tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931023733892483152024-03-12T23:44:42.963-07:00Make Money OnlineThis blog is worked to gather all important news on various websites about revenue earning.payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-14799175414694925772013-05-27T06:35:00.005-07:002013-05-27T06:36:37.267-07:00Google Panda and Penguin- 10 interesting points need to know<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. What we know</span></h2>
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At its core, the Panda update is about signals pertinent to relevance and a site’s ability to indicate that it belongs high in results. Google is taking time to assess signals such as:</div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://static.netmagazine.futurecdn.net/sites/all/themes/netmag/media/img/transparent_sprite.png); background-position: -280px -266px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; vertical-align: baseline;">The amount of content above the fold</li>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://static.netmagazine.futurecdn.net/sites/all/themes/netmag/media/img/transparent_sprite.png); background-position: -280px -266px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 26px; vertical-align: baseline;">The click-through rate of the page</li>
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… and more, always intent on evaluating whether a page is proving itself as providing relevant content for the search in question. </div>
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Importantly, no longer does it seem that Google simply demotes poor quality pages. Instead, it is willing to demote the entire domain, simply because a few pages are letting the site down.</div>
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Penguin, meanwhile, has brought into focus <a href="http://www.seroundtable.com/google-over-seo-update-14887.html" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“over-optimisation”</a>, a term coined by Google’s distinguished engineer and head of webspam, <a href="http://twitter.com/mattcutts" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Matt Cutts</a>. While the majority of the signals introduced by Penguin are related to offsite work (ie, poor quality links being built back to the domain) there are a few considerations which are specifically relevant to design practices. </div>
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The first thing I always recommend when blue-printing a build for developers is an appreciation that content must be given paramount importance. Landing pages, the site’s homepage, product pages and all other pages you want to appear in results must endeavour to include not only a significant amount of text, but also a variety of content. </div>
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Remember that while look and feel help to make a site user trust and navigate further throughout the build, it is content alone which gets them seen in search. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Complement main images</span></h2>
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Having content feature above the fold (as opposed to ads) is at present believed to be a positive Panda signal. As images are often a large part of design, we recommend complementing main images which take up a large amount of above-the-fold real estate with concise, yet on-topic HTML text, neatly nested in an attractive textbox. </div>
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For bonus points, each box of text should include a <h> tag to indicate the primary key term which the following text is relevant to. </h></div>
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We further recommend that when trying to incorporate text in to your design, go and pick up an informative publication (such as the .net <a href="http://www.netmagazine.com/shop" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: black; font-size: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">print magazine</a>) and flick through to see how they combine large amounts of text with imagery and photography. </div>
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These publications generally have text as their primary concern and images and photos work to break up the monotony, which is close to how SEO friendly design ought to work.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Considered content</span></h2>
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Important pages throughout the build ought to be afforded a substantial amount of considered content, which ideally would ensure a decent text: code ratio (I usually aim for 1:5). We believe that keyword density is of lesser importance than having a variety of relevant key terms. Striving to incorporate terms you expected to come up in a discussion about the main topic of the page is a less suspect and more search friendly approach to generating content. </div>
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Whilst it’s not always easy to make content about some services/products a riveting read, using images, lists, embedded videos and quotes can help to maintain and develop relevance. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Plagiarism and duplication</span></h2>
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From experience, the majority of plagiarised text comes from external profiles that the business itself has set up. In order to save time, employees and site owners will lift text from their site in order to quickly fill in details. </div>
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This practice will potentially earn your client a run in with Panda, which could mean being anchored down in results. We recommend ensuring that all content can be adapted via the site’s CMS, which will earn you a hat-tip from any SEO agency which takes on the domain. </div>
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While you cannot stop laziness in the client, you can provide a means to adapt the content on the site, permitting the ability to change the content and side-step any form of punishment for duplicate content. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Click-through rate</span></h2>
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We now believe that the number of pages a site user clicks through before leaving the domain, or returning to the results page, is in itself an indication of relevance. </div>
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A domain that has a high number of clicks-through to other internal pages is believed by Google to be more relevant and therefore worthy of high positions. </div>
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We recommend putting clickworthy information into a series and incentivising clicking-through, which in practicality means requiring clickthrough to get the full story/information. This works particularly well on the homepage of the domain, where content can be written to require a click-through in order to completely read all the relevant information.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Dwell time</span></h2>
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While dwell time is known to be an established quality signal for Google’s PPC services, we believe that currently a similar consideration has been included in Google’s Panda algorithm. </div>
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In a nutshell, dwell time (and specifically dwell time relevant to organic search) is a signal that averages the amount of time spent on a page after click-through in results. The longer the searcher spends on site, the more relevant that site appears to Google. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Dwell techniques</span></h2>
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As you probably will have already guessed, dwell techniques are a growing collection of ways in which to increase dwell time. Typically, we employ dwell techniques on main category, sub-category, article pages/posts, education pages and other pages which frequently have users click on, extract information, then leave.</div>
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Considering that bounce rate is now a significant signal in Panda, dwell techniques are beginning to make their way in to SEO site design recommendations. </div>
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In a nutshell, dwell techniques mean creating and utilising content on category, sub-category and other important pages throughout the build, which encourage users to read over or interact with the page and refrain from bouncing. </div>
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Explaining a brand’s USP using a slideshow or 30-second video clip makes the information easily digestible and keeps them engaged for the time it takes to reach the end. From a search perspective, this content has resulted in a longer time on site, which means a better signal to Google.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Spelling and grammar</span></h2>
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Spelling and grammar mistakes on your site are frankly unacceptable, so it’s definitely worth proof-reading any copy thoroughly. Using a spellchecking tool is a must, while services such as <a href="http://checkdog.com/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: black; font-size: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">checkdog.com</a> and <a href="http://www.netmechanic.com/cobrands/FutureQuest/spell_check.htm" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: black; font-size: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Net Mechanic</a> provide free and paid-for services to assess your entire build for mistakes which may be lowering Google’s evaluation of your domain. </div>
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It should be mentioned that we’ve never had a client that has significantly suffered a fall in rankings due to poor spelling and grammar, but from a trust, search and UX perspective it’s an obvious weakness.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Anchor text</span></h2>
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We recommend assuring that any accrediting footer links throughout sites you have built use brand name anchor text and not terms you wish to appear for.</div>
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Key-term anchor text such as: “web design”, “branding and web development” and “web branding” should be replaced with the company’s brand name. Having several thousand links from one domain, all with the same anchor text, is likely to incur the wrath of penguin. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. Content embeds</span></h2>
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When providing an ‘embed this link/content’ frame into a build, we are currently recommending that all anchor text used strives to include the company’s brand name and change for each new piece of content. </div>
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Source : <a href="http://www.netmagazine.com/features/10-things-you-need-know-about-google-panda-and-penguin" target="_blank">Google panda and penguin</a></div>
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payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-60309463503460907222009-12-07T07:28:00.000-08:002013-05-27T06:22:28.323-07:00100 Personal Branding Tactics Using Social Media<span style="font-weight:bold;">Listening</span><br /><br /> * Build ego searches using Technorati and Google Blogsearch<br /> * Comment frequently (and meaningfully) on blogs that write about you and your posts<br /> * Don’t forget the conversations hiding in Twitter (use Summize.com) and Friendfeed. Be sure to stay aware of those.<br /> * If you can afford it, buy professional listening tools, like Radian6 or others in that category.<br /> * Use Google Reader to store your ego searches.<br /> * Use Yahoo! Site Explorer to see who’s linking to your site.<br /> * Use heat map tools like CrazyEgg to see how people relate to your site.<br /> * Listen to others in your area of expertise. Learn from them.<br /> * Listen to thought leaders in other areas, and see how their ideas apply to you.<br /> * Don’t forget podcasts. Check out iTunes and see who’s talking about your area of interest.<br /> * Track things like audience/community sentiment (positive/negative) if you want to map effort to results.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Home Base</span><br /><br /> * Home base is your blog/website. Not everyone needs a blog. But most people who want to develop a personal brand do.<br /> * Buy an easy-to-remember, easy-to-spell, content-appropriate domain name if you can. Don’t be TOO clever.<br /> * A really nice layout doesn’t have to cost a lot, but shows you’re more than a social media dabbler.<br /> * Your “About” page should be about you AND your business, should the blog be professional in nature. At least, it should be about you.<br /> * Make sure it’s easy to comment on your site.<br /> * Make sure it’s easy for people to subscribe to your site’s content.<br /> * Use easy to read fonts and colors.<br /> * A site laden with ads is a site that doesn’t cherish its audience. Be thoughtful.<br /> * Pay attention to which widgets you use in your sidebar. Don’t be frivolous.<br /> * Load time is key. Test your blog when you make changes, and ensure your load times are reasonable.<br /> * Register your site with all the top search engines.<br /> * Claim your site on Technorati.com<br /> * Use WebsiteGrader.com to make sure your site is well built in Google’s eyes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Passports</span><br /><br /> * Passports are accounts on other social networks and social media platforms. It’s a good idea to build an account on some of these sites to further extend your personal branding.<br /> * Twitter.com is a must if you have a social media audience. It also connects you to other practitioners.<br /> * Facebook and/or MySpace are useful social networks where you can build outposts (see next list).<br /> * Get a Flickr account for photo sharing.<br /> * Get a YouTube account for video uploading.<br /> * Get a StumbleUpon.com account for voting.<br /> * Get a Digg.com account for voting, as well.<br /> * Get an Upcoming.org account to promote events.<br /> * Get a del.icio.us account for social bookmarking.<br /> * Get a Wordpress.com account for its OpenID benefits.<br /> * Get a LinkedIn account for your professional network.<br /> * Take a second look at Plaxo. It’s changed for the better.<br /> * Get a Gmail.com account for use with reader, calendar, docs, and more.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Outposts</span><br /><br /> * Build RSS outposts on Facebook. Add Flog Blog, and several other RSS tools.<br /> * Build a similar outpost on MySpace, if your audience might be there.<br /> * Make sure your social media is listed in your LinkedIn profile.<br /> * Add a link to your blog to your email signature file (this is still an outpost).<br /> * Be sure your social network profiles on all sites has your blog listed, no matter where you have to put it to list it.<br /> * Make sure your passport accounts (above) point to your blog and sites.<br /> * Use social networks respectfully to share the best of your content, in a community-appropriate setting.<br /> * Don’t forget places like YahooGroups, Craigslist, and online forums.<br /> * Email newsletters with some links to your blog makes for an effective outpost, especially if your audience isn’t especially blog savvy.<br /> * Podcast content can have links to your URL and might draw awareness back to your content, too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Content</span><br /><br /> * Create new content regularly. If not daily, then at least three times a week.<br /> * The more others can use your content, the better they will adopt it.<br /> * Write brief pieces with lots of visual breaks for people to absorb.<br /> * Images draw people’s attention. Try to add a graphic per post. (Not sure why this works, but it seems to add some level of attention.)<br /> * Mix up the kinds of pieces you put on your site. Interviews, how-to, newsish information, and more can help mix and draw more attention.<br /> * Limit the number of “me too” posts you do in any given month to no more than three. Be original, in other words.<br /> * The occasional ‘list’ post is usually very good for drawing attention.<br /> * Write passionately, but be brief (unless you’re writing a list of 100 tips).<br /> * Consider adding audio and video to the mix. The occasional YouTube video with you as the star adds to your personal branding immensely, especially if you can manage to look comfortable.<br /> * Brevity rules.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Conversation</span><br /><br /> * Commenting on other people’s blogs builds awareness fast.<br /> * The more valuable your comments, the more it reflects on your ability and your character.<br /> * Use your listening tools to stay active in pertinent discussions.<br /> * Try not to brag, ever. Be humble. Not falsely so, but truly, because a lot of what we do isn’t as important as saving lives.<br /> * Ask questions with your blog posts. Defer to experts. Learn from the conversation.<br /> * Be confident. Asking for external validation often is a sign of weakness.<br /> * Good conversations can be across many blogs with links to show the way.<br /> * Try never to be too defensive. Don’t be a pushover, but be aware of how you present yourself when defending.<br /> * Disclose anything that might be questionable. Anything, and quickly!<br /> * Don’t delete critical blog comments. Delete only spam, abrasive language posts, and offensive material. (Have a blog comments policy handy, if you get into the deleting mode.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Community</span><br /><br /> * Remember that community and marketplace are two different things.<br /> * Make your site and your efforts heavily about other people. It comes back.<br /> * Make it easy for your community to reach you.<br /> * Contribute to your community’s blogs and projects.<br /> * Thank people often for their time and attention.<br /> * Celebrate important information in your community (like birthdays).<br /> * Be human. Always.<br /> * Your community knows more than you. Ask them questions often.<br /> * Apologize when you mess up. Be very sincere.<br /> * Treat your community like gold. Never subject them to a third party of any kind without their consent.<br /> * Knowing more about your competitors’ communities is a useful thing, too. Learn who visits, why they visit, and how they interact.<br /> * Measuring your efforts in building community grows out your brand as a natural extension.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Face to Face</span><br /><br /> * Have simple, useful, crisp business cards to share. Always.<br /> * Be confident in person.<br /> * Clothes and appearance DO matter. WIsh they didn’t, but they do.<br /> * Have a very brief introduction / elevator pitch and practice it often.<br /> * Ask questions of people you meet. Get to know them.<br /> * Don’t seek business relationships right off. Instead, seek areas of shared interest.<br /> * Know when to walk away politely.<br /> * Don’t try to meet everyone in a room. Meet a half dozen or more great new people.<br /> * Never doubt that you are worth it.<br /> * If you’re terribly shy, consider finding a “wing man” for events.<br /> * Doing homework ahead of time (finding people’s most recent blog posts, googling them, etc) helps one feel “in the know.”<br /> * Make eye contact. It’s MUCH more powerful than you know.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Promotion</span><br /><br /> * Use Digg, StumbleUpon, Del.icio.us and Google Reader to drive awareness.<br /> * Promote others even more than you promote yourself<br /> * Bragging isn’t useful to anyone besides your own ego<br /> * Linking and promoting others is a nice way to show you care about people<br /> * Don’t digg/stumble/link every single post. Save it for your very best<br /> * Another promotional tool: guest blog on other sites<br /> * Another promotion tool: make videos on YouTube with URL links<br /> * Another promotion tool: use the status section of LinkedIn and Facebook<br /> * Try hard not to send too many self-promotional emails. Wrap your self-promotion in something of value to others, instead.<br /> * Sometimes, just doing really good work is worthy of others promoting you. Try it.payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-85071402033956738342009-11-13T11:38:00.000-08:002013-05-27T06:22:28.324-07:00Google Jagger - good article to readFirst, let's discuss Jagger... Just like hurricanes, Google updates have names. (A Google update is a change to the way Google determines its rankings. Google makes these changes periodically, and they're universally feared because they can impact dramatically on a website's ranking.) The latest update is called Jagger, and it has search engine optimizers (SEOs) all around the world in a state of panic.<br /><br />Why was Jagger such a fearful update? Simple... With Jagger, Google once again outsmarted huge numbers of SEOs. You see, many/most SEOs spend their time (and their clients' money) trying to trick Google into thinking that their websites are more relevant and important than they really are. They do this mostly by swapping links, buying cheap links, and placing links on free directories. While there's nothing wrong with these sorts of links (i.e. they're not considered 'black-hat'), they don't really show that the site is relevant or important. All they really show is that the site owner has made a deal with another site owner. In these deals, the incentive for the linking site owner is a reciprocal link, money, or increased link volume. Google much prefers it when the linking site adds the link simply to enhance the value of their content or to increase their own credibility and authority.<br /><br />In other words, Google wants its search results to contain relevant, important sites, not sites that merely appear to be relevant and important. To this end, Google invests millions of dollars and employs the world's smartest mathematicians to create algorithms which identify sites that are trying to trick them. And that's exactly what Jagger did; and when it found those sites, it simply adjusted their ranking to more accurately reflect their true importance. (Unfortunately, it also demoted some sites which actually deserve a high ranking. It is hoped that these mistakes will be ironed out with future minor updates, but that's a topic for another article...)<br /><br />rom a technical standpoint, Jagger was well described by Ken Webster in his article, Google's Jagger Update - Dust Begins To Settle?. To summarize, Jagger:<br /><br /> 1. Increased importance placed on IBL (Inbound Links) Relevancy?<br /> 2. Increased importance placed on OBL (Outbound Links) Relevancy?<br /> 3. Promotion of relevant Niche Directories (related to #1 & #2)?<br /> 4. More weight thrown back to PR @ top domain<br /> ?<br /> 5. Increased importance on AdSense placement relevancy?<br /> 6. Possible introduction of CSS Spam filtering?<br /> 7. Overall Blog demotions?<br /> 8. New and unresolved "canonical" issues? <br /><br />Some more interesting effects were reported by WG Moore in his Jagger article. Mr Moore runs a number of test sites for SEO purposes. By monitoring the links to his test sites as reported by Google, he established that:<br /><br /> "all reciprocal links had vanished. We think that this is because Google is down-grading or eliminating reciprocal links as a measure of popularity. This does make sense, actually. Reciprocal links are a method of falsifying popularity. Sort of a cheap method of buying a link, if you want to think of it that way... During the second week of the Jagger Update, a few of our reciprocal links did come back up. However, we also noticed that these were from places where we had highly relevant content. They came from articles where we discussed our area of expertise: Web Analytics, or from forums where we had relevant threads. So we feel that these links came back because of content, not linking.<br /><br />source : <a href="http://www.articlealley.com/article_16285_6.html">article alley</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-22808278382442403592009-11-09T03:09:00.000-08:002009-11-09T11:14:46.804-08:00Analytics Toolbox: 50+ More Ways to Track Website TrafficMost analytics packages are now focusing on real-time tracking and graphical representations of visitor data. Below are more than fifty analytics tools to help you monitor and analyze your web traffic.<br /><br />1) <a href="http://visistat.com/index.php">VisiStat</a> – Real-time tracking with graphical and intuitive reporting features.<br /><br />2) <a href="http://www.google.com/analytics/">Google Analytics</a> (Google Analytics) – Mentioned in our first list, Google (Google) offers free analytics software. Includes tight integration with AdWords (see also: 27 Features that Make Google Analytics Best of Breed). Unlike some enterprise apps, the stats are usually on a delay of a few hours.<br /><br />3) <a href="http://www.mvispy.com/">mviSPY</a> – Real-time analytics that track conversions and visitor identities.<br /><br />4) <a href="http://www.elogicwebsolutions.com/basic-stats.html">Webstats BASIC</a> – A free analytics program that tracks visitors and trends and has exportable reports.<br /><br />5) <a href="http://www.elogicwebsolutions.com/web-analytics.html">Webstats PRO</a> – A full-featured analytics package that includes click path analysis, campaign tracking, and complete traffic monitoring capabilities.<br /><br />6) <a href="http://www.load.com/LoadStats/">LoadStats</a> – Provides two different packages that include basic page view and visitor tracking along with geo-location, ad tracking, and more.<br /><br />7) <a href="http://www.opentracker.net/index.jsp">Opentracker.net</a> – Real-time visitor monitoring and web statistics.<br /><br />8) <a href="http://www.reliablecounter.com/">eWebAnalytics</a> – Comprehensive, free package that tracks unique visitors, conversions, average click-paths, traffic history, bounce rates, and virtually everything else that you could want in an analytics solution.<br /><br />9) <a href="http://www.metasun.com/">MetaTraffic </a>– Web analytics program that installs quickly and has the ability to track ad campaigns, downloads, and multimedia file traffic.<br /><br /><br />10) <a href="http://www.shinystat.com/">Shinystat</a> - Web analytics with three available packages that range from a free package that is basically a souped-up hit counter to a full-featured business edition with conversion and campaign tracking.<br /><br />11) <a href="http://www.lyris.com/solutions/lyris-hq/web-analytics/">Lyris HQ</a> – Analytics that include campaign ROI tracking and the ability to segment your historical data in any way you want.<br /><br />12) <a href="http://www.w3counter.com/">W3Counter</a> – Analytics that include a real-time visitor map to show where your visitors are coming from as they arrive.<br /><br />13) <a href="http://www.blizzardtracker.com/">Blizzard Tracker</a> – Intuitive web analytics that include web stats in real time.<br /><br />14) <a href="http://www.statsadvisor.com/">StatsAdvisor</a> – Web analytics that help you track both online and offline advertising efforts.<br /><br />15) <a href="http://getclicky.com/">Clicky</a> (Clicky) – Shows you every action a visitor makes and offers a dedicated iPhone version.<br /><br />16) <a href="http://logdy.com/">Logdy.com</a> – A free and paid analytics program with real-time reporting. <br /><br />17) <a href="http://www.pagealizer.com/">Pagealizer</a> – Web analytics that actually suggest changes and optimizations for your pages.<br /><br />18) <a href="http://sometrics.com/">Sometrics</a> – Analytics that measure your social advertising efforts.<br /><br />19) <a href="http://piwik.org/">Piwik</a> – Open source web analytics that you put on your own server.<br /><br />20) <a href="http://firestats.cc/">FireStats</a> – A downloadable web analytics program that’s free for non-commercial use.<br /><br />21) <a href="http://report.reinvigorate.net/snoop">Snoop</a> – Analytics that give you real-time notification of events that happen on your website (like orders, unique visitors, comments, and more).<br /><br />22) <a href="http://web.analytics.yahoo.com/">Yahoo! Web Analytics</a> – Formerly IndexTools, this package provides real-time enterprise site stats.<br /><br />23) BBClone – A PHP (PHP) based stats package.<br /><br />24) <a href="http://www.woopra.com/">Woopra</a> - Analytics suite that includes click-to-chat functionality and real-time notifications.<br /><br />25) <a href="http://www.mochibot.com/">MochiBot.com</a> – Flash content analytics.<br /><br />26) <a href="http://www.quate.net/grape">Grape Web Statistics</a> – A free and open source analytics package that includes the ability to query historical data and is compatible with both PHP 4 and 5.<br /><br />27) <a href="http://www.stuffedtracker.com/">tuffed Tracker</a> – Track form submissions, downloads, and other visitor actions, calculate conversions and ROI, analyze landing page effectiveness and more.<br /><br />28) <a href="http://www.goingup.com/">GoingUp</a> – Complete analytics package with comprehensive visitor and performance tracking.<br /><br />29) <a href="http://en.php-stats.com/">PHP-Stats</a> – A complete analytics program built in PHP.<br /><br />30) <a href="http://www.shauninman.com/archive/2004/03/10/shortstat_beta_3">Shortstat Beta 3</a> – A simple analytics program that includes search engine keyword tracking and more.<br /><br />31) <a href="http://wettone.com/code/slimstat">SlimStat</a> – Based on Shortstat but includes a number of other features including the ability to filter out search engine crawlers and showing visits and unique IPs instead of just hits.<br /><br />32) <a href="http://www.jawstats.com/">Jawstats</a> - A free, open-source analytics package that displays your stats using charts, graphs, and tables.<br /><br />33) <a href="http://www.histats.com/">Histats.com</a> – Free web stats in real time that include referrer information, detailed visitor information and more.<br /><br />34) <a href="http://www.statcounter.com/">StatCounter</a> – A highly configurable stats program that’s free.<br /><br />35) Brandgrow Website Analytics – Analytics that include website segmentation, competitor analysis, industry benchmarking, and more.<br /><br />36) <a href="http://www.sawmill.co.uk/">Sawmill 8</a> – Analytics with real-time alerts and clickstream analysis.<br /><br />37) <a href="http://www.xpolog.com/">XPLG</a> – Analytics package that lets you monitor and analyze any type of IT data.<br /><br />38) FuseStats – Web statistics that include customizable heatmaps, ad campaign management, multiple site tracking and more.<br /><br />39) <a href="http://www.enquisite.com/">Enquisite</a> – A search analytics program that includes visual search analysis and helps you optimize your site’s longtail search referrals.<br /><br />40) <a href="http://www.clickdensity.com/">clickdensity</a> – Heat maps with real-time visitor data to help you optimize your link and ad placement and enhance your site’s stickiness.<br /><br />41) <a href="http://www.nextstat.com/">nextSTAT</a> – Complete analytics package that includes graphical visitor detail path reports.<br /><br />42) <a href="http://www.clicktale.com/">ClickTale</a> – Watch movies of what your visitors do while on your site, view heatmaps and every interaction that a visitor has on your site including hovers, hesitations, and even which form fields are causing visitors to leave.<br /><br />43) <a href="http://www.labsmedia.com/clickheat/index.html">ClickHeat</a> – A free click heatmap generator.<br /><br />44) <a href="http://webanalyticssolutionprofiler.com/">WASP</a> - Web Analytics Solution Profiler is a Firefox (Firefox) extension that helps you understand how your web analytics solution is being implemented.<br /><br />45) <a href="http://sitescanga.com/">SiteScan</a> – A Google Analytics diagnostic tool that audits your Analytics setup to make sure it’s properly configured.<br /><br />46) <a href="http://telega.phpnet.us/analytics/">Fire Analytics</a> – A Firefox extension that lets you view your Google Analytics reports from Firefox.<br /><br />47) <a href="http://cownt.us/">Cownter App</a> – Shows visitors to your site how many people are currently on each page.<br /><br />Source : Mashablepayalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-91830000301378565022009-11-03T08:27:00.000-08:002009-11-09T07:52:04.447-08:00Top Ten Ways to Use Twitter for Marketing<span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Use it to promote new pieces of content you or your company create to drive traffic to your site. From online articles to blog posts or from videos to webinars, each time you add something to the Web that is of value, tweet about it and include a link. (Most people on Twitter use www.TinyURL.com to take a long URL and make it short.)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />2</span>. Use it for learning new marketing ideas, strategies and techniques. If you follow the right people, and you have to be picky about who you follow, you'll get pointed to a good amount of useful tutorials, videos, e-zines and other things that teach you about marketing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3</span>. Use it to get new customers. Use Twitter's search to find people who may be interested in your product or service. There are many ingenious ways to search for people on Twitter. For example, if you sell red widgets you could go to http://search.twitter.com and find people who have tweeted specifically looking for red widgets. To do this, type the following into the search box: red widgets?<br /><br />• You'll notice a lot of the results will be of others selling red widgets. These ones will all obviously have links in them to direct people to the site they're selling red widgets on. To weed these people/tweets out, use the negative sign like this: -http red widgets?<br /><br />• Since every link has 'http' in it, using the negative sign in front of it will cause your search results to not include any tweets with links in them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4</span>. Use it to build your email list. Use Twitter's search to find people who may be interested in the monthly newsletter you send out to your house email list. Invite these people to join.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5</span>. Utilize Twitter plugins or add-ons such as TweetMyBlog or The Twitter Updater, which both automatically make tweets of every new blog post you publish. Also check out TwitThis. When visitors to your website click on the TwitThis button or link, it takes the URL of the Web page and creates a shorter URL using TinyURL. Then visitors can send this shortened URL and a description of the web page to all of their followers on Twitter. Finally, look at TweetLater, a service that allows you to write lots of tweets at once and then schedule them to go out over time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6</span>. Use it to build buzz about an upcoming product or website launch.<br />[Forget Expensive PPC Advertising - There is an Alternative!]<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />7</span>. Use it to better brand yourself or your business. Remember, when someone wants to learn more about you or your company, they are increasingly using sites like Twitter for research. You could easily use Twitter to establish yourself as an authority in your field.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />8</span>. Use it to update followers on breaking news regarding your company. If your company is mentioned in a new article, tweet about it and include a link to the article. Or if you're at a conference or trade show, you could tweet what you're doing and invite people to visit you in person.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9</span>. Use it for business networking, master-mind groups (see Napoleon Hill), and getting yourself seen by high-profile people in your industry.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />10</span>. Use it as an instant messaging system to keep you and your team on the same page during projects. This is especially useful for those who work with teams spread out in different cities or countries.<br /><br />You should note that this top 10 list is not in order of importance or in any particular order. I suggest that you give Twitter a try if you haven't already. See if you can apply a few of these techniques and tactics to help you take advantage of Twitter as a marketing tool.<br /><br />And one more important thing to remember is that there is no silver bullet in marketing. You should always be trying and implementing numerous tactics when marketing your business. Don't only rely on Twitter or any other one thing. Instead, use Twitter (or any other Web 2.0 site) as simply one more tool in your entire social media and marketing toolbox. <br /><br />Source : Sitepro news</span>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-70335536575255162612009-10-29T09:51:00.000-07:002009-11-09T07:51:42.617-08:00Great slide on - SEO Trends and Tips for 2009 and 2010<div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_2210555"><a style="font:14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;display:block;margin:12px 0 3px 0;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/hillarybressler/seo-trends-and-tips-for-2009-and-2010" title="SEO Trends and Tips for 2009 and 2010">SEO Trends and Tips for 2009 and 2010</a><object style="margin:0px" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=etourismpresentationforhillary-091013125622-phpapp02&stripped_title=seo-trends-and-tips-for-2009-and-2010" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=etourismpresentationforhillary-091013125622-phpapp02&stripped_title=seo-trends-and-tips-for-2009-and-2010" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="font-size:11px;font-family:tahoma,arial;height:26px;padding-top:2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/hillarybressler">Hillary Bressler</a>.</div></div>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-74907616458040264652009-10-28T09:52:00.000-07:002009-10-28T10:03:56.791-07:00List Search Engines<span style="font-weight:bold;">Major Search Engines</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo!<br /> * Google<br /> * Msn<br /> * AOL<br /> * Overture<br /> * Excite<br /> * Lycos<br /> * iWon<br /> * HotBot<br /> * DogPile<br /> * Ask Jeeves<br /> * WebCrawler<br /> * MetaCrawler<br /> * Overture<br /> * InfoSpace<br /> * Netscape Search<br /> * Alltheweb<br /> * About<br /> * Alexa<br /> * Go<br /> * Looksmart<br /> * NBCi<br /> * Search King<br /> * Search.com<br /> * Espotting<br /> * EarthLink<br /> * ScrubTheWeb<br /> * Mamma<br /> * Teoma<br /> * AltaVista<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2nd Level Search Engines & Directories</span><br /><br /> * WhatUSeek<br /> * WiseNut<br /> * ICQ<br /> * Euroseek<br /> * Go2net<br /> * Enhance<br /> * GigaBlast<br /> * Vivisimo<br /> * ExactSeek<br /> * Nation<br /> * Wired<br /> * Surfwax<br /> * ixQuick<br /> * Infonetware<br /> * Fazzle<br /> * infoGrid<br /> * ZapMeta<br /> * Finger<br /> * MetaEureka<br /> * EntireWeb<br /> * Jayde<br /> * 100hot.com<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">General Search Engines</span><br /><br /> * Turbo10<br /> * QueryServer<br /> * CurryGuide<br /> * ithaki.net<br /> * B Central<br /> * API Links<br /> * CanLinks<br /> * 2KCity<br /> * Aesop<br /> * Allestra<br /> * Beamed<br /> * Coyotesearch<br /> * CozyCabin<br /> * Goto411<br /> * Hidden Street<br /> * IDoFind<br /> * IMarvel<br /> * Info Apex<br /> * Intel Search<br /> * JBlue<br /> * MixCat<br /> * NerdWorld<br /> * NetSearch<br /> * Newwebstuff<br /> * PrimeFind<br /> * RAging Banners Search<br /> * Search Ave<br /> * Search It<br /> * SurfGopher Directory<br /> * TrueSearch<br /> * Try America<br /> * TurnPike Emporium<br /> * Voyager<br /> * Web Trawler<br /> * 1CokeMKG Link Page<br /> * 1HighSchElect Link Page<br /> * 1TennPuters Link Page<br /> * AdWebZone<br /> * classified2000<br /> * Cognigen Telecom<br /> * Emailpromoter<br /> * F10<br /> * MultiLinks<br /> * Netrogenic<br /> * Submit One<br /> * Super P<br /> * The Rail Links<br /> * Traffic Wave<br /> * TrueMoney4u<br /> * 911Hits<br /> * FFA Farm<br /> * Links2U<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Country Specific Search Engines<br />Canada</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Canada<br /> * Google Canada<br /> * Canada.com<br /> * AOL Canada<br /> * Msn Canada<br /> * Canada One Directory<br /> * Canadien eh<br /> * Montreal Plus Search Engine<br /> * Sympatico<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">United Kingdom</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo UK<br /> * Google UK<br /> * Msn Uk<br /> * Netscape UK<br /> * AOL Uk<br /> * Mirago<br /> * Abacho UK<br /> * Freeserve<br /> * global.net.uk<br /> * BBC WebGuide<br /> * Doras<br /> * FindOnce<br /> * Excite UK<br /> * Foundya<br /> * Hotbot UK<br /> * Official Site Register<br /> * Search UK<br /> * Spark Search<br /> * SearchEngine UK<br /> * Selu<br /> * UkDirectory<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Australia & New Zealand</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Australia<br /> * Google Australia<br /> * Anzwers<br /> * AOL Australia<br /> * Web Search<br /> * WebWombat<br /> * NzExplorer<br /> * xtraMsn.co.nz<br /> * Optusnet<br /> * NineMsn<br /> * Looksmart nz<br /> * Looksmart au<br /> * Goeureka.com.au<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />France</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo France<br /> * Google France<br /> * Abacho France<br /> * Msn France<br /> * AOL France<br /> * HotBot France<br /> * Caloweb FR<br /> * Voila<br /> * TeleFrance<br /> * Lien Utiles<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Italy</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Italia<br /> * Arianna<br /> * Google Italia<br /> * Virgilio<br /> * Msn Italia<br /> * Hotbot Italia<br /> * Motore<br /> * Tiscali<br /> * Skipper<br /> * TGCOM<br /> * ABCItaly<br /> * Lycos Italia<br /> * BmWeb<br /> * Cerca In Lombardia<br /> * Cercain Lazio<br /> * Clarence<br /> * Curiosare<br /> * DominItaliani<br /> * e-Shoper<br /> * Libero<br /> * ShinySeek<br /> * Simpatico<br /> * Sussidiario<br /> * Supereva<br /> * Zibaldone<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Germany</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Germany<br /> * Google Germany<br /> * Msn Germany<br /> * Abacho Germany<br /> * AOL Germany<br /> * T-Online<br /> * Web.de<br /> * Bellnet<br /> * Freenet DE<br /> * Hotbot Germany<br /> * BlueWin<br /> * Caloweb DE<br /> * City-fux Germany<br /> * German Fireball Directory<br /> * SpeedFind<br /> * Dino-Online.de<br /> * TigerSuche<br /> * Web Wizard<br /> * Search.ch<br /> * AllesFinder<br /> * Ameta<br /> * BlitzZuche<br /> * CompuWeb<br /> * Dasi<br /> * Fixx<br /> * Flix<br /> * GratisWorld<br /> * Hamburg-web<br /> * Hit Net<br /> * Ripley<br /> * Schaufenster<br /> * Sharelook<br /> * Suchmaschine<br /> * Witch<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Russia</span><br /><br /> * Baklanov<br /> * Aport<br /> * FindMe<br /> * GoldenUrl<br /> * List Mail<br /> * Lupa<br /> * Lycos RU<br /> * Pdv<br /> * Punto<br /> * Rambler<br /> * Refer<br /> * Susanin<br /> * Top One<br /> * Userline<br /> * Yandex<br /> * Zabor<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Austria</span><br /><br /> * City-fux Austria<br /> * Msn Austria<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Scandinavia</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Norway<br /> * Google Norway<br /> * Msn Norway<br /> * Msn Finland<br /> * Google Finland<br /> * Soneraplaza Finland<br /> * Google Denmark<br /> * Msn Denmark<br /> * Google Sweden<br /> * Msn se<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Netherlands</span><br /><br /> * Vindex<br /> * DeBeste<br /> * Msn NL<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Switzerland</span><br /><br /> * City-fux Switzerland<br /> * Swiss Search<br /> * Msn Switzerland<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Poland</span><br /><br /> * Google Poland<br /> *<br /><br /> * Szukaj<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">S. Africa</span><br /><br /> * Google Poland<br /> * Szukaj<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Latin</span><br /><br /> * YupiMsn<br /> * Google Spain<br /> * Iguana<br /> * Mexico Web<br /> * AOL Argentina<br /> * AOL Mexico<br /> * Brujula<br /> * AOL Puerto Rico<br /> * t1Msn.com.mx<br /> * HotBot ES<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Brazil</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Brazil<br /> * Google Brazil<br /> * Exploora<br /> * Msn Brazil<br /> * AOL Brazil<br /> * NCanal<br /> * Sisbi<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Asia</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Asia<br /> * Yahoo korea<br /> * Msn Korea<br /> * Google Korea<br /> * Msn Taiwan<br /> * Yahoo Taiwan<br /> * Yahoo Hong Kong<br /> * Msn Hong Kong<br /> * Yahoo Singapore<br /> * Google Singapore<br /> * Msn Singapore<br /> * Msn Malaysia<br /> * WhatSite<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Japan</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo Japan<br /> * Google Japan<br /> * Goo.ne.jp<br /> * AOL Japan<br /> * Goo<br /> * Infoseek Japan<br /> * Japan-Guide<br /> * Kansai<br /> * Lycos Japan<br /> * Webgate<br /> * Msn Japan<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Chinese</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo China<br /> * Google China<br /> * Asiaco<br /> * Search1608<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />India</span><br /><br /> * Yahoo India<br /> * Google india<br /> * Msn India<br /> * Khojpayalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-76765987285379487562009-08-29T06:39:00.000-07:002009-08-31T03:38:01.131-07:0042 Million U.S. Women Use Social Media: Blogs Most InfluentialIs the jury still out in your mind as to whether social media matters in business? If so, a recent survey might make you change your mind. In fact, it may cause you to re-think your entire marketing outreach, especially if you market to women.<br /><br />The study found that 42 million women in the United States (roughly 53% of the 79 million adult women in the United States who use the Internet) participate in social media at least weekly. As they spend more time with social media, women are spending correspondingly less time with traditional media: 39% less on newspapers, 36% less time reading magazines, and 30% less time watching TV.<br /><br />That’s according to a recent social media survey by BlogHer, the women’s blog network, along with iVillage and Compass Partners.<br /><br />Of course, the flight from traditional media to social media has been reported before and may not be startlingly new to you. But this particular survey digs much deeper. There are 3 interesting findings that I would like to point out, that are worth spending time considering:<br /><br />Interesting Finding #1: Social Networks Like Facebook Get the Most Usage<br /><br />More women use social networks like Facebook and MySpace than anything else, with blogs their second choice. Forums and discussion boards come next, with Twitter bringing up the rear (remember that the next time you’re tempted to think Twitter is THE be all and end all of your marketing). Here’s a slide (slide 8 ) from the research study that shows usage:<br /><br />Social media participation by women<br /><br />If you were looking solely at raw numbers, you’d conclude the most important place your brand needs to be seen is over at Facebook or MySpace, right? Well … not necessarily.<br /><br />Interesting Finding #2: Blogs Wield the Widest Influence<br /><br />It’s not just about how much time is spent in an activity, it’s what women do in that activity and how much that activity plays into their purchasing habits. This slide (slide 10) from the survey shows the difference between reach and influence.<br /><br />Influence versus reach of social media<br /><br />The way I interpret this slide is that you would get the maximum reach in sheer numbers from social networks like Facebook (narrow point of the inverted pyramid), but you would achieve the widest influence from blogs (widest part of the inverted pyramid).<br /><br />The women who post to blogs are the most actively engaged. They spend the most time online. Over 80% also participate in social networks like Facebook, and over one third of bloggers also participate in Twitter. But more to the point, those who blog are more likely to be tech savvy, on the leading edge of trends, and invest time searching for new products online. Those who participate in social networking sites like Facebook are motivated to spend time there more as a matter of staying in touch with family and friends.<br /><br />Interesting Finding #3: Women Look to Blogs for Business, Politics, Cars and Technology<br /><br />The slide below (slide 20) tells the tale of the difference in type of advice and information sought, and how the different types of social media come into play. Women are more likely to go to social networks for beauty, entertainment and dating advice. But for the majority of other categories they look to blogs.<br /><br />Most likely source of information by topic in social media<br />Depending on the nature of your business, it might be worth it to focus on Facebook or MySpace — if, for instance, you are in the entertainment business. But for most things, such as if you are in a B2B business or selling technology, blogs could give you more influence.<br /><br />For graphical information read the article here <a href="http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/05/42-million-women-use-social-media-blogs.html">42-million-women-use-social-media-blogs</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com79tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-592561781556178762009-08-18T04:08:00.000-07:002009-08-31T03:41:15.115-07:00Top 30 Pligg Based Social Media Sites That Are Worth Your VisitInternet Marketing:<br /><br />1. Sphinn.com – Sphinn is a social networking community for Search and Internet Marketing Professionals. Sphinn allows you to share your SEO/SEM articles and others vote for it, obviously if they like it.<br /><br />2. PlugIM.com – PlugIM is a yet another social networking site for Internet Marketers allowing you to share and bookmark the articles you find useful.<br /><br />3. PPCAd.com – Looking for a website to learn more about PPC, PPC Ad is just the site you were looking for. Here people share the links to all the top articles on PPC.<br /><br />Web Professionals:<br /><br />4. CSSreboot.com – The CSS Reboot is a community event for web professionals. Ever wanted to see all the top CSS article at one place, this is the place it is.<br /><br />5. phpTut.li – php Tut is a community for php masters. Find all the information, tips, tricks and tutorials on php here.<br /><br />6. Ajax-Source.com – Ajax-Source.com provides web developers and webmasters an easy way to search, bookmark and share links to hot Ajax Scripts, Tools, Tutorials and Articles.<br /><br />7. SomeHostHere.com – Some Host Here is a community for web hosting companies, if you are looking for hosting deals then this is the best place to look out.<br /><br />IT/Tech Professionals:<br /><br />8. InformedNetworker.com – Informed Networker is a social news site for Information Technology Professionals. It offers you to<br />share links to various websites.<br /><br />9. P2Pvine.com – P2P Vine is a news site dedicated to technology of file sharing and P2P.<br /><br />10. MobilityBeat.com – MobilityBeat is a social networking community about mobile devices and technology. If you are looking for tips and tricks or how to make your mobile device work better then this is the right place.<br /><br />11. vIndianz.com – vIndianz is a citizen social networking community for students and professionals from around the world. Ever wanted to learn and have fun at the same time, vIndianz is just the place you were looking for.<br /><br />12. Macintoshr.com – Macintoshr is a social networking community for Mac enthusiasts. Share and vote for your favorites Mac articles and news.<br /><br />Hobby/Science Loving Professionals:<br /><br />13. Hugg.com – This green social networking site dedicated to environment and earth. If you are a supporter of environment and feel pity for the situation we’re going in, then this is the place to say about it.<br /><br />14. BioWizard.com – Bio Wizard is a social networking site for medical and science enthusiasts. Share and vote for you favorite articles.<br /><br />15. FunniestVideo.net – Funniest Video is a social network community which allows you to share that funny video which makes you laugh when ever you watch it.<br /><br />16. Gcurious.com – A social networking community where you could share links of celebrity and of course their gossip.<br /><br />17. DogSniff.com – Dog Sniff is an incredible way to share your story about a courageous dog or a great recipe for doggie treats, share it with the world on Dog Sniff.<br /><br />18. DigMyHonda.com – Dig My Honda is a Web 2.0 community for the automotive enthusiast. Vote and share your favorite Honda rides, Videos, DIYs and articles.<br /><br />19. KieFit.com – Kie Fit is a fitness social networking community. Find the best fitness resources here.<br /><br />20. PlaygroundBaby.com – PlaygroundBaby is a social networking community dedicated to finding the best things in life for your baby.<br /><br />21. PrayAble.com – If you are looking for some insights on spiritualism then this is the best social network site for you.<br /><br />Hot Deals:<br /><br />22. Dealigg.com – Dealigg is a social network for people who are looking for hot deals, coupons and discount.<br /><br />23. IwantTo.us – What do you want give today? I Want To is a social networking site that offers you to give away your stuffs.<br /><br />24. MemeOrLame.com – Meme or Lame is a citizen media platform targeting to bring editors and readers close.<br /><br />Country Specific Communities:<br /><br />25. Linka.co.nz – Linka is a portal to news, information and interesting stories on the web from New Zealand.<br /><br />26. eBenTa.com – eBenTa is a Philippines social networking community for every filipino to post, share, discover, bookmark, and promote stuff that’s important.<br /><br />27. IndianPad.com – Indian Pad is a social networking community for Indians, which allows you to share and bookmark your own links.<br /><br />28. BabbleStorm.co.uk – Babble Storm is a social networking community for British, to share, bookmark and vote for the important links.<br /><br />29. Chinamemes.com – Chinamemes is a social networking community for China Technology News.<br /><br />30. <a href="http://www.myplanetz.com">Myplanetz.com</a> - Myplanetz is a social networking community for every geographic on interesting categories.<br /><br />General Bookmarking:<br /><br />30. AddYourFavorites.com – Add Your Favorites is a social bookmarking website that offers you to save your links online.payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-25786882769767162102009-06-04T01:32:00.000-07:002009-08-31T03:37:19.244-07:00Types of AffiliatesMost merchants find it useful to divide prospective and current affiliates into major categories, which usually have different performance characteristics and concerns.<br /><br /> 1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">"All-Joiners"</span>: These affiliates generally seek to join all available affiliate programs (either generally, or within a specific product niche), in order to provide the most comprehensive information on their sites.<br /><br /> * <span style="font-weight:bold;">Price comparison sites</span>: Dozens of "price comparison" sites are founded on affiliate links from merchants, while some use a "pay-per-click fee model."<br /><br /> o Most price comparison sites exclude merchants who don't compensate affiliates in some way, but often accept very low commission rates rather than exclude well-known merchants. A few price-comparison sites, such as Froogle, are completely free (which may explain why Google has removed Froogle from public visibility).<br /><br /> o Many price comparison sites usually participate only in a merchant's affiliate program if the merchant provides a "datafeed" or other automated method to access information about the merchant's products and pricing.<br /><br /> o Because of the many variables and complexities of certain types of products and services, price-comparison sites are often misleading and unhelpful for these industries, but some may still draw meaningful traffic and could potentially drive sales. <br /><br /> * <span style="font-weight:bold;">Coupon and Deals sites</span>: These sites generally join all available affiliate programs, in order to have information in a wide range of product categories and for the widest possible range of merchants.<br /><br /> o Some "coupon and deals" sites seek to create a community of bargain-hunters, often emphasizing products and product categories. These affiliates can draw new customers to visit merchant sites; any differential treatment for coupon affiliates must include some special consideration for these sites.<br /><br /> o Unfortunately, most coupon sites rely almost exclusively on obtaining favorable search-engine placement adjacent to consumer searches for merchant-specific keywords (such as "Amazon coupon"), and present a page with results for that merchant - often listing no genuine coupons at all. Some will even list "fake" coupons in order to persuade consumers to click on their affiliate links. Arguably, this group of coupon sites add little value, and some will have a negative impact by upsetting consumers with fake offers.<br /><br /> + In reviewing one merchant's log files, I determined that almost 50% of the sales attributed to affiliates were actually to consumers who had arrived at the merchant's site from some other source, chose items, and began the checkout process - but then saw a "coupon prompt" and exited the site to search for a coupon code, returning through a coupon affiliate's link. This merchant had no active coupon codes, so these sales were credited only to affiliates who had expired or fabricated coupon information. It is likely that many sales were actually lost after customers were disappointed that these coupons weren't honored. <br /><br /> * <span style="font-weight:bold;">Incentive Sites</span>: A number of internet companies promise consumers either "rebates" or "charitable donations" based on a share of affiliate commissions, if the consumer uses the "right" affiliate link before making a purchase at a merchant site.<br /><br /> o Such affiliates generally do not bring new customers to a merchant, but instead "poach" a transaction that should properly be attributed to some other source (which increases the merchants' costs, reduces the accuracy of other reporting methods, and alienates affiliates whose commissions are poached).<br /><br /> o Some "incentive affiliates" are actually "fronts" for "parasites," who use the "incentive" business model as a pretext for the lack of referring URLs in most of their affiliate links, and for their unusual (high or low) conversion rates.<br /><br /> o On some affiliate networks, these sites are flagged or assigned separate categories so that merchants can allow or exclude them; some unethical incentive affiliates actively circumvent such methods.<br /><br /> o I recommend that merchants exclude "incentive" sites from affiliate programs. Such an exclusion will add compliance costs. <br /><br /> 2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Many-Joiners"</span>: Some sites join "many but not all" affiliate programs, for a variety of reasons.<br /><br /> * <span style="font-weight:bold;">Shopping Mall Sites</span>: Some sites attempt to create a "mall" or "shopping resource" site, with links to several (or several dozen) merchants in each product category. Most of these sites carry little information other than an organized map of affiliate links, but some do provide meaningful information about products, shopping and gifting strategies, or other topics.<br /><br /> * <span style="font-weight:bold;">Banner Farms</span>: Probably the most annoying affiliate applications come from individuals who simply create a single web page with dozens of merchant banners and buttons. These "banner farms" contain no original content, and as a result they draw almost no traffic whatsoever. Sometimes, these sites are created by individuals who are duped into "buying a web site" on eBay or through a promotional package, with assurances that vast wealth will result. While these sites are pathetic and have little value, they also have little or no impact on an affiliate program (since there is little traffic, there is no impact on EPC, for example). My recommendation is that if such affiliates apply, then unless there is something objectionable on their site, they can be accepted; there is always a remote possibility that one in 1,000 of these affiliates will later build a "real" web site that generates traffic and sales. However, these sites should generally be excluded from many special offers or follow-up communications that might waste affiliate-management time. <br /><br /> 3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Content and Directory Sites</span>: I use this term to web sites which provide some benefit to consumers, usually by providing relevant editorial content (articles, blogs, or discussion forums) or by maintaining a relevant directory of information and resources sought by consumers. These are the "affiliates" that first come to mind for most consumers and merchants, when the word "affiliate" is used.<br /><br /> 4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Portals and Mega-Sites</span>: Sites like Yahoo, MSN, and About.com provide vast amounts of information on a wide range of subjects, sometimes organized in a consistent way, and sometimes organized in a variety of different ways. While most of these companies claim that they do not participate in affiliate programs, most of them actually do so.<br /><br /> * The Good News is that these sites draw vast amounts of traffic (many millions or even hundreds of millions of pageviews per month). If affiliate links are shown on relevant pages, they can sometimes draw good clickthrough rates and often strong conversion rates also.<br /><br /> * The Bad News is that many of these sites run affiliate ads (especially banners) indiscriminately, on pages that are not relevant. One result is a very low clickthrough rate (which generally doesn't affect the merchant unless there is a cost for serving banner ads). Unfortunately, the clicks that do occur often have a dreadful conversion rate, in part because when clickthrough rates are very low, a substantial number of the clicks received are "accidental" or are generated by automated tools. Low conversion rates will push down the merchant's EPC (earnings per 100 clicks), which may make the merchant's affiliate program seem less attractive to new prospective affiliates.<br /><br /> o Some affiliate networks actually recommend "removal" of high-traffic, low-performance affiliates; I think this is ludicrous. Instead, the affiliate manager may need to spend some time working with the affiliate to optimize their affiliate campaigns. <br /><br /> 5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Directory Sites</span>: In some industries and product categories, consumers may rely extensively on "directory sites," to help them identify and compare available resources. Over the past 12 years, I've frequently bought services that I've discovered through directories. (I've also created and sold two successful directory sites.)<br /><br /> * Industry-Specific Directories: There may be hundreds (even thousands) of web sites that offer directories of companies in your industry. While a few of these are maintained with editorial independence, the vast majority include only pay-per-click or affiliate links. Offering an affiliate program should allow access to more of these directories.<br /><br /> * Business Directories: There are also thousands of different "business directory" sites, each with a slightly different focus. Some will provide free listings, and others may seek monthly or per-click fees -- but many dozens of these sites focus on merchants with affiliate programs. <br /><br /> 6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Product Comparison sites</span>: There are a number of "product comparison sites," which seek to identify and compare the features, benefits and drawbacks of various products. There is some overlap with "price-comparison sites" and "directory sites," and some sites can't be assigned to just one category or the other. Like most price-comparison sites, many product comparison sites rely on the availability of a "datafeed" as the source of product information. Given the many "variables" in xyz-service and xyz-services, both "product comparison" and "price comparison" is quite difficult and often meaningless - but some sites should deliver traffic and sales.<br /><br /> 7. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Information, Advice, and Forum Sites</span>: These are "primary content sites" which specifically focus on a narrow topic, drawing visitors who are extremely likely to be interested in the products and services being offered by MerchantName.com. Sites with article or advice formats (excluding forums) are highly likely to participate as affiliates. Forum sites usually prohibit posting of affiliate links in posts (messages), but forum owners sometimes promote merchants with affiliate programs; they may use advertising space, post affiliate URLs in messages, or sometimes even edit URLs in other posts to append affiliate tags. (Forum sites often produce extremely low clickthrough rates, since most forum users "tune out" standard advertising placements while viewing dozens of pages at a site each day.)<br /><br /> 8. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Complementary Content Sites</span>: I use this category (which clearly overlaps with the prior category) to describe sites whose topic or focus is something "other than" your industry or products. These would be sites that attract the kind of visitors you want as customers.<br /><br /> 9. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Complementary Merchants </span>(Non-Competing Competitors)<br /><br />Source : <a href="http://www.markwelch.com/web-marketing-advice/affiliate-types.php">Affiliate program</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-54072498618938731272009-05-26T02:50:00.000-07:002009-08-31T03:37:02.161-07:00INSTANT MESSAGING TOOLBOX: 90+ IM ToolsInstant messaging is said to be one of the most popular forms of Internet communication for teens today, beating out email thanks to the lack of spam and instant feedback. With SweetIM adding support for AIM today, we thought we’d take a look at how the IM market is shaping up.<br /><br />And for those who think 90+ IM clients are too many for anyone to handle, we wholly agree: that’s why a good number of these are actually tools to aggregate all your IM buddies in one place.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Google talk</span> - use GTalk for your voice calls, voice messages, file transfer and Gmail (Gmail reviews) notifications<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Skype</span> - high quality calls to anyone, anywhere in the world<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Yahoo! Messenger</span> - an official messenger for Yahoo! users, free to use but advertising-supported<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AOL Instant Messenger</span> - communicate with AOL registered users via text, voice, and video<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Windows Live Messenger</span> - connect and share instantly on the world’s most popular IM network<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ICQ</span> - the world’s first instant messaging program<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">mICQ</span> - a free text-based ICQ client that runs on a wide variety of platforms<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Licq </span>- a free clone of the ICQ client for Linux other Unix systems<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">aMSN</span> - a free and open source MSN Messenger clone for Linux users<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">JMSN</span> - a pure Java MSN Messenger clone, with many interesting features that MSN doesn’t have<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CSpace</span> - secure and peer-to-peer communication to chat or transfer files<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Coccinella</span> - a free Jabber/XMPP client with a built-in white board for improved collaboration with other people<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Emesene</span> - a MSN Messenger client with a simpler GUI and a nice look<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gajim</span> - a full-featured and easy to use XMPP client for gnome users<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">GOIM</span> - allows users to chat within DirectX games<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">mcabber</span> - a small console-based Jabber client that runs on Linux and Mac OS X<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gadu-Gadu</span> - the most popular IM in Poland<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Exodus </span>- a Jabber client which is small, fast, easy to use, and looks good<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Retroshare</span> - communicate and download files from friends of friends<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">naim</span> - a console based multi-protocol client with features like peer to peer encryption and module support<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gossip</span> - an instant messaging client for Gnome users, with chat history search<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MessageMate</span> - commercial IM platform that provides end-to-end security; interoperable with AIM, ICQ, Yahoo and MSN<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Papla Instant</span> - use it on your PC and mobile phone<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mercury Messenger</span> - a full featured Windows Live Messenger client, offers several extra features which are not implemented in MSN<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Psi</span> - small, fast Jabber client<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Spark</span> - free and open source IM with built-in support for group chat, telephony integration and strong security<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jabbin</span> - free Jabber client that enables free calls using VoIP<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">YSM </span>- full-featured console-based ICQ client<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MySpaceIM</span> - the official instant messaging client for MySpace (MySpace reviews)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">OneTeam</span> - IM client is XUL based, so requires Firefox (Firefox reviews) 2<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Microsoft Messenger for Ma</span>c - the official Mac client for MSN Messenger, but the feature list is limited<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Xfire</span> - chat with contacts inside the game, without the need to minimize the game windows<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pandion</span> - Jabber client which supports plugins to extend its features<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BitWise IM</span> - a secure, cross-platform client that encrypts all data sent between users<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Multi-network IM Clients<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pidgin</span> - most popular, free, multi-platform IM client that supports most of the IM protocols<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Miranda IM</span> - lightweight, resource efficient and easy to use client with powerful plugin support<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ayttm</span> - in case of a service failure, this will automatically fall back to other service protocols of the same person you are chatting to.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Trillian</span> - a Windows application that can connect to multiple IM services, with nice features like Metacontact, Instant lookup, and Emotiblips<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">meetro</span> - find and chat with people nearby, i.e. location-aware client<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">IMVU</span> - 3D chat which enables you chat in 3D scenes with your own avatars<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Kopete</span> - KDE application, provides users with a single, easy-to-use way to access all of their instant messaging systems<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MECA</span> - connect to all of your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo! and ICQ from just one list<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Centericq</span> - text based multi protocols IM client<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Proteus</span> - popular client for Mac OS X that supports multiple protocols<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Instan-t</span> - Windows client that allows users to communicate with MSN, AIM, Y!Messenger, ICQ and its IM networks<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iChat</span> - IM Client from Apple for Mac OSX<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Universal Messenger Plus</span> - a single convenient interface that allows you to easily communicate over different protocols.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Qnext</span> - share your music, photos, and files with anyone, instantly while talking via IM<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Adium</span> - free client for Mac users that can connect to most of the popular messaging services<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BitlBee</span> - IRC clients with support of IM protocols<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Web based IM</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">meebo</span> - the most popular third party web based instant messaging service<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">eBuddy</span> - chat with your buddies using web and mobile versions<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">KoolIM</span> - web-based IM that allows you to connect to your email inbox as well as popular IM networks<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ILoveIM</span> - another web based IM service with advertisements<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">IMhaha</span> - supports Yahoo, MSN and AIM but not Google Talk<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goowy</span> - more than just an IM client; offers e-mail, calendar, news, RSS, file storage and more<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">IMunitive</span> - an alternative to meebo, but doesn’t support Jabber i.e. Google Talk<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />RadiusIM</span> - web-based IM service with Google Maps (Google Maps reviews) integration, which means you can see where your friends are<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MessengerFX</span> - unofficial web based IM client for MSN Messenger<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ICQ2Go!</span> - web-based installation-free version of ICQ<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SNIMMER </span>- chat on MSN, Yahoo, AOL, ICQ and GTalk and make new friends by creating a profile with pictures<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">IMO</span> - allows you to log in to all chat networks at the same time<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Communicationtube</span> - separate login for ICQ, MSN Messenger, IRC and Google Talk contacts<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Express Instan-t</span> - simple IM which works with ICQ, MSN and Yahoo<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">easymessenger</span> - free instant messenger service with built-in RSS support that works with MSN, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo! and Jabber.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">mabber</span> - use it on your phone or put it on your website<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MSN2Go</span> - Java applet that enables you connect to MSN messenger service<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Yafumato Web Messenger</span> - free and open source web-based IM client that allows you to connect to AIM, GTalk, MSN, and Yahoo<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MSN Web Messenger</span> - the web-based version of MSN Messenger, without file sharing or video calls<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Yahoo! Web Messenger</span> - access to your Yahoo! messenger, chat with your friends and get notified when new email is received.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AIM Express</span> - official web-based instant messenger for AIM<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Google Talk via Gmail</span> - chat with your GTalk contacts from Google (Google reviews) mail<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mobile IM</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Agile Messenger</span> - user friendly all-in-one application for your mobile phone<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Eqo</span> - save up to 95% on calls, 70% on text messaging, integrates all of MSN, Yahoo!, GTalk, AIM, ICQ, and Jabber.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">fring </span> - use it as an IM client, but also for free calls over Wi-Fi, GPRS or EDGE<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">IM+</span> - All-in-One Mobile Messenger that works on any mobile device<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">OctroTalk</span> - keeps you connected with your buddies, and works seamlessly over GPRS/EDGE/CDMA/Wifi/Bluetooth data connections<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">QuickIM</span> - connect to public MSN networks using your cell phone with one time license fee<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">JiveTalk</span> - connect simultaneously to AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ, and Jabber<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Causerie</span> - an easily configurable chat tool with simple-to-use user interface that work on Palm, Blackberry, Pocket PC, Symbian and J2ME enabled phones.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TipicME</span> - J2ME-based Jabber client that is really well done and absolutely free<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iSkoot</span> - mobile application that allows you to connect by GPRS, 3G or Wifi and to speak or chat with all your contacts on Skype<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MovaMessenger</span> - a free mobile IM client, works with MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, and GTalk<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Turbo MSN</span> - a mobile MSN client for Nokia and Panasonic<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nimbuzz</span> - call your IM buddies on their mobile or on their PC, chat with your IM buddies for free and send text messages for free.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Heysan</span> - web based mobile messenger, compatible with most of the mobile phones including iPhone.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">YehBA Mobile IM</span> - allows you chat with your friends anywhere in the world, meet new friends across the globe through chat rooms, and have access to an unlimited number of fun services.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Palringo Vocal IM</span> - transforms your mobile device into a walkie-talkie: communicate with a contact or a group at the touch of a button<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT Messenger</span> - exchange messages using the most popular IM applications from MSN, Yahoo! and AOL<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">EpyxMobile</span> - call all over the world from your mobile phone for SkypeOut tariffs<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">GoTalkMobile</span> - Java application for J2ME enabled phones, allows you connect to Google Talk and Jabber<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MSN Mobile</span> - take MSN with you<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mundu</span> - conference with your contacts across IM services in a single chat session<br /><br /><br />source : <a href="http://mashable.com/2007/08/07/instant-messaging/">Mashable</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-6664709389437865942009-05-20T02:02:00.000-07:002009-08-31T03:36:49.514-07:005 Reasons Why Most Internet Marketers FailWhen it comes to starting any endeavor, whether it be learning a new hobby or starting an online business, we all have to start at ground zero. We all have to start at the very beginning from the very same place. Granted, we each bring different skills and backgrounds into the mix, but for the most part we are all on equal footing at the starting line.<br /><br />If this is the case, then we really have to ponder why is it only a choice few go on to succeed, while most people don't. Just what are the reasons why most online marketers fail? This is the core question that has to be answered if you want to fully understand Internet marketing and how it works.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are these basic reasons? </span><br /><br />What are the causes or stumbling blocks that hold many marketers and webmasters from reaching their full online potential? If we know these factors, we can learn how to avoid them and even overcome them in our own online marketing. These reasons can be a solid reference point or even a source of inspiration for any online marketer just starting out.<br /><br />Speaking from the viewpoint of someone who has started from the very beginning with little to no knowledge of computers or even marketing for that matter, I can honestly relate to the beginning marketer. I even had to learn HTML from scratch in order to construct my own webpages. Probably my only advantage, I did have a background in art but designing webpages was completely different from anything I had done previously to starting in online marketíng.<br /><br />But from my own experiences I have drawn some general conclusions about Internet marketing and why some people succeed while most people fail. So here in my honest opinion, are some of the main reasons why many online marketers fail:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Overwhelmed With Information</span><br /><br />Perhaps, one of the biggest obstacles I faced when I first started my website - I was bombarded with so much information on how to proceed I didn't have a clue which direction to take or who to believe. Thousands of different info products telling you to do this, not to do that... so much marketing information to absorb that you end up scratching your head and looking like someone auditioning for a zombie movie.<br /><br />Completely overwhelmed with so much information, many marketers or webmasters enter a state of paralysis where nothing gets done. You go from one course to another or from one method to another, without any real understanding of how to proceed or how to get a detailed blueprint to follow.<br /><br />Information overflow can effectively crush all that novice enthusiasm and literally kill even the most eager of entrepreneurs. Anyone starting out must be aware of this obvious but insidious pitfall you have to avoid at all costs. One of the best remedies, simply try concentrating on just one or two marketing plans/marketers for all your information. Try to eliminate the clutter by just working on one marketing system. Just have a few key marketing resources you go to for information, not a hundred! And do your homework, only pick marketers who can back up their claims with observable results on the web. One obvious checkmark - just see if those marketers have top rankings for their sites for popular profitable keywords associated with their sites or products.<br /><br />2.<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Lack Of Key Marketing Basics</span><br /><br />There are some key marketing basics or fundamentals you must learn about marketing online. Internet marketing has some key elements you must get right or you will have a difficult task in succeeding on the web. Just simple factors you must get right or it's game over before you even get started.<br /><br />Most marketers fail to realize the web is "information driven" and you must supply quality information or content in order to truly succeed. You must provide a valuable service or function to your visitors. You must help solve their problem. You must give them a solid reason to use your site or product. Quality content is and always will be King on the web.<br /><br />You must also understand much of the web is "keyword driven" and you must construct your webpages to take full advantage of these keywords. You must have at least a rudimentary understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how you can use it to get top rankings for your keyword phrases.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lack Of Time And Resources</span><br /><br />Another major reason why many marketers fail is because they simply can't afford the time to learn and build their online business. Most people just can't stop everything and work full time online because they have bills to pay and families to support. It may take months, probably years, before you can build up a successful online business that gives you a comfortable living. The average person just doesn't have the time or the resources to spend months learning how all this works.<br /><br />Keep in mind, getting a business or website going is probably the most inexpensive way to start your business. Domains are cheap. Web hosting is cheap. Web design is cheap if you can do it yourself... Compared to starting a business in the "real" world, creating an online business will only cost a faction of the normal expenses connected with starting a business. But the main problem is having the resources to pay your living expenses until your online business is profitable. Many beginning online marketers don't have these resources and the main complaint from these marketers: "I Simply can't afford the time to work at this online stuff." <br /><br />One solution is to work at your online marketíng in your spare time and gradually build up your business until you can afford to do it full time. It will obviously take longer but you can still get to the same end goal.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lack Of Necessary Skills</span><br /><br />Actually, you don't need many skills to succeed online. However, one of the major skills you must have or you must learn is communication. You must learn how to communicate. The web is all about communicating your points to your visitors or viewers so you must acquire good communication skills.<br /><br />It really helps your marketing if you are a good writer because you can easily get your points across with written text or copy on your site. Writing skills can be learned but many beginning marketers don't fully understand how important their writing skills will be to their success. You must be able to communicate on your site, in your newsletters, with your customers... might sound a bit obvious but you would be surprised at how many marketers lack this simple, yet necessary skill.<br /><br />But don't fret, because once upon a time, the written word was king online - but not any more. Videos are rapidly taking the place of the printed word so anyone with a camera can now be a success online. Of course, you still need good communication skills even using videos, but many marketers have found this is a much easier way to communicate information about their site or product.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lack Of Persistence</span><br /><br />For me, one the most significant reasons most online marketers/webmasters fail, is because of a lack of persistence. They simply give up too soon. They try something for a few weeks, even for a few months and then they conclude this is not working and they give up.<br /><br />Building a solid online business or viable website takes time, a lot of time. Just because your business is online, doesn't mean everything will fall into place overnight, it takes time to establish a customer base. It takes time to build your business relationships with others in your field.<br /><br />Sometimes, it may take years before you see some solid returns. It was three years before I saw any significant revenue coming from my online ventures, and another year before I could summon enough courage to do this online marketing full time. If I had given up and not persisted at this web stuff, I would not be writing this article right now.<br /><br />Building top rankings for your keywords in the search engines (especially Google) can take months, even years before you see any results. The real key is to be persistent and keep at it, day after day, until you get those top rankings. You simply must be persistent or you will fail.<br /><br />In conclusion, having said all that, you must also realize there are plenty of exceptions to all of the above. There have been countless success stories on the web where someone has come up with a novel idea or product and become successful overnight. The web can provide immediate success for some, but for most of us, it will take some time and hard effort on our part to build a successful online business. Just try to avoid many of the pitfalls or reasons listed above and you will have a better chance of placing yourself in the success column.<br /><br />Source : SitePro Newspayalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-28233315162291865942009-04-28T03:31:00.000-07:002009-05-20T02:02:24.180-07:00Great presentation on Google analytics<div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_212860"><a style="font:14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;display:block;margin:12px 0 3px 0;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/JayAre/an-introduction-to-google-analytics?type=presentation" title="An introduction to Google Analytics">An introduction to Google Analytics</a><object style="margin:0px" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=an-introduction-to-google-analytics-1198701588721690-4&stripped_title=an-introduction-to-google-analytics" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=an-introduction-to-google-analytics-1198701588721690-4&stripped_title=an-introduction-to-google-analytics" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="font-size:11px;font-family:tahoma,arial;height:26px;padding-top:2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/JayAre">Joris Roebben</a>.</div></div>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-24622690855244981252009-04-14T03:29:00.000-07:002009-05-20T02:01:58.659-07:00Just go thru Video Website SEO - Step wise step Tips...<div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_784294"><a style="font:14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;display:block;margin:12px 0 3px 0;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/grantast/video-seo-tips-for-website-design-presentation?type=powerpoint" title="Video Seo Tips for Websites">Video Seo Tips for Websites</a><object style="margin:0px" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=videoseowebsitedesign-1227554514995997-8&stripped_title=video-seo-tips-for-website-design-presentation" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=videoseowebsitedesign-1227554514995997-8&stripped_title=video-seo-tips-for-website-design-presentation" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="font-size:11px;font-family:tahoma,arial;height:26px;padding-top:2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/grantast">Grant Crowell</a>.</div></div>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-50723120175220734492009-04-14T03:27:00.000-07:002009-05-20T02:01:58.659-07:00Are you newbie in Internet Marketing - No worries ...chek this ppt<div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_760898"><a style="font:14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;display:block;margin:12px 0 3px 0;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/GenerateUK/how-to-market-your-web-site-using-internet-marketing-presentation?type=presentation" title="How to market your web site using Internet Marketing">How to market your web site using Internet Marketing</a><object style="margin:0px" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=marketing-your-website-1226942126645563-8&stripped_title=how-to-market-your-web-site-using-internet-marketing-presentation" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=marketing-your-website-1226942126645563-8&stripped_title=how-to-market-your-web-site-using-internet-marketing-presentation" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="font-size:11px;font-family:tahoma,arial;height:26px;padding-top:2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/GenerateUK">Michael Robinson</a>.</div></div>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-41993128928727036752009-04-06T12:47:00.000-07:002009-05-20T02:01:58.660-07:00Indian affiliate program, get paid for survey, Earn money online - which works??Any idea on Indian affiliate programs OR paid for survey tool which really works. While surfing I came across few affiliate sites but its difficult for me to decide on to join them or not. Can anyone can guide on this???<br /><br /><a href="http://www.moneycosmos.com/">moneycosmos</a><br />Money Cosmos is a venture of Karmath Infotech Private Limited. I tried to join but new registration is closed. <br />Goto affiliate page <a href="http://www.moneycosmos.com/page_affiliates.html">affiliates</a><br /><br /><a href="http://earnextrarupees.com/default.aspx">earnextrarupees</a> what about this???<br /><br />Best Paid Online Surveys<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Global Test Market</span>: Global Test Market is one of the largest marketing research firms which conduct online market research and paid surveys. Most surveys take less than 15 minutes to complete. Take free paid surveys and earn 50-150 points that can be redeemed for cash. Sometimes these surveys may lead to a chance to test a product or service, or participate in a online focus group with bigger rewards. You will get 5 points(0.25$) for each survey you do not qualify, so it is worth to join. Minimum payment is 50$. Payments are sent by check in your local currency. Members can join GTM International panel.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lightspeed Panel</span>: When you take paid surveys from lightspeed, you will earn Lightspeed Points, which can be redeemed for cash, prizes, or online gift certificates. Lightspeed pays by Paypal, Amazon gift certificates etc.Minimum payout is 5$. If you are from USA or Canada join Lightspeed panel. Hispanic people from any country can join Lightspeed Hispanic Panel.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">American Consumer Opinion</span>: Join ACOP survey panel take paid surveys and earn Amazon gift certificates. Register with ACOP Panel. Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States members only.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Myview Surveys</span>: Myview is an invitation only survey panel. Myview is currently recruiting US hispanic people. Myview pays by Paypal. They send a lot of surveys. The surveys are usually 2-3 $. Join Myview Surveys<br /><br />5. Take paid surveys and earn cash.Complete paid online surveys and earn money online. Join <span style="font-weight:bold;">GiveUsYour2Cents Survey Panel</span>.payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-551048095974980032009-03-20T01:37:00.000-07:002009-03-20T03:41:54.553-07:00Top social networking sites - for promotion and making money onlineSocial networking websites have been around since the mid-90's, but in recent years, social networking has exploded across the web. The <a href="http://www.myplanetz.com">Web 2.0</a> initiative has made modern social networking sites increasingly popular and easier to use than the initial wave of sites that launched in the 90's.<br /><br />The top social networking websites is divided into three categories: General purpose, niche sites with a specific theme, and international sites. <br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">General Interests</span>::::<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.myspace.com">MySpace</a>: Started in 2003, MySpace was a driving force in popularizing social networking and still maintains a large userbase.<br /><br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com">Facebook</a>: Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook was designed as a social networking site for Harvard students. After spreading from Harvard through the university ranks and down into high school, Facebook was opened to the public in 2006.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.hi5.com">Hi5</a>: A fast-growing social network with a strong base in Central America, Hi5 has over fifty million users worldwide.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.ning.com">Ning</a>: A social network for creating social networks, Ning takes the idea of groups to a whole new level.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.twitter.com">Twitter</a> : One part social networking, one part worldwide chat, Twitter is one of the fastest growing phenomenons in the world. A mini-blogging service that lets you update your friends on what you are doing at that moment, Twitter was launched in late 2006 and had explosive growth in 2007.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.friendster.com">Frienster</a> : Launched in 2002, Friendster helped vitalize the Web 2.0 revolution of social networks, and was the source of inspiration for MySpace. One of the most popular social networks of its time, Friendster was overtaken by MySpace in 2004.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.imeem.com">Imeem</a> :Combining social networking and social media, Imeem focuses on sharing music, pictures, video and blog posts. Originally more of a peer-to-peer network with social networking features, Imeem has grown into a full-fledged social network.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.tagged.com">Tagged</a> : A general social networking site, Wikipedia reports that Tagged may be inflating its numbers to attract more users. The seeming lack of moderation for inappropriate material makes this social network unfit for kids.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Niche Sites</span><br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.flixster.com">Flixster</a>: With a tagline of "stop watching bad movies," Flixster combines social networking with movie reviews.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.last.fm/">Last.fm</a>: Billing itself as a social music site, Last.fm allows members to create their own radio station that learns what the person likes and suggests new music based on those interests. In addition to this, you can listen to the radio stations of friends and other Last.fm members.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a>: A business-oriented social network, members invite people to be "connections" instead of "friends." Linkedin is a contact management system as well as a social network, and has a question-and-answer section similar to Yahoo! Answers.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.xanga.com/">Xanga</a>: A social blogging site that combines social networking elements with blogging. Members earn credits for participating in the site and can spend credits on various things such as buying mini-pictures to post in the comments of a friend's blog.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.43things.com/">43 Things</a> : A social networking site that targets goal-setting, members are interlinked by the goals they are going after and the goals they have completed.<br /> <br /> * <a href="http://www.blackplanet.com/">BlackPlanet</a> : One of the oldest social networks, and the most popular special interest social networking site, BlackPlanet caters to African-Americans. <br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.broadcaster.com/">Broadcaster</a> : A social network centered around video allowing people to upload their own video clips. engage in video chats with other members, and send video e-mail.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.care2.com/">Care2</a> : Green living beyond just social networking, Care2 offers email, blogging, shopping, and more, all catered to those wishing to live a green life.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.classmates.com/">Classmates</a> : Founded in 1995, Classmates was one of the first social networks on the web and still caters primarily to schools and colleges. Classmates charges a fee for advanced services that are usually free on other social networking sites. The website also uses questionable marketing practices by emailing non-paying users and inviting them to pay for the premium service under the pretense that someone was searching for them.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.dodgeball.com/">Dodgeball</a> : A social networking site aimed at mobile users, Dodgeball interacts with mobile devices to send text messages to your friends alerting them to your status online.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.ecrush.com/">eCrush</a> : A social network targeting teens, eCrush is the 21st century's answer to writing "Do you like me?" on a piece of paper with a boxes for yes and no and a request to check the one that applies. Teens tell eCrush who they have a crush on, and then eCrush asks those people who they have crushes on. If there is a match, eCrush lets both know, otherwise, the person is none the wiser.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.flixter.com/">Flixter</a> : With a tagline of "stop watching bad movies," Flixter combines social networking with movie reviews.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.gaiaonline.com/">Gaia Online</a> : A social network with virtual world elements, Gaia Online has an anime, comics, and gaming theme. Members can create their own avatar, earn gold by participating in the network, purchase items in virtual shops, visit virtual towns, and more.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">Meetup</a> : A social network with an event organization theme, Meetup allows members to organize anything from political rallies to spontaneous bar hopping.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.mog.com/">Mog</a> : A music-oriented social networking site, Mog allows members to upload their playlists and keeps track of what members are listening to on their computer.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.multiply.com/">Multiply</a> : A social network targeted at a person's real world social network, Multiply offers blogging, photo sharing, book and movie reviews, with an emphasis on sharing these not with the public at large, but with your friends and family.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.myfamily.com/">Myfamily</a> : Launched in 1998, MyFamily focuses on the family unit as a social network and helps families that are spread out all over the country and the world keep in touch. A very Web 1.0 feel to the network, MyFamily is entering beta on a new Web 2.0 look and feel.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.reunion.com/">Reunion</a> : Targeted at finding lost friends, family, and old classmates, Reunion is one of the few social networks that require payment for premium features usually found for free on other social networks. According to the wiki entry for Reunion, they once had an F rating with the Better Business Bureau for misleading business practices.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.soundpedia.com/">Soundpedia</a> : Concentrating on social music, Soundpedia allows users to upload their playlists, search for new music, and view the playlists of their friends.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.takepart.com/">Take Part</a> : A social network dedicated to social activism, Take Part was established by Participant Media, the company behind such films as An Inconvenient Truth and Syriana.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.wayn.com/">WAYN</a> : An acronym for "Where Are You Now?", WAYN is a social networking site aimed at travelers around the world.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.xing.com/">Xing</a> : A business-oriented social networking website similar to LinkedIn, most of Xing's users are located in Germany.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><br />International Sites</span><br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.badoo.com/">Badoo</a>: Based in London, Badoo is one of the top social networking sites in Europe.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.migente.com/">Migente</a>: A social networking site targeted at Latin America.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.orkut.com/">Orkut</a>: Originally created by Google to compete with MySpace and Facebook, it has mainly caught hold in Brazil.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.studivz.com/">Studivz</a>: A German version of Facebook with a strong audience in students.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.bebo.com/">Bebo</a>: Based in California, Bebo has gained popularity across the world, especially Ireland and the UK.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.cyworld.com/">Cyworld</a>: A South Korean social networking site similar to MySpace.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.faceparty.com/">Faceparty</a>: A United Kingdom social networking site founded in 2000, it differs from the norm by charging a fee for features normally found for free in other social networking sites.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.piczo.com/">Piczo</a>: A social networking site aimed at teens with a strong following in Canada and the United Kingdom.<br /><br /> * <a href="http://www.studivz.com/">Studivz</a>: A German version of Facebook with a strong audience in students.<br /> <br /> * <a href="http://www.passado.com/">Passado</a>: A European social networking site with strong audiences in France, Spain and Germany.<br /><br />Source : <a href="http://webtrends.about.com/od/socialnetworking/a/social_network.htm">social networking sites</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-61240003845148480922009-01-16T01:55:00.000-08:002009-03-20T03:41:54.553-07:002009 Resolution -- Give Your Site a Legal Checkup - sitepronewsUse This Checklist If You Already Have The Basic Site Documents In Place<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Copyright Notice</span>. Check Your Copyright Notice. Your copyright notice consists of the following elements: the word "copyright" or copyright symbol (c in a circle) followed by the year of first publication followed by the name of the copyright owner. It's also a good idea to add "All rights reserved worldwide". Example: Copyright 1996-09 Digital Contracts, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Note that if you update your site from time to time, you should add a date range reflecting the fact that the site has been updated each year within the date range. If you haven't updated yet for 2009, do it now.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Blogs, etc</span>. Have you recently added a blog or any other functionality that permits visitors to post text or digital files to your site? Or, do you plan to do so as part of your marketing plans for 2009? If so, you need to have a DMCA notice in your Terms of Use and you also need to file a DMCA Registration form with the U.S. Copyright Office. These steps will create a "safe harbor" from strict liability for copyright infringement if a site visitor posts infringing material to your site.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Personal Information</span>. Do you collect personal information from site visitors? If so, review your Privacy Policy to make sure that you identify all of the categories of personal information you collect and the way in which you share this personal information. If you've changed these policies since you posted your Privacy Policy, amend it now... without delay.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Data Security</span>. Check your data security measures. If you collect personal information, you are required to implement "reasonable and appropriate" data security measures. These measures are essentially moving targets since data security technology evolves at a relatively rapid pace. What may have been "reasonable and appropriate" a couple of years ago may not pass muster today. Update your security procedures, if necessary.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Future Sale of Your Business?</span> If your online business is starting to be successful and generate positive revenue, have you ever considered that you might want to sell it for a profit in the future? If so, be sure that your Privacy Policy specifies that personal information collected may be transferred and shared in the event of a sale. If you don't do this prior to collecting personal information, you won't be able to pass it on to your purchaser. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stipulated in recent settlements that personal information collected prior to posting this notice in your Privacy Policy will not be transferable in the event of a sale. And this personal information (your opt-in lists and customer lists) are the real value of your online business.<br />Get Top 10 Rankings on Google!<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Service Providers</span>. Do you use service providers to provide hosting, site maintenance, SEO services, or other site functions where they have access to your server? If you don't collect personal information, your answer to this question is immaterial, but if you do (and only an email address will suffice), you need to enter into privacy and security agreements with your service providers. The FTC stipulated in a couple of recent settlements that you would be liable if you don't.<br /><br />7. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Registration Agreement</span>. Does your site require site visitors to register for certain benefits such as a membership or subscription rights? If so, you need an electronic agreement (a so-called "click-wrapped" agreement where the user clicks on "I ACCEPT"). Your agreement should be presented conspicuously in the registration process and it should require an affirmative act (clicking on "I ACCEPT") to complete the registration. You also need to be sure that all of your warranty disclaimers and limitations of liability pass muster.<br /><br />8. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Collect Birth Dates?</span> Do you collect the date of birth as part of your registration process? If so, and if this date indicates that children under 13 are registering, you will be liable for substantial damages under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) if you do not comply with COPPA's stringent requirements. You should either modify your information collection practices or comply with COPPA, or both.<br /><br />9. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Creditor Under FACTA?</span> Do your registered users make periodic payments payable as monthly or quarterly installments, or do you extend credít so that payment is made after receipt of the product or service? If so, you fall within the statutory requirements of the Fair and Accurate Credít Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA). FACTA requires that you adopt a "Red Flag" Identity Theft Policy before May 1, 2009, or face substantial liability.<br /><br />10. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sales Intermediaries?</span> Do you use affiliates or resellers? If so, a recent New York case illustrates that you may be liable for their actions if they violate certain laws acting on your behalf. For example, are your affiliates engaged in illegal spamming activities? If they are offering their own end user license agreements, do they properly disclose certain activities such as the use of pop up ads? You should check your affiliate and reseller agreements and modify them, if required.<br />Forget Expensive PPC Advertising - There is an Alternative!<br /><br />Use This Checklist If You Don't Have Your Site Documents In Place<br /><br />You may be just starting your online business, or you may have procrastinated a little with your website legal compliance. If you fall into this group, you should get started without delay.<br /><br />I've developed a procedure that will help you determine the correct mix of legal compliance documents for your site. Part of it is set out below.<br /><br />First, if your site does not collect personal information, you should consider these documents:<br /><br /> * a Legal page for your intellectual property notices; and<br /><br /> * Terms of Use.<br /><br /> * And if you allow site visitors to post text or digital files to your site (for example via a blog, forum, or chat room), you'll need a DMCA Registration Form (see No. 2 above). <br /><br />Second, if your site collects personal information, but does not require registration to open an account or to use or purchase a product or service, you should consider these additional documents:<br /><br /> * Privacy Policy.<br /><br /> * And if you have service providers that have possession of your server or have access rights to it, you'll need a privacy-security agreement for these service providers (see No. 6 above). <br /><br />Third, if your site requires registration to open an account or to use or purchase a product or service, you should consider in addition to the foregoing documents, a customer agreement such as:<br /><br /> * a software as a service (SaaS) agreement; and/or<br /><br /> * a Software License Agreement (for software downloads).<br /><br /> * And if you are regulated by FACTA (see No. 9 above), you'll need a Red Flag Identity Theft Policy -- before the May 1, 2009 deadline. <br /><br />Conclusion<br /><br />The checklists provided above are not exhaustive. However, they should point you in the right direction as you give your site a new year's legal compliance check-up.<br /><br />A simple check-up -- and remedial action if necessary -- is one of the best investments you can make in your online business.<br /><br />Nice article from Chip Cooper is a leading intellectual property, software, and Internet attorney who's advised software and online businesses nationwide for 25+ years. Visit Chip's <a href="http://DigiContracts.com">DigiContracts.com</a> site and download his FREE newsletter and Special Reportspayalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-141354835744713962009-01-02T02:41:00.000-08:002009-03-20T03:41:54.554-07:0015 Innovative Uses for Twitter - SiteProNewsThose of us who are daily Twitter users already grok the power of the application and it's potential. But there are still a lot of Twitter critics out there, as well as those people who just don't understand how to use it.<br /><br />I recently saw this comment on a blog: "I've been tweeting but... from what I've seen in the last couple of weeks, it's either a 'look at me' or a 'look at this' arena."<br /><br />Sure Twitter is a great communication channel and as such, you do find a lot of self-promotion and name dropping. But there is so much more to Twitter. The comment got me thinking, would the critics feel the same if they could see more innovative ways to use it?<br />SiteProNews - The Web's Foremost Webmaster Resource Destination!<br /><br />So I decided to put together a líst of some of the more unique and inventive uses for Twitter. Some already exist while others are my own ideas. Here goes:<br /><br />1) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Community Help Desk</span> - I've already used Twitter several times to investigate an issue I've been having with my computer, or a problem one of my clients has come across. Just yesterday I was able to pinpoint the source of a domain redirect issue because my followers in other countries could reach the site even though I was being redirected.<br /><br />2) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Write a Collaborative Book</span> - you and a bunch of your favorite Tweeps could write a novel, one sentence (tweet) at a time. The results could range from hilarious to Shakespearean. I thought of this while reading about the popularity of Japanese novels composed via mobile text messages, but it turns out that some attempts have been made at this already e.g. 140 Novel and Good Captain. You could do a similar thing with song lyrics.<br /><br />3) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Live Webinars/Tutorials</span> - you could create a new Twitter account with protected updates and ask invitation-only participants to follow you. Then you could hold a *closed* webinar at a pre-arranged time using Twitter for delivery instead of expensive webinar solutions. Twitter allows you to live chat, post links, photos, videos, audio files and text so there is no need for any plug-ins. You could even use a Twitter buffer like Twuffer to space out the content of the webinar via tweets over a specific timeframe.<br /><br />4) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Free Market Research</span> - Who needs to pay expensive market research companies to learn stuff about your latest product? Just send a link, a free sample or a short survey to your followers and watch the feedback flow in.<br /><br />5) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Online Reputation Management</span> - Twitter is ideal for tracking what people are saying about you, your company or your product. You can use Twitter Search to enter keywords or hash tags. Or you can use purpose-built widgets such as TweetBeep which work just like Google Alerts and send you regular emails containing any discussions involving your chosen Twitter accounts or hash tags. These work well for competitor tracking too.<br />Top Positions in the Web's Largest Article Directory<br /><br />6) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Laugh a Day / Therapy</span> - I'm consistently amazed how many long-term Twitter users fail to use the favorites option to bookmark tweets that they like. Whenever I read a tweet that makes me laugh out loud, I favorite it immediately. Then, whenever I am feeling a bit flat, stressed or sense a bad mood coming on, I turn to my favorites líst knowing I will be giggling in no time. You can also rely on your followers to sense when you're down and cheer you up.<br /><br />7)<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Competitions</span> - Companies like Zappos and Hand Bag Heaven have been holding competitions on Twitter for a while now. You basically elicit a response from your followers in exchange for the chance to win something. You could ask a question about one of your products or ask followers to find something on your site to win a gíft certificate. But with a bit of ingenuity, you can be even more inventive.<br /><br />DVDQuotes posts questions starting with WMITF, (which stands for Which Movie Is This From?) and gives away random DVDs to the Twitter user with the first correct tweet. Actor and Comedian Stephen Fry declared December 1 to be Oscar Wilde Day and asked his 30,000 plus followers to post Wildesque tweets using the hash tag #oscarwildeday for a chance to win downloads of his audio book. The competition took on a viral quality and earned the comedian at least 2,000 new followers within 48 hours.<br /><br />8) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Virtual Alarm Clock</span> - Did you know you can use Twitter to set appointment reminders for yourself or others? You can use tools such as the Retweet Timer and Twittercal to tweet events from your Google Calendar as @replies to your Twitter profile at pre-set dates and times.<br /><br />9) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Idea Sharing / Community Mind Mapping</span> - So this great business idea comes to you in the shower and you are busting to make it happen. But you want to be sure that your stroke of brilliance is fabulous and not folly. This is where your Twitter followers come in. Whether you tweet publicly or DM only your most trusted followers to keep it under wraps, you'll get unbiased and practically instantaneous feedback on your big plans. Would you use it? Could it work? How much would you pay for it? What features should it have? Tapping into the combined brain power of your Twitter community is a great way to flesh out a business plan.<br />Forget Expensive PPC Advertising - There is an Alternative!<br /><br />10) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Competitor Tracking</span> - You can use Twitter to monitor the activities of your enemi... er competitors without alerting them. Simply create an anonymous Twitter account and start following them. If they bad-mouth your company, or tweet about a product that may threaten your market share, you'll know immediately.<br /><br />11) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bug Testing</span> - Along the same lines as 4), you can use your Twitter followers as live BETA testers when you roll out a new product or software version. Your followers will often report bugs faster than paid customers because they *know* you and want you to succeed.<br /><br />12) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Become Your Favorite Character</span> - Ever idolize a particular movie star or TV character? Why not create an account for them and tweet in character? A few tweeps have done this already, with hilarious results e.g. Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie and wheelchair-bound Andy from Little Britain. Just make sure you don't step on the toes of the official sites representing the character in question.<br /><br />13) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sport / Treasure Hunt Aid</span> - With it's 140 character limit, Twitter is the perfect medium to deliver clues for online and offline scavenger hunts and popular sports such as geocaching .<br /><br />14) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Live Presentation Aid</span> - Presenting at a conference or other event with Internet access from your laptop? You can tweet on the big screen to a) make a point b) elicit a response from Tweeps in the audience c) conduct live research d) gain instant feedback on a topic or question. I've used Twitter this way in the past and not only is it entertaining for the audience, but it's also a great way to overcome stage fright.<br /><br />15) <span style="font-weight:bold;">Build a Twitter Application </span>- Despite not being monetized yet, Twitter's phenomenal growth has spurred the development of hundreds of applications that make money from Twitter either via advertising or donations. Why not build an application around Twitter and make your fortune?payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-68531736899758945252008-11-17T00:58:00.000-08:002008-11-18T09:24:04.319-08:00Power of Social Media Optimization<span style="font-weight:bold;">Why should I care about Social Media Optimization?<br /></span><br />You should care about Social Media Optimization (SMO), because you care about your company's image. There's an old saying that goes something like, "A happy customer will tell one other person about his good experience. A disgruntled customer will tell ten people about his bad experience." Good or bad, that's powerful marketing. Social Media Optimization gives you the power to take an active role in managing your brand by interacting with your current and potential clients by discussing your products, their comments and concerns and continually promoting your brand.<br />New Adobe Creative Suite 4 - Shortcut to Brilliant!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Social Media Optimization Defined</span><br /><br />In its most basic form, Social media optimization is any method used to raise your website's online visibility through meaningful communication. SMO opens a dialogue between you and your clients, using the power of popular opinion to fuel your marketing campaign. The open format strengthens your search engine optimization efforts by fostering a mutual connection with your clients through the myriad of online communities, also called social media sites. Current examples of SMO include:<br /><br /> * Creating profiles in social media communities such as MySpace, Facebook, and VIRB.<br /> * Participating in and/or creating blogs.<br /> * Disseminating your blogs or articles using RSS feeds.<br /> * Creating and sharing content through community based sites like Flickr, YouTube, and more. <br /><br />Not to incorporate unnecessary buzz words, but SMO is a very Web 2.0 approach to Search Engine Optimization. Of course, Web 2.0 merely refers to the perceived second generation of Web-based communities and hosted services - the social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies, which facilitate collaboration and sharing between users. SMO allows you to become an active member of your online community, quite an important aspect of marketing your brand. Through participation, you establish yourself or your company as an industry leader and improve your online visibility.<br /><br />As you can imagine, Social Media Optimization is most effective when the viral nature of the technique and its communities are utilized in a positive manner. Creating legitimate content, building relationships and instilling trust in your community is the very backbone of SMO. You may initiate the process, but effective SMO will take on a life all its own. A true forum is bred through the act of continual communication between your company and your online audience.<br /><br />Of course, not everyone plays by the rules. In every aspect of life, you will find those who would cheat the system to receive short term gains. Like most schemes, the underbelly of SMO may seem attractive to anyone looking for a quick fix, but don't make that mistake. Just as it's true with SEO, erroneous SMO will backfire. Using questionable techniques will very likely yield the exact opposite results you were hoping to see.<br />Forget Expensive PPC Advertising - There is an Alternative!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />SMO Etiquette<br /></span><br />Legitimate SMO techniques are centered on sharing information and exposing your community to your interests. As such, you want to focus on promoting proper SMO etiquette. The MySpace super fríend, the guy or gal who adds anyone and everyone, would be a good example of improper Social Media Optimization. The whole concept behind Social Media is to create a community with similar interests for meaningful discussion and let the power of popular opinion grow your online visibility. Of course, you may belong to several different communities and you may even have some of the same friends in those different communities. That's perfectly fine. The idea is to remain active in your communities by adding friends and contributing relevant content. Adding friends in bulk, for no reason, is no way to optimize.<br /><br />Communal sites like MySpace and Facebook, or even YouTube and Flickr to some extent, are indeed popularity contests. However, simply trying to catalog massive amounts of unrelated, uninterested "friends" is totally counterproductive. Let the high school kids worry about who's got the most friends. For the purpose of SMO, you should concern yourself with quality, not quantity.<br /><br />Using unsavory SMO techniques is the Web 2.0 equivalent to spam. Unfortunately, we're all far too familiar with spam. Unsolicited bulk messaging and link heavy advertisements instead of useful comments are two of the more prevalent methods of Social Media spamming. However, Social Media spamming is even more atrocious than email spam, because the offending text is visible to everyone on the site. It doesn't hide in your inbox, so it can really dilute the appeal of the site. Your kindergarten teacher was on the right track. If you don't have something relevant to say, don't say anything at all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Is SMO right for my firm?</span><br /><br />There are many different types of Social Media sites currently available. To put it in perspective, think about all the different interests you have in life. Now, consider the possibility that there's at least one Social Media site for each of your interests. Of course, you're not the only person on the Internet, so it's a safe bet there are literally millíons of sites dedicated to countless interests around the globe. Believe it or not, there's a group out there looking for your company, product or service. You just have to make it available. Therefore, understanding how to submit to and maintain your content on each community is absolutely crucial when developing a successful SMO strategy.<br /><br />A few examples of the different Social Media genres include:<br /><br /> • News - These sites allow users to submit news articles. Once an article is published, users can submit their comments and vote to promote the story and/or author.<br /><br /> Examples include: Digg, Propeller, Newsvine<br /><br /> • Media - These sites allow users to upload and share a variety of different media files. The overwhelming majority of these sites are dedicated mainly to photo and video files.<br /><br /> Examples include: YouTube, Flickr<br /><br /> • Wiki - These sites allow users to add and edit informational articles as determined by the individual users.<br /><br /> Examples include: Wikipedia, WikiHow, Million Dollar Wiki<br /><br /> • Networking - These sites allow users to create profiles and network with others according to similar traits, tastes, and interests.<br /><br /> Examples include: MySpace, Facebook, Virb<br /><br /> • Bookmarking - These sites allow users to compile public bookmark collections of sites they find interesting, informative, or helpful. The more a site is bookmarked, the higher the ranking.<br /><br /> Examples include: Stumble Upon, Technorat, Del.icio.us<br /><br />When executed properly, Social Media Optimization can be quite a beneficial marketing tool. However, SMO may simply not be the right fít for your organization. Some questions you might like to consider before launching your SMO campaign are:<br /><br /> * Most SMO sites share very specific information. Would your products benefit from this type of content specific market?<br /><br /> * The audience for most Social Media sites is more of a young, tech savvy group. Would your company, product or service appeal to their fickle nature?<br /><br /> * Does your web site contain a blog, or similar media outlet, you can regularly update with relevant content?<br /><br /> * Given the fact that community based sites focus on individual profiles and commentary, are you comfortable with developing unique profiles across multiple sites?<br /><br />In summary<br /><br />Social Media Optimization has become a successful marketing tool for one simple reason. It works. The gap between old media and new has gotten smaller and smaller with the majority of the prominent television and print media outlets finally embracing the Internet by launching sites of their own. The different Social Media sites, like MySpace and Facebook, have exploded with profiles for everything from 8th graders discussing their favorite bands to full scale ad campaigns for Blockbuster movies.<br /><br />If done correctly, SMO can expose your brand to markets you didn't think possible. Whether it's used alone to drive a campaign or in conjunction with your current interactive marketing strategy, Social Media Optimization offers you a significant advantage. <br /><br />Source : Sitepronewspayalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-78369238474952840422008-11-07T04:10:00.000-08:002008-11-10T22:17:15.415-08:00Avoid these Spam techniques<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The most common spamming techniques being used right now -- tactics that should be avoided.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The complex code above was even loaded with keywords (using asp code). These keywords signaled to the Web server at the spam target site the type of dynamically generated page that should be served in response to the query. These tactics are not approved of if they're done deliberately to manipulate search rankings. Visitors to this site were totally oblivious to the devious intent of the site owner, and search engines were fooled as well.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Publishing Empires</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When a publisher builds a vast </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size:100%;" >array</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> of interlinked Websites, it can generate high PageRank and subsequent rankings. This form of spam is difficult for a search engine to penalize, since the links are legitimate. Any single business entity has the right to interlink its own Websites. The company can create further overlap between the sites' content themes so that the links are truly valued by search engines.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This kind of activity is exemplified by one of the Internet's largest publishers. The business has 120+ Web properties, all of which are carefully linked to the others. Perform a search on one of these sites, and you're virtually guaranteed to see one of the company's other Web properties in the search results.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Many among the most successfully ranked sites use this system -- this form of spamming is extremely widespread. Perpetrators basically collect PageRank and link reputation within their network, then use it creatively to dominate the best keyword phrases. Search engines haven't found a way to stop this technique, but they'll have to. This form of spamming is a major threat to the quality of search results.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Wikis</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Wikis are Web repositories to which anyone can post content. They can be a great way to present and edit ideas without close censorship, and have proven extremely successful for the creation, management, and maintenance of projects that require input from users around the globe.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">However, despite their considerable advantages, the often un-scrutinized nature of wikis makes them ripe for abuse. Like a link farm, a wiki's links are free for all. Ironically, the value of wikis is consistent with popularity-based search engines. Some of these wikis boast a very high pagerank, which can make the wiki an attractive place from which to gain a link to your site. But without close human control, users may simply add their links as a means to take advantage of the wiki's PR. Until another user of the wiki removes the link, the linked site enjoys the benefits of this unscrupulous activity. The search engine spammers have control.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Networked Blogs</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Blogs can be a source of precise, up-to-date and technically detailed information, presented by specialists and experts. Blogs are thus very valuable to info-hungry searchers, and are extremely popular.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">However, some spammers start a blog, plug it full of garbage content such as comments on what they thought at 5:15, along with a link or two and some keyword rich text. Keyword rich musings don't present real value to deceived searchers. Worse still, blogs often operate in a free-for-all link structure that further validates the linked sites in search engine indexes.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Forums</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Like blogs, forums can be a rich source of relevant information. </span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Unfortunately, some forum participants make comments in forums only in an effort to publish links back to their own sites. This may be acceptable if the user provides help or assistance to another forum member. Indeed, they should gain credit for that information, which they may have worked hard to discover.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">However, when the posts become excessive and are comprised solely of glib or irrelevant comments, then value of the link, or indeed, the whole forum, can be put into question. Some forum owners only start forums in the hope that they will raise search engine rankings.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Domain Spam</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Probably the most popular spam technique today involves creating and hosting a number of Websites. These sites rarely have any intrinsic value other than providing ranking support for the owner's main Website.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I've had several former clients who had used this technique -- and had been penalized for it. After I got them to get rid of the duplicates completely, their rankings were repaired.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Duplicate Domains</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Why can't Google detect two exact duplicate Websites that only differ on domain names? Why would Google give these same sites first and second rank for the very same phrase? This happens all too frequently and is due to Google's preoccupation with linking between topically related sites. </span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Domain spam is usually the result of a corporation's attempt to have Web sites for each of its company departments or subsidiaries. Those with many subsidiaries get a big boost from these domains. Realizing this, spammers are increasingly encouraging clients to have sites hosted on different IP addresses and even in different geographical locations.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The link pattern detection used by Google has difficulty dealing with this practice, and is currently failing to cope with it. Google's new emphasis on authority sites actually makes this matter worse, as the authority can gain trust it really doesn't deserve.</span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Links Inside No Script Tags</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">One top publishing site I recently discovered secretly interlinked its sites using the no script tag. Although I can't name the site, I can show you how the technique worked.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Used legitimately, the no script tag provides spiderable links when a user's browser (or a search engine robot), has its <span style="text-decoration: underline;">javascript</span> turned off. Anything that appears inside the no script tags is not visible on the Web page itself.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To be used authentically, the no script tag must contain links that replicate those used within JavaScript code in the actual page.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">But in this case, the links went to sites that strategically collected PageRank. They were basically hidden, acting as underground network of links to support the publisher's rankings. This code appeared in almost all of the site's many domains -- and perhaps exists in the Websites of others, who may not even know it's there! Some of the pages only used a closing <code></code> tag, which could also confuse search engines.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><code><script language="javascript" src="http://www.spammersite1.com/counter.%3Ca%20href=" q="A#term_4" class="glossary" title="Active Server Pages, or ASP, is Microsoft's IIS based server side scripting architecture.">asp</a>?ID=2667&NoLink=1" TYPE="text/javascript"></script>Please check source link for code demo..<noscript> </noscript></code></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The complex code above was even loaded with keywords (using asp code). These keywords signaled to the Web server at the spam target site the type of dynamically generated page that should be served in response to the query. These tactics are not approved of if they're done deliberately to manipulate search rankings. Visitors to this site were totally oblivious to the devious intent of the site owner, and search engines were fooled as well.</span></p><h5 style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Non-Robot JavaScript Detectable Redirects</span></h5> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The use of mouseover code like that shown below is quietly spreading across the Web:</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><code>Please check source link for code demo..</code>
<br /></span></p> <div id="adz" class="vertical" style="font-family:georgia;"><div class="ad"><div id="beacon_779" style="position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; visibility: hidden;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://ads.aws.sitepoint.com/phpadsnew/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=779&campaignid=509&zoneid=95&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fads.aws.sitepoint.com%2Fadjs.php%3Fregion%3D95%26did%3Dadz%26adtype%3Dvertical&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sitepoint.com%2Farticle%2Fsearch-engine-spam-techniques%2F2%2F&cb=925f0ed8b1" alt="" style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" height="0" width="0" /></span></div></div></div> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">There have been rumors that Google is taking action against this tactic. In the cases I discovered, the JavaScript code automatically redirected the visitor to another page, but only upon the cursor being moved over the page itself. It was almost impossible for the user to avoid setting this code off.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I found the code on a site ranked number one on Google for its primary keyword phrase. As search engine robots don't use a mouse, they're blind to the spamming activity. In this case, the tactic was combined with a server side redirect to another page, which was relevant only in some cases. The purpose of the redirect may have been part of bigger ploy to support another ranking strategy.</span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Dynamic Real Time Page Generation</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is possible for a Web server to produce and serve different, optimized pages according to the referrer of any page request.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In theory, there is nothing wrong with serving a page that's customized to the circumstance in which it was requested -- indeed, many ad campaigns serve up different ads based on the type of banner that was clicked. Customized ads are seen as being far more effective and useful for users.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">With dynamic page spam, however, the site is loaded with hundreds of these phantom pages (dynamic urls) that act as affiliate links to some other site. Search engines don't want affiliate links. In the case I found, all the links were credited to the site's backlink count.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I don't think this is what search engines had in mind when they began to spider dynamic urls -- they certainly don't want to allow affiliate link spam.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here's what the links typically look like:</span></p> <span style="font-size:100%;"><strong style="font-family: georgia;"><em></em></strong></span> <h5 style="text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><code>Please check source link for code demo..</code></span></h5><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DHTML</span> Layering and Hidden Text</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Using DHTML layering, spammers can hide layers of keywords beneath graphics. One layer covers the other visually, yet the text hidden on the lowers layer is readable by the search engine robot -- another highly illegal technique.</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>HTML Hidden Table Cells</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The combined powers of CSS and html and the loose <code>dtd </code>allow the unscrupulous site owner to hide the content of table cells loaded with keywords and heading tags.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">CSS permits the flexible positioning of Web page elements; it's a flexible coding language that search engines do not fully understand at present. In short, the search engine doesn't really know what's being displayed. This trickery can be specified in a separate CSS sheet (.css file), which a search engine may or may not index. This CSS style sheet file, however, does affect the display of content on the page.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In this example, the CSS affects the display of the body of the Web page, which is set to 97%:</span></p><h5 style="text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><code>Please check source link for code demo..</code></span></h5><p style="font-family:georgia;"> </p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Within the regular code, .<a href="http://www.sitepoint.com/glossary.php?q=G#term_24" class="glossary" title="GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format, and is an image file format commonly used for palette-based images.">gif</a> files can be placed in the page at a width of 150%, ensuring that part of the page is not seen. That extra 50% provides plenty of room for keywords stuffed .<code class="ref-term"></code></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Enormous Machine-Generated Websites</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Those Webmasters who are not adept to html, dhtml or css tricks may try something simpler. When there's not enough content to go around, they often try to stretch a minimal amount of content across thousands of pages. The pages are built with templates and the sentences within them are basically shuffled from one page to the next. Unique title tags are plugged into each page that's generated.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This technique basically sees the same page repeated hundreds to thousands of times. It can even be done using a computer program that systematically stuffs the text sentences, paragraphs and headings, including keywords, into pages.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This technique is most often used with ecommerce sites that have a limited range of products for sale. Often, the products are simply re-organized, or shuffled to create another page that appears to be unique. It's actually the same selection of products presented countless different ways.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Link Spam</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To maximize Pagerank distribution throughout a Website, some spammers will fill a page with links to the point where it is just a links page, and every page links to every other page.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Why do this? Well, by maximizing the number of links, the spammer more equally spreads PageRank throughout his or her site. When links from all those pages point to a single page on a keyword topic, the site can gain higher rankings for that phrase. </span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Link exchanges are also considered link spam. The links are fabricated -- not a real reflection of personal choice. Most link exchanges are now being filtered out of search results; however, some links in link exchanges are still being recognized.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This system allows the server to give the robot different content than that which is delivered to human visitors. And that means the search engine could be deceived.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Invisible Text</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Invisible text is invisible because the font color is the same as the color of the background or background image.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In one example I saw, a site used the font color "snow" to make the text white on a white background. The author also used this font tag in a way that caused it to overlap another tag, thereby confusing the search engine robot further.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The example below uses a black color .gif as the background to hide black text. It also has a dhtml layer directly above it, to further hide the text.</span></p><h5 style="text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><code>Please check source link for code demo..</code></span></h5> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A robot can't detect whether text in a dhtml layer is the same as the background used in a layer below it. The layer can even be set off-screen so it is never visible to a person.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><em>Link Farms</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Link farms are still prevalent on the Web, even though search engines can detect their presence through link pattern recognition. Since link spamming is being done at a macro level, so search engines must be able to view a large sophisticated network of links and delete those that are machine-generated and not true, human-chosen links.</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The hilltop algorithm is one filter that minimizes the advantage gained by hundreds of useless links.</span></p> <h5 style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Spamming Penalties</span></h5> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Each search engine has its own distinct prohibitions and related penalties. Each penalty is a response to the degree of threat the search engine that a given spamming technique represents.</span></p> <p face="georgia"><span style="font-size:100%;">Spammers may receive demerits, through which the ranking of their sites on a particular phrase might drop significantly. Alternatively, a zero PageRank penalty may be awarded to a particular page, or whole sites may be banned if the search engine so chooses.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now that these techniques are widely known, I strongly advise you not to try them. The search engine engineers may be embarrassed that these tricks really do work, and will move swiftly to take action against spammers.</span></p> <h5>Source : <a href="http://www.sitepoint.com/article/search-engine-spam-techniques/2/">Spam Techniques</a></h5>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-63275171618254988552008-10-13T12:35:00.000-07:002008-10-14T00:39:38.142-07:00Web Analytics: New Year - New OpportunitiesMany of you may be looking back at last year and asking yourself what you accomplished On the personal side, you hopefully had a great year. But looking back 12 months, did you accomplish the goals tied to your business, job function, and specifically, your Web site?<br /><br />As this is a common time to reflect on the past and plan for the future, I wanted to examine a few common frustrations. If you're like others in the space, you probably entered the year thinking one or more of the issues below.<br /><br />They'll sound familiar to many of you All are probably things we'd have loved to have solved back in 2005. Unfortunately, most people are waking up on the first business day of 2007 and realizing they still face the same issues they did last January. Now hopefully, if you've been reading ClickZ and over the past year you've made some progress on some of these, In any case, let's look at these top five issues and try to understand the underlying problem.<br /><br />Analysis of Five Issues<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">I know there's a ton of value in Web analytics, but we aren't doing anything with it now. Where do we start?</span> <br /><br />Have you considered how you might want to use this data? How it can help you do a better job? Have you allocated the responsibility of Web analytics to someone? This wouldn't be someone within IT, it would be someone with a strong Web strategy marketing background. Do they need to be an expert statistician? Not at all. This is a major misconception about Web analytics. It shouldn't be an IT person, it doesn't need to be a stats pro, but it does need to be someone who understands Web strategy, the business, and how to use data. Think MBA rather than IT pro.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. It seems we have a mountain of data, reports, and scorecards, but we really aren't getting any insight from all that data. Why not?</span> <br /><br />Typically this happens when people are not focusing in on the right data. Do you feel the Web channel goals have been correctly defined and agreed upon? Has someone taken the initiative to formulate KPIs (key performance indicators) and the metrics that support those KPIs which can help interpret fluctuations? If you company is still struggling with number one, make sure you focus in on what matters, get that nailed in Q1, and come this time next year you'll be in much better shape. Once you have the important behaviors nailed, through out 98 percent of the other data coming from your Web analytics tools and just focusing on understanding the data that drives those behaviors. We will look back at the other 98 percent, but not until we get the basics nailed.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">We identify all these great opportunities, but we just can't get others to act on them and improve the site through testing or otherwise, how can we get others excited about the opportunities? </span><br /><br />This is most commonly related to a lack of others understanding what they can get out of Web analytics. It's imperative they understand how it can help them do their job better. In many cases, it takes a small win by someone on the team to understand. Find the most receptive person on the Web team, ideally one of the leaders. Help them get a win leveraging data and improving the site, then share that story throughout the team. Once you get this under your belt you can move onto bigger things and into systemized testing. Executive support is key for taking it to the next level and investing in an optimization tool (i.e. Offermatica, Optimost, etc.) and the related support for testing. More on executive support to come in the future, by the way.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Wouldn't the Web analytics and other data like attitudinal, competitive and call center data be much more valuable if I could use them together? </span><br /><br />Three different people or groups within a company own these three or four different data types. Typically, none understand the other data types, how they could be of value, or how their data could be valuable to others. Add to this another common under-estimatation: the power of all of this data together is much greater than the sum of all the parts. Yes, this takes executive support as well.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Culture of analysis: How do we get our company to start basing decisions on data?</span> <br /><br />This is without a doubt the biggest transition of all. Becoming a data-driven organization shifts the way all decisions are made. Instead of making decisions based on gut feelings or "past experience," we strive to build a culture where all decisions are made based on a combination of data insight and educated decisions. In order to get your company willing to make the investment to transition the way they look at the Web channel and make decisions, there must be a proven track record. Executive support isn't optional, but an absolute must. Things won't get done without this level of support. <a href="http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3624328">Source</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-55523420892675792812008-10-10T01:06:00.000-07:002008-10-10T01:09:26.325-07:00Promoting your new website - By Scott Van AchteA few weeks ago I wrote about building your website from the ground up. This article did not dive into great detail on any specific topics, but rather touched on the key points you will want to address. In this article I will place most of the focus on the promotíon aspect of this previous article. Image of bullhorn saying 'Promoting Your New Website'<br /><br />While at times new websites can experience organic search rankings in a matter of months, for the most part, it can take well over a year before you start to see any progress, and that is if you start promoting right away!<br />Get the Number One Position on Google<br /><br />SEO<br />If your new website has not been properly optimized for the search engines, then this is a necessary first step you must take. Ensure that your new site has integrated the appropriate keywords into all the fundamental areas of the site. Without this critical step of optimizing your site, in many cases no level of promotíon will help you get those search rankings.<br /><br />Note: Extreme numbers of inbound links can sometimes cause an un-optimized site to rank, but an optimized website will seriously reduce the number of links needed, and its associated cost. This varies from industry to industry, but is true as a general rule.<br /><br />Ideally the optimization of your site occurred during the planning and building stages, but if it did not be sure to get this completed as soon as possible.<br /><br />Press Releases<br />The first thing you should do when your site goes live is issue a press release. Be sure to include a link back to your website, preferably with your target phrase hyperlinked as well. Submit this press release to an aggregator such as PRWeb. This will help get the word out that your site is live, draw some attention from the public, and also get you that first valuable link to your website.<br /><br />Search Engine Submission<br />These days search engines will find your site on their own, and submitting to them is not necessary. If you feel you must submit your site to the engines, submit it only once and shortly after the site goes live.<br /><br />In order to help the search engines fully spider your new site, the best thing you can do in terms of submissions, is to create and submit an XML sitemap. Submit this sitemap to your Google Webmaster Tools account, and also be sure to include a call to it within your robots.txt file by adding the following line including a complete path to your sitemap:<br /><br />Sitemap: http://www.domain.com/sitemap.xml<br /><br />There are many tools out there to help you build your xml sitemap. Google has placed a líst of some of these tools on their "Third Party Programs" page.<br />Forget Expensive PPC Advertising - There is an Alternative!<br /><br />Directory Submission<br />Back in August I wrote about using Directory Submission to help build links. The general gist of it is to be sure that there is a high level of relevance in the directories you submit your site to, especially if it is a paid directory. Currently DMOZ still has a high level of value as it is seen as a strong authority at Google. Make the attempt to have your site listed here in the most relevant category possible.<br /><br />Link Building<br />There are a number of ways you can work to grow your back links. In July I wrote about 13 ways to help build links. Links are one of those strategic tools that won't ever be a bad investment. Today they play a significant role in search rankings for most industries, especially in Google. While the future will almost undoubtedly still see search value in links, even if that value declines, or disappears entirely, quality links can still help drive traffic as well, and a strong base of inbound links can deliver you customers well into the future.<br /><br />Explore the different ways to build links to your site. A steady progressive rise in inbound links will help Google look positively in your direction. Do not be afraid of reciprocal links either. If you are trading with highly relevant websites to your industry, then you should have nothing to be afraid of.<br /><br />Social Media<br />Promotíon largely consists of building links and becoming recognized by the search engines, but in order to help you build those links, getting your name and brand out there can really do wonders. By increasing awareness of your site and product, the public will often help create the buzz you need, and often, this can result in fresh links to your website.<br /><br />To help get your site in the eyes of as many people as possible, take a look into Social Media and consider creating profiles on some of the popular platforms. This can include creating a YouTube account and uploading instructional, informational, or interesting product videos. You can set up a Facebook page, and work to build a community around your product. Create a profile page on Squidoo, MySpace, and Flickr, amongst many others.<br /><br />These pages often act as backlinks to your site, and also help spread awareness. Be sure to keep your social endeavors updated regularly or any viewership you have will dwindle as people lose interest. If you are able to build a strong following, this can result in many individuals linking to your site and spreading the word, resulting in long term benefits for you and your site.<br /><br />Your use of social media does not have to be exactly about your company. For instance, let's say you sell cars. Your use of the social platform, while it may note your business, can focus on other car info including trivia, news, photos, etc. The key is to keep it relevant, not identical - you are not looking to create a mirror of your site.<br /><br />Article Writing<br />Write articles about the subject of your website and submit them to various services such as EzineArticles. Consider also writing for your blog to help grow your site content. By writing and distributing relevant articles you can create a nice cushion of relevant incoming links. By writing articles that closely match the topic of your site, and including a link back to relevant content within your site, you can help out not only with search engine rankings, but by creating an extra traffic stream for your site.<br /><br />Pay Per Click<br />While Pay Per Click (PPC) will not give you many long standing benefits, it can help you to start making sales immediately which in turn can give you the funds needed to promote your site via other means. If you need that immediate traffic, this is one way to get it, but at a cost, and as soon as you stop paying, your traffic stops, so it is far from a reliable long term means. In some industries however, it can pay off, so it is definitely worth considering.<br /><br />Summary<br />In general, reference your website everywhere possible. Get links from every relevant source you can think of, issue a press release, and get your site lísted in the key directories for your industry. The more eyes you can put your URL in front of and the more relevant sites you can get to link back to yours, the sooner you will start to see progress in the search engines.<br /><br />For many industries it can literally take years to get those coveted first page results - in some industries it may be near impossible, but if you want a chance, you need to start promoting that new site of yours immediately. <br /><br />Source <a href="http://news.stepforth.com/">Sitepronews</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-60512255008795026682008-10-09T12:10:00.000-07:002008-10-09T12:13:51.176-07:00Outsource Using oDesk - Build a businessSource : <a href="http://www.johncow.com/outsource-using-odesk/">Making money online blogging</a><br /><br />About three months ago I was directed to a service called oDesk.com by my friend Jerry West but I have to admit that I paid little attention to it for the simple reason that it looked pretty much like all the other outsourcing systems (Elance, Rent a Coder, etc).<br /><br />Well last week I finally gave it a shot and tested it out and I have to admit I am impressed.<br /><br />Now the results are still in the early stages, but this is what I did.<br /><br />Step1: I created a list of jobs that I feel the average person could complete in 8 hours. I put the list into a detailed step by step process for the person to be able to follow along with.<br /><br />Step 2: I created a detailed job description that mentioned what I was looking for but at the same time I did not go into specifics. I have found through past experiences that if you get too detailed then it intimidates some people from applying.<br /><br />Step 3: I waited 24 hours and then started to filter through the applicants. As I came across potential candidates I requested interviews. The interviews can be done via chat, phone or email and the interview was simply to ensure that they could dedicate the time to the job that I required and to also get more samples of work that they may have done (if there was any).<br /><br />If I was happy with the interview I then sent them an offer of a trial job. What this means is they would be hired and given the initial job but this would be a test that would be used in deciding on the best candidates. I made it very clear that they were competing against others.<br /><br />The cool thing about oDesk is that you do not have to agree on a price for the entire project… you can choose to pay per hour and then you only pay for the time they are logged into the system. It takes screenshots and shows you exactly what they are doing, so you can see if they are being honest or not.<br /><br />Step 4: I have now given the tasks to four people and have received three of the four back. The fourth person has until tomorrow morning and I will then cross check the cost per hour, quality and time to come up with my best candidate.<br /><br />$/hour + Quality + Time to Complete Task<br /><br />By using this formula I am able to ensure I get the best ROI. The winner may not be the cheapest or fastest but instead they will be the person that has the best balance of all three.<br /><br />The other cool thing is I am able to keep the project open to new applicants while I am interviewing. This way I can continue testing new people and if I am not satisfied with any of the current four, then I have more to choose from.<br /><br />Next week I will update you with who I selected, how we arranged to move forward with scheduling hours and what the results are so far.<br /><br />So far I am loving oDesk… but it is too early to be certain. Click Here to check it out for yourself!<br /><br />The On Demand Global Workforce - oDesk<br /><br />So what are your thoughts of oDesk… have you used or will you try it?payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093102373389248315.post-55347867053982748972008-10-07T01:44:00.000-07:002008-10-07T01:48:22.953-07:00Methods to Drive Web Site Traffic1. Ads on free classified ads sites, such as Backpages, Craigslist, and Kijiji.<br /><br />2. Posting articles on article directory sites, such as EzineArticles.<br /><br />3. Creating educational YouTube videos and putting URL in the video and link in the description text.<br /><br />4. Posting content to industry hubs and networking sites. For example, ActiveRain is a very popular blogging and online networking community for real estate brokers, in much the same way that Facebook is for college students. Networking with other people expands your sphere, also.<br /><br />5. Discussion board participation. Pick forums related to your industry and site, and put links in your signature line so it appears in all your posts. These can be stand-alone sites, or "groups" on sites like MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.<br /><br />6. Comment on related blogs, leaving a link behind.<br /><br />7. Automatically submit your content to aggregators. The easiest way to do this is to burn your feed to FeedBurner and enable the feature to distribute your feed to blog aggregators.<br /><br />8. Place links in your blog posts to allow readers to submit them to Digg, Delicious, Stumble Upon, Fark, and other such "best of blogging" sites.<br /><br />source : <a href="http://freerealtraffic.blogspot.com/">FREE REAL TRAFFIC TO YOUR BLOG OR WEBSITE</a>payalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00178816572814311297noreply@blogger.com0