The Net Untangled is a weekly column looking at the Internet side of the Radio Industry. You can read the Introductory column for a look at how to approach site design, and how to think critically about your site’s presentation.

Last week had some quick fixes to handle easy to solve problems with big returns. The next few weeks will be more of that, but first a look at the single most visible part of your website – the domain name.

The Net Untangled is a weekly column looking at the Internet side of the Radio Industry. Please read last week’s column for an introduction.

Before you answer the question of whether or not your website is a good radio website, you first need to know whether or not it serves “The 3 Needs” every website should serve. Always build the foundation before you start on the house.

For any type of website, people want:

1. Current, frequently updated content and links.
2. Easy to navigate and understand websites.
3. They want it quickly.

Like I said last week, if you have lots of money to throw at the problem, then you should build up a Content Management System, hire a full-time webmaster and graphic designer, etc. However, most of us don’t have that luxury in front of us right now, so the best thing to do is try to pick some of the Low-Hanging Fruit.

We here at Preppermint are exceedingly happy to announce that Adam Wilbur is now our Affiliate Relations Director.  Adam has a lot of experience in taking radio prep services to the next level, and we are excited that Adam will now be doing the same for us.  

This means that Adam will now be the main contact for all affiliates and the man to call if you want a free trial.  You can reach Adam at 559-237-0700.  Go ahead, try it.

If you're afraid of phones, well... there's something wrong with you, but who are we to judge? (I'm judging you)  Then, simply send us an email.  Either way, we'll get you started on a trial to see just what Preppermint can do. 

The radio landscape has changed dramatically in the past ten years. Ownership limits were removed and we saw the emergence of 5 or more stations in a cluster. Program Directors and Operations Managers now run more than one station at a time. With automation, one air talent is able to be on multiple stations in different markets.

For the internet, the change has been just as dramatic. Ten years ago, AOL was synonymous with the internet, Netscape and Internet Explorer were battling for browser supremacy and we could only dream of a 56K modem connection.

It despite all this change, many of the basic rules of radio remain the same. Pound your positioning statement. Repetition is the best way to make an impact with station promotions. Don’t give people a reason to scan the dial.

And despite the boom, bust and re-boom of the internet, where now 76% of all internet users and 91% of workers are getting online with broadband connections according to Nielsen//NetRatings, the same basic rules still apply to all websites – not just radio sites.

If you haven't noticed yet, I (Chris), am now a columnist for AllAccess, in addition to all of the things I do here.  I write the new column "The Net Untangled" as well as provide a daily radio-based web tip, cunningly entitled "The Net Untangled Daily Tip".  Yup, I spent a lot of time thinking that one up.  

The Net Untangled will appear each "Website Wednesday" in AllAccess's "Digital Technology" section, near the bottom on the left menu.  I'd link to it, but you need a login first, and you can't deep link into AllAccess, so you'd have to navigate there anyway.  The good news is that anyone can create an account at AllAccess - they're free!  Besides, if you are in the radio industry or have any plans of ever getting into radio, you have to check AllAccess regularly - as it is THE industry news source.