What Is an ASP File? Files created with Active Server Pages have the extension .ASP. This story is an example; take a look at the address above. With ASP files, you can activate your Web site using any combination of HTML, scripting such as JavaScript or Visual Basic?

Is It Hard to Use? I don't know about you, but whenever people start talking about doing things on the server, I start to get nervous. I think a lot about threading issues, synchronization, and generally stuff without a user interface. I assume it's going to be hard to do. Well, using ASP is about as easy as anything I've come across in years.

Aw, Mom. Not Another Object Model! I really hate doing this to you, but I'm going to have to use that overused and overcomplex term "object model" again. Here's how it works. When a browser requests an ASP file from your Web server, your Web server calls Active Server Pages to read through the ASP file, executing any of the commands contained within and sending the resulting HTML page to the browser.

One web designer pointed out that it takes around 50 milliseconds for a visitor to decide whether or not they like a website. This seems like a rather short amount of time, and it is. However, it does not seem so far fetched when we consider our own viewing and browsing habits. Generally, we know the information, service, or product we seek; the more obviously, reliably, and aesthetically these can be delivered the more likely we are to use the website accessed instead of searching for another, 'better' one. With so many websites popping up on any Google search most of us maintain a low threshold for abandoning a particular website for another, potentially better one, down the list. In other words, good design means good first impressions. The longer the colors, format, content, structure, etc. can keep a visitor at the website, the better your chances that they will find what they need, buy, bookmark, or come back.

It should also be said that good design is not simply a functional characteristic toward which one should strive. The design says something about your organizations attitude and image. "Design", as one designer put it, "is what articulates your marketing message." In other words, the relationship between marketing and design is similar to that of thought and message. A marketing plan is impotent until implemented through design. Regardless of the quality of your product or service, it is the design which first must communicate the value of the product or service in question to the consumer. These are but the main reasons good design is so important; there are more. When setting about to put your presence on the web take some time and find a designer or design that is 'right' for you.