server-side scripting, and Python is used for its readability and efficiency.

How can I learn advanced web design?

There are many resources available for learning advanced web design. This includes online courses, tutorials, and guides. You can also learn by practicing and experimenting with different web technologies and tools. It’s important to stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in the field.

What are some common challenges in advanced web design?

Some common challenges in advanced web design include ensuring compatibility across different browsers and devices, optimizing for SEO, creating a seamless user experience, and staying updated with the latest web technologies and trends. It also requires a deep understanding of coding languages and web technologies.

How does advanced web design impact business performance?

Advanced web design can significantly impact business performance. A well-designed website can attract more visitors, increase engagement, and boost conversions. It can also improve your SEO ranking, increasing visibility and driving more traffic to your site. Moreover, a good user experience can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

What are some examples of advanced web design?

Examples of advanced web design include websites that feature interactive elements, dynamic content, personalized user experiences, and advanced functionalities. This could be anything from e-commerce websites with personalized product recommendations to news websites with dynamic content updates.

Tried Surfing The Web With Your Eyes Closed?

 

To publish information for global distribution on the Internet, a globally understood language is required, one that all computers can potentially understand and interpret. The publishing language used by the World Wide Web is HTML (HyperText Mark-Up Language) and using this anyone can produce at least a basic webpage. As a result, more and more content is appearing on the World Wide Web daily, created by the average user, without much thought being given to its accessibility by other people.

Accessibility means providing flexibility to accommodate each user’s needs and preferences. In an Internet context, accessibility is making computer technology and Internet resources useful to more people than would otherwise be the case. We need Internet accessibility because it expands a Website’s potential audience to the millions who are required to use alternative browsing technologies.

Browsing the World Wide Web is an immensely visual experience. Button menus, animations, images are all used to set the mood of a website and help us to understand what the author is trying to achieve. The font used, the size of the text and the colour scheme all serve to guide us through the complex experience that is navigating the Web.

However, how would the nature of the browsing experience change if you tried doing it with your eyes shut? This may sound like a stupid idea at first, but hang on, don’t just dismiss it. In fact, go and try it and see what happens. Visit a website which you have not been to before and close your eyes shut – no cheating now! <10 minutes later> Ok, you’re back now, how was it? Would “nearly impossible” not even be close to describing it?

After your first experience of browsing the Web without the use of sight you may decide not to try that again, however, there is an entire sector of the population that have no choice. Many Internet users cannot use the full range of resources available. They may not be able to see, hear, move or be able to process some types of information easily or at all; they may not have or be able to use a keyboard or mouse; or they may be in a situation where their ears or hands are busy.

These users use adaptive technology with their computer to access the WWW. For example, a person who is blind may use a speech output system to read aloud text that is presented on the screen. In the case of blind users, or people who are using a telephone or a tiny handheld computer, and become functionally blind, it is much easier to hear material spoken out loud than to try and view it on a screen. People using this technology and other alternatives can experience difficulty using the WWW due to a clear lack of separation of the content, structure and presentation aspects of the pages. Sites designed to account for these users will more likely be beneficial to the Internet community as a whole, because this will result in better designed pages.

If the World Wide Web is to ever become a truly universal medium, then changes have to be made to make it accessible to everyone. Nowadays, most television programmes have subtitles for deaf viewers, buildings have been made accessible to wheelchair users, and books have been recorded so that people can listen to them – now it is time to apply these same principles to the Web!

If these were not reasons enough to make a Website accessible, there are many governments which are now considering accessibility policies which can be applied to the Web. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires covered entities to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the program or service or in an undue burden. As a result of this policy, last year the National Federation for the Blind filed suit against America Online, arguing that AOL’s software did not work with screen readers, and is in direct contradiction of ADA. This lawsuit has since then been dropped, as AOL has agreed to make future versions of its software accessible.

There are many commendable efforts on the Web to make it more accessible. Microsoft Corporation has an Accessibility and Disabilities website (www.microsoft.com/enable/) which lists accessibility aids which are compatible with its products. A notable validating service that rewards accessible sites is “Bobby” (www.cast.org/bobby). The makers of Bobby at the Center for Applied Special Technology recommend that you use Bobby as a first test for your site, then invite users with disabilities to explore and comment. In April 1997 the World Wide Web Consortium launched the Web Accessibility Initiative at the Santa Clara WWW conference. The (W3C) is responsible for creating guidelines and educating the industry. If you wish you may also visit the Public Service Commission of Canada’s Web Page Accessibility Self-Evaluation Test (http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/eepmp-pmpee/access/welcome1.htm).

Yet these are but the first steps in making the Web accessible. At the moment the tools available are few, and existing guidelines for developing accessible websites are restricted to general accessibility issues.

For the time being, many of us can help, whether we are web developers, policy makers within an organization, or Internet users. We can make sure that our pages are accessible, we can recommend our organization to consider the issue of accessibility, and we can support the hard work that many people are doing to try and make the web a better place for all.

As Tim Berners-Lee, Director of the W3C puts it: “The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect”.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Surfing the Web with Eyes Closed

How does surfing the web with eyes closed work?

Surfing the web with eyes closed is made possible through the use of assistive technologies such as screen readers. These tools convert text on a webpage into speech, allowing visually impaired individuals to access and navigate the internet. They can read out loud everything from text to alt tags on images, and even describe the layout of a webpage.

What is the importance of web accessibility?

Web accessibility is crucial as it ensures that all individuals, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can access and use the internet effectively. It promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities, allowing everyone to participate fully in the digital world.

How can I make my website more accessible?

There are several ways to make your website more accessible. This includes using alt tags for images, ensuring your site is navigable by keyboard alone, using clear and simple language, and providing transcripts for audio and video content. Additionally, you can use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) to improve the accessibility of your dynamic content and advanced user interface controls.

What is ARIA and how does it help in web accessibility?

ARIA stands for Accessible Rich Internet Applications. It is a set of attributes that define ways to make web content and web applications more accessible to people with disabilities. It helps by providing additional semantics to help assistive technologies convey appropriate information to users.

What are some popular screen readers?

Some popular screen readers include JAWS (Job Access With Speech), NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), and VoiceOver which is built into all Apple devices. These tools can greatly assist visually impaired individuals in navigating the internet.

How can I test my website’s accessibility?

There are several tools available online to test your website’s accessibility. These include WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool), Google’s Lighthouse, and the aXe Chrome extension. These tools can provide valuable insights into any accessibility issues your website may have.

What is the role of alt tags in web accessibility?

Alt tags, or alternative text, provide a textual description of images on a webpage. This is particularly useful for visually impaired individuals using screen readers, as the alt text can be read out loud, providing context to the image.

How does keyboard navigation improve web accessibility?

Keyboard navigation allows users to navigate a website using only their keyboard, without the need for a mouse. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with motor disabilities who may struggle with using a mouse.

What is the importance of clear and simple language in web accessibility?

Using clear and simple language makes your content more accessible to a wider audience, including individuals with cognitive disabilities and those who may not speak English as their first language. It helps ensure that your message is understood by as many people as possible.

What are transcripts and how do they improve web accessibility?

Transcripts are written versions of audio or video content. They allow deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to access the content, and can also be beneficial for individuals who prefer reading over listening or watching.

Building a Content Rich Website

 

Key Takeaways

• Focus on Quality Content: A website must offer valuable, informative, and engaging content to attract and retain visitors effectively. This can range from educational articles to entertaining videos.
• Regular Updates are Crucial: Consistently updating your website with fresh content is essential for keeping your audience interested and maintaining a competitive edge.
• Discipline in Content Creation: Establish a disciplined writing schedule to ensure regular content updates. Treat content creation with the seriousness of a professional commitment.
• Diverse Content Types: Incorporate a variety of content types such as editorials, feature articles, news updates, reviews, and interactive features to cater to different audience preferences.
• Engage and Interact with Visitors: Utilize interactive tools like polls, feedback forms, and discussion forums to engage visitors, gather valuable insights, and generate fresh content based on user interaction.
• Leverage Expert Contributions and Syndicated Content: Consider inviting guest contributors and syndicating content to provide diverse perspectives and reduce the burden of creating all content in-house.

What makes a Website attractive to a visitor? The content it provides, of course.

You might run a wonderful advertising campaign; develop viral marketing tools and attractive affiliate programs. But unless your Website is rich in content, the traffic spikes that result from your efforts will only be transient. Content that is useful, valuable, informative, educational or just plain entertaining can attract and retain an audience better than anything else.

Anyone can create a content-rich Website by following a few key points:

· Be disciplined
· Update your site regularly
· Know how to create content, or where to find it

Discipline and Commitment

To create your content-rich Website, you need tunnel vision and a laser sharp focus. In a word; self discipline. It’s easy to waste hours, even days, clicking your way from one site to another. Don’t let yourself be distracted: limit your online content explorations only to Websites and resources that are directly connected to your site’s subject.

Discipline also extends to content creation. Successful writers do not wait for inspiration before beginning their work. Instead, they develop a regular writing schedule, and they stick to it. Wether they feel like it or not, they sit down at a desk and write.

You too must develop a schedule to add content to your Website, and follow it. Nike has the right idea – ‘Just Do It’!

Regular Updates to your Website

Nothing is deader than an untended Website.

Regularly updating or modifying your Website’s content gives you an edge over the competition. People will keep returning to your site if they notice something new to see, learn from or enjoy each time.

Creating Your Content

You know best – or should – what your audience wants. It then becomes an easy task to decide about which types of content will best serve their needs and how to go about finding or creating it. Here are some suggestions:

· Editorials
· Feature articles
· News clips or stories
· Art galleries
· Aggregating the best content
· Reviews
· Announcements
· Interviews
· Interactive features – polls, feedback, discussion groups, forums, chat

Editorials

Editorials are the opinion of a perceived ‘expert’ in the field– (either you or a guest contributor). And they make good content, because they invite reader response, either endorsing or opposing the writer. This can make for lively debate. Give your readers an avenue to make their views known – by including a bulletin board or guest book on your site. People will return back to your site, at least to read other responses to their comments. And you can use this feedback from your audience by incorporating it into a follow up article in the future!

Full-length Feature Articles

A feature article is the most common – and one of the best – forms of content.

Depending on the nature of your site, the articles may be long or brief, formal or chatty, technical or entertaining.
Here are some tips:

· Articles shouldn’t be too long. While there aren’t any rules, it is perhaps safe to keep feature articles below 1200 words. If they are longer, convert them into multi-part features.

· Articles should be relevant to the topic of your Website.

· They should educate, entertain or inform. Try and limit the message of each piece to one or two new ideas.

· Don’t simply rehash an article you’ve read elsewhere. By publishing something that hasn’t been already featured elsewhere, you enhance the value and credibility of your site.

There are several ways to get original content.

– Write your own features. This assumes you write reasonably well. If you can’t, or don’t have the time or inclination then getting someone to write articles for you has benefits to both you and the author.

You could offer to:

a.) Pay guest authors for their work or

b.) Exchange articles with their Website in return. Your Website visitors benefit by providing them with another point of view. A fringe benefit is that you might hook some new regular visitors from your guest author’s site!

c.) Exclusivity. If someone else writes for you, make sure the same article won’t be submitted to dozens of other Websites and newsletters. Publishing exclusive content benefits includes syndication opportunities in other publications, online and off, and reader loyalty.

Reprints

Reprint articles written by others, but you must always obtain permission. All work, from the moment it is written, is copyright and owned by the author, whether it is marked with a copyright symbol or not. Content is not free. You can, however, make reprints interesting and personalised by putting your own ‘spin’ on the content. Write an introduction to the subject, or comment on the author’s opinions or conclusions.

Take care to avoid ‘editing’ the original article without the author’s permission. Avoid articles that have been reprinted many times before on other Websites and electronic publications.

The News Desk

Your Website can become a source of the latest developments and happenings in areas of interest by providing timely news on topics of interest to your readers.

Create a separate section of your site to deal with industry news. Or you might devote an entire Website to news updates.

There are many ways of presenting news:

· as a feature article
· As short news clips, with a link to the full story
· As news stories, where each item is explained at length

Whichever way you choose to present the news, make sure to stamp it with your own personality. Make it interesting, personal, chatty, fun, unique, or all of these – with your style of writing, or by adding your point of view.

As with feature articles, news clips should be

· Relevant
· Useful to your reader
· Timely. Remember, old news is no news!

There are many resources out there to help you find news stories to feature. You could:

· Subscribe to eZines on your topic
· Sign up for news delivery services that send updates periodically by email
· Register to receive press releases on your topic
· Actively hunt for newsy items during your Web surfing
· Read newspapers, magazines and books on your subject
· Attend conferences, workshops or seminars and write about your impressions

The Content Aggregator

By making your Website the ultimate content resource on issues related to your topic, you would attract and retain a loyal audience. Your site will become a destination for anyone seeking information on your subject.

As an expert on your topic, you can evaluate sites and other resources (eZines, directories, books, offline publications) for the best, and then list them along with your rating and opinions.

The Art Gallery

Text is not the only form of content. Sound, music, pictures, photographs, video clips – and soon maybe smell and dreams (!) – can be attractions on a Website.

If you are a professional photographer, you could create a display of your snaps. If you are a music group, you might offer some of your creations for download. Amateur moviemakers can use the Internet as their low-cost global distribution channel.

As broadband connectivity becomes more widely accessible, we might soon see the majority of Websites converting to such interactive and dynamic content models.

The Reviewer

Use your Website to recommend the *best* products and services to your visitors – books, websites, music, movies, artwork, web designers, restaurants, anything. You, the expert, tell them what is good and what isn’t.

Share something that will be of interest and benefit to them. If you read a great book, or surf into a wonderful Website, then tell your visitors about it. Reviews help build credibility and trust for your site.

How to write a review?

Here are some tips:

· Provide contact/ordering information for those who want to know more.

· Be relevant. Limit your reviews to the topic and subject of your site

· Be selective. Set high standards for the products you review. Be analytical. Tell your reader specifically what is good or bad about the thing you review, and why.

· Don’t go overboard. Restrain your impulse to offer extremes of praise and criticism.

· Offer Recommendations. At the end, say what you think about it. Is it good? Or bad? Should your reader buy the product, visit the Website, order the service? Tell them.

What should you review?

Anything – as long as it is relevant to the topic of your site, and is likely to have interest for your reader. Here are some ideas:

· Books: There are bound to be many books on your topic. Review good ones, and even bad ones. If an author/publisher sends you a book to review, write about it.

· Websites: If you have a favourite Website, or run across one that is useful, entertaining or informative, review it. Your readers will love you for this – they might never have found it on their own!

· Products and services can also be grist for your mill. Just remember to stay within the guidelines – relevant and useful to your reader.

Announcements

· Has your company done something new and innovative?
· Have you developed an improved version of your product?
· Are you privy to insider information in your industry?
· Do you follow the rumours and gossip in your field?
· Do you track swings and developments closely?

If you do, announce them on your Website. People love to feel informed and up with the latest gossip and happenings.

Interviews

An interview with an expert in your field or a famous person makes exciting, valuable content. And it is easy to conduct an interview via email or over the telephone.

Choose an expert or guest you think will be of interest to your readers. Learn more about your expert – special interests, experience, achievements, status in field, etc. This allows you to create pertinent questions.

Decide upon a topic for the interview. Prepare a set of questions you’d like to ask. Then contact your guest with an interview request.

Most people would be happy to participate in your interview. For those who seem hesitant, mentioning the exposure they would get from being on your Website is enough to get them to agree!

Send a copy of your questions to the guest by email, make a phone call or even arrange a face-to-face meeting. Once you have your copy, make editorial changes so that it reads well. This might mean re-arranging the questions so that there is a smooth flow of thoughts. And by intelligently interspersing additional queries and comments, you can make it appear as if the interview was carried out in person and make it more interesting to read!

Ask additional questions, or for clarification when necessary. Finally, make sure to get your guest’s approval for the final version of the interview. Then go ahead and publish it on your site.

Interactive Content

Why should you interact with readers?

· You can establish closer, more personal relationships with visitors
· You can find out about their preferences, likes and dislikes
· You can listen to their complaints and suggestions
· You can request their feedback on your performance
· You can collect valuable demographic data on your audience

AND…. you can get fresh content to use on your site!

All of this allows you to make improvements, additions and enhance the value and utility of your site to visitors. By employing interactive tools, you can generate content to use later. There are many different ways to do this. Here are a few ideas:

Polls and Surveys

Survey your readers. Ask a question. Request a vote on an issue or topic.
It could be about

· An article on the site – “Did you find this week’s feature helpful?”
· Current events – “Will you vote for the GOP in the next election?”
· A controversial issue – “Do you believe in religion in schools?”
· User preferences – “Would you like to see this site updated daily?”
· Demographic data – “Do you have young children?”

Some guidelines:

· Be brief. Ask no more than 7 or 8 questions

· Offer choices. Frame the questions to have a YES/NO option

· Provide an incentive to reply. A discount, a freebie, a trial membership

· Make the results available to respondents. Your readers will enjoy hearing about what their peers think and feel about these issues.

· Show that you are acting on the feedback received

Feedback

Reader feedback is extremely valuable – if you listen to it with a mind open to change and act on it. Criticism can stimulate you to improve standards. Questions and requests can indicate areas where you must provide content that helps your reader. A good feedback loop between Webmaster and site visitor is very valuable.

Make it obvious that you welcome feedback.

· On every page offer a link to let visitors write back with their comments, opinions and suggestions for improvement.

· Provide an email address to write to or use a feedback form

How do you turn feedback into content?

Use your creativity to come up with new ideas. Here are some suggestions:

· Write a feature article that answers the questions your reader asked

· Print out the questions or comments your reader sent in, and answer them. Take care to request their permission before quoting them. Most often they’ll agree – especially when you promise them a moment in the spotlight by mentioning their name or Website URL on your site!

· Act upon the suggestions readers make; then write about these changes

Discussion Lists

While feedback is a one-to-one communication, a discussion group permits many-to-many interaction, since every email sent to the group is distributed to each member.

Here’s what you can do:

– Create a discussion group using one of the free or pay-services.

– Announce it on your Website and eZine and invite everyone to participate.

Readers could debate controversial articles and news stories, discuss other issues related to your topic and share their views and opinions with other readers.

The material generated in such lively debate could again be used as the seed to grow content for your site.

Forums

An electronic bulletin board is a Website where a visitor can read messages posted by others, and respond by writing another message on the board. This reply is also displayed for others to read, producing a growing list of discussions on related topics.

After a reasonable period of time, the messages under a particular topic can be encapsulated into a feature article or other form of content on your site.

Chat Rooms

Real-time online chat is a fantastic interactive tool – but with unavoidable limitations. Chat events permit the creation of innovative pieces of content like

– Interviews with participants, especially experts and celebrities

– Discussions on featured topics and issues

– Workshops and seminars for your visitors

Transcripts of chat sessions – edited for continuity and flow of the conversation – make for exciting content.

How do you get Content for your Website?

There are four options:

· Create it yourself
· Invite contributions
· Hire content providers
· Syndicate or licence content from others

Creating Your Own Content

If you have a lot of experience in your speciality, and your writing skills are excellent, content creation will be a simple matter of sitting at your computer and banging away at the keys for a few minutes.

If, however, you aren’t wired that way, generating material for your site will feel like having a tooth pulled – without anaesthetic!

But don’t despair. There’s something for everyone on the Net :-)

Before you decide to create your own content, here are some things to think about:

Do you have the expertise?

Are you really an expert? Can you write valuable, reliable, interesting content regularly? Most of your readers won’t know much about your topic – indeed that’s why they visit your site in the first place! But there will be the occasional expert. You can’t fool your readers with pretence. Don’t even try to.

Do you have the skills?

Can you write well? You might understand General Relativity. But the way you write about it might confuse Einstein himself!

Do you have the time?

Writing original content of a high quality can be very time consuming. And because a good Website is never finished it is an ongoing thing, day after day, week after week. Can you do it?

Inviting Contributions

If writing your own content isn’t for you, there are many people around who will be happy to write for your Website. They do it because it projects them as experts, and gives them exposure and access to your readers. Most often, all that these authors ask in return is a by-line – a short 3 to 5 line description of the author and his/her business at the end of the article. So if you don’t want to (or cannot) create your own content, ask others to help.

Include an announcement on your site that articles from other authors are welcome. Then wade through the submissions to choose the best to present to your audience.

Hiring Content Providers

This is the rich man’s way out! Pay someone else to create content for you.

Content providers come in different forms.

· Freelance authors are writers-on-contract, who will submit articles on a pay-per-word/article basis.

· Full time writers and content providers are employees who will provide professional-quality material for a regular salary. While this could turn out to be expensive, it might still be cheaper than trying to acquire the skills on your own.

Syndicating or Licensing Content

Syndication is an interesting model to get quality-content from experts at reasonable cost. Content created by an individual or company is displayed on other partner Websites or eZines, in return for a payment (flat fee or percentage of revenue generated) or sometimes even for just exposure on the partner’s Website.

Licensing content for a specified period, on payment of a licensing fee, is another option.

You might consider syndicating or licensing content from:

· News services that provide brief updates and news flashes on a variety of topics

· Content aggregators who collate information on a topic from around the Web

· Magazines and Newspapers

· Content-rich niche portal sites

· Other Websites on your topic

Some General Tips For Website Content

Providing highly informative, entertaining and original content is only one part of the success formula.

A Webmaster who imbues their site with a part of their own personality makes their publication unique–and sets it apart from the pack. If a Webmaster can successfully convey to the reader their values, ideals, ambitions and attitudes, your readers come to believe they know you, the Webmaster, personally; they identify with you, trust you, and respect you.

Here are some ideas:

· It’s ok to be opinionated or state your point of view

· Always give your reader top priority

· Stick by your values and ethics

· Be emotional, not rigidly logical

If you love what you create on your site, it will show in your work. And your readers will feel it too.

Writing for the Web

Reading online, on a computer screen, differs in many ways from the way people read print publications. Most skim through an article rather than read it line after line.

By breaking up content into small chunks, and by the generous use of white space between them, you can make your WebPages look neat, uncluttered, and readable.

Some tips:

Use shorter sentences
Use ‘catch’ words and phrases
Avoid long, difficult words with many syllables
Get to the point right away
Use sub-titles to set off paragraphs

Spelling and Grammar

Your reader will judge you on many factors. Spelling/grammar is an important one.

Reasonable care to ensure correct spelling and grammar is essential if you are to establish a serious image.

A few mistakes might (and will) slip through the cracks! Your readers will probably accept this. But if it happens very often, you lose credibility.

Style

A formal, impersonal, grammatical style would be ideal for some topics. But a chatty, friendly, write-as-you-talk style will be a perfect fit for others. There aren’t any rules – use what works for you.

Be Bold – Experiment

Managing a Website can be an interesting voyage of self-discovery. Be adventurous. Try out new ideas. Imitate models you find interesting. Keep innovating.

And monitor response to each change. Did your readers like it? If they did, keep it. If not, experiment again.

Most sites grow by such trial-and-error methods. The winners are those who identify successful models and develop them, while ruthlessly eliminating any that fail.

An open mind to ideas and suggestions, and a willingness to adapt to change, is perhaps the best skill you can develop as a Webmaster.

Frequently Asked Questions about Content-Rich Websites

What is a content-rich website?

A content-rich website is a site that is loaded with informative, relevant, and high-quality content. This content can be in the form of text, images, videos, infographics, podcasts, or any other form of media that provides value to the user. The primary goal of a content-rich website is to engage the audience, provide them with valuable information, and encourage them to take a desired action, such as making a purchase or subscribing to a newsletter.

Why is it important to have a content-rich website?

Having a content-rich website is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it helps in improving your website’s search engine ranking. Search engines like Google prioritize websites that provide valuable and relevant content to users. Secondly, it helps in attracting and retaining your audience. People are more likely to visit and stay on your website if they find the content useful and engaging. Lastly, it helps in building your brand’s credibility and authority in your industry.

How can I create a content-rich website?

Creating a content-rich website involves several steps. Firstly, you need to understand your audience and their needs. This will help you create content that is relevant and valuable to them. Secondly, you need to create a content strategy. This involves planning what type of content you will create, how often you will publish it, and how you will promote it. Thirdly, you need to create high-quality content. This involves researching your topic thoroughly, writing in a clear and engaging manner, and using visuals to enhance your content.

What types of content can I include on my website?

There are several types of content you can include on your website. These include blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, podcasts, case studies, white papers, e-books, webinars, and social media posts. The type of content you choose to include will depend on your audience’s preferences and your industry.

How can I optimize my content for search engines?

Optimizing your content for search engines involves several steps. Firstly, you need to do keyword research to find out what terms your audience is searching for. Secondly, you need to include these keywords in your content, title, meta description, and URL. Thirdly, you need to use internal and external links in your content. Lastly, you need to ensure that your content is high-quality and provides value to your audience.

How often should I update my website with new content?

The frequency at which you should update your website with new content depends on your industry and your audience’s needs. However, as a general rule, you should aim to update your website with new content at least once a week. Regularly updating your website with new content not only keeps your audience engaged but also improves your search engine ranking.

How can I measure the success of my content?

You can measure the success of your content using various metrics. These include the number of page views, the amount of time users spend on your page, the number of shares on social media, the number of comments, and the conversion rate. These metrics can give you an idea of how well your content is performing and where you need to make improvements.

What is rich media content and how can it benefit my website?

Rich media content refers to content that includes interactive elements, such as videos, audio clips, and interactive graphics. This type of content can benefit your website in several ways. Firstly, it can make your content more engaging and memorable. Secondly, it can increase the amount of time users spend on your page. Lastly, it can improve your search engine ranking, as search engines often prioritize websites with rich media content.

How can I promote my content?

There are several ways you can promote your content. These include sharing it on social media, sending it to your email subscribers, using SEO techniques to improve its visibility on search engines, and collaborating with influencers or other businesses in your industry.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a content-rich website?

Some common mistakes to avoid when creating a content-rich website include not understanding your audience, not having a content strategy, not optimizing your content for search engines, not updating your website regularly with new content, and not promoting your content effectively.

Create Layout in laravel using blade templating

How to create layout in laravel using blade templating (updated with laravel 5):-

We really need template in our any type of site like divide layout in footer, header, middle. called layout or templating. In laravel we are using blade template for making layout. We are using blade template to create a layout in laravel 5 except mess things controller, models etc. Using blade template we can save more html code writing and fast rendering of page it’s a another good feature of blade templating. so it’s easy to create layout in laravel using blade templating.

Blade Templating :-

blade is a simple and powerful templating engine which is inbuilt with laravel. blade templating didn’t use controller layouts, it’s driven by template inheritance and sections. we can create a blade template file using .blade.php extension.
For example :- for creating a “test” file using blade then file name will be “test.blade.php”
To create layout in laravel using blade templating we need to create some blade template files in views.
Views (laravel 4):-

File struture :-

- app
-- views
--- layout
------- default.blade.php
------- header.blade.php
------- footer.blade.php
------- sidebar.blade.php
--- pages
------- home.blade.php
------- about.blade.php

Views (laravel 5):-

File struture :-

- resources
-- views
--- layout
------- default.blade.php
------- header.blade.php
------- footer.blade.php
------- sidebar.blade.php
--- pages
------- home.blade.php
------- about.blade.php

Layout
laravel 4 :- create a new folder in app/views/layout
laravel 5 :- create a new folder in resources/views/layout
default.blade.php :- create a new file in
laravel 4 :- app/views/layout/default.blade.php
laravel 5 :- resources/views/layout/default.blade.php

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<!-- my head section goes here -->
<!-- my css and js goes here -->
</head>
<body>
<div class="container">
  <header> @include('layout.header') </header>
  <div class="sidebar"> @include('layout.sidebar') </div>
  <div class="contents"> @yield('content') </div>
  <footer> @include('layout.footer') </footer>
</div>
</body>
</html>

header.blade.php :- create a new file in
laravel 4 :- app/views/layout/header.blade.php
laravel 5 :- resources/views/layout/header.blade.php

<ul>
  <li><a href="{{URL::to('/')}}">Home</a></li>
  <li><a href="{{URL::to('/about')}}">About</a></li>
</ul>

Note :- {{ $var }} has been deprecated in laravel 5 rather use {!! $var !!}

footer.blade.php :- create a new file in
laravel 4 :- app/views/layout/footer.blade.php
laravel 5 :- resources/views/layout/footer.blade.php

<div>My footer section here</div>

sidebar.blade.php :- create a new file in
laravel 4 :- app/views/layout/sidebar.blade.php
laravel 5 :- resources/views/layout/sidebar.blade.php

<div>My sidebar section here</div>

Pages
Pages :- create a new folder in
laravel 4 :- app/views/pages
laravel 5 :- resources/views/pages
home.blade.php :- create a new file in
laravel 4 :- app/views/pages/home.blade.php
laravel 5 :- resources/views/pages/home.blade.php

@extends('layout.default')
@section('content')
 this is my home page
@stop

about.blade.php :- create a new file in
laravel 4 :- app/views/pages/about.blade.php
laravel 5 :- resources/views/pages/about.blade.php

@extends('layout.default')
@section('content')
 this is my about page
@stop

Now we need to link these pages in laravel routing
Routing :-

Route::get('/', function()
{
 return View::make('pages.home'); // laravel 5 return View('pages.home');
});
Route::get('contact', function()
{
 return View::make('pages.about'); // laravel 5 return View('pages.about');
});

some of code means we are using:-
@yield :- is defining an area in the layout template where sections in views will be placed.It is a placeholder for @section … @stop
@section :- defines the content in the area defined by @yield
@include :- to render a view into another view. The rendered view will automatically inherit all of the data from the current view.

Note:- if you want to exclude any of layout from specific page try in “default.blade.php” like

//match your request route like 'account/login' etc.
@if(!Request::is('login'))
   // sidebar not included on login page.
    @include('layout.sidebar')
@endif

Now we have a simple front-end views for our site. you can add more files for your sidebar etc. Now you have done with Create Layout in laravel using blade templating.
you can learn more from Laravel Blade Templating.