Should a VAR take on another software package? Given the average suggested retail price of the software reviewed is about $450, the gross profit (if sold at list) would amount to $180 per unit. In addition, not every client would need nor want this type of management program, where is the return on investment?

VARs involved in any type of Web work (Intranet,Internet or Extranet) will find one or more of these tools can add greatly to your bottom line. Based on testing, even a moderately involved site can become a managerial nightmare. Multiple links between internal and/or external pages, page redesign and the site's general upkeep make it quite difficult to find and change every possible copy of every link that needs it.

Testing identified previously unkonw problems in the test stie. Those problems have been present for at least six months, but no one managing the site notice. It's impossible to remember to check all pages for for potential pr9oblems without a Web Site Management Tool.

Every time a site modified, the possibility for creating broken links increases, and that leads to a loss of viewers. In addition, with links to an external site, it inevitably means that one of those links will go bad. The Web Site Analysis tools assist in locating and fixing those bad links.

VARs get value added dollars because they either a client's staff on the product's use or emply the product in-house to increase productivity. VARs with Web site maintenance contracts will decrease the time spent on "fishing" for bad links, incorrectly formatted html, bad graphics, and pages that load to slowly.

The Tools that provide web activity also greatly increase your ability to either sell the software (and training) or enhance your value added services. Finding pages and/or sections with low readership shows areas for improvement. Redesign or replacement of the links to these sections may increase reader usage.

VARs that create or manage Web sites or sell Web tools should have one or more of these products on their reference shelf, or their product sheet and in their marketing plan.

Wayne Spivak is President of SBA * Consulting®, an IT consulting firm in Bellmore, NY, and SBA.NET.WEB®, an Internet & Web consulting firm.