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Bonus Report #4:
The Web Site Checklist

Before you launch and go live your FrontPage Web Site, make sure it passes this checklist:

1. Titles and Meta Tags
   
   Make sure that every page on your site has the right title and meta tags.  The ability to quickly copy and edit pages from within FrontPage makes it way too easy to miss a title here or there.
   
   The debate is still out as to what does what in the search engines but make sure every page has a great title and meta tags to match.  It will be worth the effort in the end.
   
   When working with titles, simply view your site in Folder mode and you can easily tell (and easily update) every single page.  Right click any title and click the rename option.
   
   When working with meta tags, consider using a tool to ease the process.  We recommend Webs Unlimited's Meta Tag Maker.
    

2. Forms and Searching
   
   FrontPage Extensions are a nasty beast.  Before you go live, make sure that any search functions and form functions are working properly.
   
   They can go bad at any time so checking these things on a regular basis is always a good idea.
    

3. Browser Compatibility
   
   Does your site look good in NetScape?  Earlier verions of Internet Explorer?  What about people who might view your site on a PocketPC or a Palm Pilot?  WebTV?
   
   Make sure to use the Preview in Browser option from within FrontPage to the fullest possible extent.  Although it is impossible to have more than one version of IE on your system, it is possible to have all the versions of NetScape on one system.
   
   If you want to check against multiple versions of IE, consider a multi-boot system.
    

4. Site Organization
   
   Bring in someone else to take a look at your site and tell you if it "makes sense."
   
   You'd be surprised.  You've worked on your site for a long time and it makes sense to you, but it just might not to the "average" person. Often, because of your superior knowledge of your business and your industry, your first attempt at a site will be "internally" organized and full of jargon. Make sure to organize it so that your customers, who don't know as much as you do, are able to understand.
   
   As a general rule, if you can't draw your site on a flowchart, you need to make some changes.  If you can't get anywhere within 3 clicks, you might want to ask yourself why.
   
   And, get this, the better your site is organized the better it will do in Google - really!
    

5. Folder and File Organization
   
   Your site will grow over time.  You may have placed everything in the root folder initially but this simply isn't a good idea.
   
   FrontPage makes it so easy to organize your files and folders.  If you drag and drop anything, FrontPage will re-write the HTML accordingly.
   
   Create as many folders as you need to place your files in and then drag and drop everything into your new organized system.  You'll be glad you did when begin to grow your site.
   
   Another hint - create folder names in plain English (images, forms, content, reports, etc.) and you'll do better in Google.
   
   Once you are done organizing your site, run a quick "Hyperlinks Refresh" - you'll be glad you did.
    

6. Dated Mistakes
   
   If there are ANY dates listed on your Web site, consider getting rid of them.  Dates on your site let people know when you last updated something and although information might be timeless (driving directions, etc.) a badly placed time stamp might make you look ancient.
   
   Do you need to have dates and times on your Web site?  Why?
   
   If your site says "last updated" anywhere, make sure you update on a regular basis.
    

7. Search Engine Strategy
   
   You'll want to do well in the search engines.  If you don't have a search engine strategy for your Web site, you aren't ready to launch yet.
   
   Will you go pay per click?  Can you afford it?  How will the search engines find you?
   
   Are you ready for Google?
   
   Start your homework at SearchEngineWatch.com.
   
   Two quick things you can do right now:  1) Make sure you took step 1 in this list seriously. 2) Rename any cryptic file names at your site to their full terms: for example info.htm can be changed to formoreinformation.htm.
    

8. Name Acquisition
   
   They will only come back to your Web site if you give them a reason to.
   
   The only way you can give them is a reminder by email.
   
   The only way you can remind them by email is if you get their name and email address.
   
   Is your site acquiring names and email addresses?
    

9. 10 Links
   
   Spend 30 minutes in Google finding sites related to your topic.
   
   Email 30 sites with a request for them to link to you.
   
   Offer to do the same.
   
   10 should respond.
   
   For every person who puts up a link to your Web site, submit the page your link is on to Google, directly, at http://www.google.com/addurl.html.
   
   Now you have ten people linking to you and bringing you traffic.
   
   You also have Google considering you a serious site as 10 others link to you.
    

10. Web Site Tricks
    
    There are a lot of Web sites out there competing for your customers attention.  Consider adding some piece of eye candy or some trick to your site that they can't get elsewhere.  You know, the classic term - something "sticky."
    
    Great sites for this type of thing (both inspiration and product) include BraveNet and HomePageTools.com.
    
    Consider putting something fun - just don't distract from the main purpose of your site.