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Another benefit to using FrontPage is being able to create virtual directories
with ease. As you know, when you specify a home directory, all of the subdirectories
beneath the home directory automatically become subdirectories of the Web site
as well. However, you can also designate a folder located elsewhere on the system
as a subdirectory of the site by creating a virtual directory out of it. A virtual
directory is a directory or folder on a server that is not in the actual server
directory structure.
Again, Dave created a video on how to create virtual directories using Front
Page:
http://www.smartcertify.com/seo/iis.asp
* If you want to create a database, it’s no problem with FrontPage. It
will virtually create a database for you and import data without any database
knowledge at all. The program works with Access, SQL, Oracle, and ODBC, and
you can set up a SEC- compliant database within 30 seconds and begin working
with asp pages with no prior knowledge whatsoever.
Click here for Dave’s video on how to create a database using FrontPage:
http://www.smartcertify.com/seo/dwizard.asp
* To Lee Davies of #1 Internet Marketing (http://www.1-internet- marketing.co.nz),
the main advantage to FrontPage is that you can so easily manage all your html
pages from the folders section.
For example, "If you were to rename an image, which is something that
needs to be done when optimizing, it will rename the links to the images from
every page," he explains.
* What I kept hearing again and again as I interviewed users of FrontPage is
that FrontPage saves you time in creating Web pages, because it’s so easy
to use. Don Hammond with DonOMite (http://www.donomite.com) explains,
"Straight HTML pages are a breeze with FP. I know a lot of programmers
scoff at using it, but it means I can crank out a basic HTML page in seconds
rather than minutes. And when I get paid by the job, it means more $/hr to me."
* Dawn Rowlett with Web Submission Services (http://www.internetmarketingwebsites.com)
explains further:
"From the first day that I was introduced to FrontPage, I was instantly
able to catch on to some of the many features because it was so easy to use.
I think the most beneficial factor to the program for me was that I was able
to go in and design a page, knowing nothing at all about HTML. I could include
hyperlinks, tables, images, change colors, backgrounds, insert text, create
paragraphs, etc. with absolutely no background in coding. I was able to do all
of this on my first day with the program!
I remember one time in the beginning when I was involved in a discussion with
a designer who was using another HTML editor and was completely stuck on the
coding of how to create a simple table. My first thought at the time was, using
Front Page, that is such a simple task."
* Many professional SEO’s also like to use FrontPage because it’s
a program that’s simple enough for their clients to use. So, when the SEO
turns the site back over to the client, the client can easily make changes with
FrontPage without having to know HTML. As Tom Altman with RSM McGladrey, Inc.
(http://www.rsmmcgladrey.com) explains,
"Most of the folks already have the office suite, so they are used to
using Word and the like. FrontPage is not that much different, and it lets them
maintain their own site."
Make FrontPage Work the way YOU Want it to!
At the Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions Resource Kit, you’ll find
links to all of the possible ways to make FrontPage work for you, instead of
the default values after installation.
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/frontpage/wpp/serk/apndx03.htm
Take a Free Course in using FrontPage!
Dave Barry at SmartCertify Direct (http://www.smartcertify.com) created a free
course in using FrontPage. Simply register at the following URL, and take the
free course:
http://www.smartcertify.com/seo/register-seo.asp
In Conclusion
As you’ve seen, some very experienced Web designers and search engine
optimizers use FrontPage as their "editor of choice." Its ease of
use and variety of ready-made templates make it a program that’s easy for
beginners yet has the functionality that advanced designers need.
It also allows the designer or SEO to get a page designed quickly and easily,
and time adds up to money for a busy SEO.
As Nancy Nelson with Search by Design! (http://www.search-by- design.com) said,
"Is it a perfect tool? Certainly not, but FrontPage combined with minor
HTML knowledge can take you a long way..."
So FrontPage users, don’t be ashamed to admit that you use FrontPage!
Some of the best Web designers in the industry use it, with good reason.
Special Thanks to Dave Barry
Dave Barry with SmartCertify created the videos, screen shots, and free tutorial
available in this article. Plus, he gave me the work arounds for getting rid
of extraneous code, and he verified the accuracy of the content. Thank you Dave
there’s no way I could have created this article without your help.
About the Author:
Robin Nobles, Director of Training, Academy of Web Specialists, (http://www.academywebspecialists.com)
has trained several thousand people in her online search engine marketing courses
(http://www.onlinewebtraining.com). Dave Barry is a professional Webmaster,
Web designer, programmer, and search engine optimizer, all rolled up into one
amazingly talented man who works for SmartCertify Direct. (http://www.smartcertify.com). |
