"What does SEO mean?" asked a lady friend who has just entered the exciting (and some say addictive) world of blogging.
Well, I tried to answer as best as I could but I could see from her blank expression that she has a long way to go.
In case you are one of those who did not know, SEO stands for Search engine optimization. It is a part of search engine marketing, which seeks to improve the ranking of sites on search engine results thus increasing the number of visitors to your site. This is big business today and there are a number of consultants out there who charge a lot to "optimise" your site.
SEO involve a number of strategies and techniques, including changes to a site's code (referred to as "on page factors") and getting links from other sites (referred to as "off page factors"). Over the year, I have learnt quite a bit. For example, if you type ah ok lah in Google and click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, it will take you straight to my blog. Not really sure how many people actually search for those key words but at least my close friends know how to find me on the Blogosphere.
I also have a respective page rank (pr) of 5. However, I have been stuck here and my efforts to breach this barrier and climb to a pr of 6 has been without success.
Trying to learn the SEO secrets lead me to Look What G-Man Found. The G-Man is a software developer who has written over 200 software installations in his career. His site discusses SEO and other interesting topics.
One of the categories of interest on the site is the Marketing category.
When I last checked, there were 10 posts in the archives of this category. I found two posts particularly interesting. The first one titles Simple, Repeatable Method Generates Traffic To Your Website is his latest article and according to him, a simple method to get hundreds or even thousands of free clicks to your website is to give a testimonial. If you want to read more go here.
The other post is titled If Content is King, Then You’ve Just Been Crowned! He introduces a software, which helps you write articles - on almost any topic, including topics you "know absolutely nothing about".
The implications are enormous. Almost anyone can write an article on almost any topic. And Professors are going to have a tougher time evaluating students. In the end, it gives a real meaning to the saying "Work smart".
Anyway, check out the site for other great articles from the G-Man.
Sponsored post.
Tags: G-man Marketing SEO
10 January 2007
09 January 2007
Hosting packages compared
If you are looking for hosting, one of the biggest dilemmas you will face is the question whether to go for a shared or a dedicated 3rd party web hosting. I found that most people do not even know the difference. Often they look at the price and straightway go for a shared web hosting package.
So what is the difference?
To put it simply, in a shared web hosting account (sometimes called virtual hosting), your site shares a server with other web sites. On the other hand, in case of a dedicated web hosting, your site has its own server and own IP address.
Most small to medium-sized sites go for shared hosting because of the lower prices, it’s main advantage.
However, Dedicated Hosting offers more features and benefits, even though they usually cost more. First of all, you're the only site on the server and you have your own IP address. If you have a Large and/or busy site, bandwidth may be the main consideration and you may find that the server is not able to cope with the traffic and even crashing it. Also, if you operate an e-commerce site, you may need to run some special software packages, which may not be suitable in a shared type of hosting. A dedicated hosting is the only answer in that case. Most shared hosting packages don’t allow you to run your own scripts.
Another disadvantage of a shared hosting is that of sharing the IP address with other sites. If your hosting company is not very selective, you may end up sharing your IP address with spam, adult and hate sites. Some search engine may respond by banning the entire IP address from their index, and your site along with the rest.
Some hosting companies allow you to retain full system administration responsibility for the operating system and applications.
Tags: Dedicated server Hosting Shared hosting
So what is the difference?
To put it simply, in a shared web hosting account (sometimes called virtual hosting), your site shares a server with other web sites. On the other hand, in case of a dedicated web hosting, your site has its own server and own IP address.
Most small to medium-sized sites go for shared hosting because of the lower prices, it’s main advantage.
However, Dedicated Hosting offers more features and benefits, even though they usually cost more. First of all, you're the only site on the server and you have your own IP address. If you have a Large and/or busy site, bandwidth may be the main consideration and you may find that the server is not able to cope with the traffic and even crashing it. Also, if you operate an e-commerce site, you may need to run some special software packages, which may not be suitable in a shared type of hosting. A dedicated hosting is the only answer in that case. Most shared hosting packages don’t allow you to run your own scripts.
Another disadvantage of a shared hosting is that of sharing the IP address with other sites. If your hosting company is not very selective, you may end up sharing your IP address with spam, adult and hate sites. Some search engine may respond by banning the entire IP address from their index, and your site along with the rest.
Some hosting companies allow you to retain full system administration responsibility for the operating system and applications.
Tags: Dedicated server Hosting Shared hosting
Introduction to Goji Berries
One of the most nutrient rich fruits found in nature are Goji Berries. Also known as Wolfberry, it has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to cure several ailments and as a health food. The dried fruits are usually marketed in the West under the name "Tibetan goji berry".
Present studies has shown the berries to be highly rich in antioxidants, in fact higher than any other comparable food source. Studies in China have shown that eating Goji Berries and drinking the Juice has potential benefits against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, vision-related diseases and as an anticancer agent among others.
It is claimed that a Chinese man named Li Qing Yuen, who was said to have consumed wolfberries daily, lived to 252 years of age (1678-1930).
Tags: Goji berry Health Wolfberry
Present studies has shown the berries to be highly rich in antioxidants, in fact higher than any other comparable food source. Studies in China have shown that eating Goji Berries and drinking the Juice has potential benefits against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, vision-related diseases and as an anticancer agent among others.
It is claimed that a Chinese man named Li Qing Yuen, who was said to have consumed wolfberries daily, lived to 252 years of age (1678-1930).
LoudLaunch - Compensating bloggers for their unbiased opinions, reviews, and analysis. View the LoudLaunch campaign release this post was based on.
Tags: Goji berry Health Wolfberry
Too late to win $1000
Have been spending a lot of time searching for pieces of the puzzle as part of the HP Scavenger Hunt. The final pieces were released today and I finally found the last elusive piece #1 a few minutes ago. Unfortunately, all opportunities at Payperpost have already been taken.
I wonder who's the winner. He/She stand to win $1000.
Updated: They have just announced the winner. It's Julie.
Tags: Payperpost HP Puzzle
I wonder who's the winner. He/She stand to win $1000.
Updated: They have just announced the winner. It's Julie.
Tags: Payperpost HP Puzzle
Free blog advertising
I am sure most of you must have heard of the Million dollar page and how it made Alex Tew, a 21 year old student, a millionaire. In the process, he created a new form of advertising - pixel ads. In case you haven't, read the story here.
This gave rise to a splew of copy cat sites. There is even a Million Ringgit Malaysia page.
One thing that is common among all these sites is that we have to pay a certain amount of money for a few pixels.
Along comes Kevin D. and he decided to create a similar site called Fuel my blog but with two major differences - it's limited to blogs and it's totally FREE.
Anyone can advertise in one of the squares available in 'blocks' (each measuring 40x40 pixels). The homepage and 4 other categories: Sports, Business, Life and All sorts has 625 blocks each. Each ad will last 5 years.
However, there are certain rules:
- You can only advertise once (I guess that's only fair).
- The images cannot be animated and
- No obscene/offensive/adult/illegal images/links/description are allowed.
I have already signed up and I have taken up two blocks, namely 7/3 and 7/4, linking to my ah ok lah and Auto Lah blogs respectively.
If you have blog, go over to the site and sign up asap before all the squares get taken up. When I last checked, there were still 503 blocks available.
Link:
Tags: Blog fuelmyblog Pixel ads
This gave rise to a splew of copy cat sites. There is even a Million Ringgit Malaysia page.
One thing that is common among all these sites is that we have to pay a certain amount of money for a few pixels.
Along comes Kevin D. and he decided to create a similar site called Fuel my blog but with two major differences - it's limited to blogs and it's totally FREE.
Anyone can advertise in one of the squares available in 'blocks' (each measuring 40x40 pixels). The homepage and 4 other categories: Sports, Business, Life and All sorts has 625 blocks each. Each ad will last 5 years.
However, there are certain rules:
- You can only advertise once (I guess that's only fair).
- The images cannot be animated and
- No obscene/offensive/adult/illegal images/links/description are allowed.
I have already signed up and I have taken up two blocks, namely 7/3 and 7/4, linking to my ah ok lah and Auto Lah blogs respectively.
If you have blog, go over to the site and sign up asap before all the squares get taken up. When I last checked, there were still 503 blocks available.
Link:
Tags: Blog fuelmyblog Pixel ads
08 January 2007
Tips for teens on the highway
According to a web release on the Carinsurance.com site, GEICO has added "Teens and Trucks" to its online library of safe driving materials for teen drivers. The brochure, developed with the American Moving and Storage Association, includes valuable information for teens on how to safely share the highway with large trucks.
In case you didn't know GEICO, which stands for Government Employees Insurance Company was started in 1936 and the name was derived from their first customers who were government employees and Military personnel. At present they have a customer base of about 7 million auto policyholders and growing and they insures more than 12 million vehicles.
Anyway, the GEICO teen safe driving Web site focuses in providing teens with a library of material for driving safely. Parents and other drivers of all ages might find it helpful too. For example in "Teens and Trucks," there are some very valuable tips for safe highway driving around large trucks:
The materials are at no cost to families, driving classes, law enforcement officials and state agencies. I recommend that all parents and teens should visit GEICO's teen safe driving site
Tags: Car insurance Geico
In case you didn't know GEICO, which stands for Government Employees Insurance Company was started in 1936 and the name was derived from their first customers who were government employees and Military personnel. At present they have a customer base of about 7 million auto policyholders and growing and they insures more than 12 million vehicles.
Anyway, the GEICO teen safe driving Web site focuses in providing teens with a library of material for driving safely. Parents and other drivers of all ages might find it helpful too. For example in "Teens and Trucks," there are some very valuable tips for safe highway driving around large trucks:
-Stay out of a truck's blind spots or "No Zones."
-Be careful when attempting to pass a truck.
-Do not swerve in front of a truck or cause the driver to come to a sudden stop.
-Avoid "Squeeze Play" when a large truck needs to make a wide turn.
-Do not cut off a large truck or passenger bus.
The materials are at no cost to families, driving classes, law enforcement officials and state agencies. I recommend that all parents and teens should visit GEICO's teen safe driving site
Tags: Car insurance Geico
Loan comparison guide
It's a new year but for a number of UK resident's, the holiday season has had a nasty pinch on their finances. Whether it's for buying gifts, houses, cars or for studying we often have no choice but to take loans.
The problem is that a lot of people don't really know how to compare the loans offered by various companies. Most people depend on the junk mail coming through their letter-boxes offering "attractive" offers. This may not really be the right way to evaluate loans.
So if you are looking for a personal loan, Selectloans.co.uk - an online guide for personal loans can help you find an offer, cheaper than what you have been quoted already. This is regardless of whether you are looking for a cheap unsecured personal loans, secured loans or even a guaranteed car loan.
So if you are looking to compare various personal loans, then this is the site for you.
Sponsored post.
Tags: Loans Online guide
The problem is that a lot of people don't really know how to compare the loans offered by various companies. Most people depend on the junk mail coming through their letter-boxes offering "attractive" offers. This may not really be the right way to evaluate loans.
So if you are looking for a personal loan, Selectloans.co.uk - an online guide for personal loans can help you find an offer, cheaper than what you have been quoted already. This is regardless of whether you are looking for a cheap unsecured personal loans, secured loans or even a guaranteed car loan.
So if you are looking to compare various personal loans, then this is the site for you.
Sponsored post.
Tags: Loans Online guide
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