Best Strategies for Choosing a Domain Name

The preliminary step to building a website is the registration of a domain name.  Whether you are a doctor, lawyer, plumber, aluminum siding salesman, or if you want to start up a website to display photos of your newborn online, the entire undertaking begins with the registration of your domain name.

Next you might ask- “What constitutes a good choice of domain name?”.  The answer to this depends on what type of site you are planning.  The domain name chosen for a family and friends website won’t be as crucial as with other types of sites.  Why?  Because in a case like that you probably don’t really care about gaining a lot of traffic to your website, friends and family are your desired audience, to keep them informed.  In a case like this, it does not matter whatsoever if you find a domain name like “mybabiesphotos.com” or not, since most likely you will only be giving out the website address to a few friends and family and maybe your crazy Uncle Bill.   

The point is that in a case like this, there is no real concern with getting a lot of visitors to the website other than friends and family and coworkers, so there is no real harm in naming the website ANYTHING, because you will be giving out the website address to a select few people.  BUT……

What if you are looking to attract customers?  And to get as much traffic coming to your site as possible?

It really pays to have a domain name that reflects your company name and website.  Put some thought into how people search.  For example, if your company sells insurance or doughnuts or bowling pins or toilet bowls, find a way to incorporate WHAT YOU DO in the website domain name.  If you can, get your domain name exactly the same as your business, that is your best bet.  Failing that, at least try to put the category of your business into the name.  For example, a plumbing website should have a domain name like plumbers.com or bobtheplumber.com, something that immediately associates the domain name with the theme of the site.  It’s all about branding, and making a lasting impression on the target audience or customers.

You need to search the WhoIs database to find a domain name that has not already been registered.  For a quick search of your desired domain name, I have conveniently placed a domain name search engine on StartMyWebsiteToday.com for this very purpose.  When searching for the domain name, the results given will instantly show whether or not the domain name is available, and if so, give you the option to immediately register it.  If it’s not available, several alternative domain names will be proposed, to help you fine tune your search, or possibly giving you an acceptable alternative domain name to register instead.

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This post was written by Robjohn on June 8, 2009

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Want To Increase Web Site Traffic? Use Press Releases

Online press releases is possibly one of the most untapped areas in search engine promotion.

A press release in this context is effectively a short attention-grabbing article you write and submit to popular press release web sites. These websites then syndicate your content to many other sites and other news feeds, spreading the message dramatically and in many cases generating huge traffic for your website.

The cool thing about press releases is that they also get picked up by the search engines, and can bring you traffic time and time again in the future.

Is this really important, I hear you ask? Generally the search engines rate the major press release websites highly and index their contents (and thus your press articles) very often, often numerous times in a day! This gives you a one-way link from a authoritative site.

In the case of new websites, issuing a press release is in my opinion essential because it will get your website indexed by the search engines very quickly.

More to the point, a press release you have submitted to the various press release websites may well rank higher in the search engines that your actual website itself, while you are building up your rankings for your website so it’s a great way to gain exposure quickly and efficiently (people can visit your website from the link in the press release).

One of the most popular press release websites is P.R. WEB so I would recommend you start with this site.

Now be prepared to pay in some cases, because not all press release websites are created equal. Whilst it is possible to find free press release sites, chances are that you are not going to get anywhere near as much traffic from these sites as you would from the major ones, so I would suggest you focus on these first and then move on to the other sites once you have done that.

Don’t forget great content is a Search Engine’s best friend, and they just love press releases. Believe me when I say press release sites are spidered (indexed) very frequently by the search engines.

So, you’ve decided that a press release for your website is the way to go. What writing should your press release consist of?

Firstly it has to be attention grabbing, as does any article to grab the attention of the reader, and the actual content, should be relatively short sweet and to the point, with a call to action. That is, your website is visited because the reader is urged to click the link in the press release.

You don’t want to be wallowing in self-promotion and telling everyone how good you are (they will find this out soon enough when they visit your website). Rather, you want to convince them that they should be visiting your website, and that there is a benefit to them (the reader) of doing so, and that they should do so right now!

You should write your ad for the “press” because the “press” will be the people who will initially read your release and determine the relevance of it, and how hard they “push it”.

If they see a benefit to a reader in the article it makes sense for them to promote it because more people will be interested in the press release and their website also benefits as a result (from visitors reading your press release because the press release is actually stored on the press release website).

Some ideas for a press release include: -

1. Launch of a new site
2. Launching of a new product
3. A new addition to the site, for example you may be extending your site to including coaching to your customers.
4. A major new event in your life – e.g. forming an association with a key industry figure, a new seminar, etc

The list is endless. Remember that your press release needs to be relevant to the reader and not just a hard sell if you truly want to maximize the traffic to your website.

Give the reader a reason (and a darn good one) to visit your website, make them compelled to get to your website.

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Learn Article Writing the Basic Way

 

What is the purpose of blogging? I know you have encountered this question so many times already and you will most likely ask yourself the same question over and over again too. According to expert bloggers, blogging is writing for the purpose of intentionally or unintentionally gaining from a blog by leveraging on readership, online popularity, web traffic, and a lot of other factors centered on income generation or by just merely expressing oneself virtually.

How does one get started in blogging?. Well, having sufficient grasp of the crux of the matter as well as the right tools can get anyone into blogging in no time at all. Basically, one of the tools that a blogger must obtain and learn in order for the readers to think of you as professional and reliable is through article writing basics.

If you want to convey your message across your readers regardless of stores of information at your command, the following article writing basics will certainly serve the purpose efficiently and valuably. Keep these guidelines whenever you write and you’re on your way to creating astutely written content that will direct vast readership to your own niche.

 

  1. Always remember the WIIFM principle – For those who are still in newbie marketing, in case you have no idea what WIIFM is, it’s a marketing jargon for, ‘What’s In It For Me’? In article writing, a blogger/writer should always have this in mind. Exerting an effort to deliver to your audience what’s in it for them as they take time to visit your site and read your content will help you attain sizable followers in no time. Keep in mind; readers are always into something they know they can benefit from. If they find your site one great informational hub, they’ll definitely stick by your side, read your every post and even advertise your blog through WOM (Word-of-Mouth).
  2. Give your readers a KISS. – Before you start shouting, this article writing basics should not be taken literally. Keep it short and simple – that’s what KISS stands for. It’s understandable that you have a lot of information and thoughts to share, but it would make a lot of sense if you just keep your post short and simple. Short posts are often the ones that have greater impact and bearing weigh against the lengthy ones. So, the next time you blog about a particular topic, make sure to remember that you keep it nice and brief, but still with a sharp intellectual tone.
  3. Polish your stuffs – This article writing basic should always be given emphasis. Proofreading your articles to constantly spell check possible typos and grammatical errors should be a writer’s creed. If you want to gain credibility and trust, give your readers something seamless to read. Proofread once or twice, and proofread still.
  4. Don’t forget to link – Based on SEO, linking your site to other blogs will help you to have a larger network. This is also one good way of establishing a name and integrity in the vast cyberspace as you link your site and have other people link you to their blogs in return.
  5. Stimulate your readers to say their piece – One comment or two is a good proof that your blog is being followed to and read. To continue the flow of interaction, it would be best if you leave a question hanging or provide some points for your readers to ponder. You can call it ingeniuty and cunningness!

 

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This post was written by Robjohn on June 8, 2009

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Increase Your Conversion Rate With These 5 Tips

It is generally agreed that the average conversion ratio of a website stands at between 1-2% (Based or research at Pandecta magazine). Though not an entirely thrilling figure to be presented with, this this is the truth for many websites, despite the relative ease by which you can take steps to dramatically improve upon this. Through proper attention to detail, experimentation, web analytics and phone number tracking, any business should be able to make a significant improvement to its conversion ratio. Here are five tips that should help you to achieve this:

State Your Purpose: The amount of bounce visits to your website may be a crucial piece of information in determining whether visitors understand immediately what you are offering or not. If potential customers arrive at your site and are not immediately drawn in, the chances of them bouncing are incredibly high. Though this may belie the brilliant service you could have provided them, you have still lost that potential conversion. Make sure your homepage is tailored exactly to draw those customers in.

Give the Customer Payment Choice: Lost leads can often occur simply due to the lack of payment methods given to the customer. Providing a wide range of payment methods ensures that you are not excluding potential customers from finalizing the sale. It’s possible that your conversion can be partly explained through customer’s reluctance to using PayPal, or another payment transfer system, if this is the only method available to them. Expand your payment methods to encompass those and other potential customers.

Emphasize Trust: Customers interested in your service will still wish for a level of security and reassurance when they encounter your site. Therefore, you can do several things to really ensure that your website literally bristles with reassurance; include detail on secure payment, along with the usual reassuring graphics. Personally or otherwise presentably name your e-mail addresses in a plain, affable manner. In all aspects of your website, announcing your reliability is vital in increasing conversions.

Pay Attention to your Landing Page: The way visitors approach and interact with your website can be helpful in ascertaining exactly how your website is performing, and how you are making your conversions. There could be problems with pop-up boxes or intrusive and off-putting flash media – perhaps the site is too technically-demanding or confusing. Rectify these problems by scrutinizing the landing page and other high traffic pages carefully, placing yourself in the mind of the consumer. How would they approach and interact with your website?

Implement Call Tracking with Google Analytics: In order to acquire a real grasp of the areas where you need to concentrate upon to raise your conversion ratio, the integration of call tracking solutions and web analytics is certainly a shrewd move. With call tracking, you can create campaigns to test various areas of your marketing strategy, and to highlight and address areas where your investment is being wasted, and conversions are being hindered. Combined with web analytics to identify trends in order to gain a clear picture of how a visitor arrives at and interacts with your website

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This post was written by Robjohn on June 8, 2009

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The literal meaning of article marketing

Delta Squadron Bonus

Article marketing is a form of online advertising that allows businesses to advertise or market themselves by writing short article content pieces that relate to the industry they are in. Usually article marketing is used by affiliates and is not the same business as the one exposed in Delta Squadron – Later the written articles are published in the web market for the customers to easily access it. Every one of these articles contains a byline and a biography box that allows businesses to include references to their company, website or contact information. By crafting well written content and releasing it for this type of free distribution, businesses gain the potential of significantly increasing their credibility within the industry as well as reaching out to new clients in the process. Article marketing is really a great aspect of online marketing which can really help to market one’s company or website as it is really effective.

Article marketing is utilized in paper-print formats as well as online formats, especially by businesses that want to obtain free press space. You can get the name and contact information of your company on the newspaper for free by submitting quality and useful content. This can be really beneficial for all businesses as the newspapers and other form of media are with a view to present content in a cost effective way.

If an accounting firm wants to popularize their business with the help of article marketing then they can submit their articles to the news paper and other forms of media before the tax season, they should write and submit the article like ‘Best steps to avoid audit’. Not only is the accounting firm providing useful information, but they are also getting their name out there when it is most important for them to do so. In the same way a roofing company can write articles like ‘how to avoid ice damage on your rood during winter’ right before the winter season, this will allow you to publicize your business for free.  Ever since online marketing and ecommerce developed article marketing has become a very effective concept on internet for the success of the online business. Through internet article marketing, the companies and the advertisers can offer free articles to their customers.

Article directories are the place where these written articles are posted. The companies and other advertisers do not have to pay for posting their articles on article directories since they can earn money by marketing the articles on their website. On the basis of number of articles which are posted, these articles directory websites receives huge search engine recognition and by posting the articles the companies can take the benefit of this to establish their name in the market. Other than regular print marketing with articles article marketing has many other online dimensions and one of them is that it helps search engine optimization by making proper use of keywords and niches.

With the help of useful articles, the writers can spread their awareness amongst the potential customers, especially those who are pretty much interested in the concept. Article marketers who found article marketing as a very effective means to achieve desired results may have posted hundreds and thousands of articles.

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