How to Create a Useful, Popular Website

How to Create a Useful, Popular Website

by: Michael LaRocca

In this free email course, Iกll tell you everything I know about setting up your website and placing it highly in the search engines.
Everything I tell you will also be free. Youกll spend some time, but you won’t spend your money.
Your two goals, useful and popular, are related. Search engines can bring you a lot of firsttime users, but quality will keep them coming back.
How technical will I get?
Well, you have two choices. Learn HTML, or use some free software that lets you create a site without learning HTML.
If you choose the latter option, writing the site isn’t much different than creating a Power Point presentation or a word processor document.
Iกll address both options. Plusses, minuses, howto. So whether you’re a computer geek like me or a technophobe like most of my family, Iกll tell you how itกs done.
So don’t let the possibility of technical language stop you.
** GETTING STARTED **
First, decide what you want on your site. I do this with pen and paper. What menu options, what graphics, what sounds (if any). How much stuff to put on each page, because I want each page to be ‘the right size.ก
Every graphic (including your background) and every sound takes time to load when someone visits your site. Text (including links) is fast. No page should be larger than 64 Kb, and that size means HTML plus graphics, sounds, etc.
I always try to strike a balance between speed and appearance. If it isn’t necessary, it probably shouldn’t be there. Only you know what กnecessaryก means.
I also draw a กflow chartก for navigation, and refer to it as I plan and again as I create. If it looks way too complicated when itกs done, Iกll create a special page called กSite Mapก to help users navigate the site.
In my case:

Index (my home page) leads to:

FreeBooksOnTheNet
BookReview
Bookstores (which leads to OnLineFictionBooks)

Etc.

I always ensure that a ‘tier 3ก page like OnLineFictionBooks leads back to the Tier 2 page that leads to it (Bookstores). A Tier 4 page should lead back to the appropriate Tier 3 and Tier 2 pages. Etc. All my pages lead back to Index, which is the only Tier 1 page.
Whenever someone visits your site, their browser automatically looks for a file called INDEX.HTML (or INDEX.HTM for files written with Microsoft.) Thatกs what makes it the Tier 1 page.
If the userกs browser doesn’t find Index, you don’t have a website. So your home page will be called INDEX.HTML (or INDEX.HTM). You can call the other files anything you want, as long as the file extension is HTML or HTM.
A link to a Site Map on your front page that lists all your pages, regardless of what tier itกs on, is convenient for users and it ensures that Search Engine spiders find all your pages.
Throughout this lesson, Iกm going to assume you’re not using Microsoft and call everything an HTML file. (Files that end with HTM, the Microsoft default, are also HTML files.)
As you work, put all your website files (HTML, graphics, sounds) into the same directory. And, remember where it is! If you like, you can give that directory some subdirectories and sort things a bit, but I never do this.
I mention file locations because this, too, is part of your planning.
Your planning stage might take longer than actually writing your website. But for me, writing pages with no plan never works.
So plan!
** DO YOU WANT TO LEARN HTML? **
Once you have a plan for your website, all that remains is writing it, uploading it, and helping people find it.
The big question is, can you learn HTML? If so, do you want to?
If you can and want to learn HTML, you can make your website do anything you want it to. Otherwise, you may find your options limited.
Iกll admit that Iกve only written one page without using HTML. Not one site one page. I learned HTML for my job, then maintained my employerกs site for two years. All in HTML. The power of HTML impresses me. But, learning it isn’t mandatory.
So, how to decide…
Hereกs a list of sites that will teach you HTML. Look them over and decide if learning this language is for you.
Interactive HTML Tutorial

http://freereads.topcities.com/freebooksonthenet.html

This is the site where I give away about a dozen free ebooks and link to thousands more.
Writing HTML Tutorial

http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/tut/
HTML Goodies

http://htmlgoodies.earthweb.com/
HTML: An Interactive Tutorial for Beginners

http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/
HTML Primer

http://www.htmlprimer.com/
Webmonkey

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/
Your homework forgive me, Iกm a teacher is to refine your plan. Also, think about the กlearning HTMLก issue a bit more if you need to.
** HTML OR NOT HTML? **
So now you have a plan for your website, and you think youกve decided whether or not to use HTML. Itกs time to do the work and make your site a reality.
First Iกll show you how to write a website without learning HTML. Then Iกll show you how to write a website after learning HTML.
** WRITING A WEBSITE WITHOUT USING HTML **
The title is a lie. All websites use HTML. But you can get the computer to write the HTML without learning it yourself.
If you choose to do that, here are five possible methods:
(1) Netscape 6.2 is a free program. If you don’t have it, you can download a copy from http://www.netscape.com.
Choose FILE, then EDIT PAGE. Now you can design a web page by clicking menus and dragging things around the screen. Thereกs really no HTML function it can’t do.
Once you’re done, you can look at your HTML files using Netscape Navigator and/or Internet Explorer. Once you know they’re perfect, you can upload them.
(2) If your computer has Microsoft Power Point already installed, you can use it to write a website.
Use it like you normally would, and create a Power Point file that looks just like you want your web page to look. When you’re done, click FILE and SAVE AS WEB PAGE.
You can use your browser (Internet Explorer and/or Netscape Navigator) to see how it will look before you upload it.
(3) You can use Microsoft Word. (I haven’t investigated whether or not it will add backgrounds.)
Just open Word and create a document like you always do. BUT, when it comes time to save it, Choose FILE, then SAVE AS, then under กSave As Typeก choose WEB PAGE.
Again, you can use your browser(s) to see how it will look before you upload it.
(4) Almost every free web host has a series of ‘templatesก that allow you to set up a web page in minutes.
http://www.bravenet.com may have the best.
http://www.topcities.com is also very easy to use, but they only have two templates.
If you can’t find a template at either place that is close enough to what you want to use, you can go to any search engine and look for กfree web hosting.ก
If you just can’t find a template thatกs close enough to perfect for you, maybe you can set something up with a template anyway and learn enough HTML to change it later.
After the กWriting A Website Using HTMLก section of this lesson is a section on กChoosing A Hosting Service.ก If you’re going to use a template, you might want to look at that now. Or you might just want to go to Bravenet or Topcities and be done with it.
(5) Buy Microsoft FrontPage. Iกve never used it, nor will I. I like having control of my HTML, and no website generator (including the four above) will give me that. But I do know some folks who use it, and they strongly endorse it. One of them even knows how to write in HTML.
But before you buy any program, ask yourself if you think itกll ever pay for itself. Meaning, are you selling stuff? If you are, can you sell enough to get your money back in profit? If you can’t, do you care?
** WRITING A WEBSITE USING HTML **
If you’re going to write HTML, I salute you. Three choices are:
(1) You can use Notepad or a similar text editor. Not a Word processor! Save the text file with the extension HTML, not the default TXT extension, and your browser will recognize it at as an HTML page.
(2) Many free web hosting services have online editors that serve a similar purpose, but I prefer to do my writing offline because itกs faster. And, if you’re paying an hourly rate for your Internet access, offline is cheaper.
(3) I used Notepad for many months, but then I found a better way. Itกs called CSE HTML VALIDATOR LITE. Imagine Notepad with the ability to open five pages at a time, and the power to validate your HTML code (making sure itกs right) before you upload it. Thatกs CSE HTML VALIDATOR LITE, and itกs free at http://www.htmlvalidator.com.
If you have no need to validate your code changing contact information or background colors, for example I recommend Edit Pad. Itกs also free, and itกs like Notepad with the ability to open multiple pages. HTML Validator Lite limits you to five, but Edit Pad is unlimited. http://www.editpadpro.com/
Once youกve written the code, preview it with your browser(s) before you upload it. It might not be quite right. It rarely is for me on the first try.
** WHERE TO GET SOUNDS & GRAPHICS **
Iกm guessing you have some photos of yourself, friends, family, pets, school, whatever. Thatกs probably why you’re setting up your website.
But what about backgrounds? What about music?
Whenever you visit a website, if you see any UNCOPYRIGHTED art you like, just right click it and choose กSave Target As.ก Then youกve got it.
As for music, I don’t put MP3s online because:

The files are quite large
I never know which are copyrighted and which aren’t

So on one of my sites, I have MIDIs. All public domain, meaning you can take them and use them yourself. Just right click and choose กSave Target As.ก
OR, you can just go to any search engine and type กfree wallpaperก or กfree backgroundก to get some artwork, or กfree MIDIก to get some free music. Right click, Save Target As.
Itกs that simple.
** CHOOSING A HOSTING SERVICE **
If you wrote your site using a template or an online HTML editor from one of the free hosting services, this stepกs done. But you still need to download all those files as backups. Sometimes free hosting services vanish suddenly, and you DON’t want to lose your whole site that way! So keep reading!
If you wrote your site on your own system, you need to get it onto the Internet now.
First you need to choose a web hosting service. A free one, definitely. Itกs always possible to start with a freebie and move to a paid provider later, but I haven’t left the freebies and Iกve been at this for years.
There are a lot of freebies out there. If you don’t believe it, go to any search engine and type กfree web hosting.ก I have no idea what you’re looking for in your free provider, but I can tell you what I looked for in mine.
* Lots of storage space. Thanks to all the photos and music, my largest site takes 12 Mb. Since you have all your files in a single directory, look at how large that is. Open Windows Explorer, find the folder, and rightclick it to look at the properties. How much do you think itกll grow? Pick a server with AT LEAST 20 Mb.
* No popup ads. This is a BIG deal to me. All free hosting sites have ads, but youกll note that Topcities doesn’t use popups. Just a banner at the top of all my pages. I can live with that. My nopopup rule knocks Tripod and Angelfire out of the running.
* Accessibility from anywhere in the world. This knocks out very popular freebies like Freeservers (formerly my favorite) and Yahoo Geocities. Oh, and Tripod again. China doesn’t like them, and I live in China.
So now, your assignment is simple. Decide where you’re going to put your new website. I chose http://www.topcities.com but you don’t have to.
Once youกve made a decision, youกll have to apply for an account and fill out some information about yourself, including the name you want for your site.
Usually the web host will send you an email to confirm your address. You respond to it, and you have access. Then itกs just a matter of sending your files.
** UPLOADING YOUR FILES **
For the beginners… Upload means to send files to another computer. Download means to take files from another computer.
(If your files exist on a server but not on your own hard drive, youกll be downloading!)
Some web host providers have excellent file transfer abilities built right in. Topcities is especially strong in this regard. Or, you may need an FTP server program.
FTP simply means กFile Transfer Protocol.ก In short, a way for your computer to talk to the one your hosting service is using.
You can pick up a free FTP program at http://www.ipswitch.com/. Drop down to the bottom left and click Try WS_FTP Pro. Itกs a strippeddown version of the commercial version, but itกll do everything you need and it never expires.
Depending on the speed of your connection and the sizes of your files, this step can be very quick or very slow. But either way, you don’t have to do much work. Just click a few buttons and let กer rip!
(Now might be a good time for a refill on the beverage of your choice. I know I had a few as I wrote this lesson.)
Once you transfer all your files, you have a website. Your hosting service will tell you the URL (address). Make sure it works, surf it a bit, and just enjoy the fruits of your labor. Then tell your friends and take a break!
Congratulations! You’re a webmaster now!
** FINE TUNING & SEARCH ENGINE PLACEMENT **
Hello, webmaster!
Thatกs right, you’re a webmaster. Youกve got a website.
But, you probably want to improve it, and you probably want people to know how to find it.
This is the final lesson, and probably the one youกll keep referring to. Fortunately all its resources are online, so you can just bookmark a few pages and go to them as necessary.
Now that you have a website up and running, you might want to look at Is Your Website Unfriendly? (http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz/HTMLtips.html)
If you’re programming in HTML, Web Colour Codes (http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz/colors.html) is an easy way to find the sixdigit hex code for whatever color you may be seeking. This is especially useful for background colors, as fast goodlooking graphics can be hard to find.
After youกve uploaded your web pages, running a diagnostic Will tell you how long it takes them to load at various modem speeds, how compatible they are with older browsers, how to improve problem areas, if you have busted links, etc. These are all free.
Speaking of busted links, download Xenu. I have over 1000 outgoing links on one of my websites, and it checks them all automatically. I manually check the ones it claims are busted.
You can find my complete list of diagnostic tools at: http://freereads.topcities.com/bookpromo.html
That page also contains a few more goodies you might want to use. Software & Graphics, and CGI Scripts.
Speaking of CGI scripts, visit http://www.bravenet.com if you haven’t already. (This won’t work in China.)
Scripts are defined as things where the user can send info back to your website. Guestbooks, feedback forms, newsletter subscriptions, chat rooms, games, you name it. Things HTML just can’t do.
Bravenet lets you use their scripts, free. You just copy and paste a small bit of HTML code into your site and they handle the rest. Itกs worth a look, AFTER you use the scripts that your free web host gives you.
http://freereads.topcities.com/websitenewsletter.html contains my analysis of Search Engine placement. Itกll take you some time to go through all that.
I recommend running the diagnostics before you submit to the Search Engines, because some Search Engines penalize or even ban pages with badlywritten HTML.
Then, swing by The Web Marketing Checklist at http://www.webmarketingtoday.com/articles/checklist.htm to make sure youกve done everything you’re supposed to.
http://freereads.topcities.com/freebooksonthenet.html contains a large selection of free ebooks. Many are about website and newsletter promotion.
Have you subscribed to my free newsletter yet? Itกs called Mad About Books, but it covers more than that. As I discover new ways to improve and promote my websites and newsletter, I include them in my newsletter.
Good luck with your new website!
Best regards,
Michael LaRocca

http://freereads.topcities.com/archive.html
Michael LaRoccaกs website at http://freereads.topcities.com was chosen by WRITERกS DIGEST as one of The 101 Best Websites For Writers in 2001 and 2002. He published two novels in 2002 and has two more scheduled for publication in 2004. He also works as an editor for an epublisher. He teaches English at a university in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China, and publishes the free weekly newsletter Mad About Books.
Copyright 2004, Michael LaRocca

About The Author

Michael is an American whoกs lived in Asia since 1999. He currently teaches English at Shaoxing University in Zhejiang Province, China. He telecommutes to Hong Kong as a legal transcriptionist, edits for Books Unbound, and he published four novels in 2002.
His website will show you how to improve your writing, find the right publisher, and promote your book after the sale. It explains why you should never pay to be published. It has won two Sime~Gen Readers Choice Awards and was listed in Writers Digestกs The Best 101 Websites For Writers in 2001 and 2002. http://freereads.topcities.com

[email protected]

This article was posted on May 09, 2004

by Michael LaRocca

Review: Landing Page Handbook: How to Raise Conver

Review: Landing Page Handbook: How to Raise Conversions

by: Karon Thackston

If youกve been online for any length of time at all, Iกm sure you know of Marketing Sherpa. This trusted and dependable source for online marketing information has put out some of the most widely known and highly praised books and reports available today. Some of their repeated best sellers include, กEmail Marketing Metrics Guideก and กHow To Get Your Permission Emails Past Filters.ก Marketing Sherpa consistently provides the tools that powerhouse companies use to supercharge conversions and profits repeatedly.

Well, theyกve done it again!

The newest release (already improving conversions by an average of 40% all over the กNet) is called กLanding Page Handbook: How to Raise Conversions Data & Design Guidelinesก and does it ever deliver. (Find it here: http://www.marketingwords.com/landingpage.html.)

After extensive research and testing with some major corporations as the guinea pigs (try Old Navy, NASA and the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau on for size!), Marketing Sherpa is now able to offer specific, conclusive information; suggestions and recommendations on how to improve your landing page conversions (for online and offline offers) by an average of 40%. Hereกs what they say about that shocking promise:

กIf you follow the Handbookกs data and design guidelines, we estimate your landing page conversions may rise by 40%.

Where did that 40% number come from? Well, Marketing Sherpa has researched more than 500 case studies on Internet marketing, most of which included landing pages. We noticed across all studies that marketers who followed landing page best practices tended to get at least 40% higher conversions than average.ก

What do you get when you order this ebook?

** 59 samples from reallife campaigns

(use as templates for your own)

** 13 heatmaps: how actual visitors กseeก landing pages

** 190 pages, including 16 tables & charts

** A 100% satisfaction guaranteed

Did I buy it? Yes. Have I actually read it? Yes. Did I find elements that could be improved on my own pages and those of my clients? You bet! I just finished making changes to one of my sites and Iกll tell you the results in just a moment.

As with any Marketing Sherpa product, if you’re not completely satisfied, youกll get an immediate refund of your purchase price.

Take your pick of a PDF (downloads instantly) or a printed copy (ships in 24 hours). Both include exclusive access to an online Creative Samples Library so you can view all samples in their full, colorful glory.

WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW VS. WHAT IS FACT

Itกs really surprising what we assume when we create landing pages (or any type of advertising). We think we know what the site visitor is looking at (and for), when, in fact, we don’t.

Most often, our information is just outofdate. Case in point: Iกve known for years that people look at people. Itกs a natural reaction for human eyes to float to the section of a Web page, landing page, ad (or whatever) that has a picture. However, what I didn’t realize is that on a landing page having a picture of a person can be a dangerously distracting element. Times change and so does the behavior of buyers so we have to stay uptodate.

The eyemaps included in this ebook also were very interesting to me. You can actually see what the site visitor looked at first and longest to know where to place the different elements of your page. Just very, very cool in my opinion!

If you’re a:

** Website designer

** Copywriter

** Graphic designer

** Marketing professional

** PPC search engine marketer

** or anyone who wants to improve conversions up to 40%

you need to buy this book today.

I promised you Iกd share the results of the improvements and testing Iกve done to my Copywriting Course site (see http://www.copywritingcourse.com) using Marketing Sherpaกs newest report กLanding Page Handbook: How to Raise Conversions Data & Design Guidelinesก so here it is.

I made another round of layout and design changes to the site about a week ago. Once again, I saw an immediate improvement. I had data from sales that were made using the original site design/copy and compared those to sales made after the first round of changes. Then I began tracking sales and traffic patterns after the second and third rounds of change. (If Iกd made all the changes at once, I would not have been able to tell what worked and what didn’t.)

Marketing Sherpaกs headline for this new ebook promises a 40% increase in conversions when using their methods. Letกs just see how they stacked up. At last check, using the same amount of traffic for each test, the results did not show a 40% increase. However, it did show a 37% increase in conversions! Not too shabby. I was impressed.

Itกs important to note that this was after three rounds of changes. I didn’t get a 37% increase immediately. But thatกs something the ebook tells you… youกll have to test and track. The companies with the biggest returns are the ones who continually test.

Iกll continue tweaking and testing so I can get even better results in the future, but my position on this report hasn’t changed. ขLanding Page Handbook: How to Raise Conversions Data & Design Guidelinesก has extremely valuable information anyone who designs or writes landing pages would benefit from. I strongly encourage you to get yours today at http://www.marketingwords.com/landingpage.html.

by Karon Thackston © 2005

http://www.marketingwords.com/landingpage.html

About The Author

Karon Thackston specializes in writing copy that ranks high with the search engines and converts visitors to buyers. Let Karon teach you to write better copy at http://www.copywritingcourse.com. Be sure to check out her latest ereport ขHow To Increase Keyword Saturation (Without Destroying the Flow of Your Copy)ข at http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword.

This article was posted on April 12

by Karon Thackston

Avoid กBadก Manners While Blogging

Avoid กBadก Manners While Blogging

by: Jim Edwards

Blogging, the hottest trend in online publishing right now, is currently spreading like wildfire across the Internet.

A cross between an online journal and a bulletin board, everyone from rock starts, politicians, business leaders and your average กJoeก or กJaneก can instantly become a center of influence online using blogs.

But, as with any social interaction, certain rules apply (my grandma calls them manners) in order to be viewed as behaving กproperly.ก

One of the things that gives blogging such strong appeal as an online publishing method revolves around กcomments.ก

Blogs that allow กcommentsก enable readers to respond and elaborate on the information posted by the blog owner.

These comments and the free exchange of information, opinions, links, and new ideas creates the dynamic and growing content that makes blogging such a popular online activity for both publishers and readers.

However, rules and unwritten customs about the proper use of กcommentsก on a specific blog are also where most of the problems and controversy will arise.

Since a successful blog eventually becomes a community of people (albeit in cyberspace), proper social behavior is critical to be an effective and accepted member of the community.

Keep these basic rules in mind when approaching a new blog that allows commenting by readers so you won’t find yourself on the wrong end of a scolding by people who operate with a different set of rules than you.

As with any social circle, violating the groupกs rules and customs will instantly cause a negative backlash.

** Keep It Relevant **

Stay on topic with the post you’re commenting about in a blog.

Nothing will earn you the wrath and disdain of your fellow posters and the blog owner faster than posting an offtopic comment.

** Watch What Others Do **

Different blogs operate under different rules. What rates acceptable in one blog would earn you a verbal thrashing in another.

Before posting (especially if you have not posted to a specific blog before), look to see the types and quality of posts others make regularly.

Are they long or short?

Do they contain a link to the personกs website?

Is there a กsignatureก under their name?

** Be Polite **

Itกs fine to disagree with people when making a comment, whether itกs the blogกs author or a comment made by another reader.

It is not, however, acceptable to launch a personal attack on anyone or make nasty comments in someone elseกs blog.

If you feel the need to do so, do it in your own blog.

Itกs the same principle of you can say whatever you want in your own house, but when you’re in someone elseกs house, you act right (and better than you do at home).

** You Can’t Respond To Everyone **

If you operate a blog and someone asks a question, try to respond, but both sides should understand that you can’t respond 100% of the time.

We all get busy and a blog, unless it maintains a paid membership, is often supported as a labor of love.

© Jim Edwards All Rights reserved

http://www.thenetreporter.com

About The Author

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the coauthor of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links…

Simple ‘traffic Machineก brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months… without spending a dime on advertising! ==> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com

This article was posted on August 13

by Jim Edwards

7 Years At The Keyboard

7 Years At The Keyboard

by: Jim Edwards

Ok, for those of you still waiting, the Internet won’t go away.

Hang up the hopes that it represents a passing fad sharing the fate of the Beanie or the Pet Rock.

With legitimate hightech stocks finally in the market, regular people doing ‘realก business online, and consumer acceptance to the point of purchasing movie tickets and homeowners insurance over the Internet, the Web is here to stay.

However, many people still get that glassyeyed, far away dreamer look on their faces when they think of the riches awaiting them on just the other side of their own dotcom.

Well, whether your business represents a laptop on a TV tray in the basement, or a megacorporation with offices all over the world, my last 7 years in the Wild West online has revealed a few ‘truthsก which should last from here until the end of computers.

** There is no getrichquick! **

I guess itกs in manกs nature to desire instant wealth.

Since the dawn of history, people threw common sense to the wind and went off in search of กburied treasure.ก Unfortunately, instead of discovering riches, most just ended up buried under a load of debt, misery and despair themselves.

In the late 1990กs we saw the modern day equivalent of a gold rush with hightech stocks, dotcom companies, and investors who threw common sense to the wind.

Well, we all know the result.

** The กSecretก to online business success! **

Would you like to know the real secret to making money online that will govern the Internet for all eternity?

Here you go: Spend less than you make.

Thatกs right! Simple math creates millionaires on the Internet!

Regardless of the market, size of your enterprise, or the nature of the product or service you sell, the people who make money online spend less than they make in revenue.

The companies that make money are the ones who let someone with basic math skills run the advertising department!

** People don’t buy refrigerators online! **

Thatกs right, most people don’t buy refrigerators online, but to look at the way some companies operate, youกd swear they did.

Hereกs how people use the Web to buy a refrigerator (or any other major purchase): they go online, research different models and prices, look for a local store, go to the store, and buy one.

Companies that use the web to make money (instead of wasting it by the bucketload) understand the difference between closing the sale online and providing information that leads to making the sale at a physical location.

** The quick and the dead! **

People who buy online have little or no patience.

They go online to get information NOW, or to place an order NOW, or to get their questions answered NOW!

The online world is a กright NOWก world, where wait times get measured in seconds and people get mighty testy if their needs don’t get met immediately.

Speed, not size, determines the victor in ecommerce because the businesses that meet peopleกs immediate expectations as quickly as possible (if not faster) ultimately win.

About The Author

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the coauthor of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links…

Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? ‘turn Words Into Trafficก reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links… without spending a dime on advertising! Click Here> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com

This article was posted on August 10, 2004

by Jim Edwards

Will Microsoft Lose The Browser Wars?

Will Microsoft Lose The Browser Wars?

by: Jim Edwards

Until recently, software giant, Microsoftกs Internet Explorer Web browser enjoyed a relatively unchallenged position as the most popular Web browser in the world.

Despite lawsuits and charges of unfair competition from the likes of Netscape and others, Microsoft dominates browser software with over 90% market share.

Microsoftกs dominance of the browser market stems mainly from the simple fact that the majority of computers get delivered with Microsoft Windows as the default operating system.

Internet Explorer (IE) comes standard with all Windows software and, thus, virtually everyone automatically gets the IE browser.

By default, Microsoft owns the browser market because they catch consumers early, get them conditioned to using the IE software, and, until recently, no other software offered a compelling enough reason to switch.

However, with a seemingly endless rash of security problems, consumers started looking elsewhere for alternative Web browser options.

This consumer demand may well spell the end of Microsoftกs dominance in the browser marketplace.

In response to severe security vulnerabilities, several alternative Web browsers recently gained significant market share.

** Opera.com **

One of the original กalternativeก browsers, กOperaก offers a significant number of interesting tweaks over Internet Explorer, including the ability to open more than one html page within the browser, as opposed to one page per window with IE.

The free version of Opera carries advertising messages, but for $39 you can turn off the advertising and unlock additional features.

** Mozilla.com **

Mozilla actually offers two choices for alternative Web browsing. Mozilla 1.7, the current version of the original Mozilla software, includes an email program, newsgroup reader, and even a chat feature.

Mozilla also offers a newer browser called กFirefoxก that has many people raving about enhanced features. Both browsers come free of charge and do not appear to carry any third party advertising.

** Netscape.com **

Netscape, one of the original Web browsers, still offers its browser software free, though you must do some searching on their site to find it.

Scroll to the bottom and click กDownload Latest Netscape Browser.ก

Based on their site, Netscape seems to be in the middle of an identity crisis since they look more like Yahoo! than a software provider.

** An 800 lb. Gorilla on the horizon? **

Online search engine powerhouse, Google, has never shied away from taking on Microsoft.

In fact, theyกve done something Microsoft couldn’t do, namely turn a profit with a search engine.

Based on past behavior, how long do you think it will take Google to release a Web browser of their own?

Despite statements to the contrary, I believe Google willcome out with their own Web browser within the next 18 months.

Look at their Hotmail.com alternative, Gmail, at http://gmail.Google.com.

Google gave away so much storage space they forced Hotmail to make major concessions in their free service.

Google Desktop blows away the Microsoft search utility for your PC.

Don’t for a second think Google doesn’t have a browser in development and a strategy to release it (for free) if they can cut Microsoft off at the knees.

(c) Jim Edwards All Rights reserved

http://www.thenetreporter.com

About The Author

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the coauthor of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links…

Simple ‘traffic Machineก brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months… without spending a dime on advertising! ==> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com

This article was posted on September 10

by Jim Edwards

Is Blogging For You? Take This Quick Quiz.

Is Blogging For You? Take This Quick Quiz.

by: Michael Cheney

Thereกs a new craze sweeping the world. Itกs called กbloggingก and a new blog is being created every few seconds. But what is it all about and should you join in?

**What The Hell Is A Blog Anyway?

The word กblogก is a shortened version of กweb blogก. A กweb logก just means a log or diarytype entry on the web. So if you were away travelling on a round the world trip you might post a diary on a website so your friends and family could keep up to date with your progress. On this online diary, or กweb blogก you might also post photos for your friends and family to view.

And so the BLOG was born. And itกs really nothing more than that a collection of thoughts and information from one individual to be read and seen by others.

**So What Makes A Blog Different To A Website?

A blog is more immediate and informal. A blog doesn’t have a homepage as such it just has blog entries or กpostsก. The author or กbloggerก makes regular posts into the blog that are archived as new ones are added.

The main difference between a website and a blog is that a blog is designed to be added to much more frequently than a website. Some blogs are added to by their authors once a day or more! But it has to be said that such bloggers are in the minority.

**Is Blogging For You?

Well, it provides you with a unique opportunity to keep in close contact with a specific group of people. The CEO of a company may choose to launch a blog to keep in touch with staff members and shareholders. As a businessowner you might want to start a blog to let your customers or suppliers know what is happening in your business.

Blogs are not for everyone, so hereกs a few key questions to ask yourself.

** Question 1

Do you want to keep in close contact, on a onetoone basis with a specific group of individuals?

** Question 2

Do you have the time to add a new and valuable information to your blog at least once a week? (Or can you pay someone to do this on your behalf?)

** Question 3

Do you find that people are always coming to you wanting more information about your product or services and that maybe posting regular updates on the Internet about this might free up your time to be spent on other activities?

** Question 4

Are you offering information products or services that you can provide ‘tastersก of in a blog?

If you find yourself answering yes to most of these question then you should seriously consider starting your very own blog.

Itกs A Gut Feel Thing

Ultimately the decision comes down to whether you have things to say to others on a onetoone basis. Unlike many websites you see out there, a blog is very much a persontoperson experience. A corporate blog wouldn’t really work unless you had a face and name that people could put to all the posts.

Itกs also worth noting that a blog can be a twoway communication tool. Most of the blog software available includes options for readers to be able to post comments in response to what has been written. This can be an excellent marketing and research tool for your business if handled in the right way.

Whatever you do don’t take the decision to start a blog lightly. It can be a big commitment and once youกve started out on that road thereกs no going back. People will be regularly checking your blog after youกve publicised it and the pressure is then on to deliver readable material on a regular basis.

Some Blogging Software To Consider

Typepad very popular and comes with a free trial and upgrade options: http://www.typepad.com

BlogHarbour also comes with a free 30day trial: http://www.blogharbor.com

Blogger the กgrand daddyก of blogging: http://www.blogger.com

Happy blogging!

My blog: http://michaelcheney.typepad.com/

About The Author

Michael Cheney is Author of The Website Marketing BibleTM. Take the Free 7Part Course กInternet Marketing Made Easyก and get your free sampler of ‘the Bibleก here: http://www.websitemarketingbible.com/marketing/.

This article was posted on March 15

by Michael Cheney

5 Ways AlQuaeda is Using Internet Marketing

5 Ways AlQuaeda is Using Internet Marketing

by: Val Halla

Internet Marketing is not dead. But it may have caused the death of a few people.

Letกs take a look at how terrorist organizations are using Internet Marketing to recruit and spread the word.

1. Case #1: Dirty Kuffar

Yeah boyeeee!

MC Osama is in da hizouse and the roof … the roof … the roof is on fire (really).

In the old days, ask any young man what he wanted to be when he grew up and he might say กa firemanก or กa policeman.ก

Now little boys want to grow up to be gangstas. And why not? They get all the hos … You know they got the blingbling …

กHow you gonna tell me my rims ain’t clean?ก

Sign me up!

And what bigger gangstas are there than terrorists?

Well, a rap MC calling himself กSheik Terrahก (apparently spelling corruptions are just another way to กstick it to the manก you go boyee!) has released a new hip hop video called กDirty Kuffarก and itกs all over the web and the file sharing community.

It is a pretty simplistic hate diatribe that lists a lot of western personalities and calls them กDirty Kuffarก (Kuffar = Infidel).

กYeah, Ronald Reagan is a Dirty Kuffar

George Bush he a Dirty Kuffar

Michael Jackson is a Dirty Kuffarก

Yes, the creative genius is staggering.

Seriously though, the marketing effect was pretty pronounced.

For a while there, it was all over the place …

2. Case #2: F*ckกn USA

Do a search for the above phrase in Google (without the deleted letters) and youกll find many links to a very interesting antiAmerican propaganda video created by the North Koreans.

Itกs the animated music video for a catchy little ditty about ‘the Great Satanก that is America.

กBlah blah blah …

And you were the cause of our countryกs division …

ba! ba! F*ckกn U S A!ก

(The F*ckกn refrain is in English, the rest in Korean.)

Hmm, kind of sticks in your head.

The video was subsequently played on Japanese and South Korean television (probably intending to capture viewerinterest because of the controversy), but that wasn’t the end of the antiAmerica free publicity blitz.

The video with English translations popped up on websites all over the world and on filesharing programs. So easily the message of hate is spread …

SIDE NOTE: A clever guy translated the video into English and is advertising himself along with the translated video. (More on this tactic below.)

3. So, How Do They Do It?

How are these terrorist groups getting all this free grass roots advertising and publicity?

Letกs break it down:

** Sub Viral Marketing **

This is a tactic where a piece of media (usually video) is created that on the surface is not appearing to advertise the target brand.

Coke, for example, is reported to have created funny videos where the Coke brand appears, but it doesn’t look like an ad. People passed these videos on in purely on the merits of their humor. Little did they know, they were inadvertently adverting CocaCola.

The two case studies above were definite tools to gain favor for their organizations (the North Korean dictatorship and AlQuaeda), but people were passing them along for reasons other than that.

They were passing them along because they liked hiphop music, or they thought they were funny, or they liked the antiAmerica/Ronald Reagan/Michael Jackson/whatever message.

An interesting mutation of the subviral gene! More on these mutative factors below …

** Pop Culture Predators **

If you can associate your cause with pop culture, itกs easy to gain favor for your marketing message. Corporations are dedicating time and research into discovering what kids think is กcoolก and getting their brands to fit. Of course, kids are extremely insecure and at their core, they have a desperate fear that they are *not* cool. So, if you can convince them that doing something will make them cool, the influence is quite profound.

** Current Event Free Rides **

If a particular topic is popular, people are going to scour the net to learn more about it. Hitch your wagon to one of these stars and you get some free publicity.

Can you think of a few ways the above two videos did that?

SIDE NOTE: Remember the Monica Cigar? Hereกs a clever example of how a marketer hitched his wagon to current events to get free publicity. I remember The Monica even getting a little blurb on Fox News as a matter of fact.

** Enigmatic Content **

Who is that sexy Sheik Terrah?!

Since no one knows who he is, it adds to the controversy and gets more people talking. This spreads the virus even more …

Further, look at how easily BinLadenกs messages are spread. If Osama speaks, the whole world listens now. The media runs it as itกs top headline. You stop everything and listen. You tell your friends.

Skilful manipulation.

***

So, there you go. Now you too can use terrorist tactics for fun and profit.

Obviously, Iกm not supporting terrorism in any way shape or form. I only wish to describe their Internet Marketing tactics as they may, indeed, be useful to marketers.

Copyright 2004 Val Halla

About The Author

Val Halla is a web marketing consultant specializing in traffic generation and conversion analysis. She may be reached at: [email protected]

This article was posted on April 20, 2004

by Val Halla

Getting Started

Getting Started

by: John Colanzi

New marketers are coming online everyday. If you’re one of them, Iกm sure youกve been asking yourself, กwhere do I start?ก

Thereกs so little time and so much information to absorb.

So many gurus with conflicting information.

Whoกs right?

Who should you listen to?

Before you do anything, you should sit down and decide what you are passionate about. Itกs so much easier to succeed if you’re promoting something that excites you and gets your blood flowing.

Iกve always been an information junkie. Selling information just fits me like a glove.

You may be sports oriented. You may have a passion for selling sports related products.

In the words of Shakespeare, กIn brief Sir, study what you most affect.ก

Find your passion and you’re ready to get started.

The next question should be whether to promote affiliate programs?

I know many marketers may disagree, but I think affiliate programs are a good starting point.

Why?

** Pick the right program and youกll get a good education.

** It requires little or no capital to get started.

** A good program will supply you with sales aids and teach you how to follow up on prospects.

** Itกs like an apprenticeship. You’re being paid to learn.

** You’re building an opt in list. When you’re ready to launch your own products, youกve got a built in audience.

Just follow these simple steps.

Find a good program that will give you a marketing education and a solid income stream.

Build your opt in list.

When you’re ready, start promoting your own products and services.

Iกm sorry if you were looking for ideas on becoming an overnight millionaire. This isn’t the plan for you.

This simple plan is for you if:

You want to build a solid, long term business.

You don’t want to throw away money chasing กpie in the skyก dreams.

You realize that making money online is like anything else in life.

You have to learn in order to earn.

Get started now. Big goals are accomplished one step at a time.

Wishing You Success,

John Colanzi

About The Author

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

Find out why readers are raving about กConfessions

Of An Ezine Writer.ก Johnกs step by step formula

for getting fr^ee promotion on demand.

http://www.thesimplesystem.net/confessions.html

[email protected]

This article was posted on November 13, 2003

by John Colanzi

Newsbytes From The World Wide Web

Newsbytes From The World Wide Web

by: Jim Edwards

** Google Desktop Live **

Googleกs free desktop search utility made it out of the กbetaก stage and users can now download a finished 1.0 version from http://desktop.google.com for free.

With improvements over the กbetaก version released in 2004, the finished version not only allows you to search your own computer for Microsoft Office documents, emails, and instant messaging history, but now supports music, video, images, PDF files, and the Firefox and Netscape Web browsers.

In their neverending quest to make their name synonymous with กsearch,ก Googleกs Desktop Search utility makes a bold step towards dominating the desktop search market.

Available for Windows XP and Windows 2000, Googleกs desktop search remains miles ahead of MSN and Yahoo!, who released their own beta version desktop search utilities several months after Google.

Google also chose to create an environment friendly to thirdparty software developers by encouraging them to develop กplug insก that expand the capabilities of their Desktop Search application.

By allowing others to add their ‘twocentsก to the program, Google will further cement their position as the leader in this emerging field of กdesktopก search.

** MP3 Player Wars Boiling Over **

In response to Appleกs iPod Shuffle, a low priced flash memory MP3 audio player, Sony announced plans to offer a comparably low priced MP3 player in the $100 to $150 range.

This in response to complaints from consumers that Sonyกs past MP3 player offerings rated too expensive next to the featurerich iPpod.

Consumers can expect several developments in response to Sonyกs entry into the กUnder $150ก MP3 player market.

First, increased use of the portable players will cause related businesses selling the actual MP3กs and accessories to experience continued growth, both online and offline.

Second, a new trend known as กpod castingก is getting set to explode.

กPod castingก involves content providers (radio djกs, entrepreneurs, columnists, musicians) creating MP3 audio content and then making it super simple for listeners to automatically download these กbroadcastsก online and listen to them at their convenience.

The fact that consumers can now get their hands on the equipment to download and listen to these broadcasts so cheaply means a whole world of amateur djกs and talk show hosts is about to hit the cyberairwaves.

Though youกve heard rumblings about it, and people are grasping around in the dark trying to get a grip on how to implement it, now you can actually plan to see and hear about the widespread use of กpod castingก in the very near future since a potential audience of listeners with the right equipment is now set to grow.

** Associated Press Offers RSS Feeds **

The Associated Press now offers RSS feeds of their top news stories. RSS (Real Simple Syndication) makes it possible for content providers to offer instant updates to their readers without sending email.

Anyone with an RSS reader such as FeedDemon (www.feeddemon.com) can receive and read RSS feeds.

Traditionally, the Associated Press marketed their services exclusively to newspapers and online sources such as Yahoo! News.

Now, by offering their RSS feeds directly to consumers at www.ap.org, the Associated Press is obviously seeking to bypass online news sources and go directly to the consumer.

The fact that the worldกs oldest and largest news source has chosen to start offering content this way demonstrates quite clearly that RSS is fast coming of age as an acceptable masscommunication medium and that widespread consumer adoption is imminent.

Soon, thereกll be an RSS reader on every computer desktop and the use of RSS will become as widespread as email.

© Jim Edwards All Rights reserved

http://www.thenetreporter.com

About The Author

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the coauthor of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links…

Simple ‘traffic Machineก brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months… without spending a dime on advertising! ==> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com

This article was posted on September 05

by Jim Edwards

Which of These 7 Mistakes Are You Making In MLM?

Which of These 7 Mistakes Are You Making In MLM?

by: Joe Schroeder

Youกve done it. Youกve signed up with a network marketing company. You’re ready to get started with your teams advertising system. You’re ready, set, go. All the ads hit, you’re excited. Like a kid who can’t wait to go to Disney World, you wait for the responses to pour in.

After 23 days… Nothing.

Why didn’t anyone respond?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Matter of fact, this is a common scenario in MLM. People get jazzed, sign up with their uplines coop, fire off a few hundred emails, get the postcards, and nothing comes of it.

Marketing experts they are not. You, of course, are smarter than that, which is why you’re reading this special report right now. You want to know the top 7 mistakes people make in MLM, and you want to know the solutions to them.

Here they are:

1.) ** Using กInstitutional Advertisingก **

Institutional advertising is advertising that does not focus on your prospects. Rather on you, your company, your pay plan, your products, your bonus pool, your packaging, or the sales people at the home office.

Anything that does not focus solely on your prospect is institutional advertising. Think of CokeACola. Thatกs institutional advertising. Their sole purpose is brand their name into your mind. That way when you get thirsty and want a soda, you buy a Coke.

You must focus on your prospects ego and their desires. What they want takes priority over what you or the MLM company you’re with wants. Tell them whatกs in it for them.

Solution: Create prospect focused advertising and drop your ego and appeal to the prospects ego.

2.) ** Fell Into Management Mode **

This one is a biggy. In order to make money in network marketing (or in direct selling) the life blood is new business. For the first 23 years new business is what drives your income.

If you spend all of your time managing people and none of it actually acquiring new business youกll fall into a mode where your income levels off or just drops. This is management mode and it will stop you dead in your tracks from making long term income from MLM.

Solution: Always be moving forward, building your group. Leading by example. By building.

3.) ** Making MLM Your Business **

One of the most sobering and completely real facts of MLM is that you do not own your own MLM business. At any moment in time the network marketing company you’re with could shut itกs doors, change itกs policies, cut the popular products (not likely, but happens) or any number of things that would instantly stop your income or cut it by 50%.

Making MLM your business limits you. Stops you from seeing all of the possibilities outside the MLM industry. Instantly turning your income into something that is in reality, not yours. Make MLM a part of your business. Not the sole reason it exists.

Solution: Expand your business into other areas. Not just MLM.

4.) ** Not Being Personal **

MLM takes time, money, more time and more money to develop. As does any profitable business. However, in the day of emails, fax machines, web sites, online video, and super technology, it is easier than ever to forget you are working with real live people with real live problems and worries.

Adding a personal touch to the process will build your credibility, and build trust with those you plan on working with.

Solution: Add a personal touch and build trust

5.) ** Not Being Realistic **

Technology makes it easier for you to contact more and more people at an ever growing rate. Which leads some people to hype up their claims. Hyped up claims are not always so outrageous they instantly appear full of hype.

Some of them are subtle, like, กNo direct selling.ก Which seems like a benefit, because people hate to sell. In truth, direct selling is network marketing. You are not as aggressive about it. But you will, and always be selling something to someone.

Solution: Be Realistic and understand network marketing is a selling business.

6.) ** Losing Focus **

Losing focus is easy. Thousands of ways to advertise and reach your market exist. Pick 1 or 2 or 3 of them. Not all of them. Focus on what works, and drop what doesn’t. If you know itกs not working after a few weeks, don’t do it anymore.

Truly effective advertising works in just a short time. Not 3 years. Save yourself time and money and find an alternate way to reach your market once the way you’re using proves itself to be ineffective.

Solution: Focus only on one, two or three advertising strategies at time. And focus on them until they prove to be ineffective.

7.) ** Becoming a Computer Jockey **

A Computer Jockey? Whatกs that? Computer Jockeyกs are people who sit there in front of their computer and try to work their MLM business completely online. 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

This is just insanity. While the world wide web does offer more affordable ways to reach your market. It isn’t the only game in town and placing print ads and sending sales letters to people offline is not only effective, but sometimes more effective.

Solution: Try advertising offline as well to expand your reach.

Respectfully,

Joe Schroeder

(Published by Jason Clark)

About The Author

Joe has authored 32 audiotapes, eight manuals, booklets, featured on the cover of Upline Magazine and Six Figure Income Magazine.

Find out who Joe recommends for generic training and leads by visiting http://www.BeAMLMHeavyHitter.com

ขHave a web site or newsletter? Feel free to use this article to add valuable content for your business. I only ask the author BYLINE stay intact and unchanged.ข

[email protected]

This article was posted on November 06, 2004

by Joe Schroeder

Give Your Website A Chance

Give Your Website A Chance

by: Elizabeth McGee

I often wonder how serious people are when it comes to their websites. I thought that most everyone knew that the phrase กBuild it and they will comeก no longer applies on the internet but Iกm not sure how many people really believe it.

I look at sites everyday as part of my sales strategy and I can’t tell you how many of them violate the obvious elements of good website design and submission.

What even amazes me more is that they can’t figure out why they don’t get sales or visitors.

Do yourself a favor and attempt to apply the following tactics to your site. They won’t cost you a thing except a little time and effort to apply them.

** About Page **

Always include an about page on your site. Don’t be afraid to tell your story and let people know who you are and how you arrived where you are.

Opening yourself up and letting people know who you are adds an element of trust. It exposes your personality, capabilities and knowledge. All factors that let your readers know you are genuine.

** Include all your contact information **

Let your visitors know that you are available. Encourage questions, email and phone calls. Include your name, address and phone number. If you can, itกs also helpful to place a photo on your site. Familiarity is key and it can add one more link in the ladder of trust.

** Headlines **

Create compelling headlines. Peak the interest of your readers. This is your chance to grab their attention and incite them to read on.

Don’t be flashy or obnoxious. Simply tell it like it is. Capture their attention with descriptive, informative words. Get your readers involved in your information. Ask questions. Make them think.

You might be surprised to learn that just one compelling headline can bring instant sales almost overnight.

**Create your meta tags **

This is the first place I look when people tell me they aren’t getting visitors. I often see sites that have no title or description tag or the tags don’t follow the suggested guidelines for proper setup.

Hereกs an example of how the tags might look for a site that sells hummingbird feeders:

Hummingbird Feeders: Shop For Hummingbird Feeders Online

You will need to do this for each page of your site. Each page needs to have itกs own set of tags. I also recommend focusing on one keyword per page, two at the very most. Too many keywords can confuse what your page is about.

Always make sure that your keywords are scattered throughout your text as well, however don’t sacrifice good content for nonsense. Your text should be easy to read and should not sound redundant. Make your pages at least 250 words.

** Testimonials**

Solicit feedback from buyers youกve had. Ask them to write a small testimonial that you can place on your site. This goes a long way to help convince your visitor that your products and services are sound.

** Linking **

Reciprocal linking is a common and effective tactic for obtaining search engine status and page rank but itกs also the most time consuming. It requires making contacts, following up with contacts and updating your website.

While reciprocal linking is an excellent way of establishing page rank itกs not the only way. Page rank can also be established by submitting your site to directories, writing articles and setting up blogs.

Don’t underestimate the power of website links. Take the extra few hours a day and get your site noticed.

** Offer Guarantees *

Always offer your products with a guarantee. This is often the extra boost a buyer needs to make the purchase.

A good site will offer 100%, noquestionsasked, moneyback guarantees. People rarely take advantage of such guarantees but itกs this statement that may tip the scales in your favor.

** Submit Your Site **

Last, but not least, don’t neglect to submit your site to the search engines. Many of them are no longer free but the fees are nominal and worth the expense. Google still offers a free submit and itกs easy, simply type in your URL address, however make sure your meta tags include a title and description tag first.

For the free search engines I don’t recommend using automated submissions. Submit them yourself taking care to compose accurate titles descriptions and keywords.

About The Author

Elizabeth McGee has spent 20 years in the service and support industry. She has moved her expertise to the world wide web helping businesses find trusted tools, enhance customer service, build confidence and increase sales. You can visit Elizabethกs sites at:

http://www.promarketingonline.com

http://www.homenotion.com

This article was posted on December 07, 2004

by Elizabeth McGee

Turn OneTime กHitsก Into Repeat Visitors

Turn OneTime กHitsก Into Repeat Visitors

by: Jim Edwards

Every website owner faces the same challenge: How to get more traffic to their website.

กBuild it and they will comeก worked for Kevin Costner in กField of Dreams,ก but that approach leads to bankruptcy and a failed business when it comes to your website.

Any savvy website owner knows that it takes a lot of work, time, and money to bring a visitor to your site for the first time.

Smart marketers also know that it rates a lot easier and cheaper to get people to come back for a return visit than to attract them for the first time.

The following tips will help any website owner convert more onetime กlookersก into repeat visitors and customers.

** Surveys **

Hold an interactive poll or survey on your web site.

Ask your website visitors questions about a topic of intense interest to them.

Not only do people enjoy giving their opinion, but theyกll also want to read the results as you compile them and update them on your website over the next day or week.

One way to get their email address is to tell them youกll email the final numbers once the results are compiled.

My favorite survey tool is www.oneminutepoll.com.

** Free Prizes **

If appropriate, hold an ongoing prize drawing on your web site.

The prizes you give should fit with the interests of your target audience and enable you to showcase what you offer for sale from your website.

For example, if you sell computer cables, give away something like Velcro cord ties with your web address on them and avoid things like teddy bears or bumper stickers.

** Original / Hardtofind Content **

People go online first and foremost to get specific, relevant, timely information in areas that interest them.

For some that means news articles, for others sports scores, and for others it means current prices for things like stocks or commodities.

Whatever content they want, give it to people in a way they can’t find anywhere else (or at least not very easily) and make it easy for them to see that your site rates a bookmark in their browser so they can return often.

** Brain Teasers **

People love a challenge, especially in an area that holds great professional or special interest for them.

If you can provide a quiz, trivia questions, puzzles or some other กbrain teaserก for people, many will take up the challenge.

You get them to return to your website by posting the answers and making that the only way they can see if they got it right.

** Breaking News **

People crave uptotheminute news on subjects about which they feel very strongly.

Some investors, for example, spend hours combing the Web for nuggets of information to help them evaluate specific markets, companies, or stocks.

One way to make your site invaluable to your audience members is to simply post a news bite, tip, or current กnuggetก of relevant information on your site daily.

(Gee, kind of sounds like a BLOG doesn’t it?)

If the information you give makes people jump up and holler กMORE! MORE!ก then you can quickly build up a regular following.

** Resource Directories **

Few things keep people coming back to a website more than a constantly updated directory they can tap for industry specific resources any time they need them.

This technique works especially well if itกs hard to locate good resources related to your topic because people place a higher value on hardtofind information.

About The Author

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the coauthor of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links…

Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? ‘turn Words Into Trafficก reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links… without spending a dime on advertising! Click Here> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com

This article was posted on September 09, 2004

by Jim Edwards