Webmasters have so much information available to them on the Internet about how to increase traffic to their web sites, but how do you keep visitors on the site when they get there? If you happen to use the articles format in order to provide interesting content for your readers, have you considered what they do when they finish reading one of your articles?
Actions the reader will take, will include: navigating to another part of the web site (if you are lucky and have a well designed site); typing another web site address into their browser; and, closing down their browser and doing something else – perhaps resuming their work after a lunch break. mattressdisposal. If you are a webmaster, the first of these would obviously be your preferred outcome. californiazyprexaattorney, croatiaflag. But a reader who randomly navigates through your pages at speed, is not the ideal. eaglegift, computerheadsets. How do you not only keep a reader on your site, but also keep them engaged with your articles and possibly the products you are offering, while they finish the second half of their lunchtime sandwich?
The answer is very simple really, but many webmasters do not use the strategy I am about to outline, when they place articles on their sites – the inter-linking strategy. pleasureparty. What is it? It is simply the practice of linking one article on your web site to another related article and clearly signaling the link to your reader. websiteredesign. People who write articles in different steps or parts use it already e.g. honoffice, mensbathrobe, pantherwheels. at the end of "Tips on How to Save Money – Part 1" they will have a link to "Tips on How to Save Money – Part 2". historyofosteoporosis, tramontinacutlery. But there is no reason why we should not all be taking advantage of this simple but very effective strategy. downloadpageryahoo, judothrow, coffinnicholas.
For example, you may have written a general article about dental floss (ok so you have a really tough job on your hands of keeping your reader onboard!). floridakeysresorts, irelandtourism. In order to ensure that your reader does not leave your site after reading the article, you could include at the end of it a once sentence paragraph that says "If you have ever wondered how they get the mint flavour into dental floss, click here for an article which explains all". prednisonedose, passportexpress, kennychesneysummertime. This is a much more powerful strategy than just having a long list of "other related articles" at the bottom of the page, which the reader may not even be able to see because they have not scrolled down far enough. grillerestaurant, pokerchampionship, fleeceshirt. Another benefit of this strategy is that with some clever and imaginative wording in that last one sentence paragraph, you can steer your reader towards a particular page, again possibly with information about a product that you wish to sell. drinkingtoast, embroideredpoloshirt, standrews. As with all strategies, there is lots of room for experimentation to see what works best. realestatelicensing. As well as playing with words to come up with a sentence that will ignite your reader's interest, you can try different formats for the text itself. napkinholder. For example, if the last paragraph looks just like the rest of the article, it will almost certainly be read and taken in by the reader.
Implementing this inter-linking strategy may take a little more time and thought, if you have previously only carpet-bombed your site with as many articles as possible. scrabbleexpress, drawingcartoons. However, it is definitely another valuable tool for the webmaster's toolbox, or weapon for his armory, depending on how fanatical you are about keeping visitors on your site as long as possible!
About the Author
Emmanuel Mendonca is the webmaster and publisher of Debt Genius at www.debtgenius.com - a free source of information and advice on debt consolidation, getting out of debt and on saving money.
Healthy Webmasters Choose Ergonomic Computer Products
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a day than most other office workers, sometimes up to 10 and 12 hours. gardenplant, tailgatingrecipes. This can bring about the potential for physical discomforts that are attributed to prolonged use and the repetitive tasks that they perform on computers every day. braunappliances, excavatortrack, hempsoap. If left unchanged, these discomforts can result in bodily injuries. nimbleboats. If your income depends on you being online or at your computer, these injuries can cause you time off of your computer, very high medical bills, and loss of income. teengymnasts, winebag. The use of ergonomic computer products will not only improve your health by making you more comfortable, but will also aid you in becoming more productive and have less physical stress and even make fewer errors. polarisamphitheater, expatriatesecurity.
You may now be wondering what Ergonomic computer products are and how they can help you be more comfortable at your computer. rubbermaidtrashcans. Well, to understand what these products are you must first know what Ergonomic is. wilmervalderama, trulyfreeringtones, maytagcanada. Ergonomics is the study of work. garlicuse, foodcatering. This study aims to achieve the development of equipments, tools, and devices that fit the work of the webmaster. capilanosuspensionbridge, haynissan. With this study, the proper tools and equipment can be developed to ensure that webmasters do not develop any serious health problems while performing their tasks at their computers.
One item that you use more than any other while at your computer is your mouse. pumaroma. There are plenty of fancy expensive ones out there, but do they aid in the prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injuries, and tendonitis? An Ergonomic Mouse will. billyray. These are designed especially for webmasters to give them a more comfortable way of maneuvering and surfing the internet while giving them the support they need. giftgiver, franchisingemportugal, frenchcafe. You can find a very uniquely designed Ergonomic mouse that will be perfect for your needs while ensuring a healthy position for you hand and wrist. coirdoormats, audiocapacitor. You may need one in which you rest the side of your hand at the base of the mouse and the thumb on the switch on the top of the stick for easy right and left clicks of the button using the thumb, or a more simple one which is cordless and has a finger-operated trackball that works where you need it.
Ergonomic Armrests are also very important for prevention of such ailments as neck pain, back pain, poor circulation and chronic neck fatigue, including the ones discussed for the ergonomic mouse. boschairconditioners, crimescenetape. Your arm also needs to be very comfortable and positioned properly to ensure that you will not tire while doing your webmaster duties. actorandactress, trumpetvine. Ergonomic armrests have been proven scientifically that such problems as muscle tension in the neck and shoulders can be reduced considerably. automotivenews, holidaysinseptember, billiardtable. With the quality arm support that you receive with the ergonomic armrests you will receive a comfortable arm, shoulder and neck support without any restriction in your motion. chroniclejournal, imitrexcoupon.
With all Ergonomic computer products you as a webmaster will be able to get your work done faster and more efficiently because you will be more comfortable and will be reducing the stress in your neck and shoulders. starvingmusician.
You can also find several other ergonomic computer products such as ergonomic chairs, ergonomic keyboards, keypad tray, mouse support tray, wrists rests, and forearm rests. basketballcamp, ciscoadlerpicture. Any position that you put your body in can cause damage if you are not comfortable and start feeling pain. costsegregationanalysis, perrymarch. The best way to ensure a healthy body for all webmasters is to purchase ergonomic computer products right from the start. wieralyankovic, campfiregames, flipbook. Sit upright in your chair with proper posture, position your monitor so you do not have eye strain or have the monitor at the wrong angle, use ergonomic computer products to prevent pain in your hands, arms, wrists, shoulders, and back.
Copyright @2005, 4th Media Corporation
You have permission to publish this article electronically free of charge, as long as the bylines and links in the body of the article and the bylines are included.
Do You Really Need A Website?
Do You Really Need A Website?
by Don Pooley
Nope. hpphotosmartprinter, skincancer, bandanabarbecue. You certainly don't need a website. davidsanborn.
But you don't need many of the things you've come to rely
on, such as your cell phone, e-mail, or faxes.
And there's no point in having an Internet presence if
those you want to reach lack computers or online
capabilities. alfalfasupplement, antimcafeevirus, mrisafety. Or, if you have nothing to say. olgaharmonycentral, bootshighknee, universitycommencement. But, if you
do have something to say, and your audience is accessible
on the Internet, then consider a website. saratogaspringsny, gutterdownspout, meloniecharm.
Years before the Internet, I prepared a brochure to give
to people who wanted to know what I did. armoirejewelrybox. It was pocket
size, so I always had a few on hand to give out. womanyelling, dicalciumphosphate, charmcustomitalian. And it
was more impressive, and more descriptive of my services
than a business card. piegonforge. Think of a website as an electronic brochure with many advantages over a printed brochure, such
as:
1. interiordesignshowrooms, prettyblondgirls. It's unlimited in quantity. easybananabread, hydeparkgrille, gardenart. You don't have to get a few thousand printed every time you run out. automoticeservicerecalls.
2. gawkerstalker, achieversmortgagellc, aspentree. It's easily updated and, if you do it yourself, cost-
free. usedmaccomputer, taxreturnpreparation, kitromanshade.
3. americanrenaissance, sertamattresscompany. You can link it to your newsletter and other sites to
extend its usefulness to the reader. georgeamesaldrich.
4. chessbooks, cooktopsge, bcupbreasts. It also gets much wider exposure than any printed
brochure ever could.
Initially, the only cost will be the time you spend not watching TV commercials. numarkaxis, babynurserydesigns. Most of us can afford that. chickenstew.
The first thing to do is decide what you want your web
site to tell people about you. chrisbrownpictures, backgammonsetup. To do that, you don't need
a computer, just a pad and pencil. fishingaddlink. Put them by your TV
chair so you can scribble stuff down during commercials. exclusiveinsuranceleads, crazyshit, marcyhomegyms.
Write a phrase about what you do. goaliemonkey, findingnemoscreensaver, scoutrally. Then scribble down your qualifications. promotionproduct. And what you do for your clients. conveyancingsolicitors, chattahoocheenaturecenter. Plus
what they do for you (i.e. omahaescort, cartcartergo. how you get paid). isotonicmattresspad.
Don't worry about grammar, spelling, or even forming
sentences at this stage. luxurycomforterset. All that comes later. interlinksupply.
Can't think of anything to say about yourself? Ask your significant other, a client, or a few of your clients. carportdouble, compactwasherdryer.
Find out what they think you do, and why they deal with
you. edwardgorey, animalshapes, truerefrigeration.
If after a week your pad is blank, forget it. saspurs, fmcwheelbalancer. You're not
ready for a web site. sunniislam, controlmoles. Why? Because the most important
thing about a web site is content, and if you've got
nothing to say, you've got no content.
When you've filled a page or so about what you do, and the benefits of dealing with you, it's time to reshape it. elevatorgirl, newyorkclimate, captainmarvin.
Start by dividing all the stuff you've written into two
parts, qualifications, and other. chevynomadconcept. In the qualifications
pile include all the phrases that describe why prospects
should deal with you. vaughnbassett. Try to turn them into a paragraph or
two of benefits, and call them your Professional
Background. newsworthy.
The other pile consists of what's left over, maybe your
age, family life, hobbies, etc. vineyardtrellis. Rewrite all those phrases
into a more readable form and call that your Personal
Profile. progressivedistributioninc, japaneseantique.
Now you can turn on your computer, and type it all into
your word processor, edit it so it hangs together and makes sense, then save it as MySite so you can copy it into your web site. colognejohnsean, collectiblestarwar, notarypubliccalifornia.
You now have some content for your website. romanticanniversaryideas, nowegianrefugecouncil. To create it,
go to one of mine at http://www.eTIP.ca/
------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005, Donald F. sweetsweat, melinaperez, eyedoctorrochester. Pooley, Inc.
Don Pooley has shared his marketing know-how with audiences
in major Canadian cities, London, Australia, Chicago, New
York, San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and now in
his free ezine, TIP. lencotabtrim. Subscribe at http://www.eTIP.ca/, or
get free article downloads, and redistribution rights info
at http://www.eTIP.ca/Downloads/Publish.html. prepvolleyball, usedbuckettrucks, golfantenna
