Website Questions

[YellowShadow]

I was wondering, since the game I'm currently developing is not in a state to have graphics put on a website should I wait until I can put game graphics on the site or what? I've been browsing through some game developers websites (not indies :() and I saw a lot of their game art/graphics used in the site. I want your opinions on this.

One example is the LucasArts website. If you click "Welcome" at the top you'll see that most of the buttons on that page use the characters from Lego Star Wars.

I also plan on doing the website in Flash. This will be my first ever Flash website so I don't know how it'll look. Is this a good idea or what?

Thanks,
YellowShadow.

[Pkeod]

Definitely wait... focus on finishing your game first and then worry about your web-site.

Flash is not a good idea if you want your web-site to be listed on search engines. Use Flash for non-text stuff like game play video examples.

[Qitsune]

If your domain is not yet registered and you know what you want, don't wait though! Many registerer let you personalise your parking a bit so just add a few lines saying you are making games and the site is coming soon.

[YellowShadow]

What should I put as a placeholder then so if people visit my website they'll know what the company is and what we do.

[Pkeod]

As much as you feel is necessary to describe what you are doing... but if you have nothing to sell then no flashy website will be able to sell it for you 8)

At the very least have a place to collect people's e-mail addresses so that you can send them info when your project is ready.

[Nikos Beck]

Get a domain and post something simple. Provide a short paragraph on your company with contact information.

If you have a screenshot or logo, post only one with the name of the game. Don't speculate about a release, don't date the site. You want to have something parked that people can see.

Adding anything else will require maintenance and take time away from your project. Once your project is done, you'll be able to flesh out the site while you work on the next project.

[YellowShadow]

Thanks! I'll do just that :)

[YellowShadow]

I have another question related to this.

I recently started developing software with the same name and I want the site to host the software and games. Are there any changes to the 'game' only website or I can go ahead and do the same thing I originally planned.

[YellowShadow]

If I wanted a portal site, is there a way I can get a PHP script for a portal site? I don't have the time to write one, but I don't want to buy. So is there a free portal site script?

[mrobert]

A small placeholder, some info, and perhaps a newsletter, would be good.

[weguwe]

If I wanted a portal site, is there a way I can get a PHP script for a portal site? I don't have the time to write one, but I don't want to buy. So is there a free portal site script?

Try reflexive.com for a ready made game portal. Should not take more than a couple of minutes to put on your site.

[JohnStar]

If those images are copyrighted you shouldn't really take them, the website can take you to court for an illegal copyright offence. Better to be safe than sorry lol

[datxcod]

Definitely wait... focus on finishing your game first and then worry about your web-site.

Flash is not a good idea if you want your web-site to be listed on search engines. Use Flash for non-text stuff like game play video examples.

I wouldn't say that, I bought my first domain a year ago and I did a little test with a simple flash site, the name of the domain was original and after a month or so, I went to google to search the name of the site and it appeared as the first link on the top list and I didn't have any product selling. I would say that even if you haven't finished your game it's a good idea to buy one. And making your site in flash doesn't mean that everything is going to be "flashy" with animations and sounds. I've done a lot of web development and flash sites are way easier to create, maintain and update than an old xhtml/css/javascript site. Of course there are other options like joomla.

[Qitsune]

Of course if you buy oofagradputine.com and later you go on google and search oofagradputine, your site will be on top, no one else will right oofagradputine on their site. But seriously, casual gamers will search for games, not for oofagradputine.

[datxcod]

Of course if you buy oofagradputine.com and later you go on google and search oofagradputine, your site will be on top, no one else will right oofagradputine on their site. But seriously, casual gamers will search for games, not for oofagradputine.

I said original (and easy to remember) not cryptic what does oofagradputine mean ?. The best way to come up with an original name is to choose several easy words and create combinations with them. Of all the game companies out there, the ones that I always seem to remember are: rockstar games, lionhead, bullfrog, maxis, running with scissors. A few indies companies that are easy to remember: puppy games, outside the box, last day of work, big fish,etc.

Though my point was not the name of the site, but that making your site in flash is not going to prevent search engines from listing your site in search results.

[Qitsune]

You were still searching by it's name, not by the content in it.

[YellowShadow]

Guys I really need a game portal software. If the owner of one of the casual game portal sites can help me out that would be great!