See, IE6 thinks it’s better than everybody else, and I’m thankful to the lord that even Big G is now backing up.  It ignores internet wide standards like xhtml and css, and follows it’s own rules. Yesterday, Google announced that it is ending it’s support for IE 6!  The version 6 basher’s list is long and somewhat illustrious, even including it’s developer – Microsoft.

In short, I’ll save you guys the techno explanation of why IE6 is bain of all web designers’ existence – and just say that over 20% of front-end development time goes into bug fixing and hacking custom scripts and styles for a program that was released before those bastards took out the twin towers.

At some point, we’re going to have to enact a surcharge for IE 6 compliance – and I wonder how many other firms are already doing this or forgetting IE 6 entirely?

<?
function checkState($state) {
  if ($row['state'] == $state) {
    echo ' selected="selected"';
  }
}
?>
<select name="state" id="state">
 <option value="--"<? checkState('') ?>>Select...</option>
 <option value="AL"<? checkState('AL'); ?>>Alabama</option>
 <option value="AK"<? checkState('AK'); ?>>Alaska</option>
 <option value="AZ"<? checkState('AZ'); ?>>Arizona</option>
 <option value="AR"<? checkState('AR'); ?>>Arkansas</option>
 <option value="CA"<? checkState('CA'); ?>>California</option>
 <option value="CO"<? checkState('CO'); ?>>Colorado</option>
 <option value="CT"<? checkState('CT'); ?>>Connecticut</option>
 <option value="DE"<? checkState('DE'); ?>>Delaware</option>
 <option value="DC"<? checkState('DC'); ?>>District Of Columbia</option>
 <option value="FL"<? checkState('FL'); ?>>Florida</option>
 <option value="GA"<? checkState('GA'); ?>>Georgia</option>
 <option value="HI"<? checkState('HI'); ?>>Hawaii</option>
 <option value="ID"<? checkState('ID'); ?>>Idaho</option>
 <option value="IL"<? checkState('IL'); ?>>Illinois</option>
 <option value="IN"<? checkState('IN'); ?>>Indiana</option>
 <option value="IA"<? checkState('IA'); ?>>Iowa</option>
 <option value="KS"<? checkState('KS'); ?>>Kansas</option>
 <option value="KY"<? checkState('KY'); ?>>Kentucky</option>
 <option value="LA"<? checkState('LA'); ?>>Louisiana</option>
 <option value="ME"<? checkState('ME'); ?>>Maine</option>
 <option value="MD"<? checkState('MD'); ?>>Maryland</option>
 <option value="MA"<? checkState('MA'); ?>>Massachusetts</option>
 <option value="MI"<? checkState('MI'); ?>>Michigan</option>
 <option value="MN"<? checkState('MN'); ?>>Minnesota</option>
 <option value="MS"<? checkState('MS'); ?>>Mississippi</option>
 <option value="MO"<? checkState('MO'); ?>>Missouri</option>
 <option value="MT"<? checkState('MT'); ?>>Montana</option>
 <option value="NE"<? checkState('NE'); ?>>Nebraska</option>
 <option value="NV"<? checkState('NV'); ?>>Nevada</option>
 <option value="NH"<? checkState('NH'); ?>>New Hampshire</option>
 <option value="NJ"<? checkState('NJ'); ?>>New Jersey</option>
 <option value="NM"<? checkState('NM'); ?>>New Mexico</option>
 <option value="NY"<? checkState('NY'); ?>>New York</option>
 <option value="NC"<? checkState('NC'); ?>>North Carolina</option>
 <option value="ND"<? checkState('ND'); ?>>North Dakota</option>
 <option value="OH"<? checkState('OH'); ?>>Ohio</option>
 <option value="OK"<? checkState('OK'); ?>>Oklahoma</option>
 <option value="OR"<? checkState('OR'); ?>>Oregon</option>
 <option value="PA"<? checkState('PA'); ?>>Pennsylvania</option>
 <option value="RI"<? checkState('RI'); ?>>Rhode Island</option>
 <option value="SC"<? checkState('SC'); ?>>South Carolina</option>
 <option value="SD"<? checkState('SD'); ?>>South Dakota</option>
 <option value="TN"<? checkState('TN'); ?>>Tennessee</option>
 <option value="TX"<? checkState('TX'); ?>>Texas</option>
 <option value="UT"<? checkState('UT'); ?>>Utah</option>
 <option value="VT"<? checkState('VT'); ?>>Vermont</option>
 <option value="VA"<? checkState('VA'); ?>>Virginia</option>
 <option value="WA"<? checkState('WA'); ?>>Washington</option>
 <option value="WV"<? checkState('WV'); ?>>West Virginia</option>
 <option value="WI"<? checkState('WI'); ?>>Wisconsin</option>
 <option value="WY"<? checkState('WY'); ?>>Wyoming</option>
</select>

GreenBiz Local includes a map search function, city/state directory, and a paid upgrade option. The paid option allows users to change their map marker from a little red one to a big, pretty green one as well as a new tab for a business description, and one more for images of the business and/or it’s products.

• Photos
  As in many industries online, pictures sell. A clean, frequently updated photo gallery of all the gamefish in your backyard is the surest way to make anglers salivate. Don’t forget to bring the camera on outings, you don’t want to miss that monster that your client just dragged in – and make sure to get their ear to ear grin in the shot too.
• Testimonials
  Clients in all businesses love to hear first hand how great their experience was working with you. Include lots of them. Getting testimonials is as easy as asking them to jot one down on a notecard on the ride back to the marina, or while you are fileting their catch.
• Fishing Reports
  This is where you get to prove that you are the expert. It can be done weekly or monthly, but beware, a fishing report section that hasn’t been updated since 2006 is a sure turn off.
• Blog
  Blogs can be a variation of the fishing reports above, but they can also be so much more. Blogging is an informal style of writing, which helps build trust and credibility. Also, search engines love blogs!
• Seasonal Activity by Species
  Do tarpon run in the Islamorada channels in April? When’s the best time for black grouper in Cabo? These are essential questions you should answer for your potential customers, and they will thank you with their wallets.
• Boat and Tackle Information
  Include a photo or two, as well as a description of your vessel(s). Mention things like whether or not a head is on board, length, shallow draft, and any other creature comforts available. Also, specify what kind of tackle and rigging is on board, and whether everything is provided for clients.
• Rates
  Whole day, half day, multi-day packages available? Be sure to mention whether or not fuel surcharges are included or extra. Oh, and don’t forget to mention that gratuity is appreciated!
• Online Booking
  This can be a simple or complex as you like. Whether it is a simple form sending the request via email, or an integrated solution with availability calendar and a secure credit card gateway – the idea is the same: Entice potential clients to some level of commitment as early and as often as you can.
• Weather
  Again, this can be as easy as placing a weather widget on your site or blog, or even embedding the surface temp. and small craft warnings. What is important, is that you’re clients will know what to expect. Tell them about the predictability of Florida afternoon thunderstorms, or the unpredictability of mountain weather systems.
• What to bring?
  Can we bring beer? Do I need my own cooler? Beyond beverages, remind clients of the value of sunscreen, bug repellant, and rain gear if applicable. Remember those before mentioned testimonials?
• Regulations/Seasons
  Is snook season open in May? A list of what gamefish are in season can be done by species or month, but a good idea would be to include what is in season and what’s hot at the top of the page.
• Video
  Cheap point and shoot cameras now offer fairly decent video quality. Combine this with services like Youtube, and you’ve got a tool for delivering excitment and a personal touch through the world wide web. Who doesn’t want to see a chick in a bikini land a 400 lb. marlin?
• Excursion Types
  Make sure to let clients know if you specialize in reef outings, backcountry, deep sea, or on the fly excursions.
• Contact
  Sounds obvious, but make sure that they can find your phone number or send you an email easily.
• Awards/Tournament Experience
  You’re not bragging, you’re applying for a job. If you’ve gone up against the best, and come out on top, make sure to showcase it.
• Captain Bio
  This gives a personal touch. The more you list, the better chance that some tidbit will form a personal connection, such as a common birthplace or favorite sports team.
• Lodging and Directions
  First, make sure they know how to get to the marina. Also, links and numbers for local hotels and lodging that are convenient to your dock. A personal touch could include price ranges and even reviews!

Other useful features:

• Travel info including airports, car rental, etc.
• Local restaurants
• “Things to do” – activities for days off the water

We’ll be adding tips and tricks to the fan page that help fishing guides & charters get the most business out of the web, including of course – Facebook.

Come join up if you haven’t already!

• Search Engine Optimization
• Custom NOAA weather report feed
• What’s Biting Calendar
• Content Management system including Fishing Reports Blog
• All the usual goodies for our fishing sites

Here are some screen shots from the new site:

Our partnership will entail:

• Web Content Creation & Management
• Social Network Marketing (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.)
• Press Release Distribution
• Customer Relationship Management
• Search Engine Optimization
• Forum / Message Board Marketing
• Blog Networking
• Trade Show Representation
• Product Placements

We look forward to the exciting opportunity and will of course post some updates here periodically.

Screenshot:

First, why SEO over other marketing such as PPC?

Pay-per-click advertising is all very well, but it means you have to pay for every visitor. SEO is about getting free traffic from the search engines. Over the course of two years or more, nothing has a better return on investment than SEO. Thus, if you plan on having a website that runs for more than two years, search engine optimization should be a key part of your online marketing strategy.

So what is the worst SEO mistake that a company can make?

The most common mistake that organizations make with regard to SEO is bringing their SEO consultants into the process too late. Many companies fail to give SEO its due consideration during a website’s design phase.

So there you have it, from one of the godfathers of search engine marketing.

Brandt goes on to list several key aspects to a successful SEO campaign that need attention during the design process, or what we like to call “On Page SEO.” Some crucial SEO techniques your design might forget are:

• Search Engine Friendly URLS
  www.abc.com/your-keyword.html vs. www.abc.com/page1.html
• Text Based Navigation Links
• Use of CSS instead of Javascript or Flash

For more in depth info. on the why a SEO consultant should be contacted during a website’s design phase, check out the whole article or give us a call for an informative chat.