:: General Marketing Articles
NEW - Gaining
in Google - Google tends to not rank new domains.
In an effort to deter spammers from generating new
websites, Google has implemented filters for new websites,
which means that it can be a challenge for a new website
to rank in Google's organic search results until they
are deemed trustworthy.
NEW - Choose
A Domain - Choosing a domain is one of the first
steps in establishing an online presence. Changing
a domain after-the-fact can be time consuming, and
can be harmful to search engine ranking, so it is
best to get it right the first time around. Follow
these simple steps to select a domain name that will
represent your online brand...
NEW - Value Ad
- Made for AdSense Websites - Who wants to make
money from AdSense? Or a better question: who does
not want to make money from AdSense?
NEW - Avoid
Duplicate Content Penalties - Representatives
from the major search engines have all made it clear
that they prefer search engines that contain unique
content.
NEW - Performing
Better Searches - Performing and perfecting search
engine results can save web surfers lots of time and
energy. Understanding the nuances of searching allows
researchers to immediately drill down and locate the
information they are seeking, without having to wade
through a myriad of irrelevant search results in the
process.
NEW - How
is Your Business Different - Creating a marketing
and business plan for a small business can at times
seem like an overwhelming task for a new business
owner.
NEW - Website
Sales Purpose - When designing a website, it is
important that webmasters ask some general questions
before they begin the design process...
NEW - Web
Log Analysis - Everyone who understands Internet
Marketing will tell you to analyze your web logs...
but what does that really mean? What particular things
should you pay attention to when analyzing your web
logs?
NEW - Avoid
These Common Web Mistakes - Webmasters need to
avoid making these common web design mistakes. Website
visitors who have a pleasant experience on a website
are more likely to trust the website, and as such
they are more likely to purchase products from that
website.
NEW - ROMM
- The Basics of Search Engine Optimization - The
formula for webmasters looking for success with the
search engines is ROMM (Research, Optimize, Monitor,
and Maintain). Here are some helpful tips and details
about each portion of the ROMM concept...
NEW - Web Design
Q&A - How much do you know about web design?
Take this web design quiz to find out how much you
know about web design...
NEW - HTML
Web Templates - HTML website templates can significantly
ease the burden of designing and creating websites
by providing webmasters with a ready-made web layout,
structure, basic graphics, and color scheme. Templates
can generally be edited and customized with any HTML
editor. The biggest advantage for webmasters using
ready-made templates is the amount of time that can
be saved. There are a number of websites that provide
ready-made HTML templates. We have compiled a list
of some popular sites to make the search process easier.
NEW - Internet
Marketing Resolutions - After looking into my
crystal ball, I have made a cluster of predictions
about what will be hot, and what will be not so hot
in technology for 2008.
NEW - 2007
Reflections, 2008 Predictions - After looking
into my crystal ball, I have made a cluster of predictions
about what will be hot, and what will be not so hot
in technology for 2008.
NEW - What
is Hot and What is Not in Technology for 2008
- After looking into my crystal ball, I have made
a cluster of predictions about what will be hot, and
what will be not so hot in technology for 2008.
NEW - Reputation
Management - None of us enjoy having our name,
our company, or our product smeared and sullied online.
Online libel is difficult, if not impossible, to prosecute.
Learn to use the tools within your grasp to manage
your reputation and minimize the impact of any defamatory
comments.
NEW - Free
Web Marketing Tips - Not all web marketing needs
to cost money. Aside from website submissions, there
are a number of things that web marketers can do that
are free, though they may be rather time-consuming.
Other marketing tactics are relatively inexpensive,
and are often well worth the investment.
NEW - Business Card
Tips - Networking is an invaluable opportunity,
and one that should not be wasted. In order to maximize
networking, it is strongly suggested that all business
professionals carry business cards. The business cards
can be exchanged during introductions, both as a convenience
and as a memory aid.
NEW - Politics
and the Internet - Can, and will, the next generation
of politicians exploit the communication mediums available
to them? Will the new communication mediums have the
power to influence public opinion? Will politicians
be the victims of technology, or will they use it
to their benefit? Will one party benefit from the
use of the technology more than another?
NEW - Basic
Color Theory - It is important to understand how
the color has been used in a political and historical
context as well as how it has been used in past and
current trends.
NEW - Social
Bookmarking Quiz - Take this Social Bookmarking
Quiz and determine how much you know about
the collective voice!
NEW - Technology
and Politics - Americans have always had a say
in their government, at least in theory. Since the
Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, the United States
of America has been the “land of opportunity,” where
even a lowly log-splitter, exercising sufficient brains
and dedication, can raise himself to the highest executive
office.
NEW - What Makes
a Good Logo - A logo is a design, graphical representation,
image or symbol that represents a business or organization.
Logos were initially used to distinguish and differentiate
products, the logos assisted purchasers in finding
the product they prefer or have come to trust (or
not trust).
NEW - Listen
to Your Customers- Mastering the art of managing
customer complaints can seem like a thankless job,
but keep in mind that for every customer that shares
their worries, concerns or complaints, there are likely
more that did not express their dissatisfaction, and
instead simply moved on to a competitor.
NEW - Common
Errors that Kill Search Engine Ranking - Tricking
the search engines just does not work. The search
engines do not look kindly upon webmasters who attempt
to deceive the search engines about the content contained
on a webpage.
NEW - Getting
Press Coverage
- Press exposure can significantly impact a small
businesses' success. Press releases are not just for
big businesses; many small businesses find press releases
to be an inexpensive way to gain exposure and attention.
NEW - Keep
Your Website Search Friendly
- Too many web designers are graphic artists that
excel at image manipulation, but lack a basic understanding
of search engine optimization. Web design and search
engine optimization (SEO) should not be mutually exclusive.
Webmasters should have a clear understanding of both
design techniques and how the search engines work.
NEW - Royalty
Free Stock Photography - Stock photography websites
contain thousands of existing photographs that can
be licensed for specific uses. A customer who uses
stock photography instead of hiring a photographer
can save time, effort and money.
NEW - Copyrights
and Trademark
- What is a copyright and trademark.
NEW - How
Unique is Your
Business - All business owners like to believe
that their business is in someway unique or unlike
any other business. At its core though, how different
are small businesses really?
NEW - Where to
Locate Quality Stock Photo - Professional photographs
in a website give the website a professional look.
Many webmasters do not realize that photographs are
copy written and in many cases illegal to use a photograph
or image that you find on the web without properly
licensing it.
NEW - Building an Image
with a Logo- Website design can be elusive to
even creative individuals. Sadly some webmasters do
not realize their incompetence and they post websites
that have grainy graphics and turgid colors. If you
are one of these webmasters and have seen the error
of your ways, consider this. Your website is a sales
tool.
NEW - What
is Hot and What is Not in Technology- With web
content and syndication growing at a rapid pace locating
information is becoming more of a struggle for web
surfers. The abundance of content has made filtering
critical to time management. As a result, content
filtering and solutions that help with content filtering
will be winners in 2007.
NEW - 2007
Websmaster and Small Business Reosolutions - Each
and every year people around the world mark the first
day of the New Year with resolutions. They resolve
to do a wide variety of things, and while few resolutions
are actually kept, the tradition is a hallmark of
the holiday each year.
NEW - 2006
Reflections, 2007 Predictions - For the most part
in 2006, the world escaped Natures wrath, but people
were far less kind to their neighbors. 2006 is scarred
not by the winds and oceans but by political turmoil
across the globe. The Middle East quagmire is the
epitome of how wrong things can go, with the war in
Lebanon, infighting in Palestine, Iran's nuclear ambitions,
and Iraq's sectarian violence the deepest scars of
2006 were self inflicted with man being his own enemy.
NEW - Link
Love vs Link Bait - As a webmaster, it is important
to develop a link strategy. Unless you have a massive
brand with a reputation and following, it is unlikely
that the masses will simply saturate your site with
deep links.
NEW - Unique
Selling Proposition - Leverage your business by
defining and using a USP in all aspects of your business.
NEW - Content Rich
Websites - Content rich means different things
for different individuals, because what one person
finds useful, another may not. Content rich is all
about providing information that is considered valuable
to your target audience.
NEW - A Look
at Slogans - A slogan is a memorable phrase used
in conjunction with a political, commercial, or religious
advertisement. Slogans are used to convey a deeper
meaning. Slogans can be used to elicit emotions, or
the slogan might paint a visual image that implies
something more.
NEW - My Google
Wish List - There are a number of "wishes" that
I have for Google's future. While I would like number
one ranking for all of my important keywords and phrases,
but I would be willing to settle for Google acknowledging
at least a few of my wishes that will benefit the
search community as a whole.
NEW - Webmaster
Tips - According to Matt Cutts, there are over
100 factors that affect search engine ranking. For
those of you who don't know, Matt is a Google guy
guru, he is employed by Google but writes an independent
blog and shares information related to Google and
search engine optimization.
NEW - Tips
for Spying on the Competition - The old adage,
"keep your friends close, and your enemies closer",
is applicable not only to personal relationships but
business relationships as well. While I'm not suggesting
that you befriend your competitors, it is important
that you are cognizant of your competitors' business
ventures and methods.
NEW - What
Are Content Rich Sites - If you are like many
of those who started out with intentions of making
millions online and are struggling to capture the
attentions of the large search engines, you are in
good company. Times have changed, and due to the low
cost of entry, the online world is becoming very competitive
for businesses starting out.
NEW - An
Internet Marketing Quiz - Take a quiz to determine
how you would fare as an Internet marketer.
NEW - Why
Pay for Advertising That Does Not Yield Sales, Increase
Your Conversions - Before you part with your cold
hard cash, consider various ways to increase and maximize
your conversions. The term conversion simply represents
the number of website visitors that take the action
that the web publisher desires. In most cases, conversion
refers to an individual browsing a website and purchasing
the product(s) or service(s) being sold.
NEW - Compelling
Articles Make Great Content - Articles are excellent
tools to generate web traffic and product interest.
Writing articles, may sound easy enough, but it is
important that you write the proper types of articles
to attract interested readers.
NEW - Anonymity
of the Internet - Attempting to legislate the
Internet will not work, as the Internet is global
and covers areas where no single government's rule
applies. The jurisdiction issues make the Internet
a haven for fraudulent and illegal activity.
NEW - Keep
Children Safe Online - There was once a time when
you only had to worry about children when they were
outside or not at home. Those times have changed.
Strangers can now enter your home, without a key or
coming through a door.
NEW - Credibility
Online Coming Into Question - Credibility online
is becoming more and more of an issue. Anyone can
have a blog or post to a forum and anyone can edit
wiki entries. Web surfers are beginning to comprehend
that just because it is in print does not necessarily
mean that it is true.
NEW - Everything Webmasters
Need to Know About Linking - Websites that are
able to amass a large number of links from related
websites that contain relevant content, tend to have
an advantage when attempting to rank well in the large
search engines.
NEW - Safety Online
- The proliferation of computer technology and
emergence of the Internet has enhanced the lives of
children and adults. Increasing productivity and efficiency,
the Internet is a powerful educational tool, and it
provide youths a vast amount of information.
Search Engine Tips
- Not only do you have just a few seconds to grab
the attention of the web visitor, content developers
must perform well within search engine searches so
they are "found"when web surfers search
on related keywords or phrases.
Networking
for Business - Associations and trade organizations
are great places to meet individuals. Usually organizations
have a common theme, and it is an understood implication
that all members participate to improve themselves
and their businesses.
Google Paranoia?
- Anti-Google sentiment is on the rise. Web pundits
have tossed around monopoly theories and privacy advocates
have warned of a day of reckoning. While Google has
made friends on Wallstreet, it has disappointed the
technical evangelists who were once its fiercest followers.
Writing PR - Distributing
a press release to editors and news organizations
is only half the battle. Writing a press release that
will be published by the media is equally important.
Press releases are public relations opportunities.
Kinds of PR - While
controversial issues frequently attract attention
they can also alienate potential customers. Sometimes
it is better to put a positive spin on public relations.
A typical press release announces new leadership,
products or services, but consider mixing it up a
bit. A well written press release can be published
increasing brand recognition and exposure. With that
in mind, consider distributing press releases for
a variety of topics.
AdSense Tips - AdSense
allows website publishers to display contextually
relevant advertisements on their website. If a web
visitor "clicks" on an advertisement, the
web publisher will earn a percentage of the advertising
revenue generated as a result of the click. Many webmasters
have built content websites around the Google AdSense
model.
Organic Search Engine
Optimization - The fabled tales of successfully
tricking search engines into high rankings have given
way to a new truth, to achieve decent consistent ranking
you cannot engage in tricks but on focused optimization
done in a professional ethical manner. According to
search sources, with the latest Google update, there
is no longer an even playing field when it comes to
search placement.
Web Applications
Vs Desktop Software Solutions - There has been
a long running debate about web applications replacing
desktop software applications. While some functions
are better suited to web applications. It is my belief
that security concerns and legacy systems will prevent
desktop software from becoming obsolete.
What is Google
Base? - In order for Google Base to succeed, it
will need the support of both publishers and users.
Quite frankly, most are having difficulty seeing the
value in Google Base. Google Base, is a new service
in beta, from Google that requests that publishers
add their information to the "Google Base".
Top 10 Tips for Unique
Content Creation - A website is more than just
merging photos and graphics. Webmasters must also
integrate quality themed content into their website.
Online Business
Resources - As the web becomes increasingly more
crowded, it is important for webmasters to take the
extra step to make their web sites user friendly.
There are a number of free resoruces available to
webmasters.
What is Web 2.0
- There has been a lot of chatter lately about Web
2.0, as if the Internet is a versioned software application.
So what is Web 2.0?
Website Resolutions
- Revamp your website. The Internet is evolving at
a rapid pace, and websites need constant maintenance
and occasional overhauls. As the search engines improve
their algorithms, website copy and designs will need
to be updated. Here are some starting points:
2005 Reflections and
2006 Predictions - 2005 literally took the world
by storm. The tragedies of the Asian Tsunami, the
Hurricanes that blew through the US Gulf Coast and
the earthquakes that swallowed parts of Pakistan have
left an indelible mark on 2005. While mother nature
cast a shadow on 2005, it was technology that delivered
the impact that resulted in a huge outpouring of donations.
Undervalued
Marketing Opportunities - Marketing online has
become fiercely competitive. Marketers are attempting
to unravel and decipher online marketing to succeed.
Some argue that there should not be a distinction
between traditional (off-line) marketing and online
marketing.
Educated Consumers
- Not too long ago, a colleague asked me why we invest
so heavily in consumer education. We have made a conscious
decision to spend marketing dollars on consumer education
for a very simple reason. Educated consumers are simply
better customers.
Web Directories
- Web directories are an important component to search
engine positioning. Directories come in all shapes
and sizes, some are generic, while others are highly
specialized.
Content is King
- Content is truly king, the fresher the content the
better the site. What many webmasters fail to realize
is that there is an endless supply of content on the
web that is freely available to webmasters.
What is Creative
Commons - Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization
that allows artists, authors, publishers and musicians
the option of creating and defining a flexible copyright
for their creative works.
Long Term vs Short
Term Marketing - In order to create consistent
sales cycles and a positive growth trend businesses
usually engage in both short and long term marketing
efforts.
Copyright Infringements
- I've always been of the opinion that competition
is a good thing. It encourages all of us to be better
and make better products. While it might be true that
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, copying
someone else's work is simply wrong.
Pay Per Click Definitions
- Pay-Per-Click marketing has become an online
phenomenon, with marketers only paying for traffic
they receive. As Internet marketing has evolved, pay-per-click
is seen by many as the middle ground between paying
per impression and paying per sale.
When Something
is Free Online - Realistically, consumers
subconsciously assume free means free, and while that
might be the initial intent rarely is it the case.
What is Wiki? -
Wikis generally allow web pages to be written,
edited and created collectively in a web browser.
Wiki supports hyperlinks and simple text. Most Wikis
are open, and allow any user the ability to edit the
contents of a Wiki web page.
Developing Content Portals
- Highly targeted, focused sites that are
related to specific market segments are highly advantageous
and can often be created using existing web content.
The key is to provide value.
Google AdSense's
Evolution - The dot-com balloon is said
to have burst but savvy publishers have grabbed the
coat tails of the Google search monster and employ
Google AdSense on content-rich websites.
The
Power of Topic Specific Search Engines -
Simply put topical search engines are search engines
focussed on a specific industry, sector or topic.
10 Tips for
Blogging - There are no hard and fast
rules on how to blog. Having said that, bloggers will
likely increase their exposure by following some simple
blog guidelines.
Determining Keywords
- Determining keywords is a critical step in web design.
If your website and meta tags do not contain related
keywords, web surfers will be unable to find your
website when they conduct searches.
Understanding
Web Logs - General web statistics give pertinent
information about website visitors. Webmasters analyzing
these statistics have a better understanding of who
their website visitors are and how they perceive the
website. A lot can be learned by evaluating navigation
patterns, most-viewed pages and exit pages. Deciphering
web logs could easily become a full-time job. The
information that can be gleaned from close log scrutiny
is extremely valuable.
Webmaster Tools
- With new technologies, algorithms and sources emerging
on a daily basis, webmasters are constantly struggling
to stay informed. The quality of content on the web
and the number of products available to webmasters
can seem overwhelming. The goal of creating a site
that can be quickly found can be a struggle.
Tools for
Online Tracking - In order to determine which
advertising and marketing efforts are effective you
must have ways to measure the results of those efforts.
Alerts and instant notifications can be instrumental
in monitoring search engine position, trademarked
terms, monitoring competitors and staying abreast
of online occurrences.
Internet Communication
- How do we keep Internet communication simple? Let's
start by taking a look at the different methods used
to communicate on the web. It is important to understand
the nuances and benefits of the different forms.
Understanding Affiliate
Programs - Affiliate programs are commonly misunderstood,
in order to understand affiliate programs lets start
with terminology. For clarification purposes, an affiliate
is defined as any "referrer" or website that promotes
a product in an effort to earn revenue.
Relationship
Networking - Relationship networking is simply
the art of meeting people and benefiting from those
relationships. Often the benefit of these relationship
is to obtain information and leads to further grow
your business.
Adware, Should I
be Afraid? - Developers offering downloads are
paying the price for the malformed truths that have
been put forth regarding downloads. While not a political
campaign the smears are ever present in the adware
arena.
What is an Acceptable
Response? - Some small businesses are afraid to
reply to customer queries off-hours, fearful that
the message time-stamp will betray them as a small
business. The Internet however is timeless. The fact
is customers appreciate a quick response.
Understanding
Google AdWords - Google AdWords provide an inexpensive
advertising venue for businesses to advertise products
or services to a targeted audience. Advertisers have
the ability to control their budget, target their
advertising based on keywords.
Understanding
Google AdSense - Google AdSense allows webmasters
to dynamically serve content relevant advertisements
on web pages. If the visitor clicks one of the AdSense
ads served to the website, the website owner is credited
for the referral.
Website Globalization
- The Internet has unlocked a wide array of markets
and knocked down barriers that previously prevented
merchants from marketing their products on a global
scale. There are a number of ways to 'globalize' a
website and broaden a businesses general appeal to
an international audience.
Email Management
- If you utilize a computer at home or work it is
likely that you use email. Email is an electronic
message that is sent from one computer to another
following a specific protocol (Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol or SMTP). As email's popularity has grown
so too have the inherent problems with email.
The Value of Forums;
Finding Forums - When used properly forums can
be an excellent business tool and resource. By providing
well thought out, helpful responses posters can develop
a reputation as an industry expert.
Be Prepared in the Event That
Computer Disaster Strikes - Businesses and individuals
alike have all grown to rely on computers. The reliance
is never more apparent than when something happens
to the horrid little box that makes our lives easier.
We expect computers to react a certain way, in certain
situations. It nearly always comes as a surprise when
the beloved little box, know as a computer, refuses
to boot up.
Google Contest - Nigritude
Ultramarine - Search engine optimization experts
are having fun with Google. Experts, with DarkBlue.com
at the helm, are holding a contest to determine how
Google really works. Experts are competing, with the
goal of optimizing a webpage for a non-sensical phrase:
'nigritude ultramarine'.
Secure Passwords
- As the web has evolved, so have the methods of collecting
personal information. A large number of websites require
visitors to register to gain access or participate.
While the need for registration is understandable,
tracking user names and passwords can be burdensome.
Consider using software to store your passwords, in
a safe accessible manner.
Etiquette - In order
to effeciently communicate on the Internet it is critical
to understand the unwritten rules of email communication.
Please use these tips as a guideline to online email
communication.
Affiliate
Communication - When building an affiliate network
communicating with affiliates is important for merchants
to maintain a good relationship. An affiliate's web
site targets visitors, who may not necessarily view
a merchant's web site, and therefore expands a merchants
market. An affiliate may not be able to actively keep
up with the merchants product, it is important for
a merchant to keep affiliate's informed about new
product information, sales, new releases, links, graphics,
promotions and special offers.
Tips for Keeping
Your Children Safe Online - Parents are constantly
struggling with ways to keep their children safe online.
The Internet has a global reach and at this point
no bounds, or limitations. Outside of installing filtering
software children should be educated in order to protect
themselves to this virtual monster. We've put together
a collection of ten tips that should be observed while
surfing online. At the very least these tips will
prompt family discussions regarding safety.
Affiliate
Alternatives: Google Adsense - Google's Adsense
program allows approved websites to dynamically serve
Google's pay-per-click Adword results. This has become
a popular alternative and an effective revenue sharing
program for webmasters. Google's spider parses the
adserving website and serves ads that relate to the
website's content. While the Google's Adsense program
still has some issues, they are making efforts to
improve it.
Please feel free to repost these
articles FREE of charge.
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