Hi Kids, Can you believe it? The end of Feb already? Is it that it's short a few days or did the month just fly like I think it did. Let's hope March doesn't come in like a lion. Here in Ohio coming in like a lion means snow and cold and we don't need more of that. It's been so mellow lately. Sunshiny, almost Spring like. I've even cracked a window for some fresh air. After being cooped up all Winter we all need some of that. I just finished watching the movie "Beaches". It makes me cry everytime. Yes, I've seen it before and know how it ends but it rips my heart out when the girl dies at the end. What a wimp I'm becoming. That's how you know a movie is good it provokes deep emotions inside of you. Not all movies can do that. I'm still asking you to fill out the "satisfaction survey" which I announced last week. If you haven't gotten to it yet I'd love to hear from you. Go to http://www.AdvancedSurvey.com look in the left hand side for "take a survey" and type this number in the box 10441 By doing so you'll be given a chance to have your ad featured in this ezine at no charge. Now that's a deal. The discussion board needs you! Please stop in and post. Ever try to go a whole day without the Net? I haven't in a long time ,pretty much work 7 days a week. Anyway, yesterday I thought I'd try to not touch a computer all day, sort of like a real day off with no work or email involved. I didn't want to and wanted to pick up my laptop many times but I stayed true to myself and didn't do it. I can't believe I made it. How did we ever survive without the Net? It seems to have become in grained into my life. If you spend too much time online try taking a 24 hour break. It feels good and you'll come back feeling refreshed. Don't forget to bookmark the Blog. You'll want to pay an occasional visit for extra goodies I find. http://merlesworld.blogspot.com/ If you'd like a chance to win a fr.e ad in this ezine please take 2 minutes and fill out our short survey at http://www.advancedsurvey.com/ when there put 8243 into the survey number box at the right hand side to take the survey. Everytime I write a new article I send it out to a list I maintain of publishers and website owners for possible inclusion in their newsletters or on their sites. If you'd like to be included in that list, send a message to mailto:addmetothelist@merlesworld.com?subject=ADDME As usual I've rounded up some great resources for you so let's get started. This week's winner for a free ad is..Carmella Leo For your own chance to win fill in the survey. You'll find the link at the very bottom of this ezine. A winner is pulled twice a month. Enter now. Thanks for joining me, let's get to the good stuff. If you have any comments you can send them to Me. Merle http://www.MerlesWorld.com Yahoo Birth of a New Machine The Great Can Sp.m Freak Out -------- Microsoft Announces Anti-Sp.m Initiative
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"Home Page Essentials: Miss These & You're Missing the Mark"
By Merle http://www.MCPromotionsPress.com
The home page (also known as "index" or "default"
page)
is usually the first thing people see upon entering
your site. If it doesn't grab them - or contain certain
information - many people won't venture past it... and
might just leave your site altogether. As my Mom used
to say, "You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a Good
First Impression." This rings even more true when it
comes to your website's home page.
So what are the essential components that every home
page really needs to include? And why are they so
important? Keep reading and you'll know in a flash
(no pun intended) whether your site is hitting the
mark or missing it altogether.
1) Your First Paragraph: I can't tell you
the number
of sites I've been to that don't tell me who they are
and what they do. Remember the "Five W's" when writing
about your company - Who, What, Where, Why and hoW.
Tell me up front who you are and what you offer so
I know if I'm in the right place or need to continue
my search.
A good rule of thumb when creating your site content
is to look at your site from a surfer's point of view
and answer this question: "What's in it for me?"
Web
site visitors tend to be very directed. They land on
your site after searching for something they need and
don't care about anything else. If you want your
visitors to stay, you need to tell them right away
that they've come to the right place.
2) Consistent Navigation: You need to decide
on a
navigational system. This is generally at the top
or left hand side of the page with links to every
page or section of your site. Make it clear and
simple for me to get where I need to go and don't
confuse me or cause me to think too hard about it.
This can lead to frustration and an early exit.
You'll also want to include text navigation at the
bottom of the page (sometimes called secondary
navigation). Another option would be to include
one of those drop down navigation boxes that allows
you to make a selection from a drop down box and
be transported instantly to that page.
3) Recommend to a Friend: You don't want
to forget
this viral marketing technique. Add a "click here
to recommend this site to a friend" somewhere on
the page. This can be done easily with a CGI script
or there are a number of free services online like
http://www.recomendit.com.
4) Subscribe to Our Ezine: You'll also want
to
include a chance to subscribe to your ezine on
this page. It's very important to your marketing
efforts that you start collecting a list of opt
in subscribers who are giving you permission to
contact them at a future date.
Most people will not buy from your site on the first
visit so you'll want to get those email addresses
for the possibility of a future sale. Mail lists
can be maintained with stand-alone software or your
web host may provide this service for you, you'll
need to ask. The easiest way to implement one is to
use one of the free list services like Yahoo eGroups
- <http://www.yahoogroups.com>Make
sure you include
an easy sign up form somewhere on your site - the
top right hand corner will get you the best attention.
5) Search Function: If your site is rather
large you
may want to include a search function. This gives
people the opportunity to find just what they're
looking for quickly. Search can be implemented with
a CGI script. You'll also find plenty of free search
functions available online at third party sites like
http://www.Atomz.com.
6) What not to Include: Things like long
Flash intros,
tons of pop up boxes and music, all which can serve to
annoy your guests - causing them to reach for the exit
button. If you feel the need to use a pop up box (which
have proven to be effective for actions like reminding
visitors to subscribe to a newsletter), use the type
that only pops up upon exit. It's less obtrusive and
doesn't hamper the web surfer when he or she first
enters your site.
So how many of these strategies have you implemented
on your home page? Remember, some people will never
make it past the entrance to your site, but by in-
corporating the above essential elements into your
page you'll increase the chances of a happier surfing
experience for your guest and a more effective website
for you.
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Merle http://www.EzineAdAuction.com
"Where some of the BEST Deals in Ezine Advertising are
Made"
Buy & Sell Ezine Ads in a live auction setting!
Publishers sell off your excess inventory and Buyers
pick up some Fantastic bargains. Free E-book on how to
write "glowing" ezine ads.....Download Now at
http://www.ezineadauction.com/ebooks/greatezineads.pdf
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WebSpell Checker
"Speller pages is really easy to integrate into your
site. It's ideal for Web mail programs, message board
software or Web-based content management systems -
anywhere it would be handy to check the spelling of
words contained in one or more HTML text inputs."
Fr.e
http://spellerpages.sourceforge.net/
--------
Free Shopping Cart
"osCommerce is an online shop e-commerce solution under
on going development by the open source community. Its
feature packed out-of-the-box installation allows store
owners to setup, run,and maintain their online stores
with minimum effort and with absolutely no costs or
license fees involved.
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Useful Tips
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Think your forms are boring? They Don't have to be.
Use this CSS code to colorbize them.
TextArea {background-colour: navy}
"New- Confessions of a Shameless Internet Promoters"
Discover the BEST of the best online marketing strategies
and secrets to success from the world's top online
marketing gurus.48 of the World's TOP Online Experts
spill their guts in this brand book by Debbie Allen.
Get your Copy Now and find out how to take your
website to the top. Go to..
http://tinyurl.com/2qh1
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If you'd like to swap ads with this ezine please send your
requests to mailto:adswap@merlesworld.com
Please include
your ezine name and the number of subscribers.
-------------------
ATTENTION: Small Online Biz Owners!
If you're trying to market your Website and are not
sure where to turn, subscribe to MC Promotions Press
Newsletter and get the information you need to be a
success online. Sure-Fire Promotion/Marketing Tips.
Sites that will help you. Little known advertising
tricks.....and much more. Start increasing traffic
to your site Now http://www.MCPromotionsPress.com
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Veo Mini Capture
Forgot your camera at home? Not a problem anymore.
This tiny miniature attaches to your keychain so it's
ready to go anytime you are. Small and compact and
comes with its own software.
http://www.veo.com/MiniCapture/default.asp
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Microsoft and California
"A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit
about certain Microsoft software acquired by consumers
and businesses between February 18, 1995 and December 15,
2001 for use in California. People and businesses that
are covered by the settlement can get vouchers that may
be redeemed for cash after buying eligible computer
products."
http://microsoftcalsettlement.com/
--------
Treasury Direct
Now the Government is jumping on the Internet bandwagon.
How about purchasing Treasury Bills, Notes, and Bonds
all without going to bank or leaving the house. All
you need is your SS #, your drivers license, and a
savings or checking account.
http://treasurydirect.gov/rs/Storefront.htm
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Do You Write Articles?
If so why not submit them to one of the largest article
databases online today. Imagine Free exposure of your
work, as it's reprinted in ezines and websites across
the Internet. Be seen by thousands by submitting your
writings now to...
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Browser Sizer
"BrowserSizer is a low-fat, NOT in-your-face tool to
help web developers check to see how their web pages
look on screen resolutions of 640x480, 800x600,
1024x768 and WebTV. It controls Internet Explorer
or Netscape Navigator from an unobtrusive, sit in
your tray, application that provides an interface
to resize either browser to the standard screen
resolutions."
http://www.applythis.com/browsersizer/
--------
FX Icon Maker
Create 32X32 icons from scratch or imported graphics.
This could come in handy for making Favicons.
http://www.jhepple.com/iconmkr.htm
-------
MusicMatch Jukebox
Musicmatch Jukebox software is quite simply the
world's best digital music player / CD burner and
ripper / music organizer /playlist creator and much
more. And it's fr.e. Burn your own CD's and much
more. Very cool!
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Well, that wraps it up,once again thanks for joining me.
If you have any comments please send them to comments@merlesworld.com
or visit the site.
For advertising rates for this ezine send...mailto:advertising@merlesworld.com
Current subscriber base is over 4,000- My list is clean as
all email addresses are removed the very first time they bounce.
Back issues can be reviewed here...http://www.MerlesMission.com
If you are not a subscriber and would like to be send mailto:subscribe@merlesworld.com
For great web hosting or if you're in need of a programmer
contact mailto:DavidBlack@SiteDesignandHosting.com
.He's wonderful and an expert at what he does. Tell him
"Merle" sent ya.
P.S. I am currently in need of testimonials for this ezine.If
you enjoy it please let me know. Send to mailto:testimonials@MerlesWorld.com
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If you haven't yet filled in the subscriber survey, get your free gifts by doing it now..and be entered into a drawing for a free ad in this ezine. Winner pulled twice a month. You'll find the survey at:http://www.advancedsurvey.com/ when there put 8243 into the survey number box at the right hand side to take the survey.
I'm now offering my articles for syndication on your website All you have to do is paste SOME code where you want the article to appear and every 10 to 14 days when I update it on my end it will display a fresh article on web design/ maintenance on your site. Easy to do and gives you fresh content without any work whatsoever. For more info and to get to the code Click Here.
Thanks for being a subscriber and I'll see you next time!
If you enjoy this ezine and would like to make a small donation
please go to http://tinyurl.com/21se
Disclaimer: Merle's World does not accept any responsibility
for any liabilities as resulting from any claims in this newsletter
or by the advertisers in it. This newsletter is for informational
purposes only. We respect your privacy and do not share our
mailing list with anyone. All content provided "as is"
without warranty of any kind. Comments in this ezine are strictly
the opinion of the publisher. Merle does not endorse, and
is not responsible for, the above ads. Please use your own
discretion when responding to ads in this ezine. Copyright
2001-2004 All Rights Reserved. View our Privacy
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