Avatar News November 23, 2005

Writing the Web Way

Most people who visit your Web site or receive your email newsletter will never read them. What they're far more likely to do is 'scan' the text (see August's Scanners & Skimmers article). They'll then decide which parts of the text merit more of their time and attention. This means that to write effectively for the Web, a different technique to writing for print has to be used. Web writing needs to be clear, concise, informative and enticing.

Here's a few tips on what to make the most of in your Web writing technique:

• Meaningful headings and sub-headings
• Clear, informative copy
• Use of highlighted text and keywords
• Short paragraphs, each focussing on one idea
• Short to mid-length sentences
• Bulleted and numbered lists
• Half the word count of conventional writing

If the thought of Web writing gives you cold sweats and writer's block, don't sit and suffer - we can help. Contact us for more information on our Web Writing service.

New Faces at Avatar

The newest recruits jumping into the Avatar melting pot are a delightfully balanced blend of Pom and Kiwi. They're more than ready to take up the reins of 'friendly' in-house rugby rivalry.

In the All Blacks corner is Helen. Helen will be keeping the Avatar team on track by managing reception, administration, accounting, Web site hosting and HR. Helen is a super heavyweight in terms of organisation and is already formulating plans for the World Cup Rugby 2011. She's a devotee of the gym and known for pumping iron - so, don't forget to pay your bills on time this month!

The 'English Rose' in the other corner of the office is Steph. Steph loves to twist, tweak and twiddle with words, which makes her perfect in her new role as our in-house Web Writer and Optimiser. She's a lady that loves to tramp, yodel and mutter to herself as she writes - she's known for wearing black belts and is not in the least bit scary. Any questions about writing for scanners, readers and search engines? She's your gal.

Whizzy Widgets

This month's whizzy widget is a Fast Quote or booking form. It's appealing, it's effective and it's highly user-friendly. You can pop a Fast Quote form on your home page for maximum impact. Encourage your visitors to find the information they've come to your Web site for without delay! Fast Quote is suitable for businesses sending out quotes or availability details. Check out New Zealand Rent A Car's sterling example of the Fast Quote form in action.

Contact us today for more information on setting up this Whizzy Widget on your site.

Interesting Tidbits

• 200,000 and .nz is going strong. Internet NZ announced that the number of domains listed on the .nz register reached the 200,000 milestone. Go us!
• Online banking security fears. Online theft such as phishing, spyware, and pharming means that 18% of US bank customers now do not use or have substantially reduced their use of online banking facilities. It's good to know that online theft is less prevalent, however, than good old-fashioned cheque fraud!
• America abandons its basic principles. According to former US president Jimmy Carter, the US government's policies threaten the basic principles of the American way of life. His latest book releases this month, "Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis".
• 2010: A private space odyssey? The private sector may get the chance to pull its space mitts on. With the US shuttle fleet due to retire in 2010, NASA sees a role for commercial enterprise in the space supply chain.
• Are you using dirty power? The Clean Energy Guide shows you who the cleanest and most climate friendly electricity suppliers in your area are.
• Looking for some groovy green wheels? The very cool, new, hybrid Toyota Prius combines fuel savings with sleek styling. Avatar purchased a Prius a few months ago and Mark Rocket joins the ranks of the Hollywood luminaries who recently gave the car 10 out of 10.
• When do they get in? Did you know you can use search engines to check on the status of a flight already in the air? All you've got to do is enter an airline and flight number into the search box on Ask Jeeves, Google or Yahoo (data at the moment is mainly US and Canadian based).
• Preserving the world's work. And finally, the US Library of Congress announced the start of work with other nations' libraries to create a World Digital Library, which aims to feature millions of unique objects. Currently, the Library of Congress is in discussion with the National Library of Egypt to include Islamic scientific works from the 10th through to the 16th centuries. Google has injected $3 million into the project.

Sites of Interest

Here's a selection of sites we've designed and/or promoted recently...

• New Zealand Rent A Car (design and promotion)
  This network of car hire companies, with offices located in all major New Zealand centres, required a substantial virtual presence to compete in a highly competitive market. The network of Web sites subsequently created for New Zealand Rent A Car has been designed to establish their web presence and the company's brand. Web sites feature a Fast Quote facility and appealing graphics, which clearly illustrate the capacity of each rental car.
• Vending Direct (design and promotion)
  Vending Direct designs, manufactures and distributes state of the art vending machines in New Zealand. What they can't manufacture, they import. They offer flexible vending machine solutions for a wide range of establishments.
• Retrovend (design and promotion)
  Retro styling meets modern design. This site has been designed specifically to promote the Retrovend brand of vending machines. The site design consisting of smooth, sleek lines to perfectly complement the lines of the machines themselves.
• Stoffels (promotion)
  New Zealand online department store specialising in European, Pacific and New Zealand giftware. A site optimisation strategy helps Stoffels to deliver its quality brands to national and international markets.
• Life Coach Associates (promotion)
  Life Coach Associates offer training for life coaches and life coaching services for individuals and businesses based on a unique holistic and awareness approach.
• Envirowaste (promotion)
  The second largest operator in the New Zealand waste services industry, helping to keep New Zealand clean, green and disposing of waste in the most environmentally friendly way possible.