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HTML? Boring!
Copyright © 2004, Keith Bryan
Work at Home-101.net
http://www.workathome-101.net
One
of the first things I remember thinking when I started into
the world of
online marketing is "Hmmm, I wonder if I can really
do this? I don't know
any HTML or java". I was a bit worried
to say the least! How could I
compete with the "big" internet
companies when I didn't even know how to
make a word appear in bold? "I'm dead meat" I thought.
I had it in
my mind that I was "finished" before I even really
got started!
So
how important is knowing how to program when trying to make money online?
Well, nowadays it's becoming increasingly common to meet webmasters that
have little or no knowledge of HTML or java. Honestly, although I now know
much more than I did when I first started I still wouldn't consider myself a
"programmer". I wouldn't even say I really know what I'm doing all that
much. Sure, now I can make a word bolded...... yep, I can make things
scroll on a page..... I even know how to do those nifty
mouseover effects...... but I'm hardly an expert!
So why keep
reading? Because I was exactly like 95% percent of people trying to make
money online! Probably just like you are right now.
One thing I
learned quickly with online business is that all
these "gurus" weren't
really trying to help..... they were most
likely just trying to teach you
just enough to do average. (Why
would they want competition?)
So
here's some tips...... (to all the little guys...... from a
little
guy)
1. Learn HTML -- I know..... I promised no programming right?
You don't have to be an expert, but at least learn the basics. Here are a
few sites that might help......
http://www.htmlgoodies.com/primers/basics.html
http://www.usd.edu/trio/tut/html/index.shtml
Would
you vacation in Romania without learning Romanian (at
least a little)? No!
So why do the online equivalent? Learn
the basics!
2. Invest
in a web design program -- It doesn't really matter
which one you buy but
get something. Microsoft FrontPage is
decent for beginners. Dreamweaver is
better but is a little tough for newbies. The main two reasons for getting
web design
software are.....
a. so you don't have to type <p
align="center"><img
src="http://www.mywebsite123.com/images/4.gif"
width="103"
height="50"></p> for every picture! Talk about a quick
way
to lose interest in your business! and....
b. so you can use
templates! which brings me to my next
point......
3. Use
Templates! -- Yes, great, ok, uh huh........ Some web
designers will tell
you that templates are cheating. I say that
anything I can use to focus on
my business instead of my HTML I fully support! The great thing about
templates is that you can
focus on adding content to your site and not worry
about how to get picture 'A' in space 'T' using HTML. Choose one that you
feel will fit the theme of your site. (i.e. if you have a flower site
don't choose the "medieval" template) Templates range from free to
hundreds of dollars...... I have seen these quality sites with great
templates....... but look around and see what YOU like.
http://freesitetemplates.com
http://www.bearcreative.com/templates.html
http://www.aplustemplates.com
http://powersitesystem.com
(this one
is a full content management system)
4. Use free scripts -- There
are many sites out there that have
free HTML and java scripts that you are
welcome to use. Most authors just ask that you give them credit. Here are
a few of
them......
http://www.htmlbasix.com/bookmark.shtml
http://www.dynamicdrive.com
http://www.boogiejack.com/html_tutorials.html
5.
Know your colors! -- Pick a color scheme and stick with it. There's nothing
that screams "I'm new at this!" more than every
page being different colors
randomly. If you don't know how to change colors go back to:
http://www.htmlgoodies.com/tutors/cc.html
Here is another handy tool for reference:
http://www.theodora.com/html_colors.html
6.
Link Every Page Home -- Every page in your site should have a link to your
main page. Remember, search engines index pages inside your site too.....
if a visitor finds your site from one
of these pages don't leave them
stranded! Link Home.
7. Help Others -- "The web helps those who
help others" is so
very true. Help other people do well and you too will do
well.
Know when to offer advice and when to receive it. (I know it has
nothing to do with HTML but I'd thought I'd mention it.)
That's
it for now. Of course these are only some of the basic
tips for starting
out. You will naturally learn more as you get
into running your
business.... use your newly acquired knowledge as you learn it and soon you
will be beating all the "big dogs".
Have Fun!
Resource
Box:
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Keith
Bryan is the owner of http://www.workathome-101.net a
site dedicated to teaching the little guy how to compete in the world of
online business. For more tips visit http://www.workathome-101.net He is
also a proud team leader in SFI home business. Check it out at
http://www.workathome-101.net/workathome-101/SFI.htm
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