Owning and maintaining a successful website is very hard. You have to have all the right elements in order for your site to thrive. In this tutorial, I am going to try and explain how to build a successful site. Since I consider Diversity to be successful...you may want to pay attention. ^^

Naming your site
Yes, I know. It sounds stupid but it's true. If you have a site that is named like all the other sites across the web...ex. Your Name's Kennel and Cattery...your not going to be very popular. Most people who start out their websites like this are consider beginners and don't recieve much traffic.

So...what is a good name? Well think about something that you like, something that will stand out from everyone else' site. Diversity is perfect example. It means to have variety. People will remember a site that is named something other than blah blah blah kennel and cattery. If you can't think of a good name, try the dictionary...there are lots of words to choose from. Most will make a good site name.

Layouts
Oh yes. You knew it was coming. The same problem with the layouts as with the names. People seem to "label' people for the look of your site. I'm not saying that you have to have great layouts like mine...just try and stay away from page builders and pre-made layouts from free web hosts.

I have made quite a few variations on making some layout designs, just experiment. It has more rewarding to make your own layout and have people praise you...than to have an already made layout. Also, try and be unique in your designs. Don't keep the same design for all of your layouts; switch them around. People like a little diversity. ^^

Content
Content is one of the most important parts of your website. Try and think of something that will make you stand out from the crowd. Come up with a wicked new game, or contest. Remember..there are hundereds of petz sites, what makes people come to your website?

Adoptions
quality or quantity?
Every website has to have adoptions. Where else would you get rid of all your petz? The thing is though...don't just cram some 1st generation petz up for adoptions...maybe breed some nice new mixies. You always want to keep track of the trend. If people want CKBCs or Aussies...then give it to them. I'm not saying make a thousand litters, maybe one or two. This is why most people abandon their petz sites. If people don't adopt...what's the point in having a site?

So...make sure that you have something that people want. Try and breed some new kinds of petz, hex something that no one has seen before. Once again, make sure people want to adopt from you. A final not on this subject...don't threaten to delete your petz. It doesn't work, and it shows that you really don't care about your adoptions. People don't like writing forms...so think about having a freebie site. Occasionally you can ask for a form if the petz is special.

Open close, open close. WTF!
This is something that bugs the crap out of me...and everyone else. Don't keep opening one site and then closing it down the next week. It takes time for people to hear the word about your site. And it takes time for you to know what it takes to run a site. If you start getting some traffic, then close, people are not going to keep coming back.

Just make sure that you take some time, give your site a chance, add some content.

Replying to Email
You always want to reply to your emails soon. People hate it when they have to wait to get their adoptions, their service done, or anything really. If you take more time to reply to some email...then let people know! Put up a waiting list on the requests page so people know how long they are going to have to wait.

Updating/Commitment
If you own a petz site...you owe it to your visitors to update regularly. People are not going to come to a site that doesn't update a lot. It's life..sometimes you go on vacation, well tell people what is happening. Don't just disappear. If you make a promise to add some litters soon, then keep it! It shows good character, and people start to respect you and your site.

Advertising
If you own a petz site, you have to keep on telling people that you're there and waiting for people to visit. But, don't be annoying. Don't go to people's sites...then on their tagboard ask if they will visit your site. There are lots of forums, and sites that will let you add your link. Make use of that. Comment on people's sites. If you like the layout, say so. They'll probably come to visit your site.

Time to move?
domain or host?
This is probably one of the hardest things to know when the right time is to buy a domain...or have someone host you. Let's face it, sometimes having .cjb.net address is horrible. You get tojans and viruses all over. Some people will not visit those sites..so try and stay away from that. All free web hosts are bad. You have pop-ups, ads and everything that people would love to get rid of. So, here's my advice. First get a free web host to start off with having a website. Get to know html and everything that it takes to own a site. Then you can ask someone if they can host you. Make sure you put effort into your website before you ask someone to host you...it shows that you don't want to waste their space. After you have gottne used to FTP or some other way of editing your website, you'll soon find that you will need a lot of space; for all your downloads and pictures.

The final step would be to buy a domain. What is the best? Well...my host is. Check back frequently at Ace Host. Don't buy anything but a special. Wait until the right moment to buy it. Always go for 3 years. You save a lot of money. Ask your parents to loan you money, or tell them it's for educational purposes.

Final thoughts/Summary
You always want to keep in mind that there are hundereds of websites out there. Try and think of ways that would make people want to come to your site. If all the sites only has adopt, about, and leave...well what fun is that? Try and give people a reason to stay at your site longer than they would at other sites. Just always remember to keep trying. If people don't like adopting bulldogs, then try something else. If you can't make a layout ask nicely for some help, or apply for one.