The use of API (application program interface) services have actually been here for years, but they have been here in very obscure usage.  When AJAX applications or old-school DHTML type client side mark ups are in place, the DOM (document object model) API is accessed.  In this case, web pages get manipulated and it often goes unseen.  The web buzz over the last couple years has been the integration of APIs services from major web platforms such as Google Maps, YouTube, Amazon, Ebay, PayPal, and many more.  These major web brands are effectivly opening up their vast arrays of content for website owners to utilize on their own sites.  This means all kinds of great things for developers and website owners.  Many of these API protocols can be effectively “mashed up” to offer deep content and functionality.  Payment gateways are other API usages that are becoming very common and a great way for ecommerce sites to handle the checkout end of things.  PayPal and Google Checkout have pioneered this trend allowing their credit card and payment services to be embedded within your website.  This approach of using APIs services for checkout, provides far less technical barrier to entry than does the complete setup of an SSL layer.  As we read this text new and exciting API services are being created and offered up for your website.

When it comes to the design of the website style does matter.  There are many elements when it comes to style in website terms.  There are the elements of style such as color, which work together to create the larger elements of style such as flow.  There are very subltle elements of uniformity when matching color and also typography.  A uniform design is best achieved using CSS (cascading style sheet) to set the design standards from the top down.  Attention to detail and persistance at creating uniform style leads to the best presentation and overall flow.  This simple design fundamentals will help users reach the most amount of content and spend the time necessary to effectively receive your presentation.

Creating an area for website users to login and conduct website related activities is one of the most common requests we hear from website owners.  This is best achieved by using PHP and MySQL database.  PHP (Pre Prosser Hypertext) is able to create secure sessions in the browser making for an area that requires authentication.  PHP works with MySQL to match user data with corresponding authentication requirements to log users in with the use of Cookies and Sessions.  Once users are logged in, they can then, within a relatively secure environment access information provided to their users area via MySQL.  There are many applications for a user login, but all require a scripting language and a web based database.

Thank goodness for the W3C.  The W3C has set the standard for what proper coding is, and all layouts need to conform to this web standard to achieve maximum usability.  The W3c validation service is of fundamental importance to website owners both in terms of accessibility and useability.  Websites need to be accessible not only to users, but to friendly web spiders used by search engines such as Google and Yahoo.  A page that has been validated by the W3C ensures your website structure is to the current web standards.  The W3C is the source that markup such as HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, DOM standards and more derive from.