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What not to name your website or blog

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:17:51 +0000

I spotted the following ‘valuable’ piece of advice from a web designer based in Northern Ireland (via Twitter) and it’s a lesson worth learning…

OK, so you’ve thought about a fantastic name for your company and it’s time to purchase your website domain. Before you hit the purchase button, it’s always a good idea to run your decisions past someone else.

Why? Because, by shortening two words or more by simply removing the spaces in your business name, your domain name could attract an unwanted audience.

All of the businesses below didn’t spend quite enough time considering how their URLs might appear – or be misread…

So you want to find out the name of the agent or agency that represents any celebrity in the world, so you can book them for your upcoming event? Who better than ‘Who Represents’ [www.whorepresents.com]?

You’re a programmer and you need advice or want to provide advice to other programmers. Where better than ‘Expert Exchange’ [www.expertsexchange.com]?

Looking for a pen? Look no further than ‘Pen Island’ [www.penisland.net]?

Need a therapist? Try ‘Therapist Finder’ [www.therapistfinder.com]?

In Italy and need to contact a power company? ‘Italian Power Generators’ can be found at www.powergenitalia.com

And don’t forget the ‘Mole Station Native Nursery’ in New South Wales  [www.molestationnursery.com].

If you’re looking for ‘IP computer software’, there’s always www.ipanywhere.com.

Decided you have found God and want to attend church? Then you might want to head over to the ‘First Cumming Methodist Church Web’. Their website is www.cummingfirst.com.

And finally the designers at ‘Speed of Art’ await you at their wacky Web site –  www.speedofart.com.

The serious point is, always check your domain spelling and the way it reads. It saves on embarrassing marketing issues or red faces in front of clients later on.

The above article was written by Alan Anderson of Blue Tube Design.

Ignore snow and get Blogging

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:09:07 +0000

One of the best things I like about blogging is being able to write about anything, at anytime, from (almost) anywhere.

Today, January 6th 2010, the UK has been gripped by ’snow fever’. The main TV news, tabloids, social media networks, everything and everybody has had just the one subject to talk about – snow!

The image accompanying this article is of my koi pond and garden, taken with my Nokia N95 mobile phone at 8.00am. Looks pretty doesn’t it?

Due to the weather (we’re talking snow here of course) I was forced to stay at home. This gave me the opportunity to do all kinds of online tasks – including writing for various blogs and websites and also updating the keywords on my ‘main’ website – www.davcomedia.co.uk -though to be honest, they were all labours of love.

I could just have easily done all of it from an internet cafe, the local library, McDonalds or a thousand other places with free wi-fi hotspots.

Publishing content to the internet is now so easy and I strongly recommend anyone who is thinking about blogging to stop thinking and start blogging.

All you need is a blogging platform (WordPress is my preference), a subject to write about and access to the internet. That’s it.

What are you waiting for – get blogging.

Ian Davies
Editor

Meet Xavier Lur

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:34:10 +0000

Have you set yourself any blogging goals?

If you have, great. If you haven’t, I’d suggest you should.

A common blogging goal is to reach the milestone of X number of followers. Aiming for 100 initially, then 1,000, then 5,000 and so on.

Many Twitter users, perhaps even the majority, strive towards achieving a specific ‘followers’ goal.

Yesterday (May 13th 2009) Xavier Lur had 66,988 followers on Twitter!

So who is Xavier Lur?

Xavier is the most followed 15-year-old on Twitter and a blogging phenomenon from Singapore. His TechXav blog is an absolute mine of information on new technology and social media.

A self-confessed ‘geek’ Xavier loves to write and clearly has a flare for his passion.

“I’m just a 15-year-old student who loves blogging and I am keen to share my tech knowledge with all you guys via my blog. Running this tech blog is just one of my interests and a place for me to kill time.

“I blog on TechXav about Web 2.0 apps, online tips and news. I have good experience in technology (especially the Internet), search engine optimization (SEO), web designing, the blogosphere and even the Twitterverse.”

Xavier has wisely suspended writing any posts as he’s in the middle of exams at school. A smart move. That said, there’s no doubt his posting will come thick and fast once his exams are over.

Does Xavier’s long-term career goal include blogging?

“I’ve planned to put professional blogging as part of my hobby and my main careers goals is to become a financial investor just like Warren Buffett and maybe a psychologist (not so sure yet).”

Although Xavier is without doubt the driving force behind his TechXav blog, he does have the luxury of a co-editor to help him. 14-year-old Zhou Tong, who has a ‘mere’ 1,007 Twitter followers. I suspect that’s a goal achieved… 7 followers ago!

Top 40 list of lists

admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:18:53 +0000

What do Bloggers and blog readers love?

Their partner? Perhaps.

Their Children/Parents? Probably.

Lists? 100% guaranteed.

What about a list of lists? Absolute utopia!!!

Here’s a top 40 list of lists for you to dribble over, all related to building, managing and marketing a website.

Scripting (HTML/ CSS, PHP, Javascript etc…)

20 Useful PHP Components & Tutorials for Everyday Project:
http://www.noupe.com/php/20-useful-php-components-tutorials-for-everyday-project.html

53 CSS-Techniques You Couldn’t Live Without:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/01/19/53-css-techniques-you-couldnt-live-without/

70 New, Useful AJAX And JavaScript Techniques:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/08/70-new-useful-ajax-and-javascript-techniques/

Top 30 Ruby on Rails Tutorials:
http://webdeveloper.econsultant.com/ruby-rails-tutorials/

Web design

100 Websites With Outstanding Artistic Design:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2008/12/100-websites-with-outstanding-artistic-design

Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html

Top 100 best fonts of all time (German website):
http://www.100besteschriften.de/

Top 100 CSS Designs of 2007:
http://www.nerdbusiness.com/blog/top-100-css-designs-2007

Top 100 CSS Designs of 2008:
http://www.nerdbusiness.com/blog/top-100-css-designs-year

A Collection of 30+ Free Stock Photo Sites:
http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/03/05/a-collection-of-30-free-stock-photo-sites/

Top 10 Sites for Web Designers:
http://tutorialblog.org/top-10-sites-for-web-designers/

50 Useful Design Tools For Beautiful Web Typography:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/27/css-typographic-tools-and-techniques/

20 Steps to Better Wireframing:
http://thinkvitamin.com/features/20-steps-to-better-wireframing/

20 Free & Open Source Image Galleries for Web Designers:
http://www.cmdshiftdesign.com/blog/2008/11/17/free-image-galleries/

99 Resources for Web 2.0 Design:
http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design/web-20-design/

Top 20 CSS galleries (and more):
http://www.web-design-list.com/

Top 34 Web Design Mistakes:
http://www.bootstrike.com/Articles/DesignMistakes/

Freelancing

12 points to include in your design contract:
http://freelanceswitch.com/clients/what-should-be-included-in-a-design-contract/

7 Tips For Writing A Winning Web Design Proposal:
http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/03/03/7-tips-for-writing-a-winning-web-design-proposal/

10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/26/10-steps-to-the-perfect-portfolio-website/

Web copy & Blogging

5 Simple Ways to Open Your Blog Post With a Bang:
http://www.copyblogger.com/5-simple-ways-to-open-your-blog-post-with-a-bang

100 Excellent Free WordPress Themes:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/08/100-excellent-free-high-quality-wordpress-themes/

10 Blogging Tips for 2009 to Make It Your Most Successful Blogging Year Ever:
http://www.bloggingtips.com/2008/12/31/10-blogging-tips-for-2009-to-make-it-your-most-successful-blogging-year-ever/

10 Writing Tips for Web Designers:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/02/10-writing-tips-for-web-designers/

Social media

27 Twitter Applications Your Small Business Can Use Today:
http://www.smbceo.com/2009/03/25/top-27-twitter-applications/

10 ways to measure social media succes:
http://econsultancy.com/blog/3407-10-ways-to-measure-social-media-success

25 Free Social Media Marketing & SEO Ebooks, White Papers + Other Downloads:
http://www.seoptimise.com/blog/2009/03/25-free-social-media-marketing-seo-ebooks-white-papers-other-downloads.html

200 Blog Posts on Social Media:
http://www.spotlightideas.co.uk/?p=1787

Online marketing

Top 100 SEO & Internet Marketing Blogs:
http://www.blogstorm.co.uk/seo-blogs/

9 mistakes when creating [PPC] ad text:
http://www.ppchero.com/9-mistakes-when-creating-ad-text/

13 myths of pay per click:
http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/ppc/13-myths-of-pay-per-click/#comment-100985

10 Ways To Increase Your Adwords Quality Score – A Mini Case Study:
http://www.redflymarketing.com/blog/10-ways-to-increase-your-adwords-quality-score-a-mini-case-study/

7 Tips For Finding & Expanding Your Negative Keywords:
http://www.redflymarketing.com/blog/how-to-build-a-negative-keyword-list/

10 sales and marketing tips I learned from strippers:
http://www.onlymarketingjobs.com/jobboard/cands/newsview.asp?id=1511&nc=&ex=

Top HTML Email Coding Mistakes:
http://www.mailchimp.com/articles/top-html-email-coding-mistakes/

Software/ programs

Free HTML Editors, Web Editors, and WYSIWYG Web Editors and Site Builders:
http://www.thefreecountry.com/webmaster/htmleditors.shtml

Top 40 Free Downloadable Open Source Social Networking Software:
http://www.vivalogo.com/vl-resources/open-source-social-networking-software.htm

Analytics, optimisation & usability

14 free tools that reveal why people abandon your website:
http://www.conversion-rate-experts.com/articles/understanding-your-visitors/

108 ways to improve your conversion rate (scroll down page to find):
http://www.conversion-rate-experts.com/articles/101-google-website-optimizer-tips/

10 Web Analytics Tools For Tracking Your Visitors:
http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/03/26/10-web-analytics-packages-for-tracking-your-visitors/

10 Usability Tips for Web Designers:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2008/12/10-usability-tips-for-web-designers

Writing for the web

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:46:08 +0000

It took me some time to realise that there are a number of significant differences writing for the web when compared with conventional writing. In fact someone else told me my online writing style was pants. He was right!

I was over-elaborating, writing in long sentences and even longer paragraphs. I needed to learn the fundamental differences, and thankfully a very experienced freelance copywriter I’ve known for years steered me in the right direction.

What’s so special about writing for the web?

Reading from a screen can be hard on the eyes. This may explain why ongoing research (which started as far back as 1997) consistently concludes people rarely read web pages word by word. They scan pages for key words and phrases. Only 16% read word by word.

Tailor your writing for the web

Bullet points and numbered lists are good for emphasis!
Highlighted keywords are good too
Use headings and sub-headings to break up large blocks of text
Leave white space between paragraphs
Write in short, snappy sentences
Cut the word count. Use approximately 50% less than conventional writing
Don’t use jargon or buzz words. Readers hate them!

If your online writing is for a blog you must bear in mind your readers can comment on your articles too!

New to Blogging? A few tips and pitfalls!

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:06:08 +0000

When I took the decision to start blogging three years ago (with a now defunct blog) I jumped in with both feet and made a lot of mistakes. No wonder I hardly got any readers.

Here are a few tips and pitfalls to help you.

Don’t waste money on design.

Getting the right theme for your blog is important and I would strongly suggest you spend time getting it right. However, I firmly believe you don’t need to spend a fortune on the design. There are plenty of excellent free themes out there, though you can buy a “premium” theme for just a few pounds if you want something a little slicker. I’ve heard several horror stories about people spending thousands on their blog. It really isn’t necessary. Content and traffic is the key, both of which are achievable without expensive design. I am deliberately using a free theme on Blogging Crew, called I-Nove in this instance (one of the most popular themes available). I have made a few minor tweaks, such as adding a logo, but this is a good example of how your blog could look with NO money spent on design.

Don’t write about news.

There are so many great news blogs out there you will be wasting you time. Let’s face it, your potential readers will already be looking elsewhere for news. Forget it.

Pick the right niche.

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of blogging about ‘hot’ topics or even blogging about blogging (like me!) but you are far more likely to have a successful blog if you chose a niche subject. If you are an ‘expert’ on the subect and really passionate about it even better.

Make it a big niche!

You may be a World authority on Victorian thimbles manufactured between 1888 and 1891, and you are so passionate about the subject you can’t wait to start writing. If that’s the case you won’t get too many readers. Your niche needs to be a BIG niche!

Write with passion.

I’ve mentioned passion a few times now. It really is important. Your editorial will be far more compelling if you’re passionate. The oooommmph factor jumping off the page will smack your readers between the eyes and they are far more likely to stick with your blog as it develops.

Don’t force yourself to write.

Once your blog is up and running don’t force yourself to write every day. If content spills out of you that’s great, but it’s OK if you can’t write for a few days. Blogging should be a pleasure, not a burden.

Write solid content.

It’s better to write great editorial every few days than write drivel every day just for the sake of it. When you do feel inspired to write, make sure your readers will want to come back and read more.

Be open about making money.

If you’re looking to earn from your blog don’t be ashamed! There’s nothing wrong in blogging for profit, though don’t expect to earn an instant fortune. It’s not going to happen!

Choose the right blogging platform.

There are several different blogging platforms and my personal preference is WordPress. Why? Simply because I feel comfortable with WordPress and I find I can make the necessary tweaks needed from time to time myself. Adding plug-ins and widgets is very easy. There are plenty of options for you to consider and you may wish to take a look at Blogspot, Movable Type, TypePad or B2Evolution, though there are a whole lot more!

Tell your story.

Your readers will want to know something about you. Sure, they’ll run a mile if your blog is all me, me, me, me, but make sure you have an “about me” page for them to refer to. The human element of your blog (you!) is important.

Write for your readers.

Your content should be written for the benefit of your readers not for yourself. You need to give readers a reason to keep coming back to your blog.

Get to know other bloggers.

Building relationships with other bloggers will help you increase your traffic. If you produce great editorial share it with other bloggers. They are likely to write about you, you’re likely to write about them and so on. It doesn’t need to be a mutual back-slapping society, it’s a great form of networking. You can never have too many contacts.

Reply to every comment.

If you want to build a loyal following it is absolutely essential to respond to every comment. If the reader has taken the time and trouble to comment on your blog it’s courteous to acknowledge it. If you comment on this article (or any other on Blogging Crew) I will reply 100% of the time.

What is a Blog?

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:59:09 +0000

It’s surprising how many times I am asked that question, often by ’seasoned’ web users, who are used to sending emails and looking at the internet every day.

A Blog (“web log”) is usually written by one person and updated regularly (in theory at least). Blogs tend to be written on a specific topic, and believe me there are blogs on virtually any suject you can think of – even knitting needles! Some of these topics have spurned whole communities, putting people into contact with each other where they can share ideas, learn new skills, and even do business with people they’ve never even seen or spoken to from anywhere around the globe.

An initial glance at an average Blog (if there is such a thing) might not reveal too much, leaving you with a feeling that there’s very little going on. However, digging a little deeper often reveals a real goldmine of information. A click on ‘Archives’ opens a list of articles written by the author going back to when the Blog started.

Every new article (post) written goes to the top of the front page. As more content is added each post goes down the page until it disappears from it. However, it hasn’t ‘died’, it just goes into the ‘Archives’ of the blog. Think of the ‘Archives’ as an easily accessible filing cabinet. You can read those old posts, now located in the ‘Archives’, by looking on the ’sidebar’ (over on the right of this blog) or the ‘categories’ section, where posts are saved depending on the subject or content. The most recent articles are at the top and the oldest at the bottom.

Most Blogs (though not all) allow readers to comment on posts. The purpose of my blog is to help you with all aspects of blogging, so it makes sense to engage in conversation with my readers. You can give me feedback on virtually everything I write by clicking the ‘comments’ link at the bottom of each one of my posts. You leave your name, email address (which isn’t displayed publicly) and a link to your own blog or website if you have one, as well as your feedback, comment or question, essay. Try it now. I respond to EVERY comment!

One of the best ways to start a blog is read plenty of others for inspiration. Leave a few comments, ask questions and bookmark your favourites. However, the very best way to learn about blogs is… start your own! You do not need to be a technical genius to start one. It really is very easy. If you can write, you can blog! Thinking about the subject you’re going to write about is often the hardest part of starting a blog! That’s worth a whole post in itself.

Although I’ve been writing editorial for web sites since 1997, I didn’t start blogging until 2006, and trust me my first blog was a complete and utter disaster. I’ve learned a lot since then. Enough to start blogging crew and help virgin bloggers.

That first blog was put together for free using the Blogspot platform. It was a great place to start and its failure was entirely down to me – not the platform. Blogspot (or Blogger as it’s also known) is owned by Google and it really is a sinch to get a blog up and running. Go on, give it a go. If you struggle you know where I am!