Spiderbyte - January 2009

Message from The WebMasters

We have been a bit naughty and not updated the newsletter for a while now. For more informal updates and commentry on internet related stuff, read our Blog here

Welcome to 2009! We are looking forward to a great year despite all of the doom and gloom surrounding the financial crisis. We have recently downsized due to the economic climate with Phil leaving us. This was unfortunate, but we have retained his services on a freelance basis when needed.

So what is in store for this year? What is in the Website crystal ball? Well we think that the importance of websites in this current economic downturn will be higer than ever. Websites are still one of, if not the most cost effective advertising mediums. Making sure your website is current is more important than ever. Have you gone through your websites content lately? Have a look and make sure it is still advertising you as you expect it to.

Be Powered By Imagination!!!!!

Cheers
Joanne and Steven

Moments Thoughts…

What’s HOT

Blogs

Blogs are one of the best ways to get information up on your website. Whether it is as an updating method or whether you want to use the blog as a place for commentary / discussion, a blog is a great way to do it.

One of the best things about a blog is that you can submit a new article and have it indexed by Google in a short amount of time (my blog posts are indexed in about 6 hours) this is a lot better than waiting for Google to index your site normally.

We use and recommend Wordpress for our blogging system. It is a widely used and easy to use system, the cost is only $300 to add it to your website and make the blog look the same as your website. Either Contact Us or call us on 0800 333 793.

 

Hot Tips

Finding Yourself using Google Alerts

Google Alerts are a great way to find out each time something is added to Google. You can use it for a number of reasons:

• See when your web address is indexed (someone mentions or links to your website)
• See when your business name is indexed
• See when your products (if they have a unique name) are indexed
• See when your competitors are indexed - this is a powerful one!

All you need to do is have a Google Account and sign up for alerts. Once signed up, you just need to tell Google what you want to be notified for and give them an email address.

 

Business Tools

My Favourite Free Software - Part 1

1. Resizing Photos - Faststone Image Resizer
   This software will allow you to resize your images in batches, great for reducing didigtal camera photos to something smaller for email or webiste use. Download it here
2. Editing photos - Paint.net
   Paint.net is a powerful photo editing software in the mould of Photoshop. It supports layers, filters, brushes, gradients and all of the standard tools you would expect.
   Download it here
3. FTP Client - FileZilla
   If you want to transfer files between for PC and your webserver, FileZilla is a great tool. Supporting multiple file streams it is much quicker than many other FTP clients.
   Download it here

Part 2 will be up next month

Deals of the MONTH…

1. Update the Look of your Website
   If you think your site is getting tired, or maybe you have rebranded we can design you a new template for your website for $400. This includes moving all of the exisiting content into the new template as well. A whole new look! Let us know if you are interested
   
2. Update the Content of Your Website
   If you have new content, or if you want to update what is there, making you easier to find on the internet, we can refresh your content for $100 per page. This is restricted to text and images, other more complicated changes will need to be discussed.
   This also includes changes to each page to make it more findable on Google etc. Let us know if you are interested

 

Fun Stuff

Cricinfo - Follow the Black Caps against the West Indies and India. Go to the live scorecard and you can get ball by ball updates

ITunes - I love podcasts, especially football ones, ITunes is a great way to get them.

 

Other Interesting Websites

Aardvark - Local IT news commentrary

Ancestry.com - cool site to collaborate with other family members to build your family tree.

Stuff - Steven’s daily dose of News…all the current New Zealand and World Events.

Trademe - A fantastic online Auction…if you haven’t already checked this site out….YOU MUST….it is so cool

 

Recent Additions and Changes to Our Clients Websites

35 Degrees South - Paihia Restaurant, dine around an amazing Aquarium.

Prospect Hill - Howick Bed and Breakfast in a magnificent heritage building

Wired Designs - Triss is making and selling jewellery online using Paypal “Buy Now” buttons to raise funds for a volunteer trip. Have a look at some great pieces

0800 Dumpme - For rubbish removal and not those ugly skip bins, this is the civilised way of getting rid of your rubbish

Cure - an organisation providing services which include psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, clinical supervision and counselling in Auckland.

Kaukapakapa Area Residents and Ratepayers Association - bringing news of KARRA’s activities, and also as a place where Kaukapakapa community information can be placed.

Wairoa Valley B&B - Kerikeri Bed and Breakfast in 15 acres of native bush

Great Barrier Island Tourism - If you’re contemplating a visit to Great Barrier Island you’ll find that
it’s all the things that we can’t offer you that will make your experience all the more enjoyable

Phoenix Motorhomes - specialise in new and pre-used luxury motorhomes, mobile home conversions and full or partial interior fit-outs.

Cherish Beauty - Kapiti Coast beauty salon, wide range of products and services

McCondach Movers - Kerikeri based Removal and Storage Company

BestBnB - A pick of the best Bed and Breakfast and Activities across New Zealand

Student Storage - Self Storage for Students

Doorcraft - Redesign of a site for handcrafted doors.