Contacting faculty, for the first time, after applying?

[misappthrope]

Is it inappropriate or unnecessary (or both) to email faculty whose research you're interested in after applying? Does not contacting them at all (before or after applying) affect the likelihood of your application receiving significant attention from those who would be most receptive to/interested in it? In most, but not all, of my SOPs I included brief, but detailed descriptions of how my research relates to theirs and how that makes me a fit for their lab and program.

Also, is it a minus if I don't have a significant online presence (I'm essentially a ghost/other people with the same name come up when you search for mine so that might be confusing/create a negative impression)? Should I create a presence now (e.g. make a website or something)?

 

Edited December 8, 2015 by misappthrope