Web template tips, External CSS (cascading style sheets), "effective" web design for your targeted market, worthwhile resources and other relative topics of interest to webmasters will be discussed by the Web Template Designers at BasicTemplates.com. You can also meet our designers on a personal level, discover their personal and professional trials and tribulations and join in on the office chatter regarding many popular (and sometimes) controversial topics.
An odd term used in computer lingo gives rise to the question, “What is a thumbnail?”
A thumbnail is simply a very small version of an image that is generally displayed on a website’s index page. Thumbnail graphics frequently have an HTML code link so when the graphics are clicked on, they open to the full size view of a photo in another window.
The digital quality of a picture in a thumbnail, such as those you can create in jpeg format, is not usually very good; however, they serve their purpose.
The advantage of using thumbnails is that you can display several images in a gallery collection or album which gives a preview of what features a viewer will find on a site. That can save time for website visitors. Thumbnails can also be used to depict images of products such as software or to provide a head and shoulder’s view of a photograph.
Basically, the collection of thumbnails is a simple way to depict art and the style of a website without the load time that could be expected when loading full size, color graphics.
The disadvantage is the clarity of the images. Because their purpose is to provide a glimpse of something bigger and to free up the time it takes a page to load, thumbnails are generally low-resolution graphics.
There are many software packages that enable you to convert a photograph or image creating a thumbnail. You may also find that your digital camera automatically creates a thumbnail when photos are uploaded to an album.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/30/2005 07:59:00 AM / Permanent Link
These web templates will work perfectly for any of the following types of websites:
affiliate marketing templates, internet marketing, product specific showcase, info products, business, long ad copy website templates, mini websites templates, product presentation web templates, blogs templates, teleconference website templates, web conference web templates, speakers and consultants, and so much more.
// posted by BasicRic on 11/28/2005 06:47:00 AM / Permanent Link
Victorian Santas Header Graphics
5 Header Graphics with Victorian Santas themes [Product ID: G448h] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 5 for only $10.00 USD.
// posted by BasicRic on 11/28/2005 06:30:00 AM / Permanent Link
Value in Flexibility - Web Templates Membership
We recently received an email we thought contains important information for folks who do not quite understand the major differences between BasicTemplates.com and other template membership resources.
Cindy from Wisconsin wrote, "I would like to see you offer the PSD files available to members at no extra charge. Can you tell me why you currently do not do so? I also belong to another website that offers templates. The membership is not as expensive, and they offer the psd with every template offered there."
Our response:
Hello Cindy,
Thank you for writing us. Your question is very good and we have answers for you. Yes, we will be offering PSD access in bulk to members - hopefully soon, but there will be an additional charge. What that charge will be has not yet been determined.
First let me say, "There is value in flexibility". Keep this in mind as you read through the information below.
I'm pretty sure I know which template membership service you are referring to, but nevertheless, all other template membership services are similar in the way they develop their designs, their design background/experience and their terms of use (except for BasicTemplates.com).
These are the just the major differences:
Inflexible TOS - The service you mentioned requires that every customer comply with an important but not too obvious clause in their TOS that states you must significantly change the template so it does not look anything like the original. We do not require that of our customers. Also, they require that you purchase an additional membership service if you are going to use the same template on another person's website. We do not require that of our customers either.
Expensive Editing Software - Their PSDs require the end user to have PhotoShop (expense of $300+) to edit the pre-sliced PSDs. We do not require that of our customers. Our PSDs are not slice and not proprietary to the usage of PhotoShop. Newer versions of graphics software that is compatible with the .psd file format can easily edit them such as PaintShop Pro and PhotoImpact. PSP, PI and other lower priced graphics editing software packages are very affordable, easier to learn, and take up less hard drive space and system memory.
Limited Theme Possibilities - Each of their templates box you into only one theme unless you make significant changes to the pre-sliced PSD using expensive editing software. Meaning that their Template #1 cannot be modified into a different theme (dating theme changed to real estate theme) unless the person has PhotoShop and makes re-dicing changes to the PSD and extracts the new images to fit the original layout. The majority of our templates on the other hand have the capability of removable graphics. Meaning if you take our Template #1 and remove the header, replace it with any of the 1000+ pre-designed headers (not sure how many pre-designed headers we actually have now but that number is probably pretty close), you have 1000 template theme possibilities - not just one.
Ineffective Designs - The majority of their templates contain very heavy graphics because they were developed by a graphic designer - not a web designer. Monstrously fat graphics not only make the pages heavier, it increases download speed and makes the navigation non-traditional for the website visitor. Thus the website is not effective and not making any money because of it. The majority of our templates were developed by "web designers" who have an online marketing background with enough understanding of search engine optimization to develop effective designs. This is something that most template designers neither know or care about. They just want to design and sell graphics.
More on this topic can be found in our blog and podcasts:
External CSS - It used to be (not too long ago according to dozens of our customers), that the majority of their table-based templates did not use external CSS. Not a good design strategy as it makes it very difficult for the end user and does not allow for effective website maintenance.
So in effect, a web designer who designs sites for clients or a webmaster who owns multiple websites, is spending far more money with a membership service with them and getting far less for their money.
Again, these flexibility differences makes our membership service far more valuable and unique, hence, a *slightly* higher price and you pay only for those items you need.
I will certainly forward your suggestions onto our managers here, as we are always looking into new products and services that will help our customers and members develop effective websites so that they are successful online. Any further comments are welcome.
Ric - Tech Support BasicTemplates.com
// posted by BasicRic on 11/26/2005 10:53:00 AM / Permanent Link
Internet Marketer's Dream
When you think of a dream, the first thing that comes to mind is something which is not real, but that's not the case with the good news we have for you today. The content in this article is real. It's honest, and it's blunt. It's necessary to say. Some of you may be shocked. Some of you may be enraged, because we let the cat out of the bag. Some of you may disagree on the surface but deep down you know it is true.
If you are serious about your online business or have been operating a website for some time, you know that designing your site is the easiest part of all. And it should be. You have far more serious business development activities that need your attention, time and energy.
If you are one of the lucky few, after owning and operating a website for awhile, a light bulb goes off in head. One day you realize that the design of the website is not as important as the message you are conveying. After all, you want to communicate with your customers through your website. You don't want to decorate for your customers through your website.
Then many of those few who "get it" become angry. They are angry at the web designer or template designer who sold them a graphic intensive design when in fact it was the last thing they needed to ensure their website's effectiveness.
They bite the bullet and dig in their heels while they crack open that do-it-yourself HTML software manual. After a couple of short hours, they get even angier. Why? Because they discovered that not only were they sold the absolute last type of design they needed, they were overcharged by 15X or more what they should have been charged. Web design isn't rocket science or brain surgey. You don't need a college degree in website design to "get it". OhUh ... some designer just lost another customer - forever.
Then with this newly found knowledge, they discover the simple truth that any marketing student already knows. Marketing their website is far more important and brings in the real m0ney. To prove it, visit any successful Internet Marketer's website. You'll instantly wonder why it was designed so basic - so simple. If you visited it before you're newly found knowledge, you might have thought that this marketer didn't "get it". When in fact, the opposite is true. He/she was happily raking in heaps of cold c@sh while you were trying to decide which graphics you wanted.
That's when your reality changes - permanently. Someone tells you about a different type of template designer called BasicTemplates.com. You are reluctant because you were burned pretty badly, but the price is right and so you try it. Within minutes you realize that there really are web template designers that "get it" too. You have found your dream - or so you thought it couldn't get any better ... until today ...
Today BasicTemplates.com has put together an Internet Marketer's Dream package of templates that will likely be the only designs you will need for a very long time. And if $5.00-each wasn't low enough before, they are 0ffering it at a reduced licensing fee for a limited time.
Does this scenario sound familiar to you? If you are one of many 1000s of happy BasicTemplates.com's customers in the past 11 years, it should. If you are a potential customer scoping us out because you were burnt by another template designer, your day just got better and there is lots of hope at the end of your c@sh tunnel.
For the next 16 hours you can take advantage of our Internet Marketer's Dream package and/or 11 other special 0ffers we have developed just for you during this Sales.Event. Quite frankly you too will soon discover what 1000s of return customers have found out years before you. We "get it" and we are happy to serve you and help you "get it" too.
Remember, these promotional offers will end at 11:59 pm EST on November 25th, so don't delay. Happy sh0pping!
But hurry! These 12 promotional offers will expire in less than 24 hours.
// posted by BasicSusan on 11/25/2005 12:01:00 AM / Permanent Link
Image File Formats Explained
Following are the top ten types of image file formats explained along with information about their uses and the tools used to create them. Raster graphic formats are generally used for online display while vector image file formats are usually preferred for print publications and digital media applications.
The most common raster formats are jpeg, gif, png, psd, and bmp. The most common vector formats are ai, fh, fla, swf and pdf.
The jpeg and gif formats work well for photos and web images that have a continuous tone and are easily inserted into source code so they are popular for web based use. The color in binary jpeg files can be improved by adjusting the compression and for gif using multiple frames can improve the appearance. Historically, the use of gif format has been avoided somewhat due to patent issues and the png format, which uses 1 to 32 bit depth, was created with the intention of replacing gif. You can make these types of images using many different software applications.
The psd format is proprietary and is the default image type produced by Adobe Photoshop. Because it is proprietary, not many editing programs support the psd format, but you can work with a psd file using any version of Photoshop. The bmp format is used in most Microsoft programs as well as in the Windows operating system.
The source of the ai format is Adobe illustrator, so it is proprietary. It is commonly preferred for print publications based on the premise that it produces clear, attractive print images regardless of the size. The proprietary vector format for Macromedia Freehand is fh. The fla format is proprietary to Macromedia Flash authoring software and is the source file for Shockwave Flash used frequently in internet based media. Another flash format for animations is swf which can be created with a greater variety of applications.
For downloadable files, pdf format is frequently used. It is produced by Adobe Acrobat and opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe e-Book Reader. It is generally preferred for e-books and publications because the format complicates the process of copying portions of the image or text which can help to prevent copyright infringement issues.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/23/2005 08:47:00 AM / Permanent Link
What is a Meta Tag?
If you’re a new website author you may wonder, “What is a Meta Tag?” Before you begin to design a website, it is important to view various resources and ensure that you understand how to include effective Meta tags in your header.
Basically, a Meta tag is a part of HTML code located in the header that describes a website’s content. Info from the Meta tag is used by the search engine spiders or robot when the web page is indexed.
Before competition on the internet became so intense, the use of Meta tags in a site’s source code made search engine optimization easy and it wasn’t too hard for webmasters to get a desirable ranking for a website page. In essence, getting top placement for a website is like free marketing promotion that can generate loads of traffic to your URL.
Top placement in the search engines is still possible using a combination of Meta tags and keyword rich content, but it is not as easy to achieve as it once was. This is because search engines, like Google, had to develop tools to prevent spamming, a practice of using pages loaded with Meta tags using words that weren’t related to the content, so the website would display irrelevant or useless content. If you use Meta tags that are relevant to the content or services of your site, they afford many advantages. The disadvantages of Meta tags come about when you use irrelevant Meta tags because they can actually prevent your site from being indexed. Among the most common tags used in the head are keyword Meta tags that identify the words used on a page that are related to the content. The description Meta tag tells what kind of info the body of the page contains. The title Meta tag that contains the name of the page, the copyright Meta tag and the author Meta tag are also very common.
HTTP-EQUIV Meta tags control browsers actions. Some Meta tags, like the refresh Meta tag, gives the web server instructions to guide the important functions of the site. The Charest Meta tag defines the sets of characters used on the pages and the author Meta tag can be used to identify the author of the page.
A robot Meta tag can be used to specify whether or not pages should be indexed by the robots. Putting “noindex” in the tag will keep robots from indexing the page. Meta tags can even be used to indicate when the content or data displayed on the page expires.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/21/2005 08:46:00 AM / Permanent Link
These web templates will work perfectly for any of the following types of websites:
female internet marketers, affiliate marketing templates, product specific showcase, business, long ad copy website templates, mini websites templates, product presentation web templates, blogs templates, teleconference website templates, web conference web templates, speakers and consultants, and so much more.
// posted by BasicRic on 11/21/2005 06:05:00 AM / Permanent Link
Victorian Christmas Scenes Header Graphics
5 Header Graphics with Victorian Christmas themes [Product ID: G448g] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 5 for only $10.00 USD.
// posted by BasicRic on 11/21/2005 05:56:00 AM / Permanent Link
What is ActiveX?
ActiveX is software component that has been developed by Microsoft. These components can then be downloaded along with the rest of the web pages using Explorer to create browser functionality much the same way as Java applets do. In simplicity, ActiveX is an action that is placed on an object so that you can add and create dynamic web pages.
There are some basic advantages to using ActiveX. Some of these advantages include:
- Web content that uses ActiveX can make a big impact on each user that accesses your business website. The more interactive your web pages are the more users can interact with your website.
- You can take advantage of support across several operating systems such asUnix and Windows.
- You can use a list of programming languages and tools from more than one source such as Visual Basic.
- ActiveX is compatible with other development standards and products such as HTML.
- The current version of ActiveX is always being updated so that you always have the latest information.
- ActiveX is a considered “server based”.
- ActiveX provides great security for all your data and documents.
You can start learning ActiveX technology in no time since there are many resources and developer news on the net to get you started and to make the process simple for you. Business marketing on the Internet is becoming more and more competitive. This means that you need to be ready to face your competition with web pages that are full of dynamic content.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/16/2005 08:34:00 AM / Permanent Link
These web templates will work perfectly for any of the following types of websites:
internet marketers, affiliate marketing templates, product specific showcase, business, long ad copy website templates, mini websites templates, product presentation web templates, blogs templates, teleconference website templates, web conference web templates, speakers and consultants, and so much more.
// posted by BasicRic on 11/14/2005 07:10:00 AM / Permanent Link
Victorian Little Boys Header Graphics
5 Header Graphics with Victorian Little Boys themes [Product ID: G448f] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 5 for only $10.00 USD.
// posted by BasicRic on 11/14/2005 07:05:00 AM / Permanent Link
Web Templates Sales Event: November 25th
Write this date/time down: November 25, 2005 00:01 EST
If you are familiar with BasicTemplates.com, then you know that great things happen at our website on the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. It's a tradition for us and our customers SAVE BIG.
Why? Because it is the busiest shopping day of the year and as ecommerce merchants we want to promote the fact that the best buys on this huge day are online. There is no reason to leave your home and fight the crowds and traffic anymore to do your Christmas shopping.
Visit our website, www.basictemplates.com, on Friday, November 25th, 2005 and take advantage of some real Savings on Web Templates, Graphics, Template Membership subsriptions, and ????? ... Oops.... we can't say what else! It's a secret! ;)
It all starts at midnight EDT. See you then, if not before!
// posted by BasicSusan on 11/14/2005 06:12:00 AM / Permanent Link
New Gift Certificates Delivery Method
We now offer two methods of delivery for our BasicTemplates.com gift certificates. These are by far the hottest selling item this time of year. So if you know someone who likes to make money developing websites, this is the ultimate gift that just keeps on giving.
You choose how you want the gift certificate delivered:
1. Gift Certificates can be emailed to you as a graphic image attachment which you can then print and give to the lucky recipient, or ...
2. Gift Certificates can be emailed to the lucky recipient as graphic image attachment. Just let us know the To/From information you want placed on the gift certificate by including it in the "Comments" section of our shopping cart.
// posted by BasicSusan on 11/12/2005 05:00:00 AM / Permanent Link
What is a Site Map?
A logical question is “What is a Site Map?”, but more importantly perhaps, “Why do you need one?”
A sitemap is a page on a website that provides information regarding the contents of the site. The site map is generally accessible from the index page and other pages of the site through a link or button generally at the top, left or bottom of each webpage.
Sitemaps are useful resources that provide tips for users regarding the navigation of a website and the tools contained in the site content. For instance, a site map may outline the contents of the website including media or public relations publications, products, services, current events, company history, information on the management of the company, and legal information such as the privacy policy or terms of use policy.
Use of a sitemap is advantageous because it quickly informs site visitors about the website and the company and it can give them easy access to the information they are seeking because topics in a site map generally have a HTML code link to the information itself.
There are few, if any disadvantages to having a sitemap. One may be that it would simplify the process for competitors to clone your website and launch their own internet operations. Other issues might arise in maintaining the sitemap file and keeping it up-to-date as a website evolves. Maintaining a website costs money, but with some training, most website owners can successful maintain their own website and a sitemap can actually simplify the process.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/11/2005 06:30:00 AM / Permanent Link
What is DHTML?
DHTML, or Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language, is an expansion of HTML that is used to create dynamic web pages. Some of the dynamic content that users can take advantage of includes forms, unique design, and page content.
DHTML is easy to learn and there is plenty of information and the latest updated news available on the Internet to help you understand the features and tools that you can use in an interactive way on your web pages.
There are several advantages to using DHTML coding that makes it great for the development of your business website. These advantages include:
- Navigational menus and other dynamic effects allow you to design your website to capture the attention of any windows Explorer browser user.
- DHMTL code is easy to develop for many web functions such as creating a table, link to an image, or changing the style and contents of the web page.
- Each script file can be used more than one time for multiple uses within the java library.
- DHTML is open source which means that there are frequent version updates as developers make changes.
- DHTML is a cross platform program and allows you to check other versionsof programming languages for useful scripts.
- There are no Plug-ins needed.
- DHMTL is becoming more popular which means that the more familiar you now become with the language the more adept you’ll be later on.
You can start to learn how to use DHTML in no time with all the source code and support that is readily available to you on the Internet. Your business website is one of your best marketing tools and the more effort you place on developing great web pages the better your marketing results will be.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/09/2005 06:48:00 AM / Permanent Link
Victorian Little Girls Header Graphics
10 Header Graphics with Victorian Little Girls themes [Product ID: G448e] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 10 for only $20.00 USD.
// posted by BasicRic on 11/07/2005 08:11:00 AM / Permanent Link
Gift Certificates PDF PSD Templates
Another 15 Gift Certificate Templates were added today because YOU asked for them! These templates are in PSD and PDF formats. You get both formats for one low price of only $5.00 USD. If you are familiar with PSD formats you can easily edit the template in your graphics software of choice and then print it on any type paper. Or with the PDF version (Adobe Reader) you can print the gift certificate as is. The printed image will fit nicely into a #10 business envelope.
The new design themes are: fine art, angels, Victorian nude, vintage women, holy family, Jesus, Christmas tree and decorations, flowers, roses, Virgin Mary, and gifts.
HOT MONEY MAKING TIP! If you have never offerred gift certificates to your customers for your business products and services, then now is the time to start. You are missing out on one of the season's hottest cash revenue streams. Everyone knows someone who is difficult to buy for during the holiday season. Why not buy them a gift certificate to a website (YOURS!) that they visit often.
And don't forget, gift certificates are sold during other times of the year as well. So it's another stream of cash revenue all year long!
> Go shopping for an appropriate gift certificate to use for your business. We now have 55 to choose from! Gift Certificate Templates.
Do you know someone who would benefit from receiving a gift certificate to our website, BasicTemplates.com? Buy a gift certificate for them: www.basictemplates.com/giftcerts.shtml
// posted by BasicRic on 11/07/2005 08:01:00 AM / Permanent Link
What is a Text Editor?
One question that is frequently asked is “What is a text editor?”
Text editors are editing tools that software developers generally include in other software packages or operating systems, though there are some stand-alone formats. There are a number of text editors available today.
For example, the basic Windows version text editors are Notepad and Wordpad. Edit is a text editor for MS DOS, VI is for Unix and SimpleText is for Macintosh.
Edit Plus is a stand alone text editor that users can download from the internet. It is used by many programmers because it has syntax highlighting features, it’s quick and easy to use, and it works as an HTML editor as well as with various other programming languages including Java, JavaScript, C/C++, Perl, ASP, PHP and CSS.
A text editor is not as powerful as desktop publishing or word processing software such as Microsoft Word because they are limited in regard to formatting functions although some are capable of table creation.
Text editors are a good source for editing web based page content and html documents in the development mode because they do not automatically format text or create a command like some word processors do.
For instance, if you make a document that will be viewed on the web and you put in the URL that would be typed into the address bar at the top of the screen in a browser, Word would recognize that the text is a URL and would automatically create a hyperlink in the document. In a text editor, this would not occur automatically.
Text editors are most useful for creating and editing the source file for web pages. Existing web pages are often modified using a text editor.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/04/2005 08:00:00 AM / Permanent Link
What is a Web Form?
A web form is the ideal way for you to communicate with your customers. A web form contains data fields where users can enter specific information, such as their name and email address, phone number, or any comments that they want you to read. More and more businesses are counting on web forms to collect valuable data that they can then use to communicate effectively with their clients. The more information that you have about the people that you’re selling to, the more successful your business will be.
Any online business will benefit greatly from the use of web forms. You can easily direct the main content that you display on your website to reflect the information that you collect from people who visit your web pages.
There are several ways that you can collect the data that you want from your web visitors. If you’re sending out a business newsletter, or other business information, you can have people fill out a required form email before they receive their newsletter.
The form code that is written for your form page will capture any information that you want the user to submit for your business use. Each message or comment that you get from your web visitors will give you specific information such as demographics, ages, or email addresses. The data that your customers, and potential customers, send you are your key to successful Internet marketing techniques. Make sure that you don’t lose out on this marketing advantage by creating web forms that capture the information you want from your customers.
// posted by BasicMichelle on 11/02/2005 07:30:00 AM / Permanent Link
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5 Header Graphics with Victorian Santas themes [Product ID: G448h] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 5 for only $10.00 USD.
5 Header Graphics with Victorian Christmas themes [Product ID: G448g] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 5 for only $10.00 USD.
5 Header Graphics with Victorian Little Boys themes [Product ID: G448f] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 5 for only $10.00 USD.
10 Header Graphics with Victorian Little Girls themes [Product ID: G448e] were recently added. These headers are 700 x 100 px and are provided in .PSD format. They are Interchangeable with our HTML CSS Template #448. Get all 10 for only $20.00 USD.
