NEOPIA CENTRAL - So you're at that stage where Neopet's has become your first
stop on the Web (after e-mail). You realise your obsession can never be fulfilled.
That's fine. You notice that lately everyone's pet seems to have some kind of
trophy. You know that your artwork isn't nearly as good as those who enter the
Beauty Contest, or it is and you don't have a scanner.... You don't have a boatload
of Neopoints so Gourmet Club and the Book Award are out of the question. So
that leaves Pet Spotlight and Site Spotlight. Let's face it, I can't stand not
having my writing in pretty fonts so Pet Spotlight is out of the question for
me. Site Spotlight, that's what you decide. Well, I have a step-by-step guide
to making you're site, as pretty as mine (hint to Neopets!).
Step 1 - Keep the coding! Don't erase the Neopet's default HTML Coding
just yet. Instead go and visit the previous winners of the Site Spotlight. Their
pages are magnificent and can give you an idea of what you want your pet's page
to look like. Now I'm not saying be a copycat, but if you like how someone has
a coloured scrollbar, then by all means, make yourself a coloured scrollbar.
Step 2 - Brainstorm! Now I want you to visualise to yourself what you
want the site to look like, in other words, brainstorm some ideas. Since one
of my pet's has a type of fruit as it's name (strawberries14), I made her background
strawberries. If your pet has an item in it's name, might I suggest incorporating
that item into the site. It makes it snazzy and unique.
Step 3 - Learn HTML! Now not everyone is an HTML wiz, that's a given.
I hadn't heard of HTML or even knew what it was until a friend told me that's
what I had to use (now I'm an expert). Don't fret, instead visit a site that
helps you with learning HTML. That way it's not overwhelming. Neopets has a
nice one for beginners (no offence). Once you found one that you like (it's
colourful or has a lot of words or whatever's your fancy), USE IT!
Step 4 - Let friends evaluate it. You need input and ideas from your
friends to give your site that extra spice. Maybe they thought of something
that you might have overlooked, like marquees (the words that go across the
screen). Maybe they have art of your pet that you may want to put up there.
Nobody's site is ever perfect and can always be improved. And if they say they
don't like something, remember everyone has their own opinions. Getting responses
from other unknown Neopet users helps (ask in the Chat Boards). They don't know
you, so they don't care if something they say makes you mad.
Step 5 - Don't enter in the Site Spotlight just yet! There's still
work to be done. What do I mean? I mean there's always more you can do. Take
more evaluations, add more pictures, give links to other pages, give advice,
etc. Only when you are absolutely sure that this is a Prize Worthy site do you
enter the Site Spotlight.
Step 6 - Entering the Spotlight. I've entered three times and after
each time I always find something more to add, this may happen with you. But
remember that when entering, Neopets wont acknowledge your site if you try to
bribe them or threaten them (remember it's a game). And when you enter, don't
sit there for days constantly e-mail Neopets about your site, If you enter,
THEY GET YOUR ENTRY! If you find that Neopets didn't choose your site for the
next spotlight, then don't get mad. Instead go and play a game. Neopets has
a reason for choosing their site over yours. They like originality and not duplicates.
Step 7 - Winning the Spotlight! Now I've never gotten this far, but
when I do, one of the things you should do is thank everyone for all their help.
Then go and brag. No don't brag, but you should be happy and proud that your
site qualified as one of the best! Also be prepared for many Neomails and Neofriend
requests at that time.
For all of those you follow this guide, I don't guarantee you'll win but I
do guarantee that when you look at your pet's page, and see how much you accomplished,
you'll feel a great sense of pride. I hope that everyone learns something from
this article. | 
