Thursday, 28 February 2013

Use Optimal URL for E-Commerce Websites

Online business has become the in thing today with many businesses opting to increase their online sales and visibility. Ecommerce websites cater to online business of various types. There are websites that sell the simplest of products like mobile phones to websites that sell services ranging from simple to financial related. Any ecommerce platform hosting a site has specific URL structure that in turn has animpact on a site’s search engine optimization. URLs are created following rules specific to each platform.
It is worth observing why URLs are modified. These URLs are static and often are rewritten to solve issues posed by crawlers for search engines. Dynamic URLs and parameters in static pages are better avoided. Clean and pretty URLs are welcome with dashes instead of spaces and underscores. Relevant keywords in URL are workable but cannibalization is unwelcome. URLS should give users a fair clue as to what the pages hold. URLS are better crawled when shortened.
Complex URLs with lot of folders and parameters do not allow an ecommerce website to be indexed by the search engines. Flow of organic traffic through search engines is almost zero in such URLs. The most popular search engines like Google and Bing prefer optimal URLs. Keywords and descriptive words in URLS give search engine another algorithmic insight. Optimal URLs are short, static, relevant and unique and are highest in relevancy factor.
Both from SEO point of view and customers, a URL can make or break the way an ecommerce website generates revenue. Search valuable attributes could be incorporated into the URL to optimize performance.
A good Search engine optimization services company can determine how to optimize URLs for eCommerce websites. Taking help of these services is much more profitable than leaving the website to mercy of whims and fancies. A qualified optimizer can decide on the way your site could be optimized to churn the revenues only online business can make.

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Confessions of a Web Developer

As a web developer in PHP I have started having numerous enquiries to build E-commerce websites. While I do enjoy my status as a sought after web developer, I dislike when people call an E-commerce application as a mere website. I even meet people who intend doing business online with E-commerce sites and tell me they do not require any back end. I urge to tell all those aspirants that business online with E-commerce site is an application that has a complete back end functionality which reflects the transactions on the front end.
I would like to give a clear picture to people aiming for E-commerce sites that it is a web application that deserves its worth. Though the beginning certainly is in design, users are not limited to only viewing but visit your site to buy online. Software development companies and web application development companies take pride in developing the online buy and sell features which to normal people appear as websites.
A normal E-commerce platform requires to be developed in PHP, Java or .Net technologies with a functional front end and an easy to use look. A thorough research should be done by the developers and the client what will suit them best along with the technology.
It would be best for people seeking E-commerce development to make a revenue generation plan and choose keywords that can allow the site to reach the first page of Google search. Software development companies have a set of policies to enhance the entire user experience.Given today’s Internet usage scenario, E-commerce is a viable solution to shopping problems. It can do away with long lines, waiting time, and other physical discomforts to choose in shopping
complexes and malls. Online shopping gives the ease to select from the comfort of home.

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Importance of Software Development Life Cycle

Software development companies follow a process while developing software products or application.There are different types of structured models for software development. This process is known as Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The process begins by analyzing user requirements, designing the program, coding the program, testing and documenting and finally maintaining the software or application.
Like any other set of industrial products, software products are also concerned with the customer.The products are either market driven or they drive the market. All web application development or software development today is a byproduct of customer or user friendly development with customer co-creating the product.
Starting with the market research, software development companies define customer’s need. Pre-defined need, possibilities and potential are studied carefully and a lot of assumptions are taken into consideration to come to a conclusion. Though assumptions are abstract, they are crucial factors in the development or inception of a product’s development. A cost-effective system is then conceptualized to solve the customer’s needs in a manner which both satisfies the customer and is better than what the competitor uses.
Some very popular software products are used in schools, hospitals,colleges, institutions, super markets, bus stations, railway stations, financial institutions, and so on. Some very popular web applications are E-commerce web applications that cater to a large number of visitors by offering sale of products online.
Once the software is ready, companies launch it and sell to customers who have need to set up and use them. Such customers are then asked for feedback which is given to developers for a further refinement and make possible value additions to the product. Some software development companies have in-house development for end to end functionality and some do not. Those who do not have outsource some activities to other companies.
India is a hot favorite for software and web based application development. There are many factors to this and some of them are low cost, high technical know-how, large market segment providing these facilities etc. Booming market for software has emboldened otherwise traditional industry set up to change and take on the world at their game.

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Advantages of a Unique Website


A website is like a visa to your Internet presence and a ticket to generating revenue out of Internet. It is the cheapest possible marketing you can ever have. A unique website gives you a unique selling proposition (USP) to your company when you can design and project your effective services in the website.

There are many web design services companies that offer you readymade templates at peanuts and you consider yourself a proud owner of a website at that cost. But if you spend peanuts you will get monkeys to do business. A good website should stand the test of stability and search optimization rather than the dull drooping web templates available dime a dozen.

Since you are planning to make a grand presence in the Internet space why not spend a little and approach a web design company that custom builds your site with all the necessary professional aspects can fetch you more visitors. A unique and well-designed website sets high standards in serving clients. Your company images can be highlighted by your website. Your company’s identity can be established with a special website.
Reaching the first page of Google search can be accomplished with organic search engine optimization and this can be made possible by a custom web design that optimizes every aspect of the design. Custom design codes are highly effective in causing enhanced search engine friendliness. The backend programming in made to order websites enables browser compatibility which is not available if a standard template is used. Incorporating a blog into your website is another useful idea that allows regular updates and a value add to your web design.

A unique custom design always has a fresh appeal to build a brand value for your company. Though it is difficult to convince people to spend more for a custom design, it is worth all the trouble if the client goes for a special design. In the long run the results are more in a custom design than in readymade web templates.

Businesses that understand the value of Internet marketing go the extra mile to get a good web design as they plan to generate revenues out of this. In fact there are some businesses that do only online trading with websites that cater to Ecommerce. Such businesses take extra care to make their designs user friendly, search friendly and give uniqueness to the entire approach.

Friday, 6 April 2012

SEO can Alter Your Position in Google Search


What do we do if we need to locate a service or product or a company with or without a website? We go to Google search and type the name of the company or a keyword that gives us a match to what we are looking for. This is a typical search that all of us do to find information. But have you ever wondered how a particular website URL pops up when you search with a keyword? That is the magic of Google search engine which by far is the most popular search engine today.

Google search engine has an algorithm that works to bring your site up during a search. Just making a website with a beautiful web design does not give you the much coveted position. A web design is only a passport to Internet. You have to get a Visa to enter the Google search engine rankings. How do you do that?
Google search engine rankings depend on a number of tasks that you should do to get a good position. What is required is planning your optimization work. Having a search friendly web design along with the right keywords and Meta tags allows you to take off for the beginning. However, mastering SEO techniques takes time. Engaging professional optimizers can help you climb the Google ranks.

SEO is today one of the most popular online marketing strategies. People who own websites are keen on using this strategy to climb up in the business. Website owners are ready to spend money on this marketing strategy to climb the ranking ladder in search rankings. This assures a return on their investment and also a greater return in the form of visitors and business.

A website is your address in Internet and requires a decent web design as also optimization. A combination of a good web design, optimization and content can do wonders to a business. All said and done your dream to be on Google first page will take time as SEO is a slow process. It takes months to get to where you wanted. You will not regret having waited that long as your business will improve tremendously. Your research in finding the right keywords is the most important step and the right keywords optimized will fetch you bumper results. You can rely on the high number of visitors and do not have to check every day as once your site is in the first page organically it will remain so for long.

Thursday, 5 April 2012

Maximize the Full potential of Your Website


A clean and well organized web design can do wonders to a website. A visitor loves sites that have an easy to navigate menu and information. When the search engine throws up results and your site is listed on that page, but has a haphazard layout it is very likely that your visitor will visit your competitor’s site.

Your website is like a virtual identity that you have created for people who you do not meet personally every day or you have not met at all. These people visit your website to know about your company. They are your potential customers who would want to know about your products and may place an order with you.

These visitors reached your website because you were visible on the first page of Google Search. To reach this page on Google search you have not slept and dreamt of it and became that way when you got up. The site had to be optimized in the first place and all other search engine optimization (SEO) related work. SEO is a slow process when done organically and takes time to give results. However, once the site reaches the first page and stabilizes the rate of traffic and customers increase.

Sales through Internet have increased tremendously in the recent times and you are losing your share if you do not have a web presence. A website is your web address and online transactions can increase your sales. A website has more visibility these days than any other advertising campaign. A professional web design can create a huge customer base than you can by regular marketing.

Visitors no longer have to contact you through any traditional methods and can now use an email, web form, chat, blog.

It is often argued by traditional businesses that they are churning huge revenues even without a website. True they are. But they could raise their bar even more if you have a website by increasing the business even more. Think of the employment that can be generated with more business. You competitors too did not need a website but they went ahead and got one. They have been ahead of you ever since and this itself should appear enticing enough to opt for a website with a decent web design. Make a search friendly web design and be visible to the world.

Monday, 2 April 2012

A Professional Website is Your Ticket to Generating Revenue


Internet has brought with it new vistas of generating revenue. A business establishment can look at making more money than before by optimizing Internet usage. A business website with a good professional web design can make your company’s income grow by leaps and bounds. The following factors make a difference in your revenue by having a website:
  • A website is a cheap way of advertising. While print advertisements are expensive and are not accessible all the time, a website is a 24/7/365 advertisement to reach a wider audience
  • Business is no longer constrained by geographical boundaries and is available virtually, across the length and breadth of the world
  • You may have complimentary services in your website that can give you different revenue streams
  • A website is far more convenient to reach you and enquire about your product or service than accessing you physically. A customer can browse through your site in privacy and without any disturbance
  • Modern business builds credibility by creating a value base through a website. A blog in your website can add further value by giving useful tips on general topics to enhance a customer’s satisfaction levels. This automatically contributes to a customer remembering you of all the businesses
  • There is no need for you to speak about yourself if there is a website that speaks about your business. An attractive web design contributes even more by making the customer visit repeatedly
  • Satisfied customers are your best advertisers. A website can help enhance customer satisfaction by allowing them to use the space interactively to be in relation with you
  • Revenue increases because a lot more people in this world know about your business and the scope of their buying from you is more
  • You can even promote market research through website by offering online polls, visitor’s polls, site traffic, Facebook like plug-in etc.
  • A business website can enhance the social media value also by allowing major social media plug-in on the site
  • If your business is relocated for some reason, you need not go through the pains of passing the news. You can directly pass the information on the website
  • A professional website promotes feedback mechanism from customers to enhance their performance levels
Whatever your business is, a website is a way to reach millions of people in the quickest and cheapest possible way.