Avatar News September 30, 2008

Written By:: Brydie Meek
Edited By:: Mark Rocket
Published By:: Avatar Ltd

Greetings,

Spring is finally here! The team at Avatar is delighted that winter is over and we're keen to enjoy some sunny days ahead.

Since the start of the month we've noticed a big increase in the number of Web site updates. Is your Web site in need of a Spring clean? Read our section below Spring Clean Your Web Site to see if your site qualifies for a spring spruce up.

Also this month, we take a look at two new sites that have created some interest in the Web world. Check out our tidbits from around the globe and read about the recently launched site for our site of interest for September.

Special Offer
Spring Clean Your Web Site
What's New On The Web
This Month's Site Of Interest

Special Offer

If you missed our special offer last month - fear not! Due to popular demand we have extended our Premium Package special offer for New Zealand's premier online directory, NZS.com.

NZS.com is the largest searchable directory of New Zealand Web sites and receives over 800,000 page views per month. By purchasing a Premium Package with NZS.com your business will benefit from an increase of targeted traffic directed to your Web site through a marketing site, article and blog post. For more information see the full NZS.com Premium Package details here.

This Months Offer: We're offering to cut 10% off the regular price of a NZS.comPremium Package. Contact us by the 31st of October and we'll organise a great price of $675 + gst (regular price $750 + gst)

Spring Clean Your Web Site

Be sure your clients and customers are getting all the right details and give your Web site a Spring clean this September. Take a few minutes to go through every page and drop down box to ensure information is relevant and up to date.

Take a look through the list below and see if anything needs updating on your site, including:

Staff profiles
Prices
Product details
Contact information
Dates and times
Awards or prizes your company or employees have won
Accreditation
New employee profiles
Recent or upcoming events
Special offers

Need an update? Get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help you out with your spring cleaning effort.

What's New On The Web

It's been a big month on the Web. Making news around the globe was Google Chrome, an open sourced browser created by Google that was launched on September 1st 2008.

Big news in New Zealand was the unveiling of Flossie.com, a portal style 'masthead' site, targeting New Zealand women.

Google Goes Chrome

The eagerly awaited, beta version of Google Chrome was launched this month. The open source browser is a rival to Internet Explorer and Firefox, the world's most popular Web browsers. Google claims that its new browser, powered by Google Gears combines minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the Web faster, safer, and easier.

Some of the features of the new browser include:

Independent browsing. If one tab crashes, the whole browser won't crash
'Incognito' mode allows private browsing that won't show up in your Web history
Desktop shortcuts to launch web applications
Unsafe Web site warnings
A Java script engine built from the ground up
A default homepage that displays commonly used Web sites

If you're keen to give Chrome a whirl, you can download it here.

Flossie.com Launches New Site

Flossie.com launched its new style portal Web site this month. The Flossie.com site links a network of female centric sites and is targeted at New Zealand women aged 18-55. Viewers have access to over 500 articles covering areas such as fashion, health and parenting.

The Flossie.com Web site is the masthead site for a network of New Zealand sites including Fresh in the Kitchen, Kiwi Families, NZ Bride, NZ Girl and Thread.

The Web site is one of the first 'masthead network' models to be used in the Asia Pacific. The model has had enormous success in the US with Glam.com. The site links more than 400 Web sites and according to Flossie Media Group, reaches 77 million women every month and is now the biggest way to reach women in the US.

We'll be seeing a lot more Web sites like this in New Zealand, as media giant APN and fabulous.co.nz look set to launch their versions in the near future.

Tidbits

Good goats in Los Angeles. These goats are doing their bit in central LA. An environmentally friendly way to clear some land provides an interesting distraction for city dwellers.
Meet Mr Asahi. If you don't like impersonal bar service, this pub is not for you. A robot in the UK is now pulling beers for thirsty patrons in a London watering hole.
Watch your cash Mum and Dad. An eager young lad of five years old goes on a shopping spree spending a fortune with friends after delving into his father's safe.
A daily dose of battery power. Ever have your laptop battery die at a crucial moment? New technology could see you powered up for 24 hours.
A life saving jelly belly. Who says having a round mid section was a health risk? A man from Germany can thank his ample belly for stopping a bullet in its tracks.
Put a spring into your step with a New Zealand festival. It's been a long winter so get out and celebrate the change of season. New Zealand is hosting some amazing festivals and events this spring. Take a look at what's on offer across the country.

This Month's Site of Interest

Frienz.com

A brand new backpackers, Frienz.com, launched its stylish new Web site this week. The Christchurch accommodation provider approached Avatar to help them develop a funky site that would attract young travelers to their hip new backpackers. The team at Avatar headquarters was happy to help the Frienz.com team show off their innovative facilities. The end result is an attractive and fun Web site that will undoubtedly appeal to young adventurers.

The Web site features:

Flash animation
Stylish design and vibrant colours
Easy to follow navigation
Clear calls to action