How many times have you refreshed the graphics or content of your website? Twice? Once? Not at all?

Many businesses are still hosting first-generation sites that went up at the turn of the millennium. Likewise, the majority of these sites are passé by today's "make-it-useful" standards. Sometimes embarrassingly so.

Internet-savvy businesses will refresh the content on their websites regularly. Think about the impression a site that's a year out of date will have on visitors.

It takes a little dated information for visitors to conclude they've hit a dead end . Plus, when a big-deal client clicks on your "urgent" invitation to attend an upcoming seminar, only to find that the event came and went a year ago he will feel annoyed and foolish. And you'll be toast.

So consider this a noisy wakeup call. It's the 21st century. Is your website still looking like it's 1999?

Site Specific Suggestions

Business sites obviously run a gamut. But for the purposes of site facelifts, differences boil down to how frequently you must make changes. Consulting services may update sites only quarterly or even annually. Ecommerce sites or research companies may require updates by the hour.

Whatever your needs, you can now find appropriate and affordable off-the-shelf software and third-party service providers to do the job. You can, for instance, put a fresh "skin" on your old site without disrupting any functionality.

Here are 11 ideas culled from web marketers and developers that can modernise your site without excessive costs.

1. Reduce the Number of Site Pages

Focus on redesigning only the core 10 to 15 pages, suggests Matt Greer, chief executive at Zeeo Interactive, a Web design services company. You can then archive any remaining popular or highly trafficked pages into Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word documents that are suitable for download.

2. Make the Site a Marketing Tool

If you're not yet capturing data basics, such as which sites and search engines visitors are clicking from or which pages get most visitors, get started now.

Use pre-packaged software or a web services provider to capture detailed information about site visitors. "The first question to ask is: 'When visitors come to your site, what do you want them to do?' " says Erin Duckhorn, spokesperson for Crucial Technology, an online memory upgrade provider. Once you have answers, you can define the tracking metrics and develop the content, navigation and structure that will quickly satisfy your targeted visitors.

3. Set up an E-mail Program

Create an incentive for visitors to register or give you their email addresses.. Once you have addresses, send out useful emailings. But make sure who have explicit permission to do so - and don't cause more harm than good by bombarding them.

4. Create an Online Reward for Prized Customers

Treat your best customers with perks or discounts. "You can give them their own area of the site without any special technology," says Wally Bock, a web consultant. You can also, of course, email special offers.

5. Speed Loading Time

Fancy graphics and animations are obstacles in the path of getting to information. Make sure your visitors can easily find what they're after.

6. Give Visitors Greater, Self-directed Control

In the past two years, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has reworked fairmonthotels.com [link] to expand online booking capabilities. Now, guests who make online room reservations can book dinner or spa services at the same time. The site has also added a "Fairmont Planner" that matches individual resort properties to guest profiles or needs, as well as a "virtual concierge" that offers more details about services.

7. Invest in a Content Management System

Stop relying on static HTML. Instead, invest in a reliable CMS (Content Management System) which lets you update your own website content without getting a developer involved. If you update content a lot, this will pay for itself quickly.

8. Ensure Visibility on Search Engines

The old home page of BreastCancer.org [link], a non-profit informational group based in Pennsylvania was dominated by a giant image of the organisation's logo, an illustrated character called Polly, which prevented search engines from finding the site. "The makeover moved a smaller Polly to the upper right corner of the home page and used text and text links to guide the not particularly Web-savvy users of this site toward the essential information they came looking for," says Ilise Benun.

9. Align the Site to the Organisation

You mighty've reinvented your business a half-dozen times over the past few years. How appropriate is your site now? What about secondary channels or pages? "Many businesses grow their sites in piecemeal fashion," notes Kevin McLaughlin at Public/i, a public relations firm. "As new sections are added over time, the same messages or positioning is not always reflected in the copy throughout the company's entire website." Make sure your site's messaging is always in tune with offline marketing.

11. Add Testimonials or Success Stories

"Very few sites do this and there's no question that they add major credibility for buyers," says Philippa Gamse, a web strategy consultant. Ask long-time customers for quotes or permission to post their case histories and their satisfaction with your services.

Any of these ideas will help update your online presence. But the real advice is simply not to get lazy. Pay attention to your website whenever you shift direction or significantly grow the business. All marketing and messaging must be seamless — consistent, uniform, multimedia and multi-channel.

Marble is a metamorphic stone, and its elegant look and strength has made it a preferred architectural material for both ancient and modern structures alike.

Marble floor tiles have been used throughout the years due to its unique patterns and colors. It is made up of relatively hard material, but is not as hard as granite. Marble is classified into groups A, B, C, and D, which indicate the fabrication ease based on the quality of hardness. Marble tiles tend to be veined.

Marble that is tumbled has an entirely different exterior from the polished version. These tiles have a porous, and sometimes even sponge like consistency. There are variations in color, but veins and other patterns are normally absent. The result is a floor that feels relaxed yet spectacular at the same time. Rough-cut stones such as limestone and slate have similar properties and appearance. These floor tiles are very popular for fireplace surrounds, bar-tops, and vanities. In certain locations and climates, marble may stain. However, with proper care and maintenance, marble is relatively easy to preserve. Marble floor tiles are available in a variety of color patterns.

Marble Floor Tile Variants

There is a wide array of marble floor tile variants to choose from:

- Polished: Tiles that have an elegant, high shine for a more stately and formal appearance.

- Honed: Marble floor tiles with an understated matte finish that softens the stone’s appearance, creating a casual atmosphere in any room.

- Patinato: Marble tiles with an antique finish that gives your room a reserved, old-world ambiance.

- Tumbled: A marble tile finish that offers you antiqued, ageless style in neutral colors.

The beauty of a marble surface can last an eternity if it is properly maintained. Marble is generally more porous than granite, which makes it easier to stain, and it is not recommended for kitchen countertops. Marble is generally suited for walls, fireplace surrounds and mantles, bathroom vanity tops, and some floors.

Marble Flooring Color Types

There are plenty of marble floor tile color schemes to choose from, and it would be best to consult with your folks at home, or from an architect or interior designer, to choose the best accent for your home or office. Among the notable marble floor tile colors are:

- Brown-white marble. The shade of this marble tile is commonly a blend of brown and white, which would look well bedrooms and living rooms. Some tiles may contain small holes; however it provides a cooling effect since it doesn’t hold heat for long but absorbs cold conditions. Some tiles may also have a peach-colored shade.

- Brown marble. The brown marble tile may vary from red to tan to brown. The patterns may also be either beige, flesh or black. This tile is generally placed in bathrooms and terraces. Brown marble presents an earthly tone that best compliments areas with plants and white decorations. The contrast between the brown floor and light decors create a soothing effect.

- Sichuan marble. Sichuan marble tiles tile have a white, immaculate look. Generally, tiles like this are mostly used for fireplaces and statues, but it could also provide a very classic detailing to floors. The graining is very light or fair which often has a black color. Sichuan marble floor tiles are best placed in areas where there is a lot of light.

You've decided to incorporate your business, but aren't sure how to proceed. Incorporation is a process that involves lots of decision-making, paperwork, and legal processes. Thankfully, you don't have to go far to learn the ins and outs of incorporation. You can now incorporate online with helpful services that are just a click away. Here are five good reasons to incorporate online.

1. Never Leave the Home or Office

One reason to incorporate online is you can get all the help you need from the comfort of your own office or home. With online incorporation, you'll have all the facts about corporations at your fingertips. The incorporation services provided online usually come from those who are experienced and can provide you with the paperwork and guidance needed to ease the process. You'll save time and many headaches by using an online incorporation service and you won't have to run from one place to another trying to determine what is needed.

2. State-by-State Incorporation

No matter what state you plan to incorporate in, you can incorporate online within minutes. Many online services are equipped to handle incorporation paperwork in multiple states. The services can provide you with detailed information about the state such as the fees to incorporate a business, total cost for incorporating, how long the process will take, and the steps or paperwork required to incorporate in that particular state.

3. Incorporate Quickly

Some online services may offer expedited incorporation services. This service can be useful if you need to incorporate your business in a hurry. Expedited service often costs a little more, but can be well worth it if you need it fast. By choosing this option, your business might be incorporated within 10 days or less.

4. Know all the Facts

When you incorporate online, you can know all the facts about incorporation before deciding to take that final step. You can take time from your home or office PC to read about forming a corporation, the requirements involved, and the pros and cons of incorporation. This will enable you to make an informed decision and determine the proper direction for your business.

You can also compare different forms of business, such as Corporation, S Corporation, forming an LLC (Limited-Liability Company), sole proprietorship, and partnership. For instance, to form an LLC and a corporation is similar in some ways, but very different in others. LLC formation should be carefully compared to incorporation before making a decision.

5. Save Money

To incorporate online is often more affordable than hiring an agent or attorney to do the paperwork for you. Online services are able to operate with minimal expenses by providing Web forms and information via the website. These savings are passed on to you and enable you to incorporate your business with a minimal investment.

These are only a few reasons to incorporate online, but there are many other benefits. Discover all that incorporation can offer for your business today, and watch your business soar to new heights!