What are web rings

A.� A web ring is a group of sites with a similar content subject matter, linked together in a navigable ring.

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Q.� How do web rings work

A.� The basis behind web rings is that sites covering the same subject are organised so that visitors can move from one site that interests them to another.

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Member sites usually display a graphic on their home page stating which ring they belong to.

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You can also find directories of web rings, try http://www.webring.com

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Q.� What are the advantages of web rings

A.� You've created your site, uploaded it to a server, and registered it with the main search engines: now all you need are some visitors. With so many sites out on the web, the danger is that yours will just sit unnoticed. Web rings are a means of publicising your site for free: a sort of link but on a large and organised scale.

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Web rings are easy to join, an excellent means of increasing your sites awareness to someone who is interested in its subject matter and often supply use statistics, usually all for free.

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Q.� How do I join a web ring

A.� First, find out if there's a web ring devoted to your subject. A comprehensive listing of subjects can be found at:

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�http://www.webring.com.

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Then, have a good look at the rings for your subject and choose one that has a lot of professional, active member sites.

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Finally find the home page of the ring by following the link from any member site and follow the instructions to join. Generally this will mean filling in an online form and pasting some HTML code, sent to you by the ring's owner, into your home page. This code then appears on your web site as a graphic that states you're a ring member and provides a means of navigation around the ring.

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Q.� Can I start a new web ring

A.� Web rings are quite popular and there appears to be one for all subjects. However if you can't find an appropriate one then it's easy to start your own, again you'll find details at:

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http://www.webring.com.

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Creating your own web ring makes you the ringmaster, which confers the responsibility of maintaining a list of member sites. However, you also get to manage the look and feel of the ring.

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Have you got a question about promoting your web site Click here to ask.

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by Lisa Cardy