NetSecrets Blog : Web Design and SEO

New PlanetStream Website Launched

One of NetSecrets' major brands is PlanetStream which provides a range of services linked to the hosting and distribution of online video and audio content. This service covers on demand streaming, live streaming plus hosting of internet TV and radio channels.

One thing you'll notice on the new site is the use of a "video presenter". This comprises a brief spoken introduction to the site or section of the site as appropriate. If done badly this kind of thing can be irritating but done well it can impart a lot of information very quickly. Let us know what you think of it please.

The main services offered by PlanetStream are:

• On Demand Streaming
• Live Event Streaming
• Internet TV & Radio
• Production Services
• Secure Streaming / Digital Rights Management

The most exciting recent development has been the addition of the H.264 Codec to our range of encoding and streaming options. Known as the "HD Codec" H.264 gives remarkable results on both live and archived video. Its clarity and quality are better than anything else around and uses a bitrate that is compatible with the majority of ADSL connections, even the cheaper end of the market.

PlanetStream offer a free trial of the hosting service so call them on 01386 792972 or email helpdesk@planetstream.net for more information or to give it a try.

All industry forecasts are definite that commercial websites without video content will be left behind in the next year or so. Video is no longer a bit of fun or a "nice to have" for your website. It's becoming an essential!

The big boys, with their unlimited funds, are already doing it and so the smaller operator has to follow suit. Problem is if you use a low quality free service like YouTube you are shouting to the world that you are small time and cheapskate. Speak to PlanetStream to discover how you can match the quality and image of major players without busting the bank!

Dudley Solicitors Firm Launch New Website

William Wright and Son Solicitors have been serving clients in Dudley since 1919 with a broad range of legal services.

Their legal team are all Dudley people and so their local knowledge is pretty well unsurpassed and gives them a real edge over "out of town" rivals. Now they have launched a website for the first time with the help of NetSecrets to make it easier for local people in Dudley and the Black Country to find out about them and see what services they offer. These include:

• Advice on Relationship Breakdown
• Legal Advice on Children's Issues
• Wills, Probate and Trusts
• Elderly Issues - Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Liquor & Gaming License Advice

• Domestic & Commercial Property Conveyancing

As someone who has dealt with a lot of law firms I have to say they are unusually down to earth and approachable when compared with others I have met. I guess this comes from their Black Country background. I am sure no one need feel intimidated in dealing with this team so if you are local to Dudley bear them in mind if you need any legal advice.

New Website for The Instant Water Company

The Instant Water Company is based near Shrub Hill Station in Worcester and supplies water dispensers, vending supplies and heavyweight after-sales services to clients in Worcestershire and surrounding counties.

They pride themselves on the highest level of service so will not take on a job more than one hour's drive from their base, although they will often be able to recommend other distributors further afield.

We've known Andy Maynard and his family for many years through our association with BNI and know them to be top people who can be relied on completely. Now they have a new website it's even easier to read about their products and services and take up their offer of a 14 day free trial.

The site also explains the health benefits of drinking more water and the cost advantages of a water dispenser over using a kettle.

To find out more call Andy Maynard on 0845 463 6798 or fax 01905 617288 or email info@theinstantwatercompany.com.

Major Update to FastSMS Website

I know it's been a bit quiet here for a few weeks but that is down to a massive effort going onto improving our FASTSMS website and associated marketing campaigns as part of our initiative to grow our business despite the recession.

FASTSMS offers a wide range of internet based SMS text messaging services based on a network of servers in London Docklands that plumbs directly into the UK mobile network. That's what sends and receives the messages anyway.

At the user end there is a web-based sender (think Hotmail); a desktop based sender (think Outlook) and a few other options such as Email2SMS and a Developer API. The API (Applications Programme Interface) enables software to be linked into FASTSMS seamlessly for sending and receiving text messages.

The challenge has been to make the site work for both novices to SMS, who want to learn before committing to buy, and for SMS-savvy people who just want to see the basics and place an order. We've tried to create a natural progression for visitors that lets them branch out in different directions according to their needs. So the first page gives basic info and has easy access to the ordering page but also leads to a more detailed listing of features and benefits for those that want it, then a detailed explanation of pricing and finally screen shots of our interface.

The main sections are:

• Solutions
• Packages
• About Us
• Open An Account

Solutions, for example, is then broken down to make it easy to select between the various options such as:

• Web SMS
• Outlook Integrated SMS
• Email to SMS
• Premium SMS
• and more...

And each solution is then broken down into an overview, a price list, a features list, a screenshot gallery and an ordering page.

Sure hope it work! Will keep you posted.

Seltek Warehouse - Major New Online Store

We are delighted to launch Seltek Warehouse, a major new online store offering over 1700 UK manufactured products to companies in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. All products include images, full specifications and price details to make it easy for visitors to find what they want at an affordable price.

The products on offer include:

• Mobile Steps
• Trucks & Trolleys
• Workbenches
• Hazardous Storage Cabinets
• Platform Trucks

• ... and much more

Orders can be placed online or over the phone. Payment can be made by cheque, bank transfer or credit/debit card. Most items are on rapid delivery and help and advice obtained by calling 01386 793274 or emailing info@seltekwarehouse.co.uk.

Online Store for First4Safes

First4Safes represent most leading manufacturers of safes, fireproof filing cabinets, key storage and gun safes. Their new website makes it easy to buy their wide range online although you can always contact them for help and advice in choosing the best solution to meet your needs.

They have wall safes, underfloor safes and free standing safes for use in home or office; gun cabinets for clubs and societies as well as domestic enthusiasts. Fireproof safes and filing cabinets protect not just paper documents but also CD's and other computer media.

To contact First4Safes call for free on 08006 121160 or email info@first4safes.co.uk.

Labels'N'Things Launch New Online Store

Labels'N'Things are the experts in all aspects of plant labelling and offer a vast range of plant labels in different shapes, sizes, materials and qualities. As well as the labels they provide marker pens and labelling machines for adding the information to the labels and back all this up with free advice by phone.

Their new online store offers a wide range of gardening supplies as well as labels with all products well illustrated so you can see what you are getting before purchasing. They also offer items that are great as gifts for the keen gardener or nurseryman. Products include:

• Plant Labels
• Plant Supports
• Orchid Accessories

• Plant Ties

Labels'N'Things are always ready to advise on the best options and you can reach them on 01527 557990 between 9.00 and 5.30 Monday to Saturday and 11.00 to 4.00 on Sundays. You can also email info@labelsnthings.co.uk if that's your preference.

Ace Essentials - Office Supplies In Droitwich

Ace Essentials is a supplier of a range of office supplies, workwear, school uniforms, promotional items and more. Situated on the High Street in the Worcestershire town of Droitwich they provide great personal service.

Their High Street store is great to pop into if you want to buy on the spot, take a look at what's available or get advice from Eve and her team. Equally their new website is a good place to start to see what they offer in general terms and to understand the different ways you can do business with them.

The new Ace Essentials website is now live and features four main product areas:

• Stationery & Office Supplies
• Corporate Workwear including Custom Embroidery
• Schoolwear, School Uniforms & Other School Items
• Promotional Items

If you need anything and you are in or around Droitwich call in to see them at 57 High Street. Failing that call them on 01905 772652 or email info@ace-essentials.co.uk.

New FASTSMS Website Launched

After a lot of hard work we have set live this weekend a much improved new version of our FASTSMS website. Not only does it have a smart new look it also includes our latest product, SMSLook, which looks like MS-Outlook, works like MS-Outlook but handles text messages rather than emails. And finally the site is integrated with our new fully automated sign-up and ecommerce system.

For those who know NetSecrets best as a web design and web marketing company let me explain that we also have other strings to our bow and FASTSMS is the most developed of these. FASTSMS provides internet based text messaging services either through NetMessenger, our web-based SMS sender, SMSLook, our Outlook plugin for desktop SMS, or via an SMS API that enables developers to integrate SMS messaging capability into their own software products.

You can get a free trial of either or both versions and we also provide inbound SMS using Virtual Reply Numbers. These are standard 11-digit numbers, 07xxx xxxxxx, but connect to your NetMessenger or SMSLook account instead of your phone.

We've also put a great deal of research into how the site presents itself and gives visitors the information they need to make a decision whether to buy. This experience will help become ever more effective both for our own websites but also for those we build for customers.

UK's First Site Exclusively For Snowboarding Holidays

BoardYeti have just launched their new website, designed, built and promoted by NetSecrets, to give them the first site in the UK dedicated entirely to snowboarding holidays.

NetSecrets were involved in a Marketing Workshop in Bromyard just before Christmas and provided a prize at the event of a FREE website. This was won by local travel agents, Bromyard Travel Services, and enabled them to bring forward plans for an extra arm to their business, namely BoardYeti.

Theory is that it is difficult, especially in the current economic climate, to grow a business in a small town like Bromyard, solely with a conventional High Street,face-to-face operation. So whilst that can provide the bread and butter and continue an excellent local service, an advanced internet business, operating nationally, can bring extra revenue and give a boost to profits without the need for more outlets or moving to a bigger but less hospitable location.

Thieir research showed that there is currently no UK website focusing solely on snowboarding holidays - there are several providing snowboarding as an afterthought to skiing but what suits skiers often is little use to snowboarders.

Sounds like a winning proposition to me and we're confident we can get the visitors to the site so could be very exciting all round.