A Newsletter by SAM about using your website.

SAM

More SAMsSite Tools Sept/Oct 2009

1. A Web Tool - The Media Kit

2009-09-20 10:40:08

Media kits are often used as a tool for presenting. Traditionally, they are an expensive tool that is usually sent to individuals through the mail.

It is no longer necessary to create such an expensive physical kit and have it sent to you. It is more efficient to have it built on the web. This way it can be customized for your individual needs and it will still have all the tools, links, videos, photos etc that you need. A media kit allows you to accomplish many tasks that are related to presenting. For example, it provides you the ability to make a pdf of a photo or even a larger jpeg and make it downloadable for flyer use. If you are interested in using videos on the web the best way is to store them on Youtube and then access them through your site and media kit.

Another way to use an online media kit is by posting upcoming events on your website. By using a link from your online media kit you can display all of your events. You can do this by using an “eventer” and SAMventer is a perfect example of what this look like. SAMventer also gives you the ability to keep storing old events. This is a good automatic way to keep track of your history and past experience. Check out ours to compare. http://transnetmedia.com/mediakit/



2. The Gallery

2009-09-28 09:21:37

Is it no longer necessary to have to create galleries for your website from scratch. There is now software available to help display your images and has become very popular with photographers. However, anyone can enjoy this way to display their work, but keep in mind that it requires quality photos. Companies that focus on architecture, remodeling, decorating, landscaping and even hair design, can utilize this program to show off their talents.

There are a few things to consider when you are preparing to set up a gallery. The first is to compile a collection of quality photos for display. Unfortunately, with a software program you are limited to the displays that come with it and the way to put them together. Jalbum is a free program that creates galleries but it is somewhat complicated. The hardest part is updating it. Another program to consider is php software called Gallery. It is not easy to do custom work, but it is easier to update.

If you have a web master who working on maintaining a site, then customizing a gallery is up to the abilities of the web master.
Keep in mind that updating software that is considered user friendly often takes a computer savvy user to be able to follow the directions of the program. The basics of a custom gallery are usually more streamlined and load much easier. In most cases it means you rely on your web master to maintain the site.



3. Are RSS Aggregators Useful Web Tools?

2009-10-02 17:09:58

A RSS feed is what makes a blog, a blog. RSS feeds have a direct line to searching that is not from the typical search engine. They are also much faster because they scan every few hours. A search engine may scan your site every 2 or 3 months to update your info in their data.

An aggregator is useful for utilizing someone else’s content from a blog on your website. However, if you copy someone else’s content on your site, the search engines will refuse to recognize it. This is a way to protect content. Search engines do that same with an Aggregator’s content. It will not recognize it.

However, it can make your site look like you are more of an expert on whatever topic you are writing about. If the source of the content is OK with you using it, it can be a great tool because it gives your site additional information. It is not a tool to bring up your ratings in search engines, but it can be useful for some individuals and businesses as far as adding additional information to your site.



4. Taking a Poll or a Survey

2009-10-30 09:55:30

There are ways to set up surveys with email programs or websites like surveymonkey.com that allow you to take surveys to find out what your target audience is thinking. Using a survey on your site can also be an effective way to attract new clients. For instance, if you sell printing, blast an email to your contact list, or one that you have purchased, and ask them to answer a question. “Were you satisfied with your last printing project?” is a good example. This could be a yes or no answer with an area for text to elaborate and add additional comments. This is not a long survey, but it gets users to your site and the website will then do more selling for you. You can also bring people to your site by polling something in the news, even if it isn’t related to your business. For example, “Do you think public health care is necessary?” If you do not want to be political, ask a question related to a movie or holiday like, “Do you agree with children going door-to-door for Halloween?” .

These are great ways to bring users to your site and give you the ability to learn a little bit more about your clients.