.
CARD
CONSTRUCTION
There
are options and what you select will depend on your expertise. The
basics are the same as developing a web site. If you are a "newbie"
we suggest you go HERE and
learn some of the Web Site basics. The only difference between a
web page and a card site is the card script. If you have the ability
to write you own card script bypass this section all together. As
we mentioned earlier there are options - and your choices are purchasing
a pre-written card script (there are also free card scripts available)
and developing your own site or using a card service affiliate program.
If this is your first attempt at a greeting card site, only want a personal
greeting card page or if you have very little design expertise then a card
affiliate service is your your best choice. Be aware - however
- that your choice will affect advertising revenues. Most free card
affiliate programs have restrictions on advertising
and
volume.
.
All
Scripts Are Not Created Equal
There
are some inherent problems with cyber greeting cards. Some are problems
with the way the scripts are written but most are associated with the browsers
on WebTv MAC and AOL older systems. If you would like a basic understanding
read AOL HELP WEB
TV HELP and HOW TO
SEND CYBER CARDS. The truth is that you may not be able to please
everyone and you will get e-mails from people that are having problems
sending or receiving cards. It just goes with the territory but before
purchasing a script find out what systems are best viewed with the particular
script.
When
choosing a script there are lots of features.
Here is a
basic check list:
Cards
With Animation
Cards
In 3D
Cards
With Music
Cards
With Poetry
Voice
Cards
Phone
Cards
Cards
With Custom Backgrounds
Cards
With JAVA
Cards
To Schedule For Delivery
Cards
To Use Senders Own Graphics
Cards
To Use Senders Own Music
Cards
That Notify Delivery To Sender
Cards
In Multiple Languages
Cards
To Send Anonymously
Cards
To Send As Attachments
Cards
To Send To Multiple Recipients
Cards
That Require Code To Retrieve
Cards
That Appear To Recipient
Cards
That Let Sender Customize
That's
about it - cards that have no features other than just sending a card have,
for the most part, become pretty much outdated. This list should
give you some guidelines as to the kind of script you will need based on
the features you want. If you do not understand these terms or have
no idea how they work go to our All4Free Cyber
Cards - visit our Special Feature Index
and send yourself some cards. Notice the card scripts on the features
that you like or that will work well with your card site.
FREE
SCRIPTS
Bignosebird.com
Freecode.com
HAMcards
Postcard
System
WebGrams
SCRIPTS
TO PURCHASE
AceCard
Brewster's
Postcard Service
CardBoard
Greetings
From The Heart
MyPostcards
Planet
CGI Internet Postcards
AFFILIATE
CARD PROGRAMS
All-Yours
Digital Postcards
Bravenet
Cybergreet.net
I-depth
My
Postcards
Talk
About Cards
TCM
Online
.
Graphics
& Design
One
factor in the lay-out of your card page(s) is going to be determined by
how the card script works and information that you will need to include
to provide directions on how to use the card, the number of selections,
preview buttons, send buttons, etc. Web Page Layout and Design is
covered in our Web Designers
World section. Information on domain names, servers, ftp and
html software can also be obtained in this section along with links to
graphic and music files.
.
Greeting
Card Promotion
Once
your site is complete and functional your will want to start your promotional
efforts.
1.
List With The Search Engines
Yahoo!
Alta
Vista
AOL
Infoseek
Excite
Hot
Bot
Lycos
MSN
2.
List With Postcard Directories
Of
course, you can e-mail us with
your site information -
include
both the site name and url. You can also go to
our
Greeting Card Indices
and e-mail your information to each of these Directories. Check to see
as some have submission forms.
3.
Barter Links With Other Postcard Sites
This
is a bit tricky - before you approach a card site for a link exchange check
to see if they are already linking with other sites. Some greeting
card sites have no links - some will only exchange links with non-competitors
and some are happy to exchange.
4.
Making Money
Last
but not least is trying to turn your card site into tangible rewards.
First, let me caution you that this is not easy. A greeting card
site does not guarantee that you are going to earn money. Many greeting
card sites are not profitable. It takes work just as if you were
running a business. We have tips on how to make your greeting card
site profitable
HERE!
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