Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #3
Copyright (c) 2002 : http://www.ground-z.org
March 28 2002 : All Rights Reserved
Editor : Rik Tairea - webmaster@ground-z.org

This is a FREE monthly newsletter created for webmasters and website owners who are looking for resources, website tools, editorials, software, eBooks, promotion and design tips to help get the most out of a website. For in-depth webmaster resource reviews, website related articles, website awards and past newsletter issues then visit the Groundzero website located at http://www.ground-z.org.


- In This Issue -

1. Introduction
2. Recommended Resources
3. Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero
4. Editors Corner
5. Promotion Tip
6. Recommended Download
7. Subscriber Sites
8. Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy
9. Final Thoughts
10. Newsletter Details


- 1.Introduction -

Welcome to the third issue of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month I discuss webmaster forums and website goals. Along with that we also have the monthly recommended resources, downloads, promotion tip and more.

As I was writing this months newsletter I kept on wondering to myself what you would like to see in this publication? So I'll ask you, what do you want to see in this newsletter? Let me know what kind of resources you need me to review, what kind of webmaster related issues I should address, etc.

What do you need that maybe I can help you with?

If your in the sharing mood then send in any suggestions you may have regarding recommended resources, downloads and promotion tips so that other webmasters can benefit. Total credit will be given and I'm especially looking for unique or good promotion tips.

If you would like to change the e-mail address that you are subscribed under then just send me a message informing me of your old address and supply me with the new one. I'll do the change for you then I'll send you a confirmation message notifying you the change has been made.

I hope that makes it more easier than unsubscribing and then having to re-subscribe again in order to make the change.

Enjoy this months issue!


- 2.Recommended Resources -

WebReview CSS Reference - http://www.webreview.com/style
The WebReview Style Sheet Reference Guide makes it simple to ease you into Cascading Style Sheets by offering you a one stop area for finding everything you need to know about CSS. Highly recommended on this website are the Browser Style Compatibility Charts, especially "The Master List" which lists every aspect of the CSS spec and identifying how well it is supported by the various versions of Opera, Internet Explorer, and Netscape browsers.

Affiliate Venture - http://www.affiliateventure.com
This website is a no-hype guide to advertising networks, affiliate programs, sponsor opportunities and making money with your websites. If you're deciding to try and make some money with your website, newsletter or e-book then you have to visit Affiliate Venture. Not only do they have reviews on various affiliate programs and networks but they also host an excellent multi-part beginners guide "How to make money with your website using affiliate programs".

My Own E-mail - http://www.myownemail.com
M.O.E allows you to create a free web based e-mail account with over 200 domain names to pick from. I have a Hotmail account but it receives way too much spam for an address that is hardly listed anywhere. M.O.E is my web based e-mail of choice because of the large choice of domains, easy to use filtering, simple interface and minimal advertising.


- 3.Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero -

Here are the top 10 rated webmaster resources reviewed at Groundzero - http://www.ground-z.org - Visit the resources section to read the in-depth reviews on various website tools, affiliate networks, traffic generators and e-zines.

1 : A Best Web
2 : Vibrant Media
3 : Free Domain Name
4 : Sitepoint Tribune
5 : Trafficology
6 : Website Forums
7 : Commission Junction
8 : Shareasale
9 : Sphosting
10 : Hits4me

The top 10 list can change during the month.


- 4.Editors Corner -

"Webmaster forums = wealth of information"

The other day I realized what I do with the majority of time I spend on-line (no it has nothing to do with websites that start with P and rhymes with Corn, I swear!). Roughly, I probably spend about an average of 2 hours on-line a day, some days more and some less.

I'll break it down for you :

- 5% = checking search engine listings
- 5% = going through award submissions
- 10% = research
- 10% = downloading/sending e-mail
- 10% = website promotion
- 20% = affiliate networks/checking stats
- 40% = reading/posting @ webmaster forums

As you can tell from those statistics I spend the majority of my on-line time @ webmaster forums. A webmaster forum is where website owners like yourself post messages, topics, requests and answers that relate to promoting, creating, designing and maintaining websites. If you're like me and spend quite a bit of time @ webmaster message boards then you know how valuable the information they provide is.

For example, when I started out creating Groundzero back in early 2001 I needed some input regarding the webpage design. I posted a message in a forum one evening asking for a site review and come the next day there were a few replies with very constructive feedback that helped me make some changes.

That is a small example of what can be gained from being a part of a webmaster forum. It's also the perfect way to keep informed of the various issues that may affect your website. When scumware came along and reared it's ugly head there was and still is) major discussions on the boards about what companies were using it and how to combat it.

Other advantages of webmaster forums include :

- finding interesting promotion techniques
- networking with other webmasters
- helping other webmasters (especially newbies)
- establishing a reputation
- affiliate program/network issues

I read six forums on a daily basis and I am an active member on two very excellent boards. A Best Web and Website Forums are where I spend most of my on-line time hanging out and participating in discussions. You can be a member of as many forums as you want but I feel more comfortable @ these two because I have established good relationships with some of the webmasters that frequent there.

I stand by these two webmaster forums 110% and this is why I am affiliated with them. It's really easy to find me, just look for the username "Rik" (say hello). There are some really helpful webmasters (besides myself) to help you out. Even if you don't need any help then join up with the intent to share your valuable experience with others.

A Best Web - http://www.abestweb.com
Website Forums - http://www.websiteforums.com

Other recommended webmaster forums :

Geekvillage - http://www.geekvillage.com/forums/index.php
Get High Traffic - http://www.gethighforums.com
Search Engine Forums - http://www.searchengineforums.com
Sitepoint - http://www.sitepointforums.com
Webmaster World - http://www.webmasterworld.com

WARNING - webmaster forums can become very addictive!


"Goals for your website"

Last year I stopped work on Groundzero for about two months. Reasons included not enough time, working on other websites and my favorite, plain old laziness. The main reason I chose to resume work on Groundzero was because it was starting to actually get some traffic and it started to make a small amount of money (which totally surprised me).

Another reason I resumed work on it was because I came up with some ideas that were really exiting (probably only exiting to me only but none the less exiting). What I did with those ideas was to use them as goals for my website.

These goals don't include the usual getting more traffic, revenue and creating more content (although I do strive to achieve these things). I've ear marked 2002 to implement three phases, basically I'm going to add three new features to Groundzero and so far you are reading Phase One and as I write I'm half way through Phase Two.

Phase One : publish the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter
Phase Two : create and promote an e-book
Phase Three : top secret

Hopefully so far you like Phase One because it's something I should have done earlier because I really enjoy doing it. Phase Two will hopefully be completed in the next couple of months, I'll keep the topic and title hush hush for now but I guarantee subscribers will be the first to hear about it.

It won't be ground breaking but it will be a free, with new content written by me (not just copied from other e-books) and it will have no advertising (just a link to Groundzero and information about this newsletter).

I'll keep tight lipped about Phase Three because I once got some advice not to tell people about an idea you may not implement until further down the road (I hope that doesn't make sound like a snob). It's not an original or ground breaking idea but I'll keep it quiet. I even have a small idea for what I have planned for the year 2003 but I'll restrain my self from jumping ahead to far.

So why am I telling you my website goals?

It's because it's something I recommend that you do (if you haven't done so already) because it gives you an incredible amount of focus (something of which I used to lack). Whether it be aiming to get more traffic, makeing more revenue or whatever, it's a great idea to set a goal and focus because it's a great motivation tool that you can use to obtain the desired results you are looking for.

Do I sound like a Tony Robbins wannabe or what?


- 5.Promotion Tip -

"Win as many website awards as possible"

As some of you may know, Groundzero is also home of the "Groundzero Design Award" which is presented to sites that demonstrate a highly innovative design that combines well with excellent content. There are literally hundreds (maybe even a couple thousand) of awards out there up for grabs and the more you win, the more traffic you can potentially direct to your website.

Depending on your website design, content and the website award you are applying for it can be very easy or very hard (hmm that sounds pretty ambiguous) to win some of these awards, let alone just one. Some websites just plain ol give them away to anyone who applies just as long as you link back to them while others follow a mapped out criteria to decide what kind of pages earn their award.

And even if you win an award it doesn't exactly guarantee that you will see any traffic from it. The real worth in winning multiple awards is the link popularity that is gained from having a lot of pages point to your website. This results in better search engine placement for your website and in most cases a better Page Rank with Google. Download the Google Toolbar @ http://toolbar.google.com

Despite what I said before you may still get some traffic from having a listing of your url on an award site. For example, let's say you win 100 awards (this is possible, it just depends on your website) and each award site sends you an average of 1 visitor per week. Now that's 100 visitors a week, 400 a month, 4800 a year and so on, and on, and on.

Now I just made up that 1 visitor per week statistic because in reality it could be less or a whole lot more (to be honest I'm not totally sure but the law of averages should be on my side). This just depends on the quality of the awards you have won, how much traffic the webpages concerned get and how they present/promote their award winners.

When applying for multiple awards the main point to consider is will that website link to you if you win. If you can't find a "winners section" then don't even bother applying because this tip will not work. If you just want the prestige that comes with winning a quality award then by all means apply because you have nothing to lose, you may also receive valuable feedback about your pages.

To find out more about website awards and a listing of the hundreds of awards you can apply for then you cannot go past these two award resources.

Websiteawards - http://websiteawards.xe.net
Award Sites - http://www.awardsites.com


- 6.Recommended Download -

Name : WS_FTP LE
Size : 690 KB
Price : Free
Operating System : Windows
Minimum Requirements : Windows 95
URL : http://www.ftpplanet.com/download.htm

WS_FTP LE (limited edition) is a standard FTP client for Winsock. It has an easy-to-use graphical interface and advanced features. It contains profiles that can be set up to toggle between commonly visited FTP sites. This version is available free to government employees, non-commercial home users, students and educational institution staff.

It still surprises me that some webmasters who want a free FTP client still don't know about this gem of a download. I use Cute FTP to do my website uploading but that's not a free product, but I did use WS_FTP LE when I was starting out and so far it's the only free FTP client I recommend.


- 7.Subscriber Sites -

To get your site featured in this newsletter just send an e-mail to webmaster@ground-z.org As long as your website doesn't contain anything offensive then please feel free to submit. Only available to subscribers, and a link to http://www.ground-z.org would be highly appreciated.

There were no submissions this month so instead of leaving this section empty I've decided to add a few websites that show what some of my interests are and what I'm into.

Favorite Music Genre :
Punknews - http://www.punknews.org

Favorite Band :
Propagandhi - http://g7welcomingcommittee.com/propagandhi

Favorite TV Show :
Six Feet Under - http://www.hbo.com/sixfeetunder

Favorite News Source :
ZNet - http://www.zmag.org

Favorite Hobby :
Guitar Playing - http://www.guitar.net

I should point out that you can sumit multiple websites and if you get your website listed in this newsletter it will also be featured on the Groundzero website under the past newsletter issues section. I can't guarantee you will get a lot of traffic but hey, it's free.


- 8. Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy -

If you have any questions regarding this newsletter then please feel free to contact the editor at the following e-mail address : webmaster@ground-z.org. You can also send in any feedback about the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter to the same address and even say hello.

If for some reason you no longer wish to receive thisnewsletter then send an e-mail to webmaster@ground-z.org with the subject heading "Unsubscribe" from the address you signed up with. You will be removed from future mailings.

If a friend has sent you a copy of this issue and you would like to subscribe then sign-up by visiting Groundzero at
http://www.ground-z.org You can also sign up by sending an e-mail to webmaster@ground-z.org with the subject heading "Newsletter Subscription" and your address in the body.

I hate SPAM and I will respect your privacy. I won't share or sell your e-mail address with anyone, send you any unsolicited mail or collect any demographic information about you. Your e-mail address will only be used to receive the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter and any correspondence you have with us will remain confidential.


- 9.Final Thoughts -

I hope you enjoyed the third issue of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter, as always I enjoyed writing it (I'm not kidding when I say that). Remember you can always read past issues of this newsletter on the website and the next issue will be sent out April 28 2002.

I probably should be telling you what's going to be in the next issue but to tell you the truth I have no idea what so ever. I don't begin to write an issue until about ten days before it goes out, so remember, if there's anything you would like to see in here then let me know (as long as it's webmaster/website related).

If you have missed previous issues of this newsletter and would rather read them in your favorite e-mail client rather than on the website then just send me an e-mail and ask. I'll get onto it for you as soon as possible.

Feel free to send any feedback/comments you may have about this newsletter, so far the feedback has been great and highly useful. If you want to say hello then go for it! I love receiving e-mail (that isn't spam). As always, the e-mail is webmaster@ground-z.org

If you think you know someone who might be interested in reading this newsletter then do them (and me) a favor and forward them this entire e-mail or point them to the Groundzero website located @ http://www.ground-z.org

Just remember to inform them that "you" are recommending them the copy because I don't want to be perceived as a "spammer". If you want to help out some more then feel free to place a link on your website to http://www.ground-z.org Every link is highly appreciated.

Thanks for your time and stay safe.
Your humble editor : Rik Tairea


- 10. Newsletter Details -

You are receiving the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter because you submitted your e-mail address by way of a sign-up form located at Groundzero or at one of our partner sites. You may have also subscribed by e-mail. If you do not wish to receive this publication anymore then please follow the unsubscription e-mail link located in section 9.

No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. You may forward this newsletter by e-mail as long as you forward it in its entirety. It is forbidden to post this newsletter on any website or republish it in print or other media without prior written consent from the editor.