Developing a Web site is no easy task. From design to programming, database creation to XHTML conversion, building a Web site takes thought, creativity, specialized programming and more. So, once it's up on the Web for all to see, what's next?

How can you drive the people you want to your site? And when they get there, how do you keep them there to gather information or lead them through to your e-commerce system? How do they know to use your address or even search for you?

One key factor may be the Search Engine Optimization tools already in place. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is designing, writing and coding (in HTML) your entire web site in order to increase your chances of appearing at the top of search engine queries. Based on keywords and key phrases, Search Engine Optimization triggers search engines to pick up on the deliberate coding encrypted in your site. This can increase the chances a potential visitor will find you through searching.

Another way to lead visitors to your site is through an announcement press release. Think about the media sources the target audiences you wish to reach read, and craft a press release announcing the launch of your site. The publications may include local newspapers, trade magazines and newsletters, business publications, online sources and more.

In addition, be sure to include your Web site address in all business materials such as business cards, letterhead, brochures, advertisements, other collateral and more.

One more very important way of garnering Web traffic is to get your site linked on as many other relevant sites you can. Beware of "link rings" which may add your link to completely unrelated sites. Start close to home. Have business partners, suppliers and customers link to you. Link popularity is the most important factor in determining your position in search query results.

While these are just a few ideas, many options exist. Just because your site is complete, don't think the work is done. Keep thinking about the ways you can promote your site so that all that work translates into a plethora of visitors and the tools you've put into your site are getting used.

Lindsay, our multi-talented office assistant turned a whopping 19 years old today, October 13th.

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

There are a million hypotheses out on message boards and fan sites trying to guess the overarching story behind Lost. They range from theories about the castaways having gone back in time to theories about them being part of a grand science experiment. Based on information that came to light this summer during the off-season, I've developed my own theory about what's going on in the Lost universe.

The numbers (4 8 15 16 23 42) have always been a hot topic among Lost aficionados. It was revealed over the summer that these numbers are, in fact, a complex equation developed by an Italian mathematician named Valenzetti. It determines the amount of time before humanity exterminates itself, either by warfare, nuclear holocaust, or pandemic disease. My theory centers around this equation.

I think that the DHARMA initiative (or whatever is left of it) came into possession the information that the person (or persons) responsible for the destruction of the human race would be on Oceanic flight 815. They somehow (I told you this was a theory) caused the flight to pass over their island, made it crash, and they are going through the remaining passengers one by one to determine who the person is.

Things that support my theory:

• In episode 1 of season 3, the DHARMA people didn't seem surprised at all to see a plane crash into their island. It appeared like they were expecting it. Ben (Henry Gale) sent Ethan and Goodwin out to pose as survivors and to bring back lists of the remaining passengers.
• Walt, who had been in their custody for several weeks, was simply released at the end of season 2. I think they determined that he wasn't responsible, so they let him go.
• The psychic told Claire that her child would be responsible for something terrible if he was raised by anyone other than her.
• Ben (Henry Gale) told Kate in episode 1 of season 3 that the next few weeks would be very uncomfortable. (interrogation)
• Jack seems to be getting psychoanalyzed/interrogated by Juliette.

Watch your competition real time. Check it out

The new season of Lost premiers tonight on ABC. As Adam pointed out a few days ago, ABC has been busy keeping the online community occupied over the summer by posting bits of information around the internet. All of this led to a final video which turns out to be the Sri Lanka Training video for the DHARMA (Deparment of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications) initiative. This video explains a lot about the organization, the island, and what our castaways are experiencing.

The Numbers:
4 8 15 16 23 42
What do these numbers mean, you ask? They are factors in the Valenzetti equation. This supposed equation gives the time before humanity exterminates itself. The DHARMA initiative was/is setup to change any of these core factors, thus increasing the amount of time humanity has.

I'm not sure yet how ABC plans to bring this information into the show or if it is just for those who had the time and energy to put into following the online community of Lost. Thankfully we can now sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labors thanks to YouTube.