Favicons are those tiny images (16×16) shown in your browser tabs:

Favicons visible in FireFox Browser

In the screen capture above you can see our new Favicon followed by one for Adam Singer’s blog The Future Buzz and Andy Beard’s blog AndyBeard.eu. Favicons can be created from almost any image file type (.jpg .gif .png .bmp) and are saved as the .ico file type.

Every Web site should seriously consider having a distinctive Favicon created that matches their Avatar and Distinctive Business Logo. You can use one of the Favicon generation tools below to create one from an existing image and the Favicon WordPress plugins to install it on your site. The process is similar for installing Favicons in Non-WordPress sites.

FREE FAVICON GENERATORS:

1. Dynamic Drive Favicon Generator – create a Favicon from an existing image [input images: gif, jpg, png, and bmp]
2. FaviconGenerator – create a Favicon from an existing image [simple - no options - square images only]
3. Favicon-Generator - create a Favicon from an existing image [input images: gif, jpg, png - few options]
4. ProDraw Favicon Generator – create a Favicon from an existing image [Supports JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP and TIF file formats for uploading. Output size from 16x16 pixels (favicon.ico icon size), 32x32 (desktop icon), 48x48 (large XP icon) up to 128x128 pixels (Windows Vista icon size) in the *.ICO icon format.]
5. Favicon CC - create Favicons in a paint type program

WORDPRESS FAVICON PLUGINS:

• Shockingly Simple Favicon – plugin to add a Favicon to a WP site without editing Theme files
• Plugin to Add Favicons to Blogrolls in WordPress

Visiting the many golf-related Web sites while doing research for NoBogies is a continual reminder of a major Web design issue commonly seen on business Web sites: using Flash everywhere and especially ONLY using Flash. The only thing I have never figured out is WHY Web designers are doing this in the first place! Perhaps they teach them to do so in college?

I wonder how many companies realize the serious drawbacks and what an extremely poor Web experience Flash sites provide for a very large segment of the Internet-using population? Even among golfers there are bound to be many who simply can not benefit from these types of sites.

Here’s how one exceptional Web Designer and SEO I know replied to my question about whether Flash is still a bad idea:

MikeTek: @GrowMap:  Beyond the usability (which is generally awful) the SEO implications of a full-Flash site can be horrendous.

[NOTE: Mike is the author of an exceptional Web Design SEO blog called UnstuckDigital and offers Web Design and SEO Services. We highly recommend him.]

Instead of reinventing the wheel I will share here what many others have to say about what Flash is good for and why many uses are seriously impacting the effectiveness, usability and find-ability of sites using it incorrectly:

• Why Flash Is Generally A BAD Idea For Your Company’s Web Site
• Why Flash Websites are are Really, Really Bad Idea – Huge debate there from designers who love Flash and Internet Strategists and SEOs who share the limitations [Warning: some bad language.]
• Why Flash Websites are a Bad Idea
• Flash: 99% Bad – Excellent detail on major usability issues
• Creating a More Search Engine Friendly Flash Website
• 25% of All Web Users Are Disabled

Are you starting to see a pattern here? Here is a short list of the issues covered more extensively in the excellent posts I shared above:

• Flash requires a proprietary plug-in that DOES NOT work at all on all systems and must be manually loaded on others.
• No User Accessibility on phones, many PCs, 64 bit operating systems, slower Internet connections, and those with limited bandwidth or who block Flash because they must pay for extra bandwidth.
• Administrative accessibility: can YOU edit your flash files yourself? What will you do if the person who created the Flash is not available to make changes?
• Flash is bad for SEO: Most Search Engines do NOT index flash so your site will have poor search engine placement.

If your site is primarily Flash you simply can not reach much of your intended audience. The solution for those who have already invested in a Flash site is to offer an html version of your site and ALWAYS offer a way to bypass the Flash and get to an html page.

Want to see what visitors to your site see? Turn off Flash or use FlashBlockPro. This is what I see when I visit a Web page featuring Flash:

Imagine someone seeing your site as one large image like that or a page with several smaller identical images. How long do you suppose most visitors who only see these images will stay on your site? The only thing worse than a site full of Flash is one that automatically plays music!

NEW: If you already have a Flash site, are a Flash developer or really want to use it you owe it to yourself to read The Truth about Flash Websites and SEO. Mike specifically explains:

“if your website is driven by Flash a non-Flash version should be displayed for browsers without Flash support”

I would add that you should also provide a way to exit any Flash intro and select the html version manually even if your browser DOES support Flash!

NEW: Many Web site owners THINK they really, really want a Flash site. The solution to this issue and some others is to buy them a copy of the book Don’t Make Me Think. Giving one to the decision makers is a good way to get your points across without being confrontational. I’ve heard of consultants giving copies to CEOs, CIOs, or whomever is pushing for a Flash site. Here is more information on it:

*** Don’t Make Me Think by Steven Krug *** Every person involved in the design, creation, ownership or any other aspect of any Web site should own this book. It is simple, concise, to the point, and easy enough for anyone to understand – even people with no Internet or technical background.

You can read a Sample Chapter from the book. Buying a copy of this book for every member of your Team will be the best thing any Web site owner ever did. You’ll never make obvious mistakes again if you keep this book handy! Have a CEO or Owner asking you to make one? Give them this book! [NOTE: Look for the second edition.]

What do YOU think? Let us know in the comments. We use CommentLuv and all comments are dofollow.

More Resources on Web Design and Flash:

• When Should You Have a Flash Website or Use Flash on a Web site (Jun 19, 2009)
• WheFlash and Search Engine Optimization: The Latest on How Well Google Indexes Flash (Mar 17, 2009)
• When Will Flash Become a Trend? (Mar 11, 2009)
• Seven Opinions to Avoid Flash Like the Plague While Designing Web Sites (Feb 27, 2009)
• Create Effective Search Engine Optimization Using Flash–Yes Flash (Feb 3, 2009)
• Nielsen Norman Group Report: Usability of Rich Internet Applications and Web-Based Tools: Design Guidelines Based on User Testing of 46 Flash Tools

WEB DESIGN MISTAKES:

• Jakob Nielsen’s Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design
• Top Ten Web Design Mistakes of 1999 (still relevant)
• Mystery Meat Navigation (MMN) Any non-obvious navigation or text than only appears when you move your mouse over it.

INCREASING CONVERSION RATES:

• Are You Driving Away Your Potential Buyers With These Two Common Mistakes
• Close More Sales TODAY By Implementing This One Free Strategy
• Why Conversions Trump More Traffic Every Time
• How to Grow Your Business In Spite of Gloomy Economic Predictions
• Audio Interview with Steve Krug, Author of Don’t Make Me Think – on Web Design and Usability

This post started out to be a quick case study on the effectiveness of getting your business listed in Local Search Engines – and quickly turned into what not to do if you decide to upgrade or remodel your Web site. The reason for the change was noting that a site that had 543 listing in Google the last time I checked had dropped to only 234.

The reason for the drop was that their “friends” are “helping them out” by remodeling their site. The first thing they did was remove all existing pages and replace the home page with “We are currently remodeling”.

Any professionals reading this already know where I’m going so you may want to check out the categories and sub-categories in the right sidebar as this blog is intended for reference and I update older posts regularly with new links and current information.

If you don’t already know why you should NEVER remove an existing site without knowing what you’re doing please read on. One of the reasons I don’t personally work with clients any more is that I feel so badly for them when they do something so unfortunate as this to themselves.

BEFORE you replace a single existing page the URL for that page should be redirected to the new equivalent page. At a minimum redirect all “missing” pages to your home page. Don’t just cause them to disappear. When you do this you lose all the incoming visitors and every search engine listing for those pages.

• Do you really want to eliminate all your existing incoming links in one fell swoop?
• Do not delete pages without redirecting them.
• Do not rename pages without redirecting them.
• Do not replace real content with “we’re remodeling”. How effective is THAT kind of non-content for retaining existing clients much less generating new business?

If you don’t know how to redirect pages find someone that does. Don’t let anyone touch your site until you know they know what they’re doing!

[NOTE: If you already have a site or blog with a free hosting company that doesn't provide for you to do redirects use creative 404 pages instead.]

And while we’re talking about redesigning and upgrading, if you’re serious about being online, existing sites should be created as WordPress blogs and made interactive. Unless you’re already famous, having a site that “lectures” visitors instead of one that allows them to interact with you is going to be a bust.

Figure out how to create a community and make your visitors feel welcome. Find out what they want and give it to them. The number one complaint – offline and on – is unresponsive customer service. It doesn’t work for corporations any longer – they’re being dragged into responding – and it won’t work for any small businesses – or even bloggers – either.

MORE WEB DESIGN TIPS:

• Seth’s Blog: Things to Ask Before You Redo Your Website

PAINFUL REDESIGNS:

• Published on ProBlogger (guest post): Luck is a Curse: How NOT TO Relaunch and Rebrand Your Blog. There May Be Tears

The fastest path to success is specializing and collaborating with other specialists. This is not optional because there is simply too much to learn and stay on top of for any one person to be exceptional at it all and still be productive.

Those who build teams of collaborators (or acquire the solutions created by such teams) will have advantages going it alone can not even begin to approach. In Is Blogging Keeping You Poor (posted at CopyBlogger) author Jonathan Morrow wrote:

“One common problem with the do-it-yourself work ethic is that you spend so much time doing all of the basics that you never get to the really important tasks. In the case of bloggers, we invest all of our time into getting attention, but many of us never get around to monetizing that attention.” [Bold and Italics mine.]

While he is speaking specifically about monetizing, I want to point out what a tremendous amount of work is involved in offering a truly world-class blog – and MOST of what is needed behind-the-scenes is NOT the blogger’s core business!

This includes such aspects as hosting, design, plug-ins, widgets and design (logo, slogan, color scheme, layout, and the visible aspects of plug-ins).

BEST BLOG DESIGN CHALLENGES:

Maybe you have the skills to install, host, maintain and design your own blog – but is that REALLY the best use of your time? Have you considered what else could take your blog to the next level? Have you adequately addressed all of these?:

• Recommended pages such as about, contact, privacy policy, etc.
• Design optimized for usability with optimum navigation
• Compatibility with other browsers and operating systems
• Accessibility and Accessibility Issues Due to WordPress Theme Design
• Validating – What have you changed that no longer validates?

Suppose you manage to complete all of the above? The next update or plug-in you add could break some of it. Wouldn’t it be better to put together a group of people who pool their knowledge and resources and create one or more Perfect WordPress Themes that include all of the optimum upgrades?

BENEFITS TO THE COLLABORATORS:

• Better design, testing, and upgrades
• Work with and learn from the very best
• Time to focus on your own specialties

What I’m proposing is a joint venture to design one or more WordPress Themes. Each participant would be permitted to use the design(s) on their own blogs and projects. The collaborators could decide to sell the themes and turn-key hosted packages using them with any income shared by those who contributed the most and provide installation, hosting, and maintenance.

I volunteer input and beta testing, knowledge of usability, online marketing and to spread the word using social networking. I also seek to provide free promotion and recommendations to the experts involved. I am not interested in deriving any income from such a collaboration; it is enough to me that more people benefit from turn-key WordPress blogs.

If anyone knows of truly optimized WP Themes that already exist or any groups already doing this please comment. If you are an expert or know one who may be interested we’d love to hear from you. Join us in the WordPress Theme Joint Venture room at FriendFeed.

RESOURCES ON COLLABORATING:

• Real Collaboration
• Why Strategic Collaboration is the Secret to 21st Century Success
• Global Mass Collaboration
• How I Highjacked CopyBlogger

WORDPRESS REFERENCE RESOURCES:

• WordPress Advanced Topics

I was prompted to write this post when I came across a beautifully designed blog called My Tropical Escape. Their theme is extremely attractive and most of the important functions are there – except search. I wanted to link to one of their posts that I saw mentioned elsewhere, but when I didn’t find it in the first few pages and couldn’t search for it they lost that opportunity (until I created this one instead).

The only factor more important than the ability to easily find and then quickly search any site is making it obvious what the site is offering. Here is why search is critical to EVERY site:

• Ecommerce stores lose sales every day because their products are not showing up on searches that they SHOULD show up on. Most visitors will simply assume you don’t have it and leave.
• Too many search results is just as bad as too few; most Internet users are not going to trudge through page after page of results – especially if too many of them are not relevant.
• Bloggers gain readers through incoming links. Other bloggers will link to you IF they can quickly and easily find a post they’ve read on your site. Some of us search specific blogs as we write. If your blog doesn’t have a search, we won’t be searching it. (Yes, I know there are other options for searching blogs; however, that doesn’t change the fact that having YOUR OWN search is important.)
• Visitors to EVERY site are searching for something. If you don’t have a good search function they won’t find what they’re looking for and you’ve just lost a potential sale, lead, or subscriber – possibly forever.

Many times I see an inquiry on Twitter or FriendFeed or am asked via email and I recall where I read the answer. If I can lay my hands on it fairly quickly, I’ll share your link every time an opportunity presents itself. (If I consider it REALLY important I will search far longer than most would.)

I might notice someone is searching for a gift that I know where to find. Make it easy for me to quickly search your site and I’ll send them directly to what they’re seeking. I do this regularly for Executive Gift Shoppe because their search function is good and I know what they carry.

I also know the owner is honest and provides excellent, personalized service – the kind you can only get from a small business. I know his engraving work is accurate and they’ll put a rush on those last minute orders to ensure you get them in time.

I have an idea for a contest to prove the importance of search and how it affects the effectiveness of word-of-mouth referrals. I’ll post more on it in a new post later today or tomorrow.

Remember this: Many will share what you do IF they can do it quickly and easily.

I am NOT the only person who could be spreading the word about your site or your work. Make it as easy for them as you can.  If you aren’t already, take these steps a.s.a.p.:

• Be sure you have search on your site.
• Make it easy to find: best placement is in the top right corner, followed by in your navigation.
• DON’T bury it among a ton of links way down in the left or right column somewhere.
• If you have an online store SERIOUSLY consider upgrading your search function.
• Ensure it is obvious HOW to use your search – don’t use ambiguous wording (refer to the book Don’t Make Me Think for more on this).

As always, YOUR input and links to related articles you find useful are encouraged. Please do leave them in the DoFollow comments. Periodically we move the best links up into reference sections below each post.

RELATED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SITE SEARCH:

• Forrester Report on Site Search
• According to Forrester Research Companies Need Better Site Search
• The Importance of Site Search in an eCommerce Site
• Frank Thinking on Site Search

Know of a good article on site search? Have you upgraded your site search function and want to recommend the solution you’re using? Please do leave a comment. As important as Site Search is there must be some great articles out there buried amongst the not-so-useful.

One of the most important posts we’ve made to date was There is NO Done Because There is Always More To Do. Until you develop an eye for what is missing on your site, how will you know how much that lack is holding you back?

We spot important missing elements on even the most beautiful, popular, and best designed sites. Starting today I will start posting links to these already excellent sites with commentary on what they’re missing that could make a significant difference in their online success.

Each of these will be written as separate posts and linked into this post. You can come back any time and click on this one page to get summaries of each of the site reviews. That will allow you to quickly click through to the subjects that most interest you and find the best strategies for making your Web site even better.

Not all blogs are meant to be read only in a linear fashion. Some, like GrowMap, are intended as references: collections of the most pertinent and best information on subjects related to growing a business using the Internet.

You can get more out of this blog by using the categories, sub-categories, and search function to quickly hone in on the reference material you need today. Look for both overview posts offering the big picture and detailed posts of how to apply them.

That brings us to our first and most important missing function – one EVERY Web site, blog, or ecommerce store MUST have, prominently positioned. If you’re an ecommerce store, upgrading this function will immediately increase your sales. If you haven’t already guessed this function is your Site Search.

Here are the important missing elements that can improve YOUR site:

• Where or Where Is What Your Visitors Seek: On the Importance of Site Search