Helping You Rock Out Your Site Like A Rockstar!

I have always been curious on how many times my graphics and scripts have been downloaded. When I installed the WordPress Download Monitor plugin, I was not sure what to expect. However, once I started uploading my zip files and putting them out there for the public to download, I saw it immediately.

The script is very useful for webmasters, especially if when a lot of graphics and bandwidth can be involved. The plugin records how many times an item is downloaded, the IP address of the downloader, and at what time the downloading occurred.

When using the plugin, all you have to do is upload the zip file, the details you want people to see, specify if only members of your blog can access the download, and even mirror sites your items has been uploaded to. To add the download to your page, there is a simple dropdown menu in your WordPress ‘new post’ menu to select the download, and the code is added to the page.

If you have to update the file, it is also easy to do and simple as selecting the download you want to edit, uploading the new zip file, and then submitting.

For those with graphic sites that have been using old and unsecure php scripts, the WordPress Download Monitor would be far more ideal to use. On strictly php written websites, this can become a problem as it can be tedious to put together a template just for the downloads. It is much easier to nip this issue by using WordPress’ CMS goodness and the WordPress Download Monitor plugin.

This is also great for commercial graphic sites so the owner can select a few downloads as freebies, and the rest… can be members only.

Have you used this plugin? What are your thoughts and recommendations?

WP125 is a WordPress plugin to help monetize blogs by allowing the blogger to insert 125×125 pixel banners. Created by Matt Harzewski, this is an alternative to outside banner ad php scripts as it allows WordPress to manage the work, meaning less passwords to remember and administration links to use.

The plugin is easy to install and can be incorporated with a simple click. WP125 includes the ability to enter how many days you wish to run the banner ad , and how many banners are desired for viewing. When the banner campaign is finished, a replacement banner will fill the spot, making it easy for the administrator to not lift a finger other than to either re-activate the ad or replace it with a different campaign. It even has the option to alert the webmaster that a banner is expiring!

Although this plugin is great, the only thing off is that there should really be the ability for the user to be able to give a live link for their advertisers to check the progress of their campaign. From experienced, I have been told that a site receives so many hits, when in fact later on when checking their Alexa rank and such, I was sure I was not getting the ad impressions that could have been. Never mind the click through rate, but when given a screenshot and putting it to the referrals in my stats, I was lied to.

This is not to say webmasters should not use this plugin as it can be handy, but it is best to put on the advertisement contact form definite stats to uphold the integrity of the blog. As for the creators of WP125, perhaps adding this ability will take this plugin to the next step. Although I bring up this point, I do recommend it as it is a good resource for webmasters to have in-house banner advertising. Of course, the plugin has been download over 119,000 times (as of October 2010) and even Weblog Tools Collection has reviewed the plugin too and can be found in the WordPress Plugin repository!

Be careful ladies and gentlemen when updating the Digg Digg plugin right away. It is quite often that this plugin updates and pretty much puts out errors.

This time around, not so bad. The manual code has been changed in so if you are using that method, you will have PHP errors show up. Not fun if you have a site that has a good amount of traffic. This is not a problem if you are using a previous version that you had no problems with.

Like most plugins, never update right away – Digg Digg especially. Give it about a week. You never know, especially if a plugin developer accidentally loaded up the files and missed an important one.

In the case you accidentally loaded the plugin and it does not work even after changing the manual method code to the new ones, you will need to deactivate, and delete the new version. To replace, go back to the Digg Digg plugin at WordPress.org’s Plugin directory, download the previous version, and then install it.

It is usually something by accident, but after repeated issues with Digg Digg updates, I think it might be a good thing to throw the caution out there to the community.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, setting up a website seemed so confusing. The materials offered were very basic and to a lot of people confusing. Yahoo! Geocities, Tripod, and other free webhosts were a bit difficult for the common Internet user because it meant you had to have a basic understanding of HTML or you ended up having a strange design generated from what the free hosts offered.

Today, it is much easier to set up a website. WordPress.com, Blogger, Typepad, and a few others offer a much friendlier means to have a presence online.

How easy is it to set up a website?

This is the easy part – Establishing a host, a site name or domain are just the very first steps. It is designing, and creating content that is what is a bit more challenging.

First time bloggers may want to start off with a free host as it might be a good base to make sure that they are serious enough and have established a readership.

So, as a summary of how easy it is, here are the general steps:

1. Brainstorm what you want your site to do and who you want to reach.
2. Choose a web host.
3. Come up with a site name or select a suitable domain name for the website.
4. Start creating content.
5. Choose or create a design.

Why did I list creating content before design? Well, you can set up a site in WordPress and start writing right away. This is important as when your site is beginning, it is often that the content is the most difficult part to continue maintaining. If you can jump start your site with a couple posts, you will be able to give visitors a clue to what you want them to get from your website. The design can come second and be a nice surprise. Technically the design will probably change as you grow into your own brand.

I know some would not agree on this, but frankly, your visitors, even if your site has an awesome layout, will find more value in what you have to say. Why not start that first and grow into your brand. A lot of interesting people have grown or are still growing into their sites and brands. Just some examples: Kim Castleberry of Just Ask Kim, Ileane Smith of Basic Blog Tips, Kristi Hines of Kikolani, and Hesham Zebida of Famous Bloggers.

However, once you have a web host in mind, you can choose to install a free theme or pay for a premium theme in the case you are not design savvy. Remember that you control what your site will be. When you put your content together, you are paving the road to your own success.

Also remember that there are a lot of great places out there giving awesome FREE advice to people wanting to become a successful blogger, online business owner, or great webmaster. Use that to your advantage.

Setting up a website is not as difficult as it use to be.

What tips would you like to share to others looking to start their own website?

I have just some good ways to give your blog more exposure and make it more popular, so let us begin without wasting time.

1. Do not start if your aim is for publicity
   During these past 4 years I have always defended those who decided to put advertising on their blogs, but it is very different if that someone started this activity with publicity as a sole ambition. First, it could be considered as work and second, unless you experience the results, they will be poor and mediocre.
2. You set the rules
   Never let anyone tell you what you can or can not do on your site. Written rules about what you have to do to have a good blog become obsolete every time someone comes to do things better and have their own ideas of how to do this. Occasionally you’ll get recommendations, but again, you decide what is best for your site. That process is educational and interesting.
3. Forget statistics
   Wherever possible, avoid the use of statistical control tools. Being aware of them tends to be more negative than positive because you will focus on that rather than what you should be doing -having fun and writing on your blog. Today there who dedicated efforts not to keep a blog but to feed its statistical system with more and more page views. Can not have fun in that.
4. Look after the appearance of your site
   Caring for the appearance of your site is very important, and not just because of what others may say – but for yourself too. Use templates if you consider it necessary, but in that case, try giving a personal touch.
5. Try to pace yourself
   Sometimes it’s important to read the daily update, but again, these tips are for your happiness and not to improve your stats. Therefore, seek a frequency that suits your available time and tries to keep pace. That will get you up to date and above all not to leave your blog stale. One more recommendation: Please avoid MiniPosts which are not useful for your readers and meaningless.

How do you keep yourself happy with your blog?

If you want your website to simultaneously draw in customers and sit proudly atop search engine rankings, there is no escaping the fact that fresh content is the key.

You have probably heard this statement so many times that is had lost some of its impact. But it is worth reminding yourself of it from time to time, because the moment you start to overlook the importance of well-written, freshly-produced copy is the moment you start to lose customers and slide inexorably down search rankings.

Image Courtesy: djheights.com

Most companies now recognise the vital importance of content generation and how it can increase success, which is why SEO is currently such a thriving industry. However, in focusing solely on their own potential glory, many companies tend to forget one important fact. Namely, that without their loyal, paying customers, their business is nothing.

In the global marketplace, a big reputation alone simply isn’t enough to bring in new clients and sustain a company’s operations. New customers need to be drawn to your business, engaged by the services you provide and encouraged to keep coming back for more. For this to happen, you need to ensure that your site is regularly updated, and that the content you produce is 100% relevant to your potential and existing customers

Churning out pages of new content just to please the search engines is not enough. While it may keep the likes of Google happy for a while, your website will ultimately be used by living, breathing visitors who care very little for keywords. What users want is original, well-written and authoritative content that tells them what they need to know with the minimum of fuss.

If you can provide them with what they are looking for, your company will be seen as a trustworthy source and your chances of converting that visitor into a long-term customer will increase dramatically. That newly-converted customer will then spread the word within his or her industry, and within no time a wave of new visitors will surge towards your site.

Blogging is a powerful tool that search engine marketers are using for contextual link building these days. Apart from specialist SEO copy writers, blogs can provide content writing professionals a robust platform to establish themselves as writer. Well, writing for blog is one thing and becoming a successful blogger is another. How can one bridge the gap? Here are a few suggestions regarding the art of blogging.

Image Courtesy: rickischultz.wordpress.com

Be candid, be simple…

When users read a blog they want the writer to be candid in expressing his/her point of view. Simple lucid language is appreciated. You can be informal with the mood and choice of words. You can be interactive by throwing some questions to your readers to encourage them in participating in the discussion. Subtle touches of humor can make your post even more interesting, but this is optional if it doesn’t come naturally.

Choose your topics carefully…

When you are writing with the purpose of earning links you are given a set of related keywords or key phrases that set up a platform for your article. But you have the freedom to choose your topic; freedom to improvise your own style, freedom to experiment with the style of writing and scope to know what your readers expect from you by following up blog comments. So, be choosy with topics and stand out from the rest.

Look into the readers mind…

Identify your readers (target audience). Do a good research on them, so that you can deliver exactly what they want and what they need. Remember, what you write must have a utilitarian aspect. Even if you are blogging to promote a specific product marketed by your company it’s not about writing overview of the product or advertising for it. Rather you can blog on how to make the best use of the product or highlight a particular feature that has been added lately. Shouting for your products or services directly can put your readers off. Product promotions can be saved for company website – blog-readers look for something more.

Be consistent …

Be consistent with the style of writing and presentation. Make it simple or a bit more complex; it’s your choice since your blog has a set of readers who are interested in the particular stream of topics and accustomed with the particular style of writing.

People will read your post if you…

• Cover a trending topic, of course with insight and authority.
• Give something extra about a commonly known subject or project it in a different light.
• Provide something useful, say, tips to optimize the usage of a particular device, or tool, or software etc.
• Be very specific on a particular topic to curb the competition, e.g, if you are writing for a web design blog ‘how to design a fast loading mobile website’ can be a wiser choice than ‘how to design a fast loading website’.
• Make it interesting with proper formatting and relevant images.

People will come to your blog if you…

Make sure you put an attractive title to your post and use your keywords craftily to maintain the natural flow.  Inserting keyword in the title is important to feed the search engines so that your blog is found in organic search. I would suggest keeping it closer to the start of the title as much as possible, but not at the cost of naturalness, of course.

Note that external links play a key role in boosting your blog’s rank on SERPs, which in turn may sharply increase the number of visitors to the blog. But, that’s a separate issue.

People will keep visiting your blog if you…

Well, there are a hundred ways to retain your readers and at the same time increase readership. But, I am not here to discuss on the technical aspects, such as adding plug-ins for subscription or integrating your blog with social networking sites. This post is purely about what you can do with your writing. Therefore, one idea will be, explicitly asking for comments. You can easily add a line in the end asking your readers to express their takes on what you have written. Inviting to comment does have a positive psychological impact on readers.  And if you find the comments worthy of responding never forget to leave a reply – a simple ‘thank you’ can do wonder.

An online business trying to improve their online visibility, target audience and increase exposure must create a blog that is totally dedicated to the site of their business… period! There is no shortcut to online success. A proven and tested principle that search engines use when ranking a website is to look at the frequency at which the content of the site is being updated. The surest and easiest way, therefore, to ensure there is a constant supply of fresh content is through blogging.

Note, however, that blogging with specific high quality content that is targeted at the niche market is not enough. You must create some more buzz and attention around your site, distribute your content, and more importantly be around your blog readers. How do you do that effectively? Here are a few ways of doing it.

• Familiarize yourself with how bookmarking tools like ping.fm or HootSuite can be utilized to boost the amount of high quality inbound links to your website by posting each of your blog posts to at least 25 of the leading social networking and bookmarking websites automatically
• Use online available tools like the famous Google Keyword tool to establish the kind of long tail keywords the market is using to search for information related to your business.
• Ensure there are enough social networking icons within the blog that will encourage your readers to retweet, bookmark or even post a link on their site redirected at your blog post
• Ensure your primary keywords feature generously in the title and body of the blog posts in order to have them rank highly on the Search Engine Results Page.
• Ensure there is a comment section after every blog post which will encourage your readers to share their views and comments regarding the information contained in the blog.
• If you are good enough, try to post some of your content on other blog that accept guest articles. Most of them will offer you 2-3 links back to your website.
• Build social community with people that are really interested in your niche. Is worthless if you have 30000 followers on Twitter if only 5 people are interested in your posts.

Don’t think that the above mentioned is an all-inclusive list of measures to take in your link popularity strategic development plan to boost web traffic. The strategies, tips and techniques that will drive traffic towards your site are only limited by your very own imagination.

This is also not all there is for you to do, you have to search your specific niche market and find websites and blogs that rank the highest. Ensure you get affiliated with the blogs as they already have a well established page rank. By having your blog posts feature on their pages, you will get more visibility, publicity, and broad exposure. Request for a link in exchange for them posting your blogs on their sites and you will sure get the traffic that you want.