Making the most of your webserver

Written by Gareth McCumskey


Continued from page 1

If some processing can be achieved using JavaScript, such as form validation, then use that. JavaScript is processed by a vistors computer, not byrepparttar webserver, reducing your servers work load even more.

3. Reuse Everytime you reuse a graphic, instead of adding new ones on each page,repparttar 132502 visitors computer, afterrepparttar 132503 first viewing, loadsrepparttar 132504 from its cache.

This is also true of CSS. Saving your CSS as an external file, as opposed to emedding CSS markup in each web page, means that afterrepparttar 132505 server loads itrepparttar 132506 first time,repparttar 132507 visitors computer will load it from then on everytime a new page is opened.

4. Reduce database queries Webservers also have to process instructions by your dynamic code to access your database. Obviously then,repparttar 132508 more you ask of your databases,repparttar 132509 more workrepparttar 132510 server does. If you ensure that your database queries only ask for information that you will make use of, you can substantially reduce workloads. For example, SQL queries like "SELECT * FROM table_name" arerepparttar 132511 worst kind to send, especially if a table is made up of 20 fields and you will only be processing 3 of them. A query like "SELECT field1, field2, field3 FROM table_name" would then make more sense. Using WHERE in a query to limitrepparttar 132512 number of records returned also helps.

5. Other advantages Usingrepparttar 132513 above techniques will not only reduce your servers workload, but it also results in less webspace usage, less bandwidth usage andrepparttar 132514 pages themselves will be quicker to load anyway due to reductions in file sizes, and files loaded byrepparttar 132515 visitor's cache as opposed to from your server.

Gareth McCumskey is the Managing Director for Nexus Interactive , a South African based company designed to allow businesses to make use of one IT provider for all their needs.


Optimal Website Design

Written by Elizabeth McGee


Continued from page 1

6. Keep navigation consistent Keep your site's navigation consistent. What you do on your index page should be donerepparttar same way onrepparttar 132500 rest of your site's pages. Keeprepparttar 132501 colors consistent as well. Don't force your viewers to relearn each page of your site. Keep your navigation bars and linksrepparttar 132502 same for each page.

7. Understandable buttons and links. Title your links appropriately. Don't use cute or misleading names. For example, if you have a link to sports equipment don't labelrepparttar 132503 link 'Great Outdoors', call it 'sports equipment'. If you have a link to 'cameras' don't labelrepparttar 132504 link 'hotshots', label it 'cameras'. Your viewers don't want to waste time figuring out what things are. Be clear with your labeling.

8. Focus onrepparttar 132505 'YOU', notrepparttar 132506 'ME'. Make it obviously clear to your readers that you are there for them. What can you do for your reader? What benefits are there for your viewer? How can you make their life or business better or more profitable? Request feedback on their success. Find out what they want to know or how you can offer them what they need. 9. Make sure your page loads fast. If viewers have to wait for a page to load they will click elsewhere. Here's a site that will help you determine how well your page loads. If a page doesn't load in 8 seconds you lose 1/3 of your visitors. Here's a great free tool to help you check your website's load time: http://www.1-hit.com/all-in-one/tool.loading-time-checker.htm 10. Use a site map. A site map will give visitors a "guide" on viewing your site and also eliminate confusion, especially with larger sites. It's a road map for your visitors to follow while they are on your site. Sitemaps will also increase rankings and placement withinrepparttar 132507 Search Engines.



Elizabeth McGee has spent 20 years in the service and support industry. She has moved her expertise to the world wide web helping businesses find trusted tools, enhance customer service, build confidence and increase sales. You can contact Elizabeth at mail@pro-marketing-online.com or visit her website at http://www.pro-marketing-online.com


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