4. DO make sure your META Tags accurately reflect your business. One of main ways to 'advertise' on internet involves submitting your site to search engines. And most search engines rely heavily on META Tags to properly index your site in their listings. Therefore, if you do not use proper format for your tags or use keywords that don't describe your products or services concisely, you will not be listed correctly in search engines. Use two to three word phrases that describe your main products or services, and list them as you would enter them yourself if looking through search engines for that product or service. In other words, if you have an auto repair business, some of your keywords could be: car tune-ups, automobile transmission repairs, car lube and oil changes, etc., in addition to just automobile repairs. And also, always make sure that your keyword phrases are inserted into text on your home page. Search engines check content of your page to make sure that keywords match your text to ensure that your business is legitimate, so this lends credibility to your site, increasing your chances of a better placement.

3. DO NOT pay huge amounts of money for Flash. Now you may be saying "But Flash is so on edge - so trendy", but therein lies problem - it IS just a trend and it will pass, because it takes way too long to load in, and 9 out of 10 of your visitors will hit 'Skip Intro' button and never see it anyway! Therefore, you will have paid a large sum of money for something that only one out of ten of your visitors will ever even see. Not a good value at all - this is a way for web designers to take more money from you. You are much better off hiring someone to design an attractive, well laid out site with some tasteful graphics, that focuses on your services or products, not some flashy pictures. Flash is a waste of your money and your visitors' time. (Think of how many times *you* have clicked that Skip Intro button, or gotten impatient waiting for a Flash navigation bar to emerge just so you can travel through site! How many times have you *left* that site because you got tired of waiting?)

2. DO choose your web designer carefully. If you decide to hire a web designer, always get a comprehensive estimate from a number of designers before hiring one. Always check out their portfolios to see if they design original sites and do not use templates that are replicated on dozens of others' sites. Make sure you are clear on what you expect of them and find out if they charge extra for any services or if they are included in original estimate. Items like copywriting, proofreading, or designing logos, for example, are sometimes in addition to a basic web design estimate. Also, some limit number of images you may have, or charge extra for simple JavaScripts (such as a navigation bar that changes color or images). Make sure web designer you hire states clearly if they charge extra for these services and make sure any charges such as these are listed in your original quote. Also check sites in their portfolios to see if they do use clear, concise text, spell words properly, use uncomplicated navigation systems, have optimal load times and properly reflect business they are representing.

1. DO NOT always choose most expensive designer. Just because they charge more does not necessarily mean that you will get a better website. While there are some 'fly-by-night' designers out there, many small design companies will provide you with a professional website for less money. Again, refer to designer's portfolio to determine level of their expertise, not how much they charge. I have been to many websites designed by big design houses that have typos, navigation errors, broken links and other poor design features. And going with a smaller designer can also improve your service when you need updates/changes to your site down road. Having fewer sites to maintain can mean your site will receive attention in a more timely manner than a large design house with dozens of sites that may keep you waiting weeks or even months until they can get around to your site.

If you would like to increase your image's size, type in a number over 100. Your original image is considered to be 100%. If you would like to increase your image's size by 50%, type 150 in first box.

Rotating Images

If you'd like to rotate an image, go to "Image" - "Rotate" and select your preferences.

When rotating an image, it may lose some of its clarity (become blurry). You can correct this problem by sharpening your image. Go to "Effects" - "Sharpen" -"Sharpen." If after sharpening your image it still appears a little blurry, simply sharpen it again.

Working With Text

If you would like to use text within your image, your first step will be to select your text color. The "Styles" boxes are located on right hand side of your screen. The top box should be set to Null (off) and bottom box should be set to Solid, which will look like a paintbrush. To change style of each box, click on black arrow and make your selection.

To change text color, click in center of bottom box and select your preferred color. Your text will be displayed in color within bottom box.

If you would like to outline your text in a different color, click on black arrow of top box and select paintbrush. Your text will be displayed in color your bottom box contains and outlined in color your top box contains.

Text Tool

Once you've selected your text color, click on text tool on left-hand side of your screen. It looks like a capital A. This will launch your text window. Select your font and text size from drop down menu and type in your text. Make sure you select "Antialias" and "Floating" then click "OK."

Antialias will smooth out all of rough edges of your text and blend it in with your background color. You will use Antialias setting with various graphic tools when designing your graphics, so it is important to remember its function.

You will now see your text with, what looks like, marching ants around it. If you'd like to move your text, click and hold your left mouse button directly over your text to drag it to your desired position. Try to center it as well as possible, but don't deselect it.

If you would like to rotate your text, now is time to do it. Simply follow same instructions (above) used to rotate an image.

If you make a change to your image and you're not satisfied with outcome, you can undo your last change by going to "Edit" - "Undo." It will only undo last thing you did.

Adding a Drop Shadow

Your next step will be to add a drop shadow effect. With your text still selected, go to "Effects" - "3D Effects" - "Drop Shadow." Your selected text will be displayed in window. Try different settings until you achieve effect you'd like. Click on OK. When you're satisfied with your text, right click on your mouse to set it.

Now that you have a basic understanding of graphics, take some time to learn some additional techniques. There are many free tutorials available on Internet. Not only will it assist you in creating professional looking images, but it will also save you a great deal of money.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2002.