The greatest breakthrough of the Web 2.0 age is the advances made in web page coding. Previously, an interactive web page would require you to click on the control to trigger the action, then the request would be sent to the web pages server, and you were stuck waiting for the page to reload. This is an inconvenience on your part, as you are stuck waiting. Similarly, if you are the owner of the webpage, it is an inconvenience to your users to have to wait. Furthermore, if you are offering your services or products, you are losing potential customers and gaining downtime on your webpage.

But AJAX, which stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a new type of web coding technology which allows you to create an interactive website that does not need to reload and communicate with the server every time an action is taken. For you as a web page owner, this means faster loading times for your customers, as well as more interaction with the page on the end users' side.

AJAX uses a combination of Java, XML, HTML, and CSS coding, all rolled into one to create a unique and interactive web pages.

Are you wondering where AJAX has been employed on the Web? Ever used Google Maps? Google Maps allows you to drag the map, zoom in and out, as well as set markers on the map without the need to bee constantly interacting with Google's server.

If you want to create a unique and interactive webpage with less loading time, allowing your members to view more in less time, AJAX coding is the way to go.

Last February, I received a call from a man in Wisconsin asking about my writing services. He was particularly interested in having me rewrite the copy on his Web site. I was very surprised and wondering how in the heck he got my name. Then he mentioned something about my being my Internet hosting service's "customer of the month." I was very pleasantly surprised. After I spoke with him, I logged onto my email and there was an e-newsletter from my host server. And, yes, I was the "customer of the month," and my Web site was the featured site for the month.

Of course, I quickly hastened to my site and checked the traffic. I was up to over 300 visits to my home page for the morning, and the day was to end with 796 visits! I don't believe I'll ever see numbers like that again. I also received several other calls from people interested in my services.

It wasn't a complete surprise that my site was featured. Last year, I had filled out a "success story" response form on the company's site. I was later interviewed and told that I would be used as a case study. But the case study never materialized so I had forgotten about it. Thus I was very pleased when my site landed in their e-newsletter as the featured site.

My host is one of many companies where you can register domain names and get your business online. They will build a site for you; or, if you are cheap like me, you can build your own.

When I began my business a few years ago, I waited a whole year for my brother who owns an ad agency in L.A. to professionally build my Web site for free. Now he's kind of successful, and he didn't get that way by doing a lot of free work for relatives. At the time, my server was doing a lot of radio advertising claiming you could "build your Web site in 20 minutes." One day after nagging my brother once more, he became exasperated and said, "Why don't you just build your own."

So I did. I called the company and they provided templates and lots of help. I chose an animated template with a layout ideal for showcasing a portfolio. There was a bit of a learning curve. I had to play around and call for help a few times. It took me longer than 20 minutes; yet, technically, the commercial was accurate: you could really get a home page up with your contact info in 20 minutes. I believe I spent about 20 hours to get my Web site to the point where I was willing to "publish" it.

One of the advantages I have found about building your own Web site is that you don't have to rely on an outside Web Master to update it. Sometimes those fellows are swamped and it can take awhile. If I want to put a new project in my online portfolio, I can do it in a few minutes. Or if I want to add something new to my list of services, I can quickly type it in and it's done.

I found a huge difference in how I was perceived in the business community once I had a Web presence. Suddenly, I was taken seriously. These days when someone asks, "What's your Web address?" you should have it ready. And it should never be "under construction." Visitors find that very irritating. It's really not that hard to get a presentable Web site up.

As I mentioned earlier, there are numerous places where you can go to build a Web site. Just Google "do it yourself Web site" and you will get numerous options.

It is very inexpensive. My site costs me less than $100 a year for 20 pages. Some places are even cheaper. Compared to the thousands of dollars one can pay a Web designer, it's a sweet deal.

That's not to say that I don't believe in professionally designed Web sites. I still want one with more bells and whistles. I'm just waiting on my brother.

(Since initially writing this piece, my server has made the process even better. It's more professional, a lot more pages available ... and more bells and whistles.)

Today more and more number of IT companies is outsourcing their web development services to developing countries like India. There are plenty of good quality outsourcing web development companies located in India and provide a ready resource of quality talent.

So why outsource?

There are many reasons why many a web development company in India has received lucrative outsourced projects from abroad. Most IT companies find that they incur greater cost savings by leveraging services from a web development company India. In addition to that most of the Indian software engineers possess a high quality of education and even language does not pose a problem as with other countries such as China etc.

Much more than cost savings!

There are several benefits an IT company can obtain by outsourcing its web development services to India. While earlier the main focus used to be on cost savings, today the reason India is a preferred outsourcing destination is because of the high caliber of talent here. The Indian standard of education is very high and hence the quality of engineering talent is also high.

Realization of ROI

By leveraging dedicated website development services in India, many foreign companies are finding tremendous benefits, not to mention an almost immediate realization of ROI. With dedicated timelines and strict adherence to project schedules product launches are made on time, with the result that the IT company can now begin to realize ROI that much faster.

Flexible engagement model

In addition many web site development company India are following a stringent and highly process oriented engagement model. That means that irrespective of whether the IT Company is a start up or a full fledged organization, the relative go to market timelines will be eventually accelerated.

Non-core issues handled

Apart from this several outsourcing web development companies also seek to undertake infrastructure issues. For example a regular ODC modeled company that also incubates the client's development facility will most often take care of tertiary issues like HR, legal aspects as well as recruitment functions. That also means that the IT company can now focus on only its core competencies as most tertiary aspects are handled by the outsourcing company in India!

Domain expertise

Many companies located in India specialize in dedicated niches of various industry verticals. That means that no matter what your niche is or what category your product belongs to, India can deliver high quality web development services. The engineers here possess a high quality of domain and technical expertise. India is preferred for outsourcing projects not just for cost savings but also for the quality of services offered.