Sunday, June 01, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
For those of you looking for more specific information on e-commerce and general articles on web technology, my company eBlox is now publishing a blog over at blog.eblox.com. Many of the web technology articles I write for Identity Marketing Magazine will be published there, as well as various strategies for e-commerce, search engine optimization and web marketing. If any of that interests you, head on over and check it out!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Optimizing Flash-based sites for search
Ralph and Heather asked how to optimize their Flash-heavy website for search engines. A good collection of articles on Flash SEO is available here. Check it out if you've been struggling with Flash web site optimization. At our company we tend to avoid Flash for e-commerce sites, but those of you more focused on branding and imagery may need the animation and interactivity of Flash for your web presence.
Ralph and Heather asked how to optimize their Flash-heavy website for search engines. A good collection of articles on Flash SEO is available here. Check it out if you've been struggling with Flash web site optimization. At our company we tend to avoid Flash for e-commerce sites, but those of you more focused on branding and imagery may need the animation and interactivity of Flash for your web presence.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Web Site Grader
Hubspot has published a free tool to help you analyze your web site's search engine performance: websitegrader.com. Just put in your URL (and, optionally, your competitors' web sites and keywords) and it will generate a report for free. It's full of really helpful information and clear explanations of what the various terms and statistics mean. If you're confused about how Google ranks your site, this is one of the best resources out there. Check it out!
Hubspot has published a free tool to help you analyze your web site's search engine performance: websitegrader.com. Just put in your URL (and, optionally, your competitors' web sites and keywords) and it will generate a report for free. It's full of really helpful information and clear explanations of what the various terms and statistics mean. If you're confused about how Google ranks your site, this is one of the best resources out there. Check it out!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Search Engine Ranking Factors
A comprehensive (and somewhat technical) overview of all the factors that influence search engine rankings. Very detailed, and also acknowledges the disagreement over the significance of many factors. Good reading if you want to understand the details of search engine optimization. Check it out.
A comprehensive (and somewhat technical) overview of all the factors that influence search engine rankings. Very detailed, and also acknowledges the disagreement over the significance of many factors. Good reading if you want to understand the details of search engine optimization. Check it out.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Creating Privacy Policies
The DMA has a great tool for quickly creating a customized privacy policy online. Check it out if you need to post a privacy policy on your site (every site that collects any kind of information at all about visitors should have a privacy policy).
The DMA has a great tool for quickly creating a customized privacy policy online. Check it out if you need to post a privacy policy on your site (every site that collects any kind of information at all about visitors should have a privacy policy).
Friday, October 26, 2007
As we've discussed in many of the classes, a lot of firms and content providers try to game the search engines by creating huge webs of links back to sites via blogs, comments and so on. As we've also discussed numerous times, Google is wise to these tactics and frequently finds ways to get around them to correctly rank quality content.
It appears Google has just revised its page ranking algorithm to reduce the rank of many of the sites that use this tactic. Full details on Techcrunch.
It appears Google has just revised its page ranking algorithm to reduce the rank of many of the sites that use this tactic. Full details on Techcrunch.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The most expensive clicks
CyberWyre maintains a list of the highest-paying keyword combinations; as mentioned in class, the most expensive clicks tend to be from plaintiff's attorneys and are generally asbestos-related.
CyberWyre maintains a list of the highest-paying keyword combinations; as mentioned in class, the most expensive clicks tend to be from plaintiff's attorneys and are generally asbestos-related.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Start Smart Facilitation October 22, 2007
Next up: A 2.5 hour Web/E-Commerce class as part of the Start Smart program, from 6:30 to 9pm on Monday, October 22. Class materials will be refined a bit more based on feedback, so check the Documents and PowerPoints sections around class time.
Next up: A 2.5 hour Web/E-Commerce class as part of the Start Smart program, from 6:30 to 9pm on Monday, October 22. Class materials will be refined a bit more based on feedback, so check the Documents and PowerPoints sections around class time.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
New handouts and powerpoints posted; networking info
The September classes were well-attended and successful. Thanks everyone! I've posted new Powerpoints (in PDF format so everyone can view them) and a new handout on Networking over in the Class Documents section to the right.
For those of you interested in networking online, some site recommendations:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Plaxo
You can find me on all these services. Next up, another StartSmart class on 10/22/07. See you there!
The September classes were well-attended and successful. Thanks everyone! I've posted new Powerpoints (in PDF format so everyone can view them) and a new handout on Networking over in the Class Documents section to the right.For those of you interested in networking online, some site recommendations:
Plaxo
You can find me on all these services. Next up, another StartSmart class on 10/22/07. See you there!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Idiot-safe guide for domain buying
h4x3d.com has posted "Order Domain Godaddy Idiot-safe Guide" that walks through the steps of buying a domain on godaddy step-by-step. Worth a look if you are buying domains for the first time.
h4x3d.com has posted "Order Domain Godaddy Idiot-safe Guide" that walks through the steps of buying a domain on godaddy step-by-step. Worth a look if you are buying domains for the first time.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
March 2007 Powerpoints now available
The Powerpoint presentations for the two March 2007 classes are now available over on the right side of the page, or you can download them here (right click):
Someone Told Me to get a Website
Search Engine Basics
The Powerpoint presentations for the two March 2007 classes are now available over on the right side of the page, or you can download them here (right click):
Someone Told Me to get a Website
Search Engine Basics
Monday, February 19, 2007
Cheap or free advertising in Austin
Register with online search engines, specifically local:Online free advertising:
Chambers of commerce
Register with online search engines, specifically local:Online free advertising:
- Craigslist (www.craigslist.org or austin.craigslist.org)
- placeanad.statesman.com (yes, they give free online ads)
- classifieds.austinchronicle.com (yes, they’re also free!)
- www.myspace.com
Chambers of commerce
- http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/news/piccintr.htm (greater, Hispanic, African American, women’s, etc.)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
New Classes
Increasing Internet Sales: 11/1/06, 11am-1pm
This class will be a more in depth session focused on targeting your market for increased holiday sales. You'll learn how to find your target market and how to produce effective marketing collateral.
Effectively using Internet Reporting Tools: 11/8/06, 11am-1pm
Are you getting adequate traffic on your website? If not, learn why. You'll understand the dynamics of online search tools, data capturing & reporting, and how to use graphics/photos.
I'll have outlines, handouts, etc. available here shortly.
Increasing Internet Sales: 11/1/06, 11am-1pm
This class will be a more in depth session focused on targeting your market for increased holiday sales. You'll learn how to find your target market and how to produce effective marketing collateral.
Effectively using Internet Reporting Tools: 11/8/06, 11am-1pm
Are you getting adequate traffic on your website? If not, learn why. You'll understand the dynamics of online search tools, data capturing & reporting, and how to use graphics/photos.
I'll have outlines, handouts, etc. available here shortly.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Cafe Press
So, if any of you ever want to sell apparel quickly online, you may want to check out Cafe Press (if you haven't already). I had a crazy idea for a "Pluto Was Framed" shirt and put together a site with products in about an hour.
You don't get the kind of margins you would have by producing your own apparel, of course, but you also don't have to hassle with shipping, inventory, or any of those issues. A number of other vendors, like Spreadshirt, provide the same type of service.
Check out the "Pluto Was Framed" shop if you get a chance.
So, if any of you ever want to sell apparel quickly online, you may want to check out Cafe Press (if you haven't already). I had a crazy idea for a "Pluto Was Framed" shirt and put together a site with products in about an hour.
You don't get the kind of margins you would have by producing your own apparel, of course, but you also don't have to hassle with shipping, inventory, or any of those issues. A number of other vendors, like Spreadshirt, provide the same type of service.
Check out the "Pluto Was Framed" shop if you get a chance.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
All Class Documents Posted
I've finally posted all the Powerpoints and the last handout on Search Engine Optimization. They're in the right hand navigation area. Enjoy!
I've finally posted all the Powerpoints and the last handout on Search Engine Optimization. They're in the right hand navigation area. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Choosing a web host:
Allbusiness.com has a basic piece and related articles on choosing a web host:
Allbusiness.com has a basic piece and related articles on choosing a web host:
On the other hand, don't settle for a host who can't provide the basic features your site will require. If you need e-commerce solutions, look for hosts that offer features that you would otherwise need to purchase separately. These can include shopping carts, mailing lists, SSL (secure socket layer) certificates, and more. Shop around and ask lots of questions. Make sure your host can meet your needs.It's all here.
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