Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Is Your Online Business Generating Enough Backlinks?
By Kristina Crosby"
There is nothing quite as important as generating traffic to your website with internet marketing. While there are several ways you can generate traffic, it is vital you have as many website backlinks as possible. The problem is many do not know how to create backlinks for their business.
It really does not matter how you get backlinks, just as long as you have links on the internet for people to get to your website. You probably have heard that all traffic is good traffic or all backlinks are good backlinks. While this is true, there is such thing as wasted backlinks as well.
The point is you want to get your links in places where people who may be interested in your website will be. There is no point in getting backlinks in a gardening category or website if you have a home business website. Place your links in logical places that give you the best chance to increase your traffic volume.
There are several ways you can create backlinks that will better your business. An extremely effective method is to post in forums that give you the opportunity to create a signature. This way every time you post in those forums, you have a link in your signature that people can see.
One of the more common methods is writing articles and submitting them to article directories. You can then place your website link in the resource box giving you a website backlink. As you submit your article to article directories, you can place them in specific categories to reach your target market.
If you are looking to get your link on a particular website that already receives a lot of traffic, you can do a couple of things. You can pay to have a text link or a banner ad placed on their website. Or you can offer to give the site owner something for free like an e-book or web content in return for a free link.
Perhaps the most common method, though, is link exchanges. This involves you trading your link for another website owner's link. You are agreeing to place their link somewhere on your website for them placing your link on theirs. The hope is visitors to their site will see your link and make their way to your website.
Web site backlinks are crucial to having success with an online business. It gives people that more of a chance to find their way to your website. And with the competition online as stiff as it is, it is up to you to do whatever you can to set your business apart from the rest.
This is both an exciting and frightening time for me as I wade through this virtual online world of Internet entrepreneurs. I invite you to visit my blog and leave any questions or comments you might have.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristina_Crosby
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Building Niche Sites That Sell
By Khaled Taleb"
When selling one product on a website, you do not need to create a fifty page website complete with flashy ads, lots of graphics, and other tricks that other online businesses do to increase awareness of their site. Because your product will be popular for a shorter amount of time, spending hours and hours finding the right fonts, creating articles, and customizing the sequence of the pages is not worth it.
Keep in mind that your niche group is hungry for information they are unable to find anywhere else. This means they will not need as much encouragement and pushing to place an order.
If you are the only game in town, chances are you will receive business regardless of whether you have pretty graphics and expert formatting on your website. A simple site that highlights the features and benefits of the product will do well.
You do not have to be a computer genius to create a professional looking website that promotes your products.
Since you will be using other forms of marketing including PPC, keywords on your site, and joining forums and creating blogs, your website will mostly be used as a platform to accept payment after a customer orders your product.
Your web host will have many templates to choose from when the time comes to build your site. Most niche marketing sites contain a sales letter page explaining the benefits of purchasing the product.
Sales letters also include links to purchasing your product; offer a free gift, or bonus report that entices people to make a purchase immediately.
Images of your product will also help when making a sale. Depending on the amount of information you want to share with visitors, most sales letters are between two and eight pages/screens long.
Another benefit of niche marketing is that you don't have to spend days creating a website. By using templates, writing an effective sales letter/page, and adding a few images, you can create an efficient website in a day or less.
And that resource is my e-book "Developing A Niche: What Does It Take ?" This is indeed an amazing book that will teach you everything you need to know about identifying and developing your very own niche market for generating sure-fire profits and wealth. Everything in this book comes from the real life, real world experiences of successful business owners who are just people, exactly like you.
Don't worry about your level of education or business experience, because whether you are a seasoned businessperson or a complete newbie to the world of niche markets and online sales, this book contains the vital information you need to succeed. It takes you step by step through the right processes to identify and develop the hugely profitable niche market that will generate the huge profits you want and deserve.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Khaled_Taleb
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Search Engines and Directories
It is important that we understand the difference between Search Engines and Directories.
It is the dream of every internet entrepreneur to have lots of traffic to his or her website. After all, without a steady stream of visitors to your website, how will you earn your online fortune?
The first place you should go when you need a quick traffic feed is the search engines. A top ranking in one of the major engines is the most effective way to increase the traffic to your website.
Albeit, you should however know that statistics show that most surfers never search beyond top 30 results they receive. In fact more than 40% of web surfers will stop reading after the top 10 results! With that in mind, your goal should be to get top ranking positions in search engines for the terms most frequently searched by your target audience.
Getting top ranking in the search engines, however, is not as easy as it sounds. You need to learn the “right” techniques if you want to ensure that your site is well ranked. You need to take advantage of the search engines and build your traffic base.
But first, you need to understand the different types of search technologies being used by your audience and how you can use them to your advantage.
So, what is a search engine? Basically, search engines are programs that use “spiders”; also referred to as crawlers, robots and bots, to crawl the web and automatically index your website based on algorithms (mathematical formulas). Sounds confusing?
Well, for now, here’s what you need to know. The first thing you need to understand about search engines is that in order to get listed in the search engines, you need to submit your website to them. This is to ensure that the spiders find your site and index it.
The second thing you need to understand is that search engines algorithms are constantly changing. What works this week may not work a month from now or even two weeks from now. As a result, submitting your website to the search engines and then forgetting about it is risky. Your listing needs to be optimized and then maintained if you want to generate the traffic that a top spot can bring.
Search engines are not the ultimate answer to dreams of internet success for most online business, but they are definitely a good start. Search engines continue to be a great source of cheap and often free traffic for website owners who are willing to learn the rules required to snag a top ranking spot.
If your website ranks under the keywords most frequently searched by your potential customers, search engines can also be a great source of highly targeted traffic for your website. This is traffic that you can easily convert into subscribers and sales provided your opt-in and sales process is doing its job.
A directory on the other hand, is a compilation of websites that is created and maintained by human editors rather than electronic spiders or robots. The editors review submitted sites and then rank them based on specific criteria.
One of the best examples of a directory is Yahoo, where reviewers organize websites by major topics and sub-topics. Another well known directory is the Open Directory Project (www.dwoz.org) which prides itself on being entirely free, run by volunteer editors who work to provide useful results to searches.
It is the dream of every internet entrepreneur to have lots of traffic to his or her website. After all, without a steady stream of visitors to your website, how will you earn your online fortune?
The first place you should go when you need a quick traffic feed is the search engines. A top ranking in one of the major engines is the most effective way to increase the traffic to your website.
Albeit, you should however know that statistics show that most surfers never search beyond top 30 results they receive. In fact more than 40% of web surfers will stop reading after the top 10 results! With that in mind, your goal should be to get top ranking positions in search engines for the terms most frequently searched by your target audience.
Getting top ranking in the search engines, however, is not as easy as it sounds. You need to learn the “right” techniques if you want to ensure that your site is well ranked. You need to take advantage of the search engines and build your traffic base.
But first, you need to understand the different types of search technologies being used by your audience and how you can use them to your advantage.
So, what is a search engine? Basically, search engines are programs that use “spiders”; also referred to as crawlers, robots and bots, to crawl the web and automatically index your website based on algorithms (mathematical formulas). Sounds confusing?
Well, for now, here’s what you need to know. The first thing you need to understand about search engines is that in order to get listed in the search engines, you need to submit your website to them. This is to ensure that the spiders find your site and index it.
The second thing you need to understand is that search engines algorithms are constantly changing. What works this week may not work a month from now or even two weeks from now. As a result, submitting your website to the search engines and then forgetting about it is risky. Your listing needs to be optimized and then maintained if you want to generate the traffic that a top spot can bring.
Search engines are not the ultimate answer to dreams of internet success for most online business, but they are definitely a good start. Search engines continue to be a great source of cheap and often free traffic for website owners who are willing to learn the rules required to snag a top ranking spot.
If your website ranks under the keywords most frequently searched by your potential customers, search engines can also be a great source of highly targeted traffic for your website. This is traffic that you can easily convert into subscribers and sales provided your opt-in and sales process is doing its job.
A directory on the other hand, is a compilation of websites that is created and maintained by human editors rather than electronic spiders or robots. The editors review submitted sites and then rank them based on specific criteria.
One of the best examples of a directory is Yahoo, where reviewers organize websites by major topics and sub-topics. Another well known directory is the Open Directory Project (www.dwoz.org) which prides itself on being entirely free, run by volunteer editors who work to provide useful results to searches.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Book " eBay Income"
"An excellent resource for all those who want to become serious eBay sellers!" --Angela Adams, Editor
“Cheryl Russell has done a great job of explaining all the ins and outs of becoming an eBay seller.” --Jackie Ness, Editor
The above are a couple of positive reviews noted on the book "eBay Income: How Anyone of Any Age, Location, and/or Background Can Build a Highly Profitable Online Business with eBay"
eBay has changed the way products and services are purchased all over the world. Daily over 1.5 million online customers and providers log on to bid and sell virtually anything that can be bought or purchased. In 2006 eBay sellers are estimated to post $22 billion in sales. There are businesses earning $1 million a year selling products on eBay today. It is estimated that more than half a million people make full-time incomes just with their eBay business.
eBay also allows you to run a business that requires no advertising costs. This expertly written new book will show you how to take advantage of this business phenomenon and arm you with the proper knowledge and insider secrets. Filled with actual examples and antidotes from real eBay entrepreneurs, this book is as engaging as it is informational. eBay is a level playing field—it doesn’t matter how old you are, what nationality or income level, whether you own a business now or not, what your background is, or where you are located.
Start making money on eBay today!
The book starts with a complete overview of how eBay works. Then you are guided through the whole process of creating the auction and auction strategies, photography, writing copy, text and formatting, managing auctions, shipping, collecting payments, registering, About Me page, sources for merchandise, multiple sales, programming tricks, PayPal, accounting, creating marketing, merchandising, managing e-mail lists, advertising plans, taxes and sales tax, best time to list items and for how long, sniping programs, international customers, opening a storefront, electronic commerce, buy-it now pricing, keywords, Google marketing, and eBay secrets; everything you will ever need to get started making money on eBay!
About the Author
Cheryl L. Russell holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Winona State University in Minnesota. She first began using eBay as a casual buyer and began selling while home raising her two youngest children. In addition to occasionally selling on eBay and being a full-time mother, Cheryl puts her education to work by freelance writing. She enjoys reading, designing custom dresses for her daughters and other creative pursuits. Cheryl and husband Fred Miller live in southwest Wisconsin with three daughters, six pet birds and a pair of chinchillas.
Get hold a copy now. You will not regret it.
eBay has changed the way products and services are purchased all over the world. Daily over 1.5 million online customers and providers log on to bid and sell virtually anything that can be bought or purchased. In 2006 eBay sellers are estimated to post $22 billion in sales. There are businesses earning $1 million a year selling products on eBay today. It is estimated that more than half a million people make full-time incomes just with their eBay business.
eBay also allows you to run a business that requires no advertising costs. This expertly written new book will show you how to take advantage of this business phenomenon and arm you with the proper knowledge and insider secrets. Filled with actual examples and antidotes from real eBay entrepreneurs, this book is as engaging as it is informational. eBay is a level playing field—it doesn’t matter how old you are, what nationality or income level, whether you own a business now or not, what your background is, or where you are located.
Start making money on eBay today!
The book starts with a complete overview of how eBay works. Then you are guided through the whole process of creating the auction and auction strategies, photography, writing copy, text and formatting, managing auctions, shipping, collecting payments, registering, About Me page, sources for merchandise, multiple sales, programming tricks, PayPal, accounting, creating marketing, merchandising, managing e-mail lists, advertising plans, taxes and sales tax, best time to list items and for how long, sniping programs, international customers, opening a storefront, electronic commerce, buy-it now pricing, keywords, Google marketing, and eBay secrets; everything you will ever need to get started making money on eBay!
About the Author
Cheryl L. Russell holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Winona State University in Minnesota. She first began using eBay as a casual buyer and began selling while home raising her two youngest children. In addition to occasionally selling on eBay and being a full-time mother, Cheryl puts her education to work by freelance writing. She enjoys reading, designing custom dresses for her daughters and other creative pursuits. Cheryl and husband Fred Miller live in southwest Wisconsin with three daughters, six pet birds and a pair of chinchillas.
Get hold a copy now. You will not regret it.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Picking a Domain Name
Today I am going to share with you an interesting article I came across on picking a domain name. This article was written by Sam Harnett MSc mBCS of http://www.pixeko.com.
Your domain name should be descriptive of your business and easy for people to remember. Take the time to carefully consider your domain name and find will serve the long term needs of your business.
Why Should You Register Your Own Domain Name?
Register your domain name as soon as you decide upon the name of your internet business. The worst thing that can happen to you is for your domain name to be purchased by a competitor who gets wind of your business name and holds the domain for ransom! You can use a web address that your Internet server provides you, However this doesn't give the most professional impression. And what if your internet service provider changes the format in which their sub domains are issued and all you search engine optimization work is geared towards the old format? Having your own domain name allows you complete control over things like sub domains, domain forwarding and email addresses'.
It is worth spending a bit of money registering your own domain and paying to have it hosted. You will also receive email addresses that contain your domain name; this looks very professional and is a great advertisement for your site as your sites address will essentially be included with every email you send.
Make your domain name something easy for people to remember and not too complicated. It should be something people can type into their browser by memory. Therefore is should be as short as possible,
Choosing a Domain Name for Search Engines
Currently, search engines place high importance on the domain name asregard to keywords it contains. Therefore, using descriptive domain names like the above can help in achieving good rankings. Each word in your domain name should be hyphenated as this allows the search engine to differentiate between them.
However, don't place too much emphasis on search engine optimisation at the expense of confusing your customers.
Don't make your domain name too long, your customers wont be able to remember it. If you do decide to hyphenate your domain name, buy the same version of the domain name without hyphens, in case your customers forget the hyphens. You can have as many domain names as you like pointing to the same site, this is called domain parking.
For example: Imagine a company that sells luxury holidays in Spain.
I would buy luxury-spanish-hoidays.com and host my website on that domain. This helps search engines distinguish between the words.
I would also buy luxuryspanishholidays.com and forward it to the above domain. That way, if my customers forget the hyphens, they can still find my site.
In addition to purchasing the hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of your domain name you may also want to purchase the various top level domains (.com, .net, .co.uk, .es) in order to protect your domain name from potential competition buying its variations in the hope of poaching your customers.
Choosing a Web Designer
A common mistake made by many new businesses as well as existing businesses looking to expand their business online is to hand responsibility for their web project off to a consultant or design firm without first making that they are qualified for the job and understand the requirements and expectations of the company they are working for.
Your web designer should have the chance to consult with all of your staff who will be involved in the maintenance of the website. You should also provide them with as much promotional material, press releases etc as possible in order to maximize their understanding of your business.
Use your designer only to convert the information to Web language, design the graphics and page layout, and create the necessary scripting for things like a user response form. Someone in-house or a volunteer should be able to make regular changes to the site without needing assistance of the web designer; therefore, the designer should create pages that allow these changes to happen easily.
What to look for in a Web Designer
Someone who
- If he or she is a professional, provides you with references of satisfied clients
- Provides you with examples of online work
- Is committed to carrying over your printed publications "style" into the Web site design
- Speaks in as non-technical terms as possible
- Is committed to creating a site that someone in-house or a volunteer can make regular changes to without needing assistance of the designer
- Is willing to work with staff and volunteers in the Web site development, listening to their wants and needs for the site
- Turns over ownership of all graphics created for the site to you
- Has a history of working with mission-based organizations, understanding such organization's limited resources, unique needs and community focus
- Understands how to make a site
| http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Harnett |
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Amazing Web Design Secrets Revealed...
Amazing Web Design Secrets Revealed...
Guarded Techniques the Pros Don't Want You to Know
Web design expert and author Shelley Lowery's latest ebook, Web Design Mastery, is taking the Internet by storm...Cutomers are raving..."Finally, a web design course that makes total and complete sense! Shelley, your new eBook will quickly become the "bible" for anyone who wants to build a website. Totally top shelf!" -- Rick Beneteau
For the first time, Shelley reveals all of her professional Web design secrets in her latest book, Web Design Mastery.
Finally! A COMPLETE Web design system that makes professional Web design easy...with 100s of copy and paste codes.
Click Here to see what everyone is raving about... Web Design Mastery is quickly becoming known as the "Bible" for professional Web design...
Web Design Mastery is a MUST read for anyone serious about designing a great website! I HIGHLY recommend it.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Designing A Webpage
Today, i would like to discuss a bit about website design. We need at least a website to facilitate our internet marketing ventures.
Before we talk further about it, let’s define what a web design is. Web design refers to the look and feel of the website. It’s part and parcel of a website development. Website design is abuot the ways on how to use various website technologies, like CSS, HTML, XTML, JAVA SCRIPTS and so on to make the site look the way you want it to.
I will cover some rules of thumb you could follow through the design. Some points to think about when you making a page include:
- where you want things to appear; whether the navigation bar should be, accross the top, down the side etc.
- where is the content pool, is the window resizeable or do you want it just enough so that the display just so,
- how heavy will the graphics be and how will the flash animation be;
Layout information is key and you want to be aleast aware, if not absolutely control where the browsers’ eyes goingto travel.
It is worth it, especially for beginners to engage in paper and pencil exercise, and literally draw out how you want the page to look before you start coding anything; then whether the design is appropriate for your target market and whether it will fit the screen.
- Another issue to decide is the color scheme. Example of color coordination sites to help you start are: www.graphicdesign.about.com/About_Graphic_Design.htm
- www.colorcombos.com
They present lists of color combinations that work well together so that you do not accidentally come out with something that is completely unreadable by color blind persons.
I also have some caveats about not so good web designs.
As much as you want to include all the photographs you have collected into one page, probably making the one page too busy is not a good example of a page that you would want to do. If you overload a page with a lot of photo-shop effects, it could get really messy really quickly.
Try to avoid nested tables for layouts. It’s difficult to maintain over time. While it may get you initially upfront, the exact dimension you want to the pixel using Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), especially going forward is a much simpler way of maintaining pages and the layout.
A web page with a list of things which you might want to consider avoiding in terms of website design is www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html. Another reference site for things that you probably want to avoid is www.webpagethatsuck.com/. They make some really excellent points about what you should and should not do and talk about why with concrete examples of really ugly sites on the web.
In general, if it looks bad on paper, it will probably look bad if it is displayed on somebody’s monitor.
No matter what level is your web design experience, here is some good reference which you can use:
You may also want to bookmark this page at www.visibone.com/colorlab/ to guide you with what color combos work well together and what you would want to avoid.
Well, that’s for today. I hope these little pointers do help.
The Online Biz Guy
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