Google “Improves” Indexing Of Flash Sites
A while back I posted regarding the downsides of Flash as far as SEO is concerned. It seems that within that past few days that this may have changed. According to this post, Google has developed a new algorithm for indexing text content in Flash files.
While I won’t rush to recant everything I stated in my previous post, I welcome the apparent fact that it is quickly moving towards obsolescence—especially since this a one technology that people ask for by name.
Free Photoshop Book (Limited Time—As In A Few Days Left)
Sitepoint.com is a great resource for all things Web-related. Tutorials. Community. And, books.
They have given out free chapters in order to promote their books in the past, but this time they are giving away the whole enchilada.
For the next four days you can get a complete copy of “The Photoshop Anthology: 101 Web Design Tips, Tricks & Techniques” in PDF form. This is no pamphlet. Thi eBook is just short of 300 pages. So for those who have some questions about Photoshop or are looking for some summer reading—get it here!
They have a countdown timer on their website so I assume their serious about the limited time part.
TMI And Online Forms
Whatever your website’s purpose, it will most likey contain a form. Whether it is for lead generation, comments, or purchases, that form is in danger of becoming an obstacle.
Generally speaking, most post don’t like to fill out forms—online or off.
After reviewing my own sites, I realized that I am asking for too much information (or TMI)—information that I really don’t need up front. One bit of information that I never used and was rarely filled out was the physical address. In fact, I cut my form in half by eliminating everything that related to physical address.
In my case, I don’t send direct mail, visit clients, or even care where they are located. Most communication is done via phone, email, instant message or Skype. I haven’t met most of my clients in person. I have worked for organizations in several states and even Canada, so location isn’t an issue.
Yet, I was asking them to give me more information than necessary just to get in contact.
Now, after revising my forms, I only require their name and email, and have made their organization, phone, website URL, and comments optional. Time will tell if I get more leads or not, but I least I am now practicing what I preach.
Next on my list is to reduced my four-page Web design survey to essential information.