This page contains many advanced features in Web design, but it requires a strong comfort level with technology and Web design basics. This page is being offered for the few individuals who may move quickly through the basics of FileMaker Home Page. Look through the list for ideas to enhance your Web pages.

You want to create your own graphics, but unfortunately, you have no artistic ability. Should you give up? The answer is a resounding NO.

You can become proficient at creating graphics. Several programs which allow you to work with graphics include AppleWorks, PhotoShop, Fireworks, and Paint Shop Pro (which you can download for free.) All of these offer a tutorial. If you are a novice, it is recommended you start with AppleWorks or Paint Shop Pro.

Using AppleWorks

Create your own logo for your Web site.

Before attempting to design a Web page with frames, make sure you have a strong understanding of the basics of FileMaker Home Page and Web design. When you see a Web page in frames, you're really looking at several Web pages compiled into one page. FileMaker Home Page provides assistance, but you need to develop each page as you want it to appear. The first video gives you the basics while the second has a few advanced features.

Tips: Frames may not display on certain browsers, or they might display differently from browser to browser. Frames can quickly fill up space in the browser window, and more than two frames may be excessive. You can do many of the same things using tables as you can in frames.

You might want to know how many people visit your site. USD 336 has the software to run a counter. To see how to create a USD 336 counter, click on the video. To learn how to add a counter to your Web site from other sources, visit Web Counter or Fast Counter (both are free).

To use the USD 336 Web Counter, paste the following HTML on your Web page using the "Edit HTML Source" button. Replace ENTERNAME with a name of your own. When finished, return to the Web page using the "Edit Page" button. The counter will have a question mark and can only be viewed when on the Internet. This means if you try to preview it using the preview button, it will not show up. You need the actual address.

It is important for the Web designer to have a basic understanding of what HTML is before attempting any of the following. For those who are not familiar with HTML, click on the link to the right and practice the exercise.

Using Java applets, you can include cool things in your Web site like Antony's Java Clock. You will need to copy and paste html/java language into your Web page (similiar to what you did with Web counters). To do this with FileMaker Home Page you will need to use the "Edit HTML Source" button. Any typing mistake within HTML can cause problems for your Web page, so be careful. Good places to find Java applets:

• Cool Applets from JavaSoft
• Gamelan: Earthweb's Java Directory
• Applet Depot
• May want to search the Web for free Java Script

No Video

In addition to knowing how many people visit your site, you might want to know something about your visitors. This can be done with a guest book, which includes an informational form for visitors to fill out. Visit Guestbook World for a free guest book.

By adding a message board to your Web site, you can encourage discussion among visitors about topics that interest them. Message boards are similar to newsgroups, but much easier to maintain. You can obtain a message board for free from InsideTheWeb.

If you want people to visit your site, you have to advertise it. If you don't, nobody will visit it, no matter how good it is. Before promoting your Web site, there are a few preparations you should make. First, make sure that your Web site has an informative title. Next, prepare a good description that is 25 words or less.

• Search Engines
  • To find information on the Internet, most people use search engines like Infoseek or AltaVista. If you want people to find your Web site, register it with the search engines by visiting Addme. This site lets you register your Web site with 34 of the search engines at once, so you do not have to contact each one.

    Before registering your site with the search engines, visit Northern Web's Search Engine Tutorial. This excellent site explains how to create "search engine friendly" Web sites. It discusses how search engines index documents, and how you can use that knowledge to improve your site's search engine capabilities.

• Banner Exchanges
  • The Internet Link Exchange and Looksmart Clicks are banner networks that advertise your site for free using banners similar to those used by corporations. In exchange for displaying other people's banners on your site, they will display your banner on their sites.
• Exchange Links
  • Find sites with content similar to your own. Then, ask the owner of that site to exchange links with you. In exchange for making a link to that person's site, that person will make a link to yours.
• Guestbooks
  • Many guest books ask you for the title and URL of your site. If you register with a guest book, include this information. What you fill out will be posted somewhere with a hypertext link to your site. More people are likely to visit your site if there are hypertext links leading them there.
• Free For Alls
  • Free for All link pages allow you to post your site. They ask you for the name of your site, the URL, and the category. Once you click the submit button and reload the page, a link to your site will appear at the top of the category you chose.

    When you send e-mail to a Webmaster asking for a reciprocal link, remember to include the title and URL of your site. Also include the title and URL of the site you want to exchange links with because many Webmasters have more than one site.

• Sites that have Links to Places Where you can Submit your Site for FREE
  • WebStep Top 100 is a list of the 100 best places to advertise your site for free.
  • Free Links: The Ultimate Web Site Traffic Builder categorizes directories, search engines, and links pages where you can list your site for free.
  • 2001+ Places To Promote Your Web FREE!! is another site you should check out