Blog

» Get Your Blog Google Ranked in 30 Days or Less

Blogs are great for updating content quickly, creating a site community, and they even make search engines happy. Unfortunately, many site owners mis-use or under-utilize their blogs so here are 50 tips to boost your blogs performance.
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Categories: Business Development / Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Search Marketing | No Comments »

» Ride Your Links to Success

Think all links are created equal? Not so. Some links deliver a lot more in the way of information and prestige when it comes to search engine rankings and visitor retention. Learn which links work best for you, your customers and your marketing budget.
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Categories: Articles | No Comments »

» 25 Tips to Increase Conversion Rates

A lot of site owners spend a lot of money on SEO. But once you have traffic, then what? How do you entice visitors to make a purchase? That’s where conversion optimization comes in – converting visitors to buyers. Here are 25 low- and no-cost tips used by the pros to boost conversion rates. Try them. You’ll like what they do for your bottom line.
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Categories: E-Commerce, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | No Comments »

» K.I.S.S. Your Way to an Optimized Site

A “valid” site is not always the best site for users that visit it. Even amongst the savviest of coders and developers there has always been a common misconception about the value of web standards themselves. The idea of “keeping it super simple” (or other popular variations), when it came to the world of markup [...]
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Categories: Web Development, CSS / Markup / Code, Conversion Rate Optimization, Accessibility | No Comments »

» Link Baiting with Tools

I was fortunate enough to be a guest for the first time on The Alternative hosted by Jim Hedger and Dave Davies and we explored the who, what, why, where and when of building tools and the purposes of link bait. We also let the cat out of the bag about a few tools we’ll [...]
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Categories: Web Development, Search Marketing, Interviews | Comments Off

» Google Analytics Steps Up

While the free tools that Google provides are seen as questionable at best in the “don’t be evil” debate (about Google’s ultimate intentions and uses for the data). One thing is definitely clear, webmasters appreciate the added insight into the goings on of their site, enjoy the interface provided into their data and ultimately, Google’s [...]
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Categories: Web Analytics, Search Marketing, E-Commerce, Conversion Rate Optimization | No Comments »

» 5 Principles to Maximize Conversion Rate & Usability

Dan Thies over at SEO Research Labs has pointed out a remarkable video by Andy Edmonds. He and his team have used statistical analysis to study how the eye and brain process information while interacting with web sites! First a definition: “Foveal View” — The area of visible space where the user is best able [...]
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Categories: User Interface / Experience, Usability, Search Marketing, E-Commerce, Conversion Rate Optimization | No Comments »

» Keys to Consistent CSS

Eric Meyer has done it again (yes I’m a cult follower). It was awesome to sit through the live walk through of most of the principles that Eric presented in his final version. What Eric has decided to do with the support of many interested participants is create a baseline for many of the HTML elements [...]
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Categories: CSS / Markup / Code | No Comments »

» 2007 Web Design Survey

A bit late to the party, but I wanted to show support of Jeffrey Zeldman’s survey. He and the other great folks at ALA are trying to unravel a few mysteries about us designers and our careers. I encourage you to participate - tell a friend!
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Categories: Miscellaneous | No Comments »

» Interweb Evolution

Many of you out there have seen this already, but I had to point to something at good old you tube that’s simply well done and insightful. With all of the confusing content out there and controversial definitions, it’s great to be able to sit back and watch the story of the interweb evolution [...]
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Categories: Web Development, User Interface / Experience, Technology, CSS / Markup / Code | Comments Off

» Conversion Rate Optimization, Part 2

Site success is often based on tweaking, which can be costly in the long run. If you're still tweaking six months into the game, something's just not right. Google's Web Optimizer helps walk you toward measurable results, easily.
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Categories: Web Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Conversion Rate Optimization, Part 1

How about a tool that gives you information that will increase site's performance, delivers advice from an "insider's" point of view and is free? Google's Web Optimizer puts the best face on your site, so partner with the world's most popular search engine to get the most out of your traffic.
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Categories: Web Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Advanced Link Building

Creating non-reciprocal, in-bound links to your site takes quality content that can be syndicated to several sites or, it can become hosted content on a single, high-ranking site — for a fee. You pay the site owner who displays your informational content with a prominent, non-reciprocal link back to your site. It's a fast, low-cost means of getting your site identified as an authority site. And that authority designation is solid gold when it comes to search engine rankings.
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Categories: Copywriting, Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Web Design Sensibilities Have Changed

Web design sensibilities have changed. The motifs found in sites like the following go far beyond their community driven content: craigslist by Craig Newmark & Jim Buckmaster friendster by Jonathan Abrams meetup by Scott Heiferman, Peter Kamali & Matt Meeker Linkedin by Reid Hoffman Last.fm by Martin Stiksel Feed Burner by Dick Costolo digg by Kevin Rose technoratti by David Sifry del.icio.us by Joshua Schachter flikr [...]
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Categories: Web Design, Web Development, User Interface / Experience, Usability, Social Media Marketing, Graphic Design | Comments Off

» Identifying the MDA for Optimized Site Pages

The most desired action (MDA) is the reason you're on-line and getting visitors to perform the MDA, regardless of what it is, takes some understanding of both site architecture and human nature. Improve the odds that the MDA is accomplished with these easy-to-implement tips.
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Categories: Copywriting, Search Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Online Business Profitability

You may have a great looking web site and still crash and burn. Site profitability is more than just a factor of type font and color motif. If you want a profitable site (who doesn't?) you'll have to consider these critical factors.
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Categories: Business Development / Strategy, Articles | Comments Off

» Working with Your Site Designer

Whether you're new to the e-commerce realm or an old vet, it's important to know what you don't know and when to let your site designer take charge.
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Categories: Web Design, Graphic Design, Articles | Comments Off

» Landing Page Usability

A landing page has a specific purpose — to initiate the most desired action (MDA). Here's how you can create landing pages that deliver the MDAs you're looking for.
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Categories: Web Design, Copywriting, User Interface / Experience, Search Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Information Architecture

Your site's information architecture is intended to enhance visitors' on-site experience, making it easier for them to find what they're looking for, and gently directing them around the site. Here are some "must-haves" on refining the organization of your site's content.
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Categories: User Interface / Experience, Usability, Accessibility, Articles | Comments Off

» Eye Ball Optimization. Most Desired Action.

There are plenty of SEO strategies that actually work against making a sale. If your site isn't eyeball optimized (EBO) it isn't optimized, period. Remember, no search engine ever bought anything on-line.
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Categories: Copywriting, User Interface / Experience, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» SEO Spam

SEO spam is any tactic that attempts to corrupt or undermine a search engine's result pages by inflating a site's ranking. If you don't know about SEO spam, you don't know what could hurt you.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Search Engine Promotion

Step 1 in getting noticed on-line is search engine promotion – creating a site that SEs can weigh accurately and index to your specifications. Here's how.
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Categories: Web Analytics, User Interface / Experience, Search Marketing, E-Commerce, Articles | Comments Off

» Search Engine Optimization & Semantics

As SEs become more sophisticated in their abilities to index site content, site semantics become increasingly important. The next generations of SE algorithms will index content, not keywords. And that content better be right on target.
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Categories: Web Development, Usability, Search Marketing, CSS / Markup / Code, Articles | Comments Off

» Conversion Optimization

It's not enough to drive traffic to your site via SEO. It's what visitors do once they reach your site that matters — and that's what conversion optimization is all about.
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Categories: Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» The Importance of Content Architecture

Most sites are doomed to fail. Fewer than six out of 100 sites succeed in accomplishing their MDA. That's why, when it comes to site navigation, it's smart to let the pros do it.
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Categories: Copywriting, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Analyzing Amazon

Amazon is a true Internet success story and though it built its reputation on low prices and speedy delivery, that's only part of the tale of this marketing behemoth.
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Categories: E-Commerce, Articles | Comments Off

» Tracking Visitors?

Where your site visitors go and what they do while on-site reveals a lot more than you might think. If you don't track visitor activities, you don't have all of the information you need for real on-line success.
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Categories: Web Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Building Repeat Business

What keeps you coming back to your favorite brick-and-mortar stores? The quality of the goods? How about the convenience? And let's not forget service. Well, these are the things visitors expect from your web site.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Six Ways to Generate Additional Revenues from Your Site

Sure, you're moving product. Lots of traffic, good conversion rate, growing revenues. Even so, you're not doing as well as you could be in the bang vs. buck equation. Check out how to pump up the profits generated by your site.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» SEO versus Marketing

The information upon which you've based your on-line marketing strategy is outdated.
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Categories: Copywriting, Articles | Comments Off

» Budgeting Website Bucks

94% of all e-commerce ventures crash and burn within 12 months. That means only a 6% success rate. Into which group will your e-biz fall?
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Categories: Miscellaneous, Articles | Comments Off

» The Neutral Net

Webmaster, site designer, hosting service or e-biz owner, legislation in committee in D.C. may change the way we all use the Net. And not for the better.
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Categories: Business Development / Strategy, Technology, Miscellaneous, Articles | Comments Off

» Flash & Search Engine Marketing

If your site is search engine optimized to the max, it's not optimized for human eyeballs. Is it worth the expense to add some Flash? Only if you want to save some money and be here tomorrow.
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Categories: Web Development, Articles | Comments Off

» Hosting Web 2.0

Does your web host offer the latest in technology and features? Here's one way to find out.
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Categories: Articles | Comments Off

» Web 2.0

Is it a movement? A revolution? Perhaps a new paradigm? Or, is it a bunch of hype designed to sell a bunch of new software? Just what is Web 2.0?
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Categories: Web Development, Technology, Social Media Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Clean out Your Mailing List

Your database of customers and clients is gold – or at least it should be. Take the time to clean things up and put a new shine on this invaluable resource.
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Categories: Articles | Comments Off

» e-Ethics in e-Commerce

On-line crime and suspect tactics hurt all of us, and since there are no rules, maybe you should create your own list of ethical business practices. Here's a good starting point.
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Categories: E-Commerce, Articles | Comments Off

» What Content Providers Need to Know

You only have a few seconds to entice a first-time visitor to stick around and buy. Your home page text better be targeted with laser-precision, or you're just a click away from the 'History' file.
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Categories: Copywriting, Articles | Comments Off

» Why RSS Feeds Now

RSS has already changed the way web designers are constructing new sites. Is this state-of-the-art feature a part of your cyber-turf? If it isn't, it should be.
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Categories: Web Development, Social Media Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Find and Broadcast RSS Feeds

You've decided to add RSS feeds to your site. Excellent choice. Now all you have to do is find the right feeds for your customized reader, hook them up and broadcast them. No problem, right? Well, not exactly.
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Categories: Web Development, Articles | Comments Off

» Site Design Aesthetics

If you don't think first impressions matter, consider that the average visitor to your site spends less than five seconds deciding whether to move on or not. Your look had better be right or they're not coming back.
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Categories: User Interface / Experience, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Hackers & Script-Kiddies

Is your site secure for visitors? How about for you? Will you be the next victim of a 15-year-old script-kiddie? Not if you're prepared.
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Categories: Web Hosting, Web Development, Articles | Comments Off

» Google Adwords

The Google Adwords program enables site owners to fix a budget and generate site traffic using sponsored links on Google's SERPs. It's fast, flexible and effective.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Maximize Your Site’s Revenues

Does all of your site's revenue come from sales? Well, you can turn a revenue stream into a revenue tsunami, and help visitors at the same time. Check it out.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Submitting Your Site to Google

Only one-third of all web sites are picked up by submissions to Google. The other two-thirds are found by Googlebots. Seems a shame - a waste of time and the risk of being inaccurately categorized by a crawler. Solve the problem by submitting your URL and getting it right the first time.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Search Engine Directories

Search engine directories are great, if you can get listed. The Google Directory contains categories into which different sites are entered, so if you want you skateboard site to move up in PR, get listed under 'Kids and Teens' on Google.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Underground Accessibility Tips

Getting visitors to your site, and improving your traffic rate, is tough. So why do some site designers make it even harder for users to easily view your offerings? What you don't know about accessibility can hurt you - a lot!
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Categories: Accessibility, Articles | Comments Off

» Optimizing Your HTML Tags

Optimizing your site's HTML Title and Meta Description Tags can have a significant impact on your PR. Check out how a little tweaking can make a big difference.
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Categories: Search Marketing, CSS / Markup / Code, Articles | Comments Off

» No More Link Begging

In the past, small site owners had trouble linking up with similar sites because they didn't have much to offer in return. Well, that's changed and here's how.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Writing Your Web Site Copy

Getting your web site text to sound natural and still highlight your carefully chosen key words isn't easy, but here's some help to get you started.
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» Converting Visitors to Buyers

The science of marketing in brick-and-mortar retail stores has been developed for decades. Many of the same principles that tempt you to buy paper towel A over paper towel B can be applied to the design of your site, converting more visitors to buyers. Here's how.
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Categories: User Interface / Experience, Usability, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Are You Search Engine Spider Friendly?

Great looking site, followed the directions in the manual, site functions fine, only problem is - sales. There are none. You can barely cover your server charges. Okay, here are some key tips to making your site spider-friendly and moving up in PR.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Accessibility, Articles | Comments Off

» Site Access

Site accessibility is an issue of ethics, marketing and sales, and even a legal issue, The more accessible your site is, the more visitors you'll have each day. So, check out the accessibility of your site. It's good for business and it's a plain good thing to do, as well.
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Categories: User Interface / Experience, Usability, Accessibility, Articles | Comments Off

» Site Usability Testing

Many site designers are faced with clients who don't recognize the importance of usability testing during the development process. In fact, some clients may even view this important step as 'padding the bill'. Here's how to answer the question, "Why should I pay extra for something I'm already paying you for?"
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Categories: Usability, Articles | Comments Off

» Page Rank for Beginners

If you've just launched your site and you're looking to learn more about the importance of Page Rank (PR), here are some helpful, low and no-cost tips to get your page rank up while keeping SEO costs down.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Finding the Right Site Developer

Before meeting with the head of the local web site design agency, prepare yourself with some important questions you want answered during your initial meeting - questions that will save you time, heartache, aggravation and, yes, money.
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Categories: Web Development, E-Commerce, Articles | Comments Off

» W3C Open Standards

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has developed a set of open standards to increase the stability and durability of the Web and your site. Is your site open standards compliant? Here's your chance to find out with our look at the latest from W3C.
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Categories: CSS / Markup / Code, Accessibility, Articles | Comments Off

» Making the Most of Google’s Search Engine

Using the advanced search options offered by Google, and available to any site owner, you can conduct your own market research, discover how your site looks to Google's spiders, see what your competition is up to and optimize your site on a shoestring. Let us show you how.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» A Look at Google’s Patent Application for a New Search Engine

In March of '05, Google applied for a patent on its new SE 125, the little search engine that could. The patent application describes how this new SE will use historical data from your site to determine its PR. See how this newest SE from the Google guys will impact your site's PR.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Spiders, Crawlers, SEM, SERP, SEO and YOU

You've got a great looking site and a terrific product so why aren't you making any money with your e-biz? Simple. Just as you have to market a new store or product here in the real world, you have to do the same with your virtual storefront on the I-net. Here are some tips that'll help your enterprise get the notice you were expecting.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off

» Why Open Standards Are Good for Your E-business

Using open standards in the design of your site will deliver a bunch of benefits to your visitors and to you, today and tomorrow. Read why standard-compliant sites can save you money, pump up the bottom line and make your life a whole lot simpler.
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Categories: Web Hosting, E-Commerce, CSS / Markup / Code, Accessibility, Articles | Comments Off

» XHTML, XML, W3C and the Importance of Open Standards

We live in an impatient society where even a few seconds matter - a lot. For example, 84% of visitors to your site will sit through a 10-second download. That number drops to 5% with a 30-second download. The key to converting visitors to paying customers is to help them get through the front door. Here's how to do just that.
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Categories: CSS / Markup / Code, Articles | Comments Off

» Page Weight, Download Times and Your Conversion Rate

In many ways, cyberspace is as wild and untamed as the Old West with snake oil salesmen, gunslingers and assorted desperados aiming to part you from your money. That's why some organizations are trying to bring law and order in the form of open standards for everything from site design to SE algorithms. Check out how using open standards in the design and development of your site can save time, money and hassles today and down the road.
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Categories: User Interface / Experience, Usability, CSS / Markup / Code, Conversion Rate Optimization, Articles | Comments Off

» Search Engine Optimization, PageRank and Your Bottom Line

You've got a great looking site and a terrific product so why aren't you making any money with your e-biz? Simple. Just as you have to market a new store or product here in the real world, you have to do the same with your virtual storefront on the I-net. Here are some tips that'll help your enterprise get the notice you were expecting.
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Categories: Search Marketing, Articles | Comments Off