1. Search Engine Optimization

We’ve touched on this in previous chapters but “Search Engine Optimization” or “SEO” as it is often referred to is a huge success for many sites, and has even spawned a service industry in its own right where people are getting paid to optimize your site and site submissions to try and increase how well your site ranks on various search engines. Ideally you should do this yourself by submitting to various directories and using the tips and hints I’ve already mentioned but if you are ‘Internet Impaired’ it may be worth paying a consultant
to assist you.

2. List your site in Directories and Search Engines

There are many search engines and directories out there where you can list your website for increased exposure. Some charge a fee while others are free or low-cost but the important thing to remember is to go through each one IN PERSON and optimize the data you provide each to ensure the listing provides the best interface to your site as possible.

3. Participate in Link Exchanges

A ‘link exchange’ refers to the act of having a URL or ‘hyperlink’ from another site either on your page or another site pointing to pages on your site. With Exchanges another webmaster will link to your site in exchange for you linking to theirs – hopefully complimenting each others sites.

3. Advertise your site via AdWords or other resources such as banner ads

There are many advertising avenues out there to get your website increased recognition, the simplest of course link exchanges and wordof-mouth, but paid methods such as using Google’s AdWords program to pop up a link to your site when certain keywords are entered into search engines is a very effective way to increase traffic to your sites. From the vendor side it works like this: you bid (or offer) an amount that you will pay for a list of keywords used when people query. Depending on your bid and the maximum daily expenditure settings
you specify (the largest amount of payout you are willing to do on any given day) your ad shows and you’re charged for each user who “clicks through” the ad to your site.

4. Get published on other sites

The Internet is a wide place and a lot of people are out there every day so try to participate in other sites with a similar interest to yours and post articles and stories – be sure to include a link or reference to your web site and viola! Free advertising!

5. Post in chat rooms and on blogs

Just as with posting articles using chat and blog entries to promote your site is a good ‘semi-permanent’ way to get your website address out there before the public.

]]> http://codensa.org/5-ways-to-increase-web-traffic/feed 0 http://codensa.org/blogging-can-help-your-business http://codensa.org/blogging-can-help-your-business#comments Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:07:25 +0000 admin http://codensa.org/?p=1193 Not long ago, a diary was a deeply personal thing — a journal of thoughts and observations, kept under lock and key and often buried in a dresser drawer.The Web has a way of changing things. Now, a diary of thoughts, observations and insight — posted on the Internet — may be a way to boost your business.Web logs, or “blogs” as they’re better known, have become a way to engage readers and potential customers of businesses big and small.

A blog is a journal posted on a Web site, updated on a regular basis and containing news, opinions, ideas and brainstorms. It might also have links to other sources of information, other Web sites and other blogs.Many blogs cut both ways, inviting readers to post feedback on what they see. While that can apply to everything from sports and entertainment, it can also generate interest — and, ultimately, income — for your business.

No, blogs aren’t for everyone. But see how they can accomplish these five basic business objectives.

1. Expose a new or little-known product or idea

For Grant Smith, blogging makes a world of sense on a number of levels. Smith operates a business that provides streaming video e-mail and related video communications products. Since many prospective clients might know little about video e-mail, Smith says his blog is a natural way to provide specifics.

That, in turn, can lead to a more informed customer and a more time-effective sales process. Rather than taking time to pitch your product or service to a client who may not need it, a blog supplants you as an information source. If a prospect contacts you, that’s great. If not, you’ve wasted no time in explaining something that generates nothing in return.

2. Improve your search engine rankings

Blogging also puts you in touch with prospects in other ways. As any company with a position on the Internet realises, Web site visitors that come via Google, MSN and other search engines can provide numerous leads. Blogs can add to the frequency with which search vehicles identify you and your company, particularly if your blog allows readers to post a response.

If done properly, blogs have a tremendous benefit relative to search engines, according to Brad Fallon, president of SEO Research, a search engine marketing firm. “With blogs that allow comments, every new post and every new comment becomes an additional Web page filled with additional keywords to be picked up by the search engine spiders,” he says.

3. Position yourself as an expert in an industry or field

Blogging also can also prove an effective marketing tool to establish yourself as an authority in your field. Not only can that generate leads, it also sends a positive message about your credentials through the marketplace and also gives your business a face and a personality.

4. Influence public opinion

Blogging also allows users to bypass traditional journalistic venues and, in effect, become a publisher of their own thoughts and viewpoints. For Steve Rubel, vice president of client services at a public relations firm, blogs are also fast becoming a powerful influence on public opinion.

5. Engage in a forum openly with your customers

Just as important, blogs that solicit reader comments can provide a sense of immediacy with your customers. In one respect, that’s a ready source of feedback on what you’re doing right and what you need to improve.

]]> http://codensa.org/blogging-can-help-your-business/feed 0 http://codensa.org/ideas-for-your-home-based-business http://codensa.org/ideas-for-your-home-based-business#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:02:36 +0000 admin http://codensa.org/?p=1191 So you’ve decided to start a home-based business? That’s great, but where do you start? If you’re online quite a bit, then there’s no reason you can’t start a business right from your own home on the Web. There are so many resources available online today that you can benefit tremendously from the research of others while building your own business. And, there are many companies that will do lots of the work for you when you join with them.

Here are five easy start-up ideas for your home-based business to save you time and money.

1. Choose Your Hours

Decide how much time you will be able to invest in your home-based business. To be honest, there are many new business owners who never make it because they’re not willing to invest their time. If you work a full-time job and plan to keep it while your home-based business builds, then you should determine how many free hours you can spend working. Can you invest a few hours per day, or week perhaps?

Once you choose your hours, stick with them on a consistent basis. Treat the home business just as you would a store with operating hours. If you open a store from 9 to 5, then someone must be there during those hours. So, if you plan to work on your new business from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. five nights per week, then let this be your “operating hours!”

2. Choose a Business

Even if you plan to start a business selling products of your own, you might find it useful to join with a company to sell their products to build extra income at first. You can even do both if you can invest enough time and effort into both businesses. Choose a product or service that you enjoy selling. No business is fun if you dislike it. The more you enjoy it, the more likely you are to be successful.

3. Prepare Your Home-Based Business Work Area

Before you start a home-based business, be sure your home office is up to par. Upgrade your computer to a fast one with a super-fast Internet connection so your work will not be hindered by outside factors. Also, get a very comfortable desk chair with plenty of back and arm support. Choose a keyboard and mouse that you’re comfortable with, and organize your desk. Working in a well-organized environment clears your thinking so you can work and promote without distraction.

4. Investing Your Money

Before you invest a dime, be certain it’s the right business for you. When selling products for others, you might be asked to invest money before getting started for inventory, membership, a website, and so forth. If so, study every aspect of the business before doing so. Any business start-up will require some monetary investment, but you need to think before you invest.

Once you’ve chosen a business to invest in, set up a budget solely for your business. Having a business account at your local bank will help. Also, set up an account with an online payment processor if possible. PayPal and StormPay are two of the most popular ones online right now. If signing on with an MLM company, find out how they issue their payments first.

5. Use Your Talents and Skills

Whether you sign on with an MLM company or start a business selling your own products and services, remember to use all your talents and skills. Maybe you’re a great typist or a very savvy Internet user. Perhaps you know how to design websites, printed flyers, or promote online. Use your talents to maximize your home-based business profits.

Don’t just sit at home and dream of owning your own business. Use these five start-up tips to get your home-based business moving today!

Perhaps you want to earn a part-time income from home or start a full-time Internet business. Maybe you’re a mom who wants to stay home while earning a living. Or, maybe you’re sick and tired of the “rat race” and want to settle down with your own home business. Whatever the case, you can choose one of the sure-fire methods of making money online below to get started.

1. Offer Services That Other Web Business Owners Will Need

Many people earn money online while offering services that other Web business owners need on a continual basis. These services include Web hosting, domain name registration, web design, and content writing. Every new website must have a Web host, domain name, web designer and content. These services are available everywhere online, but fortunately, there’s always room for a few more! Online users are starting new Internet businesses every day. So, the potential for making money online with these services is tremendous.

You can start from scratch with these businesses or find a company that allows you to resell its products and services. For instance, instead of setting up your own servers to become a Web host, you can become a reseller of hosting services and share a part of the profits. With this setup, your primary job is to promote the service. The parent Web host company does the rest.

2. Expand Your Present Business

If you already own a business, you can expand it by using a website. If your company has its own website, your customers can go online to learn more about you, buy your products or ask questions. It’s a great way to advertise and build customer trust. Also, you can mention your website address in all your print, television and radio advertising to maximize results.

3. Start a “Niche” Internet Business

Many people start small Internet businesses that reflect who they are or what they enjoy. The word “niche” took on a whole new meaning when the Internet came into existence. A niche business can be anything you want it to be – an online flower shop, online classic car club, online magazine, online clothing store, online shopping mall, online photo stock agency, online candy store, online quilt outlet, or an online shoe store. Choose something you enjoy doing and find a way to build a small Internet business around that theme. And, don’t let the word “small” fool you. Owning a small business is a great way to make money on the Internet!

4. Earn Money Online Through Auctions

Don’t have time to manage a website? Try online auctions. You can sell just about anything at eBay and other Internet auction sites, but be sure you choose a market that has a strong demand. Some items sell well through auctions, some don’t. Also, be sure to choose a product with a high profit margin so you don’t lose money each time you list your items.

5. Provide Internet Marketing Services

Online company owners are always looking for effective ways to promote their websites. If you’re a savvy Internet marketer, this business offers a tremendous money opportunity for you. You can earn money online while helping others increase their profits. Internet marketing today involves search engine promotion and SEO, Web content and optimization for article pages, pay-per-click campaigns, keyword research, press releases, banner and pop-up advertising, e-zine and mailing lists, and link exchanges. You can specialize in one of these areas or offer marketing techniques for all categories.

These are five proven ways to make money online. Each of these opportunities can provide a steady stream of income if you work diligently to promote your online business and services and always provide excellent customer service. Use these ideas to get started making money today!

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to make a huge impression on the market. How does one go about writing a strong press release for an impending site introduction? You are not alone if you are unsure on how to go about this, but there are a few suggestions to get you started, here are some that have been successful in the past.

Remember the one fact to keep in mind is that you are going to need the public’s attention, on this media release it is extremely important to remember the fact that the news sells. What you need is very convincing line in communication to get your message across. If an editor finds material that is counterfactual and deliberately untrue or promises that are just not reasonably accepted, they will rubbish the media release. Some of the most frequent are, one of a kind, changing the face of the world, or everyone wins. The entire premise is to act and think like a reporter to get the word out in that media format. If the release is not in a journalistic format, it will not be taken in earnest.

A good measure would be to make the title around ten words, keep it short to grasp attention. A brief summary of the information should be in the headline, and should be powerful and hard-hitting. You are trying to reach the mass public; it should be as wide as a roadside sign or billboard. The best way to get a good review is to have the editor notice your release above all others, this can be done in just a few words. Just like all good journalists know the most effective and important part of the release is always the opening paragraph. This can be referred to as the summary lead. It is always the most essential element of any release that you incorporate the familiar 5 W’s of journalism, and not to eliminate the single and most influential H. who, what, when, where, and the single how are the mainstay in quality information that everyone truly looks for when reading a release. It is imperative on this note to embrace them.

This is the body of the information with the introduction and the closing statements surrounding this bulk. It is the introduction that leads the readers down the path of yearning for more on the subject so it must be dynamic. This opening paragraph is what is known as the hook. This hook not only has to seize the audience’s attention but the press and the editor as well.It is not always an effortless task when Writing press releases. The hook in every sense of the word is strictly fact and not a system of persuasion to the multitude.

A business merchant account

is the best way to expand your company’s operations and conduct e-commerce without risking too much of an investment. Simply apply for a merchant account the way an individual would apply for a personal credit card. As with individual applicants, a company needs to show a positive credit history and the ability to make payments on a merchant account at present. In addition, it cannot be involved in shady dealings with which the underwriters might not agree. Many lenders will let you apply online

, although some charge a fee for this. Often you will get a decision on your application within a day or two. If approved, you can begin making arrangements to accept credit payments in a variety of ways. Pay attention to fees and payment terms. For example, you may be asked to pay 15 to 25 cents per transaction. Or you could have the choice of paying a low overall percentage rate. Some lenders impose minimums, though, meaning you will have to pay a “bottom line” fee no matter how many transactions you make.

Your business merchant account will let you purchase or lease a credit card processor that can be plugged into your store. Or you can take a wireless version with you when collecting payments from other locations. Many business owners prefer to use a telephone ordering and payment system. This can be automated, reducing the need for staffing except for questions or glitches. Customers can speak or touch-dial their credit card numbers into the phone to process orders at their convenience. You will need to make sure your system is fully operational at all times and that it is customer-friendly to keep from annoying or even driving away current or new clients.

When you utilize a business merchant account, you can receive a printed monthly statement, discounts for other services, and occasional other benefits as well. Being able to accept credit card payments suggests that customers will look at you a little differently, knowing that you have earned an underwriter’s trust for this important role. Posting signs for accepting credit card payments places your company in the ranks of the elite, since many smaller or newer companies do not yet enjoy this privilege. When you begin accepting credit card processing, you can move away from cash-only payments or checks that can bounce. The time saved from managing cash flow can be channeled into more meaningful tasks.

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Getting a merchant account means that you’re ready to upgrade your business, and that you are taking extra steps to accommodate your customers. Be proud to receive a merchant account, knowing that not everyone is approved. Handle it responsibly, since you have much to be thankful for with your new business merchant account.

Yes, truly and surely, you can make money blogging. Realistically, the most you can make is a few hundred dollars a month that cannot be found on trees or scoffed at. Nowadays, the Chillicious, a social network of bloggers, have provided more options and ways wherein you can maximize your earning potential by blogging.

Do you want to make money blogging? Then, choose an ideal blog site that will cater to your requirements for a blog, sign up, create a blog and publish it right away! Blogging sites allow you to build blogs according to your tastes. Others have HTML and link options. Others have customized templates where you can change your blog page’s color and design.

In between signing up and creating a blog, though, you must know what subject to blog about. Your subject is an important consideration, so take your time conceptualizing before jumping into the fray. If you must know, the subject will be the determining factor how much money you can earn with the blog you’re going to create.

Try to look for subjects or topics that pay more from per click among others. Check out Google AdWords and AdSense to know how much each clicks on a subject costs. Google AdSense then allows you to place ads on your blog. Once a user happens to open your blog and click on the advertisement, you will earn money on it. Just that!

Once your offering is announced to companies, consequently, they will contact you for an ad space on your blog. Google, meanwhile, will place any ad that has keywords related to your blog. Any which way, you are guaranteed to earn.

Other ways to secure earning from your blogging activities is to become an affiliate partner to another company. There is a popular affiliate program, which provides commission to its partners for every click on the ad, placed on their site/blog. You will also get a percentage from the sale of their product made in your blog.

There are plenty of affiliate programs with varied commission percentages. Others even offer profit sharing.

If you are blogging for a specific cause, you still can take advantage of it in a positive way. You can earn money blogging for a cause. You can ask people to give donations for a specific cause, though most of it will go to you.

You can use the PayPal donation button and put on your site. There is also Amazon with its honor system that sets up a donation button for you.

Are picking up nice ideas already? Well, here is one you will definitely enjoy, how about making money through blogging about unique merchandise and then offering them up for sale simultaneously in your blog site?

There are people who would gladly spend for merchandise that are custom-made, unique and totally out of this world! Edit your blog headline into a catchy one, create your very own logo and then offer up these kinds of items with your logo in it. It will be a sort of brand tag.

There are online companies that allow you to design your own items and those that allow you to custom design your logo, too. You will see how it will boost your blog once people start wearing and using your items with your logo attached in it.

Do not just concentrate on one way of money – earning opportunity. You can even combine these methods and earn more.

As the www.Chillicious.com develops, evolves and takes with it lots of internet users, so as earning opportunities increase by blogging. Just think, you will enjoy blogging as a hobby and earn in the outset, too!

have some awesome advantages

, and if you implement them correctly, you can make incredible money with affiliate programs.

Mostly, the website you are promoting does all the leg work for you. They will handle all the customer support, payment processing, product delivery, and refunds. All that you have to do is direct people to their website, by providing a link to them on yours. Once a customer clicks your link, AND makes a purchase, you get a certain percentage of that sale. That’s it. You just wait for your money to come in. And if you are wanting to make money online, using affiliate programs is just one of the many ways that you can do just that.

You don’t have to develop or carry the product. You don’t really even have to know that much about the product, because the customer will be going to another website where all the pertinent information is already given.

Any good affiliate program

will provide all of the materials you need to promote them. Usually this includes emails, banners, text links, and free ebooks that you can use on your website. The super good programs will even offer you training, to learn the techniques for promoting their website.

When you join an affiliate program, you just worry about getting traffic to your site, and then getting them to click on your affiliates’ links. Hopefully, a sale will be generated, and you will be making money.

The down-side of promoting affiliate programs , is that you are competing with other people to get sales. Also, some affiliate sites may not be honest, and may not pay you, keeping the money that you have generated for them. The best way to protect yourself would be to go online, and see if you can find any complaints about the affiliate program.

To learn the valuable techniques and tips that I have learned, please go to my website, and follow the links to open YOUR portal to success! Register at my site, and you’ll receive occassional “goodies”, including free tips and informative reports !

While there are many other aspects to search engine optimization (SEO), article submission can be a cheap and effective way to help you get that coveted spot on the first page of the search engine results for keywords relating to your business.

First let’s look at how article marketing

works in relation to improving SEO. Basically, every time a link to your website is published on another website your popularity with the search engines increases. These are known as backlinks. In every marketing article you submit to an article directory you can include a resource box with information about you or your product, and a backlink to your website.

So, even just by submitting to article directories you are already increasing the number of backlinks to your website. However, the real value from submitting these articles is that they can be picked up and published anywhere on the web. Every time an article is published you get another backlink to your website. If your articles are published enough times you could see your search engine page ranking rocket. Bear in mind though, that the effectiveness of your campaign will depend on where the articles appear. A backlink from a website that itself has a high search engine page ranking will carry more weight than a backlink  from a site with a poor ranking.

Keywords vs quality

Carefully choosing keywords is an essential part of article marketing for a number of reasons. First, you want your articles to be easily found in article directories. If they remain buried under similar articles they will never be published on other websites and your efforts will have been wasted.

Also, you want your articles to get good results on the search engines themselves. If your articles find their way onto the front pages of the search engines you will increase exposure to your website or product, and increase your reputation as an article writer.

However, there is more to successful article marketing than keywords. There has been an ongoing difference of opinion among SEO experts as to whether the quality of articles can be sacrificed for the sake of high keyword density within the text. While it is important to put keywords in the text to help with SEO, quality content is king when it comes to article marketing.

The main aim of article marketing is to get your articles published on as many websites as possible. Quality content is at a premium on the internet so if you can provide good articles that people want to read you will be successful. If you stuff your articles with keywords websites will not publish them and readers will rarely read beyond the first paragraph. So, keep keywords to about two per every 100 words of text and do not let them disrupt the flow and the meaning of the article.

Know your neighbor

The most successful article marketers are the ones who gain a reputation as experts in their chosen field, so try to find your niche and work to your strengths. If you write authoratively and enthusiastically about a subject that you know about you are much more likely to attract readers.

If, for example, you have a website that sells Mac software you could write about new releases and trends in this field. However, you could also boost your profile by becoming involved in the general online Mac community by posting on forums or even creating your own blog. These can provide extra opportunities for creating backlinks and driving traffic to your website, and as you become better known in your field you will find your articles will be more used more often and more widely.

New Web 2.0 social bookmarking websites are also giving article marketers new opportunities for improving SEO and increasing traffic to their website. If you come up with an article you think could be very popular on the web you could publish it on your website and submit it to websites like Digg and Reddit. If it gains popularity on these sites it could go viral and bring thousands of hits to your site.

Article marketing offers excellent opportunities to promote your product while improving

the SEO of your website. Even if you do not have the time or the will to write articles yourself, you should look into having a freelance writer doing the job for you.

Signed, Where are the Sales?

Dear Where are the Sales,
Absolutely. In fact, I highly recommend it.

It’s a perfect fit. Think about it. You’ve already got the content, and you obviously don’t mind writing since you’ve written an entire e-book. You’re a perfect candidate for using article sharing to get traffic to your website – and sell more e-books in the process.

If article sharing is new to you, you’ll catch on quickly. It’s an easy process, and it’s so effective. Here’s all there is to it.

1. You write an article about your topic of expertise. Or you use a section from your e-book and turn it into an article.

2. Add an author resource box at the end that includes the URL to your website – where you want the website visitors to go. Ideally this would be the sales page for your e-book. (See the bottom of this article for an example.)

3. Submit your article to article directories. These article directories contain thousands of free articles that publishers can freely use on their websites, blogs and in their newsletters.

4. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Every time your article is published, your author bio will be included, giving you exposure for your website.

Now, if you have an affiliate program, there’s even more potential. If you’re smart, you’ll also send the articles to your affiliates and allow them to use the articles – and encourage them to replace your URL with their affiliate

link for your program. A smart affiliate will grab those articles in a heartbeat and start publishing them all over the web.

I hope you’ll see the potential of article sharing, and embrace it. If not, you’re really missing out on an easy way to grow your business and generate large amounts of traffic to your website. I look forward to seeing your articles in the article directories.