Interested in your own World War II Online™ themed webring? You've come to the right place, then! Everything you need to know about your ring maintenance is here... if you have any questions or problems, please email ringmaster@ring.wwiionline.com. We'll be happy to assist you!

Let's get started, shall we? Let's begin with a few helpful lessons. No worries, they aren't that difficult. You can always skip straight to our Terms of Service Agreement and register your webring, then come back for the tutorials/help section.

1. Decide on a topic for your webring (of course, World War II Online™ related!).

2. Decide on a title for your webring.

3. Make or obtain a logo for your webring (hint: be aware of any copyrights on images you use!).

4. Make a home page for your webring.

5. Create the navpanel(s) you wish to use for your webring.

6. Click here after doing steps 1-5 to create and install your World War II Online™ related webring. Once installed, visit the "Ring Admin" page, login, and customize your webring's admin pages as follows by clicking the "Customize" button!

7. Edit the HTML default code Navpanel to your requirements, set up the join and edit forms on your home page, and then be the first to join your webring, so as to test everything out.

8. Edit if necessary the email messages that are to be sent out to new applicants.

9. Using your e-mail software, create the message templates that you will be sending out to these various applicants once they have joined.

10. Post your webring's website to at least 2 search engines. (Google and The Open Directory Project are excellent starting points).

11. Announce your webring in the various announcement lists. You may have to join the list to post to it. (want to get your new webring announced in the alt.webrings.announce newsgroup? Just send an e-mail to Debby T at confused@cableone.net with *webrings announce* in the subject line (please be sure to include your system/ring home page address and your contact information in the message body so that replies or inquirers can be sent to you).

12. Post your webring to at least 2 directories (Ringlink Ring Directory and The Webring Directory are two good places to start).

13. Do a search on the topic or theme of your web ring. Visit the listed websites. If they are a good fit, send them an invitation.

14. Search for other webrings on your topic at the other less reliable webring systems such as WebRing, SiteRing, and RingSurf. Visit some of the websites in those webrings. Send invitations to those websites that you would like to have join your more reliable webring (no digs intended but well, you know how these "other" rings keep changing hands lately).

15. Post your webring to "free-for-all" lists, forums, and newsgroups related to the topic or theme of your webring (Do not spam these Newsgroups, and ensure that you read any guidelines before posting!). This may not be too effective, but...why not.

16. Maintain Your webring at least once a week. Visit the Queue, and check all inactive websites regularly. Add those with the HTML code for the Navpanel on the correct page, and delete the duds. Send an appropriate e-mail to the ones that can't be added yet. Check applicants that have been in the Queue for your allotted time. Delete those that have exceeded your limit, and send them an appropriate e-mail.

1. Check the entire webring for correct HTML code Navpanels. You can use the "Check Sites" function. Sites move. Sites close. Member websites are not always careful to change their website's information when moving to a new website. Do not let them "break" your webring. Set those websites to "inactive" and e-mail them gentle reminders that they need to update their information.

2. Keep your home page updated and error free, and consider setting up a forum for your members and having a domain name for your webring (This allows you to move your webring to a new web host if your present web host crashes and burns without having to ask members to update any of the URL addresses.

3. Have Fun! :-)

Your webring's home page is where your members will learn about your webring and decide if they want to join it. It should contain all the information about your webring, such as its purpose, the kind of websites that belong, and the rules/terms of service for becoming a member.

Above all else, there should be a link to your 'join' page (If separate from the home page) for all potential new members.

There are many things on the home site of The Official World War II Online™ Rings that you might also like to add to your webring's home page. For instance, it is a good idea to have a form(s) on your webring's home page like was done here for members to choose their ring, enter their ID and password, edit their information, or join the webring.

The home page can be as fancy or as plain as you like! Just make sure that your visitors can find the information they need easily, and provide an e-mail link so that they can reach you if they still have any questions, suggestions, or comments. It should also have your graphics on it for new members to copy, and an example of your navpanel(s).

From your World War II Online™ combat unit's many personal webpages to units of common special interests such as geographical or military branch, this is the place to have your World War II Online™ webring hosted!

One of the most important parts of your webring is your home page. Here's tips on how to create a success.

An explanation of what it does and how to create your own. Remember, your navpanel is the most visible advertisement you have!

Very important information! What's necessary for maintaining your webring!

Having a problem finding the perfect background for your World War II Online™ website? We have a small collection of backgrounds which happen to match our variety of Official World War II Online Ring™ banners. Free for the taking - and you don't have to be a ringmember to use them!