not an ad, I need feedback

[spandex44]

Hi!
I want to start off telling you that this isn't meant to be an ad. I know how annoying ads are. I just wanted to get some more feedback about my VB site. It's meant to be for VB beginners. The reason I'm asking this is because I want to buy a domain name, but first I want to know if I have any chance in the 'VB Website Community' (whatever). I'd appreciate any comments and/or suggestions. Please click on the link below.

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Regards,
Alexander McAndrew
VB Zone
http://gsenterprise.server101.com

[Compwiz]

I really don't think you have a chance: I started one a while back: http://vbland.hypermart.net and it didn't go well. I like the site, but people are already used to this one, as well as others.

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Tom Young, 14 Year Old
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ICQ: 15743470 (http://wwp.icq.com/15743470) Add Me (http://wwp.icq.com/scripts/search.dll?to=15743470) ICQ Me (http://wwp.icq.com/scripts/contact.dll?msgto=15743470)
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PERL, JavaScript and VB Programmer

[spandex44]

Hi again! Sorry to keep this discussion going, but I don't want to spend money on something that isn't worth it (domain name). I understand what you are saying, but if I make the site only for beginners do you think my chances would be better. Because a site like this doesn't really have anything useful for beginners (in my oopinion).



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Regards,
Alexander McAndrew
VB Zone
http://gsenterprise.server101.com

[chrisjk]

Alex - me again.

Don't waste money on a domain name yet - where you are is perfectly ok for now. What you must ensure you do though is make sure people know about it! Add it to search engines (Yahoo, Alta-Vista, Excite, MSN etc - if you haven't already that is). Go to all the established VB BB's and try and attract any beginners' attention. Post a message, whatever (not here though - everyone will know who gave you the idea and i'd get a slap :)).

How about Microsoft's VB page? - go to http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/community/topsite.asp and try and get an award from Microsoft. They give them to deserving sites, and is bound to bring in the punters.

Not only that, try adding your site to VB Site Directory's, such as Carl and Gary's VB Links... http://www.cgvb.com/links/maint/ .

When you have lots of posts in your message board, and when many people are visiting (I'm sure you have a counter etc...) then you should buy a catchy domain name. Get http://www.visualbasic.com/ or something (that hasn't been taken already beleive it or not! - as of now that is of course)

Best of luck

Kind regards,

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- Chris
chris.kilhams@btinternet.com
If it ain't broke - don't fix it :)

[spandex44]

Thanks Chris!
You're probably the most helpful person around. :) ;) :(




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Regards,
Alexander McAndrew
VB Zone
http://gsenterprise.server101.com

[chrisjk]

That's ok!

I see you have done quite a bit since before to your site, looks good well done.

I like your "ask the admin questions" bit, v. good idea.

See ya

- Chris

[This message has been edited by chrisjk (edited 11-29-1999).]

[hxjones]

Hi Alexander:

First of all thanks for your help. I visted your site and I think it have good information and it could be a site with lots of hits.

Before I decide change my career to VB programmer (I'm trying to become a one!)I was a search engine specialist and I worked with profesional web designers.

I have the followings suggestions for you:
-Your site have good information, but you have to add some other thing: the visual presentation of your site. You could have a better web design more profesional and may be you can add a little bite of DHTML or something interesting. But always you have to have in mid that for every 1Kb the average people have to wait 1 sec, and 12 Kb is the recomend limit size for each page of your site.
-Define your audicience and focus your design to your audience. In case of VB programers may be the visitors are waiting for a little bite of high tech design (like DHTM, flash or something) like that.
-Ask your visitors what they want. You can put a Feedback section when people tell you directly what they want, afterwards the visitor have the last word!
-May be you can do a links sections. Sometimes it's a good idea to interchange links with others sites. It has 2 advantages: you can get visitors coming from other sites to your and there are some search engines that give your site a better ranking by doing this.
-Use meta tags in your site to help your site
be in a better position in the most common search engines.
-Find out how each search engine and directories like Yahoo! works so you can put your web site in the top ten positions
I recommend you to visit this: http://websearch.about.com/internet/websearch/?REDIR_404=yes&

-And finally, think about the creative ideas to atrack visitors, for example open your own Yahoo! club about VB, or do contest to challenge the programmers and all you can think it could be better.

I genuinely hope it helps,
Best wishes,
Xenia Jones

[spandex44]

Dear hxjones,
Thanks for your feedback. It's very important to me. Do you know any site that could teach me a little bit of dhtml? Thanks again for your feedback!

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Regards,
Alexander McAndrew
VB Zone
http://gsenterprise.server101.com

[hxjones]

Hi:

I think this sites can help you with DHTML http://webreview.com/wr/pub/Dynamic_HTML http://www.inquiry.com/techtips/dhtml_pro/ http://www.webtools.com/toolbox/dhtml http://www.dhtmlzone.com/index.html

I hope it can help you. If I can help you with any other thing, please let me know.

Best wishes,
Xenia Jones

[vbsquare]

The best site for DHTML is Jeff Rule's DHTML Site. He runs Discovery Online, and, if you have seen any of it, it's really cool:
http://www.ruleweb.com/dhtml/

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"To the glory of God!"