3. Adding The Extra Line

This last step can actually be included with Step 2. I am not an expert concerning MIME, servers, and .htaccess files, but I want share with you a 'glitch' that I encountered after first time I followed steps above. Using a WAP simulator/emulator (see below), I was able to access and begin to modify two wireless sites that I had created.

Shortly afterwards, after feeling that I had accomplished something, I went to visit one of my site's, (actually home page from which this article originates, estOnto.com) and I discovered that entering either

http://estonto.com or http://estonto.com/index.html

resulted in an error message that access was forbidden! The same thing happened with my other web site. I could access new wireless sites, but neither home page would open on desktop!

After continued searching and reviewing many online resources I did not encounter any mention of this situation. I repeated and retraced my steps, and I still had same result. Therefore, I attempted to correct this on my own and with some persistence realized that solution was simple. By adding this one extra line to Step 2 above

DirectoryIndex index.html

now - http://estonto.com

once again opens my home page and wireless web site is also accessible!

So final lines that I added to my Apache server via .htaccess file were;

DirectoryIndex index.html

DirectoryIndex index.wml addtype text/vnd.wap.wml wml addtype application/vnd.wap.wmlc wmlc addtype text/vnd.wap.wmlscript wmls addtype application/vnd.wap.wmlscriptc wmlsc addtype image/vnd.wap.wbmp wbmp

How To View Wireless Sites Using a PC's Browser

Obviously, one method of viewing wireless web sites is by using a mobile device. During construction and testing phases of building a wireless site this is not a very practical nor economical approach.

Yet if desktop and laptop browsers can not 'read' WML, at first glance there appears to be a problem then with being able to view a wireless site via a desktop machine.

But just as there are editors and browsers for viewing web pages 'under construction', and using a localhost Apache server along with a Perl console for reviewing Perl scripts before going online, there are a number of different wireless simulators / emulators available. Some can be downloaded for use on your machine, or your web site, or there are sites that offer access to a simulator / emulator for free.

Some sources, a search will easily bring up others;

YoSpace, multiple simulators, life size and enlarged

WapMore, multiple emulators

Wapsilon, several simulators

A WML editor, available free for download, can be found at WAPDrive

WAP Search Engines As on 'regular' web, wireless web has search engines which can be used to search for wireless sites by inputting keywords. Just as important though, is that these search engines accept submission of wireless sites for review and inclusion into their listings. Even though regular and wireless web sites are both on Internet, remember that they are different protocols so SEO and promotion needs attention on both fronts.

Some examples of wireless search engines;

WapTiger WapDrive, many sites listed

WAP Validators Here are a few WAP validators for checking your WML coding for errors. As part of XML, WML must be correct.

WAPuSeek WapTiger W3C WapForum

This is only but a few of wireless resources that are available on Internet. Searching will bring up many related results.

----------------------------------------After being a practicing dental specialist for twenty-five years, William Tolson became intrigued with Internet and web/wap page design. Self-taught and initially designing and hand coding his own personal web sites, he now devotes all his time as an independent contractor focusing on web page design, optimization and accessibility for all.

2002 wjt@estonto.com ©. All rights reserved.

* What types of customers visit my site? * What is common denominator of all these site visitors? * What brings them to point of needing my products/services? * What problems do my products/services solve for my visitors?

The answers to all these questions will reveal an amazing portrait of your customers, of what they want, and of how you can supply what they need.

When you implement your design, or make changes to your existing design, do EVERYTHING with your target customer in mind. Does your site design need to be "fun" or "business-like"? That depends on whether your visitors are looking to fill a need for entertainment or professional services. Should you use vibrant pink and lime green shades, or muted blues and grays? Senior citizens would most likely shy away from "fad-ish" colors, but teenagers wouldn't get very excited over dark, drab tones. See? It all depends on your customer. Every decision you make about your Web site design should focus on and revolve around one thing... your customer.

Now, rather than repeat what thousands of other authors have written, I'll just ask that you go back and read those "Top Ten Web Design Mistakes" articles once more. But... this time, apply their advice with your perfect site visitor in mind. You'll be simply amazed at results you'll get once your focus is clearly set on primary person involved... your customer.

Doug Parr is an Internet marketer who specializes in helping average people make exceptional incomes online. At SmallBiz2000 you'll find the most reliable and "growth-oriented" products and services on the Web. Check out the new Web Design Success Pack including customer-focused site design, copywriting, AND online business consultation. http://www.smallbiz2000.com