Need some advice

[Adriana]

I have a Marketing/PR degree and have several years (successful) experience working with SEO/ecommerce. However, I have always relied upon our corporate IT teams to do most of the coding/programming. At this point, I would like to begin learning how to build the pages myself. I am familiar, but not an expert with HTML and can use FrontPage, and am learning Dreamweaver. Can you suggest which languages will be the best place for me to learn if I plan on continuing in the ecommerce Marketing/SEO arena -- and do you feel that it would be beneficial to get certifications, such as from Microsoft?

[ihelpyou]

Welcome to the forums Adriana! :hi:

For SEO you really don't need any expert design experience. You can always outsource any redesigns or complete site designs that you may need. Having the basic html skills is necessary and it sounds like you have them.

The big thing is knowing how to optimize and how to do keyword research, etc. This is where this forum comes in. :) Read up in here on all the info and ask questions about what you do not understand.

[Adriana]

Thanks...

I would like to better understand - and perhaps even be able - to also do some of the programming. I am having some difficulty communicating with my current IT team - as they are more focused on *FLASH* than function. My last IT team was great, especially in terms of taking my marketing ideas from the concept stage through to completion, and following good SEO practices.

While I know some HTML and the uses/concepts behind the languages, I am not too advanced at using them.

Also, the fact that I am not a "programmer" and do not always understand the technical language is used as a tool to prevent changing tactics to more of a SEO functional Web site. And of course, I would eventualy like to get out on my own -- knowing some of this would be extremely beneficial.

[Blue]

Hi Adriana, :hi: and welcome to the forums!

Learning how to code HTML and related languages from an SEO perspective is not that hard. Since your ultimate goal is to get out on your own, I would suggest skipping the certifications and move directly into utilizing the software you currently have (DW & FP) in a real world situation.

My recommendations for you are:

1.) Buy a good reference book on HTML and XML. It's nice to be able to have this reference at your fingertips. Que (http://www.quepublishing.com/) puts out great reference material. I bought their Platinum Edition Using HTML4, XML, & Java1.2 back in 1998 and used (and use) it daily. I would recommend finding an edition with a current publishing date.

2.) Learn CSS. The specefications are here (http://www.w3c.org/Style/CSS/) and there are many great sites that give excellent tutorials. As well, you might wish to purchase a reference book.

3.) Learn as much as you can about databases in general. Even if you farm out the database work, it's good to have a general idea about what your database engineer is up to.

4.) Learn as much as you can about setting up an ecommerce site.

5.) Start collecting knowledge about UNIX and Windows servers, OS's, and the back-end stuff related to hosting.

6.) Find a host and build your own site in order to learn all the ins and outs. Here's where you will really sink your fingers in and learn the most.

You could also find a charity/non-profit site or two that you can "volunteer" to redesign for free as a way to get your hands wet.

6.) Read up in these forums, as there is a wealth of material.

I'm sure others will have suggestions or alternatives as well.

Good Luck! :cheers:

[foghorn]

I'm in the same boat. I have a good grasp of SEO tactics, and of basic html. All of my work has been with simple pages using html and Dreamweaver.

But I feel I should have more knowledge of some of the advanced web page coding. Not so much to actually use it much, because my philosphy of web page building is content, quality, simplicity and speed. However, most of the web site builders who create sites to sell to mostly ignorant company vice presidents seem to be in the arena of huge, boggy, glitzy web pages. I need to at least be able to advise them on how they can create the boggy pages so they will have a chance for decent rankings.

I assume the first step is to get a decent knowledge of CSS? I assume they are using that a lot.

With my foundation of basic html pages and SEO background, would learning CSS be a good next step?

[Adriana]

Thanks, Blue.

Foghorn explained a little bit better what I was trying to say -- that I need to have a better understanding of the advanced coding.

(I picked up a good understanding of many of the things you mentioned in my position as Marketing Director for a dot-com, but I am clueless when it comes to doing them myself -- and understanding how they relate to each other.)

It's frustrating right now because I feel that in order to prove that this method of marketing will work for my current employer, I need to lead by example -- basically do a sample of the programming myself!

It's also frustrating to pick out (expensive!) computer books -- when you don't know enough to determine where to start (ccs, javascript, etc.) and which ones are really useful. I broke down and went to the library, all books are older, but if they a terrible atleast I can return them.

I've been gathering lots of good info online already -- that's how I found this place (I've been reading Jill for a few years) -- and I'll be sure to check out the books.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

:read:

[amica_webmaster]

This site, about.com's HTML/XML forum, has led me to many good articles and tutorials on HTML and related topics. http://html.about.com/mbody.htm There is a lot of good education to be found here free of charge. Jennifer Kyrnin is the moderator, her articles are particularly good, and she has written many of them.

[ihelpyou]

Welcome to the forums amica! :hi:

Yes it is, but too bad you are blasted by every kind of ad under the sun when you go there.... and then some more ppc ads that are everywhere. :)

[foghorn]

Thanks for the heads-up on the ads barrage.

When I know about that in advance, I just use Opera 6 browser, which allows me to easily stop pop-ups from popping. I use Explorer mostly, but if going to somewhere like one of the About.com pages, I make sure to use Opera to pre-empt the onslaught of popups that About inflicts on users.

I'm wondering if someone might not create a site with 30 or 40 popups, then contact some of these popup intensive site and say - go here.

[ihelpyou]

LOL. It makes you wonder if About employees have any sayso on the huge amount of advertising that site hands out? I doubt it. You also wonder who in the heck is in charge? :)

Comparing the about site to others,... and you just shake your head in wonderment.

[Clive]

This is my first post here and I wish to say thanks for all the good reading..:)

@Adriana..I'm probably in the other boat to you, with many years of programming/database experience and web page design.I feel I have to point it out to you that you have a long way to go, the best advice I can give you is to sit down and learn, read books and learn the applications.
There are no short cuts..just hard work..:)

I on the other hand I have had to sit down a re-learn all my web page design after reading this fantastic forum and after doing so have managed to get one site I was working on into a 106 place from a possible 614, 000 listings and some search engines a first listing, now you all might laff at this position, but this was from a non -ranked site!…and on my first go…:D
I have read all the information here after one SEO company tried to rip me off, they phoned up from the blue and tried to feed me all the crap, lucky for me I had a little knowledge and drew the conclusion he was talking crap, after research here(doorways, hiding text etc) I confirmed my suspicions… he was talking crap…and he was going to charge me £1,300!!
So I sat down one day and thought I need to learn this for myself, after trawling the net I came across the wonderful site, educated myself and applied it to the site I have been working on and google has just crawled it again so I hope to get it higher up.

[Futura]

When I first got into CSS I found it very difficult to understand. Even the books did not help much. But I found a site that helped immensely and would like to share it with you:
http://www.w3schools.com/css/
Also, Eric Meyer is a fantastic CSS Guru, and his site is filled with amazing projects and information:
http://www.meyerweb.com/eric/css/
Just take deep breaths, try simple things, and go from there. The site-wide changes you can control with CSS are powerful.

[ihelpyou]

Welcome to the forums Clive! :hi:

Thanks for sharing. Nice Job!

[excell]

When working with a team it is so very important that all work together with the one goal in mind.. it can be hard to juggle if there are big egos around.. that is where project management needs to keep a tight focus on the end objectives.

I can identify with Adriana's need to learn more of the other skill areas, but I would say it is far far far better to have others to add their skills to yours.

I would advise learning basic HTML.. so you can get in there are do what you want, but as far as back end scripting it is much better to have someone who you can trust to do what you want under your guidelines. Be clear about it.. make sure you get what you want.. they will make it happen for you.

I'm one of those all rounder type folks myself but in this game you can be sure I have a nice little collection of trusted folks (and yes they are mighty hard to come by) to provide their areas of expertise to a project.

There seems to be something about the way the brains of different folks work that indicates a great web presence that is well balanced in every aspect needs more than one person.

For example my "techy" is worlds away in thinking from my "graphic designer" both are worlds away from my department, they wouldn't have a clue about what I do, even though I have tried to teach over 4 years! Their brains just do not go there and neither does mine want to go into their lot..

[Adriana]

Thanks for all the great input everyone!

I've started working my way through the resources, it can be overwhelming -- but it is starting to make more sense to me.

While my immediate goal is to be able to better communicate with and essentially lead my coworkers to re-build our sites for great rankings, it takes cooperation and a willingness to learn on both sides.

And if not, then I'll be able to do my own -- with the aid of some trusted friends and great help from everyone here in the forums!


:lol:

[foghorn]

big egos around - how true...

[kneelsit]

Hi Adianna and welcome :hi:

http://www.webreference.com/html/tutorials/

http://www.htmlgoodies.earthweb.com/

These are two good places to start - the first in particular takes you carefully through step by by step.

If you get into trouble or need help there are some wonderful people in these forums who generously give of their time and knowledge.

It may take many months of hard work but the results will be pleasing I can assure you.
You will also have a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

good luck !

[Clive]

Nice and informative post...:rolleyes:

Originally posted by foghorn
big egos around - how true...

[Adriana]

I have checked out most of the resources I wasn't already familiar with, and have been reading some books and practicing. I'm learning quickly, but I have more and more questions!

You are right about having a great team... While I was able to accomplish more, much more quickly, with a solid team to support my efforts, my current situation is also giving me the chance to expand my skills -- always a good thing.

And of course, this forum has been one of my best resources.
Thanks everyone!